The world controlled by dice [Western Fantasy]

In fact, the kiss lasted only for a moment.

Qindo almost just pressed the lips of Teciles lightly, like a small animal confirming that the owner is still alive.Then, he hugged Sirius tightly.He groped to touch Sirius' hand, and then held it firmly, interlocking his fingers.

Siles patted him on the back, realizing that Cendor was shaking slightly.Seeing the unhealed wound on the back of Qin Duo's hand, he couldn't help lowering his eyes and sighing slightly.

Qin Duo's emotions seemed to be unable to calm down for a while, so Sirius patted him gently to calm Qin Duo's emotions, while looking up and looking around.

He noticed that he seemed to be in a hotel, which he suspected was Audrey's hotel.However, he wasn't alone here.

Albert, Mary, Chester, Alva, Audrey, Andy, these six people are all here, either standing or sitting, distributed around.There are also some strange explorers that Siles doesn't know, also appear in this room.

He had been lying on a bunk against the wall.There are people who are also turned into statues, or wounded, who are also lying in bed.The former has lost the breath of life, while the latter is struggling and screaming in pain.

...It seems that after his accident, some not so good things happened to the whole Hales House.Siles thought more calmly.

The look of bewilderment of his companions can prove it.Even the most optimistic Alva, when Cindo couldn't help kissing Siles, he didn't let out a cheer of the audience-well, anyway, this really proves that the situation is not optimistic.

At this moment, Sirius' brain is actually full of various information and questions, including Qinduo's will failure, including what happened at Hales House, including what happened to him in that dark space.

He had to pinch the bridge of his nose hard to keep himself calm and rational.

Just escaped from the threat of death, the cold chill still remained in his heart, but the slightly trembling man in his arms made him understand that he had returned to the world.

At this time, Audrey walked over slowly, looked at them with a soft look, and then said softly: "You can stay here for a while. Mr. Cinder's condition...is not very good."

Siles nodded and said, "I understand."

Afterwards, Audrey gently closed the curtain of the bed.The sound from outside was cut off, and only Siles and Qindo were left to get along in this narrow space surrounded by cloth.

Cendo was still shaking slightly, and his gray hair rubbed against Sirius' neck, making the latter feel a little itchy.But Siles patiently stroked Qin Duo's hair, calming him down slowly.

"...Aren't you afraid?" Qin Duo said suddenly, his voice was very hoarse and deep.

Siles said, "Of course."

"But you never show it."

"Yes. I never show it." Silles paused, then added, "Sorry, Gyndo."

Qin Duo gave a muffled reply, then suddenly came back to his senses and asked, "Why do you apologize?"

"I failed to stay vigilant."

"...You were attacked by someone. I can't blame you." Qin Duo said, "I'm just afraid... I can't get to you in time. I should be the one who protects you and guards you."

Siles still couldn't see Qin Duo's expression.However, from Qin Duo's tone, he could clearly hear a more stubborn emotion.

"I'm scared... Siles. I'm scared." Qin Duo's voice gradually spread a little hoarse, "How can I leave your side, how can I witness your body gradually become cold..."

His emotions began to collapse again.This has probably happened once before, that's why Audrey reminded him so gently, letting him calm down Qin Duo's emotions.

Siles sighed inwardly, then forcefully raised Cendo's face.He kissed Cyndo and said, "I'm still alive."

Cendo didn't seem to react at all.Siles saw his red eye sockets, which made this man look vulnerable and confused like never before.

Siles pressed his lips gently to his lips again, and said, "I'm still alive."

"You're still alive...you're still alive!" Qin Duo cheered softly.There was a subtle, spring-like joy in his eyes.He carefully licked Sirius' lips like some harmless fluffy animal.

Siles laughed at him.That gesture was so unfamiliar that Siles didn't know what to say.

The well-informed (but inexperienced) earthlings hesitated for a moment before taking the initiative to push the kiss deeper.Qin Duo showed a kind of helpless jerky and dullness in this aspect, and of course, he was also very docile, as if Siles was the god who ruled his life.

Siles thought of the big failure of the determination of the will just now - a big success, a big failure, Qin Duo became his pocket.Of course, only Qin Duo.

He was actually puzzled by the appearance of this big failure, because he didn't understand why there would be a judgment of Qin Duo's will at this time, and he still couldn't control the result.This is something that has never happened before.

