"What is it?" he demanded.
"Men are coming this way, and they are led by Sanlan, the brother of that Czerki."
"Komso's work?"
"Naturally."
Barry reached for a spear. "They won't touch you as long as I'm alive," he promised.
The sounds outside grew louder.
"Go in through the door," he heard a voice command. "Chase the demon and his woman upward and out. Lart and I will attend to them."
Xintel leaped to the upper room and began tossing down baskets.
"Block the hatchway," she directed. "We will hold the middle room."
Quickly Barry piled them across the opening, thrusting extra spears through the wovenwork and into the material of the floor. It was a flimsy barricade but better than nothing.