Chapter 24
The Great SwampThe five companions stood looking at the swamp for a few minutes, then The Cat said, 'We can't stand here. We need to get moving unless we are going to get caught again. I dread to think of what Branlow will do to us if that happens.'
'Look,' Kimi cried, pointing, 'Isn't that smoke?'
Sure enough, a curl of smoke rose from the south, just before the swamp started. They decided to make for it. After all, as Carthinal said, they would not know that these strangers who had turned up on their doorstep were wanted by The Master of Erian.
When they arrived at the source of the smoke, they were delighted to find a small hamlet. The smoke was from the blacksmith's forge. There was even a small inn.
The landlady of the inn was delighted to have visitors, even such dir
