87 The Wayz of Wizardz.

"It's true," Emerald said. "You never listen to us. It's always, 'do this' and 'do that, or else'."

Dreth stepped forward. His sword was throbbing in his hand.

"See? Now you're going to threaten to butcher us all," Percy said, trying to hide behind Sprat.

Dreth snarled and opened his mouth, but then stopped. In the distance he could hear two pairs of footsteps echoing down the stairwell.

"You lot are either with me or against me. We'll talk about this little uprising later." He glared at Cuthbert. "At length."

"Why look at me?" Cuthbert complained.

"Now we need a plan," Dreth said. "Or do you think our friends are just going to let you go? Come on, think!" 

"Look, you may as well face the inevitable," said Percy. "You'll never beat two of them together."

"Yes," agreed Cuthbert. "But for once in your, er, life, have some consideration for others. If they have you, they might let us go. It's a win win situation."