But Barius only nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. “This way we are the hunters instead of the prey. Better this than to sit and wait for it to creep up on us in the night, wouldn’t you say?”

“Maybe it only kills ogres?” Jig suggested weakly.

“It pains me to be saying it,” Darnak said, “but his highness could be right. Until we know the dangers of this place, we’ll be as children walking blindly into the bear’s cave.”

If we find those dangers, won’t we be walking blindly into the bear’s jaws? Jig didn’t say anything aloud, however. He knew Barius and the others too well to expect them to change their minds.

“Know thy enemy, eh Darnak?” Barius said cheerfully.

He was enjoying this. Jig’s mouth hung open in disbelief. He wanted to go chasing after this creature. “What about the rod?”

That made Barius pause, but only for a heartbeat. “We can’t pursue the rod with this monster at our heels. Nor do we know in which direction the rod may lie. We could be here for days, so it behooves us to learn as much as we can about this land.”

Jig pointed at Ryslind. “And him?” he started to ask. The words died when he saw the wizard’s face. Though the gag hid his mouth, the corners of his eyes had wrinkled with amusement as he watched Barius’s preparations.

“You know what it is, don’t you?” Jig asked softly.

Ryslind heard. The wrinkles deepened. Red eyes beckoned Jig closer.

He crossed the clearing, one hand on his sword. With his other hand, he reached for the gag. He hesitated, hand outstretched. Was this another trick?

Of course it was a trick. Ryslind was a surface-dweller, and a wizard to boot. Smudge remained cool on his shoulder, which should mean it was safe to remove the gag. Still he hesitated.

“I’ll kill you if you try any magic,” he warned.

Ryslind dipped his head in amused acknowledgment.

“As will I,” Darnak said from behind Jig. “I was coming to get him,” he explained. “Heard you talking. So go ahead, remove the gag. He knows we’ll brain him if it comes to that.”

Feeling more confident with the dwarf beside him, Jig tugged the rope down around Ryslind’s chin and pulled a balled rag out of his mouth. The wizard opened his mouth and inhaled deeply.

“Water,” he said hoarsely. Darnak held a waterskin to his lips, and Ryslind took several deep swallows. When he spoke again, his voice was smoother. “You will die for what you did, goblin.” He sounded cheerful about the prospect.

“Enough of that,” Darnak said. “You were telling us about the thing that did this. Or was that all a ploy to get free of the gag?”

“No ploy.” Ryslind smiled. “And there is no need to hunt for him. He will find you soon enough.”