"Help me!" I shouted. Nothing happened.

"Pitch up your voice, Telle" Jenna said.

“Help me!” I said in a high pitched voice. The amulet vanished and a giant, stinking fly sat on the ground in its place. The fly rubbed its giant green eyes with its front legs. Its head and wings twitched.

“You can hold on to that fur behind its head,” Drexel said. I walked toward the fly. It turned its head so that hundreds of segments of it's round green eye faced me. Two jaws jugged out from either side of its head. They clacked together. The thin tube of a black tongue whipped in and out from between the jaws.

“Just climb up?” I asked.

“And then hang on for your life,” he said.

“There isn’t much time,” Jenna said.

I gave Sheesha a pat. I hugged her around her neck.

“I’ll be back soon girl,” I said. I put Jenna’s necklace around my neck. The two beads felt warm on my skin. I walked up to the stenchfly. It squatted down a little as I approached. I reached up and grabbed a handful of the spiny black hairs that stuck from its neck. I jumped and pulled myself up. My leg swung over its neck.

“Pull on its hair to steer,” Drexel said. The stenchfly started to flap its translucent wings. A whine like a thousand stinkflies filled the air. It was more of a roar than a whine. Freya mouthed the words ‘good luck' I nodded and pulled back on the fur.

The fly lurched into the air. Suddenly I was high above my friends. Wind rushed past me. Then the fly stopped. I hung on to its fur with white knuckles as my legs flew into the air. For a moment I hung upside down. I clung to the fur. Then, my body fell back down on the fly. The roar was incredible. The wind blew at me from all sides. I looked down and saw Sheesha barking up at me. Cantick stood with his mouth wide open. I lifted one arm to wave at them and the fly jerked to the left. I nearly slid off its neck and grasped desperately onto the fur.

I leaned forward and the fly shot ahead. I looked back to see my friends. They were just little dots in the center of town. A few children on a roof pointed at me. Then I could see was the entire town below. Smoke rose from black patches where the dragon had attacked. Only a couple of boats sat in the harbor. A strand of smoke still rose from the part of town where I had met the couple that sold me Sheesha. The river we sailed to Heedon Springs snaked off in both directions. For a second I thought about flying down that river and leaving this place. I could fly to Peep and find Gnancy. I’d take her away.

“If I had anywhere to take her,” I thought. I looked forward.

Far off, nowhere near the monestary, the black dragon lurched through the air and discharged it's green mist. Below me, the gravel of the east road was a white ribbon that stretched through the brown grass. Even at this height I could not see an end to the plains. I passed over a column of Barry’s guards. They turned off the road and marched back to his estate. None looked up from what could tell. I flew further down the road. I couldn't believe how fast the stenchfly was going.

The wooden walls of Tang’s monastery shot up from the horizon. I leaned further forward and the fly flew even faster. It’s body vibrated to the buzz of its wings. My thighs were numb. The ride was rough. We jerked and bounced as we shot through the air. I got closer to Tangs. As I neared his monastery I passed a dot on the road not far from the gates, but I was going so fast I shot past it. I was above the monestary walls.

Monks practiced in the courtyard below. A monk spotted me and ran along a platform next to the wall. I pulled back on the fly and it turned quickly. I was sideways in the air for a second. Below me the monks scattered like bugs. I leaned forward and flew back the way I came. I pushed down on the prickly fur of the neck and the fly flew lower. It sank quickly. My stomach turned as we plummeted. I pulled back and we shot back upward. Freya’s breakfast rumbled in my belly. I tasted the eggs in my mouth.

I pulled the fly into a hover. Straight below me, Barry walked toward Tang’s compound. He seemed relaxed. He looked like a man out for a stroll. I was too high up for him to hear the buzz of the fly. Bells rang from Tang’s. They were muted over the roar of the wings, but they were an alarm. The gates opened and three monks sprinted toward Barry. He raised his arms.

