And Fillip and Sot had once confided to him that they knew the Deep Fell as they knew the backs of their hands.

“That’s exactly the kind of help we need,” Ben told Dirk, despite his vow not to tell the cat anything. “Nightshade will never be persuaded to give up the bridle willingly. Willow has to know that, too—but that won’t stop her from trying. She’ll probably be direct rather than circumspect; she’s too honest for her own good. Whatever the case, if she’s gone into the Deep Fell, she’s likely in trouble. She’ll need help. Fillip and Sot can let us know. They can sneak down without being seen. If Willow or Nightshade is there, they can tell us. If the bridle is there, perhaps they can steal it for us. Don’t you see? They can go where we can’t.”

“Speak for yourself,” Dirk replied.

“Do you have a better plan?” Ben snapped back immediately.

Dirk was oblivious to his anger. “I have no plan,” he answered. “This is your problem, not mine.”

“Thank you very much. I gather you wouldn’t consider undertaking this reconnaissance and theft yourself then?”

“Hardly. I am your companion, not your lackey.”

“You are a pain, Dirk.”

“I am a cat, High Lord.”

Ben terminated the discussion with a scowl and stalked off toward the burrow community. The G’home Gnomes lived in towns in the same manner as prairie dogs, and sentinels warned of his approach long before he could see anything. By the time he reached the town, there wasn’t a G’home Gnome anywhere—just a lot of empty-looking holes. Ben walked to the center of the town, seated himself on a stump and waited. He had been here a number of times since becoming King, and he knew how the game was played.

A few minutes later, Dirk joined him. The cat curled up beside him without a word and closed its eyes against the late afternoon sun.

Shortly after that, a furry face poked up from one of the burrows. Eyes squinted weakly against the daylight, and a wrinkled nose sniffed the air tentatively.

“Good day, sir,” the gnome addressed Ben and tipped his battered leather cap with its single red feather.

“Good day,” Ben replied.

“Out for a walk, are you, sir?”

“Out for a healthy dose of fresh air and sunshine. Good for what ails you.”

“Yes, oh yes indeed, good for what ails you. Must be careful of colds that settle in the throat and chest during the passing of fall.”

“Certainly must. Colds can be tricky.” They were dancing on eggshells, and Ben let the music play itself out. The G’home Gnomes were like this with strangers—scared to death. One always tested you. If you posed no threat, the rest came out. If any menace was sensed, you never saw more than the one. “I hope your family is well?” Ben went on, trying to sound casual. “And your community?”

“Oh, quite well, thank you, sir. All quite well.”