�We�re tired of all this,� whined one named Niklocz. �The sunlight is bright and hurts our eyes. It weakens us, and we want to go back to the Guidance Department.� Several others murmured their assent.
�No!� growled Borowick fiercely. �They�re on our tail; surely you have smelled that in the wind by now. If we do not keep up the pace, we will all be killed anyway.� There were mutterings of dissent, although most were nodding in agreement. �Very well,� Borowick said, displacing a janitor as he climbed into the driver�s seat of the lead truck. �I see that the work must be done by the Garbagemen, as usual. Keep up or be left to rot.� He threw the truck into high gear and barreled off, the rest of the Garbagemen close behind, the lesser minions straggling slightly behind, watched and tracked by hidden eyes.
Meanwhile, Zullo, Ryan, and Nokuma were close on their trail, having followed the rather obvious mud ruts in the field. Zullo put his head to the ground.
�They�ve picked up speed,� he said after a moment. �The wind must have given us away. We will have to move even faster.� For several more minutes they ran, when Zullo held up his hand. �Someone is coming this way,� he whispered. �Quick, hide by the building.�
The others obeyed this advice just in time, as a group of savage-looking teachers rounded the corner of the building. Zullo breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out into the open.
�What are you doing?� hissed Ryan. �Do those people look friendly to you?�
�They are the Writers of History,� Zullo responded. �Close friends and allies to the SITES department. They will surely help us in our need.�
However, his words seemed a bit optimistic as the Writers surrounded him and leveled several archaic-looking pikes, hooks, spears, and other assorted pointy objects at the small company.
�What means this open display of hostility?� asked Zullo. �Since when do armed bands of men roam the turf of the High School, accosting innocent travellers? We are friends of King Naples.�
�Few are innocent these days,� said one who appeared to be the leader, jumping down from his horse, �and the king no longer knows his friends. I am EoPierce, Marshal of the History Department. Who are you?�
�I am Zullo, son of Zullo,� answered Zullo. �This is Ryan of the Math Department, and Nokuma, a Phys. Ed. teacher.�
�You have picked a fine time to visit our fair land,� said EoPierce grimly. �Janitors run amok throughout our realm, and it is only through the heroic efforts of myself and these fellow exiles,� he gestured to the men around him, �who have been banished for our valor, that they have not yet ascended to take the 900 hall and the Golden Chair of the Teacher's Lounge.�
�Yes, yes,� cried Zullo excitedly. �We have been seeking just such a band of janitors for the past three days. They are tougher than normal and can travel in daylight. Have you seen them?�
�If you refer to the troop whose ruts do so befoul our land,� said EoPierce, gesturing to the dirty ruts in the grass, �then yes. We ran across them yesterday.�
�Where?� asked Zullo.
�They were over there,� said EoPierce, pointing to a pillar of smoke on the horizon. �We killed every last one of them and burnt their bodies, as befits their kind.�
�But there were two students with them,� said Nokuma desperately. �Did you see two students with them?�
�They would have been small,� put in Zullo. �Not quite grown; almost looking like children.�
�We left none alive,� repeated EoPierce ominously. �However, I will lend you three horses whose masters fell against the accursed Garbagemen. If you wish an audience with King Naples, bring them back to Professorseld not three days� hence. Tell them you are friends of EoPierce and that he has sent you, though I do not know what kind of reception you will receive. The king is ill of late, and his mind does not function as sharply as it once did. Good luck.� He gestured to his band of horsemen, and all rode quickly off.
�Well,� said Ryan sadly, �I guess there is nothing to be done except examine the pile of grisly, cut-up corpses and see if we can find Becky and Brad.�
�You make it sound so attractive,� grumbled Nokuma. �I can think of better things to do with our time.�
�There�s nothing for it,� said Zullo finally. �We have no other choice.�
The party rode forth slowly, circling the mound of charred flesh and blackened bones. Periodically Zullo would pluck an unrecognizable object from the fire, or peer at apparently blank ground. At long last, he stood up and faced the others.
�The two students are alive,� he announced with great finality. �They passed this way at precisely 10:32 last night, each carrying roughly 3.4 pounds. They were pursued by one janitor who had received a wound in his lower left abdomen, although he did bind the wound with a small shred of white silk and a dressing composed of oak leaves, grape juice, and poor-quality manufacturers� twine. Come on, let�s go!� He set off confidently in the direction he had indicated. Ryan and Nokuma glanced at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and set off after them.