Death to Zlobenia... get them... remember... give them hell... vengeance... remember... they're not human... avenge us... revenge...
Up ahead, Wazzer had reached some high wooden doors. They swung open at her touch. Polly hurried after her. The light travelled with her, and the squad were on her heels. To be too far behind was to be in the dark.
"Couldn't I just ask Major-general - " Blouse began, dragging on Polly's hand.
"No! You can't! Don't dawdle! Come on!" Polly commanded.
They reached the doors, which Tonker and Igorina slammed behind them.
Polly leaned against the wall.
"I think that was the most... most amazing moment of my life," said Blouse, as the boom died away.
"I think this is mine," said Polly, fighting for breath.
Light still glowed around Wazzer, who turned to face the squad with an expression of beatific pleasure.
"You must speak to the High Command," she said.
You must speak to the High Command, whispered the walls.
"Be kind to this child."
Be kind to this child...
...this child...
Polly caught Wazzer before she hit the ground.
"What is happening with her?" said Tonker.
"I think the Duchess really is speaking through her," said Polly. Wazzer was unconscious, only the whites of her eyes showing. Polly laid her down gently.
"Oh, come on! The Duchess is just a painting! She's dead!"
Sometimes you give in. For Polly, that time had been the length of time it took to walk through the crypt. If you don't believe, or don't want to believe, or if you don't simply hope that there's something worth believing in, why turn round? And if you don't believe, who are you trusting to lead you out of the grip of dead men?
"Dead?" she said. "So what? What about the old soldiers back there, who haven't faded away? What about the light? And you heard how Wazzer's voice sounded!"
"Yeah, but... well, that sort of thing doesn't happen to people you know," said Tonker.
"It happens to... well, strange religious people. I mean, a few days ago she was learning how to fart loudly!"
"She?" whispered Blouse to Polly. "She? Why is - "
Once again a part of Polly's mind overtook the sudden panic.
"Sorry, Daphne?" she said.
"Oh... yes... of course... can't be too... yes..." the lieutenant murmured.
Igorina knelt down by the girl and put a hand on her forehead.
"She's on fire," she said.
"She used to pray all the time back at the Grey House," said Lofty, kneeling down.
"Yeah, well, there was a lot to pray about, if you weren't strong," growled Tonker. "And every bloody day we had to pray to the Duchess to thank Nuggan for slops you wouldn't give to a pig! And that damn picture everywhere, that fishy stare... I hate it! It could drive you mad. That's what happened to Wazz, right? And now you want me to believe the fat old biddy is here and treating our friend there like some... puppet or something? I don't believe that. And if it's true, it shouldn't be!"