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Suddenly the ground shifted beneath them. Not a lot, but it was noticeable. Enough to rock them on their feet and to send scatterings of leaves from the trees.
Automatically, people clung to each other, and Sasha found herself grabbing hold of Hagan while Kazak and Jon grasped each other’s clothing. Tarkyn found himself with one arm around Marlene and the other around Maud, who was being clung to by Jayhan. Sheldrake and Stefan grabbed Stormaway as the older man threatened to lose his balance and topple over.
Slowly, as nothing further happened, they released each other. But the physical contact, however brief, had reduced the barriers between them.
Sasha and Jayhan’s eyes were round with wonder.
“What was that?” breathed Jayhan, half excited, half frightened.
“An earth tremor, I
