by the vegetation.
Roseroar’s ears were cocked forward. “They’re still
movin’ about,” she murmured warily.
“Where?” Jon-Tom asked her.
“Back among the trees.”
“They are spreading out in an attempt to encircle you,”
said the one-horned stallion.
“Permit me to congratulate you on your timely arrival,
mate.” Mudge’s eyes searched the woods as he spoke. “I
never sensed ‘im.”
“Nor did I,” said Roseroar, sparing a glance for the
remains of the crossbow.
“I don’t understand,” Jon-Tom murmured. “We offered
them all the food they could eat.”
“It wasn’t just your food they were after.” Drom kicked
the crossbow fragments aside. “I know that bunch by
reputation. They were after your weapons and armor, your
Fine clothes and your money.”
Mudge let out a barking laugh. “Our money! Now
mat’s amusin’. We haven’t a copper to our names,” he
lied.
“Ah, but they thought you did.” The unicorn nodded
toward the forest. “Small comfort that would have been to
you if they had learned that afterwards.”
“You’re right there.”
Roseroar was turning a slow circle, keeping the roasting
carcass at her back as much as possible. “They’re still out
theah. Probably they think we can’t heah them, but ah
can.” She growled deep in her throat, a blood chilling
sound. “Our friend here is right. They’re trying to get
behind us.”
“And to surprise you. Hathcar did not show his full
228
Alan Dean Foster
THE DAY OF THE DISSONANCE
229
strength. Many more of his band remained concealed while
he spoke to you.”
Jon-Tom eyed the silent trees in alarm. “How many
more?’ *