Claw the Giant Ape

  “You will not be so sure of yourself when you meet the next evil Beast — Soltra,” said Malvel.

  “Where is Aduro?” Tom challenged.

  Malvel laughed, a sneering sound that echoed around the jungle. His image faded. In his place, Tom saw the great jungle crater they had left behind. Lying among the white animal bones was a scrap of red cloth.

  “Aduro’s cloak is red,” said Elenna, her voice filled with anger. “What have you done with him, Malvel? If you have harmed him …”

  The sound of Malvel’s laughter filled the air once more as the image of the crater receded, and Tom felt something brush past him. He whirled around, but could see nothing.

  “Good luck,” the voice of Malvel whispered in his ear. It felt like the cold touch of a bat’s wing. “You and your team of nobodies. When you see what still lies in store on this Quest, you’ll need it….”

  Tom gripped his sword, feeling the comforting weight of his shield on his back. He remembered the golden helmet in Storm’s saddlebag and glanced at the golden chain mail that lay across the stallion’s broad back. They were not alone. The Beasts of Avantia were on their side, and with every evil Beast he defeated he gained one more piece of the precious armor. His powers were growing.

  “We’ll be ready!” he vowed, thrusting his sword into the air. “Whatever it takes, Malvel, we will defeat you!”

  Copyright

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  Beast Quest series created by Beast Quest Ltd., London. BEAST QUEST is a trademark of Beast Quest Ltd.

  Text copyright © 2008 by Beast Quest Ltd.

  Illustrations copyright © 2008 by Scholastic Inc.

  Cover art by David Wyatt

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  First printing, September 2008

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  eISBN: 978-0-545-29430-0