The scene shook. Suddenly it fell apart and dissipated, and they were all back in the chamber. But the shaking continued. Indeed, the whole mountain seemed to be rumbling. "What is that?" Jenny asked, alarmed.

"I don't know," Gwenny said. "That's never happened before. Something must be wrong!"

There were sounds in the passage outside. "We'd better ask," Jenny said.

They went to the door and knocked. After a moment Moron opened it. "What's happening?" Jenny asked.

"The winged monsters are attacking the mountain," he replied.

"My sire!" Che exclaimed. "He has arrived!"

"He sure has!" Moron agreed. "He gave Chief Gouty until noon to give you and the elf back, and when Gouty didn't, the monsters started the siege. Rocs are dropping boulders on us. You had better stay in there, because the tunnels may not be safe." He closed the door.

"I forgot about your folks!" Jenny said. "Of course they didn't just forget you! What are we going to do?"

"You had better tell my mother to let you go," Gwenny said sadly. "I shall be sorry to lose your company, but I'm sure your dam cares for you, Che, as much as my mother does for me. They should stop the attack when you are out."

"They surely should," Che agreed. "But we must not decide on that basis, for that is duress. We must decide on the basis of what is proper." He looked at Jenny. "Have you decided yet?"

"No," Jenny said. She looked at Gwenny. "If we told your mother no, would she let us go?"

"She might. But I'm not sure my father would. He doesn't know why she brought you here—not the real reason, I mean—because he doesn't know I can't see well.

He thinks it's just for company. And he doesn't like anyone telling him what to do. So when your sire came, Che, and demanded your release, Gouty probably—well, there's something he does with a finger, I don't know what it is, but—"

"It's part of the Adult Conspiracy," Jenny said. "I think it's an impolite way of saying no." But she suspected it was more than that, remembering what had happened on the With-a-Cookee River.

"It must be. So maybe you can't just leave now. I'm sorry."

Jenny turned to Che. "Would your sire stop the siege if you agreed to be Gwenny's companion?"

"I fear he would not," Che said. "I can speak for myself, but I can not speak for him. I believe he would conclude that my agreement was made under duress and was therefore invalid."

"So whichever way it goes, the siege is going to continue," Jenny said. The strange thing was that she was almost relieved, because it took much of the pressure off her decision. She could afford to wait and take her time to make up her mind. As long as it didn't make any difference.

The mountain shook again, as another boulder landed. Some sand sifted down from the ceiling.