However, Dice never explained to Siles the reasons for these judgments—except for those judgments triggered by the running group characters that were somewhat understandable.

He thought, of course, it's not incomprehensible that Qin Duo's decision of will failed.What he meant was that it meant that Cyndo's affection for him completely overwhelmed the reason of this powerful man, didn't it?

Siles felt a brisk wave in his heart involuntarily.He didn't continue to think about it, but concentrated on the kiss.He regarded this kiss as a kiss between lovers, not a blessing after escaping from death.

Cendo seemed helpless, and he gasped slightly.When the kiss was over, he asked softly and confusedly, "So...is this your answer?"

"Yes, that's my answer," said Siles.

Qin Duo's emerald green eyes fixedly stared at Siles, and he murmured: "That's great. That's great...I feel that my love for you is already boiling. Fortunately... ...You gave an answer at this time, otherwise, I really don't know what I would do."

...What will Qindo do?Siles was a little curious about the answer.Of course, it's just those slight curiosity.

After being comforted, Qin Duo embraced Sires, lazily absorbing—or in other words, confirming the temperature of Sires' body.He actually looked very tired, probably haven't slept for a long time, but no matter what Sirius said, he didn't want to take a good rest.

"At least wait until this matter is over." Qin Duo said, "In this way, you can feel at ease."

Siles finally nodded.

Qin Duo asked: "Did you feel any pain just now?"

"I don't feel anything." Silles said honestly, "I just felt that I entered a dark room and passed there for a long time. Then, there was a lighthouse that suddenly lit up in the darkness in the distance. Qindo, that's you did you?"

"Yes." Ginto said.

He took the booklet from the side.Siles had actually seen this booklet outside the Stardust Mine. He knew it was the source of Qindor's power, but he didn't know what it was.

"Travel Notes." Qin Duo said, "At first, it was written by Lygardia himself, and then it was written by the descendants of the Praia family who possessed the power of the blood of the old gods.

"The former is called the 'God Model', and the latter is called the 'Blood-Descent Copy'. Different gods will have different...power display forms, many of which are reflected in words, and thus will appear The difference between 'template' and 'transcript'.

"Worshipers of other gods also make some 'worshippers'. In general, god templates are greater than bloodlines than followers in terms of power.

"But now, the bloodline manuscripts are very rare. After all, only the Praia family still has the blood power of the old gods, and the other god families are probably extinct.

"... Lygardia's 'Gods Template' is kept in the library of the Praia family and is rarely used. Most of the time I use the Bloodline manuscript, but I also carry a copy of the Gods template with me. Just in case. And this time it was really used.

"My father once told me that before I die, I also need to copy a copy and leave it to future generations...Of course, it may be better for the Praia family to end in my generation. After all, I already have you."

He said it with a touch of intimacy and complacency.

Then, with a more depressed mood, he said: "And... the blood of the old gods is not a good thing. This world no longer needs the existence of the old gods."

"You are you, Gindo." Siles said, "I never saw you simply as the words 'blood of the old god'."

"Of course, I understand what you mean." Cindo rubbed Siles' chin.He seems to be enjoying it now.

Siles followed him.He continued to ask: "So, this is the power you usually use?"

"Yes. That's why people always say that I have strange powers." Qin Duo said, "The power I use comes from my blood, I don't need potions, and I don't need time rails.

"The words in these travelogues, their context, their meaning, their story, are all the power at my disposal. A kind of..."

He looked like he didn't know how to describe it.

Then he gave an example: "For example just now. Your body has become a statue, but I can sense that your soul has not died. Therefore, I used the words 'soul lighthouse' in the god template, hoping to Guide you back.

"...To be honest, I just tried it. There are other ways, and I want to continue to try, but I didn't expect you to be resurrected immediately. This proves the uniqueness of your power. It also shows that what I did was It works, doesn't it?"

He looked at Sirius somewhat expectantly.

"Of course, Gyndo. Thank you," Sirius said.

Qin Duo waited for a while, and found that Siles had really thanked him so simply, and had nothing else to say, so he couldn't help staring at him for a while in shock.

Siles smiled, pressed Qindo into his arms, and whispered slowly: "There are still people outside."

"...You're starting to be reserved again at this time." Qin Duo said sullenly, "It always whets my appetite."

