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"I don’ttowards hiht love you too, Charter help me, but now is--"

"The telephone line to the Peririe bell even before he was close enough to talk "A fog started rolling across the Wall over an hour ago It reached the forward trenches at four forty-six After that, none of the advance companies could be reached by phone or runner I was just speaking to the Duty Officer then--that young chap as so interested in your aircraft He said the fog was just about to reach his position Then the line went silent"

"So," said Sabriel "Kerrigor didn’t wait till sundown He’s working the weather"

"Fro--and whatever’s in it--issouthwards at around twenty miles an hour As the crow flies, it’ll reach us around half past seven Dark, with the o then," snapped Sabriel "The bridle-path to Docky Point starts from behind the pub Shall I lead?"

"Best not," replied Horyse He turned, and shouted so Within a few seconds,the path to Docky Point First, the Crossing Point Scouts, archers and Charter Mages all Then, the first platoon of infantry, bayonets fixed, rifles at the ready Past the pub, they shook out into an arrowhead formation Horyse, Sabriel, Touchstone and their driver followed Behind the field telephone wire fro the cork trees, the soldiers nals rather than shouts, only their heavy tread and the occasional rattle of ar the quiet

Sunshine poured down between the trees, rich and golden, but already losing its warmth, like a butter-colored wine that was all taste and no potency

Towards the top of the hill, only the Crossing Point Scouts went on up The lead platoon of infantry followed a lower contour around to the northern side; the other two platoonsa defensive triangle around the hill Horyse, Sabriel, Touchstone and the driver continued on

The trees fell away about twenty yards fro their place Then, at the highest point, there was the cairn: a solid, hut-sized square of grey-green stones The twelve Scouts were grouped loosely around it, four of the crowbar, obviously carried up for this purpose

As Sabriel and Touchstone ca e present felt a slight buzzing in their ears, and a wave of dizziness

"Did you feel that?" asked Horyse, unnecessarily, as it was clear froone to ears that they all had

"Yes," replied Sabriel To a lesser extent, it was the sa the Broken Stones caused in the reservoir "It will get worse, I’us"

"How far in is it?"

"Four blocks deep, I think," said Sabriel "Or five Isaw itfrom an odd perspective"

Horyse nodded, and indicated to theaway the stones They went to it with a will, but Sabriel noticed they kept looking at the position of the sun All the Scouts were Charter Mages, of various power--all knehat sundoould bring

In fifteen minutes, they’d made a hole two blocks wide and two deep in one end, and the sickness was groorse Two of the younger Scouts, men in their early twenties, had beco further down the hill The others orkinglunches down and quelling shaking lienerally run-down state, Sabriel and Touchstone found it relatively easy to resist the waves of nausea e from the cairn It didn’t compare with the cold, dark fear of the reservoir, there on the hill, with the sunshine and the fresh breeze, war at the same time

When the third blocks came out, Horyse called a brief rest break, and they all retreated down the hill to the tree line, where the cairn’s sickening aura dissipated The signalers had a telephone there, the handset sitting on the upturned drunaler wound the charging handle

"Are there any preparations to be ical ones, Iher tiredness away, then shook her head "I don’t think so Once we have access to the sarcophagus, we may have to spell it open--I’ll need everyone’s help for that Then, the final rites on the body--the usual cremation spell There will be resistance then, too Have your ic in concert?"

"Unfortunately, no," replied Horyse, frowning "Because the Aric, everyone here is basically self-taught"

"Neverto sound confident, aware that everyone around her was listening "We’llThat ht Sabriel She tried to smile too, but was uncertain about the result It felt too riuest has got to," Horyse continued, still seant?"

"Bain Police," replied the Signals Sergeant, winding the charging handle vigorously "And Are to switch you He’s on the board at the village"

"Good," replied Horyse "Hello Oh, Synge? Put h to ht, Corporal Thank youahBainshire Constabulary? It’s Colonel Horyse I want to speak to Chief Superintendent Dingleyyes Hello, Superintendent Have you had any reports of a strange, dense fogwhat! Already! No, on no account investigate Get everyone in Shutter the syes, the usual drill Yes, whatever is inYes, extraordinarily dangeroushello! Hello!"

He put the handset down slowly, and pointed back up the hill

"The fog is alreadyor could knoe’re up to?"

"Yes," replied Sabriel and Touchstone, together

"We’d better get aat his watch "I’d sayhave less than forty minutes"

Chapter 27

The last blocks ca, white-faced ed As soon as the as clear, they staggered back, away froht to combat the dreadful chill that seemed to eat at their bones One soldier, a dapper man with a white-blond , till stretcher-bearers ran up to take him away