Something bothered him about the fort. They had no wizards, no spears, and their defenses were inadequate. Taking the fort was too easy for his liking; they hadnat even brought out their horsemen.

Glier rode up beside him. aThe gate is down, and weave got enough room to ride right in. Cavalry through the opening and infantry climbing the walls, weall have that fort before dinnertime.a aThatas what bothers me. We know they must have more powerful weapons. Why arenat they using them?a aMaybe they sent them all to Elrad. After all, thatas where the war is,a Glier offered.

Zodiac shook his head. aI donat like it. Send in our cavalry and finish it off quick. Donat hang around in there--get the place burning and get out.a aRight.a Glier nodded and rode off, calling for his troops to gather.

Zodiac rode to the hillock where Stazor was watching the battle with a group of his knights. He was now thinking this fort might be a diversion. While they had their attention on it, the enemy was probably massing for the real battle. It would not be a total surprise, of course; but it would catch them thinned out in a long semicircle. The only thing he was glad of was that all the druids and supply wagons were safely tucked away in a valley.

He had reached the base of the hillock and started up when a series of loud explosions rocked the ground. Thinking of the fort first, he looked that way. The fighting had stopped for a moment as his men there also searched for the source of the noise. He spurred his horse to gain high ground so he could see what was happening.

On the top, the knights were looking behind him and pointing. He turned to see smoke rising from where he knew his own men were. Only it wasnat fighting men hidden in that valley, but the druids.

A large number of horsemen appeared over a ridge behind him. The lead riders swung what looked like slings as they charged, flinging globes that sailed into the valley again; and more explosions rocked the area.

Stazor was already barking orders to his knights to form up and surround the raiders.

aCollect your men! Weall reform at the southern tip of the lake!a Zodiac shouted to him then galloped back to his own men.

More explosions sounded, this time to the north. Right after that, he happened to be looking at the fort and saw his cavalry racing to the gate. Several spears shot up and out of the fort, ripping into them. Pilgyns emerged from the banks behind the fort and charged. A vlak sprang over the wall and attacked a group of his men.

It was a trap, and he had fallen into it. He got back to his observation point and found more pilgyns charging out from the lake. His men in front of the fort were being decimated by explosions. Duncan had gathered a score of infantrymen around him and was turning back the spears and globes that came near him. The soldiers around him shot at the advancing pilgyns. Near the northern end of the fort, another group tried to run from the vlak that was slashing them.

The battle spread as small groups of hoarcs and pilgyns came from their hiding places behind what he thought had to be every low area on the plains. As his men retreated from the fort, horsemen poured out of the burnt gate. Quickly figuring the new odds, he thought that at best they were now evenly matched in numbers. In weapons, his side was coming up short.

Zodiac rode hard, consolidating his troops. Gathering the remains of Glieras cavalry, he broke through a phalanx of pilgyns to help a troop of embattled elves. In the midst of the battle, he formed most of them back into ranks. Fighting along the way, they got to the valley where the druids waited.

The area was blasted; robed figures and their guards lay everywhere. They checked every body, but the ones who hadnat been killed by the explosions had been run through. Even the wounded had been slaughtered.

The sound of hooves approaching geared them up to fight another enemy force. Zodiac breathed a sigh of relief as instead Pynlee led a band of horsemen over the rise accompanied by three knights. Seeing him, she rode up and waved her sword the way they had come.

aWe got quite a few and split the others up. The druids are dead, or gone to ground. The enemy went off to the west to reform.a Waving at the knights, she said, aThis is all that is left of Sir Glandowas knights.a Zodiac knew Sir Glandow had commanded a full company of a hundred-twenty knights when the day started. He hoped they had killed at least that many to suffer such large losses. Adding the group Pynlee brought in, he now had just over three hundred on hand. aHave you seen Stazor?a Pynlee glanced at her sword. aYes! I know there are more coming from the south!a Returning her attention to Zodiac, she said, aHeas headed for the fort to help there. Duncan is still holding out at the southwest corner.a aHey!a an elf called from a nearby rise. aEnemy cavalry coming, three large groups.a Wheeling his horse around, Zodiac rode up to him. The group to the right was coming out on a rise, the center pack of about fifty was on flat land and to the left a mass flowed into a dip. He dropped below the top and shouted, aEveryone not mounted, man this rise! Pynlee, when they get close come up on the right with your men. Iam going to swing around and flank them on the left.a Leading half the cavalry, he stayed in lowlands until he got to where the enemyas left flank should be. Getting his men into a line, he waited until he heard the oncoming force then charged up and out. The enemy had the same thought he did. They also were coming up out of a dip a scant thirty feet away. Instead of charging at their side, he met them head on.

