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Gerome was joined by a number of other searchers… including one minus his out fit and others sporting large lumps and assorted contusions. They were NOT happy to see me… No, not true, they were very happy to see me, well trussed that is. Seriously grudging on me.

-Sucks to be me right now.- I thought. Not that I really cared, my only regret was that I hadn’t seen more of this place for myself… I knew I’d be back though. Count on it!

Gerome might be giving me the silent treatment but his fellow Gate Gangers had struck up a conversation. Since I subscribe to the theory that information is ammunition I did my best to gather my scattered wits and listened.

The first comments weren’t much. Just comments on my general undamagedness and cleanness. (This was interesting since I’d been in over a dozen running fights and fallen off a cliff but then they weren’t looking to great either.)

-Where’ve these guys been? – I thought.
Their shoes were slashed to fair thee well and covered in this thick, icky, stinky, oily looking gunge. Their trouser legs were pretty slashed up too. The worst I had on me was sand and sweat.

–Are these even the same guys?- They were, I recognized the one I’d stripped earlier and he REALLY looked worse for ware.

–How’d he get all slashed up like that?- I really didn’t get it. If I was still alive later, I’d have to remember to ask. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me but I was betting it wasn’t good. Boy was I right.

“We can’t just let her go. Not this time. She has seen the Forbidden!”

-What’s up with that?- I thought. –I could understand how they’d want to keep this vacation spot to themselves but what’s the big deal? So I got a look at it… or is that I managed to get behind their Gate? - It didn’t make a lot of sense, but then I probably made about as much sense as having a bright sunny beach practically on top of mountains that were very definitely in land on early evening.

“I know,” Gerome responded. I did my best to turn and stare at him. His tone had been rueful amusement, mixed with a dash of smug satisfaction and anticipation.

I finally remembered a clear flash of my dream that he’d featured in. –This is his idea of gentle?! Soooo, ever get the feeling that you’ve been incredibly set up? I don’t know how he pulled it off but I’ve definitely got the feeling that he’s set a trap, baited it and now has the results of a successful me hunt. I wonder if there’s anything I can do to protest. Owww… oh, that knee isn’t happy. Please get whatever it is over fast so that it doesn’t have a chance to stiffen up. I need a hot bath and soon. -