Mtenda Herder, Creature
Illus. Zina Saunders

Blighted Shaman, Creature
Illus. Ian Miller

Urborg Panther, Creature
Illus. Cliff Nielsen

Breathstealer, Creature
Illus. Cliff Nielsen

Feral Shadow, Creature
Illus. Cliff Nielsen

"Fight," the gargoyle said.

"No," Fola said. "We will not fight him. I can't run any farther. Take me to him."

The gargoyle wrapped its rough, knobby hands around her arms and lifted her suddenly. Wings pounded at the air as it hoisted her high. The ride through the air was swift, and surprisingly noisy. Who would have thought a gargoyle's wings would grind so when flying? Fola glanced down once as they flew, down at the darkened plain, then clenched her eyes tightly shut, trying not to feel the pulling of her arms. At least it would be what her grandmother called "the sun's entrance."

As they descended over the shadowy monkeytree, Fola opened her eyes and looked away. Beyond her sight were the mountains. Was that another flying shape, there, far to the north? She couldn't tell, but felt her stomach clench in sudden fear.

Landing with extraordinary gentleness in the clearing under the monkeytree, the gargoyle put Fola down. She limped toward the small herder crouched in front of her. Four goats bleated nervously behind the young man, their coats lank, heads drooping, eye whites gleaming nervously in the darkness. The goatdog stood in front of them, one white tooth showing as it growled.

"Greetings, herder," Fola said. "It is good we meet in friendship at last."

"Those who come in friendship may cause more harm than those who come as open enemies, sorceress," the herder replied, his eyes gleaming with the same fright as his goats. "Take that creature away to show you are a friend in more than word. And I have a name. I am not 'herder'; I am Jojo."

Dismissing the gargoyle, which had already begun quietly edging its way towards the nearest of Jojo's goats, Fola returned her attention to the herder. "Done, Jojo. And my name is Fola, daughter of Kenta, Civic Guildmage of Kenlo--not 'sorceress.'" Fola paused to order her thoughts. "The gargoyle flew me here to ask of you a great favor. My home is in danger from a terrible monster. Already one person is dead, and several injured. Soon others will walk the Dark Moon Path if I do not find a way to stop this dragon! Your goat has a powerful stone, an Amber Prison, which may--"

"Bah! I do not understand your mage-words. I know what you want. You want the Yellow Rock. Everyone wants the Yellow Rock."

Taking a deep breath, Fola reminded herself that Jojo did not have the benefit of her education. "Yes, I need--Kenlo needs--the 'Yellow Rock.' If I can replace what's currently inside it with the catacomb dragon, then I can stop the dragon from attacking Kenlo," she concluded, willing the herder to understand her great need.

"What hides in the rock now?" Jojo asked, sweat on his brow gleaming dully in the moonlight.

"Well, I do not know, but it cannot--"

"--it cannot be worse than your dragon," Jojo interrupted. "Yes, yes, but what if it is worse? In one day my goats have gone from numbering many, to numbering just this few. Dragons are terrible, but this Yellow Rock, it is worse than anything. It cannot be let out. What is in the Yellow Rock remains there--and remains in my poor goat."

"My entire town could be destroyed by this dragon! Kenlo will give you ten times the goats you had this morning if you will aid me. Please. The dragon will be returning even now!"

"No, no, no," Jojo said. "You do not understand, Fola of Kenlo. It is not the number of goats that matter, it is that they are my goats. I am responsible for these goats, not the many goats you offer. The Yellow Rock is in my goat, and I will keep it until we find a way to get rid of it forever."

"I don't think so," a dusty voice interrupted. "I am here, and your time on this world is at an end." Fola turned; Bwire stood on the ridge. Even in the evening gloom, she saw that his eyes still burned with the manic heat of evil she'd felt before. The dog bolted past her toward the man, stopping out of range to bark defiantly.

"I bet you're Bwire," the herder said. "I want you and the sorceress to leave me now, and I offer this with all the hospitality the Mtenda grant those who bring burrs to our blankets!"

A pale man wearing boiled-leather armor and a black mask stepped up to stand beside Bwire. Fola thought she saw, curled at their feet, the shadow that had attacked her in the dust cloud.

Bwire's dusty laugh floated out through the moonlit air. "There is no need for discussion. I, and my Breathstealer, my shadow, and my powers, can together destroy the land we walk on, and take from you your pathetic animals. The 'Yellow Rock' will be mine, and I will reign over kings and peasants alike . . . starting with Kenlo." With a rotting smile, Bwire turned towards Fola.

The herder's little blur of a dog continued to bark hysterically as Fola moved forward, her left hand wrapped around her mother's pendant. Just then, a dark streak of living fury moved into Fola's sight--a panther heading directly for the goats, and, of course, the Amber Prison!