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'Looks like they've blown a hole in the ice,' Ace said. 'Dunno if they've got through to the interior yet. Depends on the explosive.'

'Could they be using the gas from the floaters?' I asked.

'Good thinking,' she said. 'Probably take them a few goes, then. That stuff's not a patch on nitro-nine even.'

As she spoke, another enormous explosion made the caravan judder. My fingers slipped and for a moment I had to scrabble for a hold. Metal squealed beneath us as the massive skates ground against the ice. A column of vapour shot upwards out of the hole like a waterfall in reverse, plunging into the obsidian sky until it was lost to sight.

'I lie,' she added. 'Looks like they've done it in two. Those floaters must live on beans, or something.'

'The vapour . . . That's Ry'leh's atmosphere?'

'Uh-huh. Not much of it at this altitude, of course. If there was, the pressure would've caused the entire ice sheet to fracture.'

'There's a reassuring thought,' I said dryly. She smiled.

'You've got hidden depths to you, mate.'

I would have replied, but then I felt the entire caravan lurch towards the fissure. I cried out. Craning my neck, I tried to see down the wooden side and was rewarded by the sight of ten or so rakshassi pulling on ropes.

They appeared to be dragging the caravan towards the column of mist.

'I would not wish to worry you...' I started, but Ace interrupted.

'Heads down, folks,' she said. 'We're riding for a fall.'

Holmes stepped forward.

'Quick, Watson, how many pressurized suits did you bring?'

'Just the two.'

'Not enough time to get us all out, then. Miss Summerfield, Miss . . . er, Miss Ace, I suggest that you make your escape and leave us to survive as best we can.'

'Not a chance,' said Bernice.

'Seconded,' Ace said from her position beside me. 'Besides, the Professor's got a card up his sleeve.'

She looked pointedly at the Doctor, but he did not react.

'Haven't you, Professor?'

'Why do you have to rely on me to get you out of everything?' he said, scowling. 'Use your native intelligence.'

'The rakshassi aren't going to risk the life of their god,' Bernice said.

'Whatever's happening, they intend to happen.'

I switched my attention back to the window. We were a hundred or so yards away from the hole now. I could see the melted ice that made up its sides. It was easily large enough to accommodate the caravan.

'I believe that we have only another few moments,' I said. 'I would suggest that you brace yourselves.'

The caravan slid another few yards, and I found myself staring down the funnel-like hole. Thankfully, mist wreathed its depths. I think that my last vestiges of calm might have fled if I could have seen Ry'leh, far below.

Another lurch. The rakshassi were yanking hard on the ropes. Like a malevolent eye, the hole grabbed my attention and held it. The column of vapour was rising straight past the window, blocking any sign of the surrounding landscape.

'Uh, Watson?' Bernice said hesitantly. 'Do you think you should come down now?'

The precariousness of my position should we be shoved over the edge suddenly struck me. I glanced over to warn Ace of the danger, only to find that she was already climbing down. I took one last look out of the window before following her, but what I saw caused me to stay, glued to the glass.

The rakshassi were rising up past the window, their wings spread wide, borne aloft by the rising current of air. They had removed their globes - no doubt because the atmospheric column could now sustain them. Each of them was holding the end of a rope in its tail, and, as they rose and the ropes pulled taut, I felt the caravan lurch, then rise unmistakably into the air! The rakshassi were supporting us!

'What's going on?' Bernice asked.

'We're flying!'

'Be serious.'

'I am serious. The rakshassi are holding us up.'

The caravan swung sickeningly, and the hole disappeared beneath us. I felt the unmistakable sensation of descent. Within moments I could make out the melted ice of the