was ed.

    t seemed far too strong for t Gate, and tallized spirit—or  was—was muc should be.

    itration bent on staying uprig direction, Sabriel almost didn’t notice tion of noise t marked t Gate. But so be  few days, and ion.

    Sening carefully, caug slosly as it could against t. Moving toch her unawares.

    Obviously, some alarm or summons  beyond t Gate, and alking to.

    Iny, Sabriel looked do  burden. Sure enoug make out a very tton to ter—and to t a controlling t one t  some distant Adept kno unately, sounding Ranna would  was so Life . . .

    Stle, but not too mucending s noticed ter.

    ever it  seemed quite reluctant to close in on her.

    Sabriel quickened tle more, adrenaline and suspense feeding rengt ruso drop t— and  forever.

    ever magic   possibly prevail if  past t Gate. If t , sated a murder rathan a rescue.

    Four steps to Life—t, loer, still creeping, but faster no er Gate, for s identify  once  looked like a cross bet moved in a series of scuttles and sinuous wriggles.

    teps. Sabriel sed  arm completely around t’s c and balancing t on  arm, but sill couldn’t draw he bells.

    to grunt and o a diving, russ long, yelloed tusks surfing ter, its long body undulating along behind.

    Sabriel stepped back, turned, and t into Life, using all o force tant, it seemed t through.

    S nothing else.

    Sabriel found y, ice crystals crunced body. turning  t. ared at  back to sleep.

    Sabriel rolle