It was peaceful out, cool, with crickets chirping. Crickets. Who would believe it? I looked down at the weapon she had given me. When had I strung it? Why was I carrying an arrow across it? I could not recall taking them off the table.... For one frightened instant I thought my mind was going. Cricket song brought me back,

I looked up the pyramid. Someone was up top, watching. I raised a hand. He responded. Elmo, by the way he moved. Good old Elmo.

Couple hours till dawn. I could get a little shuteye if I didnt dawdle.

A quarter way up the ramp I got a funny feeling. Halfway there I realized what it was. One-Eyes amulet! My wrist was burning.... Taken! Danger!

A cloud of darkness reared out of the night, from some imperfection in the side of the pyramid. It spread like the sail of a ship, flat, and moved toward me. I responded the only way I could. With an arrow.

My shaft ripped through that sheet of darkness. And a long wail surrounded me, filled with more surprise than rage, more despair than agony. The sheet of darkness shredded. Something manshaped scuttled across the slope. I watched it go, never thinking of spending another arrow, though I laid another across the bow. Boggled, I resumed my climb.

What happened? Elmo asked when I got to the top.

I dont know, I said. I honestly dont have the foggiest what the hell happened tonight.

He gave me the once-over. You look pretty rocky. Get some rest.

I need it, I admitted. Pass it to the Captain. She says tomorrow is the day. Win or lose. Much good the news would do him. But I thought he would like to know.

Yeah. They do something to you in there?

I dont know. I dont think so.

He wanted to talk more, despite his admonition about resting. I pushed him away gently, went into one of my hospital tents and curled up in a tight corner like a wounded animal denning up. I had been touched somehow, even if I could not name it. I needed time to recover. Probably more time than I would be given.

They sent Goblin to waken me. I was my usual charming morning self, threatening blood feud with anyone fool enough to disturb my dreams. Not that they didnt deserve disturbing. They were foul. I was doing unspeakable things with a couple of girls who could not have been more than twelve, and making them love it. Its disgusting, the shadows that lurk in the mind.

Revolting as my dreams were, I did not want to get up. My bedroll was toasty warm.

Goblin said, You want I should play rough? Listen, Croaker. Your girlfriend is coming out. Captain wants you up to meet her.

Yeah. Sure. I grabbed my boots with one hand; parted the tent flap with the other. I growled, What the hell time is it? Looks like the suns been up for hours.