The monks pointed at me. I squeezed my legs as tightly as I could against the fly. I lifted my right hand. The fly jerked to the right. I moved my left to the center of its neck and the fly went back to a hover. I grasped the necklace. The beads were warm. I pulled a bead off the string. It was surprisingly heavy for its size. I rolled the clear bead over in my fingers. The little spark inside flickered and danced like a candle flame. I coaxed the fly directly over Barry and dropped the bead.

The wind from the wings sent the bead a bit off course. It landed about 20 feet to the right of Barry. The explosion when it hit the ground was incredible. For a second, the boom drowned out the sound of the wings. Barry was knocked sideways by the blast. The monks stopped. Dirt and hot air blew past me. I felt the heat on my face and legs. The fly jerked in the wind.

Barry landed on his back. Dirt rained down. He was nearly buried. I moved the fly a little closer. Barry sat up. He wiped the dirt from his face and looked at me. He smiled. His mouth worked and suddenly he was gone. I saw a faint ripple in the air and then nothing. I leaned forward. The fly shot down toward where Barry had been. I pulled the last and largest bead from the string and threw it at the spot where Barry had lain. The explosion was so loud I only heard the beginning of the blast and then my ears rang. The fly rocked backward in the hot wind. I felt myself spinning for a split second and then I hit something very hard.

I opened my eyes. I was on my back in the middle of a smoking crater. I looked up. I saw a monk. He ran toward me.

“Get him!” His lips moved. All I heard was the ringing in my ears. The three monks ran toward me. I told my body to get up, but I was still on the ground. The monks were sprinting but they seemed to move in slow motion. I rolled onto my side. In the dirt next to me I saw the tear-shaped amber with the fly in the center.

“Help me!” I squeaked. I didn’t even hear my own words, the ringing in my ears was so loud. I must have said it because the amber vanished and the fly twitched and jerked next to me. I pushed off the ground with my hands. My arms were numb, but underneath the numbness I could feel the beginning of a throbbing pain.

The monks were almost on top of me. I swung my leg over the neck of the fly and pulled back on the spiny fur. The bug shot upward. The wings beat in a blur on either side of me, but I heard nothing this time. The wind from the wings beat dust into the air. I rose above the crater. The monks jumped into the air. Two missed, but the third grabbed my leg as I lifted off. The fly tilted sideways. I clung on for dear life. The other monks jumped towards us. I leaned back and the fly rose higher in the air. The monk dragged me slowly off the fly.

It was Gnabbit, my nemesis from the monestary. He stared at me as he strained to climb up my leg.

“You are a disgrace,” he said. I slid toward him. The other monks jumped and tumbled beneath us. I reached for the Goblinizer. It jumped into my hand. I sliced downward.

“Nice try baby eater,” I said. The Goblinizer slid into the gnome’s flesh. A jolt shot up my arm. The Goblinizer sliced clean through both the monk’s wrists. He screamed and fell backwards. The two monks below caught him. He looked up and raised his bloody arms. I wished I had another bead. I pulled back on the fly’s hair until the monks were just tiny dots. The Gnome monk's two fists still clung to my ankle. I kicked them off and stuffed the knife back in my belt. The stenchfly hovered. I waited until the hands hit the ground and then I brought her around and flew straight back to Heedon Springs.

I shot past the turn off to Barry’s. His guards wandered around the front lawn of his estate. I flew higher. The dragon was just a speck way off in the distance. I leaned into the ride and the stenchfly and I bumped and bounced on the wind. Heedon Springs appeared. I circled around. The town guard sat in the shade. A few entertainers picked through the bodies in the square. I landed the fly. I jumped off and it turned into an amulet. I reached down to pick it up, but Drexel’s hand was already there.

“Did you find him?” He asked.

“What?” I said.

“Did you find Barry?” He asked again.

“Yeah, but I can’t hear too good,” I said. “I dropped the big one. I’m sure he died in the blast.”

Jenna tapped me on the shoulder. She leaned her forehead to mine. Her ears flapped forward and wrapped around my head. The wringing in my ears slowly died down. She pulled back.

“How’s that?” She asked.

