New words entered the chant, and the rhythm slowed. Long, groaning syllables shuddered in the grimy air; shouts and wails broke out. Gehrava turned, beckoning abruptly to the shadows. The chanting faltered at the drawn-out moans of a beast, horribly bizarre among the human voices. Once more the awful baying came, then the circle broke as a huge wolf loped up to the edge of the pool. Ilissos would have fled if he could, spells or no, but he could only watch in terror as the beast looked about it then crept, head lowered, along the side of the pit like a grotesque cat on a window-ledge. It reached Gehrava, and the sorcerer ruffled the animal’s fur in a parody of proud affection. The beast sat by his side, panting and showing its fangs.
“You shall have your reward tonight, Karhalkhar,” said