They collided in a clash of steel and battle screams. Zodiac slashed one across his middle as he passed then gouged a second. The third one he met had a lance and caught him on his hip, unseating him. He flew back off his horse, pain filling his right leg.

On the ground, he staggered to his feet. Not having time to check to see how badly he was wounded, he balanced on his left leg. All around him the battle raged. A dismounted man wearing the black coat of the enemy staggered toward him. The man had lost his sword and came at him with a dirk. Although Zodiac still had his sword, he couldnat move to press an attack. Any weight on his right leg threatened to topple him.

The man seemed to sense this. He moved to the right and began to circle. Zodiac hobbled around to keep the man in front of him. The man thrust again and again, feinting. After each, he jumped to one side then the other. Following him was difficult--each time Zodiac managed to face him the man would move the other way.

Zodiac made a show of bending over and howling in pain. Not all of this was pretense--his right leg was sending shocks of pain through his whole body. As he hoped, the man leapt to strike. He twisted and thrust up, catching his attacker low in the torso. The manas chain armor didnat hold, and the blade broke through.

It was all he could do to jerk his blade free. The force of the movement put too much weight on his leg, and he fell to his knees the same time the other man did. From all fours, he swung at the manas head, slicing off a chunk of scalp. The man winced as he fell prone then passed out.

Adrenalin got Zodiac to his feet. The battle around him raged, just as much on foot now as on horseback. A group of black-coated men pulled one of his horsemen to the ground and stabbed him to death. Not twenty feet away, four of his cavalry ganged up on a rider and slashed him until he fell dead out of the saddle.

aZodiac is mine!a came a high-pitched scream from his left.

As Zodiac turned to face the shouting lancer, the enemy lowered his weapon and charged. The voice sounded like that of a woman. In this fight, there was no chivalry, only friend and foe. He braced himself, watching the lance. The rider moved the tip on purpose to make it hard for him to know exactly where it would strike. The face was bearded; the eyes shone with murder.

Zodiac had no plans on standing still, though. Given the choice of being run through or run over, he opted to take his chances with the horse. Just before the lance was on him, he dove in front of the animal, thrusting his sword up into its chest.

The impact slammed him back as the horse screamed. His vision blurred as he tumbled to the ground, the mortally wounded horse falling over him. He felt a snap in his left knee and a grinding in his hip as it rolled atop him. His arm was wrenched back then thrown over his head. When he finally came to rest he was staring at sky.

Whether he tried to move or not, the pain was unbearable. He couldnat draw a breath, let alone cry out. Amid the chaotic battle, the man with the lance lay half under the dead horse, screaming in pain. He had time to notice this just before he passed out.

Zodiac came to in agony. Burning pain filled his legs; his shoulder felt like someone had ripped his arm off. He drew a breath to moan, and his back and chest stabbed with fresh agony. He exhaled the bit of air he had drawn in with a creaking groan.

A face appeared over him. The young squire wiped his forehead then offered him a drink from a horn-shaped bag. He got enough water to wet his lips. Swallowing hurt almost as bad as the rest of him. Looking down, he saw both legs and one arm were in splints. His armor had been taken off and piled on the ground at the end of the blankets.

aWe were routed, Malord,a the squire explained. aThe lake is in enemy hands. Governor Stazor has sent riders to search for more survivors.a He barely was able to draw enough breath to live. aHow bad,a he mouthed.

aThere are six hundred in camp, Malord. Most are wounded, some badly. We lost thirty this morning from their wounds.a As if to anticipate his next question, the squire added, aAll the priests are dead. The druids, too, we think, and most of our food supply was destroyed. The extra horses were killed or driven off.a Zodiac understood why so many warriors were left. The enemy was smart. Instead of just killing the men in the field, they had concentrated on destroying their support. Without food or healing, their army would cease to be effective in a few days. Even if they did scrape together enough men for a sizable attack, they could not sustain it. The enemy, on the other hand, had the lake nearby and plenty of time to wait them out.

