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Chapter Twenty-three

And run we did, angling across the cobblestones, toward soeyser of fire erupted fro a furious trail down the center of the street, directly for us

I didn&039;t think we could outrun the fire And just as I felt the searing heat, Arthur yanked me into a recessed doorway, and the fire blasted harone, and we continued running along the now e towns and streets

Wait Not entirely e a block or two up the inclined street, was aus He wore a black trench coat (or was it a robe of some sort?) that swirled about him as if it were alive Thedistinctlyabout hih he was standing in broad daylight, he appeared permanently cast in shadows He also looked familiar

As I stared at him, I promptly tripped over the uneven stones and would have fallen face-first into a filthy gutter if Arthur hadn&039;t reached out and caught uy?"

Arthur pursed his lips "Later, my friend"

"But - "

"Later," he said, and then pointed to a narrow alley "Here"

He turned into it, and I followed right behind, but not without a final glance up the inclined street

Thefor us inside the alley And to ht, she launched herself into ht "You were a, James!"

I think I blushed Actually, I know I blushed "Aave ood, old boy I knew you had it in you"

Marion releasednearly incoherently "Say, I don&039;t suppose either of you saw the dragon?" But I didn&039;t give theh and I was da to shutinsane OrMaybe I took soh syrup back at the hotel You know, you should always check the expiration date on those things - "

Arthur grabbed ue "You&039;re not dreaon"

"Then we&039;re all crazy Or maybe I&039;m the crazy one, and I&039;ve fabricated this entire - "

Arthur steered me deeper into the alley "Let&039;s talk about your psychosis later, old friend For noe need to get "

I heard the horses then Many of them More horses, more men, and more swords

Marion and I followed Arthur down the narrow alleyway - too narrow, I hoped, for the horses And definitely too narrow for a dragon

Lord help us all

Chapter Twenty-four