Siles had no choice but to kiss Qin Duo's lips, telling this guy to stop mumbling.

"You are so kind." Qindo smiled almost immediately, and he stared at Sirius with eyes full of smiles, "I mean it. Of course, it would be better if you don't scare me so much in the future."

Siles hesitated for a moment, and said, "Maybe you can teach me, Qindo." He paused, and explained, "I used to live in a very peaceful atmosphere, and I really didn't have any vigilance."

"Teaching you to fight?" Gindo muttered, "That seems like a good idea."

After the topic passed, Siles asked again: "About the state I was in just now... Do you have any opinions? Why did my soul appear in that dark room? Why can the light of the lighthouse guide me back?"

Qin Duo thought for a while, and then said: "My family's books seem to have some related content... However, I don't study very well. It is really boring content, maybe you will like it."

Siles glanced at him with a half-smile: "In a few days, I have to go back to Lamifah City to continue working. Even if I really go to Kansas, it will be next year's spring break."

Qin Duo sighed regretfully.

Then he said seriously: "I'm telling the truth, you have to believe me. I mean, those concepts are always vague, like charades.

"In short, some books mention words such as 'dangerous dark sea', 'island in the sea', 'cold north wind', and also mention 'lighthouse', 'guiding direction', 'sea fog' and 'mysterious animal' thing……

"It was only because the page of the god template I brought out had the words 'soul lighthouse' on it, so I tried it."

Qin Duo's explanation made Siles fall into deep thought.He thought of the book "On the Journey" borrowed from Professor Calverley.The book mentions "the lighthouse by the sea" and "the island where the snake in the mist lives is the northern paradise that is not attacked by the cold wind".

This seems to match what Qin Duo said.

And... the sea of ​​darkness?

He still remembered that in the physical judgment that was conducted in the dark space just now, the dice prompt said, "The word 'capsize' is not used indiscriminately."

The boat and the sea seem to be vaguely related.

With a thought in his heart, Siles asked, "Can you show me the model of the gods on this page?"

"Of course." Qindo handed Siles a thin piece of paper in the booklet, "However, you may not understand the content on it. I can translate it for you."

It was a very old piece of paper that looked like it was made of some kind of animal fur.However, with the invasion of time, the original thick and strong paper has become very fragile.

Siles held it carefully and looked down. The writing on it was completely incomprehensible to him and he had never heard of it, a writing method similar to hieroglyphics.It actually made him feel kinder.

Under Qin Duo's explanation, Siles realized that this was the language that was popular in the tribe protected by Lycardia in the early days.Because this travel book was first given to that tribe by Lygardia, the language of that tribe was adopted.

Siles thought to himself, sure enough, Lycardia really blessed a tribe—and that tribe is probably where the wandering poets came from, right?

Qin Duo's subsequent words also verified his guess: "The wandering poet you studied probably also came from that tribe. However, since Lycardia disappeared in the Shadow Era, this tribe has gradually declined. The origin of the Raya family."

Siles nodded unexpectedly.

Later, in Qindo's explanation, Siles understood what was written on this god's template.

It roughly means that a believer of Lygardia went out to sea and lost his way in the vast deep sea. In the darkness, a glowing lighthouse suddenly appeared to guide him, and the believer was able to return safely.

After hearing this story, Lygardia admired the unique function of the lighthouse's light, so he recorded it and named the lighthouse "Soul Lighthouse", which means to guide the lost souls to return home.

Qin Duo said: "It is precisely because of this meaning that I thought that maybe the four words 'soul lighthouse' can be used to bring you back...or maybe...I just have nothing to do."

Not so long ago, Siles in bed was a cold, rigid statue.That was terrible, so terrible that Qin Duo wanted to forget that whole memory.

He kept staring at Sirius, as if it was just a wrong eye, and Sirius might disappear.

Siles hugged him and said in a low voice, "I'm back."

"...Sometimes I wish I could bite your sleeve and let you drag me along."

Siles smiled: "As long as you stay with me."

"I will always be with you," Qindo said. "My love for you is incurable. Only you can save me, and it depends on whether you are willing to save me."

"I will," said Siles.

He thought he was always responsible for that big success and that big failure.

In addition, when he returned from the brink of death, the moment he opened his eyes, when he saw Qin Duo's emerald green eyes washed by tears... he suddenly realized that he had been with the owner of these eyes so close.

