CHAPTER 3THE BEAST OF DRUGA
The Rangers squatted on their hams, safe amidst the grasses. For Kellory explained that only when they were on the bare earth, which was wet and plastic and could be molded into shape by the invisible power of the elemental, were they in any danger. But even he was not too certain.
They stared at the placid stretch of mud, now innocently flat again, for the humped thing had collapsed again. They did not know what to do. This was the first time any of them, save only for Kellory, had faced a foe that could not feel the cold kiss of their steel, and it roused superstitious dread within their breasts.
Kellory alone stood, brooding, arms folded upon his chest, regarding the mudflats thoughtfully. He had never fought an earth-elemental before and was unsure what t