He lay back and stared at the sky. In Newburg he had known they werenat prepared. They had gotten the townspeople out, which was at least a partial victory. This was different; they were as ready as they could be. What it came down to was that he had fought two major battles and lost both. The explosive magic evil was using gave them an edge he couldnat counter. Wizards could cause similar magic, but it would take a hundred wizards to match what evil was carrying with them.

Low rumbling sounds came to his ears, the sound of far-off explosions. He wondered what poor fellows were being ripped apart this time. The number of explosions increased, as if another major fight was going on. It wasnat a few occasional noises but a constant pounding. A rapid run sounded a bit hollow, over a dozen at once.

Had Stazor committed to another attack? He leaned up to see the ridge to his left was lined with men watching intently and pointing. What was Stazor fighting with? By the sound of it, he was being ground into paste. Stazor was brave, but his lack of battle sense now was destroying any hope of survival.

aSquire!a he groaned as loud as he could.

The squire came back, glancing over his shoulder at the ridge. aYes, Malord?a aSee...whatas...a aGo see whatas happening?a Zodiac nodded, and he was off.

Smoke was now trailing through the sky in dark lines. Grass fires, it had to be. All those explosions were sealing their fate--evil didnat have to kill them, the fires would. He expected the sounds would soon die out, but they kept going. Several times the air vibrated with a staccato of blasts. Then the men on the ridge began to raise their fists and yell in excitement.

What in the abyss was going on out there?

A friendlier sound, the thunder of horses, came to his ears. The men on the ridge parted to let four long lines of riders file down into the camp. On the right side were ragged remains of Stazoras knights. The banner on the left belonged to the Knights of Tolina. From the two rows between them, priests and packhorses began to disburse. Looking closer, he saw a few druids in their ranks.

Stazor, a priest and the lead knight from Tolina rode towards him. They dismounted and walked up. The priest laid his hands on him and began prayers of healing. As he did, Stazor introduced the other knight. He wore a look of pleasant surprise.

aLord Zodiac, this is Sir Parson of Tolina. He has come with Lord Tayan; and I must say, the method of attack they are using is totally outrageous! Evil has no chance, from what Iave seen out there today.a Sir Parson bowed. aGreetings, Malord, please accept my apologies we did not arrive sooner.a He felt the healing course through him. He thanked the priest and asked, aThe odds are turning in our favor?a aWe will have the lakeshore and the fort secured in a few hours,a Sir Parson told them. aWe will need every available man to help fell trees and fill the water tanks.a Trees, water tanks? Zodiac felt he had to have missed something. aWhat in the abyss for?a aThe steam wagons,a Stazor told him. Shaking his head in disbelief, he said, aI have never seen a vlak get run over and crushed before today. It really is quite heartening.a aIf Tayan canat shoot it, he runs it over,a Sir Parson beamed.

Zodiac tried to visualize what kind of wagon could run over vlaks. As he pondered this, he heard a new mix of sounds. Heavy chugging noises, squeals of metal on metal and a ground-shaking rumbling were coming from the other side of the ridge. Sitting up, he feared the worst, some kind of new weapon evil had made. He caught sight of twin columns of smoke pouring straight up, and then the first battlewagon lumbered into view.

Chapter 22.

Odif crept slowly through the dark, trying to keep an even distance from Sam, who was right in front of her. Behind her, Jo-Jo kept touching her feet, as if to verify she was still in front of him. Like her, he didnat care for being in total darkness.

Since Sam and the elves could see, there was no reason to give themselves away by lighting a torch. The small tunnel they crawled through passed by the main chamber where wizards were engaged in their magic. Every so often, she spied a bit of the cavern through cracks in the thin separating wall of rock. Besides wizards, she noted glassblowers were at work. The last hole she paused at showed hoarcs carefully loading spears into wooden crates. This was the place they made the explosive magic. She would have to find a way to destroy it.

She sensed Sam move to the left. Searching with her hands, she felt the tunnel make a sharp turn away from the cavern. It then dropped in a steep slope, moved right then became even narrower. She wondered if it would close off completely, forcing them to backtrack.

After they had crawled long enough to make her knees raw, dim light showed enough so she could make out Sam ahead of her. One last twist and the tunnel open up into a larger passage. The faint yellowish light came from mosses that clung to the walls and ceiling.

