[halfblood chronicles 03] - with andre norton - elvenborn

8/2/2019 [Halfblood Chronicles 03] - With Andre Norton - Elvenborn

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/halfblood-chronicles-03-with-andre-norton-elvenborn 1/524

ELVENBORN

BookThree

ofthe

HalfbloodChronicles

AndreNortonandMercedesLackey

TOR

fantasy

ATOMDOHERTYASSOCIATESBOOKNEWYORK

PROLOGUE

V'kelLyonLordKyndrethstoodup,andloomedovertheCounciltableandtheCouncilorsseatedthere.MostofhisfellowElvenlordswouldnotmeethiseyes;thosethatdidsosharedacongratulatoryglancewithhim.The

CouncilChamberwasnotacomfortableplacetoday,andhehadensuredwithafeworderstotheslaveswhohadprepareditthatitwouldremainso.Cold.Dim.Thecushionsontheseatspoundedflat.Andeventherefreshmentswereill-servedatauniformtemperaturethatcouldonlybedescribedas"tepid."Alltokeepeveryoneherewishinghewaselsewhere,andlessthanpleasedwiththeonenotLordKyndrethwhowasnominallyincharge.

LordKyndreth'sstarwasintheascendantonceagain,andthistimehewouldsee

toitthatitdidnotfallasecondtime.

"Howisit,"heasked,toemptyair,"thatarebelliouspackofchildrenandformerslaveshavemanagedtoholdoffourallegedlywell-trained,well-ledandwell-suppliedarmies?AndhavedonesoforlongenoughthatpeoplearebeginningtocallthistempertantrumtheYoungLords'Rebellion?"

"LordKyndreth"venturedV'kelAnsterLordRechan,scramblingmightilyfortheupperhandhehadifhehadonlyknownitjustlost,"thisis,exactlyasyousay,nomorethanatempertantrum.Inconsequential.Nomorethanahandfulofestateshavebeenlost,oursuppliescontinuetomovewithoutmorethantheoccasionalambush,thereisnomorethanatrickleofslavesescaping,andourlivescontinueastheyalwayshave.Inbalance,thethreat"



"Atricklehere,alossthere,thecompleteinabilityofourso-called'invincible'armytobringourownoffspringtoheel,andyousayit'sinconsequential?"LordKyndrethroared,andhadthesatisfactionofseeinghischiefopponentwince."BytheAncestors,youfool,can'tyouseethataso-called'trickle'isallthatisneededtobleedustodeath?"KyndrethsawwithsomesatisfactionasubtleandunspokenshiftingamongtheotherCouncilmembers,andwatchedaspowercameovertohisside."Andwhat,mayIask,doyouproposetodoiftheseso-called'errantchildren'ofoursdecidetoallywiththeElvenbaneandherwizardsanddragons?"

There.Itwasoutintheopen,thethingthatnoonehaddaredtosay,andhewatchedasachillpassedoveralltherestofthem.Yes,evenLordRechan.

"Theywouldn't"someonewhispered.

"Don'teverbelievethat,"oneofKyndreth'ssupporterssaid,sharply.Hetooknoteofthespeakerandremindedhimselftosinglethatoneoutforsomespecialfavor."Whyshouldn'tthey?"

"Becausebecausebecausethey'reElvenlords!"thefirstlordspluttered,lookingsohorrifiedbytheverynotionthatonewouldthinkhe'dbeenaccusedoffatheringhalfbloodedchildrenhimself.



"Andwhenwhatevermagicthey'vediscoveredceasestopreventourmagicfromreachingandpunishingthem?"LordKyndrethasked."Whatthen?Doyouthink,doyoureallythinkthattheywillhesitateforonemomentbeforegoingovertothehalf-bloodside?"

Silence.

"Now,"Kyndrethsaid,intothatsilence,changinghisvoicefromchallengingtocalm,"Ihavesomesuggestions.ThefirstofwhichisoneIthinknoneofyouwillanticipate.Isuggestthatwecontinuetoallowourloyaloffspringtocontinuetheirlivesasusual.Idonotproposeinterferingwiththeirpleasures.Infact,ifanything,Isuggestaslightlylooserleashfornow.Andyoumaywellbeaskingyourselfwhy"

"Wellyes,"repliedLordRechan,lookinggratifyinglypuzzled."If,asyousay,theinroadsareslowlybleedingustodeath"

"Firstly,wedon'twantthebratstoknowit'sbleedingustodeath,andrestassured,theymusthaveearsandeyesamongus,andit'sprobablysomeofourapparently-loyalchildren.Secondly,wewanttoremindourapparently-loyalchildrenjusthowpleasantlifeis,whenone'ssireispleasedwithone."Hesmiled,slightly."Itiseasiertocatchaflywithasweetmeatthanwithvinegar.Andmeanwhile"hiseyesnarrowed.

"Iwillbea-huntingforabettercommander."

Andtohisimmensesatisfaction,therewasnotonesingleobjection.

1

---

V'kelAelmarkiner-LordTornalsmileddownattheslavewhorestedherpale-tressedheadonhisknee.Shewashiscurrentpersonalfavorite,adelicateyounghumanfemalenestledtrustinglyagainsthisleg.Herthin,fine-bonedfaceandporcelaincomplexionpleasedhimwiththeirflawlesssymmetryand



perfection.Shereturnedhissmileshyly,yetwithatouchofthecoquette,herround,blueeyesreflectinghercallow,unsophisticatednature.Norebelliousthoughtsdwellinginthatnarrowskullinfact,hewouldbesurprisedifshemanagedtoconjureupmorethanoneortwothoughtsofanykindinanaverageday!Herpedigreewasimmaculate,outofalonglineofcarefullychosenslavesfamedfortheirbeautyanddelicacytobenothingmorecomplicatedthananyotherornamentalobject.

Hesighedwithcontentment,andsmoothedthepalegold,silkenhairawayfromherbrowwithagentlecaress.Shewasexquisite;lovely,eagertoplease,pliant,graceful,innocentandincrediblyeasytomanipulate.Exactlythesortofslavethatgavehimthemostpleasure.Hecarefullycultivatedthatinnocence,andnoneofhisotherslaveswoulddarehiswrathbyspoilingthatnaiveté.Notalesoffloggingsormoreextremepunishments,noharem-storiesofhisother"favorites"andwhathadbecomeofthemnothingtohintthathehadaspectsshehadneverexperienced.Sofarasshewasconcerned,hewasthegentle,loving,e

ver-kindmasterthatshebelievedhimtobe.

Heturnedhisattentionbacktohismostimportantguest."There,yousee?"hesaid,gesturingexpansivelytothehallbeforethemanditsraucousoccupants."DidInotpromiseyouwouldbefarmoreamusedherethanindancingattendanceonallthedull,hopefulmaidensatyourfather'sfete?"



ElvenlordAelmarkindidnotpossessenoughmagictocreateafancifulillusioninhisGreatHall,sotheluxurioussurroundingsherewereallquitereal;guestsathisentertainmentswouldalwaysfindthemselvesinthesameopulentroomthattheyhadgracedatthelastentertainment,ratherthananewandexoticsettingvastlydifferentfromtheirlast.Hemadeupforthelackofnovelsurroundingsbythelavishnessofhisentertaining,whichhadbeguntoearnhimsomethingofareputation.

Takethisroom,forexample:fortunatelyithadbeenbeautifullyconstructedinthefirstplace,andhehadonlyneededtoembellishitwhenitcameintohispossession.Thenorthandsouthwallsweremostlyofglassnorthwardslayanaturallake,artfullylandscaped,andsouthwardswerethepleasure-gardens.Theeastandwestwalls,paneledinwoodbleachedtosilver,heldsilver-rimmeddoorsthatledtotherestofthemanor.Theceilingwithitsbleached-woodbeamsfromwhichhunggreatsilverfantasiesoflights,crystals,tinyglasssculpturesandsilverfiligree,alsoboastedvasttransparentskylights;justnowtherefle

ctionofthemyriadlightsmadeitimpossibletoseeanythingoftheoutsideworld,butlater,whenthelightsweredimmed,thestarswouldshineimpassivelydownonthecelebrants.Theblackcarpetofthefloorwaskindtothebarefeetoftheslaves,butAelmarkinhadselectedblackcarpetinglargelybecauseitwaseasytocleanafteroneofhisentertainmentsandwasfarmoreforgivingasurfaceforadrunkenrevelertofallonthanmarbleorwood.Theeastandwestwallswerehungwithsilverdraperies,andthesilverdining-coucheswereupholsteredinblacktomatchthecarpet.Betweeneachcouchandthenextstoodanenormoussilvercenser,fromwhichcamesensuousandintoxicating

incense-smokes.Silvertablesstoodbeforeeachcouch,andtheguestsprovidedtheonlytouchofcolorintheroom.Thecouchesthemselveseachheldtwooccupants,aninvitedguestandacompanionofhis(orher)choosingeitherafellowguestoroneofAelmarkin'sharem-slavesdressedinsilvergossamerandmatchingsilvercollar.Picturesquewine-slaves,dressedinabbreviatedsilvertunics,stoodateachcouchwiththeirsilverpitchers,andmoreslavesdressedinsilvertunicsandgossamerskirtsortrewsservedtheguestswithplatesofdainties.Enoughwinehadbeendrankbythistimethattheguestswerestartingtoraisetheirvoicesinless-than-delicatejests,andlosewhatfewinhibitionstheyhadwhentheyarrivedhere.

V'sherTennither-LordKalumelraisedonelong,silvereyebrowsardonicallyashesurveyedtheoccupantsofthediningcouchesbeforeandbelowhim."Imustadmit,"hedrawled,"thatseeingVarcalememakingafoolofhimselfisfarmoreentertainingthanfendingoffwould-bebridesandtheiranxiousfathers."



Aelmarkinlaughedandcontinuedtocaresstheplatinumtressesofhisslave,chosenoutofallthepossiblecandidatespresentedtohim,becauseshemostresembledadelicateElvenmaiden.Hedressedherlikeanelvengirl,too,inflowinggownsofdelicatepastelsilkswithhuge,butterflysleevesandlongembroideredtrains,orderingherattendantstoweavestringsofpearlsinhersilver-blondhairandtoarrangeherhairsothatitcoveredtheroundtipsofherears.Solongasonedidn'tlooktoodeeplyintohereyes,theillusionwascomplete;andhecouldusehismagictochangeherblueeyestoElven-greenifhechose.Hernamehadbeen"Kindre"untilheordereditchangedtotheElven"Synterrathe."

TheaforementionedVarcalemewaschasingoneofthewine-girlsaroundhiscouch;theflower-wreathshehadboundaroundhisbrowshadslippedsidewaysandwasobscuringoneeye,andthefactthathehaddrunkmostofthewineinhernow-emptyflaskwasnotaidinghisabilitytocatchher.Shehadcastonelookathermaster

whenshebeganeludingthoseclutchinghands,toseeifheobjectedtoherevasions;hehadnoddedslightly,andsheneedednofurtherencouragementtokeepdodginghisadvances.Varcaleme'scouch-companion,oneofhispersonalconcubines,atall,dark-hairedwenchgownedinbrilliantemeraldthatmatchedtheberylofhercontrollingcollar,seemedrelievedthatshenolongerhadtoentertainhim,andwasnibblingonspicedfruit,wearingabored,butwary,expression.

Nowtherestoftheguestshadtakenaninterestintheproceedings,callingout

encouragementtoVarcalemeortheslave,takingbetsonwhetherornothewouldcatchher,asshedodgedhisoutstretchedhandsandoutpacedhisstumblingfeet.MostofAelmarkin'sguestsweremale,withascantpairofElvenladies.Oneoftheladies,cladinpearlysilksthatrevealedscarcelylessthantheslaves'costumes,hadbroughtherowncouch-companion,amuscle-boundhumangladiator;theotherElvenlady,swathedfromnapetoankleinskin-tightblacksatin,had



comewithanotheroftheElvenlords-whowasnotheraffianced.Oftheremainingtwentyguests,halfhadbroughttheirownconcubines,andhalfhadmadeaselectionfromtheslavesofferedtothembyAelmarkin.

AlloftheElvenlordspresent,withtheexceptionofAelmarkinandtheladywhohadbroughtherownmaleconcubine,werethesonsofrulingElvenlordsbuthadnotjoinedtheYoungLords'Rebellion.Mostofthemsawthemselvesaslosingfarmorethantheywouldgainbyrebelling,andtherestwerecynicallyhopingfortherebelliontoeliminatetheirfathersforthem.

AelmarkinandV'dannTrianaLordFalcionwho,despitebeingfemale,wasLordoftheFalcionholdingsinherownright,andthus(itrecentlyhadbeenruled)wasentitledtothetitleofLordratherthanLadyorer-LordweretheonlyElvenlordsintheroomwiththeirownestatesandproperty.Aelmarkin,however,was

hardlyaGreatLordhispropertywasafractionofthesizeofanyofthosewithrealpower;mostofhiswealthcamefromthesaleoftheexquisitelybredandtrainedconcubineswhowereliterallyworththeirweightingems.Thatgavehimacertainstatus,butnorealpower.AsforTriana,herstandinghadplummetedafterherinvolvementinthedebacleoftheSecondWizardWar,andshewasnolongeradesirableallytoanyoneontheGreatCouncil.Shegenerallykepttoherselfonherownestate.Hesuspectedthatshewasbidinghertime,waitingtoseewhichwaythewindblewintheYoungLords'Uprising,beforeshetriedtowormherwaybackintothegoodgracesofthepowerful.

Asapartyguest,however,shewasstillofvalue;anacidwitandareputationfordepravitygaveherallthefascinationofacaptivatingserpent,andpeopleenjoyedseeingwhatshewouldsayordonext.AnytimeAelmarkininvitedhertooneofhisentertainments,heknewhewouldhavefullparticipation,andherownpartiescontinuedtobeextremelypopularamongtheyoungersons,thosewhodidnotpossessgreatpower,andthosewhodidnothaveaCouncilseat.

AelmarkinwasbynomeansascertainastheGreatLordsthatTrianawouldremainoutofpowerfortheforeseeablefuture.Shewasclever,resourceful,andlearnedfromhermistakes.TheWizardWarsandtheRebellionwerechangingeverything;itwasalwayspossiblethatTrianawouldprovetobeapotentallyatsomepoint.Itwasevenpossiblethatshewouldsomehowclawherwaytopowerentirelyonherown.Theextentof



herboldnesswasdemonstratedinherdresstonight;gownedintransparentsilkslikeaconcubine,sheknewverywellthathowevertemptingshemightbe,therewasnooneherewithsufficientpowertodaretouchherwithoutherconsentandsoshetauntedthemwithherveryappearance.

Besides,shehadnoscruplestospeakof;helikedthatinawomanprovidedhedidn'thavetomarryher.

"HaveyouheardanythingmorefromtheCouncilaboutyourpetition?"Trianacalledtohimfromacrosstheroomwithahalfsmile.Hergladiatorofferedherachoicetidbitwithaservilegesture;sheallowedhimtofeedittoher,nibblingatitwithwhite,sharpteeth.HewasnewtoAelmarkin,butthatwashardlysurprising;Trianawentthroughmaleslavesatanastonishingrate.

Heconcealedawince;Trianahadavestedinterestintheoutcomeofthatpetiti

on,anditwasonequiteoppositetohis.Shewouldbringupthesubject;he'dcherishedthenotion,whenhe'dscheduledthisentertainment,thatitmightbeavictorycelebration.Sinceitwasn't,hehadhopednoonewouldbringupthesubject.

"Theydeniedit,"hesaid,tryingtosoundasifhedidn'tcareabouttheoutcome,eventhoughhisdefeatateathim.

Trianamadealittlepoutofsympathy,andTennithturnedhisheadtogazeatAelmarkinwithastonishment."No,really?Ishouldhavethoughtthatyourcousinhadprovedhimselfmentallyunbalancedahundredtimesoverbynow!"



Abouthalfoftheguestslookedpuzzled;theydidn'tknowwhoAelmarkin'scousinwasandhereallydidn'twishtoenlightenthem.

"Really!"chimedinanother,sendingawayaserverwithaflickofanimpatienthand,"Yourcousinisquiteapieceofwork,Aelmarkin.Playingsoldierwithhumanslavesasifhewasstillaninfantplayingwithtoys!It'sridiculous!Ifhewasgoingtohaveanobsession,itatleastoughttobeadignifiedobsession!"

"Oh,Idon'tknow,"purredTriana,runningherfingeralongthearmofhergladiator."Someofusliketoplaywithsoldiers."Theslaveblushedfromthetopofhisheadtowellpasthiswaist.

"Onwhatgroundsdidtheydenyyou?"Tennithasked,andAelmarkinwonderedifhe

detectedacertainmaliciousenjoymentinTennith'stone.Tennithmightnotbealordinhisownright,butheoutrankedAelmarkin,andhewasn'taboveflauntingthatfactandembarrassingAelmarkinatthesametime.

ButTennithwouldfindoutforhimselfwhattheCouncilhadsaidifhesimplybotheredtoaskhisfather.Aelmarkin'sbestprotectionlayinpretendingthedecisionmeantverylittletohim."Theydidaverytiresomething;theyhadtheproductionrecordsfromtheestateforthelastfiftyyears

broughtout,andnothingthereshowsthatcousinKyrtianisneglectinghisestateorhisduties.Theydecidedthatheisn'tunbalanced,merelyeccentric,andthateccentricityishardlygroundsfortakinghisinheritanceandgivingittothenextmaleheir."

"Nextmaleheir?"Trianaaskedsignificantly,withalittlefrown."Isn'thismotherstillalive?Wouldn'tshebetheappropriateheirevenifhewasdisinheritedonthegroundsofinsanity?"ThatwasTriana'sinterest;anythingthatbarredanotherfemalefrominheritingcouldeventuallybeusedagainsther.

"Hismotherisnotmysister,"Aelmarkinreplied."She'snotthenextheirofblood-descent,asyousoclearlywereforclanFalcion.IfKyrtianwereremoved,theestatewouldcometome,naturallyandlegally."



"She'sprobablytheonerunningthings,then,"Tennithpointedout."Ifshedoesn'twanttobesentbacktoliveinherfather'shousehold,shehastomakeitlookasifyourcousiniscompetent."

"Thatmaybe,butI'venohopeofprovingit,"Aelmarkingrowled,wishingthatLadyLydiellhadresembledthechildathisfeetratherthantheclevercreatureshewas.Herecalledhisintendedpose,andforcedalaugh."Well,IsupposetheCouncilhadtorulethewaythattheydid.LordJaspirethtoldmerathertartlythatiffitnesstoholdtitleandpropertywastobejudgedonthebasisofunusualhobbies,halftheCouncilwouldlosetheirseats."

"Half?"Tennithlaughed."Morelikethree-quarters!Lookedatinthatlight,it'sobviousyouareavictimofnecessity."

Aelmarkinsignaledtohiswenchtorefillhisgoblet,andsippedatthevintagewithdeliberation."MuchasIwouldliketoseethelandsofmyclanadministeredproperly,Isuspecttheywillcometomeintime,anyway.Kyrtianshowsnosignofmarrying,whichinitselfoughttoprovehisunfitness,andit'sentirelypossiblehe'llmanagetobreakhisneck,ordosomethingequallyfoolishtohimself,ashecareensaroundthecountryside."

"Breakhisneck?"queriedthesecondlady,lookingpuzzled,asdidherescort."

I'mafraidI'mratherlost,Aelmarkin.Idon'tknowanythingaboutyourcousin.Whoishe?Ishedoingsomethingdangerous?"

Thattriggeredlaughteramongsomeoftheothers,whoweremorefamiliarwithAelmarkin'scousinthanshewas.Trianatookpityonherprobablybecausethelady'sescortwasneitherclevernoroutstandinglyhandsomeandexplained.

"We'vebeendiscussingKyrtianV'dyllLordPrastaran,"Trianasaid,givingAelmarkin'scousinhisfullnameandtitle."Surelyyou'veheardsomethingabouthim?"



Theladyshookherhead."Notreally,"sheconfessed,thenrealizedthatTrianawaspatronizingher,andputonacoolairasshetriedtosavethesituation."ButIdon'tpaymuchattentiontotheprovincials."

Aelmarkinsnorted."He'scertainlyprovincial,I'llgrantyouthat,LadyBrynnire.Heneverleavestheestateunlessheabsolutelyhasto.HecouldgetaseatontheGreatCouncilifheonlyworkedatit,buthewon'teventry!Instead,hespendsallofhistimecollectingbooksandstudyingofallthenonsensicalsubjectsmilitarytactics!"

"Militarytactics!"Trianaeruptedinpealsoflaughter."Oh,Aelmarkin,evenifheisseriousandnotseriouslyunbalanced,justwhodoeshethinkhe'sgoingtousemilitarytacticson?Everyoneknowsthehumansandthe

halfbloodsdon'thaverealarmies!Theydon'tfightproperbattles!AndasfortheYoungLords"

Shestopped,becauseitwasentirelypossiblethatthiswasatouchysubjectforsomeofAelmarkin'sotherguests.ButTennith,whosefatherwashighlyplacedintheGreatCouncilandthuswasthehighest-rankedElvenlordpresent,finishedhersentenceforher.

"TheYoungLordsareadisorganizedpackofrabble,"hesaidloftily."Onceasolutionisfoundthatnegatestheirabilitytonullifymagic,they'lldissolveandcomecrawlingbacktotheirfathers,beggingforgiveness.Inthemeantime,itisimpossibletousetacticsagainstsomeonewhodoesn'tknowwhatthewordmeans."

"Oh,thatisn'tthebestofit,"gloatedLordPratherin."Henotonlystudiesthisnonsense,hepracticesit!Personally,Ithinkhe'snevergottenoverplayinginthenurserywithtoysoldiers;hejustdoesitnowona

granderscale."WhenBrynnirestilllookedconfused,heleanedoverthecouchinherdirectionandexplained."Hemakesuptwoopposingarmiesoutofslaves,mydear,andpersonallyleadsonearmyintobattleagainsttheother,ifyoucanbelieveit!Nottosettleagrievanceorforanyotherreasonablepurpose,notevenfortheentertainmentofwatchingthemslaughtereachother!No,hedoesthisjusttoseehowstrategiesworkoutwithlivingsubjects!"



Astheotherschortled,howled,orsimplylookedsmug,accordingtotheirnatures,LadyBrynnirelookedstartled,thenshocked,thenamused."Aelmarkin!IfIdidn'tknowyou,I'dbetemptedtothinkyouweremakingthisup!"

"Sadly,mydear,Iamnot,"Aelmarkinreplied,andlookedtoTennith,whonoddedinconfirmation.

"Really!"Brynniregiggled,alittlenervously."Well,eccentricisnotwhatIwouldcallhim!"

"Hetakesafterhisfather,dearlady,"saidTennithsmoothly."Whichmightbesaidtodemonstratethat,sadly,madnessisinheritedinhisfamily.Surelyyourecallthatpoordementedfellowwhovanishedseveralyearsago,

outhuntingsomeobscurerelicsofEvelon?"

"Yes!"Brynnirereplied,brightening."Ancestors!Youdon'tmeantotellmethatwasKyrtian'sfather?"

"Thesame,"Aelmarkintoldher,withaheavysigh."Asadcaseindeed.AnditshouldhavebeenobvioustotheGreatCouncilfromthatfiascothattheestateshouldnothavebeenputinthehandsofhisson."

"Ishouldsaynot."LadyBrynnirenoddedherhead,afterexchangingalookwithherescort."Atleast,Iwouldnothave."

"Noranyoneelsewithanysense."Aelmarkinthoughtitmorethantimetochangethesubject,andsignaledforthedancers.



Themusicians,whohadbeenplayingsoothing,quietbackgroundmusicuntilthismoment,abruptlychangedmoodandtempo,startlingtheguestswithathunderofpercussion.

Thelightsdimmed,andamistarosefromthecensers,ascented,coolmistthatrelaxedandyetstimulatedthesenses,evenasitobscuredthecouchesandtheiroccupants.Onlythespaceinthemiddleofthecouchesremainedclear,litfromsomeinvisiblesource.

Thedancersraninfromalldirections,dressedinthemerestscrapsofanimal-hide,paint,beads,andfeathers,andmeanttorepresentwildhumans.NotthatanyofAelmarkin'sguestshadeverseenwildhumansnorhadAelmarkinhimself,forthatmatterbutthatwouldhardlymatter.Mostentertainmentsfeatureddancersmimickingthegracefulandetherealdancesoftheirmasters,ordancerschangedtoresembleanimatedflowers,birds,orflames.Aelmarkinwantedtostartlehisguestswithsomethingdifferen

t.

Thedancebeganwithastonishingleapsastheperformershurledthemselvesacrossthefloorwithtotalabandon,theirunboundhairstreamingoutbehindthem.Then,asdrumspounded,thefemaleshurledthemselvesatthemales,whocaughttheminvariouspositions,whirledthemaround,andflungthemontothenextpartner.Therewasfrankandunflinchingeroticismintheirchoreography.EvenAelmarkin,whohadseenthempracticing,felthispulsequickenattheirrawsensuality.

"Ancestors!"Tennithmutteredunderhisbreath,hiseyeswide."Whatisthis?"

"Anancientfertilityrite,soI'mtold,"Aelmarkinsaidcasually."Ithoughtitmightbeinterestingtowatch."

Tennithdidn'treply;hiseyesweregluedtothedancers.

Halfcombat,andhalfmating-frenzy,itwassometimesdifficulttotellifthedancersintendedtocoupleorkilleachother,andtheperformancebuilttoapulse-poundingcrescendothatendedinatangleofbodiessuggestiveofboth.



ByAelmarkin'sorders,thelightsdimmedgraduallyasthedanceended,leavingtheroombathedonlyinstar-andmoonlight.Ashehadhoped,theperformancehadachievedthearousingeffecthehadintended.Hisguestshadturnedtheirattentionstotheircouch-companions,andasthedancersandservantsslippedaway,Aelmarkinturnedhisattentiontothecensers,increasingthemistrisingfromthem.Theslavesalreadyknewtodustmoreoftheintoxicatingdrugsoverthecoalstherein.

Magicdidnotcomeeasilytohim,andhehadtoclosehiseyesinconcentrationeventoperformsominoraconjuration.Asheopenedhiseyes,herealizedthatheandhislittleslavewerenolongeralone.Aslimformsatontheendofhiscouch.

"Well,Triana,"hesaidblandly,concealinghissurprise."Whateverbringsyoutomyside?ForgivemeifIdoubtthatyouhaveeroticintentions."

Shemadeapoutingmotionwithherlips."Aelmarkin,Idobelieveyouhaven'taromanticparticleinyou!"

"Neitherdoyou,"hecountered."So?"

"Ijustwonderedwhatitwouldbeworthtoyoutoseeyourcousinunseated,"she

saidcasually,castinghereyesdownandtracingalittlepathonthefabricofthecouchwithherfinger.

"Isupposethatwoulddependonthecircumstances,"herepliedjustascasually."Itwoulddomenogoodatallif,forinstance,hisestateswereruinedintheprocess.Whydoyouask?"



"Norealreason.Justthatwomenoftenhavesourcesofinformationthatareclosedtothemen."Shegavehimanarchsmile,butherefusedtorisetothebait.ThelastthinghewantedwastogiveTrianasomethingshecouldusetomanipulatehim!

"Justasmenhavesourcesthatareclosedtowomen,"hecountered,withanarchsmileofhisown."Especiallysomeonelikeme.Dorecallwhatmystock-in-tradeis,mydear.Concubinesdon'tspeaktoladies."

Shesmiledwithmaliciousdelight."IfIhadn'tmadeavownevertomarry,Iswear,Iwouldproposetoyouonthespot,Aelmarkin!YouandIaretwoofakind."

"YouandIwouldkilloneanotherbeforeayearwasout,"hereplied,andtouchedhisfingertothebottomofher

chin,drawinghertohimforabrief,dangerouskiss."Now,you'veleftthathandsomestudallalone.Bettergetbacktohimbeforehepinesaway."

"Orfallsasleep."Sherosewithasinuousgraceworthyofanyofhisdancers."I'lltellyouwhat;I'lllayabetwithyou.IbetthatIcanfindsomethingtodiscredithimbeforeyoudo."

"Andthestakes?"heasked.

Hersmilewassosweetlypoisonousthatittookhisbreathaway."Somethingwebothsworenevertodo.Ifyoulose,youtrainamaleslaveforme.AndifIlose,Itrainafemaleforyou.Butyoucan'tlimitmeastomeans.Isitawager?"

TheideaofowningaslavetrainedbyTrianamadehisheadswimandhisbreathcomeshort.Nowherewere

stakesworthyoftheplay!

"Done,"hesaidimmediately.Shelaughed,andglidedawayintothemist.

Hefeltatentativetouchonhiswrist,andbelatedlyreturnedhisattentiontohiscurrentfavorite.Helooked



downather,andsawbythefurtivecolorinhercheek,hermoistlips,andhershiningeyesthatthedanceandthesighsandvagueshapesmovinginthemistaroundthemhadproducedtheeffecthehadanticipatedonher,aswell.

"Lord,"theslavebreathed,lookingupathimcoylyfrombeneathherlong,flutteringlashes,"Doyouwishmyfurtherservicethisevening?"

Thoughuntouched,shewasbynomeansunawareofthedutiesofaconcubine,anditwasclearfromthemoisteagernessinhereyesthatshewasreadytofulfillthoseduties.

Heclosedhiseyesforamoment,savoringwhathewasabouttodo.Hehadwaysofcontrollingtheslaveshetrainedthatwentbeyond,farbeyond,theslave-collarandmagiccoercion.Hehadsubtletorturesthatwerefar

moresophisticatedthananythingTennithdreamedof.

"Idon'tbelieveso,"hesaid,justascasuallyasifhewererejectinganot-quite-ripefruit.Thenhelookeddownatherandfrowned."Mydearchildissomethingtroublingyou?Youseemtobealittlepuffytonight.Orperhapsyouhavejustgainedalittleweight?Perhapsyoushouldreturntoyourquarters."

Thegirlputherhandtohermouth,stiflingasob;hereyesbrightenedfurtherwithtears.Quicklyasaflutteringbird,shefledintothemist.

Hechuckledtohimself.Hehadcarefullymanipulatedhermindforweeksnow,andthiscarefullychosenmomentwasthebeginningofadelightfulinterlude.



Hehadmadeapointofpraisingherslenderfigure,ofleavingnodoubtthathetreasuredherslimness.Doubtingherownmirror,certainthatshehadlostherrealbeauty,anddesperatetogainhisregard,shewouldbeginstarvingherselffromthismoment.Atfirsthewouldtauntherbyreferencestoplumparmsandchubbycheeks,byinquiriesifshethoughtsheoughttochangeherdiet.Onceshetrulybegantostarveherself,hewouldswitchtothenextphase.Shewouldbeginrefusingfood.He,ofcourse,wouldurgeallmannerofdaintiesonher,whichshewouldeatunwillingly,onlytopurgeherselfofthemattheearliestopportunity.

Hislipscurvedinaslightsmile.Watchinghertortureherself,allthewhilecertainthathewasstillasgentleandconsiderateasever,wouldbehighlyamusing.Eventually,shewouldprobablydie,ofcourse,butnotbeforehegainedagreatdealofpleasurefromwatchingherridiculoussufferings.Ifhewasfeelinggenerous,hemight

evensaveher,wipingouthermemoriesofeverythinguptothismomentsothathecouldsellhertosomeoneelse.Inanycase,therewouldbeweeks,possiblymonths,ofpleasureahead.

Andfurtherpleasure.Betweenthetwoofthem,heandTri-anawouldalmostcertainlyfindawaytobringhiscousinKyrt-iandown.

Helaughedsoftly;howhisfortunehadsuddenlyturned!Thismightwellturnout

tobethevictorycelebrationhehadhopedfor.

Hisappetitesuddenlyaroused,hereachedforthenearestwine-wenchtosatisfyhisneedsofthemoment.

PoorKyrtian.Hehadnonotioneventhathehadanenemy,muchlesshowformidablethatenemywas.

2

---



OnedidnotnormallyseeanElvenlordsmudgedwithdirt,twig-scratched,andrathertheworseforseveralhoursoftrampingthroughuntamedforest.IwonderhowmuchscandalIwouldcauseifevenoneoftheGreatLordssawmeinthisstate?Kyrtianmused,asheheldasideanerrantlimbofabush,takingcarethatitdidnotrattle,andmakingcertainthehumanbehindhimhadafirmgriponitbeforehereleasedit.Itwasimpossibletoseetheman'sexpressionbehindhishelm,butthefellowsketchedarespectfulsalutewithhisfreehand.Ahwell;knowingmyreputation,theywouldprobablynotbeatallsurprised.

KyrtianV'dyllLordPrastaranledhisskirmishingbandoflightlyarmedhumansinperson;veryfewElvenlordswouldeverhaveputthemselvesinthatinferiorandvulnerableaposition.Especiallynow,withhumans,halfbloodedWizardsandyoungerElvenlordsallinrevoltagainsttheGreatLords,themerenotionofleadingagroupalone,withoutthepresenceofafullycollar-controlledandloyalty-spelledbodyguard,wassomethingthatwouldneveroccurtomostofthem.

Kyrtiancarednothingfortheiropinions,sincelittlesecretwasmadeofthefactthattheycarednothingforhis.Hisreputationwasaseccentricashishobby,andthatwasthewayhepreferredthings.HisGrandfatherhadeschewedpoliticswhentheGreatLordsdisdainedhisadvice;bynow,stayingoutofpoliticswassomethingofafamilytradition,andKyrtianwasquitepreparedtocontinuethattradition.

Atthismoment,asalwayswhenonmaneuvers,allofhisattentionwasfocusedonhisbattle-strategiesandhissurroundings,totheexclusionofeverythingelse.Hisinitialbattle-planwassovaguethatatthispointhewas



ratherrecklesslymakingdecisionsmomentbymoment.Hesuspectedthathisopponentwascountingonthat,assumingthatKyrtian'swell-knowncautionwouldalsomakehiminflexible.Itwasareasonableassumption;Kyrtianjusthopedthathecouldprovethatitwasanincorrectone.Thatwasthepointofthisexercise,afterall.Thiswasthefirsttimehehadevermetanopponentinanythingotherthanasetbattle.Wherewastherightbalanceofcautionandinitiative?Nothinginallofhisbooksandstudieshaddealtwiththatmagicformula.

Sweattrickleddownthebackofhisneck,butaheadbandunderhishelmkeptitfromdrippingintohiseyes.Hefeltabriefflashofsuperiorityasheclimbedthesteepandrock-strewnslopebeforehimwithnosenseofstrain,notevenanincreaseinhisbreathing.HowmanyofthepamperedGreatLordswouldbeabletodoasmuch?Certainlyhewassweating,buthewasn'tintheleasttired,andifatlasthemanagedtobringhisskirmisherstoafight,hewouldbeasreadyforactionasanyofthem.

Sensesalertfortheleastsignofwarning,hepickedhiswayonecarefulstepatatimethroughthesparseunderbrushoftheforest.Hismenspreadoutinhiswake,carefullyfollowinghisexample.Hisswordwasoutandreadyinhislefthand;thatwouldgivehimalittleadvantageagainstanopponent,shouldonesuddenlyappearbeforehim,butnotmuch.Theenemyfighterslurkingsomewhereaheadknewhimandsomehadfoughthand-to-handagainsthimbefore.

Theenemyallthatheknewforcertainwasthattheywerehereinhispatchofpristine,old-growthforest,andthattheirnumberswereequaltohis.Themostlogicalplacetofindthem,theweatheredremainsofanancientfortification,hadbeenempty.Heassumednowthattheyprobablyplannedtosetupanambushforhisskirmisherssomewhere;theyknewhewascoming,andhedoubtedthattheyintendedtomakeapitchedbattleofit.Intheirplace,hewouldn't.

Hisadvantagewasthatheknewthesewoodsaswellashisopponentsdid;heshould,sinceeverythingforleaguesaroundherebelongedtohim.Hehadmadeamentaltallyofalltheobviousplacesforanambush,andhehopedhecouldapproachsuchplacesfromunexpectedangles,andwithluck,catchthefoemenbysurprise.

Anambushedambushhardlysporting,Isuppose.Hesmiled,knowingtheexpressionw



ashiddenbyhishelm.Well,firsthewouldhavetopullthisoff.Thenhewouldworryaboutwhetheritwas"sporting"assuminghe'dwontheencounter,ofcourse.

Afterall,itisthevictorwhowritesthehistories,andheistheonewhogetstodeterminewhatisfair,afterthefact.

Amovementtoonesidecaughthiseye;onlyoneofhismen,tryingtoshooawayanirritatingflywithaminimumofobviousmovement.Theyknewbetterthantoslapatinsects,lestthesoundbetraythemtotheenemy,andhefeltsorryforhishumanfighting-men.Forallthathesweatedasheavilyasanyoneofthem,insectsseldomplaguedelves,perhapsbecauseelves,notnativetothisworld,didnotsmell"right"tothepeskybugs.

Kyrtianfrozeandraisedhishandtosignaltohismentodolikewise,ashethoughthecaughtamurmurofvoicesupahead.Holdinghisbreath,heclosedhiseyesandconcentratedonlistening.

Perhapsperhaps.Heopenedhiseyesagain,andconsideredtheirpresentlocation,frowningashedidso.Heandhisfighterswereapproachingaridgeoverlookingoneofthelesser-usedpathwaysthroughtheforest.Theridgewasanobviouslocationforanambushplacementonthepartofhisfoes,i

ftheyassumedheandhismenwouldtakethatpathbelow.Itwouldbeverydifficultforhispartytocreepupupontheenemyunseenifthatwaswheretheywere.



Heraisedhisrighthandabovehisheadtodescribethreecircleswithhisindexfinger.Thefighterimmediatelybehindhimmadethesamemotion,andinduetime,aslightlybuilt,litheyoungfellowbythepeculiarhumannameofHorenGosakmovedcautiouslyandnoiselesslyintoplacebesideKyrtian.

Theylockedeyes,Kyrtian'sgreenonesmeetingthehuman'sbrown;Kyrtiannoddedtowardstheridgeinthedirectionofthevoicesandmadethehandsignalforambush.Horennodded,andleavinghisswordandsword-beltbehindinKyrtian'skeepinglesttheycatchinthebrush,droppedtohishandsandkneestosnakehiswayuptowardstheridge,movingsolowtothegroundthathelookedlikeacrawlinglizard.

ItwasalwaysawondertoKyrtianhowyoungHorenmanagedtodisappearintolandscapethatwassobarrenofobviouscover.Sometimeshewonderediftheabilitywassomeuniqueapplicationoftheso-calledhuman

magics.Thatwasentirelypossible,andwouldhavecausedfarmorescandalamongtheGreatLordsthanKyrtian'slittleeccentricityofleadinghisfightersinperson.Althoughitwasthelawthatallhumanslavesbefittedwithcollarsthatinhibitedtheirownpeculiarmagic,noslaveonthePrastaranestateshadeverwornanythingbutadecorativecollarsincetheElvenlordscametothisworld.Andno"slave"onthePrastaranestateshadeverbeenaslaveinanythingbutname.

Humansmakeverypoorslaves;Grandfathertriedtotellhisarrogantcompatriots

that,andtheywouldn'tlisten,andnowthey'repayingthepriceforignoringsuchsageadvice.ThefirstLordPrastaranhadretiredtotheestatehe'dbeenallotted,proceedingtheretoputhisowntheoriesto.workinregardtotheaboriginalinhabitantsoftheplace.Beforehedrownedinaflashfloodwhilenearlytwentyofhisdevoted"slaves"alsodrownedinfranticattemptstosavehimhehadformedthelooseconfederationofprimitivesthathadbeenlivingonthepropertyintoathrivingandprosperouscommunitythatnotonlyacceptedhimastheiroverlord,butwereabsolutelydevotedtohiswelfare.

Kyrtian'sfatherhadinheritedthatcommunity,andhadcherishedandfosteredit,recognizingitforthevaluableresourcethatitwas!NowitwasKyrtian'stoguideandguard,foringuardingthehumansunderhisprotection,hewasalltooawarethathewasguardinghisownprosperity.



HiswanderingthoughtswereabruptlyrecalledbyHoren'sreturn,astheyoungmanwriggledintocoverbesidehim.Withtheaidoftwigs,pebbles,andafewhand-signals,Horenswiftlylaidoutthedispositionoftheenemyforcesahead.

Kyrtianstudiedthearrangementforseveralmoments,grindinghisteethalittleinfrustration.Asusual,theenemycommandershowedbrilliantskill.Itwasanappallinglysuperiordisposition.Obviouslyonecouldn'tapproachthemfromthefrontortherear,sowhatdidthatleavehim?

Wecouldretreat,butthatwouldleavetheminpossessionofthewoods,andtheywouldwinthiswithoutafight.Thatwasunacceptable.Isthereenoughroomonthetopofthisridgetoflankthem?

Hedidn'twanttodividehisforceifhecouldhelpit,andhe'dhavetoifhew

antedtouseaclassicpincermaneuver.Thatwouldn'tbeagoodideaanyway;onethatthegrounddidn'tencourage.He'dhavetosendhismentofightagainstbothendsoftheenemyambush-lineinawaythatwouldonlyallowoneortwofighterstocloseinatatime;thatwouldputthematanimmediatedisadvantage.

FinallyKyrtiandecidedonsomethingtrulyunorthodox;waitinguntiltheenemycommanderwasfrustratedenoughtocomelookingforhim.ShortexplorationbyHorenproducedtheplacewhereanyopposingforcewas

mostlikelytodescendfromtheridge.Aftercarefuldeliberation,hesetupanambushofhisown.

Ofcourse,theweaknessofthisplanwasthattheoppositionmightnotdecidetocomedownonthissideoftheridge.Thatwouldleavehim,inhisturn,waitingtospringanemptytrap.Still,theoccasionalmurmurofvoicesthroughthehushoftheforesttoldhimthathisopponentsweregettingtiredofwaiting.



Probablytheyhadbeeninplaceeversincehisownforcehadenteredthewoods.Horenwentoutagaintospy,sothatKyrt-ian'stroopswouldatleastknowifthefoemovedoffinsomeotherdirection.Kyrtiansettledintohisownpositionandheldoffboredombymakinganinformalbird-countbasedonthecallsheheard.

Timecrawledpast,buthispatiencewasfinallyrewarded.Horenslitheredbacktotakeuphisweapons.Kyrtianpumpedhisfistintheaironce,andheardafaintrustleofleavesashismencaughtthesignal,relayingitdowntheline,andreadyingthemselvesforaction.

Hehadchosenhisownplaceperfectly.Anotherfaintrustleofleavesandtheoccasionalsnappingofatwigwarnedthattheenemywasonthemove,andshortlyafter,themenappearedfilingcautiouslydowntheslope

belowthem,flittingfrombitsofcovertotheirnextposition.Kyrtianwaiteduntilhewascertainthatalloftheenemyskirmisherswereimmediatelybelowtheirownposition,hisnervessotautthathisskintingled,muscleswereafire,hispulsepoundinginhistemplesandhisears.

Waitforit

Ifhesprangtheambushtoosoon,hisownmenwouldbesurrounded.Hedidn'tkno

wexactlyhowmanymentheenemyhad,sohecouldn'tcountheads....

Waitforit

Hedidn'tdarepermithisforcetobeoutflanked.

Now!

Histhroatcrackedwithayellashebrokeoutofcoverandcharged,hismenstreamingdowntheslopebehindhim.Thestartledskirmisherswhirledtofacethem.



Kyrtianskiddedtoahaltontheslopeashenearlyranintoafighterwhowasconsiderablytallerthanhe.Inthatmoment,aswasalwaystrueforhimoncethefightingstarted,everythingnarrowedtothissingleopponent.Theirswordsclashedtogether,hisopponentcounteredwithacleverparrythatsenthimleapingawaylestthefightertrytograpplewithhim.Nextthemantriedtocirclehim,butthatwasthelastthingthatKyrtianwasgoingtoallowatthemomenthehadtheslightadvantageofbeinguphill,andthatwastheonlyadvantagehereallyhadoverthisbulkieropponent.

Kyrtianretreatedasfastastheotheradvanced;nothingwasgoingtoforcehimtoturnifhecouldhelpit.Somewhereinthebackofhismindhewasdimlyawareofshouts,theclashingofmetal,andallthedinofbattle,buthewastooseasonedtoeverbedistractedfromhisownlineofcombat.GivingupontheployofforcingKyrtianoffhigherground,thefellowswunglow,hardandwide,scythingatKyrtian'slegs;Kyrtianusedtheopportunitytoslashattheman'ssword-handashehimselfskippedbackwards.

Hereallyhadn'texpectedtheluckofafullstrike,buthisopponenthadevidentlyanticipatedablowtotheheadratherthanthehand.Thefighterduckedtoonesideanddidn'tgethishiltupintimetodeflectKyrtian'sblow.

Thebladepassedthroughtheother'swrist,leavingbehindaglowingline.Thefightercursed,transferringtheswordtohislefthand,tuckingthe"disabled"handintohisbeltatthesmallo

fhisback,aspertherulesof



combat.Ifhehadn't,he'dgetawarningafterthebattlewasoverandthesecondtimeherefusedtoacceptablow,themarkedareaorlimbwouldtrulygocompletelynumbanduselessuntilKyrtianremovedthemagicthatrendereditso.

HewasbynomeansasgoodafighterwithhisweakhandasKyrtianwas.Aclumsyattemptatanoverhandblowlefthisarmpitunprotected,andtheElvenlordexecutedafatalthrust.Thebladevanisheduptothehiltwithnoresistance,andthemanjerkedinreactiontotheall-overtinglethatthe"death-wound"gavehimasthesignthathewas"dead."

Nowthefighterglowedthecolorofnewleavesallover;withagood-naturedcurse,hesalutedKyrtian,sheathedhisblade,andremovedhishelm,joiningfiveofhisfellow"deadmen"onthesidelines.Allofthemwereglowingthesameyellow-green,whichmeanttheywerealloutoftheenemyf

orces.Kyrtianmadethemistakeofallowinghimselfabriefpausetogloatwithoutlookingbehindhim.

Amomentafterthat,asuddenelectricjolttoldKyrtianthathehadbeentakenfrombehind.Ruefullylookingdownathimself,hesawthathe,too,wasglowing.

"Galkasht!"hecursed,intheOldTongue,andheardSargeantGel'sfamiliarlaughinanswer.Hesheathedhis

ownswordindisgust,pulledoffhishelm,andwenttojointheotherdead.

Geldidnotgetachancetoenjoyhisvictoryforlong;Horenroseoutofabushbehindhimandcaughthimacrosstheneckasheturned.GelsworeevenmorecolorfullythanKyrtianhad,whilehisownmenjeeredandcatcalledfromthesidelines.

"Whoisithasneverbeenhitfrombehind?"calledone,infeignedinnocence.

"Youowemebeerforthenextmoon,Sargeant,"oneoftheothersheartlesslyremindedhim."AndyouoweHorenthreenight-watches."

"Don'tremindme."Thehumanpulledoffhishelmandthrewittotheground,gla



ringatthembuttheyknewtheyweresafe.The"dead"couldsayanythingtheylikedaslongasthebattlewason.Thatwasanotheroneoftherules,meanttobesurethatnooneturnedmock-combatintoarealfight.

"Temper,temper,"scoldedathird,asHorenvanishedtoseekanewopponent."Atruewarriorneverfightswithanger."

"I'mnotfighting,"Gelpointedoutsourly,hisjawclenchedtight.

Gelpickeduphishelmafteranotherscorchingglareandstampedhiswaydownthehilltothesidelines.Kyrtianhidhisowngrin,andgaveGelacommiseratingslapontheshoulder.

"Toobad,oldman,"hesaid,withwhathehopedwasagoodcounterfeitofsympat

hy."That'scombat-luckforyou."

'That'scarelessness,youmean,"Gelgrowled,asheruffledhissweaty,grizzledbrownhairtodryit."Don'tcoddleme,Kyrtian;Igotyouwhenyoustoppedtogloat,thenIwasservedthesamedish.What'smore,youambushedmewhenIlostpatience.You'regoingtowinthisone.Iunderestimatedyou."

Sinceatthispoint,thosewhoglowedyellow-greenoutnumberedthosewhoglowedred-orangebythreetoone,thatwasfairlyobvious,soKyrtianheldhistongueandtriedassumeamodestexpression.



"Ithinkwecancountthisexperimentasuccess,"hesaidinstead."Iwasn'tsurewe'dbeabletomakethetransitionfromarena-fightingandset-battles,butit'sobviousthismodeisgoingtowork."

"I'dkeepitattheskirmish-levelforawhile,"Gelcautioned.

"Iintendto,"Kyrtianassuredhim,asmoreofthe"dead"onthesidelinescheeredthesurvivingfightersonorshoweredthemwithabuse."Atleastuntileveryone'sgottenafairamountofpracticeatthis.Idon'twantpeoplestumblingaroundbreakinganklesinrabbit-holesorrunningintoanalicornandgettingskewered.We'reoutheretofight,notgethurt."Heloosenedhisthroat-guardandyankeditoff.

Gelbarkedalaughatthat,andKyrtianhadtogrin.'That'sastrueasitsoundsabsurd,"Gelchuckled."Andit's

trueyou'dhavelessluckgettingpeopletovolunteertofightforusiftoomanyoftheboysstartedcomingbackwithbrokenbones,orworse."Hestuckhisthumbinhissword-beltandwatchedthefighterswithpardonablepride."I'lltellyouwhat,thoughI'dpittheseladsagainstanyoftheprofessionalfightersI'veseenwhenitcomestocombatratherthangladiatorialgames.They'dwin."

"That'sratherthepoint,thoughIhopeitdoesn'tcometothat.There'llbefarlessbloodshediftheygoupagainstconscripts."Kyrtianwatchedasthelastofhismensurroundedthelast

ofGel'sanddemandedtheirsurrender."TheElvenlordscancompelmentofight,buttheycan'tcompelthemtofightwell.Speakingofvolunteersthefield-folkaregoingtoneedanotherholidaybeforetoolong."

"We'dbetterthinkaboutorganizingamelee,then,"Gelsighed.Hehatedsettingupmelees,astheywereagreatdealofwork,andasinrealbattles,mostofthepeoplewhotookpartinthemhadnoideahowtoactuallyfight.Agoodpercentagegotmuddledanddidtheoppositeofwhatthey'dbeenordered,andwhentheygotmuddled,

theygenerallyconfusedthosewhoweretryingtoobeytheorderscorrectly.Still,everyoneontheestateenjoyedthemock-warsandwerehappytovolunteerforthem;therewasgreatexcitementinbattlewhentherewasnochanceofdyingandlittlechanceofgettinghurt.Awar-daymeantageneralholidaywithfeastingandmusic,anddancingforthosewhowere"killed"beforetheywerecompletelyexhausted.



Notthatanyonegotkilleddeliberatelyjustsohecouldgodancing,sincethosewhoweretooexhaustedtodancewerepamperedandtreatedlikeheroesregardlessofwhichsidewon.

EversincethefirsttimethatKyrtianandhisright-handmanhadexpandedtheirwar-gamestoincludethegeneralpopulationoftheestate,theexercisehadprovensopopularthathumansandelvesalikehadcometoexpectandanticipateawar-dayeverytwoorthreemoonsorso.Kyrtianjustcouldn'tbringhimselftodisappointthemandtheonetimehe'dtriedtoholdafeastwithoutawar,therehadbeensuchprotestthathe'dneverdareddoitagain.

"Idon'tsupposeitcouldbeawoods-battle,couldit?"heaskedwistfully."Oroh,whataboutasiege?"

"Withthemanorasthetarget?No,betteryet,theDowager-House;noone'sused

itindecades,andit'sbeenyearssinceitwascleanedandairedout.It'llgiveyourLady-Motheranexcusetogetitsettorightsincaseweneeditforsomething.Ancestorsknowwhat,butwemight."Gelmulledthatoverashismendeclinedtosurrender,electingtofighttothelastonestanding."Thatcouldbedoneifyoucouldmanagemock-arrowsandmock-stones;perhapsmock-boiling-oil."

Kyrtianstaredathim,aghastatthepicturethatconjuredup."Ancestors!You'recertainlybloody-minded!"

"Ifyouwantasiege,youmightaswelldoitright,"Gelargued."Thatmeansthatthebesiegerswillusebows,andthebesiegedwillpeltthemwithwhatevertheycanfromthewalls.Now,canyouproducethepropermaterial,orcan'tyou?"



"Iprobablycan,"Kyrtianadmitted."Butyoudorealizewhatthiswillmean,don'tyou?"

"Hugecasualtiesearlyon,whichmeansthebattlewon'trunlong,whichmeanswe'llgettothefeastingsooner."Gelgrinned."WhichmeanslessworkformeandmoreforyourobligingLady-Motherinarrangingtheentertainment."

"AndprobablyapopulationincreaseinninemonthsunlessImakesuretodoseeveryparticleoffoodontheestateagainstconceptions,"Kyrtiansighed."Whichmeansmoreworkforme,bothinconcoctingthenewmagic-weapons,andinseeingtoitthatwedon'tgetthatfloodofnewbirths.Youknowwhathappenswhenthewomengettobeinonthecombat!Whyitisthatmock-fightinggetsthemsostimulated"Heshookhishead."SometimesIthinkthatyouhumansaresodifferentfromusthatI'llneverunderstandyou.Still"

"Asiegewouldbefun,"Gelsaid,persuasively,ashismendropped,onebyone,beneaththeswordsofKyrtian'sfighters."We'veneverdoneasiegebeforewithlivefighters.Thingsthatworkonthesand-tablewithmodelsdon'talwaysworkwithlivingpeople."

Thetemptationwastoogreattoresist."Allright,"hedecided."Startplanningandworkingtowardit.I'll

researchthemagicneeded.Ifitdoesn'tlookasifwecanpullitoffinamonths'time,we'llhavetheusualfield-meleeinstead."

"Done!"Gelcrowed,andslappedhimontheshoulder,justasthelastofhismenfell.Atthatpoint,Kyrtian'sremainingfightersrushedup,cheering,andtherewasnopointintryingtotalkuntilthevictorycelebrationwasover.

3

---



Aswasusual,thetwogroupsofcombatantstrudgedoutoftheforesttogetherasasinglefraternalmasswithnosenseofmarchingorder.Theforestcouldwellhavebeendevoidoflifeatthispoint;birdsandbeastswereprobablyfrightenedintoimmobilitybythelaughterandtalking.Atanyrate,Kyrtiancouldn'tspotsomuchasarabbitorasparrowastheyfollowedthefainttrackofanoldroadbeneaththetrees.Thesunwasjustsetting,andathick,goldenlightpouredthroughthebranches,gildingtheedgesoftheleavesandtouchingtheclouds.Tired,butcheerful,friendsandcomradestradedcongratulations,boasts,andoutrightliesasKyrtianandGelbroughtuptherear.Kyrtianneverpermittedanyonetocarryhisarmorforhim;likehismen,heborehisownequipment,atleastasfarastheirtransportation.Therewerewagonsandacarriagewaitingjustoutsidethewoodstocarrythemallbacktothemanor,sinceitwouldhavetakenthemhourstoreturnonfoot;Kyrtianwasverygladtobeabletotosshishelmtohisdriverandallowhisbody-servanttotaketheheavyarmoroffbeforeheclimbedintothecushionedcomfortofthecarriage.Asatokenofhisprivilegedrank,Gelsharedboththeattentionsoftheservantandthecarriage;themenhelpedeachotherandmadedowiththecushioningeffectof

athicklayerofhayintheirwagons."Ah,thebenefitsofrank,"GelsighedashesatbackinthecarriageoppositeKyrtian.Kyrtiangrinned.

AssoonasGelgothimselfseated,thedriverturnedthehorsesandsentthecarriageonitswaywhilethewagonswerestillbeingloadedwithmenandarmor."Ancestors!"Kyrtianexclaimed,astheservanthandedhim



aflaskofcool,sweetwater."I'vebeenlookingforwardtothisallafternoon!"Hetookalongdraught,timinghisdrinkwiththejoltingofthecarriagesohedidn'tbreakhisteethontheneckoftheflask,beforehandingittoGel.

"You'dthinkwe'dgettiredofthisnonsense,"Gelresponded,leaningbackintothesoft,darkbrownvelvetcushionsafterhe'dcorkedtheflaskandhandeditbacktoyoungLynder,Kyrt-ian'sbody-servant."Yourdearmotherkeepssayingwe'retoooldtoplayatbeingsoldiers,andsometimesIwonderifshe'sright,atleastaboutme.Everytimewecomebackfromoneofthesegames,Iaskmyselfifitisn'ttimetostop."

"Youonlythinkthataslongasittakesforyoutogetyourwindback."TheyoungElvenlordgrinnedathiscompanions,andLynderchuckled."Andmotherhasadifferentsetofprioritiesfromyouandme.Whatdoyou

expecthertosay?She'snotjustafemale,she'salady,andifshehadherwaywe'dallbedriftingaroundtheestateincloudsoftranquilmusic,perfume,andrefinement.Ifitwereuptoher,you'dbecultivatingroses,andI'dbecultivatingillusionsandcourtingsomefragilelittlelilyofamaiden."Heacceptedtheflaskbackandtookanotherdrink."NotthatyouneedtoapologizeforhavingaknackwithrosesbutIdon'tthinkyou'dwanttospendyourlifeamongtheflowers."

Gelrolledhiseyes."Godsforbid!"heexclaimed."I'ddieofboredominhalfa

day!Rosesareallrightforahobby,butnotasalife'swork!"

"I'dprefertendingrosestobeingforcedtospendmytimecultivatingahighbornmaiden."Kyrtianlaughed,thesoundinterruptedoddlybythejouncingofthecarriage."Atleastyoudon'thavetomakeconversationwithaflower,evenifyoudohavetobecarefulofthethorns.It'seasiertoavoidthornsthantrytokeepastrangewomanfromseeingthingssheshouldn't."

Hetriedtokeephistonelight,buthislaughtersoundedabitstrainedinhisownears.Thesubjectofwivesandheirshadbeenmuchonhismother'smindandtonguelately;hardlyadaypassedwithoutheralludingtoitatleastonce.Itwasasubjecthewasnoteasywith.Heenjoyedhislifethewayitwas,andhadnorealwishtobringastrangerintohishome."Ancestors!I'dhavetosetupanentirelyseparatepartoftheestatetokeepher



properlysecluded,andthatwouldbeasmuchofaboreascourtingherwouldbe!Iswear,ifitweren'tforbiddenI'dwedastout-heartedhumanwenchfromrighthere."

Gelmadeasourface."Attheleast,we'dneedtheDowager-Housesettorightsjusttoconfinethegirlin,andsomehowkeephermewedupthereindefinitely.IfTenebrinth,SelazianandPelenalhaddaughtersthingswouldbeagreatdealeasieronallofus.You'dthinkoneofyourclientswouldhavethegoodsensetotakecareofthatlittleproblemforus!"

Kyrtianrepliedwithcompleteseriousness."Iwishtheyhad.Nothingwouldhavepleasedmebettertotakeoneofthemintomyfamilyline;they'reallfinegentlemen.Asitiswell,somedaysoonIsupposeI'llhavetopleaseMotherandgolookingamongstsomeoneelse'sunderlingsforawife.EventuallyI'llfindamaidenwho'sofsufficientlylowranktobetoooverawedtonoticemyeccentricities."

"She'llhavetooverlookmorethanthat,"Gelwarnedhim,"Oryou'llhaveherrunningbacktoherPapawithstoriesofhowyoucan'tkeepyourslavesproperlyunderyourthumb."

Kyrtianfeltcompelledtogivehismother'scounterstothosearguments,whichwerethesamethathehimselfhadraised."Elvenmaidensinmosthouseholdsarekeptclose-confined,Mothersays.AndamaidenoflowrankshouldbedazzledbyhernewsurroundingsandtoomuchinaweofMothereverto

questionthings.Wethinkthataslongasherservantsobeyedher,she'dneverknowwedothingsdifferentlyhere."Hecompressedhisbrowsinalittlefrown."I'dhavetomakesurethatshewasneverallowedtoabusethem,though...andthatcouldtakesomemanagement."



Gellookeddubious,butonlysaid,"Ifyou'djustleavethewife-huntinguptoyourMother,youcanbesureshewon'tchoosesomeonewe'llhavetoworryabout.Shehasentrytoallthebowers,andifshecan'tfindsomeonesympathetictoourways,shecanatleastfindsomeonewhoistootimidtospeakupaboutanything,toostupidtocare,orhasbeentoocloselyshelteredtoknowwhatisandisnotusual."

"Isupposethat'stheonlyrealsolution,"Kyrtiansighed,andwincedatthethoughtofamouse,adolt,orafrailflowerasawife.Whatadisgustingsituation,hethought,frowning.AndI'mgoingtohavetodosomethingaboutitfairlysoon.Motherisn'tgoingtoallowmetoputitoffmuchlonger.

Gelsnortedathisruefulexpression,asaparticularlyhardbouncesentthemallintheairforabriefmoment."Don'tmope,"herepliedsternly,thenadded,withacrudechuckle,"Atleastyouaren'tgoingtobesaddledwith

awifewhohasthehipsofacow,themannersofapig,andthefaceofahorse.YouElvesareneverlessthanhandsome,soyouwon'thavetowishforabagtoputoverherheadwhenyoudoyourdutytopresenttheestatewithanheir."

Kyrtianflushed,feelingthetipsofhisearsburn.Gelhadbeenhisteacher,companion,andfriendforaslongashecouldremember,butthehumancouldbeamazinglycoarse,sometimes.Howonearthcouldheexplainthatwhatmadehimdreadmatrimonywasthefearthathe'dfindhimselfboundforcent

uriestoadull,insipididiot?Howcouldhepossiblygetupenoughinterestinamaidenlikethattodohisdutybytheestateandtheclan?Gelwouldonlylaugh,andtellhimthatitwasn'twhatwasbetweenagirl'searsthatmattered

IfIcouldfindsomeonelikeMother,hethoughtwistfully,I'dwedhernomatterwhatherrankwas.DidFathereverreallyknowhowluckyhewastofindamaidenwithwit,courage,sense,andintelligence?Whatarerankandmagicworth,comparedwithqualitieslikethat?

"We'llhavetotellMiladyaboutthenewschemeforasiege,"Gelsaidcheerfully,interruptinghisthoughts."She'llprobablywanttohaveahandinitherselfthistimeandIthinkyououghttogiveherabitofacommand.Maybethenshe'llstopteasingusaboutourpastime."



"Youknow,youcouldberight."Kyrtianbracedhimselfasthecarriagehitaseriesofrutsthatthreatenedtobouncethemallagainsttheceiling,rattlinghisveryteeth.Thiswastheworstpartoftheroad;inamoment,everythingwouldsuddenlysmoothoutastheyreachedthepavedsection."Maybeifshegetsatasteofthis,she'llrealizejusthowchallengingitis."

Myonlyotherchoicewouldbetotellherthetruththatitisn'tagame,thatGelandIaretrainingthehumanstodefendtheestateiforwhencombatcomeshere.Idon'twanttodothat;Idon'tknowthatdangeriscoming,Ijustfeelitinmybones.Theirestatewasrelativelyisolated,andheandhismothercertainlywerenotinthefirstsocialcircles,butstill...firsthadcometheElvenbane,thatweirdwizard-girlwhohad,byallrepute,single-handedlyengineeredanuprisingoftotallyunsuspectedhalfbloods.NotthatheexpectedanytroublefromthehalfbloodshispeoplewereperfectlyfreetojointheWizardsanytimetheywantedto,andnoneofthemdid.Still,tohaveadreadedlegendcometolifeandtakedownthemostpowerfu

lElvenlordontheCouncil,anddoitwiththeaidofLordDyran'sownson,whoshesomehowsubvertedwell,ithadalloftheElvenlordslookingformorehalfbloods-in-disguiseintheirmidst.

AndwhentheGreatLordswerelookingforonething,theymightfindsomethingelsetheydidn'tcarefor.

Thenhadcomeasecondrebellion,thistimeoftheElvenlords'owndisregardeds

econdandthirdoffspring,the"spares,"whichapparentlyinvolvedanewsortofmagicthatdisruptedeventhemostpowerfulElvenmagic.ThatwarwasnotgoingwellfortheGreatLords.Itwasn'tsomuchthatthey'dlostagreatdealofterritory,fortherelativelysmallnumberofYoungLordswhohadrevoltedhadonlytakenafewestates;theproblemwasthatthey'dtakenandheldthem,andcontinuedtohold,andalthoughKyrtiandidn'tknowthisforcertain,hesuspectedtheyweremakingthemselvesfelt.Theywereathorn,notintheside,butinthefoot,andonewhich



wasfeltwitheverysteptheGreatLordstook.Thatmadethemedgy;alwaysadangerousthing.Kyrtiandidn'tliketheideaofhavinganedgy,inquisitiveGreatLordnosingaroundanywherenearhisestate.Orhispeople.

AndifanythinghappenedbecausetherewasaninquisitiveGreatLordsniffingaroundwell,hewantedtobereadyforit.

"Maybeshe'llwanttotakeuptheswordforherself,"Gelsuggested,withaslytwinkle."Youknowshe'dbegoodatit.Ithinkifsheevergotafeelforrighting,she'dbeasaddictedtoitasweare."

"Oh,there'sathought!"Kyrtianlaughedwickedly."Icouldmakehermysecond-in-command.Thenwhatwouldyoudo?"

"Goonmykneesandsubmit,"Geladmitted."Andbowtotheinevitable.I'veseenhermoveandI'veseenheratthehuntshe'sgotbetterreactionsthanyoudo.Ancestors!Putabowinherhands,andI'llsurrenderonthespotratherthanfaceher!"

Thecarriagejoltedonelasttime,asthewheelsbouncedupontothepavement,thenKyrtianandGelsettled

backwithidenticalsighsofreliefasroughridegavewaytosmoothrollingthatwasascomfortableassailingonasmoothlake.

"Itrustyou'vetakencareofthingsforthemenasusual?"KyrtianaskedLynder.TheyounghumanhadonlybeenKyrt-ian'sbody-servantfortwomonths,buthe'dbeenmeticulouslytrainedbyKyrtian'spreviousman,andtheElvenlordwasconfidenthecouldhandlehisnewresponsibilitiesasinvisiblyashispredecessor.

Themanlookedalittleanxious."Thebathhouseisclearedandready,dinner'sbeenheld,there'stobemusicandlate-leavefortheotherservantstojointheentertainment"Hehesitated,andglancedpleadinglyatGel,clearlywonderingifhe'dmissedsomething.



"Exactlyright,Lynder,"Kyrtiansaidsoothingly,totakethelookofanxietyoutofhiseyes.Lynderhadprobablymissedoneortwodetails,buttheotherservantswouldseetoitthateverythingwentsmoothlyanyway.Afteryearsofthesemock-battles,everyoneknewwhatwasexpectedafterwards.Thehouse-andfield-servantswereexpectedtorescheduletheirownbathssothatthereturningfighterscouldhavetheplacetothemselves.Dinnerhadbeenheldbacksothatitwouldreachthetableshotandfreshastheycameoutofthebathhouseanditwouldn'tbetheusualbreadandstew,butsomethingalittlefancier.Roastmeatorchicken,usually,achoiceofside-dishes,andsomethinginthewayofasweet.Therewouldbealittleextrabeernotenoughtocauseproblems,butaglassortwomorethanusualforeveryone.Someofthehouseholdmusicianswouldcomedownafterdinner,andtherewouldbesomelivelymusicanddancing,andifbedshadtwooccupantsornoneinthemtonightinsteadofone,noonewouldbetakentotask.Tomorrowwouldbeaquarter-holiday,workanddrilltostartabitlaterinthemorningthanusualsothatthemencouldsleepinabit.Allinall,themenwouldfeelthemselveswellrewardedfortheirhardworktoday.

Andweneedtobeginplanningthenextholidaybytomorrowatthelatest,Kyrtianremindedhimself.Hedidn'tliketomaketheintervalsbetweenholidaystoolong;hedidn'twantthehouse-andfield-servantstostartfeelingaggrievedatthespecialtreatmentthefightersreceived.

Thecarriageslowedandcametoastop;inthedustygoldlightthatwasswiftlyfading,aservantinemerald-greentunicandtrewsopenedthedoor,andKyrtiangotout,followedbyGeland

Lynder.Round,blue-whitelightshanginginclustersoffourfrombronzepostsalreadyblazedoneithersideofthewhitestonestaircasethatledtothefrontportalsofthemanor.Moregreen-liveriedservantstookpossessionofthearmorandarmsasKyrtianlookedabout.Gelsalutedandstalkedofftowardsthebarracksinthattireless,agelessstridethatKyrtiancouldneverimitate,withthefinalraysofthesettingsunilluminatinghimlikesomegod-touchedheroofhumanhistory.



KyrtianranupthealabasterstepsofthemanorwithLynderclosebehind,deepshadowsnowgivingwaytobluedusk.Atthetopofthestairs,doubledoorsofcastbronzewouldhaveswungopenatthemeresttouchofhismagic,butheignoredthementirely,intendingtotaketheinconspicuousdoorkeeper'sentryattheside.Thegreen-claddoorkeeperhadexpectedjustthat,andwasholdingopenthesmallerportalforhim,bowingslightlyashepassedthrough.

"Beker!"Kyrtiangreetedhim."Isyourwifebetter?"

Thehuman'slongfacebrightenedatthequestion."Oh,muchbetter,LordKyrtian!Wecannotthankyouenough"

"You'llthankmebynotlettingthingsgettosuchapassbeforeyousaysomething,"Kyrtianreplied,withjustenoughofasterntonetohisvoicethatthedoorkeeperwouldknowhewasserious."Don'tkeepgoingbacktothe'pothecary;whenthesimplecuredoesn'twork,gotoLordSelazian.That'swhyIkeephimasaretainer,Beker;makethelazyloutworkforhisliving!"

"Yes.LordKyrtian,"thedoorkeeperwhispered,bowingfurther."Iwill,mylord."

"Carryon,Beker,"Kyrtianreplied,andmovedon,leavingthedoorkeepertoshutthingsupbehindhim.

"Lynder,remindLordTenebrinthtohaveatalkwiththeapothecary,willyou?"Kyrtiansaidinaquietasideastheystrodedownthemiddleoftheentrancehall.Athick,pale-greycarpetbeneaththeirfeetmuffledallsoundoffootfalls,andalthoughthealabasterceilingandgrey-veinedmarblewallswe

renotimposing,Kyrtianthoughttheyhadagreatdealofdignityaboutthem."Ican'thavemypeoplegettingsickandrelyingonthatthatherb-shamanforeverything!Iwouldn'thavehadhimatall,ifyouhumanshadn'tinsistedonhim."

"LordKyrtianitisfrighteningforsomeofustoaskaLordforanything,muchlessaskhimtotreatusforour



ailments,"Lynderrepliedwithhesitation."Youforgetsometimesthatalthoughmanyofushavebeenbornandraisedinyourservice,manymorecomefromoutsidetheboundaryofyourestate,andthingsareverydifferentinthegreaterworld."

"Well,that'swhyIwantyoutoremindLordTenebrinthtotalktotheapothecary.Isuspectthemanmightbeencouragingthosefears,andifthat'strue,Iwantitstopped."Kyrtianfrowned."Ancestors!Thelastthingweneedistogetaplaguestartedbecauseamanwhothinksrattlingbonesandbrewingteascancureeverythingwon'tgiveuptryingtillhispatientsaredead!"

"Withyourpermission,LordKyrtian,I'llaskSergeantGeltohaveawordwithhimfirst."KyrtiansawoutofthecornerofhiseyethatLynderwassmilingalittle."TheSergeantcanbeverypersuasive."

Kyrtiannodded,astheyturneddownasidecorridortothefamily-quarters."Itrustyourjudgment,Lynder.ButdofeelfreetobringTenebrinthinonit;heismySeneschal,afterall."

Lyndermovedaheadtosmoothlyopenadoorontheright-handsideofthecorridorbeforeKyrtiancouldtouchithimself."Yes,LordKyrtian,"hereplied,andasKyrtiansteppedthroughthedoorintohisprivatequarters,hewasengulfedbyservants.

Inotherhouseholds,theywouldhavebeencalled"slaves,"anditwastruethatKyrtianwastheirtitularownerbutifanyoneofthemwantedtoleave,hewouldhaveonlytopetitiontheElvenlordandpermissionwouldbeinstantlygranted.Somehow,someway,KyrtianwouldfindawaytosmugglethehumanouttotheterritoriesheldbytheWizardsorthefreehumans.Notthatanyonewouldeveraskforthatpermissiontheworldopentofreehumanswashostileanduncomfortable,andentirelytoodangeroustobemuchofatemptation.



AshadbeenthecasewithKyrtian'sfatherandgrandfather,Kyrtianandhismotherwererespected,admired,evenbeloved,notonlybythehumansoftheestate,butbythefewElvenretainerswhocalledthemtheirliege-lords.Therewerethreewhowereofthemostimportance;theaforementionedTenebrinthwhosepositionasSeneschalpredatedKyrtian'sbirth,SelazianthePhysicianwhohadbeenstudyingthediseasesofhumansaswellasElvesforliterallycenturiesandLordPelenal,Kyrtian'sAgent,whohandledalltheaffairsoftheestatethatneededtobeconductedoutsidethewallsoftheestate.

KyrtianandhismotherwereasdependentonPelenal'sgoodwillashewasontheirs,buthehadnevergiventhemevenamomentofunease.Pelenalboughtnewslaves,negotiatedcontracts,andhaggledtogetthebestpricesforthefoodstuffsproducedbythismostfertileofestates.Pelenalwasoneofthosemostdespisedofcreatures,anElvenlordwithsolittlemagichemightjustaswellhavehadnone

atall.DespitethefactthattherecouldnotpossiblyhavebeenabetterAgentinalloftheestates,PelenalwouldneverhaveattainedthatpositionofpowerintheserviceofanyoneotherthanKyrtian'sfamily.Heknewthat;sawElveswithmoremagicthanhegrovelingforcrumbsatthetablesofgreaterElvenlords,anddemonstratedhisgratitudeinthemosttangibleoftermsonaregularbasis.

Thatwasjustaswell,becausewhererealpower,thepoliticalpoweroftheCounciloftheGreatLordswas

concerned,Kyrtianhadnone.Hisonlypowerwaseconomic,andthatwasinnosmallpartduetoPelenal'sclevermanagement.

Still,thatpowercouldbeformidable.

Asservantsswarmedoverhim,strippinghimtotheskinastheypropelledhimtowardsthebathingroom,heallowedhimselftheluxuryoffeelingjustalittlesmug.Politicalpowercamea

ndwentevenmagicpowercouldfadewithtime,orbelosttofurthergenerationsbuteconomicpowerwasamuchmoredependable,ifunderratedforce.Hisgrandfatherhadunderstoodthat,evenifhisfatherhadn'tbuthisfatherhadtheservicesofTenebrinthtoensurethattheestate'sprosperitycontinued.Pelenalhadsimplybuiltonthatfoundation.



Thebathing-room,ofgreen-veinedmarblewithshiningsilverfixtures,featuredasunkentublongerthanKyrtianwastall,anddeepenoughforhimtosinkinuptohischin.Justnowitwassofullofsteamitwasdifficulttoseeacrossit.Kyrtiansteppedintothetubcarefully.Whenfathervanished,thingscouldhavebeenverybad,ifmotherhadn'thadthegoodsensetoaskTenebrinthifheknewsomeonehecouldtrusttobecomeouroutsideAgent.Kyrtianeasedhimselfdownintothehot,juniper-scentedwaterofhisbath,thinkingashedidsothathisMotherwasalmostasremarkableinherwayashisGrandfatherhadbeen.Themorehelearnedaboutrunningthisestate,themoreamazingitwastohimthatnothinghadgonewrong.ThankstoTenebrinthandPelenal,whostudiedthedemandsoftheotherestatesandtheresourcesoftheirownwiththefiercededicationofawarriorforhiscraft,Kyrtian'sestatewassoprosperousthatevenhisworstenemieswouldneverdreamofforcingaconfrontationwithhim.

Heclosedhiseyesandfragrantsteamroseupandfilledtheroomfurtherwithscentedfog.NooneLordwould

everdarechallengeme,hethoughtcontentedly.Andprobablynottwoorthreetogether.Notthatthey'relikelyto,sinceIdon'tmeddleinpolitics,buttheystillwouldn'tdare.Notwhentheselandsfeedandclotheathirdofthem.Notwhenthefruitsofourlaborsareservedupontheirtables,whenourwinesarethechoicest,oursilksthefairest.

Granted,anElvenlordwithpowerfulmagiccouldtransformwaterandashesintothefinestwineandchoicestmealsbutitwasstillwaterandashes,andwouldn'tnourishanybetter.Ittooka

greatdealofmagictocreatesuchillusions,magicwhichcouldbeputtobetteruse.IllusorygoldhadnocommercialworthbutthegoldinKyrtian'streasurywasrealenough.



No,nooneisevergoingtotryanypoliticalgameswithus,hetoldhimself,astheheatofthebathwarmedandsoothedallofhistired,strainedmuscles.Theywouldn'tdare.Pelenalwouldn'tselltothem,andthenwherewouldtheybe?Halfthestuffthatgoestofeedtheirslavescomesfromhere;mostofthemdon'tbothergrowinggrainanymore,orraisingsheepforwoolandflaxforlinen.

AsoftenasheaskedTenebrinthiftherewasanythingtheSeneschalwantedasarewardforallhisgoodservice,Tenebrinthhadneveraskedforanythingbutthemosttrivialoffavors.LordTenebrinthoftenseemedtoKyrtianthemostcontentedofbeings;hehadawifewhoadoredhim,andthefreedomtomanagetheestateashesawfit.Tenebrinth'schiefpleasureoutsideofhisfamilycamefromtryingoutlittletheoriesofmanagement.Overthedecades,hehadweededoutalltheonesthatdidn'tworkatall,ordidn'tworkwell,andnowhewasintheprocessoffine-tuningandbalancingeverything.TheonethingthatTenebrinthwouldhavewantedthatKyrtiancouldn'tgivehimwasachild.

AndifIcould,Iwould.Ithinkwepayforourlonglivesinourlackofchildren.Itwassad,really,foriftherewaseveranElvenladyborntobeamother,itwasTenebrinth'swife,LadySeryana.

Andofcourse,itwouldbesomucheasieronallofusiftheyjusthadadaughter.Itwouldn'thavematteredhowyoungthegirlwas;Kyrtianwouldbemorethanwillingtowaitforhertogrowu

p.Afterall,hehadallthetimeintheworldbeforehim;Elvesdidageanddieeventually,but"eventually"wasseveralcenturiesaway.

MaybewhatheoughttodowouldbetoinvestigatethoserumorsthatsomeElvenlordshaddiscoveredwaystoenhancetheirfertilitywithmagic.Ifthatweretrue,andhecouldfindawaytopurchasetheservicesofsuchamagician

Thatwouldsolveeveryone'sproblem,wouldn'tit?

Itwasaneasysolutiononthesurface,butlikedeepwater,sucha"solution"couldcovermorethanwasimmediatelyapparent.



ThefavormightcostmorethanI'mwillingtogive.Whatifthemagewantedslaves?HowcouldIsendoffanyofmypeopleintorealslavery?Whatifhewantedsomeofmyfighters?WhatifhewantedGel?

Evenifthatdifficultynevercameup,therewastheimaginarygirltoconsider.Shemightnotlikeme.Shemightlikeme,butnotenough.ShemightfallinlovewithsomeoneelseevenPelenal.Hewincedawayfromtheideaofforcingamaidentowedbecauseshe'dbeenbetrothedtohiminhercradle.Howcouldanygoodcomeoutofsuchabadbargain?

Gelisright.Ishouldleaveituptomother,hedecided,withaslightsinkingofhisheartandacontradictoryfeelingofrelief.I'lltellhersoatdinner.Thatshouldmakehersohappyshe'llletusbesiegeherverybowerifwewant!

4

---

AsLynderreplenishedthegobletofcoolwateratKyrtian'srighthand,theyounglordsoakeduntiltheachesin

histired,soremuscleseased.He'dhaveremainedinthebathuntilhewasindangeroffallingasleep,ifnotfortwofactors.Hisstomachcomplainedthatithadn'tgottenanythingbutwaterforsometime,andheknewhis



motherwaswaitingforhimtohavedinnerwithherandoutofpolitenesswouldnottouchamorseluntilheappeared.Servantssentoffforaplatteroffinger-foodswouldhavetakencareofthehunger,buthewasnotgoingtoberudetohismother!

Itisn'twisetoberudetoone'smother.Sheknowseverythingaboutyourchildhoodthatispotentiallyembarrassing.

Reluctantly,hesteppedupoutofthewater,drippingontothemarblefloor,andwavedoffanotherattentiveservant,takingthesoft,snowytoweltheladheldouttohim.Wrappingthetowelaroundhimself,hereturnedtohisbedroomtofindclothinglaidoutoverastandandwaitingforhimtodon.ThisclothinghadbeenselectedbyLyndertocomplementwhateverhismotherwaswearingfordinner.Itwasasmallgesture,butonethathismotherappreciated,anditonlycostalittleextraattentiononthepartofthe

servants;suchattentionwasnoburdentothem,forshewasasbelovedtoherstaffasshewastoherson.

Tohisrelief,thewaitingclothingwascasual,acomfortabletunicandtrewsofheavyambersilkwithasimplegeometricdesigninbronzebeadworktrimmingthecollarandbelt.Thatmeanthismotherwasinacasualmood;infact,withanyluck,shehadarrangedtodineonthebalconyoutsidethelesserdining-room,wheretheycouldwatchtheirhumandependentsdancingandlistentotheirmusic.

Heknew,becauseshehadtoldhim,thatotherElvenlordsgenerallychosetodineamidself-created,fantasticsettingsbuiltofillusion,asimplerversionoftheillusionshe'dseenatthefewElvengatheringsandfeteshehadattended.Hehadneverbeenabletofathomwhytheywouldwishtodosuchathing.Howboringmustitbe,surroundedbysomethingsoutterlycontrolled,inwhichoneknewtothemomentexactlywhatwouldhappen?Hepreferredrealweather,realsunsets,andthespontaneityofliveperformers.Butthen,he'dnevercaredmuchforeventhemostelaborateofillusions,farpreferringthebeautiesoftherea

lworldtogossamerfantasies.Evenhissuiteheldabutsingleillusion,tobringtheoutdoorsthathelovedinsideregardlessofweatherorseason.Hehadcreatedanetherealforestgladeandwaterfall,illuminatedinaperpetualtwilight,inthecornerofhissittingroom.Thisillusionopenedhissuiteandmadetheroomseemtoextendfarbeyondtheactualwalls.Hecouldeasilyhavehadarealwaterfallputin,butthatwouldhavemadethesittingroomrathermorehumidthanheliked.Thethreeroomsofhissuitesittingroom,study,andbedroomwereotherwise



allastheyhadbeenbuilt:greycarpet,whitewallsandceiling,simple,unornamentedfurnishingswithframesofpalebirch-woodandfatcushionsingrey-blue,grey-green,andslate-grey.Sourceless,gentlelightbathedtherooms,butcouldbeextinguishedwithasinglecommandmagic,yes,buthardlyillusion.

Hedonnedthesoft,comfortablesilkgarments,slippedonapairofbutteryleatherindoorbootsandbeltedthetunicwithamatchingsash.Afteraquickglanceathimselfinamirrortoensurethathehadnotforgottenanything,hesetoutforthedining-chambers,leavingtheservantstocleanupbehindhim.Thesamesourcelesslightasbrightenedhisroomsilluminatedthehallwayswhoseonlyornamentsweresmalltablesplacedatintervalsagainstthewall.Henotedwithapprovalthatnowthatitwassummer,someonehadreplacedthestatuesthathadstoodoneachtablewitharrangementsofflowerswhichgentlyscentedtheairwithoutbeingcloying.Somuchbetterthanalltheincenseandheavyperfumeshe'dencounteredinthefewothermanorshe'doccasionallyvisited!Hismothermadelifehereintoanartform,somethingthat

appearedeffortlessandwasanythingbut.Itrequiredasmallarmyoftheirfaithfulservants,workingincarefulharmony,toachievethe"simple"effectsthatotherscreatedwithillusions.

Asheapproachedthediningchambers,thelightsubtlychanged,growingwarmerintone,andtheflowerarrangementsherewerenolongermadeupofbloomsofwhiteandpalepastels,butofrichercolors.Thiswasclearlytheworkofhismother'shandandmind.Theimpressionnowcreatedwasthatofcheerandwelcome,

andhenotedproudlythatonceagain,itwasaccomplishedwithouttheuseofasingleillusion.

Lynderwaitedpatientlyoutsidethedoorofthelesserdining-chamber,confirmingKyrtian'sguessthatheandhismotherwouldbediningwithoutthecompanyofanyoftheotherElvesoftheestate.Lynderopenedthe



bronze-edgeddoorforhim,andhepassedthroughwithanodofthanks.Subduedlightingandanemptytablegreetedhim,andtheopencasementdoortothebalconybeyondbeckonedhimonward.

Outonthealabasterbalcony,apairofbronzelampsgavejustenoughlighttobeusefulwithoutbeingobtrusive.Aservantwithacartladenwithcovereddisheswaitedbesideasmalltableflankedbytwochairs.Hismotherrosefromthefurthestoftheseashesteppedontothebalcony,andheldoutherhandtohimwithawelcomingsmile.

V'dyllLydiellLadyPrastaranwasnotthemostbeautifulofElvenwomen;hergreeneyeswereatouchtooshrewd,hercheekbonestoosharplydefined,hermouthatoncetoogenerousandtoosardonic,herwinglikeeyebrowstooinclinedtoarcupwardsinwryamusement.Herfigurewastooslighttobecalled"generous,"and

toomusculartobecalled"delicate";infact,shewasanotabledancerandathlete.Andshewastootallforthecurrentfashion,withfullyasmuchheightasherson.Tonighthermoon-palehairwascaughtatthebackofherheadinasingle,practicalknot,onlyrelievedbythreestrandsofbronze,moonstoneandamberbeadsthreadedontoslenderlocksofhairbehindherleftear.Herclothingwasvirtuallyidenticaltoherson's,exceptthatsheworeadividedskirtinsteadoftrews.Shefollowednofashions,andsetnone;shewasalawuntoherself,andassuch,fitthePrastaranestateandclanperfectly.

Kyrtiantookherhand,droppedafilialkissonit,andassistedherbackintoherseatbeforetakinghisown.Hesniffedappreciativelyatthesavoryscentsarisingfromthefirstdishastheservantuncoveredathicksoupandoffereditfortheirapproval.

Lydielltooktheladleherself,andmeasuredouttwoporcelainbowlsfull."I'vealreadyquizzedLynder,soIknowthatyoubeatGel,"shesaidwithamusement."AndIalsoknowthathemanagedtokillyouintheprocess

ofbeatinghim.Aratherdubiousvictory,don'tyouthink?"

"Isupposeitwoulddependonwhetheryouwerethecaptainwhowaskilledorthegeneralwhosenthim,"Kyrtianpointedout."Myimaginarysuperiorwouldhavenoreasontobeunhappyabouttheoutcomeofourbattle."



Lydiellmadealittlegrimaceofdistaste."Yournot-so-imaginaryrelationswouldeitherbeverygrievedorverypleasedifyourdemisehadbeengenuine,"shecountered."YourobnoxiouscousinAelmarkininparticular"

Kyrtianknewwhatwascoming,andthistimedecidedtopreemptthelittlespeechabouthisdutytothelegacylefttohimbyhisfather."MyobnoxiouscousininparticularisgoingtobeverywnhappyassoonasyoufinishtheprojectI'dlikeyoutoundertake,Lady-Mother,"heinterrupted,tappingherhandplayfullywithhisindexfinger."IwantyoutogohuntmeoutacoupleofsuitablefemalessoIcanmakeaselectionforabride.I'dlikelyonlybunglethejob;you,however,willmanageitbrilliantly."

Lydiellstaredathimwithhermouthslightlyopen,hereyeswideandhereyebrowsarchedashighastheywouldgo."Areyouserious?"shedemanded."Areyoureallyreadytowed?"

Shedidn'tsay"atlast"butshedidn'thaveto.

Heshrugged."AsreadyasIameverlikelytobe,andwithalltheunrestabout,itwouldprobablybebettertogetitoverwithbeforeitbecomesimpossibleforyoutotravelaroundtofindmesomeone."

Lydiell'sexpressionassumedafaintcastofguilt."IsworetoyourfatherIwouldneverpressureyouintomarryingsomeoneforwhomyouhadnoaffection,"shebegan."And"



"Andyouaren'tgoingtonow,"herepliedfirmly."I'vejustgottenovertheexpectationthattheperfectwomanwillsomehowdropoutoftheskyongossamerwings,emergenixielikefromtheriver,ormaterializespirit-wiseoutoftheforest,andmakemefallintopassionatelovewithher.Agirlwhowon'tbecomeariskforusisfarmoreimportant,andyou'rethebestjudgeofthat.Sofarasmyownneedsareconcerned,someoneIcantolerateoverbreakfastwilldonicely.Ifwehavesomethingsincommonsothatwedon'tbaffleorboreeachother,betterstill."Heputhishandoverhismother'sasitrestedonthetable,andhefeltittremble."Tomymind,itisfarmoreimportantthatshefeelloveandaffectionforyou,mylady."

"Ifyoufoundawifewhomyoulovedbutwhodidn'tcareforme,IcouldalwaysretiretotheDowager-House,"shebeganbravely,butheshookhishead.

"IknowGrandmotherlovedtheDowager-Houseandretiredtherebecauseshefoundtoomanymemoriesinthesehalls,butthatwon'tbethecaseforyou.Icouldn'tcareforanyonewhodroveyououtofyourownhome,soIrelyonyoutofindmesomeonesensible.Iwillbehappywithsafety,sense,andintelligence,inthatorder.Now,"hecontinued,seeingthelightinhereyesanddecidingtotakeadvantageofthesituation,"GelandIwanttostageanotherholiday-battle,andwethoughtwe'dhaveasiegeoftheDowager-Houseinsteadoftheusualwoods-battleorfield-melee.Doyouthinkwecouldarrangethat?"

Assurelyasifhehadthehumanmagicforreadingthoughts,heknewshewasengrossedinrunningoverthevariousmatrimonialpossibilitiesinhermind,andthatthemomenthehadsaidGel'sname,shedismissedtherestofthesentenceasirrelevanttotheall-importanttaskofmatchmaking."Oh,certainly,"shesaidabsently,allowingtheservanttotakeawayhersoupandserveheraportionofbakedeel,adishshenormallynevertouched.Sheateit,too,takingdaintybutrapidbites,allofherthoughtsoccupiedwithmoreimportantthingsthanfood.

Hegrinnedtohimself,anddevouredhisownportionwithoutfurthercomment,congratulatinghimselfonhisclevermaneuver.He'dgottenherapprovalofthesiegewhichshewouldbelatedlyremember,sometimelatetonightasshewentoverthedinnerconversationinhermind.Bythattimeitwouldbetoolatetoretracttheapproval.Andithadn'tcosthimanythingotherthansomethinghe'dalreadymade



uphismindtodo.Satisfactiongavehimaheartyappetite,andheenjoyedeverybiteofhisdinner.

Downbelowthebalcony,thelawnstretchedoutinaplush,velvetyslopeforsomedistancebeforeitflattenedoutandbecamethevillagegreensharedbyallofthehumanservantswhohadearnedcottagesinthemanor-village.Surroundedbylanternssuspendedfromstandsplungedintotheturf,itwasbrilliantlyandfestivelyilluminated.Thegreenservedasfairgrounds,dance-floor,andfeast-tableinfineweather,anditservedthelattertwopurposestonight.Thewarriors,victoriousanddefeatedboth,celebratedatlongwoodentablesthathadbeencarriedoutfromtheirbarracks.Otherservantsandfield-workers,theirdinnerslongover,slowlycamebygroupsoftwoandthreetojointhefun.Festivetorchesburnedbrightlyateitherendofeachtable,andalittlebandofmusicianshadsetupatthefarendandplayedraucousdancing-tunesthatwereunlikeanythingeverheardatanElvencelebration.Kyrtianratherlikedhumanmusic,himself,andheknewhismotherwasamused

byitbuttocomparehumantoElvenmusicwouldbelikecomparinganoisyforeststreamtoanilluminatedwater-sculpture.Theywerebothmadeofmovingwater,butwiththatallresemblanceended.

Gelandadozenothershadalreadyfinishedtheirdinnerandfoundthemselvespartners,andweredancingwithgreatenthusiasmandabandon,ifnotskill.Fromtherosycheeksandsparklingeyesofthegirls,noneofthepartnerswereinclinedtocomplainiftheirtoesgottroddenon,occasionally.Kyrtianfinishedhismealin

silence,andsettledbackinhischairwithaglassofwine,watchingtheswirlandchaosoftheever-increasingcrowdofdancers.

"Aboutyourobnoxiouscousin"Lydiellmurmuredunexpectedly,startlinghim.



"Whatabouthim?"Kyrtianreplied,glancingather."Hedoesn'twanttovisitagain,doeshe?Ithoughtwe'dmanagedtocurehimofthatafterthelasttime."

Lydiellwinced."Italmostcuredmeofwantingtostayhere,"shesaid,shuddering."IfI'dhadtositthroughonemoreeveningofyouJroninginthatflatvoice!You'dhavemadeeroticpoetryunbearablydullwiththatvoice!"

Kyrtiangrinned."Ithoughtthemonotonewentwiththesubjectmatter.YoucanthankGelforthat,bytheway.Ihadnoideaheknewsomuchaboutthetacticalimportanceofcampsupplyandsanitation;bythetimehewasdonefillingmyheadwiththeinformation,Icouldhavewrittenamonographonthesubject."

"Remindmetohavehimservedanicedishoflivescorpions,"shesaid,withatouchofexasperation."HemighthavetakencaretorecallthatIwasgoingtohavetoendurethateveningtoo!But,togobacktothesubjectno,yourcousinAel-markinhasnointentionofvisiting.Evidently,however,hedoeswanttomakeupfortryingtodisinherityou."

"Oh,really?"Kyrtianfelthiseyebrowsrisinginanimitationofhismother'smostsardonicexpression."Howfraternalofhim.What,exactly,doeshewant?"

Lydiell'sfacegavenohintofherfeelings."Hewantsyoutovisit.He'sinvitedyoutoaagathering,ofsorts.LordMarthienandLordWyvarnaaresettlingtheirdisputeathisestate."

Kyrtianwasunpleasantlysurprised."TwoGreatLordsaresettlingafeudandAelmarkinwantsmethere?Whateverfor?"

Lydiellshookherhead."Idon'tknow,"shereplied,soundinghonestlyperplexed."Perhapshehasdecidedheshouldchangehisbehavior,inthehopeyou'llforgethispetition.Orforgiveit,atleast."

Kyrtianmadeasourface."PerhapshejustwantstoshowtheGreatLordsthatI'



mascrazedasmyfather.Afterall,Ihavethesameobsessionwiththepastthatfatherdid.He'sprobablyhopingI'llstartdroningaboutEvelonhistory,oraskingifanyofthemhaveancientbooksintheirlibrariesthatIcouldhavecopied."

"Darthenianwasn'tcrazed,"Lydiellsaidsoftly."Andneitherareyou.Itisn'tmadnesstobeconcernedaboutthepastit'smadnesstotryandpretenditneverhappened.LookatthesituationtheGreatLordshavecreatedatwarwiththeirownsons!Iftheyhadrememberedthepast,andthefeudsthatsentusfleeingEveloninthefirstplace,theymighthaveavoidedthistragedy."

"Isometimeswonderifitisn'talittlemadtopursuethepastsorelentlessly,"Kyrtianreplied,hismoodsuddenlyshadowed."Whyelsewouldfatherhavedisappeared?"

Lydiell'scheeksflusheddelicatelywithanger,butshedidnotgivereintoit."Whyelse?"sheasked,andansweredthequestionherself,forcefully."Acombinationofdedicationandbadluckor,perhaps,theacquisitionofaruthlessenemy.Idon'tknowwhatDarthenianwashuntingwhenhevanished,mylove,forhekeptitasecretevenfromme,butIdoknowthatitwasimportantandpotentiallyverypowerful.Thatmadethesecretadangerousone,andthatwaswhyhekeptitfromme.Itispossiblethathemetwithanaccident.Itisalsopossiblethatsomeonebesidesmetookhimseriouslyandwishedtolearnwhatheknew,orpreventhimfromdiscoveringanythingthatmighthavegivenhimanedgeintheendlessjostl

ingforpower."

"Areyousuggestingthathewasmurdered?"Kyrtianaskedslowly.Itwassomethingthathadneveroccurredtohim.



Lydiellsighed."Idon'tknow.ItispossiblebutIcannotevenguessathowlikelyitis.Ihaveneverseenorheardanythingtoallowmetodismisstheidea,orthatconfirmedit."Herexpressionwashauntedbythatveryuncertainty."Nevertheless,letothersrememberhimasanunstabledabblerfordelvingintotheoldestofourrecordsIknowbetter,andsoshouldyou."

Kyrtianimmediatelyfeltashamed,andbenthisheadinmuteapology."AndIshouldnotallowtheviewsofV'kelAelmarkiner-LordTornaltoshademyopinionofevensotrivialaquestionaswineselection,muchlessanythingimportant."Hefrowned."I'vehalfamindtoturnhisinvitationdown.It'scometooquicklyontheCouncil'sdecision,andAelmarkinisnothingifnotpersistent.Hesurelyhassomethingplannedasanattempttoembarrassme."

ButLydiellshookherhead."That,youmustn'tdo.Hehasmorepoliticalpowert

hanyou,andhecouldmakethingsdifficultifyouoffendhim.DoyoureallywanttowasteyourtimecounteringhispettynastinesswiththeCouncil,whenyoucouldavoidhavingtodosobyattendinghisgathering?"

Kyrtiansighed,knowingwithresignationthathewasgoingtohavetogoandplaythefooltokeepAelmarkinhappy."Notreally.Whenisthisfarcescheduled?"

"Inthreedays,"Lydielltoldhim,andpattedhishandcomfortingly."Cheerup,"sheoffered."It'sonlyforanafternoon.Howhardcanitbetomaintainyourcomposureforanafternoon?"

Howhardcanitbetomaintainmycomposureforanafternoon?Kyrtianaskedhimselfsavagely,asheglareddownatthesandsofthearenatoavoidmeetinganymorecontemptuousoramusedglances.HarderthangettingthebetterofGelinasword-bout,that'show!

Fromthemomenthe'dsteppedoutofthePortalintoAel-markin'smanor,he'drealizedtwothings.Thefirst:Lydiellhadbeenabsolutelyright;ifhehadn'tshownhisfaceandhissanityatthisfunction,Aelmarkinwouldhavebeenabletosaywhateverhelikedandbebelieved.Thesecond:itwasgoingtostresshispatienceandhisactingabilitytothelimittoputupwiththeattitudeofeveryotherguestthatAelmarkinhadinvited.Hehadneverfeltsoutterlyout-of-placeinhislife.Why,hehadmoreincommonw



iththehumansofhisestatethanhedidthesestrangecreaturesofhisownrace!

AgreatmanyofthemwereapproximatelyhisagemuchyoungerthanAelmarkintheidleoffspringofGreatLordswhodidn'tcaretoattendthisparticularchallenge-fightthemselves,butwantedtosendrepresentatives.Ofcoursethismeantthathewassurroundedbythosewithlittletodoexceptchatteraboutothersoftheirset,currentfads,uselesspastimes,andnewfashions.Thepeopleoftheirsocialsetwerepeoplehedidn'tknowanythingabout,andthepursuitstheyfoundsoimportantwell,hecouldn'timaginewhyanyonewouldwastetimeonsuchthings.Butintheireyes,hewasclearlyimpossiblybackward,out-of-step,andprovincial.

Noneofthemknewanythingaboutanyofthesubjectshecaredabout,whichmadehimsoundbothaboreandaboor.

Andafterhe'dshownaflickerofstartlementatstatementsheconsideredoutrageous,theyprobablyputhimdownascallowandaprig.

Well,bytheirstandards,Iamaprig.Idon'tconsideranafternoonspentinhavingmyjadedappetitesarousedbypoorhumangirlswhoonlyexisttoserveasmyconcubinestobeparticularlyamusing.

Afterthefirsthour,theysnubbedhimopenly,andwithunveiledcontempt.

This,strangelyenough,madehimveryuncomfortable.Hehadn'texpectedthemtomakehimfeelthatway.Hecouldtrytotellhimselfthatthesepeopledidn'tmatter,thatallhehadtodowasremainpoliteandcomport



himselflikeagentlemanandnothingtheyreportedbacktotheirfatherswoulddoanyharmbutthatdidn'tmakethesneersandthesniggeringanyeasiertobear.Hedidn'tlikethem,buttheyweremanyandhewasone;itwasalltooeasytofeelthehurtofthescornedoutsider.Hetrulyhadn'tanticipatedthatsortofreactionfromhimself,andhewishedtherewasawayhecouldgracefullyextricatehimselfandgohome.

Ashestaredfixedlydownatthewooden-walledarenabelowhim,heheardwhispersbehindhim,andsnickering,andfeltthebackofhisneckgrowhot.HewasjustgladthatGelwasherewithhim,intheroleofbodyguard;somehowitwaseasiertostaycomposedwithGel'sstone-facedexampletocopy.

I'montheirchoiceofground;thebestIcanhopetodoisgetoutofthiswithoutmakinganymajorblunders.Mothercouldn'tpossiblyhaveknownhowslipperythissituationcouldbecome.H

ewasacutelyawarethattheyhadfarmoreexperiencethanheatthemaneuveringofintrigueandpolitics.Hefelthorriblyyoung,shallow,andnaive;thesepeoplehaddrunkmachinationwiththeirfirstmilk,andhehadnoideahowtodealwithsituationstheywouldn'tevenhesitateover.

Kyrtianhadtakenaseatinthefirstrowtoavoidmeetingtheireyesanylonger,buttheycontinuedtospeaktoeachotherinvoicespitchedforhimtooverhear,tauntinghimtorespond.

"Who,exactly,isthisfellow?"askedanarrogantyoungmalealittletoKyrtian'sleft.

"MycousinKyrtian,"Aelmarkinsaidlightly."SonofthelateLordDarthenian,myuncle."

"LordDarthenian..."someonemurmuredbehindhim."Thatnamesoundsfamiliar.Do

n'tIknowitfromsomeoldstoryorother?"

"Trycouplingthenamewithdaft,"drawledanother,soundingsosmugthatitwasallKyrtiancoulddotokeepfromstandingupandgoingforthefellow'sthroat."DaftDarthenian,pot-hunter,excavatorofthingsbetterleftburied,andpursuerofuselessoldmanuscripts.Missinginpursuitofsame,and



presumeddead,oh,decadesago."

"Now,Ferahine,there'snothingwrongwithhavingahobby,"repliedAelmarkin,inatonesotolerantthatKyrtianclenchedhishandsonthearmrestsofhischairtokeephimselfinhisseat."Isn'tinsect-collectingassilly?I'veseenyousendslavesoutbobbingaboutinfieldsandforestswithanetandabottleandallthoseboxesofdeadbeetlesarejustasuselessasunreadablemanuscripts!"

"Pointtaken.Still,hobbiesareallverywell,Aelmarkin,"saidthedrawler,"Butnogentlemanandnosanefellowgoesoffhimselftodigupnastyolddiscardsinpartsunknown,now,doeshe?Icertainlydon'tgoramblingthroughbriarswithnetsandbottles!That'swhatslavesarefor!Andhewentoutalone,too!Why,thatwassimplyinsane,ifyouaskme."

Kyrtiangrittedhisteeth.Heknewhewasmeanttooverhearallofthis.Heknewtheyweretryingtoprovokehim.Andtheywereonlysayinginhishearingwhattheytoldeachotherandwhattheirelderssaid.Ifhejustkepthistemper,hewouldlearnagreatdeal.Iftheythoughthewastoodulltounderstandortoocowardlytorespondwhatpossibleharmcoulditdo?

Still,itwasthehardestthinghehadeverdone,tositthereandletstrangersabusethememoryofhisownfather,

withoutchallengingthem.

"Alone!"exclaimedthefirstspeaker."Whydidn'thetakeslaves,ifhewouldn'tsendthemtodohishuntingforhim?Aelmarkin,admitit,hemusthavebeenderanged!"



Therewasanaudiblerustleoffabric,markingAelmarkin'scarelessshrug."Hewasalwayssecretiveaboutthesehuntsofhis,andnevermoresothanonthelastone.HewashuntingthesiteoftheGreatGatethatbroughtusfromEvelon,andthethingsthatwerediscardedasuselessbecausetheynolongerfunctionedafterpassingtheGate.Why?Ihaven'tanotion."

"Yes,well,it'sobvioushewasanobsessive,attheveryleast,"saidthedrawler,dismissively."AndjudgingfromthedisasterofaconversationIhadwithKyrtian,yonder,obsessionrunsinthefamilyblood.Allthepoorfoolcantalkaboutismilitarymatters!History,tactics,battlesnoonecaresabout."Asneercreptintothedrawl."Asifanyonewouldevergivethelikesofhimcommandoversomuchasasquadoflatrine-diggers."

BynowKyrtian'sneckburned,hischeekswerenearlythesametemperature,andhisjawandshouldersached

withthestrainoftightly-clenchedmuscles.Hegladlywouldhavegivenhalfhispossessionsfortheopportunitytocomeatanyofthosefoppishfoolsinbarehandedcombat!

Andthat'sjustwhattheyexpectfromyou,heremindedhimself,tryingmentallytothrowalittlecoldwateronhisoverheatedtemper.Theythinkyou'reanatavisticbarbarian,andtheymayverywellbewaitingforyoutostandupandattackthemphysically!TheywouldhavetherighttochallengeyouorbringyouupinfrontoftheGreatCouncil.

Andthat,beyondashadowofadoubt,waswhatAelmarkinwantedhimtodo,forsuchanattackwouldprovetoeveryone'ssatisfactionthathe,Kyrtian,wasjustasmadasAelmarkinclaimedinhispetition.AnElvenlordandagentlemandidnotsettledifferenceshand-to-hand.AnElvenlordandagentlemanissuedaproperchallenge,andsettleditasthisfeudwasbeingsettled.

Ihavetokeepmymouthclosedandmyeyesopenandfindoutjusthowthesethingswork!hetoldhimselfvehemently.SothatifIgetachance,Icanarrangeforthesefoolstoeattheirwordswithoutsalt!

Besidehim,Gelstoodatwaryattention,asimpassiveasanystatue,andasinvisibletothesefoolsasanyotherbodyguard.Gelhadheardeveryword,toobutyouwouldneverknowitbylookingat



him.

CopyGel,hetoldhimself.Stayquiet,ifnotcalm.Wait,andwatch.Heknewonlythatthesefeudsweresettledintrial-by-combat,usingslavesasproxies.Ifhisfighterswerebetter-trainedthanthese

Thenitmightbeworthdealingwiththesedoltsinawaythey'IIunderstand.

Abruptly,conversationbehindhimceased,assomesignalhedidn'trecognizewarnedtheidlersthatthecombatwasabouttobegin.Abruptlycaughtupinspiteofhimself,Kyrtianleanedforwardwiththerest,asthelightinthearenabrightened,andthelightsabovetheirseatsdimmed.

5

---

Twobronzedoors,oneateachendofthearenaanddecoratedwithhammeredimagesofarmoredfighters,openedontothesandsofthearena.Twolinesofheavily-equippedfighterspacedthroughthem,movingponderouslyintothelight.Therewerefourteenofthesehumansinall,sevento

eachside.Onesetwasarmoredinpalegreen,withawingedserpentbadgeinbrilliantblueontheirbreastplatesandshields,theotherinemeraldgreenwiththebadgeofarearingalicorninwhite.



Thearmorwasimpressive;themeninsideitwerelessso.Kyrtianstudiedeachofthefightersminutely,weighingandmeasuringtheirgeneralstrength,notingthekindsofweaponseachmancarried.HeassumedthatGelwasdoingthesame.

"Ancestors!"cameanotherwhisperfrombehind."Whatcanbesofascinatingaboutahandfuloffighters?Ishesoprovincialthathe'sneverseengladiatorsbefore?"

Kyrtian'sneckburnedagainforamoment,buthecalmedhimselfquickly.Withsomethingbeforehimtostudyandanalyze,hefinallymanagedtothinkofhisownsituationintermsoftacticsratherthanemotions.

Mostofthemaretakingmeforaprovincialboor,butthosearetheoneswhoareignoringme.Thecommentsmightbecomingfromthosewhoaresuspiciousofmethinkingthatthe"provincialfool"mightjustbeapose.TheywouldbetryingtoprodmeintoeitherdoingsomethingtypicalofafoolsuchaslosemytemperandinsultthembackortodoorsaysomethingthatwillgivethemmoreinformationaboutwhatI'mreallyherefor.IfIdoneither,I'llconfusethemfurther.It'sevenpossiblethatAelmarkinisbehindtheprodding.Thepossiblenumberofplotsandcounterplotsgoingonbehindhisbackmadehimfeeldizzy.

Andthesestrangersseemedevenmorealientohim.Howdidtheydoit?Howcouldanyonelivelikethat,spendingmostofeverydayinguardingagainsttreachery,andtherestinplanningtreachery?Itwoulddrivehimmadinnotime.Hecouldnotimaginehowtheycopedwiththeconstantparanoia.

Perhapsthatiswhytheyspendsomuchtimeindebauchingthemselves.Onlybyimmersingthemselvesinpleasurecantheyrelaxforafewmoments.Ifthatwassohefeltsuddenlysorryf

orthem.Butnottoosorry.

Thebestweaponhehadtouseagainstthemwastheuncertaintyherepresented,theveryfactthathewasunknown.NomatterwhatAelmarkinhadtoldthem,theyprobablywouldn'treallybelieveituntiltheyhadprovedforthemselveswhathewas.Theywouldtendtojudgehimagainstthestandardoftheirownbehavior.



Whatwouldoneofthemdoinasituationsimilartohis?Playthefool?Tryandfindanally?

Probablylookforanallyoraprotector;hopefullybydoingneither,hehadconfusedthemfurther.HewishedhecouldtalkopenlytoGel;ofallthetimesheneededadvice

Thenagain,Gelmightnothaveanybetternotionofhowtohandletheseeffetecreaturesthanhedid.

Well,othershavemistakenmycautionforalackofimaginationinthepastsoperhapsthatiswhatisgoingonnow.Icanonlyhopeso;itwillmakethemunderestimatemefurther.

Allhereallyknewwashowsuchsituationswouldhavebeenhandledinthefarpast,asrecountedinthehistory

bookshespentsomuchtimeperusing.Inthedaysoflongago,therehadbeenlesstimeandleisureforlongplotsandpoliticalmachination.TheElvenlordsofoldhaddealtwithproblemswiththeirownkindinwaysthat"humanbarbarians"wouldfindperfectlyfamiliar.

IfoneoftheFirstLordschosetodealwiththeinsultsinsteadoftamelyacceptingthem,hewouldhavecalledhisenemyoutforaduel-by-magic.

Thatmakesasatisfyingfantasythesedaysaswellprovidingyoupictureyourselfasthewinnerratherthantheloser.

Inlaw,thatwasstillanoption,butitwasonethatveryfewevertookanymore.Morethanninety-ninetimesoutofahundred,insultswereansweredandargumentssettledbyproxy,inthearena,atthehandsofhumangladiatorsliketheonesbelow.Hardlyfair,sinceclearlysomeonewhosemeanswerelimitedcouldn'taffordto



keepandtrainasmanyfightersassomeoneofgreaterrankandpower,butsomeoneofgreaterrankandpowerwouldalsobemuchstrongerinmagicthanalesserlordsoitwouldn'tmakeagreatdealofdifferencetotheoutcome,whetheritwassettledbycombatormagicduel.

It'sevenpossibleforsomeonewithweakmagictobecomewealthyenoughtoaffordfirst-qualityfighters,ortogainanallywithaccesstosuchfighters,butnothingincreasesthepowerofthemagicthatsomeoneisbornwith.Isupposecombat-by-proxyismarginallymorefairthancombat-by-magic.

Itwouldn'tbequiteasviscerallysatisfying,though.

IwonderhowI'dfareifIdecidedtochallengeoneofthecharmersbehindmetoamagicduel?Haveanyofthemevenbotheredtopracticeandtraintheirpower?Therewasnowayofjudgin

ghowstrongtheywerebythewaytheywereacting,andhereallydidn'tknowhowstronghismagicwasincomparisonwiththeirs.Goingintosuchachallengeblindwouldbethestupidestthinghecoulddo.

Hedidn'tusemagicexceptwhentherewasnowaytoaccomplishsomethingwithoutit.Hereallydidn'thavemuchuseforillusions,sohe'dneverreallypracticedthem,buttherewasnoreasonwhyevenanillusioncouldn'tbeusedasaweapon.OtherElvenlordsseemedtowasteagreatdealofpoweronoutward

appearancesforinstance,asAelmarkinhad,turninghismanorintoanimpossibleconfectionthathardlyresembledadwellingatall.Butwasthatthewastethatitseemedtobe?

Isitakindofblufforevenawayofdemonstratingpowerwithouttheriskentailedbycombat?

Foramoment,hefeltaflickerofconcernthathehadn'tdonelikewise;shouldhehavecreatedanopulent

illusorycostumeliketheirs?Whatwouldthesepeoplethinkiftheysawhisunadornedhome?Didtheythinkhimweak,andoflittleaccount,becausehedidn'tcreateandmaintainfantasticillusions?

Itdoesn'tmatter,hetoldhimselfquickly.Nooneevercomestovisitwhoneedstobeimpressed,andI'mnottheonlyoneherewearingordinaryclothing.



Heremindedhimselfthathisstatus,andthatofhisfamily,remainedsecurebecausetheyproducedwhatothersneeded,andtheyhadnopowerthatanyoneelsecoveted.Itwasareassuringthought,andonethatcalmedhisnew-bornconcerns.Hewantedtolookharmlessandinconsequential;he'dnearlyforgottenthat.HewantedpeoplelikethesefriendsofAelmarkintounderestimatehimandhisfamily.

Hegavehimselfamentalshake.Thesepeoplewerecontaminatinghimhehadn'tbeenamongthemforevenhalfaday,andalreadyhewasthinkingaboutchallengesandstatus,worryingbecausetheythoughthewasaprovincial,insularbumpkin!Sowhatiftheydid?Thatwaswhatkepthimandhissafe!Letthemjockeywitheachotherheremindedhimself.Letthemignoreus.Aslongastheyconsideruspoliticallyinsignificant,buttoousefultodisturb,we'IIremainsecureandsafe.

Unless,ofcourse,thefamilyholdingslookedsoprosperousthattheybecameachoiceplum,ripeforpicking.CertainlyAelmarkinthoughtso;wasitpossiblethatsomeother,moredangerousopponentwouldcometosharethatbelief?

PerhapsperhapsheoughttoconsultwithLydiellwhenhereturnedhome.Maybeitwastimetocreateafewcarefully-craftedbluffs.Lydiellwasclever;surelyshewouldbeabletoconcoctanexcuseforKyrtianto

demonstratehispowersinsuchawaythatwouldmakeitappearthatKyrtianhadincredibleability.Or,atleast,thathehadenoughmagicalpowertomakechallenginghimmorecostlythantheprizewasworth.

Somethingtomakeitappearthatitisn'tworthupsettingthewaythingsarenow,that'swhatweneed.Somethingtoshowthatthereisnothingtobegainedandagreatdealtobelostinadirectconfrontation.



Itmightbealltohisadvantagethatmostconflictsweresettledinthearena.Heknewforcertainthatinstrengthandagility,hisownworstfightersweretheequalofeventhebestofthefightersdownthereonthesandandweresuperiortomostofthemenwaitingtofight.Ifitcametoachallenge-matchlikethisone,Kyrtianwasconfidentthathissidewouldnotlose.

