I can see time," whispered Mogget, so softly that his words were lost.

All of us recruits are equal in the eyes of the Army: low as you can go.

But think of how much worse it would be to sit here, not knowing. Until the Dead choke the Ratterlin and Hedge walks across the dry bed of the river to batter down the door.

Sam picked up his pack, but before he could put it on, Mogget leaped onto it and slid under the top flap. All that could be seen of him were his green eyes and one white-furred ear. "Remember I advised against this way," he instructed. "Wake me when whatever terrible thing is a about to happen happens, or if it appears I might get wet.

A year ago, I turned the final page of The Book of the Dead. I don't feel young any more.

Clearly the Old One had the capacity to kill - or easily deliver some sort of final ending that sounded remarkably like death.

If only Sam could have stayed just like the Dog, she thought. A comforting friend without the complication of romantic interest.There had to be something she could do to completely discourage him, short of throwing up, or making herself totally unattractive. "I'm thirty-five," she said at last.