Astra's No Featherweight

Lacking a voice, Matthias was unable to complain, but Astra sensed that - even using an efficient "fireman's lift" technique - he was finding carrying her increasingly difficult. Her height and athletic build meant that, even without her arms, she weighed close to 130 pounds, and Matthias was not particularly strong. Fred was coping much better. He was stronger than Matthias, and the lissome Exotica and Sigin together weighed rather less than Astra. Now that their hope of a quick exit had been foiled, it could be a long time (if ever) before they found an alternative way out, and they clearly couldn't carry on as they were.

Astra wondered whether to suggest that she and Exotica should swop places, but surely even Fred must tire before long? "Exotica and I are much too heavy for you to keep on carrying us," she said. "Put us down, please. We'll just have to watch where we put our feet. So long as Adele can keep her witch light going, we should be all right."

1. So Astra and Exotica were put down.
2. "How stupid of me not to think of it earlier," Adele said. "One spell that I can manage is one to toughen up the soles of your feet. It should suffice against all but the sharpest of rock shards."
3. Meanwhile, what of Elaine?

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