Selwyn didn't argue, for he was wondering how a murderer would react if he came with a talking bat that claimed to be the deceased. On the contrary, to show Farrow that it would also be good for him, he said, "But if you can help me, maybe the two of us can find out together who did it, and you can rest in peace in the afterlife." ”

"I've been sitting back and relaxing," Farrow complained, "until you disturbed me." But then he said, "Well, why not?" Also, I would like to see Anora one more time. ”

When Anora's name was mentioned from the bat-like lips, Selwyn felt ...... He wasn't quite sure what it was. Whatever it was, it wasn't a good feeling: jealousy, anger, guilt welled up, and Farod was glad that he was, apparently, no longer a competitor.

Elswyes smiled sweetly, taking revenge on Farrow's unkind words just now. She said, "Then I think it's a good thing that you're in your body right now." The first impression of a three-day-old corpse was poor. ”

"Ugly old witch," Farod repeated.

Elswys's gaze shifted from Farrow to Selwyn and said, "You two deserve each other. ”

Selwyn rewrapped Farrow's body, who had been finding fault and nagging, complaining, among other things, that Selwyn had not done the work with proper respect. It's hard to show respect when battling the urge of vomiting. Selwyn made up his mind that in the future he would try to avoid situations where the corpse could be criticized in a situation where it could be criticized.

He put the corpse—now its arms rightly crossed across its chest—back into the alcove, which he thought meant they were ready to leave the cave.

Apparently not.

"What?" Farrow asked. "No prayers?"

Ellswis sighed—loudly—but waited.

Selwyn said to Farrow what his uncle Derian had said at the entrance of the cave: "He is a good boy and there are many years to come. ”

"That's it?"

Selwyn was ready to deal with the troubles. But Farrow sounded frustrated, and Selwyn couldn't bear to point out that he had mimicked Derian well. Nor did he think it should be said, "There's Farrow lying here." He's not as bad as a dead skunk under the porch. Instead, he just said, "You're standing there listening, it's distracting." ”

"I'm happy to help," Ellswyes suggested, "as long as we let you down forever." ”

Selwyn believes that Farrow did not misunderstand that it sounded a lot like a threatening voice.

Still, even then, it wasn't easy to leave. Farrow was in the bat's body, and it was as difficult to fly as it was when he tried to stand upright.

"Let the mind of the bat take over," Ellswyes advised. "It knows how to fly."

"It has no ideas to speak of," Mr. Farrod said. "It only wants to go outside and eat bugs with other swarms."

"A herd?" Ellswis repeated contemptuously.

"Swarms, swarms, whatever a swarm of bats is called."

"Colonies," Ellswis said. "A group of bats is called a colony, and I was about to say that you think too much, forget it."

"Eat bugs and leave droppings," Farrow scoffed. "Great thinker."

"Grab their toes and hang upside down," Ellswes added, lunging at him.

Apparently, the malice in her tone and the sudden movements frightened Farrow so much that the bat's mind was able to take over. He threw himself on Selwyn's shoulder, leaving behind – as he called it – bat droppings along the way.

Selwyn did not protest. He wasn't interested in anything that would delay leaving the cave. "You can practice as soon as we get outside," he told Farrod. And, to Elsweis, "It's okay, I'll carry him on my back." ”

"You'll also have to carry a backpack," she reminded.

Selwyn reached for his backpack, which was heavier than he expected and bulky. He needed a moment to swing it on his back and adjust the rope on his shoulder – which left Farrow complaining about the inconvenience of having to move to his other shoulder – and by that time Elswys had already started without him.

"Don't lose her," Farod complained. Every word Farrow said sounded like a complaint.

"Oh," said Selwyn, as if he had never thought of the idea. "Okay then."

Farrow did not notice the sarcasm, and only muttered, "Stupid fool." ”

Elswees led them deeper into the cavern, the lights above her flickering with her quick, steady steps. The unpleasant smell abated, because the corpses had been here for a long time so far away, and most of them were dust. The road narrowed and became more winding.

Then Ellthwees lowered her head and turned sideways through a crack, her magical light extinguished.

"Now you've done it," Farrow told him.

There's nothing worse than a traitor, except for a traitor with bat's night vision: Farrow lifts his shoulders and leaves Selwyn in the dark.