"I don't know," Kevenoe admitted. "I just don't know. I thought maybe you'd know. Maybe you could think of something. What about Lady Samas?"
"What about her?" Anketam still couldn't force his mind to function.
"Haven't you heard? The Invaders have been looting and burning every castle in their path! And the women—"
Lady Samas in danger! Something crystallized in Anketam's mind. He pointed in the direction of the castle. "Get back there!" he snapped. "Get everyone out of the castle! Save all the valuables you can! Get everyone down to the river and tell them to hide in the brush at the Big Swamp. The Invaders won't go there. Move!"
Kevenoe didn't even pause to answer. He ran back toward the saddle animal he had tethered at the edge of the village.
Anketam was running in the opposite direction, toward Basom's quarters.
He didn't bother to knock. He flung open the door and yelled, "Basom!"
Basom, who had been relaxing on his bed, leaped to his feet. "What is it?"
Anketam told him rapidly. Then he said: "Get moving! You're a fast runner. Spread the news. Tell everyone to get to the Swamp. We have less than an hour, so run for all you're worth!"
Basom, like Kevenoe, didn't bother to ask questions. He went outside and started running toward the south.