Thatrealizationmadehimrelaxalittle.Really,hewasworryingfornoreason.Aslongasissuesweresettledbyhumangladiatorslikethosebelowhim,hehadnothingtofear.

Infact,themorehestudiedthosefighters,themoreconfidentofthatfacthebecame.Itwasodd;thosegladiatorsallseemedagoodbityoungerthanhewouldhaveexpected.Thiswasanimportantmatch,orsohehadbeenledtobelieve.Sowhyweren'tthetwoantagonistsfieldingtheirolder

,moreexperiencedgladiators?WhatisitthatGelsays?"Experienceandduplicitywillovercomeyouthandenergyeverytime."

Hehadmanagedtolosetrackofwhatthegossipsbehindhimwerechatteringaboutwhilehemulledoverhisownsituationandstudiedthecombatants.Whenheturnedafractionofhisattentionbacktothem,hediscoveredtheywereplacingbetsontheoutcome,notonlyofthewholecombat,butonthefortunesofindividualfighters.Mildlyintrigued,heeavesdroppedwithoutshame.

"Youmustknowsomething,ifyou'rebettingthathigh,"thedrawlersaidsuspiciously."Don'ttakethebet,Galiath!He'stooconfident!Ithinkhebribedthetrainerstotellhimsomething!"

"Nonsense,hedoesn'tknowanythinghe'sjustbluffing,andI'vewantedachancetogetthathorseforages!"repliedanewvoice,onethatKyrtianthoughtwasslurredjustalittlewithdri

nk."I'lltakethatbet;yourracehorseagainstmyred-hairedconcubineandtwojeweledarmletsthattheonewiththetwoswordsdrawsfirstbloodbeforehe'smarked!"

Ittookamomentforthesenseofwhattheyweresayingtosinkin,andwhenitdid,hefeltalittlesick.Theideaofequatingthevalueofahumanwiththatofahorseno,aslessthanthatofthe



horse...ithithimwiththeforceofablowtothestomachjusthowforeigntheirwayofthinkingwastohis.He'dknownitintellectually,ofcourse,butthiswasthefirstconcreteexamplehe'dwitnessed.Upuntilnow,Aelmarkin'sslaveshadn'tbehavedanydifferentlythanhisownservantsattheirmostdiscreet.

Itrulyamthealienhere.Iftheyknewhowwetreatourhumans,theywouldn'thesitateforamomenttobringusalldown.Hewouldbeconsideredatraitortohisrace,andworsethantheWizardsandthewildhumans.Hehadtoremembertokeephisguardup!

Thetwofeudingpartiesfinallyarrived,withgreatfanfare,atexactlythesamemoment.WitheachoftheElvenlordscameanentourageofglittering,fancifully-costumedhangers-on.Therewereboxseatsateitherendofthearena,directlyabovethetwodoorsthathaddisgorgedthecombatants;thoseboxeswerenowoccupiedbythenewly-arrivedlordsandtheirentourages.Kyrt-ianfoundthathecouldno

tforthelifeofhimremembertheirnamesandHousesnotthatitreallymatteredtohim.Hewould,ifhewasintroducedlater,congratulatethewinnerandbeproperlysympathetictotheloser.Itwasn'tlikely,though,thatAelmarkinwouldmakesuchanintroduction,unlesshethoughthehadawayofmakingKyrtianloseface.

Howtheytooktheirseatsandinwhatorderwasclearlyaschoreographedasanelaborateritual.NeitheroftheLordswishedtobeseatedfirst,andtherewasmucharrangingofthechairsandjockeyingofseatingbeforethe

twoGreatLordssatatpreciselythesamemoment.Theyglaredateachotheracrossthespanofthearena,beforeturningawaywithstudiedindifferencetospeakwithacompanion.

NowAelmarkin,ashost,stoodup;Kyrtiancaughtthemovementoutofthecornerofhiseye,andturnedjustenoughsothathecouldwatchhiscousinwithoutbeingobviousaboutit.



"MostnobleLords,"Aelmarkinsaid,hissmoothandimpersonalwordscarryingeffortlesslyabovethewhispersofthoseseatedallaroundhim,"Youhavedeterminedtosettleyourdifferencesintrial-by-combat,andhaveacceptedmyoffertohostthisventure.Areyoustillofthesamemindtoaccepttheoutcomeofthiscombatasthesettlingofyourfeud?"

Heoftheazureserpentrepliedwithagruff,"Aye"whileheofthewhitealicornsimplynodded.

"Verywell,"Aelmarkinsaidcalmly."Lettherecordshowthatbothagreetobeboundbytheoutcomeherebelowus.Letallwhoyeassembledheresobearwitness."

"Wesobearwitness,"cameachorusofvoices,someindifferent,sxjmefulloftenseexcitement.Ahushcameoverthem;allwhispersandmovementstopped.Soprofoundwasthesilencethattheslightestrustleoffabriccameasashock.

Asifthishadbeenasignal,thefightersbelowtensed.

Aelmarkinsurveyedthetwoopposedlinesoffightersforamoment,anoddsmile

onhislips."Verywell,"hesaidatlast,intothestillness."Begin."

Kyrtian'sfullattentionimmediatelyturnedtothearena.Thetwolinesoffightersleaptateachother,hurlingthemselvesacrossthesandtomeetinaclangorofmetalandharshmaleshouts.Thenoiseechoedinsidethearena,makingKyrtianwinceinvoluntarily.Addedtothenoiseoffightingwastheclamorofshoutsandcheersbehindhimandtoeithersideofhim,astheonlookerscheeredthecombatantson.

KyrtianwasstilltryingtofigureouthowAelmarkinintendedtoscorethiscombat,whentheswordsmannearesthimmanagedtobeatdownhisopponent'sguardandlaidopentheother'ssword-armfromshouldertowristwithasingleblow.



Thernanscreamed,anddroppedtohisknees,atorrentofshockinglyscarletbloodpouringfromthewoundintothesandashisbladefellfromhisslackfingers.

Foronemoment,Kyrtianwasstartledbyhowrealisticthewoundwasthenherealizedthatitwasn't"realistic,"itwasreal.

Hefeltasifsomeonehadrammedhiminthemidsectionandknockedallthebreathoutofhim.Hestartedtoshake,asawaveofsickhorrortwistedhisthroatandstomach.

It'srealit'sreal.They'retryingtoreallykilleachother.

They'redying,andallsoacoupleofidiotscansettleanargument!Senselessus

elessinsane!

Then,strangely,italldissolvedunderafloodofblindingrage.Helostcaution,lostfocus,losteverythingexceptthewilltomakeitallstop.Heroseabruptlytohisfeet.

"No!"heshouted,spreadinghisarmswide,hisvoicesomehowcarryingabovethenoiseofcombat.Hispowers,leapingtoanswerhiswill,pouredout;anangryandviolentburstofmagictore

outofhim.

Itflungthecombatantstotheirownsidesofthearena,anddroppedeverymaninthearenatohiskneesexcepttheinjuredone,whowasfranticallytryingtoclosehisgapingwoundwithhisgoodhand.

Thesuddensilence,heavywithanger,seemedlouderthanhisshout.



Foramoment,noonemovednooneseemedabletobelievewhathehaddone.

Theninaninstant,bothoftheGreatLordsturnedtostareathimwithanangerasoverwhelmingashis.Kyrtianfelttheweightofthatanger,allofitdirectedsolelyathim,andcametohissenseswithastart.

Thismighthavebeenatacticalerror....

Thelordofthewhitealicornwasthefirsttorisefromhisseat;therewaslightninginhisgazeandthunderinhisvoiceasheaddressed,notKyrtian,buthiscousin.

"Aelmarkin,"theElvenlordsaid,enunciatingeachsyllablewithcare,"Itrustyoudidnotanticipatethis?"

Aelmarkinalsorose,andhisvoicefairlydrippedapologyandconcern."Goodmylord,Iassureyou,Ihadnoideathatmycousinwouldindulgeinsuchbizarrebehavior!Idoapologize,Iwouldneverhaveinvitedhimif"

Kyrtian,whohadbeenstaringdownatthewoundedfighter,nowbeingaidedbyoneofhiscompanions,feltfuryovercomehisgoodsenseagain;heswungaroundtofacehiscousin,twistinghislipsintoasnarl,aredhazesettlingacrosshisvision.

"Bizarrebehavior?Bizarre?Icallitsanitystoppingutterlysenselessandwantonwaste!What"

"Waste?"shoutedtheotherfeudinglord,furiously,theiceinhisvoicefreezingKyrtian'swordsinhisthroat."Waste?Whatdoyouknowofwaste,youimpudentpuppy?Youprovincialidiot,wholetyouinamongcivilizedbeings?I"

"Iapologizeagain,mylords,"Aelmarkinprotested,wavinghishandsaboutfrantically."Please,takeyourseats



andthecombatcanresume"

"Resume?Resume?"Atthat,Kyrtian'sragesprangtofullandinsensatelifeagain,andgrewuntilitwasbeyondanything,hehadeverfeltbefore.Hewentcold,thenhot,thencoldagain,andastrangehazecameoverhisvision."Haven'tyouheardawordI'vesaid?Thisidiocywillnotresume,notwhileI'mstandinghere!"

"Thatcanberemedied,''mutteredsomeone,asGelfinallyputacalminghandonKyrtian'sarm.Kyrtianhadthesensenottothrowitoff,buthewasquitereadyatthatmomenttosnatchupaswordhimselfandtakethemallonsingle-handed.

"Don'tbackdown,"Gelmuttered,"butgetholdofyourself.Thinkfastifyoucan'tsalvagethissituation,we'regoingtohavethreefeudsonourhands,twowiththemandonewithAelmarkin."

Aelmarkinwassoangryhecouldscarcelythink.Whenhe'dinvitedthatfoolKyrtianhere,he'dhopedthepuppywouldmakesomesortofblunderthatwouldprovehewasasfoolishasAelmarkinclaimed.Well,he'dblunderedallrightbuthe'dmanagedtodoitinsuchawaythatnowAelmarkinwaspotentiallyinasmuchtroubleashewas!Howhadhemanagedtostopthecombat?Wheredidhegetallthatmagicpower?

Tothedesertwiththat!HowamIgoingtosavemyself?

Thiswasnothingshortofadisaster.Theamountofstatushestoodtoloseoverthisdebaclewasincalculable.ThismightevencosthimhisCouncilseat.



"Please,mylords,"hesaid,entreatingly,tohistwofuriousguests,"myyoungcousinhasneverseenoneoftheseexhibitionsbeforeand"

"Exhibitions?"AelmarkinblinkedatthetoneofKyrtian'svoiceamomentagoithadnearlycrackedwithstrain,andKyrtianwasclearlyashortstepfromlosingcontrolentirely.

Suddenlynowtheangerwasstillthere,butitwascontrolledanger,andoverlaidwithcalculatedscornworthyofanexperiencedCouncilor.HeturnedtoseethatKyrtian'sfacewasnowacarefullyhaughtymask.

CouldKyrtianactuallysalvagethissituation?

"Exhibitions?"Kyrtianrepeated."Isthatwhatyoucallthesesenselessslaughters?"Hislipcurledinwhatwasunmistakablyasneer."Isupposeifyourideaof'sport'istotaketamepetsandlinethemupfortargets,thenyoucouldcallsomethinglikethisanexhibition,butIcertainlywouldn'tdignifythisidiocywithsuchaterm."

Aelmarkinsawwithhopethatthetwofeudinglordshadforgottenallabouthim.Kyrtian'sdeclarationandattitudehadcausedthemtofocusalloftheirinsultedrageonhim.

"Isupposeit'stoomuchtoexpectyoutoanswerthatstatementofutternonsensewithanythinglikeachallenge?"askedLordMarthien,hisvoicedrippingwithsarcasm.

"Yesitis,"Kyrtianreplied,answeringsarcasmwitharrogance,"Becauseyourfightersarenomatchformine.Youwouldlosebeforethecombatbegan.ThatiswhyIsaythisissenseless.Theleastofmyfightershasfouryearsofcombatexperiencethebestofyourscan'tpossiblyhavemorethanone.No

,lessthanone,sinceIdoubtyourmeneversurviveeventhatlong."

Thatarrogancetookthemratheraback;LordWyvarnaglancedatAelmarkinasifaskingforconfirmationoftheastonishingstatement.Aelmarkinmadeaslightshrug.



"Andarewesupposedtoacceptthisbluffatfacevalue,impudentpuppy?"LordWyvarnademanded.

Totheirastonishment,Kyrtianlaughed,albeitmirthlessly.

"Youwouldbewiseto,sinceitishardlyabluff,"hereplied."Considerwhatyoualreadyknowaboutmeandmyhobby.ConsiderthatIhaveverylittletodoexcepttrainanddrillmyfightersineverypossiblestyleandmannerofcombat,andthatIdonotandneverhavesoldanyofthemforanyprice.ConsiderthatIhavebeendoingthiseverydayforthepasttenyearsatleast,personallyoverseeingthetrainingandpracticeineveryaspect.Meanwhile,whathaveyoubeendoing?Entrustingthetrainingandpracticeofyourgladiatorstoothers,quitewithoutsupervision,andslaughteringthebestofyourmeninuselessexhibitions.Andwhatstakedothoseyouentrustwiththistraininghaveinyoursuccessorfailure?Whatpersonalincentivehavetheytomakecertain

thatnothingislefttochance?Andhowmanyofyourgladiatorsdieorarecrippledintraining?Forthatmatter,whatincentivedoyourgladiatorshavetosucceed?Thebestandcleverestofthemaresurelycontrivingtogetthemselvesmildlycrippledinthefirstweekofyourso-called'training!'Itwouldseemtomethattheverysmartestones,theoneswhowouldmaketheverybestfighters,wouldseetoitthattheywerealwayscrippledintraining,inordertoavoidbeingslaughteredinoneofyourso-calledexhibitions!"

Kyrtiancleverlyleftthequestionshangingintheair,andnowAelmarkinsawacertainwarinesscreepovertheexpressionsofthetwofeudinglords.

"AndIsupposeyouhaveabetteridea?"boomedanewvoice.



BothAelmarkinandKyrtianturnedtofacethenewspeaker,whostoodupfromamonghisson'sentourage.Aelmarkinwasstartled;hehadn'trealizedthatLordLyonhadcomewithhissonGildor

Damn!Hashebeenthereallalong,ordidhejustarriveforthecombat?DidIsomehowinsulthimbynotnoticinghim?Cananythingelsegowrongheretoday?

Aelmarkin'sthoughtsscurriedafteroneanother,likefranticslavestryingtocleanupaterriblespill.V'kelLyonLordKyndrethLordLyonoftheGreatHouseofKyndrethstoodwrappedinascarletcloakembroideredwithleapingstags,hisarmscrossedoverhischest.Aelmarkinshivered;themanwasoneofthemostpowerfullordsoftheGreatCouncil.AvotefromLordLyonwasworththreefromanyonewithalesserCouncilSeat.Thenumberofallieshehadthenumberofpeoplehecouldmakeorbreakwithasingleword

Aelmarkinheldhisbreath.Allhisownprayersmightbeansweredinthenextfewmoments.IfKyrtianinsultedLordLyonbadlyenoughifheconvincedLordLyonthathewasasinsaneandunstableasAelmarkinhadbeenclaiming...

Elvenborn61

Thenbeforethisdaywasover,Aelmarkjnmightbeorganizinghisslavesforthemovetohisnewproperties.

KyrtianlookedatLordLyon,averitableiconofpower,asifhewerenomoreimportantthananyofthelessersonsandhangers-on.

"Yes,"hesaid,simply,"Ihave.AndI'mquitepreparedtodemonstrateit,hereandnowinfrontofyouall."

6

---



That'sV'kelLyonLordKyndreth,"GelhissedinKyrt-ian'sear.Kyrtianmadethefinger-signforIunderstand,butdidnotlookawayfromthetall,powerfully-builtnoblewhohadaddressedhim.Thatwasonenamehedefinitelyrecognized,andthehalf-formedplanhehadthrowntogetherinaninstantofpanic-riddenthinkingtookonanewimportanceandurgency.IfhecouldpersuadeLordLyontousehismethods,notonlyintraining,butinchallenge-matches,howmanythousandsofliveswouldbespared?ForifLordLyondecreedit,alltrainingandmatcheswouldbeperformedKyrtian'sway.

Soheturnedhishalf-formedplanintoabluff."Infact,"hecontinued,ascalmlyasifhespokethetruth,"Icameherehopingtostopthisnonsenseforalltimewithsuchademonstration."

"Really?"LordLyonlookedamused,whichbodedwellforKyrtian."Andhowisthat?Itakeityouintendalivedemonstration,andnotsomeillusoryshadowshow."

"Pitonefighterofyourchoosingagainstmybodyguard,"Kyrtiansaid,boldly."Theywillusemymethodsoffighting.Theywillfighttoadeath-wound,butneitherwillbeharmedbytheexperience.Youcanusethebestofyourmentheoneyouwouldleastcaretolosewithoutanyfearthatharmwillcometohimandyouwillbewithouthisservices."



"Indeed."LordLyonlookedfromonesideofthearenatotheother."Wyvarna,MarthienifIproposedusingmybodyguardinthiscombat,wouldyouaccepttheresultsofsuchaduelinsteadofusingyourgladiatorsassettlingyourdispute?"

Thelordofthewhitealicornlookedsullen;thelordoftheblueserpentrespondedfirst."Howwouldwedecidewhichfighterrepresentedwhichofus?"

"Drawlots,"Lyonsaidcarelessly."Iknowmymantakessecond-placetoveryfew,andIhardlythinkLordKyrtian'smanislessexpert."HeturnedbacktoKyrtian."Iagreeinprinciplethatthisisawasteoffighting-strength.Thetrainingisexpensive,andit'sallgonetowastewhenafighteriskilledorrunsofftojointhosedamnedrenegadeWizards.Beforethecurrentunpleasantness,therewerenoWizardstorunoffto,ofcourse,andtherewasnoneedtofieldbattle-troops,butourpresentsituationdoescal

lforsomechangesinourowncustoms.Infact,someofthemembersoftheCouncilhaveevenaskedopenlyifitmightbewisetooutlawchallengesaltogethertosavethewasteoftrainedfighters."Hesmiledthinly."Somehaveevensuggestedthatifchallengersareunwillingorunabletoconductduels-by-magic,thattheyshouldtakeswordinhandthemselvestosettletheirquarrels."

Astonishedmuttersandafewgaspsfollowedthatannouncement,andLordsWyvarnaandMarthienlooked

openlydismayed.

LordLyonlookeddownhislong,aristocraticnoseatKyrtianwithahintofsardonicinterest.KyrtianraisedhischinandremindedhimselfthathislineagewasaslongandproudasthatoftheHouseofKyndrefh."Howmuchbetter,then,ifyoucanhaveyourchallengeswithoutthelossofasinglefightingmanorspillageofasingledropofblood?"hedemanded."Maybeyourgladiatorswillstoprunningoffiftheyknowtheyaren'tgoingtobekilledinasenselessgrudge-match.AndIknowIneednotpointouttoaLordof

yourexperienceandwisdomthatsuchtrainingwillmakebetterfield-forcesthananythingourfoescancreate.Thinkofthekindoffightersyouwillfield,whenyoucanbreedthebesttothebest,thengivethemrealcombatexperiencewheretheycanlearnfromtheirmistakes!"

"Bloodlessmatches?Where'sthesportinthat?"someonebehindKyrtianmuttered.



Kyrtianignoredthecommentandignoredthefactthatthespectatorswereleaving,onebyone,grumbling.HehadLordLyon'sattention,andhewasnotgoingtogiveitup."Iamwellawarethatmanyconsidermyinterestinthepasttobeeccentric,"hecontinued,"butbecauseofthatinterest,IhavelearnedatleastoneofthesecretslostwhenwepassedtheGatefromEvelon.IknowhowtheAncestorsconductedtheirduels-of-honorandtheirtrainingsessionshowtheytaughtandpracticedcombatwithoutpullingblows,withoutusingbluntedweapons,yetwithoutspillingblood.Didn'titeveroccurtoyouthattheymusthavehadsomewaytolearnsword-workthemselveswithoutriskinghurt?Afterall,unlikeus"herehelookeddownhisnoseattheyoungLordsaroundhimwithablandexpression"theyengagedinsword-duelsthemselves,andnotbyproxy.TheirmethodiswhatIusetotrainmyownfighters.Furthermore,Igiveeveryable-bodiedhumanonmypropertiesabasictraininginfighting-skills,againstthedaythattheymayneedtodefendthemanoruntilmyrealfighters

cancometotheirrescue!"

HedidnotsaywhatfoehetrainedhishumanstofighthefiguredthatLordLyonwouldassumethathemeantthearmyoftheWizardsoroftheWildHumans,notanarmycommandedbyhisfellows.NotaflickerofmistrustappearedonLordLyon'sface,onlyagrowinginterestandifanyoneherehadbeenthinkingabouttheideaoftakinghisholdingsbyforce,thatlaststatementwouldgivethemareasontothinkbetteroftheplan.

"Ifallthisistrue"LordLyonturnedtoasilent,black-clad,flame-hairedhumanwhostayedathissidelikehisshadow."Kaeth-getdowntothearenaandgetsomearmorandweapons.Iwanttoseehowthisworks."



Thehumansaluted,andleftLordLyon'sside,jumpingdownintothearenaandwalkingpastthegladiatorsascasuallyasiftheywerestatues.KyrtiancaughtGel'seyeandnodded;Gelfollowedhim.

"Ibelievethatyouwillfindthiswellworthyourtime,LordLyon,"Kyrtiansaidevenly,thenturnedtothefeudingparties."Mylords,willyoumakeyourchoiceofcombatant?"

Therewasmoregrumbling,butfinallyitwassettledthatLordMarthienwouldberepresentedbyGel,andWyvarnabyLordLyon'smanKaeth.Sinceitwasobviousthattherewasnolongergoingtobethebloodyspectaclethateveryonehadplannedon,noonereallywantedtoremainanylonger,andbothlordslostmostoftheirentourages,leavingonlytheirhumanbodyguardsandoneortwootherslavesinattendance.

AsforAelmarkin'sguests,theyhadalldepartedaswell,probablyreturningtotheGreatHallandthefoodanddrinkandotherpleasurestheyhadabandonedtowatchthecombat.ThatleftonlyAelmarkin,LordLyonandayounger-Lordwhowasprobablyhisson,acoupleofyounglordswholookedtobefriendsofhisson,andKyrtian.Thosewhoremainedseatedthemselves,andwaitedwithvaryingdegreesofimpatienceforsomethingtohappen.

Gelwasnostrangertogettingintoarmorquickly,andneither,apparently,wasLordLyon'sred-hairedbodyguard.Bothappearedatthesamedoorofthearenaaremarkablyshorttimelater;GelmusthavetoldKaethnottobotheraboutweapons,forneithermancarriedany.Kaethlookedupathismaster,whonoddedtoLordWyvarna;Kaethimmediatelypickeduponeofthediscardedshieldsstackedatthesideofthearenabearingtheazureserpent,andGeltookoneofthediscardedwhitealicornshields.

"We'veagreedtolongswordandshield,master,"Gelcalledup,inaservilevoic

ethatKyrtianhardlyrecognized.Hesuppressedanervouschuckle,andnodded.

ThenKyrtianfixedhisgazeonapointonthesandatGel'sfeet,andconcentrated,drawingmotesofpoweroutofhimself,andspinningthemintothefabricofapairofhisveryspecialblades.



He'dconjureduplongswordssomanytimes,thatitwashardlyanyeffortatalltospinoutamerepairofthem.Theairabovethesandmistedbriefly,thenshimmered,andapairoffinebladescondensedoutofthemistasKyrtianfeltaslightinwarddrainofpower.HelookeduptoseethatAelmarkinwaswatchingclosely,withalookofintenseconcentrationonhisface.

IwonderifhecanfollowwhatI'mdoing?HashethetalenttoreadallthespecialmodificationsI'vemade?

GelgesturedtotheidenticalswordsandletKaethpickfirst.

Thebodyguardpickedupthenearest,andgaveitanexperimentalswing,thenrappedhisshieldwithit.Theshieldgaveoffaperfectlynormalmetallicclang,andKaethnoddedwithsatisfa

ction."Feelslikearegulationlongsword,LordLyon,"hecalledupintotheviewingstands,squintingagainstthelight."Maybeabitbetterbalancedthanmost."

"Thesebladeswillactinallrespectlikeanormalbattleweapon,"Kyrtianassuredthefewwhowereleftinthestands,butconcentratingonLordLyon."Withasingleexception,thatis.Theywillnotcauseanyphysicaldamage.Gel,pleaseofferyouropponentatarget."

Gelheldouthissword-armwithagrin,knowingthatKyrtianwouldeliminatetheshockofbeingstruckforthispartofthedemonstration.

"Kaeth,ifyouwouldswingatGelplease,andcutoffhisarm?"



LordLyon'sslavedidnothesitate;hetookafull,overhandswingatthearmGelextendedforhimasLordLyonleanedforwardalittlewithinterest.ThebladepassedthroughGel'sarm,leavingaglowingline,andmakingabouthalfhisbodyglow.

"Woundscauseaslightshocktothewoundedmantotellhimthathehasbeenwounded,andthebladeleavesamarkthatheandanyrefereescansee,"Kyrtianexplained."Thereisnoothereffectonthefightersostruck,butforthepurposesofscoring,thereisfullattentionpaidtotherealitiesofbattle.ThelongerGelstandsthere,themoreofhimwillglow,representinghowcloseheistodeathbyblood-lossfromsuchamassivewound.Ifhehadonlygottenaslightwound,therewouldonlyhavebeenamarkandashock.Eventually,accordingtotheruleswefollow,hewillglowalloverandbeforcedtoretire."

"Andifthewoundwasimmediatelymortal,he'dglowalloveraswell?"LordLyon

supplied.

"Yes,andhewouldgetalarger,quiteunmistakableshock."

Kyrtianreplied.Hepermittedhimselfasmile."Weallowfortheheatofcombatcausingpeopletoforgetthemselves,andtheshockstheyreceivewillgettheirattention."Henegatedtheglowwithamoment'sthought,andGelshiftedhisfeetinthesand.

LordLyonnoddedthoughtfully,andevenWyvarnaandMarthienlookedmoreinterestedthantheyhadbeen."I'msuretherearemoredetailsthatIwillwanttoaskyouaboutlater,"LordLyonsaidafteramomentofsilence."Butmeanwhilelet'ssettlethisquarrelandhaveourpracticaldemonstration,shallwe?"

Atthispoint,KyrtiancaughtadecidedlyunfriendlyexpressiononAelmarkin'sf

ace.Itwasthereforonlyamoment,butitremindedhimthathiscousinwasthehostofthiscombat,andthatKyrtianhaddonehimafairamountofdamage.

Butmaybetherewasawaytobeginrepairingthatdamageoratleast,doingsomethingtomakeupforit.Nevermakeanenemythatyoudon'thaveto,heremindedhimself,andnevergive



anenemyyoualreadyhaveanotherexcusetoactagainstyou.

"Cousin?"hesaid,gesturingtothearena."Ashost,yoursshouldbethehonor."

Aelmarkinlookedbrieflystartled,thensuspicious,butstoodup.Hebowedtothetwoforwhomthisentirecombathadbeenarranged."LordMarthien,LordWyvarna,willyourfeudbesettledbytheoutcomeofthischallenge?"

"Aye,"camethereplygrudgingly,butwithoutmuchhesitation.

"Beitwitnessed,"Aelmarkinintoned.

"Wesowitness,"camethechorusofKyrtian,LordLyon,Lyon'sson,andapairofhangers-on,thinnerthanbefore,butenoughtosatisfycustom.

"Verywell,"Aelmarkincontinued,asGelandKaetheyedeachotherandsettledintonearlyidenticalstances."Begin."

Aelmarkinseatedhimself,andcrossedhisarmsoverhischest.Kyrtianleanedforwardtowatchwhathesuspectedwouldbeaveryfineshow.

Therewasnorushtocombatandclashofweaponsthistime,notwithtwosuchseasonedfighters.Theycircledeachotherwarily,takingcarefulmeasureofeachother,makingtinyfeintsandgaugingthespeedofresponse.



GelandKaethwereagoodmatchforoneanother,andalthoughAelmarkinleanedbackinhisseatandlookeddreadfullybored,LordLyonandthetwofeudingElvenlordswerequicklyontheedgeoftheirchairs,recognizingthelevelofskilleachmanrepresented.KyrtianfeltathrillofprideashewatchedGel'scatlike,powerfulmoves;itwasobviousthatKaethwasanextremelywell-trainedandprobablyveryexpensiveslave,andregardedGelashisequalinability.

Whenthefirstexchangecame,itwassudden;Kaeththoughthedetectedaweaknessanddrovein,makingGel'sshieldandbladeringwithaflurryofblows.Gelcounteredsuccessfully,andwhenKaethsprangback,bothofthemhadtinyglowingmarks,Kaethalongthebackofhissword-handandGelacrosshisforehead.

Wellusedtotherulesofthegame,GeldidsomethingthatsurprisedKaeth;hesprintedbackwardsoutofreach

foramoment,justlongenoughtopullascarffromaroundhisneckandwhipitaroundhisforehead.KyrtianriskedaglanceatLordLyon,andsawhimfrownsuddenlyinpuzzlement,thenjustasquicklynodandsmileslightly.

Good.HeunderstandsthatifGelhadn'tdonethat,theglowwoulddropoverhiseye,obscuringhisvisionasbloodwouldwithoutascarftostopit.He'sbeginningtounderstandhowcomplextherules-magicis.

Kyrtianabandonedhimselftowatchingthefight,abletoenjoyitasademonstrationofgraceandexpertise.HenoticedthatKaethwasgrinning,justasGelwas;evidently,Kaethseldomfoundhimselfwithanopponentofcomparableability,andwithoutneedingtoworryaboutcripplinginjuriesordeath,hadgivenhimselfovertotheexhilarationandvisceralpleasureofsuchaduel.Witheachexchangeofblows,oneorbothofthecombatantscameawaymarked,butonlysuperficiallyandbythetimethey'dacquiredhalfadozen"cuts"each,LordMarthienandLordWyvarnawereontheirfeet,cheeringtheirrepresen

tativesonwithasmuchvigorastheywouldhaveusediftheircontesthadgoneasplanned.Kyrtian'sownheartwaspoundingatthispoint,andhisfistsclenchedwithexcitement.Itwasaterrificcombat,andhehonestlywasn'tcertainwhohewishedtoseewinit.

KyrtiannoticedapatterninKaeth'sshieldwork,aweakness,atendencytopush



anoncomingblowtotheoutsideratherthanholdupunderit.Thatsparedtheshocktotheshield-arm,yes,butitlefthimopenforaslidingparryundertheshieldorafeintandadrivestraighttothechest.Ifhesawit,certainlyGeldid

Gelmadealittledancetotheside,anotherblowtowardstheshieldbutitwasn'tablow,itwasafeint,andhefolloweditwithalungestraightforKaeth'sunguardedthroat!

ButKaethwasreadyforhim!Thepatternhadbeenaruse,aluretoseeifGelwouldtakeit!Hedodgedaside,movingjustenoughsothatGel'sbladeslidoverhisshoulderwithoutharminghim,andslashedupinaviciousgut-thrust.

Gelstiffened,andburstintoglowinglight.Obedienttotherules(andhisownsenseofhighdrama),hetoppled

overanddroppedtotheground,"dead."

LordLyonrosetohisfeet,applaudingenthusiastically,asKaethsalutedhim,thensalutedLordWyvarna,whowasalsoonhisfeetandcheering.So,forthatmatter,wasKyrtian

andoddlyenough,LordMarthien.

"BythebloodofourAncestors,Lyon,Ihaven'tseenabetterfightindecades!"LordMarthienshouted,asKyrtianbanishedtheweapons,andKaethofferedhisnowfreehandtoGeltohelphimup."It'sworthlosingthechallengetohaveseenit!"Heturnedhisattentionbrieflytothearena,andwavedgraciouslyatGel."Wellfought,boy!Icouldn'thavehadabetterchampion!"



Hegathereduptheremainsofhisentourage,andinamazinglygoodhumor,ledthemout.

KaethandGelleftthearenainasimilarstateofaccord,andLordWyvarnamadehiswaytotheareaofseatingwhereLordLyonstillstood,clearlyinahighfloodofeuphoria.Afteramomentofhesitation,Kyrtianfollowedtojointhem.

Whenhereachedthem,hefoundtheminvolvedinarehashofthecombat,butLordLyonbrokeoffwhenhenoticedKyrt-ian'sapproach.

"Well,youimpudentyoungpuppy,youwererightandIwaswrong!"Wyvarnaexclaimed,laughing.HeshowedKyrtianafriendlyfaceforthefirsttimesincehe'denteredthearena."Ancestors!Thatoldfool

MarthienwasrightforthefirsttimeinhislifeevenifI'dbeentheonewholost,I'dhavethoughtitwasworthittohaveseenafightlikethat!"

Heshookhishead,andnowthathewascloser,KyrtianrealizedthatWyvarnawasmucholderthanhehadthought.ItwasoftendifficulttotelltheageofanElvenlord,butahintoflinesatthecornersofhiseyes,andacertainsharpeningofthetipsofhisearsindicatedthathewasolderthanLordLyon.IfLordMarthienwasjustasold

ThenI'vegottenmyselftwoverywell-entrenchedallies;maybenotaspowerfulasLordLyon,butcertainlyrespectedbytheCouncil.ThisiscomingoutbetterthanIdaredhope!

"AndIthinkitwasjustaswellthatitnevercametoachallengewithyoungKyrtian,here,hmm?"LordLyonasked,slyly."Givenhowwellhisbodyguardfoughtwhatmusthistrainedfightersbelike?"

Kyrtian'srespectforLordLyonroseanotch.He'sremindingWyvarnathatthiscouldhavebeenveryexpensiveandhe'smakingsurethatWyvarnawillspreadtheword.SoalthoughImightbeconsideredadolt,I'madoltnoonewillwanttochallenge.



LordWyvarnagaveanexaggeratedshudder,andlaughedagain."Damnmeifyouaren'trightaboutthat!Hismenwouldhavecutminetopieceswithoutevenbreathinghard!"HeclappedKyrtianontheback,hard,tryingtomakehimstagger.Kyrtian,whohadbeenexpectingsomethingofthesort,bracedhimselfandstoodfirm,smiling.

"ItwasapleasuretoshowyouthesecretIdiscovered,mylords,"herepliedblandly."OfallthethingsIdislikethemost,wasteishighestonthelist,andthereisnoreasonotherthanlossesinarealbattletohavetoreplaceagladiatororafighting-slavebeforehistime.Humansarehardlydifficulttobreed,butittakestimeandresourcestotrainthem,resourcesthatcouldmoresensiblybeputtootheruses!Besides,ifwekeepkillingthestrongestandcleverestofourbreeding-slaves,whatdoyouthinkwe'llendupwith?Thesetechniquesarequiteeasytolearn,andeveneasiertoapply;ifyoucansetacollar-spell,youcancreatethesetrainingconditions."

Wyvarnagaveahalfsmile,andglancedoveratLordLyon."ThenIexpectwe'llbegettingamandatefromtheCouncilaboutusingthemshortly,eh,Lyon?"

"Ibelievethatyoucancountonthat,Wyvarna,"LordLyonreplied,justasblandlyasKyrtian.

Wyvarnacoughed,andthenshrugged."Well,timeschange,andtheoneswhowon'tchangewiththemarefools,"hesaidtonooneinparticular."I'llbeoff;Marthienwillbesendinghisconciliation-party,andIshouldbetheretoreceivethemproperly,orthere'llbeanotherfeudonmyhands."

Withthat,LordWyvarnaturnedandledhisownentourageoutofthearena,leavingKyrtianstandingbesideLordLyon.



"Well,eitheryouarethecleverestyounglordlingIhaveeverseen,ortheluckiest,"Lyonobservedsoftly."Iwouldn'thavegivenyouanyoddsofgettingoutofthatsituationintact."

"Theluckiest,mylord,"Kyrtianrepliedquicklyhopingthathesoundedmodest."IfearthatalthoughIhadcometothiseventintendingtodemonstratemydiscovery,Imadeaprofoundmistakeinpermittingmyfeelingstogetthebetterofme,initially.Iam,Ifear,averyprovincialfellow,andthiswasthefirstcombat-trialIhaveeverattended.AndifIoffendedyouwithmyuntutoredmanner,Idoapologize,forIhadnointentionofoffendinganyone."

Andonceagain,heturnedtohiscousin.Aelmarkin'sexpressionwassoblanditcouldnothavebeenanythingotherthanamask.Hewasprobablystillinfuriated.

"Cousin,Imustaskyourforgivenessforusingyourpremisesastheintendedvenueformydisplay,butwell,nottoputtoofineapointuponit,thisistheonlycombat-challengeIhaveeverbeeninvitedto,soopportunitieshavenotexactlybeenthickupontheground."HehadnorealhopethatthiswouldpacifyAelmarkin,butatleastitwouldmakeitlookasifhe'dtried.

"Iwouldn'tworryaboutitifIwereyou,Aelmarkin,"LordKyndrethtoldthestone-facedElvenlord,witharaisedeyebrow."Icanpromiseyou,thislittledemonstrationisonlygoingtoreflecttoyourglory.Ifyoulike,IcanevenspreaditaboutthatyoucolludedwithyoungKyrtianhere"

"Towhatend,mylord?"Aelmarkinaskeddryly.

"Ah,well,toamostproperend.Youareawareofthedreadfulwastageoffighte

rswe'vehadinthiscampaignagainsttheso-calledYoungLords.AndIassume,giventheageandrankofyourtwomainguests,youwereawarethatIwouldappearatthiscombat.Ofcourseyouareawareofmykeeninterestinnewmethodsoftrainingourfighting-slavesfaster."LordKyndrethsmiled;thesmileremindedKyrtianofalargecatwithitspreybeneathitspaw."Soyoudecidedtohelpyourcousinandyourselfatthesametime,bygivinghimavenuetodemonstratethefruitsofhishobbyforme.Hmm?"



Aelmarkin'sexpressionremainedasblandascream,buthebowed."Asyousay,mylord,andIamdeeplygratefultoyou."

"NomorethanIamtoyou."Thiswasclearlyadismissal,andAelmarkintookitassuch.

"Imustreturntomyguests,mylord,ifImayexcusemyself?"Aelmarkinbowed.

LordKyndrethwavedhimoff,andAelmarkindeparted;thelineofhisbackbonesuggestedfurthertroubletoKyrtian.Butthatwasforthefuture;therewasalargerandmoredangerouspredatorinfrontofhimstill.Aelmarkinwasajackalatbest.LordKyndrethwasalionintruthandnotjustinname.

"Thankyouagain,mylord,"Kyrtiansaid,meaningit.

"Hmph."LordLyoneyedhimasifsuspectingfurthercleverness."Well,Ishallbewantingtocomevisityouwithinthenextfewdays.Iwanttodiscussyourtrainingmethodsandotherthings."

"Iamatyourservice,LordLyon,"Kyrtianreplied,stunned."IwillsendaPortal-tokentotheCouncilHallinyourname."Beforehecouldthinkofanythingelsetosay,theOldLordhadsketchedabriefsaluteandturnedaway,leadingwhatwasleftofhisentourageoffthroughtheexit.



7

---

EverytraceofthebloodyconflictthathadprecededGel'sfighthadbeenclearedawayfromthepreparationroombythetimethatheandtheotherlord'sbodyguardretiredtoit.Eventhearmorwasgone;allthatremainedwasthepresenceoftheliveriedgladiatorsthemselves,dividedintotwotightgroupswithacarefulspacebetweenthem.Divestedofarmsandarmor,toGel'seyestheylookedabsurdlyyoung,barelyoutofboyhood.ThetwosetsofgladiatorshoveredatarespectfuldistancefromGelandLordKyndreth'smanastheytookoverthepreparationroomforthemselves.Gelsuppressedasmileofamusement;therewasmorethanatouchofhero-worshipinthoseyoungfaces.Heandhisopponenthadnotonlysavedthesechildrenfrominjuryand

death,theyhadprobablyputonthemostskillfulcombatthecallowladshadeverseen.Hewasjustgladthathewasgoingtobeabletoreturntohisownestateandgetawayfromallthoseadmiringeyes.

AsGelfollowedKaethJared'sexampleanddivestedhimselfofarmor,clothing,andwalkednakedintothewhite-tiledwater-cascadecubicleasifhebelongedthere,hewasthoroughlyconsciousofgratitudeforbeingabletocleanupaftertheirstrenuousbout.Withalloftheyoungstersstillwatching,awe-filledeyesgluedto

him,Gelwasmorethanalittleuncomfortableasheplungedunderthewarmcascadeofwaterandletitsoothemusclesthathadbeenaskedtoworkwithoutaproperwarm-up.Hewonderedwhytheotherfightersdidn'tsayanythingtohimoratleast,toKaethJared.Theymightnotknowhim,butsurelytheyknewKaethatleastbysight.Well,they'vegottongues,hetoldhimself,asheduckedhisheadunderthesteamingwaterandletitpourdownhisneckandback.Iftheydon'twanttousethem,that'snotmyproblem.

KaethJaredmusthavebeenmoreusedtothisodd,semi-frightenedtreatmentfrom

hisfellowhumans,asheactedonthesurfaceasiftheotherfighterssimplyweren'tthere.

Onthesurface,anyway.

ToGel'sexperiencedeyes,hemovedasifhenotedandanalyzedeverymoveanyo



fthemmade,howeverinconsequential.Thatspelled"assassin"aswellas"bodyguard"toGel,whichactuallymadeagreatdealofsense,consideringLordKyn-dreth'sprominenceandtheuncertaintimes.TherewasnotellingiftheYoungLordsorhisownpeersmightdecidetoreverttotheancientwaysofdealingwithanobstacleintheformofanotherElvenlord.Whobettertoguardagainstassassinsthananotherassassin?

Still.Itarousedhissuspicions.Inallhislifetime,Gelhadencounterednomorethanfourassassins,andhehimselfwasoneofthem.

AndIwonderifKaethJaredhasmadethesameconclusionsaboutmethatIhaveabouthim....

Thefirsthadbeenhisownteacher,thethirdhadbeenhisteacher'steacherasuccessionoftrainedmento

guardtheestate'slord,justincase.Thefourthhadbeenontheauctionblock,andthatparticularsetofskillshadn'tbeenmentionedintheauctioncatalog.Althoughitmomentarilytemptedhimtohavesomeoneelsehecouldtrustwithhislord'ssafetyhehadsaidnothingtotheSeneschalwhohadbeenlookingforafewchoiceyoungsterstointroducetothefreedomoftheestate.Itwasabadidea;likehisownteacherhewouldtrainhisownsuccessor.Therewasnotellingwherethatmanhadbeen,orwhyhewasontheblock.

Foramoment,GelrecalledhisteacherwithgreatfondnessHakkonShorhadnotbeenGel'sfather,buthemightjustaswellhavebeen.He'dhelpedraiseGelfromthemomentthatGelshowedthesortofathleticpotentialthatmadehimtheskilledfighterhewastoday.Hakkonhadn'thadsons,onlydaughtersnotthatone



ofthemwouldn'thaveservedperfectlywellasKyrtian'sbodyguard,butnoneofthemtookafterHakkon;inpointoffact,theyweresweet-naturedandabsolutelyoblivioustohalfofwhatwentonaroundthem.NowTirithShor,who'dbeenHakkon'sfather,feltthatwasjustaswell,butGelknewithadbeenagreatdisappointmenttotheOldManthathissonwouldn'tbetheonetostandatthenextLord'sside....

KaethJaredwasanunlikelysortforanassassin,ifyouonlysawhimclothed.Tallandslim,pale,withhairofadarkauburnandlong,cleverhands,hedidn'tlookparticularlystrong.Ifyousawhimnude,howeverorincombatyourealizedthathewasagreatdealstrongerandmoreagilethanheseemed.Therewasn'tanounceofsuperfluousfleshonhimanywhere,andthemuscleshehadwerewireandwhipcord;tough,andpowerful.

GelwonderediftheothershadnoticedKaethJared'sunusualalertnessandcauti

on,anddecidedthattheyprobablyhadn't.Theywerejustordinaryfighters,andwouldn'tbetrainedorpracticedinsuchcarefulobservationanddeduction.TheywereprobablyjustimpressedbytheboutthatheandGelhadcompletedandperhapsalittlestunnedatitsbloodlessoutcome.

PartoftheirawemightverywellhavebeenduetothelackofscarsonKaeth'sbodyandhisown.Intheoldmethodsoftraining,atsomepoint,whentwofightersmet,theywouldcovertlyreadtrueexpertiseinmartial

artsnotbythenumberofwoundscollectedovertheyears,butbytheabsenceofscarring.Anunmarkedbodyintheirworldmeanteitherthatone'slordvaluedonesohighlythathegrantedtheuseofmagicinhealing,orthatafighter'sreflexesweresoswiftandmovementsoagilethatnoopponentevergotachancetolandablow.NeitherhenorKaethweremarredbymorethanafewtriviallines,longhealed.

AsGelemergedfromthecascadeofwaterandshookhisheadlikeadog,hecaughtKaethwatchingoutofthecornerofhiseye;Kaethknewhe'dbeencaught,andunexpectedlygrinned."Youg

avemethebestboutI'vehadinalongtime,friend,"hesaid,pitchinghisvoicejustloudenoughtobeheardoverthesoundofthewater-cascade."I'mimpressed."

"SoamI,"Geladmittedfreely,asthecircleofsilentgladiatorsstrainedtheirearstoheareverysyllableeitherofthemspoke."AndIdon'tmindsayingthatifyou'dhadthebenefitofLordKyrti



an'ssystemtotrainunder,you'dbesomuchbetterthanmethatitwouldn'thavebeenacontest."

"Iwouldn'tknowaboutthat,"Kaethreplied,quicklyenoughtosalveGel'sbruisedego."ButifI'manyjudgeofLordKyn-dreth,he'llbeusingthissystemofyoursbeforethemonthisout.Andifhedoes,everyotherlordwilldothesame,orbethoughthopelesslyprovincialandout-of-step.Withenoughapprovalbehindhim,hemightwellmandatethissystemthroughtheCouncil."

Theencirclingmenletoutasuppressedsigh;sothatwaswhattheyhadbeenwaitingtohear,andperhapsKaethhadknownthat.Gelsympathized;suchnewswouldbelikeareprievefromadeath-sentence.

Like?BytheStars,itisareprievefromadeath-sentence!Iwonderhowmanyoftheircomradeswerekilledin

training,andhowmanymorekilledinfeud-combatortheirmasters'entertainments?Nowtheonlythingthey'IIhavetofearisbeingdraftedintotheOldLords'ArmyandsentupagainsttherebelsortheWizards.

"Idaresayyou'reright,"Gelagreed,wavinghishandinfrontofthecascadetostopit,thenreachingforatowelfromtherackbehindhim.Atthatpoint,aservantappearedtosummonthegladiatorstotheirrespectivelordsforthereturntotheirhomeestates,andwithpalpabledisappointment,thetwogroupsofmenfiledoutofthe

preparationroom.

Kaethwavedhisownhandatthecascadebeneathwhichhe'dbeenstanding,andthesoundofrushingwaterwasreplacedbysilence.Heseizedatowelanddriedhimself,thenwrappeditaroundhiswaistasGelalreadyhadandexchangedawrysmilewithhiscompanion."Aloneatlast!"hesaid.



Gelchuckled,warily.Foranassassin,thismanhadaremarkablesenseofhumorandnoreticenceaboutshowingit."Iwouldhardlyhavethoughtmyconversationwasthatentrancing."

Surelyhe'sherebyaccident.AssassinsarenormallysentagainstkeyhumansinanElvenlord'sentourage,andtherewasnowayofknowingwhowouldbeplayingbodyguardtoKyrt-ian.Wasthere?

"It'sbetterthantheirs."Kaethjerkedhisheadinthedirectionoftheexitdoor."Thosepoorblockheadsdon'thavemuchtotalkaboutexceptfighting,food,andsex.Ifthey'dgottenupthecouragetospeaktous,you'dhavefoundthatout."

Gelraisedaneyebrow."Well,they'reyoung,"hepointedout,ashefollowedKaethcarefullyintothemain

room.

"Andundertheoldsystem,notlikelytogetolder,"Kaethretorted,gettinghisclothingofftheshoulder-highshelfbesidehim,andlayingitoutonapolishedwoodenbench."Howold'syouroldestfighter?"

Gelconsideredhisreplycarefullybeforeanswering,usingtheopportunitytolayouthisowngearasachanceto

stallalittle."Ifyoucountretiredfighterswhocouldstillpickupaweaponindefenseoftheestatetheoldestjustturnedseventy-eight."

Kaethwasactuallytakenaback,andletoutalowwhistleashereachedforhistrews."Idon'tknowthatI'veeverseenahumanthatold,muchlessafighter!Youmeanyourlordactuallyputshisoldmenouttopastureinsteadofputtingthemdown?GreatAncestors,man,howmanyoftheseretiredfightershaveyougot?"

"I'mnotsure,"Gelreplied,hissuspicionsaroused.He'saskingtoomanyquestions.He'satrainedassassin,1knowheiswhatifhe'stargetingKyrtian?

ItwaspossibleLordKyndrethcouldbeapatronandallyoftheobnoxiousAelmarkin.Itmightbethathe



wouldwaitjustlongenoughtolearnKyrtian'straining-technique,theneliminateAelmarkin'sinconvenientcousin.

InfacthemighthavebeenbroughttogetridofKyrtianrighthereandnow,whichwaswhyKyrtiangottheinvitationinthefirstplace!Maybethat'swhyLordKyndrethwantstocometoourestatenow,togetthesecret,thengetridofKyrtianwheretherearen'tanywitnessesandmaybegetridoftheLadyatthesametime!

Bynow,Gelhadgottenhissecondwind,andsuchalarmingthoughtsonlyincreasedhisenergy.AndKaeth,allunsuspecting,hadactuallyturnedhisbacktohim.Iftherewaseveratimewhenatrainedassassinwouldbevulnerable,thiswasit.

Geldidn'tevenpauseforabreath;heacted.Hehadbeenbentover,tyinghisb

oots;nowwithoutwarning,heturnedhisposeintoacharge,stayingcrouchedoverandrushingKaeth,shoulderinghimintothewallface-first.HeheardKaethgruntashehitthewall,butbeforehecouldsecuretheassassin,Kaethwrithedlooseatrifle.Hisreactionswereasswiftasaserpent's,andhemanagedtogethimselfturnedaround,butnotbeforeGelgrabbedawristineitherhandandsmashedthemintothewall,thengothiskneeuptoreinforcehishold.NowGelhadKaethpinnedagainstthewallwithbothwristsimprisonedoverhisheadandGel'skneeinhisgut.

Hislegsarestillfree.Ifhecankickmylegoutfromunderme

Flushed,butimpassive,hestaredintoGel'sgrey-violeteyesforalongmomentasGelwaitedforhimtospeakoract.HiswristsunderGel'shandsshowednosignoftension,norwasthereanyindicationthatheintendedresistanceorstruggle.



Butthatcouldbearusetogetmetodropmyguard.

"Isupposeit'stoomuchtoaskwhatpromptedthisahratherunexpectedactionofyours?"hefinallyaskedmildly,abitoutofbreath,butcompletelypolite,inspiteofthesituation.

Gelglaredathim,buthedidn'tdrophiseyes."Isupposeyou'regoingtodenyyou'reanassassin,"herepliedflatly.

"Ah!"Theexpressionlesseyesnowreflectedunderstanding,andthemouthrelaxedatrifleinafaintsmile.'WowIunderstand!YouthinkLordKyndrethhastargetedmeatyouorperhaps,yourmaster!Beatease,friend;LordKyrtianisinnodangerthatIknowof,otherthanfromhisownconnivingcousin.Andyou'reinnodangeratall,leastofallfromme."

Itfelthonest.Gelwantedtobelievehim.

"Butyoudon'tdenyyou'reanassassin"Gel'sinstinctswarredwithhisintellect.HisinstinctsandhissensessworethatKaethwastellingthetruthhismorecynicalmindwarnedhimthatthiswasjustatrick.Still,hewasverytemptedtoreleasethefellow;thisjustdidn'tseemlikealie.

"Hardly,sinceyouseemtohavecaughtmeasone,"Kaethreplied,withasurprisingamountofhumor."AlthoughmyownLordisn'tnearlyasobservantasyou,sinceheistotallyunawareofmytraining;Iwenttohim,boughtatauctionaftertheunlamenteddeathofmyoldlord.Still,onceanassassin,astheysay,thecloakneverdropsfromyourshoulderssoI'llqualifyitbyadmittingforLyonLordKyndreth,I'manactiveagent,butaninactiveassassin,noramIeverlikelytolethimknowofmymoreesotericabilities."

"Huh."Slowly,carefully,Gelrockedhisweightbackontohisownfeet,andreleasedKaeth'swrists.Justasslowly,Kaethdroppedhishandsfromthewallandrubbed,thenflexed,hiswrists,testingthem."Andjusthowdidyoubecomeaninactiveassassin?"



"Lookforyourself."Kaethreachedupandpulledtheneckofhistunicopen,thentiltedhischinupsothatGelcouldseehisslave-collarclearly.Itwasn'tthesealofLyonLordKyndreththere,butthatofthedeceasedand,asKaethhadsaid,unlamentedLordDyran.

Thingswerebeginningtoaddup.

ThenobleLordDyran,whotrainedallmannerofslavesinskillsbestleftunexamined...andwhoseestatewasbrokenupanddividedamonghisrelatives,withwhatwasleftgoingtoauction.AndthatwaswhereIsawanotherassassin!

Thatsealcouldn'tpossiblybecounterfeited,either.ThefactthathewasstillwearingDyran'scollarmeantthathe'dbeenclaimedafterDyran'sdeathotherwisethenewmasterwouldinsistonhavingtheoldcollarremoved

andhisownputon.Gelbackedup,givinghimalittlemorespace."Interesting."

"Mybelovedformermaster,"Kaethsaid,withatouchofironicinflectionontheword"beloved"thatdidnotescapeGel'snotice,"WasnotthesortofElvenlordtoforgetthetraditionsofhisAncestors."

"Includingassassination?"Gelrepliedevenly.

KaethnoddedwithadignitythatimpressedGelinspiteofhimself."Evenso.Iwastrainedfromchildhood,havingshownunusualabilityforgettingintoandoutofsupposedlyguardedspacesandplaceswithoutbeingcaught.Whetherornotyouchoosetobelieveme,IwillsaythatmytrainingwasneveremployedagainstElvenlords...."



"NotthatDyranwouldhavehesitatedifhe'dthoughthecouldgetawaywithit,"Gelinterjected.Again,Kaethnodded,thistimewithashrug.

"Bethatasitmay,myusualtasksweretoactashisintelligenceagent,whichishowIwasemployedatthetimeofhisdemise.And,notknowinganybetter,thatishowmytalentswereadvertisedwhentheestatewasbrokenupandtheslaveswenttoauction,asanagentandbodyguard."Kaethturnedhispalmsup,andshruggedhisshouldersagain.

"Andyou,ofcourse,wereundernocompulsiontoenlightentheauctioneers."Gelfeltareluctantsmilecreepingoverhislips;ifthisstorywastrue,Kaethwasaverycleverfellowindeed.Hardlylikelyhe'dtellthem,whenitwasalotmorelikelythattheotherElvenlordswouldorderhimdestroyedrather

thantakethechanceofoneoftheirnumbergettinghishandsonatrainedassassin."Idon'tsupposeiteveroccurredtoyoutobolt?"

"Ofcourseitdid,"Kaethreplied,andsatdownonthebench,indicatingtoGelthatheshoulddothesame."Oh,don'tworryaboutanyoneoverhearingus.Iftherehadbeenanyonelisteningorwatching,they'dhavebeeninherethemomentyouwentformythroat.IcostKyndrethaveryprettypenny,andhe'dtakeitpersonallyifsomeonedeprivedhimofmyservices."

Andthiscouldbeaset-up,butit'sgettingrathertoounlikelyandcomplicatedno,IthinkI'llgowithmyinstinctsandtakehimathisword.

"Naturally,itoccurredtometofleetotheWizardsandtheWildHumans,"herepeated,"Butwell,1learnedafewthingsaboutthesecollarsthatIwasn'tsupposedto.OnlyDyrancouldcompelmemagically,andoncehe

wasdead,nootherElven-lordcanharmmethroughthiscollar,unlessheisDyran'sequalorbetterinpower.Thatwasareasontorun.ButDyranwasascleverabastardashisreputationclaimedIcanstillbetracedandpursuedthroughthecollar,andanyattempttotakeitoffwilldeprivemeofmyhead.ThatwasDyran'slittlefail-safeincaseanyoneeverdecidedtosubvertme."



Kaethblinkedslowly,andlookeddeeplyandpenetratinglyintoGel'seyesforamoment."Interesting,"hemurmured."I'dheardrumorsaboutLordKyrtian'speople..."

Thenheshookhishead,asifitwasnoconsequence."Ioverhearagreatdeal,asallbodyguardsdo,andKyndrethhastheusualfailingofourmastersthatheforgetshowmuchhisslavesseeandhear.IhopeyouwillbelievemewhenItellyouthatKyndreth'splansaresuch,andsocomplex,thatitisunlikelyhecouldeverfitatrainedassassinintothemwithanydegreeofconfidence."

"MaybeagainsttheOldLords,andthelordsthathaven'trevolted,"Gelobjected,"butwhatabouttheYoungLordswhoarestillinrevolt?"

"Abarepossibilityiftheyactuallydevelopedaleaderwithenoughcharismato

makethemallworktogether."Kaethadmitted."Butit'smorelikelythatcattlewillflybeforethathappens.Andbesides,evenifhedid,sonsaren'tsothickonthegroundthatthevictim'srelativeswouldbeveryhappythattheerrantladhadbeeneliminatedratherthanreturnedtotheparentalfold."Hesmiled,butthistimetherewasnohumorinit."Afterall,ayoungsterwhohashadallthoughtsofrebellionneatlywipedfromhismindcanstillfunctiontosirethenextgeneration,eveniftherestofthetimeallhedoesissitinacorneranddrool."

ThatshockedGel;he'dheardrumorsthatsomeoftheOldLordshadtheabilitytotamperwithanotherElvenlord'smindandmemory,butthiswasthefirsttimeanyonehadsaidanythingthatconfirmedwhathehadprivatelythoughtwasaratherwildtale.

HedidhisbesttoseemasnonchalantaboutitasKaethwas,however."PuttingitthatwayIsupposeyou'reright.Kyn-drethwouldgetnojoyfromthesurvivingrelativesifhewipedoutanheir,nomatterhowtheyfelt

aboutthatheirwhenhewasalive."Heshookhishead,andallowedhisdisgustandbafflementtoshow."Damn,butthisisastwistedasballofsnakes!Howdoyoumakeitallout?"

"Earlytraining,mostly."NowKaethactuallyrelaxed,andforthefirsttime,Gelsawhimdropallofhisdefensivemannerisms.HeknewthathewasmeanttoseethatandheinstinctivelyknewthatKaethnow



trustedhimasfarashehadevertrustedanyonebuthimself."PoliticsamongtheElvenlordsit'sconsideredahighart.SometimesIthinkit'sapitythatnoonewilleverknowhowaccomplishedanartistIambutmyself."

Gelhadtochuckleatthat,andKaethsmiledareal,unmaskedsmileinanswer."Well,I'maplainman,andItellyounowthatI'drathermapbattlefieldstrategythanpoliticalstrategyanyday."

"It'scleaner."TheregretinthatvoicewassodeepthatGelcouldhavedrownedinit.Foramoment,theybothfellsilent,thenKaethcoughed."WellbeforeLordKyndrethwonderswhatistakingmesolong,andsummonsmewhatcanyoutellmeaboutthistrainingmethodofLordKyrtian's?"

Gelstudiedhisexpression,andcametoaninterestingconclusion.Heapproves.Granted,ifhismasterasks

whatweweretalkingabout,thiswillgivehimsomethingtofeedtohim,buthealsoapprovesofthisandwantstoknowforhimself.Fascinating.Iwouldn'thavethoughtthatanassassinwouldbeinterestedinpreservinglives.

"He'sdoingsomethingwithhismagicthat'sinitiallycomplicatedtosetup,butdoesn'ttakeagreatdealofpower,"Geladmitted."That'swhathe'stoldme,anyway.Notbeingalord,Idon'tknowthemechanicsofit."Hebroodedamoment,thinkingbacktothefirsttimethatKyndrethsetthespell

s."Therearetwodifferentpiecesofmagicinvolved:onetocreateaweaponthatlooksandfeelsreal,buthasnomoresubstancethananillusion;andtheotherthathesetsonthefighterthatworkswiththeweaponandreactstowhattheweapondoes."

"Sensesit,youmean?"Kaethasked,hiseyesintent.



"Iguessthat'sclose,ascloseasanythingahumancanunderstand."Gellickedhislips."Anyway,thatsecondspelliswhatmakestheglowandtheshockwhenyou'rehit.Thefirsttimehedidit,ittookhimmostoftheday;hesaysitgetseasierasyougetusedtoit.Andaccordingtohim,it'salmostassimpletoworkthespellsonalotofpeopleasitistocastthemforonehesaidsomethingonceaboutgivingthemagicextraenergyanditcopiesitselfforaslongasyoufeedit."Helaughedwithembarrassment."Thatprobablysoundsstupid,butthat'sthebestIcantellyou."

"No,no,itmakessense,"Kaethtoldhim."I'veheardthemtalkingaboutthat,whentheywanttocreatealotofsomething,liketreesorflowersdoingthefirstone,thensettingittocopyitself.That'showtheycantellthedifferencebetweentheillusionthatareallypowerfullordcreates,andonecreatedbyanunderling.Youneverseeapowerfullordmakingcopies;inhisillusions,everytree,everyfloweris

different."

"Whatever.That'sthebestdescriptionIcantellyou."Heponderedamoment,thendecidedtogiveKaethsomeinformationthat,shouldhefeeditbacktoLordKyndreth,wouldbeaprotectionforKyrtianratherthanadanger."KyrtianhasasmanyregularfightersasanyotherGreatLord,butIhavetotellyou,allwedoispracticeeitherindailydrillusinghismethod,orinactualbattle-simulations.That'stheregularfighters.Onceafighterisoverforty,hegoesonlight-duty;hehassomeotherjob,butkeeps

inpracticearcherypractice,mostly,thoughsomeofthemkeeptheirswordandspearworkrightuptotheiroldstandards."

"Whichmeansyoudon'tjusthavegladiators,youhaveanarmy,trainedtofighttogether."Kaethpulledonhislowerlip."Andyouhaveaback-upcorpsofthoseoldermen.Interesting.OnlyafoolwouldchallengeyourLord."

Thatwassaidasastatement,notaquestion.

Good.LetKyndrethchewonthat!"Exactly,"Gelnodded."That'sbecauseLordKyrtianlikestoseehowbattle-strategyreallyworks,ratherthanjustreadingaboutit.Weworkoutnewcombatsimulationsfairlyoften,becauseunlesssomeonestepsintoaholeandbreaksalegorsomethingequallys



tupid,wecomeoutofcombatwiththesamenumberoffighterswewentintoitwith."

"It'sadamnedgoodsystem,"Kaethagreed,finally."Sogood,itmakesmewonderwhattheadvantageistoLordKyrtian.Trainedfighterscouldrevolt,iftheyputtheirmindstoit,"

Gellaughedeasily."Well,foronething,therearen'tanyrealweaponsaroundwherewecangetholdofthem.They'realllockedupinthearmoryunderKyrtian'sseal."

"Sohedoesn'thavetoworryaboutaslave-revolt."Kaeth'sfacecleared,andhenodded.

"And,ofcourse,knowingyouaren'tgoingtogetinjuredorkilledmakesthemenwillingtopractice."

"Hewouldn'thavetheexpenseofbuyingorraisingreplacements,either."Kaethsighedinopenadmiration."Brilliantstrategy,especiallyforsomeonewithnopoliticalallies.Aftertoday,noonewilldarechallengehimtoafeud;hispositionissecureagainstallnormalavenuesofchallenge.Iwouldneverhavethoughtit,givenhisreputation."

"Notexactlybadstrategytomaketheothersunderratehimuntilhewasready,wasit?"Gelsaidslyly,andKaethactuallylaughed.

Gelhadtheimpressionnowthatdespitehissinistertraining,KaethJaredwasaprettydecentsort,andthatsurprisedhim,morethanalittle.He'dalwaysconsideredassassinstobe



Tobescum,actually.Isuspectmostofthemare.Thisone,thoughwell,he'sgotmyrespect.

Histhoughtswereinterruptedbyadiscreetcoughfromthedoor,whereapairofyoungladsinAelmarkin'sliverystooduneasily."YourLords"thenearestsaid,atremorinhisvoice.

"OurLordsrequireus,"Kaethsuppliedwithanod.Suddenlythemaskdroppedoverhisfaceandhewasallcoolsurfaceagain,remoteandunreadable."Ofcourse,immediately."

GelstoodonlyafractionbehindKaeth,whoturnedandofferedhishand."Itwasapleasureineverysense,"Kaethsaid,thewarmthofhistonebelyinghislackofexpression."Iwouldliketomeetyouagainundersimilarcircumstances."

Gelclaspedtheofferedhandsolemnly."Ihopethatwecan,"herepliedaswarmly,"andIlookforwardtoit."

Andwiththat,theyparted.AsGelfollowedhisguide,hewonderedwhatKaeth'semotionswere.Hedidn'tthinkhewasmistaken;somethinghadresonatedbetweenthem.

Maybenotfriendship,atleastnotyet,hedecided,ashesawKyrtianwaitingupaheadwithasenseofreliefthattheordealwasfinallyover.Butdefinitelyadmiration.Andneitherofuswantstoeverhavetokilltheother.Thathastocountforsomething!

8

KyrtianpassedthroughthePortal,whichonAelmarkin'ssidewasagreatgilded

bas-reliefgatewideandtallenoughforacargo-wagontopassthrough,andonthemanorsidewasanornately-carvedwoodendoorwithahighlintelfeaturingthefamilycrest.HehadbeeninaprofoundlythoughtfulstateofmindfromthemomentthathehadpartedwithLordKyndreth,andGeldidn'tinterrupthismusingsbytryingtotalktohim.Thenagain,itwasentirelylikelythatGelwastootiredtotalk,whichdidn'thurtKyrtian'sfeelingsintheleast.



LongstandingfamilytraditionofcautionsituatedthePortalinsideasmallchamberwithwallsofstoneandalockeddooroffire-toughenedbronzeasinsuranceagainstanenemyusingittopenetratetheheartofthemanor.Invitedguestsweremetherebyanescortandletout,andthechamberitselfwouldholdnomorethantenatthemost.The"key"tounlockthedoorwasthepresenceofafamilymemberorsomeoneelse(likeGel)towhomthelockhadbeensensitized.Ofcourse,itwaspossibletooverpowertheescortandopenthechamberdoorthatway,butthedoorwasguardedeverymomentofeveryday,andatleastoneguardwouldbeabletoraiseanalarm.TherewouldbenoinvasionsoftheestatethroughthisPortalorsoitwashoped.Afterallofhisstudiesinmilitarytactics,Kyrtianwasonlytooawarethataclevercommandercouldthinkofwaystogetpasttheirprecautions.HisonlycomfortwasthatmostoftheElvenlordswerenotveryclevercommanders.

KyrtianpartedwithGeljustoutsidethePortalChamber,astheguardstriedto

pretendtheyweren'teavesdropping."Well,we'reinforitnow,"hesaid,inmingledprideandchagrin."Ithinkthisisthehighest-rankedmemberoftheGreatCounciltocomeheresinceGrandfather'sday,andwe'regoingtohavetomakecertaineveryoneistotallypreparedandunderstandswhattheyneedtodo.ThesoonerwestartpreparingthestaffandservantsforLordKyndreth'svisit,thesoonerwecangetitoverwith,andtheneverythingcangobacktonormal."

"Andthelongerwedelay,themoreweriskaninsult.Don'tworry,I'monit,"theSergeantsaidwithawave."YougobreakthenewstotheLady."



Gelmadeforthetraining-quartersatatrot,andKyrtianreflectedthattheSergeantwasprobablyalreadyfivestepsaheadofhiminplanningthings.Andonethingwasabsolutelycertain;thevisitcouldnottakeplaceuntileveryservantontheestatewassowell-rehearsedintheappropriateconductofaslavethatnothingwouldforcehimtodepartfromit,notinsult,notpunishment,andcertainlynotcarelessness.ThoseservantsclosesttoKyrtianandhismotherwouldhavetobethebestactorsofthelot,whichmeantthatcertainoftheyoungerandlessexperiencedhouse-servants(suchasLynder)wouldbereplacedforthedurationwithotherswhohadbeenpromotedtootherpositionsorhadevenretired.Kyrtianwouldcertainlybedoingwithoutmostofhispersonalservants,whowouldbeattendingLordKyndreth,butthatwasasmallpricetopayforkeepingupthedeceptionthatthiswasanormalElvenhousehold.

AllthatwouldbeinthehandsofGel,LadyLydiell,andLordTenebrinththeSen

eschal,andthesoonerheletthelasttwoknowwhatwasabouttodescendonthem,thebetter.Gelwasright;LordKyndreth'svisitcouldnotbepostponedforlongwithoutoffendinghim.

HepausedforamomenttolocatebothhismotherandtheSeneschal;thiswasnotimetowastepreciousmomentshuntingforthembyordinarymeans.Themerestwhisperofmagictoldhimthat,aswasoftenthecaseatthistimeofday,Tenebrinthwaswithhismotherinthelatter'soffice,probablygoingoverthehouseholdand

estateaccounts,makingplansforthenextcoupleofmonths,ordealingwithissuesoftheservants.ThatcouldnotpossiblyhavebeenbetterforKyrtian'spurposes.Bycatchingthemtogether,Kyrtianwouldonlyhavetogoovertheprospectivevisitandthereasonsforitonce.

Lydiell'sofficewasliterallyatthecenterofthemanor,overlookingeverything.Themanorboastedfivetowers,oneateachcornerandoneatthecenter,withthecenter-mostbeingagoodtwostoriestallerthantheothersafulltwelvestoriestall.Thetowersgavethemanoralookofdelicacyandatten

uationthatKyrtianfoundbothattractiveandamusinglydeceptive,forthebuildingitselfhadbeenconstructedtosurvivealongsiege,andhadbeenbuilttowithstandsiegeweaponsthatforthemostpartnolongerexisted.Lydiell'sofficewasaglass-walledroomattheverytipofthecenter-mosttower,aplacethatwould,inwartime,beoccupiedbyatleastfourlookouts.Evenintheworstweather,itwasasnugandwelcomingplace,asthetowerwasoneofthefewplacesinthemanorthatdependedonmagicformorethanlightingandadecorativeillu



sionortwo.Magic,andnotmechanicalcontrivances,heatedandcooledthetowerandprotecteditfromtheworstweather.Magicalsoensuredthesafetyofanyoccupantsofthetransparenttubeheenteredatthebottomofthetower,poweringthelittleplatformunderhisfeetthatslowlyrosethroughthetowertothetop.Nohumancouldusethiscontrivancebyhimself,notevenifthathumanwasblessedwiththehumans'ownformofmagic.Inthisway,whensheworked,Lydiellcouldbeassuredthatnoonecouldinterruptherwithouthavingtogofirsttooneofelvenblood.Thereweredrawbackstobeingasapproachableasthelordsofthismanorhadalwaysbeen;theshort-livedhumanstendedtocometothemwithanyproblemthathadthemstymiedformorethanafewmoments,assumingthatlongexperiencegrantedunfathomablewisdom.

Ifitdidthat,therewouldn'tbeaYoungLords'Warnow.TheOldLordswouldhaveknownbetterthantoletthemgetasfarastheydid.Andtherewouldn'thavebeenasecondWizardWareither.

Theinterveningfloorsofthetowerwere,forthemostpart,unfurnished,althoughthiswastheoldestsectionofthemanorandeverythingelsehadbeenconstructedaroundit.Theroundroomsweretoosmalltouseforanythingbutoffices,andonlyLydiellandTenebrinthhadneedofanoffice.SoKyrtianpassedroomafterround,empty,alabaster-walledroomwithnothingmoretoentertainhimthanbriefglimpsesoftheoutsidethroughtheweapon-slitsthatservedinplaceofwindows.Eventhelookofalabasterwasdeceptive;thetowerwasbuiltofsomethingfarstronger,thoughtoomuchmagicwentintotheconstru

ctionofthematerialforanyonetouseitthesedays.ThistowerwasanartifactofthefirstfiftyyearsaftertheElvescrossedoutofEvelon,whennooneknewifthisworldwouldprovetobeasdangerousastheonetheyhadleft,atimewhentheelven-bornexistedascloselycrowdedtogetherasanyoftheprimitivehumansintheirhuts,andwaitedforsomethinginfinitelymoredangeroustodescendwithoutwarningthanamobofweak,short-livedhumans.



Tenebrinth'soffice,justbelowLydiell's,wasemptyandun-tenantedasKyrtianhadanticipated.Thatoffice,andLydiell's,werenearlydoublethesizeoftheroomsbelowthem.Thewallsswelledouthere,givingthetowerthelookofadeepplateorshallowbowlbalancedonacandlestickandcoveredwitharound,pointedsilverdishcoverthatwastheoverhanging(andprojectile-proof)roof.ThewindowsinTenebrinth'sofficewereonlyhalfthesizeoftheonesinLydiell's,butwereglazedwiththesameimpervioussubstanceusedinsteadofordinaryglassineveryopeningofthistower.Lightthatcamethroughthissubstancelostsomeofitscolorandstrength,makingitappearasiftheofficelayunderwater.

NowKyrtianheardvoices,andasherosethroughtheceilingofTenebrinth'sofficeintothatofLadyLydiell,LordTene-brinthhimselfgotupfromhischairtogreethim.LadyLydiellremainedseated,butwelcomedhersonwithasmileandanextendedhand.

TenebrinthwasalittleolderthanKyrtian'sfatherwouldhavebeenhadhestillbeenalive,havingapprenticedinthepositionofSeneschalunderKyrtian'sgrandfather.HehadservedinhisofficialcapacityforaslongasKyrtianhadknownhim,andasoneofKyrtian'stutorsaswell.AswithallElvenlordsaboveacertainagebutbelowthepointofbeingconsideredancient,itwasimpossibletotellexactlyhowoldhewas.Tall,thinnerandlessmuscularthanLadyLydiell,withalongjawandnoseandprominentcheekbones,hairconfinedwitha

silverclaspatthenapeofhisneck,helookedexactlylikewhathewas,astudiouscreature,seriousandcarefulinthoughtandspeech,atruescholarandthinkerwhopreferredtojoustwithhismindandnothisbody.

"Well,Iseeyousurvivedyourencounterwiththeyoungtygers,"theSeneschalsaidgenially."Permitmetocongratulateyou."

Kyrtiansteppedoutofthetube,kissedthebackofhismother'shand,andtookthechairthattheSeneschalofferedhim."Believeme,itfeltlikebeinginatyger-pit,"herepliedwithfeeling."Ican'timaginehowanyoneenjoystheseso-calledsocialoccasions."

"Theyaren'tallasbadascombatchallengesseemtobe,"LadyLydiellsaidwithatouchofsympathyanda



shrug."Someofthefetescanbepositivelypleasant,especiallythefetesforunweddaughters.Thepresenceofwomenseemstomaketheyoungtygerssheaththeirclawsandhidetheirteeth,atleastlongenoughtolookcivilizedwhileinthecompanyoftheladies."

Kyrtianhaddebatedwhetherornottotellhismothereverything,anddecidednowthatonthewholeshewasbetteroffnotknowingabouthowhehadinterruptedthechallenge-combat,sinceonlygoodhadcomeoutofhisnear-blunderintheend."Well,Iknowyoudon'tcarewhowonthedisputebutGelandImanagedtopulloffalittletriumphthatIthinkyoutwowillapproveof."

Tenebrinthblinked,andhismotherraisedaneyebrow."Oh?"shesaid."Nowwhathaveyoutwogotteninto?"

"Well,there'sgoodnewsandthere'sinconvenientnews,"hereplied,"Theinconv

enientnewsisthatLyonLordKyndrethwantstovisitforlongenoughtolearnmytrainingandcombatmethods.Thegoodnewsisthatthereasonhedoesisthatwepersuadedthetwofeudinglordstohavetheirdifferencessettledinacombatmyway,betweenGelandLordLyon'sman.Lyonwasimpressed,andnotonlywantstoknowhowthespellsareset,butsaidinthepresenceoftheotherlordsthatheintendstomakethisthewayinwhichfightersaretrainedanddisputessettledfromnowon.Afterseeingbloodlesscombat,hesaysthatheagreeswithme;theoldwaysaretoowastefultocontinue."

Witheveryword,LydiellandTenebrinthgrewmoreandmoreastonished,eyeswideningandmouthsdroppingslightlyopen.ItwasTenebrinthwhocouldnotrestrainhimselfasKyrtianleanedbackinhischair,asatisfiedsmileonhisface.



"BytheAncestors,boy,thatisn'tgoodnews,it'swonderfulnews!Doyourealizewhatthismeanstothehumansoutthere?"Tenebrinthwavedhisarmattheworldoutsidethewindows.

"Wellmostly,"LadyLydiellinterjectedgently."Therearegoingtobethoseofourracewhosethirstforbloodandcrueltywillnotbesatisfiedwithbloodlesscombatandwhowillcontinuetowastethelivesofgladiators.NotevenLyoncouldgetalawthroughtheCouncilforbiddingthemtokilltheirownslaves.ThatstrikesattheheartandsoulofwhatnearlyeveryElvenlordseesashisbasicrightsovercreaturesheconsiderstobenobetterthanbeastsandproperty."AtKyrtian'snodofagreement,shesmiled."Nonetheless,Tenebrinthisright.MostoftheElvenlordswillbeonlytoopleasedwiththenotionthattheycansettledifferencesthroughbloodlesscombat.It'sagreatdrain,breedingandbuyingexpensivefightingstock.Thefurtherexpenseoftraininggladiatorsandkeepingthemintrainingisbadenough;it'sworsetohavetheirexpensivepropertymassacredduringtraining,andnearlyasbadwhenthemassacrehappensinsettlingapetty

argument,leavingthemtotraingladiatorsalloveragainiftheywishtomaintaintheirpositionandstatus."

Tenebrinthnodded."That'sbeenacomplaintoftheLesserLordsagainsttheGreaterforthepasttwogenerationsveryfewhavetheresourcestotossawayslaveswithoutconsideringtheexpense!LordLyonwillgainagreatdealofsupportamongtheLesserLordsforthis,ifhemakesitpolicyandalmostasimportantly,hewon'taggravatetheGreater.Hestandstowinallaround."

Lydiellpattedherson'shand."I'msopleasedthatIwon'tevenaskwhattroubleyoutumbledintoinordertoachievethisremarkablegoal!"

"Mother!"Kyrtianobjected,hopinghedidn'tsoundguilty.

"ButthepriceofthisisthatwearetoexpectLordKyndrethsometimeinthei

mmediatefuture?"theSeneschalinterjected."Didyouactuallysetadateforthevisit?"

"Nodatehasbeenset,andItoldhimthatIwouldsendhimaPortal-keywhenIhadthingsreadyforhim.Itriedtogivetheimpressionthat,aswewereasmallhousehold,reclusiveandunusedtovisitors,weneededtimetoprepareforthevisitofsoprominentaguest.Hewassatisfiedwiththatsofar



asIcouldtell,andIhavenointentionoflettinghimsetfoothereuntileveryoneisprepared.Thatwon'tbeuntilyoutwoandGelhavegottentheservantsandfield-handsreadytoholduptheillusionthatthisisanordinaryestate,"Kyrtianassuredhim."Hedidn'tseemallthatimpatientandhewasn'toffendedthatIcouldn'tofferhimourhospitalityimmediately."

"Nodoubthehasbusinessofhisowntotakecareofbeforehecanaffordaformalvisit,"theSeneschalmurmured,asiftohimself.

"Morelikelyheistakingthetimetoseewhoisandisnotourally,goingbacktothetimeweallleftEvelon,"Lydiellrepliedtartly."Someoneofhisrankandstatuscan'taffordanallywithaninconvenientnumberofdeadlyenemies."

"Well,theonlyenemywehavethatIknowofisAel-markin...."Kyrtiansaid,lettinghisvoicetrailoffandlookingathismotherquestioningly.

"Correct;Aelmarkinisouronlyopenenemy,withtheremotepossibilitythathisalliesmightchoosetothrowinonhisside,"hismotherconfirmed."ThoughoncetheyseethatLyonhasthrowninwithus,howeverbriefly,theyareunlikelytobackAelmarkinagainstusinanythingimportant.ThanktheAncestorswenevermeddledinpoliticsoneithersideofthefamily!We'llhaveacleanslate,sofarasLord

Lyonisconcerned.Allwehavetoworryaboutiskeepingupappearancesforafewdaysatmost."

"Idon'tintendtoaskanythingofLordLyonforthis,Mother,"Kyrtiansaid,hesitantly."AndIdon'tintendtomakeitseemasifIconsideritagreatfavoronmyparttoteachhimmymethods.IwantittoseemasifI



considerthistobehowshall1putthis?somethingthatItrulybelieveshouldbeoffered,partofmydutytotheElvenlordsasawhole.Iwanttogivehimtheimpressionofasolemnyoungmanwhoisdevotedtothewelfareofhispeople.WhichIam;justnotthepeoplethathethinks."Hesmiled."There'snopointindisillusioninghimonthat."

"Exactlyright;anyoftheordinarystatus-grubberswoulddotheopposite,"sheconfirmed."Byactingdifferentlythanheexpects,you'llcatchhimoffguardandhewon'tknowquitewhattothinkofus.Atbest,hemaydecidethatwe'reworthhavingasapermanentally.Theworsthe'llassumeisthatwearesoquietlyprovincial,sowrappedupinourownwaysandlife,withsuchquaintideasofloyaltyandduty,thatwearenothreatorchallengetoanyone.We'llbesafetopatronize,andhe'llbemotivatedtoprotectusfromanymoreofAelmarkin'smaneuverings."

"Formypart,Iwouldsaythatthiswouldbethebestthinghecouldassume,"Kyrtianreplied,relieved."CanItakeitthatyouapprove?"

"Completely,"LadyLydiellsaid,asTenebrinthnodded.Kyrtiansmiled,alittlethrillofpleasureticklinghisspiritatthenotionthathisfirstforayintothedangerousworldofGreatLordsandpoliticshadcomeoffsosuccessfully.

EventhoughIalmostturneditintoadisaster,heremindedhimself.Thisisnotthetimeforhubris!

Hetookhisleaveofbothofthemandsteppedintothetube,whichheldhiminplaceuntiltheplatformrosetoreceivehim.Oncehehadbeendepositedonthegroundfloor,heheadedstraightfortheWestTower,whichheldallfivefloorsofthegreatlibrary.

Heplannedtodoalittlegenealogicalinvestigationhimselfbeforehisownplanswentanyfurther.

InthehomeofeveryElvenlord,GreatorLesser,therewasalwaysaGreatBookofAncestors,keptuptodatebyeithertheLadyoftheclanoraclerkshepersonallysupervised.Everybirth



,death,andweddingwaspromptlyreportedtotheCouncil,whichsentoutimmediatenotificationtoeveryhousehold,howeversmallandinsignificant.NomarriageoralliancecouldbemadewithoutconsultingtheGreatBook,whichdatedbacktotheexilefromEvelon.

KyrtiansatatthetableholdingtheGreatBookonitsslantingstand,anddrewitclosertohim.Ashealwaysdid,becausethoseFirstDaysfascinatedhim,KyrtianopenedtheBooktothefirstpagewherethenamesofallofthosewhohaddaredtheGateoutofEvelonwerewritten.Fullyhalfofthemwereinscribedwithdeath-datesthatcamewithindaysorweeksoftheCrossing.SomehaddiedofthestrainoftheCrossingitself,orofinjuriessustainedinEvelonbeforetheCrossing.

FewinthesedaysrealizedthatthosewhohadmadetheCrossinghadbeenthelosersinawarthathadsplitElvenkindandsetonehalfwarringagainsttheother.TheCrossinghadbeenthe

desperateattemptofthedefeatedtoescaperatherthansurrender,notthevaliantandboldmoveofthosewhowereinsearchofanewworldtoconquer.Thatwasonefactthatthosewhoruledherenowpreferredtoforgetandburyinthepast.

OfthesurvivorsthatremainedaftertheCrossing,nonewerestillaliveatthepresentday.Elvenlordslivedlong,providednoaccident,illness,inheritedweakness,ormurderdisposedofthembeforethenormalspanoffourorfivecenturies,buttheywerehardlyimmortal.Kyrtian'spaternalgreat-grandfat

herhadbeenoneofthelongest-livedsurvivors,as(henowlearned)hadLyonLordKyndreth'sgreat-grandsire;mostotherElvenlordsinthesedayswereyetafurthergenerationdownthelinefromtheoriginalinhabitantsofthenewland.



Heturnedthepagetotracehismother'sline,ratherthanhisfather's.Odd,hethought,ashenotedsomethingthathadneverseemedimportantbefore.I'mliterallythefirstmaleanywomanofherlinehasproducedsinceEvelon

"ThatiswhytherewasnogreatobjectionwhenIweddedyourfather,"saidLydiell,behindhim,asifshehadthehumangiftofreadingthoughts.Hewastoousedtoheruncannyabilitytodothiswithhimtobestartled;hesimplyturnedandsmiledatherasshesteppedforwardanotherpaceandplacedherhandaffectionatelyonhisshoulder.

"NooneleastofallAelmarkineverthoughtIwouldproduceamaleheir,"shesaidquietly."Thatwaswhytherewasnoobjectionraisedtothemarriage,andwhyAelmarkinissointentondispossessingyouofyourinheritancenow.Heassumedthattheripeplumofourestatewoulddropintohis

lapwithoutanyeffortonhispartorthathecouldsomehowconniveorforcemetowedmypresumeddaughtertohim."Lydiellsmileddownatherson,whosebirthhadspoiledAelmarkin'splans.

"Buthe'sreallyacousininnameonly,"Kyrtianobjected,tracingbackAelmarkin'sline."Hispeoplehaven'tbeendirectlyrelatedtoourssinceEvelonitself!Itwasourgreatgrandfatherswhowerecousins,andthere'sbeennoclosermarriagesincethen."

"Butifyoutracecarefully,he'stheonlyothermaleheirtotheClan,"Lydiellpointedout."That'sasmuchyourgreatgrandfather'sandgrandfather'sfaultasanythingelse.Oncetheyhadasingle,livingchild,theneedtoprotectwhatwehadbuiltheretookprecedenceovertryingtosireanymorechildren.Theyeachhadonemaleheirbyonemarriageandnofurtherchildren;nodaughterstowedoutsidetheClan,nosecondsonstosecurealliances.Granted,theywereexceptionallylong-lived,andthat'swhatsavedus,butIwasthefirstbridetocomefromafamilynotboundinanywaytoyourClan,andifyourfatherwasstillwi

thus,bynowyouwouldhaveatleastayoungersisterorbrother,becauseIwouldhavepersonallyseentoit,ratherthanacceptedtheedictthattherewasnoneedforfurtherchildren."

NowKyrtiannotedsomethingelsethathadsomehowescapedhisattention.Hisagelessmotherwasnearerinagetohisgrandfatherthanhisfather!Shesawhiseyesrestingonthebirth-da



teunderhername,andchuckledrichly.

"Iwonderedwhenyouwoulduncoverthat!"shesaid."Yes,I'lladmitit;Irobbedthecradle!Whenyourgrandmotherwiserormorepragmaticthanherhusbandknewthatshewouldnotsurviveyourfather'sbirth,shehadenoughtimetohandpickasuccessor.Sheturnedtoourfamily,whohadbeenherfriends;shewantedmysister,butthefamilyhadalreadywedheroff,soshechoseme!Butshehadreckonedwithoutyourgrandfather'sloveanddevotion;herefusedtotakeanotherwife,especiallyoneasbarely-nubileasIwas.Still,forthesakeofmyfriendshipwithher,Ivisitedoftenandlong,tryingtoamuseyourgrandfatherandpossiblyevenpersuadehimintimethatIwasfascinatinganddesirable!Iwishyouhadseenme,stillbarelypastmypresentationfete,slinkingaroundhereasifIwasahardenedseductress!"

SinceKyrtiancouldn'timaginehismotherslinkingaroundlikeaseductressata

nyage,hesplutteredalittleandreddened.

"Well,whenseductionfailed,IthoughtIwouldwinhimbyshowinghimwhatadevotedmotherIcouldbetohisson,"shecontinued."Therewasonelittlewrinkleinthatplan;bythetimeIthoughtofit,yourfatherwashardlyofanagetoneedmothering!ButIpersistedincultivatinghim,onlytofindthathissonandIweremutuallyfallingheadoverheelsinloveassoonashewasoldenoughtothinkofsuchthings!Yourgrand-sire

wasmuchamused,andsowasmysister,Moth."



"Moth,"ofcourse,wasV'ternMorthenaLadyArada,nearlyafullcenturyLydiell'ssenior,andtheonlysurvivingrelictofLordArada'stinyClan.Sheheldasmallestategrantedherbyherlatehusbandinherownright,withnoinconvenientcousinstopesterher.

Kyrtiansighed.WhenhelookedattheGreatBook,inthecomplicatedwebofintermarriagesandsecondandthirdmarriages,hisfamilystoodallalone,likeasinglestrandofsilkofftoonesideofthegreaterpattern.

"Ihavenottoldyouthisbefore,butAelmarkintriedtoforceamarriageonmewhenyourfatherfirstdisappeared,"shecontinued,ascalmlyasifithadhappenedtosomeoneelse."ThatwaswhenMothcametomyrescue;shedugupanobscurelawpreventingamanfrommarryingthewidowofhiscousinifshealreadyhadamaleheir.ShevisitedeachoftheGreatLordsherselfandpointedouttoeachoneofthemwithexamples

howthatlawwouldprotecttheirownsonsfromcertainoftheiropponentsifanythinghappenedtothelordhimself.Needlesstosay,theyupheldthelawtoaman,andAelmarkinhadtoslinkawaywithhistailbetweenhislegs."

"Nowonderhehatesyou,"Kyrtianreplied,enlightened.

Shesniffeddelicately."Personally,Iprefernottowasteanemotionasempower

ingashatredonthatworm.Itwasobviousfromthestartwhathisplanswerewhenhecameslinkingaroundhere,oozingfalsesympathyandgroomedandjewel-bedeckedtowithinaninchofhislife.EvenifIhadbeenthefoolishwomanhethoughtIwas,Iwouldquicklyhaveseenthatsuchanalliancewouldmeanyourdeath.Nomatterwhatmypersonalfeelingswereonthesubject,IwouldneverhaveplacedyouorourpeopleinthehandsoftheodiousAelmarkin!"

"Thankyouforthat!"Kyrtianlaughed.

"Andsometimeyoumightthankyourauntfordevisingthemeanstoprotectusboth,"sherepliedcheerfully,withalightsqueezeofherhandonhisshoulder.



"Well,howevermuchyouplayatmodesty,IthinkthatyouwouldhavefoundthesolutionjustasquicklyasLadyMothifyouhadn'thadherhelp,"hetoldher."Youaretwooutofthesamemold,ascleverasyouarebeautiful,andfarmoreintelligentthananymeremales."

"Ionlyneededtobecleverenoughtotakeadvantageofourisolation,"shesaid,withalaughathisattempttocomplimenther."Afterall,weareoutbackofbeyondofnowhere,andIdoubtthatanyoneotherthanAelmarkinwouldevenconsiderwantingourestateforthatreason;"Hertoneturnedscornful."Andfrankly,IthinkifAelmarkinknewhowmuchworkitistokeepthisestatesoprofitable,he'dquicklychangehismindaboutwantingit."

"Ionlywishthatweretrue,"Kyrtiansighed."It'sonlyalotofworkbecauseofthewaywetreatourhumanfriends;ifthisestatewererunonthesamelinesasanyother,theprofitswouldprobablybemuchhigher.At

least,"heamended,"That'swhatTenebrinthtoldmeonce."

"That'sbesidethepoint,"Lydiellsaidresolutely."ThepointnowistomakesurewegetthemostoutofLordLyon'svisit,withoutmakinganyblundersandwithoutsacrificinganyofourindependence.YougooffandconsultwithGeloverdinner;I'lldothesamewithTenebrinth.We'regoingtowanttopleaseLyonwithoutdazzlinghim,charmhimwithoutmakingitlookasifwehaveanythinghereallywantsotherthanyourknowledgeandexpertise.AndyouandGeloughttoputyourheadstogethertosee

ifyoucanthinkofanythingelsehemightwantoutofyouinparticular."



KyrtianclosedtheGreatBookwithadeterminedsnap."You'reperfectlyright,asusual,"hesaid."I'llgochangeintosomethinglessostentatiousandfindGel,andwe'llgetdowntobusiness."

Butinspiteoftheexcitementofthemoment,therewasonethinghehadrealizedashewalkedoffinsearchofGel.Withalloftheconversationaboutmarriagesandalliances,forthefirsttimesincehe'dcomeofage,Lydiellhadnotevenmentionedtheprospectofhisownmarriage!

Andthatwasenoughofareliefthathisstepsbecamenoticeablylighter.

9

Overthenextseveraldays,heandGelweresobusywithpreparationsforLordKyndreth'svisitthathehardlyhadtimetodoanythingotherthaneatandsleep.Hecertainlydidn'thaveanytimeforstagingevencombat-practice,sothefighterswerelefttofendforthemselvesuntilGelcouldtakeovertheirpractice-sessionsusingtheold,bluntedwoodenweaponsinsteadofthemagicones.

Healreadyknewthathedidnothavetoworryaboutthefighterstakingadvantag

eofhisinattention.ThankstoaveryrealsenseofwhatGelwouldhavetosayanddoaboutit,iftheyspenttheirtimeidle,theytookituponthemselvestofollowtheusualcourseofexerciseandsimpledrill,variedwithhand-to-hand,unarmedcontests,inwhichtheworstaccidentthatcouldbefallwouldbeabrokenboneortwo.

Kyrtianalsoknewthatthefighterswouldnotgivethegameawaybyactingout-of-character.Theyweremilitary,heartandsoul,andwouldnomorespeakout-of-turnorhesitatetoobe

yanorderthanfly.No,thefighterscouldbecountedupontoplaytheirpartsliketheprofessionalsthattheywere.

Itwastheregularservantsandfield-handswhohadtobedrilledinsubservienceuntilitbecamesecondnature,andmanytimesKyrtianwasstronglytemptedtomeddlewiththeirmindsbymeansofmagictokeepthemfrom



forgetting.ItwasfinallyGelwhocameupwiththeexcellentsolutionofactuallyworkingthroughtheelf-stonesontheirseldom-worncollars,settingupawarningtinglewhenevertheweareralteredhisorherposturefromthatofcompleteservility.

Thatworked,andfarbetterthanKyrtianhadexpected.Theservilepose,withshouldersslightlyhunchedandeyesontheground,forciblyremindedpeopleofhowtheywereexpectedtoact."Itwon'tmatteriftheylookcowedandafraidallthetime,"Gelpointedout."LordKyndrethwon'tknowit'sallactingapart,nomatterhowexaggerateditseemstous.Arealslavejustcan'tbetooservile;iftheygrovelalot,he'llonlythinkyou'rekeepingtheirleashesshortandusingthewhipagreatdeal.NowmuchasIhatetobringthisup,butwhatifKyndrethdoesn'tbringalongsomeofhisownwomen?He'llexpecttobeofferedentertainment,evenifheturnsitdown."

"Idon'thaveanyconcubinestoofferhim,"Kyrtianpointedout."Isuspectthat'soneofthethingsAelmarkintriestouseagainstmewiththeotherLords,thatI'mah"

"Virginalandchasteandprobablysexless,hencenofitheir,"Gelgrowledbluntly."Well,youmaynothaveaharemtoofferhimatthemoment,butwhatareyougoingtodo?Haveyoumadeanyplans?"



"Motherhadanidea,"Kyrtianreplied,butmadeafaceofdistaste."Idon'tlikeit,mindyou,but...shethinksit'sjustthatI'mtoofastidious.She'sgoingtosendTenebrinthtotheslavemarketsandbuyaprettyconcubineortwojustbeforethevisit;she'llmeddlewiththeirmemoriestomakethemthinkthey'vebeenhereforthelastcoupleofyears,keepthemisolatedinatinyharemoftheirownandhavemeofferthemtoLordKyndreth."

"You'retoofastidious,"Geltoldhimbluntly."It'sperfect.Theywon'tknowanythingaboutus,andtheywon'tberelatedtoanyonehere.Ifthere'san...accident...wewon'tbelosinganyofourpeople."

Kyrtian'sdistastegrew,buthecouldn'tdenythatGel'spragmaticviewwasatleastpractical."Andwhatdowedowiththemafterwards?"heaskedsourly.

Gelshrugged."Hardlymatters.Concubinesaren'tthebrightestasawhole,andIsuspectanythatyourmotherpickswillbeveryprettyandverydimmuchsaferthatway.Wecouldprobablymarrythemofftosomeone,ifyou'vegotnotasteforhavingthemaround.Orsellthemagain,"HeraisedaneyebrowatKyrtian'sexpression,andsnorted."Doyourselfafavor;letyourmotherandTenebrinthdealwithit.Keepyourhandscleanifyoudislikeitthatmuch."

Asifmynotknowingmakesitanybetter,hethoughtgrimly.No,that'snoanswer."I'lltellMotheryouagreewithheridea,andeventhoughIdon'tliketheidea,Iagreeit'snecessary,therereallydoesn'tseemtobeabettersolution."

"Thereisn't,"Gelsaid,withemphasis."Whatelsedoyouwanttodo,askforvolunteers?"

Thatwasdefinitelynoanswer.Heshookhishead."I'lldothememorymanipulationmotherisn'tgoingtobeabletoimpartmanyconvincingillusionsaboutumImean,it'snotasifshe'samale"Heflushed,anddidn'tcompletethesentence,butgotthedistinctfeelingthatGelfoundhisembarrassmenthighlyamusing."We'lldowhatwehaveto,allofus,andtrytomakethingsupafterwardsifthere'sanyonehurtbythis."HejusthopedthatLordKyndrethwasn'toneofthosewholeftwomendamaged."Icanalwaysmakethegirlsforget



everythingwhenhe'sgone,"headded,asmuchforhisownbenefitasforGel's.

Gellookedrelieved."You'llneverbearealcommanderifyoucan'tmakethedifficultdecisionsandcarrythemout,"heremindedhiserstwhilesuperiorperhapsjustatouchsmugly.

"Ijustdid,didn'tI?"hereplied,irritated."Enough;we'respendingmoretimeonthisthantheissuewarrants,andithasnothingtodowithyourpartinthis,whichisgettingthefightersready.Well?"

Gelgrinned."Oh,they'reready.Veryeagertoshowtheirpaces,andjustaseagertoseeyouvindicated.Havenofear,theyknowtheirparts.We'llgiveLordKyndrethashowheisn'tlikelytoforgetforthenextthreecenturies."

Trianaconsideredtheslavedispassionatelyararestateofmindforher.Therewereseveralconsiderationshere,nottheleastofwhichwasthis;howfarcouldonetrustahuman?AsshehadtoldAelmarkin,sheseldomtrainedfemaleslaves.Neverwasnottheoperativeword;neverwasnotawordtobeusedatallamongtheElvenlords,whoselongliveshadnoroominthemfornever.Soonerorlater,whateveritwasthathadbeenvowedagainstwouldhappen.Mind,therewereElvenlordssorigidintheirthinkingthattheyactuallybelievedthattheycouldsaytheywould"never"dosomethingbutTri-anaknewbetter.

Thiswomanwasnotofherbreeding;thefemaleslavesthatTrianabredonherownestatewerestrictlyutilitarian,andwhilenotplain(shecouldn'tbeartohaveanythingplainoruglyabouther)wereaboutasanimatedasstatuesinthepresenceoftheirmistress.Thisgirl,bought,notatauction,buthandpickedfromamongtheofferingsofaprivatesale,wastheoppositeofstoicandunanimated.Shewastrainedasadanceras



wellasinharemskills;shewasveryintelligent.Triananeededawomanwhowasintelligent,butwithintelligencecametheliabilityofthinkingforone'sself.

Howfartotrusther?Thatwasthequestion.

"WoulditsurpriseyouverymuchtolearnthatIneedaspy?"sheaskedaloud.

Theslaveshookherheadslightly,enoughtoindicatethatshewasnotsurprised,butnotsomuchthatthemutereplycouldbeconsideredimpertinent.

"Themotherofacertainyounglordispurchasingharemslaves,andIintendthatyoushouldnumberamongthem,"Trianacontinued."Ineedtoknowwhatgoesoninhishousehold,andhare

mslavesareinauniquepositiontofindthatout."

"Butharemslavesarekeptinisolation"thegirlrespondedtentatively.

Trianasmiled."Butmendonotheedtheirtongueswhenamongthem,"shecorrected."Icouldhavemerelyplantedateleson-ringonyouandsentyouonasapassivelistenerbutIwouldnotlearnatenthasmuchasI

willwhenyouworkformeinfullknowledgeofwhatIwant."Sheconsideredthegirlfurther."Itisyourdutytogivemethat,butyourpreviousmasterindicatedthatyouarebothersomelyintelligent"

Herethegirlflushedandlookeddownatherfeet.

"andasaconsequence,IamawarethatmeredutyisnotgoingtoextractwhatIwantfromtheplacetowhich

Iamgoingtosendyou."Trianachuckled,andthegirllookedupagaininsurprise."Oh,comenowIamnotoneofthoselordswhoprefersslavestohavenothoughtsoftheirown!Youlittlemayflyhumansmaynothavethecapacitytoappreciatewhatyourmasterscan,butyouarestillasmotivatedbytheprospectofgainasweare.Iknowfullwellthatonceplantedinthishousehold,yourleashwillbeslippedandyoucanandwilldoasyoupleaseinthismatter."Sheleanedforward,catchingandholdingthegirl'sgazewithherown."Ihavean



incentivetoofferyou,sothatyouwillworkthatdearlittlemindofyourstothefullestonmybehalf."

Aflickerofemotionpassedacrossthegirl'sface,andsheflushedagain."Incentive,Mistress?"sheventuredbreathily.

Satisfiedthatshehadfoundthecorrectkeytothelockofthegirl'sambition,Trianaleanedback."Areward,ifthatwordpleasesyoubetter;arewardforexemplaryservice.Exertyourselftotheutmostonmybehalf,findawaytoconvinceKyrtiantoleavetheharemdoorunbarredtoyourcomingsandgoings,andaboveall,reporteverythingyouseeandhear,howeversmallandseeminglyinconsequential,tome.Dothat,satisfyme,andattheendofayearinhisserviceIwillhaveyouretrieved.Youcanretirehere,andnamewhatyouwillforyourconditionsofliving,neveragainbeingrequiredtodoanythingyoudonotcarefor.FromacottageandmateofyourchoicetothesuiteandserviceofayoungLady.Orifthisismoretoyourl

ikingyoumaygotoyourwildbrethrenamongtheWizards.Icanarrangeforthataswell."

Fromtheslightquickeningofthegirl'sbreath,Trianaknewshehadcaughther.Mine,shethought,withsatisfaction,andnoddedtosetthehook,nowthatthebaithadbeentaken."Thiswillnotbeeasy,"shewarned."Youwillhavetobendyourwholemindtothetask,andyouwillhavetokeepLordKyrtianandhismotherfromeverguessingthatyouarenotwhatyouseem.Ifyoudonotsatisfyme"sheshrugged"Iwillnotbe

abletopunishyou,obviously,butIcanandwillleaveyouinplace,andyouwillliveanddietheconcubineofaminorlordinatinyharemwithunvaryingroutine.Kyrtiandoesnotoftenhaveguests,soyouwouldnoteven



havethatprospecttobrightenyourdays.Ibelievethatsomeonelikeyouwouldfindthatsortoflifemaddeninglyrestrictive."

Theslavedidnothesitateevenforthesmallestpartofamoment."Iwillserveyou,Lady,"thegirlreplieddecisively."Youwillfindnothinglackinginmyzeal."

Trianalaughedaloud,withaglanceatthegirltoinvitehertojoininhergoodhumor.Ah,Aelmarkin,shethought,asshesettleddowntoinstructthegirlintheuseoftheteleson-ringandherinitialduties.Thiswagerisalreadywon!

Gelknewhisbusiness,nonebetter.Kyrtianleftthematterofthehouseholdtohismother,andtookchargeoftherest.Nowthatthewarningswereinplaceandtheattitudeofthefield-hand

sandfarmershadbeenestablished,hejudgedthatitwastimetopreparethegeneraloutwardappearanceofhispeople.Theymustlookself-sufficientandprosperous,butnottooprosperous.Theservantsmustnotlooktoohealthy,toohappy.Infact,theonesinthefieldsmustnotlookhappyatall.

Hespentadayconsideringhowtoaccomplishthat,researchingspellsofillusion,wonderingwhathewoulddoifLordKyndrethdetectedthemorbrokethem.Kyndrethhadnotgottenwherehewasbybeingafool,andifhe

detectedillusions,hewouldwanttoknowwhattheyhidhewouldfirstsuspecttreachery,buthewoulddefinitelywanttoknowwhytherewereillusionsonhumanslaves.

Finally,inthetwilight,hedecidedtotakeawalktoseeifthefreshairwouldclearhisheadoutandletsomefreshthoughtsin.

Thestarswerejustcomingout,andafinebreezecarriedthescentsofthegard

ensonitswings.Hetookamomenttoextinguishtheglowingglobesilluminatingthepathways,forheknewthegardenpathsbyheartandhadnoneedofthelights.Atthemoment,hewouldratherenjoythedarkness,notbecausehewasbrooding,butbecausehewantedhismindtorest.

HowdidAelmarkin'sservantslook?Thatwouldbethesortofthingtogethisow



npeopletoemulate.Despitetheirservilestances,therewasstillsomethingwrongaboutthemthathecouldnotputafingeron.Hetookslow,deliberatestepsandcasthismindbackafewdays,tryingnottofrowninconcentration.Itwasn'tanexactmemoryhewanted,afterall,butanimpression.Howdidtheordinaryservants,theoneswhocleanedtheroomsandbroughtthefoodfromthekitchen,seemtoanobserver?

Itwaseasyenoughtoremembertheprettyones,theupper-levelslaves,whosedutiesincludedbeingdecorative.Thoseweren'ttheoneshewanted,atleastinpartbecausehewasn'tcertainanyofhispeoplecouldmanageaconvincingimitationofapleasure-slave,andinpartbecauseitwouldn'tdoanyharmforLordKyndrethtobelievethathishouseholdwasontheaustereandsoberside.LetKyndreththinkofhimashard-working,somewhatobsessedwithhishobby,andnotreallyinterestedintheopulentlife.Thatwoulddonoharmatall.

Itwillalsoreinforcetheimpressionthatwearen'tworththeattempttotakeusover.Profitcanonlybestretchedsofar;wemightbeausterebecausewecan'taffordtoomanyluxuries.

Tryashemight,allhecouldcomeupwithwasavagueimpressionofsameness,asifthelesserservantswereallasalikeasants,andasinterchangeable.Theycouldhavebeenfurniture,floor-tiles,theplinthsuponwhichstatuesstood,theyblendedsowellintothebackground.

Withaflashofinsight,herealizedatthatmomentthatthiswaswhathewanted!

Theymusthaveallbeeninsomedrablyuniformtunics,orthelike,hedecided.Theyaren'tsupposedtostandouttheyshouldbeinvisible.Drabtunicswoulddothat.Nomatterthathedidn'tknowwhatsuchatunicor



what-notshouldlooklikeanyoftheseamstressescoulddealwiththatdetail.He'dtaketheneedtothemfirstthinginthemorning,andletthemdecidehowtomakeeveryoneonthemanorlandsuniformlydrab.

Asformakingpeoplelookunhappy...hegrinnedasanotherideacametohim.I'llhavethefield-workersstickaburrorapinsomewhereintheirclothingwhereit'llirritatethemwithoutreallyhurtingthemorputstonesintheirshoes,orwearshoestootightortoobig.That'llgivethemallsourexpressions,shouldanyofKyndreth'speoplecomesnoopingabout.

Heyawned,andrealizedthathe'dbeenupfartoolongbuttheywereallgoingshortonsleep,tryingtogetthemselvesready.Bed,hedecided.Andfirstthinginthemorning,themanorseamstresses.

Eventhoughhewokevery,veryearlyjustatthebreakofdawn,infactwhenheshowedupunannouncedattheseamstress'sworkrooms,theywerealreadywellintotheday'slabors.Thatsurprisedhim;he'dalwaysknown,inavagueway,thathispeoplebegantheirworkearly,longbeforeheawoke,buthehadn'tevergivenmuchthoughttowhatthatmeant.

Herewasalarge,well-litroom,furnishedwithcomfortablechairsinwhichseveralwomenwereseated,sewing

diligently.Therewasalargetablecoveredwithapieceoffabricatthefarsideoftheroom,andawomanwithawickedly-bladedpairofscissorsmadedeftcutsinit,foldingandlayingasidethepiecesshehadmadeasshewentalong.Boltsoffabricwerearrayedinarackalongonewall,ribbonsandothertrimwerewoundaroundwoodenconesonpegs,andspoolsofthreadwerearrangedinlittleracksbesidethem.Heputhisneedtothechiefoftheladies,aformidabledamewithsilver-streakedhair,explainingtheeffecthewanted,andwhy.Shepursedherlipsandfrowned.

"Mylorddoyourealizewhatyouareaskingwhenyourequestcommonuniformtunicsfortheentireestate?Aye,we'veenoughseed-sackmaterialabout,butnotimeevenasimpletabardwithnohemswouldneedsideandshoulderseams,andit'dbesocrudeitwouldlookmakeshift"

"Dye,"interruptedoneofthewomenengagedinsomemysterioustaskthatseemed



toinvolvetheedgesofagreatdealoffabricthatpooledoneithersideofher."Don'tbotherwithmakinganythingnew,justfireupdye-potsandhaveeveryonecomeinanddunkanoldtunicandtrews,soyougetthelookofwearaswellashavingitlookuniform."

"Oh,well-thought!"theolderwomanexclaimed,herbrowclearing."Thatmightbeaproblem,mightn'titifitlookedasifeveryoneintheplacehadnewclothes!"

"Forcolorblack'dbebest,walnut-blackthecheapest,andwe'vegotplentyofthat;soonorlate,everybodyneedssomebitofblack,andthatwayIdoubtthere'llbemuchcomplainingaboutspoilingsomethinggood."Thewomanwasverypleasedwithheringenuity,andsowereKyrtianandhersupervisor.

"Aye,that'stheway!Thenkee,Margyt!"TheheadseamstressbeamedandpattedKyrtianontheshoulderasifhewasasmallboy."Don'tworryyourheadaboutit,myyoungLord,we'llhandlethisforyou;whenthedaycomes,everybody'Ubemakinganicedepressingbackground."Sheactuallypushedhimgently,butpushedhim,neverthelessoutthedoor.Hedidn'tresist;infact,hewasratheramusedatthesituation.He'dhadnoideahowthingswererunonthedomesticside,butclearlythiswomanwasasmucha"commander"inherownranksasGelwasinhis!

Andhehadnodoubtthatshewouldgetthejobdone,either.Shehadtheairaboutherthatsaidshewouldriderightoverthetopofanyoneandanythingtocompletewhatevershe'dpromised.



Hewentbacktohisownpreparations,callingineachofthesupervisorsofwork-partiesandexplainingtothemwhathewanteddonetheburrsandallandwhy.He'ddiscoveredaverylongtimeagothatifpeopleknewwhytheywerebeingaskedtodosomethingthatseemedsenseless,theyweremuchmorelikelytocomply.

"Now,Idon'twantanyonetostartgettingtoocreative,"hewarned."Don'tletanyonegomaimhimself,ortrytocounterfeitplagueorsomething,butifpeoplegetotherideasabouthowtolooklessthanhappyandhealthy,letthemgotoit.ParticularlyI'mabitworriedaboutthelittlechildrengivingthingsawaytheolderoneswillbeallrightifyouputittothemasbeingimportant,butthelittlestareusedtorunningrightuptoanystrangerandsayingwhattheythink."

"There'reseveraloftheparentsfiguringonthatnow,mylord,"oneofthesupervisorsassuredhim."Ifnothing

else,everybody'sagreedthatwecanhidethelittlestoffsomewherenobody'llseethem,allinagroup.Perhapswecouldtakethemoutintothewoods,andletthemhaveacamping-excursion.Leaveittous,we'lltakecareofit.Tellthemit'saholidaytreat,andthey'llbegoodaslambs."

SomanydetailsassoonasKyrtianthoughthe'ddealtsuccessfullywiththelast,anotheroccurredtohim.Itwasn'tuntildayslaterthathismotherapproachedhimashewasarrangingwithoneofthebuildingcrewstomake"alterations"totheworkers'quarters.Ithadoccurredtohimbythenthat

itwasunusualenoughforhispeopletohavetheirownlittlehomesandvillagesinsteadofbeingherdedintovastwarehouseswhentheyweren'tworkingandhe'dbetterhavetheirquarterslookshabbyandill-made!

LadyLydiellwaitedpatientlyasheandthebuildersquicklyworkedoutwhatwasneeded;itwasprettyclearthatshewantedtospeakwithhimalone,sohedismissedthemassoonashecould,andclosedthedoorofhisownnewofficebehindthem.

Shesatwitharustleofsilkandaswirlofscarletskirts."YoutoldmetocometoyouwhenIhadyourharem,andIhave,"shesaidsimply,andthewordshithimlikeasplashofcoldwaterinhisface."They'rereadyforyoutopreparethem."



Hedidn'tallowtheshocktofreezehisthoughts,though."Idon'thaveanythingonmyplateatthemoment,soIhadbestseetothem,then,"hetoldher,andwaspleasedtoseeabitofsurpriseinhereyesthathewaswillingtodealwiththeunpleasantdutysoquickly.Sheknewthathehatedmeddlingwithhumans'mindsthroughtheircollars,especiallyforapurposelikethis

Butonthewhole,he'dratherjustgetitoverwithsothathewouldn'thavetodwellonit.

"That'sfine,"sherepliedquickly,gettingtoherfeetwiththatgraceheadmiredsomuchandwassomuchapartofher."Comealong;I'veconvertedyouroldnurserytoaharem;itwasthemostsecuresuiteinthemanorandtheonlyonenotinuse."

"Ithadtobethemostsecure,didn'tit?"hechuckled,openingthedoorforher

."Notonlydidyouhavetoworryaboutsomethinggettinginatme,youhadtoworryaboutmegettingout!"

"Andamischievousescape-artistyouwere,too,"sheretorted."Well,IcantellyouthatIamveryproudofTenebrinth,andyouwillbe,too,whenyouseethesewomen.Withalloftheupheavals,theslave-tradehasbeenverymuchdisrupted"

"WhichIwillnotshedtearsover,"heresponded,withahintofafrown.

"Nevertheless,ithasmadehistaskharder."Thelookshegavebacktohimwasoneofreproach."Manyoftheslave-marketshavebeencloseddown,andothershaveonlythemostmeagerofselection.Ontheotherhand,if



ithadn'tbeensodisrupted,Idoubtwewouldhavefoundthreewomensoperfectlysuitedtoourpurposes.IdoubtthateventhegreatLordKyn-drethwillwonderwhyyourharemissosmall,onceheseesthesegirls."

"Oh?"Nowhiscuriositywaspiqued.