“Better,” I said. My voice sounded muffled but at least I could hear it. I looked around. Falstaag walked up to me.

“What happened?” He asked.

“I killed Barry,” I said.

“You little…” He said. He swung his thick hand and whacked it into the side of my head. I fell onto my butt. Sheesha barked and growled. My ear started to ring again.

“He was mine,” Falstaag said.

“Barry was headed for Tang’s, just like you guys thought” I said. “He went invisible on me.”

“Are you sure you killed him?” Jenna asked.

“I don’t see how anyone could have survived the last blast,” I said.

“But did you see a body?” She asked.

“Well…no,” I said.

She bit her lip.

“Our plan can still work,” Drexel said, "Surely he's not at his Estate"

“What plan? Are we attacking Tang now?” I asked.

“We’ve got to move quickly,” Jenna said. She looked at Falstaag.

“Lets move out,” Falstaag said. He turned to Cantick. “Form them up. It’s time,” he said.

"We came up with something while you were gone" Freya said. "I remembered your idea to get even more support for the assault on Tang's."

"My idea?" I said.

“Formation!” Cantick said. The guards sprang to their feet and ran into lines.

“It's a good plan, but I’m not doing it,” Drexel said.

“Yes, you are,” Freya said. “We all agreed. You're the only one that can pull it off.”

“I don’t care what you agreed. I’m not doing it. Especially if there’s a chance that Barry’s alive,” Drexel said, "But that doesn't mean the plan's off..."

“I’ll do it,” Grundy said.

“Now that’s funny,” Drexel said. He laughed and smoothed back his hair.

“Drexel, you are perfect for the part,” Freya said.

“I resent that,” Drexel said. “And I don’t take risks. You should know that about me by now.”

“Drexel, please,” Jenna said.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

Drexel looked at his fly amulet. It was burnt around the edges. He ran his thumb over its smooth surface.

“Telle can do it,” Drexel said.

“Do what?” I asked.

“Telle could never pull it off,” Jenna said.

“Sure he can,” Drexel said. He smiled. “And we’ll be there to back him up if he gets into any trouble.”

“What trouble?” I asked. I raised my voice.

“They want you to strap on that belt and play Barry,” Grundy said.

“The belt?” I asked.

“The belt that Barry used to impersonate Cloda, do you still have it?” Freya said. I reached into my bag and pulled out the beaded belt.

“Sure.” I said.

“Put it on,” Jenna said. I wrapped the belt around my waist and clasped the silver hoop at the end.

“Now think about Barry. Think about being Barry,” Jenna said. I thought about Barry. Nothing happened. Everyone looked at me.

“Close your eyes,” Jenna said. I closed my eyes.

“Now picture those long stilt legs. Imagine you have that narrow stilt head and the beamducker arms. Picture that vest and the hair,” she said.

“Oh my,” Chastity said. Sheesha barked. I opened my eyes. I looked down at Jenna. I looked down at Freya. I looked down at Drexel. I had always looked up at Freya and Drexel. My arms were long and spindly. My fingers were too long. My legs were way too long.

“What happened?” I asked. It was Barry’s voice.

“You look and sound just like Barry,” Jenna said. She looked up at me.

“But that won't be enough" Drexel said, "You have to act like Barry, be Barry, ”

I cleared my throat. I spread my arms and stretched my stilt lips into a wide smile.

“Barry wants to know what just happened people,” I said. I drew out Barry’s voice. Freya burst out laughing.

“By all chau,” she said. “You sound just like him.”

“I’ll be damned,” Falstaag said. He poked his thick finger into the side of my face.

“How did you do that?” He asked.

“It’s this belt.” I said in Barry’s voice. Sheesha barked and backed away from me. I took the belt off. The world blurred for a second. Then I was looking up at Falstaag. Sheesha barked again.

“We’re going to get Barry’s troops to join Falstaag’s against Tang,” Freya said. Drexel smiled. Falstaag took a drink from his jug.

“Finally attacking Tang,” I said. I took a deep breath.

