{"id":4086,"date":"2026-01-04T00:06:34","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T00:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/spellsinger-02-the-hour-of-the-gate-foster-alan-dean\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T00:06:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T00:06:34","slug":"spellsinger-02-the-hour-of-the-gate-foster-alan-dean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/spellsinger-02-the-hour-of-the-gate-foster-alan-dean\/","title":{"rendered":"Spellsinger 02 – The Hour of the Gate – Foster, Alan Dean"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Book Preview<\/h3>\n
\n

\nThe Hour of the Gate<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpellsinger #2<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom reeled dizzily at the top of the steps. All wrong,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe knew. Out of place, out of time. He was not standing<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbefore the entrance to this strange Council Building in a city<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnamed Polastrindu. A five-foot tall otter in peaked green cap<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand bright clothing was not eying him anxiously, wondering if<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe was about to witness a fainting spell. A bespectacled<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbipedal turtle was not staring sourly at him, waiting for him<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto regain his senses so they could be about the business of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsaving the world. An enormous, exceedingly ugly black bat<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas not hovering nearby, muttering darkly to himself about<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndirty pots and pans and the lack of workman’s comp a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfamulus enjoyed while in a wizard’s employ.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSadly, saying these things were not did not transform the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nreality.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n” ‘Ere now, mate,” the otter Mudge inquired, “don’t you<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbe sick all over us, wot?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n9<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Sorry,” Jonathan Thomas Meriweather said apologetical-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nly. “Oral exams always make me queasy.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Be of good cheer, my young friend,” said the wizard<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump. He tapped his plastron. “I shall do the neces-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsary talking. You are here to add credence to what I will say,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnot to add words. Come now. Time dies and the world draws<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnearer disaster.” He ambled through the portal. As he had<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnow for many weeks, the transposed Jon-Tom could only<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlong for his own vanished world, hope desperately that once<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthis crisis had passed Clothahump could return him to it, and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfollow the turtle’s lead.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nInside they marched past scribes and clerks and other<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfunctionaries, all of whom turned to look at them in passing.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe hall itself was wood and stone, but the bark-stripped logs<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmat supported this structure had been polished to a high<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nluster. Rich reds faded into bright, almost canary-yellow<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngrains. The logs had the sheen of marble pillars.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey turned past two clusters of arguing workers. The<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\narguing stopped as they passed. Apparently everyone in<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nPolastrindu now knew who they were, or at least that they<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncontrolled the dragon who’d almost bumed down the city the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nprevious night.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nUp a pair of staircases they climbed. Clothahump puffed<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhard to keep up with the rest. Then they passed through a set<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof beautiful black and yellow buckeye-buri doors and entered<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\na small room.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere was a single straight, long table on a raised dais. It<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncurved at either end, forming horns of wood. To the right a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsmall bespectacled margay sat behind a drafting table. He<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwore brown shirt, shorts, boots, and an odd narrow cap. The<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nquill pen he was writing with was connected by wooden arms<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto six similar pens hovering over a much larger table and six<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nseparate scrolls. It was a clever mechanism enabling the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nscribe to make an original and six copies simultaneously. An<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n10<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF TJZB GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nassistant, a young wolf cub, stood nearby. He was poised to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nchange the scrolls or unroll them as the occasion demanded.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSeated behind the raised table was the Grand Council of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe City, County, and Province of Greater Polastrindu, the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlargest and most influential of its kind in the warmlands.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom surveyed the councillors. From left to right, he<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsaw first a rather foppishly clad prairie dog draped in thin<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsilks, lace, neck chains, and a large gold earring in his right<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\near. Next came a corpulent gopher in pink, wearing the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nexpected dark wraparound glasses. This redoubtable female<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlikely represented the city’s nocturnal citizens. His eyes<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npassed impatiently over most of the others.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere were only two truly striking personalities seated<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbehind the table. At its far right end sat a tall, severely attired<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmarten. If not actually a military uniform, his dress was very<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwarlike. It was black and blue and there were silver epaulets<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncrusting his shoulders and chevronlike ripples on his sleeves.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nDouble bandoliers of small stilettoes formed a lethal “X”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nacross his chest. His clothing was so spotless Mudge whispered<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthat it must have a dirt-repellent spell cast on it.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis posture matched his attire. He sat rigidly erect in his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlow chair, his high torso not bending even slightly across the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntable. His attitude was also much more attentive than that of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nany of the other council members.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom tried to analyze their states of mind as they took<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstock of the tiny group waiting before the long table. Their<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nexpressions conveyed everything from fear to amusement.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnly the marten seemed genuinely interested.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe other imposing figure on the dais sat in the middle of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe table. He was flanked by two formal perches on which<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nrested the representatives of Polastrindu’s arboreal population.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nOne was a large raven. At the moment he was picking his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbeak with a silver pick held easily in his left foot. He wore a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nred, green, and ocher kilt and matching vest. On the other<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n11<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nperch was the smallest intelligent inhabitant of the warmlands<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom had yet encountered. The hummingbird was no<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlarger man a man’s head. It had a long beak, exquisite<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nplumage, and heavily jeweled kilt and vest. It might have<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nflown free from the treasure vaults of Dresden.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nGold trim lined the kilt, and a necklace of the finest gold<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfiligree hung around the ruby-throated neck. He also wore a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntiny cap similar to an Australian bush hat. It was secured on<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe iridescent head with a gold strap.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom marveled at the hat. Slipping it on over that<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncurving beak would be a considerable project, unless the strap<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\njoined at a tiny buckle he couldn’t see.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll inhabitants and stretches of the province were thus<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nrepresented. They were dominated by the motionless figure of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe marten on the far right, and by the stocky individual in<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntheir center.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt was that citizen who commanded everyone’s attention as<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe pushed back his chair and stood. The badger wore specta-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncles similar to Clothahump’s. His fur was silvered on his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nback, indicating age.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe had very neatly trimmed claws. Despite his civilized<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nappearance Jon-Tom was grateful for the manicure, knowing<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe reputation badgers had for ferocity and tenacity in a fight.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nDeep-set black eyes stared out at them. He wore a stiff,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhigh-collared suit marked only by a discreet gold flower on<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhis lapel. One paw slammed down hard on the table. Jon-Tom<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhadn’t known what to expect, but the instant angry outburst<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas not the greeting he’d hoped for.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Now what do you mean by bringing this great narsty<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfire-breathing beastie into the city limits and burning down<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe harbor barracks^, not to mention disrupting the city’s<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncommerce, panicking its citizenry, and causing disruption and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngeneral dismay among the populace?!?” The voice rose<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n12<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF TBE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nimmediately to an angry pitch as he shook a thick warning<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfinger down at them.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n‘ ‘Give me one reason why I should not have the lot of you<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nrun into the lowest jails!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom looked at Mudge in dismay. It was Clothahump<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwho spoke patiently. “We have come to Polastrindu, friend,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nin order to\u2014”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I am Mayor and Council President Wuckle Three-Stripe!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsnorted the badger, “and you will address me as befits my<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntitles and position!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We are here,” continued the wizard, unperturbed an<<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nunimpressed, “on a mission of great consequence to every<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ninhabitant of the civilized world. It would behoove you t(<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlisten closely to what I am about to tell you.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Yeah,” said Pog, who had settled on one of the numerous<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nempty perches ringing the room, “and ifya don’t, our gooc<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbuddy da dragon will bum your manure pile of a rat-warrer<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndown around your waxy ears!