“How did you get through the barrier?” Nea asked.
Val lifted the umbrella-frame. “We have had the barrier for years. There are strange beasts out there on the plain. This instrument allows us to go through the barrier when we please.”
“Then we can go to the city?” Gunnar exclaimed with a joyful war-whoop. “To kill, and kill, and kill—”
“You are right,” Ato admitted. “Delay will only increase Grim Hagen’s advantage. To the city—as fast as we can—”
CHAPTER 15
VAL and his men had brought along enough of the umbrella-shaped defenses to get them through the barrier.
They held a short council of war. It was agreed that every able-bodied man would go into the city. Nea and a few of the older men were detailed to stay by The Nebula and take care of the women and children.
Nea had screamed and protested against that. She had only agreed to stay upon one condition: That she be left one of the umbrella-skeletons.