Maaret was crouching over Og’s stunned body. Her arms were around him; she was crying softly.
“Go!” she said angrily. And ignoring us, she fell to caressing Og. Frightened at what she had done, she was begging him to open his eyes—speak to her—tell her he was not badly hurt.
We hastened away. It was not far to the cave. We dashed into it, recklessly. It was more dimly lighted than when we had last seen it. The main floor was empty. There were family groups in most of the wall niches. Many of them were still asleep. Others, awakened, were looking sleepily about for the cause of the distant disturbance.
We dashed without pause up into the cave. The familiar ledge and tunnel-mouth were easy to locate. The Maagogs saw us. An uproar arose. But before any concerted effort to stop us could be made, we were up across the cave, over the ledge and into the tunnel.
“Safe!” exclaimed Atar. “Hurry!”
There were shouts behind us. But—without Og and the black fishes—we did not fear any of the Maagogs who might try and follow us.
We were soon through the coral barrier. Another few moments and we were at the main tunnel-mouth. The open Water of Wild Things stretched above us. For a moment we hesitated, looking cautiously up there. But no monsters were in sight.
“Soon we will be in Rax,” I murmured exultantly to Nona. And her loving arms went around me.
Caan was looking back down the passageway. “Nemo, you hear that?”