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Shut up, Pog.” Clothahump glared irritably at the bat.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhile he was doing so the unctuous gopher leaned ovei<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand spoke to the badger in a delicate yet matronly voice.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“The creature is undiplomatic, Mayor-President, but he has a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npoint.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I will not be blackmailed, Pevmora.” He looked down<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe other way and asked in a less belligerent tone, “What do<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nyou say, Aveticus? Do we disembowel these intruders now, 01<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhat?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe marten’s reply was so quiet Jon-Tom had to strain to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmake it out. Nevertheless, the creature conveyed an impres-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsion of cold power. As would any student interested in the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlaw, Jon-Tom noticed that all the other council members<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nimmediately ceased picking their mouths, chattering to each<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nother, or whatever they’d been doing, in order now to pay<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nattention.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n13<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Poster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I think we should listen to what they have to say to us.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nNot only because of the threat posed by the dragon, against<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhose breath I will not expend my soldiers and whom you<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmust admit we can do nothing about, but also because they<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nspeak as visitors who mean us nothing but good will. I cannot<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nyet pass on the importance of what they may say, but I think<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwe can safely accept their professed motivations. Also, they<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndo not strike me as fools.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Sensibly put, youngster,” said Clothahump.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe marten nodded once, barely, and ignored the fact that<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe was anything but a cub. He smiled as imperceptibly as<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe’d nodded, showing sharp white teeth.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Of course, good turtle, if you are wasting our time or do<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nindeed mean us harm, then we will be forced to take other<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmeasures.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump waved the comment away. “You give us credit<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfor being other than fools. I return the compliment. Now<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthen, let us have no more talk of motivations and time, for I<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhave none of the last to spare.” He launched into a long and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nby now familiar explanation of the danger from the Plated<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nFolk and their preparations, from their massed armies to their<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstill unknown new magic.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhen he’d finished the badger looked as bellicose as<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbefore. “The Plated Folk, the Plated Folk! Every time some<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nidiot seer panics, it’s ‘the Plated Folk are coming, the Plated<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nFolk are coming!'” He resumed his seat and spoke sarcastically.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Do you think we can be panicked by tales and rumors<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthat mothers use to scare their cubs into bed? Do you think<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwe believe every claim laid before us by every disturbed<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwould-be leader? What do you think we are, stranger?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Stubborn,” replied Clothahump patiently. “I assure you<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\non my honor as a wizard and member in good standing of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nGuild for nearly two hundred years that everything I have just<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n14<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR Of THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntold you is true.” He indicated Jon-Tom, who until now had<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbeen silently watching and listening.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Last night, this young spellsinger actually encountered an<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nenvoy of the Plated Folk. He was here to foment trouble<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\namong local human citizens, and according to my young<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nassociate he was well disguised.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat brought some of the more insipid members of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncouncil wide awake. “One of them… here, in the city …!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“He was attempting to begin war between the species,”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nreiterated the wizard. More mutters of disbelief from those<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbehind the long table.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“He wanted me to join with his puppets,” Jon-Tom explained.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“The humans he’d recruited say the Plated Folk have prom-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nised to make them the overlords and administrators of all the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwarmlands the insects conquer. I didn’t believe it for a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nminute, of course, but I think I’ve studied more about such<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmatters than those poor deluded people. I don’t think they<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhave many followers. Nevertheless, the word should be<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nspread. Just letting it be known that you know what the Plated<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nFolk are trying to do should discourage potential recruits to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntheir cause.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe muttering among the councillors changed from ner-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nvous to angry. “Where is he?” shouted the hummingbird,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsuddenly buzzing over the table to halt and hover only inches<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfrom Jon-Tom’s face. “Where is the insect ofifal, and his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfurless dupes?” Tiny, furious eyes stared into larger human<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nones. “I will put out their eyes myself. I shall…”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“P&rch down, Millevoddevareen,” said Wuckle Three-Stripe,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe badger. “And control yourself. I will not tolerate anarchy<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nin the chambers.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe bird glared back at the Mayor, muttered something<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nunder his breath, and shot back to his seat. His wings<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncontinued to whirr with nervous energy. He forced himself to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncalm down by preening them with his long bill.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n15<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Such fringe fanatics have always existed among the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nspecies,” the Mayor said thoughtfully. “Humans have no<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncomer on racial prejudice. These you speak of will be warned,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbut they are of little consequence. When the time for final<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nchoices arrives, common sense takes precedence over emo-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntion. Most people are sensible enough to realize they would<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnever survive a Plated Polk conquest.” He smiled and his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmask fur wrinkled.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“But no such invasion has ever succeeded. Not in tens of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthousands of years.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“There is still only one way through Zaryt’s Teeth,”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nproclaimed a squirrel, “and that is by way of the Jo-Troom<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nPass. Two thousand years ago Usdrett of Osprinspri raised the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nGreat Wall on the site of his own victory over the Plated<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nFolk. A wall which has been strengthened and fortified by<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsuccessive generations of fighters. The Gate has never been<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nforced open, and no Plated Folk force has ever even reached<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe wall itself. We’ve never let them get that far down the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nPass.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“They’re too stratified,” added the raven, waving a wing<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfor emphasis. “Too inflexible in then” methods of battle to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncope with improvisation and change. They prepare to fight<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\none way and cannot shift quickly enough to handle another.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy, their last attempt at an invasion was among the most<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndisastrous of all. Their defeats grow worse with each attack.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSuch occasional assaults are good for the warmlands: they<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nkeep the people from complacency and sharpen the skills of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nour soldiers. Nor can we be surprised. The permanent Gate<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncontingent can hold off any sudden attack until sufficient<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nreinforcements can be gathered.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“This is no usual invasion,” said Clothahump intently.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Not only have the Plated Folk prepared more thoroughly<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand in greater numbers than ever before, but I have reason to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbelieve they have produced some terrible new magic to assist<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n16<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthem, an evil we may be unable to counter and whose nature I<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhave as yet been unable to ascertain.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Magic again!” Wuckle Three-Stripe spat at the floor.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We still have no proof you’re even the sorcerer you claim to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbe, stranger. So far I’ve only your word as proof.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Are you calling me a liar, sir?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nConcerned that he might have overstepped a trifle, the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nMayor retreated a bit. “I did not say that, stranger. But surely<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nyou understand my position. I can hardly be expected to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nalarm the entire civilized warmlands merely at the word of a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsingle visitor. That is scarcely sufficient proof of what you<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhave said.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Proof? I’ll give you proof.” The wizard’s fighting blood<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas up. He considered thoughtfully, then produced a couple<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof powders from his plastron. After tossing them on the floor<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe raised both hands and turned a slow circle, reciting angrily.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Cold front, warm front, counteract my affront.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIsobars and isotherms violently descend.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nNimbus, cumulus, poles opposizing,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIons in a mighty surge my doubters upend!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nA thunderous roar deafened everyone in the room and there<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas a blinding flare. Jen-Tom dazedly struggled back to a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstanding position to see Clothahump slowly picking himself<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nup off the floor and readjusting his glasses.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWuckle Three-Stripe lay on the floor in front of him,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhaving been blown completely across the council table. His<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nceremonial chair was a pile of smoking ash. Behind it a neat<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhole had been melted through the thick leaded glass where the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntiny lightning bolt had penetrated. The fact that it was a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncloudless day made the feat all the more impressive.