Friday, January 09, 2004

Afanasy told Foma again about the thick acrid gas coming out of the well. Monak growled disgustedly at the cloud, as mosquitoes dropped, confettilike, into the dirty snow. Foma immediately grabbed the kvas ladle from Afanasy's hand and leapt, wordlessly, into the stone-lined well. The occasional ring of the ladle striking the walls would periodically carry up through the mist. Afanasy turned to Haji-Girei and asked what sort of taverns were close by, as he was feeling a little ready for supper.

"That boy is asking for trouble. Got less sense than a bear cub." announced Haji-Girei.