The group assembled, stretching out kinked backs as the last few exited. Everyone had made it through though somehow Gloredaniel, who had been towards the front, now came out last.

aDid you see that cavern?a Scorpio asked Frieda. aTheyare making those spears in there.a aWe have to find a way to destroy it,a Odif added.

Theo smacked her in the thigh. aHey, crazy woman! Those things go boom, and in there was a lot of boom. We set those off, and itall bring all these caves down on our heads.a aIave already taken care if it,a Gloredaniel informed them.

Mother Frieda eyed her. aHow?a aI cast a fire ring to pass through the cavern. I set the spell so I hold the magic in check. It will not go off unless I command it, or if I die. Only then will the magic be released.a aWe better keep you alive for a while then, eh?a Hutch said nervously.

aYou did well,a Frieda told her. aSam, which way?a Sam looked one way then the other. Nibbling on a fingernail, she scanned both directions again. aIam not sure. I donat think Iave ever been here before.a aYou led us here,a Shilo reminded her.

aI know. I think maybe I took a wrong turn.a aTake a guess,a Odif ordered.

Hutch pointed at the far wall. aThat way is north.a aHow do you know that?a Scorpio snorted.

Hutch scowled. aI have a very good sense of direction. We are also eighty feet below the ground, unless the land above us had changed.a Theo shook his head. aYouare wrong, brother. We are only seventy-five feet down, but you did get the direction almost right. North is that way,a he said, pointing off slightly more to the right.

Hutch turned his scowl on him. aSays who?a aSays me,a Theo replied, planting his hands on his hips. aDo you want to get us lost?a aWe are lost,a Hutch reminded him.

aI am never lost, I only...find new places.a aEnough!a Frieda hissed. aSam, do you have any idea which way to go?a Sam laced her fingers together and shrugged. aNot really.a Hutch tapped her arm. aBat lady, when you were leaving, did you go up most of the way or down?a aUp, I think.a aMakes sense,a Hutch noted. aWhen you first started, was that up or down?a aIt was mostly flat until I got to the lake cavern then it was up.a aThen we go that way,a Hutch said, pointing to the left.

aYes,a Theo agreed. aLeft.a aMay I ask how you came to that conclusion?a Odif asked him.

Hutch looked at Theo and muttered, aHer mind has gone, she has no brains.a Odif looked away, staring down to the left so she wouldnat have to look at them. As she did, she began to notice what they were talking about. aThe moss seems a bit thicker that way, and the floor has a slight decline.a aYou win a biscuit!a Theo chuckled. aYou do have brains!a Scorpio interrupted them with a low growl. aHey, guys! We are inside enemy territory. Keep it down.a aPlease,a Frieda agreed. aLetas move. Hutch and Theo in front, Porthalen and Scorpio next.a Pointing to one of the other elves, she said, aYou scout ahead. Sam, stay by me. Odif, youare behind us then the wizards. Everyone else behind them. Shilo, you have the rear guard. a Shilo folded his arms over his chest in a mock-angry manner. aOh, so Iam the ass!a aIf the shoe fits...a Theo shrugged with a grin.

aMove!a Frieda hissed.

The passage looked as though it had been carved out rather than made by nature. The jagged turns, rises and falls of the other caves were replaced by a smooth, even floor and clean, parallel walls. They traveled for a while before the elf came back, crouching low and keeping to the inside wall of a gentle curve. He waved them all to the side then moved up beside Frieda.

He spoke in a quiet tone just loud enough for them to hear. aJust beyond this corner are hoarcs. Two are in the tunnel, and there is a cavern or something to the left. I saw three come out. They headed away from us.a aArmed?a Scorpio asked.

The elf shook his head. aI didnat see any weapons.a aCan we sneak up on them?a aNo, the sides are too smooth.a aAll right, weall shoot the ones in the passage then rush them. As long as we keep them quiet, we can take them then deal with whatever is inside that cavern.a aAnd suppose itas another couple hundred in there?a Porthalen asked.

Odif leaned forward. aItas a risk weall have to take. Entaurus, you keep them from yelling. Jo-Jo and Gloredaniel, be ready to help with whatever is in that cavern.a They all looked at Mother Frieda, who nodded. aGo.a The three were gone from sight as Scorpio crept on his hands and knees to peer around the bend. Carefully he signaled back with two fingers then moved out far enough to lie prone and set the sights of his crossbow on the farther hoarc. The creatures sat against the right-hand wall looking quite bored. They didnat notice Porthalen edge into sight, drawing back on his bow.