“With Barry’s men,” Jenna said.

“And you will convince them to do it,” Freya said.

“If we move now, we can get to Barry’s men before he does,” Jenna said.

“If you give yourself away, we’ll be there to help,” Drexel said. “And when I say we, I mean them.” He nodded at Freya and Grundy.

“I think I can do it,” I said.

“Excellent, we’d better move,” Freya said. Cantick walked up with a horse.

“You can ride this,” he said. I strapped the belt around my waist and focused on Barry’s face. The world blurred for a second. I faced Cantick. I wrapped my stilt fingers around the reigns and pulled myself onto the horse.

“You just need to assemble his guards and tell them they're to march with Falstaag, that we’re fighting Tang,” Jenna said. I nodded. I kicked the horse and rode forward. Cantick called the guards to march and we moved down the gravel road to Barry’s.

“This is quite a plan,” I said.

“There’s only one thing that could ruin it,” Freya said.

“What?” I asked.

“The dragon,” she said.

“That and having Barry’s guards figure out that I’m not Barry,” I said.

“And that,” she said.

“And losing the battle between Barry and Falstaag’s men, and the monks,” Drexel said.

“And having Barry’s men find the real Barry when we get to Tang’s,” Jenna said.

"Barry hypnotizing Falstaag again" I said.

"Boiling oil on the wall" Grundy said.

"A sudden hurricane" Drexel said.

“So there are some loose ends,” Freya said. She smiled and squinted her eyes. “We just need to take this one meal at a time.” We rode toward Barry’s.

“If this means I have a chance at getting to Tang, then, whatever happens, it’s worth it,” I said.

“The real treasure is Tang’s library” Jenna said. She licked her lips.

"Jenna," Freya said, "You need to learn a few things about judgement"

"You're gonna end up in a trapped tomb infested by smoogers, Jenna" I said.

"I'll take that as a compliment".

“Anyway," Drexel said, "The real treasure is Barry's treasure". Falstaag perked up.

“Don’t start spending what you ain’t got,” Falstaag said. As we marched up the path to Barry’s, horns blew. A few horses rode toward us.

“Falstaag, you stay here. We’ll call if we need help with Barry’s guards,” Freya said.

“We’ll take them apart,” Falstaag said. He drank from a jug that was strapped around his neck.

“Only if we call,” Freya said. Falstaag belched. Shickle rode up. He looked tired and nervous. He had eight of Barry’s guards with him.

“You’re alive sir!” He said.

“Barry’s alive,” I said. “Barely.” I coughed.

“What happened sir?” He asked.

“We lost a few back there. It must have been those demons,” I said. Shickle looked at the other guards. He looked back at me.

"Sir, Isn't that the real Twaddle Six?" Shickle asked. I thought you said we were to shoot them on sight.."

"Oh them?" I said, nervously, "Why of course it's the real Twaddle Six! Did Barry say that? That was all just a...big...misunderstanding. No, it was a prank, a publicity stunt"

The guards stared back at me with odd looks.

“We lost Captain Yanter back there,” Shickle said.

“Barry knows that Shickle. And that means something, doesn’t it?” I said. Shickle looked at Freya. He looked at the men. He scratched his head.

“A funeral?” Shickle asked.

“Oh no. Barry hates funerals,” I said. “It means a promotion, Captain Shickle. Now let’s have a little promotion party.” I clapped my hands. The other guards looked at Shickle.

“You!” I pointed at the guard on his left. “You get to be a lieutenant. Isn’t that a hoot?” I asked.

The guard let a smile creep across his face.

“That’s right. But before the festivities begin, Barry has big business for your first day on the job Captain Shickle,” I said. The skinny guard sat up straight in his saddle.

“Yes, sir. What is it sir?” He asked.

“Get the rest of the boys together. We need to take a little ride up to Tang’s,” I said.

“Now, sir?” He asked.

“That’s right,” I said.

“But sir, don’t we usually go up there at night?” He asked. I looked at Freya. She looked surprised. I paused before answering.

