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"Stay there," Greldik yelled back "We'll coet you"
After a few moments there was the tramp of heavy feet on the wharf and the occasional sound of blows A few cries of pain led with the sounds of panic from the crowd Then Greldik, Mandorallen and a half dozen burly sailors ar a path with brutal efficiency
"Did you get lost?" Greldik yelled up to Barak
Barak jumped down from the roof "We had to stop by the palace," he answered shortly
"We were growing concerned for thy safety,Nyissan out of his way "Good Durnik returned soo"
"We were delayed," she said "Captain, can you get us on board your ship?"
Greldik gave her an evil grin
"Let's go then," she urged "As soon as we get on board, it ood idea to anchor out in the river a little way This ash will settle after a while, but these people are going to be hysterical until it does Has there been any word fro, ?" she demanded irritably of no one in particular Mandorallen drew his broadsword andnor altering his course The Nyissans e of the wharf beside Greldik's ship was even thicker, and Durnik, Hettar and the rest of the sailors lined the rail with long boat-hooks, pushing the terror-stricken people away
"Run out the plank," Greldik shouted as they reached the edge of the wharf
"Noble captain," a bald Nyissan blubbered, clinging to Greldik's fur vest "I'll give you a hundred gold pieces if you'll let usted, Greldik pushed hiold pieces," the Nyissan pro a purse
"Get this baboon off me," Greldik ordered
One of the sailors rather casually clubbed the Nyissan into insensibility, then bent and yanked the purse frorip He opened the purse and poured the coins out into one hand "Three pieces of silver," he said with disgust "All the rest is copper" He turned back and kicked the unconscious man in the stomach
They crossed to the ship one by one while Barak and Mandorallen held the crowd back with the threat of massive violence
"Cut the hawsers," Greldik shouted when they were all aboard The sailors chopped the thick hawsers loose to a great cry of disgish current pulled the ship sloay, and wails and despairing moans followed theo below and put on soe off your face Then cootten how scantily he was dressed and he flushed slightly and went quickly below deck
It had grown noticeably lighter when he caray ash still sifted down through theeverything with a heavy layer of fine grit They had drifted some distance out into the river, and Greldik's sailors had dropped the anchor The ship swung slowly in the sluggish current
"Over here, Garion," Aunt Pol called She was standing near the prow, looking out into the dusty haze Garion went to her a little hesitantly, thein his mind