Once she was sure she was out of sight, she relaxed a bit, eased her hold on McDougal’s collar, and let loose with a gut-wrenching groan. 

     “How could she!”  Mavelle raised her hands skyward.  “Is the stone ogre even real?”

     The implications were horrible.  Had Sarah plotted with the soldiers to kidnap Lovena?  Had they faked the ogre?  How does one fake a stone ogre attack?  She knew she should go back to the palace and tell her parents but wondered if they would believe her accusation of her sister.  Besides, if she went back no one would be there to save Lovena.

     “McDougal, you stay here.”  She pulled the crystal knife from her pack, gripping it tightly she crept back to where she could see the ruins, hear what was going on, and yet not be seen. 

     “Dig there.”  Sarah pointed to a section of stone floor in the ruins.  “The entrance should be under there.”

     “What if it comes back?”  One soldier asked.

     “If it comes back we kill it.  It didn’t notice us tracking it.”

     The sound of falling rocks made everyone stop what they were doing and listen.

     “There’s no way to kill one of them.”  The soldier dropped his shovel.  “I’m out of here.”