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Mayor disdained the help of one of the other council-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlors. Brushing himself off and rearranging his clothing, he<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n17<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Poster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwaddled back behind the table. A new chair was brought and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nset onto the pile of ash. He cleared his throat and leaned<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nforward.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We will accept the fact that you are a sorcerer.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I’m glad that’s sufficient proof,” said Clothahump with<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndignity. “I’m sorry if I overdid it a mite. Some of these old<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nspells are pretty much just for show and I’m a little rusty with<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthem.” The scribe had returned to his sextupal duplicator and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas scribbling furiously.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Plated envoys moving through our city in human dis-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nguise,” murmured one of the councillors. “Talk of interspecies<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndissension and war, great and strange magic in the council<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nchambers. Surely this portends unusual events, perhaps even<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\na radically different kind of invasion.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe prairie dog leaned across the table, steepling his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfingers and speaking in high-pitched, chirping tones.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“There are many forms of magic, colleagues. While the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nability to conjure thunder and lightning on demand is most<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nimpressive, it differs considerably from divination. Do we<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthen determine that on the basis of a flash of power we cease<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nall normal activities and place Polastrindu on war alert?<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Should the call go out on that basis to distant Snarken, to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nL’bor and Yul-pat-pomme and all the other towns and cities of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe warmlands? Must we now order farmers to leave their<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfields, young men their sweethearts, and bats their nightly<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhunts? Commerce will come to a halt and fortunes will be<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlost, lives disrupted.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“This is a massive question, colleagues. It must be answered<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nby more than the words and deeds of one person.” He<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngestured deferentially with both hands at Clothahump. “Even<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\none so clearly versed in the arts of wizardry as you, sir.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“So you want more proof?” asked Jon-Tom.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“More specific proof, yes, tall man,” said the prairie dog.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“War is no casual matter. I need hardly remind the other<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n18<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF THE GATS<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nparticipants of this council,” and he looked the length of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlong table, “that if there is no invasion, no unusual war, then<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nit is our bodies that will provide fertilizer for next season’s<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncrops, and not those of our nomadic visitors.” He looked<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nback out of tiny black eyes at Jon-Tom. “Therefore I would<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nexpect some sympathy for our official positions.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nA mild smattering of applause came from the rest of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncouncil, except for Millevoddevareen the hummer. He con-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntinued to mutter, “I want those traitorous humans. Put their<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndamn perverted eyes out!” His colleagues paid him no<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nattention. Hummingbirds are notoriously more bellicose than<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nreflective.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Then you shall have more conclusive proof,” said the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nweary wizard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Master?” Pog looked down solicitously at the turtle. “Do<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nya really tink anodder spell now, so close ta da odder, is a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngood idea?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Do I seem so tired then, Pog?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe bat flapped idly, said without hesitation, “Yeah, ya do,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nboss.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump nodded slowly. “Your concern is noted, Pog.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nI’ll make a good famulus out of you yet.” The bat smiled,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhich in a bat is no prettier than a frown, but it was unusual<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto see the pleased expression on the fuzzy face of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnormally hostile assistant.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I expect to become more tired still.” He looked at<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom, then around him at Mudge. “I’d say you represent<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe lower orders accurately enough.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Thanks,” said the otter drily, “Your Sorceremess.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“What would it take to convince you of the reality of this<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthreat?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Well, ifn I were ignorant o’ the real situation and I<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n19<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nneeded a good convincin’,” Mudge said speculatively, “I’d<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsay it were up t’ you t’ prove it by showin’ me.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump nodded. “I thought so.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Master… ?” began Pog wamingly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“It’s all right. I have the capacity, Pog.” His face suddenly<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwent blank, and he fell into a deep trance. It was not as deep<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nas the one he had used to summon M’nemaxa, but it impressed<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe hell out of the council.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe room darkened, and curtains magically drew them-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nselves across the back windows of the chambers. There was<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnervous whispering among those seated behind the long table,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbut no one moved. The marten Aveticus, Jon-Tom noted, did<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnot seem in the least concerned.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nA cloud formed at the far end of the chamber, an odd cloud<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthat was flat and rectangular in shape. Images formed inside<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe cloud. As they solidified, there were gasps of horror and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndismay from the council members.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nVast ranks of insect warriors marched across the cloud.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey bore aloft an ocean of pikes and spears, swords and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nshields. Huge Plated generals directed the common troops,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhich stretched across misty plains as far as the eye could<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsee. Tens of thousands paraded across that cloud.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs the view shifted and rolled, there was anxious chatter<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfrom the council. “They seem better armed than before… look<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhow purposefully they drill…. You can feel the confidence<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nin them . . . never saw that before. .. . The numbers, the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnumbers!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe scene changed. Stone warrens and vast structures slid<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npast in review. A massive, bulbous edifice began to come into<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nview: the towering castle of Cugluch.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAbruptly the view changed to one of dark clouds, fluttered,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand vanished. There was a thump, the cloud dissipated,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntogether with the view, and light returned to the room.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump was sitting down on the floor, shaking his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n20<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhead. Pog was hovering above him, fumbling with a vial. The<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwizard took a long sip of the liquid within, shook his head<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nonce more, and wiped the back of his mouth with an arm.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith the bat’s help he stood and smiled shakily at Jon-Tom.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Not a bad envisioning. Couldn’t get to the castle, though.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nToo far, and the inhibitory spells are too strong. Lost the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndamn vertical hold.” He started to go down, and Jon-Tom<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbarely got hold of an arm in time to keep the turtle from<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nslumping back to the floor.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“You shouldn’t have done it, sir. You’re too weak.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Had to, boy.” He jerked his head toward the long table.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Some hardheads up there.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe councillors were babbling among themselves, but they<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfell silent when Clothahump spoke. “I tried to show you the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ninterior of the castle keep, but its secrets are too well<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nprotected by powerful spells I cannot pierce.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Then how do you know this great new magic exists?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nasked the ever skeptical prairie dog.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I summoned M’nemaxa.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nMutters of amazement mixed with disbelief and awe.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Yes, I did even that,” Clothahump said proudly, “though<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe consequences of such a conjuration could have been fatal<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfor me and all those in my care.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“If you did so once, could you not summon the spirit once<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmore and leam the true nature of this strange evil you feel<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nexists in Cugluch?” wondered one of the councillors.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump laughed gently. “I see there are none here<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nversed in wizardly lore. A pity no local sorcerer or ess could<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhave joined us in this council.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“It was remarkable that I was able to conduct the first<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nconjuration. Were I to try it again I could not bind the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nM’nemaxa spirit within restrictive boundaries. It would burst<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfree. In less than a second I and all around me would be<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nreduced to a crisp of meat and bone.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I withdraw the suggestion,” said the councillor hastily.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n21<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We must rely on ourselves now,” said Clothahump.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Outside forces will not save us.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I think we should…” began one of the other members.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe fell silent and looked to his left. So did the others.