Shenodded,herhairfallinginagracefulcurveacrossherbrowasshedidso.Shepusheditbackwithanimpatienthand."Firstly,Iverymuchdoubtthatanyoneotherthantheirtrainerandformerownerhaveeverseenthem,whichmakesitmucheasiertocarryoffthefictionthatyouwouldhaveownedthemyourselfforseveralyears.Secondly,ifthetradewerenotsodisrupted,Idoubtifwewouldhavebeenabletogetthematall;they'dhavebeensnappedupbeforetheyreachedthegreatermarkets."

Nowhewassurprised."Aretheythatattractive,then?"heasked,hiscuriositymorethanpiqued.

"Theyarenotpreciselygreatbeauties,althoughtheyarequitehandsomewell,makethatjudgmentforyourself."Bythistimetheyhadreachedthedoorandnowguardedofhisformernursery.Theguardssteppedaside,facesasexpressionlessasstatues,andLadyLydiellopenedthedoor,gesturingtohimtogoinahead.

Hedidso,feelingthefainttingleofasecond"door"ashecrossedthethresholdthatwouldpreventthewomenfromcrossingituntilitwastakendown.ThatwasusualenoughinharemstokeepthemoutoftheLady'sBower;itwasnecessaryhere,tokeepthemfromwanderingandseeingthingstheyshouldn't.

Thethreewomenhadclearlybeentoldtoawaithim,fortheywerestandinginposesthatwerealittletoo

contrivedtobenatural.Thatwaswhenheunderstoodwhathismotherhadmeant.

Therecouldnotpossiblyhavebeenthreewomenmorestrikinglydifferent.Thefirst,tall,withpalegoldhairandvividblueeyes,hadanangularfaceandafigureasslenderandwillowyasanyElvenlady,andafar-awayexpressionasifshelivedentirelyinacloudofdreams.Shehadposedherselfbesideagiantvaseofflowers,



musingonasingleenormouslily-blossom,herfrilledandlacygownechoingthepastelcolorsoftheblooms.Thesecond,abrunettewithbrowneyesfullofpassion,fulllips,andasensuousbody,fairlyradiatedpromises;sheloungedagainstapillarinawaythatthrustherbosomforwardstrainingthesilkofherscarlet,form-fittingwrapandallowedhertowatchhimwithaprovocative,flirtatious,sidewaysglance.Thethirdhadatumbleofflamingcurlsandmerrygreeneyes,adancer'sbodyofstrengthandagilityclothedinasimplebluetunicthatleftherlegsbare,andtheexpressionofacompletelyinnocentchild;shelookedupfromthekittenshewasplayingwithtosmileathimwithafacefulloflaughter.Itseemedthatinthesethree,allthevarietyofanentireharemwasencompassed.Andonlyastatuecouldhavefailedtorespondtothesilentinvitationseachofthemsenttohiminherownway.

"Yousee?"LadyLydiellsaidquietly,asthethreesanktothegroundindeepcurtsies.Heglancedather,andsawthatshehadaglintofmischiefinherowneyes."Well,dearest,isitsafetoleaveyoualonewiththem?"

Hecouldn'thelpit;heflushedbuthecovereditwithahalf-mockingbow."You'regoingtohavetoifI'mtogivethemconvincingmemories,"hetoldher,causinghertoblush.Itwaswithabitofsatisfactionthathebowedherout,andturnedtofacehisnew"acquisitions."

Hewastryingtothinkofsomethingtosaywhentheydescendedonhimasabodyandmadespeechirrelevant,

atleastforthatmoment,andthemanythatfollowed.

SergeantGelfollowedLordTenebrinthintotheOldTower,hismoodnotpreciselyapprehensive,buttingedwiththatemotion.LadyLydiellrarelyspoketohimface-to-face,andthiswasthefirsttimethatshehadeverrequiredhimtoattendherinherprivateoffice.



HehadneverbeeninsidetheOldTower;fewhumanshad,onlytheoneortworequiredtocleanLydiell's,andTene-brinth's,offices.Oneofthelords,ortheladyherself,wouldhavetohavebroughthimpersonally;therewasnootherwayforhimtousetheonlymeansofaccess,whichwasabizarretransparenttube.Hecouldn'timaginehowhewassupposedtoclimbitandentereditwithTenebrinthratherdubiouslyonlytosuppressastartasthefloorbeneathhimbegantorise.Itgavehimaqueasysensation,despitehisfamiliaritywithmagic,toridethiscontraption.Itjustdidn'tseem...natural.Round,emptyroomafterroompassedhimorrather,hepassedthemasherosewithnorealsensationofmovement.

Hebegantowonderifhewouldeverreachthetop,whenfinallyoneoftheroomsshowedsignsofoccupationasdidthenextafterthatandthentheplatformslowedandcametoastopatthetopmostlevel.

Lydiell'soffice,atthetopofthetower,hadadizzyingandunrestrictedviewthathe,asamilitarycommander,couldseewasofincalculablevalueforthechatelaineofthemanororthecommanderofitsdefenses.Theofficewallswereallwindow,andhewonderedashesteppedgingerlyofftheplatformwhatastormwouldbelikeuphere.

Lydiellgreetedhimwithasmile,whichmadehisapprehensionvanish.Sheevenrose;thatwasanunexpectedhonor,andhebowedasdeeplyashecouldwithoutlookingridiculous.TheLadyd

idnotlikegroveling;noneofherclandid.

"SergeantGel,please,makeyourselfeasy,"shesaid,asshegesturedwiththatgraceonlytheElvenlordspossessedtowardsanunoccupiedchair."Thisisnotanofficialsummonsrather,itisapersonalone.Ihaveadesiretoconsultyou."

Tenebrinthevidentlytookthisasthesignaltodepart;hesteppedbackonthelittleplatformanddiscreetlydroppedbacktothenextlevel,leavingthemalone.

GeltookhisseatandexaminedtheLady'sface,andswiftlyunderstoodwhyshewantedtoseehim."Kyrtian?"heasked,wastingnowords.



Shenodded,andtookherplacebehindherdesk,claspingherhandsonthesurfacebeforeher."Ihadhoped,"shesaid,hesitantly,asifshewasvoicingthoughtslongheldinsecret,"thatIcouldkeepKyrtianisolatedfromthepoliticsoftheGreatLordsandtheCouncil.Unfortunately,itseemsthatthetimesconspireagainstmyhopes."

"Itdoeslooklikehe'sgoingtogettangledupwhetherhelikesitornot,"Gelsaidcautiously,hiseyesneverleavingherface,unnervingasitwastolookherstraightintheeyes."MyLady,Idon'tmindtellingyouthatIdon'tliketheideaanybetterthanyoudo."

"I'mnotcertainyourealizejusthowtangledhe'slikelytoget,"Lydiellreplied,afaintfrown-linecreasingheragelessbrow.Gelcouldn'tforthelifeofhimreadthoseoddemeraldeyestheElvenlordsallhad,butatleastshe

wasn'ttryingtohideherfacialexpressions."LordKyndrethisnotgoingtobecontentmerelytolearnafewtrickswithmagictohelptrainhumanswhenherealizesjusthowextensiveKyrtian'sknowledgeandpracticalexperienceofmilitarymattersis,heisgoingtowantmysontoexercisehistalentsintheserviceoftheOldLords.HewillcertainlywantKyrtiantocommandaforceagainsttheYoungLords,andpossiblykeephimonaftertheYoungLordsarecrushed,tomoveagainsttheWizardsandthewildhumans."

Gelsworeunderhisbreath,angryathimselffornotthinkingofthathimself.AnditwasfartoolatetotrytotalkKyrtianoutofabandoningthefull-scalemaneuvershehadplanned.TheboywasdeterminedtoprovetoLordKyndreththatthiswastheonlywaytotrainfighters,andnothingwoulddobuttoshowhimhoweasyitwastoholdthespellsneededonentirearmies.



LadyLydiellsighed."Yourfacetellsmethatmyfearsarelikelytoberealized.Oh,whycouldn'thehavebeenanartistoramusician,orobsessedwithwithoh,horticultureorsomethingequallyfrivolous?"

"Atleastheisn'tbentonbeingthedeadoppositeofhisfather,myLady,"Gelrepliedgrimly."You'dnotlikehimasafop,oralazylayabout.Orworse,fallinginwith"

Hehesitated;afterall,hewasahuman,andLydiellwasEl-ven.Bloodwasblood

ButLydiellsurprisedhimwithabittersmileandalightanswer."Fallinginwiththepamperedpervertsthatmostofmykindare.Youdon'tneedtosparemyfeelings,Gel;wecannotaffordtobelessthanhonestwitheachotherifwearegoingtobeabletokeepKyrtianoutofthepitfallslyingbeforehim."

Ah,cowflops.WhydoIhavetofeellikeit'smethat'shisfather?I'dresteasieratnight.HemightbeonlyafewactualyearsolderthanKyrtian,butinrealterms,hemightjustaswellhavebeentheElvenlord'sfather.Bythestandardsofhisrace,Kyrtianwastheequivalentofastripling,althoughbyhumanreckoninghewasinhislatethirties.Inknowledgeandgeneralresponsibility,hewascertainlythatbutintheunconsciousthingsthatcharacterizedanadolescent,hewasverymuchGel'sjunior.Hisboundlessenergy,hisenthusiasm,histendency

toactratherthansittingbackandwaitingforeventstocometohimthosewerethecharacteristicsoftheyoung,andmadeGelfeelveryold.

Thestrength,speed,andenduranceofyouthwerealsohis,andmightbeforthenextcenturyortwo,whichmadeGelfeelevenolder.He'dnoticedoflate,muchtohischagrin,thathewasslowingdown,losingsomeofhisedge;infact,heandthatmanofLordKyndreth'shadtalkedaboutthat.Kaethwasn'tgettinganyyoungereither,andifheeverhadtoactuallyfoilafellow-assassin,thatcouldbefat

alifhedidn'ttakestepstocompensate.

We'IIbothjusthavetobesneakiertomakeupforwhatwe'relosing,heremindedhimself.Youthandenthusiasmarenomatchforexperienceandtreachery.



"Ihatetoadmitthis,mylady,"hesaid,feelingashamedthathehadnotanticipatedthissituation,"butI'vekepthimasignorantasyouhaveofthewaythingsare"hewavedhishandvaguelyatthewindows"outthere.AndIdiditforprettymuchthesamereasonsasyou,Ifigure.Whythrowsomethingathimthathecouldn'tchangeandwouldonlyworryabout?"

Ah,allthoseoldlessonscamebacktohimnow,ofbeingtakenofftheestateasTenebrinth'spage,sohecouldseejusthowtheotherElvenlordsreallyactedandthought.Tenebrinthhadcollaredhim,ofcourse,andifhe'ddonesomethingevenslightlystupidwhich,evenasachildhehadn'tbeenlikelytotheElvenlordcouldhavequicklycontrolledhim.Andinapeculiarway,that,too,hadbeenpartofthelessonsinjusthowfragileandpreciousthelifehumansledherewas.

Lydiellnodded."Andatthispoint,ifwetrytotellhimthatLordKyndrethis

nomoretobetrustedthanAelmarkin,hewouldonlymakethewrongdecisions.He'dtrytoputKyndrethoff,ororsomething.Andnowthathe'sarousedKyndreth'sinterest,hecan'tdothatwithoutarousingsuspicionaswell."

"Damnallpoliticsanyway,"Gelsaidsourly."Kyndrethisgoingtousehim,makeatooloutofhim,andgivehimnothingbutfinewordsandemptypraiseforhistroubles"

"Yesbut"Lydiellbegan.

Gelwaited,butshedidn'tcompletethethought.Hespokeintotheheavysilence."Butitmightnotbebadforhim;solongashe'svaluabletoKyndreth,he'snotgoingtobewasted.Andaslongashe'svaluable,Kyndrethwillseethatwe'releftalone,nomatterhowpeculiarsomethingsaroundheremaylooktohim."



Lydiellnodded,andGelfeltacertainreliefthatsheagreedwithhim.Therewasselfishnessinhismotivation,andheknewthat;aslongasKyrtianwasnotonlyaliveandwellbutundertheopenprotectionofsomeonelikeLordKyndreth,Gelandtheotherhumansontheestatewouldbeperfectlysafe.Aelmarkinwouldn'tdaretrytointerfereorcontinueinhisattemptstogaincontrolofthemanorandlands.

AsforthehumanslivingelsewherehumansthatKyrtianwouldbeveryconcernedaboutifheknewhowbadthingscouldbeonotherestatesGelfounditdifficulttoworryaboutthewell-beingofpeoplehedidn'tknow.Thesufferingsofhumanslavesonotherestateswerejuststoriestohim,andalthoughhebelievedthemintheabstract,hejustcouldn'tmakehimselfcarewhenpeopleheknewneededhiswholeconcentrationandconcern.

Hecouldn'treallybelieveinanythinghehadn'tseenwithhisowneyes,notdeepdownwhereitcounted.

Thosearealloldstories,anyway,anditmakesnosensethesedaysthattheElvenlordswouldwantonlywasteormartheirownpossessions.Withwildhumansontheborder,dragonsinthesky,theWizardsthreateningtostartthewarupagainandtheirownchildreninarmedrevolt,theycan'taffordthesortofgoings-ontheydidinthepast.Slavery-yes,therewasnodoubtthattheElvenlordswereharshmasters,andkepttheirhumans

undercompletecontrol.Itwasaterriblethingthathumanselsewherehadeveryactioncontrolledbysomeoneelse,thattheycouldmakenoteventhesmallestdecisionabouttheirownlives.Butstarvation,torture,abusewhy?There'snoreasontodoanyofthosethings;astarved,abused,orinjuredslaveworksless,andisworthless,thanahealthyonewhoispunishedonlywhenhedeservesit.

"Lady,Ipledgeyou,Iwillnotlettheboyoutofmysightorcare,nomatterwhatLordKyndrethwantsofhim,"hepromised,comingbacktoconcernshecouldunderstandandseeforhimself."I

'matreacherousoldbastard,andifIthinkhe'sintrouble,I'lldosetheboy'swine,makeKyndreththinkhe'shadafit,anddraghimhomemyself."Hesurprisedhimselfwithhisownsuddenfierceprotectiveness,andtriedfeeblytosmile."Oncewe'vegothimsafe,wecantalkhimintoplayingwitless.Ifhe'slosthissenses,hemightnotbeofvaluetoKyndreth,buthewon'tbeathreat,either."



Andthatwasthebestpromisehecouldthinkoftogiveher,poorasitwas.

LydiellsentGelbacktohisworkwithoutfeelingmuchcomfortfromhiswords.Shewasverytroubled,andcouldseenoimmediatewayoutofthedilemmathathadcomeatthemoutofnowhere.Ihadhopedtokeephimisolatedfromallofthis,buteventshaveconspiredagainstus,shethoughtsomberly,staringoutthewindowattheplacidfieldsspreadsoinvitinglybelow.ThankstothetwolatestWizardWars,Kyrtian'sobscureskillsarenolongerwithoutvalue;hewillbedrawnintoElvenlordpoliticswhetherhelikesitornot.ButGelisright;tellinghimsomeoftherealitiesofthesituationwon'thelphim.Hemightbebetterifheremainsinignorance.IfheknowswhattheElvenlordsarereallylike,hisownsenseofhonorjustmightdrivehimtomakesomeverydangerouschoices.If,however,KyndrethfeedshimwhattheOldLordswanthimtoknow,andconvinceshimtohelpthemthenkeepshimignorantofthetruthhewillservethemwellandstayoutoftrouble.

Therewasonepositiveeffectofallthewarfareandquarreling;therewerenowherenearasmanyoftheOldLordsasthereoncehadbeen,andthosethatremainedweremostlyveryshrewd.Theyhavelittlepowertospare,andwon'twasteanytoolthatcomestotheirhandswhenitcostslittletokeepthattoolcontent.ThereareveryfewDyransaboutinthehighercouncilsthesedays.

Shesighed,tastingthebitternessofherownexpedience,thesourknowledgetha

tbykeepinghimignorantshewasplayingthesamemanipulativegamesasthoseshedespised.

Kyrtianwouldbeused,indeed,butwasn'titbettertobeanunwittingtoolthanadeadhero?

Icannotseeanyotheroptions.



KeepinghimpurposefullyblindedaboutthetruenatureofhisfellowElvenlordsmighthavebeenamistake,butshecouldnotseehowshecouldhavedoneanythingelse.

Geldidhaveagoodidea,sheremindedherself,ifitlooksasifKyrtianisindanger.Everyonethinkshisfatherwasmad,andnoonewouldbeparticularlysurprisedifhewentmadunderthestrainstheywillprobablyputhimunder.Oh,Ancestors,whydidItrytokeephimsheltered?Whycouldn'tIhavegivenhimsomearmoragainstthethorn-mazeheisabouttowalkinto?

Sheonlyprayedthatherdecisionwouldnotcausemoreharmthanshehadeverdreamtpossible.

10

"IhopeIdon'tlookasnervousasIfeel,"Kyrtianmutteredtohimself,ashere-checkedhisappearanceinthegilt-edgedmirrortohisright.He'dlostcountofthenumberoftimeshe'dglancedintomirrorstoday,makingcertainofwhat?Hewasn'tquitesure;heonlyknewthathedidn'twanttolooklikeLordKyndreth'ssonGildorandhiscronies,nordidhewanttoapetheappearanceofLordKyndrethhimself.Hewantedtolookmature,sober,perhapsatouchonthescholarlyside,butabletoholdhisowni

nphysicalcombataswell.Lookingprosperous,butnotnecessarilyopulent,wasasimportant;onreflection,perhapswhathewantedwastolookasifhecouldbeLordKyndreth'sintellectualequal,butnotasifhealreadyassumedthathewas.Aftergoingthroughatleastfourchangesofclothingandnearlydrivinghispoorservantsmad,hefinallysettledonaconservativetunicandtight-fittingtrewsofsoftdoeskindyedarichblueandslashedtodisplaythesilversatinofhisshirt.Matchingbootssuitableforsomehardwalkingcompletedtheoutfit,withaheavysilverchainandfilletconfininghishairashisonlyjewelry.JewelswouldnotimpressLordKyndreth,whowasapowerfulmage

andknewhoweasilysuchthingscouldbeproducedbyillusion.

ThemirrorhekeptglancingintowasjustoutsidethePortalChamber;atanymomentnowLordKyndrethandhisentourageshouldbecomingthrough.Thedoortothechamberwasopen;itwasreallytoosmalltoallowforagracefulexitofsolargeagroup.Servantsinthehouseholdcolorslinedthechamberandthehalloutside,but



Kyrtianwasthesolerepresentativeofthefamily;hewastheheadoftheClannow,anditwouldbetrayanunhealthyinfluencefromhismotherifshewereheretoreceivetheguestsaswellashe.

Theservants,well-schooledintheirroles,kepttheireyescastdownasKyrtianfidgetedwiththechainaroundhisneck.Atlonglast,thePortalshimmeredwithenergy,andKyrtiansnappedtoattention,presentingamaskofcalm,theperfectpictureofawelcominghost.

ThefirstfiguresthroughthePortalwere,naturally,LordKyrtian'sbodyguards,oneofwhomwasthefightercalledKaeththatKyrtianrememberedfromthecombat.TheydeployedthemselvesoneithersideofthePortalwithsmooth,efficient,andpracticedmovements,makingabarrierofthemselvesbetweenthePortalandKyrtian'sservants.Theymustgothroughsuchmaneuversconstantly;whatsurprisedhimwasthattheylookedalertandsuspicious,notbored.Theservantstooknonotice;Gelhadlecturedt

hemonwhattheycouldexpectandwhattheyshouldormoreappropriately,shouldnotdo.Theykepttheirplaces,asifthissortofquasi-militaryinvasionhappenedeveryday.

LordKyndrethwasnextthroughthedoor,followedbyhissonGildor.Kaethmovedinclosertohislord,standingunobtrusivelynearby,closeenoughtointerceptanyaggressiveaction.KyrtianmovedimmediatelytowelcometheElvenlord,makingsurethathisownmovementswerenon-aggressive.



"Welcome,mylord,"hesaid,pitchinghisvoicelow,butputtingwarmthintoit."Andthankyouforbeingpatientenoughtowaituntilwecouldwelcomeyouwithallthehonorandcomfortthatisyourdue.Ihopethatyouwillbepleasedwithwhatwehavetoshowyou."

LordKyndrethtookKyrtian'sextendedhandinhis,inafirmclaspthatwasclearlyatest.Kyrtianreturnedanequalpressure,andLordKyndrethsmiled,eversoslightly,ashereleasedKyrtian'shand."ItisIwhoshouldbethankingyouforyourhospitality,LordKyrtian,"hereplied,astheymovedforwardtopermittherestoftheentouragetocomethrough."Yourhouseholdisaquietone,andIunderstandthatyouhavefewvisitors;wearecreatingquiteadisruptionforyou."

Kyrtianmadetheexpecteddisclaimers,ashekeptoneeyeonLordKyndrethandtheotheronLordGildorandthepartoftheentouragethatwascomposedofGildor'sfriends."Ihesitateto

mentionthis,mylord,butwewerenotexpectingsolargeagroupperhapssomeoftheguestswouldacceptaccommodationinapavilion?"

LordKyndretheastaneyebackathissonandhisson'sfollowers,whowereclearlyintoxicatedandlikelytoremainthatwayforsometime."LordGildorandhisassociatesarenotremaining,"herepliedsmoothly."Theycameonlytoviewthepitchedbattle,andwilldepartassoonasthedemonstrationiscomplete."

Kyrtiandidnotletoutasighofrelief,butsomeofhisconcernlefthim.HousingGildorandhiscronieswasthelastofhispotentialproblems,andtheonlyonehehadn'tanticipated.

LordKyndrethandhisservantsshouldbehaveinpredictableways,butGildorandhisdrunkenfriendswereneitherpredictablenorsafefortheservantstobearound.Theywereusedtogettingtheirwayinallthings,usedtotakingwhattheywanted,anditwasentirelypossiblethatwhattheywantedw

ouldinvokeautomatic,unthinkingrebellioninthehumanservants,whowerenotusedtobeingtreatedasobjectstobeusedanddiscardedatwill.ButifGildorandhiscronieswerealreadyplanningtoleaverightafterthedemonstrationwell,Kyrtianwasconfidenthispeoplecouldholdthingstogetherforthatlong.



"Thedemonstrationisready,myLord,"hesaid;andgestured,bringingseveralpre-selectedservantsforward."Mypeoplewillguideyourservantstoyourquarters,sothatallwillbeinreadinessforyourcomfortwhenthebattleisover."

"Excellent."Kyndrethdidnothing,butKaethmadeagesture,sendingtwoofthebodyguardsandseveralofKyndreth'sslavesladenwithbaggagetojoinKyrtian'sservants.Kyrtian'speoplequicklytookovermostoftheburdensoftheluggageandledtheothersdownthecorridortowardstheguest-quarters.LordKyndrethgaveanexpectantglanceatKyrtian,whotookthehintandledtherestofthegroupthroughthemazeofcorridorstothebalconyoutsidethelesserdining-room.Thissamebalconyoverlookedthefieldusuallyusedforcelebrations;todayitwouldbethesiteofabattle.

Forthisoccasion,thebalconywasshelteredfromtheglareofthesunwithanawningmadeoftapestry,givingit

thelookofaviewing-standforaformaltournament.Banksofcomfortableseatsawaitedthevisitors,andrefreshmentshadbeenpreparedandsetouttogreetthem,allunderthewatchfuleyeofLadyLydiell.Outofthecornerofhiseye,KyrtiansawthesmuglysuperiorexpressionsofGildorandhisfriendschangedtolooksofgratificationandpleasure.Obviouslytheyhadnotthoughttofindasophisticatedlevelofhospitalityinthisprovincialhousehold.

NowKyrtianpresentedhismothertotheguests;Lydiellhadgonetogreateffort

toappearasatypicalElvenlady.Gownedandcoiffedashersonhadseldomseenherbefore,herexpressionthatofaflawlessstatue,sheresembledhereverydayselfverylittleindeed.Kyrtianhadnotseenheruntilthismoment,andwincedinwardlyashethoughthowlongshemusthavespentinthehandsofherservantstoachieveherappearance.Hersilverhairhadbeendividedintohundredsoftinybraids,whichhadthenbeenarrangedinaseriesofdrapedloopsandknotsheldinplacewithjeweledpins.Herpastel-huedgown,ofmultiplelayersofmisty,cobweb-likeblue



fabric,withsleevesandtrainthattrailedbehindher,couldnotpossiblybemoreimpracticalforhernormalduties.Eachandeveryhemhadbeenedgedinlacesofineitwasclosetotransparent,andlikelytosnagoneverythingunlessgreatpainsweretakentopreventsuchadisaster.Tiny,sparklingmotesofgemswinkedamidthemistyfoldsofthegown,andmoregemsstrungongossamerstrandsofsilverwreathedherneck.Fromhertoestothelasthair,Lydiell'scostumewassofragileitinvitedruininthemereactsofmovingandwalking.

That,however,wasnotanElvenLady'sbusinesstoworryabout;itwasthedutyofherslavestomanagesleevesandhems,andseetoitthathergownremainedperfectandpristineatalltimes.Soitwastoday;anytimeLydiellmoved,shewastrailedbyfourwomenwhoseonlypurposewastoseethatshecouldmoveaboutaseasilyasagracefulimageinaperfectdaydream.

This,ofcourse,wasexactlywhatLordKyndrethexpectedtosee,sohesimplybowedoverLydiell'shandandescortedherbacktoherchairwhileGildorandtherestchoseseats.LordKyndrethtooktheplaceofhonoratLydiell'srighthand,andKyrtianassumedtheseatatherleft.Assoonaseachguestwasinhischosenseat,aservantpresentedhimwithachilledglassofsparklingwineandaplatterofdaintiesfromwhichtomakeachoice.GelandKyrtianhadleftnothingtochance,noteventhenumberofguests;ayoungpagehadsprintedtothebalconywhileKyrtianandLordKyndrethspoketoreporttheexactnumberofElvenlordsthathadarrived.Therewasneitheronechairtoomany,nortoofew,andpreciselythecorrectnum

berofservants,onetoeachguest.Thehumanslaves,LordKyn-dreth'sbodyguardsincluded,allstood,ofcourse.Noslavesatinthepresenceofhismasters.

Onlywheneveryonewassettled,didthetwo"armies"moveoutontothefield.LordKyndrethleanedforwardinhisseatimmediately,hisattentionrivetedonthecombatants.Forhispart,Kyrtiantriednottofidgetnervously,thoughnotbecausethesuccessofthecombatwasindoubt.No,itwasonlythathewasnotonthe

fieldhimself;thiswouldbethefirsttimehewasonlyanobserverratherthanaparticipant.Hefound,somewhattohisownchagrin,thathedidnotmakeaverygoodobserver.

Asthetwoforceschargedtowardseachother,shoutingtauntsandbattle-cries,Gildorandhisfriendsweremomentarilydiverted.Butasthecombatcontinuedanditwasclearthatitwouldbeabloodlesscombat,as



manaftermanglowedscarletorblueandhadtoretiretothesidelinestheyquicklylostinterest.

"Howmanymencanyouholdthismagiconatatime?"LordKyndrethaskedquietly,asKyrtianignoredthemutteredjeersandscornfullaughterofGildorandhisfriends.

"Idon'tknowforcertain,mylord,"Kyrtiansaidhonestly."I'veneverhadoccasiontotryitonmorethanathousand,soIhavenotyetfoundanupperlimit."

"Athousand!"Kyndrethwasclearlyimpressed,evenifhissonwasunderwhelmed."BytheAncestors,thatisremarkable!Thereshouldbenodifficultythenintrainingbattalionsoffightersinfieldmaneuverssolongasseveralmagesareusedtoholdthemagicinplace!"

"Ishouldthinknot,mylord,"Kyrtianrespondeddeferentially."Especiallyifthemagesconcernedarepowerfulonessuchasyourself.Iamcertainthatyouwouldfinditatrivialtasktoholdthemagicontwicethatnumber."

Behindthem,Gildorandhisfriendsweremakingdeepinroadsonthewine,showingquiteclearlyjusthowboredtheywerewiththecombat.Nevertheless,givenLordKyndreth'sinterestandapproval,theydidn'tdarebetoovocalintheircontempt.

FinallytheirrestlessnessgottothepointwhereitannoyedLordKyndrethhimself.Thebattlehaddevolvedintoamassofsinglecombatsbetweenthemostskilledofthefighters,anditwasobviousitwouldbesometimebeforesheerwearinessbecametheundoingofmanyofthefighters.LordKyndrethabruptlystoodup,andKyrtiantookthatashewasmeantto,blowingtheshrillwhistlethatsignaledtheendofthedemonstration.



Obedienttothesignal,fightingceasedimmediately,andinthesuddensilence,LordKyndrethturnedtohishostwithabroadsmile.

"Thishasbeenamostimpressivedemonstration,LordKyrtian,"hesaid,withasmuchwarmthasKyrtianhadeverseenhimdisplayuntilnow."Evenmoresothanthesingle-combatyouoriginallyshowedus.IamlookingforwardtolearningthisnewapplicationofmagicinthenextfewdaysbutIfearthanmysonandhisfriendshavepreviouscommitmentsandmustbeontheirway"NowheleveledagazeonhisbemusedsonthatshooktheyoungElvenlordintomomentarysobriety."Mustn'tyou,Gildor?"

Theyoungerlord,startledbyhissire'sabruptchangeofmood,stammeredouthisreply."Ofofcourse,certainly,"hebabbled."Previouscommitments,pressingengagements,andalltha

t.Sosorry.Excellentshow.Beonourwaynow"

"MypeoplewillshowyouthewaybacktothePortalChamber,LordGildor,"Kyrtianreplied,withasfineadisplayoftheheightofgoodmannersasanyonecouldhaveasked.Hegavenohintthathehadheardthedisparagingremarks,northathewaswellawarethatGildorwassodrankheprobablycouldnothavefoundthedoorwithouthelp."IcannottellyouhowgratifiedIwasbyyourpresence,orbyyourappreciation.Ihopethat

wewillbeabletogiveyouabetterdemonstrationofourhospitalityatsometimeinthefuture."

Gildorandhisfriendsfiledbackintothedininghall,subduedbyLordKyndreth'senthusiasticreceptionofthedemonstration.Therewerenomorejeeringasides,nomoresnickers.Kyrtianwasundernoillusionsaboutthis;hefullyexpectedthatthemomenttheyoungerElvenlordspassedthePortal,theywouldbegintheirscornfulgossipagain.Butfornow,itwasobviouswhothemasterwas,andwhatthemasterapprovedandallthe

younglordsfellobedientlyintoline.

Odd,Kyrtianthought,asLordKyndrethexchangedsomepolitecomplimentswithLadyLydiellandthelastoftheunwantedvisitorspassedthroughthedoorsofthelesserdininghall.Iwouldhavethought,giventhewayhelikestopuffhimselfupandbluster,thatGildorwouldhavesidedwiththeYoungLordsagainsthisfather.Lord



Kyndrethisn'tgoingtopassoverpoweranytimeintheforeseeablefuture,andIwouldhavethoughtthatbynowGildorwouldbehungryforthatpower.

Perhaps,though,Gildorlikedcomfortbetterthanpower.Perhapshealreadyknewhedidn'tdaretochallengehisfather.Or,perhapsGildorwaslessambitiousthanKyrtianwouldhavebeeninhisplace.Asitwas,Gildorhadprestige,status,andacarefree,pamperedexistence.Ifhesatwherehisfathernowhe'dsway,hemightactuallyhavetowork.

KyndrethturnedtoKyrtian,whocollectedhisscatteredthoughts."IbelievethatIwouldliketoretiretomyquarterstopreparefordinnerandthinkaboutallyouhaveshownme,"hesaid."Unlessyouhavesomethingmoreplannedtoshowmetoday?"

"Onlyonething,andthatisontheway,"Kyrtianreplied,withaslightsmile."Please,allowmetoescortyou.PerhapssomequestionswilloccurtoyouthatIcanansweraswewalk."

TheybothbowedtoLadyLydiell,whonoddedgravelytobothofthemwithoutspeaking.Kyrtianwaitedwhileoneoftheservantsheldthedooropenforthem;healsowaitedforthebodyguardstoflankhisguestbeforetakinghisownplacebesideKyndreth.Otherthanthat,hepaidnoattentiontothebodyguards.

Kyndrethglancedsharplyaroundastheypassedalongthehallways;foramoment,Kyrtianwonderedwhathadcaughthisattention,thenKyndrethansweredhisquestionwithaqueryofhisown.

"Youusenoillusionhere,doyou?"Kyndrethasked,asifsurprised.



"Verylittle,mylord,"Kyrtianreplied,andsmiledslightly."Perhapswearesomewhatconservativeinnature,butwemymotherandI,thatisprefertherealtotheillusory.Illusionis"Hegropedforwords.

"Cheap?"Kyndrethsurprisedhimwiththewordhehadbeentryingtoavoid,andtheironicliftingofhiseyebrow."Itendtoagree,actually.Anyhalfwaycompetentmagecancloakrottingtimberandmoth-eatentapestryinillusion.Tomaintainagraciousandattractivehomewithoutillusionrequiresdedicationandeffort.Illusionis,Ibelieve,thelazyman'sway."

"Iagree,mylord.Wehereprefersubstancetostyle,onemightsay."Again,heventuredasmile."Ourhomemaybeold-fashionedinstyle,butthatisthepriceofpreferringsubstance."

Bythistime,theyhadreachedtheareaoftheoldnurserywhichwasnowthenewharemandKyrtianpaused."Iwouldliketoofferyouallthecomfortsofourhouse,mylord.Ifyouwouldcaretopasswithin?"

LordKyndrethcouldeasilyseetheshimmerofpowerthatcloakedthedoor,whichmeanthisbodyguardswouldnotbeabletofollowhiminside.ButtherewasalsonodoubtwhatKyrtian'swordshadimplied,andhewas

probablycuriousjustwhatsortofharemthenotoriouslyasceticKyrtianhad.Hesignaledtohisbodyguardstojointhetwoguardsatthedoor,andfollowedKyrtianwithin.

Thethreeyoungwomenwerewaitingforthem,androseinstantlytotheirfeet,pausingjustlongenoughforLordKyndrethtogetagoodlookatthembeforetheysanktothegroundindeepcurtsies.

Fortheveryfirsttime,KyrtiansawtheGreatLordsurprised.Sosurprised,infact,thathisjawdropped,justatrifle.Theherecoveredhiscomposure,andturnedtoKyrtianwithaslygrin.

"Youyoungdog!"heexclaimed,andclappedKyrtianontheshoulder."Nowondernothingtemptsyoutomixwiththeotheryoungsters.Theyhaven'tanythingtoofferthatcouldevermatchthesetreasures!"



Kyrtianbowedhisheadslightly."SoIbelieve,mylord."Hegestured,andtheyoungwomen,flushingprettily,roseagain.LordKyndrethsurveyedthemagain,hiseyeslingeringoneachinturn.

"IbelieveIshalltakeupyouroffer,"hesaidwithachuckle."Butafterdinner.Thereis,astheAncestorssaid,apleasureinanticipationthatthewisemanlearnstocherishasmuchasthefulfillmentofthatanticipation."

"Verytrue,mylord,"Kyrtianmurmureddeferentially."Verytrue."

LordKyndrethwasasurprisinglygooddinner-guest.Heateanddrankmoderately,gavepraisetothecook,andtookcaretoinvolveLadyLydiellintheconversation.Kyrtiangraduallyrelaxed

.Thevisitwasgoingwell;ifitcontinuedinthisvein,theentireexpenditureoftimeandenergywouldhavebeenwellrepaid.

Asthedessertcoursewasbroughtin,LordKyndrethturnedtoKyrtian,andforthefirsttimetherewasahintofhesitationinhisexpression."LordKyrtian,thereissomethingthatIhavebeencuriousaboutforaverylongtime,butIhesitatetobringupasubjectthatwouldcauseyouoryourLady-Motheranydiscomfort."

"Whatsubjectwouldthatbe?"Kyrtianasked,cautiously.

"Iamandhavebeenverycuriousaboutyourlatefather,"camethesurprisinganswer."Moretothepoint,Iamcuriousastohisreasonsforvanishingintothewilderness.Iknowsomehavemadeinappropriateobservationsabouthim,butIsawnothinginyourfather'sdemeanorbeforehevanishedtomakemebelievethathehadanythingbutverygoodreasonsforhisactions."



Kyrtianglancedathismother,whonoddedslightly.Theunspokenmessagewasclear:hecouldgoaheadandrevealsomeofwhathealreadyknew.

Kyrtianclearedhisthroat."ThereisatraditionsomemightcallitalegendinourfamilythatwhentheElvesfirstcameacrossfromEvelon,themachinesandmostofthebookstheyhadbroughtwiththemweretooburdensometocarry.Morepressingconcernshadtobedealtwithinthehuntforaplacetoliveandthemeanstodoso,ancientknowledgewasofnouseinsuchabrandnewworld.Soallthesethingsweremoreofahandicapthananadvantage,andtheywerecachedshortlyafterthesearchformorehospitableterritorybegan.Forsomereason,nooneeverwentbackforthemperhapsonlybecausetheElvenlordsweretoobusysubduingthenatives.Thosecachesofancientknowledgewerewhatmyfatherwashuntingwhenhevanished."

"Interesting."LordKyndrethpulledathislowerlipinthought."Assumingthatthereisusefulknowledgetherethatwehavelost,whichisquitepossible,whoeverfoundthosecachedmaterialscouldhaveadistinctadvantage."

"SinceIreplicatedmymethodsofcombat-trainingbymeansofresearchintotheoldbookswestillhave,Isuspectthereisagreatdealofknowledgethathasbeenlostorforgotten,"Kyrt-ianreplied,somberly."Frankly,Ihavenoideawhatmightlieoutthere,nordidmyfather.Wesimplyhaven'tgo

tenoughinformationeventomakeaguess."

WhathedidnotobservewasthatLadyLydiellknewsomethingmoreandhadtoldKyrtianherfamilytraditionsaswellashisfather's.AnditwasnotparticularlyflatteringtotheGreatLordsofthisland.

ThetaleoftheCrossingwasonethattheGreatLordshadprobablydonetheirbe

sttoforget.TherehadbeenacivilwarinEvelon,andtheirsidewastheonethatwas,atthetimeoftheCrossing,thelosingside.TheancestorsofthecurrentErven-lordsdecidedtoescapethroughtheGatetheywouldbuildtogether,takingtheirchancesonfindingahospitablelandwitheasilycowednativesontheotherside.Itwaseitherthat,orfacesurrender,andhavetheirpowerreftfromthembythewinners.Theresultwouldbethattheloserswouldliveon,butenslaved,anddisgraced.



"Official"historysaidlittleofthewar,anddidnotevenhintthattheElvenlordsmighthavebeengettingtheworstoftheconflict.Instead,bycommonconsent,theAncestorswereregardedasbold,fearlesspioneers,strikingoutontheirownwhenlifeinEvelongrewwearisomethroughitsnever-changingsameness.

LadyLydiellknewmore,preservedthroughthefemaleline.EventhoughithadbeenagreedthatalloftheElvenmageswouldpooltheirstrengthandmagic,themoreunscrupulousandselfishheldback.Asaresult,whentheGatewentup,someweredrainedofmagicpower,whileothersstillhadenoughtomakethemtherulersontheotherside.

ThatwasthedifferencebetweentheoriginalGreatLordsandtheLesserLords,andnot,astheGreatLords

wouldhaveeveryonebelieve,amatterofintelligenceandinheritedpower.

"Themachinesthatcameoverseemedtoencounterdifficulties,possiblyduetothedisruptiveeffectoftheGateontheirspells,andmayhavebeenabandonedasaconsequence.Myfatherhadfoundaspeculativedocumentsuggestingthatthewar-machinestheybroughtwiththemcouldbedrainedforpower,eveniftheynolongerworkedcorrectly,"Kyrtianwenton."Ifso,theycouldprovideareservoirofmagictofallbackonwhenamage'sownpowersweredepleted."

Onceagain,hesawLordKyndreth'seyesnarrowslightly,ashecontemplatedthispossibility.Kyrtian'sfatherhadintendedifitcouldbedonetorestorethemagictothoseElveswholackedit.LordKyndrethwasprobablythinkingintermsofkeepingallthatpowertohimself,tobedoledoutashechose.



Thatwouldgivehimunprecedentedpoweramonghisownpeers,andanunprecedentedtooltomanipulatethem.AmagewithsucharesourceathisdisposalwouldbewhattheElven-lordshadneveryethad.

AKing.

"Atanyrate,thatwaswhyFatherwasouthuntinglookingforthemachinesandthebooks,andobviouslythiswasnotsomethingthatarationalmanwouldhavehumanslavesdoing,becauseofthedangersimplicitinexposingslavestothingssounknownandunpredictable,"Kyrtianfinished."Thehumansdohavetheirownformofmagic,afterallandwhoknowswhatexposuretothosemachineswoulddo?Itmightfreethemoftheircollarsmightgivethempowerstomatchours!No,thatwasataskhepreferredtokeeptohimself."

"Icanseewhyandyourfatherwasafarwisermanthananyonehasgivenhimcreditforbeing,"LordKyndrethsaidgravely."Nowyouhavegivenmetwiceasmuchtothinkabout...."

Kyrtianshookhishead."ButthistalkoflostmachinesandcachedbookssuchthingssurelymustwaituntilwehavedealtwiththeHalfbloodsandourownrebelliousyouth."HedeliberatelyframedthereplytoincludehimselfintheoppositepartytotheYoungLords,andhesawLordKyndrethsmileinreply.

"Youarecorrect,"theGreatLordreplied."Andlongbeforewedothat,thereismuchwemustaccomplishnottheleastofwhichistodojusticetothefinaleofthisexcellentmeal."

Kyrtiansignedinternally,andansweredKyndreth'ssmilewithoneofhisown.Hehadbeenacceptedperhapsnotasanequal,butcertainlyasanally.AndthatshouldputpaidtoCousinAelmarkin'splansforthenear

future,atleast.

"Verytrue,mylord,"hemurmured."Youareentirelycorrect,asusual."

11



Oneworry,atleast,wasoffKyrtian'smindbythenextmorning.Assoonasheawoke,hepaidacautiousvisittotheharem;ifanythingunpleasanthadhappenedtotheyoungwomen,hewantedtobetheonetodealwithit.Hewas,afterall,theoneresponsibleforthem.

Butasithappened,LordKyndrethhadtreatedallthreeoftheharemwomenverywell;had,infact,giventhemeachahandsomegiftofjewelryforpleasinghim.Theywereexcitedandhappy,anddidnotmakemuchofanefforttodisguisetheirhopesthattheremightbemoresuchvisitsandpresentsfromtheGreatLord.Kyrtianfounditrathertouching,actually;theyweresolikethreelittlegirlsintheirinnocentpleasureatbeingrewardedwithbaubles.

TherewerethreeotherElvenlordsinKyndreth'sentourage,butnoneofthemwereofhighenoughstatustobe

offeredtheservicesoftheharem.Theywouldhavetoputupwithenforcedchastityuntiltheyreturnedtotheirownhomes,forhouse-servants,unlesstheyactuallyofferedthemselvesorwereofferedbythehost,wereconsideredoff-limits.IfLordKyndrethhadshownhimselftobelukewarminhisregardforKyrtian,suchabreachofetiquettecouldhavetakenplaceanyway,butnotwhenKyndrethhadshownhisfavor.Kyrtiancouldremoveatleastthisoneminorconcernfromhislonglistofworries;thegirlswouldnotbeabusedbyhisguest,norwouldhisservantsbemistreatedbyKyndreth'sunderlings.



AssoonasLordKyndrethputinanappearanceandhadbrokenhisfast,therestofthedaywasspentinanoddrole-reversal,asKyrtiantutoredtheolderLordinthemagicofmock-combat.

Itfeltawkward.Itwasalsodangerouswork,andnotfromamagicalstandpoint.SomehowKyrtianhadtosimultaneouslybeteacheranddeferential(butnotgroveling)LesserLordtoKyndreth'sGreater.Kyrtianwalkedanarrowlinebetweenthosetwoextremes,andhedarednotdeviatefromit,ifhewantedLordKyndreth'sprotection.

ButLordKyndrethwantedthisknowledgebadlyenoughtoexerthimselftobeaccommodatingandcharming,andslowlyKyrtianbegantorelax,forgetabouthisowncarefulpose,andsimplyinstruct.

He'dcalledinallofhisfighterstoactassubjectsforthepractice,thoughinitiallythemagicwasonlycastonone.KyrtianwassureenoughofhisownmasterythathereckonedhecouldcounteranymistakesLordKyndrethmadebeforetheycausedanyharm,anditwasaveryrealmeasureofthetrusthismenhadinhimthatthefighterstookthatforgranted,standingrelaxedandunconcernedwhileLordKyndrethfelthiswaythroughtheweavingofthecomplicatedmagerythefirsttime.Ittookafinetouch,adelicatetouch,toensurethatthefighteren-spelledfeltenoughofawarningtingletotellhimthathe'dbeenhi

t,evenintheexcitementofcombatyetwaskeptfromactuallybeinghurt,whichwouldbecounterproductive.

"Thisistheoppositeofthewaywetrainourgladiatorsnow,"Kyndrethobserved,pausingtowipehisbrowwithaspotlessscrapofwhitesilk,whichhethendropped,withoutthinkingaboutit,onthegroundbehindhim.Hisownmanautomaticallyretrievedthehandkerchiefandsteppedbackagain.Kyndrethneverevennoticed."Whentheypractice,evenwithbluntedweapons,thepointisthattheywillbehurtiftheyallowablowtofall,

andsotheirdefense-workissupposedtoimprove."

"Yes,butifthatblowfalls,eveninpractice,itcandisableaman,"Kyrtianpointedout,asthefighterwaitedpatientlyforKyndrethtocompletethespellcasting."What'sthegoodoflearningfromyourmistakeifyouenduplosingsomuchtimeinrecoveringfromyourinjurythatyouhavetogobacktothebeginningagain?



Conditioningisasimportantastraining,orsomyexperienceleadsmetobelieve."

"Oh,youarearguingwiththeconverted,youngfriend,"Kyndrethchuckled,casuallymassaginghishandsasiftheyfeltstiff."I'velostfartoomanyfineandpromisingspecimenspermanentlytoso-called'trainingaccidents.'It'sacostlybusinesstoocostly,whennowweneedfightersforrealcombatmorethanweneedgladiators."Heresumedthetaskbeforehim,andthefighterbegantohaveafaintlyglowingaura.

"Inthecaseofmenwhoarestubbornaboutacknowledginghits,Idosetithighenoughtohurt,though,"Kyrtianadmitted,ashesupervisedLordKyndreth'seffort."Therearesomefellowswhogetsoworkedupduringafightthatnothinglessthanrealpainseemstogetthroughtothem."

"ThosemenIwouldputinthefrontlines,"Kyndrethobservedwryly,withasideglanceatKyrtian."Iftheyarethatimpervious.I'veseenafewofthose;theyhaveakindofmadnessinbattle.It'susefulifthey'reinthefrontline,butthey'reasmuchadangertofriendastofoeanywhereelse.Iput'emonthepointofathrust;letthemcarvetheirwayin,andtakegroundbehindthemwithfightersthatcankeeptheirheads."

Kyrtiannodded,althoughhehatedtothinkofanyofhisfightersbeinginthefrontlinesofrealcombat.His

eyesnarrowedashekepttrackofLordKyndreth'sprogress."There"hecautioned."Thatisexactlythelevelyoucanusuallysetitat.That'sperfect."AsKyndrethletgoofhiscontrolofthefieldaroundthefighter,Kyrtianflexedhisshoulderstoeasesomeofthestraininthem."Nowwebuildtheweapon."Hesmiled."That'snotasdifficult;it'sjustalittledifferentfromatrulyexpertillusion."



OnceKyndrethhadtheinitialmagicset,hewasabletoswiftlymakecopiesuponasmanyfightersasKyrtianhadpresent."Thisisamazing!"heobserved,hiseyeswideningalittle,ashistotalpassedtwenty."Thefirstoneisdifficult,butthereisverylittledrainoncetheinitialfighterisdone!1hadexpectedthistobequiteexpensiveintermsofpersonalenergy."

"Ibelievethatisbecauseyouaren'texactlyreplicatingthemagicIbelieveyouaresimplyspreadingittoincludeeverysubsequentfighter,"Kyrtianobserved,pleasedwithhowquicklyLordKyndrethhadlearnedthespecialtechniques.Thesoonerhehasmasteredallthis,thesoonerhecanbegone,andwecangetthismasqueradeoverwith."Ihopethatmakessensetoyou."

"Perfectsense."Kyndrethgavehimanoddlook."Doyoualsomakeastudyofthemechanicsandtheoryofmagic?It'sanesotericbranchofstudy,andoneIhadnotassociatedwithsomeo

newhoissoclearlyawell,asoldier,sotospeak,ratherthanapurescholar."

"OnlyalittleIhadtodoacertainamountofstudytoreplicatethis"hewavedhishandvaguelyattheassembledfighters."Iwon'tclaimtobeagenius,oreventohaveaparticularknackforresearch,onlyagreatdealofpatienceandpersistencewhenitcomestosomethingI'minterestedin."

LordKyndreth'sexpressionblankedforamoment,asifKyrtian'sattitudehadtakenhimaback,buthesaidnothing.

"Well,let'shavethefighterspairoff,andseethemagicinaction,shallwe?"Kyrtiancontinued,wonderingwhatthatlookmeant.HaveIbeentoomodest?HaveItippedmyhand?Orisitjustthatheisn'tusedtohearingsomeonethatdoesn'tboastabouthisprowess?

"Anexcellentplan."LordKyndrethsteppedtothesidelines,andKyrtiansignaledtothefighterstobeginsparring.LordKyndreth'spleasureinthediscoverythathisreplicationofthemagicfunctionedexactlythesameasKyrtian'swasobvious.

Forhisownpart,Kyrtianwasjustaspleased.Foronce,hedidn'thavetohold



bothsidesinthespell,andthatfreedupenoughofhisattentionthathecouldmorefullyappreciatetheskillofhismen.

Kyrtiansignaledtohismentostop,andturnedtohisguest,hisownfeelingofaccomplishmentmatchingLordKyndreth's."Youareamarvelouslyquickstudy,mylord,andnoonewoulddoubtyourmasteryofmagic,"hesaid,wimnointenttoflatter."Idonotthinkyouneedtolearnanythingelsefromme.Youhavethetechniquenow,andallthatyouneedispractice.IntimeyouwillprobablybefastereventhanIatsettingthemagic."

"PracticeissomethingIcangetathome;IwillnotstrainyourgeneroushospitalitylongerthanIhaveto,"theGreatLordrepliedimmediately,muchtoKyrtian'sveiledrelief.Hewantstoleavesosoon!ThanktheAncestors!

"Truly,itisagreathonortobeyourhost,"heprotestedanyway,forform'ssake.

"Andtruly,itisagreatinconvenienceforyou,"Kyndrethsaid,withjustatouchofmockeryinhisvoice."Iamnotblind,Kyrtian.ForallthatyouandyourLadyMotherlivegraciously,yourmeansarelimited,andIamaburdenonthem.Thisisasmallandveryprivatemanor,andmyfolkareanintrusionandaninconveniencetoyourroutine,nomatterhowyoucloakthatingoodmanners.Ishallbegyourfor

bearanceforjustthisonenightmore,forthereissomethingIwouldliketodiscusswithyou,buttomorrowmyfolkandIwillleaveyouandyoursinpeace.MeanwhileIfeelinstrongneedofabathandarest!"



BeforeKyrtianhadachancetoreacttothefirstpartofthatstatement,LordKyndrethhadclappedhimonthebacklikeanoldfriend,thenturnedtodismissthemagichehadcastoverthefighters.Hestrodeoffinthedirectionofthemanor,presumablytoreturntotheguestquarters,leavingKyrtianinchargeofhisownpeople.

"Youdidwell,men;Gel,takeoverthepractice,"wasallhedaredsay,notknowingwhetherhewasundersomecovertobservation.Herecastthemagic,andSergeantGelassumedcommand,barkingoutorderstopairoffandstartsparring.Hewatched,anobserverratherthanaparticipant,asthefighterswentthroughtheirusualpaces,changingweapons,changingsparring-partners,untiltheywerealldrenchedwithsweatandexhausted.Itwasverydifficulttoremainaloof;hishandstwitchedtoholdasword,andseveraltimeshehadtoforcehimselftoremainquietwhensomeonerequiredcorrection.Itwouldnotdoforhimtocorrectthemenhimself;hemustbepatientandwaitforGeltospottheproblemanddealwithit.Kyn-drethmighthaveamanwatching;hecould

haveamagical"eye"observingthem.ItwouldnotdoforKyrtiantobeseenwadinginasifhewasofnohigherestatethanhisowndrill-master.OnlywhenthemenwerecompletelyexhausteddidhedismissthemandpermitthemtoreturntotheirownquartersunderthesupervisionofSergeantGel.Andonlythencouldhereturntohismother'sofficeandfindoutwhatLordKyndreth'sthreeunderlingshadbeendoingwhileheandKyndrethwereoccupiedwiththefighters.

LadyLydiellwaswaitingforhimasherosethroughthefloorofheroffice;she

musthaveseenhimapproachingfromthepractice-field."Tenebrinthtookthemriding,"shesaidimmediately,knowingwiththatacuitythatsometimesresembledahuman'smagicwhathewantedbeforeheevenvoicedthequestion."Theyjustwantedexercise;Ithinktheywerebored.Tenebrinthtookthemonatourofthehunting-reserve,whichisfarenoughawayfromanyofourlittlevillagestokeepanythinguntowardfromhappening,andIthinktheymayactuallyhavedonealittlehuntingthemselves.Lookyoucanseethemfromhere"

Shepointed,andhewenttothewesternsideoftheoffice,peeringintothedistanceuntilhecaughtsightoffourbrilliantlycoloredatomiesmakingtheirwayalongsideatreelinethathadbeenreducedbydistancetoamereblurofgreen.

"WhataboutKyndreth'shumanslaves?"heasked,withouttakinghiseyesoffthedistantriders.



"Theyremainedwithintheguest-quarters,exceptforthebodyguards,whowerekeepingyouandKyndrethundersurveillance,"Lydielltoldhimcalmly."Andsomeofourpeoplewereinturnwatchingthem.Itmademewonderhowmanylayersofwatchers-watching-watcherswecouldhavehadbeforepeoplebeganrunningintoeachother!"

Kyrtianturnedawayfromthewindow,andcaughthismother'sironicsmile."Itwouldbeaninterestingexperiment.ThathumanKaethisaverysharpfellow;Ihavenodoubtthatheknewhispeoplewerebeingoverlooked.Ishouldn'tliketohavetopitGelagainsthim;IthinkthatGelmightbeoutmatchedincertainareas."

"Thenletushopeweneverneedto."Lydielllookedathimsharply."Whatisit

thatyouhavenottoldme?SomethingKyn-drethsaid?"

"Somethinghehasyettosay,"Kyrtiansighed,chagrinedthatshewasabletoreadhimsoeasily.IshouldknowbetterthantothinkIcanhideanythingfromher."Helearnedthemagicquitequickly;actuallymorequicklythanIhadanticipated.Whateverelsehisaccomplishmentsmaybe,thereisnodoubtthathedeserveshispositionasamageandaGreatLord."

"Donotattempttodistractme;Iamtoooldtoplaythatgamewith,"Lydiellresponded,atouchsharply."Whatwasthisabout'somethinghehasyettosay'?"



"Heimpliedthathewishestodiscusssomethingwithme,possiblyatorafterdinner.1havenoideawhatitis."Kyrtiantriedtoshrugitalloffasofnoimportance,buthismotherimmediatelylookedconcerned,thentriedtoconcealit.

"Didhesayanythingelse?"sheasked,alittletoocasually.

"Onethingmorethatheandhispeoplewillbeleavinginthemorning,whichisnottoosoonforme."Feelingoverlyconfinedbytherelativelyformalgarmentshe'dbeenbuttonedintothismorning,Kyrtianruinedtheeffortsofhisbody-servantsbyrestlesslyunbuttoningthecollarofhistunicandrunninghishandsdistractedlythroughhishair.

"Atleastthatisgoodnews."LadyLydiellsankintoherseatbehindherdesk."

Iknewthischaradeofourswouldbeastrain,butIhadn'texpectedittobeasmuchofastrainasithasbeen."

Kyrtiannoddedinagreement,andtookaquickglancebackatthewindow.Thetinyfigureswerenolongersotinyandweregrowinglargerbythemomenttheridersmusthavedecidedthattheyhadexercisedenoughforoneday.Eitherthat,orKyn-drethsentamagicalsummonstothem."IfIamgoingtocontinuethegame,Ihadbestgetdowntomyquarterstodressfordinner,Lady-Mother.Sincethisisto

beLordKyndreth'slastnightshouldn'twedosomethingwellelaborate?"

"Indeedweshould,andIwillfollowyourexampleassoonasI'veseenthecooks."Sherosefromherchairandmovedaroundherdesktokisshimfondlyonthecheek."Wemustshowhimeverypossiblehonor.WeneedtodriveithometoLordKyn-dreththatwearereclusive,butneithermad,norbarbaric."

Kyrtianwastemptedtobreakhislong-standinghabitanduseillusiontoaugmenthiscostume,fortheclothinghisservantslaidoutforhimwasnotthesortofthinghewouldhavechosenforhimself.Itwasimpressive,yes,buttheplushvelvettunicofasobermidnight-bluewassoheavilyornamentedwithgoldbullionandtinybeadsmadefromsapphiresandemeraldsthatitweighedasmuchasarmor,andthehighcollarwasprobablygoingtodrivehimtodistractionbeforetheeveningwasoverandhecouldtakeitoff.



Nevertheless,heallowedhismentoassisthimintothestiffcostume,andmadehisappearanceinthegranddiningroomwellaheadoftheirguest.SomehowLadyLydiellhadworkedmiraclesamongthecooks,fortherewaseveryevidenceofamealworthyoftheroomintheoffing.Thetable,deckedinsnowydamask,wasadornedwithadozendifferentglassesateachplace,andthesideboardwasladenwithsmalldishesandamyriadofspecializedknives,forksandspoons,each(bytherulesofetiquette)suitedonlytoveryparticularsortsofcourses.Alsobytherulesofetiquette,therewasonlyasingleplateandnoutensilsateachplace.Theparticularsilverwareneededforeachcoursewouldbelaidwiththecourse,andwhiskedawayagaintopreventanyfauxpasindiningonthepartofaguest.WhenLordKyndrethandhisthreeunderlingsappeared,conductedbyahouseholdservant,eventheyseemedsurprisedandimpressedbythepreparations.

Lydiellarrivedlast,inagownofdeceptivesimplicity,onethatKyrtianhadneverseenherwearbefore.Itwasonlywhenshedrewnearthatitwasobviousthatonlythe"cut"ofthegownwassimple;withclose-fittingsleevesandamodestneckline,itwascomposedentirelyofminiatureinterwovenlinksandplaquesofsilver,eachnolargerthanagnat,eachplaquestuddedwithdiamondsnolargerthantheheadofapin.Sheseemedtobegownedinshimmeringfish-scales,orthatfabuloussubstance,dragonskin.

AndIthoughtmycostumewasuncomfortablyheavy!hethoughtinawe.He'dhadno

ideasheevenpossessedsuchathing;itcouldn'tbeillusion,butwherehaditcomefrom?

Iwonderifitcouldturnablade?hethought,ashewaitedforLydielltobeseated.TherewasnotellinghowoldsuchagarmentmightbeitmightevendatebacktoEvelonitself.Ifso...perhapstheladiesofthoselong-gonedayshadmadeavirtueofthenecessityofwearingprotectivearmoreventoafestivemeal.



Theytooktheirplaces,andtheceremonialmealbegan,courseaftercourse,untilKyrtianlostcountofthem.Eachcoursewasnomorethanataste,abiteortwoofsomedelicacy;thentheplatesandcutlerywerewhiskedawaytobereplacedbyanewsetting,anotherdish.Colddishesandhot,savory,salty,sweet,sourfragrantnoodles,lightlycookedandseasonedvegetablessculptedlikeflowers,flowersmadeintotinysaladsofpetals,tinyportionsofbarelysearedmeatgarnishedwithrareherbsandsauces,soupshotandchilledeachcoursewasaccompaniedwithadifferentdrink.Thiswasnotalwayswine;itcouldbeaspicedjuice,atea,ordelicatelyflavoredspringwater,whateverbestcomplementedthecourse.

Itcouldnotbecalledameal,itwasaneventuntoitself,athingwhichswiftlyacquireditsownmomentum.IfKyrtianwasamazed,LordKyndrethwasnotalthoughitseemedhewasvery,verypleased.Hourspassed,thesunsetfadedoutsidethewindowsandwasreplacedbythenightandstars;Kyndre

thandhispeopleexertedthemselvestobecharming,andLadyLydiellwasequallycharmingandwitty.Kyrtianwasawed;he'dneverseenhismotherquitelikethisbefore,andhehadtostretchhisownwitstokeeppacewiththeothers.

Finally,thelastcoursewasplacedbeforethemandthefactthatitwasthefinalcoursewassignaledbythedisappearanceofeveryhumanservantthemomenteachplatewasplacedbeforethediners.Eachplateheldasingledelicate,gildedfruit-icethesizeofLydiell'sgracefulhand.Eachscoo

poficehadbeenmoldedintotheLionofLordKyndreth'sHouse,withthedetailspickedoutinsugar-crystalsandpearlescenticing.

LordKyndrethstoodup,andraisedhiscuptoLadyLydiell.

"Mydearhostess,"hesaid,inavoicefullofwarmthandadmiration."IcannotimaginehowyouconjuredupaCourtfeastonlessthannonotice,butallowmetodeclarethatyouaresurely

theequalofanyGreatMageintheland,andIbowtoyourprowess.Idrinktoyou,LadyLydiell!"

Therestansweredhistoast,andLydiellgracefullyacknowledgedthecomplimentwithanodofherhead.



Kyndrethsatdownagain."IcanseebyallofthisthatmyjudgmentofyourHousewasnotmistaken.IfyoudonotmoveinthecirclesoftheCouncil,itisnotbecauseyoudonotmeritsuchattention,butbecauseyouchosenottoseekit."

HelookedfromLydielltoKyrtian,andbackagain.ItwasLydiellheevidentlyexpectedtoanswer,anditwasLydiellwhomadethereply.

"MyLordKyndreth,ourfamilyhaslongpreferredtokeepourowncompany,andlivequietlyandevenreclusively,"Lydiellmurmured."Itisnotoutofunseemlypride,Ibegtourge,butoutofmodestyandagenuinepreferenceforaquietandreclusivelife.Allofusmylatehusband,hisfatherbeforehim,andmysonaswellasmyselfaremoreofthetemperamentofascholarthanofacourtier,andthelifeofaseeminghermitsuitsuswell.Perhapsourneedsandpleasuresmayseemsimpletoyou,butwefindthattheysatisfyeverywishand

desirewehave,forourwishesanddesiresarefortheinnerworldofthought,ratherthantheouterworld,whichothersmightfindstimulating,butwefindcontentiousanddisturbing."

Kyndrethsighed,abitmelodramatically,perhaps."AndIwishthatyoucouldcontinuetoenjoythatquietlife,myLady,butthetimes,Ifear,willnotpermityourmodestytodenythegenuinetalentsthatliehiddeninthislittlehavenofyours."

NowheturnedtoKyrtian."LordKyrtian,Idonothavetotellyouwhatyourreputationisamongtheignorant;youhavehearditalreadyfromthemouthofyourkinsman,Aelmarkin.IwaspreparedtodiscountthatreputationwhenIacceptedyourinvitation,butnowIfindthatyourkinsmanwasnotonlyincorrect,hewas"Kyndrethshookhishead."Wordsfailme.Ael-markiniseitherpoisonouslyprejudicedagainstyou,orcompletelyblind.Ihaveseenandheardenoughintwodaystoconvincemethat,despiteyourowndisclaimers,



you,LordKyrtian,arenothingshortofamilitarygenius.Thisisnomereeccentrichobbythatyouhave,itisagenuinevocation."

Kyrtianopenedhismouthtoprotest,butKyndrethsilencedhimwithawaveofhishand.

"Youhave,withnohelpotherthanthatofsomeancientmanuscripts,uncoveredatrainingmethodthatcreatesexpertfightersinafractionofthetimewehavetakenheretoforeandasyouyourselfpointedout,withnoneofthecriminalwastagethatourmethodentails.Ihaveseenyourstrategicabilityinaction,Ihaveseenyourcarefulattentiontoeveryaspectofmilitarylife.LordKyrtian,youcannotremainahermitanylonger;youaredesperatelyneeded.TheHighCouncilneedsyou."

"Icannotimaginewhyyouwouldthinkthat,"Kyrtianstammered,takencompletelybysurprise."Youalreadyholdthekeytothetraining-magic,andyouareagreatermagethanI"

"Weneedyourmilitaryknowledge,"Kyndrethinsisted."BetweenthewarswiththeWizardsandtherevoltofourownungratefuloffspring,therearepreciousfewwiththewisdomandknowledgetocommand,andnonewithyourtalent.Weneedyou,LordKyrtian.Weneedyoutoleadourarmies."

Outofthecornerofhiseye,Kyrtiansawhismothertense,andrealizedthatalthoughhehadnotanticipatedthisdemand,shehad.

"Youalreadyhaveleaders,"heprotested."Leadersofhigherrankthan1.1wouldnotdare"

"Withmybacking,noonewoulddaredisputeyou"Kyndrethcountered,grimly."Wi

thmybacking,IcaneasilypersuadeeveryCouncilorthatmattersthatyouaretheonlypossibleCommandingGeneralforourforces."

Kyrtianwasdumbfounded;hehadhopedthatKyndreth'sgratitudewouldbringthemarespitefromAelmarkin'senmity,buthehadnotexpectedKyndrethtoproposehetakehisplaceamongtheGreatestoftheGreatLords!



"LordKyndreth,pleasedonotthinkmeungratefulrather,Iamstunned,"hemanaged."AndsurelyyourealizethatIhavenopracticalexperience!"

LordKyndrethraisedhiseyebrow."AllthepracticalexperienceofourcurrentCommanderhasavailedhimnothing,"hepointedout."Thesituationwithouryoungrebelshasbeeninstalemateforthelastmonthandmore."Hepaused."Andthatistogonofurtherthanthistable;onlythemembersoftheCouncilareawareofit."

"Stalemate"Kyrtianbithislip."Howmuchterritoryaretheyholding?"

"Roughlyhalfoftheestatesareinthehandsoftherebels,"Kyndrethreplied.

"Wearefortunatethatnoneofthemarevitaltotheeconomytheyweremostlyestatesproducinglittleexceptslavesandluxuries.Nevertheless,thatisagreatdealofterritorytobeinunfriendlyhandsandthereareisolatedestateswithinthatterritorythatarestillinthehandsofourpeople,loyalfolkwhoneedanddeservesuccor."NowhelookedshrewdlyatLydiell."UnlessIamverymuchmistaken,oneofthoseistheestateofLadyMorthena,yourkinswoman."

"LadyMoth?"Lydiellpaled.Kyrtianbithislip.Granted,LadyMothhadconspicuouslynottakensides,andiftherebelshadtroubledher,Lydiellcertainlywouldhaveheardaboutitbynow.Still,shemightbepresumedtobeindanger.

"LadyMorthenaisencircledandcertainlytrapped,"Kyndrethcontinued,hiseyesnickingfromLydielltoKyrtian."Asyet,shehasheldcontroloverherslaves,sothatshehaspreventedanyincursionsontoherlands.



Asyet,therebelshavenotattemptedanyseriouseffortatcapturingher.Buthowlongwillitbeuntiltheyseeherasavaluablebargainingtool?SheisaGreatLady;thehonoroftheHighLordsandtheCouncilwouldbecompromisedifsheweretobecapturedandheldagainstherwill.Wewouldeitherbeforcedtoabandonherwhichisunthinkableormakeconcessionstotherebelswhichisalsounthinkable."

Itisallunthinkable.Kyrtiangrittedhisteeth.KyndretheitherkneworguessedthathewouldbeextremelyloyaltothosemembersofhisfamilyunlikeAelmarkinwhodeservedloyalty.HehadknownthatLadyMothwasclosetotheterritoryheldbytherebels,forsheherselfhadtoldthem.TheYoungLordscouldnotblocktelesonmessages,anddidnoteventry;sofarLadyMothhadseemedentirelyunconcernedaboutherpositioninthemidstoftheYoungLords,evenprofessingtoacertaindetachedsympathyfortheircause.ButLordKyndrethwasright;iftheYoungLordscaredto,theycouldtakeLadyMothcaptivetouseherasabargaining-chip.AquickglanceatLydielFsfacetoldhimallheneededtoknow;thiswasnoidles

peculation,butarealpossibility.

"Youmustgivemetimetoconsiderallyouhavesaid,LordKyndreth,"hemanaged,finally."Iamstunned.Ineedtimetoshakemythoughtsloose."

"Icansympathize,"Kyndrethsaidgravely,buttherewasasmileofsatisfactioninhiseyes.HealreadyknewthatKyrtianwouldagree,justasKyrtianalreadyknewhemustagree.Itwasonl

yamatteroftime,andtimewasnothisfriend.

12

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LordKyndrethretiredtohisguest-suiteandthecompetenthandsofhisbody-slaveswithafeelingoftotalcontent-ment.Notonlyhadhejustsavoredthepleasureofenjoyinganexquisitelyprepared,presented,andservedHighCourtfeast,buthewasperfectlywellawarethathewasabouttoacquireamostusefuladherent.HehadseenyoungKyrtian'sreactiontothedoubletemptationsofpowerandtheopportunitytoplaythehero.HehadalsonotedLadyLydiell's.Theboymightbenaive,buthismotherwasno



Kaeth'strainingmusthavebeenimpeccable;LordKyndrethonlywishedthathecouldhavegottenKaeth'strainersalongwiththebodyguard.Whentheslavegrewtoooldtoserve,itwouldbedifficulttoreplacehim,anditwouldbynecessitybewithaninferiorspecimen.

Kyndrethturnedhisbackonhisbodyguardandtookaseatbesideanillusoryfireburningintheveryrealmarblefireplaceoneofthefewillusionsinthissuite.Theflamesdancedwithrainbowcolors,andasthefire"burned,"itgaveoffapleasantscentofcedarandaloes-wood,butnoheat.

"Well,Kaeth,"Kyndrethsaidtothefire,"theboywilltakethebait,I'venodoubt.Hedoesn'tdarerefuseit."

"True,myLord."Asalways,Kaethwasaseconomicalwithwordsaswitheverythingelse."He'llacceptby

morning,Iexpect."

"He'sasgoodasIthink."Thatwasastatement;Kyndrethdidn'texpectKaethtodisagree."Theboyisgoingtobreakthedeadlockforus.TheonlyreasonAelmarkinmanagedtoconvinceeveryonethathewashalf-madwasbecausehestayedmeweduphere.Anyonewhohadbotheredtotalkwithhimformorethanhalfanhourwouldhaveknownhewassaneandbrilliant.Ifhe'dbeenoutinsociety,Aelmarkinwouldn'thavehadachanceofmakingalaughing-stockoutofhim."

"Heisbetterthanyouthink,myLord."

Astonished,LordKyndrethswiveledhisheadtolookathisnormallylaconicbodyguard."Indeed?"hemanaged.BytheAncestors,Ican'trememberthelasttimeKaethvolunteeredacomment,muchlessanopinion!Thisyoungstermustbesomethingtrulyoutoftheordinary!

"Ihaveexaminedhislibrary,hisstrategy-room,andsomeofhisownwritings,mylord.Ialsowatchedhismenwhenhecommandedthem.Itisonethingtocommandmen;itisanothertoleadthem.LordKyrtianisaleader.Menmaynotalwaysobeyacommanderoratleast,theymayonlyobeytheletterofhiscommands,butnotexertthemselvesbeyondthatbuttheywillalwaysfollowaleader."Kaeth'sunreadableexpressiondidnot



changebysomuchasahair,butLordKyndrethfanciedhe'dheardthefaintesthintofapprovalinthebodyguard'svoice.

Interesting.Veryinteresting.

Heturnedbacktothefire.Itwouldn'tdotogiveKaethtoomuchdirectattention.Theslavewasintelligent,highlyintelligent,andKyndrethneededtobeverycarefulhowhehandledtheman.Toomuchattentionmightgivehimasenseofself-importancethatcouldaffecthisusefulness."Allthemorereasontoputhiminchargeofthearmy.HalfthetimeLordLevelishastodrivethetroopsintoactionwithpainandpunishment.Ifthetroopshadsomeothermotivation,thatalonemightensureourvictory."

"LordLevelis,"camethesurprisingreply,"willbemortallyoffendedbybeingreplacedbyaLesserLord."

Again,Kaethhadvolunteeredanobservation.LordKyrtianmusthaveimpressedthemansomuchthatKaeth'scarefulself-controlwascrackingatrifle.Kyndrethlaughedmirthlessly."Byaneccentricnobody,youmean,butofcoursecannotsay.Ifhisdearcousinistobebelieved,ahalf-madnobody.LordLeveliswillhavetosurvivebeingoffended;hehasdonenothingtoendearhimselftome,hehasbungledeveryattemptatputtingdowntherebels,andheisnotoneofmyadherents.Icanaffordtooffendhim;lethispatronfindawaytoconsolehim."

Therewasnoreply;thehumanreallycouldn'treplytothestatementswithoutbeinginsolent,andLordKyndrethwouldnottolerateinsolence,evenfromaslaveastrustedashisbodyguard.



"Theboy'spositionwillbesafeenoughwhenitisclearthatIamhispatron,"KyndrethcontinuedforKaeth'sbenefit."Icouldhavehiminstalledtomorrow,ifIchose.Levelishasbungledtoomanytimes,andhewillnotdaremoveagainstmeoranyoneIchoosetoreplacehimwith."

"Perhapsnotagainstyoubutoutonthebattlefield,LordKyrtianwillnolongerbeunderyourdirectsupervisionorprotection.LordLevelismaymoveagainsthimthere;myLord,thebattlefieldisachance-riddenplace,andaccidentsdohappentoeventhemostcareful."

Well,well!Idobelievethatisanotheropinion!

KyndrethcouldnotresistthetemptationtoseewhatelsehecoulddrawoutofKaethfurtherobservations,evensuggestions?Thiswasmorethanthebodyguardhadshownofhimselfinyears

!

"PerhapsIshouldsendyoutowatchoutforhiswelfare,"hehalf-jested.

"Iwilldowhateveryoudirect,myLord,"cametheexpressionlessreply,andKyndrethsighedwithdisappointment.Kaethhadrevealedallthathewasgoingtoandprobablywouldnotventuresomuchasablandcommentforthenextyear.

KyndrethhadnointentionofassigningKaethwhowasfartoovaluablewherehewastothetaskofseeingtoKyrtian'swell-being.Theboywilleitherbeabletoprotecthimself,ornot.Andifhecannot,thenhedoesnotdeservemypatronage.Therewasthatbodyguardofhisown,afterallamanwhohadcomeveryclosetodefeatingKaethincombat.Havingthatparticularslaveinhistrainshowedacertainamountofself-preservingsense.

Leveliswouldn'tbeabletoeliminatehimuntilafterhe'dbrokenthestalemate,anyway,andbythentherealworkwouldbedone,andLeveliscouldhavehisoldpositionbackifhereallywantedit.Bythatpoint,Kyndrethwouldhavewhathewanted;creditforbreakingthebacksoftherebels,andwhentherebelsweredefeated,Kyrtianwouldbe



expendable.Stilluseful,perhaps,butexpendable.

Gelhadstoodsilentwatchthroughoutthelongmeal,listeningtotheconversationwithafaceasimpassiveasthatofthebodyguardKaethandwhentheservantsvanishedhedidthesame.

Buthedidn'tgofar.Likeeverypublicroominthismanor,therewasaspy-holewhereatrustedconfederatecouldlistentotheElvenlordswhentheythoughttheywerespeakingamongthemselves.

Hedidn'ttrustLordKyndreth.NomatterhowthatparticularElvenlordacted,hewouldneverdoanythingthatwasn'tinhisowninterest;solelyandcompletelyinhisowninterest.Hemightlullothersintobelievingthatheactedoutofsayfriendship,oreventhealtruisticwishtodosomeonewhomightde

servehelpafavor,buttherewouldalwaysbeahiddenreasonforsuchactions,andeitheralatercost,oracurrentbenefit.

ItwasmoderatelyinterestingtohearKyndrethspeakingsoopenlyinfrontof,andto,hisbodyguardKaeth.Itwasn'tunheardoforout-of-character,though;afterall,whatwastheuseofhavingafully-trainedandintelligentbodyguardifyoudidn'tmakeuseofallofhisskills?

Thespy-holewasacleverlittleconstruction,builtwherethechimneywouldhaveactuallybeenhadthefireplacebeenrealandfunctional.Therewasenoughroomtositcomfortablywithoneeartothewall,foreheadrestingagainstapaddedprojection,intheutterdarknessnotasinglepeep-hole,notevenathinlittlecracktobetraythepossiblepresenceofaspyhere.



So,thecurrentcommanderisgoingtobeanenemy.Thatwasnosurprise,thoughitwasagoodthingtohavetheman'sname.Tenebrinthcouldputsometimeintoinvestigatingthefellow.Itmightwellbepossibletocompensatehiminsomewayforthelossofhisimportantpost.

Itmightbepossibletoplacatehimwithnomorethanasimplevisit.Kyrtianplaysthehumblesoulverywell.

Themurmurofvoicesintheotherroomcontinued,andhestrainedtoheareverynuance,wishinghealsohadsomewaytoreadLordKyndreth'sthoughts.

Thecurrentcommanderisn'tKyndreth's?That'sgoodtoknow;Kyndrethprobablyknowsnexttonothingabouthim,andifKaethdoes,he'sonlysaidthatthefellowisgoingtobeinsulted.Well,insultscanbenegatedwitha

purgingdoseofhumility.IfKyrtianpaidanimmediatecallonLevelis,afteracceptingtheappointmentbutbeforeitbecamegenerallyknown,andgroveled...

MustaskTenebrinth.Thatcanbeatwo-edgedsword.

Assumingthatthecurrentcommandercouldnotbeplacatedorboughtoff,therewasapossibilitythatLeveliswouldreverttotheancientwaysofEvelon.TheElvenlordwasnotlikelytoact

openlyafterthedisplayatthechallenge-duelhostedbyAelmarkin,noonewasgoingtoissueachallengethattheyknewtheyweregoingtolose.Achallengetoaduel-by-magicwaspossible,andtherewereseveralpotentialwaysofdealingwithit.KyndrethandtheCouncilcouldforbidit.Kyrtiancouldacceptandtheduelcouldgoon,andhecouldeitherwinorloseandineithercase,Gelwouldhavetobecertainthatthestakesweren'ttoohightolose.Whatisthelimitonstakesinthesethings?MustaskTenebrinth.Ifit'sprettymuchatoken,itmightpayKyrtiantoloseanyway.

ButiftheCouncilforbadeaduelaltogetheronthegroundsthatthechallengewasspeciousandmadepurelyoutofpique,Leveliscoulddecidetotakemattersintohisownhands.ThatleftthepossibilityifLevelishadorcouldpurchaseaproperly-trainedslaveofassassination.HewishedverystronglythathehadKaethathisdisposalaboutnowanassassinwouldbethebestpossibleexpertatspottinganother.



Iwouldlikeafawn,morethanjewels.Orakittenofmyown,liketheonethatslippedinwhenwefirstcamehere.Anykindofpet.KaraandGiannawouldn'twanttosharetheharemwithananimal,though.

Karatriedanothergown,andrejecteditimmediatelynotthattherewasanythingwrongwithit,butbecauseshehadwornittwodaysago.

Well,maybeLadyLydiellshouldn'thavegivenussuchextensivewardrobeswhensheboughtusandinstalledushere,Rennatithought.Halfofallthiscostume-changingisonlybecauseKara'sgotanexcusetotryoneverythinginhercloset.

KaraandGiannatwitteredateachother;whatdidRennatineedwithabirdwhenshehadthem?"Theblack,"

shesaid,inthefirstavailablemomentofsilence."Weartheblack.It'sattherightendofthecloset."

Twoheadsswiveledontwoswan-likeneckstopeerinherdirection,bothsetsofeyes,blueandbrown,equallyuncertain."Black?"Karasaiddoubtfully."But"sheshuddered."He'llthink"

"Black'snotformourning,notwiththem,"Rennatisaid,anticipatingKara'sobjection."Iknowit'snotacolor

youusuallywear,butLadyLydiellhasperfecttaste,andshewouldn'thaveputtheblackinyourwardrobeifshedidn'tthinkyou'dlookgoodinit."

ThefairanddeceptivelyfragileKarapursedherlipsinthought."Icouldtryit,Isuppose"

Thethoughtwasmothertotheact;inameremoment,thegownofseventeenoverdressesmadeofsheerestsilk

wasinaheaponthefloor,andKaraslidtheheavysatinblackoverherheadwhileGiannapickedupthediscardedgown,shookitout,andputitbackinthewardrobe.Gianna,fortunately,hadamaniaforneatness.Karasmoothedthebias-cutgownoverherflatstomach,settledthepointedneckline,andtwitchedthelongsleevessothatthepointsofthecuffscamedownpreciselyoverthebacksofherhands,thenturnedtogazeatherreflection.



Giannawasalreadystaringinawe,herlipspursed."Oooh,Kara!"sheenthused."It'sperfect,Ren'sright!Wearit!"

Anditwasperfect;Kara'smisty-blueeyesinthereflectionwerewidewithsurpriseasshepulledherlonghairoveroneshouldertofallinasilver-giltcascadealongtheshiningblacksatin.Rennatismotheredasmile."Rememberthosesilver-and-jetornamentsthatpuzzledyouinthejewel-chest?"sheprompted."Iwouldbetthatthey'remeanttogowiththeblack."Astheothertwowomendoveforthejewel-chest,Rennatiwentbacktoherownthoughts.SheandGiannaweremorethanreadyforanypotentialcallfortheirservices;itwasonlyKarawho'dbeenindecisive.Karacouldnevermakeuphermindaboutanything,andpreferredtobeledbytheothertwo.

WhichwasfinewithRennati.Giannawasthenaturalleaderoftheharem,ifonecouldbecalleda"leader"inagroupofthree.Rennatiwasindifferenttowhotooktheleadinsuchpressingquestionsaswhattoeat,whatmusictoplay,orwhattowear.EvennowKarasatpassivelywhileGiannadecidedwhattodowithherhairandthewealthofsilverandblackornamentsthatwereobviouslysupposedtogointoacoiffure.

Giannahadbeenreadyhoursago;lastnightshehadwornaclose-cutscarletvelvetgownwithacleavageso

lowandtightthatshenearlypoppedoutofitnotthat,withhergenerousfeatures,shewasn'tperilouslyclosetopoppingoutofanythingshewore.Tonightshefavoredadustyrosethatwasnottight-fittingatall,butplungedsolowinthebackthattherewasnotasingleoneofherperfectly-sculpturedvertebraethatwasnotonshow,andasusual,shehadmadeuphermindafterswiftlyriflingthroughhercloset.Rennatihadbeenreadyevenearlier;lastnightshehadwornanemerald-greensheaththatmatchedhereyes,slittothehipsoneitherside,andtonightitwasapalegreentunicwithanasymmetricalhemandnoshoes.Shedidn'texpectLord



Kyndrethtogettoher,anyway;sheexpectedtodancewhiletheothertwoworkedtheirwilesonhim.LordKyndrethhadexpressedpleasurewithherdancinglastnight,andshehadn'tevenbeguntoshowoffhertalent.Iftheothertwooccupiedhisbed,thatwouldgiveherararemomentalonetoactivateherteleson-ringtospeakwithherrealMistress.

Shehadn'tlearnedmuchexceptthatKyndrethwaspleased,verypleased,withLordKyrtian,andintendedtobecomehispatronbutsherememberedLadyTriana'sinstructionstoreporteverything.Theyhadn'tyetbeenallowedoutofthetinyharem,thoughneitherKaranorGiannaparticularlycared.Rennatiwouldhavelikedthechancetogetout,rarethoughitmightbeforaconcubinetohavethatchance,butshehadtoadmitthat,althoughthesuitewasrelativelysmall,itwassumptuouslyappointedandshouldsatisfymostcravings.

Itevenhadwindowsgazingoutontheworld;fromthelookofthings,theirsuitewasinatower,forthewindow-seatwhereRennatiloungedwasatsomeheightaboveawide,greenlawn.Thereweretreesinthefardistance,althoughwithtwilightdarkeningtheskyitwashardtodistinguishanythingbutavague,bluishblurattheendofthelawn.Thiswasanovelty;Rennatihadneverbeeninaharemthathadaviewoftheworldshehadlastseenasayoungchild,andshespentasmuchtimeaspossibleinthewindows,watchingtherestofLordKyrtian'sslaveswalkingfromheretotherewithpurposeintheirsteps,orevenworkingonthatplushygrass.

Anythingtheymightpossiblyhavewantedhadbeensuppliedtothem.Thereweretheusuallutesandharpstoplayon,iftheydesired,ortheycouldleavetheinstrumentstoplaybythemselveswithatouchofthehandonalittlesilverstudintheneck.Iftheychosethelatter,theinstrumentssomehowalsosuppliedanaccompanimentofdrums,bells,andflutes.Therewerematerialsforembroideryandbeadwork,scents,cosmeticsofeverysort,hair-dressinginstruments,andevenbooks,thoughRennatiwastheonlyoneofthethreeofthemwhocouldreadwithanyproficiency.Thebathroomwassmall,butonedidn'tnecessarilyne

edabathonecouldswimin,andthefoodinvariablypleasant,ifnotsumptuous.Still,onedidn'tparticularlywantafeastpresentedtooneeverydayinaharem;itwasaltogethertooeasytoovereat,andthatwouldbeadisasterforthefigure.

Thedoor-chimesenttheothertwointoaflutter,andRennatirosefromthewindowseattojointhemasthey



flewintothereception-chambertogether.

LordKyndreth,tall,broad-shouldered,andhandsomeenoughforanytwohumans,strodeunaccompaniedintotheroom.Allthreeofthemdroppedtothefloorinaprofoundlydeepcurtsythemomenthisfootcrossedthethreshold.HelaughedatKara'seagerfaceasshelookedupathim.

"Well,lastnightyouwerealily,sowhatareyoutonight,hmm?"heteased."Ablacknarcissus,perhaps?"

"Iamwhateveryourlordshippleasestocallme,"Karareplied,risingfirst,withanexpressionofadoration.

Sheprobablydidn'tfeeladoration,butshewasadeptatassuminganyexpressionshethoughtmightbemetwith

pleasure.

"Asitshouldbe,"heresponded,gesturingtoKaraandGi-anna,andgatheringeachintoanarm."Comenow,lastnightIhadbutabriefintroductiontoflame-hair'sdancing,andIameagertoseemore."

Hetookaseatonacouchpiledhighwithsilkandvelvetpillows,stillwithagirloneithersidetoministerto

him.Rennatimadetheroundsoftheroom,touchingeachofthewaitinginstrumentsinturn,thensetthetimeforthedancebyclappingherhandsforameasure.Theinstruments,inconcert,struckupalivelypiece;sheletitplaythroughforfourmeasuresbeforeleapingoutintotheroomandsettingherflyingfeetintomotion.

This,ifanything,waswhatshelivedfor.Shewouldratherhavediedthannotdance.Herfirstowner,aLordofdiscriminatingtastes(sohestyledhimself)andlimitedmeans,hadgrownboredwithherpassion,andhad

decidedtodisposeofherinaprivatesaletofinancethepurchaseofanewgirltotrain.



"There'snothingatallwrongwithher,"he'dtoldLadyTri-ana,"It'sjustthatshe'salwaysdancing.I'dreallyliketofindanewgirlwhohastalentsthatarealittlemorerestful.Onedoesn'talwayswantprancingabout;it'sveryfatiguingtowatchafterawhile."

ForLordKyndreth,however,Rennati'spassionapparentlyhadthevirtueofnovelty,evenifhewassobusywithKaraandGiannathathepaidscantattentiontothenuancesofRennati'sperformance.Andlongbeforeshewasweary,hewasfullyinvolvedwiththem.Ornamentshadbeenremovedandsetcarefullyaside,alongwithafewbitsofclothing,andwhenRennatisignaledtheinstrumentstoplayquietlytothemselvesandstoleoutoftheroom,noneofthethreeevennoticed.Thatwasfairenough;she'dbeenLordKyndreth'sfirstlastnight,whichhadleftKaraout.Karanodoubtwantedachanceforabetterpresenttonight.

Rennatistoleupthestairstotheuppermoststoryofthetowerwheretheirbedroomswerenotsomuchbedrooms,ascurtained-offalcovesofaroommeantnevertobeseenbytheeyesofaLord.Heretheycouldpracticewithcosmetics,sometimestohilariouseffect;heretheykeptthelitteroftheirpreviouslives,personalbelongingstooshabbyforaLordtosee.Karahadabatteredolddoll,muchlovedandworn,andeverybitof"jewelry"sheeverowned,goingrightbacktoastringofpiercedsea-shellssomelittleboy-childhadoncegivenher,uptoherowneffortswithneedleandbeads.Therewereadozenworks-in-pr

ogressonatable,alongwithadollbeingcostumedwithbeadsandbits.Giannahadmanagedtokeepholdofallofherattemptsatartworkandkepthersuppliesandeaseluphere.Shewasmakinganattemptatastill-lifeofKara'swork-table,butKarakeptmovingthingsaround,muchtoherfrustration.

Rennatihadbooksnottheprettyleather-boundvolumesofpoetrydownstairs,butdirtyoldthingswithtorncoversornocoversatalloneverysubjectunderthesun,rescuedfromtheLord'strash-heaps.And,ofcourse,

shehadLadyTriana'steleson-ring.

Withafewhesitantwords,sheactivatedit.

Itwastoosmalltoallowapicture;itsentandreceivedvoicesonly.Asshehadbeentoldtoexpect,thefirst



voicewasunfamiliar.

"Whocalls?"thevoiceasked.

"Rennati,"sherepliedbreathlessly,alittleastonishedandalittlefearfultobeholdingathingofsuchgreatmagicinherhand.

"Ahwaitonemoment.LadyTrianawillwishtospeakwithyouherself."

Thering,aberylliketheoneinhercollar,fellsilent.Rennatiwaitedpatiently;solongasnoonecameupheretointerrupther,shewouldwaitforaslongasshewastoldto.Elvenlordswerebusy,anditwasnotreasonabletoexpectonetodropwhatevershewasdoingsimplytocomeandhearwhatamereconcubinehadtosay.

Finally,"Speak,"saidanimperiousfemalevoicefromthering.

"IhavebeenheresinceyouragentsentmetoLadyLydiell,"Rennatisaidinstantly."Iamwithtwootherconcubines,inatower,inasmallharem.Icanseeoutsidefromthewindows,butIhavenotyetbeenallowedtoventurepastthedoor.LordKyrtianhasbeenhereonceonly.HeisentertainingLyonLordKyndreth,whowas

herelastnightandisherenow.LordKyn-drethisgoingtobecomeLordKyrtian'spatron.HetoldKaratonightthatLordKyrtianhaspleasedhimandthatwemustnotexpecttoseeverymuchofourmasterforsometime,sinceheisgoingtogoawaytotakechargeofanarmy."



Therewasanoddlaugh."Well,thatratherputsakinkinmyplans;ifhewon'tbethere,youwon'tbeabletolearnmuchfromhim.Ontheotherhand,ifyoudomanagetogetout,youcanseeagreatdealmorewhenthelordhimselfisaway.Andthisothernewsmorethaninteresting.Itakeitthatthisisallyouhaveformefornow?"

Rennatinodded,forgettingforamomentthatshecouldnotbeseen,thenhastilysaid,"Iamsorry,butthatisindeedallIhavelearned."

"Itisnotagreatdeal,butthequalityisgood,andIampleased.Notifymethemomentyoulearnanythingmore.Youmaydeactivatetheringnow."

Obediently,Rennatipassedherhandoverthering,shuttingoutthelightfromt

heroomforamoment,whichturneditintoanordinaryberylagain.Thensheplacedtheringinthedarkestcomerofherjewel-box,andhurriedbackdownstairs.

Afterall,itwasnottoolatetoearnanothergenerouspresentfromLordKyndrethandmoreimportantly,hemightbeinclinedtotalkafterwards.Elvenlordorhuman,iftheydidn'tsleep,theywereallofteninclinedtotalkafterwards.

13

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Thesunshiningdownonthetopofthehighesttowerofthelady-keepimpartedadrowsywarmthtoLady

Moth'sbackthatshewasthoroughlyenjoying.Shehadalwayslikedthegentleheatofthesun;herlatehusbandhadoncescornfullyaccusedherofbeinghalf-lizardforthewaysheenjoyedbaskinginthegarden.Butevenifithadbeenthedeadofwinter,shewouldhavebeenuphere,forthiswastheonlyplaceontheentireestatethatgaveanunrestrictedviewdownintothevalleybelow.Andwhatshewatchedthroughtheeyepieceofherbitofantiqueequipmentwasfascinatingindeed.Therewasnobreezetostirthesilken,silvery-bluefoldsofherdress,



ordisturbthesimple,straightfallofherhair,nortomakebreezeswavedistantbranchesbetweenherandtheinterestingscenesofarawayinthevalley.Shefeltsorryforthetinylittlefiguresthatsheknewbytheirdrabtunicswerehumanslaves.Firstonebrightly-coloredcreatureinscarletparadedthemoutandsetthemtoworkinthekitchen-garden.Thenasecondappeared,cladinaviolentblue,fartoosoonforthemtohaveaccomplishedmuch,andmarchedthemofftodrillwithweapons.

Thenathirdemergedfromthestables,thisoneinbronzesatin,andranthemoffintothefarm-fields.Whatthosepoorbewilderedslavesmustbethinkingnow,shecouldnotevenbegintoguess.

"LadyMorthena?"saidadiffidentvoicefrombehindtheEl-venlady."Whatareyoudoing?"

LadyMothtookhereyeawayfromtheeyepieceoftheold-fashioned,gold-and-bronzetelescope,andturnedtosmileathermostrecentguest.

"Iamusinganolddevice,mydear,"shesaidtotheyoungerwomaninakindlyvoice,knowingthatLadyViridinawouldneverhaveseensuchathingasatelescope."Infact,itdatesquitebacktoEvelonoratleast,thelensesinitdo.Itiscalledatelescope,andalthoughInormallyuseittoexaminestars,atthemomentIam



usingittospyuponourneighbors."Shepattedthelongcylinderofbronze,withornatecurlicueschasedintothemetalandinlaidwithgoldwire,foritwasaveryoldfriendandlong-timecompanion.

LadyViridina'spalebrowwrinkledwithpuzzlement,withafaintfrownonafacethatwasattenuatedbylongillness."Whyareyoubotheringtodothat?"shewondered."Theyalreadytellyoueverything,don'tthey?"

"That,mydear,iswhatIamascertainingformyself."LadyMothputhereyebacktotheeyepiece,andcontinuedtomakementalnotesonthemovementsoftheYoungLords'slavesoutsidetheGreatHouse."Inpointoffact,Iratherdoubtthattheyaretellingmeeverything.Forinstance,thereseemstobesomedisagreementdownthereaboutjustwhoisinchargeofwhat.JustduringthetimeIhavebeensittinghere,Ihaveseenonehaplessgroupofslavesherdedfromoneuncompletedtasktoanothe

rbythreedifferentYoungLords."Shechuckled,andherlaughterwasechoedfaintlybyhercompanion,whopattedtheknotoflong,silverhairatthebackofherheadself-consciously."Thatiswhatcomeswithage,Viridina;suspicion.Istoppedtakingthingsatfacevalueavery,verylongtimeago."

"SodidIbutthedifferencebetweenus,Ithink,isthatyoufoundotherwaysoffindingoutwhatyouneededtoknow,andIdidn'teventry,"Viridinasaidruefully,twistingherhandsinthefinesilkofherflowingand

many-layeredvioletgown."IfIhad,perhaps"

Shedidn'tfinishthesentence,butLadyMothwasnotabouttoallowhertosinkintoself-recrimination."Ifyouhad,Idoubtthatitwouldhavemateriallychangedanything.YouandIwerefirmlyunderthethumbsofourunlamentedLords,andnoknowledgeorevenforeknowledgewouldhaveallowedustochangewhathappenedtous.Knowledgeisnotalwayspower."Shesmiledagain."Ifitwas,fondasIamofmyTower,itwouldbeLadyMothwhoruledthemanordownthere,andnotthatrabbleofYoungLords."

LadyMothhadknownverywellthattherewasgoingtobeaslaverevoltwhentheYoungLordsstagedtheirownrevolutionagainsttheirelders.Herownslaveshadtoldher.Shehadalreadytakenherselfoutofherdisagreeablehusband'shome;shehadmadeabargainwithhimifhegaveherthelady-keep,whichhadbeentheDowager-Houseattachedtohisestate,shewouldmakenotroubleforhimwhen



hefiledadivorcementwiththeCouncil.HehadhiseyeonaveryyoungElvengirlhistasteshadbeguntoruntothebarely-pubescentinthepastfewyearsandhewasheartilytiredofthewifewhocouldnotorwouldnottakehimasseriouslyashethoughtheshouldbetaken.

"IwishyouhadmanagedtotaketheManor,"LadyViridinasighedwistfully."Ihatetothinkwhatdamagethosecarelessboysarewreakingtoyourbeautifulhome."

LadyMothonlyshrugged."Ihaveanequallybeautifulhomehereandmuchmoremanageable,"shepointedout."It'sprobablyjustaswellthatIdidn'ttry."

Forherpart,shehadbeensoheartilytiredofherlordthatgiventhatshewouldnotberequiredtoremarryandcouldhaveanestablishment,howeversmall,ofherownshewaspreparedtoall

owhimtosaywhateverhepleasedaboutherinordertoobtainhisfreedom.Shesuspectedthathewouldclaimshewaspleasuringherselfwithhumanslavesbutasitfellout,henevergotthechance,soherreputationsurvivedintact.

"MayIlook?"Viridinafinallyasked,allowinghercuriositytoovercomeherreticence.Mothjustlaughed,showedherhowtofocustheinstrument,androsesothatDinacouldtakeherseat.

Moth'shusbandhadnotevenlivedtoencountertherevolt,thoughwithoutadoubt,ifhehad,heandhissonwouldhavebeenonoppositesidesoftheconflict.Herson,whohadsuddenlybecomeasconservativeashisfatheroncehewasintherulingseat,hadmanagedtobeslaughteredalmostimmediately,andherdaughterhadfledafteranabortiveattempttorulethemanorherselfhadfailedmiserably.LadyMoth,aswasthetraditioninherfamily,hadalwaystreatedherslaveswithconsiderationandrespect,entirelyasiftheywereservants,not



slaves,andasiftheywerefreetoleaveherserviceiftheychoseto.ShehadtakenallherslaveswithhertotheTower,everyslaveforwhichshecouldconcocteventheremotestexcusetohavewithherafactwhichprobablywouldhaveprovidedamplefodderforherhusband'saccusations.Oncethere,shehaddeactivatedtheelfstonesinalloftheircollars,makingthemmerelydecorativeshams,andtoldthemfranklythattheynowwerefreetogoorstay.Theyall,toamanandwoman,chosetostay.Whentherevoltwasatthebreaking-point,herslaveshadtoldher.Theyhadfortifiedtheplace,shehadarmedthosewhoknewhowtouseweapons.Together,theyhadoutfacedrebelliousex-slavesandYoungLords.Infact,herburlyyoungguardscalledher"littlemother,"andtookasmuchcareofherasifshehadtrulygivenbirthtothemunlikeherownoffspring.

"Whynotusescryinginsteadofthisdevice?"Dinaasked,movingthetelescopetogazeatanotherpartofthevalley.

"Because,mydear,theplaceisadequatelyshieldedagainstscryingoh,notbymagic,byallthatironandsteelthey'vemanagedtocollect."Shestareddownatthevalley,onefingertappingherlipsthoughtfully."Verycleverofthem,actually;therearen'tthreeofthemtogetherthatareamatchforasingleoneoftheOldLords,butthemetaldoestheirworkforthem."

Needlesstosay,herson'smagichadnotbeenenoughtosavehimfromenragedan

dmistreatedhumanswhocameinthemiddleofthenighttobeathimtodeathinhisownbedespeciallynotwhentheyarrivedbedeckedinthinironarmbands.

Duringthechaosoftherevoltitself,someofherson'sslaveshadescapedtoher;therestfledtotheWizardsandthewilderness.WhenmorearmedbandsofescapedslaveshadcomeupontheTower,herpeopleprotectedandguardedherwhileshestoodreadytousedeadlywar-magicsifitbecamenecessary.Sheknewaboutthe

effectsofironandsteel;shewouldnothavemadeanyattempttoblastattackers,unlikethosefoolishElvenlordslikeDina'shusband.Sheplannedtoblastholesintotheearthbeneaththeirfeetortousehermagictolaunchlargeandheavyobjectsatthem.Mostofheranxietyhadnotbeenforherself,butforherpeople,iftheycouldnotconvincetheirfellowhumanstogoawaypeaceably.Shedidn'twantthemhurtonherbehalf,andshedidn'twantthemtohavetowitnesswhatshemighthavetodotoprotectthemall.



Dinastood,andrelinquishedherseatwithasmile."Verycleverofyoutoknowthethingsthatcan'tbeinterferedwithbythatmetal,"shesaid,asMothtookherseatagain.

"Notclever,dear,onlyresourceful.IfIwereclever,I'dhavemanagedtofindawaytoeavesdroponthem."Thatirritatedher;shestillhadn'tmanagedtoinsinuateareliablespyintotheirslave-stock.

ShewasnotentirelycertainwhatherpeoplehadtoldmaraudersduringthosefirstweeksoftheRevolttodissuadethemfromattackingtheTower;thereprobablyhadbeenseveraldifferentstories,specificallytailoredtoeachgroup.Itwastrueenoughthatafew,selectescapeeshaddecidedtoswelltheranksofherownfolknodoubt,becausetheywereunwillingorunabletomakethestrenuousjourneyoverthemountainstoanuncertainandprobablyuncomfortablybarbaricexistenceinthewilderness.

Notthatsheblamedthemintheleast.Shehadalwayshadanampleportionof"Lady-magic,"andalthoughherhusbandhadnotbeenawareofthefact,shewashisequalintherealmsofElvenmagicusuallytaughtonlytomen.Haditbeennecessary,shecouldhavedefendedtheToweraswellasmanyElvenlords,andprobablybetterthanmost.Now,hermagicwenttoensuringthecontinuedsurvivalofherdiminishedestate.Shedideverythingneededtoensureexactlytherightweatherforthefarmfields,shewentoverthefieldsandgardens

dailytomonitorandencouragegrowthandhealthinplantsandanimals.Shehadtheknowledgeandthelongmemorytotellthemwhattheyneededtodo,andwhen.Theytrustedher,herlearning,herjudgment,herexperience.Thatwaswhatshehadbroughttothetable;theyhadbroughttheirlabor.Returningtothegrandtraditionofherfamily,theyhadworkedtogethertomakesurethatElven-bloodandhuman-bloodprospered.



"Isthereanythingyou'dlikemetodothisafternoon?"Dinaasked,diffidently.

Mothexaminedherfriendcarefully.Therehadbeenmoments,inthosefirstdaysafterViridinatookrefugewithher,thatshetrulyfeltthatViridinawouldneverbeentirelysaneagain.ButDinawasstrongerthanMothhadfirstthought;evenafterescapingmurderatherLord'shandsandseeingherLordincineratedvirtuallyatherfeet,shehadnottrulyhadabreakdownofhersenses.Ittooktimeandcarefultending,butshehadrecovered.Mothdecidedthatitwastimeforhertohelpdoherparthere.

"Wouldyoumaketheroundsofthekitchen-gardensforme,dear?Iwouldreallyappreciateit,andIknowyoumusthavetendedyourowngardensthousandsoftimes.Ineedn'ttellyouwhattodo."MothfeltherselfbothjustifiedandrewardedwhenDina'sfacelitup.

"Gladly!Ihavebeenfeelingso"shegesturedfrustrationwithbothhands"souseless.Andaburdenonyou."

"Youhaveneverbeenaburden,"Mothliedgracefully.Dinaonlysmiled,recognizingthelie,andthegraciousnessbehindit,andturnedtogobackdownthestairs,hersleevesandtrailinghemflutteringbehindher.

Aftermostoftheescapingslavesweregone,butbeforeMothhadachancetomoveherselfandherpeoplebacktotheGreatHouse,theYoungLordshadmovedin.Occasionally,evennow,shecursedherselfforhesitatingbutontheotherhand,theGreatHousewasmuchlessdefensible,andevenwithhernewfollowers,shestillhadreallynotenoughpeopletoadequatelystaffandrunapropertythatwastentimesthesizeofthatattachedtotheTower.

TheYoungLordshadtakenovertheabandonedestate;theyhadbroughttheirownslaveswiththem.LadyMothwasnotentirelycertainwheretheyhadgottenthoseslaves;manyofthemseemedterriblyyoungfortheworktheywererequiredtodo.ShesuspectedthattheYoungLordshadraidedthebreeding-farmsofsomeoftheOldLordswhilethelatterwereoccupiedwiththefighting,carryingoffhordesofconfusedandfrightenedcreaturesbarelyoutofchildhood.



Poor,poorthings,shethought,takingonelastlookthroughthetelescope,herlipstightening.Well,atleastthereareenoughofthemtodotheworktheyareorderedtodo,andtheyaresavedonehorror.Theirmastersaretoobusywiththeirownconcernstoabusethem;confusionistheworsttheyhavetoface.

ThereasonshehadaskedDinatotakeherplacein"working"thegardenwasthatshehadanappointmentwiththeYoungLordsquitesoon,anditwasboundtobestressful.Shehadcomeuphereinthefirstplacetogetalittlemoreinformationbeforeshefacedthem;nowitwastimetochangeintoariding-habitandmaketheshortjourneyovertotheirstronghold.

Shechoseherclothingcarefully:atailored,severehabitofstarkblack,withonlythebaresthintsofsilveratthe

cuffsandthroat.Shedressedtointimidate;thelastthingshewishedtobethoughtwas"feminine."Hergroombroughtherhorsearound,alongwithherguards,andshemountedandmadetheshortjourneytowhathadoncebeenherhome.

Shewasaccompaniedbyfourburlyyoungmenhumans,notElves,andhumansthatworescale-armorofiron,notbronze,andhadostentatiouslybarenecks.Mothhadplayedthegameofwitsandtreacheryforcenturiesbeforethesestriplingshadeverbeenborn.

Theywere,oneandall,lessthanacenturyold;whenshesweptintothemeeting-chamberinhertrimsable-silkridinghabit,herhairinanuncompromisingknotboundinablacksilksnood,withallfourofherescortsflankingher,theyfoundthemselvesrisingfromtheirseatsdespitewhatevertheiroriginalintentionshadbeeninthewayofgreeting.



Shepausedatherseat,lookedgravelyupanddownthetablewithanunreadableexpression,andonlythendidshesitwhichinturn,allowedthemtoresumetheirseats.Shemightnotbetheleaderhere,butintheirhearts,theyallacknowledgedherpower.

Whichismorethantheirfatherswould.Thenagain,sheprobablywouldn'teverusetacticsthiscrudewiththeirfathers.

Shelistenedwithoutcommenttothereportsoftheirprogressorlackofitagainsttheirfathers.Thesituationwasclearlyatstalemate,andhadbeenforsometimenow.Thiswasnotnecessarilybad,andhadtheyaskedheropinion,shewouldhaveadvisedpatience.Whenthereisstalemate,itisoftenpossibleforfrustrationtodriveonesideortheothertomakeacrucialmistake.

But,ofcourse,theydidn'taskheropinion,andshedidn'tofferitsinceitwasclearthattheywouldnotbelieveamerefemalewouldhaveanyexperiencerelevanttothe"man'swork"ofwarfare.

Asiftheyhaveany!shethought,withoutamusement.Butwarfarewasnotwhyshehadcometothismeeting.Eventuallytheygotaroundtothetopicshewishedtocover,intheformofasi

nglecasualcommentbyoneoftheleastintelligent(tohermind)ofthelot,occasionedbyoneofherbodyguardsstiflingacoughatoneofthemorefatuoussuggestions.

"LadyMorthena,"saidLordAlrethane,withafrownonhisface,"Ireallydonotknowwhatyouarethinking,allowingarmedanduncontrolledslavestocontinueinyourservice."

"Theyarenotslaves,theyaremywillingservants,"shecounteredsmoothly."IfindthatIsleepbetter,knowingthatmysleepisguardedbyfaithfulpeoplewhoservemefromloyaltyandnotbecausetheyareforcedto."

"Loyalty?Loyalty?"Alrethaneexploded."Areyouactuallyascribingacivilizedemotiontothesesimple-mindedbarbarians?They'reabarestepabovethebeasts!"



Anotherdiscreetcoughremindedhimthathewasinsultingpeoplewhowerefreemen,armed,andprotectedwitharmorthatwouldstopbothmagicandblades.Hestopped,abruptly,andavertedhiseyes.

"Hehasapoint"someonesaid.

Morthenalookedupanddownthetableagain,examiningexpressions,andwasdisappointed.

So.Nothinghaschanged.Shehadhopedthatsome,atleast,oftheYoungLordswouldhavestartedtoseesense.Insofarasthehumanswereconcerned,theYoungLordswereoftwocamps;themajorityascantmajority,butenoughheldhumansandhalfbloodsinthesamecontemptasdidtheir

elders.Theminority,ledandcoachedbyLadyMoth,wantedtoseehumansandhalfbloodsgivenequalstatuswithElves.Sofar,noneofthosesheconsideredtobe"wavering"hadchangedtheirminds.Shehadhopedthatthisparticulardisplay,showingjusthowfarshetrustedherpeople,wouldhavehadsomeeffect.

Atleasttheminoritysawtoitthatthehumanslavesownedbytherestwerenotmistreated.

AndtherehavebeenenoughchancesalreadythatthosewhohadthecourageandinitiativetoescapetotheWizardshavealreadydoneso.

Theslavestheynowhadprobablyservedoutoftheusualmixoffearofthecollar,aninabilitytoimaginethatanythingcouldbedifferent,andaninabilitytogettheirhandsonanyironorsteelwhichwouldrenderaslave-collaruseless.Shesuspectedthatitwastheformertworeasonsthatwerethestrongest,sinceanyonewhoreally



wantedthemetalringsthatwouldnegatethecollarscouldhaveonefromMoth'speoplejustbyasking.Pitywouldonlytakehersofar;iftheslavesherecouldn'tlookbeyondtheirfear,iftheydidn'thavethebasicintelligencetoimaginesomethingdifferentfromtheircurrentlife,shecouldn'thelpthem.

Iwon'tpresstheissueanyfurther;ifIdo,I'llonlyweakenmyownparty,andiftherestoftheseyoungfoolsturnonme,Iwillhavetobarricademyselfwithinmyownlandsandhopetheygrowboredwithme.Therewouldbenopointintryingtoflee;IamnotatallsanguineaboutthelikelihoodofafullEl-venlordfindingawelcomeamongtheWizards,evenifDina'schildrenareamongthem.

HerthoughtsweremomentarilydistractedbythatreminderofDina'schildren.PoorDina;shehadn'theardanythingfromthemsincetheypartedfromheronMoth'sdoorstep.Itwas,afterall,justaslikelytheywerein

hidingsomewhereotherthanamongthehalfbloodedWizards.Onlyoneofthemwasahalf-bloodanywayLorryn,theboy.Sheyrenawasoffullelvenblood,andshecouldnotimaginethegirlbeingwelcomedbytheWizards.

It'slikelythatalthoughLorrynmighthavebeenabletoconvincetheWizardsthatSheyrenawasnotactuallyanimmediatedangertothemwhenhefirstencounteredthem,hewouldneverbeabletoconvincethemthatRenaiscompletelyharmless.Andifhecouldn'tconvincethemthathisownsisterwas

n'tgoingtobringdisasteronthem,he'dneverbeabletomakethembelievethatanancientElvenladylikeMothwasontheirside.

Poor,poorDina;sheworriedsomuchaboutthem,althoughshetriednottoshowit.TheoneregretthatMothhadwasthattherewasnowayforhertodiscoverifDina'stwochildrenwereallright,orevenwheretheywere.

Itisthemostlikely,actually,thatRenaisensconcedsomewhereoffinthewilderness,farfromElvenlord,human,orhalf-blood.Shehasmagicenoughtokeepherselfsafewell,accordingtoDina,shehasmagicenoughtocontrolalicorns!AndLorrynwouldneverallowhertocometoharmorsufferanywantifhe'swiththeWizards,he'llseetoitthatshe'sgotfoodenoughandshelter.Inaway,sheenviedthetwoyoungsters.IfI'dhadtheyouthandtheopportunity,I'dhavegonerightoffthemap.Theworldiswide,afterall;wideenoughto



Oh,theyoungfools.

Theroomshenowentered,oneofthefinestlibrarieseverassembledinthisworld,was(hadtheyonlyhadthewittorealizeit)fullofinformationtheYoungLordscouldusetohelptheirowncause.Shebreatheddeeplyofthescentofleather,vellum,parchmentandpaper,tookalonglookaroundtheshelvesthatherhusbandhadonlyseldompermittedhertoaccesswhilehewasalive,andsettowork.

Manyoftheoldestbookshadnotbeentendedinfartoolong;shewouldnotpermitanybook,howevertrivial,tosufferfromtheworm'stoothorthedecayofage.Whenevershewashere,shespentafewhoursincleaningandrestoringthoseancientbooksnomatterhowtrivialtheyseemedtobe,therewasnotellingwhensomescrapofknowledgeinthemmightproveuseful.

Mostofhertime,however,wasspentinlookingfortheonesthatshewouldrathernotleavetothecuriouseyesoftheYoungLords.

LadyMothhadhelpedyoungKyrtian'sfatherwithhisresearchinthisverylibraryonceortwicebeforehisdisappearance,and.shewaswellawarethathehadknownbetterthanshewhatlayhere.Sheonlyknewwithinherownbookswasasetofvery,veryancientworksthatKyrtian'sfatherhadconsultedinhissearchesfor

ancientsecrets;shedidnotknowwhichbookstheywere,norwhattheyheld.

Nevertheless,sinceshehadbeenforcedtoquittheplace,shehadbeendeterminedthatatthefirstchanceshewouldgetinhereandfindthemagain.SincetheYoungLordsgothere,shehadbeenusinghervisitstofindeachandeveryoneofthosepreciousvolumesandtakethembacktotheTower,afewatatime.WhateverwasinthemhadledtothedeathofoneErven-lord;shesuspectedthatwhathehadgoneseekinghadsomehowkilledhim.Whichimpliedthatthesecretstobefoundinthosebookscouldbev

ery,verydangerousindeed.

NoneoftheYoungLordscaredwhatshedidinthere.Soassheworkedonthetaskofkeepingthelibrarycleanedandpreserved,andsheferretedoutthosepreciousfewbookssothatoneday,perhaps,shecouldpresentthemtoKyrtian,theywerecompletelyoblivioustothevalueofwhatshewastakingoutright



underneaththeirverynoses.

Ishallhavetodosomeresearchofmyown,I'mafraid,shereflected.Adangeroussecretwasexactlywhatshewaslookingfor,afterall;therewereafewoldhalf-rememberedstoriesofthingsthathadbeenabandonedrightaftertheCrossing,andtechniquesthathadbeenforgotteninthehastetofindandbuildasecurehaven.

