Chapter nineAs I clambered up I could hear a savage snarling, growling noise, unutterably menacing, enough to send a shiver down your spine. Only after another three or four upward lunges was it borne in on me that the dreadful sound was coming from me. Instantly, I forced my mouth shut. Because Delia was in peril I had reverted to bestial primeval savagery. And I knew why. Had the danger come from some ferocious wild animal, or cruel barbarian, I’d have sailed in and chopped them indifferently, knowing they but obeyed their instincts. But this was different. The hand of blind fate threatened Delia and I felt helpless to influence with my sword the course of events.
The voller lurched and the toppling fighting top twisted and sank lower. I half-turned and screamed back.
“Tell Oby to keep