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe marten Aveticus was standing. “I will announce the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmobilization,” he said softly. “The armies can be ready in a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfew months’ time. I will contact my counterparts in Snarken<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand L’bor, in all the other towns and cities.” He stared evenly<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nat Clothahump.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We will meet this threat, sir, with all the force the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwarmlands can bring to bear. I leave it to you to counter this<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nevil magic you speak of. I dislike fighting something I can’t<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsee. But I promise you that nothing which bleeds will pass<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe Jo-Troom Gate.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“But General Aveticus, we haven’t reached a decision<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nyet,” protested the gopher.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe marten turned and looked down his narrow snout at his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncolleagues. “These visitors,” and he indicated the four strang-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ners standing and watching nearby, “have made their decision.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nBased upon what they have said and shown to us, I have<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmade mine. The armies will mobilize. Whether they do so<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwith your blessing is your decision. But they will be ready.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe bowed stiffly toward Clothahump.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Learned sir, if you will excuse me. I have much work to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndo.” He turned and strode out of the room on short but<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npowerful legs. Ion-Tom watched his departure admiringly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe marten was someone he would like to know better.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAfter an uncomfortable pause, the councillors resumed<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntheir conversation. “Well, if General Aveticus has already<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndecided so easily…”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“That’s right,” said the hummingbird, buzzing above the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntable. “Our decision has been made for us. Not by these<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npeople,” and he gestured with a wing, though it was so fast<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom couldn’t swear he’d actually noticed the gesture so<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n22<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTas HOUR OF THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmuch as imagined it, “but by the General. You all know how<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nconservative he is.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Now that we are committed, there must be no dissension.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe must act as one mind, one body, to counter the threat.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe soared higher above the floor.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I shall notify the air corps of the decision so that we may<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbegin to coordinate operations with the army. I will also send<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nout the peregrines with messages to the other cities and towns<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthat the Plated Folk are again on the march, stronger and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmore voracious than ever. This time, brothers and sisters, we<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwill deal them a defeat, give them a beating so bad they will<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnot recover for a thousand years!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWords of assent and a few cheers echoed around the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncouncil chamber. One came from the cub manipulating the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nscrolls. His scribe looked at him reprovingly, and the young-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nster settled back down to his paper shuffling as Millevoddevareen<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nleft via an opened window.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“It seems that your appeal has accomplished what you<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nintended,” said the gopher quietly, preening an eyelash.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nGems sparkled around her thick neck and from the rings on<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nevery finger. “At least among the military-minded among us.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll the world will react to your cry of alarm.” She shook her<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhead and smiled grimly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Heaven help you if your prediction turns out to be less<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthan accurate.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I can only say to that, madam, that I would much rather<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbe proved inaccurate than otherwise in this matter.” Clothahump<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbowed toward her.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere were handshakes and hugs all around as the council-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlors descended from their dais. In doing so, they left behind a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngood deal of their pomposity and officiousness.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We’ll finish the slimy bastards this time!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Nothing to worry about… be a good fight!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere was even grudging agreement from the Mayor, who<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n23<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas still irked that General Aveticus hadn’t waited for the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndecision of the council before ordering mobilization. But<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthere was nothing he could do about it now. Given the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nevidence Clothahump had so graphically presented, he wasn’t<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsure he wanted to try.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“You’ll advise us immediately, sir,” he said to Clothahump,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“if you leam of any changes in plan among the Plated Folk.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Of course.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Then there remains only the matter of a new and perhaps<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmore elegant habitation for you until it’s time to march. We<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhave access to a number of inns for the housing of diplomatic<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nguests. I suppose you qualify as that. But I don’t know what<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwe can do with your great flaming friend back in the court-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nyard, since he so impolitely burned down his quarters.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We’ll take care of him,” Jon-Tbm assured the Mayor.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Please see that you do,” Wuckle Three-Stripe was recovering<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsome of his mayoral bearing. “Especially since he’s the only<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nreal danger we’ve been certain of since you’ve appeared<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\namong us.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith that, he turned to join the animated conversation<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntaking place among several members of the council.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnce outside the chambers and back in the city hall’s main<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncorridor Jon-Tom and Mudge took the time to congratulate<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Aye, that were a right fine performance, guv’nor,” said<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe otter admiringly. “Cor, you should o’ seen some o’ those<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfat faces when you threw that army o’ bugs up at ’em!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“You’ve done what you wanted to, sir,” agreed Jon-Tom.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“The armies of the warmlands will be ready for the Plated<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nFolk when they start through the Jo-Troom Pass.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut the wizard, hands clasped around his back, did not<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nappear pleased. Jon-Tom frowned at him as they descended<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe steps to the city hall courtyard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n24<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Isn’t that what you wanted, sir? Isn’t that what we’ve<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncome all this way for?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Hmnun? Oh, yes, my boy, that’s what I wanted.” He still<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlooked discouraged. “I’m only afraid that all the armies of all<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe counties and cities and towns of all the warmlands might<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnot be enough to counter the threat.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom and Mudge exchanged glances.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“What more can we do?” asked Mudge. “We can’t fighl<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwith wot we ain’t got. Your Magicalness.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“No, we cannot, good Mudge. But there may be more than<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhat we have.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Beggin’ your pardon, sor?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I won’t rest if there is.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Well then, you give ‘er a bit of some thought, guv, and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlet us know, won’t you?” Mudge had the distressing feeling<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe wasn’t going to be able to return to the familiar, comfort-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nable environs of Lynchbany and the Bellwoods quite as soor<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nas he’d hoped.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I will do that, Mudge, and I will let you know when ]<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ninform the others….”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n25<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nII<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe quarters they were taken to were luxurious compared<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto the barracks they’d spent their first night in. Fresh flowers,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nscarce in winter, were scattered profusely around the high-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbeamed room. They were ensconced in Polastrindu’s finest inn,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand the decor reflected it. Even the ceiling was high enough<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nso Jon-Tom could stand straight without having to worry<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nabout a lamp decapitating him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSleeping quarters were placed around a central meeting<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nroom which had been set aside exclusively for their use.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom still had to duck as he entered the circular chamber.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nCaz was leaning back in a chair, ears cocked slightly<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nforward, a glass held lightly in one paw. The other held a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsilver, ornately worked pitcher from which he was pouring a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndark wine into a glass.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nROT sat on one side of him, Talea on the other. All were<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nchuckling at some private joke. They broke off to greet the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnewcomers.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n27<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Don’t have to ask how it went,” said Talea brightly,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nresting her boots on an immaculate couch. “A little while ago<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthis party of subservient flunkies shows up at the barracks and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntells us rooms have been reserved for us in this gilded hole.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe sipped wine, carelessly spilled some on a finely woven<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncarpet. “This style of crusading’s more to my taste, I can tell<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nyou.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“What did you tell them, Jon-Tom?” wondered Flor.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe walked to an open window, rested his palms on the sill,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand stared out across the city.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“It wasn’t easy at first. There was a big, blustery badger<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnamed Wuckle Three-Stripe who was ready to chuck us in jail<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nright away. It was easy to see how he got to be mayor of as<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbig and tough a place as Polastrindu. But Clothahump scorched<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe seat of his pants, and after that it was easy. They paid<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nserious attention.