Forherpart,atthemoment,shewouldbehappytofindsomewaytocommunicatewithhernephewotherthanbytelesonormessenger.

Shehadjustbeeninformedthismorningofaverydisturbingrumorasyetunconfirmed,butshehadbeenhopingtohearsomethingeithertoconfirmordenyitattoday'smeeting.OneofherservantstookperiodicandveryriskyventuresintothelandsstillheldbytheOldLords,comingbackjust

afterdawnwiththesituationasviewedfromtheEnemy'svantageandhehadtoldherthattherewasareportthatKyrtianhadtakencommandoftheOldLords'army.

Ifthatwastrue

Ifthatistrue,thentheothersidehasmadeadesperategamble,andallunknowinghashitupontheonething

thatwillprobablygivethemvictory.Andthethingis,theseyoungfoolswillbedeadcertainthatputtingKyrtianincommandoftheEnemyisgoingtobetheonethingthatwillensuretheOldLords'defeat.Youngidiots.

Ifonlyshecouldspeaktohim,andpersuadehimthatshewasoneoftherebels,surelyhewouldthinktwiceabouthiscurrentallegiance!



Idon'tdareuseatelesonthosearetooeasilymonitored.Andnoneofmyhumanshavethehumantypeofmagicthatletsthemtalkmind-to-mindwitheachother.AndIwon'tsendoneofmypeoplewherehemightbecapturedorconscriptedintothearmy.Itisaterriblepositiontobein.

Shewasgoingtohavetostartstudyingtheseoldtomesherself.

Afterall,itwasafarbetterideathansittingwithherhandsfolded,waitingfordisastertoovertakeallofthem.

Besides,shedecidedfirmly,shovinganotherancientvolumeintothesaddlebagforherguardtotakewithhim.Iwillneversitbywithfoldedhandswhilethingsfalltopieces.

notevenifsomeonetiesmeintothechairandbindsmyhandstogether!

14

---

IntheheartoftheCitadel,thehomeofthehalfbloodedWizards,Lorrynignoredthedroneofvoicesaroundthetableandtookjustamomenttomarvelathissurroundings.Itseemssostrange,evennow,tofinallybemyself.Noillusions,nocarefullyhidingwhatIamInspiteofeverything,allthehardships,allthedanger,eventhesillyaggravations,Lorrynwasnotsorrytobehere,amongHalfbloodslikehimself,atlast.

ThismostspaciousofcavernsintheirnewhomethattheWizardsusedasameeting-hallwasapleasantplaceinwhichtofindoneselfsolongasnoonewasmeetinginit.Apeculiarityofthecavernsallowedawonderfulflowoffreshairthroughhere,solongascertainopeningsthatservedasdoorsandwindowswereleftopentocatchthesummerbreezes.Lastwinterthingshadgottenalittlestaleinthisroom,andwithsuchahighceilingittendedtobedankandchill.



Unfortunatelyforhissheerpleasure,therewasameetinggoingon,andLorrynwasgladthathehadampleexperienceinkeepingapleasantexpressionplasteredonhisfacewhilehehimselfwasnotfeelingintheleastpleasant.Hehadaheadachelikeatightbandaroundhishead,andhehadinsertedhistongueatriflebetweenhisteethtokeepfromgrindingthemandmakingtheheadacheworse.

HowisitthatCaellachGwainhasmanagedtofindtheprecisenasalwhinebestcalculatedtosetmynervesonedge?heaskedhimself,ashenoddedaffablyattheelderWizard.Heactuallycouldn'tmakeoutmorethanhalfofwhatthemansaid,thankstotheweirdacousticsintheplace,butthenhedidn'thavetolistentoCaellachtoknowwhathewasgoingtosay.Themanislikeatelesonstuckonendlessrepetitionofthelastthingitsent.

Thiswassupposedtobeameetingabouttheprogressmadeinsettinguptheshee

pandcattlefarmbelowtheCitadel,butCaellachhadtakenitoverasusual.HewasintentonlyonrecreatingasmuchoftheoldcomfortofthefirstCitadelintheirnewhomeashecouldmanage,andhehadtakentheopportunityofabriefallusiontotheoldCitadeltoairhisusualgrievance.



Whichis,ofcourse,thattheWizardsarenottreatedlikeEl-venlordsoftheHighCouncil.Oldfool.Hasn'thefiguredoutyetthatwhenonegrouplordsitoveranother,theunderlingsaregoingtowanttostrikeback?

Theoldman'slitanyofcomplaintswasasfamiliartoLorrynasthetextureofthewoodentablehestaredatashecontrolledhistemperandhisexpression.Thebeginning,middle,andendofCaellach'stroubleswereseatedinhisowngreed.HewantedalltheeffortoftheyoungerWizardsandthehumanstogointomakinghimascossettedashehadbeenbeforethesecondHalf-bloodWar.Hedidn'tcarethattheyhadtobeself-sufficientnow,andcouldn'tstealmagicallyfromtheElvenlordsanymore.Hedidn'ttroublehimselftothinkthatitwasfarmoreimportanttoseetotheraisingofsheep,goatsandcattle,thecultivationoffields,thantoscrubanoldwizard'sflooronadailybasis.

AndheabsolutelyhatedthatthemajorityoftheHalfbloods,votingdownCaellachandhiscronies,hadmadetreatiesofalliancewiththeIronPeopleandwiththeTraderclans,givingthemthestatusoffullequalsandhonoredpartners.Thesewerefullbloodedhumanswhohadthestatusoffullequalsandhonoredpartners.Thoughhedidnotdarecomeoutandsaysodirectly,thisattitudeincensedCaellachandhisilk,fortotheirminds,thehalfbloodedWizardswereclearlysuperiorineverywaytomerehumans,andthus,shouldbetreatedassuch.

Andweshouldallberunningandfetchingforthem,tendingtotheircomfort,givingthemofourselvesandthefirstfruitsofourlabors,soastorewardthemforthefatiguingeffortoftheirmagicsonourbehalf.Lorryn,whowasnotonlyhalfbloodedhimself,buthadbeenbroughtupasanElvenlordwithalloftheattendantprivileges,foundCaellach'sattitudejustasinsultingandabsurdasanyofthehighlyindependentIronPeopleorTraderclanfolkdid.Therewasnothinginherentlysuperioraboutawizard.Yes,theyhadmagics,butsodidthehumans.AndsincetheyhadbeensettledhereinthenewCitadel,theolderwizardshadnotexertedthemselves

onceforthecommongoodexcept,rarely,toteachsomeofthechildrenhowtousetheirpowers.

RatherthanlisteningtoCaellach'swords,Lorrynlistenedtothetonebehindthewords.He'ddiscoveredhepossessedaninterestingknackforferretingouttheemotionsandmotivesbehindwhatpeoplesaid,providedthattheyweren'tasskilledatcoveringthemselvesashewas.Heheardinjured



self-esteemandaffrontthatwasexpectedbuthealsoheardfear,andthatwasinteresting.Hehadnotanticipatedthat.

Ishouldhave,though,hethought,raisinghiseyesandstudyingCaellach'sexpressionasthemanshiftedhiseyesawayfromLorryn'sdirectgaze.Caellachwaslookingabitunkempt,nowthattherewasnoonetowaitonhim.Hisclothing,theusuallongrobeaffectedbymostoftheolderWizards,wasabitstainedandfrayedaboutthehem.Hisgreyhairwasbrushed,butnolongerhungabouthisshouldersinakindofthickmantleinstead,itwasheldbackuntidilyinatail,anditseemedtoLorrynthatithadgottenabitthinatthetemples.Peopledotendtoreacttonewthingseitherwithinterestorfear,andreally,IthinkCaellachGwainistoohideboundtoreactwithinteresttoanythingnew.

LorrynalreadyknewthatCaellachwasafraidofthedragons;thatwasabundantlycleartoanyonewithhalfan

eye.TheoldWizardwouldn'tsetfootoutsidewhenthereweredragonsaboutintheirnaturalform,andasfortheonesshiftedintohalf-bloodorhumanshapewell.Iftheytookseatsononesideofthetable,itwasasafebetthatCaellachwouldplacehimselfasfarfromthemasphysicallypossiblewhilestillremainingatthetable.

HisdislikeoftheTradersandtheIronPeoplewasalittlemorecomplicated,andhardertounderstand.Lorrynletafewoftheoldwizard'sactualwordsladenwithangerandapprehensionsiftinpasthisownthoughts.

Whatintheworldhadtheoldman'strewsinawad?

"andhowdaretheydemandpaymentinadvance,muchlessatall,for"

Ah.Thatwasenoughtogetthekey.Lorrynhadthetailofthetree-snakenow.Caellachwasn'tincensedthathewasexpectedtopayinadvanceforthegoodsthattheTradersbroughtherehewasangrythathewas



expectedtopayatall.PossiblybecauseCaellach'sonlyavailablecoinwas,quitefrankly,debased.Hewasn'tthemostpowerfulWizardanymore,hewasn'tthemostskilled,andhisgreedhadledhimtoexpendmostofhisenergiesonhisowncomforts,leavinghimwithlittlethathecouldusetobarterforthingshewanted.

"Andasforthosebarbarians"

Thirdlegtothestool;hewasincensedthattheIronPeopleshowedhimnodeferenceatallanddidn'tneedhismagic.

ThoughwhyCaellachshouldthinkthatamobofill-regulatedcave-dwellingrefugeesshouldconsiderthemselvesmorecivilizedthanawell-regulatednomadicpeoplewasbeyondLor-ryn'simagination.But

prejudicehasnothingtodowithlogic.PerhapsitwasbecausetheIronPeoplewerecompletelyunimpressedbytheWizards.Theydidn'tneedWizardstodefendthemselvesfromtheElvenlords;theyhadtheirironornamentsandapowerfulwarriorclass.Nottoputtoofineapointonit,theyhadactuallyheldtwoElvenlordsasenslavedprisonersforthepurposesoftheirownamusement.ThemostthatCaellachGwainhadevermanagedwastoescaperelativelyunscathedfromthem.

Thathadbeenanearthing,too.Caellachandhiscronieseitherdidnotrealize

,orwouldnotadmit,thatitwasn'ttheEl-venbane'sfaultentirelythattheoldCitadelanditsdwellershadbeendiscovered.TheWizardshadbeendancingontheedgeofaknifeforaverylongtime,whatwiththeirpilferingsfromtheElvenlordsandall.SofarastheElveswereconcerned,therewasonlyonekindofgoodhalfbloodadeadone.Halfbloodsweren'tevensupposedtoexist,andmostoftheElvenlordswereutterlydevotedtomakingcertainthattheydidn't.Lashana'sactionshadonlytriggeredtheavalancheofElvenretribution,notcausedit.

Andifithadn'tbeenforherquickthinking,andherdraconicfriends,thewizardswouldn'thavesurvivedit.

Whatwasmore,theyweren'toutofthewoodsyet.Aslongasthehalfbloodedwizardslived,theElvenlordswouldtrytoeliminatedthem,treatyornotreaty.IfCaellachGwainandhiscirclethoughtanydifferently,they



weredeludingthemselves.

NotthattherewasanythingnewinthenotionofCaellachGwaindeludinghimself....

Finally,Caellachranoutofthingstosay,andsatdown.Lor-rynhadveryquicklyfiguredoutthatallowingtheoldWizardtorantandwhine,whileunpleasanttolistento,generallyhadthesalubriouseffectofmakinghimsilentfortherestofanymeetingofwhichhewasapart."Thankyou,Caellach;yourexperienceis,asalways,apparenttoallofus,"hesaid,graciously.Caellachbegantopreen."Yourobservationsarecontinuouslyfascinating."Heignoredthegrimacethatoneoftheyoungerhalfbloodsmadeathimfrombehindtheshelterofonehand,andthespasmsthatcrossedseveralotherfacesinanefforttokeepfromburstingoutintolaughter."NowI'dliketoputthematteroftheproposedupperpastureforthegoatstoavote.Allinfavor?"

EvenCaellachraisedhishand,seduced,nodoubt,intothinkingthatthegoatswouldlookafterthemselves,andnotrequireshepherds,nowthattheyhadsomeofthehugecattle-dogsraisedbytheIronPeopleattheirdisposal.Lorrynmadecertainthattherewerenodissenters,andnodded."Good.We'reallagreed.Halfden,wouldyouseeaboutfindingsomevolunteersforthejobandgettingthemtometobeinterviewed?"Heneededhumansforthistask,preferablychildrenwiththeabilitytospeakmind-to-mind,sothattheycouldcallforhelpiftheysawanything,oriftherewassomethingouttherethatneithertheynor

thedogscouldhandle.

MoreoftheservantsthatCaellachGwainthinksarehispersonalproperty.

Halfden,oneoftheolderex-slaves,nodded,andLorryncalledthemeetingtoaclose.

Butlikeitornot,hewasn'tquitedonewithCaellachatleastsofarasCaellachwasconcerned.



Asheroundedacorner,someonejumpedathimfromtheshadows.Instinctivelyhesidesteppedanddrewhishiddendagger,withadefensivemagicmeantdeflectalevin-boltalreadyinplace.

"You'regettingbetter,"Shanalaughed,leaningagainsttherockwallwithherarmscrossedoverherchest,lookingquiteasifshehadnotbeencatapultingherselfacrossthehallwayfromanaturalnichejustatthelevelofhisheadamomentbefore.

"Ishouldhopeso,"heretorted."Youcertainlygivemeenoughpractice.Wereyoulisteninginonthemeeting?"

"Iwasandyouareagenius.AndsomesortofmagethatIhaven'tquitefiguredout."Shetiltedherheadtotheside,quizzically."HowyoumanageCaellachandhowyoumanagetonotstrangleCaellachisquitebeyond

me."

Lorrynlaughedandofferedherhishand,whichshetook."Nomagicjustpolitics,"hetoldher."Verbalself-defense.Ididn'tspendmuchtimeamongtheschemersandplotters,butIdidhob-nobwithsomeofthemand,ofcourse,Ialwayshadtobeabletoplacatemyfather.Ilearnedearlyhowtosaynothingwhileseemingtosayeverything."

Shesqueezedhishand."It'sstillsheergenius.NomatterhowhardItry,Ican'tmanagepeoplehalfaswellasyoudo."

Heglancedasideattheyoungwomancalled"theElven-bane."Shedidn'tlooklikethestuffoflegends;herscarlettressesweretiedupontothetopofherheadinaverypracticaltail,whichsheoftentossedlikeanimpatienthorseplaguedwithflies.Herhandsomefacewasnothinginbeautycomparedtothehomeliestof



elvenladies,andherfigurewassowell-muscledthatmostofthemwouldhaverecoiledinhorroratthenotionoflookinglikeher.Todayshehadonasleevelesstunicofleatherandapairofcoarseslaves'-clothtrewsbuttohiseyes,shecouldn'thavelookedbetterifshe'dbeenenrobedinhissisterSheyrena'spresentation-gown.

"Ihopeyouaren'tbotheredbymetakingonallthesemeetingslikethis,"hesaid,hesitantly."You'resupposedtobetheleader,Iknow,but"

"AmIjealous?Oh,FireandRain,getthatideaoutofyourheadthismoment!"sherepliedwithalaugh."IneveraskedtobetheElvenbane,youknowandtheonlyreasonbesidesthatstupidlegendthatpeoplepayanyattentiontowhatIthinkisthatIthinkquickerthantheydo.Handlingtheoldgoatsisnotajobthatrequiresquickthinkingandyouhavethe"Sheconsideredforamoment,headtiltedtooneside."the'manner

born'ishowI'dputit.Yousaythings,andpeopledothem,insteadofarguingwithyouaboutit."

Hethoughtthatifshewasdissemblinginanyway,hewouldbeabletotell;hewasgettingprettysensitivetohernuancesnotthatshehadmany,forshewasastrikinglyopenperson.No,sheseemedtobehappywithhimtakingherleadershiprole.

"IfIcouldfindadoubletoplayElvenbaneforme,I'ddothatinaheartbeat,"shecontinuedonwards,obliviousofhisscrutiny,"AndthenIcouldjustbeShanaagain."

"SpeakingofjustbeingShanaohcraftyone"heledherdownasidepassagethatbroughtthemoutontothetopoftheCitadel,intothewarmairandsunshine,wheretheycouldsitandtalkwithoutbeingoverheard.

Shedidn'tflingherselfdownontothegrassassheusuallydidwhenbroughtoutside."Craftyone,hmm?Iknowwhatthatmeans."Shesaunteredcasuallyupthehillalittlewaystoagrassyknollwithashade-treeatopitdownwindofthehalf-hiddenentrance.Nowtheycouldspeakwithoutbeingoverheard.Onlythendidshedropdownintothegrassinthesun,withallofthepleasureofherfoster-motherdragoninbasking.



"Askaway,"shesaid,asheploppeddownbesideher."I'vejustspentthebetterpartofthemorningtalkingtoKemanbutIneedyourhelptoreachShadow."

Shana,freedfromtheresponsibilitiesoftheday-to-dayrunningoftheCitadel,wasconcentratingonthevastlymoreimportantprojectofcollectingintelligencereports,bymeansofamplifiedtelepathy,fromKemanandsomeoftheotherpeoplesheandLorrynhadoutinthegreaterworld.AlthoughitwouldnotbepossibletosendeitherahumanorahalfbloodintothemidstofElvestospyunderaspellofillusion,thehalfbloodswerenotlimitedtoillusionaslongastheyhaddragonswiththem,forthedragonscouldactuallyshifttheirshapetoappearlikeanyoneoranythingtheyliked.Shana'sfoster-brotherKemanandhisprobablemateDorawereShana'sshapechangedspiesamongbothcampsofElves.

"Yourmotherisnotonlydoingwell,sofarasDoracantell,she'stakingover

someofLadyMoth'sdutiesonthehome-fields,"Shanatoldhim,smilingathissighofrelief.Itmightnotbethemostimportantpieceofinformation,butitwastheonethatwasmostlikelytorelievehismind."Dorathinksthatshe'sprobablywellovertheshockofwell,youknowbynow."

"IknowIdoheradisservicebythinkingofherasbeingsofrail,"hereplied,chafingonefingeragainstanothernervously,"Butthat'showshelooks.Andshe'smymother"

"Youcan'thelpbeingprotectiveofyourmother,Iknow.Ifeelthesamewayaboutmymother."Bythis,shemeantnotherrealmother,whopresumablyhadbeenanElvenlord'sconcubine,butherfoster-mother,whowasadragonandnotmuchinneedofanyone'sprotection.ButLorrynrefrainedfromsayingthis.

"Isthereanychangeinthesituationthere?"heasked,andShanashookherhead.



"Stalemate.TheOldLordscan'tbreakinandtheYoungLordscan'tbreakout.Occasionalskirmishesandfeints,butnothingworthtalkingabout.LadyMoth'snoclosertogettingtheYoungLordstoseethathumansarewellpeople.Anduntilshedoes,they'regoingtobeignoringtheoneresourcetheyhavethatmighttipthescalesintheirfavor."Shanasoundedcuriouslyindifferenttothesituation,moreasifitwasachessgamethatshewasobserving,ratherthanplayingin.Lorrynwonderedhowshecoulddetachherselffromitsoeasily.Hecouldn't.

"Now,ontheothersidethere'ssomethingjustcomeupthatKemanthinksisgoingtogivetheOldLordstheadvantage,andamajoroneatthat."Shetossedherhead,andher"tail"switchedlikeanimpatienthorse's."They'vegotanewcommander,andfromwhatKemansays,he'sabsolutelybrilliant."

Therewasnoindifferenceinhervoicenow,andhesatupabitstraighter."Anewcommander?Who?Ithoughtthattherewasn'tanOldLordinthelotthatcouldcoordinateaproperattack!"

"KemansayshisnameisKyrtian.KyrtianV'dyllLordPras-taran."Sheturnedherheadtolookkeenlyintohisemeraldeyeswithherown,themarkoftheirElvenlordbloodalongwiththepointedearsandElvenmagics.

"Heardofhim?"

"Vaguely."Andthat,inandofitself,wasinteresting.ItsuggestedthatforsomereasontheHighCouncilhadelevatedanobodyintoapositionofmajorimportance,withnostepsinbetween."IthinkhisfatherwassupposedtobeascholarIknowtherewassomethingwhenIwasachildaboutLordPras-taranwhovanishedoffintheWasteLandsbetweenhereandthesiteoftheGatethatbroughtusfromEvelon."Hewavedvaguelyinasoutherlydirection."Hekeepskepttohimself,andhissondidthesame.Until

now.Andwhy,onewonders?"

"Apparently,becausehe'sbrilliant.AndaccordingtoKeman,becausehe'sgotawayoftrainingslavestobesoldierswithouttheuntidyprocessofhavinghalfofthemcuttoribbonsinorderthattherestgetexperienceinfighting."Shedrammedherfingerssilentlyonthesideofherleg."Andyourea



lize,ofcourse,thatthisisnotgoodnewsforus."

"No."Thatwasclearenough;ifthisKyrtianwasasbrilliantasShanasaid,hewasn'tboundbytraditionhewouldusewhatworked.BeingencasedintraditionlikeachrysalisnevermeanttobeopenedwastheonlythingthatkepttheOldLordsfromhammeringtheirless-experiencedoffspring.

"AgoodcommanderwiththeresourcesoftheOldLordsbehindhimcantakethedefensesoftheYoungLordstopieces,"shecontinued,turninghergazeinthedirectionofElven-heldlands.

"Whenhedoesthat,he'llhaveprovedhimselftohismasters,"Lorrynagreed."Anditwon'ttakethemanytimeatalltobreakthetreatyandsendhimafterus."Hefelthisstomachturnoveruneasily."Idon'tsupposeyou

haveanygoodnewsforme,doyou?"heaskedplaintively.

Sheshookoffherownsombermood."Iknowwhatyou'rethinking,andyou'reright;untilweknowsomethingaboutthisKyrtian,thereisnopointinimaginingallthethingshemightormightnotdo.Besides,MeroandRenaaredoingverywellforus,andtheIronPeopleseemtolikethemagreatdeal."

"TheIronPeoplehelpedusholdofftheElvenlordsthelasttimewithoutactuallygettinginvolved"Lorrynmused,feelingabitlesshag-riddenatthethoughtofanotherconflictwiththeElvenlords."Iftheyjoinedusthistimebetweenthemandthedragons"



"ItmightbetheElvenlordsdoingtheretreating,"Shanafinishedforhim."OneofDora'slairishelpingthemtofindgrazingandoreandlatelytherehavebeensmallgroupsof'wild'humansturningupwhospeaksomedialectthattheIronPeopleunderstand."

"DoyousupposetheycouldbewhatisleftoftheCornPeople?"Lorrynasked,hiscuriositynowpiqued.

Shanashrugged."TheycouldjustbeTradersweknewalreadythattheIronPeoplehavehadsomecontactwithTraders.Kemansaystheyareslowlybringingintheirfamiliesanddependentstojointheencampment,andsomeofthemhavebeensayingit'ssaferthanhidinginthewilderness.Theydoknowfarming,though"

"Grazingandfarmerstohelpwithcrops."Lorrynpulledagrassstemtochewonit

."ThatwouldsuittheIronPeopledowntothebone.They'dprefertomakeasettlement,iftheycan.It'shardtorunproperforgesunlessyou'resettled.DidyoutellMeroaboutthisnewElvencommander?"

Shenodded."Itoldhimtopasstheinformationon,asheseesfit.There'sbeenacomplication;wereallyneedtofindareliablesourceofiron.MeroandRenacan'tdoanythingaboutfindingsome,andifwe'regoingtokeeptheIronPeopleasallies,wehavetogetadragontofindusamine."

"Thatremindsmewe'vegotaniron-relatedproblemofourown."LorrynwishedprofoundlythatCaellachGwainwasn'tattheheartofsomanyofhisproblems."ThereisanotherproblemamongthewizardssofarasCaellachGwainandhiscroniesareconcerned."

"Themagic-twisting."Shanamadeaface."Well,we'veknownaboutthatforaslongaswe'vehadanyamountofironaroundus;youjustincreaseyourfocustogetaroundthewaythemagic

warps.OryouusethewarpI'veseenOrienactuallylobalevin-boltaroundacorner!What'stheproblem?"

"Youngerwizardscanlearnhowtodealwithit,becausethey'reusedtousingsemi-preciousstonesasfocuses.Caellachjustdoesn'twanttheironaround,atall.Sofarashe'sconcerned,it'sonemoreChangeintheWayThingsWere,andthat'swhathewantstogobackto."Lorrynsighed,andfelthi



sheadachecomingback.WhywasitthatsomanyoftheproblemsseemedtobeginandendinCaellachGwain?

"He'sjustlazy,"Shanasnorted.

"WellIagree,heis,butnotalloftheolderwizardsare,andthey'rehavingthesameproblemsadjusting.Andtheyaren'tcomplaining,they'rejustsufferingquietly."

"Suffering?"Shanaraisedaskepticaleyebrow.

"Well,notsufferingthen,butit'shardfortheoldones.Theyaren'tasfit,theyaren'tashealthy,andit'sharderforthemtolearnnewthings.Noneofit'soutofstubbornness."Hefeltverysorryforthemhe'dseensomeofthemstrugglingtouseafocus-stonetodothingsthatpre-adolescentswereacco

mplishingwithoutathought.He'dwatchedthemsufferwithachingjointsandcoughsandcoldsfromlivingincavernsratherthanthecomfortableroomsoftheoldCitadel.Mostimportantly,he'dseenthemdisheartenedandfrustrated,thinkingthatafteralloftheiryearsinhiding,theywerenowconsideredtobelittlebetterthanuseless.

"Iknow."Itwasherturntosigh."It'snotfair,isit?Ifitwasn'tforthem,Iwouldn'tbehere.ButIdon'tknowwhattodoaboutit.Wecan'tstopthingsfromchanging"

"No,butletmethinkaboutthisone."Heofferedherashysmile."You'vesaidityourself;you'retheonethat'sgoodwithplansandstrategy,I'mtheonethat'sgoodwithpeople.Maybewecanfindawaytoturnallthistoouradvantage."



"How?"Thatskepticallookagainbutthistimehehadjusttheglimmeringofanidea,andhemethergazefirmly.

"Idon'tknowbutthere'salwayspossibilities,aslongasyoukeepyoureyesopenforthem."Andonthatpositivenote,hegottohisfeetandofferedherhishand."Let'sgotakeawalkandblowthecobwebsoutofourbrainsbeforewegobacktowork."

"Cobwebsdogetinthewayofclearsight,"sheagreed,tohisgreatpleasure."AndIcoulduseawalkwithyou."

Andthoselasttwowordsincreasedhispleasuretenfold.

15

Renahadbeenworkinghardmostofyesterday,changinggrassesandleaveswithherelvenmagicintosweettreatswithwhichtheIronPeoplecouldlureintheyoungbullsfortheirfirstlessonsinbeingaccustomedtosaddlesandbeingridden.Horsescouldbebrokentosaddleitwasnotthebestwaytoteachthem,butitwassuccessfulbutbulls,never.Theirstubbornnaturesandthegreatcouragebredintotheirlinemadeit

impossibletobreaktheirspirit,sotheonlywaytotrainthemfortheirdutiesaswar-bullswastobeginbytemptingthem,gently,intocaptivity,andrewardingthemforeverysignofcooperationwiththeonethingtheyalwaysrespondedtofood.Morespecifically,atreat,atastetheycouldn'tfindontheirown.Likepeople,cattlehadasweettooth,andnowthatRenawasactingasanenvoytothesepeople,shewasdeterminedtodoeverythingthatshecouldtobringtheweightofdebtovertothewizards'sideofthescales.Ifthatmeantthatshespenthalfadaychanginggrassintothegoodieswithwhichthebull-trainerscouldrewardtheiranimals,sobeit.

Themagicthatelvenladiesweretraditionallytrainedinwasagentleartoftransformation,whichtheyusuallyusedtotailorgarmentsseamlesslytofitlikesilkenskins,tosculptflowersintogossamerandfantasticshapes,ortomakeothercosmeticchanges.Renahadlearnedtouseittoturntherelativelyinedibleintoedibleandtastyand,atneed,tostopabeatingheart.Ithadlatelyoccurredtoherthatsh



ecouldalsouseittostartaheartthathadstopped,orperhapstocurediseaseormendawound,butshehadnotyethadtheopportunity(orthecourage)totry.

Thenormalnoiseofthecampwokeherjustafterdawn;thesoundsofvoicesandcooking,thefar-offlowingofthecattleherds.ShelivedwiththeIronPriest,Diric,andhiswifeKala.ThegreatfriendoftheElvenbaneLashana,halfbloodedMero,whowasopenlycourtingRena,alsolivedwiththem,butKalawatchedoverbothofthemwithassternaneyetoproprietyasifRenawastheirownchild.DiricandKalahadgiventhemseparatesleeping-chambersonoppositesidesofthefamilytent.Renafoundthatreassuring;raisedasashelteredelvenmaiden,isolated,forthemostpart,fromallmalesbutherbrotherandfather,sheenjoyedMero'sattentionsbutshewasalsouncomfortablyshyaboutbeingcourted.Notthatshewantedhimtostop!Bynomeans.Butshewasnotyetpreparedtogoanyfurtherthanahesitantkissortwo.

Still,wakingupinthecoolofthedawn,withthebustleofthecamparoundherandabreathofbreezecarryingthescentsofgrassandthesmokefromdung-fireswaftingundertheskirtsofthetent,shefeltjustalittlelonelyinhersolitarybed.

Lorrynisn'tsoshybutthen,Lorrynisn'tagirl.Shesighed.IwishIwaslikeShana.Shanaisalwayssostrong,sobrave,andsheneverworriesaboutwhatpeoplewillthink.ShewonderedifShanaandLorrynshared



abed;shewondered,inthefreedomofthoughtthatbeingonlyhalf-awakelenttoher,justwhatwentonwhenonedidshareabed.Mero'scarefulkissesandcaressessentstrangesensationsthroughher;pleasant,ohmyyes,butstrange.Surelyitwasn'twelllikethecattle,orthebirdsofhergarden....

Herthoughtsdrifted;shelistenedtothecheerfulvoicesofwomenpreparingthemorningmealoutside.Shelikedthesoundoftheirvoices;theyweredeeperthanthoseofthewomenshewasusedto,eventhehumanslaves.Lovely!Insteadofthatannoyingbird-liketwitter,thiswasamelodiousmurmur.

Then,ofcourse,themoodwasbrokenasachilddidsomethingwrong,itsmotherraisedhervoiceinascold,andanotherchildbegantocryinsympathy.Renawokeentirelyatthat,andlaughedatherselfandhernotions;howtypicalofanelvengirltotryandcastaspeciousglamorieoversomethingrichandsatisfyinginandof

itself,iflessthanperfectandnotatalltranquil.

Shestretched,yawned,andwriggledoutofherblankets,givingherselfaquickwashintheleatherbucketofwaterthatstoodjustinsidetheflapthatconnectedherportionofthetentwiththatofDiric'swife.TheIronPeopleworelooseandcomfortableclothingperfectlysuitedtotheirnomadicwayoflife.KalahadfittedRenaoutwiththeoutgrownclothingofhereldestdaughterwellsuitedtotheslimbuildofanelvenfemale.Womenofthesepeopleeitherworeasimilaroutfittothemenloosetrouserswithadraw

stringwaistandasleeveless,v-neckedshirtorlong,embroideredgownsfittedtothewaistwithapairoftiesintheback.Ineithercase,thecolorswereearthyandbold.Renacouldnotimagineanythinglesslikethegownsshehadonceworninthebower,withtheirtrailinghemsandsleeves,tightly-lacedwaists,andpastelcolors,allinthemostdelicatesilksandsatins.

Todaysheslippedintooneofthedresses,awarmbrownlinenthatwouldhavemadeherlooklikeableached-

outlittlewaxdollifshestilllookedlikethepallid,timidgirlwhohadescapedfromherfather'smanor.Butalthoughshestillhadthepalesilver-gilthairofthatgirl,herskinwasawarmivory,sunkissedandglowingwithhealth,andtherewasnothingthatwasbleachedaboutheranymore.

Shesighed,though,asshepulledthedressonoverherheadandtiedthestrapsbehindherback.Herfirstduty,



todayasever,wastoseeifshecoulddoanythingwiththecaptiveElvenlord,Haldor.

Asiftherewasanythinglord-likeabouthimnow!

NeitherHaldor,norhisfellow-captiveKelyan,wereentirelysaneanymore,butHaldorwasworse.WhensheandMerohadcomebacktothecampoftheIronPeople,oneofthefirstthingsthatDirichadrequestedofherwastoseeifanythingcouldbedoneaboutthetwocaptives,whohadbeentakenbythegreat-grandsiresofthecurrentIronPeopleandpressedintoserviceasentertainers,usingtheirmagictocreateillusions.Theyclearlycouldn'treleaseeitheroftheElves,foreveniftheyweren'tmentallycompetentanymore,theystillknewtoomuchandtheycouldn'tgivethemovertotheWizardseither,atleastnotinRena'sopinion.Inthetimethey'dbeengone,Haldorhadlapsedintoastuporortorporandcouldscarcelyberousedenoughtoeat.IthadfallenuponhisfellowcaptiveKelyantotakecareofhim,butatleasttheywerenolo

ngerforcedtoentertaintheIronPeople,andthankstoRena'stransformativemagicstheirdietwassomethingotherthancurds,milk,andmeat.

Shehatedgoingnearthem,totellthetruth.Shewasn'tafraidofthem,buttherewasn'tanythingshecouldreallydoforthemeither.Shehadtherathersickfeelingthattheywerebothtoofargonetohelp.Ifonlytherewassomewaytowipetheirmindscleanofeverythingthathadhappenedtothemsincethey'dbeencaptured!Thentheycouldbeputtosleepandsetdownbyadragonsomewhereperhapswhereoneof

theEl-venlords'trading-caravanscrossed

Shepaused,onehandonthetent-flap.That'snobadidea,shethought,struckbythenotion.AndmaybeMeroistheonewhocoulddojustthat!Mero,likeallthehalfbloods,hadboththemagicsofhishumanmother,and



thoseofhisElvenfather.ThehumanmagicsincludedtheabilitytounderstandthethoughtsofotherscouldMerochangethemaswell?

Sheliftedthepartition-flap,intendingtoaskhimassoonasshesawhim,buttoherdisappointment,hewasnowheretobefound.NeitherwasDiric,forthatmatter;onlyKalawasinthepartofthetentthatservedasacommonareaforeatingandsocialfunctions.TheIronPriest'samplewifewasbentoverherbreakfast-preparations,andlookedupatRena'sentrance,herteethshininginastartlinglywhitesmileagainstherdarkbrownskin.

TheIronPeoplewereunlikeanyhumansthatRenahadeverseen;theirskinswereablack-bronze(nearertoblackthantobronze)andtheirebonyhaircurledmoretightlythansheep'sfleece.Nomads,thoughnotbynature,theydescendedfromalonglineofcattle-,goat-,andgrel-breederswho

sereligionandlivescenteredaroundtheirforges.Inthelong-agowhentheEl-venlordsfirstcametothisworld,theyhadaclosealliancewithanotherhumanraceoffarmers,nowvanished,calledtheCornPeople.TheIronPeopleprovidedthe"meaty"sideofthedietaryequation,theCornPeoplethegrainsandvegetables.TheIronPeopleworkedinleatherandmetal,theCornPeopleinpotteryandfabric.ThentheElvenlordshaddescended,anddrovethemore-mobileIronPeopleintothesouth,presumablyaddingtheCornPeopletotheirlonglistofslave-nations.

"ThereisanothergroupofCornPeoplecome,"Kalasaidcheerfully."DiricandMerohavegonetospeakwiththem.Iexpectthembackbeforetoolong;theywentoffwithoutanyfood,andIhaveneveryetseenamanwhocandowithouthismorningmealwithoutbecomingcross."

Renalaughed,andwentoutsidetotheirlittlefiretohelpKalawithhermeal-preparations.

EversincetheIronPeoplehadarrivedinwhatnowappearedtobetheirancientpasturage,thisplainbelowthemountainswheretheWizardsandTraderkinlived,smallgroupsofpeoplewithflax-coloredhairhadbeendriftingintotheircamp,claimingtherightofancientalliance.TheyresembledthedescriptionsthatLorrynhadreadintheoldhistories,andtheycertainlyspokealanguagesimilartothatoftheIronPeople,sotherewaseveryreasontothinkthattheyweretheremnantsoftheCornPeople.



CertainlyDiric'sfolkbelieveditandwelcomedthemaslong-lostkin.MerowasperfectlypleasedtoseethemcomingtotheIronFolk;iftheoldalliancecouldbere-established,withtheCornPeoplefarmingpartoftheplainsforgrain,thefiber-cropsofhempandflax,andvegetablesastheyoncehad,theIronPeoplewouldhaveonemorereasontosettle.Therewasplentyofgoodgrazinghere;alltheyneededtobeperfectlyhappywasasteadysupplyofironore.

Ifwecaninducethemtosettleifwecouldjustworkoutawaytofindthemenoughiron!shethought,helpingKalabyspreadingthethinbatterformorningcakesonthehotstonethatservedherasanoven.Allofthefamilieshadsuchastone,flatandblack,polishedsmooth,whichservedasacookingsurfaceortokeepfoodsorliquidswarm,andtheywerecherishedastheimportantobjectstheywere.Thethin,toughpancakesthattheyusedforbreadwerecookedonthesestones,eggscouldbefriedatopthem,pots

ofteaorsoupkeptwarmonthem.Theywereburiedincoalstoheatthemforcooking,thecoalsandashesbrushedtoonesidewhenthesurfacewasneeded.

Renaspreadthebatteratopthestonewithcircularmotionsofahornspoon;Kalaperformedthetrickiertaskofjudgingwhenthethincakesweredoneenoughtopeeloffandflip,andshediditwithfingerstoughenedbymanyyearsofworkingatherownjewelry-forge.Renawouldn'thavedaredtotry;she'dhavecomeupwith

blistersonthetipsofeveryfinger.

Thefinishedcakes,paper-thinandtasty,weretossedintoabaskettowait.Breakfastwasalwayscakes,milk,alittlecheeseormeat,andwhateverfruitcouldbefound.Therewerebramblesouthere,andtheberrieswerejust



comingripe.Renaherselfhadgatheredsomeyesterday,aftercheatingabitbysofteningthethornswithhermagicsothattheywouldn'tstickherwhileshegatheredthefruit.

Justastheyfinishedthelastofthebatter,theyheardthevoicesofthetwomen:Diric'salow,cheerfulrumblelikethewheelsofaheavycartonabumpyroad,Mero'sacleartenor.

"Ihaven'tanyideawherethis'LordKyrtian'camefrom,"Merowassayingastheycamearoundthesideoftheroundtent."Therecertainlywasn'tanyElvenlordcommanderbythatnamewhenIhadanyregularcontactwiththeElvenlords."

BythatRenarealizedthatMerohadbeencatchingtheIronPriestuponwhathe'dbeentoldlastnightwhenShanahadfinallybeenabletoreachhimwithherthoughts.

"Butthiscanmeanverylittletous,"Diricobjected,thenpausedtobendandgivehiswifeamorning-kissbywayofagreeting.Hewasatall,round-facedhuman,heavilymusclednotsurprising,giventhathewasthechiefPriestofareligionthatcenteredaroundtheforge.Renawasnogoodatjudgingtheagesofhumans,butMerosaidheguessedthatbothDiricandKalawereprobablyintheirfifties."Kala,myrock-dove,theyoungonetellsmethattheDemonshaveanewWar-Captainintheirbattlewiththeirownrebelliousyouth.Thisone

seemstohaverathermoresensethanthelast,andismakingprogressinhiscampaigntobringthemtoheel.Meroisconcernedthatthiscouldmeantroubleforus."

"Thiscanhaveverylittletodowithus,"Kalaagreedcomplacently."Except,perhaps,good.Letthemconcentrateoneachotherandforgetthatwearehere."

"Butthat'sjustwhatwon'thappenifthisKyrtianissuccessful,don'tyousee?

"Meroobjected,asRenanoddedvigorously.

Butthegray-hairedIronPriestonlyshookhishead."Timeenoughtobeconcernedifithappens,"herespondedwithashrug."MypeoplewillbemorefretfulthattheirforgesaredarkthanthatsomewaramongDemonshaspossiblytakenanotherturn."



MerobithislipandlookedtoRenaforhelp,butshecouldn'tofferhimany.Diricwasright;theIronPeoplehadn'thadtoengagetheElvenlordsincombatforgenerations,andlegendswereunlikelytoarouseanyanxietyintheirheartsatthispoint.Butthelackofironfortheirforgeswasaproblem,andacurrent,evenurgentone.

ItwasaconcernfortheWizards,aswelltheYoungLords'RebellionhadbeengroundedonthefoundationoftheironjewelrythattheIronPeoplehadmadeandtheWizardshaddistributed.Wearingthisjewelry,therebelsnotjustyoungersons,buttheabusedandreviledLesserLordswithverylittlemagic,whooftenweretreatedasbadlyasanyhumanslavewereprotectedfromtheGreatLords'magic.Forthefirsttime,theywereabletoactwithoutfearoflevin-boltandparalyzingpain,andacttheyhad.

Butthathadusedupthescantstoreofrawiron,andtheIronPeopleweregrumblingaboutthelackofmaterialtoworkwithandwonderingiftheirsacrificetohelpsavetheWizardsbygivingtheGreatLordsanewthreattoworryabouthadbeenworthit.Sofar,theonlybitsofironthatthedragonshadbeenabletofindhadbeencoaxedoutofthegroundanddroppedasrawlumpsbetweentheterritoryclaimedbytheWizardsandthestrongholdsoftheElves.Theyformedabarrierofprotection,difficulttofindanddisruptivefaroutofproportiontotheirsmallsize,andtheWizardswereveryreluctanttoremovethem,howeverbadlytheIronPeoplewantedthem.

TheplainfactwasthattheIronPeoplewerenotgoingtomakeanymoreoftheirjewelryfortheWizardsunlessanduntiltheWizardscameupwithmoreiron.Andthesupplyofjewelrytosneakinamongtherebelshadlongagorunout.Howmuchmoredisruptioncouldbeaccomplishedifsimpleirontorquescouldbesentinamong



thehumanslaves?Thoseironbandscouldnegatethemagicthatcontrolledtheslavesthroughtheircollarswiththem,escapescouldbesuccessful,andeventhetakeoverofanentireestate.Withoutthemnothingwouldchange.IfthisLordKyrtianmanagedtoconquertheYoungLordsbypowerofarmsalone,theWizardswoulddesperatelyneedanotherdiversiontokeeptheElvenlordsoccupied,andthehumanslavescouldonlylookforwardtomoreabuse,morerepression.

Diricatehisbreakfastwithaplacidface,oblivioustotheconcernsofhisguests."TheTrader-peoplearetocome,also,atlast,"heoffered,betweenbites."OneofthenewCornPeopletoldmethattheywerefollowingnomorethanafewdaysbehind,withburdensoftrade-goods.Iameagertoseethem,andIthinktherestwillbealso."

Renasmiled,despiteherconcerns."Ihavenodoubt,"shereplied,thinkingoft

heexcitementthateachnewboatloadofTraderscausedamongtheWizards.

"Theyaregoodpeople,"Merooffered."Youwon'tbesorrythatyoudecidedtoopenfulltradewiththem."

"Soyousaidincouncil,thoughtherearestillthoseofmyfolkwhothinkweshouldsimplytakethemasslavesandhavethemandtheirgoods."ThegleaminDiric'seyeremindedRenathatthe

IronPeoplewerequiteusedtotheideaofhavingotherhumansasslaves.Thereweren'tmanyslavesamongthetents,mostlytonPeoplewhohadbeensoldbytheirparentsorwhohadsoldthemselvestorepaydebts,buttheydidexist.Merohadbeenrathertakenabackwhenhediscoveredtheirexistence.

"AndIpointedoutthen,asIwillrepeat,thatitwillbefarmoreprofitabletotradehonorably.Ifyoutakethemandtheirgoods,"MeroremindedtheIronPriestshrewdly,"youwillonlyhaveafewslavesandthegoodsthey

carried.Nomorewillcometoyou.Butifyoutrademorewillpourintoyourcamp,andyouwilllikelybeabletobarterwhatiscommontoyouforwhatisworthagreatdealtoyou."

"Eh,now,didIsaythatIdidnotfeelthesameway?"Diricasked,ingenuously,pretendingthathehadneverevenentertainedthenotion,althoughbothRenaandMeroknewhowhardtheyhadarguedtoswayhimtotheir



wayofthinking.ThiswouldbeonemoreholdontheIronPeople,onemorereasonforthemtostayhereinsteadoflookingforanotherspottosettle.Rightnow,withagrowingnumberofvoicescallingforanothermovetosomeplacethatmighthavemoretoofferthanjustwaterandgrazing,theTraderscouldprovidewhatMeroandRenaneededuntilsomehow,somewhere,theycouldcomeupwithasourcefortheall-importantiron.

TheTradersarrivedridingonofallimprobablethingspack-grels.Theseincrediblyuglyanimals,long-legged,long-necked,withbulgingeyesandblubberylips,servedthetrading-caravansintothedesertcommandedbytheElvenlords,butMerohadhardlyexpectedthattheTrader-clanswouldhaveany.Upuntilthispoint,hehadthoughtthattheytraveledexclusivelyafootoronwater.

TheIronPeoplewerejustassurprised,andevenmoreexcitedtoseeahalf-dozenofthecreaturestheythemselveshadoncedependedon.Intheoldestchronicles,theIronPeoplehade

venbeenreferredtoasthe"grel-riders."Itwasonlywhentheyhadbeendrivensouththattheyhadlostthegrels,whichhadnotsurvivedthearduousjourneyandthenewpeststhatthecattlehadshruggedoff.

Thegrelswerelessenthusedtoseethesenewdark-skinnedhumanstheyhadnolongtraditionofassociation,andtheyshiedandbellowedattheunfamiliardarkfaces,muchtotheIronPeople'sdisappointment.

"I'msorry,buttheyaren'tverybright,andtheythinkanythingtheydon'trecognizeisgoingtoeatthem,"thegrel-handlerkeptsaying,overandover,stumblingalittleovertheunfamiliarsyllablesoftheIronPeoples'tongue.Eventually,whenthebeastsrefusedtocooperate,thecuriousgotovertheirdisappointmentandsettleddowntoserioustrading.



Eachsidelaidoutthegoodsthattheyhadbrought.TheIronPeopleofferedhides,driedmeat,baskets,ornamentalbead-work,skilledleatherwork,hornbows,andweaving.Theyhadlinenflaxgrewabundantlyontheplains,andoutridersmadesurethatthecattledidn'tdevouritbeforethewomenhadachancetogatherit.Theydidnothavesheep,althoughtheydidhavegoatsandwereskilledatspinningandweavinggoat-hair.TheTradershadrawwool,glass,stone,andpotteryobjects,flourandsalt,someveryspecificwoodproductslikelongbowsofyew,whichthewarriorswereveryimpressedwithandarrowheads,whichwerealwaysinshortsupply.Theyalsohadsomecoppertrinkets,copperpots,andafewingotsofcopper.Butmostofall,ofcourse,theIronPeoplereallywantedironmorethananythingelse,andattheinitialtradingsessionitwascleartoRenathattheyweredisappointednottoseeany.

Still,theycoveredtheirdisappointmentwell,andtradingonthefirstdayproceededbriskly.Attheendoftheday,Halkan,thespokesmanandleaderofthisparticulargroup,invitedtheimpo

rtantmembersofthetribetodinnerinhistent,andincludedMeroandRenainontheinvitationmoreoutofpolitenessthananythingelse.TheTraderclanshadasetoffirmagreementswiththeWizards,anditwasn'tasifhecouldhaveexpectedanythingnewoutoftwoenvoystotheseodd,ebony-skinnedfolk.

MerohadneverseenanactualcampoftheTraderclansbefore,andlookedaroundwithlivelyinterestastheyaccompaniedDiricandKalatothemodestfeast.TheIronPeoplelivedinroundtentsconstructedofhidesand

felt;theTradershadsquareandrectangularpavilionsofsturdyheavily-waxedcloth.Beneaththewax,randompatternsofblotchesofgreenandbrownhadbeenpaintedonthecanvas,andhethoughtthatitwouldbedifficulttospotsuchtentsinthemiddleofaforest.Outhere,ofcourse,theylookedabitodd.

Allaroundtheoutskirtsofthecampwerewickercagesonpoles;theyweren'ttorchesorlamps,andMerocouldn'tevenguesswhatfunctiontheyweresupposedtoserve.Astheyalltooktheirplacesbeneathan

ornamentalpaviliontoenjoytheirhosts'hospitality,hefoundthattheTradershadelectedtoplacetheirguestsonflatcushionsaroundacentralservingarea,withTradersalternatingwiththeirguests.ThatputoneoftheTraders(anervous,thinfellow)betweenhimandRena,whichwasalittleannoying.Hewasworriedthatshemightbeuncomfortablewiththeseatingarrangements,buthehadn'treckonedwithherearlytrainingifshewasuncomfortablebetweentwostrangers,shedidn'tshowit.



Meromostlystucktosmall-talkwithhistwoneighbors,allowingDiricandhisfellowchiefstomonopolizetheconversation.Butjustastheywereservedadessertofhoney-drenchedfruits(fromtheTraders'stores)andbeatencream(suppliedbytheIronPeople),somethingremindedhimofthosecuriouswickercagesandheaskedaboutthem.

Outofcourtesy,sothattheIronPeoplecouldunderstandeverythingthatwassaidaroundthecircle,theybothspokeintheIronPeoples'tongue."Ah!ThosearetoprotectusfromtheDemonsandtheirmagic,"saidtheyoungTraderwhosenameMerohadn'tcaught."Weputfool'sgoldinthem,anditworksastheironjewelrydoes."

Headssnappedintheirdirectionfromallaroundthecirclethemomentthattheword"iron"wasspoken."What

isthis?"Diricdemanded.

TheClan-chiefexplained,andtriedtodescribethecontentsoftheward-basketsinsuchawaythattheIronPeoplewouldunderstand,butDiricwasbaffled."Wait"hesaid,finally,andsentoneoftheyoungerTraderstofetchoneofthebaskets-.

InfrontofDiric'sinterestedgaze,heopenedthetopofthebasketandpoured

outaboutthreefistfullsworthofglittering,gold-coloredstoneswithroughsurfaces."Fool'sgold,"theTrader-chiefsaiddismissively."Foolsthinkitisrealgold;itisgoodonlyforkeepingthe"



"Oh,Ishallmeltdownthewasteandcastitintoasettingforit,"Kalarespondedabsently."Itwillbeadifferentstylethanyouhaveseenheretofore,butIthinkyouwilllikeit.Wehaveagreedtoexchangeitfortherawpyrites,sothattheTradersneednolongerwastethesepreciousthingsinbasketsonpolesinordertoprotectthemselves.Oneweightofjewelrytotenweightsofpyrites."

TherewasnodoubtinRena'smindthatKalathoughtshewasgettingthebetterpartofthebargain.Renacontinuedtowatchherforawhile,butKalabecamesoinvolvedinherworkthatitseemedanintrusiontostay,andshegotupandwenttolookforMero.

"Wehaveaproblem,"shesaidtohim,worriedly,assoonasshecaughtsightofhimhurryingtowardsherthroughthetents.

"Iknow;Dirictoldmethetrade-agreement,"hereplied,justasworried."Imean,it'sagoodthingthatthey'vegotsomeiron,butthiscutsusrightoutofeverything.TheycangetmostofwhattheyneedfromeithertheCornPeopleortheTraders"

"sowhatusearetheWizardstothem?"Renaconcludedforhim."IftheElvenlordsdomanagetodefeattheYoungLordsandcomeafterus,whyshouldtheIronPeoplebothertohelpnow?Th

ere'snothingintheallianceforthem!"

Meronodded."They'renothingifnotpractical."Hesethischin."Right.Firstofall,weneedtogetintouchwithShanaandletherknowwhat'shappened.Maybeshe'llhavesomeideas."



"Andnext?"Renaasked,hopefully.Merowasresourcefulsurelyhecouldthinkofsomethingtheycoulddo!

"Ican'tthinkofa'next,'"hereplied,dashingherhopes."IonlywishIcould...."

16

---

Kyrtiansatwearilyonhishorsebeneaththebroilingsun,andwaitedforhisscouttocomereporttohim.Ahead

ofhimsomewhereweretheretreatingforcesoftheYoungLords.Theywerefarenoughaheadofhistroopsthattherewasn'teventhetell-talesignofadust-cloudonthehorizon.

Itwasuncanny,itwasindeed.Themoment,theverymomentthattheCouncilagreedreluctantlytoputhiminchargeoftheirforces,someonemusthavealertedtherebels.AndthatsamesomeonemusthavetoldthemthatinLordKyrtiantheyweregoingtofaceatrainedcommanderandtrainedtroops.Becauseheneverevengotachancetofaceanarmyinthefield,onlyafewskirmishersmeanttodelayhim

whilethearmyitselfretreated.

Thatwaswhathisscoutswereoutlookingfornowskirmishers,traps,falsetrails.And,justpossibly,signsthattheYoungLordshadchosenaplacetomakeastand.Buthedidn'treallyexpectthat,notforsometimeyet.Theyweretoofarfromareastheyheldsecure,norwasthegroundparticularlygoodforturningatbay.

Meanwhile

Thescoutoneofhisownpeoplecamerunningup;themanstoppedathisstirrupandsaluted.

"Report,"Kyrtiancommanded.



"Mylordall'sclear,andtheothershavemarkedoutasecurecampsite,"themansaidcrisply."Nosignoftheenemy,otherthanthemarksofretreat."

"Verygood."Kyrtiansalutedindismissal,andthescouttrottedofftoreturntohisowngroup.HelookedoveratGel,whowasalsomounted,andwaitingjustbesidehim.

"Well?"heasked.

Gelbarkedalaugh."It'smakingyourreputationeasilyenough,"hesaid."ButIwouldn'tcountonittolast."

"I'mnot."Hesighed."Let'sgetthemmoving.Ifwecampearlyenough,Icandrillthemsomemore."

"Goodplan."Gelwheeledhishorseawayandheadedtowardsthemainbodyofthearmy,pausedforarest,torelayKyrtian'sorders.Kyrtianstaredatthehorizonandwonderedwhentheinevitableblowwasgoingtofall.

Rennatisighed,brushedherhairbackoverhershoulders,andbenttolookouto

fthewindowinhersleeping-alcove,craninghernecktoseeasmuchoftheviewbelowheraspossible.SinceLordKyrtianhadleftandshedidnotknowwhy,onlythattheirservantssaidthathehadgonetherehadbeennothingtoreporttoLadyTriana,andnothingwhatsoeverhadhappenedhereintheharem.Nomorevisitorshadcome,andnothinghadbeentoldtotheconcubines.Rennatihadassiduouslypracticedherdancing,butonecouldn'tfilleveryhourof



thedaywithdancing.Ithadbeenheronepassion,butnowshehadalltheleisureshecouldeverhavedreamedoftopracticeandperfectherart,andsherealizedthatwithoutanaudiencetoappreciatewhatshedid,simplypracticingandperfectingnolongerwasenoughforher.

TheothertwoconcubineswerehappilyoccupiedwiththecontentsofseveralcheststhatLadyLydiellhadthoughtfullysentup.Somehowshehadknownthatthelastbatchofdressmakingmaterialswasexhausted,andshehadsuppliedatruehordeofpreciousthingsswathsofsilks,satins,andvelvets,yardsoftrim,bucketsofglitteringglass,shellandstonebeads,goldandsilverandsilkenembroiderythreads,andeverythingtheheartcoulddesireforthemakingofdressesandornaments.AthoughtfulgiftthathadrathersurprisedRennati,actually;nothinginherlifewouldhaveledhertoexpectanysuchattentionsfromthechatelaineandmotherofayounglord.AndifRennatihadbeenjustalittlemoreliketheothertwoslavesofLordKyrtian'sharem,shewouldhavebeenrightdowntherebesideGiannaandKara,planningdresses,sewin

g,andmakingdelicatelittleamulet-necklaceswiththewealthofbeads.

Shehaddonesomeofthat,butlikeherdancing,therewasonlysomuchputteringwithtrinketsthatshecoulddobeforeshelostinterest.Concubinesweresupposedtobeobsessedwithclothingandself-ornamentation;Rennatilikedclothingwellenough,andsheenjoyedlookingpretty,butshehadalwaysfeltfrustratedandconfinedbylifeintheharem,thoughshehadtakenverygreatcarenevertoshowit.Thealternativetothe

haremwasthelifeofafield-orhouse-slave,andtheywerenottreatednearlyaswellastheconcubines.

Theviewfromherwindow,thoughrestricted,wasmoreinterestingthananythinginsidetheharem.Atleasttherewassomethinggoingonoutthere,somethingdifferentfromtheinterioroftheharemtower.Weatherchanged,slaveswalkedpast,birdsflewby.Andshewas,frankly,puttingoffreportingtoLadyTriana.TheLadyhadbeenincreasinglyimpatientwithRennati'slackofinformationand,thelasttime,hadthreatenedto

revokeherbargainunlessRennatihadmoretoreportthenexttimeshecalled.

Atlast,withagrimace,shedecidedthatshecouldn'tputitoffanylonger.Shepickedupthelittleboxofpersonaljewelry,anddugtheteleson-ringoutfromitshiding-placeamonghertinytreasures.Carefullysheputiton,spokethefewwordsthatactivatedit,andstaredintothedarkgreenmurkoftheberyl,waitingforavoice



tocalltoherthinlyacrossthevastdistancebetweenthismanorandLadyTriana's.

"Well.Sothisiswherethedisturbancehasbeencomingfrom."

Rennatistarted,andlookedup,forthevoicedidnotcomefromthering,norwasitLadyTriana's.

LadyLydiellstoodinthedoorway,andinhershock,Rennaticouldonlystareatherdumbly.Elvenladiesneverenteredtheharem,muchlesscameintotheconcubines'privatequarters!ShehadfeareddiscoverybyGiannaorKara,orperhapsevenLordKyrtianhimself,butnever,everbyhismother!

TheladywasnotdressedinthesamefashionthatshehadbeenwhenRennatifirstmetwithher;infact,she

lookedverylittleliketheshelteredLadyofthemanorthatRennatiknewhertobe.Withherlong,silverhairboundintoasevereknotatthenapeofherneck,nocosmeticsonherface,andnojewelswearingasoftbrowndividedskirtandmatchinglong-sleevedtuniconlyherairofauthoritybetrayedherrank.

Hereyeswerequiet,unreadablepoolsofmurkygreen,exactlyliketheberylinRennati'sring;herfaceasexpressionlessasastatue.

LadyLydiellcalmlytookthefewstepsneededtocrossthedistancebetweenthedoorwayandRennati,andheldoutherhand.



"Whomeveryouhavebeenreportingtowon'tansweryou,child,"theLadysaid,withnosignofangeroranyotheremotionthatRennaticoulddetect."I'vetakencareofthat.Youmightaswellgivethatteleson-ringtome."

Numbly,Rennatitooktheringoffandhandedittoherthenautomaticallydroppedtoherkneesbesidethecouchshehadbeenseatedon,andbowedherhead,claspingherhandsbehindherback,waitingfortheLadytopunishher.

Hervividimaginationpaintedadozenpicturesforherofwhattoexpectinthenextfewmoments,asherheartbeatsorapidlyshehadtroublebreathing,andsheshiveredwithfear.Hermouthdried,herthroatclosed,andshefeltasifshewasabouttofaint.Shewouldbepunished,ofcourse.Shehad

betrayedherMasteratthebehestofanotherElvenlord,true,butthatwasnoexcuse.Noslavecouldbetrayhermasterandbecaught,andexpecttoescapewithoutpunishment.Attheleast,shewouldbesentoutintothefields.Attheworst

"Whatonearthareyoudoing,child?"LadyLydiellasked,inanastonishedvoice,whichturnedexasperatedasRennatiremainedwhereshewas."Oh,forgetuplittlefool!I'mnotgoingtohurtyou!Andlookatme!"

AutomaticallyRennatileaptobedientlytoherfeet,turningherastonishedeyestotheLady'sfaceasherheartskippedbeatsandherchesttightenedalongwithherthroat.Foramoment,shethoughtshewouldfaint.

LadyLydiellfrowned,butnotinsuchawayassayLadyTrianahadfrowned.Thisfrownwasjustannoyance,notsomethingthatwouldfreezetheblood.Itwasanimpersonalfrowntherewasnorealangerin

it.ThoughRennati'sskinfeltcoldandclammy,herheartslowed,justalittle,andthetensioninherchesteased.

"'Sitdown,"LadyLydiellsaidshortly,andRennatiobeyed,hereyesfixedontheLady'sface."Andtellmeaboutthisring.Whogaveittoyou?Why?Andwhathaveyoubeentellinghim?"



"Her,"Rennaticorrectedautomatically,andclappedherhandtohermouthinrenewedalarm.Butwhennoslap,stingofthecollar,orindeed,anyothercorrectioncame,shetookhercourageinbothhands,andbeganhertale.

Therewasnoreasontolie;ifLadyLydiellcaredto,shecouldhaveitalloutofherinamoment,eitherundertheinfluenceofdrugsorbyapplicationofpainthroughthecollar.AndatthispointtherewasnochancethatLadyTrianawouldkeephersideofthebargain,whichhadspecifiedthatRennatiremainundetected.SoRennatitoldeverything,fromthemomentthatLadyTrianapickedheroutofaslave-saletothelastthingthatshehadreported.Asshespoke,LadyLydiell'sfrownsoftened,untilwhenatlastRennatifellsilent,theelvenlady'sexpressionwasnoworsethanthoughtfulandslightlydisapproving.

Asshespoke,andLydiell'sexpressioneased,so,too,didthefeelingofpanicandfear,theawfulsickfeelingin

herstomach.Asshefinishedherlastwords,Lydiellnodded.

"Itcouldhavebeenworse,"shesaidwhenRennatifellsilent."Youhaven'tgiventhatcreaturemuchthat'sgoingtobeofanyusetoher,andforewarnedisforearmedastheysay."ShewatchedRennatiforafewmoments,thenappearedtomakeuphermindaboutsomething."Standup,child,"shesaid."Iwantyoutocomewithme."

Thefearreturned,redoubled,andherheartracedagain,herbreathcomingquicklyasshetriedtogetairpasttheterribletightnessofherthroatandchest.Nowitcomes,Rennatithought,heartsinkingwithdread.But,ofcourse,shecouldn'tdisobey.ShefollowedLadyLydielldownthestairs,pastGi-annaandKara

Andoutpastthebarrieratthedoorthatkeptunauthorizedslavesfromgettingintotheharemandtheconcubinesfromleavingit.Therewasafainttingleonherskinasshepassedt

hroughtheshimmeringcurtainof



magicpower,andsheshivered.Nowshewasoutside,andawayfromthescantprotectionofthepresenceoftheothertwo.WhatwasLadyLydiellgoingtodowithher?Handherovertothegladiators?

"You'reintelligent,andIdon'tthinkyou'reabadchildatheart,"Lydiellsaid,asiftoherself,thenlookedoverhershoulderatRennati,whoshrankinsideherselfwhenthosepenetratinggreeneyesmethers."I'musuallyconsideredagoodjudgeofcharacter,bytheway."

"Yes,mylady,"Rennatiwhispered,sinceitseemedthatLadyLydiellwaswaitingforananswerastheywalkeddownamarble-facedhallway.

"I'mgoingtotakeachancewithyou,"Lydiellcontinued,stillholdingherwiththat,sharpgaze."I'mgoingtodo

somethingthathasneverbeendonewithahumanfromoutsideourowncircle,bornandraisedamongus.I'mgoingtoshowyouexactlywhatyou'vejeopardizedwithyouractions."

Andforthenextseveralhours,RennatifoundherselfhauledalloverLordKyrtian'sestate,seeingthingsthatlefthergaping,toooverwhelmedtospeak.Thisthisplacewasnothinglikeanywhereshehadeverbeenbefore!

Atfirst,itonlyseemedasifthiswasjustanordinaryestate,althoughtheMasterandMistressofitwereunusuallykindtotheirslavesandtreatedthemextraordinarilywell.First,theLadytookhertoeverynookandcrannyoftheGreatHousenotonlythroughtheroomsthatsheandhersonandtheotherElvenlordsofthehouseholdused,butintothekitchen,thestill-room,thelaundry,thesewingandweavingroom.EverywheretheLadywasgreetedwithrespect,thoughnotservility;moreimportantly,shedidn'texpectorseemtodemandservility.IneveryotherhouseholdRennatihadbeenin,slaveswereexpectednevertospeakunlessdirectly

addressed,nevertoraisetheireyestothemistress'sfaceunlessgivenpermission,andnever,ever,todoastheseslavesdid,andactuallyapproachthemistresswithareportoraquery.ButRennatiquicklybegantorealizethatLadyLydiellnotonlywasincrediblyapproachable,shewasalsogreetedwithactualaffectionbyherslaves.

Affection?Fromslaves?Howwasthatpossible?



"Whatdoyouthinkofourhomesofar?"Lydiellasked,astheymovedoutsideandheadedforalong,lowbuilding.Thiswasaquestionthatwouldhavebeenappropriateifaskedofanequaloroneonlyslightlyinferior,butnotofaconcubine.Concubineswerenotsupposedtohaveopinions.Theywerebarelysupposedtothink.

Thequestionsurprisedherintohonesty,nottheleastbecausetheslavesinthekitchenhadactuallycalledcheerfulandwelcominggreetingswhentheLadyhadfirstentered,leavingRen-natidumbfounded."Idon'tunderstand,"shesaid."Theylikeyou!Howcanslaveslikeyou?"

Shehadn'treallyexpectedareply,unlessitcameasareproof.ButwhatLadyLydiellsaidinresponsetotheimpulsiveexclamationshockedhertothecoreandleftherspeechless.

"Theylikemebecausetheyarenotslaves,"Lydiellsaid."Neitherthey,northeirancestors,wereeverslaves;here,inthisonemanor,noElvenlordhaseverenslavedahuman."

What?Rennatifeltherheartactuallystopforamoment.

"Theyareinmyemploy,"LadyLydiellcontinued."Theyaremyhelpers,andwere

specteachother.KyrtianandIprotectthemfromtheoutsideworld,ashisfatherdidfortheirancestors,andhisgrandfatherfortheirs,andforthatprotection,theyandtheirfamiliesserveus,"theLadysaidquietly."Wehaveneverhadslaveshere,andnevershall,ifweareleftalonebytheLadyTrianasoftheworld."



Itwassuchanastonishingstatementthatithadtobealie.ItwassimplynotpossiblethattherewasafamilyoftheElven-lordsthathadn'tenslavedhumans!

Andyethowcoulditbealie?WhyshouldtheLadymakeupsuchanastonishingstory?Whatpurposewoulditserve?Andhowcouldshehavegottenallofherslavestoactinsuchanaturalway,unlessitwastrueandnotalie?

AsRennaticontinuedtofollowLadyLydielloutintothefields,tothecottagesofthefarm-laborers,tothebarracksofthefighters,shehadbeenprotectedbyacoreofutterdisbelief,butthemoreshesaw,themorethatcoreeroded.IftheLadyhadonlyshownherthehouseholdservants,shewouldnothavetrustedwhatshesaw,butherewerepeoplewhoshouldneverhaveseteyesonthelady,who,iftheyeverbysomechancehadseenhershouldneverrecognizetheplainly-dressedLadyfortheauthoritythatshew

as.Buttimeaftertime,theLadywasmetwithwelcomeandgreeting,withthekindofcommontalkthatmightbesharedwithatrustedhumanoverseer,butneverwithanElvenlord,andsheherselfaskedquestionsaboutthefarming,training,ortheslavesthemselvesandtheirfamilies(families?Impossible!)thatshowedshewasintimatelyfamiliarwiththeminutiaeoftheirlives.

Evenso,RennaticlungtoherstubbornrefusaltobelieveinthismiracleofElvenkindness,rightupuntilthe

twoofthemapproachedasetofsmallbuildingsconstructedaroundagarden.Rennaticouldnotimaginewhattheycouldbe,buttoherincredulousearscamethesoundofhigh,shrillvoicesthevoicesofchildren

AsLadyLydiellcameintoviewofthegarden,thechildrenplayingtherecaughtsightofher,andrantowardher,shriekinggreetingsatthetopsoftheirlungs.

"LadyLidi!LadyLidi!""Comeseemypuppy!""Willyoumakeussweeties?""LadyLidi,Jordyfoundafrog!"

LadyLydiellonlysmiledserenelyasthehordeofsmallchildren(someofthemverygrubbyindeed)swarmedallaroundher,holdingupflowers,afrog,apuppy,dolls,andtoybowsandarrowsforherapproval.AsRennatistared,hermouthdroppingcompletelyopen,theLadygaveeachofthechildrenh



ergravestattention.

Nowsheknewwhytherewerenobreedingpens,nomassnurseries,noothersignsthathumanslaveswerebredherewiththesamecaretoselectionandcarelessnessastofeelingsaswerecattleandhorses.Theclusterofsmallbuildingswerehouses.Housesforfamilies.Familieswhowereallowedtokeeptheirchildrenwiththem.Andsincetherewerenobreedingpens,thismustbethenormhere,nottheexception,asitwasontheestatethathadbredRennati.

Thesechildrenwereutterlyfearlessinthepresenceofthechatelaineofthemanor.TheymustneverhavereceivedsomuchasanunkindnessfromanElvenlord.

AndlookattheLadyherself!Shecouldn'thavebeenmorepatientwiththishordeofexuberantchildrenifshe

hadbeentheirnursemaidorbelovedrelative!

Rennatiletfallthelastofherdisbelief,andfelttheworldwhirlingaroundher,turnedutterlyupsidedown.

"Willyoupleasemakeussweeties,LadyLidi?"askedoneoftheboys,polite,butboldasayoungrooster.

LadyLydielllaughed."Allright.Oneflowereach.Gopickfreshones."SheturnedtoRennati,whoclutchedabeamembeddedinthecornerofthehousebesideher,feelingactuallydizzy."Elvenwomenaretrainedtousetheirmagicinsmallwaysratherthanlargeyou'llfindmostofthemmakingfoolishsculpturesoutofflowers,butthat'sabastardizationofwhatweoriginallydidinEvelon.Wehealedwoundsandsometimessicknessbutmostimportantofall,wemadetheinedibleedible.LadyMothtaughtmethatlittletrick,whichshelearnedfromhermother.Istilluseittomakehoney-sweetsfromflowersforthechildrenah,heretheycome!"



TherewereplentyofflowersinthelittlegardensthatRennatinownoticedaroundthehouses,andithadn'ttakenthechildrenlongtopickoutwhichflowertheywishedmadeintoatreat.Shenoticedthatthegirlsgenerallychoseroses;well,shewaspartialtorose-petalcandiesherself.Manyofthemsuckedthorn-woundedfingers,butnoneofthemcomplained.Theboysseemedtoprefersunflowers,dahlias,anythinglarge.Butonelittlegirlattherearofthegroupcameupholdingasingleviolet,andlookedtoLadyLydiellwitheyesfilledwithdisappointment.

"Sahshi,what'sthematter?"Lydiellasked,seeingherandherdistressatonce,andmotioningfortheotherstoletherthrough.

"Yousaidonlyone,"Sahshiwhisperedimploringly."ButIlikevi'lets"

"Ohdearchildren,doyouthinkit'sfairforSahshionlytohaveonetinyviolet?"Lydiellappliedtotherestofthechildrenandhadtheybeenpen-bornandnursery-raised,whereitwaseverychildforhimself,Rennatiknewwhattheanswerwouldhavebeen.Butnothere.

"No!"cametheclamor,instantly,andwithoutprompting,severalofthemrantonearbygardens,bringingback

bunchesofvioletsthattheypressedintoSahshi'shandsuntilthechildcouldn'tholdanymore.

Herfaceglowingwithhappiness,SahshiheldupthevioletsforLadyLydielltotransmuteandthengaveRennatiafurthersurprise(asifsheneededoneatthispoint)bysharingouthersweetswiththeothersastheywaitedintheirturnforLadyLydielltogettothem.Thiswasprobablyjustaswell,forhadsheeatenthemallherselfshewouldsurelyhaveearnedherselfabellyache,butneverbeforehadRennatiseenachildofthe

lowest,fieldworkerclasswhowouldnothaveimmediatelyshoveledatreatintohermouthwithbothhandsanddevoureditasfastasshecould,stuffingherselfuntilshewassickbecauseitwouldbeagesbeforeshemighttasteanyothergoodthing.

Itwasall,inaword,impossible.



WhenLydiellhadfinishedwiththelastflower,thechildrenthankedherandstreamedbacktotheirplayground,asmallsquaresurroundedbyrough-hewnlogsenclosinganareaofsoftsandthatheldstumpsandbarstoclimbon,aboardwithseatsoneitherendpoisedonahewnblockofwoodthatallowedtheendstoriseandfallwithchildrenbalancedonseatsthere,andotherthingsthatthechildrenseemedtoenjoyswarmingover.

Thesethingsallshowedsignsofagreatdealofwear;theyhadn'tbeenplacedthererecently.Thiswasnoartificialsettingmadeforherbenefit,toswayheropinion.

Asifmyopinion,theattitudeofamortal,actuallymeanssomething!ButtoLadyLydiellitdid,itpatentlydid.

LydiellturnedbacktofaceRennatiwithaquizzicalsmileonherface."Well?"shesaid,pointedly.

Rennatifeltcoldandhotatthesametime,andtherewasafaintbuzzinginherears."Whatisthisplace?"sheasked,thickly.

"Ah.Thatisaverygoodquestion."LadyLydielltookRen-nati'sarm,asifshewasRennati'soldestfriend.

"Comebacktothemanorwithme.Ithink,whenyouhavehadsomethingtodrinktosteadyyou,youwillhaveagreatmanymorequestions,andIwilltrytoanswerthem."

Intheend,Rennatithoughtshewouldnevercometoanendofherquestions.Lydiellansweredeachandeveryone,withinfinitepatienceastheysatinelegantchairsoneithersideofalittletableononeoftheoutdoorterraces.Hereshewaseatingdaintiesthat,inherexcitement,shedidnottrulytaste;drinkingsomethingthat



mightjustaswellhavebeenwaterforalltheattentionshepaidtoit;andarrangedacrossfromahighbornel-venladyononeoftheprivateterracesasifshe,too,wasElvenborn.Thesunshonedownonthegardensbelowthem,althoughtheywereshadedbyafineclothcanopyoftapestriedlinen.Afewwomenworkedinthegardensbelow,theverypictureofbucoliccontentmentwell-clothedinpracticalleggingsandlong,looselinentunics,protectedfromthesunbybroad-brimmedstrawhats,andnosupervisorinsight.

SlowlyshebegantoreallyunderstandjustwhatitwasthatLordKyrtian'sfamilyprotectedhere.Thatwaswhentheenormityofherowntreacherydawnedonher,hittingherwiththeforceofablow.Ifshehadstillbeenabletoweep,shewouldhave,then;she'dhavebrokendownandhowledwiththepainofwhatshehaddonetotheseamazingElvenlordsandtheirhumancharges.Shewantedto;herthroatclosedandshenearlychokedonherunshedtears,butweepinghadlongsincebeentrainedoutofher,andshecouldnotcry,notevenforthis.

Concubinesdidnotweep;itspoiledtheirlooks,andonlyannoyedtheirmasters.

Butthedepthofherdespaircouldnotbemeasured,andshecouldnotsimplysitthereandbearitinvisibly.

Sheslippedfromherseatandsankdowntoherknees,thenprostratedherselfonthestoneoftheterrace,notdaringtolookattheLadylestshecrackintoathousandpieces.

"Ah,"saidtheladysoftly."Nowyouunderstand."

Itwashard,hardtospeak;hardtogetwordsaroundthatlumpofguiltandpaininherthroat."Yes."Itwasallshecouldmanage.

"NowIhavequestionsforyou,"LadyLydiellsaid,inavoicethatwarnedshewouldinsistonanswers.

Rennaticouldnotbeartolookintothefaceoftheoneshehadsovilelybetrayed,andsheremainedwhereshewas,prostratedonthestoneoftheterrace,speakingbrokenlytothesoftgreyslabjustbelowhernose.Thelady'squestionswentonaslongasRennati'shad,everydetailofherlife,of



herbargainwithLadyTriana,pulledfromhergently,butinexorably.

Itseemedtogoonforever,andwhenshewasdone,shefeltdrainedofeverythingexceptpain.TherewasnothingthatLadyLydielldidnotknowabouthernow,andsurely,surely,thepunishmentshesorichlydeservedwouldbeforthcoming.

Theladyfinallymadeasoundawearysigh."Getup,child,andsitdownsothatIcantalktoyouproperly."

Rennaticouldn'tmovebutamomentlater,shefoundherselfbeingmoved,asLadyLydielltookherelbows,liftedhertoherfeetandreplacedherinherseat,aseffortlesslyasifsheweighednothing.Perhaps,fortheLady,shewasnear-weightless;shewasclearlyapastmistressofElvenmagic,andhowcouldRennatiknow

whatwasandwasnotpossibleinmagic?

"Now,"theLadysaid,hereyesboringintoRennati'sasiftostareintoherverythoughts."Youunderstandwhatyouhavedonetous.Areyoupreparedtomakeamends?"

BynowRennatihadexhaustedallemotionsbutonehope.Andunderneathallthatheavy,blackdespair,hopestirredandeasedtheconstrictionofherthroatenoughtoletherbreathealit

tle.Numbly,shenodded.

Speakingcarefullyandexactly,LadyLydielloutlinedwhatRennatiwastodo.AndRennatiagreedtoit,withouteveroncemakingasingleobjectionoraskingwhatwouldhappentoherwhentheinevitablemomentcamewhenshewasnolongeruseful.



Ithadbeenalong,veryhardday,mostofitspentinthesaddle,andKyrtianwasalreadyweariedwhenhismothercalledhim.

Sofar,thecampaignagainsttheYoungLordswasturningintosomethingotherthanthehard-sloggingbattlehe'dbeenledtobelieveitwouldbe.Infact,ifitwasn'tfortheevidenceofthedevastatedestateshe'dseen,withmanorshalf-burnedandfieldslefttoweeds,itwouldhavebeensomethingofafarce.

BecausethemomenthetookcommandofthearmyquiteliterallyfromthemomenthetookcommandofthearmytheYoungLords'directoppositionmeltedaway.Quitesimply,theyturnedandran.

Now,asacommander,hehadtoagreewiththeirtactics.Hebroughtwithhimhis

ownpeople,whowouldhavestrengthenedthelineasnothingelsecouldhave.Thenextpitchedbattlewouldhavebeenaconclusiveone.TheYoungLords'armywasnotnearanyareathatcouldbeusedasasecurebase,andsupplieshadtobeproblematic,evenwiththeuseofmagic.Ifhehadbeenintheirsituation,he'dhavedonethesame.

Butnowhewasinpursuit,whichmeantthatwhentheydidtakeastand,itwouldcomeasasurprisetohim,andwouldbeongroundoftheirchoosing.Andveryprobablyhewouldbefacingtheir

restedforcewithhisownwearyone.

Kyrtianstareddownatthetinyimageofhismotherintheteleson-screensetintohiscampaign-desk,withGelwatchingoverhisshouldermakinginterestednoises.

"Triana?"hesaid,finally."AelmarkinIcouldunderstand,butwhywouldTrianawantanagentinour

household?"

Gelsnorted,beforeLydiellcouldanswer."That'ssimpleenough.They'reworkingtogether.OrAelmarkinthinkstheyare.FromallI'veheard,thatb"hecoughed."ah,femaleisanevennastierpieceofworkthanyourcousin,ifthat'spos-sible.Sneakier,anyway.Whatdoyouthinkaboutthisgirl?Canyoutrustwhatshe



says?Canyoutrustwhatshe'lldo,nowthatyou"

Lydiellsmiled."Oh,comenow,Gel.ThisistheLadyyou'retalkingto.Howmanyofourpeoplehavethehumanmagic?Andhowmanydoyouthinkwerekeepingwatchonthegirl'sthoughtswhileIquestionedherbesidestheonesIaskedtojusttomakesurethattheothersdidn'tmisssomething?"

Gelhadthegracetoblush."Shouldn'ttryandteachmygrandamwhatmushroomstopick,youmean.Sorry,m'lady.Soshe'ssafe?"

"Morethansafe.Ithinkweshouldkeepher,"cametherathersurprisingreply."She'sveryintelligent,she'scleverwhichisnotatallthesamethingasbeingintelligentandshe'sgotakindnature.I'dbeveryhappytoseehermakeherhomewithourpeople.Shecouldbeveryusefultouswehaven'tg

otmanypeoplewho'vebeenraisedintheslave-pens;shegivesusalookintothatworldthatisbeyondprice."

"Notasmyconcubine"Kyrtianblurted,andflushedwhenGelchuckled.

"Iratherdoubtthatbythetimeshe'slearnedtotakeherplaceamongourpeopleshe'dbewillingtobeanyone'sconcubine,"Lydiellreplieddryly."Andafterall,thatwouldbethepoint,woul

dn'tit?"

"ItakeitthatyourplanistohavehersenddearestTrianaasmuchdisinformationasyouthinkshe'llswallow?"Kyrtiansaid,hastilychangingthesubject.



"Itseemsapitytowastetheopportunity,"Lydiellagreed,hereyestwinklingalittle,orsoKyrtianthought,althoughtheimagewassosmallitwasdifficulttotell."Ifitseemsthattheployisworking,perhapsyoumightwanttohaveherwithyou.Iunderstandthatmanyofficershaveaconcubineortwowiththem"

BeforeKyrtiancouldobject,Gelreplied."That'sagoodidea,whenyou'resurebeyondashadowofadoubtthatwecantrusther,Lady,"heenthused."IfTrianaisreportingbacktoAelmarkin,wecanfeedhernonsenseleavenedwithjustenoughtruthtomakeitseemthatthegirlisdoingmorethanthebwomaneverexpected."

"Iwouldn'tcallTrianaa'bitch,'Gel,"Lydiellsaidmildly."It'saterribleinsulttoallfemalecanines,whichare,onthewhole,rathernicecreatures."

Gelnearlychokedonhislaughter,andKyrtianfelthisfacegrowhot.Whathadgottenintohismotherlately?

Orwasitonlythatnowhismotherconsideredhimenoughofanadultnottomincewordsaroundhim?

"Intheabstract,itsoundslikeagoodideatome,providedthatbringingheroutheredoesn'tputherinany

danger,"hetemporized."AndIdon'tmeandangerfromthefighting;that'sturningouttoberatherwelltamerthanIthought.Fornow,anyway.Someone'sconvincedtheYoungLordstorun,ratherthanstandandfight.Ican'tsayI'munhappyaboutthatitcertainlymakesmelooklikeabrilliantcommander.Butwhilethisgirliswithinthewallsofourestate,she'ssafeenoughfromTrianaifshecomesouthere,andTrianadecidesthatshewantsmorethanafewwordsoverateleson-ring,itwouldbenogreatchoretofindsomewaytokidnapher.HumanslavesandElvenlordsarecomingandgoingfrommyquartersallthetime,GelistheonlypersonI'dtrusttokeephersafe,andheandIcan'thaveheronthebattlefieldwith

us."

AndIreallydon'twantafemalecomplicatingthingsaroundhere,headded,butonlyinthought.Hereallydidnotwanthismother-worryingaboutthedanger.Therewas,ofcourse,agreatdealmoreofthatthanhewasgoingtotellherabout.Whentheinevitablehappened,andtheYoungLordsturnedatbay



Lydiellpursedherlipsinthought."Thathadn'toccurredtome,"sheadmitted."Forthatmatter,itwouldn'ttakeagreatdealofeffortonTriana'sparttosendsomeonetoyourquarterstointimidatethegirl,andwecan'thavethat.Well,let'sholdthatployinreserveforawhile,incaseTrianastartsurgingitonher.ItmaybethatconcoctingastorythatI'vemadeherintomyprivatemaidwhileyou'regoneandshecan'overhear'myconversationswithyouwillbeenough."

"Ishouldthink,"Kyrtiansaidfirmly."Ancestors!Foronce,youhavebeentheonewithalltheinterestingnews!AllIcantellyouiswhatIhavebefore;that,andI'mnearertoLadyMoth'sestateandIthinkIcanpushthelinesbackfarenoughtoputherinourhandsagainwithintheweek."

"Assumingshewantstobe,"camethethoughtfulreply."Allthingsconsidereddoy

outhinkyoumightbeabletopushjustfarenoughthatshecansendamessageorcometoyouherself,withoutcuttingherofffromtheYoungLords?"

Again,Kyrtianwassurprisedbythequestion,buthesawimmediatelywhyhismotherhadaskedit."NooneislikelytoquestionmeaslongasIpushthemback-somewhere,"heresponded."Youthinkshehasworkedherwayintotheirconfidence,don'tyou?"

"Yes.AndI'mnotentirelysureyoushouldbeworkingsohardtodefeatthem."LadyLydiellfrownedslightly."Thereisthis:whiletheGreatLordsareconcentratingontherebels,theyaren'tpayinganyattentiontous."

"OrtheWizards,"Geladded.



"OrtheWizards,"sheagreed."ButifyoudefeattheYoungLords,theyarecertaintowantyoutoleadanarmyagainsttheWizardsnext."

TheveryideamadeKyrtian'sheartsink,andhefeltalittlesickfornotthinkingofthathimself.Ofcoursetheywould!Andwhilehedidn'tintheleastmindbringingtheyoungpupstoheelfortheolddogs,theveryideaofpittinganarmyofslavesagainsttheirfellowhumans

"I'llresignfirst,"hesaidhurriedly."I'llfindanexcuse.OrGelcanbreakmyleg."

"Oryourskull,"Gelgrowled,buttherewasapprovalinhisvoice."We'llworryaboutthatwhenthetimecomes.Inthemeantime"

"Inthemeantime,I'llsaygoodbye,andyoucanthinkaboutwhattodoaboutMoth,"Lydiellsaidfirmly."Ifwetalkanylonger,someoneisboundtotryandmirrorthissending.Watchyourback,mylove."

"Iwill,"Kyrtianpromised,andthetelesonwinkedout,leavingbothhimandGelwithfartoomuchtothinkabout

andfartoolittletimeforthinking.

17

---

TheplightofoneyoungwomancouldnotholdKyrtian'sattentionforlong.Solongasshewasnolongerathreat,hedidn'tparticularlycarewhathismotherdidwithher.

Truthfully,hecouldn'tevenrememberwhichofthethreegirlsshewas;shewasLydiell'sproblemnow,andhe



wouldjustassoonthatthingsstayedthatway.Withinafewmoments,hehadevenforgottenhernameashisattentionturnedtothemoreurgenttaskofchanginghisstrategytodealwithMothandtheYoungLordsinlightofthisnewinformation.

Itwasjustagoodthingthattheyhadalreadysettledattheireveningcampsite.Outsidethetentwastheusualcacophonyofhundredsofhumanssettingupcampfiresandbedrolls,gettingfedatthemess-wagons,andbeingorderedaboutbytheirelvenofficers.Themellowgoldenlightofnear-sunsetmadethewesternwallofKyrtian'stentglow;theairwasfullofdustandthescentoftrampledgrassandwoodsmoke.Therewasfoodonatrayonhiscamp-bed,virtuallythesamesortoffoodthatthehumanfighterswouldbeeating,butKyrtianignoredit.Gelwouldprobablynaghimintoeatingiteventually.

"Well,weneedtorethinkourbattle-plan,"hesaidtoGel,spreadinghisterrain-mapoutovertheblankblack

glassoftheteleson-screensetintothetopofhiscampaign-desk."Thequestionis,whatcanwepushtowardsnowthatwillallowustogetcloseenoughtoMoththatshecansendsomeoneouttousifshewants,withoutmakingstraightforherestateorlookasifwe'retryingtoavoidthatestate?"

"Goodquestion."Gelpulledathischinwhilehestudiedthemap,frowning."Damngoodquestion.Whatabouthere"hisfingerstabbeddownataspotonthemapwheretheyhadnotedapossibleslave-camp,onefullof

formergladiators."Wecanletitoutthatwethinkthisisatraining-campfortheYoungLords'soldiers.Thatoughttobereasonenoughforanyone."



TakingthearmyinthatdirectionwouldallowthemtoskirtMoth'sestatewithoutactuallytakingitandwouldgivethemacorridorforastrikedeeperintoYoungLords'territory.Kyrtiannodded,andreachedabsentlyforhismugofwater,takingasiptoeaseathroatticklingwithinhaleddust."Let'smakeareporttoLordKyndrethandsuggestthechangeofplan.Iwanthimtoargueagainstmeforalittle."

"Why?"Gelgavehimaquizzicalglance,browsknitted.

Kyrtianrefoldedthemapcarefullyandsetitaside."Becausethisisgoingtoserveusinmorewaysthanone.He'sgoingtopointoutthatwithaverylittleeffortIcanrescueMoth.I'mgoingtocounterthatMothisprobablysafewheresheis,thattheYoungLordsprobablyhaven'teventhoughtaboutoneoldwomaninatinyestate,andpushingtowardstheYoungLordsatthatpointwillmakethemthinkt

hatMothisvaluabletous.Iwanthimtoseethatit'spossiblesomeoftheoldretainersheldbehindthelinesthathavebeenignoreduntilnowcouldbeusedashostages.Itdoesn'tseemtohaveoccurredtotheYoungLordstodothatyet,butIwantKyndrethtorealizehedoesn'twanttogivethemtheidea.IdowantKyndrethtofocusonthatandnotlookforotherreasonswhyImightnotwanttopushatthatpoint."

"That'llgivehimsomethingmoretothinkabout,"Gelsaid,pullingonhischinuntilKyrtianwonderedifhewas

goingtostretchitoutofshapesomehow."Aye,andthat'llgivehimonemorethingtowarntheothersabout."

"WhichwillgivetheCouncilsomethingelsetothinkaboutbesidestheWizards.Itmightevengivethemareasontoordermetoholdbackuntiltheycanfindwaystogetthepeopletheywantoutofharms'way."KyrtiannoddedasGel'seyeswidened."Yousee.Youknow,IneverthoughtI'dbetryingtothinkupwaystogetKyndrethtopullourforcesbackbutthatcouldbethebeststrategyatthemoment."Thebackofhisneck

achedwithtension,andherubbedit,hopingthataheadachewasn'tcomingon."Ineverthoughtthiswouldbesocomplicated,"hesaidplaintively,tonooneatall."IfIhadknown"

"Ifyou'dknown,youstillwouldn'thavebeenabletoescapethis,"Gelpointedoutbluntly."Kyndrethwantedyou;whatKyndrethwants,happens."



Therewasnorealanswertothat,andGelknewit.Kyrtianjustshookhishead,andwincedalittleatthestartofthatheadachehe'dhopedtoavoid.

HekeyedthetelesonwithKyndreth'sseal,placingitfacedowninthelittlerounddepressionmadeforreceivingsuchsealsintheupperright-handcorner,andwithatouchandaword,activatedthespell.Asheexpected,hecontacted,notKyndrethdirectly,butoneoftheGreatLord'smanyunderlings.

Theplainly-cladElvenlordstaredupathimwithasolemnandexpectantexpressiononhislongface."WouldyoupleaseconsultwithLyonLordKyndreth?"Kyrtianaskedpolitely."PleaseinformhimthatIbelieveweneedtochangeourbattle-plans."Heexplainedhisnewplanscarefullyandthereasonsforthem,whiletheunderlingtookdetailedandcopiousnotes,occasionallystoppingandaskinghimpolitelytorepeatorelaborate

onsomething.Kyrtianwasimpressed;he'dencounterednofewofLordKyrtian'sflunkieswhohadbeenutterlyboredwithhimandhiscampaignsincehe'dbeenputinchargeofthearmy,butthisfellowwasnotofthatilk.

"I'mtobeyourliaisonwithLordKyndrethfortheforeseeablefuture,LordKyrtian,"theunderlingsaidsolemnly."LordKyndrethhasmadeitveryclearthatyourreportsaretobegivenhisfirstconsideration,andIhavetheauthoritytobreakinuponhimatanytimeincludinginhissleep,ifyoushoulddeemyourreportto

besufficientlyurgent."

Well,well,well.Kyrtianblinked."It'snoturgent,sincewe'llstillbemovingthroughterritorythattheYoungLordshaveabandonedforatleasttwomoredays,butIshouldliketohearhisopinionbeforewebreakcampandmoveatdawntomorrow."



Theunderlinggaveaslightbowofhishead."Ishallseetoitthathereadsthisreportandcommunicateyourrequesttohimwithinthehour,LordKyrtian."

Theteleson-screenwentblankagain,andGel,whohadstayedcarefullyoutofrangeforthedurationoftheconversation,chuckled."Itseemsthatyourvaluehasgoneupintheworld,Kyrtian."

"Soitdoes,"Kyrtianreplied,andputathin,flatplateofbe-spelledbronzeovertheteleson-screen,fittingitintotheslightdepressionwheretheglasshadbeeninsetthere,topreventitfrombeinginadvertentlyactivated.ShouldsomeoneLordKyndreth,hopefullywishtocontacthimwhiletheplatewasinplace,theplateitselfwouldglowandemitapleasantrepeatingchimetoalerthim.Kyrtianalways"plated"histelesonwhenhe

wasn'tusingithimself;itwaspossibleforoutsiderstoactivateone'sscreenandspyonwhatwasgoingonwithinitsrangeiftheyhadakeytoitliketheoneshehadtoLordKyn-dreth'stelesonandhismother's.Andkeyscouldbeduplicatedbyeventheweakestofmages.

Withtheplateinplace,heturnedtoGel."Interesting,don'tyouthink?"heasked."AreyouthinkingwhatI'mthinking?"

"ThatLordKyndreth'sownstatusisgoingupbecauseofwhatyou'vemanagedtodoouthere?"Gelcountered.AtKyrt-ian'snod,hepursedhislips."Ifthat'sthecase,hemaywantyoutopressaheadtoMoth'sestateanyway."

"Sowehavetothinkofanalternateplan."ThemoreKyrtianthoughtaboutit,thelesshewantedtopresstheYoungLordsnowholdingtheestatethatMoth'shusbandhadonceowned."We'vegottogivehimaricher

victory.Notjustthepossibility,buttherealthing."

"Ah,horseturds,"Gelsaidsourly."Youdon'taskmuch,doyou?Letmegetsomescoutsout;maybetheycanfindusajuicyprize."



Hestalkedoutofthetenttoroundupafewofthescoutswhohad,inalllikelihood,settledinattheircampfireandwouldnotbepleasedtobesentoutagain.ThescoutswereallElvenlords,ofcoursethepreviouscommanderhadnottrustedhumanstorunfreeandactasscouts,andKyrtianwasnotgoingtoriskanyofhisownpeopleinthissituation.Noneofthemhadmorethanthebareminimumofmagic;theywereElvenonlybybenefitofbirthandblood.IntheworldoftheGreatLordstheywereusefulonlyasoverseersandsupervisorsofhumansandbreedersofpossiblematesforunmarriedsonsorthemselves.Theywereexpendable,andoftentreatedworsethanslavesdeemedtobemorevaluable,suchastreasuredconcubinesorskilledgladiators.

Fromthebeginning,Kyrtiantreatedthemwithrespect,andasaconsequence,hadgraduallywontheirloyaltytothepointwheretheyhadacceptedGelasKyrtian'ssecond-in-command,somethingnoGreatLordwouldeverdo.Hetookpainsnevertoshowthemthathefeltsorryforthem,buthedid.InthelongstoryoftheElvenlordsinthisplace,nexttothehistoryoftheenslavedandabusedhumans,theirswas

thesaddest.

Achimingfromthebronzeplateathiselbowbrokeintohisthoughts,andhehastilyuncoveredtheteleson.

ThecraggilyhandsomefaceofLordKyndrethhimselfstaredupathim,andKyrtianmadeasketchysalute."Hrotheranpassedonyourrequest,andthereasonforit,"Kyndrethrumbled."Myfirstthoughtwasthatthe

youngpupswouldn'tdarethreatenharmtoanotherElvenlordorladybut"hechuckledharshly"mynextthoughtwasthattheyalreadyhave."

"Well,"Kyrtianreplied,"yes.Frankly,we'venowayofknowingifthedeathsofsomeoftheLesserLordsontheirestateswereatthehandsofrevoltingslaves,oroftheYoungLords.Theywouldn'tadmititiftheyhadkilledoneofus,notwhentheyknowverywellhowharshthepenaltieswillbewhenwedefeatthem."



"Theyjustupandchangedmarch,LittleMother,"theswarthy,squatyounghumantoldher,asshekeptrefillinghisglassandhisplate.The"boys"tendedtoforgetabouteatinganddrinkingwhiletheywereoutthere,andcamebackstarvedandreadytodrinkalake."It'sasiftheygotdifferentorderslastnight."

LadyMothconsideredthisinformationforamoment,thenmadeuphermind."Lasen,onafasthorse,howlongdoyouthinkitwouldtakemetocatchuptothearmy?"sheasked.Themanstaredather,understandingslowlycomingintohisbrowneyes;hisbrowwrinkledwithconcernsothathelookedlikeaworriedhound.

Heknewher;heknewbetterthantotryanddissuadeher.Hedidn'thavetoreadherthoughtstoknowwhattheywerealthough,ifhehadcaredto,heprobablycouldhave,sincehewasoneofthefourwithwizard-powers.

Hewon'tthough;thoseboysthinkit'simpolitetohearthoughtswithoutpermission,ifyou'reafriend.Heprobablywouldn'teventhinkofdoingitunlessmylifeorhiswasatstake,thedearchild.Therewasnothinginherthoughtsshecaredtohidefromanyonethesedaysthoughwhenshe'dbeenyounger...

"Youcouldcatchthembysundown,"hetoldher,slowly."Butthequestionis,canyoucomeatLordKyrtianthroughallofhisarmyandcomeawayagainbacktous?"Afleetingghostoffea

rtraveledacrosshisfacethen,anditwasthatfearsheansweredbeforesheaddressedthespokenquestion.

"Ihavenointentionofabandoningallofyou,mylad,"shesaidfondly,andtappedhisshoulderinmock-admonitionwiththebookshewasholding."Neverfearthat;youandtherestareallthefamilyIhavenow,andallthefamilyIwant.IwanttotalktoKyrtian,that'sall;IthinkIcandoalotforallofusifIcanjusttalktohim."



Lasenlookedskeptical,andLadyMothsmiled."LittleMother,thisistheArmyCommander,notoneofyourYoungLords."

"He'snoolderthantheYoungLords,mylad,andwhat'smore,ifyouthinkI'mgoodtomypeople,youshouldseehis!Ipledgeyoumywordforit."

Lasennoddedslowly.Mothdidn'toftenpledgeherword;allherhumansknewthatwhenshedid,shewasbeyondcertainofwhatshepromised.Alittleoftheconcernclearedfromhisface.

"Asforgettinginandout"shechuckled"nofearthere,either.Solongasthereisn'tanotherElvenlordI

havetooutwit,I'llgetinandoutagain."

"I'llhaveStarfootsaddledandwaitingandit'smyselfthatwillcomewithyou,then,"Lasensaid,inavoicethattoldherthathewouldbejustasstubbornassheonthatpoint.Sheinclinedherheadintacitagreement,andwentofftotellViridinawhatsheintended,andtochangehergownforsomethingmoresuitedtothetaskathand.

Lasenwaitedatthedoorofthestable,Starfootandanotherhorsesaddledandready,whenshearrived,cladinbreechesandsombertunicofbrowndoeskin.Starfootwasamaresonamed,notbecauseshewaslovely(forinactualfactshewasasuglyasamud-pieandscrawnyasasapling),butbecauseshewasfleetasanyshooting-star.Shewasperfectforsuchatask;hermud-colorwouldhideher,justasthebrownofMoth'sclothingwouldservethesamepurpose.Lasenhadchosenanothermud-colored,swifthorse,ageldingthatwasStarfoot'shalf-brother,andalreadyworedust-greytunicandbreechesforthesamecamouflagingpurpose.

AndLasenhadoneotheradvantageasherguideandguard;hehadthehumanmagicofspeakingandhearinginthoughts.Noonewouldgetneartothemwithouthimknowing,andtheycouldavoidthearmy'sownscoutsandsentrieseasily.ThatwastheonethingthatidiotElvenlordsalwaysforget,Moththoughtsourly,asshemountedStarfootalittlestiffly.Humanmagicmakesitpossibleforthemtoknowlongb



eforeanenemyarrives.

Itwasalong,hardride,evenforMoth,whowasusedtoridingtheboundsofherownestateeveryday.Theydidnotstopexcepttorestthehorsesandallowthemtodrinkandsnatchamouthfulofoats.AnditwasaftersunsetwhentheyfinallysawthecampfiresofKyrtian'sarmyfromthetopofahill,likestrange,yellowstarssprinkledacrossthehillsideoppositethem.

Lasenstaredattheencampment."Thepasswordis'Afinesatinsheep,'"hesaid,afteramoment'spause.

"Sheep?Notsheet?"sheasked,nonplused.

"Definitelysheep,"hereplied."They'reusingnonsensephrasesjusttomakethi

ngsabitmoresecure."

Mothdismounted;noneedtoorderLasentowatchthehorsesandlieconcealedwhileshemadeherwayintothearmy.Hevanishedintothedarknessbehindher;sheworkedhermagiconherself.

Shewasalreadyasthinandbonyasmanyhumanmen,andherloosetunicconcealedwhattherewasofher

figure.Withherlonghairknottedonthetopofherheadandhiddenbeneathacap,sheneededonlytoalterherappearanceatrifletopassasaslave:roundherears,darkenherskin,andsolongasshekeptherheaddown,simplydarkeninghereyeswouldsufficetohidewhatshewas.

Andthemagicofelvenwomen,afterall,wastoaltersmallthings....



Ithurt;thatwastheworstofit.Herearsburnedasifshehaddippedtheminboilingwaterassheroundedthepoints,andshebithernetherlipuntilitbledtokeepfromcryingout.Thenitwastheturnofhereyesnotsodifficult,this,tochangethecolor,andnotaspainful.

Then,followingthewhisperedconversationthatLasenhadgivenherbeforehevanished,shewalkedintothearmyencampment.ThankstoLasenshehadthepasswordsheneededtopassthesentriesquiteasifshewaspartofthearmyherself.Nooneevengaveherasecondglance.

Asshestrodestifflyamongthecampfires,intheflickeringlightfromfireandtorchthatmadeitpossibletopulloffthenextpartofherruse,shekeptasharpeyeoutforsomethingshecouldusetogetupasfaras,andeveninto,Kyrtian'stent.Onepieceatatime,shemanagedtopilferatray,aplate,andarough-hewnwoodencup;withabreathofherownmagic,theyacquiredapatinaofsilver.Watertookon

therosyhueofwine,andacoupleofchunksofwoodbecamemeat,cheeseandbread,atleastonthesurface.Asnatchedhandfulofweedstransformedintotasty-looking"garden"greensputthefinaltoucheson.Thisalllookededible(althoughitwasn't)butbynomeansmorethanascanttouchabovetheordinarysoldiers'ra-.tions.Sheknewhernephew;knewthatwaswhathewouldeatbychoice.Shedidn'twantherexcuseforentrancetobesnatchedawaybytheofficiousservantofsomelesserElven-lordjustbecauseitlookedtastyenoughtobeappetizingtohismaster!

Bythistimeshewaswelluptotheclusteroftentsofthecommanders;thelargersizeofKyrtian'smadeitobviouswhichwashis.Therewereguardsonthetent,butherage,size,andburdenmadeherstatusanderrandobvious,andtheygaveherthemerestofcursoryonce-overstoensurethatshewasn'tarmedbeforeholdingtheflapasideandsendingherin.

KyrtianandhishumanshadowGelwerebentovermaps,seeminglyoblivioustoanythingelse.Sheclearedher

throatostentatiously.

Neitherofthemturnedaround,orevensomuchasstarted."Weknowyou'rethere,"Gelsaidcrosslywhichrelievedhersomewhat,sinceshe'dbeenalittlealarmedathoweasilyshehadgottenclosetohernephew,unchallenged."Putitdownandgetout."



"That'safinewaytotalktoyourLord'saunt,"shereplied,loudlyenoughsotheycouldhearher,butsoftlyenoughthathervoiceshouldn'tcarrytotheguardsoutside.

Theypivotedsofasttolookather,theireyessowideandshocked,thatshechuckled.

"Moth?Moth?"Kyrtiansqueaked.

"Voicejustnowstartingtobreak,boy?"Mothrepliedwithagrin,puttingdownherinedibleburden."Alwayskneweverythingaboutyouwasslowtogrowbutyourmind,butisn'tthatabitmuch?"

"So,that'sthesituation,then,"Kyrtianfinished.Thearrivalofhisauntonhisverydoorstepanddisguisedasahumanslave,noless!hadbeensomethingofashock.Apleasantshock,however."AndIdon'tmindtellingyouthatI'vebeenscramblingtofindsomeexcusenottorescueyou."HeandMothhadbeentalkingnonstopforsolongthattheywerebothhoarse,andoncehegotoverhissurprise,hehadneverbeensogladtoseeanyoneinhislife.

"Well,"sheruminated."YoucanseewhyIwasinnogreathurrytoberescued.T

heseyoungrebelsarestillnotthebestanswertoourtroubles,butthey'readamnsightbetterthantheirfathers."



Hereachedforapitcherofsomethingshehadconjuredupoutofwater,ahandfulofblossomsandabitofmagicandpouredcupsofthestuffforbothofthem.Whateveritwas,ithadasgoodaneffectonahoarsethroatashoneyedtea."Idon'tknowwhattodo,"headmitted."Ican'tstopcommandingthearmyitwilljustmeanhumansslaughteringhumans.AtleastthiswayI'mkeepingbloodshedtoaminimum.ButifIdefeattheYoungLords,motherthinkstheGreatLordswillturnthearmyagainsttheWizards,andnevermindthetreaty."

"Yourmother'sright,"Mothsaidsourly,hermouthtwistedupintoascowl."TherewasneveranagreementreachedbyanyoftheGreatLordsthatwasn'tbrokenassoonasoneortheotherofthemcouldmanageit,andthat'safactyou'dbettergetusedto.There'snohonoramongthem;yourcousinisjustabitmoreopenabouthistreacherythanmostofthemare.Ifhewasgood,he'dhavehadyourestateyearsago."

Kyrtiancouldonlyshakehishead.Sincetakingcommand,hehadgottenoneexampleafteranotheroftheduplicityofhisownrace,andhewasstillhavingahardtimegettingusedtoit.Whatwasthepointofallthisdouble-andtriple-crossing,anyway?Wasn'ttheworldwideenoughforeveryonetoprosper?

Evidentlynot,oratleast,notsofarastheGreatLordswereconcerned.

Gel'ssardonicexpressionandoccasionalsarcasticcommentshadmadeitveryclearthathewasnotanywherenearasinnocentasKyrtianhadbeen.And,allthingsconsidered,LadyLydiellprobablywasn'teither.

"Look,"Gelsaid,breakingintohisthoughts."Weneedaplan,andIthinkIhaveone,butitdependsonMoth'sabilitytoscarethewheyoutofthesepetrebelsofhers."Heraisedaneyebrowather."Canyou?"

"Dependsonwhatyouandthisarmyofyourscando,"shetemporized."What'stheplan?"

"Youcangoasyourselftothistraining-camp.Thegladiatorswilltrustyourhumans,Isuspect;fighterstendtotrustotherfighters.Whateverittakes,seeifyoucangetthemtolistentoyo



uandagreetowhatyouwanttodo."

Shesmiled."Itwon'ttakemuch,"shetoldthemboth,wearinganexpressionthattoldthemshewasmightilypleasedwithherself."Icannegatetheircollars;I'veenoughbitsofirontodothat.We'vedonesomeexperimenting,andallittakesisathinsheetofitslippedinbehindandaroundthelockandberyl,andyoucanprythecollaroffwithouthurtingtheslave.Ialwayscarryafewpieceswithmenow,justincase."

"Hah!"Gelhitthetablewithhisfist,greatlypleased."Good!Youtell'emthatwhenweattack,iftheyscatterinsteadoffighting,we'llopenupourlinesataparticularpointinsidetheforesttolet'emthrough,thenswallowthemupintothearmy."KyrtianimmediatelysawwhatGelhadinmindtheyhadacadreoffightersthatGeltrustedtrainedupnow,whowereactuallyloyaltoKyrtian.Soevenif,say,LordKyndrethwaswatchingvia

magic,allhewouldseewasthattheenemygladiatorsscatteredandnothingmore.HealsohadagoodideawhatGelwasgoingtosuggestnext.

"Then,"hetookover,"Moth,yougotoyourrebels,andsuggestthattheybreakupandgetoutoftheestates;taketothehillswithsmallgroupstoavoidbeingcaptured,andstartaguerrillawar."

Hisauntabsorbedallthisforamoment,thenasmilebrokeoutonherface."Isee!Iscaretheyoungsters,bytellingthemwhatIpersonallywitnessedoftheslaughteroftheirbesttroops,andconvincethemthattheycan'tpossiblyholdoutdirectly.Theyabandontheestates,oratleasttheonesthatstillhaveolderrelativesamongtheGreatLordstoclaimthemwhichishalfofwhattheirfatherswant.Icanbe'rescued'andserveastheireyesandearsintowhattheirfathersareuptowhichgivesyoueyesandearsintowhatthey'redoing,soyoucanarrangethingstoyourliking.Youstillhaveawarthatyoucanfightintinyskirmishes,withoutevercomingtoaconclusion."Hergrinwidened."Icanevenoffertohidetheringleadersands

omeoftherestonthepropertyIholdnow,andtheycanruntheirfightfromthere."



Kyrtiangaveheralittlebowofrespect.Sheshouldhavebeenageneral."WhichmeanstheGreatLordswon'tsendmeagainsttheWizards,atleast,notforawhile."Heconsideredthenextmoveintheplan."Wecandelaythingsforawhile,whileItryandcomeupwithabettersolution."

LadyMothlaughedmockingly."Andmyrewardistogetmyhusband'sestateback,whichisnobadbribeformycomplicity,boy."

"Therehastobesomethinginthisbargainforyou,myLady,"hedemurred.Sheshookherheadathim.

"Ithinkthiswillworkforawhile,anyway,"Gelvoicedhisownopinion."Ilikeit.AndI'vegotnoparticular

objectiontopatchingtogethertemporarysolutionsforthenexttwodecades."

LadyMothstoodup."Timeformetogo.Boy,whenyouhavethetime,findanexcusetocometotheestateI'vefoundsomethingsinthelibraryIthinkwillinterestyou."

Shedidn'twastetimeonfarewells;LadyMothwasnotonetowastetimeonanything,asKyrtianrecalled.Abriefembraceforhim,andasketchysaluteforGelwasallshegave,thenshew

asoutofthetentandbackonherwaytoherwaitinghumanescort.

Gelfollowedherout,tobesureshegotbacksafelythroughthelines.Whilehewasgone,Kyrtianfoldedthemaps,tidiedthetent,andremovedthebronzeplaquefromtheteleson.HewantedtotalktoLadyLydiellaboutthiswhileitwasallstillfreshinhismind.Itwasworththechanceofbeing"overheard,"althoughgiventhatthiswasaveryoddhourtobetalkingtoher,thatwaslesslikelythistime.

Lydielllistenedtohisbriefsummarywithhereyesalight."IfthishadbeenanyoneotherthanMoth,Iwouldhavesaiditwastoogoodtobetrue,"shesaidwhenhewasfinished."ButitisMoth,andfrankly,it'sexactlythesortofthingIwouldexpectoutofher.Welllookwhatshe'sdoneonherown,discoveringhowtonegatethecollar-spellsandgetthemoffwithouthurtingtheslaves!"



"Usefulbitofinformation,that,"Kyrtianmurmured,thinkingoutloud."Itwouldhavetobeahumanthatdidit,though;Iwouldn'twanttochanceeitherpoisoningbythemetalormagicalbacklash.Mother,howamIgoingtokeepLordKyndrethfromsuspectingthatsomethingisupwhenallresistancesuddenlymeltsaway?"

"Bystagingmoreofaroutatthisnextmock-battlethanyou'relikelytogetfromthehandfulofformergladiatorsthere,"shesaidinstantly."YouandIwillcreateaGatefromheretothere,andwe'llsendthroughallofourpeoplethatcanfight.They'llposeasslavesoftheYoungLordsthey'llholdaline,thenbreakandroutstraightbacktotheGateandhome.ThatwillgiveyousomethingtoconvinceKyndreththatyou'vewonaconclusivevictory."

"AGate?CanIdothat?"heaskeddoubtfully."AmIstrongenough?"

"Notbyyourselfbutrememberwhatyoudiscoveredaboutcombiningmagicfromseveralpeople?"shecountered."Youhavemeandtheothershere;togetherwewillhavequiteenoughtocreateaGate."

Henodded,andbegantofeelmoreconfident."PerhapsIshouldinviteLordKyndrethtoobserve?"

"Atadistance,"sheanswered."WiththeCouncil.There'sanoldviewing-telesonintheCouncilChamber;theyprobablyhaven'tuseditsincethedisastrousdebaclewithLordDyran."

"ButifIchoosewheretoputtheteleson-sender,they'llseewhatIwantthemtosee."Thiswascomingoutbetterandbetter."AndwithalloftheGreatLordsjostlingabout,theyaren'tgoingtonoticetheGate"



"Theywon'tnoticeitanyway,"Lydiellsaidwithconfidence."It'sverynoisy,buttheywon'tbeexpectingitandthey'llbetoofaraway.They'dhavetoknowsomethinglikethatwasgoingon."

"Oh,Icancoveritwithsomelevin-boltsanyway,"Kyrtiandecided."They'dbeexpectingsomethingofthesort.MotherIthinkthisisgoingtowork"

"Ineverdoubtedthatyouwouldfindaway,"shesaidserenely.

Whentheyendedtheirconversation,andhehadcoveredtheteleson-screenagain,hewaitedimpatientlyforGeltoreturnsothathecouldworkoutallthedetailsofthisadditiontotheplan.

ForthefirsttimesincehehadtakenoverthecommandoftheGreatLords'army,hebegantohopehecouldsave,notonlyhisownpeople,buteveryoneinvolved.Oratleast,almosteveryone.Andthatwassomuchmorethanhehadeverthoughthe'dbeabletodo,thathefeltasifhehadjustdrunkanentirebottleofsparklingwine.

Now,let'shopeallthisdoesn'tprovetobeasephemeralaswine-joy!

18

TheearsoutsideLordKyrtian'stentarealotkeenerthanhehasanyreasontoguess,Kemanthoughtwithglee,asheheardKyrtianconcludingthesecondconversationofthedaywithLadyLydiell.So,Elvenlord,whyhaven'tyoufiguredoutthatyouhavedragonsonyourdoorstepliterally?

Keman,Shana'sfoster-brother,was,ofcourse,thatdragon.Sowashispartnerinthisspyingendeavor,althoughshecamefromaLairthathadneverknowntherewereotherdragonsintheworlduntilshemethim.Dragons,withtheirabilitytoshapechangeintovirtuallyanythingtheychose,wereuniquelysuitedtospyingontheElves,whocouldeasilycrackanydisguisewroughtwithillusions.Inspiteofthefactthatinhisrealformhewaseasilyfortyorfiftytimesthebulkofeventhestrongestandtallestmalehuma



n(orElf)he'deverseen,thedraconicgiftofbeingabletopushmassandweightelsewheretheycalledit,"intotheOut"madeitpossibleforhimtomasqueradeasevenasmallchild.