The instant Scorpio heard the twang of the bowstring he shot. Porthalenas arrow drove into the near hoarc just under his arm. Scorpioas bolt landed with a crack square into the other oneas head. One hoarc turned into dust immediately, the other kicked at the ground for a few seconds before turning gray and crumbling.

The rest of the group ran down, searching for the entrance. Not seeing anything, Odif motioned for them to start tapping at the walls. Porthalen and the other three elves ran down the passage and knelt on one knee, ready to shoot whoever came their way.

Sam found the entrance. It was cleverly hidden, an illusion with form. While the others tapped on what they thought was solid rock, she saw through the image and into the chamber beyond. A pair of hoarcs sat watching a ragged man who was chained to a wall. The manas clothes were rags covered in old bloodstains. His head was down; the mop of tangled red hair hung too long to see his face. He was not conscious, though the life force she felt from him let her know he was still alive.

Grabbing Mother Frieda, she spoke quietly, indicating the outline of the illusion. aThere is the portal. Inside, two hoarcs are guarding a prisoner.a aWeapons?a aThe prisoner has a battleaxe on his belt. The hoarcs have small knives.a Frieda raised an eyebrow. aA prisoner with a weapon?a Sam nodded. aMy mother will do that, just to add to the prisoneras anguish. He is chained and probably canat reach it by a mere few inches.a aBut close enough to keep trying for it in vain,a Frieda said in understanding.

The surprised bark of a hoarc and the snaps of bowstrings got their attention. Porthalen raced off with two elves, sending the last one back. The elf wasnat trying to be quiet as he skidded to a stop in front of them. aOne got away, weare going to have company.a Mother Frieda pointed at Scorpio then Sam. aScorpio, take care of it and cover us. Sam, help me get that man down. Shilo, Jo-Jo, take care of the hoarcs inside.a Scorpio loaded another bolt. aLetas go--wizards behind warriors, Odif and Entaurus, attack. Gloredaniel, get ready to defend us,a In a breath, they formed up and jogged after Porthalen.

Sam slapped her hands onto the illusory wall. At her touch, the barrier vanished. The hoarcs inside only had time to get to their feet before a flash of magic from Jo-Jo turned them both into dust. Sam ran to the chained man and started to work at the bolts on one shackled wrist while Shilo started the other one.

The man groaned. His eyes partly opened, as if he sensed someone near him. aNo, not again,a he breathed.

aWeare going to get you out,a Sam told him gently.

His head lolled in her direction. Hate flared within his eyes so quickly and strongly it caused her to stop and gape at him. His lips curled back in a snarl.

aNot again!a he growled.

Sam backed off as he lunged, jerking at his chain. The feeling she got was clear--if he got hold of her he was going to kill her.

A heartbeat after waking, he jerked and flailed at his bonds so violently he knocked Shilo into the wall. Jo-Jo retreated a few steps, though not even near him. They backed off as he swung in half-circles, trying to yank himself free. Once more, he bellowed, aNot again!a Shilo took a cautious step towards him. aHey, pal, we came to save you.a He stopped and ducked back as the man swung his foot at him. The foot slammed the wall, not that the chained man noticed.

Frieda got Samas attention. aTry to make him stop. Hold onto him.a Sam nodded. She called up her anger and lashed out at his mind, intending to hold him in place. To her surprise, he snarled at her then planted his feet against the wall and shoved out as far as his chained arms would let him. Her will was not only cast from him but slammed back at her with rolling waves of hatred. She recoiled, afraid he just might snap those chains.

aI will never break!a he spat at her. aNever!a As hard as he had thrust out, he pulled himself back into the wall, snapping his head back as he hit. His head made a loud crack, and he slumped to dangle by the chains.

Shilo touched the back of his own head with a wince. aOuch, I felt that.a aGet him down before he wakes,a Frieda commanded.

Samas eyes went wide. aNo! Heall kill me if you do!a Shilo started for him. aOnce we get him down and explain it to him--a aNo!a Sam cried. aThere is no explaining to him!a Terrified, she tried to plead with them. aHeas been here so long he thinks everyone is an enemy. Heas been tricked so many times, he wonat believe anything you say.a aHow can you know that?a Jo-Jo asked.

