Spellsinger 03 – The Day of the Dissonance by Foster, Alan Dean

the contract, at least in part, and your parents should be

entitled to keep whatever payment they’ve already re-

ceived for your service.”

“I don’t know.” She scuffed the ground with one foot.

“I didn’t bring you to the pool.”

“Is that your fault?” Drom leaned close. “You don’t

really like those people out there, do you?”

“No,” she said suddenly. “No, I don’t. But I had to do

‘it. I had to.”

“You are a true innocent, as you would have to be. You

have done all you could.”

“What about my candy?” she asked petulantly.

Jon-Tom reached down a hand. The girl took it reluctantly

and he swung her up in front of him. Her nearness

reminded him uncomfortably of Folly.

Drom turned and exploded into a wild gallop, restraining

himself only enough to allow Roseroar to keep pace.

Jon-Tom felt confident the unicorn could carry three fully

grown men with ease. He, the girl, and Mudge were no

burden at all.

244

Alan Dean Foster

After they’d covered several kilometers, the stallion

slowed. Roseroar was panting hard and they had made a

clean escape from the ruins.

“Wish I could see those bastards’ faces when they come

lookin’ for us,” Mudge commented.

“They’ll be looking for this one, too.” Jon-Tom smiled

down at the other passenger, “Where’s your village, little

girl?”

“I am not a little girl!”

“Sorry, young lady. Where do you live?”

She stared into the woods. Her sense of direction was

superb. A hand gestured to the north. “That way.”

Drom nodded and changed direction as he headed down

a gentle slope. He called back to Jon-Tom. “Will you