“This is different Shickle,” I said. “Get them ready.”

“And send Shamston over here,” Drexel said. I looked at Drexel.

“You heard him,” I said.

“Yes, sir,” Shickle said.

"Who's Shamston?" Freya asked Drexel.

"Barry's right-hand designer" Drexel replied. "I want better boots".

“The lieutenant can stay with me,” I said. The new lieutenant looked serious on his horse while Shickle rode off. The other guards seemed confused, but definetely thought I was Barry.

“Form up, everyone. I’m the new Captain.” Shickle shouted. His voice cracked.

I rode toward Barry’s estate with the guards. Drexel, Jenna, Freya, Chastity, and Grundy rode behind us.

“Lieutenant, Barry has a little problem with Tang,” I said.

“Isn’t everything with Tang little?” He asked. I blinked.

“You know, on account of him being so small?” He said. He laughed nervously.

“Right. Ha. Very clever. Keep that up and Barry might move you to the songwriting circle,” I said. The lieutenant beamed.

“Falstaag and his men are out front,” I said. The smile faded.

“We’re going to join them in a little adventure against Tang,” I said.

“You mean we’re not bringing more babies this time?” He asked. I sat back on my horse.

“Babies?” I asked.

“Yeah, like we normally do,” he said.

Drexel frantically searched the guard near him. He grabbed the guard's canteen, and took a big swig. He spit out the water explosively, then returned the canteen.

“No. This is a different matter entirely,” I said.

We rode across the front lawn. Bards and poets cheered when they saw me.

“Barry’s back!” They shouted. I smiled and waved.

“It’s party time people,” I said. “There have been some big promotions for some people around here.” I looked over and saw Mendel. He lay on his back with a gilmic bladder bouncing on his chest.

“Mendel,” I said. He pushed the balloon away and looked up. He grinned and jumped to his feet.

“Yes, Barry, buddy?,” he said.

“Barry hereby appoints you to be the master of ceremonies,” I said.

“Master of what?” He asked.

“The party, kid. Barry and the guards will be leaving for a little while. I want a big party for everyone when we get back. Tell the cooks to start cooking. Get whatever you want from the house. This has got to be the biggest party Barry has ever had,” I said.

“Yes sir!” Mendel said. He turned and ran toward the house.

Shamston waddled quickly toward me.

“Sir, I’m glad you made it,” he said. He was out of breath. His chest heaved.

“Great, that’s just great,” I said.

“We have serious matters to discuss,” he said. He looked at the lieutenant and at the others behind me.

“Of course we do,” I said.

“Privately, sir,” he said.

“Barry is very busy right now,” I said.

“Sir?” He asked. He stared in my eyes.

“What is it?” I asked under my breath. I pulled the horse further away from the others. Shamston waddled further away. When he was sure no one else could hear, he leaned toward my ear.

“Our friends downriver are getting concerned sir,” he said.

“I understand,” I said. He leaned back and looked at me.

“Is something wrong, sir?” He asked.

“Why don’t you tell me?” I asked. He stared at me. I closed my eyes. I swallowed. I frowned.

“Why don’t you tell Barry what the problem is,” I said. He squinted.

“You’re acting very strangely sir,” he said. I took a deep breath. I looked to my left and to my right. Then I stared Shamston in the eyes.

“Is this a conversation, or a funeral?” I asked. I snapped my fingers. “Barry’s getting bored.” I yawned. He sat up straight. I smiled. He laughed in relief.

“Now lets wrap up this tedious business. Barry’s got a party to plan,” I said.

“Of course, sir,” he said. He pulled out some papers.

“That last couple, they never paid us for the delivery of their child sir,” he said.

“They certainly seemed to have enough money,” I said. I thought of that couple I kept running into.

“They refused to pay. Said something about the springs not working propery, and some rampaging rocky statue ruining the resort,” he said.

"Barry sees" I said.

"I, of course told them not to forget that the service implicit in their vacation package had been already rendered. The baby would never be seen or heard from again, but the man still refused to pay. What should we do sir?"

