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double-doored gateway. On the walkway atop the gate two of Krasvin s household troops witnessed
the black-armored, flame-painted monstrosity hurtling toward them out of the half-moon. One fainted
dead away on the spot, while the other dove into the courtyard with becoming alacrity.
Pennants and ribbons flying, the cast-iron-clad Snaugenhutt smashed into the center of the gate with
stupendous (if decidedly unwilling) force. Planks and cross-braces shattered explosively. His armor
banging and clanking like a military band on speed, Snaugenhutt landed in the courtyard, rolled over three
times, and ended up on his feet, albeit staggering groggily. Fortunately he did not have to confront any
immediate adversaries, the appalled patrol having fled precipitously in all directions.
Watching them abandon their weapons as they vanished into doorways and around comers reassured
him as his senses returned. Dust from the devastated gate was still settling as he started forward, trailing
broken beams and smashed planks from his broad back.
Confronted by the unimaginably terrifying sight of an armored, flame-scoured, flying (well, falling)
rhinoceros, those retainers who arrived to see what had happened beat an immediate and fearful retreat.
Come back and fight! Snaugenhutt bellowed defiantly. Cowards, spineless reptiles! Stand and do
battle! There was so much adrenaline coursing through him that he was hopping up and down on all four
feet, making a sound like one of the ore crushers at the fabled Caqueriad Mines.
Not surprisingly, none of Krasvin s minions elected to take him up on his offer.
At that point the Baron himself, trailing retainers like remoras, appeared in the main entrance to the
mansion. The sight of the armored, snorting, quadrupedal intruder, eyes bloodshot and nostrils flaring in
the moonlight, gave even the belligerent Krasvin pause.
Snaugenhutt took note of the figures crowding awkwardly in the doorway and let out a gratified rumble.
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Ahhhh. Fresh meat!
A silken-clad squirrel squealed frantically and vanished back inside. To his credit Krasvin drew his own
sword and tried to rally his people.
Weapons! We ll make a stand here. His saber wasn t as long as the rhino s front horn.
Snaugenhutt wasn t exactly quick out of the blocks, but once he got his great bulk up to speed he could
manage a very respectable pace. The Baron held his ground as long as was sensible, then uttered a
violent curse and retreated inside, helping to slam the door shut behind him.
Pennants streaming, Snaugenhutt plowed through the portal without breaking stride, sending wood,
metal strapping, and fragments of stained glass flying in all directions. Braking with his front feet, he
skidded to a stop in the middle of the great hall and immediately began hunting for something else to
trample, knock down, or gore. The subjects of his attention ran into, around, and over one another in
their haste to avoid his homicidal gaze. It was a very effective diversion.
CHAPTER 16
Rapidly shrinking to his natural proportions, Viz just did manage to clear the high wall and land his
passengers atop the main building. It was an awkward touchdown, but everyone made it in one piece.
As they climbed to their feet they could hear the yells and screams rising from below, a chorus of
confusion and fear.
It sounds as if our friend Snaugenhutt is doing his job. Gragelouth brushed at his pants. I was not sure
he had it in him.
Oh, he always had it in him. Viz was skimming back and forth across the roof, searching for a way
down for his companions. It s just that it was always saturated. But that little flight dried him out,
rejuvenated him. Downdrafts be damned if it didn t rejuvenate me. He paused to hover in front of
Buncan. I enjoyed that little transformation. Think you two could do it again?
I don t know. It wasn t what we were trying to do in the first place. Buncan made certain the duar was
strapped securely against his back. Have you found a way down?
Afraid not. Viz gestured with a wingtip. There don t seem to be any stairs leading to this roof. The
only openings I was able to find are vents, chimneys, and skylights.
Fair enough. Squill stood by the edge of one skylight, leaning over to peer through the translucency.
It ll have to do. Buncan moved to join his friend. We ll break the glass and climb down the ladder.
Squill frowned at him. Ladder? Wot ladder? He put one hand over his eyes and pulled his sword with
the other. We otters are the direct type, mate. You ought to know that by now.
So saying, and before Buncan could make a move to restrain him, he jumped forward as far as his short
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legs would propel him and plunged through the skylight, sending glass flying in all directions.
Squill! Buncan rushed to the opening and peered through. You idiot!
Below, the otter was climbing to his feet, brushing glass from his clothing and fur as he examined his
surroundings.
Tis a short drop, Buncan. Even old droopy-eyes ought to be able to andle it. Looks like servants
quarters. Wot the bloody ell are you waitin for? He moved out of view.
Squill! Wait up. Buncan positioned himself as best he could and dropped through. He was followed by
Viz, and lastly by Gragelouth, though it took some coaxing to persuade the merchant to make the jump.
No one challenged them as they hurried down the narrow hallway, nor was there anyone coming up the
spiral stone staircase to intercept them. The level of noise rising from below suggested total confusion
within the Baron s household, if not complete chaos.
Tracking the cacophony led them out onto a narrow mezzanine overlooking a central atrium or hall
where a bellowing, defiant Snaugenhutt was holding court, dividing his attention between two groups of
Krasvin s retainers. When one would try to flee from behind protective pillars and furniture, he would
drive them back. This prompted the members of the orner group to try to escape, whereupon the rhino
would turn and charge them. Occasionally one fell victim to that thrusting horn, or tripped and went
down. If Snaugenhutt happened to step on the prone unfortunate, he did not get up again.
From time to time an arrow shaft or spear would speed the rhino s way, only to bounce harmlessly off
his thick, jouncing armor.
Buncan scanned the battleground. No sign of Neena.
No doubt she has by now been sequestered in some subterranean dungeon. Gragelouth fingered the
knife he carried as his sole form of protection. We need to find a route that continues to lead
downward.
How do we get past this? Buncan indicated the chaotic courtyard.
This way, mates. Squill shouted from the far end of the mezzanine, already two steps down the
staircase he d found.
They were about to descend lower when a shrill, familiar bark halted the otter in his tracks. She s ere!
He looked around furiously. That way! Spinning, he charged back up the stairs, bursting past Buncan
and Gragelouth. Only Viz was able to keep up with him.
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