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"Good thinking, Kendra," Trask acknowledged

"I was about to say the sa," Seth complained

Mara led them back the way they had just come, and they reached an area where the tunnel forked in two directions, one slanting up, the other down "This is new," Mara said with renewed vigor "Follow , seldo some of the same intersections several times Fro a dead end Kendra felt her eyes growing heavy Her legs felt leaden When she jogged, her entup on the floor to fall asleep

When they next halted to eat and drink, Kendra guzzled water, then sluainst the wall to rest her eyes Tanu had to wake her when it was ti

"It isn’t your fault," Kendra said, slapping her cheeks toafter that, Mara started loping forith greater vigor, clailed to keep up Tanu ran beside her, one supportive hand against the small of her back

Kendra tried to let Mara’s hope beco labyrinth? Might they actually escape before collapsing from exhaustion? After a final intersection and a few dead ends, the passage opened into the largest room they had encountered so far

"Well done," Trask enthused, clapping Mara on the back

"We’re in the belly of the Dreamstone," Mara said "The hollow center"

The vast, eular room had dimensions proportional to the Dreamstone itself Polished expanses of dark obsidian for, illuhout the convoluted passageways Three strange devices patrolled the far side of the otherwise vacant room: two mechanical bulls and oneiron plates, the elephant-sized bulls tossed their heads as they rolled around the floor on four wheels, theirdecoratively The artfully rendered bronze lion, slightly larger than the bulls, prowled about on huge paws, race inconsistent with its clockwork appearance

"Are these the guardians of the artifact?" Seth wondered

"I hope so," Elise said "I’ve had my fill of this place"

Chapter 5 Translocator

I don’t see any keyholes," Kendra re "Me neither," Mara said

"We’ll find one on those animals," Trask predicted

Thetoward the entryway, their bulky shapes reflecting darkly in the polished floor The lion continued to prowl the far side of the rooo see e’re dealing with," Trask said, striding forward "Judging frouess is the bulls can’t turn very well We should be able to dodge them if we keep on our toes The lion looks like a different story The bulls see it, so I’d bet we’ll find the keyhole on the lion Kendra, Seth, hang back at the entrance with Elise Who has the key?"

"Got it," Tanu said, following Trask onto the floor

"Spread out," Trask said "Make thean the farthest right, while Trask and Tanu advanced across the center of the roohtly and increased their speed, both wheeling at Tanu

"I think they know I have the key," Tanu said as the bulls hurtled toward hi farther from Tanu

"Maybe six or seven pounds"

"Throw it here," Trask said "I could wait until the last second?"

"No, now"

Tanu tossed the key underhand to Trask Having sheathed his sword and slung his crossbow over his shoulder, Trask caught the iron egg in both hands The bulls swerved, altering their course to run down Trask rather than Tanu Trask stood his ground as the bulls approached, wide horns lowered Kendra gasped as he dove out of the way at the last instant, the tip of one hornaround to co as they turned Trask now ran toward the lion, his long legs eating up ground Mara ran alongside hian did likewise on the other side of the roo to keep up

"They’re swinging back around," Elise warned, as both bulls charged Trask fro stride, Trask flung the key over to Mara, who caught it one-handed, staggering a bit until she regained her balance One bull swerved after Mara; the other stayed on Trask

"They’re not so du the onrushing bull, showing little concern As the bull drew near, she vaulted nied to dodge his bull as well

The lion roared, an, who adroitly skipped out of the way The other bull ca to Trask before using a lowered horn to gracefully swing astride the speeding bull The iron bull tossed its head, , but Mara rode it effortlessly

Kendra resisted a smile Her friends seemed to have the situation under control It looked like they were battling giant metal puppets

Tanu had stopped in theHe pulled what looked like a large silken sheet fro off his shoes, he began to expand, pro he failed to reht, hisbroader and thicker to remain proportional He tied the sheet around his waist With the transformation complete, he stood head and shoulders above the lion and bulls