HeandDorahadshapechangedthemselvesintohumanfightersandinsinuatedthemselvesintotheGreatLords'armyassoonasitbecameobviousthatthisnewcommanderwasjustasbrilliantastheoldonehadbeenincompetent.WhentheyfirstbeganthistaskonShana'sbehalf,theyhadgonefromoneGreatLord'shouseholdtoanotherintheformsofvariousslavessincenoGreatLordeverbotheredtotakenoteofamerehumansolongashedidn'tdisobeyandhadnohintofmagicasanElfunderstooditabouthim.TheyhadactuallybeeninLordKyndreth'shouseholdasapairofpageswhenthefirstnewsofLordKyrtian'svictoriescamein.FromthereithadbeenamatterofsimplicitytoinsinuatethemselvesintothecompanyoffighterstheGreatLordsenttoaugmentthearmy.

Theonlyhardparthadbeenslippingawayatnighteverysooftentohunt,foradragonneededvastlymorefoodthanahuman.Eventhathadn'tbeentoohorriblydifficult,andtheyhadbeenkeepingShanainformedfaithfullyofallthatthisnewcommanderwasdoing.Ithadtakenhimalittletimetogetusedtohispartner'soutward



appearance,however;havingagrizzled,muscle-bound,surlymalelookathimwhilehewashearingDora'svoiceinhismindwasalittleunsettling.Andithardlyneededtobesaidthatwhiletheywereintheseguises,theycouldnotevenmakethemostcasualofaffectionategesturestowardsoneanother,noteventhesortsofthingsthathadbeenpossibleaspages.Onlywhentheyflewintheirownshapescouldhecourtherasshedeserved.

KemanandDoraweren'ttheguardsjustoutsidethetentflapsofLordKyrtian'stentthatpositionwasreservedforthehandfulofmenthatSergeantGelhadtestedandtriedandfoundtrustworthy.Foronething,althoughbothdragonsmightlooklikefighters,theydidn'thaveanyrealskillwiththeformidableweaponsthattheyheldskilldidnotcomewiththeshape,alas.Theyhadn'tevenbeenamongthevolunteershopingforsuchaposition.No,theywereguardingthewagonsholdingthepossessionsoftheotherElvenlordsservingasKyrtian'sofficers,possessionswhichhadnotbeenunpackedfordays(muchtoth

edisgruntlementoftheirowners)sincethespeedofmarchhadnotpermittedthekindofleisurelycampingwithluxuriesthatthepreviouscommanderhadallowed.

Itwasagoodthingthatdarknesscloakedanyfaintsignsofhisimpatience,forKemancouldhardlycontainhimself.TheyhadknownforsometimethatLordKyrtianwasveryunlikeLordLevelis,thepreviouscommander,inmorewaysthansimplecompetence.Foronething,hismethodoftrainingwasastounding

usingmagictocounterfeitbladesandotherweapons,sothatitwaspossibletoacquirerealskillwithoutevergettinghurt!Forthefirsttime,ahumanslavedelegatedtothepositionof"fighter"stoodadecentchanceofsurvivingandwouldmanagetogetthroughhistrainingperiodwithoutbeingkilledormaimed.

Thatinandofitselfhadbroughtexcitementamongtherankstoafeverpitch,buttherewassoonmoretorejoicein.RumorintherankshadsoonbeenprovedtruththatLordKyrtianactuallycaredaboutthehumanswho

servedintheranksandwasnotinclinedtothrowthemintocombatandusethemupthewayhispredecessorhad.ButuntiltonighttheyhadnotrealizedhowwildlydifferenthisattitudestowardhumanswerefromthoseofotherElvenlords!

ItseemedthatLadyMothandthelateandlamentedLordVa-lynwerenottheonlyonesoftheirkindtoregard



humansassomethingotherthanobjectsofpossession,creaturesdestinedbybirthtoserveandbeconsumedandtossedawayatthewhimsoftheirElvenmasters.EventherebelliousYoungLordshadprovedsomethingofadisappointmentoncetheyhadamodicumofpowerthehumansundertheircontrolmightnothavetofeartheterriblepunishmentsinflictedonthembymagicanymore,buttheywerestillslaves,andtreatedassuch.NotsowithLordKyrtian,whoseverysecond-in-commandwasahuman,muchtothefurtherdisgruntlementoftheElvenlordsservingasofficers.

WaituntilShanahearsallthis!hethought,hardlyabletocontainhimselfandwaitforthenextshiftofguardstocomeandrelievethem.

ItwascleartoKemanatleastthatsomeonefromtheWizardswasgoingtohavetoapproachLordKyrtian.Theycouldn'taffordnotto,now.Itwasclearfromhistwoconversationsthathedidnotwanttofindhimself

forcedtohuntdowntheWizards,whichhewould,ifhemanagedtodefeattheYoungLords.

Whatwasmore,itwasentirelylikelythathecouldfindthemandbeatthemincombat.TheonethingthathadsavedtheminthepastwasthattheElvenlordshadusedmostlymagicagainsttheWizardsandtheWizardshadusedmostlymagicagainsttheirfoes.TheproblemwasthattheWizards'maindefensenowwastheuseofironwhichwasbrilliant,butdidpreventthemfromusingmagicoffensively.Thedragonscouldhelp,butthey

wereasvulnerabletorealweaponsashumansandhalfbloodswereandLordKyrtiancouldfieldanarmyofslavesthatwouldhavenodifficultyindefeatinganyWizardarmy.

Unless,ofcourse,theIronPeoplecouldbeconvincedtohelp.Ah,butwhyshouldthey?Whyshouldtheyactuallyfight,whentheythemselveswereinnorealdangerfromtheElvenlordsandtheycouldalwaysgoback



tothesouthandsafety?Theirleader,theIronPriestDiric,certainlylikedShanaandherfriends,buthewasapragmaticsort,andhecouldlosehispositionifheadvocatedsomethingthatwouldbringdangertotheIronPeoplewithlittleornoreward.

Ah,butnowtheyknewthatLordKyrtiandidn'twanttofighttheWizards.True,hemightfindhimselfinthepositionwherehehadtoappeartofightthem,butiftheWizardswereinsecretpartnershipwithLordKyrtian,hecouldobeytheorderstodosowitheveryappearanceofobediencetotheCouncil.If,forinstance,heknewwheretheWizardsactuallywere,hecouldhuntunsuccessfully,butdutifully,everywherethattheyweren'tuntiltheCouncilgottiredofitallanddisbandedthearmy.

Soonerorlatertheywoulddojustthat;especiallyiftheWizardswereabletohelpinthatdirection.Itwouldn'tbedifficulttostagescenesofabandonedcampsandgreatdesolation,tomakeit

lookasif,oncechasedfromthehavenoftheCitadel,theWizardshadfounditimpossibletosurviveinthewilderness.

Keman'sthoughtsfilledwithcontemptforthe"OldWhin-ers."Theywouldhavehadthatveryproblemifithadn'tbeenforShanaandthedragons.CaellachGwainandtheotherslikehimwerenomoreequippedtotakecareofthemselvesthanthepamperedElvenlordsthemselveswouldhavebeenifstrippedofmagicalpowers.Putsomeforlorn"settlements"together,.madeofmudhutswithcrumblingwalls

andcaved-inroofs,andscatterafewbonesabout,andleavethemforLordKyrtianto"discover"andtheElvenlordsmightbeconvincedthatifanyhalfbloodsdidsurvivetheywerenotworthpursuing.

Andthen,Kemanthought,whenwe'resecureagain,wemightevenbeabletosecretlytradewithLordKyrtianforthingsthatweneed.AlthoughhelikedDiricandtheIronPeople,andthefolkoftheTraderclans,enormously,itmadehimveryuneasythattheWizardsnowdependedonthesetwosetsofrelativestrangers

(whoafterallhadagendasoftheirown)forthethingstheycouldn'tproducethemselves.KemancouldneverforgetthattheIronPeoplehadonceheldhim,Shana,Mero,andFatherDragoncaptiveIronPriestDirichadnearlybeentoppledfromhisseatofpoweronce,anditcouldhappenagain.Kemanwouldratherthathisfriendsandfoster-sisterhadonemorelayertotheirnetofsurvival.



TheWizardshadoncestolenwhattheywantedfromthesupply-wagonsoftheElvenlordsthemselves,butthathadallcometoanendwhentheElvenlordsrealizedthattheystillexistedandwerepilferingsupplies.Suchtheftsweretoodangerousnowand,infact,hadbeenforbiddenbythetenuoustreatythattheElvenlordshadagreedtowiththembuttheWizardswerenotcraftsfolkorterriblysuccessfulfarmers.Huntersohmy,yestheymerelyhadtomagicallytransportananimalfromtheforestorfieldsbymagictokillit,andeventheleastskilledofthemcoulddothat,formagicwasonestalkerthatnobeastcouldscent.Meatofallsortstheyhadinabundance,andhides,andtheratherlovelyhornsofalicorns,butthebesttheywereabletodointhewayofagriculturewasabitofvegetable-gardening.Shana,oneofthefewWizardstomanagethetransportationspellthatenabledhertomovelivingcreaturesintact,hadbeenabletobringtheflockofsheepthathadbeenattheoldCitadel,andhadpurloinedsomechickensthathadstrayedandsoweretechnicallynotElvenlordproperty.KemanandKalamadeahadbroughtthemgoats,andevenhorses,buttheterrainaroundthecavestheyhadtakentoliveinwassimplyunsuitedforcultivatinggrain.

Andasforcrafts,well,atsomepointtheyweregoingtorunoutofcloth,andthereweren'tmorethanadozenofthefully-humanex-slavesamongthemthatknewhowtospinandweave.Therewasonesinglepotter,andnoglassmakers.Asformetal-smiths,well,thelesssaid,thebetter.True,theIronPeoplehadsmithsinplenty,buttheyweredownintheplain,andthusfartherehadn'tbeenagreatdealthattheWizardscouldprovidethattheIronPeoplewantedintrade.

AtleastthreequartersofthatlackofskilledworkerswasduetotheattitudesofCaellachGwainandhiscronies.Whatsensiblewildhumanorevenaformerslave,especiallyonewithskillsandatrade,wouldcaretosettleamongpeoplewhoregardedhimasaninferiorpeonwhoshouldbehappytoservehis"betters"withnothought



forcompensation?NofewoftheslavesthathadescapedduringtheYoungLord'sinitialrevolthadsettledbrieflywiththeWizardsthendriftedoffwiththeTraderstosettleelsewhere.

They'reasbadastheElvenlords,Kemanthought,notforthefirsttime.

FornowtheywererelyingonthethingsthathadoncebeenstockpiledintheCitadel;theyhadn'tbeenabletocarrythosethingsawaywiththem,buttheCitadelhadsomehowremainedunpenetratedoratleast,noonehadbotheredtolootitordestroywhatwasinit.Shanahadteamsoftheyoungerwizardsworkingtogethertotransporteverythingpossibleoutofthereandintothehandsofthosewhoactuallyownedthethingsorintothestorage-roomsoftheirnewhome.Somethingswereinsurplusanythingthatdidn'tgetuseduporsuffermuchfromwearandtear.Nevertheless,theyhadmoremanymorebodiestoclotheandmouthstofeedthanthey'dhadbackwhenonlyhalfbloodedWizardslivedintheoldCitadel.

Butiftheycouldsetupatrading-agreementwitharealEl-venestate...well,thentheirtransportationmagicscouldbeusedtoswaphidesandmeat,rawlumber,eventhegemsandpreciousmetalsthatweresoeasyforthedragonstocoaxupoutoftheearth,formostofthosethingsthattheynowdependedontheTradersandIronPeoplefor.

Don'tdependonthateggtohatchjustyet,Keman,hewarnedhimself.ReporttoShanafirst.It'smoreimportanttogettothepointwherewe'vegotanagreementwiththisKyrtianthatwillpreventhimandthearmyfromcomingafterus!

Theirreliefpartyarrivedjustthen,twostriplinghumansthathadbeenrecruitedfromtheranksofthegladiatorsandlookeditmuscledeverywhere,includingbetweentheirears.Theypresentedthemselveswiththeproperpassword,andheandDoragratefullysurrenderedtheirarmstothenewsentries

andploddeddownthehilltotheirowncampsite.Theyhadmanagedtomakethemselvesunpopular,notbyunpleasantbehavior,butsimplybybeingunfriendlyandtaciturn.Noonedislikedthem,butnoonewantedtoassociatewiththemeither.Humans,inKeman'sexperience,whenawayfromtheirfamiliarsurroundings,neededtosocialize.Whenanyparticularhumanofferedacoldshoulder,hewasgenerallyshutouttacitly.



SoKemanandDorahadalittlefiretothemselves;theyundertooktheirdutiesinsilence,andnowtheycollectedtheirrationsfromthecommoncamp-kitchenwithoutcommentbeyondagruntoranod.Theybroughttheirfoodbacktotheircamp,andtoallappearancessettleddowntotheirbelateddinners.

Ah,butbeneaththesurface,thoughtswereflyingbetweenthem.Theywere,infact,mostlyfinishedwiththatrathermeager(bydraconicstandards)meal,beforetheexchangesgotbeyondincredulous:Canyoubelievewhathesaid?:andsimilarexclamationsofastonishment.

:HowsoontonightdoyouthinkShanawilltryandmakecontactwithus?:Doraaskedatlast.:Wehavetotellheraboutthis!IfwecansomehowgetthisKyrtianonourside,itwillmakeallthedifference!:

Keman'sfaceshowednoexpression,buttherewasnothingbutgleeinhisthoughts.:It'swhatwe'veneededallalong,reallywhatShanahasneeded:heamended.

:Oh,wedragonshavethrownourlotinwiththeWizardsnow,nomatterwhatsomeofusthink,:Dorasaidcheerfully.:It'swhatweneed,anallyandapersoninsidetheranksoftheElvenlords.:

Kemanthoughtachuckle.:Itwouldn'thurttheTraderclanstodiscoverthey'vegotsomecompetition,either.:HewasbeginningtoresentthecasualwayinwhichtheTradershadassumedthattheWizardsweretotallyattheirmercynowwhenitcametothingsthattheWizardscouldn'tproduce.HispersistentfearwasthattheTraderswouldlearnthattheIronFolkmostvaluedandneededthemetalthatgavethemtheirname,andwouldfindawaytosupplyitinquantity,therebygivingtheIronPeoplenoreasontocontinuetheiralliancewiththe



Wizards.Thatcouldbeadisaster;withouttheIronPeople,theWizardsdidn'thavealotoffighting-typesifitcametorealcombat.

:Butifwecangetthisnewcommanderonourside,wewon'tneedanyfighters!:Doraremindedhimexcitedly.

:Iwouldn'twanttoabandonthealliance,though,:herepliedwithcaution,ashetookhertinplateandhisown,andscrapedcoalsintobothofthemtoburnofftheremainsoftheirstewthemostcommonwayanyofthesehumansherecleanedtheirdisheswhentheyweredonewiththem.Eventhecookscleanedtheirgreatpotsthiswaysometimes.Especiallylately,withKyrtianmovingthearmyfromdawntojustbeforedark,chasingtheYoungLords'army.

:Well,doyouthinkyou'vesufficientlycalmeddownenoughtohelpmereachShana?:heteased,ashesatdownacrossthefirefromher.

Herreplywasnottranslatable,butwasrude.Healmostcrackedhisdisguisewithagrin,thentheysettledintotheirtasklookingfromtheoutsideasiftheyweretwomiddle-aged,wearymendozingbytheirfire.

ShanahadhardlybeenabletobelievewhatKemantoldher;infact,themomenthe'dtoldherwhatLordKyrtianwasplottingwithhisauntMorthena,she'daskedhimtowaitforamoment.Then,herbloodsingingwithexcitement,sherantogetLorrynsothathecouldhearandverifyitbeforeitactuallysankinastruth.

Shepoundeddowntheroughstonecorridors,redhairstreamingbehindher,fromherchamberstothecommon-room,wherehewassittingwithZedandoneortwoothers,practicingworkinginconcertandusinggemstones

tofocusandamplifytheirpowers.TheseweretheskillsthattheyoungerwizardshaddevelopedthatenabledthemtodosomuchmorethantheireldersabilitieswhichCaellachGwainandhiscroniesresentedwithoutactuallytroublingthemselvestolearn.

"Kemanhassomenews,"shesaidbreathlessly,asthelittlegrouplookedupwithsomesurpriseatherhasty



entrance."I'dliketohearwhatyouthinkaboutit,ifyoucansparethetime,Lorryn."

"Certainly;wewerejustaboutfinishedanyway."Lorrynstoodup,andhandedthebasket-fullofbabychickshe'dbeencradlinginhislaptoZedwithagrin."IneverthoughtthatI'dfindmyselfpurloiningchickenswithmagicwhenIranofftojointheWizards!"

"Hah.Canyouthinkofanybetterwaytopracticethe'safe'transportationspell?"Zedcountered,withhisownwidegrinsplittinghistannedandswarthyface."Ifyouflattenachickortwo,it'snogreatloss."

"Butthey'resowell,cuteI'dfeelguilty,"Lorrynprotested,lookingdownattheyellowballsoffluffwhiletheycheepedsleepily.

Zedonlygrinnedwider."Allthemoreincentive,then,"hepointedout.

"Let'stakeawalk,"Shanasuggestedagoodexcusetogetawayfromtheothers.Shedidn'twanttoraisehopesthatmightbecrushed;Lorryncouldbetrustedtoconsiderallpossibleoutcomesandnotjustthemostdesired.Togethertheycoulddiscusspossibilitiesgrimaswellashopeful.

WhichisjustanotherreasonwhyI'mgladhe'swithme.She'dfallenintothehabitofconsideringhimasapartnersoquicklyitwasalmostasmagicalasanyspell.Hownot?Sheknewshecoulddependonhimtodosomethingwhensheaskedhimto,butevenmoreimportantly,sheknewshecoulddependonhimtodosomethinghesawneededdoingevenifshedidn'task.



Afteraquickwalkuptooneoftheconcealedexitsonthetopofthehillcoveringtheircave-complex,thetwoofthemwereoutunderthestars.Itwasn'tlikelythatthey'dbeoverheard,butShanarelatedwhatKemanhadtoldhermind-to-mindanyway.Justbecausesomethingwasn'tlikelythatwasnoreasontoassumeitwouldn'thappen.

AndtheOldWhinersarejustasliketosetsomeonetospyonusasnot,shethoughtresentfully.ThefatwouldbeinthefireiftheyeventhoughtthatIwasgoingtoopennegotiationswithanElvenlord!

:Ancestors!:Lorrynexclaimed,.-Thisisfantasticnews!Iwouldnever,everhaveanticipatedthis!:

WhileShanawenttogetLorryn,Kemanhadbeenwaitingpatiently;nowshesatdo

wnonarockandconcentratedonthefocus-stoneinherhand,contactinghimonceagain.

:IhaveLorryn,:shetoldhim,openingherthoughtsslightlysothatLorryncouldsensewhatKemanwastellingher.:Canyougothroughallthatagainforbothofus?:

Kemanwasonlytoowillingto;ShanasensedbothLorryn'sgrowingexcitementandthatofDorabehind

Keman'scarefullycontrolledthoughts.ButLorrynsoberedimmediatelyafterthefirstburstofincredulousenthusiasm,anddidn'tinterruptanymorewhileKemanconcludedhisreporttoShana.Itwasdifficultenoughforthemtomaintaincontactatsuchextremedistance,andShanaappreciatedthathekepthisownthoughtsquietwhilesheandherfoster-brotherfinishedtheirbusiness.

ButKemanhadanideaofhisownfortheirsituation,thathevoicedbeforetheybrokeoffcontact.:Shana,whydon'tyouaskMotherandKalamadeatofindironforyou?Oh,Iknowitinterfer

estoomuchevenwithourmagicforthemtobringittothesurface,butsurelytheycanfindit,andonceit'sbeenfound,youcanworkouthowtomineit.SurelytheIronPeopleknowhow!:

.7canask,:shereplied.



:Good!Themoreclawswehavesharpened,thebetter,:washisfinalreply.

"That'snotabadthought,"Shanasaidaloud,asamentalsilencefilledtheplacewhereKeman'sword-thoughtshadbeen.Sheheadedbackdownintothecaverns,withLorrynfollowingbesideher."ButIthoughtthedragonsdidn'tmuchlikebeingaroundiron"

"Theydon't,"Lorrynagreed,"ButFatherDragonandyourfoster-motherAlaraarelikelytoagreetodojustaboutanythingwithinreasonthatyouaskthemto,don'tyouthink?"

"Hmm.SomehowIcan'tbelievethatit'sgoingtobethateasy,"Shanatoldhim,skeptically."Still,there'snoharminasking."

"Andnotimelikethepresent,"Lorrynagreed.Shewasnotatalldispleasedwhenhetookherhandandsqueezeditencouragingly,thendidn'tbothertoletitgoastheydescendedonceagainintotheCitadelcorridors.

Andwhentheyfoundthetwodragonswho(nexttoKeman)hadmostcloselyalignedthemselveswiththeWizards,sheputthequestiontothem.

Theyhadmadethemselvesreallairshere,whichwasnogreatdifficultyforadragon,acreaturewhocouldshaperockandearthtoitswill.ThetwoofthemwereinAlara'slair,recliningintheirnaturalformsinsmoothhollowsfilledwiththesoftsandthatdragonspreferredtorestin.FatherDragonKalamadeabyactualnamewasnotathisfullsizeinhere,fordragonsneverreallystoppedgrowingaslongastheylived,and



FatherDragonwasvery,veryoldandhissizewasimmense.HewouldhardlyhavefitinoneofAlara'shollowsifhehadn'tshiftedpartofhisbulkintotheOutfirst.

Evenso,bothofthemwerehuge,dwarfingthetwohalf-bloodsnexttothem.Alara'sscarlet-scaledtorsocouldhaveservedasahutifitwerehollow.

"Ithoughtwhatyouneededweregemstonesandpreciousmetalstotradewith,"AlararespondedtoShana'squestion,herbobbingheadindicatingherconfusion."That'swhatwe'veallbeenlookingfor.That'swhatyouaskedustofind."

Shanagrimaced."Iknow;thatwasmymistake.Ithoughtso,tooactually,Ididn'treallythink,notevenwhenShadowtoldushownervytheIronPeopleweregettingwithoutanynewsourceof

metalfortheirforges.Twomistakes,then.Isuppose,ifIhadthoughtaboutitatall,IjustassumedthatnowthattheIronPeopleweresettling,they'dfindtheirowniron.So,canyoufindit?"

"Moreorless,"Kalamadearumbled,liftinghisheadfromhisforeclaws."Remember,afterall,thatweusemagictofindthings,andsincetheRottenMetalinterfereswithmagic,itsverypresenceisgoingtointerferewithlocatingit.We'llactuallyhavetodosomeroundaboutreckoningonwheretheinterferenceisstrongestto

findveinsofore."

"Iknewitcouldn'tbeallthateasy,"Shanamutteredtoherself,butatleastFatherDragonseemedtothinkthattherewasawaytoworkaroundtheproblem,andthatwasmorethanshehadexpected.

"Wealsowon'tbeabletobringittothesurfacethewaywecanthesilverandgold,"Alarasighedregretfully.

"Sooncewefindit,you'llstillhavetodigforit,andit'llbeoreratherthanthenice,purenuggetsofotherthingswecanbringup."

"Oh,Ancestors"Lorrynsaidinmockdismay."Thinkofitonemorereasonforable-bodiedfolkstohavetoleavetheCitadel,whichmeansfewerservantstoattendtothewhimsoftheOldWhiners!Theymightactually



havetolearntocleanupafterthemselvesonceinawhile!"

ShanahadnoticedthatLorrynhad,ifanything,lesspatiencewithCaellachGwainthanshedid,althoughyouwouldneverhaveknownitbythewayheactedwiththeoldwizardandhiscronies.Shesmiled."Iwouldn'tmindtakingmyturnontheendofashovel,"shevolunteered."Especiallyifitmeantthatyouwouldtakeoverdealingwiththeminsteadofme."

Hegroanedandshookhishead."Oh,Shanaallright.Isupposethatamongthethreeofus,ParthAgon,DenelorandIcanhandlethem.I'venoticedadistinctimprovementinParth'sattitudeeversincehe'sseenjustwhatanidiotCaellachisbeing."

"AndDeneloralwayswasadear,"Shanasaid,speakingfondlyofherformerteacherandthe"master"toher

"apprentice."

Kalamadeasnorted."Iwouldnothaveusedthatdescription,"hesaid."Buthecertainlyisfarmorewillingtoadapt,accommodate,andchangethananyoftheotherolderwizards.Well,Iwouldsaythatwehavesomethingofaplan,then.AlaraandoneortwooftheothersshouldbetheonestogolookingforRottenMetal;whentheyfindsomethatisnottoofarbeneaththesurface,youandafewhardysouls,Shana,canseeaboutdiggingsomeup.MeanwhileLorrynwilladviseParthAgon,withthehelpofDenelorandme."

Shanaalmostlaughedaloudatthatlast.IfCaellachwasafraidofanything,itwasofthedragons,andKalamadeawasthemostimposingofhiskind.Caellachhadtriedandnearlysucceededinundoingallofthereformsoftheyoungerwizardsonce,whenShanahadbeenawayfromtheCitadel.Asithappened,shehad



beenthecaptive,atthetime,oftheIronPeople,ashadKalamadeaandKeman.SotherehadbeennooneinplacetokeepCaellachGwainincheck.

"YouorI,Shana,willalwayshaveapresencehere,andLorryn,too,Ithink,"FatherDragonrumbled,confirmingherthought."Atleast,untilthedaywhenCaellachGwainswellsupwithindignationandexplodes."

Theyalllaughedsohardattheimagesconjuredupbythatstatementthatasleepyolderwizardpaddedgrumblingintothelairtolodgeaprotestathavinghersleepdisturbed,andwentawaymutteringunderherbreath.

19

Kyrtiansatuneasilyonhishorseinthechilldarknessjustbeforedawn.Hehadbroughtinhistroopsjustaftermidnight,positioningthemasifthiswasgoingtobearealfightandnottheshamthingthatheandMothhadarranged.Afterall,theonlypeoplethatknewitwasashamwerehisownpeopleonbothsidesofthecomingbattle,allofMoth'speople,andheandGel.Itwasagiventhatsomeofhiscommanders(ifnotallofthem)werereportingtooneormoreoftheGreatLords.Kyrtianwantedthemtoreportthemostimpressivevictoryyetandthemostdecisive.

Thiswouldbeenjoyableonlyifhewasdowntherewithhistroops;hewouldhavegivenagreatdealtobeabletoleapoutofhissaddleandheadupthemenheknewsowell.Well,theonlyreasonitwouldbeenjoyableisbecauseIknowhowmuchofthisattackissham.

Ancestors,butitwascold!Armorandpaddedgambesonweren'tdoingalotagainstthedankness,which

penetratedeverything.Infact,thearmorwasonlymakingthingsworse;itsuckedheatawayfromhiminsteadofholdingitin.

Andwasthereactuallydewcondensingonit?



Acolddropletsparkledforamomentjustbeforehiseyes,thendroppedoffthetipofhishelmtosplashontohisnose.

Therewas.Heshiveredandtriedtostophimself;itonlymadehisridiculous,useless,over-ornamentedarmorrattle.

Notpossibleforhimtojoinhismenwheretheywaitedforthesignaltoattack,ofcourse.TheGreatLordswhowerehisultimatemastersherewould,oneandall,havehadhimhauledupinfrontofthemforrecklessnessandblatantdisregardforhisposition.

Sohehadtositonahorseonahillmakinganexcellenttarget,incidentally,hadhismagicnotbeensostronganddirecthisfightersfromafar.Neveroncedirtyinghishandswithactualcombat,oh,no.Thatwas

beneathhisdignityasacommander,anddamagingtotheauthorityofElvesingeneralandtheGreatCouncilinthepersonofitsdesignatedcommanderinparticular.

Atleastthistimehewouldhavesomethingtodobesidessitandwatchandissueanoccasionalorder.Moth'syoungrebelsweregoingtobeveryvisiblyinthefieldtoday;theywerealsogoingtobewearingsomeofthat



bizarrejewelryshe'dtoldhimabout.Theycouldn'tworkanymagicwhilewearingit,butthatdidn'tmatter,sincemostofthemdidn'thavethatmuchinthefirstplace.Itwouldprotectthemfromhislevin-bolts;theywantedtodemonstrateinthemostpublicforumpossiblethattheirfatherscouldnolongerthreatentostrikethemdowninthatparticularfashion.

Icannotimaginethat.Ijustcan't.Iknowintellectuallythattherearemenouttherewhothinkoftheirsonsaspossessions,andareperfectlywillingtodestroythemandtrybegettingasonagainiftheir"possessions"offendthem,butIstillcannotfathomitinmyheart.

Sincetheirfathersdidn'tknowitwasonlysetsofgold-platedcuffsandtorquesthatprotectedtherebelliousYoungLords,andnotsomenewsortofmagic,thisdemonstrationwasgoingtosettheCouncilratherwellaback.

Therebelsaren'tjustYoungLordseither,thoughmostofthemhereare.Mothhadgivenhimabriefsummaryoftherebellionandtosaythathe'dbeenshockedwasanunderstatement.There'saconsiderablenumberoftheoneswhoareLordsonlybecausetheyaren'thuman,thescornfullydisregardedElvenlordsnoonetalksabouttheoneswithlittlemagic.Mothhadintroducedhimtotwoofthosebitterrebels,menLordKyndreth'sageifnotolder.IwonderiftheGreatLordshaveanyideahowcordiallytheyarehatedbysomanyoftheir

"inferiors"?

Mind,thisinvulnerabilitytolevin-boltswasn'tgoingtodotherebelsanypracticalgood,intheplannedscenario.Kyrtian'sarmywastoolargeandwell-organized,andwhentherebelsfled,theirarmywouldfallapart.Kyrtian'smenhadorderstotakeanyonewhosurrenderedasaprisoner;therebelshadnoillusionsabouttheloyaltyoftheirslave-fighters.Whentheyfled,theirarmywoulddropweaponsandcapitulate.Kyrtian'svictorywasacertaintyasfinelyscriptedasaCourtdanceandaspredictable.

Itwasdefinitelygettinglighter.Whenhe'dfirstbroughthisreluctantmountupherebeneaththesetrees,ithadbeentoodarktosee.Nowthehorizonhadlightened,andhecouldmakeoutthedarkshapesoftreesandundergrowthbeneathhim,andinthedistance,thesquareandrectangularbulksofthebuildingswheretheirquarrywaitedsupposedlyasleepandunawareofthearmyabouttodescendonthem.



Goodthingwearen'tgoingtohavetobesiegethisplace;we'dbehereformonths.Beforebattles,oreventhepracticesheandGelhadheldontheestate,heusuallygotatighteninginhisstomach,adrymouth,andhisskinfelthypersensitive.Nottoday;infact,ifanything,hewasboredandhewanteditoverwith.Theconclusionherewasforegone;theonlyquestionwaswhetherornotanyofMoth'speoplewouldbeinjuredbeforetheycouldsurrender.

TheYoungLordshadactuallychosentheirsupposedstrongholdwellalthoughtherewasn'tamanontheGreatCouncilwhowouldhavevalueditproperly.ForthelastcoupleofcenturiesithadbeentheveryminorholdingofaveryminorEl-venlordwhohadnotbeenswallowedupbysomegreaterLordonlybecauseheneverquarreledwithanyone,nevergaveoffensetoanyone,andraisednothingmoredesirablethanherbsandspices.Thiswasfinickywork,farmorethananyGreatLordhadanyinterestin

undertaking,soV'traynIldrenLordJe-reminandhiswife,daughterandslaveshadbeenleftinpeace.Untiltherebellion,thatis.Atthemoment,LordIldrenandhishouseholdweresafelywaitingouttheconflictintheircara-vanserieinoneofthecities.

Somuchforhim;whatwasofinterestwashismanor,whichinthefarpasthadbeenoneoftheoriginalfortifiedmanorsofthisregion,builtbackwhenhumanshadarmiesandwereconsideredatleastathreattoElvenkind.It

hadbeenfurtherfortifiedatthebeginningofthefirstWizardWar,makingitquiteasnuglittleretreat.ItwasKyrtian'sopinionthatitsformerownerwouldhavedonebettertoremainbuttonedupinsideitratherthanfleeingtothecityandthecrampeddiscomfortofhistinycaravanserie.



Buthehadn't,andtherebelshadappropriateditasaplacetohouseandtraintheirhumanfighters.

Ithadbeen,therefore,ofminorstrategicimportanceuntilthismoment.ButheandMothhaddecidedthatfortoday'spurposeitwouldplaytheroleoftherebel'sheadquarters,sothatwhentheYoungLordsallwenttogroundonMoth'sestateafteraspectacularrout,noonewouldbelookingforthemthere.

ItwasagiventhatnooneontheCouncilwouldwonderwhypeoplewhohadbeencleverenoughtochooseadefensiblestructurelikethisoneastheirheadquarterswouldalsoleaveitforapitchedbattleoutsidethewallsofthestructure.Analyzingtheenemy'sstrategywasnotaskillthattheGreatLordsoftheCouncilexercised.Solongasthingswenttheirway,theywerenotinclinedtoaskwhyorlookthesituationoververyclosely.

Whichiswhytheyareinthisparticularquandaryinthefirstplace.

Birdstwitteredsoftlyandsleepilyoverhead.Theyhadbeguntowake;itwouldn'tbemuchlongerbeforetheattack.

Lightseepedintothelandscape,revealingitinshadesofblue-grey.Roundedsh

apeswerebushes,trees.Pointedones,rockyoutcrops.Andinthefardistance,leaguesbelowhishill,thesquaresandrectangleswerethefortifiedmanor.

Thelightstrengthened,althoughtheonlysignofthesunrisetocomewasthesteadybrighteningintheeast.Asinglefigurestoodsentryonthewallsbelow;thoseoftheGreatLordsobservingthisintheirtelesonsmustbelaughingnow.Onesentry!Andthegateswideopen!

Thegateswerewideopensothatthearmywithincouldboilouteasilywhich,inamoment,whenthesentry"spotted"thefirstofhistroopsattemptingtoapproachbystealthandsoundedthe"alert",theywould.

Thedistantfiguresuddenlymoved,andthethinwailofatrumpetcarriedupto



Kyrtian'sears,andthepeaceofthemorningshatteredlikebrittleglassasfighterseruptedfromeverygate,shouting,theirvoicesrisingtoKyrtianinaconfusedbabble.

Timetogivethesignal.

Kyrtianstoodupinhisstirrups,pointedhisrighthandskyward,andlaunchedaboltofmagicuptothedeepblue-greybowlofthepre-dawnsky:notalevin-bolt,butoneoftheharmlessillusion-boltsoftenusedtoenliveneveningentertainments,asoundlessshowerofcoloredsparksoflighthighintheair.Andnowitwastheturnofhisarmytoemergefromtheplaceswherethemenhadlainhiddenhalfthenight,notshouting,buteerilysilent,likeanarmyofspirits....

Buttheydidn'tstaysilentforlong;thatwastoomuchtoexpectoffleshandb

lood.Halfwaydownthehilltheirnervesortheirexcitementgotthebetterofthem,andtheirownthroatsopenedwithacollectiveroar.Beneathhishorse'shooves,thegroundshook,andtheterrifiedbirdsburstoutofthetreeabovehim.

Atthatmoment,beforethetwoarmieshadevenmet,KyrtianspottedtheYoungLordscomingoutofthegatesoftheirfortress.Heknewthembytheircolorfularmor,ridingoutthroughthefloodoftheirownfighters,theirhorsescarriedalonglikeflotsaminastream.

Ha!

Hehadbeentoldnottoholdback,andhedidn't.Assoonastheforemostoftheridersgotfreeofthehumanseaabouthim,Kyrtianaimedgatheredhispowerfromthedepthsofhissoulclaspedbothhandsabovehishead,andletloosealevin-boltatthenearest.



Thelevin-boltstreakedfromhisclaspedhandsacrossthespacebetweenthem,afire-streamingcomet,andthosewhosawitandhadthetimetoreactflungthemselvesscreamingoutofitspath.Anyonewithanyexperienceoflevin-boltswouldseethatthisonewasdeadlyandstrong.

Ithitithit!Kyrtian'sthroatclosedforamomentwhatifMothwaswrong?Butinthesamemoment,heknew,heknewthatMothhadnotbeenwrong,forhisfatallevin-boltinthemomentofstrikingfragmentedintoathousandshardsoflight,blindinghisviewofhistargetforjustamoment.Inthenextmoment,therewashistarget,unharmedthoughthepoorhorsewasfrozeninplace,allfourhoovesplanted.

Yes!Itworks!Nowsurethathewouldnotkillsomeone,Kyrtiandidn'thesitate,andatlasthehadalittleofthe

thrillofbattle,theexultationofsuccess;boltafterboltflewdownthehillandintothechestsoftheYoungLords;boltafterboltshatteredontheirdefensesjustasthefirsthad.

Bynowthefightersofbothsideshadclearedoutofthewayofthebolts,whichmeantthatasidefromafewscatteredpairslockedincombat,themainbodyoftroopsweren'tactuallyfightinganyone.That,too,waspartoftheplan.

Butinsteadoftakingheartfromthefailureofhislevin-boltstokillasanysanecommanderwouldhavetheYoungLordsapparently"panicked"whenconfrontedbyamageofsuperiorpower.

Theyturnedtailandfled;notinabody,butbreakingfromtheirarmy,sendingfighterstumblingoutofthewayofthehoovesoftheirboltingsteeds,andscatteringineverypossibledirectionexcepttowardstheenemy,whippingtheirhorsesinafrenzyoffeignedfear.Andatthesightoftheirleadersinarout(whichwas,of

course,thesignaltocertainofthehumanfighterstomoveintothenextphaseoftheplan),therebelarmyitselfsuddenlybrokeoffcombatbeforeithadevenbegun.Leaderless,itwaseverymanforhimself,andthehumanswereundernoobligationtocarryouttheordersofmasterswhohadabandonedthem.Mostsurrenderedorfledwithinmoments.Thelion'sshareoftheoneswhofledwereKyrtian'sbroughttoaugmenttheYoungLords'troopsandmakethearmylookformidableenoughtohavebeenarealthreat.Kyrtian'smen,throwingdown



theirweaponsthebettertofleeunencumbered,wereheadingforaGatethatwouldtakethemhome.

Therestdroppedtheirweaponsaswell,butthrewthemselvesontheirfacestosurrenderKyrtianhadcountedonthat,andhehadthesatisfactionofseeingthatthesurrenderingfightersmanagedtoimpedethosewhomighthavefollowedtheoneswhofled.

Nowtherewassomepleasure,thethrillofseeingaplanunfoldperfectly,thoughtherewasandwouldnotbeanyoftheexcitementandtriumphofarealvictory.

TheGreatLords'fighterspursuedbutthevanguardwascomposedofmoreofhisownmen,andtheymanagedtoobstructthepassageofthemenbehindthembygettingtangledupwiththosewhoweresurrendering.Thismanagedtoimpedetherestofthefighters,slowingthemandpermittingthevanq

uishedtogetaheadstart.Bythetimerealpursuitgotunderway,theenemywasalreadytoofaraheadtopursueeffectivelyafoot.So,giventhatKyrtiangavenoorderstourgethemonfromhishilltopcommand-post,theybegantheeasiertaskoftakingchargeofthosewhosurrendered.MothandLadyViridinahadtakentheprecautionoftamperingwitheveryslave-collartomakeitseemthattheYoungLordshadfoundawaytooverridetherightfulowners'compulsions.Gladiatorialslavestheonlyonesthatwerereasonablecandidatesforcombatweren'tsoplentifulthesedaysthatanyonewouldevenconsiderkillingorpunishingthesemenforsomethingtheycould

nothelp;iftheiroriginalownerscouldn'tbedetermined,they'dprobablybeallottedamongtheGreatLordsasbooty.

Furtherenricheningthecoffersofthosewhodon'tneedit.Kyrtianfeltalmostdepressed,ashewatchedthechaosofthebattlefieldsortitselfintotidygroupsofprisonersandcaptors.Theredidn'tseemtobemanydead



orseriouslywounded;therewereafewdistantfiguresstillontheground,buttheyweremovinginawaythatsuggestedinjurybutnotserioustrauma.

Ishouldbegladofthat.Andhewasbuthealsofeltasifhe'dbeencheated,somehow;allofthepreparationforabattlemore,farmore,inthewayofplanningandorganizationbutnoneoftheexcitement.Themosthefeltwasgratitudethatitwasdonewithandthereweresofewcasualties.

Thesunwasonlyjustcrestingtheeasternhorizon,themerestfingernail-paringofhotrose,andthebattlewasover;sofarastheGreatLordswereconcerned,thewarwiththeirrebeloffspringwasover,too.Nowwouldcomethehardpart;huntingthemdownindividually,orwaitingforthemtocomecrawlingback,lookingforforgiveness.Thatwaswhattheywouldbethinking,anyway,andKyrtianwasnotabouttoallowthemtodiscoveranypartofthetruth.

Hesignaledtohishorse,andletitplodbackdownthehilltohistent.TimetopreparehimselfforLordKyndreth'scongratulations,andpretendtoanelationhedidn'tfeel.

Thesubcommandersmilledaboutinthebackground,notdaringtoapproachsuchexaltedpersonagesasLordsoftheCouncilwithoutbeingsummoned,butclearlyhopingtobenoticed.

Kyrtian,ontheotherhand,wasverymuchthecenterofattention,andnotfeelingparticularlycomfortableinthatposition.

"Brilliant!"Kyndrethboomed,asKyrtianduckedhisheadmodestly."Brilliant!Clearlytheyneverguessedyouwouldforceamarchafterdarktogetintoplacebeforesunrise."

"IhadmadeapointofalwaysbivouackingbeforesunsetuntilIknewwheretheyhadmadetheirheadquarters,mylord,"Kyrtiansaid,asLordKyndrethacceptedaglassofwinefromoneoftheslaves."Iwantedthemtoseeapatternandbecomeusedtoit."

Kyrtian'stenthadbeenclearedofeverythingexcepttablesandchairsborrowed



fromthoseofhisunderlingswhoinsistedontravelingwithsuitesoffurniture;withcarpetsonthefloorandslavesholdingtraysofrefreshments,itcouldnothavelookedlesslikehiscampaignheadquarters.ButLordKyndrethhadinsistedonGatinghere("withaselectfewoftheCouncil,nothingtotroubleyourselfabout")totenderhiscongratulationsinperson."Nothingtotroubleyourselfabout"hadentailednon-stop,franticworkonthepartofhisstaffupuntiltheverymomentthatthetemporaryGateopenedandKyndrethandentouragemarchedthrough.

"Haofcourse,you'dneverdonesuchathingbefore,sotheylackedtheimaginationtosupposethatyouwoulddoitnow,"Kyndrethlaughed,astheotherthreeGreatLordshehadbroughtwithhimnoddedwisely."Ofcourse,oldLevelisneverdidsuchathingeither."

"Levelis,"saidonelong-facedLordsourly,"neverexertedhimselftotravelmorethanaleagueortwoata

time."

"Levelisisanoldfool,"LadyMothsnapped,joiningthediscussion,wineglassinhand,"andifithadbeenleftuptohim,I'dstillbepenneduponmyestatenextMidwinter."

Mothrodeover,escortedbyherbodyguards,soonenoughtowelcometheCouncilorsalongwithKyrtianandtoserveashishostess.Thiswasnotthefirsttimeintheconversationthatsheh

admadeapointofmentioningthatKyrtianhadrescuedherfromtherebels,anditprobablywouldnotbethelast.

"Entirelypossible,mylady,"thesour-faceCouncilorsaid,withaslightbow."Andnowwhatdoyouplan,youngcommander?"hecontinued,turningtoKyrtian.



Kyrtiansighed."Now,mylord,comesthemosttedious,mosttime-consuming,andleast-rewardingpartofthiscampaign,"hereplied."WehuntdownthefugitivesoneatatimeandbringthembacktotheCouncilforjudgment.I'dcalculatedthatsomethinglikethiswouldoccur,andplannedforitfromthebeginning;thisisataskforsmallerpartiesofmen,andifyouwillpermitme,mylords,Iwouldprefertousemyownmenifpossible.Icancountonthemnottodamagethefugitiveswhentheyarecaught.Asfortherestoftheforcewell,ifitweremydecisiontomake,Iwoulddisbandit.Anarmyisessentiallyagreatbeastthatisallmouthandstomachoutofwhichnousefulworkcanbegottenwhenitisnotengagedinacampaign."

"Wewilltakethatunderconsideration,"LordKyndrethreplied,withaglanceathisfellowCouncilmembers."Itdoesmakesense,however."

He'sthinkingabouttheWizards.Kyrtiantookasipofwineandtriedtolookunconcerned.

"Oh,comenow,Kyndreth,theboy'sright,"saidthesourone,appropriatingatidbitfromoneofthetraysandexaminingitasifheexpectedtofindabugonitbeforeputtingitcautiouslyinhismouth."There'snopointinkeepingthesemensittingaboutdoingnothingmoreusefulthanmilitarymaneuverswhenwecouldhavethem

allbackonourestatesdoingsomemeaningfulwork,evenifit'sonlyinthebreedingpens."

He'snot.AndhemightnotbeinfavorofanotherWizardWarifthesubjectwerebroachedatthemoment.

"AndLevelis,"pointedoutaCouncilmemberinmidnightblueanddeepgreen,whowasmakingsteadyinroadsonthewinewithoutshowingtheleastsignofintoxication,"wouldimmediatelya

dvisetokeepthesemenouthereunderhiscommand."

"AndyouknowhowIfeelabout"Levelis,"Kyndrethacknowledgedwithafaintsmile."Anothersalientpoint,butonethatisbetterdiscussedinCouncil,don'tyouthink?"



"Hmmm,"saidthefellowinblue,butdidn'taddanythingmore.

Howishedrinkingsomuchandstayingsober?

Kyndrethimmediatelychangedthesubjectbacktothecurrentvictory,butKyrtiancouldn'thelpbutnoticethattherewasanaspectofitthathedidnottouchontherebels'abilitytocounteracthisownlevin-bolts.ItwasthefourthmemberofKyndreth'spartywhobroughtitup.

"Ihadnonotionthatyouhadsomuchmagicofyourownandhowwerethosebratsmanagingtododgeyourlevin-bolts,Kyrtian?"heasked,incredulously."Ithoughttheyhadn'tbutdribletsofmagicoftheirown!"

Heshrugged."Ineversawanythinglikeit,"headmitted."EveniftheyhadbeenusingshieldsasIknowthem,thelevin-boltswouldn'thaveactedinthatwaywhencontactingashield.I'mbaffled."

"Huh.Iwonderiftheyfoundanythinginmylibrary...."Mothmused,asifthinkingaloudbutherslyglanceatKyrtianalertedhimthatshewasabouttopresenthimwithanopportunityforsomething.

Butwhat?

"Yourlibrary,mylady?"Kyrtianasked,obeyingherprompting."Whatdoyoumean?"

"Oh,whenIgotintotheGreatHouseontheestate,thelibrarywasinarightmess,"sherepliedpromptly,"booksdownofftheshelves,pileduponthetables,leftlyingopensomethingon

theorderofthehuggle-muggleyourfatherusedtocreateintherewhenhewasdoinghisresearch,Kyrtian,butonalargerscale.My



householdiscleaningupthechaosnow,buttotellyouthetruth,it'sasiftheywerefollowinghisleadandlookingforsomething."

"Perhapstheyfoundit"Kyndrethsaidslowly,speculationcreepingintohisgazeashelookedfromMothtoKyrtianandbackagain."Perhapshavingdiscoveredthattheson'slittleeccentrichobbywassodeadlytotheircause,theythoughttocounteritbyfollowingthefather'sexample."

KyrtiandidhisbestnottostareatMothwithhismouthopeninshock,gatheredhiswits,andseizedtheopportunityhe'dbeengivenwithbothhands."IfthatistrueandIdorecallmyfatherbeingveryenthusiasticoversomethinghefoundinLadyMorthena'sbooksthentherebelsmighthavedonejustthat,andweneedtodiscoverwhatitisthattheyfound!"

"Agreed!"saidtheCouncilorinblue,instantly."Someoneshouldbeginimmediately!"

Iwishmothercouldhearthat.Myfatherhasjustgoneinaninstantfromcrazedeccentrictovindicated.

HeturnedtoLordKyndreth."Mylord,ifImaybesoboldanyonecantrackdownfugitives;it'sonlyamatter

ofhavinggoodhuntersandendlesspatiencebutIknowthedirectionofmyfather'sresearchasnooneelsecould.WouldtheCouncilbepleasedtopermitmetocoursethisparticularhare?"

LordKyndreth'sspeculativeexpressiongaveKyrtianthethrillofexcitementthattheshambattlehadnot."What,precisely,washelookingfor?"

"Away,orperhapsadevice,"Kyrtiansaid,veryslowly,"forthosewithlittlemagictoamplifythatmagic."Evenashesaidthat,herealizedthatthiswouldnotbepleasanthearingforthosewhosepowerfulmagickeptthematthetopofthehierarchy."Presumablyitwoulddothesameforthosewithgreatmagicaswell,"headdedquickly."Iwouldassumeitwouldworkforanyonewhousedit,whether'it'isadevice,anobject,oramethod."



"WhatsentyourfatherintoLadyMorthena'slibrary,LordKyrtian?"askedthewine-lovingLord,witheveryevidenceofinterest.

"Hewasastudentofourhistory,andcouldnotfathomwhywewereunabletoreplicatesomeofthefeatsoftheAncestors,whenaccordingtothefragmentsofchronicleshefound,eventheleastoftheAncestorscouldaccomplishwhattheGreatLordscould,"Kyrtianrepliedcarefully,lookingearnestlyintotheolderLord'sintenteyes."Andhecouldseenoreasonwhymagicshouldbethinninginourbloodlines."

"Agoodpoint."Kyndrethmulledthatoneover,astheotherCouncilorslookedinterested,eveneager.Eventhesour-facedonelostsomeofhisdourlook.

Kyrtianthoughtaboutsayingmore,thoughtagain,andheldhispeace.ItwasMothwhodroppedanothertidbitintothepoolfortheshiningcarptogobble.

"Itwasalloftheoldestbooksthatwereleftlyingabout,"sheobservedinnocently."ThesamesortsofchroniclesexactlythatKyrtian'sfatherusedtolookat.Andmywordthedustwasunbelievable!"

"Kyndreth,Ithinkweoughttolettheboyinvestigatethis,"thesour-facedCouncilorsaiddecisively."Lethimkeephisownfightingslavesincasehefindsnothingandelectstohuntdownourfugitives,whileyoutaketherestofthearmybacktothemustering-barracks.WecandecidewhattodowithitafterKyrtiandeterminesifthere'sanythingtothishuntingaboutintheoldchroniclesornot.Meanwhile,we'vegotmenandarmsreadytosendoutonthechancethatoneofourpuppiesmanagestoscrapetogetheranotherforceandmountsanattackononeoftheoutlyingmanors."



"Goodplan!"secondedtheoneinblue,anddrainedhiswineglass."Personally,Ithinkthey'regoingtocrawlbacktousbeggingformercy,butI'dratherbereadyforthetreacherousyoungdogsjustincase."

LordKyndrethlookedinbemusementfromonetoanotherofhisfellowCouncilorsevidentlyhewastheonewhonormallyconcoctedalltheplansinCounciloflate,andhewassomewhattakenabackthatthesethreehadsuddenlydevisedasolutionoftheirown.

"Wedon'tneedamajorityvoteforthis,Kyndreth,"thewine-loverpointedout."Kyrtianwon'tactuallybedoinganything,notunlesshedecidesthatthere'snothingtobefoundinthatlibrary,andbythenthewholeCouncilwillhavehadachancetosit."

LordKyndrethlaughed."Iseethatyouhavealreadymadeupyourminds,"hesaid,geniallythoughKyrtianwonderediftherewasahintofannoyance,andevenanger,underhissmoothwords."Asithappens,Iamentirelyinagreementwithyou,iffornootherreasonthanthatitgivesourfineyoungcommanderanopportunityforsomewell-earnedleisurebeforewelayanyfurtherburdensonhisshoulders."HecockedaneyebrowatKyrtian."Iamcorrectinrecallingthatyouconsiderdelvingintomountainsofmustyoldbookstobeanenjoyableleisureactivity?"

Kyrtianlaughed."Youarecorrect,mylord,"heagreed,smilingagenuinesmileforthefirsttimethatafternoon."Likefather,likeson,yousee."

"Wellthen."ThesmileLordKyndrethreturnedneverreachedhiseyes,buttherewasnosignofdisapprovalthatKyrtiancoulddetectinit.

IsuspecthisannoyanceisreservedatthismomentforhisfellowCouncilors.

Kyndrethspun,andfixedoneofKyrtian'ssubordinateswithasteelygaze."You'veheardtheplan,Astolan.You'reinchargeofeverythingbutKyrtian'sslaves.Givethelotagoodfeedandgoodrest,thenmarchthem



andtheprisonersbacktomustering-barracks.We'llsortouttheprisonersthere.AndseetoitthatyoumakeasgoodtimecomingbackasLordKyrtiandidgoingout."

LordAstolanwentflushed,thenpale,anddrewhimselfupstraightasanyofGel'srecruits."MyLord!"heresponded,withacrispsalute,followedbyabow,justforgoodmeasure.

Kyndrethtransferredhisgazetotheothers."Therestofyouseethathesucceedsinmakinggoodtime,"heconcluded,makingitperfectlyclearthatthepenaltyforfailurewouldlandonalloftheirshoulders.

Beforetheycouldmakeanyreply,Kyndreth'sattentionhadalreadygonebacktotheotherCouncilors."Shallwemakeourdepartures,mylords?"heasked,makingitveryclearthathewasleaving,andiftheotherswantedtoremain,theywouldhavetofindtheirownwaysback.Andsinceheheldtheke

ytothetemporaryGate...

Therewasnodissension.

KyrtianescortedthemtotheGate,andwatchedthestrangelyshiningstructurefadeanddisappearaftertheypassedthroughit.HereturnedtohistenttofindLadyMothentertaininghissubordinateswithscandal.

"Well,Astolan!"hesaidcheerfullyashepushedthetent-flapaside."Mythingsarealreadypackedupandoutoftheway,andyoursareherewell,partofthemanywaysowhydon'tIjustroundupmyslavesandescortLadyMothbacktoherestateandleaveyoufreetofollowLordKyndreth'sorders?"



Astolanswelledwithprideandself-importance.Clearlyhehadn'texpectedtobeconfirmedinhisnewiftemporarycommandsosoon."Certainly,mylord,ifthatisyourwish"

"Itis;ifwestartnow,wewillallbeatLadyMoth'sestatewellbeforesundown,"hesaidfirmly,andofferedLadyMothhisarm."MyLady?"

Sheswepthimacurtsy,andallowedhimtoseeaglimpseofthewickedamusementinhereyesbeforeacceptinghisarm."Mylord,"shereplied."Letusgoinsearchofthatso-admirablechiefofyourslaves,thatso-sternfellowGel,andbeonourway.Icannotwaittobehome,nowthatIknowthatmyhomeissafeagain."

Howisshemanagingtokeepastraightface?"Ishallbeatpainstokeepiteverso,mylady,"hereplied,

deadpan,andwasrewardedbytheshakingofhershouldersasshetriedtokeepfromlaughingastheysweptout.

20

Herguidepausedattheedgeofthemining-pit,andShanasurveyedtheactivitybelowherwithanintensefeelingofsatisfaction.Thedragonshad,incredibly,foundaplacenotthatfar

fromtheNewCitadelwhereironorelayneartothesurfaceoftheearth,makingitpossibletoextracttheprecioussubstancewithouthavingtodigdangerousundergroundtunnels.

Thedragons,however,hadgivensomestrictordersregardingminingoperations.Thefertiletopsoilwastobecarefullyremovedbeforetrueminingbegan,andsetaside;whenaspothadbeenplayedout,theharvestedsoilwastobereturnedandreplantedwithsaplingsculledfromtheforest,orclumpsofmeadow-flowers.Although

thismadeverylittlesensetomostoftheWizardsandallofthehumans,thedragonsweresoadamantaboutthisthatnooneargued.

Shana,however,fullyagreedwiththisinjunction.Shehadlivedamongdragonsfortoolongnottothinkintermsofcenturiesratherthanyearsandthescarsleftonthelandbyun-consideredminingwouldlastfor



centuries.Inthedesertandthemountains,resourceswerenotinexhaustible;toscarthelandandleaveitthatmuchlessabletosupportthehumansandWizardsoftheCitadelwasunthinkablystupid.Nomatterwhatelseshewas,shehopedthatevenherownworstenemieswouldneverthinkofherasthatstupid.

Agreatdealofworkwasrequiredtoproduceafewingotsofiron.Inthepitbelowher,twentyorthirtyquiteburlymen,broadshouldersandbackspouringsweat,laboredwithpicksandshovelstofillcrudewheelbarrows.Thebarrowswereintheirturntrundledupadirtramptotherimofthepitbylessburlymen,somewomen,andevenafewadolescentboyswiththemuscletomakethegruelingtripoverandover.

Attheoppositerimofthepitstoodtheirprimitivesmelter,themysteriesofwhichwereofnointeresttoShana.ThatwasZed'spurview,andsofarasShanawasconcerned,aslongashisfuel-cuttersandcharcoal-burnerscut

theirtimberselectivelyandreplantedwheretheycut,shedidn'tcare.Herconcernwasfortheirontotradewithandthelanditcameoutof,notforhowtheironwasproduced.

Itwasthenumberofpeopleatworkherethatsurprisedherandtheirages.ShehadsentZedandhiswould-beminersoffwiththeyoungdragonwho'dfoundthisplace,andtherehadn'tbeenasingleoneofthemmuchover



theageoftwentynorwereanyofthemparticularlymuscular.Butdownthereinthepitwerementhatcouldhavebeenlabor-slavesforanElvenlord

"Whatdoyouthinkofmycrew?"calledZed,ashewavedatherfromacrossthepit.Theminerslookedup,glancedfromhimtoShana,andgrinnedbroadly.FireandRain!Theylookedlikelabor-slavesandwerescarredlikegladiators!

Notafamiliarfaceamongthem....

"Ithinkthey'reveryimpressive,"shecalledback,assheandherguidemadetheirwayaroundtheedgeofthepit."ButwhatI'dreallyliketoknow,"shecontinued,asshecamecloseranddidn'thavetoshout,"iswheretheycamefrom"

Zedlaughed."They'reslavesex-slavesactually.Thesameex-slavesthatoldCaellachdroveawayfromtheNewCitadelbytreatingthemasslavesratherthanourfellow-creatures."

"But..."Shewrinkledherbrow,puzzled."They'reworkingjustashardharderthantheywouldhaveifthey'dstayedattheCitadel."

"ButI'mnottreatingthemasslaves,"Zedpointedout."Idon'texpectthemtoworkhereforthesheergratitudeofservingawizardandgettingnothingmoregenerousthanfoodandshelter.Theyeachgetafairshareoftheironwesmelt;theycantradeitbacktomeforwhateverweWizardshavethattheywant,orforwhatI'vegottenfromtheTradersortheIronPeople.Thatwaytheactualironstaysinourcontrol,buttheygetafairwagefortheirwork."Heraisedaneyebrow."We'regreatbelieversinwageshere."

Sheshookherheadinadmiration."Zed,that'sbrilliant!Aretheysettledhere?Dotheywanttostay?Cantheybuildavillageorsomething?"Itwouldbewonderfultohavethesestrongfolknearbytherewassomuchtheyneededsimplelaborersfor,andShanadidn'tintheleastobjecttobarteringforworkdone.



"TheywanttoknowwhetherCaellachislikelytopokehisnoseinherefirst,beforetheyactuallybuildasettlement,"Zedrepliedwithagrimace.

Shanaglanceddown,andsawthatallworkhadstopped,whiletheformerslavesalllistenedforherreply.

Shewasnotatallloathtogiveit,pitchinghervoicesothattheworkerscouldhearitaswellasZed.

"CaellachGwainisaboutaslikelytoappearhereasIamtobewelcomedintotheranksoftheElvenlords,"shesaid,withatouchofacidichumor."He'sgottensobadabouthavingthetiniestbitofironnearhimthatwe'vetakentowearingthefalse-goldpendantswhenwearen'tworkingmagic.Lorryncallsthem'Caellach-chasers.'"

Zed'sguffawdrownedanythingfromtheworkers,butShanasawplentyofgrinsastheybentbacktotheirwork.

"Ithinkyoucancountonasettlementgoinguphere,then,"Zedreplied."There'senoughironoreheretokeepthesmeltergoingforyearsandyears,andmorethanenoughworkforeveryone.Whoeverisn'tmining,smeltingorhaulingcanbeputtoworkonthereplantingandrestorationofplayed-outareas."

"Iwasafraid,afterIsawthatfirstloadofingots,thatIwaspushingyoutoohardoverhere,"shesaidintonesaimedonlyforhisears,oncehestoppedspeaking."I'mgladtoseethatIwasmistaken."

Zedpattedhershoulder."Anythingbut,"hereplied."Ahwouldyouliketoseethesmelter?Ornot"



"Not,"shesaidfirmly."I'mnoCaellach,butthismuchironkindofmakestheinsideofmyheaditch."

Zedshrugged."Doesn'tbothermeasmuch,butthenI'veneverhadasmuchoftheelvenmagicasyoudo.Here,I'llshowyouwherewewanttoputasettlementinstead.Ithinkyou'llbesurprised."

Heturnedawayfromthesmelterandheadedintothewoods.Shanafollowedhim,gladtogetoutofthehotsun,awayfromthesmelterandunderthetree-shadows.

"HowdidtheIronPeoplereacttoourfirstdelivery?"Zedasked,withacuteandthoroughlyunderstandableinterest.

"Bythrowingafestival,orsoMerotellsme,"shewashappytotellhim."I'mafraidthattheTradersareabitdisappointed,though."

"TheTraderscanlearntolivewiththeirdisappointment,"Zedsaidsmugly."Nowwecanstartdoingmoretoprotectourselvesandwecansendoutthejewelryagain."

"Thatcan'thappentoosoonforme,"Shanasaidfervently."It'snotjusttheYoungLordswhoneedit,thoughthemorejewelrywecangetintotheirhands,themoredisruptionthey'llmakewiththeGreatLords.No,IwanttogetpiecestotheLadies,andIespeciallywanttogetitintothehandsoftheslaves."

Wantwastoomildaword;eversinceshehadlastheardfromKemanandDora,shewaspositivelywildtogetthejewelrymovingoutintotheElvenlandsagain.IftheycouldgetLordKyrtianontheirside

ThejewelrymightputLordKyrtianontheirside.IfhehadawaytoprotecthisownpeoplefromElvenmagic,toprotecthislandsfromthemagicalattacksofotherElvenlords,therewasnodoubtinShana'smindthatLordKyrtian'sownintenselyloyalfighterswouldbemorethanamatchforanyphysicalforcethattheGreatLordscouldbringagainsthim.Itwasonlyattackmagicalattackthatheneededtofear.



Andtreachery.Therewasthat.AndtheGreatLordswerepastmastersattreachery.

"Youthinkitmightnullifythecollars?"Zedaskedwithinterest,"Remember,ifwecan'tdothat,wemightaswellnotgivethestufftothem."

"IthinkIknowhow."Eagerlysheoutlinedheridea,whichhadcometoherjustthatmorning."Ifwemakeasortofclamshelldevicethatclosesovertheberylinthecollar,backandfront"shemimedtheideawithherhands"somethingthatwilllockinplace,tight,evenifwecan'tgetthecollaroff,wekeepcommandsfromgettingtotheelf-stonesandthestonefromactuallydoinganythingtothewearer."

Zedconsideredtheidea."Interesting.Itdoesn'thelpsomeonelikeaconcubine,whomighthaveacollarstuddedwithberyls,butacommonworkerwon'thavemorethanone.SounlesstheLordsstartreplacingallthecollarsonalltheirslaves,whichwouldbeexpensive,evenforthem,wecouldfreewholegroupsatatime!"

Shanagrinnedwithglee."Thatwasmyideatheclamshellswouldn'tbebig,anditwouldn'tbehardtodistributethem.Forinstance,wecouldsmuggleawholebagfulouttotheworker

sinafield,theslavetakingthewater-bucketaroundcouldpassthemout,andthewholegroupcouldboltatonce."

Ortheshellscouldbepassedaroundanarmy,atnight,undercoverofdarkness.Andwhenthemorningcomes,andcoercionnolongerworksonthefightersandtheyaresafefrommagicalattack,howmanyofthemwillremaintofightfortheirmasters?



"Tricky,"Zedsaidwithadmiration."It'stoobadthatcollarsareusuallymetal,notleather;wecouldincorporatecuttersintotheedgesoftheclamshell,andnullifytheberylandremovethecollarallinonego.Well,thisiswherethecampis,andwherethemenwouldliketoputinapermanentsettlement."

Therewasn'tmuchthereatthemoment,anditwasagoodthingthatnotonlywasithighsummerbuttherehadbeenremarkablygoodweather,fortheshelterswerebarelyenoughtokeepofftherain.Shanacouldseehowitwouldmakeaperfectspotforasettlement,however,andshemadealltherightsoundsofenthusiasmforZedandhispeople.TherewasnodoubtinhermindthatsheandLorrynhadmadetherightdecisioninputtingZedinchargeofmining,smelter,andcrewstomanbothoperations,althoughshewouldnothavepicturedhimasaleader.AndCaellachGwainhad,ofcourse,arguedagainstthemerethoughtofputtingsomeoneasyoungasZedinchargeofanything.

Shecompletedherinspectionifthatwasnottooofficialawordformerelylookingthesituationoverinshortorder.Thingscouldnotpossiblybebetter;atthemoment,shereallydidn'twantproductiongoinganyfaster.Itwouldn'thurttradetokeeptheIronPeoplewaitingfortheiringotsjustalittlebetweeneachshipment;shedidn'twantthemtostartthinkingthatthesupplywasunlimited,andshehadalongtalkwithZedonjustthatsubject.Hewasdisappointedinoneway,andrelievedinanother.Hewouldn'thavebeenunhappytobeaskedtofindmoreex-slavestorecruit,butontheotherhand,hedidn'twanth

isworkforcegrowingpastthepointwherehecouldhandleeverythinghimself.

Intheend,ShanaandthelatestloadofcrudeironingotsreturnedoverlandtotheNewCitadelbypack-mule,arrivingjustaboutsunset.

JustintimeforCaellachGwaintorunstraightintothem.

Hestared;hebegantoshakewithanger.Inamatterofmoments,hewaspracticallybesidehimselfwithrage.

"Whatareyoudoing,girl?"hescreamedatthetopofhislungs,drawingeveryonewithinhearingdistancetothemouthofthecavernwheretheunloadingwastakingplace.



"Ishouldthinkthatwasperfectlyobvious,"sheretorted.Afterthelongwalkforshewasnotgoingtoridewhenshehadtwoperfectlygoodlegs,andherweight-equivalentinironbarscouldbeloadedonamuleinherplaceshewashotandtired,andnotinthemoodforthetemper-tantrumsofirascibleoldmen.

"Youidiot!"heshrieked."Bringingthatfilthystuffhere?Bringingitinsidethecaves?You'remad!You'recrazed!Howisanybodysupposedtoworkmagicwiththatfoulgarbagepracticallyontopofus?"

Thereweresomegrumblesandmutteringsfromtheolderwizardsinthecrowdthathadgatheredaroundthem,butthistimeShanastoodherground.Itwasabouttimethattherecalcitrantwizardsadaptedtothesituation,insteadofexpectingsomeonetoworkaroundtheirreluctancetochange.

"You'llworkmagicarounditthesamewayweyoungstersdo,"shesaidfirmly,handsonhips,glaringathim."Ishouldthinkyou'dbegratefultome!Themoreironthereisaroundhere,thesaferyouare!Haven'tyouatleastfiguredthatoutbynow?"

Usuallyshemadesomepretenseofpolitenesstotheoldman,butshewasinnomoodforhimatthemoment,

andherattitudesenthimintoanincoherentfrenzy.

Thatwasjustaboutthelaststraw.

"Shutup,youstupidoldman!"shescreamedandsincehersopranowasconsiderablymorepiercingthanhishoarsehowls,evenheheardher,andstaredather,mouthagape.



"Eversincewearrivedhere,allyou'vedoneiscomplain!"sheshouted,herfaceflushed."We'vefedyou,clothedyou,seentoitthatyougotyourcreaturecomforts,andyouhavedonenothing,nothingtohelptherestofus!You'reaparasite,CaellachGwain,you'reasuselessasasecondnoseandyouaren'tevenhalfasentertaining!Nowshutupandlearntoworkmagicaroundironlikeeveryoneelse,oror"

"Orwhat?"Gwainsneered."You'llturnmeovertotheEl-venlords?That'sjustwhatyouwoulddo,isn'tit?Elvenbane?"

Ashotasshehadbeenthemomentbefore,nowshewascold."No,"shesaidflatly."ButonlyyouwouldthinkthatIcould.No.Ifyouwon'tlearntoadapttoournewlifehere,CaellachGwain,Iwillseetoitthatnooneelse

willcossetyoufromthismomenton.Youwillfindyourownfoodorstarve,cleanyourownclothingorgodirty,cutyourownfirewoodorfreeze.Soonerorlater,you'llfigureouthowtolivelikearesponsibleadult,andhightime,too."

Andwiththat,sheturnedonherheelandstalkedoff,pushingherwaythroughthesurroundingcrowdofmingledyoungandoldwizards.

Someonegrabbedherelbow;shestartedtopullawayblindly,whensherealizeditwasLorryn."Don'trunoff,"hemuttered."Notnow.Thisisn'toveryet."Heturnedherbacktofacethecrowd.

"I'veheardthemuttersandthecomplaints,"hesaidloudly."I'veheardthemfromthemomentthatIarrivedhere.Icouldn'thelpbutnoticethatmostofthemcamefromthesamesetofmouthssolet'sjustaddressthissituationonceandforall.I'mcallingaconvocationofallWizards."

"Here?"someonegasped."Now?"

"Hereandnow,"Lorrynagreed."Igiveyouallaquarter-candletogeteveryoneassembled;whoeverisn'therebythenI'llassumehasnointerestinthewaythingsarerunintheNewCitadel



,anddoesn'tfeeltheneedtohavehisvoiceheard."

AbouthalfofthosepresentshotorlumberedoffineverydirectiontogatherfriendsandenemiesfromeverypartoftheCitadel.ShanalookedaskanceatLorryn.

"Isthisagoodidea?"sheaskeddoubtfully.

"Ithadtohappensometimesoon,"Lorrynreplied."Betterthatitcomesasasurprisetobothsides;Caellachandhiscronieswon'thaveachancetopreparethemselves."

"Andwe'reprepared?"shereplied,staringathimincredulously.

"Morethantheyareandwhat'sthebesettingsinofeveryoneoftheWhiners?"heasked,andansweredhimselftriumphantly."Laziness!That'swhyIonlygavethemaquarter-candle.Howmanywillthinkit'stoomuchtroubletodragthemselvesawayfromwhateverthey'dplannedorwereinthemiddleof?"

"Maybeenoughtomakearealdifference,"shesaidslowlyforalreadytheyoungwizardswerecominguptotheclearingattheentrance,broughtinbytheyoungsterswhohadscatteredlik

equailtobringthemessagetoeveryonewithinreachofapairoffleetfeet.

Withthehelpofacoupleoftheirfriends,Lorrynpreparedthearea.Thiswasalsothespotwherefirewoodwaschoppedandstored,andtheyoungwizardsgottowork,rollinginsomelogsfortheless-than-healthytositondowninfront,andsettingupsawnsectionsoftrunkforhimself,Shana,andpresumablyCaellachtostandonso



everyonecouldseethem.Caellach,ofcourse,merelystoodaboutandobservedthemsourly.Moreandmorepeoplewerearrivingwitheverypassingmoment,andbythetimetheallottedspanwasgone,theonlyWizardsnotpresentwereascanthandfuloftheoldestorlaziest.Thebiggestsurprisewasthenumberofpurehumanswhohadcomeaswell;virtuallyeveryfullhumanintheCitadel.

Withagreatdealofoveractedinfirmity,Caellachbulliedacoupleofhumanyoungstersintohelpinghimupontoonetrunk-section,asShanaandLorryntooktheothertwo.

"Now,settledown!"Lorrynshouted,veryloudly,sothatthosewhowerechatteringandmillingaboutobedientlystoppedtalkingaloudandturnedtheirattentiontowherethethreeofthemstood."Allright,then.IamgoingtomoderatethisconvocationsinceI'mtheonewhocalledit."

"Butyou'reShana'slover!"Caellachsputtered,red-faced.

Shanawasgoingtoprotest,butLorrynbeathertoit.ThefuriouslookthatLorrynturnedonhimsenthimfromredtowhite,andheevenshrankbackalittle.NoonehadeverseenLorrynangrybeforeandhelookedpositivelymurderous.

"Iamnot,"herepliedintothesilence,"Lashana'slover.Wearefriends,andshehasbeenrelyinguponmyexperienceonmyfather'sestatetohelpherhandleyouunrulylot.Evenifthatweretrue,itwouldhavenothingtodowiththissituationanditwouldbenoneofyourbusinesssolongasherfostermotherapproves.Iamoffended,CaellachGwain.Idosuggestthatyouconfineyourwordstotheissuesathand,orIwillbetemptedtochallengeyou."

Challengehim?Whatonearthdoeshemeanbythat?Shanathought,bewildered.Ca

ellachGwainevidentlyknew,though,forheturnedevenwhiter,andstammeredanapology.

"Theprimaryissueathand,"Lorrynsaid,whentheoldwizardwasdone,"isagreateronethanjustthepresenceofironwithintheCitadel,orthenumberofpeoplewhoareattendingtotasksotherthan...housekeeping."Hisblandexpressiongavenohintastohisownfeelingsonthesubject,andalthoug



htheywerenosecrettoShana,fromthelooksonthefacesofCaellach'scronies,theywerenotsureifhewasShana'spartisanornot.Hemightbecourtingher,buthewasalsoanaristocrat,usedtotheattentionsofhundredsofslaves,soshouldn'thebeontheirside?Forthatmatter,hemightonlybeusinghertogetthepowerofleadershiphimselfshesawthatinthenewspeculationwithwhichCaellachregardedhim.

"CaellachGwain,"Lorryncontinued,turningtotheoldwizard,"youhavevoicedyouropinionsoftenenoughfortheearsofyourfriendsandsupportersImustinsistthatyoualloweveryoneintheCitadeltohearthem."

Caellachstaredathim;triedwithoutsuccesstostarehimdown.Hisexpressionremainedinscrutable."Asmoderator,Iwillnotbequestioningeitherofyou.Instead,youwillanswerquestionsfromeveryoneexceptme.Iwillseetoitthattherearenointerruptionsandthatyoubothhaveafairchancetobeheard."

What?ThattookShanacompletelybysurprise,andshefeltseriouslyshaken.Whatonearthwasheafter?SurelytheOldWhinerswouldtrytomakeherlookafool

Butitwastoolatetobackoutnow,foreitherofthem,asLorrynfieldedthosewhowantedachanceandselectedoneofCaellach'scroniesforthefirstquestion.

"YouweretheonethatbroughttheElvenlordsdownonusinthefirstplace,girl,sowhat'veyougottosayforyourself?"shoutedtheoldman,whopracticallytrembledwitheagernesstofinallyhaveachancetoconfrontherinfrontofwitnesses."Ifithadn'tbeenforyouandyourpretensionsofbeingsomemythicalElvenbane,we'dstillallbebackintheCitadelandcomfortable!"



Think!Don'treact,think!"InevercalledmyselftheElvenbane,"sheretorted,throttlingdownpanicandirritationthatmingleduncomfortably,settingherinsidestopsy-turvy."IneverevenheardoftheElvenbaneuntilafterIwasbroughttotheCitadel.Andbesides,itwasthedragonsthatmadetheElvenbaneupinthefirstplace,notme!"ShecaughtsightofFatherDragonbackinthecrowd,inhishalfblood-shape."Right,Kalamadea?"

Gazesfollowedhers,andseveralofthemorewary,elderlywizardswhofoundthedragonsasuncannyasCaellachdidclearedawayfromhim.FatherDragonclearedhisthroatmodestly."Well,itwasmostlymydoing,"headmitted."Butyes.WedragonscreatedthelegendoftheElvenbane,andwewerejustassurprisedastherestofyouwhenthelegendcametolife."Hewarmedtohissubject."Webelieve,wedragonkin,thatcertaincreaturesareendowedatbirthwithgreathamen-leai,whichisthepowertobecomeFateratherthantobe

steeredbyit,andItellyouallnow,Lashana,evenasaninfant,showedsuchtremendoushamenleaithatevenifshehadbeenraisedbyalicornsinthewilderness,thelegendwouldhavefitteditselfaroundher.Everydragonacknowledgesthatnow,whetherornottheycountherasafriend.Whereshewalks,greatchangewillfollow."

ThatwasnotwhatShanahadhopedhewouldsaynothinglikeit,infactbutshegamelytookupwhereshehadleftoff."AsforallofyoustillbeingintheCitadel,Idon'tthinkyouwouldhavelastedundetectedformuch

longer.Youweretakingtoomanyrisks.Someonewouldhavefoundoutwhygoodsandsupplieswerevanishingandwheretheyweregoing,ifnothingelse.TheElvenlordswerealreadystartingtowonderaboutthatevenbeforeIjoinedyou."

"Didn'tIsaythatwastoorisky?"saidawizenedoldscrapofawizard,beforehewashushed.Lorrynhadalreadysignaledsomeoneelsetoaskaquestion,andShanafeltherheartsinkasshesurveyedthefacesaroundher.Shehadfelt,andsounded,weakanduncertain.Shehadn'tconvincedanyone,

andFatherDragonhadn'thelped.

"Whatmakesyouthinkyou'rebetterthananyoftherestofusatleading?"shoutedsomeonefromtheback."Bothofyou!"



"Idon't,"Shanarepliedpromptly,butCaellachwasalreadyswellingwithself-importanceandranrightoverthetopofher.

"Ihavedecadesofexperience,nottomentionintelligenceandwisdom,"heboasted,"whichisfarmorethanthisimpudentlittlegirlcanclaim.Idonotmakeimpetuousdecisions,andIdonotrushtoembracesomethingjustbecauseitisnovelandnew.Thereisnodoubtinmymindthatthesituationhereiswellonthewaytobecomingintolerable,betweenthesefoolishinnovationsinmagicanddangerousliaisonswithbarbaricwildhumans,nottomentioncreaturesthataren'tevenhuman.Theyoungshouldservetheirelders,notdictateabsurdrulestothem!Theyshouldbethrilledtotradetheirserviceforthewisdomthatwehavegathered!"Hewarmedtohissubject,surroundedashewasbyhisownnoddingsupporters,payingnoattentionatalltotheexpressionsofsomeofthosewhowerefarthestaway."WhatshouldweWizardshavetodowithhumans,anywayexceptinthatthey,too,shouldbeeagertoserveus!Wearemorepowerful

,wearelonger-livedandhavetheopportunitytogarnerfarmoreexperiencethanwhatcanbelearnedinthefewyearsthesemayflyhumansenjoy.Itisclearthatwearefarsuperiorineverywayandthisgirl,thischild,thinksthatwearetotreatthemasequals!Never!Iwillnevertoleratetreatingsuchdebasedcreatures,creatureswhoshouldbecompetingindevotiontome,asmyequals!"

Anactualgrowlarosefromthehumanswhomadeupthebulkofthecrowdperhapsfewofthemhadever

realizedjusthowdeeplyCaellach'sprejudiceswent,norhowpoisonoustheywere.AtthatmomentShanarealizedLorryn'stacticsinallowingthisconvocationtotakeplaceinthewayithad,forhehadpermittedCaellachfullfreedomtosaywhateverhechosewithhisfollowersaroundhim,andtheoldwizard'smouthhadrunawaywithhim.



"Debasedcreatures,arewe?"cameanangryshoutfromoneofthecarterswhohadbroughtthelastbatchofironingotsupfromthemine."I'dliketoseeyoutryyourhandatalittlehonestwork,yousoftwhiteworm!"

"Youcanjustfetchandcarryforyourselffromnowon!"cameanother,disgustedvoice,alongwithachorusofsimilarsentiments.EvensomeofthechildrenthatCaellachhadcowedintoobeyinghisdemandstookheartfromthesentimentsoftheirelders,andaddedtheirshrillvoicestotherest.

Caellachandtheotherswoketotheirdanger,butconsiderablytoolateforanyretraction.TheygatheredinaknotaroundCaellachanditbecamepainfullycleartothemhowtinyaminoritytheyformed,asaseaofangryfacessurroundedthem.Shanaandhershortcomingswerequiteforgotten.

LorrynallowedthemenoughtimetoreallybegintofrightenCaellach,beforeusingalittletouchofmagictoamplifyhisvoicesothatitcarriedoverthenoiseofwhatwasfastbecomingamob.

"Friends!"heboomed."Quiet!Please!"

Surprisesilencedallthevoicesforthemomentjustlongenoughforonesinglevoice,thevoiceofherfoster

motherAlara,tobeheard.

"Shana,theobjectionsseemtobetoallofthechanges,"Alarasaid,inthefirstreasonedvoiceShanahadheardinthelastfewmoments."Andyoureallyweretheauthorofmostofthem.Sowhathaveyoutosayabouttheobjections?"

"Ifyoudon'tchange,"shesaid,veryslowly,choosingeachwordascarefullyas

ifshepickedherwayacrossatreacherousswamp."IthinkyoubecomejustliketheElvenlords."

Thatbroughttruesilence,inwhicheventhesighingofthebreezeintheirclearingseemedloud.Itwasasilencethatbeggedforanexplanationanddrewfurtherwords,howeverunwillingly,outofher.



"Theyhaven'tchanged,notsincetheyconqueredthisplace,andmaybenoteveninlongerthanthat,"shecontinued."Theyassumethatthey'retheproperlordsoftheuniverseandthatnothingtheywantorthinkordocanbewrongnomatterhowmanytimesthingshappenthatprovethattheyarewrong.Whenyoudon'tchange,yougetbrittle,andthenextthingthathitsyouwillbreakyou."

Shelookedpastthefacesofherownfriends,outtothehumans,inwhoseeyessmolderedresentmentforallWizardsnow,evenher."Changingmeansthatwecan'tsitinourCitadelandthinkwe'resuperiortoanythingjustbecausewecandosomethingswell.Don'tyousee?"Shefumbledalittle."Weallneedeachother.Oh,Icanbringinalivesheepfromthehillswithmagic,butIdon'thavethefirstideaofhowtotakeclayandmakeawatertightcup,andlet'sfaceit,ifI'mthirsty,Ineedthatcup,andthepersonwhocanmakeitissuperiortomeatthatmoment!Don'tyousee?"shepleaded."Ineverwantedtobealeader,butIdon'tknow,maybe

KalamadeaisrightandhamenleaihassomethingtodowithitandIjustcanseethatweallneedtochangeandweallneedeachotherifwearegoingtosurviveandmaybe,ifthey'lllearntochangealittle,weevenneedthem"

ShegesturedhelplesslyatCaellachandhisfriends,unabletoputwhatshewantedtoshowthemintowordsthegreatpuzzlethatshesawinhermindthatsomehowhadplacesforallofthemtofitinto.

Butevidently,althoughtherewassomepuzzlementoutthere,shegotpartofherpointacross.Theresentmentandangerhadfaded,andalthoughthereweregrimacesatthethoughtofincludingCaellachandhisilkbackintothefold,thereseemedtobeacceptanceoftheidea,too.

Thencamethethingshehadn'texpected



"It'shardonanoldman,allthischanging,"saidoneofCael-lach'scroniesplaintively."It'shard,girl.Yougoalongwithyourlifealleven,thensuddenlyit'sallupsetbut"

Hetookadeepbreath,andshuffledacrossthespacebetweenCaellach'scrowdandtherestoftheconvocation.Helookedupather,andheavedasigh."Ihateallofthisuncom-fortablenessandhavingtodowithout,"hecontinued,halfincomplaint,halfinresignation,"butI'dratherstandwithyouthanagainstyou.Justdon'tasktoomuchallatonceofanold,tiredman,willyou?"

Shegotdownoffhersliceoftree-trunkandofferedherhand.Hetookit,andthatwasthebeginningoftheend.Inonesandtwos,therestofCaellach'sfollowerscameovertoherside,althoughmostofthemjusttriedtoblendbackintothecrowdanddidn'tactuallycometostandwithher.Itdidn't

matter;they'dabandonedCaellach.Eveniftheydidn'tentirelyagreewithher,eveniftheywerestillgoingtoargueandgrumble,they'dabandonedtheirleaderandtheyhadopenedthemselvesuptothepossibilityofchange.

Itwasenough.Fornow,itwasenough.

21

RenatookherplaceonthecarpetnexttoMeroinDiric'stent.Theflapswererolledknee-high,andscrimsoflooselywovenlinenkeptbugsoutwhileallowingabreezetoflowthrough.Itwasdinnertime,amealmuchenlivenedthesedaysbytheadditionofvegetablessuppliedbytradingandthegardensthattheCornPeopleweregrowing,aswellasbythechangedherbsprovidedbyRenaherself.Dinner,sharedwithDiricandKala,wasamore-than-pleasantmeal,nowthatthefirstlotofcrudeironingotshadarrivedfromtheCitadel.Once

again,Diric'sstarwasintheascendant,sofarashispeoplewereconcerned;andhehadlostthatworriedfrown.Kalawasjustaspleasedandfarmoreopenaboutit.Afterall,theIronPeoplenowhadeverythingtheyneedediron,goodgrazingandwater,andeventheremainsoftheiroldallies,theCornPeople,tosettleinsomewherenearbyandcommencethefarmingthattheywouldnotorcouldnotdo.



RenaandMerowerereapingthebenefitsaswell;astherepresentativesoftheWizards,everyonewithaforgewantedtoknowwhattheyknewaboutpossiblefutureproduction,andtherewerenofewfolkswhowantedtoseeiftheycouldsomehoweasetotheheadofthequeuewaitingforthenextshipment.TheTraderclanswerealittlediscomfitedtofindthattheywerenolongertheonlysourceofiron,butthey'dgottenoverit,particularlynowthatthewomenamongtheIronPeoplehadbeguntoexperimentwithfacetingthefool'sgoldandpolishingyetanotherformofmineralwithahighironcontentthattheTradershadbroughtin.Bothmadefine"gems"forsetting,thenew"oil-iron"inparticularhavingalovelyliquid-blacksheentoitthatlookedwonderfulinblackened-ironfiligree.Sonowthewomenhadmorematerialfortheirtinyjewelryworkshopsthanthey'deverhadbeforeandthenewmaterialshadbroughtonaspateofcreativitythathadeventhemenintriguedandhoveringoverthewomen'swork,tryingtoreckonhowtheycouldcoaxtheirmates,mothers,sisters,andfriendstoproducesomeofthenewworkforthem.Diricalreadysportedleatherarm-guardsinlaidwithironsettingsthatheldlargeoil-ironcabochons,courtesyofKala'shands,andshewasworkingonamatchingcollaraswell.

Hewassettingsomethingofafashion,muchtoRena'ssilentamusementandKala'sopenglee.

ItseemedanauspicioustimeforRenatoseeaboutsomethingshehadbeenplanningforawhile.

Kalabroughtinplatesofflatbread,broiledmeat,thinlyslicedvegetables,andbowlsofsouredcream.TheIronPeoplecouldnowenjoyoneoftheirfavoritemealsflatbreadrolledaroundspiced

meatstripsandvegetables,



garnishedwithdollopsofcream.RenaandMerohadcometoenjoytheseasmuchastheirhosts,andMeroquicklymadehimselfarollassoonasKalasettheplattersonthecarpetbeforethem.

"HowbadlydoyouwanttokeepyourtwoElvenlords,Diric?Theydon'tlookveryhealthytome,"Renaasked,asDiricreachedforapieceofflatbread.

Hedidn'tevenpauseinhismotion."Theyhaven'tbeenalotofuseforsometime,"headmitted,layingapaper-thinsliceofcucun-podandsomeofRena'ssweetenedandtenderizedgrassesontheflatbread,followingitwithstripsofmeatandadollopofsouredcream."Outofrespectforyourwishestheyhaven'tbeenentertainingus,butIdon'tthinktheywouldnowevenifwetriedtoforcethemintoitwithbeatings.Ithinkthey'regoingmad,actually.Theirkeepercanbarelygetthemtoeatanddrink;I'mtoldalltheydoisstareatwhateverthey're

pointedat."

"Ithinkthey'vegonemad,"Renareplied,relievedtohearthematter-of-facttoneinhisvoice."YoucanstillgetKelyantotalkifyoutryhardenough,butHaldoryourkeepersarehavingtofeedhimbyhand.Iwantthem,ifyoudon't."

"Tellmewhatyouwanttodowiththem,first,"Diricrepliedcautiously.

RenatookadeepbreathandlookedtoMero,whogaveheranencouragingsmile.ShelookedbackintoDiric'ssable-browneyes,andtoldherselfwhatafundamentallyreasonablemanhewas."IwantIwanttotrysomething.Iwanttoseeifmymagicscanchangepeople'smemories.Therehavebeenrumors,ohforever,thatsomeoftheOldLordscandothat,andIshouldthinkthatsincewomen'smagicsamongmypeopleareuseddelicately,itshouldbeeasierforawomantodothatthanaman.SinceKelyanandhisfriendarealreadymad,I

can'thurtthemfurther,andImaybeabletohelpthem."Shesteeledherself."IfIcanhelpthem,thatisthereareseveralthingsIwanttodowiththem.Thefirstthingistofindouthowtheelf-stonesoftheslaves'controllingcollarsaremadeandhowtheslavesarecontrolledbythem."

"Shana'sgotthisideathatwouldtakelessironthanthejewelry,"Meroputinhelpfully,hisgreeneyesalight



withenthusiasmforhisfriend'splans."Sortofaclamshellarrangementtoclosearoundtheberyllikethis"hedemonstratedwithhistwohandssnappingtogether"andcutitofffrommagicgettingoutorin.Thosewouldbeeasytogetintotheslavesinsackfuls,andifeveryonewhowasreadytoescapeallsnappedtheiriron-clamshellsovertheirstonesatonce,theycouldmakeanjnforit.TheElvenlordswouldn'tbeabletopursueanysingleindividualortrackhimeither,andbythetimesomeonewithenoughmagictocastlevin-boltswassummoned,theslaveswouldbelonggone."

"Butwehavetoknowhowtheelf-stonesworksowecanseeiftheplanwouldwork,"Renacontinued,asDiricsetdownhishalf-eatenflatbreadandleanedforward,intriguedbytheidea."Ineverlearnedhow,andIdon'tthinkLorryneverdid,either,butKelyanprobablydid.SoIwanttoseeifIcangethimtoshowme.IfIcan'ttrickhimintodoingit,maybeMerocangetthememorystraightoutofhismind.Onceweknowhowtomaketheelf-stones,wecantesttheclamshells."

"Butthatisnotallyouplan,Igather?"Diricasked,withheavyeyebrowsraised.Helookedmorethanintriguednow,helookedenthusiastic.

"Umno."Shedecidedtogoaheadandtellhimherentireplanwhilehestillwasopentoit."Iwanttowipeawayeverytraceintheirmindsofbeingcaptured,oftheIronPeople,andreplaceitwithsomethingelse."

"Whatelse?"Diricwantedtoknow."Why?"

"Ithought"shefalteredforamoment,thenwenton."IthoughtI'dconstructsomenewmemoriesillusionsreallyoutofthewayLorrynandIwanderedaroundinthewilderness.OrmaybeMerocanhelpmeputthings



intheirminds,whenI'veblankedouttheoldmemories.AndonceIknewthattheyweren'tgoingtorememberanythingabouttheIronPeopleortheWizardsordragonsoranything,I'dputthemtosleepandgetKemanoroneoftheotherdragonstodropthemsomewherenearenoughtoanestateforthemtofindtheirwayback."Shebitherlipandwaitedfortheinevitablereaction.

"Youmeanthatyouintendtofreethem?"Diric'seyebrowshadcrawledallthewayuptothetopofhisforehead."Youthinkweshouldletthemgotojointherestofourenemies?"

"Well,wecan'tkillthem!"shesaid,alittledesperately.

ForamomentshefearedthatDiricwouldrespondwith,"Andwhycan'twe?"Butheregardedherthoughtfully,pullingonhislowerlip,andsaidnothingforaverylongtime.

"Ifthatwasyourplan,"hereplied,pitchinghisvoicelow,"itseemsawasteofaperfectlygoodresourcefordeceptionthatwecanfurtheruseagainsttheDemonsthatyoucallElvenlords.Ratherthangivingtheprisonersmemoriesofwanderingaboutinthewilderness,whynotgivethemmemoriesthatarecompletelyerroneous?"

"Suchas?"Renaasked,herheartlifting.Hewasgoingtoletherdothis!Finall

yshewasgoingtobeabletodosomethingthatwouldhelppoorKelyanandHaldor,butmaybehelpoutShanaaswell!

"OhIthinkwecanworkoutsomething.MakethemthinkthattheywereheldcaptivebytheWizards,moreWizardsthantheElvenlordshaveanynotionexist."Diricgrinnedinthatsuddenwaythatmadehimlooklikeaboyfullofmischief."AndintheirmindswecanlocatetheirprisoninsomeimpregnablefortresssomewhereintheoppositedirectionfromtherealCitadel."Hewinkedwickedly."Forthatmat

ter,concoctasetofWizardsthathaveneverevenheardofourset!MaketheDemonsthinkthattheyhaveanenemythatuntilthatmomenttheyhadknownnothingabout!MakethemwastetimeandwarriorstryingtofindthisnewsetofWizards!"

Meroutteredawhoopoflaughter."Ancestors!Whatanidea!It'llhavethemscramblingtoguardtheirrear,it'll



havethemfightingoverwhichsetofWizardsarethemostdangerous,andbestofall,itwillbuyusmoretimetogetstronger!"

"Exactlyso."Diricpickeduphisforgottenmeal,andwavedhisfreehandatRena."Ifthatisyourplan,child,takethemandwelcome.Theyarenothingbutaburdennow,andifyoucansucceedinyourplan,youwillconvertthemtoanasset."

Hesaidnothingaboutwhatwouldhappentothemifshecouldn'twipetheirmemoriesclean,butshedecidedthatshewoulddealwiththatiftheoccasionarose.ShethankedtheIronPriestandturnedtoherownuntouchedmealwithagoodappetite.

DirichadsomethinghewantedtodiscusswithMeroafterdinner,andRenadecidedthatshemightaswell

tacklethefirstpartofherplanstraightoff.Notbeingahalfbloodwassomethingofahandicap,asshecouldn'treadthemindsofthetwoElvenlordsdirectlysowhatsheplannedtodowastotryandcoaxtheinformationoutofthemusingwords,illusion,herownsex,andgentleprodding.She'dhadtheTradersbringheranold,deactivatedcollarfromoneoftheescapedslavesworkingwithShana;shebroughtthiswithherassheenteredtheirtent.

"Kelyan?"shecalled;she'dputondieillusionofoneofthefinegossamergown

sshe'dworninheroldlife,andasKelyanrousedfromhisapathetictranceandslowlyraiseddulleyestolookather,shecreatedasecondillusion,thattheywereinatypicalroomthatonewouldfindinanElvenmanor.Sheusedashermodeloneoftheroomsinwhichherfatherwouldinformallyentertainguests,butkepttheplaceshroudedinshadows.



Kelyanlookedterrible;hisemeraldeyeswereclouded,hispalehairhunglankandbrittle,theonlytimehechangedhisclothingwaswhenhiskeepersstrippedhimofthesoiledclothing.Renawasn'tsurewhathadtriggeredthisdiveintoinsanityperhapshe'djustsnappedwhenhe'dfirstseenKemanindragon-form,orperhapshehadjustgivenupwhenitbecameobviousthateventhoughtheWizardshadbeenacceptedasallies,therewasnowaythattwoElvenlordsweregoingtobereleased.Buthiscurrentconfusion,andthewayinwhichhedriftedinandoutofaworldofhisownmaking,wouldhelpher.Shehopedthatinhiscurrentmentalstatehewouldeitherbelievethathewasbackamonghisownpeople,orwasdreaming;eitherwouldserveherequallywell.ItwasunlikelythathewouldrecognizetheRenaheknewintheElvenlady-guiseshehadjustcreatedforherself;she'devendoneherselfupinHigh-Fetefashionwithexaggeratedcosmetics.

Hiseyesbrightenedashetookinherandhersurroundings;therestillwasn'tagreatdealofsanityinthem,but

therewasmoresense.Toreinforcetheillusionshehadcreated,shehidKelyan'scompanionincaptivityintheshadowssothathewouldn'tseeHaldor'smotionlessformandhavehisillusionbroken.Hedidn'tseemtonoticeorcare.

"Mylady?"hisheadtiltedinquiringly,showingthathereallydidn'trecognizeher.

"Sheyrena,"shesupplied."Welcometomyfete,LordKelyan."

"MyLadySheyrena."Henoddedhishead."DoIknowyou?"

Good.Hedoesn'trememberorrecognizeme,orsomethingdeepinhisminddoesn'twantto.He'dmuchratherliveindreamsthanintheworldhe'sinnow.

"Iamthedaughterofafriendofyourmother's,"shereplied,apingasbestshecouldherownmother'smannerwhenwithaguest."Thankyouforcomingwithyourmothertomylittleentertainment.IwonderedifIcouldimposeuponyourgoodnatureforatriflingtask?"

"Iamatyourcommand,"heresponded,withahandoverhisheartandaslightbo



w.

"Ihavetakenanewbody-slave,alittlegirlwhohasnotyetbeenfittedwithacollar,"sheliedglibly."Asyouknow,myfatherwillnotreturnfromhismeetingswiththeCouncilforseveraldays,andIwonderedcouldyouhelpmewithclearingandsettingthissothatIcanuseitonthechild?"sheheldoutthecollar,andhetookitfromherfingers.

Andfrowned,slightly."Thisishardlyafitcollarfortheneckofalady'sslave,"hepointedout.

Shepouted."ItistheonlyoneIcouldfindthathasnotbeensetandplacedontheneckofalivingslave,andIdon'twanttowaitforsomeonetoconstructoneforme,"shesaidwithjustahintofpetulance."Besides,I'vetakenaparticularfancytothisonechild.She'squitepretty,andIdon'twant

Fathertodecidetogivehertosomeone.Ifshe'ssealedtome,heshan'tbeableto."

Kelyansmiled,andshesmiledback,instantlyformingaconspiracyoftwoagainsttheirgreedyelders."Inthatcase,Ishallbehappytosetittoyouonyourbehalf,"herepliedeasily.

Hebentoverthecollarandwentimmediatelytoworkonit

Andshefollowedtheslightestnuanceofthatworkwithanintensitythatsurelywouldhavestartledhim,hadhenotbeenconcentratingonthecollartotheexclusionofallelse.

Shehadbeendoubly-prepared;incasesheneededtousethisployagain,shedidn'twanthimtothinkitwasanythingotherthanadream.



Whenhefinishedhismagics,shethankedhimprettily."Youhavedonemeagreatgoodturn,LordKelyan,"shesaid,flirtingsubtlywithhiminawaythatwouldprobablyhavehadMerowildwithsuppressedjealousy."HowcanIproperlythankyou?"

Shepliedhimwithdruggedwineassheflutteredhereyelashesathim,perfectlyawarethathewouldn'tactuallydoanythingotherthanflirtback.Therewasarhythmtothissortofcourtship;untilhehadherfather'stacitpermissiontoapproachher,hewouldonlyindicategallantinterest.Hewouldn'twanttofindhimselfcalledintoachallengethathemightnothavethetrainedslavestomeet.Leasinggladiatorstomeetachallengewaspossible,butexpensive,sincesomeofthemwouldalmostcertainlydieinthecombat.Bettertobecautious.

"Performinganyserviceforafairladyisaprivilege,notaburden,"hereplied,downingthewineinasinglegulp.Asshehadplanned;she'ddoctoredthewinetomakeitstastesmootherthanhoneyanddisguiseitsnature.Sherefilledhisglass,andhedownedthataswell.Shepassedhimalittlebowlofhighly-salted,toastedbitsofrootalsomanipulatedbyhermagic.Themoreheate,thethirstierhewouldbecome.

"Thankyou,"hesaidafterhisfirsttaste,andwhenshelefttheplatetherebesidehishand,hedidn'tobject."Ido

nothavethecompanyofalovelyladyoftenenoughthatIseeitaslessthanarewardinandofitself,"hecontinued,nowsippingfromhisglassandnibblingatthesnacks.

Shelaughedsoftly,producingatinklinglittlesoundthatsurprisedherandmadehiseyeswidenwithapproval.

"Idonothavethecompanyoffineyounglordsoftenenoughtothinkitlessthanatreat,"sherepliedinthe

samevein."Tellmesomethingofyourself."

Hewasnotatallloathtodoso,andshecontinuedtoplyhimwithwineaswellasconversationuntilhiseyesdrooped,hisheaddropped,andhecollapsedlimplydownontothepallethe'dbeensittingonallthistime.Withathoughtandaflickofherfingers,shebanishedalltheillusionsshehadcreated,leavinghimagaininthefelt-



walledtent.Whenhewokethenextmorning,ifherecalledtheincidentatall,itwouldprobablybeasadream.

Thensheblewoutthelights,andlefthiminthedarkness,turningthecollarovertriumphantlyinherhands.

NowitwasKala'sturnonthenewprojecttoliberatetheslaves;sheexaminedthecollarandthestone,andsetaboutmakingtheclamshellclaspthatwouldlockthestoneawayfromwearerandmage.Shewascertainshecouldmakesuchamechanism;thetrickwouldbetocreateonethatwassmallenoughtoconceal,butlargeenoughandsturdyenoughtohaveaneffectiveseal.

Meanwhile,droppingherguiseandcomingasherself,RenaattemptedtoengagethetwoElvesinconversationseverydaywhileMero"eavesdropped"ontheirminds.Asshetalkedtothemor,asoftenasnot,atthemshe

played,delicately,withhermagicinsidetheirheads.

WhentheGreatLordsremovedmemories,theydidsowholesale,leavingbehindablank.Shehaddelvedintothemysteriousworkingsofthebrainaswellasshecould,andnowshesuspectedtheircrudeefforts,difficultastheywere,createdamentalinfant.Probablyafterwardstheirvictimhadtobere-taughteventhesimplestofthings,whichwaswhysheitwasusuallyarebelliousgirlwhowassocavalierlytreatedwouldn'tmakeareappearanceforayearormoreaftershewassubjectedtothetreatment.Renaw

antedtobemoresubtle.

Sowhileshetalkedandspieduponthephysicalworkingsinsidetheirheads,shedidsoonthesameminutelevelthatsheworkedwhenmakingtheleavesandplantssweetandtastyorjustplainedible.WhenMero"saw"amemorythatheknewtheyneededtoexpungewhichwouldbewhenoneoftheElvesactuallythoughtaboutithesignaledRena.Shewouldknowthenwhereitphysicallyresided,andthat,shecouldchange.Afterafewdays,shebegandoingjustthat.Gently,shebroketheconnectionsthatma

dethememories,thenerased



themaltogetherwiththetiniestofshocksmuch,muchsmallerandmoresubtlethanthosethatcausedbrainstorms.Whenshewasdone,thoseparticularmemoriesweregone.AskKelyanaboutthem,andhewouldlookatherblankly.

Shehadhopedthatshewouldbeabletoremovethememoriessequentially,butalas,thatwasnotpossible.Memory,itseemed,wasapeculiarthing.Itwasn'tsequential;memorychainsledoddlytoincidentsthatseemedtohavenothingwhatsoevertodowiththetriggeringrecollection.

Butonethingwasabsolutelycertain,andthatwasthemoresheerased,themorenormalKelyanandinparticularHaldor,sincehewasthemostwithdrawnbecame.

Whenthathappened,memorieswereeasiertotriggerandthus,toremove.Rena's

progresswiththemcameinleapsandbounds,andsoontheywerebothasactiveandalertasthey'dbeenwhenfirstcaptured.Thatwaspromising,sinceitwouldhavebeenthenextthingtomurdertodropthetwoofthemunconscioussomewhereifHaldorwasstillnear-catatonic,butitcreatedanewproblem.

Astheyregressedintothepast,theynolongerhadthememoriesthattoldthemthatresistancewasofnouse,thatescapewasnotpossible.Byhavingtheireveningfooddrugged,buildingillusions,andinterrogatingthem

separately,Renawasabletoconvincethemthatsheandherquestionswerenomorethananintriguingdream.Shedidn'tevenhavetoconvincethemthattheywereinthemidstofadreamsequence,sinceshewasabletoerasethememoryofeachnightbeforesheleftthemdruggedandsleeping.

"Butwhatarewegoingtodowiththem?"sheaskedMerodesperately,threedaysaftershehadbegunthistask,whenHal-dorhadannouncedhisintentiontoescapefromtheircurrentcaptivitythenextday.Shedroppeddownbesidehimonthegrassoutsidetheirtent,bothofthemstaringupatthe

star-begemmedskyovertheirheads.Herhandreachedforhis,onlytofindhisreachingforhers.Shetookcomfortfromthetouch."Soonerorlater,they'regoingtotrytomakearun,andthat'sonlygoingtomakeaterribleamountoftrouble."

"Keep'emdruggedbyday,"Meroadvised,squeezingherhand."Wehavetofigureouthowtogivethemanew



past,andIhaven'tworkedthatoneoutyet."Moonlightfloodedthecamp,almostbrightenoughtoreadby.Heshookhisheadather."Idon'tknow.Illusions?Butthatwouldtakeasmuchtimetoshowthemasitwouldforthemtoliveit?Imightbeabletosticknewmemoriesrightintheirheadswheretheoldoneswere,butforonepersontocreateallthat"

"Doesithavetobeoneperson?"Renainterrupted."Whatiftherewereseveral?"Sheflushedwiththeexcitementofsuddenlyseeingapossiblesolution."Wedon'thavetobetheonestomakethenewmemories!WecouldaskKalamadeaandAlaratocomegetthem,andShanaandZedandsomeoftheotherWizardscouldallpitchtogetheranddoit!"

Meroshookhishead."Idon'tknow,"hereplieddubiously."Wouldn'tthosememoriesgetawfullyconfusingwithsomanypeoplemeddling?"

"Isn'titbetterforusiftheyareconfusing?"Renacountered,feelingevenmorecertainthatthiswastherightwaytohandletheproblem."Wedon'twantthemtohaveawholepicture,wejustwantthemtohavefragments,don'twe?Letthemthinktheyweredruggedmostofthetime,orenspelled,butthemoreconfusingtheirmemoriesare,themoreconfusedtheOldLordswillbe."

"AndthemoreconfusedtheOldLordsare,themorelikelythatthey'llbealarme

dIseewhereyou'regoingwiththis."Merochuckledunexpectedly,andhuggedher."You'reright,Rena,you'reright!I'lltryandreachShanaandexplainallthisandseeifshefallsinwiththeplan.I'llkeeptryinguntilIreachher."



"AndI'llwipetheirmemoriesbacktotheircapture,"shesaidhappily,securenowthatherplanwouldworkexactlyasshehadhoped.

Inafewdays,thedragonsarrivedbutquietly,withoutfanfare,intheguiseofWizards.RenahadneverseenAlarainthatform;Shana'sfoster-motherhadchosentoresembleaverysturdywomanofindeterminateage,withhighcheekbonesandhairofdeepbrown.Kalamadea,ofcourse,woretheguisewithwhichtheIronPeoplewerealreadyfamiliar,andwhenheandshewalkedintothecampatdawn,Diricandtheotherleadersofthegroupwelcomedhimthoughthewelcomewastemperedwiththememoryofthelasttimetheyhadseenhim,inhisrealshapeofahuge,blue-blackdragon.

"We'vecometocarryoffyourinconvenientguests,"FatherDragonsaidgenially,beamingasifhe'dhadthegreatestoftreatsbestoweduponhim.Nomatterthatthelasttimeanyoneofthe

IronPeoplehadseenhim,itwasasadragon;hebehavedsonormally,andlookedsoharmless,soinoffensive,thatitwashardforanyonetothinkofthemenacingdragonwiththoseguilelessgreeneyespeeringatthemoutofaseaofwrinkles.FatherDragonplayedthepartofaneccentriclittleoldmantoperfection,andsoonhadDiricchattingwithhimliketheoldfriendhewas.WithDiricactingsonormally,therestofhispeoplerelaxedaswell.

"AndwhathaveyoudonewithMyre?"heasked,atlast.

"WegaveherovertothekeepingoftheCornPeoplefornow;theydonottrustherintheleast,forItoldthemonlythatshehadnearlybetrayedusandherownpeopletotheDemons."Diriclookedsmug,andRenahadtosmile.Thatwasatleastpartlytrue,afterall!"Theygiveherfieldtaskstodo,andnofoodifshewillnotwork.Shehasquicklylearnedthevalueofcarryingoutwhatsheistoldtodo."

"Obviously,youaren'tconcernedaboutherescaping?"Alaramadethataquestion;shecouldn'tquitecontrolthepainshefeltatthispositionhersecond-bornfoundherselfin,butDiricmisinterpretedit.

"Oh,no,lady!Ifshewishestorunoff,wewilllether!Sheisnotsogreatahelptousthatwewouldmissher,andshecannotremovethecollarthatkeepsherlookingasoneoftheDemons'sl



aves.ShecannotgobacktotheDemons,sotheWizards,we,theCornPeopleandtheTradersallknowofhertreacheryandwouldnotremoveit."Hesmiled."Ifshewishestowandertheplains,aloneandunaided,inpreferencetoremainingwiththeCornFolkwhereshehasfoodandshelter,well,lethersavorherfreedom."

Alarasighed,butsaidnothing;Kalamadeacoveredhersilencewithchatter.Renagaveheralookofsympathy;forallthatMyrehadbeenamiserablythanklesschild,Myrewasherdaughter.ItmusthavetornpoorAlara'shearttohavetosidewithonechildorchildren,countingShanaasAlara'sfoster-daughteragainstanother.

"We'llwaituntildarktotakethem,sowedon'tdistressyourpeopleunduly,"Kalamadeawassayingquietly,astheotherEldersofthetribemadetheircautiousgreetings,lostinterest,andwentbacktotheirusualtasks.

"Thatiswell,"Diricsaidjudiciously,thenbrightened."ButyoumustalsoseetheprogressmyKalahasmadeuponyourotherneed!Andyoumustseethenewjewelsmylady-smithshavemade!Come!"

RenaandMerospenttherestofthedayinthecompanyofDiricandthetwodragons.Diricmusthaveshownthemeveryjewelryforgeinthecamp,andalthoughAlaradidnotonceasktoseeherwaywarddaughter,RenahadtowonderifDiricwastryingtodistractthedragontokeepherfrommaking

thatveryrequest.



Atlastatlonglast,forevenRenawasbeginningtotireofwatchingjewelersatwork,ataskshenormallyfoundfascinatingthesunset,anddarknessfell.

Sheleftthen,toseetothetwoshenowconsidered"her"charges.Shefoundtheminsensible,sothoroughlydruggedthatnotevenaheartyshakingcouldwakethem.Nothinglesswoulddo;obviouslytheycouldn'trideoutofhereassheandMerohaddone,a-dragonback.Theywouldhavetobecarried.

SheandfouroftheyoungerIronPriestsbundledtheunconsciousElvesintothesamekindofswaddlingsthattheIronPeopleusedfortheirinfants,onlyadult-sized,completewitharigidboardverylikeacradle-board.Theswaddlingswouldpreventthemfrommoving,theboardwouldensurethattheywouldn'tbendinthemiddle;

nowtheycouldbeputinanetsling,tobecarriedindragon-clawsbacktotheCitadel.

Oncepackageduplikeapairofparcelsfordelivery,theIronPriestseachtookanendandunceremoniouslycarriedthemotionlessbundlesoutintothedarkness.

Renafollowedbehind,astheyoungPriestsintheirpeculiarclothheadressesandleatherapronscarriedthe

bundlesasfarastheopengrasslandsoutsideofthecamp,putthemdowninthewaitingnets,andhurriedoff.Theydidn'tlookbackandRenadidn'tblamethem;ifsheherselfhadn'tspentsomuchtimewithKemaninallofhisforms,shewouldhavebeennervousaroundthedragons.

AndKalamadeaandAlarawouldbebackfromfeedingatanymoment....

Thesudden"wind"thatcameupallaroundher,thethunderofunseenwingsoverh

ead,warnedherthattheywerehere.

Silveredbythemoonlight,castingblackshadowsthatstretchedacrossthefrantically-wavinggrassesinfrontofthem,theybackwingedinbesidetheircharges.Renasteppedbackinvoluntarily;shehadsomehowforgottenhowbigthefullyadultdragonswereintheirtrueforms.FatherDragonusually



"IsupposeIcan,can'tI?"shereplied,andturnedsothathisarmwentaroundhershoulders."Well,then"shecontinued,playfully,feelingstrongandemboldenedbyhersuccess,"Don'tyouhavesomeahcourtingtocatchupon?"

Foramomenthestaredather,asifunsureofhowtoreact."Ido?"hesaid,alittlestupidly.

thenhegrinned,broadly."IsupposeIdo,"hesaidwithfarmoresense...

...thenproceededtomakeaverygoodstartonallthatcatching-up.

22

---

LadyTrianasupervisedthepreparationofherreceptionchamberwiththesamecareagoodgeneralwouldhavegiventothepreparationofbattle-plans.Thingswerebeginningtomove,atlast,althoughnotentirelyinthedirectionshehadwanted.Aelmarkinwasonhiswaytohermanorsheknewthis,ofcourse,becauseshehad

notgivenhimanaccess-keytoherPortal,andasaconsequencehehadtomakethelastlegofhisjourneythehardway,overlandfromthemanorwhereAelmarkinhadafriendwillingtoallowhimtheuseofhisPortal.Heprobablydidn'tevenknowthatshehadaPortal.Thereweren'tmanywhoshetrustedwithkeystoit,soitwasn'tcommonknowledge.

She'dhadplentyoftimetoprepareforhimbynow,andheknewthat.Alreadyshehadanadvantageoverhim.

Shehadbeenexpectingthisvisitforsometime;infact,shewassurprisedthathehadn'tturnedupbeforethis.Aelmarkin'scousinLordKyrtian,ratherthandisgracinghimself,wasdistinguishinghimselfonthebattlefieldagainsttherebelliousYoungLords.AfterthatlastroutoftheYoungLords,hisstarwasparticularlyhighwiththeCouncil.Aelmarkinmustbefurious.



SheonlywishedthatshehadnearlyasmuchofanadvantageoverAelmarkinasshewasgoingtopretendshehad.Herlittlespyinthehousehold,keptasshewasintheharemandwithnoaccesstoyoungKyrtianwhenhewasawayonhismartialbusiness,hadprovedoflittleuse.ThedomesticdetailsthattheslavehadbeensendingwereonlyofinterestinthattheyshowedhowthoroughlyKyrtian'smotherheldthereinsofthemanor.Apity,that.ItappearedthatTrianawasgoingtohavetodomostoftheworkofsubvertingLordKyrtianherself.

Butitwas,ofcourse,nottoheradvantagetoallowAelmarkintoknowanyofthis,andshedidn'tintendto.Shewouldprobablylethimknowthatshehadthespy;thatwouldbeusefulwithoutgivingawaytoomuch.

WhenAelmarkinarrived,whatshedidintendwasthatAel-markinwouldseeasideofherthathewouldnever

haveexpected.Allhehadeverseenwasthetemptress,andthatwasallhewasreadyfor.Heprobablyexpectedthatshewouldtrytouseherwilesonhim.

Menweresopredictable.

