torg 03- The Nightmare Dream by Jonatha Ariadne Caspian

such thoughts a few months ago, but not now. He had heard the song of the Earth itself, as sung by the Heart of Coyote. If the planet had a voice, why couldn't the smaller components have one as well?
    "What's he doing, Father?" Toolpin inquired.
    "He's scouting," Bryce said. "What's it look like he's doing?"
    "Talking to the plants," Toolpin said. "Hey Djil, what are the plants saying?"
    The aborigine turned to the dwarf with a toothy grin. "Plants have very little to say, Toolpin. They are boring, only concerned with water and soil and sun. But this tree limb tells me much."
    Bryce and Toolpin edged closer, curiosity getting the better of them. "What's it say?" Bryce asked.
    Djil leaned close to the priest, his voice hushed to a conspiratorial whisper. "The trees don't speak, Father Bryce. I thought you knew that."
    The priest reddened. "Then what are you doing?"
    "Lookmg for signs of passage, and I found this," Djil said triumphantly, holding aloft a piece of cloth.
    "Hey," Toolpin exclaimed, "that belongs to Pluppa!"
    "Then they came this way," Bryce joined excitedly. "We're going the right way!"
    Djil nodded. Then he pointed to the broken branches further up the tree. "The chthon have come this way, too."
    A loud crashing sound echoed from the jungle behind them. The trio watched silently for a moment, then heard the sound again. This time it was closer.
    "Something's coming," Toolpin warned.
    "Let's get moving, Djil," Bryce urged. "I'm not sure I want to see what else Markham has to throw at us."
    14
    Tolwyn felt uneasy around these people. They called themselves Victorians, and they claimed to come from Orrorsh. They were here in the jungles of this New World hunting down the evil things they had inadvertently released upon it, the general said, but even though his tone was sincere thfere was something about them that bothered the paladin.
    The chaplain attached to the unit was a small, tired-looking man who tried his best to bolster the soldiers with fiery talk, but it came out weak to Tolwyn's ears. The soldiers themselves seemed nervous, constantly scanning the jungle for any signs of danger. When she saw their darting eyes, Tolwyn knew why she felt uneasy. These people lived their lives as hunted prey, food for the legions of monsters that stalked Orrorsh. She pitied them.
    "Where are you taking us, General Wellington?" Tolwyn asked.
    The general gave her a suspicious glance, then smiled jovially. "We have a vessel waiting for us on the coast. With it, we will take you to the city called Singapore. From there you should be able to find transportation out of Orrorsh realm, as per Lord Salisbury's instructions."
    "What about our friends?" Mara asked. "Are you going to send anyone back there to look for them?"
    The general shook his head sadly. "I do not have the manpower to launch a full-scale search, and I do have a time limit. I must get you on your way so that I can carry out the rest of my duties."
    They walked in silence for a time, with soldiers ahead and behind them. Tolwyn wondered if they were being protected, or if the soldiers were positioned to keep them from running off on their own. The paladin noticed Pluppa looking back the way they came. She had been turning her head for the last few minutes, sometimes even stopping as if to listen. Finally, she tugged on Tolwyn's sleeve.
    "Something is following us," Pluppa said. "It makes no attempt to muffle its progress."
    Tolwyn glanced back, but could see nothing through the covering of trees. She looked at Pluppa again. The dwarf was sincere. She did hear something.
    "General Wellington," Tolwyn called to the front of the column. "Something is approaching us from out of the jungle."
    "What?" the general exclaimed in surprise. "Are you sure, woman?"
    "She's right, sir," one of the soldiers near the rear said. "Something's coming this way."
    'Take defensive positions, men," Wellington ordered. "Chaplain, prepare your miracles."
    "I will take that," Tolwyn said,