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which certifies her ability, but he also chose us to accompany her. We are stronger together.
Dar looked into Kale s eyes and gave her another wink. He turned to Lee Ark and nodded pointedly at
the hole through which Kale stared. It seems to me that we have a problem in this togetherness thing.
Their marione commander gave a decisive nod and walked back to confer with Brunstetter. The little
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dragons flew back to the hole and squeezed through. Both were exhilarated over their success. They
chattered to each other until Kale interrupted.
I don t think Brunstetter can move any of this rock.
Metta and Gymn both cocked their heads and inspected the wall of granite as they sat on her shoulder.
They muttered to each other, and Kale got the gist of their thoughts. People had the strangest notions of
how to spend their time.
They want to get out of the dungeon, she explained. Can you look further down this tunnel and see if
there is a way out?
They darted off without responding. Brunstetter looked the hole over. Fenworth examined it as well.
Tut-tut. Some things can t be moved easily. I could make Kale smaller if you want her in here with us,
he offered. But it would be more to the point for us to go out there with her. Can t say I like these
accommodations. Food is inedible as well.
They haven t brought us any food, said Librettowit at his elbow.
The wizard jumped. Don t scare me like that, Wit. Why aren t you at your books? Proves my point
though. Can t very well eat food that isn t served. Therefore, it is inedible. He turned and whispered to
Dar in a voice loud enough for all to hear. Sneaky, quiet fellows are librarians. One moment he has his
nose in a book, the next he s dragging a decent, respectable wizard off on a harrowing quest. No respect
for my age and station in life. Librettowit s useful, I have to admit. Still, he can t cook. He s my friend,
though, and you have to make allowances for friends. None of them are perfect. Very few of them can
cook.
Harrumph! grunted Librettowit and tramped away. The wizard, shaking his head in befuddlement,
watched the tumanhofer stomp across the cell.
Kale s attention caught on the flutter of leathery wings. Metta and Gymn had returned.
They ve found Shimeran and Seezle, Kale told Lee Ark. I m going to go see if I can get them out.
Then we ll come back for you.
Lee Ark nodded.
You might remember, interrupted Leetu in Kale s mind, who is in command. It is more proper to
ask Lee Ark if you can go, rather than tell him.
Kale felt her face burn red. She looked quickly from Leetu s disapproving face to Lee Ark s amused
one. She heard Dar chuckle and looked at him.
I think, said the doneel with a cocky grin, our little o rant slave girl is doing a good job of thinking for
herself.
Are you sure you don t read my mind?
Never. Go see if you can help our kimen friends.
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Kale followed Metta and Gymn, dragging the meech egg on the cape. The passageway came to an
abrupt end, opening into a chamber. Kale crouched in the tunnel about halfway up one wall.
In the center of this stone room, a sphere floated. Smaller than the ones Kale had seen from a distance,
hanging over the city of Vendela, this orb contained the two kimens. Kale caught her breath. Shimeran
and Seezle sat back to back, legs crossed, knees pulled up to their chins, eyes closed, and their arms
folded and resting on their knees. Their hair fell limply around their shoulders and flowed to their feet. As
still as stone, they looked liked lifeless carvings.
Kale examined the empty room. She could drop to the floor some six feet below her, but how would
she reach the floating sphere?
Can you fly to them? she asked her companions.
The emphatic no surprised Kale.
Shimeran? Seezle?
No response.
Shimeran! Seezle!
Still no response. She wouldn t give up. Around the room many tunnels led out of the chamber. If she
could find something to aid her in one of those tunnels&
She tied the blue scarf to the corners of the cape once more, slipped the makeshift sling onto her back
and sat down on the rock edge, preparing to jump to the ground. Her legs and feet felt cold as if she had
submerged them into Baltzentor s Pond near River Away.
It must have something to do with whatever it is that floats the ball.
Both Metta and Gymn objected, chittering warnings about the room, but their thoughts came in an
overlapping rush. Kale couldn t sort them out, and she was in no mood to wait. She pushed off the shelf
created by the end of the tunnel and plunged into air as thick as water.
She fell but did not land on the floor. The meech egg thumped against her back. Kale bobbed upward
like a cork on a fishing line. It felt so much like being in the pond Kale instinctively kicked her legs and
swam toward the orb. She put both hands on the surface of the sphere and felt the transparent material
give under her palms. She pushed harder but did not break through. However, in response to her shove,
the orb floated away from her.
I wonder if I could get this ball back to Fenworth. He could probably open it.
She looked back at the tunnel where Metta and Gymn sat anxiously waiting for her.
That direction only takes me back to a tiny slit in the wall.
She looked at the numerous other openings leading out of the small chamber. She made up her mind
almost immediately.
That one looks the right size and the right direction.
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Kale shivered against the cold air surrounding her.
Best get moving before I freeze.
She put her shoulder to the sphere and pushed, moving her legs in a strong swimmer s kick. The meech
egg dragged behind her, making her movements clumsy. Finally, she bumped into the wall above the
tunnel she d picked out. She pulled herself to the top of the kimens prison and sat on it to push it
downward. After several tries she pushed it into the rock opening.
The sphere burst, spilling Shimeran and Seezle onto the hard floor. A sparkling light filled the room for
an instant. The kimens curled into balls, rolled over a couple of times, then sprang to their feet. They
shook their heads, sending their already wild hair flying in all directions.
Shimeran placed his hands on his hips and surveyed his surroundings. Seezle squealed with delight and
sprang across the expanse to hug Kale s neck.
I thought you were dead. Kale laughed with relief. Seezle s warm body tickled a little.
Whyever did you think that? asked Shimeran.
You were so still.
We were waiting.
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