As Grouche and his Lady made their headlong dash

for safety, the Aussiemum, quickly devouring several great gobbets

of flesh, turned and ran into the woods. Grouche, watching behind

all the while, breathed a sigh of relief. But the relief was not long-

lasting, as they were once again heading into the lands of Sir Gagga.

Grouche, weighing the two evils, decided this course to be best.

"M'lady, let us not proceed with haste........mayhaps, if we be silent,

we may pass through Gagga’s lands unmolested.....the Aussiemum

appears to have sated its hunger, and has disappeared."
 

          "Aye, M'Lord, as thee will......."replied  the Lady Sweet,

"But, M'Lord...... what manner of beast was that?....it did speak..."

"I know not, M’lady, I have heard no tales of such a beast....

‘twas a mystical thing, I would wager." said Grouche. He was

disturbed.....the silence about them was  oppressive." But soon

we will pass from its haunts..........and then be concerned only

of foule odors........".  Grouche  smiled, attempting to lighten

their spirits.
 

           The Lady laughed, "To be sure, M'Lord, Sir Gagga's

perfume is to be much preferred, compared" The Lady took

in their surroundings, ill at ease. Once again, something was

amiss, her pulse quickened, as the feeling intensified.  "M'Lord...."

As if summoned, once again the Aussiemum crashed through

the brush, barring their path.  It crouched, lowered its head,

and glared at them........ hissing evilly. The Lady's horse,

having witnessed quite enough this day, had no intention

of becoming a meal for this hideous creature. The horse

whirled, taking its head, and dashed back whence it had

came, fairly flying in its haste. The Lady, seeing  no better

choice, clung to its neck, and allowed it its head.
 

          Grouche's thoughts whirled, how were they to escape?
 

          Quickly coming to a decision, he leaned forward,

speaking close to his Lady's ear........ "Turn from the path,

M'lady at first chance,.. we must summon help" "Aye,

M'Lord,"said Lady Sweet, wondering what madness this

was.....how could they summon help?..... and how could it

present itself in time?
 

            Sighting an area of light brush, she turned and left the

path.  Halting  behind a stand of trees, they dismounted. "M'lady,

thou must be prepared.....I must summon Modem, the Mage."

"I do not understand M'Lord,........is she near?" asked the Lady,

quite sure he was mad. "Nay, she is not, but she hath given me

a device........" Grouche replied, rummaging through a bag that

hung at his waist. He withdrew a small, square black object. He

held it out for the Lady to inspect.
 

                The box was made of an unfamiliar materiel, buttons

along one side, and at the top, a window in which strange runes

flashed. Grouche held it reverently. "With this, I may summon

her at any time, from any place....." Grouche looked at his Lady.

"Thee will find her exceedingly strange...she speaks and behaves

in a strange manner," he grinned, "and oft, is attired most

immodestly."
 

           "And how is this done, M'Lord," asked Lady Sweet, curious,

and not quite believing. "I but press a button, and she knows I

have need," replied Grouche." "She calleth this her page,........but,

I do not understand how a page be abiding here........it requires no

food, or naught else."
 

            Stepping back, he held the device high above his head..….

and pressed the button.........
 

            And things happened.............