Sam put a shaking hand to her forehead--they had to believe her! aI felt it. If you let him go, I donat think youall be able to stop him. He doesnat care if he lives, only if he can get his hands on me! He thinks Iam my mother.a aSoundas like heas a bit pissed,a Shilo offered.

aWe will deal with it. Get him down and bind his arms behind him,a Frieda told him.

aBetter make that legs, too,a Shilo added. Looking at the bloody mat of hair on the back of the manas head, he asked, aIs he alive?a Frieda looked at Sam, who nodded. aHe just knocked himself out.a aTough guy,a Shilo said as he started to work on the cuff bolts. aA smack like that kills most folks.a Sounds of battle came from outside, followed by a crack of thunder. Frieda motioned to Sam and Jo-Jo. aGo out and help, we will take care of him.a Jo-Jo eyed the limp man. aYou sure? If he wakes up, you might need help.a aHeas unconscious--go,a Shilo told him. aWeall take care of Thump here.a aThump?a Frieda asked.

Shilo patted the manas head. aYeah, I heard a thump, didnat you?a Frieda glared at him. aJust help me get him down.a ***

Scorpio kept his crossbow shouldered, watching down the passage as Theo and Hutch dragged the elves back to their line. Porthalenas empty stare told them he was dead, and another elf was deeply slashed and no longer had a heartbeat to pump out blood. The third one was still bleeding enough to show he was alive. Entaurus stood beside him, shifting to let the men past.

aSee where they came from?a Scorpio asked.

Theo dropped the still-living elf by Odif so she could do what she could for him. Returning to stand by Scorpio, he said, aThey came out of the wall, on the right. Those elves didnat even know who got aem.a aThink thatas a single room like whatas behind us?a aWho knows? There could be anything behind that wall.a Squinting, Entaurus said, aI can make out the portal, now that I know what Iam looking for. I donat see any others. If I get close enough, I can make it solid.a Scorpio started moving slowly. aTheo, Hutch, come on. Weall cover Entaurus while he casts.a Scorpio got against the left wall and scanned the area through his bow sights as Theo and Hutch moved in front of Entaurus, their battleaxes poised to strike. They approached the portal slowly. A hoarc stuck its head out, and Scorpio put a bolt through it before it could pull back. It disappeared with a scream.

aThey canat see through the illusion either,a Scorpio realized as he cocked his weapon again.

No other hoarcs tried to come out. Entaurus slid along the wall the last few feet, reaching out with his fingers to touch the portal. In a low but strong voice, he cast his spell. The opening glowed for a second then faded.

aDone, solid rock,a he said with a sigh of relief.

aWhat if they go for help?a the last elf asked.

aThen theyall ram into his wall,a Theo said, jerking a thumb at Entaurus.

aNo one else scouts ahead,a Scorpio told them. aEntaurus will stay behind me and watch for more of these portals. Weall put Jo-Jo in the back to keep them from sneaking up on us.a The elf had a tear in his eye as he looked at the blood of his comrades pooling on the floor. aWeare all going to die, arenat we?a aThatas what Odif said, but thereas no need to rush it,a Scorpio told him. aGo see how Mother Frieda is doing.a Shortly, Odif came running up, her face lit with excitement. She grabbed him by the front of his breastplate. Her eyes gleamed as she said, aWe got him. I think we got him!a Excitement was the last thing he expected to see from her in these tunnels of death. aGot who?a ***

Gathered around the limp wretch who was bound hands and feet in the passage, they looked down at him, not believing what Odif had told them.

aThis is the Red Man?a Entaurus asked. aThe all-powerful, mean-as-the-abyss bastard who kills vlaks?a aHe looks more like the beat-up man to me,a Shilo commented.

Odif moved his head toward Scorpio, brushing back the thick mop of hair. aDoesnat he look a bit like Tayan?a Scorpio shrugged. aHe barely looks human. If heas as wild as Sam says, maybe we better leave him here.a Sam moved up a little closer behind Scorpio, peeking out from the side. aOdif, all reason has been tortured out of him. He is mad. I know that if he sees me he will come after me.a aHe wasnat afraid to knock himself silly,a Shilo smirked then said more seriously, aHe didnat like Sam one bit. I think sheas right, Thump here is not safe to be around.a Frieda spoke up. aWe cannot, in good conscience, leave anyone.a aWe canat fight and watch him, too,a Hutch complained.