Chapter 12. The Black Chain Goblins Brother Michael was the sole witness of the abduction of Manon by the Goblins, but he was too confused to do anything of immediate use. When it finally dawned on him what was happening he tried to call for help. Not all the Goblins, however, had left the camp. As Michael turned, the Goblin captain, Kurnelius, stepped from behind a rock in front of him. The Goblin was carrying something bulky in both hands and with a yellow-toothed grin he cast it at Michael...

Chapter 11. The Whistling Gorge “Looks like the sign they was waitin’ for,” Manon called to the company. The young marshman had been keeping a watch on the lizards all evening since they’d stopped, mainly out of personal curiosity. “Ere we go again,” Jim sighed heavily, “Wish they’d sort it out.” Kharoon gave sharp orders to the lizards, who began to pack the camp again and ready for marching. The company quickly refolded their own tents, their hands by now experienced at the task. As they be...

“Looks like the sign they was waitin’ for,” Manon said, as Kharoon gave sharp orders to the lizards, who began to pack the camp again and ready for marching. “Ere we go again,” Jim sighed, “Wish they’d sort it out.” The company quickly refolded their own tents, their hands by now experienced at the task. “No eat. No drink. No touch,” Kharoon warned them as they began forward, “All bad. All Kappu.” Shouldering the Chosen’s cage the great lizards began moving up into the canyon in single file....

Only the Goblin didn’t sleep. All the time the humans had been with Cairn, Tarn waited, keeping an eye on the Gont’s house out of the window. He’d been half expecting the Giant to return for him, to add him to the cook pot; yes Tarn fancied he knew more of the dark nature of Gonts than the humans. When the first group rolled back to the Giant’s barn, drunk and happy, Tarn kept to the shadows, still suspicious and watchful. Only when Jim and Manon returned did his fears subside a bit. He made...

Only the Goblin didn’t sleep. All the time the humans had been with Cairn, Tarn waited, keeping an eye on the Gont’s house out of the window. He’d been half expecting the Giant to return for him, to add him to the cook pot; yes Tarn fancied he knew more of the dark nature of Gonts than the humans. When the first group rolled in drunk and happy, Tarn kept to the shadows, still suspicious and watchful. Only when Jim and Manon returned did his fears subside a bit. He made sure that the barn doo...

It was a strange spectacle that met the great brown eyes of Cairn, the Big Man, who had come to empty the pail of garbage into the marsh pool. The strange light, so bright it seemed to him that the sun had risen twice, drew him to the spot above the struggle. He looked down in amazement at the strangers here at his own doorstep, and thought about heading back to the steading and getting his hound. The Big Man was no stranger to the little-feet folk nor indeed the fish-men, as he called them,...

Half an hour after the drums fell silent, the gate opened and Dannu was ushered in. The prisoners immediately stirred and started to question the lizard about what was happening. Dannu gave no sign he understood and gave no reply until they fell quiet. “You live,” the lizard said at last. “Well that’s a relief!” Manon said, grinning widely like a simpleton. “Dannu tell us what did the council say?” Isambard demanded, “What - does - Tabr - say?” he enunciated slowly and loudly. “Kharoon takk y...

On their fourth night in the Hold the company received an altogether rougher reception at the Kings cavern, as they now referred to the place where they studied each night. Kharoon, the shaman lizard who had become their main connection with the Hold, was in a debate with two new lizards. Their crests were painted white, the Nest of Klossa Manon knew, though he had no idea what their function in the Hold was. Harsh croaks of anger crept into the debate and claws were being pointed at Brother...

Chapter 5. The Adventures of Squire Brannigan Isambard watched the Goblin look carefully about and start to creep along the wall to its left. After a dozen steps it grabbed at something on the wall, and to Isambards' amazement it started to climb. A set of handholds was carved into the rock, rising eight feet to an almost invisible ledge. Reaching the ledge it crouched down onto its belly and Isambard lost sight of it. Now the Squire understood! Its escaping, he thought. His practical mind qu...

The men discussed the situation at length before settling to sleep. They decided that further attempts at escape would be futile, at least until they discovered what the lizard folk had in store for them. It was some small comfort that they were not chained, nor tortured or killed outright. The priests were the happiest, being reunited, and Michael momentarily lost his despair and he and Frances talked of old times and also the future when Frances would be Vicar of Tawfen. Thom and Jim were a...