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on our experiences, I think the best thing to do would be to confront them
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directly. That means slipping us inside. We managed that feat under similar
circumstances not long ago, but we were lucky. I don t know if we could do it
again.
The roo looked thoughtful. Mowara s the only one of us who knows the
monastery s interior, but he s a flier. He rubbed his chin as he hopped
along, easily keeping pace with Snaugenhutt, his tail flicking behind him.
What about it, Mowara?
The galah timed his shrug to Wurragarr s bounce. Hard to get out. Might get
in. Can you sneak?
Buncan grinned. I m traveling with two otters.
Wait just a bloody minim, mate. Squill had been listening closely. You want
us to go inside this den o sorcerers an their offspring an clean em out?
Buncan looked up at the otter. Not clean them out. Just keep them from using
their necromancy against Wurragarr and his people. Confuse them, tie them
down, create a diversion.
I liked it better when we were throwin Snaugenhutt around.
The rhino glanced back and up. Easy for you to say, otter.
Right. So this time all of us are to act as a diversion. Wot appens if the
oversize rat
ere an is mates don t make it in? By my way o thinkin that leaves us
appy sappy diversions igh an dry, singin our bleedin earts out.
You get tucked into the Dark Ones and we ll get in, Wurragarr assured him.
Well, then, there s nothin to worry about, is there? Wot am I goin on about
it for?
Why, there s one thing don t concern me already.
What s that? Wurragarr asked politely.
The otter s reply was bitter. I don t own enough worth makin out a will
for.
What about aerial guards? Buncan inquired.
According to Mowara, that shouldn t be a problem.
The roo hopped easily over a large boulder that Duncan had to scramble around.
They can combine an eagle with a badger, but it still won t fly. Planning
to attack at night?
Yes. We ll strike when the moon is at its highest. Maybe we ll catch them
groggy
with sleep. Even monsters have to sleep, or so I d imagine. He didn t sound
like he believed it, Buncan mused.
Suddenly he recalled something the roo had mentioned earlier. You said that
the cliffs surrounding Kilagurri were steep and difficult to negotiate. How s
Snaugenhutt going to climb them?
Wurragarr looked away. Actually, I don t see that your large friend can. We
were hoping he would help us assault the gate. Surely you can see that he s
better suited to that than alpining?
I hear you, said Snaugenhutt. Besides, the roo added, I d mink you d find
it hard to slip him inside unseen, even with Mowara s help.
It isn t up to me. Buncan looked over at the tickbird. Viz?
The roo s right, Buncan. We ll take this gate, however strong it is. If
there s climbing to be done, you d be better off with an elephant than ol
Snaug here. The rhino did not object to the conclusion.
I, too, should remain with our newfound friends, Gragelouth declared. The
merchant was contrite. My tribe is not designed for speed. I would not want
to delay you at a critical moment.
Marvelous, said Squill from atop Snaugenhutt s back. Anything else we need
to leave behind? Our clothes maybe? Our weapons? We re already leavin our
bloomin
brains.
Wot brains? Neena opined. Squill turned on his sister as they embarked on
their favorite pastime of trading insults.
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Buncan let his gaze sweep over the valley below. In the distance the lights of
a small village were just visible. He returned his attention to the mountain
path. How much farther?
Wurragarr indicated the lightly used trail they were following. Another day s
march.
Are you still ready and willing?
We re willing, anyway. Buncan smiled.
You won t surprise em. Snaugenhutt maintained his steady, unvarying pace.
They re bound to see a troop this size coming.
We know. Our hope is that when we just encamp outside the wall and don t
attack they ll think we re settling in for an extended siege. Then we ll get
into em when they re in bed. You ve obviously had experience in these
matters. What s your opinion?
Snaugenhutt considered. Good a strategy as any.
Don t let s drown in optimism, wot? Neena made a face. Don t it trouble no
one else that this whole enterprise depends on the wiles of a senile pink
parrot?
The monastery of Kilagurri was an impressive pile of moss-covered cut masonry
situated behind a massive wall of huge, square-cut stones each as big as a
good-size boulder. The wall sealed off the basin containing the monastery
buildings as thoroughly as a dam. A trickle of water ran from a pair of
drainage pipes set in the base of the wall. Heavy iron grates prevented
entrance to the pipes, and Buncan had no doubt they were watched at all times.
That obvious way in was closed to them. He was not disappointed. The culverts
smelled abominably.
The trail they were following continued past the main gate and ended at an
impassable waterfall. Trees had been cleared in front of the wall, meaning
anyone approaching would be instantly visible to those within. The only way in
was through a comparatively narrow gate reinforced with iron bands and bolts
the size of his fist.
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