The Moon of Gomrath

The Moon of Gomrath
Alan Garner

The much-loved classic, finally in ebook.

Enthralling sequel to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

It is the Eve of Gomrath – the night of the year when the Old Magic is aroused. Had Colin and Susan known this, they would never have lighted a fire on the Beacon, thereby releasing the uncontrollable ferocity of the Wild Hunt. Soon they are inextricably caught up in the struggle between their friend, the Wizard Cadellin, and the evil Morrigan.

The strength of their courage will determine whether or not they survive the awaiting ordeal…

Book two in the Weirdstone trilogy.

For Adam, Ellen & Katherine

CONTENTS

Cover (#u0191d0ba-eaa1-5e43-8985-dcb4235e0c23)

Title Page (#uc22e66ea-48d2-5080-9968-b195458feb41)

Dedication (#u382c9e90-2c6d-5cb6-9830-c4cea7d7f514)

Map (#ulink_0e9a4be2-5ad6-5d29-a236-016c753c9f5e)

Epigraph (#u768ba280-d2f6-5759-89cf-10c1de63699d)

1. The Elves of Sinadon (#ulink_d96a31c3-f264-5d10-879b-b7fce992041d)

2. The Well (#ulink_019022e4-76ee-585d-9bf6-3490479edebd)

3. Atlendor (#ulink_53ca95c8-c48e-5d67-b85a-ee8ab66377d3)

4. The Brollachan (#ulink_becfd197-43e1-5315-bb7e-b3927bdbaf0f)

5. “To a Woman yt was Dumpe” (#ulink_3d800a53-87d3-5cb8-ae5d-e94f1fddf860)

6. Old Evil (#ulink_c6d6097e-35cf-5601-b1cd-a1d3b4a730ff)

7. Old Magic (#litres_trial_promo)

8. Shining Tor (#litres_trial_promo)

9. The Horsemen of Donn (#litres_trial_promo)

10. Lord of the Herlathing (#litres_trial_promo)

11. The Dale of Goyt (#litres_trial_promo)

12. The Mere (#litres_trial_promo)

13. The Bodach (#litres_trial_promo)

14. The Wild Hunt (#litres_trial_promo)

15. Errwood (#litres_trial_promo)

16. The Howl of Ossar (#litres_trial_promo)

17. The Witch-brand (#litres_trial_promo)

18. The Dolorous Blow (#litres_trial_promo)

19. The Children of Danu (#litres_trial_promo)

20. The Last Ride (#litres_trial_promo)

Notes (#litres_trial_promo)

Praise (#litres_trial_promo)

Also by the Author (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

MAP (#ulink_eb50ab8e-7281-5510-b28f-3dacf38e3ed7)

“And for to passe the tyme thys book shal be plesaunte to rede in, but for to gyve fayth and byleve that al is trewe that is conteyned herein, yet be at your lyberté.”

WILLIAM CAXTON

31 JULY 1485

CHAPTER 1 (#ulink_0036e873-05a0-5565-931b-71e0f1a0e40b)

THE ELVES OF SINADON (#ulink_0036e873-05a0-5565-931b-71e0f1a0e40b)

It was bleak on Mottram road under the Edge, the wooded hill of Alderley. Trees roared high in the darkness. If any people had cause to be out in the night, they kept their heads deep in their collars, and their faces screwed blindly against the Pennine wind. And it was as well they did, for among the trees something was happening that was not meant for human eyes.

From a rib of the Edge a shaft of blue light cut the darkness. It came from a narrow opening in a high, tooth-shaped rock, and within the opening was a pair of iron gates thrown wide, and beyond them a tunnel. Shadows moved on the trees as a strange procession entered through the gates and down into the hill.

They were a small people, not more than four feet high, deep-chested, with narrow waists, and long, slender arms and legs. They wore short tunics, belted and sleeveless, and their feet were bare. Some had cloaks of white eagle feathers, though these were marks of rank rather than a protection. They carried deeply curved bows, and from their belts hung on one side quivers of white arrows, and on the other broad stabbing swords. Each rode a small white horse, and some sat proudly erect, though most drooped over the pommels of their saddles, and a few lay irrevocably still across their horses’ necks, and the reins were held by others. All together they numbered close on five hundred.

Beside the iron gates stood an old man. He was very tall, and thin as a young birch tree. His white robes, and long white hair and beard flew with the gale, and he held a white staff in his hand.

Slowly the horsemen filed through the gates into the glimmering tunnel, and when they were all inside, the old man turned, and followed them. The iron gates swung shut behind him, and there was just a bare rock in the wind.

In this way the elves of Sinadon came unnoticed to Fundindelve, last stronghold of the High Magic in our days, and were met by Cadellin Silverbrow, a great wizard, and guardian of the secret places of the Edge.