"Hmmm" I said, shocked, "Yes, what should we do?"

“Should we cancel their contract and let the details of the pregnancy out to the gentleman’s wife like we usually do?” He asked.

“Absolutely,” I said. “Have the songwriters whip something up,” I said.

“Brilliant idea, sir,” he said.

“Moving on to Tang. He says he is now ready to help us get rid of an increased amount of babies, but, with the springs in the shape they're in, I'm worried about the supply. People simply won't be inclined to come to Heedon Springs anymore, no matter how embarrassing their situation may be,” he said.

“Barry’s on his way to Tang’s just this moment to clear that up,” I said.

“Excellent,” he said.

“And about our contract for the Twaddle Six?” He asked. "The Bupinders finally sent us the gold for Ragnar, but they are going to hold back Reese's bounty until the others are dead. I think they didn't consider him much of a threat."

Shamston frowned, "And I see the guards failed to take down any more of the targets at your performance. But, I'm sure you have some kind of plan, bringing them here again. I'm amazed that you were able to persuade them to your side again after the attack! You are truly the worlds greatest manipulator, sir"

"Oh, do stop," I said.

"What is the new plan?" He asked.

“This is our finest hour Shamston. I need you to pull all the monies from our stores. The Twaddle Six are under the impression that they will be paid in advance to attack the dragon. Barry simply needs to deliver the gold to them now,” I said.

“Give them all our Heedontines sir?” He asked.

“Heedontines, Bupence, Spatchkells…whatever we have, the whole treasury.” I said. He turned white.

“But sir…” he said.

“Not to worry Shamston. They won’t be holding it for very long,” I said. “They’ve already lost Smell-me in an unfortunate spill,” I said.

“Did they, sir? Excellent, sir,” he said, "Too bad there's no reward for that one"

"Oh there will be" I said, "Now go empty our coffers, when we retrieve the gold from their bodies, we can count on fine return of investment coming from our friends down river,” I said.

“Genius, as always Mr. Gorgon,” he said.

“Barry has put a certain Mendel in charge of tonight’s festivities. See that he has a full line of credit with all the merchants in town,” I said.

“Yes, sir,” he said. He scribbled something on his parchment.

“Unfortunately, Barry has business to attend to. Get the carvers carving and the songwriters writing. Tonight will be a big night,” I said.

“Yes, sir,” he said.

"Oh and get Drexel a nice pair of boots"

“Yes, sir,” he said. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and waddled toward Barry’s mansion. I rode back towards Shickle and the guards.

“The guards are formed up, sir,” Shickle said.

“Outstanding,” I said. I rode to the front of the formation. “Listen to your new captain people,” I said. I nodded to Shickle. “We’re going to do some very important work with Falstaag. There might be some more openings in the chain of command before the night is through. That means promotions for the rest,” I said. I turned to Shickle. “March them out to meet Falstaag. Take your orders from him,” I said.

“Yes, sir,” he said. They moved down the road.

“Barry!” Princess said. She ran toward me. When she reached my horse she hugged my leg.

“Hello, princess,” I said.

“There are people in the house Barry. They are pulling out all your favorite wines and things,” she said.

“That’s right, princess. Barry’s having a great big party tonight,” I said.

“How big?” She asked.

“Bigger than ever. It’s going to cost an awful lot. In fact, after the party, things will never be the same for Barry,” I said. I looked down at the young stilt girl. She had a pink bow in her blonde hair. I reached down and patted her head.

“Why are you doing the party?” She asked.

“Well, princess.” I rubbed her head. “Barry hasn’t been very nice to you lately, has he?” I asked.

“No,” she said. She looked up at me.

“Well, this is for you, princess. Everything Barry is doing today is for you,” I said.

“Thank you, Barry!” She said. She hugged my leg tighter.

“I know what it’s like to be young and alone in someone else’s home,” I said.

“You do?” She asked.

“Goodbye, princess,” I said. I rode away.

