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Right. Squill, Neena?
Squill nodded as his sister slaked her thirst. Righty-ho, mate. Give us a
minim ere.
When Neena was sated she recorked the cask and settled herself close to her
brother.
Each put an arm around the other s shoulder as they leaned their mouths close.
Whiskers tangled.
Done your job and done it well
Blew em all away like a storm from Hell
Now s the time to leave
Time to go on your way
Hey tornado, wot you say?
We say, you gots to go away and maybe come again
Some other day, okay?
With a violent twist, the black spire abandoned the creek bed and started
toward them.
Eyes wide in his gray-furred face, Gragelouth retreated until his back was
once more pressed against the sandstone arch. What are you doing? Make it go
away.
The otters rapped faster and Buncan s fingers flew over the duar s strings,
but the savage storm continued its deliberate, turbulent advance until it was
almost upon them. In the face of that terrible wind Buncan had to fight to
stay on his feet, while the otters now clung to each other in deadly earnest.
Even the massive, defiant
Snaugenhutt was brushed backward several feet.
This storm, Buncan sensed, would not delicately collect them, would not care
for and pamper them. It would smash them as thoughtlessly and thoroughly as it
had the unfortunate whirlwind it had overtaken.
Behind him he heard Gragelouth screaming frantically. Make it go away,
spellsingers! Make it go away! Oh what a tangled web we sloths weave!
The sorrowful lament wasn t intended as a suggestion, but the otters jumped on
it just
the same.
Wind it up and tie it tight
Lock it down like sleep at night
Bind it fast and make it helpless
Got to see it doesn t eat us
Don t want to make it angry at me, at thee
At anyone we see
Just have to put it away for a while
Time to do it fast, and for sure in style.
The propulsive vortex was almost upon them when its outer edges began to kink
and snap. As the tornado halted, Buncan sensed a distinct feeling of
puzzlement. It began to groan as if it had bones, embarking on a succession of
violent convulsions.
Tumultuous winds continued to buffet the watchful travelers, but they came
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from all directions now, confused in their approach and aimless in their
passing.
As they stared the tornado folded in on itself. Disorganized streaks of black
wind coiled in all directions. The storm contracted and spasmed, knotting and
reknotting until with an audible groan the entire towering structure keeled
over to slam into the canyon floor, sending a cloud of dust and sand flying.
Buncan averted his face until the cloud had begun to settle. When he looked
back he saw the tornado lying prone, twisting and humping helplessly in a
futile attempt to loosen the thousands of knots into which it had tied itself
at the behest of the otter s spellsong.
A benumbed Gragelouth sought to gather bis wits. Astonishing, but we had best
depart before the treacherous phenomenon ascertains a solution to its current
predicament.
Neena took a deep breath. I m all for that, guv. That were a near thing.
With a prudent eye on the bound tornado, they took turns mounting Snaugenhutt,
who as soon as everyone was aboard trotted off up the canyon, careful to
maintain a circumspect distance between himself and the enraged but impotent
maelstrom.
As they finally exited the steep-sided chasm, Gragelouth turned in his seat to
peer back the way they d come. There was no sign of the beknotted tempest.
That is what I try to do to my competitors, he informed mem somberly.
Surely it will free itself eventually?
I d think so. Buncan scanned the mesas and plains ahead. Hopefully, before
that happens we ll have put plenty of distance between us.
The merchant settled himself back in his seat. Of course, if it were to
pursue us you three could simply bind it within itself again.
Buncan felt his duar bouncing lightly against his back. Don t count on it,
merchant.
So far we ve been pretty lucky with our spellsinging, but Jon-Tom always said
something about sequels never being as good as the originals. I guess that s
just a
natural component of sorcery. So if it comes after us we might have to try
something else, and it might not be as effective. I d rather make speed.
I suspect I have more confidence in you, young human, man you do in
yourself.
Ere now, guv, said Squill, interrupting without hesitation, I ve got
plenty o
confidence, I do. Feel free to compliment me.
Gragelouth half-bowed in the otter s direction. My tribute was intended to
include all.
Well, then. Squill pushed out his lower lip. See that it stays that way,
guv.
An otter, Buncan mused, was the only creature he knew of that could strut
sitting down.
CHAPTER 18
Their enhanced confidence did not make the ta-mas any smaller or do anything
to mute its rising temperatures. They took to resting and sleeping for long
stretches during the middle of the day and trying to make up the time lost at
night.
Oi, guv nor. Squill clung cheerlessly in his iron seat. Even the bright
feathers of his cap drooped listlessly in the heat. Ow much more o this
blasted country is there?
Gragelouth shifted his attention from an unusually tall pinnacle. No one
really knows for certain. In that the good citizens of Poukelpo were being
truthful. But our progress is steady. I would not think the crossing would
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