away, gazing horrified.

    Sravelers in  of t as scer busy gorging on—somety tly, daemons  outside. o ter be  turned  indifference at tle son drowning beside him.

    t oo mucer, and as sa Skadi cried out: quot;Be careful, sister! Be;

    And Serafina felt just for a moment a  t, and reac and up for Ruta Skadis o  er be of mist ser, casting about for its lost prey. Ruta Skadi s an arroo t of it,  at all.

    Serafina put t it ers, and treated to ttle band of travelers ed for good no flies, tccance, and every adult ill. tanding, t  doerrible stillness  of ters drifted aed, Serafina fleting on trong, hy-looking woman whose cheeks were red and whose fair hair was glossy.

    quot;oman?quot; said Serafina. t;Can you ;

    S to notice. , and when away again.

    tctered  tims in dismay.

    ttle knoll some aring at tcogether fearfully.

    quot;tc; said a ch.

    Sed up to o look back, so see w was going on.

    quot;ell speak to ; said Serafina, and sprang into the air.

    ers, co t Serafina Pekkala alig before laying it on t of her.

    t gesture s meaning akable. ted, looking from Serafina to tco too,  urning tail and running while his companions perished.

    quot;; he said.

    quot;My name is Serafina Pekkala. I am tc is your name?quot;

    quot;Joaccreat ;

    quot;If  make us your enemy?quot;

    for a fes, and settled ;It mig;

    ;but times o t;

    quot;Because times  are tures y?quot;

    quot;ell, te