Read ICO: Castle in the Mist for Free Online

from the capital.
    Of course, in order to actually reach the Castle in the Mist, you had to do more than just cross the Forbidden Mountains. From there, the elder had told him, you would take a trail west through a deep forest and over rocky highlands, along a steep and treacherous path that went on for days. Only the priest from the capital knew the way. It would take more than a miracle for Toto to reach the castle himself.
    But he would be able to reach the mountains.
    “Which horse did he take?” Ico asked.
    “Arrow Wind.”
    Arrow Wind was good on rocks and steep trails. Like his name suggested, he flew like an arrow through the narrowest ravines and across the highest cliff tops without fear or falter.
    “He’s gone to the Forbidden Moutains,” Ico whispered.
    The guard turned pale. “How do you know that?”
    “No one from the village has gone north looking for him, have they?”
    “Of course not, it’s forbidden. No one will go close.”
    “No one except Toto. If he left in the middle of the night, he’s already there by now.” And when he sees what lies on the other side—
    “I want you to ask the elder something for me,” Ico said suddenly. “He must lend me Silverstar. I’ll catch Toto and bring him back.”
    The guard took a step backward. “What are you talking about? We can’t let you out of this cave. You know that.”
    “But except for the elder, only I can enter the Forbidden Mountains, and he’s too old to ride Silverstar so far.”
    The guard took another step back until he was flat against the door. “You mean you’ve been to the mountains?”
    “Yes. The elder took me there when the Time of the Sacrifice came.”
    “Why’d he do a thing like that?”
    So that I would play my role without question, Ico thought, but he said, “We don’t have time to talk about these things—I have to go after Toto!”
    The guard turned and dashed from the cave, locking the door behind him. Ico’s heart pounded. He paced in circles. He could not hear the sound of the loom today. The entire village must be in disarray. He wondered how his foster mother was taking the news.
    What seemed like only a few moments later, the elder entered. The guard opened the door for him then quickly fled, leaving Ico and the elder alone inside.
    “Elder, I—”
    The elder’s open hand hit Ico’s cheek with such force that he lost his words and gaped. “Elder?”
    “What nonsense did you put in that boy’s head?”
    The elder’s face was severe, his mouth strangely twisted. Ico had never seen him this way before, not even on the day that he had taken him into the north.
    “I haven’t told him anything—”
    “I know Toto came here the other day. I looked the other way because I know he’s your friend. And now I see I have made a terrible mistake. What did you put him up to? What are you planning?”
    Ico’s mind reeled. Planning? Me? Why would I want to involve Toto in any of this? He’s my best friend. Why is the elder accusing me of things I haven’t done? So great was Ico’s shock that he didn’t even notice how his face stung.
    “I’ll admit, I didn’t imagine children were capable of such scheming,” the elder said, his hands clenching into fists at his sides, as if he were holding them back from striking Ico again. “Toto disappears, and you leave the village on the pretense of finding him. With you two on Silverstar and Arrow Wind, no hunter in the village would be able to catch you. Tell me plainly—where is Toto waiting to meet you? Where were you going to go once you were together? I shouldn’t have to mention that there is no safe haven for the boy with horns.”
    “We weren’t planning anything! I swear!”
    “You lie to me, even now?” the elder said.
    “It’s not a lie! Why don’t you believe me?”
    Ico went to hug the elder despite himself, but the elder brushed his hands away and turned his back to the boy. “It gave me much pride that day you accepted your fate as