So close that only death has become a barrier between them.

That is something that is difficult to separate in a few words.Siles could not be so cruel, no matter to himself or to Qin Duo.

"Then I'm relieved." Qin Duo whispered.

After a short love talk, their topic turned serious again.

In fact, Siles himself has some ideas about the concepts of "Sea of ​​Darkness" and "Lighthouse of Soul".It must not be a specific place that actually exists, but some kind of special place.

...the limit of dying?He guessed.

But that concept aside, they still have a lot to work on.

Qin Duo quickly recounted what happened after Siles fell into a coma.

Siles' accident was very unexpected, not only for himself, but also for those explorers.A large living person suddenly turned into a statue is too much for anyone, let alone this group of already vigilant explorers.

In short, the situation seemed to suddenly get out of control.The explorers scrambled to escape, pushing each other, the situation became tense in an instant, and some people fished in troubled waters.

Several other statues lying not far away, as well as those of those wounded, emerged in this context.

The situation culminated in a violent fight.Afterwards, the situation gradually calmed down, but it was impossible to see the original happy and harmonious scene of playing cards.In addition, many shops and stores have closed down, and the entire camp has become quiet and depressing.

Siles learned of this thoughtfully, and he suddenly realized: "So, they may not be targeting me specifically?"

He might just be an unlucky guy chosen for his lack of vigilance to spark this mess.

"Maybe." Qin Duo said with a bit of gnashing of teeth.

This is likely to be the most dangerous situation that Siles has encountered since he came to this world.

If Qindo hadn't come back in time, if Sirius hadn't carefully prepared [Silent Heart] for himself, then his soul might have dissipated in the sea of ​​darkness in a short time.

Siles was also somewhat afraid.However, because of this encounter, he suddenly realized that the actions of the black hands behind the scenes were accelerating.

After a moment of contemplation, Siles said, "Heart-shaped canyon."

"What?" Qin Duo was startled.

"We have to go to Heart Canyon," said Sirius. "Let's go now, without delay."

Ginto frowned. "You just woke up—and you didn't even eat lunch!" he said.

"You can eat it on the road." Siles stood up and straightened his collar and cuffs. He turned around and saw Qindo sitting on the bed with gloomy eyes, and couldn't help but smile.

He leaned over and kissed Qin Duo, and said, "We can talk about what I asked you to investigate on the way."

Qin Duo moved his lips, and seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he just muttered: "Okay, listen to you. I can't resist your thoughts."

"We're already in a relationship, but you still call me this honorific," said Siles. "It's kind of weird."

"I heard that some nobles like this accent. Maybe it's on the bed." Qin Duo smiled lowly, "However, to me, you are indeed like a god. You control my body and mind, and my will has to give You submit."

Those emerald eyes looked at Sirius, and he said, "I'm glad you said we were in love. I belong to you and you belong to me."

Siles said: "You say that I am your god...you believe in me? Your attitude is not like a devout believer."

"The believers who love you, the believers who long for you..." Qin Duo said, "the believers who fear your power, the believers who worship your powerful essence... can't this be unified in me?"

"Of course," said Siles.He respects Qin Duo's ideas.

However, sometimes he still can't understand people in this world, at least in the matter of faith.

While speaking, he had already arranged his clothes and confirmed that all the original things were still there."Who sent me here?" he asked.

"...a strange explorer." Qin Duo said, "It's still a man. I really have to worry about your social circle and show my sense of existence openly."

Siles reacted for a while before he understood Qin Duo's meaning. He said ironically, "Albert?... Forget it. Let's go, we have to leave quickly."

Qin Duo muttered something, then got up and followed Siles' footsteps.

Audrey and Alva both exclaimed when they learned that Siles was going to the heart-shaped canyon now.

Audrey, the proprietress of the hotel, said worriedly: "But, sir, you have just..."

"Yes, Professor," said Alva. "Aren't you going to take a break?"

"The doctor can prove that I am very healthy now." Siles nodded towards Chester, "The most important thing is that we need to solve the current problem."

He turned to Mary again, "Madam Mary, maybe you should leave the camp and go to the low house. It might get very dangerous here soon."

Mary nodded, and Andy also said graciously: "No problem, I think I can receive many guests over there."

