Chapter 35‘We’re dead men. The terrible, shaking fear in Harlen’s words brought a final awakening to Farnor, heightening the racking pains of the beating that Nilsson had given him. He must have fainted, he decided hazily, and something bad had happened while he had been unconscious. But what? He looked at Gryss, who in his turn was staring fixedly at something. Following the old man’s gaze Farnor turned to see Rannick. His face was a mask of bewildered fury. ‘Down,’ Gryss muttered frantically, dropping on to his knees and bowing his head. ‘Get down!’ Compelled by the urgency in his voice, Harlen and Yakob also fell to their knees. Farnor had little choice: he staggered as the support he had been receiving disappeared, then Harlen’s hand seized his arm and dragged him down. He managed

