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“Please, Chief Coellen attendant es have a reason for seating everyone in this way If you wish to continue to compete in the Trials, you must sit where you have been placed”

“I’ll be fine, Rarev,” E to protest again “Really I will I can look after myself”

Rarev si of the two narrow escapes she’d had the day before, first with the octo-lobster-scorpion Om’bobla had created and then when she’d nearly drowned just trying to take a shower

Still, under normal circumstances she was perfectly able to take care of herself, and she was deter to be completely normal Well, as normal as breakfast on an alien planet with alien tablemates could be, anyway

“I’ll be fine,” she repeated “And I’ll be just across the table If anything happens, I promise I’ll ask for help”

Rarev nodded reluctantly

“Well…all right But that bastard had better keep his distance!” he growled, glaring at O the white lump of clay in front of him

At least the clay had been portioned out this time, Em saw Everyone at the table had a more or less equal piece It had probably been done to keep the squidso bizarre with it It was a pity such measure had to be taken, but some people just couldn’t be trusted Common sense, as Em’s mum used to say, isn’t so common

“Let’s get seated and we can talk more after breakfast,” she said to Rarev

“All right,” he growled reluctantly “I’ll be right across the table if you need me”

“I’ll be sure to let you know,” Em promised

She started to sit, but before she could take her seat, the big Monstrum took her by the shoulders and kissed her possessively, in full view of the entire table