Mtenda Lion, Creature
Illus. Stuart Griffin

Goblin Elite Infantry, Creature
Illus. Robert Bliss

The gargoyle was too weak to fight a man who had driven away a brushwagg, but perhaps it could delay the herder until she caught up with them.

She hesitated at leaving Kenlo without her magical protection, but now was the best time. The dragon had just attacked the town only a short while ago, and it had carried off a fattened cow in its claws. Surely the thing would not attack again before dark! But she had to be back by then; she had to make this fast.

After grabbing a waterskin and a walking spear, Fola rewrapped the cloth around her braided hair, then eased into a rhythmic lope that quickly ate up the plains between her and the monkeytree. The setting sun in front of her was a bitter reminder of how little time she had.

She veered from her course twice, to avoid a great maned lion dozing in her path, and to circle around a small group of goblins arguing over the latest portents their soothsayer had found among the entrails of some unfortunate beast. They were not threats, and she loped on resolutely into the fading light.