instead , he danced , turned circles under the spider 's body , and crouched close to the spider 's abdomen to avoid its bite . brian joined thomas . the two boys fought together , just as they had done in our prison , just as the spiders were doing . now both were stabbing and dodging , double-teaming against the
spider

at first , they ran into the hall , only to instantly change their pace to one of a reverential procession . they carried between them a long , tapestry-wrapped object . ' my lord , ' the princess said to king cadeyrn , ' if i may trouble you ? would you allow siren to vouch for the honour of both me and my family ? ' ' my lady , i -- ' this time nechtan 's protestations were halted by an indignantly raised hand from the
king

now he smiled and tossed another shovel of snow off the deck . '' not so much . i 've got instincts , too . '' it was n't just humor , but understanding . the stiffness went out of her as she kicked at the snow . '' there 's gratitude , it 's just buried under the annoyance . '' cocking his head , he held out the
shovel