There was shouting from up ahead, and another angry roar, a flash of something that might have been fire.

Another shout and someone - a woman with dark hair, wearing the Landel's uniform - ran down the hall toward the group. Blood ran liberally down one side of her face.

"Don't!" she shouted! "He turned into a monster! He turned--"

What appeared to be the coil of a massive snake - or perhaps the tail of something large and unfriendly - curled around her ankle and jerked her out of sight. There was a piercing, despairing scream that cut off suddenly, followed by a distinctive crunching of bone.