Siles also thanked him. After all, Andy's appearance here at this time shows that his position is still relatively neutral, even though he may have sold Siles' information.

In addition, perhaps the tribe can also provide some help, at least to take in some explorers at this time.

Siles then thanked Albert. After all, it was the explorer who forcibly moved his "statue body" to the hotel on the third floor.That was probably a very heavy job.

Albert waved his hand, shrugged his shoulders very bluntly, and said, "You are a prophet. I doubt that you will go with me because you know that I have a Hercules time track."

These words suddenly made Sirius speechless.

Qin Duo asked suspiciously from the side: "What is a prophet?"

"I'll explain to you later," said Siles. "Then, I'll go to Heart Canyon with Cindo. You stay here and wait and see."

Such an assignment has been endorsed by others.

Mary asked, "Professor, is there something we need to do?"

Siles considered for a while, and then said: "Try to get the other explorers out of the camp. Also, pay attention to their emotions. Let Miles stabilize the situation and don't have a large-scale fight."

He paused, and finally said: "If it's too late, then set fire to the camp."

The rest looked at each other, and Mary said hesitantly, "Are you... sure?"

Siles looked sideways at the glowing cloth nearby.After a while, he said, "Haven't you ever wondered why these fabrics glow?"

Some people shook their heads, and Audrey said hesitantly: "I seem to have heard... Some people say that some luminous plant materials are added to this fabric?"

A sarcastic smile parted Sirius' lips.

He said, "Stardust... also shines, doesn't it?"

He heard someone let out an unexpected exclamation, followed by complete silence.

"...Hope the situation doesn't get to that point." Siles said, and he turned to say, "Ms. Audrey, is there any food that's handy to take with you? Maybe I'll have to eat something on the way."

Audrey came back to her senses, and quickly said, "Of course, of course. Just wait a moment."

They scattered away.Chester found Siles and said worriedly: "Professor, what happened just now is too dangerous. You really don't know, when we saw the statue you turned into..."

He suddenly paused, because Qin Duo cast a really bad look.

So he changed his tone: "In short, it's best that you are safe and sound now. But, you must not continue to take risks afterwards."

"I understand." Siles was all he could say.

After this incident, his friends - and lovers - will probably become more "overprotective" towards him.And that is indeed his "self-inflicted blame".

About 10 minutes later, Siles and Cindo left the camp first.When leaving, Siles noticed that above the central open space on the first floor, the birdman with dirty feathers was still flying unconsciously in the sky.

The others planned to stay in the tent for a while, prepare some food, and persuade other explorers to leave.However, Siles estimated that their operation would not be particularly smooth.

In any case, Siles told them that, no matter what, they must leave the camp before nightfall.

After nightfall, what happens in the tent is likely to be out of control.

They went back to the low house to pick up the horses, and then ran all the way to the heart-shaped canyon according to the map.It was almost dusk, the temperature was getting lower and lower, and Sirius felt that his ears were going to be frozen by the cold wind.

Fortunately, the heart-shaped canyon was not too far away from them, and they arrived in about an hour.In the distance, under the deep purple sky, Sirius saw a very regular, heart-shaped depression surrounded by cliffs, looking very desolate.

Siles was in no hurry to approach that side.They dismounted and walked around for a while.

On the way, Qindo told Siles intermittently about his findings.

When he arrived in Biddle City, businessman Langmeer was actually investigating related matters, especially the information related to the development history of Hales House.

Qin Duo's three questions were all answered accordingly.

Joseph and Lila, they did appear in Biddle City seven years ago.No one knows about their origins, and no one has dealt with them, but it is said that when they appeared in Biddle City, they were like frightened birds, unwilling to communicate with anyone.

This almost proves that Siles' guess about them is correct.Besides, Cinder said, Joseph is now missing and no one knows where he is.

Siles said, "We should have communicated with him." He shook his head, "Forget it, there's no need to regret it now."

As for the second question, it also happened to be one that Langmeer was working on.

Langmeer has investigated related rumors for a long time in the past, and found that for hundreds of years, every few years, there will be rumors related to "non-existent cities", or some special maps, treasure maps and other news Appear.

In the past ten years, this kind of news has suddenly intensified, and it has become a situation that must appear every year; and the source and core of its appearance is the post station like Hales House, especially the southeast of the Never Emberland.

