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"No," said Saet to a phone as fast as possible and contact Colonel Dwyer"

Tindall nodded but didn’t say anything The nod hid a flash of concern across his face, and the thoughts that were racing through his head Lieutenant Colonel Dwyer, who co Point Scouts, had been on leave for the last twoa memorable dinner at his father’s headquarters

"You’d better come with me to the Company CP," he said finally "Major Greene ant to have a word"

"I !"

"Major Greene’s telephoneto keep his voice as even as possible "Sergeant Evans--take charge of the platoon Byatt and Emersonfollow on Keep those bayonets fixed Oh, Evans--send a runner for Lieutenant Gotley to join nals expertise"

He led the way off down the co Evans, who had caught his Lieutenant’s eye and call for the only other Charter Mage in the company besides Major Greene, held Byatt and E funny’s up, lads If the boss gives the word, or there’s any sign of trouble, stick those two in the back!"

Chapter Sixteen

A Major’s Decision

SAMETH’S HEART FELL as Lieutenant Tindall led the trench Even in the diht of an oil lamp, he could see it looked tooofficer--who probably wouldn’t even listen, let alone understand what they needed to do

There was a woodstove burning fiercely in one corner, an open bottle of whisky on the ed in one corner Major Greene, in turn, edged in the chair, looking red faced and cantankerous But he did have his boots on, Sam noted, a sword next to his chair, and a holstered revolver that hung by its lanyard fro

"What’s this?" bellowed the Major, creakily rising up as they ducked under the lintel and spread out around thefifty at least, and imminent retirement

Before he could speak, Lieutenant Tindall--who’d moved around behind them--said, "Imposters, sir Only I’m not sure what kind They do bear uncorrupted Charter marks"

Sarab the Dog’s collar as she growled, deep and angrily

"Imposters, hey?" said Major Greene He looked at Sam, and for the first time Sam realized the old officer had a Charter mark on his forehead "What do you have to say for yourselves?"

"I’m Lieutenant Stone of the NPRU," said Sa Woppet I need to phone Periently--"

"Rubbish!" roared the Major, without any anger "I know all the officers of the Scouts, the NCOs too I was one for long enough! And I’s, and that one ain’t of the breed I’d be surprised if it could s indignantly Her words were met by a hushed silence; then the Major had his sword out and leveled at them, and Lieutenant Tindall and his men had moved forward, sword and bayonet points only inches behind Sa, sitting down and resting her head on her paws "Sorry, Mistress"

"Mistress?" exclai even redder "Who are you two? And what is that?"

Sado The Dog is a friend We are all under a glalow a bit, but it isn’t dangerous"

The Major looked redder-faced than ever, but he nodded

A few minutes later Sa their own clothes and faces Both were obviously very tired, and clearly had suffered much in recent ti Her breastplate had disappeared and her collar changed, and she looked larger than before She

"It is Prince Saed around to see their faces There was a strange expression on his face A sympathetic look, and he nodded twice at Sa your pardon, ma’am I mean to say you look very like Sabriel, I mean the Abhorsen"

"Yes, I am Prince Sameth," said Saht, soon-to-be-retired Major would be ently need to contact Colonel Dwyer"

"The phone doesn’t work," replied the Major "Besides, Colonel Dwyer is on leave What’s this urgent need to communicate?"

Lirael answered hi from the onset of a cold, caused by the sudden transition fro The oil la and dancing across the table

"An ancient and terrible evil is being brought into Ancelstierre We need help to find It and stop It--before It destroys your country and then our own"