MENAGERIE

Nine – In which there are animal noises and a rear entrance

It was pretty much as Jharlen had described it. Certainly, it was ancient, and its walls were covered with creepers and climbing plants. On the other hand, it was no ruin. The landward doorway was visible from where they stood; and was solid-looking and firmly shut.

"Well," Sonja said, "it's a lot less formidable than some places I've had to deal with. No sign of guards or watchmen; no-one patrolling the roof or anything."

"No sign of any human guards, you mean."

"Do try to be a little positive. Right – there are three ways in."

"Three?"

"Three. That door is probably barred, and though you could hack your way in with that axe eventually, I don't suggest you try that."

"Which just leaves the water-gate."

"Or climbing."

"What?"

"Climbing. See there – about two-thirds of the way up – a window. Doesn't seem to be shuttered or barred; and with all those creepers it should be possible to climb up to it."

"So we climb?"

"Not we; one of us. The other tries the water-gate. Which do you prefer?"

"I don't fancy the river."

"Fine;" Sonja said. "You climb."

"No; I mean after that encounter with the serpent, I don't think either of us should risk the river."

"You shot it, remember? It's probably licking its wounds, or whatever snakes do."

"There might be two of them."

"I doubt it."

"Why?"

"Just a hunch. A snake with human eyes, a wolf with human arms. Our friend has a variety of ideas – I'll wager he never makes two of anything."

"So you're trusting your life to a hunch?"

"I've done it many times before, and I'm still breathing. Shall we go?"

"Now? I told you; I need light to shoot straight."

"So you did. But in the first place you can't climb and use a bow at the same time; in the second place even wizards sleep from time to time; and in the third place you'll note from that window that there's a light burning within. Any more questions?"

"Yes; what do I do when I get inside?"

"Walk softly, keep your wits about you, and try to find out as much as you can. Oh, and if you hear someone coming up the stairs don't shoot until you're sure it's not me."

"Not much of a plan."

"You can still turn back."

"Not now I can't." Keeping low, he began to trot across the open ground between him and the tower.

Then the howling started.

No creature on earth could've made that sound. It awoke in those who heard it a deep-rooted race memory of the time when monsters walked the earth. It chilled the blood; froze the marrow. Jharlen threw himself on the ground and covered his ears.

"It's seen us."

"No it hasn't. I know it's hard, but listen to it. That's not a challenge; that's a creature in distress – in pain."

"Gods - what manner of creature?"

"Lets find out, shall we?" Leaving Jharlen to make his own way, Sonja circled the tower until she came to the river. She hesitated a moment, then slipped quietly into the water and began to wade towards the archway in the stonework. The water came up to her shoulders, but she found that she was in her depth the whole way. As she passed under the arch she drew her sword, but the place seemed deserted. There was a jetty for mooring boats, though none was present. There was, however, a convenient flight of steps, and she climbed dripping out of the water. It was gloomy, but she could make out a door at the end of the jetty. It proved to be unlocked; but stiff, as if it hadn't been used in years. It led to a narrow spiral staircase which she began cautiously to climb. After ascending two levels, as she judged, she came to a small landing, off which three doors opened. Light was showing under one of them.

She took a deep breath and a firm grip on her sword; then gave the door a firm kick. It flew open and she found herself in a large high-ceilinged room, bare except for a few pieces of crude furniture. In addition, however, it contained a creature straight out of a nightmare.