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.She clutched the pouch in one hand, and kept her other hand ready.Then she stepped over the brink, following the thread.Her body swung around the corner and halted parallel to the ground.Her feet were set on the face of the cliff.She was standing normally, except for her orientation."You're right, Diamond.This is the way down."They walked down into the chasm, except that it seemed like walking level.Far ahead a hill rose, which was actually the floor of the chasm.They proceeded toward it, and made another turn when they reached it.They were back to normal orientation.The thread had known the way.They walked on across the base of the chasm.There were trees and bushes here, and even a small stream.In fact it was a rather pleasant scene.Then Cube heard an odd whomping.Something was coming, but she wasn't sure what.She looked down the deep valley, between the bushes, and saw something green.It looked like a giant inchworm humping along, only it was steaming.Then she remembered: there was supposed to be a dragon in the chasm--a steamer that hunted every creature that got stuck down here.How could she have forgotten? The Gap Dragon!"Get beside me, Diamond!" she said.As the dog did so, she summoned a full slew of nickelpedes.They formed a thick ring around the two of them.She summoned a second slew.These formed a phalanx between her and the oncoming dragon.The dragon whomped into view.It had six stout legs, small useless wings, and a horrendous head.It spied the nickelpedes and ground to a halt, as any sensible creature would.The nickelpedes waved their deadly little claws at it.Even the dragon should know that those claws could gouge out nickel-sized disks of flesh.Then the dragon lowered its snoot and breathed out.A rush of steam bathed the nickelpedes.They fell over and died, cooked through.It was steaming them!Cube realized that her talent was no defense against the Gap Dragon.Soon it would clear a path and reach her.She cudgeled her stalling mind.What to do? Her first thought was to summon Karia, so they could fly away.But what about Diamond? She couldn't hold on to the dog and the centaur at the same time.The dragon took a step forward, the better to steam the remaining nickelpedes.Her second thought was to bring out the Princesses.But she didn't want to subject them to the risk.They might get steamed before they could make their magic music.The nickelpedes were done for.The dragon raised its deadly snoot, pointing it at her.Her third thought was to summon Drek Dragon.She didn't know whether it would do any good, but she didn't have time for a fourth thought.She reached into the pouch."Drek!"Drek slid out.He looked at the other dragon.Alarmed, he breathed out a truly ugly stench, reminiscent of rotten eggs, bloated gut, putrefied zombies, and worse.Cube and Diamond gagged.What an awful smell! She was afraid her nose would fall off.The Gap Dragon inhaled, the better to blow out more steam--and choked.It backed away, but the horrible odor followed.It couldn't breathe! Cube understood exactly how it was; she couldn't breathe either.The Gap Dragon turned tail and fled.Drek saw that and was gratified.Strong perfume replaced the stench breath.Cube and Diamond sucked in the sweet smell.What a relief! And what a proof of Drek's ability to protect them.Except that his weapon affected them too."Let's get out of here while we can," she gasped.She set out along the thread."And thanks, Drek! You saved us."The dragon wiggled an ear.The thread led to the far cliff wall, and up it.Cube, Diamond, and Drek moved up it, the dragon surprised.In due course they reached the brink, turned the corner, and were back on regular land.Then Drek returned to the pouch, satisfied that the danger was over.Cube and Diamond followed the thread north, away from the Gap Chasm.She was glad that they were on a regular path now, instead of plowing through brush or worse.The scenery was nice, and there seemed to be no immediate threats.In fact it was rather peaceful."Maybe this is a good place to rest," Cube remarked aloud."We've been traveling much of the day, and my feet are tired."They were not on an enchanted path, but Diamond sniffed out a pie tree.Cube had the supplies that Sofia had packed, but preferred to save them for dire need.The better she could forage for herself, the better off they would be.The tree had a nice meat pie for the dog, and a hot pot pie for Cube.Then they settled down to rest for a while."Wake up! Wake up!" Someone was shaking her shoulder, and shouting at her."What's the matter?" Cube demanded, vaguely irritated by this disturbance of her rest."We were just resting a while.""It would have been a long while," the annoying person said."Don't you know where you are?""North of the Gap Chasm.Now if you will just let me finish my rest--""No! Don't go back to sleep.You must get up, get mad, walk around.""Some other time," Cube said."I feel rather peaceful now.""That's the problem! You're in Peace Forest.""That's nice." Cube relaxed.But the person wouldn't let her be.Hands grasped her shoulders, three or four hands, hauling her to her feet."Get awake! Get angry! Walk!"Cube's irritation finally became solid."What's the matter with you?" she demanded."Why can't you leave me alone?""Because you'll die."Cube opened her eyes.She saw a winged human girl bending over Diamond, trying to rouse the sleeping dog.The girl was so shapely as to stun men's minds just by the thought of looking at her, and even Cube was impressed.There was something about beauty that stirred the heart and imagination.Her wings were pure white, her hair was the same, and her gown matched.Only her huge eyes were different; they were pale electric violet.When she moved her head, her hair rippled in waves, and shone aqua.This was no ordinary pedestrian.Cube, now fully awake, tried to suppress her burgeoning resentment of the girl's very existence, because no man would ever look once at Cube if he even suspected that such a creature existed.Then she looked to either side, to find out who was supporting her.On her left was a pretty girl with long blue-green hair and black wistful-looking eyes.She was garbed in a black suit.On her right was an ordinary girl with brown hair and iridescent eyes.Even so, she was significantly better looking than Cube.But then, every young woman was."Who are you?" Cube asked.Then, realizing that she was being slightly churlish, she introduced herself: "I am Cube, traveling north at the moment, and the dog is Diamond, traveling with me.We were just resting briefly before going on.""I am Oceanna," the black-clothed girl said."I do things with water.""I am Lucidia Feldspar," the brown-haired girl said."I can change ordinary stones into gemstones, and vice versa.""And I am Tala," the vision with Diamond said."I sew enchanted clothing.Please help me rouse this dog; she's not responding.""Why? Why can't you let her rest?""Because she'll rest forever.That's the nature of Peace Forest: folk caught in it become so peaceful they simply sink into oblivion."Alarm was percolating through Cube's mind.They had told her that she herself would die, and Diamond would rest forever."But we were just resting briefly.""When did you start your rest?" Lucidia asked."Just a short while ago, as early evening was starting, and--" Cube paused, for the sun was high in the sky; it was now broad day."Maybe--yesterday?""Or maybe several days," Oceanna said [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]