�Do you know how the janitors first came into being?� Merrill asked philosophically. �They were mathematicians once, taken and twisted by MIT until they flunked out, rejects of the human race itself - a terrible and mutilated form of life. Now perfected . . .my fighting Garbagemen. Whom do you serve?� she asked rhetorically.
�Merrill!� the Garbageman screamed gutturally.
An hour later, Merrill had summoned every janitor she could lay her hands on and placed them under the leadership of her elite group of Garbagemen. She stood on top of her tower and pitched her voice so that everyone in the black crowd could hear her.
�Hunt them down!� she screamed. �Kill them all . . . You shall taste Student-flesh!� A roar of approval rose from the crowd. She turned to Teddy-Ugluk, the chief Garbageman, standing by her side. �One of the students carries something of great value. Bring them to me alive . . .� Teddy-Ugluk glowered. �And un-compacted.� Teddy-Ugluk grumbled something under his breath, then turned to depart. She spun him back around and slapped him hard across the face. �I mean it,� she said, her voice full of menace. �Never forget to whom you owe your allegiance.�
Teddy-Ugluk leaped into the driver�s seat of a blood-red garbage truck and threw it into drive. The other garbage trucks rumbled into life, and Teddy-Ugluk led the Garbagemen in a charge down the path towards the high school and their unwitting foes, the janitors following close behind.
* * *
Meanwhile, unaware of the approaching hordes, the Fellowship made ready to leave the Bando fields. Beebefinch was kind enough to supply them with some golf carts to store their luggage and aid in their travels. They engaged in a farewell feast, and then Lady Beebefinch approached each member of the company individually, giving to each a gift. Becky and Brad were each given an intricately worked belt to hold their various possessions. Kevin growled and refused the offer of a gift. Ryan received a new and better bow. Master Z declined a gift, but Beebefinch gave him a pretty wall calendar anyway. She moved on to Nokuma.
�And you, Nokuma, what would you ask of Beebefinch?� she inquired gently.
�Ah, nothing for me, thanks,� he stammered quickly.
�I can tell that you want something,� she said. �What is it that you desire.�
�Just a strand or two of your hair,� Nokuma blurted out. �To remind me of you and of the shelter you gave us in time of need.� Several of the bandos stirred and muttered under their breath, but Beebefinch merely gave a small smile.
�It is a small gift to give,� she said, plucking three of her hairs and laying them in Nokuma�s palm. He folded them reverently and put them away. Beebefinch moved on to Dan.
�This I have gotten for you,� she said, handing him a small wooden box. �It won�t really help you with anything or protect you from evil . . .�
�Fat lot of good it does me then,� Dan grumbled under his breath, taking the box.
�. . .but if you should make it through your quest alive, it will provide you with pleasure beyond your wildest dreams.�
�Oh, boy!� Dan giggled, hastily opening the box. �I bet it�s some free tickets to Amber�s Cabaret!� When he had finally gotten the box open, his face fell. He reached in and pulled out a single key. �What kind of gift is this?� he asked angrily.
�It goes to the new Ferrari I have parked outside your house,� Beebefinch said sweetly. �Of course, if you don�t want it . . .�
�Oh, I want it,� Dan said quickly, threading the key around his neck. �Thank you very much.�
Last of all, Beebefinch walked over to Chris, who was standing somewhat apart from the others. �I have been up many nights watching this for you,� she told him quietly, handing him a large egg.
�Why. . thank you,� Chris said, puzzled. �What is it for, exactly?�
�It is the egg of the notorious spotted owl,� she replied. �It will be a help to you in dark places, and perhaps even save you if you should get into some deep trouble, which seems all too likely. Look after it, though. It is fragile, and the life it guards is endangered in every state in the United States.�
�I will,� Chris said, wrapping the egg carefully in a blanket and placing it on the front seat of the golf cart.
�Time is running short, and the beings of Merrill are searching for you even now,� Beebefinch announced to the whole group. �It is time for you to be going. You must head south, around the gym and past the soccer wall. That is where Kevin will depart, if he should so wish it.�
�Of course I do,� Kevin said. �And I know the way to my own house, thank you very much.�
�Of course,� Beebefinch said solemnly. She handed Master Z, Kevin, and Ryan the keys to the ignition in the three golf carts.
They turned the ignition, started the golf carts, and drove off of the Bando fields. Chris looked back once, to see Beebefinch with a hand lifted in farewell.