WE HEADED TOWARD THE GREAT Hall, all the while discussing creative ways to get back at Nnelg. Well, I swung between those ideas and some others in my mind, but I wasn't sharing those. When we reached the Great Hall laughter and applause greeted us. Nnelg sat centre table, preening his wings and looking very proud. Yakov and Elena attempted disapproving looks at the little blue cretin but failed.

'Gee I wonder who gave Nnelg the clever idea,' Loi said sarcastically.

The ...