With Sir Gagga's laughter ringing in his ears, Sir Grouche rode as

hard as his mount would allow, clasping the Lady Sweet closely, the air

finally clearing of the horrible aroma.  The Lady's horse and the pack

mount were close behind, as anxious to clear the stench as their masters.

The Lady Sweet moaned, and shook her head, the jostling ride finally

bringing her back to her senses.  "Grouche, ... OOOhhh M’Lord, please

stop, thee are away, and that creature does not pursue."
 

       Grouche looked back along the path, every sense telling him to go as

far from the Imp as possible.  "Please M’Lord, I would ride myself, thee

must gather the mounts." Grouche seeing the sense of it, slowed his

mount, the other two horses slowing in response.  Reigning in to Sweet's

mount, he grabbed the halter, slowing to a stop.  Dropping Sweet to her

feet, she took the reigns of her mount.  Grouche pursued the pack horse,

swiftly catching it he returned to Sweet.  "M'lady,  art thou well, should

thee rest?" he asked, concerned at the pallor of her face.  "Nay, M’Lord,

we mustn't tarry, I do not wish to meet Sir Gagga again."
 

                 So, once again, they went further into the unknown lands.  As

they rode, the lands took on an eerie silence, not a sound to be heard.

....except occasionally, they seemed to hear the echo of a voice, drifting

through the trees.  "M’Lord, something.... is not natural here I feel a great

foreboding"  Sweet whispered, shuddering.  Grouche, having the same

feeling, agreed.  "Aye, M'lady..... me thinks perhaps we should turn

back, find another path, and mayhap...."
 

           A great crashing noise came through the trees, and before them

stood a terrible apparition..... a huge, 9 ft tall, bird of colossal

proportions, with a cruel curved beak, strong legs tipped with lethal

claws!!  The horses frightened out of their wits, reared, throwing Grouche

to the ground, stunning him.  The pack horse darted past the group,

steering to avoid the creature.  With an effortless leap, the bird crashed

down upon the hapless animal,  driving its beak deep into its neck,

tearing out its throat.  Sweet screamed in horror, while Grouche, still

stunned stared in amazement.
 

                 Lady  Sweet not wasting a moment, wheeled her horse and

Grouche finally alert, swung  up behind her.  She gave spur... and once

again they were fleeing for their lives.  Grouche  looked behind, as they

went, at the bird beak dripping red, stood looking after them with a

malevolent glare.  To Grouche's utter amazement, the bird spoke....
 
 

"I am the Aussiemum, little ones, and thee shall not get far."