Lajos chased Eberardo through the tangled green. The jungle had reclaimed the land swiftly, but neither knew that. To them the Ring had always been surrounded by vines and saplings.

“Catch me!” yelled Eberardo.

“Slow down!” laughed Lajos.

Lajos was scrambling over a boulder when he heard Eberardo’s cry. Exhilaration became fear and he hurried.

Eberardo lay at the bottom of a pit, his leg twisted. He was crying. Lajos started to call out but then Eberardo’s face paled and he quieted and shook his head slowly.

Lajos felt the presence behind him but could not turn to face it.

Chapter 14

Chapter 16