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“They told you that?”

“They don’t have to I know these people in

tis They’re talking about burning you The smoke from your bodies will take you back into the sky Problem solved”

Paul ventured a sidelong glance at the guards, but he failed to detect any change in their stony expressions

“I can’t argue with their logic, but that solves the problem for them, not for us,” he said

“I agree It ent that we escape as soon as possible Come with uard peering over our shoulders”

They had arrived at the white stone ay that led through the forest to the shrine With the Trouts following, Francesca walked to the circular clearing with the plane at its center and sat down on a polished wooden bench facing the nose of the Learjet The Trouts sat cross-legged on the tiled ground

“I come here to be alone Only the priests are allowed at the shrine otherwise The warriors will be in the forest watching our every move, but we’ll be able to talk about our escape plans”

Gale where the warriors had ht

“I hope you’ve got so up your sleeve, because we don’t,” she said

“Your original instincts were on the mark Our only way out is by water Up the tributary and canal to the lake, then follow the h the forest They would catch us in an instant, or we’d become lost”

“I’ve seen your boys handle a canoe,” Paul said “We’d need a substantial jump on them”

“We would have a few hours But they are skilled and strong paddlers They would be getting their strength just as ere tiring”

“What would they do if they caught us?” Paul asked “Theoretically speaking”

“No theory about it,” Francesca said “They would kill us”