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Leadem, Christopher

"The Mantooth"

Their violence, when enraged, is like no
other creature. My father was killed by such a bear. . .and the thought
of finding you, dragged out across a hillside..... That is what I fear
above all else.' He released a troubled breath.
'The sandstone ridge, the caves to the south, are of stone even worse
than the Carak. And there the mountain cats rule. I don't know
where else to go.'
'What about Skither's cave?'
He shook his head. 'Even if Skither has gone to another place (the
thought that he was injured and unable to return, was something his mind
could not accept), the entrance is much too hard to defend. Perhaps we
could block up this passage with stones.' He pointed to toward the
smaller opening. 'But what can we do with an entrance so high as the
one below? That is the same reason we cannot stay here. Soon all
creatures will know that Skither is gone, and then the shaft becomes the
thing impossible to defend.' This was the chance she had waited for,
but now she felt reluctant to speak.
'I think..... I know a way we could barricade the entrance, and make
the larger cave safe.' His eyes narrowed upon her turned form,
silhouetted against the patch of starry sky beyond. 'It would be
hard work, and you would have to let me help you. But it can be
done.


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