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“There was a general named Aveticus who’s got more<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncommon sense than the rest of the local council put together.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs soon as he’d heard enough he took over. The others just<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nslid along with his opinion. I think he likes us personally, too,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbut he’s so cold-faced it’s hard to tell for sure what he’s<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthinking. But when he talks everybody listens.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nDown below lay a vast black and purple form coiled in the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nshade of a high stone wall. Falameezar was apparently sleep-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ning peacefully in front of the inn stables. The other stable<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbuildings appeared to be deserted. No doubt the riding lizards<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof the hotel staff and its guests had been temporarily boarded<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nelsewhere.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“The armies are already mobilizing, and local aerial repre-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsentatives have been dispatched to carry the word to the other<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncities and towns.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Well, that’s all right, then,” said Talea cheerfully. “Our<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\njob’s finished. I’m going to enjoy the afterglow.” She fin-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nished her considerable glass of wine.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n28<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF Tm GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Not quite finished.” Clothahump had snuggled into a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlow-seated chair across from her couch.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Not quite, ‘e says,” rumbled Mudge worriedly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nPog selected a comfortable beam and hung himself above<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthem. “The master says we got ta seek out every ally we<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncan.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“But from what has been said, good sir, we are already<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnotifying all possible allies in the warmlands.” Caz sat up in<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhis chair and gestured with his glass. Wine pitched and rolled<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlike a tiny red pond and he didn’t spill a drop.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“So long as the city fathers and mothers have seen fit to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngrant us these delightful accommodations, I see no reason<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhy we should not avail ourselves of the local hospitality.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nPolastrindu is not so very far from Zaryt’s Teeth and the Gate<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nitself. Why not bivouac here until the coming battle? We can<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\noffer our advice to the locals.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut Clothahump disagreed. “General Aveticus strikes me<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nas competent enough to handle military preparations. Our<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntask must be to seek out any additional assistance we can.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou just stated that all possible warmland allies are being<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnotified. That is so. My thoughts concerned possible allies<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nelsewhere.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Elsewhere?” Talea sat up and looked puzzled. “There is<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nno elsewhere.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Try tellin’ ‘is nib’s ‘ere that,” said Mudge.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTalea looked curiously at the otter, then back at the wizard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I still don’t understand.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“There is another nation whose aid would be invaluable,”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump explained energetically. “They are legendary<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfighters, and history tells us they despise the Plated Folk as<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmuch as we do.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nMudge circled a finger near one ear, whispered quietly to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom. “Told you ‘e was vergin’ on the senile. The<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n29<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlightnin’ an’ the view conjurin’ ‘as sent him oS t’ balmy<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nland.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe most unexpected reaction came from Pog, however.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe bat left his beam and hovered nervously overhead, his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\neyes wide, his tone fearful.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“No, Master! Don’t tink of it. Don’t!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump shrugged. “Our presence here is no longer<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nrequired. We would find ourselves lost among the general<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstaffs of the assembling armies. Why then should we not seek<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nout aid which could turn the tide of battle?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom, who had returned from his position by me open<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwindow, listened curiously and wondered at Pog’s sudden<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfright.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“What kind of allies were you thinking about, sir? I’m<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncertainly willing to help recruit.” Pog gave him an ugly look.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I’m talking about the Weavers, of course.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe violence of the response to this announcement startled<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom and Flor.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Who are these ‘Weavers’?” she asked me wizard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“They are thought to be the most ferocious, relentless, and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\naccomplished mountain fighters in all me world, my dear.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Notice he does not say ‘civilized’ world,” said Caz<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npointedly. Even his usually unruffled demeanor had been<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmussed by me wizard’s shocking pronouncement. “I would<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnot disagree with that appraisal of Weaver fighting ability,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngood sir,” continued the rabbit, his nose twitching uncontrollably.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“And what you say about them hating the Plated Folk is also<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmost likely true. Unfortunately, you neglect the likely possi-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbility that they also despise us.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“That is more rumor and bedtime story than fact, Caz.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nConsidering the circumstances, they might be quite willing to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\njoin with us. We do not know for certain that they hate us.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“That’s for sure,” said Talea sardonically, “because few<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwho’ve gone toward their lands have ever come back.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n30<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“That’s because no one can get across the Teeth,” Mudge<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsaid assuredly. ” ‘Ate us or not don’t matter. Probably none<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof them that’s tried reachin’ Weaver lands ‘as ever reached<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n’em. There ain’t no way across the Teeth except through the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nGate and then the Pass, and the Weavers, if I recall my own<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbedtimey stories aright, live a bloody good ways north o’ the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nGreendowns.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“There is another way,” said Clothahump quietly. Mudge<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngaped at him. “It is also far from here, far from the Gate, far<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto the north. Far across the Swordsward.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Cross the Swordsward!” Talea laughed in disbelief. “He<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nis crazy!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Across the great Swordsward,” the sorcerer continued<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npatiently, “lies the unique cataract known as the Sloomaz-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nayor-la-WeentIi, in the language of the Icelands in which it<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\narises. It is The-River-That-Eats-Itself, also called the River<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof Twos, also the Double-River. In the language and knowl-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nedge of magic and wizardry, it is known as the SchizoStream.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“A schizoid river?” Jon-Tom’s thoughts twisted until the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nknot hurt. “That doesn’t make any sense.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“If you know the magical term, then you know what you<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsay is quite true, Jon-Tom. The Sloomaz-ayor-la-WeentIi is<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nindeed the river that makes no sense.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Neither does traveling down it, if I’m following your<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmeaning correctly,” said Caz. Clothahump nodded. “Does<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnot The-River-That-Eats-Itself flow through the Teeth into<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsomething no living creature has seen called The Earth’s<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThroat?” Again the wizard indicated assent.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I see.” Caz ticked the relevant points off on furry fingers<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nas he spoke. “Then all we have to do is cross the Swordsward,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfind some way of navigating an impossible river, enter what-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\never The Earth’s Throat might be, counter whatever dangers<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmay lie within the mountains themselves, reach the Scuttleteau,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\non which dwell the Weavers, and convince them not only that<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n31<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwe come as friends but that they should help us instead of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\neating us.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Yes, that’s right,” said Clothahump approvingly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nCaz shrugged broadly. “A simple task for any superman.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe adjusted his monocle. “Which I for one am not. I am<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nreasonably good at cards, less so at dice, and fast of mouth,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbut I am no reckless gambler. What you propose, sir, strikes<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nme as the height of folly.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Give me credit for not being a fool with my own life,”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncountered Clothahump. “This must be tried. I believe it can<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbe done. With my guidance you will all survive the journey,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand we will succeed.” There was a deep noise, halfway<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbetween a chuckle and a belch. Clothahump threw the hang-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ning famulus a quick glare, and Pog hurriedly looked innocent.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I’ll go, of course,” said Jon-Tom readily.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe others gazed at him in astonishment. “Be you daft<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntoo, mate?” said Mudge.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Daft my ass.” He looked down at the otter. “I have no<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nchoice.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I’ll go,” announced Flor, smiling magnificently. “I love<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\na challenge.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Oh, very well.” Caz fitted his monocle carefully, his pink<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnose still vibrating, “but it’s a fool’s game to draw and roll a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbrace of twelves after a munde-star pays out.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I suppose I’ll come too,” said Talea with a sigh, “be-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncause I’ve no more good sense than the rest of you.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAll eyes turned toward Mudge.