Teri McLaren
passed without another sound from the mountainside. Og waited peacefully, never offering any attempt at escape. After all, he was exactly where he had dreamed of being since Riolla had left him. The gag was tasting a little nasty, though, and his nose hurt horribly. Og finally turned his face away from Riolla long enough to rub his head against the rough tree bark to scratch a mosquito bite.
And came eye to eye with Womba.
He couldn't even scream.
"Ngah! Ngah!" he managed, but Riolla, still unsure of their solitude, shoved the dagger back into his ribs and craned her head the other way.
Womba looked at him all doe-eyed and dewy, and was about to tweak his bindings loose and carry him off when another visitor appeared out of the mist and took a seat at the fire. Womba's nose, confused by a sudden abundance of strange smells, had missed the intruder.
"By the empty jar of Nin, Naruq! Why are you here? Can you never announce yourself like anyone else? I might have killed you before you could have been recognized," Riolla sputtered.
The tall elf smiled sardonically. "I doubt that very much, Schreefa. Very much indeed. As you were told, I am your guide through the curtain of light. You have taken a prisoner, I see. Although I think this one was not so difficult. Hello, Ogwater, is it?"
"Ngah. Nagahhh!" Og cried.
Ignoring the elf, Womba nonetheless withdrew, fearing she had frightened Ogwater. A swirl of steam brought a new, particularly strong scent, her little yellow eyes hardening with what the smell suggested.
"Ngah, Ngah!" repeated Og, but Riolla had forgotten him.
"Not much of a conversationalist, is he?" said Naruq. Riolla studied the elf for a moment. "I haven't seen you since the route was closed. What have you been up to?"
"Nothing I care to discuss. But I have a bit of inforSONG OF TIME