They were singularly uncooperative villains, alas, for there was nothing of use. Just three of the cumbersome energy collectors waiting quietly at the back of the room.
‘Only three?’ said Meriall in disgust. ‘That’s a let-down. I can hardly imagine that will be enough for us to do anything useful with.’
‘But it is three fewer machines with which they can kill Elders,’ Pense said, and hefted one of them. He grimaced, his arms shaking. ‘They are heavy. I advise two to each machine.’
I hurried to help him. Meri and Larion secured a second between them, and Gio and Ori took the third. ‘Moment,’ said Gio. He went silent, his eyes closed, and I wondered what he was doing. ‘Right,’ he said then, and vanished with Ori, leaving the rest of us to await his return.
He was soon back, reappearing i