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Right then, quit staring at me, you bloody great twits!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHis voice dropped to a discouraged mutter. “I ‘ope when we<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfind ourselves served up t’ the damned Weavers for supper<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthat I’m the last one on the rottin’ menu, so I can at least ‘ave<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nme pleasure o’ watchin’ ’em eat you arse’oles first!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“To such base uses we all eventually come, Mudge,”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom told him.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n32<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR Or THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Don’t get philosophical with me, mate. Oh, you’ve no<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nchoice for sure, not if you’ve a ‘ope o’ seeing your proper<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n‘ome again. Old Clothahump’s got you by the balls, ‘e as.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut as for me, I can be threatened so far and then it don’t<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmatter no more.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“No one is threatening you, otter,” said the wizard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“The ‘ell you ain’t! I saw the look in your eye, knew I<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmight as well say yes voluntary-like and ‘ave done with it.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou can work thunder and lightnin’ but you can’t make the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\njourney yourself, you old fart! You don’t fool me. You need<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nus.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I have never tried to deny that, Mudge. But I will not<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhold you. I have not threatened you. So behind all your noise<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand fury, why are you coming?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe otter stood there and fumed, breathing hard and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nglaring first at the turtle, then Jon-Tom, then the others.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nFinally he booted an exquisite spittoon halfway across the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nroom. It bounced ringingly off the far wall as he sat down in a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhuff.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Be billy bedamned if I know!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I do,” said Talea. “You’d rather travel along with a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbunch of fools like the rest of us than stay here and be<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nconscripted into the army. With Clothahump and Jon-Tom<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngone, the local authorities will treat you like any other bum.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“That’s bloody likely,” snorted Mudge. “Leave me alone,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthen, won’t you? I said I’d go, though I’d bet heavy against<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nus ever comin’ back.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Optimism is better than pessimism, my friend,” said Caz<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npleasantly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“You. I don’t understand you at all, mate.” The otter<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nshoved back his cap and walked across the carpet to confront<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nCaz. “A minute ago you said you weren’t no reckless gam-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbler. Now you’re all for agoin’ off on this charmin’ little<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n33<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsuicide trot. And of all o’ us, you’d be the one I’d wager on<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nt* stay clear o’ the army’s clutches.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe rabbit looked unimpressed. “Perhaps I can see the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlarger picture, Mudge.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Meanin’ wot?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Meaning that if what our wise friend Clothahump knows<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto be true indeed comes to pass, the entire world may be<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nembarking on that ‘trot’ with us.” He smiled softly. “There<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nare few opportunities for gambling in a wasteland. I do not<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthink the Plated Folk will permit recreation as usual if they<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nare victorious. And I have other reasons.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Yeah? Wot reasons?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“They are personal.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“The wisdom of pragmatism,” said Clothahump approvingly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“It was a beneficial day indeed when the river brought you<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\namong us, friend Caz.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Maybe. But I think I would be still happier if I had not<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmisjudged the placement of those dice and been forced to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndepart so precipitately from my ship. The happiness of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nignorant is no less so than any other. Ah well.” He shrugged<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndisarmingly. “We are all of us caught up in momentous<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nevents beyond our ability to change.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey agreed with him, and none realized he was referring<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nas much to his previously mentioned personal reasons as to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe coming cataclysm….<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe city council provided a three-axle wagon and a dray<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nteam of four matched yellow-and-black-striped lizards, plus<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nample supplies. Some among the council were sorry to see<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe wizard and spellsinger depart, but there were others who<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwere just as happy to watch two powerful magicians leave<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntheir city.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTalea handled the reins of the wagon while Flor, Jon-Tom,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nMudge, Clothahump, and Caz sorted living quarters out of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe back of the heavily loaded vehicle. Thick canvas could be<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n34<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndrawn across the top to keep out the rain. Ports cut in the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nslanting wooden walls provided ventilation and a means for<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfiring arrows at any attacker.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAveticus, resplendent in a fresh uniform and as coldly<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncorrect as ever, offered to provide a military escort at least<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npart of the way. Clothahump declined gracefully, insisting that<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe less attention they attracted the better their chance for an<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nuneventful traverse of the Swordsward.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnyway, they had the best protection possible in the form<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof Falameezar. The dragon would surely frighten away any<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npossible assailants, intelligent or otherwise.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt took the dray lizards a day or two to overcome their<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnervousness at the dragon’s presence, but soon they were<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncantering along on their strong, graceful legs. Bounding on<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsix solid rubber wheels the wagon fairly flew out of the city.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThey passed small villages and farms for another several<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndays, until at last no sign of habitation lay before them.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe fields of golden grain had given way to very tall light<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngreen grasses that stretched to the ends of the northern and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\neastern horizons. Dark wintry rain clouds hovered above the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngreenery, and there were rumblings of distant thunder.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nOff to their right the immense western mountain range<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nknown as Zaryt’s Teeth rose like a wall from the plains. Its<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlowermost peaks rose well above ten thousand feet while<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nme highest towered to twenty-five thousand. Dominating all<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand visible for weeks to come was the gigantic prong of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nBrokenbone Peak, looking like the ossified spine of some<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlong-fossilized titan.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt was firmly believed by many that in a cave atop that<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstorm-swept peak dwelt the Oracle of All Knowledge. Even<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngreat wizards had been unable to penetrate the winds that<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhowled eternally around that inaccessible crag. For by the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntime any grew wise enough to possibly make the journey,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthey had also grown too old, which might explain why<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n35<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nisolated travelers sometimes heard monstrous laughter ava-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlanching down Brokenbone’s flanks, though most insisted it<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas only the wind.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Swordsward resembled a well-manicured field. Patches<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof other vegetation struggled to rise above the dense grass,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwere only occasionally successful. Here and there small<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthickets that were either very thin flowering trees or enormous<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndandelions poked insolently above the waving green ocean<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nDespite Clothahump’s protests General Aveticus had given<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthem a mounted escort to the boundary of the wild plains.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe soldiers raised a departing cheer as the wagon left them<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbehind and started out through the grass.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere were no roads, no paths through the Swordsward.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe grass that formed it grew faster than any bamboo. So<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfast, according to Caz, that you could cut the same patch bare<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto the earth four times in a single day, and by nightfall it<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwould be as thick as ever. Fortunately the blades were as<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nflexible as they were prolific. The wagon slid over them<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\neasily.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nEach blade knew its assigned place. None grew higher than<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe next and attempted to steal the light from its neighbor.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nDespite the flexibility of the grass, however, the name<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSwordsward had not been bestowed out of mischief or indif-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nference. While Falameezar’s thick scales were invulnerable,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nas were those of the dray lizards, the others had to be careful<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhen descending from the wagon least the sharp edges of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntall blades cut through clothing and skin.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom learned quickly enough. Once he’d leaned over<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe back of the wagon to pluck a high, isolated blue flower. A<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nquick, sharp pain made him pull back his hand. There was a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthin line of red two inches long across his palm. It felt as if<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsomeone had taken a piece of new paper and drawn it fast<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nacross his skin. The wound was narrow and bled only for a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nminute, but it remained painful for days.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n36<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR Or THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSeveral times they had glimpses of lanky predators like a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncross between a crocodile and a greyhound. They would pace<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe wagon for hours before slinking off into the green.