Page 274 (1/2)

‘But I have to! He needs rounds’

‘Don’t It’s too dangerous’

‘I’ll be all right, lass No need to worry about Grandfather Bugg And then I’ll come back here, and you and I will head to the Downs Market’

She looked up then, regarded him with red-rimmed eyes that looked far older than the rest of her face ‘I have no‘But a lot of people owe rounds The earth was hot beneath his worn sandals Most of the insects had died orunderfoot Withered roots had been pushed to the surface, split and peeling Stained frag-bones, the occasional oversized vertebra The crumpled remains of barroere on all sides

Soearth A good thing, too, since htmares remained The meanest of the lot, in fact

And one of theainst the others

All in all, Bugg decided, not a pro us’

He halted, frowning ‘Who speaks?’

‘My brothers welcome you I welcome you Come closer Hold out your hand, draw us forth Your rewards will be endless’

‘So will e you, Toblakai’

‘ You have taken one step too er It is too late You we shall use -’

A surge of power, rushing into Bugg’s one

‘ No Not you Come no closer ’

‘I am sorry you found me so unpalatable’

‘ Go away ’

‘You and your brothers are in for a fight,’ Bugg said ‘You know that, don’t you?’

‘ We cannot be defeated ’