The old witch will be greatly pleased. Sludge thought, eying the dilapidated shack. A few steps later, he paused to breathe in the sweet sulfur of Swallow Hole Swamp. Oh, the writhing I caused here. He sighed, recalling how he’d practiced dream draining on his fellow nymphs, honing each nightmare to horrific perfection. The old witch will be greatly pleased. Oh, the writhing I caused here.Up ahead, Crone sat on the rickety porch rocking. He approached and with a curt nod took his place next to her. “News?” the wrinkled little woman asked. Reveling in every cruel detail. Sludge told her all about it. How the Mudlark slaves had captured Bartholomew, held him hostage until midnight, and then led him to a Subterranean gateway. She rocked back and forth chuckling. “Are the ropes tight? Pain

