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take a look inside," she said. The woman's face lighted, then twisted in a grimace of fear.
"No! Please—my babies—don't go in there. Ye've killed my man; don't hurt my babies—"
"Your babies won't be hurt if they don't hurt us. I daresay you've a houseful of stolen bits and pieces taken from honest travelers." Again Paks surprised a fleeting look of cunning and hope on the woman's face, followed by exaggerated fear. Saben quirked an eyebrow at Paks over the woman's shoulder, and Paks, moving toward the shanty, gave the hand signal for danger. She ducked behind the wattle fence, slid around the windowless end of the building, and came to the back door before the woman realized her intent. She shot another glance at Canna, who had moved to a position covering the back door. Paks took a deep breath and slammed the door open.
As she had hoped, the remaining defenders were in the front of the shanty, one to either side of the front door. She had entered the kitchen. rgoj