“I got the gold together, sir.” Shamston said, "They'll be bringing it up in a moment. Could we talk privately again for a moment?" He pulled me aside.

“This seems a little risky…” He said.

“Nonsense. Barry knows what he’s doing,” I said. He wiped his forehead again.

“They're emptying the chests into sacks as we speak,” he said. “Also, I caught Drexel snooping around the armory sir. He took some of your finest arrows. I left him down there picking out boots.”

“Let him have all the arrows and boots he wants,” I said. I looked over my shoulder at the others and then back at Shamston. “How long could they last against a dragon?” I asked. I winked.

“Not long, sir,” he said, winking back, “The dolls will be collectibles by this evening I’d suppose.” He made some notes on a piece of parchment.

“Collectibles?” I asked.

“Yes, sir. I think demand for these dolls will go through the roof, overnight. Your idea to increase the value of Cloda's dolls worked perfectly, and these fools are going up against the most famous monster around,” he said.

“Ah, the Cloda doll,” I said.

“If only they’d sold like that when she was alive,” he laughed,"She might just have lived through her little rebellion"

I sat back in the saddle and looked over Barry’s estate.

“That stilt bastard,” I said to myself. Drexel approached in a new pair of boots, leading two mules, each strapped with four bulging sacks.

“I’m sorry, sir?” Shamston asked. "Here's the gold."

“Nevermind. Get to work on the celebration. I want it big. Do you hear? Big,” I said.

“Of course, sir,” he said. Drexel pulled the reins of the mule and led it up to me.

“Thank you Barry,” Drexel said. He stuffed a quiver of arrows under his cloak and hung a bow across his back.

“You are very welcome Twaddle Six." I said. "Here is your payment to fight the dragon, Now do your best,”

"Gosh, Barry, you're so nice" Drexel said as we moved to meet the others. We rode back to Falstaag’s men. Barry’s guards were formed up next to them. I trot my horse up to Falstaag with my nose in the air.

“Nice work, Telle, can we kill Tang now?” Falstaag said.

“Ha ha!” I said. I leaned toward him.

“Call me Barry. Don’t mess this up,” I said.

“Right. Whatever,” he said. “Get in line you bastards.” Falstaag said to Barry’s guards. Shickle looked at me.

“Gentlemen.” I said to Barry’s guards. “Barry has placed you temporarily under Falstaag’s care. Do as he says. Things might get a little exciting,” I said.

“Move out!” Falstaag said. He rode behind Shickle and smacked the back of his head. “Let’s go sissies,” he said. Shickle winced and rode. He looked at me. I winked.

I galloped ahead to get to the rest of the Twaddle Six. Drexel jogged next to us, with the encumbered mules. Sheesha happily galumphed behind him. We rode a few paces in front of the formation.

“Falstaag lacks a certain subtlety,” Drexel said. “He could ruin this whole thing.”

“Freya. What do you think?” I asked.

“If Gorgon escaped Telle's explosion, he's in the Monastery somewhere. I think we should sneak around to the back of their wall. Then Falstaag can attack the front with Barry’s guards. While they’re fighting, we try to find Barry before he can appear in front of his men,” she said.

“Not bad,” Jenna said.

“It works for me,” Drexel said. Chastity seemed nervous. We reached the siege machines we’d seen before. The three guards slept under the tarp.

“You’d best wake up before your boss sees you,” Grundy said. One of the guards opened an eye. He sat up and stretched. The he saw the men behind us. He kicked the others.

“Get up. Quick,” he said. He pulled a filthy shirt over his chest and scrambled to get his boots on. Another guard hopped on one leg as he tried to pull on a boot. “That’s mine you idiot.” The first guard said. He yanked the boot from the man’s hands and slipped his foot inside.

“You call this guarding the front?” Falstaag asked. The three looked up at his enormous figure.

“I'd whip all your asses right now if we weren't in a hurry! Get those catapults ready to move. We’re going to Tang’s,” he said. The men tripped over each other as they got into their uniforms. They kicked a kettle into a fire. Steam rose with a hiss. They quickly hitched the catapults to horses.

