In the black court, the Sphere Of All Time shone on with a pale cold light....
Ophid's men, boys and dragons were massed around him as he stood atop a huge stalagmite stump. His features were contorted with insane rage, his snaky body quivering with it. His fanged mouth began to froth. His wild-eyed subjects snapped their heads up and down in approval. Ophid made a sweeping gesture and the fanatical Dragon Men began a frantic search for handy lengths of limestone shards—broken from the mighty columns....
The Big Brown came into view. The flowery jungle spread away, blending into silent shadows as twilight neared.
Rok let his paddle trail. "Well, we're out—thanks to Toka."
The implication pricked Roya. "He didn't have to stay!"
"No," Rok considered sardonically, "Toka didn't have to marry Kolano—so we could get you and Elees out of that pit."
Roya was silent a long moment. "Rok," she commanded, "whistle for that big slick-skin we saw around here the other day!"
Rok's shrill blast cut away. A distant roar drifted back over the jungle. Rok whistled again. The distant roar answered—closer.
"Head for the opposite shore!" Roya commanded.