Read Yon Ill Wind for Free Online Page B

confidence.  It was as though he were balancing her, compensating for the motions he made.  She was, indeed, in no danger of falling.  It was glorious.
    They walked back to the RV.  Now it was time to dismount, but Karen wasn't sure how.  Then the centaur put back one hand, and she grabbed his hand and steadied herself as she slid down.  “Thank you!  Thank you,” she babbled.  “That was the greatest ride ever!”
    He smiled faintly.  “You remind me of my little sister.”
    “Gee, where is she?”
    “She was exiled.” His mouth closed so firmly that she knew he would say no more on that subject.
    They entered the RV, where the pets were glad to see them.  Sean put Woofer on a leash, and David did the same for Midrange.  Some folk thought that cats couldn't be leash-trained, but so many cats had been killed in the neighborhood, mostly getting hit by cars, that they had done it with this one, and Midrange was used to it.
    Tweeter was another matter.  He always stayed close to Karen when they went out, and would come to her when she lifted a finger for him to perch on, so he had more freedom.  She brought him out, proudly perched.
    All three animals were obviously surprised by the centaur.  They stood and stared, evidently not sure whether to be friendly or hostile.
    “There is one on the mainland who has a cat-pet,” Carleton said.  “Her name is Jenny Elf.” Then he turned to the vehicle.  “This is a house?”
    “A combination house and motor vehicle,” Dad said.
    “You might call it a house that moves.”
    “A magic house,” the centaur agreed.  “How does it move?”
    “The motor is connected to the wheels, making them turn and move it forward.” Dad opened the motor compartment.  “Here is the motor.  I couldn't find any loose wires, so it's something more subtle.  I'm not an auto mechanic, so my expertise is limited.”
    “Mine is surely less, in this connection,” Carleton said.
    “I make no sense of this at all.  Can you make it operate now?”
    “I'll try, just in case.” Dad got in and cranked the starter.  The motor coughed once, but wouldn't catch.
    “Amazing,” the centaur said.  “It does seem to be alive, but in very bad health.  I will try the elixir.” He brought out a vial and sprinkled a few drops of liquid on the motor.
    Karen stifled a smile; she didn't know beans about motors, but even she was sure that wouldn't do a thing for it.  She saw the boys reacting similarly.
    Dad tried the starter again—and the motor caught.  Suddenly it was not only running, it was purring.
    Several jaws dropped.  “That's either one bleep of a coincidence,” Sean auittered.  “Or—”
    Dad got out, leaving the motor running.  “What did you do?” he asked.  “Suddenly it's perfect.”
    “I simply sprinkled some healing elixir on it,” Carleton said.  “Normally it has little effect on anything inanimate, but your motor creature seems to be animate, and I had nothing better to try.  I'm glad it helped.  Your house should be all right now, because it is completely healed.” He frowned.  “Though I still do not see how it can move.”
    “Watch,” Dad said, and got back in.  In a moment the RV nudged forward.  It drove in a circle, and stopped where it had been.  Then the engine died.  “Nosense wasting gas until we actually go,” Dad said, emerging.
    “This is phenomenal,” the centaur said, obviously impressed.  “A rolling house.  I have not seen such a thing before.”
    “But there seem to be no paved roads here,” Mom said worriedly.  “And no bridges.  We have nowhere to drive.”
    “I believe there is a high-way on the mainland,” Carleton said.  “Unfortunately, it is a troll pike.  You have to pay the trolls at every turn.”
    “We're used to that,” Dad said.  “How do we get across to the mainland?”
    “We shall be glad to ferry you across.  We can have a craft ready by noon.”
    “But the winds remain so