“We’re going back to Tang’s?” The main guard asked.

“We’re going to take him out. The dragon aint there no more, She's been flying around crazy. Our boys are going to run this town from now on,” he said. They looked at each other, but they kept preparing the catapult. After securing the war machines, they hitched a wagon of round rocks to a mule.

“Ready, sir.” They said. We moved down the road. The wooden wheels creaked under the load.

“Barry and the Twaddle Five here are going to hit from the back.” I said to Falstaag.

“Barry?” He asked.

“Me. We’re going to attack from the back,” I said quietly.

“Right,” he said. “I’ll keep my men guarding the machines. We'll drop a few rocks on em, then let Barry’s boys charge in,” he said. "Then my men mop up.”

“Excellent,” Drexel said. Falstaag grabbed the reigns to the mule that carried the sacks of Barry’s money.

“I’ll keep an eye on that, in case you get any ideas about running away again,” Falstaag said. Drexel eyed him suspiciously, then let the reins go.

“People,” I said to Barry’s guards. “Barry is going into the back of Tang’s with these heroes. You may see Barry in there, just don’t pay much attention, listen to Falstaag,” I said. Shickle cleared his throat. “And Shickle. Pay attention to Captain Shickle,” I said. Shickle sat straight in his saddle.

We rode toward the monastery. The alarm went up. Monks stuck their head up from the top of the wall.

“Bring forward the ram.” Cantick said.

Guards rolled a huge log on wheels to the front of the formation.

"Catapults, prepare to deploy!" Cantick shouted.

“Once those doors go down, your people are the first inside.” Falstaag said to Shickle. We split off from the others. We rode into the grass, around the wide spiked wall. As soon as we were out of sight, I climbed down from the horse and changed back into myself. Sheesha barked. We walked quietly through the grass until we saw the wooden wall of the monastery ahead.

“You stay here Sheesha,” I said. She sat and looked at me with pleading eyes.

Freya unwound her wrap.

"Have you no shame?" Chastity said.

Across the compound we heard a dozen men shout at once. Then there was a crash.

“They’re pounding the gates,” Freya said. There were screams. I heard Falstaag shouting, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying. The sound of arrows hitting wood filled the air. There were sounds of whooshing fire, like the magic the monks had hurled at us. I heard catapulted rocks splintering the walls. There was a crash from inside the monastery. I smelled smoke.

“This is going to be tough,” Freya said. She threw her wrap into the air and looped the top over the spiky end of a log. “Stick together,” she said. She looked at Drexel.

She grabbed the rope. Her muscles writhed along her back as she climbed. She paused for a second, and then went over the top. Drexel was the next up. He climbed with Jenna on his shoulders. Then Chastity climbed, and didn’t look down. Her legs shook with strain, then disappeared over the top. I stood with Sheesha. It was my turn. I grabbed the first knot and worked my way up. Sheesha whined. I kept climbing. My lungs burned. I climbed hand over hand until I reached the top. I looked back down at Sheesha. Her tail wagged. She sat in the grass and looked up at me. I looked over the wall. At least a hundred monks pushed against the gate at the other side of the compound. They had their backs to us. We stood on a high platform that ran against the back wall. The body of a monk lay at Freya’s feet.

“I got the lookout." Freya said.

"We've got to get down from here, see the ladder? ” Chastity said.

The catapult creaked from outside the gate. A rock the size of barrel flew over the gate and slammed into the wall of the dining hall. Screams of pain followed the crash of splintering wood. Five monks ran to the pile of planks and beams. They pulled a stilt monk from the wreckage. His leg was crushed beyond all hope.

“It hurts!” He screamed. One of his rescuers slammed his head against the ground. The screaming stopped. More monks ran from the barracks. Freya climbed down a ladder and hid in the shadows behind Tang’s tall red library. She looked up at us. There was a crash against the gate. Monks cursed and pushed against the wooden walls. Freya waved at us.

“Do or die time,” Grundy said.