campsite the two sets of footprints stood out clearly, the
small, almost dainty marks of Jalwar sharp beside Folly’s
sandalprints. They led downslope toward the desert.
” Tis plain wot they’re about, mate. They’re ‘eading
for Crancularn. That’s why they stole the map.”
“But why? Why not go theah with the rest of us?”
Roseroar was shaking her head in puzzlement.
“You’re as dense as ‘e is, luv. Ain’t it plain enough yet
to both of you? Jalwar’s a trader. They’re goin’ to try and
buy up the ‘ole supply o’ this medicine ‘is sorcerership
needs so badly and ‘old it for ransom.” He stared at
Jon-Tom. “We told the old fart too much, mate, and now
‘e’s bent on doin’ us dirty.”
THE DAY or THE DISSONANCE
2O5
“Jalwar, maybe…” Jon-Tom mumbled unhappily, “but
I can’t believe that Folly…”
“Why not, mate? Or did you think she were in love
with you? After wot she went through, she’s just lookin’
out after ‘erself. Can’t blame ‘er for that, wot?”
“But we were taking care of her, good care.”
Mudge shrugged. “Not good enough, it seems. Like I
said, no tellin’ wot old Jalwar promised ‘er in return for
‘elpin’ Mm.”
“What now, Jon-Tom?” asked Roseroar gently.
“We can’t turn back. Map or no map. I suppose we
could go back to the village of the enchanted folk and get
another one, but that would put us weeks behind them. We
can’t lose that much time if Mudge’s suspicions are correct.
They’d beat us to the medicine easily. I studied that map
pretty intensively after Grelgen gave it to us. I can remember
some of it.”
“That ain’t the ‘ole of it, mate.” Mudge bent and put