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Noulps,” Caz told him, peering out the arrowport behind<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhim. “They would kill and eat us if they could, but I don’t<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthink that’s likely. Falameezar scares them off.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“How can you tell?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Because they leave us. A noulp pack will follow its<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nquarry for weeks, I’m told, until they run it down.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nDays became weeks that passed without trouble. Each day<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe black clouds massing in the west would come nearer, their<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthunder more intimate. They promised more severe weather<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthan the steady, nightly rain.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“It is winter, after all,” Clothahump observed one day. “I<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nworry about being caught out here in a really bad storm. This<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwagon is not the cover I would wish.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut when the full storm finally crested atop them, even the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwizard was unprepared for its ferocity. The wind rose until it<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nshook the wagon. Its huddled inhabitants felt like bugs in a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbox. Rain and sleet battered insistently at the wooden sides,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nseeking entry, while the lizards lay down in a circle in the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngrass and closed their eyes against the driving gale.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe wagon was wide and low. It did not leak, did not tip<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nover. Jon-Tom was even growing used to the storm until, on<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe fourth day, a terrible scream sounded from outside. It<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfaded rapidly, swallowed up by the wind.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe fumbled for a candle, gave up, and used his sparker.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nFlame flashed off emerald eyes.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“What’s the matter?” Talea asked him sleepily. The others<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwere moving about beneath their blankets.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Someone screamed.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I didn’t hear anything.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“It was outside. It’s gone now.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHeads were counted. Flor was there, blinking sleep from<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n37<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nher eyes. Nearby Caz leaned up against the inner wall<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nMudge was the last to awaken, having displayed the unique<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nability to sleep soundly through thunder, screaming, and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwind.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nOnly Clothahump looked attentive, sensing the night smells<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We’re all here,” said Ror tiredly. “Then who screamed?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump was still listening intently, spoke without mov-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ning head or body. “The lowliest are always missed the last.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhere is Pog?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom looked toward the back of the wagon. The hang-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ning perch in the upper left comer was empty. Rain stained the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwood, showing where the canvas backing had been unsnapped.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe moved to inspect it. Several of the sealing snaps had been<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbroken by the force of the gale.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“He’s been carried off in his sleep,” said Clothahump.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We have’to find him. He cannot fly in this.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom stuck his head outside, immediately drew it back<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nin. The ferocity of rain and wind drowned both skin and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nspirits. He forced himself to try again, called the bat’s name<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nseveral times.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nA massive, damp skull suddenly appeared close by the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nopening. Jon-Tom was startled, but only for a moment.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“What’s the matter, Comrade?” Falameezar inquired. “Is<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthere some trouble?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“We’ve… we’ve lost one of the group,” he said, trying to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nshield his face against the battering rain. “Pog, the bat. We<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthink he got caught by a freak gust of wind and it’s carried<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhim off. He doesn’t answer, and we’re all worried. He can’t<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwalk well in the best of weather and he sure as hell can’t fly<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nin this gale. Also, there don’t seem to be any trees around he<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncould catch hold of.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Never fear. Comrade. I will find him.” The massive<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\narmored body turned southward and bellowed above the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwind, “Comrade Pog, Comrade Pog!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n38<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR Of THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat steady, confident voice echoed back to them until<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\neven it was overwhelmed by distance and wind. Jon-Tom<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwatched until the black shadow shape faded into the night,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmen drew back inside, wiping water from his face and hair.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Falameezar’s gone after him,” he told the anxious watchers.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“The storm doesn’t seem to be bothering him too much, but I<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndoubt he’s got much of a chance of finding Pog unless the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstorm forced him down somewhere close by.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“He may be leagues from here by now,” said Caz dolefully.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Damn this infernal wind!” He struek in frustration at the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwooden wall.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“He was impertinent and disrespectful, but he performed<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhis duties well for all his complaining,” said Clothahump.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“A good famulus. I shall miss him.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“It’s too early to talk in the past tense, wizard.” Flor tried<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto cheer him up. “Palameezar may still find him. Quien sabe;<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe may be closer than we think.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Your words are kind, my dear. Thank you for your<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthoughtmlness.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe wagon rattled as another blast of near hurricane force<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhistled about them. Everyone fought for balance.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“But as our young spellsinger says, the weather is not<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nencouraging. Pog is not very resourceful. I don’t know….”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThere was no sign of the bat the next day, nor of Falameezar,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand the storm continued without abating. Clothahump wor-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nried now not only that Pog might never be found but that the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndragon might become disoriented and not be able to relocate<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe wagon. Or that he might find a river, decide he was bored<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwith the entire business, and simply sink out of sight.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I don’t think the last likely, sir,” argued Jon-Tom.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Falameezar’s made a political commitment. We’re his com-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nrades. He’ll be back. It would take some kind of personal<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncrisis to make him abandon us, and there isn’t much that can<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\naffect him.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n39<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Nevertheless, though I would like to have both of them<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nback with us, time is becoming too important.” The turtle let<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nout a resigned sigh. “If the weather breaks tomorrow, as 1<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbelieve it may, we will wait one additional day. Then we musl<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbe on our way or else we might as well forget this entire<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmission.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Praise the weather,” murmured Mudge hopefully, ano<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nturned over in his blankets….<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n40<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIll<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhen Jon-Tom woke the following morning, his first sight<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas of the rear canvas panel. It had been neatly pinned up,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand sunlight was streaming brilliantly inside. Flor knelt and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstared outward, her black hair waterfalling down her back.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe seemed to sparkle.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe sat up, threw off his covers. It was eerie after so many<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndays of violence not to hear the wind. Also absent was the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npersistent drumming of raindrops overhead. He leaned for-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nward and peered out. Only a few scattered storm clouds hung<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstubbornly in an otherwise clear sky.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe crawled up alongside her. A gentle breeze ruffled the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSwordsward, the emerald endlessness appearing as soft and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndelicate as the down on a young girl’s legs. The distant<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nyellow puffballs of dandelion trees looked lonely against the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\notherwise unbroken horizon.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Good morning, Jon-Tom.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Buenos dias. Que pasa, beautiful?”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n41<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmuch. Just enjoying the view. And the sunshine. A<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nweek in that damn wagon.” She fluffed her hair out. “It was<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngetting a little squirrelly.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Also smelly.” He breathed deeply of the fresh air, inhaled<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe rich sweet smell of the rain-swept grasses. Then he<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nstepped out onto the rear wagon seat.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSlowly he turned a circle. There was nothing but greep<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsward and blue sky in all directions. Against that background<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\neven a distant Falameezar would have stood out like a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntruckload of coal in a snowbank. But there was no sign of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndragon or of his quarry.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Nobody. Neither of ’em,” he said disappointedly, turning<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nback to look down into the wagon. Talea had just raised her<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhead from beneath a pile of blankets and blinked at him<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsleepily, her red curls framing her face like the scribbles of a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nplayful artist.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I am most concerned,” said Clothahump. He was seated<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nat the front end of the wagon, stirring a pot of hot tea. The<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlittle copper kettle squatted on the portable stove and steamed<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmerrily. “It is possible that\u2014” He broke off, pointed toward<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom, and opened his mouth. Jon-Tom heard only the first<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof his comment.