Shehadtwodifferentreceptionchambers,fortwoverydifferentpurposes;thisonealsoservedastheofficefromwhichsheranherownlittleestate,andassuch,itwasbothtotally"like

"herandcompletelyunlikeanyofthefacesshepresentedtotheoutsideworld.Itwasnotspareandasceticbyanymeans;thedeskbehindwhichshesatwasaworkofart,fittedtogetherfrommassivepiecesofhand-carved,petrifiedwoodpolishedtoa



mirror-gleam,andfittedaroundhersothatshecouldkeepeverybitofworknearathandwithouthavingtoreachforit.Thecharcoal-colored,leather-upholsteredchairthatcradledherwasascomfortableasanysybariticcouch,andglidedonrailsintoandoutofthenichewithinthecurveofthedesk.Therewasamatchingcouchacrossfromthedesk;itmatchedsuperficially,thatis,butithadbeenmadesothat,althoughitwasextremelycomfortable,itwastreacherous.Betheoccupanteversotall,whoeversattherewouldfindthathisheadwaslowerthanhers,andgettingupcreatedsomeawkwardmoments.Fortherest,thechamberexudedarestrainedopulence;soft,darkgreycarpetwithsubtlegrey-on-greypattern,silver-greysatindraperiescoveringthewalls,lighterincolorthanthecarpetbutwiththesamepattern.Theonlycolorintheroomlayinthestoneofthedesk,whichdrewtheeyelikeamagnet,awayfromTriana.Whichwasthepoint;itwasdifficultforabeautifulelvenladytoappearintimidating,butthedeskmanagedtooverwhelmsimplybybeing.

Aelmarkinhadreachedthegatesofherestateandbeenadmittednotlongago.He

wouldarriveatanymoment,andshewasperfectlyreadyforhim.

Meanwhileshebusiedherselfwiththeaccounts.Withthefallinherfortunes,herlittleestatehadtobeself-supporting,fortherewerenomoregiftswell,callthemwhattheywere,bribesforthcomingfromthosewhowishedtoattachthemselvestoarisingstar.Shesupposedshecouldhaveimprovedherfortunesbymarrying,butthatwashardlyasolutionthatwastohertaste.Therewasn'tanyonefreeamongtheOldLordswhowasn'ta

closematchforherwitsandwhowouldn'thedgeheraroundwithsomanyconstraintsthatitwouldtakeallofherenergyjusttocontinuetoenjoyherselfasshehad.AndasfortheYoungLordsstillloyaltotheirsires

well,shewasnotmindedtowet-nurseacallowyouth,whohadnoinclinationtowork,nointerestsbuthisownamusement,andnoambitionsexcepttoindulgeinsexandgames.She'dbebetteroffadoptingsuchayoungfoolthanweddinghim;atleastthenshecouldtreatthefellowlikethechildhewas.

So,followingherfallfromgrace,shehadappliedherselftothebusinessofraisingandtrainingveryspecialslaves,exquisitecreaturesmuchindemandfortheirbeautyandskills.Therewasalwaysawaiting-listforherprettyboysanddecorativemenshewasanexpert,afterall,inthethingsthatmademalesbothornamentalanduseful.TherewereplentyofElvenlordsAelmarkinforonewhobredandtrainedlove



lyfemaleslavesfortheluxurytrade,butTrianawastheonlysupplierofmalesforthesamepurpose.SomewereboughtbyElvenlords,butnotnearlyasmanyaswereboughtbytheladiesnotthatthelordstheseladiesansweredtowereevermadeawareoftheexistenceofthesespecialslaves.LadiesmightwellbehedgedaboutbyruleandcustomandkeptcloseintheharembutnothingpreventedthevisitsofanotherLady.

Triana,say,withasmallentourageofherspecialslaves.

Now,onceTrianaandherslaveswerewithinthewallsofanestate,itwaschild'splayfortheladyshevisitedtopurchaseoneormore;unlessshewastotallyhedgedabout,shehadsimplytoorderthattherequisitepricebesenttoTriana'sstewardbyherownhouseholdsteward,whowouldnotgainsayher.Theslavesthenvanishedintothehousehold,assignedtothelady'spersonalservice,nevertobeseenoh,mostcertainlynever!bythe

masterofthehouse.Itwaseasyenoughtodo,forevenonestatesthatbredtheirownslavestherewerealwaysmorebeingpurchasedaspecialskillmightbeneeded,ortheslavesthemselvesdisobligedbypresentingonewithtoomanyofonesexandnotenoughoftheother.ThepurchaseofagreatmanyofthesemaleslavesthatTrianasocarefullytrainedwasconcealedundertheblandheading"householdexpenses."

OneofTriana'sownslaves,sleekinherliveryofdarksilverandmidnight,cametothedoorofthechamber,

andTrianalookedupandnoddedacknowledgmentofhissilentsignal.Amomentlater,asecondarrived,Aelmarkinintow.

"V'kelAelmarkinel-LordTornal,myLady,"heintoned,asAelmarkinsaunteredpasthimintotheoffice.BothslavesvanishedassoonasTriananoddedtothem.



"Aelmarkin,itisapleasuretoseeyou,"shesaid,exudingsubduedwarmth."Forgivemefornotrisingtogreetyouproperly,butasyousee,youhavecaughtmeinthemidstofmylittlechores."

Now,Aelmarkinknewverywellthatshehadgottenampleenoughwarningofhisimminentarrivaltohavesether"littlechores"aside,andsheknewthatheknewandheknewthatsheknewthatheknew,sotheyweremostcomfortableintheirmutualknowledge.Helookedthevisitors'couchoverbeforesittinginit,andwasprobablynotsurprisedtodiscoverwhatadisadvantageitputhimat.

"Mycursedcousinhascoveredhimselfwithglory,"hegrumbled,asaslaveappearedatthedoor,offeredhimwine,anddisappearedagain."1hopeyou'vebeenmakingbetterprogressthanI.Itwillbeworthittometolosethisbetifyoucanbringhimdown."

Shesmiledenigmatically."Youareawarethatthekeytoallthisistoeithergetridofhismotherorencouragehimtoputherinherappropriateplace?"

Aelmarkinwasn'tstupid;shehadtogranthimthat.Hesatupordidsoasmuchasthecouchwouldallowhim."Soit'sLadyLydiellwhorulesthatroost,doesshe?I'dsuspectedasmuch.That'shardlysurprising,givenhowlongshehasbeenthesoleauthorityonthatestate."Helookedsour,andwould

probablyhaveaddedhisdisapprovalofaladyassumingsuchauthority,butthatwashardlypoliticinTriana'spresence.

"Butit'shightimethatLordKyrtianassumedhisproperroleasheadoftheestate,Ishouldthink,"Trianareplied,carefullyexaminingherflawlesslypolishednails."AndIexpect,afterallofhisvictoriesinthefield,he'snotgoingtobecontenttositbackandletsomeoneelsemanagehispropertyanymore."

Aelmarkinrelaxedbackinhisseatandproducedathinsmile."Andtherightwomancouldwould!certainlyencouragehiminthatdirection,wouldn'tshe?Theonlyquestioninmymindis,towhateffect?"Thesmilehardened."Itisnotgoingtopleasemeparticularlytofindthatthemotherhasbeensupplantedbytheequallycompetentwife."



Sheleftoffexamininghernailsandgavehimachilllook.Howverylikeamaletoassumethatsheintendedtotakethemother'splace!"Idoassureyou,Aelmarkin,thatweddingthatchildisnopartofmyplans.Thereisnothingabouthisestatesorhispersonthatcouldtemptmetothefollyofputtingmyestatesandmypersonintohislegalcontrol."

"Seethatyouremainofthatmind,"Aelmarkinrespondedshortly.Therewasnomistake;hefullyexpectedhertobethatfoolish!Didhethinkthateveryfemaleinexistencelivedonlytowed?

"Thethoughtwouldneverhavecrossedmymind,andisnopartofmyplans."Sheallowedatingeofcontempttocolorhergaze."Didyoucomeallthiswaytofencewithme,orhaveyouanotherpurposeyouhaven'tyetrevealed?"

Hehadcometodiscoverwhat,ifanything,shekneworhaddone,ofcoursebutshesuspectedthat-hehadalsocometokeepaneyeonher.OfcoursehehadbeguntothinkherplansmightincludeweddingKyrtianaswellasseducinghimhe.wasamale,afterall,andhewasblindedbytheautomaticassumptionthateveryfemalewantedultimatelytobesomeone'sladyasiftheonlypossibleidentityafemalehadwasthroughhermalerelatives.

Idiot.

Butshecouldusehim.Thislittleexercisethathadbegunasabethadtakenonalifeandapurposeforherfarbeyonditsoriginal.No,shedidnotwantKyrtianorhisestatesbutshedidwantthatseatontheCouncilthathadbeendeniedherforsolong.ShewantedtobecountedastheequalofanyGreatLord.Sheknewhow



not?thatLordKyndrethonlyintendedtosupportKyrtianforaslongasittooktodestroytheYoungLords'RevoltandpossiblytheWizards.Oncethatwasover,KyrtianhadthepotentialtobecomeadangerousrivalforLordKyndreth'sascendancyintheCouncil.HewouldbealtogetherpleasedtofindsomeonewillingtohelpandplacedtoeliminateKyrtianwhenthetimecame.Notbyassassination,nothatwastoocrude,andbesides,therewasthesmallproblemofgettingawaywithmurderonceithadbeencommitted.Thataltogether-too-efficientbodyguardofKyrtian'swasanotherproblem.

Buteliminationbyothermeansthatwasanothercoveyofquailaltogether.OnceTrianawasclosetoKyrtian,trustedbyhim,therewereanynumberofoptionsopentoher.Shecouldarrangeforhimtodosomethingthatwoulddisgracehimentirelysomethingtodowithslaves,perhaps.Hetreatedthatbodyguardwithsuspicioussoftness,andLydiell'sfamilywasknownforitsridiculouscossetingofhumans.PerhapssomethingcouldbeconcoctedlinkinghimtotheWizardsasasympathizer.Orifnoneofthatseemed

possible,afemale,allowedcloserthananymale,coulddothingsthatwerenotopentomen.Shecouldadministerdrugsthatwouldenfeeblemindorbody,butgraduallyandmostimportantofall,irreversibly.ShecouldleakimportantfinancialorotherdetailsoftheestatethatwouldallowsomeonelikeKyndrethtoworkthemagicthatwouldruinititsmainsourceofincomelayinfoodstuffs,afterall,andproperlymanipulatedweatherorinsect-plaguesforseveralyearsinarowcouldbringthefamilytoitsknees.ShecouldandwouldencourageinfatuationonKyrtian'spart,alongwiththegivingofveryexpensivegiftsandrecklessbehaviortoimpressher.

Itwaspossiblethatshecouldarrangehimtobankrupthimself,ingamesofchanceandthelikeortobreakhisownneckinsportandthehunt.

Or,even,toemulatehisfatherandvanishintothewilderness,nevertobeseenagain.That,inparticular,appealedtoher.

Encouraginghiminthatdirectionhadgreatpotential,andshouldn'tbeallthat

difficult.Thewildernesshadkilledthefather,sowhynottheson?

Thereweresomanyoptionsopentoher,onceshegotclosetoKyrtian,thatshehadnointentionoflimitingherselftoanyoneplanforthemoment.



Meanwhile,itwasactuallypossibleforAelmarkintoproveuseful.

"Ifyouwouldcaretostayforavisit,Ithinkwecanaccommodateyou,"shesaid,smiling,andsurprisinghim."Haveyoucomepreparedtoremain?"

Sheknewhehad,ofcourse;althoughshemightnotknowthecontentsofhisbaggage,shecertainlyknewtheweightandvolume.He'dbroughtacart-fullandonlytwopersonalslaves,sohe'dbeenintendingtoinflicthimselfonherforagoodfortnightatleast.

"IconfessIwashopingthatyouwouldtendertheinvitation,"herepliedcautiously.Clearlyhehadhopedtotrickorbullyherintotheinvitation,andhadnotthoughtforamomentthatitwouldbeofferedfreely.

"Thenwhydon'tyousettlein,"shesaidairily,wavingahandatthedoor,whereatherinvisiblesignal,theslavewhohadbroughthimherearrived,havingrespondedtothatsummons."I'lldealwithmylittlehouseholdaffairs,andwecandiscussplansoverluncheon."

Shekeptinvisibleheramusementathisstrugglestoextricatehimselffromthecouch,andrespondedtohisnone-too-graciousbowwithanodofherhead.Asheaccompaniedtheslavetothe

guestquartersshewentbacktoheraccounts.Whilenotofspellbindinginterest,theywereimportantafterall,andneededtobeattendedto.Thesedaysshedidn'ttrustthatanythinghadbeendoneproperlyunlesssheherselfhadrunacriticaleyeoverit.

Nowluncheonwascertainlygoingtobeinteresting.Shewasquitelookingforwardtoit,afterall.



ShecountedonthefactthatshehadwelcomedAelmarkin,andthattherewasn'tagreatdealforhimtoamusehimselfwithonherestate,toensurethatassoonashehadconvincedhimselfthatshewasn'tplayingadeepergamethanhethought,hewouldleave.

And,infact,thatwaspreciselywhathappened.Althoughhehadclearlycomepreparedtoremainforaweekormore,withinthreedayshewasgone.

Shehadspeededhisdeparturebybeingridiculouslyvirtuousforthedurationofhisvisit.Sheheldnoparties,entertainednootherguests,andalthoughhedidhaveaccesstosomeattractivefemaleslavesshemadeitpolitelyclearthatifhedamagedthem,hecouldconsiderthempurchases.Hisfinanceswerenotsosecurethathecouldcontemplatethepurchaseofoneofherslavesattheuxoriousvaluation

shewouldmake,thatprettymuchputpaidtothatpossibleamusement.

Thatlefthunting(whichhedetested),landscape-viewing(whichboredhim),andgaming(whichhewasill-equippedfor,eithermentallyorphysicallynorwouldhehaveenjoyedei-~therlosingtoahumanslaveorwinningoveronewhowasallowinghimtowin.Noindeed.

So,offhewent,liberatingherfromhisunwelcomecompanyandallowingherthefreedomtofindoutjustwhatKyrtianwasupto.

Thatmeantaselectdinner-party.NotoneofthelibertineaffairsthatshethrewforthoseoftheYoungLordswhowerestillloyaltotheirfathers,butasedate,yetveryluxuriousdinnerforthosefewoftheGreatLordswhofoundheramusingandcouldaffordtobeseenwithher.

Whichincluded,ofcourse,LordKyndreth.

First,shespentaprofitablehourinthekitchens,informingthestaffofherplansandterrifyingthemwithcasuallydroppedtalesofwhathadhappenedtoslaveswhosefoodandservicedispleasedtheGreatLordswhowouldbeherguests.Ofcourse,onethingthatseparatedherestablishmentfrom



thatofotherElvenlordswasthathermealsreliedontheskillsofherkitchen-slavesandnotonillusionnowherservantswouldexertthemselvestotheutmosttoplease.

Shedidnottroubleherselfaboutthemenu;herchiefcookwoulddeterminethat.Heknewwhatwasbest,freshest,atitspeakofripeness;heknewwhatfowl,fish,andmeatswereatperfection.Shecouldleaveallthattohim,andsetaboutdeliveringtheinvitationsviatelesontoherselectGreatLordssixofthemaltogether,includingLordKyndrethandhissonGildor.Gildorwasabore,butshewouldseethathissimpleneedsweretakencareof.

Allmale,ofcourse;therewouldbeonefemale,butonlyahumanslave,Gildor'sfavoriteconcubine.Hewasabsurdlyfaithfultothecreature,butwhenLordKyndrethissuedadelicatehintthatGildorwouldprobablywanttobringher,shelaughedlightly.

"Childrenmusthavetheirtoys,mustn'tthey?"shesaid,withjustahintofmockery."Nomatter,mylord.Ishallsupplytherestofyouwithcomelycompanions,soshewillnotbeconspicuous.Imaynotspecializeinsuchslaves,butIpromisethatyouwillbecontentedwithwhatIsupply."

"Thatwillsuitmeverywell,"LordKyndrethreplied,fromthedepthsofthetelesonembeddedinthewall

acrossfromherdesk,whichwasnormallyhiddenbehindthedraperiesthere.Heseemedjustasamusedbyhisoffspring'sdoggedinfatuationasTrianawas."Yourhospitalitywillbegracious,asalways."



"ThenIcanexpectyoutomorrownight."Shesmiledathim,exertingallhercharm."Good.Youstillhavemyteleson-keyIassume?"

"Ineverletitoutofmykeeping,"heassuredher,asalloftheothershad."Tilltomorrownight,then?"

"Tilltomorrownight."Sheallowedhimtobreaktheconnection,andsatbackinherchair,well-contentforjustamoment.

Butonlyforamoment,forshehadadecisiontomake.Shouldshedisplayherexpertiseinmagic,bycreatingafantasticalsettingforherparty,ordistinguishherselfbyhostingthedinnerwithnomagicwhatsoever?

Withmagic,shedecidedafterlongconsideration.Butitmustbesubtle.Thesemenwereexpertsinpowerfulmagic,anditwouldbefarmoreimpressivetocaressthemwithsurroundingsthathadacalmdepththantobombardthemwithsayanenchantedexhibitionofsonganddance.

Subtletywouldtaketimetoproduce;shehadbetterstartonitnow.

Sheletthechairglidebackonitsrails,andtookherselftoherdiningroom,walkingaroundittostudyeveryangle.

Shouldsheattemptanillusionofspace,orcreateanatmosphereofintimateenclosure?

Theauraofintimacywouldbebetterforherpurposes.

Shecalledinherservants,andsetthemtoremovingthediningtableandchairsfromherlastpartyandreplacingthemwithtwo-persondiningcoucheswithattendanttables.Bythetimetheyreturnedwiththemoss-green,velvetydrapesshewantedforthecouches,shehaddecidedonthetheme.



Overhead,stars.Asabackdrop,moss-coveredstones,asifthisplacewasadeepandnarrow,secretvalley.Slowly,aridwithgreatcare,Trianabuiltuptheillusionasshesatononeofthecouches,spinningitoutofairandenergy.Sheplaced,andre-placedeachstone,eachgracefultree,eachtinyviolet,untilshewassatisfiedwiththebalanceandharmony.Tendrilsofenergyformedintobranchesanddissolvedagainuntilshewashappywiththeeffect.

Awaterfall?No.Everyonehadwaterfallslately;they'dbeendonetodeath.Instead,shesimulatedthecallsoffrogsandcrickets,andasinglenightingale.

Shecalledforrefreshmentsandrealtreesintubsthatwouldbemaskedwithdrapedvines,supervisingtheslavesastheymovedtherealtreesintopositionaroundthesixcouches.Itwasalreadypastsundown,butherguestswouldarrivewellbeforedinnertomorrow,andshemusthavethediningroomreadylongbeforethen.

Sheoverlaidanillusionofmossonthecarpet,visualonly,asthecarpetitselfwassoftenoughtothetreadtoplease.Thatleftonlyscenteasilytakencareofwithnoillusionatall.Sheleftordersforgarlandsofflowersandleavestobedrapedbetweenthetubbedtreesandwreathedaroundthecouches.

Shesatdownononeofthecouchesandsurveyedherworkwithacriticaleye,ma

kingminutechangeshereandtheresothatthegrottoappearedrandom,entirelynatural.Eventheskyoverheadwasaclevervariation;shehadkeyedthestarstofollowthemovementsoftherealsky.Bythetimeshedeclaredherselffinished,shewasexhaustedwiththeunaccustomedlabor.Butitwouldallbeworthit,tomorrow.



Trianasurveyedherguestsandsmiledopenly.Gildorandhisfavoriteconcubinewereinstalledonthemostprivateofthecouches,attherearofthegrotto.Gildorclearlyconsideredthistobeafavor,notaninsultandso,evidently,didhisfather.

Eachoftheotherfiveguestssharedhiscouchwithanattractivefemaleslave,too,butthesemenwereallpowerfulandprobablyhadconcubinesthatmadethesegirlslooklikefield-slaves.Forthemtheseslaveswerenothingmorethansentientfurniturethatservedthemsilentlywithoutneedingdirectionpleasantaccoutrements,whichdemonstratedthethoroughnessandthoughtfulnessoftheirhostess,butnothingmore.Theyateandtalkedasifthegirlsweren'teventhere.Andthegirlshadbeenwell-schooled,ifnotgiventhekindofintensivetrainingthatTrianalavishedonhermaleslaves;theyactedontheneedsoftheirtemporarymastersbeforethosemastersevenknewtheyhadaneed.Cupswererefilledafterasinglesip,platesreplacedwithonesfilledwithnewdaintiesthemomentthehotfoodsbegantocoolorthecoolones

towarm.

Trianaherselfhadnocompanion,andateverylittle.HerguestshadloosenedupenoughtobegintospeakofCouncilbusiness,andshewaitedforthesubjectofLordKyrtiantocomeup,asGildordalliedwithhisconcubine,completelyoblivioustohiselders.

ItwasLordKyndrethwhobroachedthesubject,launchingintoadescriptionoft

heaftermathoftheclimacticbattlethatroutedtheYoungLords.

"Sowherearethewretches?"askedLordWendrelith,hisbrowwrinkledwithsuppressedanger."Allthat'sbeencapturedareslaves."

"Scatteredlikeflushedquailbutunlikequail,theyaren'tregathering,"LordKyndrethreplied."Isuspectthat

they'veeachconcoctedbolt-holesduringthetimetheywereholdingusoff,andnowthey'vegonetoground.Howmuchtimeandeffortareyouwillingtospendintrackingthemtotheirlairs?"

"Notnearlyasmuchasitwilltake,Isuspect,"saidLordVan-driendryly.



"Itwillbeamassiveeffort,"LordKyndrethagreed."Everytrackingteamwillhavetohavealordwithitonewhoseloyaltyisunquestionedandcannotbesubverted.Humanslavescanbedeceivedorcorrupted."

LordWendrelithshookhisheadindisgust."Ancestors!We'deitherhavetotrackthemdownoneatatime"

"Whichwouldtakeforever,evenbyourstandards"Trianainterjectedsoftly.

"orstripourestatesofsupervisors.Neitherisaviableoption,"Kyndrethsaid,nodding.

Triana,seeingthatshehadnotbeenrebuffed,putinanotherofherobservations."Aren'ttheynowcraftingtheir

ownpunishment?"

AnotheroftheGreatLordsturnedhisfullattentiontoTriana."Thatisaveryinterestingidea,myLady,"LordArentiel-lansaid,withanintenselyalertexpressioninhiseyes."Couldyouelaborate?"

"Theycannothavemorethanoneortwoslavesapiece;theydarenotcollectingroupsofmorethanthree.They

willnothaveanythingthatwethinkofasdecenthousingnotsomuchasahuntinglodge.Theyarelikelytobelivingincavesorothercrudeshelters.Noneofthemaretrulypowerfulmagicians;iftheywishtoeat,theymuststeal,hunt,gatherwiththeirownhandsandthoseoftheoneortwoslavestheystillretain."Shelaughed,inavoicelowandhusky."Itisentirelypossiblethatmanyofthemareoutthere,burningtheirdinnersoversmokingfires,onlytoshiverthroughthenightinscantshelter,evenaswespeak."Shesmiledsweetly."Icannotimagineapunishmentworsethanthatlivinglikeawildhuman,andknowingthattheonlywaytorectifythesituationistocomegrovelingbacktous."



AllfiveoftheGreatLordsstaredatherforalongtime;thenLordKyndrethbrokeoutinunexpectedlyloudlaughter,inwhichhewasjoinedbytherest.Gildorlookedupatthemforamomentwithoutinterest,thenwentbacktohisconcubine.

"BytheAncestors,myLady,Ithinkyouhavetherightofit!"saidLordArentiellanwithadmiration."Mymiserablebratiscertainlywelcometoalltheburnedrabbitandrainhecanstand."

"Whatofthearmy,Kyndreth?"askedVandrien."Ifitwereuptome,I'ddisbandthem."

ToTriana'sveiledjoy,therestmurmuredagreement.

"It'suptothefullCouncil,ofcourse,"Kyndrethdemurred."AndtherearetheWizardstothinkof."

"True..."Vandrienmused.

"Whowewill,inevitably,outlive,"Trianapointedoutquietly."Withhalftheir

bloodcomingfromslave-stock,Icannotseethattheywouldhaveouryears.Withnomoreofthefullblood,theywilldilutetheirstocktothepointthattheyarenomorelong-livedthanmereslaves.Assumingthattheydon'tkilleachotheroffintheirownquarrels."

"Onceagain,myLady,yousurpriseanddelightme."LordVandriensatupenoughtogiveherthefullbowofrespect."Iaminyourdebtforsuchreasonedobservations."

"Thankyou."Sheloweredhergazemodestly.

"Still,theWizards...thequestionis,whetheritispossiblethattheycouldposeathreattous,simplybyexistingandservingasatemptationtotheslavestorevolt."Kyndrethraisedaneyebrow."Afterall,ourown



offspringdid."

"Andslaveswouldhavenodifficultywiththenotionofoflivinglikewildhumans."Arentiellannodded."Still,Idon'tknow"

"Ifyoudisbandedthearmy,thereisaquestionofwhatLordKyrtianwoulddowithhimself,"Trianasuggestedgently.

"Ifyouaskme,heoughttobeontheCouncil!"ArentiellansaidimmediatelybutTrianasawLordKyndrethexchangeapointedglancewithoneoftheothers.Shestrovetocatchhiseye,andnoddedslightly.

LordKyndrethlookedsurprised,thenspeculative,thenreturnedhernod.

Sheleanedbackintohercouch,secureinthecertaintythathermessagehadbeenreadandunderstood.

Whenthelasthoneyedgrapehadbeeneaten,andthelastpleasantryexchanged,theGreatLordstooktheirleaveoftheirhostess,onebyone.LordKyndrethsenthissonandtheconcubinebackthroughthePortalandmadeasiftofollow,butfoundasuddenexcusetoremainuntilalloftheothershadle

ftbuthimself.TrianahadaccompaniedthemtothePortalherselftobidthemapolitefarewell,andnowfoundherself,asshehadhoped,alonewiththeGreatLord.

"So,mylady,"Kyndrethsaid,whenthelasthazeofenergyhaddiedfromthePortalmouth."YouseemtohavesomenotionsaboutLordKyrtian."



"Youarecomingtothepointwithunaccustomedabruptness,ifImaysayso,LordKyndreth,"Trianademurred.

"IamsomewhatconcernedaboutLordKyrtian,"theGreatLordreplied,shiftinghisweightrestlesslyfromhisleftfoottohisright."Imayhaveawakenedsleepingambitioninhim,andifnowhefindsnooutletforit,hemaybedistressed."

"Hemayusehisnew-wonreputationwithintheCounciltothedisadvantageofothers,"Trianaretorted,comingtothepointjustasdirectlyasLordKyndrethhad."Thestrategiesofwarandpoliticsarenotunalike.Ontheotherhand"

"Yes?"Kyndrethprompted.

"Hisenergiescouldbeturnedelsewhere,bysomeonewhoiscleverenoughtodeviseachannelforthem."Shelookedupathimfrombeneathherlonglashes,andsmiled.

"Andwhatwouldthisdistractioncostme,ifImayask,mylady?"Kyndrethwaswastingnotime;itoccurredtoTrianathathemightbemoreworriedaboutKyrtian'sambitionsthanshehadthought.

Shedecidedtoriskallonasinglethrowofthedice."TheCouncilSeatonceheldbymyfather."

Hismouthpursed,buthedidn'tlookasifheparticularlyobjectedtothenotion."Itcouldbedone...therehavebeenfemalesontheCouncilbeforenow."

Buthehadn'tcommittedtothebargaineither."Thesamecleverpersonwhofoundoneoutletforhisenergiescouldturnthembacktoamoreunfortunatedirection,ifbargainsmadearenotkept."

Nowhesmiled,wryly."Youhaveawaywithwords,mylady.ThebargainwillbekeptandIbelievethatyouwillfindouryoungCommanderattheestateofhisAunt,theLadyMorthena."



Shesmiledradiantlyathim."Thankyou,mylord.ThatisallIneed."

Hegaveherafullcourtbow."AndallIrequire,aswell."HesteppedtowardsthePortal,whichbegantoglowwithenergyinresponsetohisproximity.Thenhepausedonthethreshold,tolookbackoverhisshoulderather."Goodhunting,myLady,"hesaid.

"Andtoyou,mylord"shereplied.Andhewasgone.

23

---

Shanahadn'tseenKelyanandHaldorinagesandshewouldhavebeenhard-pressedtorecognizethemnow.Renahadbeenrighttotakeaction;perhapsthechangeinthetwo"young"Elvenlordshadbeensogradualthatithadpassedrelativelyunnoticedbythepeoplewhosawthemeveryday,buttoShana'seyesthechangewassomethingofashock.Elvenlordswererarely"robust"byhumanorhalfbloodstandards,butKelyanandHaldorwerewraith-thin,bonesshowingthroughskingonequitetranslucent.Theirsilve

r-gilthairwaslankandbrittle,andtheybruisedbadlyandeasily.ThedragonshadbroughtthemtotheCitadelinastuporinducedbyMero;



afterwakingthemonlyenoughtostuffthemfulloffoodanddrinkandcleanthemupaftertheirjourney,Shanahadputthembacktosleepagain.

Twoelvencaptivessummarilydumpedontheirdoorsteponemoreproblemtotryandfix.

Thistimeshewasataloss;thiswasnotherareaofexpertise!Ifithadn'tbeenforLorryncominginandvolunteeringtofindagrouptohelpherwiththem,shewouldn'thaveknownwheretostart.

NowShanaandthegroupofyoungwizardsLorrynhadcalledtogetherstareddownattheirpairofcaptivesastheysleptinamagic-inducedfog,illuminatedbyapairofmage-lights.Anditwasn'tjustwizardsthatLorrynhadaskedforhelp,either;thegroupincludedsomeofthestrongestofthehuma

nmagesthatShanahadevermetaswell.

Iwouldn'thavethoughtofthatstupidofme.Humansaretheoneswiththemagicthatworksonthoughts.Therewereseveralofthemnow,livingamongtheWizards,drawndownoutofthehillsbythepromiseofaplacewheretheycouldlivewithoutfearofbeingcapturedbyelven-ledslave-huntingexpeditions.TheystayedbecauseCaellachhadbeenveryquieteversincehehadbeendefeatedinthewarofwordswithShana.Shewas

notaltogethercertainjusthowlonghewouldremainquiet,butfornowshewasgoingtotakethegiftandnotworryabouthim.

Oneofthesehumanmagicianswasamiddle-agedmancalledNarshy,whoseabilitytocreateillusionswithinthemindsofthosewhowerenotadeptattheIronPeoples'mind-walltechniquewasnothingshortofboggling.Itwashe,evidently,thatLorrynhadfirstthoughtofwhenMerohadfirstsuggestedthattheWizardstakeoverwhereMeroandRenahadbeenforcedtoleaveoff.Narshycouldsometimesevenge

tpastthemind-wallandbecauseofthat,Shanaconsidereditagoodthinghewasontheirside.

ItmadeShanawonderbeforeshedismissedtheidea,appalledthatshe'devenconsidereditifNarshycouldbeusedtomanipulateCaellachGwain.Abaseandimmoralideabutoh,sotempting!Ithadtakenadistincteffortofwilltoputtheideafirmlyaside.



ItwasjustagoodthingthatCaellachregardedthefullhumanswithsomuchdisdain,though.Shewouldn'thaveputitpasthimtousetheweaponthatshediscardedasimmoral.

Forthatmatter,wasitimmoraltobetinkeringwiththemindsofthetwoElvenlords?

Probably.Buttheywerealreadymad.We'deitherhavetokillthemorfixtheminsuchawaythattheycan'teitherbetrayusortheIronPeople.Shewascaughtbetweentwoequallydistastefulsolutionsbuthadnorealchoice,sinceMeroandRenahadalreadymeddledwiththesituationpastmending.

BothElvenlordslayonpalletsinthemiddleofasmall,disusedroom,withthei

rhumanandhalfblooded"physicians"clusteredaroundthem."Well,itshouldn'tbetoodifficultfortenortwentyofustogethertoconcoctwhatevermemoriesofbeingheldyouwantusto,"NarshytoldShanawithsuchsupremeself-confidencethatShanafeltakindofgrudgingadmiration.Whetherhewasrightorwronghere,itwouldbenicetobeabletofeel,justonce,thatsamesortofself-confidence."Withthatmanyofusworkingatonce,wecanjustengravethenewmemoriesinplacewithinafewdays.So,wheredoyouwantthesetwotohavebeenheld?"

"Umm"shehadn'tthoughtthatfar,totellthetruth,butifsheadmittedthat,wouldsheloseauthorityintheireyes?Theywerealllookingatherasiftheyexpectedhertopresentthemwitheverythingtheyneeded,readytogo."WhatabouttheoldCitadel?"shesuggested,unabletothinkofanythingmorecleveronsuchnon-existentnotice."Thatwaywewon'thavetomakeanythingupwouldn'trealmemoriesbebetterthanonesweconcocted?"



"ButtheElvenlordsknowabouttheoldCitadel,"someoneprotested."Wouldn'ttheyhavefoundthesetwo?"

BeforeShanacouldanswerthat,someoneelsediditforher,withgleeintheirvoice."No!BecausewecanuseourmemoriesoftheoldCitadel,butwedon'thavetohavethemthinkthattheplacetheywerekeptwastheoldCitadel.Ifwedon'tleavethesetwowheretheoldCitadelactuallyis,whoeverfindsthemwillthinkthattheirprisonwassomewherenearwheretheywerefound!LettheElvenlordsthinkthatthere'sanotherhiddenCitadelsomewhere."

"WhatabouttheforestontheedgeofLordCheynar'sestate?"Lorrynsuggested,fromtherearofthegroup."It'sgotabadreputationanyway.Ancestorsonlyknowwhat'sinthere;plentyofhuntershavegoneinandnever

comeoutagain.Chey-narwon'tevensendhisownmeninthereafterescapedslavesanymore."

"That'strueenough,"Shanasaidthoughtfully."IrememberthatMerotoldmeaboutsomespookysortofinvisiblethingthatgothishorseinthereandnearlygothim,whenheandVa-lynwereescaping."Shecouldn'thelpit;shecaughtherselfsmilinggrimly.TherewereplentyofthingsinthosehillsthatweremorethanamatchforElvenlords.

"Goodenough,"Narshysaid,takingthedecisionasmade."That'swhatwe'lldothelotofyouthatlivedintheoldCitadel,let'sprysomeofthosememoriesoutofyourskullsandgetthemsharedaroundsowecanstuffthesetwofullofthem."

Shanawaspleasedandamazedatthewayhemanagedtotakecontrolofthelittlegroupandherdthemofftoacornerwheretheycouldworkundisturbed.Withasenseofreliefthatwasquite

palpable,sherealizedthatthistime,foronce,someoneelsewasgoingtotakecareofaproblem.

Unbelievable."Wheredidyoufindhim?"sheaskedLorryn."Heactsasifhe'sbeeninchargeofpeople,mageseven,beforethis"



"Hehasbeenthat'swhyIaskedhimtotakechargeofthisgroupofyours,"Lorrynreplied,thensuddenlylookedanxious."Youdon'tmindIhopehereI'vegoneandusurpedyourauthorityandnowsohasNarshy.Pleasetellmeyouaren'tupset!"

"Mind?Ishouldthinknot!"Sheshookherheadandsmiled,tiredly."Idon'tknowhowyoujustdothis,findtherightpeopleandgetthemtotakeoverthisorthatjobIcan'tseemtofindtherightwaytogetpeopletothinkforthemselvesorfindtheonesthatcantaketheinitiativeontheirown."Shebitherlipastheall-too-familiarfrustrationarose.

"Maybeit'sbecauseyoucan'tbelievethatyoudon'thavetodoeverything,"Lorrynsaidgently."That'sallIdo;Ifindthepeoplewhoaregoodatsomething,IaskthemtodothejobandIbelievethattheycan.ThenIgetoutofthewayandletthemdoit,intheirownway,attheirownpace."

Therewasnogracefulwaytoreplytothat,andshejustsatdownonastoneledge,feelingtotallyinadequateandutterlydeflated."Ineverwantedtobealeader,"shesaid,forlornly."Ifanybodyhadaskedme,Icouldhavehadthechancetosayno."

"Iknow."Hesatdownbesideher."I'dratheryouwerefreetodowhatyou'regoodat;planning,thinking,

comingupwithsolutions.You'reallboggeddownwithtryingtogetpeopletoseethatyoursolutionsaresensibleortocomeupwithbetterones.Youspendhalfyourtimetryingtoconvincepeople,andtheotherhalftryingtoherdthemintoworkingonthesolutionratherthansittingaroundandarguingaboutit.I'dratheryou-didn'thavetoworryaboutallthat."



"SowouldI."Suddenlyshefeltlikeweeping,andswallowedthelumpinherthroat,blinkingrapidly."But"

Heinterruptedher."Wouldyoutrustmetotakewhatyouaren'tgoodatoffyourplate?"heasked,lookingearnestlyintohereyes."I'mbeginningtothinkthatIamaleader,thatit'sinmynaturepeoplelistentome,andI'mgoodatgettingthemtocooperate.ButwouldyoutrustmetodowhatI'mgoodatsothatyoucandowhatyou'regoodat?"

Ittookheramomenttoworkoutwhathewasgettingat,andheprobablywasn'tentirelycertainofithimself.WouldsheputhiminthepositionthatCaellachGwainwantedsobadly,trusthimtocarryoutwhatshecouldseeweretherightplansanddecisionsforher?Shouldn'tshehavesomeoneolder,someonefromtheoriginalWizardsoftheCitadel?

ButneitherDenelornorParthAgonwhoshouldhavebeentheleaders,andwhoShanahadexpectedwouldactastheleadersseemedtobeuptothejob.Insteadtheyhadbeendelegatingmoreandmoreauthoritytoher,regardlessofhowshefeltaboutit.Denelorneverhadcaredtostirhimselfmorethanhehadto,afterallshealreadyknewthathisbesettingsinwasslothandParth

Parth,shesuddenlyrealized,wasold.Howold,shedidn'tactuallyknow,notin

yearsbutoncetheyhadgottensettledhereanditseemedthatsheandheryoungwizardshadthesituationwellinhand,he'dstartedtakingabackseat,lettingherfightwithCaellachandhiscronies,waitingforhertomakethedecisions.Fromvaguehintsovertheyears,sherealizedthathemustbeatleastacenturyold,andperhapsmore.

He'stoooldandtiredtoleadanymore,especiallynowthattheWizardsaredoingthingsandnotjusthiding.Hedoesn'twanttheleadershippositioneither.It'stoomuchforhimnow.

MaybethatwasthecasewithDenelor,too.

ButcouldshehandoverthatmuchauthoritytoLorryn?Itwouldmakeherterriblyvulnerable.



Asvulnerableasifhetrulyismylover,thewayeveryoneseemstothinkheisandthisisthesortofthingthey'dexpectmetodo,startmakinghimmymyrulingconsort.Thiswillonlymakethemmorecertainthatwe'reloverseventhoughwe'renoteventhoughI

Sheflushedasthatthoughtcame,unbidden,andshemusthaveforgottentoshieldit,forsuddenlyheflushed,too."Ican'thelpwhatotherpeoplethink,"hesaid,defensively."Ican'thelpitthatwethatI"

Sheflushedagain,fumbledforwords,andcouldn'tfindany.

"Thisisn'taverynicepositionforyou,"hesaidatlast."Evenmyownsisterthinkswe'reyouknow.Nomatterwhatwedo,peoplearegoingtomakeuptheirownmindsaboutyourperson

allifeandthere'snothingyoucansayordothatwillchangewhattheythink.Butthatdoesn'tmakethingseasyforyou,whenthere'snothinggoingonbetweenus."

"Norforyou,"shemanaged."Imean,hereI'vebeendumpingallthesethingsonyou,andpeoplearemakingalltheseassumptions,andyouaren'tevengetting"Nowherfacereddenedsoitfeltasifshewereinchesfromafire.

"Assumptions!Idon'tmind,butI'mnotinthesamepositionthatyouare.It'sgottobeintolerableforyou!"heexclaimed."IShanaIwish"

Suddenly,everythingfellbeautifullyintoplace,asifthebrokenshardsofavaseflewbacktogetheragainbeforehereyes.Sheknewwhathewished;hedidn'tneedtosayit,hewasprojectingitsoforcefullythathewas



almostshoutingthewordsinherhead.Hewantedthoseassumptionstobetrue,buthehadbeenafraidthatifhetriedtopushhimselfontoher,shewouldreactbysendinghimaway.Hehelovedher.Hereallydid!And

FireandRain!Ifeelthesameway!

Lorrynwasn'tjustasupportiveandcleverfriendanymore.Itwasn'tjusthisfriendshipsheneededandwanted.Howlonghadshebeenfeelingthisabouthim?Whendidshestopfeelingmereattraction,justenjoyinghiscompany,andsuddenlystartneedinghispresencethewaysheneededtobreathe?

"Ididn'tIdon'twanttoforceyouintoanything,"hewassaying,alittlewildly."Iknewhowyou'dfeltaboutValynandIdidn'twantyoutothinkIthoughtIcouldreplacehim!Iwantedustobefriends,reallygood

friends,andIwantedittobethatwecoulddependoneachother,andthenafterawhile,whenthingsstartedtogetcalmeddown,andwehadtheleisuretothinkaboutourselveswecouldImeanIknowthatIdon'tknow"

"Oh,hush,"shesaid,suddenlyfullofahalf-madjoy,andkissedhim,puttingeverythingshefeltbehinditjustsoshecouldgetitallpastthewildtideofhisfeelings.

:oh:sheheardinhermind.

Andthen,forsometimelesstime,therewasnoroomineitheroftheirmindsforwordsatall.Finally,forthatonemoment,nomatterwhatwouldcomeafter,everythingwasperfectly,completely,right.AndsheknewthatshecouldtrustLorrynmorethanshecouldeventrustherself.

"Thisisn'texactlythechoicestspot"hesaid,finally,intoherhair."We'reratheroutinpublic,nottomentionouraudience."

"Isupposetheycouldwakeup."Shanasighedandreluctantlybroketheembrace.



Shesmootheddownherhair,self-consciously.Hebrushedastrandortwooutofhereyesandtuckeditbehindherearforher."Haveyouanytimetospare?"heaskedwistfully.

Nothere'sthis,andtheforges,andtheslave-collars,andthedefensesand

"I'llmakesome,"shereplied.

Theironyofthesituationwasthattheonlypeopleaffectedbythissea-changeintheirrelationshipwereLorrynandShanathemselves.Butoh,thedifferenceforthem!

NooneseemedtohavenoticedthatLorryn'squartershadbeenstrippedandconvertedintoastoragearea.SpitefulcommentsfromCaellachGwainasreportedbyShana'ssharp-earedobserversamongthechildrenwere

innowisechanged.Andyetthedifferencetoher!

Buttheworldoutsidetheirchamberwasnotgoingtogoaway.

AplanalargeandcomplicatedplantosafeguardtheCitadelforeverwasbeginningtotakeshapebetweenthetwoofthem.WhennewscamefromKemanthatLordKyrtianhadeithergivenorbeenorderedtogivethecommandofthearmytosomeoneelsewhiletheCouncildebateditsfuture,thene

edforthatplantookonanewsenseofurgency.

TheoldCitadelhaddefensesthatthisonedidn't;itwastimetoputtheminplace.AlaraandKalamadeawerethechiefarchitectsoftheCitadel,anditwastimetoconsultwiththem.



SheandLorryn,AlaraandFatherDragonsattogetheroverathree-dimensional"map"oftheCitadel,sculptedinremovablelayers,tryingtoplanwhatnextneededtobemoldedoutoftherocksoftheirmountain.Onegrimconsiderationescapetunnels.JustincasetheGreatLordsdecidedtosendtheformidableLordKyrtianafterthem.Another,aduplicateoftheCitadelfarenoughawaytofleeto,butnearenoughthatanevacuationcouldtakeplacebymeansofthetransportationspell.TherewereenoughWizardsabletouseitnowthattheentirepopulationcouldbeevacuatedwithinhours,andtheadvantageofthespellwasthattherewouldbenotrackstotracethemby.

TheexistenceofthisduplicatewhichwasnearenoughtoZed'siron-minestoprovideextraprotection,butatthispointhardlymorethanafewchambersmoldedoutoftherockbysomeoftheyoungestdragonswasfornowaclosely-keptsecret.Evenfromthedragonsworkingonit.Alarahadtoldt

hemitwasnothingmorethananewsetoflairs.

Whichwealsoneed,Shanathought,wonderingjusthowthintheirresourcescouldbestretchedbeforethingsstartedsnapping.

"Theprisonershowgoesthememory-making?"FatherDragonasked.HeandAlarawereinhalfbloodformat

themoment,ortheywouldneverhavefitintothemap-chamber."Idonotwishtoalarmyouunduly,butthesoonerwecandropthosetwowheretheycanbefound,thebetter."

"Narshy'ssortedoutwho'sthebestatplantingthenewmemories,andhe'sgotthemstuffedwithaboutayear'sworth,"Shanareplied,tracingapossibleexittunnelfromtheloweststoragechamberontothemodelwithawaxpencil."Wedecidedtomakethememoriesconfusedandfoggy,asifthey'dbeenkeptdrugged."

"WenominatedCaellachastheChiefWizardofthisimaginarylot,"Lorrynputin,gettingagrinfromFatherDragonandaheadshakefromAlara."Wehadtohavesomebody,andatleasthe'smemorable."

"Narshysaysweshouldbeabletoplanttheminafewdays.Hetooktherealmem



oriesofbeingcaptured,putnewfacesonthepeopledoingthecapture,thentookitfromthere."Shanabroodedoverthemodel."He'susingasmuchoftheirrealmemoriesashecan,justchangingthefacestoWizards,thetentstorockwallsandeliminatingtheironcollars.He'smakingthoseintosomethinglikeslave-collars,sothattheElven-lordswillthinkthatthisnewlotofconcoctedWizardsareactuallybetteratusingelvenmagicthantheElvenlordsthemselvesare."

"Agoodtouch,"FatherDragonSaid,admiringly.

"NowifonlyIcouldfigureoutawaytobeintwoplacesatthesametime,"Shanasaid,staringdownatthemap.

KemanandDorahadnotbeenabletogetanynearertoLordKyrtianwithoutrevea

lingthemselves,thanksinnosmallparttothesuspiciousSargeantGel.Shanahadnotdaredaskthemtotakethatfinal,irrevocablestep.IneeddesperatelytoseeLordKyrtianformyself!Onlythenwouldsheknowwhetherornothewastrulytobetrustedandiftrusted,tobeapproached.Butifshewasgonefromhere,therewasnotellingwhatmischiefCaellachmightnotgetupto.IfshewasdelayedifsomethinghappenedcouldLorryncontroltheoldtroublemakerforlong?OrwouldCaellachmanagetoregainhisholdoverhisoldfactionandsetthisentirewarrenseethingwithsomanyquarrelsandbadfeelingsthatitwouldallfalltopieces?

"Yourmindoryourbody?"Kalamadeaasked,suddenly,withanoddbirdliketwistofhishead.

"Whatdoyoumean?"shereplied,wonderingwhathadpromptedthatsortofreply.



"Wellifit'syourmindthatneedstobeintwoplacesatoncethatis,ifyoufeelthatyouhavetobeabletoseeandmakedecisionsyourselfaboutthingsgoingonintwodifferentplacesatthesametime,thenwecan'thelpyou,"Kalamadeasaid."Butifit'syourbodythatneedstobeseenintwoplacesif,forinstance,youwantedtoleave,andhadconfidenceinsomeoneenoughtolethimmakedecisionsforyoubutyouneededasortoffigureheadorpuppetofyourselfsothatcertainpeoplewouldn'tdecidetomaketroublewhileyouweregone

"Acertainpersonwhosenamerhymeswithdrain,"Alaraputin,withaslywink.

"Exactlyandifthat'swhat'sconcerningyou,well,that'sentirelydifferent.Andit'ssomethingAlaraandIcanhelpyouwith."FatherDragonlookedparticularlysmug,anditdidn'ttakelongforShanatorealizewhy,whathemeant,andshewantedtosmackherselfintheheadfornotthinkingofitsoo

ner.

"Ofcourse!"sheexclaimed."Oh,Motherthere'snoreasonwhyyoucan'tshape-shiftintome,isthere?Youknowmewellenoughtocounterfeitmeforeverybody"Sheflushed,asLorrynlaughedandmadeaface."well,practicallyeverybody!"

"Noreasonatall,"Alarasaidagreeably."AndIdon'tknowwhywedidn'tthink

ofthisbefore,whenYou-Know-Whobecamesointerferinganddisagreeable.Unlessitwasbecauseweweretooworriedaboutwhathadhappenedtoyoutothinkofit."

Alreadyhermindwasracing;ifAlaracoulddothis,andwaswilling,thenshecouldgoinpersontoseethisLordKyrtianandmakeadecisionaboutwhetherornotsheshouldtrytomakeanallyofhim.

SheexchangedaglancewithLorryn."LordKyrtian,"hesaidsimply,theirmindsfollowingthesametrack.

"Ican'tmakeadecisionabouthimwithoutseeinghimmyself,"shereplied,nodding.



"Norshouldyou,"Kalamadeasaidfirmly."KemanandDoraaregoodchildren,butiftheymakeapoorchoice,theyhavetheoptionofflyingawayfromWizardsandCitadelandall.Not"headdedhastily"thatIbelievethattheywould,buttheoptionisthere,lurkingbehindtheirthoughts,anditcouldmakethemabitlesscautious."Herubbedhischinthoughtfully."IbelievethatsameoptionmighthavemademetoocavalierinmyowndecisionsatthetimeoftheFirstWar."

SinceShanahadoccasionallywonderedthatherself,therewasnogoodanswershecouldmaketothat.

Sinceshecouldn't,sheheldhertongue."LorryncancontrolCaellachbetterthanIcan,"shesaid,withcompleteconfidenceandawinktohim."AndLorrynissomeonetherestwilllistento."

Theylistentohimmorethantheydotome,actually.Maybebecauseheneverwasawizard'sapprentice.ThereweresomeprofounddisadvantagestohavingbeentherawestofrawbeginnerswithintheoldCitadelandtheoldregimeitself,andthatwasoneofthem."There'sonlyonedifficulty,andthat'swell,ifanyonelooksintoAlara'smind,they'regoingtoknowsheisn'tme."

"Butthetroublemakersarenottheoneswhoareatalladeptwiththepowersofhumanmagic,"Lorrynpointedoutlogically.

Alarajustshruggedoffthedifficulty."HowoftenisanyonelikelytosnooponthethoughtsoftheElvenbaneanyway?"sheasked."Ishouldn'tthinkithappensoften,andbesides,Icanprobablylearnmind-wallwellenoughtokeepthemout."



Perhaps.Perhapsnot.Dragonmindsaren'tlikeours.ButAlarawasrightthatinallthistime,Shanahadveryseldomfeltthetouchofanother'smindonhers,andeventhenitwassomeonewantingtocommunicate,notsnoop.

"IcantakeyoutowhereKemanandDoraare,"Kalamadeacontinuedserenely."NowthatLordKyrtianhastakenleaveofhiscommandwhiletheGreatLordsdebatewhetherornottodisbandthegreaterpartofthearmy,KemanandDorahavejusttodayfollowedhimtoLadyMorthena'sestate."

"LadyMoth?"Lorryn'sexclamationmadethemallturntolookathimandthisnewsmusthavecomeasasurprisetohim."Butthat'swheremymotheris!LadyMothisoneofheroldestfriends!"

"Really?"Thatwasinteresting,butnotoverlyso,anditdidn'tseemparticularlyimportanttotheircurrentsituation.ButLorrynwascontinuing.

"Youremember,we'vebeengettingsomecommunicationsfrommotherirregularletters,"hecontinued."LadyMothisn'tjustanyelvenlady.Shehasnevermistreatedherhumansthey'reservants,notslaves,toher.Infact,whenweleftmotherwithher,justatthestartoftherevolt,shewasridingtheboundsofherestatewitharmedhumanmenwhocalledher'LittleMother'andtreatedherwell,withaffectio

n."

Thatgotherattention.TheonlyElvenlordthatshehadeverseentreatedwithaffectionbyhumanshadbeenValyn."Really?"AndLordKyrtianhadgonetherewhy?"Iwonder"

"Don'twonder,goandfindout,"FatherDragonurgedher."DoitbeforetheGreatLordsmakeuptheirmindswhattodoabouthim.Becauseiftheydon'tdecidetousehim,youcanbesuret

hatthey'lltrytodestroyhim."

"Wouldthatbesobad?"Shanacountered,knowingthatshesoundedheartlessbutshehadtobringupthepoint,becauseotherswould.Ifitcamedowntoit,herauthorityrestedononething,andthatwastheabilityoftheresttotrustherdecisions.Withsomerareexceptions,thehumansandWizardsoftheCitadelwouldsee



ElvenlordstakingdownotherElvenlordsasastepintherightdirection,andnottroublethemselvesastowhatmightfollow.

"Itcouldbe."ThatwasLorryn,lookingtroubled."Foronething,Shana,ifwecanmakehimanally,he'dbebetterthananyonehereattheartofwar.Foranotherhehastobeoneoftherareones,likeLadyMoth.Ifhe'sremoved,allthehumansonhisestatewillbeindeadlydangerfromwhoevertheyputinhisplace.Youcan'twantthat!"

Shegroaned,buthadtoagree;ifallthatwastrue,eveniftheymanagedtorescueallofLordKyrtian'sslaves,itwouldstrainthecapacityoftheCitadeltosupportthem.Whywasitthateveryturnoffatebroughtmoreandmorepeopleforwhomshehadtoberesponsibleintoherpurview?

"HemaynotrealizejusthowtreacheroustheGreatLordsare,Shana,"Kalamadeasaidquietly."Hemaynotdreamhe'sindanger.Ifnothingelse,hedeservestobewarned."

"Andthebestpersontowarnhimisme,Isuppose."Shetriedtosoundresigned,butasidefromthepressureandburdenofapparentlyadditionalresponsibilities,shedidn'treallyfeelresignedatall.Shefeltexcitedthiswasthesortofthingshewasgoodat.

ButLorryntoseparate,eventemporarily,nowthattheyweretogether

Onceagain,hereadherfeelingsaswellasherthoughts.



"Yougo,"hesaid,softly,beforesheevenlookedathim."Youhavetogo.I'llseenoonemakestroublehere,andyou'llbethereandbackagainbeforeyouknowit.Itcan'ttakemorethanafewdaysatmost,canit?"

"Iwouldn'tthinkso,but"Nowshelookedathim.

:I'llmissyoueverymoment,butthisissomethingonlyyoucando.Hemightnottrustadragon.Hewon'ttrustthatsomestrangewizardhastheauthoritytospeakforallofus.Renacan'tgetheresoonenoughtotalktohim,evenifshe'dbewillingtoleaveMew.Butyou'retheElvenbane.Ifyoumakehimanoffer,he'llbelieveyou.:

Andthere,afterall,wastheheartofthematter.Shewasdistinctive;noonecouldmistakeherforanythingotherthanwhatshewas.HerdescriptionhadcirculatedtoeverypartoftheEl-venlor

ds'domainnow,andonceLordKyrtianseteyesonher,hewouldknowwhoshewas.

:Justpromisetocomebacktome.:

Thatwastheeasiestpromiseshehadevermade.

24

---

Kyrtian'snosetickled,andherubbeditabsently.Whyisitthatinspiteofdecadesofpractice,theAncestorshadhandwritingthatwasuniformlyatrocious?Thetinywordsnotonlylookedasthoughtheyhadbeenwritten

withtheaidofalens,theyconformedtonoschoolofcalligraphyhe'deverseen.

Kyrtianlaboredhiswaythroughyetanotherpersonaljournal,makingnotesonsheetsoffoolscapforlatertranscriptioninhisownneat(andextremelylegible)hand.Thisbusinessofconcoctinga"personal"script-stylemusthavebeenacommonaffectationamongthebored.Butwhytheyshouldchoose



toalsowriteasifpaperwasmorevaluablethangoldwasbeyondhiscomprehension.

HereinLadyMoth'slibrary,itwassoquiethecouldalmostheardustmotesfallingoutoftheairtoaddtotheaccumulationonthebooks.LadyMothhadbroughtbackallthevolumesthatshehadextractedduringthetimethattheYoungLordswereusingtheplaceastheirheadquarters.Thesituationwasreversednow,andshecommandedherlatehusband'sestateandholdingsassheshouldhavedonesometimepast.Withnoarmytocommandandnowartofight,theYoungLordswerehardlyinneedofacommand-post,althoughtheywerestillfullofanimpotentdefiance.

Kyrtianreachedforaglassofwaterandabsentlytookasip.

Forthemoment,theYoungLordswerelivingonthegroundsofthedowager-estate

,LadyMoth'sTower,hidingintheoneplacewherenoonewaslikelytocomelookingforthem.Wearingillusorydisguisestomakethemlooklikehumanslaves,itwasunlikelythatevenifasearchwasmadethereforthemthattheywouldbefound.

Aslongastheycanholdtogether,andnothavesomeonegetachangeofheartanddefect,theyshoulddoallright.



He'dtalkedtothemall,andatthemoment,hedidn'tthinkthatlikely.Notwhiletheyweresafeandnothavingtosufferanyserioushardships.

NotevenMoth'sownslavesknewwhotheywerethestorywasthattheyhadbeenpartoftheYoungLord'sarmy,andthatMothwasshelteringthemtokeepthemfrombeingpunishedforhavingbeenconscriptedinthefirstplace.

ItwasasituationthatmadeithardforKyrtiantokeepastraightfacewheneverhethoughtaboutit.Livingamongtheslaveswasgoingtodothemaworldofgood.

Alreadyhe'dseensignsofachangeinattitudetowardsthehumansfromsomeofthem.HehadeveryconfidencethatiforwhentheRevoltstartedagain,itwouldbeonaverydifferen

tfooting.

Ifithappened,theyalreadycountedonithavingaverydifferentending.TheirplanscalledforhimtoeitherjointhemopenlyorpermittheGreatLordstoplacehimbackincommandofthearmyandproceedtoactuallydoaslittleaspossible.Then,attherightmoment,hecouldturntheCouncil'sarmyagainsttheGreatLordsthemselves.

ButIdon'twanttodothatifIcanhelpit.Suchawarbecauseitwouldbeawar,andnotarevoltwouldbebloody.Mostofthecasualtieswouldbehuman;therewasjustnogettingaroundthat.AndalthoughiftheYoungLordshadchangedtheirattitudetowardsslave-owningbythenthehumansontheirsidewouldhaveanactivestakeintheoutcome,theywouldstillbetheonestakingthefullforceofthefighting.TherewerefarmoreofthemthantherewereElves,andasphysicalfighterswell,theYoungLordswerenotverygood.

Kyrtian'splan,whichhehopedtotalktheYoungLordsinto,wasmoresubtle.Hewantedthemtocreepbacktotheiraugustfathersoneatatime,insecret,andgrovel.Theywouldstillhavetheironjewelrythatkepttheirfathersfromworkingmagiconthem;thatwaskey.

Aftertheyreturned,andoncetheymanagedtoregainsomefreedomofmovement,h



ehopedtheycouldworktheirownwaybackupthroughthehierarchy,andattritionamongtheGreatLordswouldeventuallyputthemintheseatsofpower.

Suchaplan,however,didhaveanumberofdrawbacks,nottheleastof"whichwasthattherewereplentyoftheGreatLordswhowouldquitereadilyslaytheirrebellioussonsandunderlingsoutofhandiftheyeversomuchasshowedtheirfaces.Andoncebackinafather'sgoodgraces,therewasalwaysthechancethatsomeonewouldturntraitor.Thatwouldbe...awkward.

Sofornow,theywereinhiding,andiftheyweren'taccomplishinganything,atleasttheyweren'tgettingintotroubleeither.

MeanwhileastheCouncildebatedthenextusetheyweregoingtomakeofhim,and

hiserstwhileenemiescooledtheirheelsincircumstanceshehopedwouldteachthemsomeempathy,hewasusinghisenforcedleisuretogetbacktothesearchforhisfather.

Theanswertohisfather'swhereaboutswasinthisroom,somewhere,hewassure.Thetroublewasthattherewassomuchtowadethrough,andnoneofithadeverbeenproperlycataloged.Personaljournalswerecrammedinnexttothesortofromanticnovelsconsideredappropriateforladiestowhileawaytheirhourswithbooks

onfloraandfaunawerepiledatopmapsandvolumesonmagic.

Hisnosetickledagain,andheunsuccessfullytriedtosuppressasneeze.MothorherfriendViridinawereinhereadozentimesaday,tryingtocleanoutthedustmagically,buteverytimeheopenedavolumemoreofitflewupintotheairinclouds.



Moth'sfamilyhadamaniaoftheirownforcollecting.Mostofthislibraryhadcometoherfromvariousfamilymembers.Theywere,however,indiscriminateintheirmania.Inthecaseoftheoneswho'dacquiredbooksandmanuscripts,thedefinitionofa"book"seemedtobe"anycollectionofpaperwithcoversonit"andthedefinitionof"manuscript"was"anycollectionofhandwrittenpaper."Asfarashecouldtell,therewasnomethodinwhatthey'dselected,nocategories,noattempttoplaceavalueonanything.

Perhaps,ifhe'dbeeninherebeforetheYoungLordstookresidence,he'dhavebeenabletofindthethingshisfatherhadstudiedthathadgivenhimhisrealclue.Buttheyhadsimplyshoveledeverythingtheyfoundtothesideinheapssothattheycouldusetheroomfortheirownpurposes,andMothhadn'thelpedwhensheextractedthebooksthatshethoughtwereimportant.Moth,blessher,hadbeenundertheimpressionthatshe

hadkeptsomeorderandcleanlinesstothelibrary.

Yes,well,thatwasbeforewefoundtheboxesinthestorage-chamber.Moth'shusbandhadmaintaineda"show"library,withthingshethoughtworthkeepingattractivelyshelved.Therestwhichamountedtofourorfivetimesthevolumeofworksonshowhadgottenpackedintoboxesandstackedupinastoreroombehindthelibraryitself.Mothhadthoughtthatthestoreroomwasemptyuntilthey'dopenedthedoor.Intheirsearchformapstheycouldusetoplantheircampaignandtheplansofmanorsandestate-ho

uses,theYoungLordshadrummagedthroughitall,bringingsomethingsintothelibraryandleavingthem,removingotherthingstomakeroomforwhattheybroughtin.Whateverorderhadoncebeenherewasgonecompletely.Nowthestoreroomhadshelves,andsodidtheunusedofficenexttoit,andtheunusedreception-roomnexttothat,andKyrtianwastryingtobringsomeordertothechaos.

Kyrtian,however,wasfastbecomingconvincedthathisanswerlay,notinprintedbooksorilluminated

manuscripts,interestingasthosemightbe,butinthepersonaljournalskeptoftenbyelvenladies,andinfrequentlybytheirlords.

HisfatherhadalmostcertainlydivinedthelocationofthePortalfromsomethinginhere.Thatlocationwaslost,andwhatwasmore,thereseemedtobeevidencethattheAncestorswhohadbuiltthethinghadengagedinan



activeefforttohidethatlocationfromtheirdescendantsandevenfromsomeoftheirownwhohadcomethroughthePortal.

Why?Thatwasagoodquestion.Perhapstheyfearedatraitorintheirmidstwhowouldre-openthePortaltotheirenemies.ThePortalitselfhadcooperatedinerasingmemories;itwasfairlyclearthattheCrossingwassuchatraumaticordealinandofitselfthatasubstantialnumberofthosewhoCrossedcouldnotrememberagreatdealofwhathappenedimmediatelythereafter.

Andperhapssomeofthosefolkwere"helped"toforget.

None,notone,oftheGreatLordsthathadcreatedthePortalandsurvivedtheCrossingleftanysubstantiverecordsaboutit.Thatmuchwasfact.Nordidanyofthehistoriansanotherfact.Sowithnoofficialrecords,he

wasleftwithonlyoneothersource,theunofficialonesandofthose,thebestwouldbetherecordsofthosewhowereconsideredtooinsignificanttomatter.

Theladies...ahyes,theladies.

Andtheeccentrics.



SomeofthosejournalswereattractivelyboundandmightatonetimehavebeenshelvedinthemainroomandthatmightbewhereKyrtian'sfatherhadgottenhisinformation.

OrhemighthavefoundsomethinginofficialrecordsthatKyrtianhadsomehowcompletelyoverlooked.

Kyrtianranadustyhandthroughhishairinfrustration,thentoldhimselfsternlynottogetsoimpatient.Afterall,hisfatherhadbeenhuntingforthePortalfordecadesbeforeKyrtianwasborn;bythetimehefoundwhathewaslookingfor,hehadprobablygottentothepointthathewassofamiliarwiththeAncestorsandthewaytheirmindsworkedthathewasabletointuitthingsthatweren'tobvious.

SohewaswadingthrougheverythinghandwrittenthatMothhadinthislibrary,withtheGreatBookof

Ancestorsbesidehim.Beforehecouldeliminateanymanuscriptorjournal,hefirsthadtofigureoutwhowroteit,oratleastwhotheauthor'scontemporarieswere,thendiscoverwhetherornottheauthorlivedfarenoughbacktohavemadetheCrossing.

SinceitwasalmostaguaranteethatmostofthemanuscriptshefoundwouldbefromtoolateaperiodtomentiontheCrossingexceptinpassing,hewouldthentrytofindeveryothermanuscriptthatcouldbeattributedtothatperson.Mostpeoplewhowereaddictedtojournal-writinghad

producedmultiplevolumesoverthecourseoftheirverylonglives.Iftheauthorwasoftoolateaperiod,well,ithelpedtobeabletoweedouteverythingthatcouldbeattributedtoherpen.

Itwasapainfullylogicalandmethodicalplanofdealingwiththesituation.Itwasalsoverytedious,verytime-consuming,andvery,verydusty.

KyrtianhadtwohelpersatleastGel,andthatlittlefemaleconcubinethatLadyTrianahadbeensoconsiderateinplantingonhim.He'dsentforhera-purposeoncehe'dturnedoverhiscommissiontoLordKyndrethwhiletheCouncildebated.IfTrianawassointerestedinwhathewasdoing,hewasinclinedtoallowhermoreinformationthanshecouldcomfortablydigest.HehadanotionthatshewasworkingwithAelmarkin,atleastforthemoment.LadyMothhadbeenveryhelpfulinpresentinghimwithasummaryofherpastbehavior,and



fromthathe'dformedtheopinionthatwhatevergamesheplayed,whateveralliancesshemade,herultimategoalwouldservenoonebutherself.

Now,tohismind,thebestpossiblewaytohandleherwastogivehertheinformationhewantedhertohave.Gelhadexaminedthegirlhimself,interrogatinghertothepointofexhaustionandeventears,anditwashisopinionthatLydiellhadsucceededin"turning"her.WhenevershereportedtoTrianaandTrianahadbeenveryinterestedtolearnjustwherehewasandwhathewasdoingrightnowGelwasthere,makingcertainshestucktothescriptthey'dagreedon.

Nevertheless,shedidn'tknowexactlywhatitwashewasdoinginMoth'slibrary;whatshedidn'tknow,shecouldn'tbeforcedtorevealifTrianaorAelmarkinevergottheirhandsonher.SheknewonlywhatshesawwhichwasthathehadorderedallthebooksdownofftheshelvestobesortedthatMoth'sslaveshadthen

reshelvedandcatalogedalloftheprintedmaterial.Whiletheyworked,heexaminedthehandwrittenstuff,creatingasecondcatalog,andsheandGelshelvedwhathewasdonewith.Shecouldn'treadelvenhand-script;shedidn'tknowwhathewaskeepingandwhathewasrejecting.Soalthoughshenowhadawealthofinformationabouthismovements,noneofitwaslikelytodoTrianaanygood.

HeactuallyexpectedtheinfamousTrianatoputinanappearancebeforetooverymuchlonger.Hecouldn'tseehowshecouldpossiblyresisttryingtopryintohisaffairsinperson.Shewoul

dprobablyalsotrytoseducehim;thatwasherpatterninthepast.Hehadheard,evenfromMoth,thatshewasagreatbeauty,andnotapassive,statuesquecreatureeither,butlively,witty,aggressive,andnotafraidtoshowherintelligence.Suchawomanhadlearnedhowtoturnherlooksandfascinationintoaweaponlongago.ShemightevenhaveapproachedLordKyndrethaswellasAelmarkin,preparedtouseanyoneandanythinginherquestforpersonalpower.If



thatwasthecase,shemightwellhavemethermatchinLordKyndreth,whohadbeenplayingdeepgamesforfarlongerthanlittleLadyTriana.

AncestorsI'veturnedintosuchacynic

Thereweretimeswhenhelongedforwhathehadbeenwhentheworstofhisworrieswasworkingoutlittlebattle-plansandconspiringwithLydielltokeepAelmarkinatadistance.TothinkthathehadactuallylookeduptopeoplelikeLordKyndreth!

Well,Iknowbetternow.

Ithadn'tjustbeenhisownexperiencesthathadenlightenedhim,northenight-

long,acid-washed"franktalk"thatMothhadhadwithhimwhenhefirstarrived.Itwasthetestamentoftheseverymanuscriptsbeneathhishands,thatoutlinedthemachinationsandbetrayals,theabuseofpowerandtheuseofit,fromthepointofviewofthosethatthepowerfulconsideredtooinsignificanttomonitor.Mind,someofthemwerenoprizes,either,actinglikechickensinthehenyard,turning,whenpecked,tohammeronthosebeneaththem.Butithadbeenanenlightening,ifdistastefuleducation,wadingthroughthepagestheyprobablythoughtnooneelsewouldeverread.

IsitanybetteramongtheWizardsandfreehumans,Iwonder?Withmostofhisillusionsgone,hehadtoguessthatitwasprobablymoreamatterofdegree.TheGreatLordsweresopowerfulandthosewhoaspiredtotheirpowerweresofixatedonachievingit,thattheverypowertheyallheldorcravedcorruptedthem.Itwasinevitableunless,likeMoth,theywereacutelyawareofjusthowdangerousthatmuchpowerwas.Thefactthattheylivedsuchverylonglivesonlymeantthatthecorruptionandselfishnesswasetcheddeeperthanitcouldeverpossiblygowithamerehuman.

Buttherearetheothers.LikeMoth,Lydiellandmyself,Ihope.Powerdidn'thavetocorrupt,ifyouknewjusthowdangerousitwas,andwerewellawarethatitcameburdenedwithincredibleresponsibilities.HehopedthattherewerethoseamongtheWizardsandfreehumanswhoknewthat.



PerhapsthatwasthekeytothoseamongtheElvenlordswhodidtreatthehumanswhohadcomeundertheirprotectionwiththesameconsiderationthattheywouldhavegivenanelvenunderling;andthoseelvenunderlingswhotreatedhumansasequals.TheyweretheoneswhohadfeltthebootoftheEvelonoverlordsontheirbacks,andhadlearnedfromtheexperienceorwho,atleast,haddeterminednevertotreatonewithlesspowerastheythemselveshadbeentreated.AndthoseAncestors,intheirturn,hadpassedtheirattitudedowntotheiroffspring.

Weretheremoresuchhouseholdsashis.andLadyMoth's?Possiblyforamoment,hedaredtohopethattherewere,hidingtheirnaturejustasheandhisfatherandgrandfatherhad.Theywereprobablyjustlikehisfamilyremainingquietly,self-sufficientlyinthebackground,permittingtheGreatLordstobelievethattheywerehopelesslyprovincialandnotworthtroublingwith.AncestorsknewthatifAelmarkinhadn'tbeensuchathornintheirside,theirhouseholdwouldneverhavecomeunderthescrutinyof

Kyndreth,andhewouldneverhavebeenforcedintothe"open"tofindhimselfrecruitedasamilitaryexpert.

Herealizedatthatmomentthathe'dbeenstaringatthesamepageforquitesometime,andhadn'tdecipheredawordofit.

Gah.I'mascholar,notaphilosopher!Hebentovertheclosely-writtenpageaga

in.

WhispersfromtherearofthelibraryintrudedonhisattentionbecauseoneofthewhispererswasGel,andtherewasatoneintheman'svoicehe'dneverheardbefore.



Hetookaquickglanceoverthetopofthemanuscript.Sureenough,therewasn'tagreatdealofshelvinggoingon,butGelandtheprettylittleconcubinecertainlyhadtheirheadsclosetogether.

Well,well,well!Thegranitecragcracksatlast!

Hedidn'tknowwhethertolaughorbeannoyed.Notthathewantedthegirl;oh,shewasattractiveandtalentedenough,butsowerethetwoothergirlshismotherhadpurchasedforhim.Butofallthetimesforhistough-mindedpartnertopicktogosoftoverawoman,thishadtobetheworst!

Ontheotherhand,thiswasGelhewastalkingabout.Gel,whohadtaughthimthebusinessofwarandfighting,Gelwhostuckbyhissidelikeafaithfuldog,Gelwhohadneveraskedforanythingforhimself.Howcouldhe

possiblybeannoyedthatGelhadfinallyfoundsomeonewhotouchedhisheart?

Oh,Ancestors.

Nowhowwashegoingtojuggleallthis?Hiddenrebels,possibletreacheryfromhissuperiors,thehuntforhisfatherandnowGelinlove?Whatnext?

Ashestaredatthenot-so-younglover,hefeltataponhisshoulder.LadyMothhadcomeintothelibrarywithouthisnoticing,andsheworehermask-face,theonethatgenerallymeantthatshewaswell,uptosomething.

"WehaveavisitorthatIbelieveyouwillwanttomeetyourself,"shewhispered,afteraglanceatGelandthegirlwhowerecompletelyoblivioustoanythingelsegoingonaroundthem.

OhnonotTriana

"YoumaytellLadyTrianathat"hebegan.



ButMoth'seyebrowsshotup,andsheinterruptedhim."Idon'tknowwhyyoushouldbeexpectingher,"Mothreplied,"butit'snotLadyTriana.AndIdothinkyoushouldputdownthatstupidjournalwrittenbyanequallystupidblockheadandcomewithme.Now."

Seeingthatshewasnottobedenied,Kyrtiansighed,markedtheplacewherehewasleavingoff,andstoodup.

Theloversnevernoticedthathewasleaving.ThatinitselfwasanindicationofjusthowhardGelhadfallen.

Oh,Ancestors,IonlyhopethatTrianadidn'tplacethatgirlwithmetogetatGelratherthanme....

Withhisthoughtsflittingbetweenamusementandconcern,hewasn'tpayingagre

atdealofattentionwhenMothbroughthimintoatinychamberkittedoutasasitting-room,whereayoungwomanwaited,pacingupanddowninfrontofthewindows,displayingnogreatpatienceherself.Allhenoticedatfirstwasthatshewasred-hairedandgreen-eyed,clothedinthesamesortoftunic,boots,andtrewsasacommonlaborer,withthephysiqueofsomeonewhowasathleticandverymuchusedtotakingcareofherselfinanyandallcircumstances.Hecouldn'timaginewhyMothhadinsistedhemeetthispersonunless,perhaps,shewasoneofMoth'shumanservantsandhadinformationabouttheYoungLords?

"LordKyrtian,"Mothsaidformally,"IbelievethatyouhavemanythingstodiscusswithLashana."Shetippedherheadtothesideashesighedwithexasperation,stillwonderingwhatshewasgettingat.Shepursedherlips,



buthergreeneyesheldtheghostofamusementinthem."Ibelieveyoumightknowherbyanothername.Elvenbane."

WHAT?

Helosteveryvestigeofexasperation,annoyance,impatienceinthatmoment.Hestaredatthewoman,whostoodpoisedlikeadeerabouttoflee,tryingtomakehismindbelievewhathisearshadjustheard.

Redhairbutelveneyes.Andtheears.Wizardblood,unlessit'sanillusion

ButMothwouldneverhavebeenfooledbyanillusion.MothhadmetWizards.Moth'sfriendViridinaherson

wasawizard.

"LashanaarrivedbearingaletterfromViridina'shalfbloodson,verifyingheridentity,"Mothsaid,asifdivininghisthoughts.

Sheprobablyis,theoldschemer!Shedoesn'tneedtoreadthoughts,sheknowsmelikeherfavoritesonnet!

"Iamfascinatedtomeetyou,Lashana,"hesaidcarefully."OrshouldIcallyou'Elvenbane?'"

"Pleasedon't,"theyoungwomansaidfirmly.Shewasstilltenseandveryill-at-ease."It'snotanameIeverclaimedformyself."

Bothofthemstoodsoawkwardly,sostiffly,thatMothbegantochuckle."Kyrtian,Lashana,forAncestors'sake,sitdown!Youlooklikeapairofbadcarvings,Idoswear!"

Kyrtianrelaxedmarginally,andgesturedtoLashanatotakeaseatonthecushionedbenchnearesther.Shedidso,movingasifshewasanoldcreaturewithfrozenjoints.Heselectedaslightlylowerseatonastool,toput



hiseyesalittlelowerthanhers.

"Idon'thavemuchtime,"shesaid,finally."AndI'mnotcertainhowtobegin."

"Icantellyouthat,"heoffered,andtriedasmile."Beginwithwhyyouknewyoucouldtrustmenottokillyouonsight."

Ashehadhoped,suchadirectandbluntapproachwaspreciselytherightwaytoapproachher,andshebegantellinghimthemostamazingstorythathehadeverheardinhislife.Helistenedandhadtoworknottoallowhismouthtofallopenwithshockmorethanonce.Tothinkthattwoofherpeoplehadgottencloseenoughtohimtostandguardonhisverytentsothattheycouldspyonhim!HewouldhavetohaveawordwithGelaboutthat,later.

Atsomepointhiscapacityforsheerastonishmentwasexhausted,andhecouldonlylistentoherinasortoftrance.Itwasalltooimpossibletobelieve,andyethehadtobelieveinit.Thethingsshetoldhimfittoowellwithwhathealreadyknew.

Then,aftertalkinguntilshewashoarse,shepaused,andexchangedasignificantlookwithLadyMoth."So,"

shesaid."Nowyoutellmetotakemyselfoff.Or"

"OrIaskyouifyourWizardswoulddareaccepttheElven-lordCommanderasanally,"hefinished,havingalreadycometotheconclusionthatthis,andonlythis,couldbethereasonwhyshehadcometohim.Brilliantaudaciousandcompletelylogical.Andontheotherhand,completelyillogicalthatsheshouldevertrustafullblood.



Shestaredathim,andsuddenlyeverybitoftensionranoutofher,justlikewaterrunningoutofacrackedjar."FireandRain!"sheexclaimedweakly."You'rejustasKemanclaimedyouare!"

Hewonderedifshehadreadhisthoughts,usingthesamehumanmagicthatsomeofhisownpeoplehadandMoth's.

"Onlythesurface,"sherepliedinstantly."Idon'tpry;noneofuswould.Andifyouwant,Icanteachyouamethodtokeepeventhesurfacethoughtsprivate."

Helookeddeeplyintoheremeraldeyes,solikeandunlikeafullblood's,andsawonlysincerityinthem.He'dbeenaroundhumanmagestoooftentofeelunnervedbyherinstantresponsetohi

sthought."I'dappreciatethat,"hereplied."Butitcanwait.So,nowIassumeyouknowaboutmyownpeople?"Asudden,blindingideaoccurredtohimatthatmoment,thewaythathecould,finally,safeguardhisownpeopleandhismothernomatterwhathappenedtohim,andhesawthatshesawitinhisthoughtsbythesurprisethatflashedintohereyes.

"Yes!"sheexclaimed."Oh,indeedyes,LordKyrtian,wecan,andwewill,takeyourfolkiftheymustbe

evacuated!Portalsthetransportationmagicwhateverisneeded;betweenyourpeopleandminewecandowhateverittakestogetthemtosafety.Andyouneedn'tfearforyourmotherandtheotherElvesofyourhouse,eitherwehaveLorryn'shalf-sisterwithusandsheisaswelcomenowamongusasheis!"

Nowitwashisturntofeelreliefthatmadehimsag."BlessedAncestors,"hemurmured,passingahandoverhisbrow."Ifyouknewwhatitmeanttometohearthat"Thenhesmiledweakly."WhatamIsaying?Ofcourse

youknow."

Butrelieffromoneproblemdidn'thelpmuchwiththeothers,andifthisyoungwomandidnothavemuchtime,theyneededtomakeplans,urgently."Blessyou,Lashana.Nowlet'sdecidebetweenuswhatIcandoforyouandyours."



Gelwasnothappywithhim.

"Nexttime"Gelmutteredunderhisbreath."Thenexttimeyougomakinghare-brainedmeetingswithoutme,withwomenyou'veneverseenanddon'tknowanythingabout,I'lltakeyoutothehorse-troughandholdyourheadundertillyoucometoyoursenses,Iswear!"

Kyrtiansaggedagainstthebackofhischair,butwasnotgoingtobackdownthistime.Hedidn'tblamehisoldfriendbutsomethinghadtoldhimthatLashanaandGelshouldn'tmeet,yet.Therewasn'tenoughtimetonegotiateallofGel'ssuspicions,notandcometoanunderstandingbeforeshehadtoleave.Ancestors!Thedangershehadputherselfinbycomingtohimdirectly!Andthedangerhadincreasedwitheverymomentthatpassed;therewasnotellingwhocouldhavediscoveredherthere.

Gel'sdinnersatuneateninfrontofhim;hehadalreadystuffedhismealdownhisownthroatashe'dexplainedthemiraclethathadhappenedinthatincongruouslyordinaryroomthisafternoon."Gel,Morthenawastheretheentiretimeandwhatcouldonelittlewizard-girlpossiblydotome?"heasked,reasonably.

Gelonlygrowled."Isupposeyouknowshecouldhavebeentalkingthingsshe'sgotnoauthoritytopromise?"

"Morthenasaysshehastheauthority,andthat'sgoodenoughforme."HismindwastoofullofplansnowtobeputoffbyGel'sirritation.Hisoldfriendwasmostlyjustannoyedthat,forthefirsttime,hehadmadeplansandforgedapactwithoutGel'ssupervision."IknowwhatI'mdoing,Gel,"hesaid,withperfectconviction.



Gellookedathimwithoneeyebrowraised,thenslowlyandgrudginglynodded.Andhisexpressionchangedcompletely.Hewentfromangertodefeat.

"Iguessyoudo,"hesaidslowly."Iguessyoudon'tneedmeanymore."

Nowitwashisturntofeelexasperated,andhetossedhisforkdownonhisplate."Ohfordon'tberidiculous.I'dassooncutoffmyrighthand!Now,lookweneedtotryandthinkofallpossiblecontingencieshere,andhavesomesortofskeletoninplaceif"

Therewasataponthedoor,andLadyMothpokedherheadintothelibrary."IfIdidn'tknowbetter,I'dsayyouwereawizard,orelseyousomehowconjuredthebaggagebysayinghername,"shesaidsourly."Iseemtobeattractingallmannerofvisitorstoday."

Thistime,Kyrtianknewthatthenamethatsprangintohismindwastherightone."Oh,no"hesaid,grimacing."LadyTriana.Justwhatweneed."

25

---

"Moth!CanyoukeepthebLadyTrianaoccupiedforalittle?"Kyrtianasked,alittledesperately.Heranbothhishandsthroughhishairfrantically."Ican'tseeherjustyet"

"Oh,probably."Moth'sannoyancewasturningtoamusement."Infact,I'lltakeitasachallenge.Obviously

you'dbettertalktoGel;I'msurehecanadviseyou.Besides,you'reinnostatetoentertainaladytheleastyoucandoiscleanyourselfup."Motheyedhimwithdisfavor."Believeme,you'dbetterhaveyourwitsaboutyouandpresentamarblefacadetoLadyTriana.I'llgoandinsistshetellmeeverytinydetailofeveryaffair,quarrel,andinconsequentialbitofmaneuveringamongtheGreatHouseholdswhileyoudoso.I'vebeenisolatedforsometimeandeveryoneknowswhataterribleoldbusybodyIam.IfIcan'tengageher,Viridina



can."

"Youarenotold,"heprotested,earningasmile."Thankyou."

Mothwasright;heneededtimetogethiswitsabouthim.WhileLadyMothleftthelibrarytokeephervisitorbusywithafloodofgossip-undertheexcusethatsheneededtobecaughtuponallthenewsshehadmissedwhilesurroundedbytheYoungLordsKyrtianhadalotofworktodo.AndfirstonhislistwastowarnthegirlthatTrianawashere.

ButwhenKyrtiangotupfromthetable,Gelfinallybrokeofftheconversationwithhisyoungwoman.Renna?Reanna?Ren-nati,thatwasit.Bothofthemlookedupasheapproached.

"I'vebeentellingRennatithatyouhadavisitor,"Gelbegan,andKyrtianfeltasurgeofpanic,whicheasedasGelwenton,withaliftofaneyebrow,"It'sarathergoodthingthatthosepoormisusedslavesthattheYoungLordscommandeeredhaverealizedthatnoblameisgoingtobeattachedtothemandsentoneoftheirnumbertotalktoyou."

ThanktheAncestorshedidn'tgivehertherealstoryyet!Kyrtianthought,relieved."Yes,well,youcan'tblamethemforwantingtosendasortofdelegatetometopleadtheircase,"herepli

ed,mendaciously."Theycan't



haverealizedthatLadyMothwouldtreatherhumanservantsexactlythewaywetreatours.Butwe'vegotanothervisitor,itseems.LadyMothtellsmethatLadyTrianahascomecalling."

Rennati'sfacewentdeadwhite;thatalonewouldhavebeenagiveawaythatshehadbeencovertlyservingTriana,evenifKyrtianhadn'talreadyknownthewholestory.Trianahadchosenhertoolverypoorly,onthewhole,ifshesoreadilybetrayedherselfbyhermereexpressions.

ButTriananeverreallythoughtofhumansmuch,exceptascat's-paws.SheprobablyneveronceconsideredthatheorGeloranyonethatmattered!wouldbearoundtoseeherreactionifTriana'snamewasmentioned.

ButGelimmediatelyputhisweatheredpawoverherslimhand,andsaidgruffly,

"Now,Rennatisheneedn'tevenknowyou'rehere"

"Onthecontrary,"Kyrtiansaidfirmly,"IwantTrianatoknowshe'shere.Infact,Ihavesomethinginminditmightbealittlehumiliatingforyou,"hecontinued,turningtothegirl,"butifyoucanweatherabitofhumiliation,Ithinkwecanturnherattentionawayfromyoucompletelyandforalltime,ifyou'llcooperate."

Heexplainedwhathewantedhertodo,andalthoughthegirlflushedwithembarrassment,andGelgrowledovertheplan,theybotheventuallyagreeditwastheonlypossiblesolution."She'llprobablycorneryouatsomepointthisevening,ifonlytogetherteleson-ringback,"hecautioned."Ithinkwecanmanagetointerruptthatconfrontationbeforeshecandoanythingtoyou,butyouknow,ifshedoestakebackthering,itwilleffectivelyseverallcontactwithyouandshowthatshe'sgotnomoreinterestinyou."

AndifwhatLashanatoldmeistrue,wecanalsoexpecttohaveadevicetocompletelyneutralizethecollarsheplacedonyouinadayorso,hethought,butdidnotsayaloud.ThatwasasecrethewishedtokeeptohimselfuntilLadyTrianawaslonggone.

Rennatinodded,andlickedherlips."Ithinkthatwouldbebest,mylord,"shewhispered,asGelsqueezedher



handcomfortingly."I'llgotomyquartersandprepare."

"AndI'dbettergotomine,"Kyrtiansaid,stiflingagroan.Heleftthetwoofthemalone;nodoubtGel,whohaddeliveredencouragingspeechestofightersinthepast,couldfindthewordstoputcourageintothislittledancer'sheart.

Hedidn'thaveagreatdealofclothingwithhimsuitableforformaloccasionsbuthehadtherunofLadyMoth'smansion,andaskedherservantstorummagethroughtheclosetsofherlatehusband'swardrobeandselectsomethingappropriate.Heworkedalittlejudicioususeofmagictoadjustthefitofthesober,blacksilkandsilveroutfittheybroughthim,anditmadehimpresentableenough.Hedescendedfromthesecond-floorguestquarterstoLadyMoth'sdrawingroomlooking(hehoped)likethesuccessful,butno-nonsense,militarycommanderhewas.

Theladiesbrokeofftheirconversationasheenteredthespacious,pale-pinkandgoldchamber;LadyViridinaandLadyMothflankedLadyTriana,perchedondelicatechairsoneithersideofthesofathatTrianaoccupied.

Ifwomen'sclothingservedasaweaponandgivenallthatKyrtianknewaboutTriana,therewasnodoubtinhismindthatforher,itdidthenLadyTrianahadcomearmedtotheteeth.Nothingabouthercostumewas

excessive,therewasnothingaboutitthatanyotherladycouldtakeexceptiontoexceptthattheflesh-coloredsilkofhergown,thoughitcoveredherliterallyfromnecktoknee,couldnothaverevealedmoreofherunlessshe'dbeenstarknaked.Buttheeffectwasoh!sosubtle;thesilkwasheavy,notthin,andhercharmsweredisclosedbyimperceptibledegreesasshemoved.Thecolorcontributedtotheeffect,andknowingwhatheknewnowaboutthelady,Kyrtiancouldn'thelpbutadmirehertacticalexpertiseonherownbattlefield.



Thatdidnot,however,meanheintendedtofallvictimtoit.

Hehalf-bowedtoallthreeladies,thentookastepforwardandmadeamoreformalbowoverTriana'shand."LadyTriana,Ihaveheardagreatdealinpraiseofyou,"hesaid,keepingtheironyoutofhisvoice.

"Likewise,LordKyrtian,"shereplied."Mostespeciallyfrommyfriend,LordKyndreth.SomuchsothatwhenIheardyouwereherewithLadyMorthena,IthoughtIwouldtrespassonherhospitalityandcometoseeyoumyself."

Verynice.DropKyndreth'snamesothatIknowIcan'tjustdismissyououtofhand,thenturnonyourcharm.Shewascertainlydoingallofthat,andtheamazingpartwasthatitwasnotatallblatant.Ifhe'dbeenthenaive

fellowhewaswhenhe'dfirsttakenoncommandofthearmy,heprobablywouldhavefallendirectlyforher.Kyrtianhadalwaysbeeninclinedtogivepeoplethebenefitofthedoubtuntilhemetthemhimself;ifhe'ddonethatwithTrianahewouldhavebeencertainthatshecouldnotbeasbadasshe'dbeenpainted.

So,letmethink,whatshouldmyreactionbe?Hereallydidn'twantverymuchexcepttoseethebackofher;hedoubtedthattherewasverymuchhecouldlearnfromher,andfrankly,therewasfartoomuchthatshecould

learnfrom,orabouthimifshestayedverylong."IdohopethatIamnotabitterdisappointmenttoyou,butIfearthatmostpeoplefindmequiteboring,"hesaidbluntly."Andtheygenerallytellmesotomyface.Idon'tcultivateanyinterestsoutsideofthebattlefield,mylady,andatthemoment,Ican'taffordto."

Thattookherabackforamoment;hewatchedherasshetriedtothinkofsomethingflatteringtosaythatwouldn'tsoundlikeflattery."Well,sinceIhaven'theardyouspeakmorethanafewsentences,I'mnotinany

positiontojudge!"shereplied,withathroatylaughthatprobablystolethebreathofmanyanimpressionablelad.

"Itwon'ttakeyouverylongtoverify,"washisreply,brusquetothepointofrudeness.Thenhewassavedfromfurtherpleasantriesbytheservantcometoannouncedinnertowhich,ofcourse,Trianawasofnecessity



invited.Shewouldhavetostaythenightaswell,sinceshehadcomethewayanyuninvitedguestwouldhaveoverland,fromthenearestpointtowhichshehadaPortalkey.PossiblyKyndrethhimselfhadgottenherasfarasthearmycamp,whichwasquitenearenoughforaneasyday'sride.IfshewasonanykindoftermswithKyndreth,hewouldhavefoundthataneasythingtodo.

WhichmeantthatitcouldbeKyndreth,andnotAelmarkin,thatshewasworkingwith.

Orboth.GivenwhattheElvenbanehadtoldhimaboutKyndreth,therewasverylittledoubtinhismindthatthemomenthiserstwhilebenefactorsawhimasapossiblerival,hewouldbeeliminatedandthat,ofcourse,playedrightintoAel-markin'splans.So,itdidn'tmatterwhethershewasworkingforhiscousinortheGreatLord,whathehadtodowastopainthimselfasutterlyunlikelytoengageinpoliticsthebluffsoldier,happiestwhenonthebattlefield.

Verywell;nowhehadhiscourseofaction.Mothhadordereddinnerinanintimatesetting;thatsuitedhimverywell.Overthecourseofthemeal,heworkedhardtoestablishhimselfasamonomaniac,obsessedwithwarandtacticsprimarilyandsecondarilywithdiscoveringthewhereaboutsofhisfather,oratleast,hisfather'sfate.EveryhintthathemightoncetheCouncilhaddecidedtheyneededhisservicesasacommandernolongerseekaCouncilseatwasrebuffed."Never!"hesaidatlastwhenshestoppedhintingandsuggesteditoutright.

"It'ddrivememadinaday.I'drathertakeupflower-sculpting!Atleasttheflowerswouldn'targuewithme!"AndthatwasverymuchtoTriana'ssurprise,thoughinterestinglyenough,nottoherdiscomfiture.Infact,onceheestablishedthatcourse,sheencouragedit.



"Inthatcasewell,yourtrainingmethodscertainlyworkwonderswiththegladiatorialslaves,"shesaidsmoothly."Perhaps,ifyouaren'tinterestedinbreedingthemyourself,youcouldestablishatrainingschoolinconcertwithabreeder."

"Imight."Thenhethrewheranothermentalpuzzletochewon."Ofcourse,"hecontinuedpompously,"aslongasthosewretchedWizardsareinexistence,theCouncilwillrequirethearmytoexterminatethem,andthey'llneedmetoleadthatarmy.Theymayhavebeenclevertacticianscomparedtowell,Iwon'tmentionnamesbutI'mbetter."

ThankstoLashana,heknewwhatshedidn'tthattwolong-heldElvenlordshadjustbeenturnedlooseinthevicinityofLordCheynar'sestate,withfalsememoriesofbeingheldbyasecond,entirelyunknowngroupofWizardshiddeninthestrangehillsandforestssomewherenearthere.Heknewth

atoncetheCouncillearnedofthesespeciousWizardssonearthem,therewouldbepanic.Andhewouldbecalledontofindthem.

EspeciallyifTrianabroughtwordofhishubristoKyndrethorAelmarkinorboth.ForKyndreth,sendinghimonahuntfortheseWizardswasawinningstrategyallaround.Iftheydefeatedhim,hewouldalmostcertainlydieinthepasttheWizardshadmadekillingtheElvencommandersakeypartoftheirstrategy,andthatwasn'tlikelytochange.Ifhedefeatedthem,Kyndrethwouldgetthecredit,andhecou

ldbedeflectedbackintothehuntforhisfather'sfate.ForAelmarkin,well,doubtlesshiscousinwouldhopeforhisdefeat,andbidehistime.

WhenKyndrethheardhisplanforfindingtheimaginaryWizards,he'dbedoublypleased....

"Pardon,mylord,"saidoneofMoth's"slaves"inasformalandstiffamanneraseventhemostprotocol-

obsessedElven-lordcouldhavewished,"butthematteryouwishedtoattendtotheslavesyourequestedhavebeenbrought,andareawaitingyourpleasure."

Theladalmostgavehimselfaway;Kyrtiancaughtthetwinkleinhiseye,buthisownsoberexpression,onlybarelylightenedwithdourpleasure,kepttheliveriedservantfromlosinghiscomposure."Ibegyourpardon,



mylady,"hesaidtoTriana,"butIhadarrangedforacertainmattertobedealtwithatdinnerthisevening,andIdidn'tthinktocancelmyorders.Iamsureyouwon'tmindmyattendingtoit."

"Whatachastisement?"Forjustamomenttherewasanavidityinhereyesthatmadehimsick.ThanktheAncestorsIwaswarnedagainsther

"No,myladyareward,actually."HeturnedtoMoth'sslave,stiffinhisformallivery."Havethembroughtin."

Theladbowed;amomentlater,incameGel,escortedbytwoofthefighters,followedbyRennati,escortedbyapairofMoth'shandmaidens.Allhumans,ofcourse

Kyrtianallowedhimselfasmile."SargeantGel,"hesaid,inthemostoverbearingmannerpossible,"youhavedistinguishedyourselfinmyserviceforyears,butinthiscampaignagainsttherebels,youtrulyhaveoutshoneanyotherslaveinmypossession.Iamloathtoloseyou;however,Iamevenmoreloathtolosesuchapatentlyexcellentbloodline.Ihavedecidedtoretireyouandtoensurethatyourlinecontinues,andprovidesmewithmoreoutstandingfightersandtacticiansinthefuture,Iampresentingyouwiththishandsomewenchasyourmate."Hegestured,andthetwohandmaidensusheredRennatiforward.Thepoorchildwasblushingfuriously,castinghereyesdown.Gelhadmanagedtocontriveanexpressionofutterdumbfo

undedness."She'squitealittleathleteinherownright"helaughedcoarsely"whichshouldcomplementyourownattributes,andI'msurethatprovidingmewithmoreofyourstockwillbeapleasuretoyou,givenherexpertiseandaccomplishments."



Geldroppedhiseyes,andwentstifflytooneknee,andfromthewaythathisneckhadreddened,KyrtianknewthatitwasonlythefullknowledgethatthisinsultingspeechwasmeantforTriana'sbenefitalonethatkepthisoldfriendfromexplodingwithrage."Thankyou,mygraciouslord,"Gelgotoutthroughclenchedteeth.Fortunately,withhisheadbowed,itsoundedsincereandhumble."Icanneverbeworthyofthishonor"

"Well,gotakethegirlandseeaboutrewardingmygenerosityasquicklyaspossible,"Kyrtiansaidairily,wavingadismissivehand.Gelgotup,tookRennati'slimpandunresistinghandinhisown,andratherabruptlyhauledheraway,followedbytherestofthe"slaves."

Oh,I'mgoingtopayforthisthenexttimewepractice.

HeturnedtoTriana,whosefacewasastudyinshock."Nicelittledancermymotherboughtforme,"hesaiddismissively."Knowsherbusiness.PerfecttomakesuretheoldfellowcandohisdutybyherandbymeIcanguaranteeshe'sbeenwelltrained.Ontopofthat,she'sgotafantasticphysiqueandreflexes.IfIdon'tgetasetofunbelievablebodyguardsoutofthosetwo,I'lleatmybootswithoutsauce."ThenhepretendedbelatedlytoseeTriana'sstunnedexpression."Oh,yourpardon,'myladyIhopeIdidn'tshockyoubybeingsofrank,butIunderstoodyouwereabreederofsomenote"

Shequicklygotholdofherself,andsmiledfalsely."Oh,youdidn'tshockmeintheleast,mylord,"shereplied."Iwasjustcontemplatingwhattheresultsofthatmatingarelikelytobe.Splendidbodyguards,nodoubtbutforgivemeforhopingthatthestocktakesafterherlooks,ratherthanhis!"Sheproducedanotherofthoselow,breathylaughs."YouwillrecallthatIbreedforesthetics!"

"Ofcourse,ofcourse."Hethenturnedtheconversationtosomethingelse,andeventuallythedinnergroundits

waytoitsfinale.

Helefttheladies,aswasthecustom,toconcludetheireveningtogetheroversweetwinesandconversation,blessingthecustomforallowinghimtoescapethetablebeforeTriana.



Shewould,withoutashadowofadoubt,trytogetatRen-nati.Butitwouldn'thappentonight,anditwouldn'thappenonherterms.ItwouldbetomorrowatthetimeandplacethatKyrtianhadpicked.

ThepalepinkmarblehallwayoutsideLadyTriana'sguest-suitelooked,Kyrtianreflectedwithnolittleamusement,asiftheyhadplannedanambushfortheelvenlady.Inasense,theyhad.Rennatiwaitedinamarble-panelednicheclosetothedoor.Alittlefartheralong,behindasecondbronzedoorleftjustthetiniestbitopen,LadyViridinawaited.Andfartherstill,watchingfromtheendofthehallway,behindthepaneleddoortooneofthesitting-rooms,wasKyrtianhimself.IfTrianagavethelittledancertoomuchtrouble,LadyViridinawouldappearandifViridina'spresencedidn'tgiveRennatiachancetoescape,hewouldputinanappearanceandclaim"his"slave.

Thedoorsmadenosoundastheyopened,ofcourse,andtheonlycluehehadthat

TrianahadfinallyemergedwasthesoftpatterofRennati'sfootstepsontheheavycarpet.

"Mylady,Ibegyourfavor!"Rennati'shigh,clearvoice,withahintofdesperationinit,rangdownthehallway.Alittlejudiciousmagicallowedhimtoheareverywordassheap-'proachedtheelvenlady.

"Mylady,"Rennatirepeated,assheflungherselftoherkneesbesidethewaitin

gTriana,whohadpausedbesidetheopendoor."Mylady,forgivemeIfailedyouIknowIhavefailedyou"

"Indeedyouhave,"Trianasaid,inalevelvoice."Theinformationyougavetomewasoflittleuse.YouwerenearLordKyrtianonlyonce,andthatbriefly.Andnowhehasturnedyouintoamerebreeder,whichwill



removeyoufromthehouseholdaltogetherandoccupyyourtimewiththingsofnointeresttome.Iamnotpleased."

Kyrtianpeekedthroughacrackwherethedoormettheframe.Rennatibentherhead,tremblingwithfear.Thepoorchildwasn'tacting,shereallywasafraidofTriana.Itwasterriblybraveofhertotakethisstep,butitwastheonlypossiblewayforhertoescapeTriana'stoils,andbothsheandKyrtianknewit."Ihadnochoice,mylady,"Rennatirepliedhumbly."Iamonlyaslave;IhavenocontroloverhowIamdisposedof."

"Hmph."Kyrtiantookanothercautiouspeek;TrianastoodoverRennatilookingdownatthegirlwithameasureofdisgust."Ifyou'dhadanounceortwomoreofambition"Sheshookherhead."Idonotrewardincompetence,girl.Agoodpartofyourfailureisyourownfault.Youdidnotmakeyourselfindispensableto

LordKyrtian."

"Yes,mylady."Rennaticouldn'thavegottenanylowertothegroundwithoutprostratingherself.

Trianaproddedatthedancerwithherfoot."You'vemanagedtomaneuveryourselfintoyourownpunishment,fool.You'llbenothingmorethanabreederfortherestofyourlife.Andbredtothathideousoldman!Youcan

expecttobebeatenwhenyoudon'tpleasehim,andtakenlikeananimalwhenyoudo.Onthewhole,ImustsayIcouldn'thavecontrivedanythingbetteraschastisement."Shelaughed,acruellaughthatmadeevenKyrtianshiver."Itrusthe'llmakeyousuitablymiserable.Now,youhavesomethingofmine,Ibelieve?"Sheputoutherhand.

Rennati,shakinglikeawillowinawindstorm,pulledtheteleson-ringfromherfingerandmanagedtoplaceitinTriana'spalm.Trianaslippedtheringonherownfinger,spurnedthedancer

withherfoot,pushingheroff-balancesothatshesprawledclumsilyontothecarpet.Withafinal,nastychuckle,Trianastalkedoff.

Rennatilaywhereshe'dfallen,shakingviolently,untilTrianawasoutofsight;KyrtianandViridinaremainedinhidingaswell.Oncetheywerebothsureshewasgone,theybothrushedoutintothehall



OnlytofindthatRennatiwasshaking,notwithfearorintears,butwiththeweaklaughterofrelief.Kyrtianhelpedhertoherfeet,andViridinafussedoverherforamomentastrangesight,that;anelvenladyseeingtothewelfareofamerehuman!

"I'mallright,reallyIam,"Rennatiprotestedatlast."Thankyou,mylady,thankyouforbeingsoclosebutIamallright.Iwasonlyafraidthatifeitherofyouhadtointervene,shewouldsensesomethingwasn'tquiteright."

"Youdidwonderfullywell,younglady,"Kyrtiantoldherapprovingly."Wonderfullywell.Icouldn'thaveaskedforbetter.Imustsaythatyou'veshownanabilitytoplay-actthatIhadn'texpected."

"IwasafraidIwasgoingtostartlaughingwhenshedescribedpoorGel,"Rennatitoldhim,dimplingandcoloringprettily."Shecouldn'thavebeenmorewrongabouthim"

"Andit'sjustaswellthatshedoesn'tknowthat.It'smyturntoapologizeforputtingyouthroughallthatembarrassmentnow,andlastnight,"hecontinued,"andIhopeyou'llforgivemeforit."

"Onlyifyou"shecoloredmoredeeply."Onlyifyoudon'ttakebackwhatyousaidaboutmeandGel"

"Mydearchild,thatisbetweenyouandGel!"heexclaimed,holdingupbothhandsinmock-defense,asbothRennatiandViridinagiggledlikeapairofyounggirls."Ihavenothingtodowithit!Ifyouhavetheaudacitytocollarandtamethatwretchedman,youmayhavejoyofhim!"



Stiflingtheirlaughterintheirhands,ViridinaandRennatiretreatedintoViridina'ssuiteforsomewomanishreason,hehadnodoubt,perhapstoplantheconquestofpoorGel!Ah,Gel,youwretchedman,youhaven'taprayeragainstthem!Whateveritwas,theimportantmissionhadbeenaccomplished;Triananolongerhadaspyinhishousehold,anditwasvanishinglylikelythatshe'dgetanotherinthere.Nowhecouldcontinuewithhisownlibrarysearch,andwaitforthetwo"lost"Elvenlordstobefound,fortheCounciltolearnofthe"newWizards"andforthepanictobegin.

Trianaleftthatveryday,andnoone,leastofallKyrtian,wassorrytoseeherleave,althoughLadyMothmanagedtoconveytheopposite.WithTriana'sdeparture,everythingwentbackto"normal."

Kyrtian,however,gaveuptryingtouseRennatiandGelashishelpers.Instead,hecommandeeredacoupleof

theslavesthathadbeenliberatedfromtheYoungLords,apairofremarkablyintelligenttwins.Bredandtrainedtobehouseholdslaves,nothandsomeenoughtobeputto"frontofthehouse"duties,theyhadbeenwastedbothonthemenialtasksthey'dbeenassignedandasthefightersthattheYoungLordswantedthemtobe.Theyquicklylearnedwhathewantedofthem,andastheyhadbeentaughttoreadandwrite,weresoonactuallyhelpinghimwithhishuntforinformation.Oncehehadidentifiedtheauthorofjournalsthatweretoolatetobeofanyinteresttohim,theboyscouldpickthroughtheremainingvolumesandeliminateanymorebythesameauthor.Astheyshelvedthesebooks,thetaskinfrontofhimbegantolookabi

tlessdaunting.

MeanwhileRennatihadevidentlytakenhimathisword;shewasthe"aggressor"inthiscourtship,andinKyrtian'sopinion,Gelmightjustaswellrunuptheflagofsurrender,becausehehadn'tachanceintheworld.Notthatheseemedtobeunhappyabouttheprospect.ButitwascertainlyanoddthingtoseetougholdGelwanderingaboutthegardens,eyesfaintlycloudedwithbemusement,holdingabasketfortheflowersRennatiwasselectingtogracethevasesofLadyMoth'schambers.

Threedayspassed,thenfour,andtherewasnosignthatthetwo"lostLords"hadyetbeendiscovered.Ontheonehand,Kyrtianwasperfectlyhappywiththis,sinceitgavehimmoretimeamongthebooks.



Ontheotherhand,hegrewmoreanxiouswitheverydaythatpassed,fortherewasnotellingwhatLordKyndrethandtheCouncilwereupto,whattheywerethinking,andperhapsmostimportantlyofall,whetherTrianahadbeenconvincedthathewasnotambitiousforaplaceontheGrandCouncilasaGreatLord.OnlyifshewasconvincedwouldsheinturnconvinceKyndreth.

TherewasnofurthersignfromtheElvenbane,either,butKyrtiandidn'ttrulyexpectanything.Ithadbeenterriblyriskyforhertocometohim;itwouldbebetterforthenextmeetingtotakeplacesomewhereinthewilderness,perhapswhilehepursuedthefalseWizards.

Then,onthefourthdayafterTrianaleft,camethesummonstothetelesonthathehadbeenwaitingfor.Ittookallofhisself-controltomaintainacurious,butcalmexpressionwhenhegreetedLordKyndreth'simageintheflatglass.

"Somethingentirelyunexpectedhascomeup,myLord,"Kyndrethsaid,intonesofcontrolledurgency."TwominorEl-venlordsthatwethoughthadsomehowbeenkilledonahuntingexpeditiondecadesagohaveturnedup.TheywerefoundbytwoofLordCheynar'sslavesandbroughtstraighttohismanor,andtheirstorywell,it'sterrifying."

Ancestors!Theymanagedtowalkallthewayfromtheforesttotheestate?They

musthavebeenexhausted!

"Whereweretheyallthistime?"Kyrtianasked,carefullyassuminganexpressionofconcern."Iknowthatforesthasanevilreputation,buthowcouldtheyhavebeenlostfordecades?"



"TheysaythattheywereheldasprisonersbyWizards,"Kyndrethcontinued,"andtheaccidentofarockfallinthecaveswheretheywereheldiswhatallowedthemtoescape.ThereisonlyoneproblemtheWizardsthatheldthemarenottheWizardswithwhomwefought!"

"Ancestors!"Kyrtianexclaimed,fallingbackalittleinfeignedshock."Butthat'sterrible!"

"Itis,andtheCouncilwasinanuproaraboutit,"Kyndrethrepliedwithvisibleunhappiness."Wehavetofindthesecreaturesandeliminatethem.IftheyarelairedupsomewherewithinstrikingdistanceofCheynar'sestate"

"Thentheyaretooclose,howeverfewinnumbertheymaybe,"Kyrtiansaidfirmly."Iwilldealwiththematter,

myLord.Thisispreciselythesortofthingmypersonalslavesaretrainedfor.Wewilltakeasmallforceintotheforesttofindtheplace,thenreturnwithalargeroneandwipethemout."

"IknewIcouldrelyonyou,"Kyndrethsaid,withevidentrelief,andbroketheconnection.

Withalaugh,Kyrtianleapttohisfeet,feelingverylikearacehorsefinallyletloosenowhecouldshowwhat

hewasreallymadeof;thismighthavebeenwhathehadbeentrainingforallofhislife.

AndletKyndrethandtheothersschemeastheywould,forhewasfinallyontherightside.

26

---

Kyrtian'sownestatewasroughlyhalfwaybetweenMothspropertyandLordCheynar's,aroundtheperimeteroftheraggedcircledefinedbytheoutermostElvenlordestates.Althoughitmighthavebeenshortertocut



throughtheheartofelvenlands,itwasquickertotakeMoth'sPortaltohisownproperty,selectthemenhewanted,andgofromtheretothenearestestatewithaPortalthathecouldgetaccessto.Inthiscase,itwastheestateofthelateunlamentedLordDyran,whichhadeventuallywoundupinthehandsofLordKyndreth.Dyran'sestateborderedonthedesert;Cheynar's,betweenDyran'slandandtherestoftheelven-heldworld,wasinwell-wateredhillsthatranuptolow,forestedmountainsthatwereequallywellwatered.Somuchwater,infact,thattheestatespentmostofthewintershroudedingreycloudsthatdrizzledcontinuously.Therecouldnothavebeenagreatercontrastinterritory,butthatwasn'tthemostinterestingpart.Theinterestingpartwas,beneaththosehillsandmountainscaves,andagreatmanyofthem.

GoinghomefirstalsoallowedhimtotakeRennatibacktotheestate.ThattookoneburdenoffhismindandwouldgivehimanexcusetoleaveGelaswell.Notthathedidn'twantGelalongbutthiswouldnotbeamissionwhereGel'sexpertisewasneeded.Giventhathecouldnotbeathome,hewantedsomeonehetrustedto

bethere.LadyLydiellwascleverandcunning,butshewasnosoldier.Ifsoldierswereneeded,Gelcouldcommandaswell,ifnotbetter,thanKyrtian.

Asforhisowntroops,thosewhowereleftwerebythistimeheartilytiredofrealwarfareandreadytogobacktothefarm,field,andhouseholdpositionstheyhadleft.Itwastimetotakethemhome,tooandbythegreatestofgoodfortune,hewouldbetakingallofthemhome.Therehadbeenonlyminorcasualtiesamonghisownpeople,nodeathsatall,andthoseinjuriestheysustainedwereneithercri

pplingnorincapacitating.Thatwasnotbyaccidentorentirelybygoodfortunealone;Kyrtian'smen,withtheirgreaterexpertiseinfightingthantheYoungLords'conscripts,hadshowntheirclearsuperiorityinthefieldinallways.



Hewasterriblyproudofthem.Thepointwas,theyweren'tprofessional,trainedfighters;theywerefanners,house-servants,herders.Buttheyhadappliedthemselveswithwillandenthusiasmtohistraining,andwhencalledontousethattraining,theyhaddonesowithallthededicationhecouldhaveaskedfor.

Hedidn'tquiteknowhowtorewardthem;thekindofgreatfeastheusuallyheldforasuccessful"campaign"waswoefullyinadequateasarecompense.AndasheshepherdedthelastofhispeoplethroughMoth'sPortal,hemadeamentalnotetoaskhismotherheropinion.Ofallpeople,shesurelyshouldhavesomenotion.

Finallytherewereonlythethreeofthemlefttocrosshimself,Gel,andRennati.AndashewatchedtheothertwowaitingpatientlyforthePortaltoclear,withGel'sarmopenlyandprotect

ivelyaroundtheapprehensivelittledancer,heknewwithconsiderableamusementthattherewasatleastonepersonhehadhadnodifficultyinfittingarewardto.Therehadbeenagrainoftruthinthatpompousandincrediblyinsultinglittlespeechhe'dmadeinfrontofLadyTriana;hereallydidhopethatGelwouldhaveasonorseveraltotraintotakethefather'splaceatKyrtian'sside.NoonecouldhavehadabetterbodyguardorfriendandKyrtianwasnotlookingforwardtothedaywhenhewouldhavetotellGeltostanddownandletanothertakehisplace.Butlikeitornot,thefactwasthatunlesssomethinghappenedtohim,KyrtianwouldlikelybeservedbyGel'sgreat-

great-great-great-grandchildren.Near-immortalitycamewithitsowncosts.

Heshookoffthemelancholythought,andbroughthismindbacktothepresent.LadyLydiellwouldbeveryamused,hewassure,whensherealizedwhathadhappenedbetweenRen-natiandGel.Aninveteratematchmaker,shehadbeentryingtopairGeloffforyears.She'dfindthecurrentsituationentirelytoherliking.

She'llhavethemtuckedupinalittlecottageorsuiteoftheirowninthemanorbeforethetwoofthemgetachancetoturnaround.

"Goonthrough,youtwo,"hesaid,wavingatthem.HeturnedtoMoth,astheysteppedintotheutterblacknesswithinthePortal.



"Areyougoingtobeallright?"heasked."Canyoukeepthoseidiotchildrenfromtryingtostarttherebellionalloveragain,orsomehowgettingcaught?"

Shelaughed."ThedayIcan'tkeepanunrulypackofpuppieslikethatundermythumb,nowthatthey'vehadagoodscare,isthedayyoumightaswellstartplanningmyfuneral-games.Youandyourboysshowedthemthateverythingthey'dwonagainsttheirfatherswasduetotheirincrediblegoodluck,theWizards'iron,andtheGreatLords'incompetence.They'rehappyenoughtobeescapingthehounds,andIimaginethey'llstaythatwayforsomelittlewhile."

Hehadtosmileatthat."Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantoask;Ishouldbeaskingthemiftheythinkthey'llbesafefromyou."

