Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 4) by Linda Mooney

him, resulting in a brief struggle as Hoov tried to extricate itself. Eventually, it managed to slide off of the ex-navigator and get back on its feet. It gave Jules what appeared to be a peeved look, then left the room without further word.
                Mellori rushed over to help Jules sit up. Both men were chuckling.
                “What’s so funny?” Kelen asked, unable to stop from smiling.
                Jules gave her a wink. “Hey, Dox! Were you wanting one of these?” he asked, holding up his hand. In his palm glowed a pale blue stone he’d taken from Hoov’s necklace. He tossed the rock to the young man, who immediately pulled out the translation device he’d been working on.
                “That was a risky thing you did.” Kyber gave a nod. “And brave.”
                Jules grinned. “Let’s hope it was worth it.”
                “Explain to me what good that stone is if the doorway is sealed,” Gaveer asked.
                “If we can understand what they’re saying among themselves, we may discover a way out of here,” Mellori told him.
                “We may learn what they have planned for us,” Tojun spoke up.
                “Ready.” Dox held out the box-shaped device. The blue stone sat prominently on top.
                “Tell us again why you needed the rock,” Jules inquired.
                Dox lightly tapped the stone. “Already set to their speech patterns.”
                “Pretty smart move,” Fullgrath conceded. “But Hoov has already left. How are we going to use it?”
                “I have an idea.” Kleesod stood and reached for the device. Taking it from Dox, the Seneecian went over to the doorway and held the box against the wall.
                “Are we supposed to hear something?” Massapa asked.
                “Box will talk,” Dox explained.
                Kleesod continued to circumvent the room, keeping the translator on the walls. When he reached the side with the dispensers, the stone gave off a pale glow.
                “Hey. I think you found something,” Kelen whispered.
                The Seneecian lifted the device higher. “If they are upright, they would be approximately this tall.”
                The glow became brighter. They heard whispers coming from the box. Kleesod turned the only knob on the translator and the whispers grew louder.
                “—are not eating the food.”
                “They will.”
                “They grow restless.”
                “There is nothing to fear. They cannot leave.”
                The whispers ceased. The stone lost its glow. Kleesod lowered the device.             “It seems they have moved out of range.”
                “Well, one thing’s for certain,” Fullgrath drawled. “They plan to keep us here until we cave and eat their food.”
                “That leaves us with only one alternative,” Kyber stated, giving everyone a resolute look. “We have to get out of here, even if it means fighting our way through those things. We must find the panel that is down here and get back to the first temple.”
                “You got that right,” Fullgrath agreed. “Any idea how we’re going to do that?”
                Kyber nodded. “The next time Hoov comes to visit, or one of those creatures comes through that doorway, we jump them.”
                “And go where?” Kelen inquired.
                Jules gave a little wave to get their attention, then pointed to his left. “That way,” he directed. “My guess is the panel is about twenty or so meters in that direction.”
                “You guess ?” Gaveer repeated.
                “All right. I