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"This
is a gather, not a…"
Benis was quick on his feet,
too, and he grabbed Menolly by the shoulder, spinning her toward
him and securing her left arm, which he immediately twisted up
behind her. With a cry of triumph, Pona darted forward, her hands
busy with Menolly’s belt pouch. Piemur sprang to Menolly’s
assistance, kicking Benis in the shins and grabbing Pona by the
hair. The kick made Benis loosen his hold on Menolly’s arm.
With a strength developed by Turns of hauling heavy nets, she
wrenched free of his grasp, dancing out of the way.
”I settle Pona!”
She shouted to Piemur, beckoning him away.
”Benis, save me!”
Pona screamed, rushing to the young Holder, but Piemur was still
hanging onto her plait.
Benis let fly a kick at Piemur,
tripping him up and added another one to the ribs as the boy
measured his length in the dust.
”Leave him alone!”
Forgetting her quarrel with Pona, Menolly launched herself at
Benis. Putting shoulder and body behind her fist, she drove it
right into Benis’ face. He staggered back, roaring in outrage
and pain. One of the other fosterings came charging forward,
fist cocked to slam Menolly, but Audiva hung onto his arm.
”Viderian! Menolly’s
a seaholder! Help us!”
Startled, her escort bounded
in to help Audiva, just as Menolly ducked under Benis’ swing
and tried to protect Piemur, who was struggling to get on his
feet, blood streaming from his nose.
The next moment, the air was
full of shrieking, clawing, fighting fire lizards. Piemur was
screaming that Benis better not hit the Harper’s apprentice,
or there’s be real trouble; Camo was howling that his pretty
ones were afraid, and he waded in, thick arms flailing, hitting
indiscriminately at friend and foe. Menolly got a clot across
the ear as she tried to restrain the misguided Camo.
”Shells! It’s the
Hall’s dummy!” “Scatter!” Get her!”
“Knock him down!” “Got her, Menolly!”
The fire lizards were not
hampered by Camo’s inability to distinguish friend and foe.
They went for Pona, Briala, Amania, Benis, and the other lads.
Menolly, trying to catch her breath, realized that things were
completely out of hand and desperately tried to call off the
fire lizards. The girls were scattering, screaming vainly trying
to cover their heads, hair and eyes. Attacked from above, so
did the fosterings.
"Be still! Everyone!”
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