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This castle and its enclosure are built at the top of a cliff Coh to know that the rear of the castle is unapproachable The drop down the back is virtually straight, a thousand feet easily Unable to see beyond the drop, I know that the ocean must lie not far beyond that--twoview of the sea and coast, Landulf would be able to spot ene southern Sicily His hoically placed--as Dante said--as a doorway to the Christian world

Outside the castle proper but still within the high stone wall are , others military structures where horses and arms are stored Soldiers with swords wander around s theer than I had iined it These fires, I see, could not be respon?sible for the strangehulance behind , the day is alht Yet I hear horses approaching from behind me, where I left Dante They have a cart of some kind--its wheels creak on the rutted path Above, a thick branch hangs over le leap I am cloaked within the leaves of the tree The castle will have to wait for a moment I want to see what these men are up to

Minutes later I receive partial verification of Dante&039;s wild tales

On the cart is a cage, with metal bars Three desperate females are locked inside They are naked, but the four soldiers who have captured theear Two drive the horses, while the other two are on horseback, one at the front, the other at the rear Theand battle tested The fehteen There is, of course, no way I can allow them to be taken into Landulf&039;s castle, even if uely, I remember I have rescued them before

My plan of attack is simple

As the first horse passes beneath e, I drop down and land on the aniht behind the soldier He is surprised to have coive hirab the back of his head and twist his skull There is an explosion of bone and cartilage in his neck He sags to the side, dead, and I shove hie rear up My horse I bring to a halt, and turn to face the others

Alreadyarc, I let go of the hilt and plant the blade in the forehead of one of the drivers The other driver draws his sword I am forced to run toward him empty-handed But I receive unexpected help from one of the feirl with long hair gives him a swift kick in the back He loses his balance and topples toward round I relieve him of his sword and cut off his head

There is still the fourth soldier, the one bringing up the rear He has drawn a bow and arrow and is taking aim at me He is an excellent shot In the blink of an eye I see an arrow fly toward h it will irls I am reluctant to show too many of my powers, but I have no choice As the arrow flies by, I reach up and grab it and then break it overto release the wo "They will ride back the way they have coe tied to the belt of the soldier who has my knife in his forehead I relieve hi at the intricacy of the lock The crafts I have seen before But the keys work fine and a ive the reins to the one who assisted me, and throw the cloak from a dead soldier over her

"Ride fast fro her eye "Do not speak to anyone about me"

She nods I step from the cart as she turns it around In seconds the woht Slowly I walk toward the re soldier, who has e, that he has not tried to bolt But he is still a kidnapper, and I am thirsty The soldier draws his sword as I approach but I shaketo die," I say "It is better not to resist"

He swings at rab the hand that holds his sword and look up into his frightened eyes "Who sent you to capture those women?" I ask "Was it Landulf?"

He shakes his head "No"

"Who then?"

He refuses to answer h I press him with my eyes He continues to shake his head, and I am puzzled I finally pull hi his face near, I let him feel the warmth of my breath

"What is he like?" I ask

The man is resolute "He is my lord and my master"

"Is he evil?"

He sneers "You are evil!"

I have to laugh "I suppose I am--to you"