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Updated: May 18, 2025
Each of them was covered with buildings, and here the ancient war had left its mark. The rock itself had been brought to a bubbling boil and sent in now-frozen rivers down that stairway in a half-dozen places, overwhelming all structures in its path, and leaving crystallized streams to reflect the sun blindingly. "So this is your secret city!" But Sssuri shook his round head.
So Dalgard saw clearly when Sssuri whirled and faced back along the way they had come, his body in a half crouch, his knife ready in his hand. Dalgard, his bow useless in the damp, drew his own sword-knife. But, though his mind probed and he listened, he could sense or hear nothing on their trail. They were air-borne once more, but Raf was not pleased.
The faint rumor carried by the migrating runners must be true, for here was a hopper afraid of bipeds. And it must have been recently provided with a reason for such fear, since hoppers' memories were very short and such terror would have faded from its mind in a matter of weeks. Sssuri halted in a patch of grass which reached to his waist belt. "It is best to wait until the hours of dark."
"We may be seen " Dalgard craned his neck, trying to make out details of what might be waiting above. The merman shook his head with a quick jerk of negation. "They are gone. Behind them remains only death much death " And the bleakness of his thoughts reached the scout. Dalgard had known Sssuri since he was a toddler and the other a cub coming to see the wonders of dry land for the first time.
Sssuri did no exploring but crossed the room at his shuffling trot, which Dalgard matched. The way leading out on the opposite side slanted up, and he judged it might bring them out at ground level. "The devil waits," Sssuri warned, "because it fears. It will turn on us when we come. Be ready "
And since Dalgard was the only explorer at present who had chosen the northern trails, his people would know that he had sent that warning and would act upon it, as Sssuri's message would in turn be heeded by the warriors of his tribe. Yes, it could be done. But what of the traces they had left here the slaughtered snake-devils ? Sssuri had an answer for that also.
And in the muddy verge of the stream, pressed deep, was the fresh track of a snake-devil. Almost full grown, Dalgard estimated, measuring the print with his fingers. Sssuri pivoted slowly, studying the circle of buildings about them. "An hour maybe two " Dalgard gave a hunter's verdict on the age of the print. He, too, eyed those buildings.
But he dared not break stride to do that. "Ahhhh!" The welcoming cry from Sssuri brought his attention back to his companion as the merman broke into a wild run. Dalgard summoned up his last rags of energy and coursed after him. Sssuri had halted before a dark lump which protruded from the side of the corridor. "A sea lock!"
Was it among those who manned the strange flyer, those the merpeople had spied upon but whom he had not yet seen? Dalgard had striven since that moment of contact to keep in touch with the nebulous other mind, to project his need for help. But he had been unable to enter in freely as he could with his own kind, or with Sssuri and the sea people.
Sssuri, spear ready, was trotting along the paved lane, his head up as he thought-quested for any hint of life about them. Dalgard tried to follow that lead. But he knew that it would be Sssuri's stronger power which would warn them first. They cast east from where they had landed, studying the soil of each garden spot, hunting for the unmistakable spoor of the giant reptile.
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