here. If they've got a dog, so much the better, look at Gurz there. Eh, boy, 'tis a long time
since you had a whole dog to yerself for dinner, eh?'
Domba jerked the lead, coaxing a snarl from the big ugly mastiff. Both men picked up their
long knives and set off, with Gurz sniffing noisily at the ground as he tugged them along.
Gizal gulped wine greedily, falling into a fit of coughing before she turned her face to Ligran.
'So then, how is thy bear behaving himself on his way home?'
Ligran took a burning piece of pinewood from the fire. He threw it at the bear, who was
bound to a rock by iron chains. The animal gave a frightened moan as the burning wood
bounced off its paw.
Ligran chuckled. 'I've a feeling ye took all the runnin' out o' that one. I'm teaching him to
dance now. Maguda will enjoy that—she's never had a dancin' bear to amuse her.'
21
BEN KNEW HE HAD PICKED THE WRONG direction to search for a camp. The path he
had chosen narrowed as it rose. Now they were on a high ledge. Above them was only the
cold night sky. At their backs was smooth rock towering upward. With his back against the
rock, Ben saw only space and a stomach-churning drop to the forest below if they missed a
single footing. Spreading his arms wide against the rock face, he touched Dominic's fingers.
'Maybe we'd better go back and look in a different direction?'
The facemaker inched forward until he was clasping Ben's hand. 'No, press on. I think we'll
find someplace up ahead, maybe a cave or a deep rift. Don't look down, though, just keep
your face level with the side of these rocks, and don't try to walk. Shuffle sideways—not too
fast, nice and easy does it.'
Obediently, Ben kept his gaze level, though every now and again his eyes would stray to the
sickening drop from the ledge. He called out, 'Are you alright, Karay? Can you manage?'
The girl answered, trying not to show the fear she felt. 'I'm fine, I'm holding on to Dominic's
other hand and Ned's ear!'
The dog's thoughts entered Ben's mind. 'I'm not complaining, but she's got a grip like a vise
for such a pretty, slim girl. You just push on ahead, Ben. I think there must be a touch of
mountain goat in my family, I'm doing rather well. Go easy and look after yourself!'
Ben returned the Labrador's thoughts. 'Thanks, Ned, I will. I don't suppose there's any
indication of those Razan following us, is there?'
Ned's reply was not a cheerful one. 'I was hoping you wouldn't ask that, mate. Now don't go
telling Karay or Dominic, no sense in frightening them into a wrong move, but I've just this
moment heard that big slobbering mastiff. He's got a bark like a bull with colic. There's two
men with him, and they're just debating whether or not to follow us out onto this ledge.'
The one named Domba made the mastiff's chain fast to a low spur of rock. He peered
apprehensively up the narrow winding ledge, then chanced a glance below. Looking away
swiftly, he threw a hand over his eyes. 'No use clamberin' about here, they wouldn't dare take
this route, I'm sure of it!'
Rouge, the big redheaded robber, snorted scornfully. 'This is the trail Gurz has sniffed out, we
go this way.'
Domba tried another excuse. 'It could be just a decoy trail. Take Gurz an' have a look. I'll
wait here an' keep my eyes open for them in case they've gone another way.'
Rouge shook his head in disgust. 'You're scared, Domba. That's the true reason y'don't want
to go—you've got no stomach for it. Look, your legs are shakin', you gutless worm!'
Domba tried to push past Rouge, desperate to be back on safer ground. 'Call me what ye like,
I'm not goin'!'
Rouge grabbed Domba's collar and whipped out his knife. 'Oh yes ye are. Now get goin', or
I'll slay ye myself. Come on, loose that chain from the rocks an' follow Gurz. I'll be right
behind, don't even think of turnin' back!'
Domba undid the chain and wound it about his wrist. Gurz took a sniff at the path and gave a
gruff bark. Then he was away, straining at the chain lead as he dragged the terrified man out
along the narrow mountain ledge.
Ben and his party heard the mastiff's bark. Karay gave a sob of dismay. 'It's the Razan,
they've found us! What do we do now?'
Dominic squeezed her hand reassuringly. 'Don't be afraid, keep going at a steady pace, don't
try to hurry. They can only go at the same rate as us. See anything up ahead, Ben?'
Dawn was beginning to streak the sky as Ben peered ahead. His reply carried a note of hope.
'Aye, there's a slight bend, let's get round it. There may be someplace better there, perhaps a
crack to hide in!'
Suddenly, Ben's feet skidded on the rock. As Dominic pulled him back from the brink, he half
slipped, then steadied himself. 'Whooh! Thanks, Dom. Be very careful, there's ice on the
ledge. Water from high up has trickled down and frozen in the night.' With painstaking care
the four travellers shuffled hand in hand around the icy bend, which shone dully in day's first
pale light.
Ben's heart sank when he saw where they were. The narrow ledge gave way to a broad,
sloping slide of bare rock dotted with pockets of shale. There was no further path between the
snow-clad peaks above and the ground far, far below. Dominic sized up the situation. Behind
them the mastiff set up a series of deep, baying barks. The hunters were hot on their trail now.
The facemaker came to a swift decision. 'Let me get in front of you, Ben. There's a crack in
the rock face, I can reach it! We'll go upward, I can see a deep pocket of shale there. The rock
must have fallen down and filled a big crevasse. If we can make it onto the shale we're safe!'
Ben glanced up at the route his friend had indicated. It was an extremely slim chance and very
risky, but he knew they had to take it. He spoke his thoughts aloud. 'There's no guarantee that
shale won't slide if we get to it. As for going up there, I'll do that. I've had some experience at
climbing ships' rigging. Right, take your cloaks off and give them to me. Don't ask questions,
there's no time!'
Ben took Dominic's knife and slit the three wide-skirted cloaks through their back seams from
top to bottom. Knotted together, the six pieces made a makeshift rope. Taking one end
between his teeth, Ben had Dominic hold the other. With a small skip and a jump, he
launched himself out above the crack in the rock's sheer face.
For one heart-stopping moment, Ben's cold hands slid down the icy surface. Then he caught
the crack and hung there. Ned's thoughts were crowding in on him as he did—the dog
praying. 'Oh please, lovely angel, don't let my Ben fall. Keep him safe, let him live, and I
promise to be a much better Ned in the future. Honest I will!'
Hand over hand, Ben moved along the fissure until it became broader and deeper, then levered
himself up and found that he could wedge his feet in and stand upright. The mastiff's snuffling
and baying seemed quite close now—and he could hear Rouge urging and threatening Domba
along.
'Don't stand still, fool, you'll freeze with fright. Keep goin', they can't be far ahead!'
Dominic tied the cloak end around Karay's waist, instructing her, 'Try to climb. Ben'll pull
you up if you slip.'
The girl ventured gingerly out. She had not gone more than a few feet when she slipped. Ben
braced himself. 'Hang on, mate. Wait until you've stopped swinging, then climb!'
Karay shut her eyes tight. She swung to and fro like a pendulum, then caught her foot on a
rough spot and began attempting to climb. Ben heaved stoutly on the rope, pulling her up until
he reached her with his hands. Perching in the rocky-crack, she undid the cloak rope. Ben
knotted a piece of rock into the end and swung it back to Dominic.
Ben called out Ned's thoughts, instructing Dominic on what to do. 'Tie it round Ned, under