"Indeedyoushould."Mothsmiled,andwinked."Twoorthreeofthoseladsarerathertoothsome,andstillyoungenoughtotrainproperly.I'mnottoooldtoremarry."Shegrinnedashelaughed."Now,getonwithyou.Bynow,poorLydiellisprobablywonderingifthePortal'sbrokendown."

Heembracedher,thensteppedacrossthethreshold.

Assoonasherecoveredfromtheshockofcrossing,whichwasalwaysdisorienting,hesawthathismotherhadalreadysortedoutthenewrelationshipbetweenGelandRennati.AndmuchtoGel'ssurpriseandbemusement,shehadtakenitallinstrideandwithconsiderableaplombandfromthesoundofthings,hadbegunmakingplansforthemwithoutwaitingforKyrtian.



Heh.IwonderifheexpectedMothertobeshockedoroutragedthatRennatihasmanagedtocapturehim?Heshouldhaveknownbetterthanthatgivenallthematchmakingshe'sdoneallovertheestate!He'sjustluckysheneverseriouslytookitintoherheadtofindawomanforhim,orhe'dhavebeentieduplongbeforethis.

"Ourpeoplewillexpectawedding-ceremonyandafeast,ofcourse,"shewasexplainingtoabewilderedRennati."OurGelisapersonofgreatimportancehere,andifwedidanythingless,peoplewouldfeelcheated.We'llhavetohaveallofthefightersandtheirfamilies,ofcourseIwonderifwecouldhavethewholethingintheopenair?Ican'tthinkofanybuildingontheestatelargeenoughtofiteveryoneinside"

"But"Rennatisaid,feebly,lookingalarmed.

"Oh,Iknowyou'venoideawhattodo,child,"Lydiellcontinuedcalmly."Butourpeopleneverhadtheirtraditionswrenchedfromthemandburiedpastretrieval.Theyhavetheirpriestsandtheirritualsexactlyastheydidbeforewecameonthescene.Don'tconcernyourselfwithit;theyknowwhattodo,andifyoucanlearnacleverdance,youcancertainlylearnasimpleweddingceremony.Now,thiscouldfitinverynicelywiththegeneralhomecoming;yourweddingcanbethestartofaweekoffestivitiesand"

"Mother,mylove,"Kyrtianinterruptedher."Don'tforget,withallyourplanning,IhavetobeoffwithaselectcrewonLordKyndreth'sWizard-huntassoonasmaybe.ThiswillhavetolookasifIconsiderittobeasurgentashedoes."

"SoGeltellsme,"Lydiellsaidserenely."Allthemorereasontohavetheweddingassoonaspossible.Ihavebeenplanningthesehomecomingcelebrationsforafortnight,andyouwillbehereforatleastthefirstdayandnightofthem!AndifKyndrethgetsimpatient,Iwilltellhimthatyouneededt

hetimetoselectexactlytherightgroupofscoutsandhunters."

Kyrtianbowedtotheinevitable."Yes,Mother,"hesaidobediently,andbeatahastyretreattohisownsuite,leavingGelandRennatitofacehisformidablemotherandallherplansalone.



Acoward'sploy,andhewouldsurelyhearallaboutitfromGeloncetheSargeantgotaway.Butinthemeanwhile

Hecantakecareofhimself.Atleastforawhile.OnceRennatigetsoverbeingdazed,she'IIprobablyjoinforceswithmother,thefemalesagainstthepoor,helplessmale.I'veneverseenawomanthatcouldresistanopportunityforacelebrationandanewgown.Gelwon'thaveachance.

Butoh,themorehethoughtaboutit,themorehehopedthathisowntimetowedwouldn'tarriveanytimesoon.

IthinkI'llrunoffandhaveMothtakecareofeverything.I'llhideinherlibraryuntiltheverylastmoment,sonoonecanswarmoverme.

Hepushedopenthedoorstohisownroomsandsighed;itseemedanagesincehe'dbeenhere,andthesightofhisownquarterswasverywelcome.

Butmorewelcomestillwasthebathroom,thereadytub,andthesmilingservantswaitingtohelphim.

Hedidn'tstopfortheirhelp;hethrewoffhisclothesandplungedintothehotwater,relaxingcompletelyinthepenetratingheat,ashehadnotbeenabletodosinceheleft.MuchashelovedandtrustedLadyMoth,shehadallthoseYoungLordsstilllurkingonherpremises,andLadyTriana'sunexpectedarrivalonlyprovedthateventheformidableLadyMorthenacouldbesurprisedbyunexpectedvisitors.Furthermore,sheadmittedlaterthatshehadnonotionhowmanykeystoherPortalherlatehusbandhadhandedabout.Itcouldbemany,itcouldbe



few,butthefactwastheyprobablyexisted.Andifanyonewaslikelytoferretthosekeysout,itwouldbeKyndreth,Tri-ana,orAelmarkin.Asaresult,hehadnotreallybeenabletorelax,evenwhileonherestate.

And,ofcourse,whileoncampaignhe'dhadnosuchluxuriesasthis.Justthethoughtofallthetimeshe'dgonetobedachingandbruisedandbathlessmadethisallthemorepleasurable.

ItmightbeawhilebeforeIgettoenjoyitagain.Althoughhishuntforthenon-existentWizardswasbyitsverynatureawild-goosechase,hewouldhavetoconductitasifitwasserious.Thebareessentialsforcamping,nomorethansixmen,andtheywouldhavetokeepthemselvesfedoffthelandasmuchaspossible.Therewouldbenohot,soakingbathsoutthereintheforests.

Hewas,however,tooenergeticbynaturetorelaxfortoolonginahotbathwhenhewasn'tbone-tiredandwasn'tcurrentlyachingandbruised.Soonenoughhewasoutanddressed,andwentlookingforhisfather'snotes.Theywerestillwherehehadleftthem,inthelibrary.Aquickglancethroughthemtoldhimeverythingheneededtoknow.

HesenthisbodyservantLyndertofindGel.Justaboutnow,Gelshouldbefranticforawaytoescapethetwofemaleswhowereplanningaweddingaroundhim,will-he,nill-he.

Sureenough,withinmomentsLynderandGelwereback,Lynder'seyesdancingwithmerriment,Gellookingdistinctlyharried."Beforeeveryonegetswrappedupinthisfestivalbusiness,IwantyoutohelpmepickoutsixofourtrackersforthispseudoWizard-hunt,"hetoldGel."Iwantmenwhodidn'tgooutasfighters,butwhocanstillbespared.It'sgettingclosetothefirsthay-harvest,andIdon'twanttoleaveMothershort-handedevenbyatrifle."

"Icantellyouwhowithouteventhinkingaboutit,"Gelrepliedimmediately."Kar,Tem,Shalvan,Resso,HaleanandNoet.They'reallthejuniorforesters;theydon'thelpwiththeharvestandtheirda'scanlivewithout'emforabit.Whysomany?Youplanonactuallydoinganythinginthere?"



"It'sdangerous;itisn'tgoingtobeapleasuretrip,"Kyrtianwarned."EvenifthenewWizardsareafabrication,therearestillalotofdeadlycreaturesinthatarea.Andyouaren'tgoingtobealong."

Gel'sfacefell,buthealsolookedresigned."Iwasafraidyouweregoingtodecidethat,"hegrumbled."Damnitall,Kyrtian"

"Gel,you'reafighter,atactician;you'reneitherahunternoraforester,"Kyrtianpointedout."You'dbeoflessusetomethanoneofthoseboys.You'llbeofmoreuserheretomeandMotheronthebarechancethatAelmarkintriessomethingwhileI'mgone.Motherismanythingsbutnotasoldier."

Gel'smouthtightened."You'renotthinkinghe'dconvinceKyndrethtoputthisplaceundersiege?"

"I'mnotthinkinganything,"heliedwithastraightfacebecausethatwaspreciselywhathewasthinking.Hedidn'ttrustAelmarkinandhedidn'ttrustKyndreth,either.MaybehewasstillusefultotheGreatLordbutmaybehewasn't,anymore."Kyndrethstillneedsmeaslongashethinksthere'satribeofWizardshidingrightonourborders.I'mmoreworriedaboutwhatAelmarkinmightdoortry.ButbetweenyouandMother,withMothtofeedyougossip,you'llseethroughanythinghetriesbeforehe'sdonemorethanmakeatentative

probe."HeclappedGelontheshoulder."Iamnottryingtoputyououttostudlikemyfavoritewarhorse,althoughIsuggestyoumakethatcharminglittledancerintoaveryhappywife!Iamallocatingmyresourceswherethey'lldothemostgood.IneedyouandMotherhere,watchingfortrouble,whileIgointotheforestandwaitfortheElvenbanetocontactmeagainwhichshewill,sincetheforestisthemostlogicalplaceforthat."Herubbedhischinthoughtfully."There'soneotherthingbeforewehadtoleaveMoth's,Iwasreadingsomepersonaljournals,andsomethingIranintoremindedmeofsomeofFather'snotesthatheleftbehind.It's



possiblewe'vebeenlookingfortheGreatPortalinthewrongplace.Ithinkit'sunderground,andtheareaaroundCheynar'sestatehasalotincommonwiththeforestourancestorsfledthroughwhentheyfirstarrived."

Gelknewexactlywhathewashinting."Thosehillsareriddledwithcaves!"heexclaimed."Cometothinkofit,ifyourancestorsfoundthattheirPortaldropped'emintoacave,theywouldn'thavebeendispleasedaboutthat,Iwouldn'tthink;comingintoastrangeworldinaprotectedspot."

"It'sonepossibleplacetolook,"Kyrtianagreed.Hedidn'ttellGeltheonethingthatconcernedhimdeeplytheAncestorshadfledthevicinityoftheGreatPortalinterror,butwhy?ThatwastheverylastthinghewantedGelthinkingaboutwhenhewasgone."That'swhyIwantyourhuntersandtrackers.AslongasIhavetopretendI'mhuntingforWizardslivingincaves,Ihaveeveryexcusetocheckeverycavewecomeacross."

"Thenyoudon'twanthuntersandtrackersor,atleast,notallhuntersandtrackers,"Gelsaiddecisively."You'llneedmenthatcankeepallofyoufed,butyou'llalsoneedmenwho'reusedtoclamberingaroundunderground.InsteadofKarandTem,IwantyoutotakeKar'sbrotherHobie,andyourladdyLynder,there."

"Lynder?"Kyrtianturnedtohisbodyservantinsurprise."Lynder?WhyLynder?"

"BecauseLynderandHobiehavebeentryingtokillthemselvesclimbingdownholesinthegroundontheirsparetimeeversincetheywereintheirteens,"Gelreplied,wryly,asLynderflushedabrilliantscarlet."Ifyou'regoingtobedoingthesame,Isuggestyoutakepeoplewho'vehadtheexperienceofnearlydrowningwhenacloudburstoutsidefloodedthecavetheywerein."

"Wegotoutaheadoftheflood!"Lynderprotested,turningredder."Wehearditcoming!"

"Anditwouldbeusefulifyouhadacoupleofladswho'dbeenstuckinapassagetheyrealizedabittoolatewastoosmallforthem."Gelwasclearlyenjoyinghimself.



"Itwasn'ttoosmalloriginally,"Lyndermuttered."Therockshifted."

"IcanseeLynderhasplentyofexperience,"Kyrtianinterrupted,tryingnottolaugh,althoughhealsofeltverysorryforthepooryoungman."Haven'tyoutoldme,timeandtimeagain,thatthebestteacherisexperience?"

"HobieandIhavebeencave-exploringforthreeyearsnowwithoutasingleseriousmishap,"Lyndersaid,gettinghisblushingundercontrolandtryingtogatherthescatteredshardsofhisshattereddignity."Andthekindsofminorinjurieswe'vehadcouldhappenscoutingthroughaforestordoingsomeheavyworkonthefarm."Hedidn'tglareatGel,whowasstillclearlyamused,butKyrtiansensedthathewantedto.

Gelfinallytookpityonthelad."Kyrtian,Iwouldn'thaverecommendedyoungLy

nderifIdidn'tthinkhecouldguardyourstepsaswellinhisworldasIcaninmine,"hesaidgenerously,andnowLynderflushedwithpleasureratherthanembarrassment.

Kyrtiannodded."InthatcaseLynder,Iwantyoutogetthecave-exploringgeartogetherforseven.GelandIwilltakecareoftherestofthesupplieswe'llneed.I'dlikeeverythingreadyby"Hethought,andimpishlydecidedtoteaseGelalittlemore."I'dliketoleavetomorrow,but"

Gelturnedwhite.Lyndershookhishead."Gearforsevenwe'llneedsomespecialclimbingequipmentandwedon'thaveanythinglikethathere.I'llhavetogetstraighttotheblacksmith,andheandhishelperswillhavetoworktherestoftodayandalltomorrow.Therestwilltakeabitofhuntingamongthestores."

"Butyoucanhaveitbythedayaftertomorrow?"Kyrtianpersisted.



"Ifyoudareleavebeforethisweddingfolderol"Gelgrowledunderhisbreath,glowering.

Kyrtiancouldn'tholdbackhislaughterandthenhehadtorun,forSargeantGellungedforhim,andheknewthatifGelgothishandsonhismaster,the"master"wouldwindupinthebathtubagain,butthistimefullyclothed.

Theycouldn'tgetawayinlessthanthreedays,afterall.

Ontheeveningofthesecondday,GelandRennatiwerewedatsunsetinanopen-airceremony,presidedoverbyanoldmanwearingalong,blackrobe.Soincrediblydignifiedwasthisindividual,andsofullofsolemnity,KyrtianhadadifficulttimeinrecognizingHobie'sfatherRand,themanor'schiefstablehand,whoalwayshada

jokeforeveryone,usuallyribald.

Randfirstwaftedsmokeoverthecouple,then,whilechantingunderhisbreath,sprinkledthemwithwater,wavedalightedtaperaroundthem,andblewdustatthem.Thenhedrewawobblycirclearoundallthreeofthemwiththepointedendofastaff.StilldroningachantthatKyrtiancouldn'tmakeheadortailof,heconductedalongritualthatinvolvedanamazingamountofsprinklingofherbsandwaterandsaltonthepartofthehappycouple,agreatdealofwalkingincirclesandfigure-eights,andthe

sharingofbreadandsalt.

Finally,atRand'slow-voicedorder,theyheldouttheirconjoinedhands,andRandboundtheirhandstogether.Then,turningtothecrowd,asthelastwinkofthesundescendedbelowthehorizonandthefirststarscameout,hespreadhisarmswidebehindthem.

"Handsareboundasheartsarebound;twoareone!"heshouted.

Atremendouscheerarosefromthehugecrowdcometoseetheceremony.Then,ofcourse,camethecelebration.Therewasaverygreatdealofwineandbeeravailable,therewasdancingandwillinggirlstobuildupathirst,andallofKyrtian'schosenpartywereyoungmenwithhardheadsandtheusualinabilityofyoungmentorememberwhatahangoverfeltlikeduringthetimethatthedrinkwassli



dingsmoothlydowntheirthroats.Asaconsequence,noneofKyrtian'ssixweregoodformuchonthefollowingday.

However,thatwasnotsobad,becausethatwasthedayofsomeoftheriskiercompetitionsthewrestling,thehurlingoflargeobjects,thegamepittingtwoteamsagainsteachotherincompetitionforaninflatedbladder,withnoholdsbarred.Nursingheadachesanduncertainstomachs,itwaseasytopersuadethesixthattheyshouldbespectators,notparticipants.

Onthemorningofthethirdday,adaydevotedtothegentlerpursuitsandcompetitionsofthewomen-folkfootraces,target-shooting,milking,sewing,andcookingcompetitionstheywereinfinefettleandhighspirits,andquitereadytogo.Sowastheirequipment,andKyrtianwasnotgoingtoallowthetemptationofanotherfeast,dance,anddrinkingsoireeincapacitatethemalloveragain.Bymid-morninghehadthemalllinedupat

thePortal,fully-laden,withstillmoreoftheservantsequallyburdened.

LordKyndrethhadpromisedhorsesontheotherside,andKyrtianwasgoingtoholdhimtothatpromise.Hesenthispartyandalloftheservantsthroughfirst,andwaitedfortheservantstoreturnbeforepassingthroughthePortalhimself.Therewerenofarewellsthistime.HehadchosenatimewhenLydiellwasbusysupervisingandjudgingacontest,andasforGelwell,hehadn'tseenhisoldfriendsincetheceremony,andhehopedthatRennatiwasteachinghimafewofthetricksshe'dshownhim....

HepassedthedarkandcoldanddisorientationofthePortalandwithajolt,cameoutontheotherside.

"LordKyrtian?"



Heshookhisheadtoclearit,andforcedhiseyestofocus.ThepersonwhohadaddressedhimwasararecreatureanelderlyElvenlord,whosethinning,silverhairandfaintly-linedfacecameassomethingofashock."Yes,"hesaid,"I'mLordKyrtian."

Theelderlygentlemanbowed."IamLordRathien.LordKyndrethdirectedmetosupplywhateveryourequire."

Well,thatwaspleasant."Ineedenoughhorsestocarryallofthislot,"hesaid,wavingatthesuppliesandequipmentheapedoneithersideofthecorridorleadingtothePortal.

LordRathieneyedthepileswithanexperiencedglance."Sevenriding-mountsandasmanypack-mules,"hesaidwithauthority."Youwillfindthemulescancarrymorethanhorses,andtheirtempersaresteadier.When

youcampintheforest,tethereachhorsetoamulebeforeyoustakeoutthelineshouldanythingattack,themuleswillrununfailinglyawayfromdanger,theywillnotplungeblindlyintofurtherdanger,andtheywillstopwhenpursuitstops."Hesmiledthen,withgreatcharm."Iamveryfondofmules,myself."

"SoIsee."Kyrtiansmiledback,butLordRathienhadalreadyturnedaway,andwasorderingasetofhumanslavestopickupthepiledgoodsandtakethemtothestables.AllKyrtianandhispartyhadtodowastofollow.

Bynoon,withthemulesloaded,horsessaddled,andamuletetheredbehindeachrider,theywereontheirway.Histaskcompleted,LordRathienwasgonebythetimetheyrodeoutofthegates;KyrtianwonderedifhewasoneofLordKyndreth'sunderlings,orwasalegacyfromLordDyran.Hewascertainlyefficientandifhetreatedtheslavesexactlyashedidthemules,well,atleasthedidn'ttreatthemworse.Kyrtian'sownyoungmenhadbeencautionedastohowtobehaveoncetheywereofftheestate,sotheyhadnotdoneanythingtoarouse

Rathien'ssuspicions.Theirtensionhadbeenpalpableduringthattime;theyhadn'tdaredtospeak,lesttheysaysomethingun-slavelike,ortoraisetheireyesaboveKyrtian'sknees,lesttheirpostureordemeanorbetraythem.

Oncetheywereallontheroad,however,theyrelaxed."SargeantGeltoldusthatweweregoingdownincaves,m'Lord,"Hobiesaid,urginghishorseupbesideKyrtian's,asLynderdidsoont



heotherside,andtherestofthesixgotinascloselyastheycould,thebettertohearwhathehadtosay."Why'sthat?"

"Well,youknowthatwe'rechasingafterWizardsthatdon'treallyexist,"Kyrtianbegan.

"Ayesir.Betterthanchasingonesthatdo!"repliedHobie.Oneofthemenintherearlaughed.

"They'resupposedlylivinginanundergroundstrongholdwherewe'regoing,sowe'llbeexploringcaves.Now,asithappens,Ithinkmyfathermayhavebeenhuntingthesesamecaveswhenhedisappeared,andI'mhopingwe'llfindsomesignofhimthere."Themanwhohadlaughedsoberedimmediately,andthereweresomesympatheticmurmursfromallofthem.

"Yousurelydon'texpecttofindhimafterallthistime,doyou,m'Lord?"Hobieaskedhesitantly.

Kyrtiansighed."Notafterallthistime,nonotalive,atanyrate,"hesaidsadly."But,youknowmyclaimtotheestateiscloudedaslongasnooneknowswhatbecameofhim.AnduntilMotherandIfindoutwhatreallyhappened..."

Heletthesentencetrailoff.Hobiedroppedhiseyesforamoment."Well,m'Lord,"Lyndersaidintothesilence,"ifthere'sasigntobefound,we'llfindit.HobieandIhavefoundagreatmanystrangethingsincaves."

"Suchas?"Kyrtianasked,tochangethesubjectandcheerthemenupagain.Touchingastheirsympathywas,he'dfarratherhavelaughteraroundhimthangloom.



Itwas,afterall,alongridetoLordCheynar'sestate,andtherewasnoreasontomakeitunderacloudofdepression!

TherewasquiteenoughthatwasdepressingaboutLordCheynar'sestatetohavesuitedadozenfuneralprocessions.

Themanor,surroundedbypineforest,boastednothinginthewayofmagicalamenities;nomage-lightstoilluminatethedarkness,noillusions,allworkdonebyslavesormechanicaldevices.ThepineswereofavarietythatKyrtianwasunfamiliarwithsodarkagreenastobenearlyblack,andinhabitedbyflocksofcrows.Cheynar,ataciturnindividualwithverylittlemagicofhisown,warmedslightlytoKyrtianwhenthelattercongratulatedhimonsomeofhismechanicaldevicesandwhenKyrtianatdarknessmadecheerfuluseofthelanterns,ratherthanshowingoffbycreatinghisownmage-lights.

Hewarmedstillmoreoverdinner,andfinallycameoutwithsomethingentirelyunexpected.

"Iknewyourfather,"Cheynaroffered."Imean,Imethimhewasherejustbeforehedisappeared."

ThatelectrifiedKyrtian,andhecouldnotconcealhisshock."What?"heexclaimed."Butwhydidn'tyou"

"Whydidn'tIsaysomething?"Cheynaraskedshrewdly."Idid,toLordDyran.Isupposehedidn'tthinkitimportantenoughtopassittoyourLadyMother.Butthen,hewasn'tatallpleasedwithwhatyourfatherwashunting."

"TheolddevicestheAncestorsbroughtwiththem."Kyrtianwastornbetweenexcitementanddespair.Ifhismotherhadknownwhereherhusbandhadlastbeenseen,wouldithavemadeadifference?Couldtheyhavefoundhimstillalive?

Cheynarnodded."Oneofthoseyourfathersaidwouldputthoseofuswithweakmagiconaparwiththose



whoarestronger,"hetoldKyrtian."Idon'tknowifLordDyranknewthat.Yourfathertoldme,atleastinpartbecausehesawallthemechanicaldevicesIusearoundhereinsteadofmagic,buthemightnothavesaidanythingtoDyran."Heshrugged.

"AndLordDyranwasoneoftheGreatLordsoftheCouncil,anyway,"Kyrtiansighed."AndmyfatherandIwell,we'renothingliketheequalsofanyGreatLord.IdoubtthatLordDyranevenpaidanyheedtoanythingfathersaid.Youknow."Hehalf-smiledatCheynar,hopingthatCheynarwouldwarmalittlefurther,andseehimselfinthesamepositionasKyrtian."Whenwe'reuseful,we'reequalsatthefeast-table,butoncetheydon'tneedusanymore..."

Cheynartookthebait."Probablyhejustthoughtthatthemanwashalf-crazed,ifheeventooktimeforathoughtatall,"Cheynarsaid,andwithsomesympathy."ButIcantellyouthis"

Hepausedsignificantly.

"IfyouaregoingWizard-huntinginthosecaves,you'llbewalkinginthestepsofyourfather.Becausethelasttimeanyonesawhimthatwaswherehewasgoing,too."

27



Onesetofitemsintheirpackswasimmediatelyusefulthemomenttheyenteredtheforest:raingear.Kyrtianhadneverseensomuchraininhislife;hewasgladthathe'dcheckedontheclimatewhenarrangingforthesupplies.Andoh,theadvantageofbeingonequaltermswithone'sfemalesinanelvenhousehold!Hehadnotrealizedthatsilkcouldbemadesocompletelywaterproof.Evidentlythatoft-derided"women'smagic"usedforflower-sculptinghadagreatmanyotherpurposesthatthewomenthemselvesknewbutseldomshared.Hecertainlydidn'tblamethem,the"lordsofcreation"thatElvenlordsconsideredthemselvestobewouldprobablygreetsuchinnovationsastrivialandwomenkeptpentupintheirbowers,disregardedanddiscardedastoysthemselvescouldhardlybeexpectedtosharesuchknowledgevoluntarily.Hecouldwellimagineseveraldisgruntledladiessittingaroundintheirbower,contemplatingtheirdrippingmenfolk,andsayingtoeachotherwithglee,"Well,whydon'ttheyjuststoptherain?"

Rain-capes,withhoodssnuggedinaroundtheirfaces,coatswithanouterwater-

proofedsurfacebeneaththat,meantthatwhatcouldhavebeenamiserablesituationwasmerelyinteresting.Providedthatonecouldmanagesomehowtoseepastthegloom,thiswasatrulyuniqueforest.

Morewaterproofedsheetswhichwouldlaterserveassheltersfortheirthreetentscoveredthesevenpackscarriedbythepackmules.Thismeantthattheirsuppliesandbelongingsweredryandwouldstaydry;nosmallconsiderationwhen,attheendoftheday,theyweregoingtobeabletocampdry.

Toomuchwaterwas,inthelongrun,betterthantoolittle.Thiscouldhavebeenahuntinthedesert,andevenKyrtianwasnotentirelysurethatmagicwouldbeenoughtoensurewaterforeveryone.Grelsweretheonlyoptioninthedesertfortransportation,butneitherhenoranyoneonhisestateknewanythingaboutgrels.Theirmainproblemhereandtosomeextent,inthecaveswouldbetopreventgettingwetandcoldwithnowaytogetwarmanddryagain.

Gamewascertainlyavailable,ifnotpreciselyplentiful.Onewouldexpectlargegamehere,andyettheonlyanimalsthatmadeanappearanceweresmallgame.Well,theadvantageoftravelingwithforesterswasthattheydidn'tscornsmallgameinafutilesearchforsomethinglarger.Thefourforestersquicklytradedtheirheavierbowsandarrowsforhandcross-bows,andtookcarefulshotswithouteverseemingtoaim.Onebyone,plump



littlebodiesaccumulated,tiedtothecantlesandpommelsofsaddles.

Therainneverstopped.Itletup,fromtimetotime,decreasingtoameredrizzle,whichpercolateddownthroughthetreesanddrippedfromeverylimb,everyneedle.Then,whentherainresumed,itobscuredeverythinginthedistance,farornear,reducingvisibilitytoafewhorse-lengthsaheadoftheleadrider.

WhichwasnotKyrtian.

Heknewverywellthathewasnotaforester.Thatwaswhyherodeinthedeadmiddleofthestring,withLynderinfrontofhimandHobiebehind,twooftheyoungforestersaheadandtwobehind.Itsurprisedhim,alittle,thatanentiretrainoffourteenanimalscouldmakesolittlenoise,butthetrackthattheyfollowed,whichledinthegeneraldirectionofapurportedcave-entrance,wasankle-deepinal

ayerofpineneedles.Theyproceededatanamblingwalk,andnotjusttosavethehorses.

Upattheheadofthestring,Noetrodewithhisheadslightlycocked,listening.Behindhim,Shalvanconcentratedonpeeringthroughthemistandrain.Attherearofthetrain,HaleanandRessosharedthesameduties.

Beyondtheomnipresentsoundsofrainploppingontotheircapes,intotheneedle-bed,tricklingdowntrunks,anddrippingontoleaves,therewereothersoundsoflifethatKyrtiantooktobegoodsignsthatnothingelse



wasstalkingthem.Oncethecrowsgotusedtotheirpresence,thebirdsstoppedmakingalarm-callsandwentbacktotheircrow-businesswithonlyanoccasionalappearanceasiftotakenoteoftheirprogress.Unexpectedshowersofdropletsheraldedthepassageofsmallbirdsthroughthebranches,andlittlerustlesbetrayedthepassageofthoseplumplittlesquirrelsandrabbits.

Bymid-afternoon,Kyrtianknewhismenwerelookingforaplacetostopandmakecampforthenight.Alreadytherewasachangeinthequalityoflightunderthesetrees,andhisnerveswerejustatrifleonedge.Hedidn'tknowwhy,justthattherewassomething...odd....

Noetheldupahand,andtheentirecavalcadestopped.NowKyrtianknewwhathadhimonedgetheabsoluteabsenceofanysoundotherthanthedrippingofwater.Eventhecrowsweregone.

"Idon'tlikethis,"Noetsaid,inalowvoice,butonethatcarriedeasilyinthesilence."Thehorsesandmuleshaven'tnoticedanything,but"

"Butmaybethat'sthepoint,ifthisisahunter,"Ressoreplied."Ifitworksbyambushandstealth."

"Shouldweturnback?"Kyrtianasked.

"Yesbutslowlyandcarefully.Justturnyourhorsesandmulesinplace,people.ShalvanandIwillbecomerear-guard.

We'llstopbackatthatstreamwecrossed,andtryfollowingitforawhile."

"Withanyluck,it'llleadustothecavesanyway,"Hobieopined.

Onebyone,theyturnedtheirhorsesanddrewthemulesbehindthem,therearmostfirst.ShalvanandNoetalreadyhadtheirheavybowsoutwitharrowsnockedtothestrings.AndasforKyrtian



Hisfingerstingledwithpower.Atanymoment,hecould,andwould,launchalevin-boltintowhatevermightemerge.

"It'soutthere,allright,"Shalvansaidgrimly,asNoetturnedhishorseandmule."It'supthetrailofftooneside,inthebushes.Everysooftenthebushshakes,andfromthemovement,I'dsaythatit'saboutthesizeofahaywain.It'snotmovingmuch,though.Idon'tknowifthat'sbecauseit'snotcertainofus,orifit'sterritorial."

HeturnedhishorseasNoetstoodguardandtheymovedatthesameleisurelypacethey'dmaintainedallalong,backupthewaytheyhadcome.ThebackofKyrtian'sneckprickled.Whatwouldwhateveritwasthinkofitspreymovingawayfromit?

"Uh-oh"ThatwasResso,nowinthelead,andthehaironKyrtian'sheadliterallystoodstraightup.Pacingdeliberatelytowardsthemwasnotoneanentireherdofalicorns.Theirredeyesflashed,andtheblackstallionintheleadtossedhisheadwithitswicked,slightlycurved,spiralhorn.

"Don'tmove,"Haleansaidinastrangledvoice.

Kyrtianhadnointentionofmoving.Onealicornwasdangerous;whatwasaherd?Theyweretrapped,betweenaveryvisiblemenaceaninvisibleone.

Thealicornstallionsnortedandmovedtowardsthem.Kyrtianwonderedwhatwasgoingoninthosenarrowheads.Shouldheflingalevin-boltatthem?Butifhedid,whatwouldthethingbehindthemdo?Andwouldn'ttheirhorsesspookifhedid?Noneofthemwerewar-trained



Noneofthemarewar-trained.Muleswillrununtilthere'snopursuit.Themulesaretetheredtothehorsesandviceversa.

"Giveyourhorsesfreerein,andhangon,"Kyrtianordered,feelingthatsenseofpresenceanddangerathisbackincreasing,justalittle."Andduckyourheadsonthecountofthree."

Thealicorn-stallionpawedthegroundandbareditsfangs.

"One.Two.Three!"

Onthecountofthree,Kyrtianfiredakindoflevin-boltstraightupovertheir

heads.Itexplodedinablindingflashandaviolentboomthatactuallyshatteredthenearbylimbsoftrees.Thehorses,asKyrtianhadhoped,boltedandsodidthealicorns.

Thehorsesshotforwardinthedirectiontheyhadbeenfacing,alongthegametrail.Thealicorns,foeandpreyforgotten,scatteredinalldirections,someoffintothewoodstoeithersideofthetrail,someturningandfleeing,andthree,followingthestallion,charginghead-downtowardsthem.Atthelastmoment,thealicornsveereda

littletotheleft,andthehystericalhorsestotheright.

Kyrtianhungontohismountwitheverybitofstrengththatarmsandlegspossessed,duckinglowalongitsnecktokeepfrombeingknockedoutofhissaddlebylow-hangingboughs.Hoovesthunderedallaroundhim;evenifthehorsesweren'tstickingtothegame-trail,theywereatleaststayingtogether.Behindhimheheardaroar,andthebattle-screamofanal-icorn,butwhateverwasgoingonwouldhavetoremainamystery.

Hisheartraced,hishandsandlegsached,andheclenchedhisteeth;hecouldn'tseewhatwashappeningorwheretheyweregoing.Hismount'smanelashedhisfaceuntilhiseyeswatered.

Then,soonerthanhe'dthought,hefeltthehorsebeginningtoslow,feltaweighttuggingatthelead-rein



fastenedtothesaddle.Thehorsedidn'tlikeit;hetriedtosurgeforward.Themulewasn'thavingany.

Gradually,themulewon.Theheadlonggallopslowedtoacanter,atrot,andfinally,thehorse'ssidesheavingandsweatpouringfromhisneckandshoulders,awalk.Kyrtiantookuptheslackinthereinsandbroughthismounttoastop,andlookedaround.

Therainhadslackenedagain,andthroughthemizzle,hecountedhismenscatteredamongthetreesandquicklycameupwiththerightnumberofridersandpackmules.

"Ancestors!"hebreathed,inprofoundestrelief.Themensaidnothing;theysimplyguidedtheirwearybeastsbacktowardshimuntilonceagaintheyformedacoherentgroup.

"Everyoneallright?"heasked,astheirhorsesstoodwithheadshanging,andflanksa-foamwithsweat.Onlythemuleslookedunperturbed.

"I'vebeenworse,"repliedNoetlaconically."Gonnakillwhoeverdesignedthissaddlewithapommelrightwhereitdon'tbelong,though."

Noetdidlookalittlepale,andinacertainamountofpain.Kyrtianwinced,andhastilychangedthesubject."Doesanyoneknowwhereweare?"



"Weboltedinthegeneraldirectionofwherewewantedtogo,"reportedShalvan."Sothestreamshouldstillbethatway"hepointedwithhischin,ratherthanhishand."Wemightaswellgetonwithit,thehorsesaren'tgoingtobethebetterforstandinginthecoldandrain,andthey'regoingtoneedwaterafterthis."

Onceagaintheyformedup,butthistimenotinsinglefilesincetheyweren'tfollowingatrail;HaleanrodeontherightflankandRessoontheleft.And,nottoomuchlater,theycametothestream,muchtoeveryone'srelief.

Therewasn'tmuchtimebeforenightfall,andwiththeovercastskiesandtheforestallaround,darknesswouldcomesoon.Theyquicklymadecamp,withKyrtiantendingtothefire-makingchores.Theypitchedtheirthree

tentsinatriangle,withthefireinthecenter.OncethetentswerepitchedandRessotookupthecooking,therestgatheredmorefirewoodwhileKyrtianranacircleofmage-lightsaroundthetentstostandbetweenthemandwhateverwasinthewoodsoracrossthestream.Asfirewoodwasbroughtin,hestackeditnearenoughtothefirethatitstoodadecentchanceofdryingoutsomebeforeitwasused.

Thelastthinghedidwastorunastringhungwithsmallbellsaroundthetrunksoftreesbeyondtheglowofthemagelightataboutankle-height.Anythingthatbrushedagainstthatstringwould

setthebellsjingling.

"Doyouthinkweneedtoworryaboutsomethingcominginfromabove?"heaskedNoet,withafrownofconcern.

Noetglancedup."Notthroughbranchesthatthick,"hereplied."Iwouldn'tthink,anyway."

Darkness,asKyrtianhadanticipated,camequickly.Theytetheredthehorsesandtetheredthemulestothehorseswithinthecircleofmagelight.Therainactuallystoppedoncedarknessfell,andastheygatheredaroundtheirfire,Kyrtianfelttheirmutualfearofwhatlurkedoutsidethatmagiccircledrawingthemalltogetherdespiterankandrace.



Ressohadmanagedtogrilltheday'scatchtastily,withaminimumofburning,skeweredontwigsoverthefire.Withthatandjourney-cake,andsweetwaterfromthestreamattheirbacks,theymadeasatisfyingmeal.Theyhadthrownthebonesintothefireandwerereadytodividethenightintowatches,whenavoicefromthedarknesssalutedthem.

"Hellothecamp!"

Kyrtianknewthatvoice,andhadbeenhopingtohearit.Hestoodupeagerlyandwavedinthedirectionfromwhichithadcome.TheElvenbanewalkedcalmlyintothemagelightcirclewithouttrippingoverthelineofbells.

"Wellmet,LordKyrtian!Goodidea,thosebells,"sheremarkedcheerfully,asshejoinedthembesidethefireandofferedKyrtianherhand.Todayshewaswearingapairofbreechesandatunicofsomethingglitteringandblue,coveredwithjewel-likescales,awicked-lookingknifestrappedoverit.Herabundantauburnhairhadbeenboundbackatthenapeofherneckinasevereknot.

Themenwerestaringatthisunexpectedvisitorwiththeirmouthsdroppingwideopen.

"Gentlemen,"Kyrtiansaidsolemnly,firmlyrepressingtheurgetolaughatthemasheacceptedLashana'shand."MayIpresenttoyouLashana?AlsoknownastheElvenbane"

Ifhehadsetoffanotherofthoseexplosivelevin-boltsintheirmidsthecouldn'thavegottenamoreinterestingreaction.



Noetpracticallychoked,HobieandShalvanletoutinvoluntarywhoopsofsurprise,RessoleapttohisfeetwearinganexpressionofsuchuttershockthatKyrtianwouldnothavebeensurprisedtoseehimfaintdeadawayinthenextmoment.OnlyLyndermanagedtoretainhiscomposure.Hegottohisfeet,gatheredhisyoungdignityabouthim,andtookthehandthatKyrtianrelinquished.

"Mylady,thisisanhonor,andaprivilege,"hereplied,bowingoverthehandbeforereleasingit.

"Ohpish,"shesaid,blushingalittle,butclearlypleased."Didn'tLordKyrtiantellyouthatI'dbeinterceptingyououthere?"

"LordKyrtiandidn'tknowyouwould,heonlyhopedyouwould,"Kyrtianrepliedforhimself."Won'tyoujoinus?"

Howshehadgottenthere,howlongshehadbeenoutinthewoodswatchingthem,hedidn'tknow.And,truthtotell,itdidn'tmatter.AshismentooktheirseatsagainandLashanasettledeasilyamongthem,itwasveryclearwhythisyoungladywizardhadbecomealeader.Shedrewalleyestowardsherinawaythathadnothingtodowithherlooksorhersex.

"Well,here'swhatIcantellyou,"shebegan."WetheWizardshavegotwatchersonyourestate,myLord,andthatofLadyMorthena.Ifanythingshouldthreatenthem,we'llknow,andwe'llbeabletoevacuateasmanyorasfewpeopleneedtobegottenout."Shedimpled."AndmayIsay,thatisquiteacelebrationyourpeopleareputtingon!I'dliketoaskyourmotherifshewouldorganizeoneforus,someday,whenthingsaremorestable."

Kyrtianfeltagreatweightliftfromhisshoulders,butLashana'snextwordsmadehimtenseagain."AcertainLadyTriana"shearchedherbrowathim,andhenoddedgrimlyhisacknowledgementthatheknewtheLady,"paidanother,veryshortvisittoLadyMorthenaafteryouleft.SheclaimedthatshewishedtoconsultLadyMorthena'sfavoritelibrary,andindeed,sheleftagainwithinafewhours.Shearrivedanddepartedby



meansofatemporaryGatesetupjustoutsidetheLady'sestate.Idon'tsupposeyoucancastanylightonwhatshewaslookingfor?"

Kyrtianshookhisheadreluctantly."Ihaven'taclue.ButknowingTriana,itcan'tbeforanyone'sgoodbutherown."

Lashanasnorted."Believeme,Iknow.I'vehadsomeexperienceoftheLadymyself."

"Mycondolences."Thatresponsestartledasmilefromher.

"Thearmyminusyourcontributionoftroopshasmovednearertothetrade-cityofPrethon,whereit'seasiertosupply.I'massumingthatintheabsenceofanactualplacetoputthemperma

nently,that'swherethey'llstay,campedjustoutsidethecitywalls."Lashana'sgreeneyestwinkled."Whichis,ofcourse,preciselywherewe'dlikethem,asfarfromournewCitadelaspossible,whichwaswhywesuggestedthisplaceasthelocationoftheimaginaryWizards.Eveniftheydecidedyouweren'tmovingfastenoughforthem,thisismiserablecountrytotryanddoanyhuntingofinvisiblepeoplein,andtheplaceisabsolutelyhollowwithcaves.Youcouldspendacenturytryingtohuntthroughthemall!"

"ActuallyIwantedtoaskyouaboutthat,Lashana,"Kyrtiansaidhesitantly."Doyouhavethetimetohearsomehistory?"

Whenshenodded,helaunchedintothestoryashehadpuzzleditoutoftheAncestors'arrivalinthisworld,andfolloweditwiththemorepersonaltaleofhisfather'sowninterestinthatarrivalandthethingsthatmight



havebeenleftbehind."SothelastplacewherehewasdoingresearchbeforehedisappearedwasLadyMoth'slibraryandthatwaswhereIfoundsomepersonaljournalsthatgavedescriptionsthatsoundedlikethisarea"Hewavedhishandatthedrippingforestbeyondthecamp."Youmustadmitthatit'sprettydistinctive.AndtheveryfewpassagesthatdescribedtheCrossingmademethinkthattheAncestorsmighthavecomeoutintoacave,andnotabovegroundaseveryonehasalwaysassumed.ThenwhenwestagedatLordCheynar's,"heconcludedtriumphantly,"LordCheynaradmittedthatmyfatherhadgoneoffintotheseforests,andthathewasprobablythelastElvenlordtoseemyfatheralive!"

Lashanapursedherlipsthoughtfully."Thatthat'sinteresting.Youknow,IdiscoveredthatWizards,atleast,canusegem-stonestohelpconcentrateandamplifytheirpowers.Idon'tknowifthey'llworkforElvenlordsthatway,butitstandstoreasonthatifourpowerscanbeamplifiedbysomething,socanyours."

"Ican'tseeanyotherwaythattheAncestorscouldhavebuiltthethingsthattheydid,"headmitted.Shetiltedherheadtotheside.

"It'saverygoodthingthatItrustyou,LordKyrtian,"shesaidinameasuredtone."OtherwiseIdon'tthinkIcouldallowyoutoleavethesewoodsalive."

Lynderleapttohisfeet,hishandonhisdagger-hilt,andtheothersweren'tfarbehind.Lashanaappearedunconcerned.

Andsheprobablyhasgoodreasontobe.She'dbeafooltohavecomeherealone,andnomatterwhattheElvenbaneis,noonehaseversuspectedherofbeingafool.

"Sitdown,allofyou,"hesaidmildly."Don'tyourealizewhatahorriblemenacewouldbeletlooseintheworldifsomeonelikeAelmarkingothishandsonawaytomakehimselfasstrongasLordKyndreth?She'sonlyspeakingsense."

Shemadealittlegestureofthanksinhisdirection."Now,there'soneotherthingI'dliketoshowyou,



somethingmypeoplewillshortlybehandingouttoMoth'sandyours,amongothers,thendistributingcovertlyamongthefield-slaves."Sheheldoutalittleobject,shapedratherlikeanopenclamshell,ofadullgreymetal.Hestartedtoreachforit,andshehastilypulleditback.

"Don'ttouchit,LordKyrtian!"shewarned."Atleast,notwithyourbarehand!That'swhatyoucallDeathMetalforgediron."

Hehastilydrewbackhisfingers.He'dtouchedunprotectedsteelbefore,intheshapeofoneoftheironcollarsthatMoth'sownslavesworeundertheirpseudo-slavecollars,andithadburnedhimlikeacid.Hewasinnohurrytorepeattheexperience.

"Ibroughtanactiveslave-collarwithmetoshowyouwhatitdoes,"shecontinued."Watchwithyourmagic-

senses."Shetookoutaleatherslave-collarsetwithacloudyberyl,whichwas,indeed,active.Shefittedthebackhalfoftheclamshelldevicebehindtheberyl,thensnappedthetophalfoverit,andnippedacatchtosqueezeitclosedandlockit.

TheElfstonewentdeadtohissenses.Helookedatherhand,withthedull-greyobjectlockedaroundwhathadbeenanactivedeviceforthecompletecontrolofaslave,dumbfounded.Thenhelookedupintoherknowingeyes.

"Ancestors"hebreathed."You'vedoneit.You'vefoundawaysnaponeofthoseoveracollar-stone,andyoucancutthecollarrightoffwithouthurtingtheslave!"



"Orleavethecollaron,itwon'tmatter,andanymagicthatanoverseerflingsatafleeingslavewillsimplymisfire,"shepointedout,barelyconcealingherglee."Wehavetheiron,wehavethecraftsmen,andwehavethewaystogettheseintothehandsoftheslaves.Withinmonths,yourYoungLordsandmyWizardswillbethelastthingsthattheGreatLordswillbeworryingabout!"

"Slaverevolts"murmuredShalvan,wonderingly.

"Allovertheestates,"Lashanaagreed."WhichiswhyI'mherewithyou.Everymomentoftimethatyoucanbuyuswithyourwizard-huntingwillenableustomakethatmanymoreofthesedevices,andbringthemomentoffreedomforallhumansthatmuchcloser."

"Atwhichpoint,mylord,"Lynderpointedoutdiffidently,"Ourpeoplewillalso

betheverylastthingthattheGreatLordswillbeworryingabout."

"Exceptthatifyouandyourscanpullthisoff,Lashana"hebaredhisteethinaferalgrin,therecollectionofthestorieshe'dheardfromthemistreatedslavesshelteringwithMothfreshinhismind"youmayconsidermyestatetobethetraininggroundforanewhumanarmy!"

Heheldouthishand;sheclaspeditjoyfully,ashismenmadethesoundsofsubduedcheeringevennow,theydidn'twanttoarousetheattentionofthingsthatmightbeoutthereinthedarkness.

"LordKyrtian"sheseemedtobesearchingforwords,thengaveupaltogether,andjustshookherhead,herfaceradiantwithsmiles."Thankyouseemsinadequate."

"It'searlydaysyet,"hewarned,asthemensettleddown,althoughhecouldnothelpbutfeelalittleintoxicatedwiththeheadyintellectualwineshehadjustpouredforhim."We'vealongwaytogo."

"Sowehave."Shesoberedaswell,andstartedtostowtheirondeviceandthecollarinherbelt-pouch,thenevidentlythoughtbetterofitandhandedittoLynder."Here.Ifyou'vegotcra



ftersandasourceofDeathMetal,youmightwanttostartduplicatingtheseyourself."

Lyndernodded,andstowedthedeviceaway.

"NowaboutthecavesandyourfatherIthinkImightbeabletohelpnarrowyoursearchalittle.Yousee,I'verunthesehillsmyself."Lashanathenbeganataleofherown,aboutthetimewhenshe,amerechildthenandnotyettheElvenbane,hadrescuedabandofhumanchildrenwithhumanmagicwhoweregoingtobeculledbyLordTreves'soverseer.

LordTreveswouldthatbeLadyViridina'sLord?Moth'sfriend?Whatanoddcoincidence!

Lashanahadhelpedthemescapeandfleeintotheseveryhillsand,byanotheroddcoincidence,hadrunintotheinfamousyoungLordValyn,fleeingwithhiswizardlinghalf-brotherandlookingforWizardstoprotectthemboth.

Thestorywasanabsorbingone,andLashanatolditwell.Hecouldseeinhismind'seyethehuddleoffrightenedchildren,thedrenchedandmiserableyoungValynandtheequallymiserableMero.Shedescribedthestrangemonsterstheyhadencountered,oneofwhichsoundedeerilyfamiliar.

"Ithinkwenearlyranintooneofthoseinvisiblelurkingthingsbackthere,"Noetsaidthoughtfully,anddescribedbeingtrappedbetweenitandthealicornherd,andhowKyrtianhadsolvedthesituation.

"Whichiswhyhe'sthegeneral,andwearen't,"Lynderputin,asLashanashookherheadinamazedadmiration.



"Thatcertainlysoundslikeoneofthemwell,asyoumovedeeperintothehills,moreorlessinthatdirection"shepointed"anddon'tworry,wecanguideyoutomorrowthewierdlingsgetthicker,andodder.Now,supposethatthisPortalofyoursisn'tentirelyclosed?I'veheardfromSheyrenaandLorrynthatyourAncestorsleftaprettynastyplacetocomehere...."Shelookedathimwithspeculation.

Henodded."IfthePortalisn'tquiteclosedandshutdown,yes,thingscouldslipover,whenenoughresidualpowerbuiltuptoletthePortalopenforamoment.Andwhatcameoverwouldbeveryunpleasant."

"Andtheareanearestwheretheywerecomingthrough?"sheprompted.

"WouldbetheplacenearestthePortal,ofcourse."Hefeltanotherburstofelationbutthenworry."Thatwouldmakeitthatmuchmoredangerous.I'mnotsureIshouldaskyoufellowstoshareinsomethinglikethisit'sprettycertainthatFatherisdead"

There.He'dsaidit.Itcouldn'tbeunsaid.

"solookingforwhatbecameofhimisreallyonlymyconcern"

"Balderdash!Beggingyourpardon,myLord,"Lynderexclaimed."Yourfather,andhisfather,andhisfatherbeforehim,aretheonesthatallowedustogrowupinfreedom.It'sasmuchourconcernasyours."

"Andmypeoplehavewaysofdealingwithmostofthesecreatures,orgettingyouaroundthem,"Lashana

added."We'vebothgotmagic,youknow,andmine'senoughdifferentfromyoursthatthey'llcombinewell.I'dbepleasedtohelpyouout,here."

"It'ssettled,then,"Shalvansaid,astherestofhismennodded.



Onceagain,Kyrtianfeltasurgeofemotionspride,gratitude,atouchofembarrassment.Butmostofall,thewarmthofknowingthattheywouldsupporthim,andtheyknewthathewouldsupportthem,throughanything.Andadifferentkindofwarmth,ofdiscoveringanunexpectedfriendandcomradeinthewomancalledtheElvenbane,whowassoverydifferent,andsoverymuchmore,thanhehadeverimaginedhertobe.

"Theninthemorning?"hemadeitaquestion.Shelaughedandstoodup.

"Inthemorningyoucanexpectmeandafriend,"shepromised."Anduntilthen,sleepwell.Anddon'tworry,you'rebeingguarded.Sogetagoodnight'ssleep."

Andwiththat,shewalkedoffintothedarkness.

Andmanaged,again,nottotripoverthebells.

"MyLord,"saidShalvan,lookingafterherwithundisguisedadmiration,"beggingyourpardonmyself,butthatisonefinewoman.Nottomytaste,"headdedhastily,"butonefinewoman."

"Yessheis,"Kyrtianagreed."Andnottomytaste,either!ButIhopeshefindsamanwhodeservesher,

assumingthat'swhatshewants!IwillmakenoassumptionsaboutanythingtheElvenbanemightwant!"



hewasdull,thatdidn'tmeanhewasn'tcapableofkeepingsomethingstohimself.

Trianahadherownideasofwhatelsemightbegoingon,whenaquickcheckwithLordKyndrethconfirmedthatKyrtianwasplanningonanewexpeditionatthebehestoftheCouncil.Whathadn'tmadeanysensewaswhyhewouldhavebeeninterestedinthecavesbeneaththosehillsbeforethatsecondbatchofWizardsmadeanappearance.Becausehehadbeensheknewit,becausesheknewsomeofthequestionshe'dbeenasking,andsomeofthemapsandbookshe'dbeenrequesting,beforethetwomind-addledcaptiveshadappearedinLordCheynar'sforest.

Ithadn'tmadeanysense,thatis,untilshevisitedMorthenaagain,determinedwhathe'dbeendoingthereinthefirstplace,andferretedoutjustwhatbookshe'dbeenlookingat.Thetwoslaveswhohadbeenhelpinghimwerenochallengetoher;withinmoments,shehadthemeagerlypullingvolumesd

ownforherperusal.

Nowsheknew.Andshewas,perhaps,betterthananyotherElvenlord,equippedtofigureoutwhatKyrtian'sulteriormotiveswere.TherewereherownfamilialtraditionsoftheCrossing,andjournalsshehadidlyleafedthroughinmomentsofboredom.PuttingKyrtian'ssuddenfascinationwiththejournalsinMorthena'slibrary



togetherwithhisfather'slifelongobsessionwithfindingtheGate,andsheknew,sheknew,thatheexpectedtofind,atlonglast,sometraceofhisfather.

Butasimportant,givenLordKyrtian'snew-foundimportanceasamilitaryleadertotheGreatLords,weretheweaponssupposedlyleftbehindasuseless.Withthoseweapons,LordKyrtianwouldnotneedanarmytoimposethewilloftheGreatLords.Withthoseweapons,hecouldbecomeaGreatLordhimself.Perhapsmorethanthat.Perhapstheirfirstking?

Perhaps.Thatdullexteriormightconcealagreatdealofambition.

Unlesssomeoneelsegotthereatthesametime.SomeonewhocouldbringaccurateinformationbacktosayLordKyndreth.

Orsomeonewhocouldusethatinformationforherself.

Trianalikedtokeepherplansfluid.WhichwaswhyherslaveswereputtingtogetherthegearthatsheandtwomaleslavesmenwhoknewhowtohuntandtrackwouldtakethroughthenearestGateandontothethrice-bedamnedrain-soakedforestthatLordCheynar'sestatebordered.

LordCheynardidnotapproveofTriana.Nomatter.Shedidn'tneedhisapproval,andshedidn'tneedhishelp.Shedidn'tevenneedtogetontohislands;shehadonlytojourneytohisestateandfollowthefencesandwallsaroundit,enteringtheforestwhereshepleased.HermenweregoodenoughtofindKyrtian'strackandfollowit.

Evenifthatmeantshedidhavetocampinawretchedforestintheconstantrai

n.JustbecauseTrianalovedhercomforts,thatdidn'tmeanshewasn'tperfectlypreparedtosacrificethemwithouthesitationfortherightincentive.

Withouthesitation.



Notwithoutcomplaint.Shekickedsavagelyathertrain.

Aelmarkinbroodedovertheinjusticeoftheworldfromthecomfortofafavoritelounge,staringatadelicatestonesculptureofadancerasifithadoffendedhimpersonally.

Aelmarkindidnottrusthiscousin.Therewasmore,muchmore,tothisbusinessofpursuingstupidWizardsinahalf-inaccessibleforestthanappearedonthesurface.Kyrtianmightbedull,hemightbeobsessive,buthewasn'tstupid.

Aelmarkintracedacircleintheupholsterywithhisfingernail.KyrtianwasnotgoingonwhatAelmarkinwouldconsidera"militaryexpedition."Hewasn'ttakinganyotherElvenlordswithhim,norwashetakingaverylargeparty.Infact,hewasn'ttakinganyslavesotherthanthosefromhisownhouseh

old;eitherhewasridiculouslysureofhimself,or...

...orhethoughttherewassomethinginthatforestthathecoulduseforhimself.Whatcoulditbe?

Therehadtobesomething.Therewasnoreasontotakethatsortofrisk,unlesstherewasapowerfulreasonforit.SomethingtodowiththeWizardsthemselves?Aelmarkinhadn'theardanything

thatmadethemsound



differentfromtheonesthathadalreadybeendrivenoutintothewilderness.Quitetothecontrary,infact,itseemedverymuchasiftheywerefewer.

Except...

ExceptthattheyalsohadthatcuriousabilitytonullifymagicthattheYoungLordshadsomehowacquired!

Aelmarkinslappedthearmofhisloungewithafeelingofangrytriumph.Ofcoursethatwasit!Sofar,noonehadmanagedtocatchanyoftheringleaders,sonooneknewjustwhatthetrickwasbutifKyrtiancouldcaptureaWizardandgettheanswerthatway,he'dbeinapositiontodemand,andget,anythinghewantedfromtheCouncil,includingaCouncilseateveniftherewerenovacancies!

AndifthathappenedAelmarkin'schancesofgettingtheestatedroppedtolessthanzero.Foralltheirbickering,noCouncilmemberhadeverbeenknowntobackamovetooustanotherCouncilmemberfromhislands,position,orseat,andnotjustbecauseit"wasn'tdone."Theyguardedtheirprimacyjealously,andwhenanoutsiderthreatenedone,hethreatenedall,andtheyclosedranksagainsthim.

Foramoment,Aelmarkindespaired,andbeganpoundingthearmofhisloungewithfrustratedfury.Hebroketheunderlyingwoodenframewithacrack,buthisangerdidn'teaseuntilthearmoftheloungesagged,itsstructurereducedtofragments.

Finallyhistemperworeout,andhewasabletothinkclearly.Helefthisstudyandwentoutintohisgardenstocontinuethinking.Theskywasovercast,butthepalloverhisspiritwasdarkerthanthegreysky.

Hehadtothink...ashepaced,hisfeetmakingnonoiseonthevelvetysodofthepaths,heignoredthemurmuroffountainsandartificialwaterfallshepassed.

First,thisallmightcometonothing,buthedidn'tdaretotakethatchance.Kyrtianwastoogoodatfindingwhat



hewantedtofind.Persistentobstinatelypersistent.

Second,itwasjustbarelypossiblethatKyrtianwouldfail;eitherhewouldn'tfindawizardorhewouldn'tbeabletotakeonecaptive.Aelmarkinthoughtsourlythatthiswasnotsomethingheshouldcounton;Kyrtian'sluckhadbeendisgustinglygood.Persistenceandgoodluck.Itwasdamnablyunfair.

Third-Third...

Ithithim,blindingasarayofsunlancingthroughtheclouds.Hehadn'teverexpectedduplicityoutofKyrtianbuthehadn'texpectedbrilliance,either.Whatifallofthiswasadouble-game?

WhatifKyrtianplanned,nottocaptureaWizard,buttotreatwiththem?Whatifheintendedtoallywiththem?

Ridiculousthought,ofcoursebutitstoppedhiminhistracks.Bothbecauseoftheaudacityofit,andthepossibilitiesthemereideaopenedup.

IftheGreatLordsthoughtthatwaswhatKyrtianhadinmind,theirsupportofhimwouldnotonlycollapse,

they'dturnonhim.Rightlyso,ofcourse;treasondidn'tevenbegintocoverit.

Well,therewasonlyonewaytofindout,andthatwastofollowKyrtianhimself.EvenifKyrtiandidn'tmeantreason,perhapstheappearanceoftreasoncouldbemanufactured.

Forthefirsttimeinmanydays,Aelmarkin'sspiritsrose.



Heevenlaughedoutloudatthethought,hismindworkingbusily.Thefirstthing,ofcourse,wouldbetofollowKyrtianandseeif,againstallprobability,Kyrtianreallywasatraitor.Itwouldbebestnottohavetomanufactureanythingoutofwholecloth.Ifhecouldfindeventheappearanceofduplicity,hecouldbuildonthat.This,ofcourse,meantthathecouldnottrustthistoanyoneelse.

LeastofallLadyTriana.

Hecurledhislipincontempt,tryingtoimagineLadyTrianaactuallyexertingherselfenoughtofollowKyrtianasfarasCheynar's,muchlessentrustherselftotheprivationsofroughcamping.Shecouldn'tbebotheredtovisitherowngardenswithoutadozenslaves,apavilionandcushions.

Nomatter.Thiswasn'tsomethingtobesharedwithanyone.Andthesayingwas,a

fterall,thatifyouwantedtobesureofsomething,youhadbetterseetoityourself.

Besides,therewasonelastpossibility,onethathedoubtedevenTriana,asruthlessasshewas,wouldthinkof.Hecouldarrangealittle"accident"tobefallKyrtian,especiallyifhehadleftthatbodyguardofhisbehind.

Ohyes.Nowhehadit.Kyrtianwouldnotleavethatforestashehadenteredit.

Whenhecameout,itwouldeitherbeasaprisoner,orinashroud.

Forthefirsttimethatday,hesmiled,andtheslavewalkingpatientlyandinvisiblybehindhimtosupplywhateverthemasterneededshudderedatthesightofthatsmile.

CaellachGwainpacedtheunevenstonefloorofhismiserableexcuseforaroom,browfurrowed,abankedfire

ofangerinhisgutthathadn'tdiminishedintheleastinthetimesincethatwretchedgirlhaddebatedhiminfrontoftheentirepopulationoftheCitadel.Howhadhelethimselfgetdrawnintothat?Adisaster,atotaldisaster;andhestillcouldn'tseewhereithadallgonesohorriblywrong.He'donlytoldeveryoneexactlythetruth!



Atthetime,ithadseemedlikeastrokeofthepurestluck;thebrathadnoexperienceatmakingspeeches,andshedidn'tknowhowtoexudetheconfidentauthoritythathecertainlycould.Andoverandaboveallofthat,hehadbeentheoneintheright!Miserablecreature!Howhadshemanagedit?How,whenhehadspokennothingthatwasnottrue,hadshemanagedtoturnvirtuallyeveryoneintheCitadelagainsthim?Bythetimeherealizedthateverywordhespokewasturningmorepeopleawayfromhim,ithadbeentoolate.

Hekickedashoeoutofhispathwithasavagewishthatitwastherearendofoneofhisso-called"friends"whohaddesertedhimlikethecowardsthattheywere.Asaconsequenceofthatdebate,hehadbeenleftutterly,completelywithoutservants.Noonewouldliftafingertosomuchaskeephimfromtrippingoveranobstacle.

Eventhehumans,eventhehumanchildren,ignoredanycommandhegavethem.Ifhewantedtoeat,rather

thanenjoyingamealinquietdignityinhisroomalone,hehadtotrudgeuptothecavernusedasacommondininghall,sitdownatoneofthecommonbencheswhereverhecouldfindaplace,andservehimselffromacommonpot.Therecouldnotpossiblybeanythingmoredegradingthanthataregularpunishment,thricedaily.Howhehatedit!Hedidn'tknowwhatwasworse;havingtostarvehimselfuntilthelastmomentandcontenthimselfwithwhatevertheresthadlefthimsothathecouldsitatabenchalone,orbravingthecrowdtogetsomethingedible,buthavingtobearthesnickersandthewaypeopleostentatiouslyspreadthemselvesoutsoastoleavenoroomattheirtablesforhim.Atleasttheywerestillpermitt

inghimtoeat.TherewereagrowingnumberofloudremarkseverytimeheappearedthatthereshouldbearuleinthenewCitadelabouthavingtodosomeworkifyouwantedtoeat.

Ingrates!He'dshowthem!Iftheyforbadehimmeals,he'dgobacktotheoldways,andstealhisownfoodbymagicfromtheElvenlords'stores,andtotheNetherworldwithLashana'sstupidtreaty!Thatwouldshowthem!



Atleasthe'dhavesomethingdecentthen;realcheese,realbread,hamandsausage.Hah.Ifheevenfilchedfoodfromthekitchens,hecouldhaveanythingheliked!

Hethoughtsourlyofhislastmeal;harshly-flavoredgoat-cheese,stringymuttonandnotmuchofit,somenastymessofwildgreens,andbreadmadewithcoarsely-groundflour,heavyanddark.Iftheywantedhim"punished,"diequalityofthefoodaroundherewaspunishmentenough.HowhelongedforthegoodthingsfilchedfromtheElvenlords,thedelicately-smokedmeats,thefinecheeses,sweetbutterandclottedcream,thecakesmadewithproperflourandsweetenedwithwhitesugar!Hismouthwateredatthemerethoughtofthem.

Heglaredatthefireinhis"fireplace"fortunatelyforhim,hehadsecuredthisroombeforehiscurrent

disgrace,soatleastithadafireplace:Ifyouwantedtocallamerealcoveintherockwallwithanopen-toppedshaftpuncheduptothesurfacewithdraconicrock-magica"fireplace."Whenitrainedupabove,waterdrippeddownintothefire,andwhenthewindblewwrong,itdrovethesmokebackdownintohisroom.Rightnowitwasraining,anddropssizzledandspatintheflames,threateningtoputthemout.Ifhewantedafire,henowhadtogatherthewoodhimself,andifhedidn'twanttheplagueythingcloggedwithash,hehadtosweepitoutanddisposeoftheasheshimself.

Atleasthewasputtingsomethingsoveronthemall.Heknewverywellwhenfirewoodwasdeliveredtootherrooms;hejusthelpedhimselfwhentheoccupantswereout.Andasfortheashes,well,hedidn'tsweepthemanyfartherawaythanthehall,andservethemallright.Theycouldeithersweepthemupthemselvesortramplethemeverywhere;hedidn'tcare.

Ithadfinallycomedowntothis;ajobhe'dspentmostofthedayonuntiltheangerinhisheartstartedto

interferewithhisscryingspell.SpyingwithhisownmagicontheWizardlingchildrenteachinghisformercroniesthemagicsthattheyusedtotransportthemselveswithoutharmandmagnifytheirownpowers,sothathecouldlearntousethosemagicswithouthavingtohumiliatehimselffurther.Andhehadtohavethoselessons,becausehehadnochoice;ifhewantedsomething,hehadtoobtainithimself,andhedidn'thavethepowerheneeded,alone.



Andeveryday,newhumiliationswerepiledatoptheold.Nooneappearedtocleanhisquarters,andhe,he,hadtoeitherdoithimself,orfindsomethingoneofthewretchedchildrenwantedanduseittobribethelittlebeasttodothework!And,ofcourse,whattheywantedwasneversomeuselesstrinketofhisownorsomethinghecouldjustgoandappropriatefromthestores,ohnoitwasalwayssomethingdifficult,andusuallysomethinghehadtousehisownpowerstofetchfromtheoldCitadel!Itmadehimsoangryhecouldhardlythinkforhoursafterwards.Helongedforthedayswhenhecoulddropsomethingonthefloorinthesupremeconfidencethatwhateveritwaswouldbewhiskedoffimmediatelytobediscarded,putaway,orcleanedasthecasemightbe.

Anditwasallthefaultofthatoverweeningfemale.

Shewasuptosomething,too.Nogood,ofcourse;thatwentwithoutsaying.Hecouldtellthattherewassomethingintheair,somethingclandestinegoingon;fromthewaysheacted,fromthewaythatloverofhersacted.He'dfeltthetransportationspellbeingtriggeredmoretimesthanitshouldhavebeenoflate,nowthatheknewhowtorecognizeit.Anoisymagic,that;nothingsubtleaboutit,andohsotypicalofafemale,tousesomethingthatonlydrewattentiontothecaster.Heknewhowtouseithimselfnow,ofcourse,nothankstoanyone'seffortbuthisown.He'dgonebacktotheOldCitadelinperson,torummagethroughnotonlyhisownquarters,buttheroomsofasmanyotherpeopleashecouldbeforehegrewtoot

iredandhungrytostaythereanylonger.Afterall,ifyoudidn'tknoworrememberwhatwasinaparticularplace,youcouldn'tbringitbackbymagicunlessyoudidsomefairlypainstakingscrying.He'dpiledwhathewantedinhisroomwhenhecould,andhe'dmadeplentyofnotesonwhathecouldn'tpickupthathewantedinotherrooms.Hewasgettingmorepossessionstogethernow,besidesthearmloadofthingshe'dbroughtbackwithhim.



Soheknewquiteenoughaboutthetransportationspelltorecognizeit,andtherewasnodoubtinhismindthatitwasbeingusedagreatdealbyLashanaherselfoflate.Andforwhat?Therewasnoneedtouseittobringlivingthingshereanymore,nowthattheyhadflocksofsheepandgoatsandevencattleyoucouldbringanythingyouwantedherequietly,withtheoldmagicsthattheWizardshadalwaysusedbefore,tostealwhattheywantedrightoutfrombeneaththenosesoftheElvenlords.

InfactthatpeculiardiscordantfeelinginthebackofhisskullsignaledthatsomeonewithintheCitadelhadusedthatparticularmagicagain.IthadtobeLashana.Andinnowaycoulditbeforanyone'sgoodexceptthatselfishbrat's.

Butnoone,noonewouldbelieveasinglewordhesaidagainsther.Nottheirde

arElvenbane,thepersonwhohadbroughtthemthedragons(treacherous,sneakybeasts,whosemindscouldshiftaseasilyastheirshapes),theTraderclans(untrustworthy,wildhumanbarbarians),andtheIronPeople(follytoputfaithinanypeoplewhowerenotonlywildhumanbarbarians,butwhohadtheirowndefensesagainsttheElven-lordsanddidn'tneedallies).EveryonesoeasilyforgotthatitwasbecauseofLashanathattheyhadneededthose"allies,"andneededtoleavetheircomfortable,easylifeintheoldCitadelinthefirstplace!

Shewasuptosomething;heknewit,hecouldtasteit!Shewasuptosomething,anditcouldonlymeannewtroubleforeveryoneelse!

Ifonlyhecouldfindoutaboutitbeforeeverythingfellapartifhecouldcatchheratsomefollyandproveshewasuptosomethingthatwouldonlydrageveryonehereintosomenewdanger,they'dallbelievehimagain!

Thatwasitthatwasit!

Hekickedanothershoefromhispath,butthistimewithatriumphantcackleoflaughter.Thatwouldservethebratherjustdesserts!He'duseherownfancymagicstospyonherandfindoutexactlywhereshewasgoingthenhe'dusemoreofthemtofindoutwhatshewasdoing!He'dcatchherred-ha



nded,andthenhe'dhaulherbacktotheCitadelandmakeherconfessinfrontofeveryone!Oh,itwouldserveherrightforherownmagictobeusedagainsther!

Heturnedabruptlyandrummagedthroughthelitteronhisdeskforthepieceofsmoke-quartzthatservedhimforamagnifierofhispower,thenclearedaspaceandconcentratedonthescryingspell.Lashanadidn'tdiscovereverythingaboutmagic,afterall!Shehadn'tbeentheonetolearnthatinscrying,youdidn'thavetolookforaplaceyouknew,orevenapersonjustaparticularobjectorkindofobject.ThatwashowtheyfilchedprovisionsfromtheElvenlords,backinthegoodolddays....

SoratherthanlookforLashanabecauseshemightbealertedifshesensedsomeonescryingforherhelookedforanobject.Somethingshealwayswore.Adragon-skinbelt,madefromtheshedhideofherso-called"fosterbrother"anduniqueinthatithadbeendulledwithdyesothatitdidn'

tcatchtheeyethewaythebrilliantlycoloredskinnormallydid.

Whenhefoundit,hewouldfindherthenhewouldstudywhereshewascarefullyverycarefully.

Thenthenexttimesheleft,hewouldfollow,alittlebehind.He'dfindoutwhereshewasgoing,andwhatshewasdoing.

Andthemomentthathefoundouthersecret

Heclosedhishandintoafist,andsmiled.



29

---

Trianalayonherstomachonthecold,hardgroundbeneathabush,peeringdownatanencampmentinthetinyvalleybelowher.Waterdrippeddownonthehoodofhercloakfromthebranchesaboveher,andalthoughthecloakitselfwaswaterproof,mistpermeatedeventhecleverly-magickedfabricsomewhat.Itwasnotacomfortableposition,buthersheerastonishmentatthesightthatlaybeneathherallowedhertoignoreherdiscomfort.

Therewasacampsitedownthereinthemizzle,withsixoreightstandingfigures,puttingtheplacetorights,andonesittingfigure.Itwastheseatedonethathadherattention.

"Yousee,mylady?"murmuredthehumantrackerinTri-ana'sear."ItisasItoldyou.ThereistheElvenlordyouwishedtofind."

Well,itwasanElvenlord,allright,butitwasnottheoneshehadintendedto

find.Notthatthetrackercouldbeblamedinthiscase.Hedidn'tknowwhatLordKyrtianlookedlike,especiallyatadistance.Hecouldn'tknowthatKyrtian,thefool,wouldneverhavesatbackandwatchedwhilehisslavesputupacamp.ButwhatinthenameofalltheAncestorshadgottenAelmarkintostirhislazybehindandcomeouttothishowlingwilderness?

Shewasratherpleasedtoseethathedidn'tlookveryhappy.Hunchedover,elbowsonknees,evenfromhereshecouldseehisfrown.Ancestors!Shecouldfeelhisfrown.Hisslavesweretr

yingtolightafireandnothavingalotofsuccesswiththewetwood;heslumpedonastoolbeneaththeshelterofhistent,watchingthem.Shecouldn'ttellwhathewasthinkingfromhere,butamomentlater,hepointedhisfingeratthepileofwoodanditroaredup,causinghisslavestoleapbacklesttheybescorched.

Coulditbethathe,too,wasfollowingKyrtian?Andwithouteverbotheringtoi



nformher?

Shegroundherteethinasuddenflareoftemper.Thenerveofhim!Howdarehe

Butjustasquicklythetempersubsided,becauseshecouldn'thonestlysustainit.Hadn'tsheexpectedthis?Andhadshebotheredtotellhimwhatshewasplanning?Ofcoursenot,sowhybeangrywithhimwhenshewasdoingthesamething?Andalthoughtoherthiswasjustawager,tohimitwasagreatdealmorethanthat.Enoughtoforcehimintoaplacethatwasasalienanduncomfortabletohimasitwastoher.

Well,ifhewasfollowingKyrtian,shewouldjustfollowhim!Itwouldsaveheragreatdealofwork,forhewasbynomeansaswoods-wiseashiscousin,norwerehismen.Onlyifhebegantoflounderwouldshehavehermenstrikeoutontheirown.

Meanwhile,Kyrtianwasboundtogoundergroundeventually;hehadtolookforWizards,andhewantedtolookfortheGreatPortal,andbothwouldbeincaves.Ifthecaveswereasextensiveasrumorpaintedthem,itwouldbechild'splaytogetaheadofAelmarkin.

"You'vedonewell,"shewhisperedbacktotheslave,whobeamedather,thesmileofpridetransformingan

otherwiseunhandsomeface."Watchthem.IwillsendKartartoyou.Whentheyleave,youbothfollow.SendKartarbacktofetchustowheretheycampnext."



"Mylady,"theslavebowed.Hewasahardman,asweretheothersshehadwithher;forest-trackersall,theywereusedtotheroughestofconditions.Hewasoutfittedfortheforest,intoughcanvas,sturdybootsandawaterproof,hoodedtunic.Sheworethesame,withmodifications-anadditionalwaterproofcloak,andherclothingmadeofmaterialsthatwerejustastough,butsoftertotheskin.Fromthelookofit,Aelmarkinhadtakennosuchprecautions,andshesmiledgrimlyassheeasedherwayoutfromunderthecoverofthebushandbackdowntheothersideofthehill,whereanotherofherslavesawaitedher.

Heledhersilentlydownatangleofdeer-trails;onlytheAncestorsknewhowhewasfindinghisway,andshedidn'tworryaboutit.Thatwashisjob,andhe'dbeentrainedvery,verywellforit.Shedidwish,however,thattheneedforstealthhadnotrequiredthehorsesbetiedupquitesofarfromAelmarkin'scamp.Thethingaboutdeer-trailswasthatthedeerdidn'tcareabitiftherewerebranchesstretched

acrossthepath,orrootstotripuptheunwary.

Itwasduskbythetimesheandherescortrodeintoacampthatwas,thankstohergoodsenseinpickingtherightsortofslavesforthisjob,inmuchbetterstatethanAelmarkin's.Therewasaverysmallfireburningbeneathaclevershelterofbranchesthatnotonlyshieldeditfrommostoftheomnipresentrainbutdissipatedthesmokerisingfromitsotherewouldbenoplumeabovethetreestobetraytheirpresence.

Goodmen.ShewasgladthatshehadboughtthemfromLordKyndreth,onceshe'dlearnedtheywerenotonlyforesters,buthadbeentrainedtoserveaswar-scouts.Theywereefficient,unobtrusive,quiettheyalreadyknewhowtoworktogetherasateam,andtheydidn'tneedconstantsupervision.

Andtheyalreadyknewtheirrewardcouldbeverygreatindeediftheyservedherwell.She'dgiventhemataste

ofit.Therewasatimeforthelash,andatimeforthevelvetglove,andwhenyouneededsomeone'sutmosteffortinaskill,thevelvetglovewastheonlysensiblechoice.

Besides,theyweren'tbadlooking,anyofthem,althoughtheywerecraggyandrough-hewnandtheywereapleasantchangefromherusualprettytoys.



Sodespitebeingchilledanddamp,shebestowedpraiseallaroundandmadesureKartarwaswell-provisionedaswellaswell-fedbeforehesetofftojoinhisfellowtrackertokeepwatchoverAelmarkin'scamp.Dusklingeredforalongtimeouthere,andKartarhadacleartrailtofollow.He'dbeinplacebydark.

Inspiteofherdislikeforthiswholesituation,thingswerebecominginteresting.Definitelyinteresting.Shesmiledagainassheacceptedaplateofslightly-charredmeatfromoneoftheslavesandretiredwithitintotheprivacyofhertinytent.ShemightneverforgiveKyrtianifitturnedouthehadledherouthereonsomeidioticwild-goosechase,butifhehadn't

Ifhehadn't,thismightprovetobethebestopportunityforupsettingthebalanceofpoweramongtheGreatLordsthathadcomealonginawhile.

Andtherewasalwaysoneotherpossibilityshecouldpursueonewhich,giventhecircumstances,couldprovidealotofsatisfactionevenifthiswasawild-goosechase.

IfAelmarkinhadn'ttoldherwherehewasgoingandwhathewasupto,heprobablyhadn'ttoldanyoneelse.ExceptpossiblyCheynar,andthenitwouldn'thavebeenmuch.Everyoneknewtheseweredangerousforests.

Herforest-trackershadbeentrainedforwar.Hishadn't.Andnooneknewthatshewasinthesehillsaswell.

Soifheandhismenjustdisappearednoonewouldbesurprised,norwasitlikelythatanyonewouldcomelookingforhimonceCheynarreportedwherehe'dgone.



Shewouldn'twinherbetbutshewouldn'tloseit,either.AnditjustmightbeworthviolatingeverylawandcompacttheGreatLordshadswornjusttoseehisfacewhensheslithisthroat.

ThiswasthedarkestforestKyrtianhadeverhadthemisfortuneofcampingin.Hefoundhimselfwonderingashekepthalfofhisconcentrationontheconversationaroundthefire,andtheotherhalfonthesoundsoutinthewoodsbeyondthecamp,iftheovercastskieshereeverlifted.Surelytheyhadtoatsomepoint...itcouldn'trainallthetime.Couldit?

Andyet,therehadn'tbeensomuchasanhoursincethey'denteredtheplacewhenithadn'tatleastmisted.Anditwasagoodthingthatheandhismenweren'tdependingonthatoldsawoffindingnorthbylookingformossonatreetrunk,becausemossgreweverywhere,thickasacarpetinmostplaces.Ifevertherewasaspotmeant

bynatureforambushes,thiswasit.Sofarthey'dmanagedtoavoidanymoreofthoseinvisiblewhatever-they-weres,buttheverynatureofthegloom-ladenlandscapehadhiswholegroupedgy.

ThesnapofatwigbroughtKyrtianandeveryoneinhiscamptoinstantalertness.Thewhistleofaskylarkcameoutofthedarkness,andtheyallrelaxedagain.Amomentlater,Shanaandayoungmalewizardwalkedintothecircleoflightcastbythefire,theomnipresentmistsparklinglikegemsontheedgesoftheirhoods.

"Idon'tknowhowyoudothatgettingpastmysentries,"Kyrtiancomplainedgood-naturedly."Ihopenooneelsecan."

"Onlyhumansthathavetheirspecialmagic,dragons,andWizards,"Shanatoldhim,grinning,asshesettleddownonabitoflogthatoneofthemenrolledtothefireforher."Speakingofwhichthisismyfoster-

brother,Keman."

"Iampleasedtomakeyouracquaintance,"Kyrtiansaidpolitely,butwarily."So,you'reanotherwizard,then"

"Ah,actually,I'mnot,"theyoungmansaiddiffidently,withaglanceattheEl



venbane."Shanathinksit'stimeyouwereah"

"Ifyou'regoingtotrustus,wehavetogiveyouareason,"Shanasaidbriskly."I'vealreadytalkedthisoverwiththeotherleaders,andtheythinkit'stimeforyoutobeentrustedwiththebiggestsecretwehave."

"Whichwouldbewhat,exactly?"Kyrtianreplied,wishingshewouldjustgetstraighttowhatevershewasgoingtosay.

"First,justindulgemeanddowhateveritisthatyounormallydotodispelanillusionoraglamor.Kemanisn'texactlywhatheseems,"Shanasaid,andtherewasacertaintoneinhervoicethatmadehimlookatherwithsuspicionforamoment.Justwhatwassheupto,anyway?Wasthis"fosterbrother"ofhersfullyElvenor

perhapshuman?No,ifhewashuman,therewouldbenoneedforallthissecrecyandfiddlingabout.

Butitwasobviousthathewasn'tgoingtogetanyfurtherinformationoutofthewomanunlesshedidassheasked,so,withasigh,hegatheredthreadsofmagicandwovethemintoanet,castingitoverthetwoofthem,justforgoodmeasure.HemightaswellseeiftheElvenbaneherselfwasunderaglamor.

Nothinghappened.Thetwoofthemremainedexactlyastheyhadbeenwhentheywalkedintothefirelight.

NowKyrtianwaspuzzled.Hadthemagicbeencountered?Itcouldn'thavebeendeflected;he'dhaveseenthat.Couldtheyhaveabsorbedit,thennegatedit?Buthow?"Areyoucarryingsomethingnewthatworkslikeiron?"heasked."Orhaveyou"



Henevergotachancetofinishhisquestion,becauseinthenextmoment,theyoungmanwhohadbeenstandingatthefireside,lookingaltogetherasnormalasitwaspossibleforawizardtolook,suddenlybeganto...change.Hedidn'twrithe,exactly,butheblurredandtwistedinawaythatinducedareallyviolentcaseofdizzinessandnausea.ItfeltasifsomethingwaswrenchingKyrtian'seyesoutoftheirsocketsandstirringuphisgutsatthesametime,andKyrtianclappedhishandoverhismouthandturnedaway.Hewasn'talone;therestofhismenweredoingthesamething,theircomplexionsinvaryingshadesofgreen.

Whatinthenameof

Assoonasheturnedhiseyesawayhissymptomssubsided,andhelookedup,glaringatLashana,angryaccusationsonhislips.

Whichdied,ashecontinuedtolookupandupandupintothejewel-likeandsurprisinglymildeyesofaverylarge,sapphire-bluedragon.

Atleast,hethoughtitwasadragon.Hecouldn'tthinkofanythingelseitcouldbe.Itwashuge,scaled,winged,fangedandtaloned.Thereweren'tmanyothercreaturesthatfitthatdescription.

Ashestared,heheardthemenbehindhimreactingtothepresenceofthecreature.Onewasprayingintheancientlanguageofthehumans,onewascursingwithremarkablefluency,andhedistinctlyheardthethudofathirddroppingtotheground,presumablyhavingfainteddeadaway.

NotthatKyrtianblamedhimintheleast.

"Youcancastalltheillusion-breakingspellsyoulike,butdragonscanlooklikeanythingtheycaretoandyouwon'tknowit.Thedragonsareshape-changers,yousee,"heheardtheElvenbanesay,quitecheerfully,butitwasasifheheardherinthefardistance.Hismindwasstilltooinvolvedwiththeimpossibilityofwhathehadjustwitnessed,andthesheerpresenceofthedragonitself."That'sourbiggestsecret,andthatgivesusundetectablespiesamongyouElvenlords.Thedragonscangoanywhereandbeanyt



hingoranybody,andyoucannevertellthatthey'rethere,becausethey'renottakingonillusions,they'retakingontherealformofwhatevertheyimitate.They'vebeenspyingonyourpeopleoh,forever.FromthemomenttheElvenlordsarrivedhere,theEldestsay."

"Oh,"Kyrtiansaid,faintly."Isupposedragonsmusthavebeeninmycamp,then?"

Lashanaletoutapealoflaughter."MygoodLordKyrtian,dragonswereguardingyourtent.AndneitheryounoryourgoodSargeantGelhadanynotion!"

"Actually,"thedragonsaid,withanoteofapologyinhisdeepvoice,"Iwasoneofthem.Sorry.Hatetoeavesdropandallthat,butwereallydidn'thavemuchchoice.Wehadtoknowwhatyouwere,youunderstand.SuddenlyyouweredoingallsortsofefficientthingsagainsttheYoungLords,a

ndwecalculatedthatyou'dbecomingafterus,next."

Kyrtianwasn'tentirelycertainhowthedragonwasspeaking;thevoiceseemedtorumbleupoutofthedepthsofthatmassivetorso,andthemouthopenedandclosed,butthedragondidn'thaveanythinglikelips,andhecouldn'tfigureouthowitcouldshapewordswiththatmouth....

"Atanyrate,thisisourbiggestsecret,andnowyouknowit,"Lashanacontinued."Sowell,youcanseethatwetrustyou."

"Ah...yes."Carefully,verycarefully,Kyrtianfeltblindlyforthepieceofloghe'dbeensittingonandloweredhimselfdownontoit."I...canseethat."



ThedragonloweredhisheaduntilhiseyeswerelevelwithKyrtian'sface."Youcandousasmuchharm,knowingthis,aswecouldeverdotoyou,youknow,"thecreaturesaid,quietly.

"Forgiveme,"Kyrtianmanaged,finallygatheringsomeofhiswitsabouthim,"Ifatthismomentwithamouthbigenoughtoswallowmewholenotanarm's-lengthawayfrommeIfindthatalittledifficulttobelieve."

Thedragonsuddenlyrearedup,andforamoment,Kyrtianwascertainthattheywereallgoingtobeswallowedup

Butthenanenormous,rumblinglaughstartedsomewheredeepinsidethedragon,bubbledupthroughthelong,longthroat,andemergedfromtheupturnedsnoutasatrumpetinghoot.

Itshouldhaveterrifiedhimandhismenfurtherstill.Itwasacompletelyaliensound,somethingthatcouldhavemeantthethingwasabouttoattackthem.Butsomehow,itwasn'tfrighteningatall,somehow,inthedepthsofKyrtian'smindwherethebasestofinstinctsgibberedinterrorandtriedtocrouchassmallaspossiblesoasnottobenoticedbythismonster,ittranslatedasexactlywhatitwasthe

laughterofafellowcreaturewhomeantnoharmatall.Andthatprimitivepartofhimstoppedgibbering,andrelaxed....

"Lookaside,LordKyrtian,"thedragonsaid,whenhe'dfinallydonelaughing."IthinkI'dbestcomebackdowntoyourlevel."

Hedidn'tneedurging,notafterhispreviousexperience.

WhenKemanlookedagainlikeanordinarywizard,poorRessohadbeenrevived,andtheywereallseatedaroundthefire,Kyrtiancontemplatedthewizard-dragonfromacrosstheflamesasLashanaandtheforestersdiscussedwhichofseveralpossiblecavestheyoughttopenetratefirst.Hecouldn'thelphimself;hecouldn'treconciletheapparentsizeofthewizardwiththeobvioussizeofthedragonhe



'dbecome.Thepuzzleateathim;hecouldn'texplainit,couldn'trationalizeit,andwhenhecouldn'tfindanexplanationforsomething,hehadthebadhabit(andheknewitwasabadhabit)ofworryingatittotheexclusionofeverythingelse.

Finallythedragonhimselfleveledastareacrosstheflamesandsaid,"What,exactly,isbotheringyou,LordKyrtian?"inatoneofirritationmixedwithamusement.

"Wherediditcomefrom?"Kyrtianblurted,asconversationceasedamongtheothers."Imean,you'renolargerthanRessorightnow,andyou'renotexactlyhavingthatlogsplittingunderyoufromyourweightbutwhenyouwere"hewavedhishandswildly"thatwasn'tair,thatwasmasswell,lookattheimprintsyouleft!Sowherediditcomefrom?Andwherediditgo?"

Kemanshrugged."Elsewhere,Kyrtian,"hesaid."That'sallIcantellyou.Wecallit,'shiftingintotheOut.'WemovetherealbulkofourselvestoandfromtheOut,butwell,wedon'tknowwhattheOutis.It'shere,butit'ssomewhereelse"

"Butwhenyouknowwhattolookfor,adragoncastsasortofshadowwhenhe'sinanotherform,"Lashanaputin."It'snotthekindofshadowyougetfromlightfallingonyou,butit'sthere,andwhenyou'velearnedhowtoseeitandlookforit,youcanalwaystellwhethersomethingisadragonor

not."

Kyrtiancouldonlyshakehishead,morepuzzledbytheexplanationthanbynothavingone.Butatleastthatobsessivepartofhismindhadittoturninsideoutandexaminewhilehesetmostofhisattentiontoworkonmoreimportantthings."Nevermind,"hesaid,afteramoment."WhatinthenameoftheAncestorsarethoseinvisiblehorrorsthatlieinwaitforyouondeertrails?Andwhatcanwedoaboutthem?"



LashanaandKemanexchangedalookandanod,andtheplanningmovedintomorepracticalspheres.

CaellachGwainwasbesidehimselfwithrage.

He'dfollowedLashanatothisbenightedforestoncehe'dscryedoutherlocationandonceshe'dabandonedit,trustingtodistanceandpreoccupationtokeepherfromnoticingthe"noise"ofhisarrival.Ofcourse,justasheapportedintothespot,thewretchedtreesdeliveredaloadofwaterfromtheirdisturbedbranches,creatingtheeffectofalocalizeddownpourforamomentortwo,whichwascertainlyenoughtodrenchhimfromheadtotoe.Sincehehadn'ttakentheprecautionofwearingawaterproofcape,neverthinkingthatLashanawoulddropherselfintothemiddleofarainstorm,hewashardlypreparedforsuchareception.

Histemperwasn'timprovedwhenhefollowedthecleartrailthatsheandwhoevershe'dbroughtwithherhadleft.Itledthroughunderbrushjustthickenoughtobeanuisance,catchinginhissoggyrobesandsnarlinghishair.Anditwasdark,plaguetakeitall!Ifhehadn'tkindledamage-light,hewouldn'tbeabletoseewherehewasgoing!

Fortunately,he'dbeenonthealertforthethoughtsofothers,becausehemanagedtodetectthesentriesbeforetheygotaglimpseofhislight,anddouseit.Andhewasabletoavoidthemthesameway,thoughhiscommandofthought-sensingwasn'ttheequalofsomeonewho'dwastedhistimehoningittoafinepitch.Stillheknewhumanthoughtswhenhesensedthem.SowhatwasLashanaupto?HadshefoundyetanothergroupofwildhumanstobringtothenewCitadel,usingupmorepreciousresourcesthatshouldhavegonetosupportWizardsandnotuselessmouths?

Hespottedafire,then,andbelatedlycautiontookover.Hewouldfarratherhavescryedoutwhatwasgoingon,butthatwouldhaverequiredlightsoinstead,hecreptonhandsandknees,witheverybonecreakinginprotest,untilhewascloseenoughtoseemostofthefiguresthere,ifnothearwhattheyweresaying.



Sureenough,itlookedlikeanotherplagueylotofmerehumans!

Butthen,theonethathadhisbacktoCaellachturnedhishead,andCaellachfroze.

AnElvenlord!

Andthere,chattingawaywithhim,justasboldascouldbeLashanaandKeman.

Heverynearlyrushedoutfrombeneathhiscoveringbushandaccostedthemthenandthere.Asitwas,sheerrageheldhimfrozeninplace.

Howdareshe!Traitor!Unnatural,ungratefulwretchedgirl!

Hewantedtothrottleher,thereandthen.Hewantedtoblastherintoahundredthousandbits.AftereverythingshehaddonetotheWizards,whohadtakenherin,taughther,shelteredher

Hejustsatandshookforalongtime,whileshe,oblivious,chatteredonasifshewasoldfriendswiththemall.

Hedidn'tknowhowlongitwasthathesat,encompassedbyangersohotitburnedawayeveryvestigeofthought.Butfinally,itebbed,andwhenitdid

Unholygleefloodedin,replacingtheangerwithsavagejoy.



Hehadhernow.Finally,finally,hehadher!Lethertrytodenythis!Whentheothersheardaboutit,they'dthrowherintoaprisonshecouldneverescapefrom!

Hehadtogetback,though,beforehecouldlayanycharges.Andtodothat,hehadtogetfarenoughawayfromherethatthenoiseofthetransportationspellwouldn'tbenoticed.

Andhemustn'tgetcaught.Notnow,notwhenvictorywassoclosehecouldtasteit.

Heopenedhismindasheneverhadbefore,payingobsessiveattentiontothewhereaboutsofallofthesentry-slaves.Whenhemoved,hedidsoonlywhenheknewthattheywerenowherenear,andthesoundsofhismovementwouldnotreachthem.Heliterallyfelthiswayalongthepaththathadbroughthimhere,moving

loosetwigsoutofthewaysothathewouldn'tsteponthemandbetrayhimself.Atleastnowthesoddennatureofthisforestworkedforhimratherthanagainsthim;thickmossapparentlycoveredeverysurface,andthefallenleavesheencounteredweretoowettocrackle.

Whenhewasfinallyfarenoughawaythathefeltsafeindoingso,hekindledamage-lightonceagain,gottohisfeet,andshovedhiswayalongthefirstclearpathhespotted.Hedidn'tparticularlycarewherehewasgoinganditreallydidn'tmatter.HecouldgetbacktotheCitadelfrompracticallya

nywhere;whatreallymatterednowwasthathegetawayfromhere.

Thefurtherhegot,thebrighterhemadehislight;atfirst,asthelightitselffrightenednocturnalanimalsoutofhispath,hewasafraidthatthedisturbancestheymadewouldbetrayhim,ordrawinsomethinglikeanalicornthatcouldbearealdangertohim.Butthefurtherawayhegot,thelesswildlifehesaw,untilatlasttheredidn'tseemtobeanythingatallalongthepathbuthimself.

Theymusthavehunteditalloutonthewayhere,hethoughtvaguely,mostofhisattentiononwhathewasgoingtosaywhenhegotbacktotheCitadel.Herecalledsomevagueadmonitionsbythestupiddragonsthatoneshouldn'thuntanareaout,butapparentlythatElvenlordpaidaslittleheedtosuchthingsashewouldhave.Andnowthatthetrailwaswideandbeautifullyclear,hewasgoingtogettoapointwherehecouldtransport



himselfbackinamatterofmoments,nowjustassoonashegotpastthatclusterofbushes

Theviolentshakingofthebusheswastheonlywarninghegot.Thenhewasengulfedinsomethinghorrid,andslimy,andhismage-lightwentout.Therewasamomentofabsolutesurprise,followedbyaneternityofhellishpain,andintheend,only...nothingness.

Andthentherewasnosoundatallonthetrail,exceptthenoisesofsomethingfeedinginthedark.

30

---

KemanandShanaelectedtoremainwithKyrtianandhismen,butonlyaftermodifyingtheirappearancetothatofordinaryhumans.Thatwasaprecautionarymeasure,easytomaintain,butvitaljustincasesomeonecamelookingforKyrtianordecidedtoscryforhim.



Besides,asKemanpointedout,they'dbeeninthesewoodsbefore.They'dhelpedrescueapenfullofslavesfromLordCheynarbytakingthemintothisforest,andeveniftheydidn'texactlyknoweverytrailandrock,atleasttheyknewenoughaboutthedangerstokeepKyrtian'speoplefromwalkingintotrouble.Orrather,moretrouble.Kyrtianhadalreadyhadonenarrowescapefromtheambushbeasts.

Andtheywerebothrathergoodatfindingthings,Kemaninparticular.WhenKyrtianexplainedindetailwhathethoughthewaslookingfortheplacewherehisfatherhadgonehuntingancientartifacts,probablywithinacave-complexandthedetailshe'dgleanedfromtheancientjournals,theybothvolunteeredtheirservices.ShanawentwithKyrtianandhispeople,toactasalookoutforalicorns,ambushbeasts,andotherun-pleasantries,whileKemanwentoffonhisown.

Itdidn'ttakeKemanverylongatalltocomeharingbacktothemainpartywith

afindinhishandsandagrinonhisface.

"Wheredidyoufindthat?"Kyrtianexclaimed,seizingtheoddly-shapedchunkofmetalthatKemanhadfoundasifitweremadeofbegemmedgold.Ithadprobablybeenflat,once,withrollededgesontwosides.Nowitwastwistedandcrumpled,likeapieceofpaperthathadbeenwaddedup,thensmoothedoutagain.

"Upthatway"Kemanpointed."Youknowdragonscantellwherecavesare"

HecouldtellimmediatelybyKyrtian'sexpressionthat,no,hedidn'tknowthat,buthecontinuedwiththeexplanationanyway.

"I'vejustbeencruisingattreetoplevel,probingforcaverns.Ifoundaplacewheretherehadbeenabig

entrancethatledintoahugecomplex,butthere'dbeenarock-fallthatblockedtheentrance,andwhenIlandedtolookitover,Ifoundthatthiswascaughtintherocks."Hetiltedhisheadtothesidewithcuriosity."Whatisit,anyway?"

"Ihaven'tthevaguestclue,"Kyrtianreplied,turningitoverinhishandswitheveryevidenceoffascination.



"Butfeelit!Feelhowlightitis?Isitanymetalthatyourecognize?"

"Well,no,"Kemanadmitted.Thelightness,andthelackofcorrosion,hadbeenwhatattractedhiminthefirstplace.Thedullgreybitofdebris,twistedanddistorted,hadblendedverywellintothefallenrocks,andonlyadragonwouldhavebeenabletospotitatonce,bythedifferent"feel"associatedwithit.

"Andlookatthis"Kyrtianpointedtoatinylineofengravedfigures,inciseddeeplyenoughthatnoteventhemistcollectingonthesurfaceobscuredthem."Yousee?That'sancientscriptElvenscript!"

Kemanpeeredatit."Whatdoesitsay?"heasked,dubiously.Hecouldn'tbegintoguesswhatanElvenlordwouldchoosetoengraveonapieceofsomethingthatlookedlikenothingmorethanabitofshelf,but

probablywasn't.Itcouldbeanything.Abitofapoem?"Touchthiswhodares?"

Kyrtianchuckled."Itsays,'Keepthisedgeup.'Notwhatyouexpected,isit?"Buthiseyeswereafirewithexcitement."Ke-man,thisismustbeapieceofoneoftheartifactsfromtheCrossing!We'vefoundtheGreatPortal!"

"Wehave?"Kemanrepliedwithsurprise.Heshookwateroffhishoodwithagestureofimpatience."Ididn'tknowwewerelookingforit.Ithoughtwewerelookingforyourfather."

"MyfatherwaslookingfortheGreatPortal,andI'msurehefounditbutsomethingmusthavehappenedandhecouldn'tgetbacktous."TheElvenlord'sexpressionsuddenlydarkened.Kyrtiandidn'tsaywhathethoughtthe"something"was,andKemandecidedthathewasn'tgoingtoask."Howrecentwasthatrock-fall?"



"Therehavebeenseveral,Ithink."NowKemanwasonfirmerground;iftherewasonethingthatadragonknew,itwasrocksandcaves."Imanagedtogetthisbitoutfromunderthebottomlayer,butitlookstomeasiftherewasonelargefallquitesometimeago,andseveralsincethen.There'sstillanopeningbigenoughforapersontosqueezeinside,buttheopeningusedtobewellbigenoughformymother,muchlessme!Ididn'tfindanythinglikewell,bones,"headdedhastily,realizingonlythenthathemightwellbedescribingtheplacewhereKyrtian'sfatherhaddied.Hisadditiondidn'treassureKyrtianintheleast;Kyrtian'sexpressiondarkenedfurther.

KyrtianhandedtheartifacttoShana,whoexamineditcuriously,butpaidmoreattentiontotheElvenlordthantothepieceofmetal.Itsuddenlyseemedveryquiet,intheirlittlecampunderthetrees.Quietenoughtohearwaterdrippingeverywhere,tohearthefaroffcallsofbell-birds.Hisfacesha

dowednow,allexcitementgone,theElvenlordstaredoffintothetreesforamoment."Howfaristhis?Canwegettheresoon?"

"Twodays,Ithink,overthetrails,"Kemantoldhim,afteramomenttotryandgaugedistances."Icouldflyyouthere,oneatatime"

ButbothShanaandKyrtianshooktheirheads."Idon'twanttodividetheparty,

"Kyrtiansaidfirst."AndLashana,Iknowthatyoucanusemagictobringusthere,but"

"ButI'llfallonmynoseafterwards,"Shanasaidbluntly."Andifyouneedme,Iwon'tbeabletodoanything.No,overlanditis."Shesighed,thensmiled,andtriedtomakelightofthesituation."Ahwell.Ihaven'tgottennearlyenoughhardexerciselately,andyoudohavehorsestohelp.KemanandIwillbetheonlyoneswhohavetowalk"

Kemanburstintolaughter,asshehitherheadwiththeheelofherpalm.

"Idon'tthinkyou'llbewalking,Shana,"Kemantoldher."Ifyou'lljustgivemeachanceto'change'intosomethingmoresuitable"



Kyrtiangotthehintimmediately.ItwasonlyamomentofworkasKyrtianhastilyavertedhiseyesandan"extra"horsestaredatShanamockingly.

"Whatcolorwouldyoulike,foster-sister?"heaskedshapingthemouthandlarynxabitoffthehorse-form,sohecouldtalkproperly."Roan?Bay?Black?"Witheachsuggestion,hechangedhiscolortomatch."Howaboutanicebuckskin?Orspots?Stripes?Checks?"Thechangesflashedacrosshishideinbewilderingsuccession.

"Ew!"Shanawrinkledhernoseatthelast."Brown.Please.Brownwilldoverynicely."

"Notevenalicorn-whitewithprettyblueeyes?"heteased,fadingoutthechecksintoauniformbrown.And,for

goodmeasure,makingthehairmuchbetteratsheddingwater.Bythispointhehadconcludedthatheshouldhavetakentotheguiseofahorsealotsoonernoneedforrain-capesand,infact,therainfeltrathergood!Itcertainlykeptthebitingfliesaway.

TheirexchangehadlightenedKyrtian'smoodalittle,butitwasveryclearashegavehismentheirneworderstomoveoutthathewastense.Kemandidn'thavetoaskwhy;ithadbeenclearwhenhe'dtoldthemofhismissingfatherthathedidn'texpecttofindhisparentalive.Aftertheinitial

burstofexcitementfaded,howcouldyoupossiblylookforwardtofindingabodyorwhatwasleftofone?

Hehurriedthemallintopackingupthecamp;itwasinterestingtoKemanthatevenunderthepressofurgency,Kyrtian'speopleworkedefficientlyandwithoutfumbling.InfarlesstimethanKemanwouldhavethought



possiblegivenhisexperienceevenwiththeIronPeople,everythingwaspackedproperly,stowedonthehorses,andtheywerereadytoleave.

TheotherslookedtoKyrtianfororders;hegesturedtoKeman,whoobviouslywastheonlyonewhoknewwheretheyweregoing,andKemanandShanatookthelead.Kyrtianrodebehindthem,andeveryoneinhispartygavehimarespectfuldistance.Withastonyexpression,andhismouthsetinagrimline,itwasprettyclearthathedidn'twanttotalktoanyone,anditseemedbesttoleavehimalone.

Itwasavery,veryquietride.Noneofthemenwantedtobreakthesilence,andevenShanadidn'ttalk.Therainstartedupagainshortlyaftertheytooktothetrail,obscuringthedistancebehindaveilofgrey,butKemanwasn'tworried.Dragonscouldn'tgetlost;heknewwherehewas,exactlyinrelationshiptowheretheirgoal

was.Theonlythingstandingbetweenthemandthatrock-coveredcaveentrancewasthetriflingmatterofseveralleagues.

Itwouldhavebeenfunny,ifithadn'tbeensoimportantthatTrianakeepthepresenceofherpartysecret,notonlyfromAel-markin,butfromKyrtianaswell.Asitwas,wheneveryoneelsesuddenlypackedupfornoapparentreasonandbegantomove,Triana'sgrouphadtoscrambletocleanouttheircampandmovedeeperintotheforest.

Itwasanearthing.Kyrtian'spartydidn'trideinontopofwhereTriana'scamphadbeen,buttheycamecloserthanTrianaliked,andAelmarkin'sbunchdidjustblunderonthrough.IfhisforestershadbeenhalfasgoodasTriana'sslaves,they'dhavespottedthesignsofrecentoccupationforcertain.

Butafterthat,itwasasimpleenoughmattertotrailbehindAelmarkin.Hewas

leavingatrailasbroadasahighwayandmakingnoefforttohideitbutinterestinglyenough,Kyrtianwasn'tgoingtoanyefforttoconcealhistraileither.

Hemusthavefoundsomething.Thatwastheonlypossibleexplanation.Trianawishedsheknewwhatitwas.



Onlywhentheypushedonpastdarkwasshecertainthatitcouldn'tbeWizardsbecauseKyrtiankindledmage-lightsandsentthemupabovetheirheadstoilluminatethetrail.Herownscoutsreporteditandwhenhergroupwasonthetopofahill,shecouldoftencatchaglimpseofthelightsflittingamongthebranchesofavalleybelow,likeimpossiblyhugefirefliesinthedistance.

Hewouldn'thavebetrayedhispresencethiswayifhethoughthe'dfoundsignsoftheWizardshewassupposedtobelookingfor.Atleast,shedidn'tthinkhewould.

Thetroublewas,hecoulduselights,butneithershenorAel-markindared.

Thathadhergrittingherteethinfrustration,untilitoccurredtoherthattherewasonething,atleast,thatshe

coulddo.Shecouldmakemage-lightsofadifferentsort.Notpowerfulenoughtolighttheirpath,buttinythingsthatwouldmarkwhereKyrtian'shorses,andAelmarkin's,hadgonebyfollowingthescentintheair.Iftheotherssawthem,they'deitherassumetheywereordinaryfirefliesorweresomebizarrecreaturenativetotheseforests.

Ittookherthebetterpartofanhourtogetthemagicright,butintheenditwasworthit;thetrickwastosetthespelltoseek"horse,"butwiththespecificexclusionsofthehorsessheandhe

rgrouprodeotherwise,allthelittlemotesdidwasclusteraroundher.Soeveniftheywerestumblingdownthepathinthedarknessnow,theyhadsomethingtofollow.Whatamiserableexperience,thoughwet,cold,theendlessmizzleintheface,anditseemedasiftherewereentiretreesjustwaitinguntiltheypassedbeneathtodropaloadofwaterontheirheads.Theydidn'thavetoworryaboutmovingquietly,thoughthereweresomanyfrogscallinginadozendifferent



tonesthroughoutthewoodsthattheycouldhaveblunderedaboutthrashingthroughthebushesandneverbeenheard.

PresumablyAelmarkincameupwithsomethingthatworkedequallywell,sincetheydidn'trunrightintothebackofhisgroup.TrianawasdreadfullyafraidforsometimethatKyrtianwasgoingtorideallnight,forheshowednosignsofwantingtohalt.Therainpouredonpastdusk,andonlyslackenedtotheusualmistlongafterdark,butstillKyrtianroadon.

BythistimeshewasconvincedthatKyrtianhadgonequitemad,butherbestforesterassuredherthatno,notevensomeoneasdrivenasKyrtianwasgoingtobefoolishenoughtopresshimselfandhismenthathard.Andtheslavewasprovedright;afterwhatseemedlikehalfthenight,herforemostscoutcamebackwiththeintelligencethatbothKyrtianandAel-markinweresettlinginforthenight,an

dwiththeprofoundestrelief,Trianadirectedherownmentodothesame.

Butthemomentthatthefirstthinlightshowedamongthetrees,thescoutswhowatchedthecampscamebackandrousedthem,andtheywereoutofbedrollsthathadjustgottencomfortableandoffagainintothefogofpre-dawn.Kyrtianwaspushinghard,andTriananeededtomakeadecision.Shecalledherbestmantoridealongsideher.

"Canweoutflankmycousingetaheadofhimwithouthimrealizingthatwe'reouthere?"sheasked.Notforthefirsttime,shewasgladshehadboughtthesemenfromLordKyndreth.Whoeverhadtrainedthemhaddonesuchagoodjobthatshedidn'thavetogivethemexactinstructionsshehadonlytoaskforwhatshewanteddone,andtheyworkedoutawaytoaccomplishitiftheyhadtheskills.Unfortunatelytherewasonethingthattheydidnothavetheskillsfor.Theyweren'tverygoodcooks.Theydidn'tseemtomindeatingsquirrelandharethatwashalfrawandhalfburned,butshehadbeguneatingtheleatheryjourney

-breadinpreferencetothegametheyprovided.

Theslaveponderedherquestion,thennodded."Ibelieveso,mylady,but"helookeduneasy,andwipedafilmofmoisturefromhisforeheadthatwasn'tfromthemist."itisn'ttheforestthat'stheproblem.It'swhat'sintheforest.Weknowofal-icornherdsattheveryleast,andtheoutridersha



veseensignsofotherthings.Worsethings,myLady,thanalicornstallions."

"Worsethings?"Shewrinkledherbrow."Whatsortsofsigns?"

"Oneofthemcameacrosssignsthatsomethinghadkilledandeatenseveralalicornsinthepastweekorso."Hegrimaced."Iwouldnotcaretoencounteranythingthatcoulddothat."

"AndIsupposehedidn'tseeit?Hadnoclueastowhatitwas?"Ifsheknewwhattheyneededtoguardagainst,shecouldperformsomespecificmagicsmagicthatwouldeitherrepulsethecreaturesoratleastgivewarningoftheirpresence.Butwithoutknowingwhatitwasshewastryingtowardoffshecouldwasteherenergyandskillshooingawayspiders,onlytohaveagiantslugdescendonthem.

"Nothingwe'veeverseenorheardof,myladythescoutdidn'tgetnear;hesaidtheplacelookedlikeanambushinthemaking.Fromwhathetoldme,thealicornsweretorninpieces,andIwouldn'tevenexpectoneofthosedragonswe'veheardabouttodothat."Shegavehimasuspiciousglance,buthedidn'tlookasifhewasexaggerating.

Well,thatdidfitinwithwhatshe'dbeenwarnedaboutthisplace.Kyndrethhimselfhadbeennone-too-eagerto

golookingforpurportedWizardsinthesehills,andhadjumpedtoacceptKyrtian'soffertotrackthemdown.She'dprobablylosesomemeninthis.Nowshewasgladshe'dboughtthemoutrightfromKyndrethinsteadofborrowingthem.Whenanaccidenthappenedtoaborrowedslave,itwasamazinghowthevalueofthatslavesuddenlyincreased....



"Doit,"sheorderedhim."Sendtheoutridersahead,findusaclearpathsowecangetaroundAelmarkinandrunalongsideKyrtian.You'resupposedtobeLordKyndreth'sbest,aren'tyou?"

Hebowed."Yes,mylady,"hesaid.Nohesitation,noexcuses,noobjections.Justobedience.Exactlywhatshehadpaidfor.

Well,notallthatshehadpaidfor.She'dalsoinvestedinexcellence;sofar,theseslaveshadbeenmostsatisfactory,butnowtheyhadbetterwellprovethattheycouldgobeyond"satisfactory."

Orwhenshegotback,she'dbehavingsomewordswithLordKyndreth.

Butrightnow,shehadbetterkeepherownmindonthejobathand.Iftheseslavescouldn'trisetothechallenge,shemighthavetoabandonthemtotheirfateandnarrowhergoaltogettingherownselfoutintact.

They'djustpausedlongenoughtopassaroundrationsforlunch,eatinginthesaddle,beforetheafternoondownpourarrivedonschedule.Bynightfall,theyshouldbeatKeman'scave-complex.Asraindrummedonthe

hoodofhercapeandafewcolddropsslippedaroundthecollarandgotdownherneck,Shanawasgratefulthather"mount"wasKeman,andnotarealhorse.Shecouldn'thavefallenoffifshe'dwantedto,notevenonthesteeptrailshewastaking,andatthemoment,sheneededtobeabletoconcentrateonholdingthementallineofcommunicationwithLorrynastightlyaspossible.Therewasalotofdistancebetweenthemandsomethingunexpectedhadhappened,somethingthatmadeallthediscomfortshefeltcompletelyirrelevant.

CaellachGwainhadvanishedfromtheCitadel.

:...sowhenhedidn'tturnupforbreakfast,either,Halathoughtitwasmorethanodd,:Lorryntoldher.:He'spulledsulksbefore,usuallywhenhe'smanagedtosquirrelawayfoodinhisroom,butmissingthreemealsinarowwasexceptional.Thedoorwasboltedfromtheinside;itwasn'thardtogetitopen,notwithahalfdozen



Wizardsworkingonitbuthewasn'ttherewhenweopenedit.:

CaellachGwaingone!Itwassotemptingtoallowherselftowallowinsheerrelief,butCaellachGwainvanishedoutofhisownroomwasapuzzlethatonlypromisedmoretrouble.

Shewipedrainfromherfaceandclosedhereyes,concentrating.:Youdon'tsupposehe'slearnedthetransportationmagic,doyou?:sheasked,apprehensively.

-.That'sexactlywhatI'mafraidhashappened,:wasthegrimreply.

Well,thatmadeperfectsense.Youdidn'thavetoattendlessonstogettheadvantageofthem.ThemiserableoldtoadcouldsimplyhavesatinhisroomwithascryingglassandlearnedeverythinganyoftheotherOldWhiners

waslearning.

:You'vegotagoodreason,I'llbet.:

ShefeltLorryn'snod.:HisroomwasfullofthingsfromtheoldCitadelagoodmanyofthemnothisproperty,somanyoftheOldOnestellme.Bytheway,that'sputhimbeyondthepale,ifthat'sanycomforttoyou.EventheOldWhinerswhowerehismostvocalsupporterswerewildwithragewhenthey

foundtheirpropertyinhisroom.There'snowayhecouldhaveknownwheresomeofthosethingswerewithoutgoingbackinperson,becausetherewerealotofsmall,valuabletrinketsthatwerehiddenawayindrawersandchestshe'dneverseentheinsideof:



Herheartsank.:Sohecouldbeanywhere.:Ifheknewthetransportationspell,allhehadtodowasbefamiliarwithaplacetogothere.Shesupposeditwasevenpossibletobecomethatfamiliarusingsimplescrying.

:TheoldCitadel,somenewhideawayofhisown,evenoutspyingonyou,:Lorrynreplied,andtherewasapprehensioninhisthoughts.:Youknowwhatwouldhappenifpeoplefoundoutwhereyouarerightnow,whatyouweredoing,andwhoyouweredoingitwith.:

NevermindthatLadyMothwasclearlytheWizards'friend,thatLorryn'sownmotherandsisterwerefullbloods.Thiswasdifferent.ThiswasconsortingwiththeGreatLords'chosengeneral.Shecouldtrytoexplainuntilherfacewasblue,butifCaellachGwainbrokethenewsataninopportunetime,well

:That'smyworstfear,becausetherearesomeoftheyoungsterswhothinkthattherewasasecondburstoftransportationnoiserightafteryouandKemanleft.:ShesensedLorryn'sworry,andshemorethanagreedwithit.

:FireandRain!:shesworeangrily.:Thatwouldbejustlikehim,wouldn'tit!:Eventhroughheranger,shetriedtothinkifshe'ddetectedanythingsinceshe'darrived.:Hemightbehere.Hemightnot.Ifhecameinfarenough

fromus,Iwouldn'thaveheardthearrival.:

:Look,I'mgoingtodotwothings,andthefirstisthatI'mgoingtoturnhisroomintoanironcage,:Lorryntoldher.:Andwhenhetriestotransportbackinhe'llgetashock.Zedtrieditwitharock,andwhathappensisthatyoubouncebacktowhereyoucamefrom.:

:Withademonofaheadache,Icanonlyhope,:shesaidsourly.:He'lltrytogo

toanotherpartoftheCitadel,ofcourse:

-.Maybe,maybenot.BecausethenextthingI'mgoingtodoisstartplantingironwedgesallovertheCitadelexceptindesignated'magicrooms,'andthosewillbebrandnewonesthatFatherDragonisgoingtocarveoutforus.:Hesoundedwell,ratherpleasedwithhimselfforcomingupwithaplanso



quickly,andshedidn'tblamehim.