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“I do believe there is someone be\u2014”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSomething yanked hard at Jon-Tom’s ankles. Arms<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwindmilling the air, he went over backward off me platform.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe landed hard, the grass cushioning him only slightly.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nBlackness and colorful stars filled his vision, but he did not<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npass out. The darkness was a momentary veil over his eyes.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nBy the time his head cleared his hands had been drawn above<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhis hair, his ankles placed together, and tough cords wrapped<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\naround them. Looking down at his feet, he saw not only the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbindings but a remarkably ugly face.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIts owner was perhaps two and a half feet tall, very stocky,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand a perversion of humanity. Jon-Tom decided it looked like<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n42<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR OF THE GATE<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\na cross between an elf and a wino. The squat creature boasted<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nan enormous, thick black beard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nOut of this jungle peered two large brown eyes. They<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nflanked a monstrous bulbous nose and were in turn framed by<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\na pair of huge, floppy ears that somehow managed to fight<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntheir way out of the wiry hair. There were hints of clothing<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbeneath the effervescent mass.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThick, stubby fingers made sure of Jon-Tom’s bonds. A set<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nof sandals large enough for the recumbent youth floored<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nenormous feet.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTying the other knots was a slightly smaller version of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfirst ugly, except he was blond instead of dark-haired and had<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwatery blue eyes.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nSomething landed on Jon-Tom’s chest and knocked the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwind out of him. The newcomer was solid as iron and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n, extremely muscular. It was not the build of a body builder but<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ninstead the seamlessly smooth and deceptively porcine mus-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nculature of the power lifter.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe one on his chest now was female. Only a few red<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwhiskers protruded from her chin. She was no less gruesome<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nin appearance than her male counterparts. She was shaking a<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfist in his face and jabbering at high speed. For the first time<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsince arriving in Mudge’s meadow words had no meaning to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhim.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe turned his head away from that indifferently controlled<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfist. Angry noises and thumping sounds came from the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwagon. He looked to his right, but the grass hid whatever was<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhappening there.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nOf only one thing was he certain: the sward was alive with<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndozens of the fast-moving, excited creatures.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe dray lizards wheezed and hissed nervously as the little<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmonsters swarmed onto harness and reins. Mixed in with the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbeelike babbling of their assailants Jon-Tom could make out<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nother voices. Most notable was that of Caz, who was speak-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n43<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ning in an unfamiliar language similar to that of their captors.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nMudge could be heard alternately cursing and bemoaning his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nfate, while Talea was railing at an attacker, warning that if he<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndidn’t get his oversized feet off her chest she was going to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmake a candlewick out of his beard.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nA pole was brought and neatly slipped between the bind-<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nings on Jon-Tom’s ankles and the others at his wrists. He was<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlifted into the air. Clearing the ground by only a few inches,<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe was borne off at considerable speed through the grass. He<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncould see at least half a dozen of his captors shouldering the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npole, three at his feet and three above his head. Although his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsense of speed was artificially accelerated by his proximity to<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe ground, he fervently prayed that his bearers’ sense of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndirection was as efficient as their deltoids. The sharp grass did<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnot seem to bother them.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith a creak he saw the wagon turn and follow.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe had resigned himself to a long period of jouncing and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbumping, but it hardly seemed he’d been picked up when he<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nwas unceremoniously dumped on the ground. Flor was dropped<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnext to him. One by one he watched as the rest of his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncompanions were deposited alongside. They mashed down<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe grass so he could see them clearly, lined up like so many<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nkabobs. The similarity was not encouraging.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nClothahump had evidentally retreated into his shell in an<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nattempt to avoid being moved. They had simply hefted him<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nshell and all to carry him. When he finally stuck arms and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlegs out again, they were waiting with lassos and ropes. They<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmanaged to snare only a leg before he retreated in on himself.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nMutterings issued from inside the shell. This produced<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nexcited conversation among the creatures. They kicked and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\npunched at the impervious body frantically.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe activity was directed by one of their number, who<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndisplayed a variety of metal ornaments and decorative bits of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbone in hair and beard. Under his direction a couple of the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n44<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nTHE HOUR Or THE GATS<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ncreatures poked around inside the shell. They were soon able<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto drag the protesting, indignant turtle’s head out. With the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\naid of others they shoved several bunches of dried, balled-up<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngrass into his mouth and secured the gag tightly. Clothahump<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nreached up to pull the stuffing out, and they tied his arms<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nalso. At that point he slumped back and looked exhausted.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe creature resplendent in bone and metal jumped up and<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndown happily, jabbing a long feather-encrusted pole at the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnow safely bound and gagged turtle. Evidently the fashion<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nplate was the local witch doctor or wizard, Jon-Tom decided.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe’d recognized that Clothahump had been starting a spell<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ninside bis shell and had succeeded in rendering his opponent<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmagically impotent.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom lay quietly and wondered if they would recognize<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe sorceral potential of his singing, but the duar was inside<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nthe, wagon and he was firmly tied on the ground.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nMoans came from nearby. Straining, he saw another of<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntheir captors idly kicking Talea with considerable force. Each<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ntime she’d curse her tormentor he’d kick her. She would jerk<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nin pain and it would be several minutes before she regained<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nenough strength to curse him again.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Knock it off!” he yelled at her assailant. “Pick on<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsomebody your own size!”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe creature responded by leaving Talea and walking over<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto stare curiously down into Jon-Tom’s face. He jabbered at<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhim experimentally.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom smiled broadly. “Same to you, you sawed-off<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nshithead.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt’s doubtful the creature followed Jon-Tom’s meaning, but<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhe accepted the incomprehensible comment with equanimity<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand commenced booting the lanky youth in the side instead.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nJon-Tom gritted his teeth and refused to give the creature the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nsatisfaction of hearing him groan.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAfter several kicks produced nothing but a steady glare, his<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n45<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlan Dean Foster<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nattacker became bored and wandered off to argue with some 01<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nhis companions.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn fact, there appeared to be as much fighting taking place<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbetween members of the tribe as there’d been between them<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nand their captives. Jon-Tom looked around and was astonished<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nto see tiny structures, camp fires, and ugly, hairless smallei<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nversions of the adults, which could only be children. Small<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ngreen and blue lizards wore backpacks and suggested scaly<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmules. There was consistent and unrelenting activity taking<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nplace around the six bound bodies.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nCamp fires and buildings gave every appearance of having<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nbeen in place for some time. Jon-Tom tried to estimate the<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\ndistance they’d traveled.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“Christ,” he muttered, “we couldn’t have been camped<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nmore than a couple of hundred yards from this town, and we<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nnever even saw them.”<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“The grass conceals the Mimpa,” Caz told him. Jon-Torr<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nlooked to his right, saw rabbit ears pointed in his direction<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\n“They move freely among it, completely hidden from most<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Read the full book by downloading it below.<\/p>\n

DOWNLOAD EPUB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Preview The Hour of the Gate Spellsinger #2 Alan Dean Foster \u00a0 Jon-Tom reeled dizzily at the top of the steps. All wrong, he knew. Out of place, out of time. He was not standing before the entrance to this strange Council Building in a city named Polastrindu. A five-foot tall otter in peaked … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4085,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[245],"class_list":["post-4086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-alan-dean-foster"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4086\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epub-book.com\/download\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}