Mai tied up the boat in the reeds. She searched the path at the water's edge. Many hoofprints. The raiders had already passed here. No chance of catching up with them now. Her eyes watered and she clutched the reeds, slumping in among them. She had failed. A grayish hand touched hers. "Aaaa!" shrieked Mai. "Quiets!" said Someone. There, not three inches from where her face had been, two oval purplish eyes regarded her -- from a streamlined face expertly hidden within the reeds. Its mouth opened in a half-crocodilian grin. "You chases destroyers-upon-horse, no?" said the creature. "They have your friend, or mate, perhaps?" Mai nodded. The creature grinned again. "Come. The destroyers must cross the bridge-of-willows. We meets them. Exchange words, perhaps, or more?" Again the grin -- not a nice one this time? |
