"Torn down," repeated Jerran firmly, "from their false 'untouchable' eminence. You've shown the world that the globes can be slain as easily as hares." "They can still rise into the buttoned sky, and rule from there." "We'll find ways," grunted Jerran impatiently. "False gods that can die can be lured down by trickery--or we can find a way to go up to the buttons." "That's insane," said Revel, and would have amplified it, but at that moment the girl spoke. "When you are quite ready, _Squire_ Revel, I wonder if you'd kindly set me down?" He had forgotten her, slung over his shoulder like a slain doe. Hastily he slipped her off and set her on her feet. She was like a forest nymph, one of those legendary wild women who haunted the trees near towns and lured men to their death; tall and whitely lovely, her stark naked body shone against the greensward with a perfection that made Revel's throat constrict. Then she doubled up a fist and hit him in the eye. "You lout!" said the gorgeous creature. "Can't you at least get me something to wear?" "I can have clothes for you in two minutes, Lady Nirea," said Jerran. "Man's clothes, I'm afraid. No woman has ever seen the meeting place before you." "Man's clothes--rucker's clothes," she said caustically. "If I'd known what--" Then her words were muffled by a terrible sound, a noise as of the earth exploding beneath them. Nothing moved, yet they had the sensation of being shaken intolerably by a giant blast of wind. The roar dwindled away, reluctant to cease, and Revel said, "What is it?" "Come on," said Jerran urgently, "we'll go to the dome and see." "The dome?" "The roof of the sanctuary," barked Jerran impatiently. "It holds the weight of a score of men without quivering. We build slowly, but well." He sprinted away. "The girl!" yelled Revel. Jerran called over his shoulder, "If she's fool enough to risk woods lions and the bears, let her go!" Revel stared at Nirea. Then he chuckled. "No gentrywoman could find her way home from this maze-center. You'll wait." He followed his friend. They shinned up a tree on the edge of the clearing, and jumped to the rim of the dome, which never even swayed beneath their impact. Revel saw it stretch up before him like a grassy hill, and marveled at the rebels' artistry. Shortly they were standing on the crest, and he was clutching at Jerran's arm. "Orbs above! Look there!" On the horizon lay a tremendous cloud of gray-black smoke, like the reeking smudge of a forest fire; above it rose another and more ominous cloud, this tinged with red and of mushroom shape. Revel was speechless, but Jerran ripped out a curse that would have curled the hair of a squire's neck.