The main building of Hales House was built hundreds of years ago in the Silence Period.But House of Hales, as the station of the Land of Never Embers, was established after the Age of Mists.

Has it been repaired?Indeed.Late last summer, the tent at the Hales House underwent a radical makeover, reportedly replacing all the fabric.

This was not what Siles expected.

And combined with the third question—who was the Stardust mined by Langmere sold to?

Langmeer didn't hide this either. He said bluntly that half of them were sold to various countries, such as the Duchy of Constance and the Duchy of Kansas, and the other half were sold in the Land of Never Embers.

A large part of the latter was obviously handed over to merchants with better connections in Gladstone.

Qin Duo quoted Langmeer's words at the time: "He said that his business was more about connecting the Land of Embers and various countries, mainly in Galsworth. As for Gladstone's business, he was not very involved. gone."

"In other words, a large part of the star dust was given to... those merchants." Siles said.

Which merchants?Those, according to Mary, the merchants who have established a secret business alliance in the land of no embers, and they will distribute the mined star dust.

However, did they really sell the Stardust?

Siles and Cindo walked around the heart-shaped canyon for a while, and then Siles said: "Maybe I already understand the ins and outs behind it. But..." He pondered, "There is one place that is still not clear enough."

Qin Duo said, "You can think about it slowly."

Siles shook his head and said, "Let's go, let's go to the canyon."

Corona Canyon.This artificial heart-shaped canyon looks extraordinarily calm in the hazy night, attracting people's attention like an abyss.

Siles and Qindo stopped at the edge of the canyon.Siles knelt down and touched the vertical edge of the canyon lightly.Then he said: "It's so slick."

Even with 400 years of wind and sun, wind and rain erosion, the vertical angle of the edge of the canyon is still too perfect, as if a shovel cut the earth straight out of thin air.

Qin Duo said, "Won't this raise suspicion?"

"Aren't people guessing that the gods made this place?" Sirius said. "That's the reason they give. The gods—just put everything on the gods."

Saying that, he put on 【Akamala's Spectacle Frame】.

The two time slots that the church gave him in the past are very useful. [Nature's Boots] kept his feet from being sore and tired after so many days of running around, and [Akamala's Spectacle Frame] greatly helped him explore in the Land of No Embers.

He observed the heart-shaped canyon and asked, "Since this place was once shrouded in fog, after the fog dissipates, this place should also be regarded as Gainstead?"

"It was like this hundreds of years ago." Qindo said, "However, after hundreds of years after the fog dissipated, this place became a safe zone."

Siles nodded in agreement.

His eyes fell on the bottom of the heart-shaped canyon. [Akamala's Spectacle Frame] can help him narrow his field of vision.The night was pitch black, with only a hazy light illuminating the bottom of the canyon.

"...the corpse," he said suddenly.

Qin Duo was startled.

Siles sighed and took off his glasses: "There are many corpses, as well as statues and bones. They seem to be hidden by something. On the surface, this place is just an ordinary natural landscape."

Qin Duo asked: "Are there any of your two friends?"

On the way, Siles had already told him that he suspected that Alfonso and Emmanuel, as well as other explorers, and the owner of the ancient map, had all come to the heart-shaped canyon.

Siles shook his head and said, "I didn't find out."

[Akamala's Spectacle Frame] does not have the function of night vision.He couldn't quite see what the bodies looked like.

"That's a good thing." Cinder said, "I don't think they will die here."

Siles nodded.He suspected that Alfonso and the others had been here before—that tribal relic might be located here.The specific location is that Siles doesn't know, but Alfonso and the others must have come prepared.

Siles said again: "Is there any way to detect whether there are any living people here? Including underground."

"Hold on……"

"People! Living people!" A sharp cry suddenly sounded at the bottom of the canyon at this moment, "It's people!"

Someone is screaming loudly.

… Siles was startled by the sudden sound, and he couldn't help but miss the large flashlight on Earth.In addition, he also felt puzzled.When he was observing the canyon just now, he didn't find any living people.Where did this guy come from?

Qin Duo asked vigilantly, "Who?"

"I!" The man's voice was very nervous, "A living person!"

Then, there was a rustling sound from the bottom of the canyon.Then the man yelled again, "Me! I'm dying! They're gone! They left me! Damn, damn, damn them!"

"Who are they?" asked Sirius sharply.

The man's lunatic voice continued: "They...