'Wetter than a thunderstorm sandwich,' said Nanny, shaking her head.
'Granny was seen up above the long lake,' said Agnes, sitting down at the table.
Nanny looked up sharply. 'On that bit of moor?' she said.
'Yes.'
'That's bad. That's gnarly country up there.'
'Gnarly?'
'All scrunched up.'
'What? I've been up there. It's just heather and gorse and there's a few old caves at the end of the valley.'
'Oh, really? Looked up at the clouds, did you? Oh well, let's have a go...'
When Oats came back, scrubbed and shining, they were arguing. They looked rather embarrassed when they saw him.
'I said it'd need three of us,' said Nanny, pushing the glass ball aside. 'Especially if she's up there. Gnarly ground plays merry hell with scrying. We just ain't got the power.'
'I don't want to go back to the castle!'
'Magrat's good at this sort of thing.'
'She's got a little baby to look after, Nanny!'
'Yeah, in a castle full of vampires. Think about that. No knowing when they'll get hungry again. Better for 'em both to be out of it.'
'But-'
'You get her out now. I'd come myself, but you said I just sit there grinnin'.'
Agnes suddenly pointed a finger at Oats. 'You!'
'Me?' he quavered.
'You said you could see they were vampires, didn't you?'
'I did?'
'You did.'
'That's right, I did. Er... and?'
'You didn't find your mind becoming all pink and happy?'
'I don't think my mind has ever been pink and happy,' said Oats.
'So why didn't they get through to you?'
Oats smiled uneasily and fished in his jacket.
'I am protected by the hand of Om,' he said.
Nanny inspected the pendant. It showed a figure trussed across the back of a turtle.
'You say?' she said. 'That's a good wheeze, then.'