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backs, knocked on Selquist's door. The two entered immediately, not waiting for an answer. If they
waited for an answer, Selquist would know that it wasn't either of his two compatriots and would hide all
of the incriminating evidence.
The evidence tonight was a map on the table and two more packs, filled with supplies and ready for
travel.
"Did anybody see you?" Selquist asked.
"If they did, no one gave a damn," Pestle responded in hurt tones. "They're all hepped up over
something. Moorthane is running around like his beard was on fire. I asked what was going on, but he
just glared at me and told me to get lost"
"Draconian raid," Selquist said knowingly, with a glance out the window. "Two full moons makes it
the perfect time for a raid, and the perfect time for us to sneak out. It's what's known as a diversion.
Moorthane will be so busy wonking dracos, he'll never miss us."
This statement did not bring the whoops and cheers of joy Selquist expected. Instead, Ms
companions appeared considerably alarmed.
"Wonking dracos! What's gonna stop the draconians from wonking us?" Auger demanded.
"They're after ale and dwarf spirits," Selquist said. "We won't be carrying any ale or dwarf spirits, so
they won't be interested in us."
"We won't?" Mortar clung affectionately to an ale skin, hanging from his belt.
"We won't," Selquist said sternly. "This is a dangerous mission, and We go into it with clear heads.
Well, at least as clear as some of us can manage," he added, rolling his eyes and jerking a thumb at
Auger, who was generally acknowledged to have all the sense of a leaky water bucket.
The announcement of the dry expedition came as a shock to Mortar, who maintained that he couldn't
stay regular if he didn't get his nut-ale once a day.
"Look, Mortar, we'll only be out in the wilderness for two nights," said Selquist, trying to lighten the
dwarf's dark expression. "After mat, we'll be inside Thorbardin, and I know for a fact that they have lots
of ale in Thorbardin. Now, come take a look at the map."
Selquist traced their route. "Celebundin's here, where I've drawn this circle. Tonight we cross it and
sleep in the valley. We'll hike over mounts Bletheron and Pre-nechial tomorrow during the day.
Tomorrow night, we'll camp on the far side of Mount Prenechial, and the next day we traverse the
Helefundis Ridge."
"When do we go inside Thorbardin?" Mortar asked.
"How do we go inside Thorbardin?" wondered his brother.
"Right here." Selquist put a finger on the map. "There's an air hole from an old mine shaft. It's hidden,
but I know where it is. We go down the air hole and into the mine. After that, it's a simple task of walking
through the mine, and we pop out the other end into Thor-bardin."
"Go down an old mine shaft!" Auger was nervous. "Do you mean underground?"
"That's generally where mine shafts lead, yes," Selquist said.
"I've never been underground," Auger returned, round-eyed. "I'll bet it's dark," he added in low,
unhappy tones.
"You'll like it," said Selquist, slapping him on the back. "You're returning to your roots. It's what
dwarves were born to do: rappelling down steep cliffs, crawling on all fours on a tiny ledge over a
bottomless pit, clinging like a fly to the wall with a seventy-foot drop onto jagged rocks, nary a hand or
foothold in sight. By Reorx," Selquist said, drawing in a deep breath, "I can't wait!"
"I can," Auger muttered. He looked at Selquist suspiciously. "What's 'rappelling?' "
Selquist was not quite certain, having heard the word used once by the war chief. He made a hasty
guess. "Rappel a large, cave-dwelling bird. With a forty-foot wing span."
"No, I don't think so," Mortar said thoughtfully. "Rappel is the act or method of descending down a
mountainside by means of a belayed rope "
"Oh, what do you know?" Selquist snapped. "Speaking of rope, I have all the climbing gear we'll
need. Rope enough to tie ourselves to each other. The pass over Mount Prenechial is a bit treacherous.
We don't want to lose anybody."
Auger looked highly alarmed. "First rappels with forty-foot wing spans and now treacherous passes. I
don't think I like this much."
"The descent down the air hole is chock full of big rocks and crags," Selquist said soothingly. "If s
easy to climb. Now, if there are no more questions, let's-^-"
"What about the rappels?" Auger wondered.
"What about them?" Selquist said, sighing. He was beginning to lose patience.
"If they're birds that big, what do they eat?"
"How in the name of Reorx do I know what rappels eat?" Selquist shouted. "What difference does it
make anyway?"
"It might make a big difference, if they eat dwarf," Auger pointed out.
"They don't, all right? Rappels are known to be vegetarians. Now, can we get on with thisF
Selquist rolled his eyes, thrust the map into his belt. The other dwarves hefted their packs. Mortar
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