:Zedcanpoursimplewedgesforuseasilyenough,can'the?:sheasked.

:Withnoproblematall;he'salreadypouringthem,thechildrenareplantingthem,andFatherDragonhasthefirstmagicroomcarvedout.I'vebeenwantingtodothisforawhile,anyway.It'sonemoredefenseagainsttheElvenlords,evenifitisanuisanceforustoconfinedoingmagictothosespecialrooms.:Hesighed.:Still,it'llbeworthit,andwecanhavethewholeCitadelprotectedbytomorrow.CaellachGwainwillhavenowayofknowingwherethesaferoomstotransporttoareorwhattheylooklike.Sotogetbackhere,he'IIhavetoapporttosomewhereheknows.:

Herangerfadedassheconsideredthat..7don'tthinkhe'ssetfootoutsidethe

cavesmorethanadozentimessincewearrived.Therecan'tbethatmanyplaceswherehecanapportback.:

-.AndIcanhaveallofthemwatchedbypeoplewetrust.ThatleavesonlytheoldCitadelforhim.:Lorrynsoundedabsolutelysmugwhenhesaidthat,andshedidn'tblamehim.

:HecangolivethereandrotforallIcare,:shesaidmaliciously.MaybetheGreatLordswilldecidethatour

fictitiousWizardslivethere.Thatwouldservehimright,iftheyfindhimsittingtherelikeanoldtoadinahole.:

.-Well,justkeepalertforanysignofhim,love,:Lorryncautioned.:He'satwistyoldbeast.I'mnotsureIcanthinkofeverywayhecouldthinkoftocauseusharm.:



.7will,:shepromised,andgavehimawordless,lovingfarewellthatshehopedremaineduntaintedwithherangeratCaellachGwain.

"Well,that'snotgood,"Kemanmutteredupather,shakingtherainfromhismane.Hehad,ofcourse,beenlisteningin.

"No,it'snot.ShouldwetellKyrtian?"Shewasoftwomindsonthesubject.Itwasn'tasifKyrtiandidn'talreadyhaveenoughonhishandsanditwasn'tasifhismenweren'tperfectlycapableofcatchingoneoldmanwhowasanythingbutwoods-wiseifhewasspyingonthem.

Unless,ofcourse,hewasusingthetransportationspelltogethimawayeachtimeitlookedasifhewasgoingtogetcaught.

Butshehadn'theardthedistinctive"noise"associatedwiththatspell!

"Iwouldn't,"Kemanrepliedafteramoment."It'snothisbusiness.It'swizardbusiness.LetLorryntakecareofthingsattheCitadel;youandIwilljusthavetobeveryvigilantfromnowon."

"Ihopeanambushbeastgetshim,"shegrumbled.

Kemanshookhishead."Iwouldn'twishthatfateevenonCaellachGwain.Andyoushouldn't,either."

"Wellmaybenotanambushbeast.ButIwouldn'tmindseeinghimtreedbyanalicorn,"sherelented.

"NorwouldI,fostersister,"Kemanreplied."Maybewe'llhavetheprivilege.Andmaybehe'lljustgetintotroublehecan'tgetoutof,allonhisown,withoutourill-wishinghim.Thatwouldbebestofall."

"Isupposeitwould,"shesighed,andleftitatthat.



31

---

DuskandShanalookedupthroughthegloomandthedrizzleatthemountainofrubblemarkingthesitethatKemansworehidamajorcave-complex.

Well,ifitdid,theoriginalcave-mouthmusthavebeenbiggerthananythingShanahadeverimagined,muchlessseen.Itlookedfromthisperspectiveasifhalfthesideofthemountainhadcomedownovertheyears,anditwasn'tasmallmountain.Steep,though;verysteep,coveredwithtreesandbrushthatclungtotheslopewith

vegetativestubbornness,andprobablykepttherestofthemountainfromlosingitsouterskin.

Themostrecentfallhadbeenquiterecentindeed,andhadaddedbulktothepileontheleft-handside.Thereweretrees,largetrees,crushedunderallthatrock,withtheremainsofdeadleavesstillclingingtothebranches.

Mage-lightshoveredoverthepileasKyrtian'smenlookedonapprehensively.Kem

anbacktohuman-formandKyrt-ianclimbedtherock-piletothesingleopeningthatKemanhaddiscoverednearthetopofthemound.



"Ishegoingtobesafe?"oneofthemenaskeddubiously,asKemanofferedKyrtianahand-upoveratrickybit.Shanawasdead-certainthathewasn'tworriedaboutKeman.

"Keman'sadragon,"sheremindedhim."Theydon'tknowrock,theyliverock.Kemanfeelswhereeachpebbleisrubbingandmightbeloose.He'llknowifsomethingisgoingtoslipbeforetherockknows."

"You'dbetterberight,"Lyndermuttereddarkly."IclimbIexplorecavesallthetimeandIwouldn'tgouptherewithoutspendingweekscheckingmypath."

"You'renotadragon,"sheretorted,andturnedherownattentiontothebaseofthepile.There,inaplacewhererockhadbeenmeltedandreformedtostabilizethearea(theindisputablemarkofdragonstone-shaping),was

whereKemanhadfoundthestrangepieceofmetal.Shanaexaminedthespotonherhandsandkneeswithherownlittlemage-light,andinafewmoments,therewasnodoubtinhermindthatwhathehadfoundwasnotarandombitofsomethingthatmighthavebeendroppedbyacuriousElvenlordlongago.Therewasmoreofthestuffunderthatoriginalrock-fall.Asshebroughtherpinpointlightinclosetotheground,shesawathinedgeofsomethingsquashedalongtheboundaryofrock-pileanddirtthatdidn'tlookanythinglikethefracturededgeofarock.Whatitdidlooklikewasanothersheetofmetal.

Justwhatwasunderthatpileofrock?

Justwhatisinsidethiscave?That'swhatIshouldbeasking....

Shelookedbackupagain.Atthatmoment,Kemanturnedandwavedbackdownather.Theymusthavefoundtheentrance.Amage-lightlefttheformationandswungpurposefullytowardsthetwofiguresuponthepile,

thenvanished,seeminglyintotherocks.Therewassomeactivityupthere,asthetwobentoversomething.Amomentlater,thefirstfigurefollowedthelightintothetumbledrocks.KemanremainedbentoverwhileKyrtian'smenfidgetedrestlessly,theneventuallystartedbackdownthepile.ClearlyKyrtianhadgonedowninsidethecavebyrope,andKemanhadremainedjustlongenoughtoseethathewassafelydown.



"Nowwhat'sKyrtianthinking?"themanbesideShanamurmured,fretfully."Weoughttobemakingcamp,notclimbingaroundincaves."

"Kyrtian'sprobablyseeingifwecancampinthecave,"oneofhisfellowspointedout."Itwouldbealotdrier,andwewouldn'thavetoworryaboutThings."

"Unless,ofcourse,thoseThingshavebeencomingoutofthecave,"Shanawarned,darkly.ThemoreKyrtianhadexplainedwhathehopedtofind,thelessshe'dlikedtheideaofcrawlingaroundinthere.Sofar,everysignhadpointedtotheconclusionthatKyrtianwasright,andthiswasthesiteofhisrace'sentryintothisworld.WhatifthatGreatPortalhadn'tquitebeenclosedorhadbeenreopened?FromwhatLorrynhadtoldher,Evelonwashellishatbest;therewasnotellingwhatkindofhorrorslivedbackthere.TheambushbeastsandtheotherweirdthingsinthisforestcouldbecomingoutofEvelonorbeensentb

ytheElvenlords'enemies,theonestheyhadfledheretoescape.

FireandRain!Iftheywerethelosersintheirfight,Idon'twanttomeetwhattheElvenlordsweknowthoughtwassobadtheywouldriskrunningintoanunknownworldratherthanfaceitorsurrendertoit.

Kyrtian'smendidn'tlookveryhappywithherobservation,soshedidn'tsharea

nymoreofherthoughts.Forewarnedwasforearmed,butnopointinmakingthemtoonervous.

Kemancamedowntheslideagreatdealfasterthanhehadgoneup;moresure-footedthananygoat,sinceheneedn'ttroublehimselfaboutthestabilityofthesurfacehetrodon.Helookedasgleefulasonlyadragoncould,withtheprospectofanewsetofcavestoexplore."Theoutermostcavernhasalotofthingsinit,buttheyall



looklikepersonalbelongingsthatpeopledroppedwhiletheywererunningaway.Kyrtianwantstocampinthere,"hetoldthem,asheleaptdownfromthelastboulder."Rightnow,weneedsomeropestogetdowninside."

"Andjusthowarewegoingtogetthehorsesupthatmess?"oneofthemendemanded."Theywon'tgo,andIdon'tblamethem."

"Oh."Kemanclearlyhadn'tthoughtofthat,andobviously,neitherhadKyrtian."Icouldstabilizeit,butthatwouldtaketime"

"Andthenwhatareyougoingtodo?Lowerthemonarope?HobieandLyndercangowithmylord,andtherestofuswillstayouthere,"themanrepliedfirmly."They'retheonesthatg

omuckingaboutinholes,notus.Youjustputsomeofthosemagicsonourcamptokeepthehorrorsaway,andwe'llbefinewaitingintheopen."

KemanlookedatShana,whojustshrugged.Theseweren'thermentocommand."GoseewhatLordKyrtianhastosayaboutthat,"washeronlyadvice.

SobackupthepilewentKeman,andbackdownagain,justasquickly."Hesaysi

t'sallright,butcampawayfromtherock-fallarea,"hecalledasheleaptfromrocktorock."SoweneedtoscoutasecureareaHobieandLynder,though,hewantsyoutobringuptheclimbinggearheaskedfor."

"Whataboutthecampingstuff?"Lynderaskedimmediately."Howarewegoingtogetthatdown?"

Kemanjustlaughed.

"LeavethattoShanaandme,"hesaid;sothetwomenKyrtiancalledforgatheredupapackapiece,andseveralcoilsofrope,andbegantheclimbwhileShanaandKemanandtherestwenttolookforagoodplacefortheotherstosetup.



Theyfounditsoonenough,anindentationinthesideofthehill,toosmalltobecalledavalley,toolargeforaravine.MoreofapocketinthehillsidethatShanacouldfenceoffwithmagicforthemtokeepthehorsesconfinedandscreenthecampfromview.

Thatwaseasyenoughforhertodo;anillusionofsolidhillsideandvegetation,layeredontoabarrierthatwouldonlyletpeoplepass.Shekeptthemage-lightsgoingwhiletheysetupcamp,thenoncetheyhadafireandtheirownlanternsgoing,dismissedallbutoneofherlights.ThensheandKemancollectedallofthegeartheyweregoingtoneedinsidethecave.Hehadtakentheformofsomethingrathergrel-like,withabroad,flatbacktocarryagreatmanypacks,andfourstrong,limberlegsendinginclaws.

Itwasaverygoodthingthathehadtakenallthegear,becauseShanahadahardenoughtimegettingherselfupthatslope.Itwasasmuchofascrambleasaclimb,testingeachfootholdonly

tofindherfeetskiddingasloosescreedislodged,grabbingdesperatelyforahandholduntilshecouldgetherfeetfirmlyplantedagain.Fortunately,oncetheyreachedthetop,HobieandLynderwerewaitingwithropessetuptobringdowneverythingabitatatime.KemanhimselfcarriedShana,pick-a-back,withherarmswrappedaroundhisneck,legswedgedunderthemuscleswherewingsmetshoulder.Hewasinhisownshape,ofcourse,climbingdownwiththeagilityofaflyonawall,disdainingtheuseofrope.Shekepthereyesshut;ifanything,itwasalotfarthertothefloorofthecavethanithadbeentothegroundoutside,andtherock-fallhadpiledupintoamuch

nastierbarrieronthisside.

Oncetheyweredownonfirmsoil,though,sheopenedhereyestotakeherfirstlookaround.



Mage-lightsupnearthevaultedtopofthecaveimpartedasoftglowthatwasasgoodasdaylight.Therewasrubbisheverywhere,abouthalfofitbeingwood,leaves,branches,andotherdetritusthathadblowninorwashedinbeforethecavewassototallysealedup.Buttheotherhalfofthelitterwasn't.Itlooked,justasKeman'sbriefdescriptionhadsuggested,asifagreatmanypeoplehadcomethroughhereladendownwithpersonalbelongings,andforonereasonoranother,hadsimplydroppedthemorleftthemhere.

Quiteclearly,themesshadbeenpokedat,dugthrough,andnestedinbyallmannerofanimalsoverthecourseofseveralcenturies.Anythingoffabricorleatherhadlongsincegottensoclosetothepointofdisintegrationthatallyouhadtodowaspokeitanditfellapart,leavingonlybitsofmetalandless-identifiablesubstancesthathadbeenusedasornamentationorfastenings.Someofitwasarmor;recognizablebreastplatesandgreaves,helmsandvambracespokeduphereandthereamongthewreckage.Therewereboxesthatfelltobitsata

touch,revealingatantalizingglimpseofwhattheircontentsmighthavebeenbeforethose,too,fellintopilesofdustandfragmentedflakes.Therewereswordsandknivesandaxes,butalsolessrecognizableobjectsandsomethatShanacouldn'tmakeoutatall.

Itwasn'tsomuchthemetalobjectsthemselvesthatwerefascinating,itwasthemetalsthattheyweremadeof.LivingamongtheElvenlordsasshehad,Shanawasfamiliarwiththewaysinwhichtheymadebronze,brass,copper,silver,andgoldserveanynumberofpurposesbuttheobjectsshefoundwe

ren'tmadeofanyofthosemetals.MostwereconstructedofthedullgreystuffthatKemanhadfound,verylightandstrong,butclearlynothingfamiliar.Otherobjectsweremadeofsomethingequallylightandthin,andlookedlikeceramicorglass,butwhateverithadbeenitwasbrittleandshatteredwhenflexed.Itcouldn'talwayshavebeenthatbrittle;presumablyagehadrendereditfriable.

Thissadlitterlayamongtheleavesandsticksthathadblownorbeencarriedinovertheyears,themoundsof

dirt,ofdustandcobwebs,thebonesoflittleanimalswhohadlivedanddiedhereorhadbeenbroughtinandeaten.

ButtherewereotherboneshereaswellthatwerenotofanimalsandwhenShanaaccidentallykickedahelmetanditrolledanddisgorgedaskull,shedecidedthatshe'dhadenoughofexploringandhurriedbacktothespot



thatHobieandLynderhadclearedofdebrisandweremakingintoacamp.Kyrtianhadalreadygatheredasmallpileofthingsthere,andwasgoingthroughthemwhiletheothertwoputtogetherafireandthemakingsofahotmeal.Therewascertainlynoshortageoffuelforthefire,anyway.

"It'sapitynothingofthebookssurvived,"Kyrtiansaid,lookingup,assheapproachedthefriendlywarmthofthefire."They'veallgoneutterlytobitsthatnotevenMothcouldreconstruct."

"Idon'tthinkit'sapityatall,"sheretorted."Kyrtian,itlooksasifthesepeoplewererunningfortheirlives,andsomethingmadesurethatnotallofthemgotoutofhere.ThatEvelonofyourancestorsmusthavebeenworsethanevenyouthought,andI'drathernotknowanythingaboutit."

"They'reyourancestors,too,Lashana,"Kyrtianpointedoutwithsurprisinggent

leness."Manyofthemwerearrogantandselfishcreatureswho,assoonastheygotawayfromthosewhowereexploitingthem,turnedaboutandoppressedothersbutsomewerelikeme,likemyfather,andlikeyourfriendValyn.Andtheyknewaverygreatdealthatwewouldfinduseful,ifwecouldrediscoverit."

"Allthatgreatlearningdoesn'tseemtohavedonethemmuchgoodhere,"Lynderobserved,lookingaroundthecave,andshuddering."DoElvenlordsleaveghostsbehindwhentheydie?"

Shanaknewexactlyhowhewasfeeling.Shehadspentagreatdealofherlifeincaves,andnormallyshefeltquitecomfortableinthem,butthisonehadanatmospherethatshecouldonlydescribeas"haunted."Everywordtheyspokewhisperedandechoedinawaythatwasquiteunnerving,withbitsoftheirownconversationlingeringlongpastthetimewhenShanawouldhaveexpectedthesoundstodieaway.



Andnowthattheywereallgatheredinaroundthefire,Kyrt-ianhadthriftilycanceledhismage-lights.Shewasusedtothewaythatafiremademovingshadowsoncave-walls,butherewereshadowsthatmovedwithintheshadows,andplaceswhereblotsofdarknessweretherewhenshelooked,butgonewhenshelookedagain.Asforthesmellundertheusualdamp"cave"scent,therewasahintofsomethingmetallicandharsh.

Itwasonlythefirstinaseriesofcaves,asKemanhaddescribed,forinthewalloppositetherock-fall,adarkmawofafurtherentrancegaped.Sheguessedthatthiscavernhadbeenwater-carvedatsomepoint,butwherethewaterhadgonewasanyone'sguess.Perhapsithadsunkfurtherintothedepthsofthehills,andtheywouldencounteritastheygotdeeperintothecaves.Itwasahalf-domenow,therock-fallcoveringwhathadbeenavastentrance;the"ceiling"wasagoodthreeorfourstoriesabovetheirheads.Underallthedebris,thefloor

wasofsand,whichatleasthadthevirtueofbeingdryandsofterthanrock.

ButthiscavewasnotwhatKyrtianhadcometohunt,notreally.TherelicsherewerenothingmorethanthesignthatthisplacewaswhatKyrtian'sfatherhadbeenlookingfor.TherewasnosignoftheElvenlordhimselfunlesssomeofthosebones

No,hewouldhavefoundsomethingtorecognizehisfatherby,Ishouldthink.

Therewasalsonosignofhis"GreatPortal,"oranythinglikeit;nosignofthecomplexdevicesKyrtianhaddescribedwhenhe'dtoldShanawhathewaslookingfor.HowlongbeforeKyrtiandecreedthatitwastimetomovedeeperintothecomplex?Theonlyconcessionto"makingcamp"sofarwasthefireandafewrocksasseatsaroundit.

Kyrtiansawherglancingreluctantlytowardstheopenentranceattherear,andcaughthereye."Whateverisintherehaswaitedfordecades,"hesaidsadly,shethought."Itcanwaitanothernight.Werodelikefoolstogethere,we'retiredandwetandcold.We'dbefurtherfoolstogoclimbingaroundinanunknowncaveinthisstate.Peoplegetthemselveskilleddoingstupidthingslikethat."



Lynderletouthisbreath;clearlyhe'dbeenholdingitthemomentKyrtianbegantospeak,dreadingbeingtoldtheyweregoingtohavetogathertheirstrengthandbeoffagainoncethey'deaten."Thankyouforthat,myLord,"hesaidstoutly."You'vepreventedmefromhavingtosaythesamething.IwasafraidifIdid,you'dbeangry,andifIdidn't,SargeantGelwouldhavethehideoffmewhenwegotback."

"IwouldhopeIwouldneverbethekindofleadertoputyouinthatsortofuntenableposition,Lynder,"Kyrtianreplied,butawearysparklecamebackintohiseyes,atleastforamoment."Foodandsleep,myladsandmylady"headded,bowingtoShana."That'swhat'scalledforhere.Andperhapsalittlenarrativefromyourfriendonwhatitwasliketoeavesdropoutsidemytent.Iamcurioustohearaboutthat."

Kemanbowedinhisturn."Theonlydifferencebetweenusandyourusualguards,LordKyrtian,wasthatwe

havemuchsharperhearingandoneofuswasaladyherself."

"Ohreally?"Kyrtianleanedforward."Pleasegoon...."

Hourslater,thefiredieddowntocoals.Kemanhadgoneouttocatchhimselfsomethingofanappropriatesizeforadragon'sdinner.Beforeheleft,ShanaandKyrtianhadbothtakenthetimecomparingnotesthewhiletofenceintheirlittlecampwithprotectivemagic.Interestinglyenough,neith

erofthemhadchosentousemagic-shields.Instead,theyhadbothoptedforsomethingthatwouldtriggeranalarmifcrossed,clearingacirclethatKemancouldeasilyseesothathewouldn'ttriggerthealarmbytrippingitwhenhereturned.Afterall,hecouldsimplyshapeshiftintoaboulder,andnothingwoulddisturbhisrest;hedidn'tneedalarmstowarnhimofdanger,sincedangerwouldpassbywithoutnoticinghim.



Despitethoseprecautions,despitebeingweary,Shanawashavingahardtimegettingtosleep.Ifconversationshadechoeduncannilyaroundthewalls,thelittlesoundstheothersmadeastheymovedorsighedormumbledintheirsleepwereworse.Someonewouldcoughalittle,orturnovermomentslaterthesoundcameback,muchdistorted,intosomethingthatsoundedlikeafootstep,orawhisperedword.Sometimesmultipleechoescameback,abreath,amurmurofnot-quite-intelligibleconversation.

Shedidn'tactuallyfallasleepuntilafterKemanfinallyreturned.Heenteredasadragonathin,snake-likedragon,theonlywayhecouldfithimselfinthroughthattinyopening.Heremainedasadragon,curledupjustoutsidetheboundary.Hissolidpresence,bulkinglargesocloseathand,finallymadeherfeelsafe.Andinthatmoment,sleepcame.

Triana'speoplehadpitchedasecludedcampatadiscreetdistancefromthesite

thatwasevidentlyKyrtian'sgoal.Raindrippedsteadilyonthecanvasofhertentasshepliedtheforesterwithquestions,asoftglowfromamage-lightsuspendedabovethemshiningdownonhisfaceandhighlightingrough-hewnfeaturesthatTrianahadbeguntotakealikingto.Theruggedlooksofallofthesemenwerebeginningtogrowonher;bycomparison,hercarefully-sculptedandtrainedslave-toys,thoughmoredefinedandmuscular,actuallyseemedratherboyishandimmature.

"So,fiveofthementered,andtherestarewhere?"Trianaaskedherscout.

"GraciousLady,Icouldn'tfindthem."Hedidn'tshrug,butshewonderedwhathisimpassiveexpressionhid.Probablynervousness,fearofheranger;hewasdefinitelysweating,justathishairline."Istayedtowatch,thenremainedoncetheyhadbeeninsideforsometimeanddarknesshadfallen.IclimbedtotheentrancetomakecertainthatLordKyrtianandthefourwhoaccompaniedhimintendedtosetupcampthere;theyhadgeardownthereenoughtodoso,andsuchseemedtobetheirintentions.WhenIwenttolo

okfortheothers,however,theycouldnotbefound."

"Ican'tbelievehewouldhavesentthemback,"shemusedaloud."No,I'msurehemusthavecreatedanillusiontocloaktheircampitiswhatIwouldhavedoneinhisplace.Orelsetheythemselvesaretakingnochancesonthecreatureslurkinginthisforest,andhavehiddentheircamp...."



"Itwasquitedarkbythattime,mylady,"hesaiddiffidently.

"AndyoucorrectlyrememberedyourorderstokeeptrackofKyrtian,nothisslaves."Shenodded."Didyoumakeanyefforttoseewhatwaswithinthecaveitself?"

Heshookhishead."LordKyrtianhadmage-lightsallthroughtheplace,butitisverylarge,andahardclimbdown.Thefloorislitteredwithdebris,butIcouldnottellyouwhatitwasatthatdistance.Theusualtrashonefindsinacave,Isuppose."

Sohehadcomestraightbackhere;thatshowedafinebalancebetweenobedienceandgoodsense.Shesmiledathim,andthoughtthathisnervousnessebbed,alittle."You'vedonewell;Iwoul

dratherthatyoucamebackheretotellmewhathappenedthanwastetimeintryingtodiscoverthewhereaboutsofalotofmenwhowillprobablydonothinguntiltheirmasterreturns."Shelaughed,then,andhermanrelaxedalittlefurther."AsIhavesaidbefore,whatKyrtiancando,Icando.Ihavenoneedofyoumeninsidethatcave;IhavenointentionofconfrontingLordKyrtian,Ionlywishtodiscoverwhatheisupto.Icandothatbeingcarefulandusingmyownpowersofillusiontocloakmypresenceonceoneofyouhashelpedmeclimbdown.You,meanwhile,havemanagedtooutflankAelmarkinandgetushereonlyalittlebehindLordKyrtian'smen.Ibelieveyoudeservea

bitofaholiday."

Nowtheslaveunbententirely."Thankyou,mylady,"wasallhesaid,butshesawtheexpressioninhiseyeschangetooneofwarygratitude,ratherlikeasomber,alertcoursing-houndofferedanunexpectedtreat.She



offeredhimacupofherwine;heaccepteditwithaprofoundbowanddrankitoffatagulp.Apity;itwasagoodvintage,butlikelyhewouldn'tknowgoodfrombad.Perhapsshewouldeducatehim.

"IwillgointothecavetomorrowtofollowKyrtian.BeforeIdo,Iwouldlikeyoutofindagood,out-of-the-wayplacetocampthatisunlikelytobestumbledacrossbyAelmarkin'smen.I'llcloakitwithillusionandyouallcandisportyourselvesasyouwilluntilIreturn."Hiseyesabsolutelylit,andshelaughed."Andyes,thismeansyoumayhelpyourselvestoanyoftheprovisions,thewineincluded.Idon'texpecttohavetospendmuchtimeinthathole,andwhenIreturn,ourbusinesswillbetomakeallspeedback.Toomanyprovisionswillonlyslowusdown."

Shewouldtaketheprecautionofchangingthewinesothatitmadeanyonewhodrankittranquilratherthan

rowdy.Shecouldalwayschangeitbackwhenshereturned.Betterthattheylazealittlewhileshewasgone;itwouldruinherplansentirelyforAelmarkin'speopletodiscoverhersbecausetheywerecarousingandsingingorfightingbehindhercloakofillusion.

Ifsomethingelsecameacrossthemandtheywereincapacitated,welltherewereotherwaysshecouldgethome.Iftheydidn'ttaketheprecautionofsettingasobersentry,theyweren'tworththemoneyshe'dpaidforthem.

"Haveanothercup,"shesaid,withadazzlingsmile,refillinghisgoblet."ThengoandtelltheotherswhatIjusttoldyou.I'llwantclimbinggearreadyformefirstthingwhenIwake;youcanseemesafelydown,thenreturnheretotheotherstowaitformyreturn."

Afewhourspastdawn,Aelmarkinstoodlookingupatavastpileoftumbledrocks;thetrailapparentlyended

there,accordingtohisforester.Asusual,theskiesdripped.Heshookrainoutofhiseyeswithirritation;wasthereneverabreakfromthewretchedstuffhere?

AndKyrtian,Ancestorscursehim,hadfoundawayoutofthewretchedstuff."Acave?"Aelmarkinsaidincredulously."There'sacaveupthere?AndKyrtiancrawledinthere?"



"Yes,myLord,"theforestersaidintothegroundatAelmarkin'sfeet."Itisavery,verylargecave;theopeningisneartothetopofit.Icouldnottellhowmanyofhismenwentinwithhim,butthemaintrailendshere,andIcanclearlyseewhereanumberofpeoplewentupthatslopeandenteredintoagapatthetop.WithoutlightIcannotseewhatisinside,butiftheywerestillimmediatelyinsideit,Imustsupposethey'dhavelightsoftheirown,soIpresumethey'vegoneindeeper."

"BytheAncestors."Aelmarkinbegantochuckle."Well,it'sprettyclearthat,whateverishere,it'snotWizards.Unlessthisissomeforgottenentranceintotheirlair."

"Forgotten,mylord,ornolongerinusebecauseoftherock-fall,"thescoutsaid,headstillbent."ButIdroppedatorchwithin,whenIcouldseenosignsofLordKyrtianorhismendownbelow,andbeforeitgutteredoutall

Isawwaslitter.Itappearsthatifthisplacewaseverinuseasanentrance,ithasnotbeenusedsoforaverylongtime."

"That'sgoodenoughforme!"Aelmarkinreplied.Heconsideredthesituation."I'lltakeyouwithme;therestcancamphere.We'llseeifwecan'tdiscoverwhatKyrtianthinkshe'supto."

"Itwillbeverydifficulttoconcealourselvesinacave,mylord,"themanbeg

an.

Aelmarkincuthimoffwithagesture;thewaterfromAel-markin'ssoddensleevespatteredhimfromheadtotoe,andAelmarkinfeltabitofsourpleasureastheslavewinced."Notforamage,youfool!Getwhatevergearwe'llneedwe'realreadyhoursbehindhim."Helookedaroundattherestofhisslaves."Andyou!Putupa



propercampthistime!WhenIgetback,Iexpecttoseesomethingotherthanahalf-pitchedtentandafirethatwon'tstart!Andgetmoving!"

Heputastingofwarninginhisvoicetoremindthemofthestingofhispunishments,punishmentsthathehadinflictedfrequentlythroughtheircollarseachtimetheybumbledatask.Itgotthemgoing,althoughsluggishly.

Well,nomatter.Inafewmoments,hewasgoingtobeinsideadrycave.Iftheycouldn'tmanagetoputacamptogetherproperlybythetimehegotback,onthewayhomehe'dstartcripplingthemandleavingthembehindonthetrailtoattractthehorrorsthatseemedtostalktheseforests.Thatwouldgivehisdearcousinsomethingtohavetodealwithonhiswaybacktocivilization.Attheleast,Kyrtianwouldbedelayedinreturningtohispatron,LordKyndreth.

AndatthemostAelmarkinwouldnolongerhaveanythingstandingbetweenhimselfandeverythinghewanted.

ThismustbethatfabledPortaltoEvelon,withallofthethingsthathadbeenleftbehindscatteredabout.TheWizards,iftheyexistedatall,certainlyweren'there.OpportunitywaitedandFatesmiledonAelmarkinatlast.Anddependingonwhathefoundinthatcavewell,bythetimehereturnedhome,Ae

lmarkinmightevenbeabletogiveLordKyndrethhimselfalittlehealthycompetitionforascendancyontheGreatCouncil.

32

---

Trianalookedupatthedim,unevenovalofgreylightthatmarkedtheopeningtotheouterworld,andabsentlykickedsomethingdryandcracklingfrombeneathherfeet.Therewasnosignofherslave,butshehadn'texpectedhimtolingeronceshewassafelydown.ShewonderedifshehadsurprisedherforesterbygettingdownintothecaveratherhandilywithnothingmoreinthewayofhelpthanoneoftheropesthatKyrtian's



peoplehadleftbehind;shecertainlysurprisedherself.

Thenagain,itwasveryinterestingwhatsortsofthingsonecoulddowithmagicwhenonewasterrifiedoutofone'swits.Ithadbeenaverylongwaydowntothefloorofthecavefromthattinyentranceabove;fortunatelyKyrtian'sownpeoplehadleftalltheirropesbehind,readytoclimboutwhentheyreturned,soatleastshehadhadthecomfortofknowingherlifelinewastestedandtried.

Ah,butKyrtianhadneverbeentaughtthesubtleartofElvenfemalemagic,andifhecamebackhe'dhavethebenefitofherpassage.She'dhadnonotionshecouldmakearopestrongerorherselfbrieflystrongeraswell.Bythetimeherfeettouchedthefloorofthecave,shehadimpartedthetransitorystrengthofoneofherforesterstoherarmsandlegsandshecouldhaveusedtheropeshedangledfromtolowerahorseandwagonwithoutworryingaboutitsnapping.

Soataguess,sheoughttobeabletogetherselfbackupthetumbleofrockwithoutmishapandnoassistance;itwasadmittedlyeasiertoclimbwhenonehadmagictohelp.



Itwastemptingtothinkaboutblastingherwayoutwithlevin-bolts,though;she'dbeenpracticingforyearsnowinsecretandshewasgettingquiteproficient.Itwouldmeanlessexertion.However,thereweredrawbacksaswellintheglimpsesshe'dgottenoftheceiling,shewasn'taltogethersureofhowstableitwas,anditwouldn'tdoheragreatdealofgoodtobringtheceilingdownonherselfinsteadofblastingherwayout.

Notsubtle,mydear.Notyourstyle.

Besides,unlessKyrtiancametogriefinthere,shedidn'tintendtoleaveanytraceofherownpassing,soshewouldprobablyhavetogetoutthehardway.

Meanwhile,inthegleamofhermage-light,theonlysignthatKyrtianhadbeenherewasadeadcampfireanda

clearedcircleamongtherubbishlitteringthefloor.Hemusthavegoneofflongbeforesheevenwoke,andhadgottenagooddealaheadofher.Soifshewastodiscoverwhathewasupto,shehadbettergetmoving.

Shepausedlongenoughtorecoverherbreathandherpowershe'dbeenhotandsweatyaswell,butinthecold,dankcave-airshe'dcooleddownquicklyandwasgladofthecloakshe'dbroughtwithher,tiedinabundleaboutherwaist.

Nowforalittlemagic.Shesmiledtoherselfasshewovepoweraroundher;thiswassubtle,andnotsomethingameremalewouldeverappreciate.Theillusionshecastuponherselfwasarathercleverone;itwasn'tpreciselyinvisibility,sincethatwasn'tstrictlypossible.Instead,shecloakedherselfintheimageofwhatwasbehindher,sothatanyonelookingatherwouldseeonlywhatherbodyordinarilywouldhaveobscuredakindofreflection,butnotexactly.Theillusionwasn'tperfect;itcouldn'tbe.Anyonelookingcloselymightwellseeafaintoutlineofherbody,ornoticehershadowonthefloor.Thatwaswhy

sheworealightcloakthatcoveredherfromheadtotoe,forabulkyirregularoutlineagainsttheroughrockofthecavewaslesslikelytobenoticedthanonewitharms,legs,andahead.

Shehadarathercleverdevicewithheraswell,aconeofmirror-finishedmetalwithahandleatitspoint.Shebroughthermage-lightdownandcoaxeditintothecone.Nowshecoulddirectal



lofthelightwhereshechosewithouthalf-blindingherself,orsettingthestupidthingtohoveraboveherhead.Shecastthebeamoflightreflectedoutoftheconearoundherself,andusedittopickapathacrossthedebristoanopeningattherearofthisenormouscavern.

Shebegantowishthatthelightwasn'tshowingherwayquitesoclearly.Asthelightpickedoutthisorthatobjectamidstthesticksandleavesandtrash,she'dhavehadtohavebeenblindnottospotthebitsofarmorandthebones.

Boneswhichwerenotallthebonesofanimals,norofhumanslaves,evenifthearmorcouldhavebeenmistakenforanythingbutelven-made.

Herskincrawledastheemptyeye-socketsofanelvenskullglaredatheronthe

edgeofhercircleoflight.Shehadalreadyknownthatsomethingterriblehadhappenedhere,butitwasonethingtoknowthatintellectually,andquiteanothertobeconfrontedwiththeevidenceofutterdisaster.

Achillthathadnothingtodowiththetemperatureofthisplacesettledoverher,andsheresistedtheurgetofleebackupthatropeintotheopen'.Whateverhadhappenedherehadoccurredaverylongtimeago,evenbythestandardsoftheElvenlords,andnothing,notevenghosts,couldlingerforthatlong.Butshefanciedshecaught

awhiffofancientdeath,ofbone-dustandterror,andshecouldn'tkeepherimaginationfrompaintingscenesthatwerenotatallcomfortable.

Nevertheless,asshepickedherwayacrossthefloor,sheavoidedlookingtoocloselyatanythinglargeenoughandwhiteenoughtobebone.



Weretherewhispers,outthereinthedark?Wasthatamovement,notintheshadow,butoftheshadow?Shetoldherselfresolutelythatshewasn'tafraid,thatonlystupidslavesbelievedinspirits,but

Thereweresoundsoutthereinthedarkness,soundsthatcouldbeechoes,butcouldbesomethingelseaswell.Shecouldn'tevenimaginewhatcouldhavekilledsomanyElves,soquicklyandtheslavessaidthatthespiritsofthosewhodiedviolentlylingered,hungeringafterthelifethey'dlostandeagertoavengetheirdeathsonanythingliving.

Shefoundherselfstartingateveryunexpectedsound,andlongedforthemomentwhenshereachedthefarwallandtheentrancedeeperintothecaves.

Shehadassumedthatonceshegottotheentranceintothenextcaveshewouldfindherpathclear.Infact,shefoundnothingofthekind.

Whathadbeenlitteronthefloorofthecavewasatangledblockagehere;someone,Kyrtianandhispeople,sheassumed,hadclearedapathwaythrough,butiftheartifactstherehadnotalreadybeenreadytofallapartatatouch,itcouldn'thavebeendoneinlessthanaweek.Herethecartsoftheref

ugeeshadjammedattheentrance,andthereweremany,manymorebones,enoughsothatitwasnolongerinherimaginationthattheyimpartedtheirowndryhintofancestralcorruptiontotheair.Bigbones,these,thebonesofdray-animalslongsinceforgotten,fortheyhadperishedalongwiththeirmasters,tangledintheshaftsofdisintegratingcartsinattitudesthatsuggestedatideofunreasoningpanichadwashedoverthemandsentthemscatteringbeforeit.

Andmoreelvenbones,thistimeoneswithoutarmor.Women?Oldmen?

Adisintegratingwagonthathadbeenladenwithsmall,slendercreaturesittookheramomenttogetpastthedisbelieftounderstandthatthishadbeenawagonfullofchildren.

Itwashardtoimagine.Oneseldomsawelvenchildren;theywereusuallykeptin



nurseriesuntiltheywereconsideredoldenoughtominglewiththerestofsociety.Shecouldhardlyimaginesomanyinoneplace.Whatsortofspiritwouldachildleavebehind?Somethingwispyandmelancholyorferalandvicious?

WhateverhadsenttheElvenlordsintoflighthadterrifiedtheirbeastsaswell.Trianabegantofeelacertainreliefthatthefewscrapsofinformationshe'dgleanedhadnotbeenmorespecific,thatlegendnowpaintedtheCrossingasamatteroftriumphratherthanthetragedyithadsoclearlybeen.Shedidn'twanttoknowthedetailsnow;therewerealreadytoomanydetailswritlargeinthebonesofthosewhohadnotsurvivedtobecomeherancestors.

Shereachedoutherhandtosteadyherself,andwoodwenttodustathertouch,enlargingthepassagethatKyrtian'speoplehadalreadymade.Herveryskinflinchedawayfromthatdust,butitroseincloudsabouther

anddriedhermouthandthroat,asifthedeadthemselvesrosetomakeclaimsonher....

Don'tbesuchasuperstitiousidiot!shescoldedherself,butwithouteffect.Herpoundingheart,thebloodrushinginherears,herveryskinwererebelstoherreason.

Butsheforcedherselfpast,andonceoutofthejam-up,thewaysuddenlycleared.Nomorebones;oratleast,

nonethatflashedwhitelyatherinthecircleofherlight.Justthings.Belongings,discarded,unidentifiable.Shecouldcopewiththings.Especiallythingsthatwenttoatomsatatouch,collapsinginonthemselvesandleavingnothingbehindthatcalledupuncomfortablyfamiliarimagesinthemind.



ThepaththatKyrtian'sunderlingstookwasplainlyscribedinthatlitter,atrailwhereonlybitsofmetalshonedullyinthedust.Shepausedamomenttolisten,andthoughtshecaughtthefaintestofmurmursfromsomewherefarahead;coveredherlight,butsawnoglimmersinthedistance.Whereverhewas,ifthatwas,indeed,thesoundofhimandhispeople,itwasfaraheadofher.Shehurriedon,suddenlyhungryforthesightofsomethingliving,evenifitwasanenemy.Alivingenemyrightnowwaspreferabletothewhispersinthedark.

"Thisplacemakesmyskincrawl,"LyndermutteredtoShana."Idon'tseehowhecanstandit."Hewaspale,frecklesshehadn'tnoticedbeforestandingoutclearlyacrosshischeeks.Shealsohadn'tnoticedhowyounghewasbeforethis;allofKyrtian'speopleweresocompetentandconfidentthatshe'dtakenthemallformatureadults.NowshesawLynderforthebeardlessboyheactuallywas,newlyjumped-u

pfromapage,perhaps.Well,feardidthattopeople.

Shanadidn'tseehowtheirleadercouldseemsounaffectedbytheplace,either.Kyrtianhadmage-lightsfloatingsilentlyovertheirheads,settoavoidcollisionwiththeceilingbutotherwiselightingupthisseriesofsmallercaveswithpitilessclarity.Thetangleofcartsandbeastsatthemouthofthiscomplexhadbeentheworst,ofcourse;Shanahadbeensotemptedtofleescreamingawayandswarmrightbackuptheropeintothe

cleanrainoutside.

Andthecartfullofwhathadbeenchildren!NomatterwhattheElveshaddonetoher,totheWizards,andespeciallytotheirslavesthethoughtofthatcartloadofchildrendyingtangleduptogetherinthedark

Ithadmadeherthroatcloseandhereyessting,andshedidn'tcarethatithadhappenedhundredsofyearsago.

TheythinkI'mfearless,shehadtoldherself.Andthathadmadeherclenchherteeth,thrustoutherchin,andpretendthatherwholebodywasn'tflinchingawayfromthewreckage,thebones.Shesquaredhershoulders,andtensedtokeepherselffromshivering.Theseweremenshehadtoimpress;theyweren'tWizards,theyweren'tslaves.Shewasalegendtothem,andiftheylostfaithinthelegendthe



ywouldlosefaithinthecause.Sheneededthem;more,probably,thantheyneededher.Ifallittooktokeeptheirfaithwastopretendtobeutterlyfearless,itwasasmallpricetopayforthatfaith.

ButKyrtianhadonlydirectedtheenlargementofapassagealreadythere...apassageshowingtheimprintofasinglepairofnarrowfeetinthedust.

Hisfathermadeit;hemusthave.Kyrtianknowsthai.Thisiswhathe'sbeenlookingfor,andallhecanseeisthosefootprintsleadingusdeeper.

Kyrtianhadspentalongmomentstudyingthoseprints...thenhehadtakenthelead,faceimmobileandexpressionless,astheresthadtostretchtokeepupwithhim.

"I'veneverseenhimlikethisbefore,"Lyndercontinued,wipingsweatfromhisfacewithhissleeve,leavingbehindasmudgeofthedustofthedeadobscuringthefrecklesscatteredacrosshischeeks.Heshuddered.

"He'snotthinkingaboutyouoraboutanyone,"Kemansaidslowly."He'scompletelyinsidehisownhead."

Thethreeofthemexchangedglances;shereadinLynder'sfacethatheatleastwouldrathernotbeprivytowhatwasinKyrtian'sheadjustnow.Sheratheragreedwithhim.

Itwasbadenoughbeingouthere.Thedeeperintothisstringofcavestheygot,themorethefeelingofdoomwhetherlingeringorimpendingshecouldn'tsayincreased.She'dneverbeenclaustrophobicbefore,butshefeltthewallsoftheselittlecavesclosinginonherorwasitthattheyseemedtopulseandheave,slowly,asif



theyalltraveleddownthegulletofsomeimpossiblyhuge,sleepingmonster?Ifthewallsclearlyhadn'tbeenrock,thefloorclearlythesame,itwouldhavebeenalltooeasytosuccumbtotheillusion.

"Doyoufeelit?"Kemanmurmured,forherearsonly."Thatkindofdroneinthebackofyourbrain?Likethere'ssomethingjustbarelyawakeoutthereandwe'retouchingtheedgeofitsdreams?Orthere'ssomethingsinginganastydirgeinitssleep?"

Shenodded.Shedid;had,infact,sincethey'dbeenhere.Itwasn'tgettinganystronger,andifKemanhadn'tsaidanything,she'dhaveputitdowntonervesbutitwasthere,asoundsodeepitcouldonlybefelt.ShewonderedwhatelseKemanheard;hehadthebenefitofsensesthatcouldbeenhancedwithoutanyimmediatelimit.

"There'snothingalivedownhere,either,"Kemancontinued,andshivered."Notevenslime."

Nothingalive.Unheardof.Cavesalwayshadtheirownlittlecommunityofcreatures:insects,bats,mice,andthefungithatthelittlestfedonbeforetheyinturnbecamethepreyofthebiggest.Whereweretheyall?

Andwhatdrovethemaway?

Shecouldn'tseeKyrtian'sfacefromherplaceattherearofthegroup,butLynder'swasbleachedaswhiteasthebonesthey'dleftbackthere,andshefanciedherownwas,aswell.Lifeleachedoutofthemwitheverysteptheytookdeeperintothemawofthemountain.

Shanasuddenlyfeltthattheywouldneverleavethisplace;thattheywouldcontinuetostumblealonginKyrtian'swakeuntiltheydroppedintheirtracksanddied.ThatthiswaswhathadhappenedtoKyrtian'sfathernoaccident,butthemountainsuckingthelifeoutofhimasheploddeddeeperintoitsdepths,luredbyitspromiseandthreatuntilhestumbledandcouldnotriseagain.



Then,withoutwarning,Kyrtianstopped.

Themage-lightsunderKyrtian'scontrolshotpastthemoutintosomevastspaceahead,andtheykeptfromblunderingintohimonlybyswervingtohisrightorleft.Whichbroughtallofthemtostandnexttohimattheedgeofanabruptdrop-off,staringoutintoacavernthatcouldhaveswallowedanycaveShanahadeverseenwithoutatrace.Herpulseracketedinherthroat:hownearlyshehadgoneovertheedge!

Atleast,thatwasherinitialreaction.Assheteeteredontheedgeandhereyesadjusted,itbecameclearthatthedrop-offwasnotnearlyasfaraspanichadmadeherthink.Shemighthavebrokenananklehadshegoneover,allunwarned,butnoworsethanthattheillusionofasheerprecipicewasjustthat,illusion.Aftertheinitialdrop,asteepslopeslantedawayfromthemtothefloorofthisnewcave.Itwaswhatbulkedhereinorderedrows,offinthedistance,thatdrewtheeyeandconfusedthemind.

Objects.No.Constructs.Thingsofmetal,gears,wheels,thingsthatmightbearmsorlegsorneither.Bigasahouse,someofthem.Rowuponrowofthem,threeabreast,leadingbacktothebiggestconstructofall,ahugearchofsomedullgreenstuffthatlookeddeaderthanthebonestheypassedbutfeltaliveandfullofbroodingmenace.

Overeverythinglay,notmerelyafilm,butathickshroudofdust,obscuringtheshineofmetal,softeninganglesintocurves.Thickasablanketinsomeplaces;sothickthatsectionshadactuallybrokenoffandfallenfromthesides.

"Whatarethose?"Shanaasked,hervoicehighandstrained.



Kyrtianonlyshookhishead."Idon'tknow.Thereisn'tanyonealivewhocouldtellyou.Oh,Iknowwhattheyarecollectively,they'rethingstheAncestorsmadetoservetheminallthewaysthatslavesdonow.Magiciswhatmadethemwork,butoncethePortalclosed,theywouldn'tworkanymoreandtheywereabandoned.Astowhytheywouldn'twork,Ican'tsay."

"Servethem?"Lyndersaid,puzzlementinhisvoice.

Kyrtian'stonewasasdryasthedustlyingovereverything."Ofcourse.Youdon'tthinkourAncestorseverputhandtotoolthemselves,doyou?Theycreatedthesethingstoplowanddig,buildandteardown"

"Andmakewar?"Kemanasked,harshly.

Kyrtianglancedathim,mouthsetinathinline.Buthistonewasmild."Makewar?"hereplied,softly."Ohyes.That,certainly.Aboveallotherthings.TheAncestorsmadewaramongthemselves,warofasortthatmakeseverythingwedidtotheWizardsseemthemerestgame."

ShanalookedawayfromKyrtian'sfacebacktotherankuponrankofconstructions,andshuddered.Underthedust,metalgleamedwithcruelefficiency.Werethoseblades?Wasthatareaper

ofcornoroflives?Adiggerofditchesorofgraves?

Shedecidednottoaskaquestiontowhichshedidnotwanttoknowtheanswer.

ButKyrtianmadeastrangledlittlesound,andabruptlyjumpeddownfromtheedgeofthecave-mouth,landinginacrouchonlytosprintofftoonesideofthehugecavern,wheretherewereafewofthemechanismsthat

werenotinsuchorderedrows.Withamuffledoath,Lynderfollowed,thentherestofthem,trailingalongbehind.

Aelmarkincursedthemenwholoweredhimdowneverytimehecollidedwithanotherrock,lashingthemthroughtheircollarswiththepunishmentofpain.Itwasnotenoughtosatisfyhim,buthedaredtodonomore;



toomuchandtheyonlybecameclumsier.He'dassumedfoolishly,inretrospectthattheycouldsimplylowerhimdowncomfortablytothebottomoftheplace.Instead,hewashavingtopracticallywalkdownthetumbledslopeofrocksthatwasthemirrorofthepileoutside;justasdifficultasbeinghauledupthatslope,butmorepainful,sincetheidiotsabovekeptdislodgingrocksthatfellonhisheadandtheykeptloweringhiminaseriesofjerks.Eachoneendfcdinacollisionwithmorerockssinceeachtimehewascaughtoff-guardandoff-balance.

Idiots!Hewouldcertainlyleavesomeofthembehindasbaitforthemonstersinthisbenightedplace,andatthatitwasbetterthantheydeserved.He'dsuspecttheyweredoingthisonpurposeexceptthathispunishmentswereworsethananythinghewasenduring.

Whenhefinallybumpeddownwithapainfulthudontothefloorofthecave,hegavethemallafinalreminder

ofhispoweroverthemthatmadethemyelp.Theechoesoffourhowlsofpainreverberatedlongenoughtogivehimafleetingmomentofsatisfaction.Hepickedhimselfupoutofthedustandkickedthetrashhe'dfallenonoutofhiswayangrilybeforesendinghismage-lightuptoilluminatemoreofthearea.

Nopointinlookinguptoglareatthem.Theyweregone,ofcourse,Scuttlingbacktotheshelteroftheirtentsandtheirfire,wheretheywouldstay,probablylazingaboutandtryingtofindnon-existentsuppliesofwine

amonghisbelongings.Heknewtheywouldn'tleavethecamp;theyweremoreafraidoftheforestthantheywereofhim.Foresterstheymightbe,butthiswasn'ttheirforest,andtheyweresuperstitiouslyterrifiednotonlyoftheveryrealmonstersamongthetrees,butthespiritstheysworethey'dheardinthenight.They'dbewaitingforhimwhenhereturned,allright...notknowingthatifhishopeswerefulfilled,hewouldn'tneedthem.He'dhavepowerenoughtoblastthisplaceopenorcreateaGatehome.Orfly,ifhechose.Thatwouldbenovel;



therewereoldlegendsofhowtheAncestorsflew,onthebacksofmetal-beakedbirdswithrazor-tippedwingsandscythesfortalons,howtheywouldduelintheairuntilbloodfelllikewarmrainonthefacesofthosebelow.Perhapstherewereconstructslikethatwaitinghere....

Well!Hewasn'tfindingthemstandingaboutandkickingtrash.NorwashediscoveringjustwhatKyrtianwasuptoifitwasn'thuntingrelicsoftheAncestorsortheWizardshewassupposedtobepursuing.

Heturned.ItwasclearenoughwhereKyrtianhadgone,thepaththroughthedebriswasplainenoughforawomantopickout.Itwasalsoclearthatthiscavewasn'tlitteredwithjustthetrashthatthewindhadblownin.SoKyrtianhadfoundtheplacewheretheGreatPortalhadmadeanentranceintothisworld!

"BytheAncestors!"Aelmarkinsaidaloud,andhisownvoicerepeatedhisastonishmentinechoesthatwhisperedinthecaveasifacrowdmimickedhissurprise.

AskullanElvenskull,bythehigh-archedforeheadandthenarrowjawlaydirectlyinhispath,glaringathim,asifdaringhimtopass.

Aelmarkinsneeredatit.Whatmatterafewbones?Boneswerenothing.ThoseoftheAncestorsthatdiedhereweren'tAncestorsatall,werethey?Theyhadn'tgottentheirbloodlinesanydeeperinthisworldthanthefloorofthecave.WhatmatterthatAelmarkin'spathledoverthosebones?Thatwaylayhisfortune,andhewasn'tgoingtoletthebonesofafewdeadfoolsstophim.

"You,"hetoldtheskull,contemptuously,"areanothing.Adead-end.Youcan'tevenmanagetoblockmyway."

Hebroughthisbootedfootdownontheskulldeliberately,smashingit.Itbrokewithnomoreeffortthandestroyinganegg.Hisnextsteptookhimpastthefragilefragments,andhedidn'tlookback.



Thedemi-barricadeatthetunnel'smouthdidn'tstophim,either;infact;hetookagreatdealofgrimpleasureinbullyingpastit,kickingatthecartsandthebonesofthelegendarydray-lanthansandseeingthemdisintegrate.Notasmuchpleasureashemighthave,sincethewreckageprettymuchfelltobitsatatouch,butenough.

Somefoolsmightfindallthishorrifying.Allhefeltwasmorecontemptfortheweaklingswhohadbeensoafraidofpursuitforofcourse,itcouldonlyhavebeenpursuitthattheyfearedthattheyallowedtheirpanictoturnwhatcouldhavebeenanorderlyprocessionintoarout.Andforwhat?

Sotheirbonescouldrotonthefloorofacavebeforetheyevensawthelightoftheirnewworld,that'swhat.

Hewondered,ashepenetratedfurtherintothecave-complex,ifallofthelegendsofharmonyandcooperation

weresomuchrotafterall.Itwasobviousfromthisdecayedchaosthattherehadbeenpanic,fighting,buttherewasnosignofwhateverwasthecause.Unless,ofcourse,theAncestorshadbroughtthecausewiththem....

Whatifthey'dbegunfightingamongsteachotherforascendancyassoonastheygotsafelytotheotherside?

Thatwouldcertainlyexplaintherout

Infact,suchanexplanationmademoresensethantheofficialversionoftheCrossing.



Suppose,justsuppose,thatnotalloftheAncestorshadgiveneverythingtheyhadtothecreationoftheGreatPortal?Thatwaswhathewouldhavedone,comedowntoit.Now,supposethatfaction-within-a-factionhadthenturnedontherest,whentheywereoutofmagic,depleted,vulnerable?

Hegrinnedsavagely,kickingabitofdebrisoutoftheway.Ofcoursethatwaswhatmusthavehappened!Itexplainedallofthis,andexplainedwhynoonehadevercomebackhereuntilthesecretofjustwherethePortalwashadbeenlosttomemory.Afterall,thosecleverbastardswho'dwonwouldn'twanttochancecominguponasurvivoramidthewreckage,orchanceonsomeoneuncoveringtherealversionofwhathadhappened!Andbesides,thingshadbeenhardenoughonthosewhosurvived,creatingtheirstrongholds,waitingtoseewhatperilslurkedinthisnewworldandtryingtodefendagainstwhatevermightcome.

Then,ofcourse,theAncestorshaddiscoveredthehumans,andrealizedtheydidn'tneedconstructswhentheycouldhaveslavesinstead,slavesthatdidn'tneedrepairs,couldbreedtheirownreplacements,andcouldbecontrolledwithabareminimumofmagic.

Properconservationofresources,that.ItspokewellfortheclevernessoftheElvenlordswhohadsurvivedtobecomehisAncestors.Clever,cleverfellowsindeed;theywouldbeproudofhimnow,whohadretracedtheirfootstepstorediscoverthesecretsoftheirpowerandtakewhatrightfullybelo

ngedtohim.

Ofcourse,thatwouldonlybethebeginning.OncehehadtakenKyrtian'sestates,he'dconsiderhisnextmoves.Therewere,afterall,manypossibilitiesforthefuture,andeverythingwoulddependonjustwhathelearnedhere.Onlyonethingwascertain;Aelmarkin,andnotKyrtian,wouldbetheonetohavethebenefitofwhateverlayhere.

Andwhatwasmore,Kyrtianwouldn'tbecomingoutofhereatallifAelmarkinhadanythingtosayaboutit.

Atleast,notalive.



33

LyndertookoffatarunafterKyrtian,hisfeetslappingontherockfloorofthecaveandkickinguppuffsofdust,butShanaandKemanhesitated,exchangingfirstaglance,thenaguardedthought.

;Ihaveafeelingthatsomething'sabouttogohorriblywrong,:Shanabegan,notatallhesitanttolooklikeafoolifindeedshedidinfrontofherfoster-brother.Afterall,he'dseenherdoandsaystupidthingsplentyoftimesinthepast.

ButKemannodded,confirmingherapprehensionswhich,ofcourse,onlymadethemworse.:SodoI.It'snotjustthathum.There'ssomethingdownhere,asleepmaybe,andIdon'twanttodisturbit.:Hepaused,andhiseyesflickedtooneside.:FireandRain!Lookatthemage-lights!:

Shanabitherlip,whenshefollowedhisdirectionandrealizedthatKyrtian'smage-lightswereslowlypulsing,waxingandwaninginstrengtheversoslightlyandveryslowly.HadKyrtiannoticed?Wouldhe?

:Ithinksomething'sdrainingthemalittleatatime,:Kemancontinued.:ThenKyrtianincreasesthepowertothemwitkcutthinkingaboutit,anditallbeginsagain.AndIdon'tthinkitwo

uldbeagoodideatouseanystrongermagicinhere.Itmight...wakesomethingup.:



Wakesomethingup...sohefeltittoo.Thesenseofpresencewasstrongernow,althoughthedroninginthebackofhermindwasnot.:We'dbetterfollowKyrtian,then,:shesaidreluctantly.

Theyfollowedhistracksinthedustacrossthefloorofthecave,passingamongtheoddandarticulatedshapesofmetalandglassandstrangersubstances.Theyloomed,theseobjects.

TheybulkedaboveShana'shead,exudingunsubtlemenace.Althoughhowthatwaspossiblewithoutpossessingeyesorfaces...

Shefeltherskinflinchingawayfromthem,notingafewmomentslaterthattheconstructswerenotarrangedinquitetheorderlyfashionthattheyhadfirstthought.

Norweretheyundamaged.

Deepinthemiddleofthepack,theypassedtwotangledtogether,asifthey'dblunderedintoeachother.Thencameonethathadbeensmashedbeneathamassiverock,perhapsdetachedfromtheroofofthecavern.Thenanother,fallenoveronitsside.

Thenonethatlookedmelted?Yes,alldownonesidetheconstructsagged,andtherewereplacesalongtheleadingedgeswherethethinglookedlikebutterthathadbeguntorun,thenhardenedagain.

AlowmurmurofvoicesfromtheothersideofthethinggaveacluetoKyrtian'swhereabouts,buttherewassomethingharshanddesperatelyunhappyinthatmurmurthatmadethembothslowtheirpacesandedge,withgreatcare,aroundthecornerofit.

Kyrtianstoodfacingtherockwallofthecave,everymuscleasrigidastherockhefaced,andforamoment,allthatShanacouldunderstandwasthattherocklookedasifithadmeltedlikebutterinthesun,justasthemetaloftheconstructhad.



Then,slowly,hermindencompassedtheshapeintherock.Intherock,likesomeobscenebas-relief,likeahaplessinsectcoatedinwaxandpreservedforalltime,likeafancypastryenrobedinathinglazedshell.Like,mosthorriblyofall,likesomethingcaughtinanice-storm,preservedperfectlybeneathathinsheathoficethatreplicatedeverydetailoftheno-longer-livingthing.

Therewasaman,anElvenlord,embeddedinthesatiny-smooth,meltedandre-solidifiedrock.Notcarvednotunlesstherehadbeenasculptorworkingherewhowasutterlymad.Notwiththeexpressionofutter,blindingterrorthatshesawonthesubject'svisage.

ShanacouldnotseeLordKyrtian'sface,andforthat,shewasprofoundlyglad.Theeloquentlineofhisbackbonetoldhermorethanenoughtoomuch,truthbetold.

Desperatelyunhappy?Thatwastootame.Thiswasamanwhoshould,byallrights,breakintoahowlofdespairatanymoment.

ThiscouldonlybeKyrtian'sfather.Badenoughtofindbonesandonlywonderathowhehadperishedthiswasinfinitelyworse,themomentofdeathcaughtandheldonshowforalltime.

Shedidn'tknowKyrtianwellenoughtooffercomfort,butheclearlyneededitatthemoment,andjustasclearlywouldnotacceptitfromanyonestandingabouthimnow.Shecouldhardlyblamehim;ifshehadbeensearchingforAlaraalltheseyearsonlytofindherlikethis



Allofthemstoodinawkwardsilence,asilencethatstretchedonandonuntilitbecameunendurable.Shana'snervesshriekedunderthestrainofwaiting,andlongedforsomeone,anyone,tobreakitsolongasitwasn'ther.Kyrtiancouldnotpossiblybearthisnoonecould!

ButitwasKyrtianhimselfwhofinallydidso,andwithutterlyunexpectedwords.

"Lightthelanterns,"hesaid,thewordsemergingasastrangledcroak,butclearenoughforallthat.

"M-m-mylord?"Lynderstammered,withoutcomprehension.

"Lightthelanterns.I'mgoingtokillthemage-lights.Something'sfeedingont

hemandIdon'twanttogiveitanythingmore"

Hedidn'tfinishthesentence,butwiththatinfrontofthem,hedidn'thaveto.Lynderandtheotherhastenedtoobeyhisorder,breakingoutthecandles,theoil,andthelanterns,andthemomentthatthefirstwickwaskindled,Kyrtianextinguishedhismage-lightscompletely.

This,ofcourse,leftthemhuddlingaroundalanternthatinnowaygaveafractionofthelightthatthemage-lightshad,whiletheothershastenedtolighttherestofthewickswithaspillkindledonthefirst.ShanawasjustgladthatKyrtianhadhadtheforesighttoorderlanternsbroughtinthefirstplaceandthateveninthemidstofagriefshecouldn'tevenbegintounderstand,hehadn'tlosthimselftomourning,madness,orboth.

Shehurriedforwardtohelptheothers;thelampswerekeptdryuntilneeded,soshefilledthemwhiletheothers

litthemandsetthetransparentchimneysinplacetoprotectthemfromdrafts.Whenshelookedoverathim,Kyrtianstillhadn'tmoved,excepttoplaceonehandonthebreastofthatterriblefigureinthewall.

Shestillcouldn'tseehisface.Shestilldidn'twantto.



Butshewishedwithallhersoulthathewouldweep.

Trianawassurprisedwhentheglowofmage-lightsaheadofherwinkedout.

Shedimmedherownlightinautomaticresponse,lestitbenoticed.Nowtherewasbarelyenoughlightcomingfromherlittlemetalconetoletherseeherwaywithoutstumbling,andsheusedonehandonthecavewalltosteadyherselfasshecreptalong.WhyhadKyrtiandousedhislights?

Then,asafaintyellowglowcamefromtheopeningaheadofher,sheunderstoodthatalthoughhehaddousedhislights,hewasn'tindarkness.Thelightcomingfromaheadwaspoorandweak,andshewonderedifsomedisasterhadbefallenKyrtian,orhismen,tomakehimlosecontrolofhismage-lights.

Thefeelingofunfocusedhorrorthathadstalkedherfromthemomentthatsheenteredthisplacewashedoverherinredoubledstrength.Itwasonlybystoppinglongenoughtotakeafewdeepbreathsandswallowasipofwaterfromaflaskatherbelttoeaseherfear-driedmouththatsheforcedherselftogoon.Whateverwasouttherehadn'tdevouredKyrtianyet,orwherewouldthelightbecomingfrom?

Asherpulsepoundedinhertemplesandherhandsgrewcold,shereachedthemou

thofthenextcave,andassheextinguishedherownmage-lightlestitbetrayher,atlastsheheardvoices.OneofthemwasKyrtian's,with



aharsh,gratingtonetoitshe'dneverheardbefore,butthelowtoneandtheechoesmadeitimpossibletounderstandwhatheandtheotherswithhimweresaying.Still,hewastalking,andhewouldn'tbedoingthatifsomethinghadattackedhim.Shewonderedwildlyforamomentifhewastalkingtosomethingthatbelongedhere

Butno.Thatdidn'tmakeanysense.Therehadbeennosignsoflifehereatall,notevenbats,sowhatcouldsuchathingliveon?AndtherewerenotracksinthedustexceptKyrtian'speople,sonothingwasgoingintooroutofthiscave-complex.

Intheflickeringanduncertainlightshebarelymadeoutthebulkyshapesofhugeobjectsthesizeofgardenshedsandlargerrangedinutterlystillandsilentranksinfrontofher.Greathulkingshapes-frozenintoimmobilitynow,butsomehownotdead;theycrouched,waiting,watching.Andatt

heedgeofhervision,thearchoftheGreatPortalforthatwasallthatthesoaringarcofgreenish-blackattherearofthecavecouldbebroodingoverthemall.Movingshadowsofmenperformedanincomprehensiblepantomimeagainsttheright-handwall,wherelanternsmustbe.Therewasawhisperofacridscenttotheairhere,afainttasteofmetalandtheflavoroflightning.

Everythinginstinctiveinherscreamedtogoback,forgetwhatshesawandgo,flee,now.Thiswasnothinglike

whatshehadexpectedtherewassomethinghorriblywronghere,andifshestayedshe'dfindoutwhatitwas.Allofthosethingsoutthere,staringwithouteyes,waitingforjusttherighttrigger,therightactiontosetthemfree....

But...butifsheleft,shewouldleaveempty-handed.OnlyKyrtianwouldknowthesecretsthatlayhere.Andthatwasinsupportable.

Willtriumphedoverinstinct,andsheforcedherselftogoon.ShedecidedatthatmomenttoapproachtheplacewhereKyrtianandhispeoplewerebytakingthelongwayaroundtheedgeofthecavern,droppingdownfromtheledgeassilentlyaspossible,thenmakingherwayaroundthecavernwithonehandoutstretchedagainsttherockwalltoguideher.ShewouldpassbytheGreatPortal,andthatalonemightholdsomeusefulinformation.Andshewouldn'thavetowalkamongthosethings.



TheGreatPortalithadenabledtheAncestorstotravelfromanotherworld.Perhapsitstillheldenoughmagictotakeherhomeafterall,someoftheoldestPortalscouldbeusedtogoanywherethatoneheldakey,andshehadthePrimeKeytoherownPortalintheformofthesignetringonherrighthand.Ifthatwastrue,thenshewasn'ttrappedhere;ifanythingwentwrong,shecouldescapeinaheartbeat!

Thatthought,whenitoccurredtoher,broughtasuddeneaseofherfearthatalmostmadeherstagger,andshecaughtherselfwithonehandonthecavernwall.Reliefsuffusedher,makingheralittlelightheaded.ThehulkingshapesoftheAncestors'chattelsnolongerseemedtostareatherwithinsensatemenace.Theywerejustthings.Old,deadthings.NomatterwhatKyrtianhadfound,orthoughthehadfound,theserelicscouldn'tthreatenanythingoranyoneiftheyeverhad.Herimaginationhadrunawaywithher,andshewasasbadas

anynursery-boundchildinconjuringupnightmaresforherself.

Whateverhadslaughteredallthosepeoplebackinthemaincavecouldn'thavecomefromhere,anyway.WhenthePortalclosed,theconstructshadalldied.Everyoneknewthat.ItwasineveryversionoftheCrossingthatshehadeverread.ThatwaswhyithadbeensoimportantthattheAncestorsfindorcreateasourceofslave-labor,sincetheynolongerhadtheirconstructstodotheirworkforthem.

Withrenewedconfidence,andapurelyinternallaughofscornatherownfoolishness,shecontinuedon,feelingforeachstepasshetookit,sinceshecouldnolongerseewhereshewasgoing.Andallthewhile,shestrainedherearsforsomehintofwhatKyrtianwassaying,watchingtheenormousshadowscastontheoppositewallbythewaveringlightofhislampsmovinginagiganticpuppet-play.



Aelmarkindousedhismage-lightwithacursewhenherealizedthatthefaintglowaheadofhimmustbecausedbyKyrtian'speopleinthenextcave.He'dfinallycaughtupwiththemonlytocomeperilouslyclosetoblunderingintothem.Hesworeathimselfforbeingsostupidhowcouldhehaveletsomethingthatsimplecatchhim?Heonlyhopedthatnoneofthemwerebrightenoughtohavenoticedhislightbehindthem.

Theroughcircleoflightaheadseemedawfullydimandveryyellow.Odd,that.WhywouldKyrtiangooutofhiswaytocreateayellowlightwhenthenaturalblue-whiteofmage-lightswassomuchbetterandtruer?

Thenagain,itwasKyrtian.Itmightbefirelight;hemighthavefoundwhathewaslookingforanddecidedtocamp.Itmightbelamplight,becausehewasn'tasgoodamageasAel-markinhad

thoughtandhewasrunningoutofenergytokeepthemage-lightsgoing.Hewasperfectlycapableofdoingwithoutmage-lightaltogether,forsomeotherpeculiarreasonofhisown.

ItwasonlywhenAelmarkinactuallyreachedthemouthofthenextcavernandonlyjustsavedhimselffromtumblingovertheedgethatheunderstoodthatthelightswereindeedlanterns,andthatKyrtianhadelectedtousetheminsteadofmage-lights,andhecursedagain(butonlyinhishead)whenthatsimplefactcamenearto

undoinghim.

Itwasaverynearthing;onemoment,hewaseasinghimselfalongthecavern,andthenext,hisquestingfootmetemptyair,andunfortunately,hehadalreadytrustedsomeweighttoit,notanticipatingthattherewouldbeadrop-off.Aelmarkinteeteredonthebrinkforaheart-stoppingmomentbeforehisflailinghandcaughttheedgeofthewallandhewasabletosteadyhimself.

Heburnedtheairwithaflurryofmentalcursesbeforehisheartstoppedracingandhewasabletoreallylookatwhatlaybelowhim.Butthenohthen,hisheartracedforanentirelydifferentreason!

Therebelowhim,rankedandwaitinglikesomanyplacid,sleepingbullocks,weretheancientconstructsthat



theAncestorshadbroughtwiththem.Rowuponrowofthem,waitingforthepropertouchtobringthemaliveandcallthemtoservice.

Histouch.Neverdoubtit.Hecouldhardlywaittogetdownamongthem!Whatneedwouldhehaveofslavesorgladiatorsorevenarmieswiththesepowerfulcreationsathiscommand?

Hismouthgonesuddenlydrywithanticipation,heascertainedthatthedropwasnowherenearaslongashe'dthought,andeasedhimselfbelly-downovertheedge.Therockscrapedhimeventhroughthetoughleatherofhishunting-tunic,buthehardlyfeltitinhishastetogetdownamongthosethingsoutofanotherworldandtime.

Besides,heneededtogetundercover,incaseoneofKyrt-ian'sslavescamesnooping.Itwouldbeadisasterto

comethisfarandthenbetrippedupbyoneofKyrtian'swretchedslaves.

HefeltbetterwiththebulkofseveralofthethingsbetweenhimselfandKyrtian'slamps.Safeenoughtokindleavery,verydimhand-lightofhisown,onewhichcouldbehiddeninhisfistandusedonly,heldclosetothemetalsidesoftheconstructs,toseeifhecoulddecipheranyoftheancientscript.Hehopedtofindinstructionstheresurelynoteveryonewhowasaskedtocontrolthethingsinthepastactuallylearnedhowtodosobeforeattemptingtooperatethem!Failingthat,hehopedforlabels,orsomeevocative

namethatwouldtellhimwhatthethingswereusedfor.

Butashemovedsilentlyfromonehugebulktothenext,brushingoffaliteralcoatofdustthatfelltothegroundinasheet,hewasdisappointed.Thoughhelookedashighashecouldreach,instructionstherewerenone;nornames,eitheratleastnotonthesidesthatheexamined.Hedidn'tdaremovetothesidefacingKyrtian's



lamps;badenoughthathewasamovingshadowamongunmovingones!ThemurmurofvoicessuggestedthatallofKyrtian'speoplewerestillwithhim,butwasbynomeansatrustworthywayoftellingforcertain.

HecursedtheAncestorsnowhowstupidcouldonebe,toneglecttoleaveinstructionsfortheuninitiated?Unlessthoseinstructionshadbeeninoneofthebooksbackinthemaincave,booksthatcrumbledatatouch....

Foramoment,hedespaired.Butthencameastrokeoflucksoincrediblehehardlydaredbelieveit.

Asheclosedhisfistaroundhishand-lightindisappointmentatagainfindingnothing,hecaughtafugitivehintofglowinggreenoutofthecomerofhiseye.

Heturned,withpainfulslowness,tohisleft,andforamomentfeltnothingbutawashofdisappointmentwhentheredidn'tseemtobeanythingthereexceptanotherconstruct,andthisoneutterlywithoutanythinglikewritingontheside.Itdidhaveasetofbladesandclawsthatsuggestedwarlikeintentions,notthatknowingitspurposewoulddohimanygoodunlesshecouldgetitmoving,whichheobviouslycouldn'twithoutinstructions.Butthenashestared,hiseyesadjusted,andhesawit.

Afaintglowofgreen,inthemidstoftheblanksideoftheconstruct,exactlyliketheglowofanactivatedElf-stone.

Hesidleduptothething,stayingintheshadows,andquestedoveritwithafinger.Onlytheglowandasubtlechangeintexturefrommetaltostoneinformedhimthatthethingwasthereatall!Ithadbeeninsetflushwiththesurface,andinthedimilluminationfromthehand-light,hewouldn'thaveseenitexceptfortheglow.Itwas

anElf-stone,orsomethingverylikeone.Andwhenheopenedhisfisttobringhishand-lightuptoitthehand-lightdimmed,andthegreenglowbrightened.

Hecouldhavepummeledhimselfforstupidity.Ofcourse!Whywouldyouneedinstructionstomanageoneofthesethings?AllyouneededwastheElf-stone,bothtopoweritandtocontrolit!And,ofcourse,thatwaswhy



allofthethingshadcollapsedintoinertiawhentheGreatPortalclosed!ThemagicpoweringthemthatwasapartoftheAetherofEvelonranout,andtheElvenlordswho'dbuiltandsustainedthePortalhadnothinglefttosupplythem!Uttersimplicity,but,ofcourse,theLesserElvenlordswho'dheldbacktheirownpowereitherhadn'tknownhowtheconstructsworked,orhadbeensobusyeliminatingtheirdangerousrivalsthattheyhadn'tbotheredtotrytolearntousethethings!

Orperhapstheyhadbeensoafraidofpursuitthattheyjustabandonedthebrutes.

Orwell,itdidn'tmatter.Thepointwas,theyhadbeenabandonedandtheywerethereforthetakingandnowAel-markinknewhowtotakeandusethem!

Itcouldn'tbeanysimpler.Anditdidn'tmatterwhatthisbehemothwasoriginal

lyintendedtodo,either.Itwasbig,ithadtobebrutallystrong,anditwascertainlybrutallyheavy.ItcouldkillKyrtiansimplybysteppingonhim.

Aelmarkinsmotheredahowlofglee,andplacedthehandholdinghishand-lightagainsttheElf-stoneembeddedintheconstruct'sside.Itsuckedinthepowergreedily.Thehand-lightvanished.

AndthenAelmarkinfeltitwakeandlookformore.Andfeltitsfierceconcentrationfocusonhim.

Hetriedtopullhishandawayinaflashofalarm.

Butbythen,ofcourse,itwasalreadytoolate.



KyrtianhadfinallyallowedLynderandKemantoleadhimtoaseatonanearbyoutcropofrock.Hefelthollow.Andexhausted.Asifhehadweptforayear,althoughhewasdry-eyed.

Atleastmotherisn'there.Thatwasallhecouldthinkof.Atleastshecan'tseethis.Idon'tthinkshecouldbearit.Ithinkshe'dgomad.

"No,don'ttrytochipitout,"hesaidwithdifficultyinanswertoLynder'squestion."Idon'teverwantLadyLydielltoseehim.Notlikethat,anyway.Maybewecanfindawaytocoverhimover"

Heshuddered,aspasmofathingthatlefthimsweatingandshaking.Whatmusthavehappened?Hemusthave

somehowwakenedoneofthosethings.Maybeitfedoffhismage-lights,andhedidn'trealizewhatwashappening.Hemusthavebeensoexcitedtooexcitedtothinkclearly.

Heburiedhisheadinhishands,shudderingallover,inspasmshecouldn'tcontrol.Hewantedtohowl,torailatfate,andaboveallthings,toweep.Whycouldn'theweep?

Whichoneofthesehulkshaddonethedeed?Hewantedtoknowthat,suddenly,wi

thafierceangerthattookhimandlefthimshaking.That,aboveall,hehadtofindout!He'dfindthethingandtakeittobitswithhisbarehands,andgrindthebitstodustandscatterthedustoverthebarrendesert,bytheAncestors,hewould!

Hestoodup,stillshaking,andturnedtowardsthemjustintimetoseeoneofthemslowlyrisingupfromamongitsfellows,toweringhigherandhigher,withsomethingdoll-likeandscreamingclenchedinonefearsomeclaw.

34

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Fearstrucktinesoficedeepintohisgut,butKyrtianhadnotspentalltheseyearstrainingforbattleinvain.Beforethethinghadfinishedstanding,hebarkedanorder,which,ifhisvoicecracked,wasnonethelessloudenoughandauthoritativeenoughthateveryonereacted.

"Takecover!"heshouted,evenwhilehehimselfwasdivingforshelterbeneaththeslopingfrontofthenearestconstruct.

EvenLynderandHobie,thoughtheyhadnotactuallyfoughtwithKyrtian'stroopsagainsttheYoungLords,hadtrainedlongandhardwithallofKyrtian'smenandreactedimmediatelytohisbarkedorder.Bythetimetheconstructhadgottentoitsfullheight,Kyrtian,LynderandHobiewerealloutofitsfieldofvisionorsohehopedunderaslopeofmetalthatcastadeep,blackshadow.

AndIonlyhopethisthingdoesn'tdecidetocomealive,toohethought,squeezingasfaroutofsightashecould,thoughhisskinshrankfromcontactwiththechillandslightlygreasymetal.

Whentheyhadalltuckedinandgoneimmobile,heriskedaglanceatthewallandthehalf-circleoflanterns.ShanaandKe-manwerenowhereinsight,butatleasttheywerenowhereinhisline-of-sight.Hehadtohope

thatifhecouldn'tseethem,neithercouldtheconstruct.Ifit"saw,"thatis.Itmightuseothersenses....



"Nowwhat?"LynderhissedintoKyrtian'sear.HesoundedasdesperateasKyrtianfelt.

"I'mthinking!"hehissedback.Hewasn'tworriedaboutthatthinghearingthem;thevictimithadinitsclawwasmakingenoughnoisetocoverjustaboutanything.Thescreamingwashorrible,butworsewasthefeelingthatheknewthetorturedvoice.

ThevictimAnElvenlord;he'dseenenoughinthatmomentofhorrortoknowitwasn'tahuman.Butwho?Whocouldhavefollowedhimhere,andwhy?NotanyofLordKyndreth'speople,sincenoneofthemknewwherehewasgoing,precisely,andsurelynoneofhisown.

Thevictimblubberedbetweenthescreams,incoherentinhisterror.Itwassickeningtolistento.

No,noneofthemwouldhavetrailedafterme,simplybecausenoneofthemcouldhave.They'realltotallyunsuitedtotrampingaboutinthewilderness,thanktheAncestors.

Asfrighteningasthescreamswasthesilencebeneathit.Theconstructmadenosoundatall.

Theonlypersonlikelytohavefollowedhim,andwiththeskillstodoso,wouldhavebeenGel,anditcertainlywasn'tGelinthatmonster'sclaw!

Yetthevoicewasfamiliar.

Whothen?Hestrainedtomakeoutanythinginthescreamsandbabblingtogivehimaclue,ashismouthdriedwithfearandhisinsidesseemedtoturntowater.Anenemy,then?ButwhatenemywouldhavefollowedhimonwhatwassupposedtobeafairlydangerousmissiontohuntoutWizards?Anenemylookingforsomethingtodiscredithimwithperhaps?Anenemyplanningtofind,orplant,somethingtoKyrtian'sharm.Orevenanenemyhopingtoarrangean"accident"outherewheretherewouldbenowitnesses?Thatwassomethingthat



Aelmarkin

Ancestors!hethought,stunned,nowhearingwhatwasfamiliarinthosescreamsandwailsechoingacrossthecavern.It'sAelmarkin!

ThatAelmarkinhatedhimenoughtotrytodiscreditormurderhimwasnosurprise,butthathe'dactuallydarethewildernesstodosowassomethingsoout-of-characterthathecouldn'tberatehimselffornotthinkingofitbefore.Hisworstenemy

Whohasmanagedtoblunderintothis.

Fortunately,hedidnothavethetimetobattlehisconscienceoverwhetherornottoattemptarescue;therewas

awhine,andaflashoflightsweepingacrossthecavefloor,andthescreamscutoffwithdreadfulfinality.Thethreeshelteringbeneaththestill(thankfully!)lifelessconstructbecameveryquiet,hardlydaringtobreathe,assilencedescendedwithleadensuddenness.

Kyrtianfoughtdowntheurgetoboltforthemouthofthecavethathadbroughtthemhere.Whoknewwhatsortofweaponsthisthinghad?

Nomagic,Kyrtiandecided.Especiallynotlevin-bolts.Ifthismonsterwaswhathadbeenfeedingonhismage-lightsanddrainingthem,whatsortofpowerwouldalevin-boltgiveit?Orworsewhatifanotheroftheconstructsabsorbedthepowerandcameawake?Hewasfairlycertainthatthisonewasn'ttheonethathadgottenhisfatherthoughhisfathermustcertainlyhaveawakenedoneoranotherofthebehemoths,probablybyusingmage-lights.Thisonewasnowaprovenkiller;theycertainlydidn'tneedtoawakenasecond!



Sowhatcouldheuseagainstthismonster,ifnotmagic?

Notbowsandarrows.Notswords.Andwe'vepreciouslittleelse.

Therewasawhir,acreakingofmetal,andsuddenlysomethinglikeanenormousupturnedbowlattachedtothreemetalstrutsslammeddownontothestonewhereheandhismenhadjustbeen,sendingupacloudofdust.Asecondfollowedthefirst,smashingoneofthelanterns.

Amomentlater,Aelmarkin'slimpbodydroppeddownbesidetheseconddisk.Therewasnomistake,nowthatKyrtiancouldseetheterror-twistedfeatures.ItwasAelmarkin,allright.Andtherewasnodoubtinhismindthathiscousinwasquite,quitedead.Notwhenhisbackbonebentthatfar,ora

tthatangle.

Kyrtianfroze;almostdirectlyabovethem,heheardthatpeculiarwhiningagain.Hecouldn'tseeanythingbutthosetwometallegs,buthisimaginationpaintedapictureoftheconstructsomehowturningthetoppartofitselftopeerdownatthegroundbelow,searchingforthem.Hefeltlikeamousehidinginaloginafield,watchingthelegsofacat.Onlyhehadnoideajustwhatarcanesensesthismonsterwasusingtolookforthem.

Andasiftoreinforcethatimaginaryimage,twinbeamsoflightsweptovertheirhidingplaceandpassedoverthefloorwheretheyhadallbeenstanding.

IfIknewwhatitsweaponsanditsabilitieswere,Imighthaveabetterchanceoffiguringoutwhattodoaboutit

Ashoutbroketheominoussilence,makingallthreeofthemstartandclutchateachotherininvoluntaryreaction.

"Hey!"Shanacalledfromsomewheretotheright,herownvoicecracking.



Thewhinebecameawhir;somethingclackedangrilyoverheadandinmeremoments,thethinghadtakentwoearth-shakingstridesthatgotitoutofKyrtian'sfieldofvision.Heheardandfelteachfootstep;itwasbipedal,fromthesound.AnditwasdefinitelyafterShana.

Shana!Whatareyoudoing?

Itwasn'tquietinthecaveanylonger.Theconstructmustnothavebeenaverygracefulthing;itsoundedasifitwasstumblingintoorkickingasideeveryobstacleinitspathinitsefforttogettotheElvenbane.Lynderwincedwitheachcrash;Hobiejustsatasfrozenasafrightenedsparrow.

Thenitstopped.Thewhiningnoisebeganagain,anditsoundedfrustrated.Kyrtianheldhisbreathagain,andsodidtheothertwo.Ifitheardthem

"Ho!"

ItwasKeman'svoicethistime,fromanotherpartofthecave.Theconstructwasawayagain,blunderingitswaythroughthelifelessformsofitsfellows.Itmightbebipedal,butitobviouslywasn'tunstable;hehadn'theardanythingthatsoundedlikeastumbleoramisstepyet.

Whataretheydoing?Notknowingwhattheywereuptowasmaddening!Notbeingabletoseethemonsterwasworse!

"Shouldwetryandgetalook?"Lynderwhisperedinhisear.



"Notyet,"hewhisperedback.Justthenthecrashingandthrashingaboutstopped,andthewhiningrecommenced,soundingmorefrustratedthanbefore.Itcouldn'tfindKemananymorethanithadbeenabletofindShana.IfmagicfeedsitcouldImakeitgodormantbydrainingmagicpoweroutofit?

Itwasworthtrying.Theonlytroublewas,inordertodrainsomething,hehadtoactuallybeinphysicalcontactwithit.

AndjusthowamIgoingtodothatwithoutendinguplikeAelmarkin?Heshuddered,andkepthiseyesavertedfromtheremainsofhiscousin.

"Hey!"ThatwasShanaagain,fromyetanotherpartofthecave.ItsoundedasifsheandKemanwereworkingtogethertoluretheconstructawayfromwhereheandLynderandHo-biehid.Wasthatwhattheyweretryingtodo?Getthethingawayfromthecave-mouthsothatthethreeofthemcouldescape?

Hecouldn'tdenythatchancetohismen.Anditwouldbethrowingtheblessingbackintheirfacetohavethemrisksomuchandnottaketheopportunity."Startworkingyourwaybacktothemouthofthecave,"he

whisperedundercoverofthecrashesandthuds."Butdon'tmoveunlesstheconstructismoving,too.Getoutofthecavesaltogether,thenbringbacktherestofthemen,andanyequipmentyouthinkmighthelp.I'llstayhereandhelpShanaandKemandistractthething."

"But"Lynderbegan.

"That'sanorder,"hehissedfiercely,andtoenforceit,tookachanceandscut

tledfromundertheirshelterintothespacebeneathanotherheadingintheoppositedirectionofthecave-mouth.

Heslidunderitjustintime;thenoisestoppedagain,andthewhiningbegan.

Thiswasn'twherehe'dhavegonebychoice;thethingwaswheeled,somethinglik



eahay-wain,buttheclearancebetweenthecavefloorandthething'sbottomwasn'tmorethanhalfthatbeneatharealwagon.Hehadbarelyenoughroomtohide,andhecouldn'thelphavingnightmarevisionsofthethingwakingupanddecidingtosquashhimbyloweringitselfdownontopofhim.Hewassweatingandice-coldatthesametime,andfightingapanicthatthreatenedtokeephimfromthinkingatall.Ifanything,theviewfromunderherewasworsethanthefirstshelter,anditseemedtotakeforeverbeforeheheardKeman'sechoing"Ho!"

Theconstructcrashedoffinpursuit,andKyrtianscrambledoutfromunderthe"wain"totakeshelter,notunder,butbehindyetanotherbehemoth.Thistimehewantedtoseewhatthethinglookedlike,whatitwasdoing.

Itlookedlikeaboxontwolegs,withapairofbluntcrab-likepincersonarmsattachedtoeithersideofthebox.Itwasn'tveryfast,anditwasn'tatallgraceful,butitwaspowerful.Someof

thosecrasheshadn'tbeenbecauseitwasplowingintoobstacles,itwasbecauseitwaspickingthemupwithapincerandtossingthemasideiftheyweresmallenough.

Ancestors!Ihopethosetwoaren'tanywhereunderwhat'sbeingdropped!

Twolightsweretheymage-lights?atthefrontoftheboxprojectedthebeamsoflightthathehadseen

sweepingthegroundlookingforthem.Theyswiveled,lookinguncannilylikeeyes,andtheresemblancemadehimshiver.Histunicclungdamplytohisbackandhishandsachedwhereheclutchedthesidesofhishiding-place.



Itstoppedandsweptthegroundarounditwiththoselight-beams.Sowhereweretheothertwo,andwhywasn'titabletospotthem?

Hefrowned,thinking;KemanandShanamustbepoppingup,shouting,andmovingoffagainwhileitblundereditswaytowardsthem,butthethingmustnothaveverygoodvision,orsurelyitwouldseethemgettingaway.Thatwassomethingtokeepinmind.

"Hey!"cametheexpectedcryandthatwaswhenKyrtianrealizedthatShanaandKemanwerebeingevenmorecleverthanhe'dthought.Theyweren't"poppingup"wheretheconstructcouldseetheminstead,apieceofdebriswentflyingthroughtheairandlandedontopofanotherconstructwithaclatteratsomedistancefromwheretheshouterwas.Theconstruct'slightbeamssnappedacrossthelength

ofthecaveandfocusedonthat.Andwherethejunklandedwaswheretheconstructheaded.Nowonderitwasn'tabletofindwhatitsoferventlyhunted!

Hedashedoutofcoverlongenoughtogetapieceofdebrishimself,laboringunderthedoublehandicapofnotwantingtodistractthethingfromitscurrenthunt,andbeingcarefulnottogowherehemightinadvertentlycastashadowormoveacrossthelantern-light.Maybeitdidn'thavegoodvisionandmaybeitdid.Thiswasn'tthe

timetofindout.

Hekeptoneeyeonthecave-mouth.Ican'tstartbringingitbackoverhereuntilLynderandHobiearesafethrough....

"Ho!"Amuch,muchbiggerpieceofdebriswentflying.ThatwasKeman,whomustbeverymuchstrongerthanShana.

Wellofcoursehe'sadragon!Kyrtianthoughtoftheimmensely-strongshapeKemanhadtakentobringShanaandthegeardownintothecaves.Itwasn'tmuchbiggerthanahuman,butnohumancouldhavedonewhatKemanhad.



Thethingfasteneditslight-beamsonthejunkwhileitwasstillintheair,andstartedafterit.

Kyrtianglancedoveratthemouthofthecave,justintimetoseetwinshadowsslipovertheledgeandintothedarkholethatwasthestartoftheirroadtosafety.

Reliefmadehismouthdry.Atleasttheywereoutofthis.

Thatwasthegoodnews;thebadnewswasthatthethingwasmovingfaster,andmoresurely,everytimeitcrossedthefloor.Insteadofrunningoutofpower,itseemedasifmovementwaspermittingittoloosenupjointslongheldimmobile.Itwasagoodthinghehaddecidedtojointhislittlegame.Itlookedasifitwasgoingtoneedthreeplayers.

Theconstructreachedthespotwherethedebrishadlandedbutthistimeitstoodasifitwasconsideringsomething,thenslowlymoveditslightsalongthepaththatthejunkKemanhadthrownhadtaken

Oh,Ancestors.Thethingcanthink.It'sfinallyfiguredoutthatthedebrisisn'twhatitwants,andthatsomeonemusthavethrownit.

Hedroppeddownoutofsight,lookedhastilyaround,andpickedaplacetohide.Farenoughawayandnearenoughtoreach.Hehoped."Ha!"heshoutedwithallhismight,andflunghisownpieceofjunk.



Hewasalreadyrunningflat-outforhishiding-placewhenthepiecelefthishand.Hedoveandrolledbeneaththeconstructandlaytherewithhismouthclampedaroundhissleevetomufflehispantingasthefootstepscrashednearerandnearer....

"Ha!"Shanaheard,andknewimmediatelythatitwasn'tKe-man.SoKyrtianhaddecidedtogetintothe"game."Shesparedamomentto"feel"withhermindforHobieandLynder,andtoherimmensereliefsensedtheminthevicinityofthecave-mouth.Andtheir"presences"werereceding.Kyrtianwasnofool,thoughhemightbebravetothepointoffoolhardiness.

Still,shewasgladofhisaid,andgladderstillhe'dgottenthetwoweakestmembersofthegroupoutofdanger.

:Kemanhe'ssentthemforhelp!:

:Oratleasthe'ssentthemaway.:Kemanreplied,astheconstructcrasheditswayacrossthefloor.:Idon'tknowhowmuchhelptherestofhismencouldbe...eveniftheygetherebeforethisthingcatchesoneofus.:

Well,neitherdidshe.Butrightnow,thatwassecondonherlistofconcerns.Thefirstwashowtokeepherself,

andKeman,andKyrtianoutoftheclawsofthemonster.Fearseemedtosharpenallofhersenses,andmadeherthoughtsfaster.Oncethiswasoverifshelivedthroughitshe'dcollapse.Nowshewasallcalculation.

:Whatisthatthing,anyway?:Maybethewaytofiguringouthowtogetridofitlayinwhatitwassupposedtodo.TheAncestorsmadethewretchedthingsasslavestodoalltheirworkforthem.Whichwaswhywhentheyfoundthisworldfullofhumanstheyhadn'tneededthethingsthathadgonedeadonthemandpresumably

hadn'tbotheredtoretrievethem.

Butthemonsterwassilentagain,anditwasherturntodistractit.Shehadherpieceoftrashready,anicelightpieceofsomethingmetallicthatshouldmakealotofclatter."Hey!"sheyelped,andtosseditbackwardsoverherheadasshespedoffintheoppositedirection,scootingundertheplatformofsomethingthatvaguely



resembledahutwithaporch.

TheAncestorsmadethemasslavesWhatcouldtheypossiblyhavewantedwiththatthing?Two-legged,piercingthroughthegloomofthecavewithlights,hugepincers

Shecringedbackintohershelterasthosetwinbeamsoflightsweptalittletooclose.Thethingwasgettingfaster,andmorenimble.Thatwasnotgood.

Andthistimeithadn'tgonefortheplacewherethetrashhadlanded,butforsomewherenearertheplacewhereshe'dbeenstandingwhensheshouted.Thatwasworse.

"Ho!"shoutedKeman,andthethingwhirledandlurchedoff.

Whatcouldthatmonsterpossiblybegoodfor?Sheduckedoutofhershelterandtookaquicklookaround,justintimetoseeitpickupanotherhorse-sizedconstructandtossitaside,foralltheworldlikeoneofherfarmers,tossingasideastoneorabrickthatwasinthewayoftheplow.

Hereyeswidenedinvoluntarilyassheimaginedthethingpickingupsaytheloadonawagon,andmovingittoabarn.

Ofcourse...that'swhatit'sfor.

:Kemanthatmonsterit'smeanttomovethings.:



:Well,it'sdoingagoodjobofit!:Kemanrespondedacidly.:Italmostdroppedthatlastbititthrewawayrightontopofme!:

:No,no,I'mtellingyouwhatit'smeanttodo!That'sthejobit'smeantfor,tomovethings.That'swhattheAncestorsmadeitfor!:

Thethingstopped,andstartedhuntingforKeman,sweepingitslightsovertheincreasingly-chaoticandincreasingly-tangledranksofconstructs.:Sowhatdoesathinglikethatneedtodoitsjob?:cameKeman'sreply.

"Ha!"shoutedKyrtian,andthemonsterwasoffagain.ShananoticedthatKyrtian

hadn'tbotheredtotossanyjunkthistime.Hemusthaveseenthatthemonsterwasn'tfooledbyitanymore.

:Astrongback,stronglegs,strongarms.It'sgottolearn,Isuppose,:sheventured.

:Well,thisone'slearning!It'sfiguringoutitshouldn'tchaseafterthedecoyswe'vebeentossing.Don'tbotherthrowingthings.Justyell,andrun,:hereplied.:Whatelse,doyouthink?:

:Kyrtian'salreadyfiguredoutwearen'tfoolingitanymore.Um.Itwouldneedgoodbalance.Noteasytotipover,nomatterhowheavythethingisithastopickup:shesuggested.

:Somuchformyideaoftrippingit:Themonsterwasdefinitelygettingmorenimbleasitmoved.Therewaslessblunderingintothingsnow,morepickingthemupandtossingthemaside.Whywasitchasingthemifitwas

supposedtobeacargo-mover?CouldtheenemiesoftheAncestorshavesomethingtodowiththat,orhadthethingjustgonewellcrazyinallthecenturiesofinactivity?

:Youlikelywouldn'twantittocutthingsup,sothosepincersmustbeblunt.:Shewastryingtothinkofanythinguseful.



:Yes.Itdidn'thavetocutthatElvenlordinhalf,onlycrushhim,:camethesardonicreply..-Whoeverhewasandwhateverhisbusinesswas.:

.¦FollowingKyrtian,ataguess.MaybetheGreatLordsdidn'ttrusthimasmuchashethoughttheydid.:Sheshookherselftogetridofthedistractingspeculations.Itwasherturn.Shegotoutofhershelter,pickedupaflatpieceof'glass'andchoseanotherhidingplace.Maybeifshethrewitinadifferentwaythanjusttossingitanyhow,itmightstilldistractthemonster.

"Hey!"shescreamed,sentthethingspinningofflikethesaucersthatthechildrenplayedwith,anddashedforcover.

Shereacheditjustintime,andwasalarmedtoseethatthistimetheconstructaimedforthecenterofthearc,nottheplacewheretheglasslanded.Tooclose!

:Keman!Canthatthingreachbehinditself,doyouthink?:

ShesensedKeman'sheadpoppingupcautiously,andgotabriefglimpseofwhathesawbeforehedovebackdownintohiding..7don'tthinkitcan!:herepliedwithexcitement..7don'tt

hinkitcanseebehindit,either!:

So.Thatwasoneweakness.No,two!



:Ifyoutookdragon-form:shehardlydaredsuggestit,andKemanwouldneedtimetotaketheformbutindragon-formKemanwasjustasbigasthemonsterwas.Couldhebeamatchforit?

.7couldleapontoitsbackandkeepitoccupied,:Kemanrepliedfirmly.-.ThenyougettoKyrtian,andbothofyougetintothetunnel.I'llfollowonceyou'regone.I'llberightonyourheels.:

.But:sheprotestedshehadn'tintendedthatatall!

:Youmightaswell,sinceI'mgoingtodowhatIwanttoanyway.:Andheclosedhismindofftoher.

Damnhim!shethoughtwithaflareofangerandshookthatoff,too.Notime,therewasnotimeforanythingnowbutaction.

ShesensedwhereKyrtianwas,andwaited.

"Ha!"theElvenlordshoutedhoarsely,andmadehismove.Shedidthesameassoonasthemonsterwasoutofsight,planningherruntoendnearhis.

Themonstercametoahaltalmostdirectlybetweenthem,andshefroze,holdingherbreath.Lightsweptoverherhiding-place.Once.Twice.

Diditguess?Weredimsenseswakingup,becomingkeenerasitsmovementsgrewsurer?Instinctshriekedathertoshrinkback,furtherintohiding;sensetoldhertokeepabsolutelystill.

"Ho!"Kemanshouted,andthethinglurchedoff.BeforeKyrtianhadachancetomove,Shanadid,divingunderthewheeledvehiclethatconcealedhim.

Shefoundherselfnose-to-nosewiththeElvenlord,whosewhitefaceheldanexpr



essionofuttershockatseeingher."Weneedtogetittoturnassoonasit'sontopofKeman,"shewhisperedwithoutpreamble."He'sgoingtotakedragon-formandjumponitfrombehind."

"Anddowhat?"Kyrtianasked,aghast.

"HowshouldIknow?"shesnapped."He'sdecidedthat'swhathe'sgoingtodosowecangetoutthewayyourtwomendid.Hesayshe'sgoingtofollow"

"WellIthinkIcandrainthatthingifhecangetitimmobilized"Kyrtianbegan,andthecrashingfootstepsstopped.

BeforeKyrtiancoulddoanything,Shanarolledoutfromunderneaththeconstruct

andstoodup."Hey!"shescreamed,wavingherarmsthistime."Hey!Stupid!Overhere!"

35

---

Barkinghiselbowsonthestonefloorinhishastetogetout,Kyrtianscrambledfromundertheconstructjustintimetoseethemonsterturntowardsthem.



Itwasnotanencouragingsight.Anditgotrapidlyworse.

Shanajuststoodthere,wavingherarmsatit,andthetwobrightspotsfartoomuchlikeglaring,angryeyesonitssquare,flatfrontpannedoverthespacebetweenthemandpinnedherinacircleofwhitelight.

Hismouthwentdry,andfearrandownhisbackbonelikeatrickleoficywater.Thethingemittedanangrywhine,andlurchedforward.

Butbeforeithadtakenmorethanasinglestep,somethingmovedinthedarknessbehindit,ashadowyformhebarelymadeoutagainsttheglare,thatwaveredandsurgedupwardsallinaninstantandthenlunged.

Keman!

Monsteroffleshagainstmonsterofmetal.Thedragonlandedsquarelyontheconstruct'sback,clawsshriekingagainstitssides.Themonster'slegsbuckledbeneaththedragon'sweightasKyrtianstaredinfrozenfascination

Andthatwasallhehadtimetosee,asShanagrabbedhiswristandwrenchedhimaround,pullingathim."Run!"sheshouted,showingherheelsasagoodexample,andhedidn'tneedasecondinvitation.Themonstermightbeencumbered,butitcertainlywasn'tdefeated,andbehindthemthesoundsofitthrashingaboutandKeman'sclawsscrabblingtotakeholdwereproofenoughofthat.

Feargavehimanewburstofenergy.TheysprintedacrossthecavefloorwithSh

anaslightlyintheleadnotbecauseKyrtianwasplayingthegentleman,either.Thegirlmusthavespentherchildhoodscramblingacrossroughgroundlikethis;wherehestumbled,sheskimmedoverobstacleslikeafrighteneddeer.

Shemusthaveaseparatesetofeyesinherfeet....



Behindthem,crashesandearth-shudderingimpactstestifiedthatKemanwasstillinthefight.Ancestorsblessyou,dragon.Butgetyourselfoutofitassoonaswe'reclear!

Shereachedtheledgefirstandvaultedupontoitlikeanexpertacrobat,turningjustintimetoofferherhandtohelphimscrambleupbesideher.Herhandwashardandtough,withsurprisingstrengthinit.

KemanAquickglanceoverhisshouldershowedhimthatthedragonstillclungtenaciouslytothebackoftheconstruct-monster,andnothingthemonstercoulddowasshakinghimoff.

HegrabbedShana'shandandhauledhimselfupbesideher,turningimmediatelytofacethefight,hopingthatKemanhadsomehowgottencleverenoughtooutwitthething.

Andhisheartleapt.Althoughthemonster's"arms"flaileddesperately,itcouldn'treachthedragonwiththem,andthosepincerswere,nexttoitsfeetandweight,itsbestweapons.Kemanhadhishindclawslodgedfirmlyalloverthething'sbackhalf,andhisforeclawsclampedoverthefrontedge.Kyrtianfeltasmileashesawwhatthedragonhaddonewisely,hewasnotmakinganyfurtheroffensivemoves.Instead,hewascontenttoletthemonsterwreakfurtherdamageonitselfasitblunderedabout,tryingtodislodgehim.Kemanhadhistailcurled

tightlybetweenhislegsandoutofharm'sway,hiswingsfoldedtightlyacrosshisback,andhislegsalltuckedinsothattheconstructcouldn'tscrapehimoffwithoutfirstscrapingprotrudingsectionsofitselfoffaswell.

Thelightsonthefrontswiveledindependentlyasittriedandfailedtoilluminatethedragononitsback.Itthrewitselfrepeatedlyagainstthewalls,andbuckedlikeagreenhorse,butcouldn'tgetridofhim.Ithadn'tyet



thoughttorolloveronitsbackbutmaybeitcouldn't.Kemanwaswinningjustbyvirtueofstickingonitlikeaburr.

Infact,ithadtakensomevisibledamage,notonlyfromthewallsofthecave,butfromalloftheotherconstructsithadblunderedinto.Therightleghadasortofhitchinitsmovement,now,andthesideswerescarredwhereithadbasheditsskinagainsttherock.KyrtianwincedasitflungitselfintQthewallofthecave,crashingintoanotherconstructintheprocess,andwonderedhowKemanmanagedtostaywedgedontothething.Whatmadethebattleallthemoreuncannywasthatasidefromthecrashofmetalonrockandmetalonmetal,andanunderlying,angrywhirorhum,theentirebattlewastakingplaceinsilence.Itfeltasifoneorbothofthemoughttobegivingtonguetoterriblebattle-roars.

HefeltShanatenseupbesidehim.Then,suddenly,Kemanmadeamove.

Whilethemonsterwasstilloff-balance,heletgowithhisforeclawsandstabbedthemdownviciouslyatthelights.Hecaughtthem.Withagrindingshriekasifthemetalitselfscreamed,hewrenchedfirstone,thentheother,offthefront.Metalandwiresnappedandtore,andKemantossedthelightsaside,likeacruelboypullingthelegsoffabeetle.

Ifthemonsterwasevergoingtodisplayavoice,itshouldhavethen

Thelightswentoutastheyfell,leavingonlythelanternsheandhismenhadlitasilluminationforthecave,andhugeshadowssprangupbehindtheconstructanditsdraconicburden,writhingandtwistingasthethingthrashedandKemantookanewpositiononitsback.

Nowwhat

"Run!"Shanashoutedagain,andasheturnedtodoso,hesawKemanflinghimselfoffthemonster'sbackatlast,halfrunning,halfflying,straightforthecave-mouthwheretheystood.

That'swhat!



Hedidn'twaittoseeifthemonsterwasgoingtofollow,orifbytakingitslightsKemanhadalsoblindedit.Heignoredhisachingsideandputeverythinghehadintoaflat-outdashforthemaincave.Withinmoments,theywerefleeingthroughthedarkness,withnothingmorethanthegreylightattheendoftheseriesofdemi-cavestotellthemwheretheirgoalwas.

Ascrabblingnoisebehindhimmadethehaironthebackofhisneckstandstraightup,andsomewheredeepinsidehimhefoundanotherburstofspeed

Itwasinsidethetunnel.

Itwasclosingthegapbetweenthem!

Itwasrightontopofhim!

Somethinggrabbedhim,closingaroundhiswaistandspinninghimoveronhissideasitcarriedhimforward!Airrushedpasthimashiscaptorpickedupspeed.Heflailedatitwithfistsandheels



"Shtothai"saidamuffledandindignantvoiceatthebackofhisneck."Ishee!"

Keman?

Teethshrankawayfromhimevenasherealizedtheywerestickingintohim,andasKemanran,hisjawsformedthemselvesaroundKyrtian'sbody.

Kemanmadegreaterspeedthananysmaller,two-leggedcreaturepossiblycould;fromhisinvertedpositioninthedarkness,Kyrtiancouldn'tseemuch,butwhenhetwistedhishead,thedim,roundlightthatrepresentedtheplacewherethelastsetofsmallcavesmettheentrancecavewasgettingbigger.Anditwasdoingsoalotfaster

thanithadwhenhewasrunning.

Hecouldn'ttellwhereShanawas,butKemanwouldn'thaveleftherbehind,soshemustbewiththem.Probablyshe'dbeenabletocatchholdofhisneckontherunandvaultherselfintoplacelikeatrick-rider.

Behind

Ametalliccrashthatdeafenedhimforamomentandshooksmallrocksloosetoraindownontotheirheadsprovedthatthemonsterwasn'tblindandwasstillcomingforthem.Frombehindcamethescrapeandgroanofprotestingmetal,andmorecrashesasthemonsterforceditselfintotheopening.

Kemanfoundmorespeedsomewhere;hot,metallicbreathpantedinandoutoverKyrtian'sbody,andKyrtian

pulledinhisarmsandlegsandtuckedhisheadintokeepasmuchofhimselfinsideKeman'smouthashecould.

"Anks,"Kemansaidshortly.



Thenoisefrombehindwasn'tfallingaway.Eitherthethingwasstilltryingtofollowthem,orithadsucceededingettinginandwasontheirheels.

Aviolentimpactadust-stormKemanburstthroughwhatwasleftofthebarrieroftangledcartsandbonesandrelics,andoutintothemaincave

Andsuddenlytossedhisheadupinaslewing,sidewaysmotion,lettinggoofKyrtianashedidso.

"Aiiiiiiiii!"

Kyrtianscreamedasheflewthroughtheair,andscreamedagainassomethingsnatchedhimoutofitaseasilyasachildcatchesaball,thenslammedhimdownonabony,scalysurfacethati

nexplicablyhadasaddleonit.

Heclutchedtheleather,dazed,andevenashiseyestookintheimprobablesightofadragonneckandheadstretchingawayinfrontofhim,strangeandskeletalinthedimlight,thedragonlurchedintoarun.

Ancestors!Moreofthem?

AheadofhimKeman,withShanaclingingtohisneck;hemustnothavepausedforasinglestrideashetossedhisburdenofElvenlordtotheother.Kemanscrabbleduptherock-pileattheentrancefirst,withnoregardforniceties,dislodginganythingthatwaslooseinhishastetogetout.Astheyfollowed,lurchingandslippingwhilerockswenttumblingbeneathandaroundthem,Kyrtianduckedasmorerocksshowereddownonthem,andthedragonherodecuppeditswingsforwardtodeflectsomeofthefallingdebrisfromhim.Hisheart



pounded,andhisfingerswereclampedsotightlytothesaddlethattheyhurt,andallthewhileheheardthescreechofprotestingmetalechoingbehindthem,coming,coming

Thentheywereatthetop,miraculouslywidenedthenout

Kyrtiangaspedinsteadofscreamed,asthedragonthrewitselfintoemptyspace.

Itglidedheavilydowntheslope,wingswide-spreadaroundhim,andskiddedintoanabruptlandingatthebottom.

Kyrtianwasn'treadyforthat.Helosthisgrip,andtumbledawkwardlyoverthedragon'sshoulderanddownto

theground.Thedragonspunaroundonitshindlegs,nimbleasagoat,andracedbackuptheslopetojointheothers,threeofthem,whowereallclusteredaroundtheopening.

KyrtianlookedforShanaandfoundherintheembraceofanotherwizard,shakinglikealeaf,andwhisperingwhatsoundedlikeaname.Thewizard,wholookedvaguelyfamiliar,strokedherhaircomfortingly,butspokestraighttoKyrtian.

"Ihopeyoudon'twanttogetbackinthere.Ever.Thedragonsaresealingtheentrance."

ShanarelaxedagainstthesupportofLorryn'sshoulderandcradledthewineskininbothhands;shedidn'tusuallydrinkmuchwinebutaftertoday

Ifanyonedeservesadrink,Ido.

ShehadneverbeensogladtoseeanyoneinherlifeasLor-ryninfact,shehadn'trealizedthattheotherdragonswerethereuntiltheywerealloutofthecaves.

Keman,Alara,Dora,andKalamadeahadsealedtheentrancepastanythingotherth



ananotherdragongettingthrough.They'dbroughtdownhalfthemountain,itseemed,thenfusedtherockstogetheruntiltheywereexhaustedandlimp,theirbrightcolorsgonepale,theirscalesdull.Theworkhadbeenurgentenough;they'donlyjustbroughttherocksdownwhensomethingbeganattackingthepilefrominsidethemountain,audibleevendownbelow.Thatwaswhenthey'dbegunfusingtherockstogether,andthemomentthatthemonstercontrivanceencounteredthefusedsection,theblockagewasobviouseventoanidiotoraconstructforitbeganbashingsomethingitself?itsclaws?againsttherock-fall.Butifitintendedtoloosenthoserocks,itwasgoingtomeetwithfailure.

Thedragonsworkedthepilefromthetopdown,creatingaplugofrockthatwasnotgoingtomove.Theonlywaytogetoutnowwastoblowoutthetopofthemountain,ortunneloutatanotherplace.

Therewasnowaytheyhopedthattheconstructwasgoingtogetatthemnow.

Thesoundofbatteringstillcamefromwithinthepile,butitwasweakernow,andslower.Maybehopefullyitwasrunningoutofmagicalenergy,andwouldrelapseintoitsquiescentstate.

Whatever;we'renotgoingtowaitaroundheretofindout.

Shetookanotherpullonthewineskin,andclosedhereyes.Lorryn.Oh,thankyou,Lorryn.Thankyouforthinking,forbeinghere.Itwasperhapsatthatmomentthatshereally,trulyrealizedhowmuchshecaredforhim.



LorrynhadjustfinishedexplainingthesituationwithCael-lachGwaintoLordKyrtianwho,atthispoint,wasstunnedandbatteredenoughtoacceptjustaboutanything.Hejustnoddedatallthesalientpoints,soatleasthewaslisteningandtookitallinasiftheaffairsofWizardswereeverydaythingstohim.

Huh.Thenagain,afterthepoliticsoftheGreatLords,ourlittlequarrelsprobablyseemsmallbeans.

Kyrtian'smenhadbandagedtheirscrapesandbruises,appliedremediesinsideandout,andsuppliedallofthemwithfoodanddrink.Includingthedragons.Blessthem,they'dgoneoutanddraggedbackthreedeaddeerasmallmealbydra-conicstandards,afterallthatexertion,butenoughtohelprevivethem.Thefirethey'dbuiltwasimmenselycomforting,andforonce,itwasn'training.

"...soafterwemadesurehecouldn'tcomestraightbacktotheCitadel,wewaited.Whenhedidn'tcomebackatall,Ifinallydecidedthathe'deitherfollowedyou,orhe'dfinallylethisarrogancetakehimintoasituationhecouldn'tgetoutof,".Lorrynsaid.

"Andgoodriddancetobadrubbish,ifyouaskme,"Kemangrumbledunderhisbreath.Heandtheothersweretoobone-wearytoshift;they'dcurledthemselvesaroundtheentrancetothecamp,makingaformidable

barrierbetweenthecampandanythingthatmightevenconsidergoingafterwhatwasinsideit.Kyrtian'smenwerestillwide-eyedandalittlenervousaboutbeingsurroundedbydragons,butwerehandlingitallremarkablywell.Kemanwasflank-to-flankwithDora;thesightoftwoyoungdragonsbeingasaffectionateasanytwoyoungloversseemedtogoalongwaytoreassuringKyrt-ian'smen.

Isupposeitmakesthemseemmorehuman....

"Kemanhasbeentalkingwithme,atnight,"Dorasaid,andthebareskinaroundhereyesandmouthflushedadelicatepink.ShanasawtwoofKyrtian'smenexchangeaknowinglook,andhidasmile.Whenhumanswho'dneverseendragonsbeforethiscouldrecognizeashyblushonthefaceofone,thingswouldbeallright."Wecanspeakovergreaterdistances,mind-to-mind,thanyoucan.Andwemisseachotherwhenwe'reapart."SheeyedShanawithguilt."I'msorryKemandidn'tmentionitbefore,butwedidn'twa



ntyoutofeelbadlybecausewecouldtalkandyouandLorryncouldn't."

"Ofcourse,"Kyrtiansaid,withaslowsmile."Icancertainlyunderstandthat."Hepassedhiswineskintooneofhismen,andsettledbackagainstthebulkofKemanascomfortablyasifheusedadragonasabackresteveryday.

Doraflushedagain."SoIknewwhereyouwere,generally.And,ofcourse,LorrynhadalreadybeentotheplacewhereShanaandKemantransportedtointhefirstplaceandheknewhowtogettherehimself."

Ishouldhaveknownthelovebirdswerechattinginsteadofsleeping,shethoughtwithalittleenvy.Itwouldhavebeenalotnicerifshe'dbeenabletodothatwithLorrynwithouttheaidofKeman.Onthewholethough,it

wasadamnedgoodthingtheyhadbeenbillingandcooingeverynight.Iftheyhadn'tbeen,shemightnotbehererightnow.

"SowhenDoratoldmethatyouhadfoundthecaveandwhenCaellachGwaindidn'tcomeback,Idecideditwasmoreimportanttogetouthereandseeifwecouldfindhimbeforehefoundyou,"LorrynsaidwithashrugwhenShanatiltedherheaduptogivehimameasuringstare.

"Yousupposedhe'dbeenabletofollowus,then?"sheasked.

"Icouldn'ttakethechancethathehadn't,"Lorrynreplied."Ifiguredthatbringingthreedragonsalongwouldmakecertainhedidn'ttryanythingiforwhenwecaughthim."



"Iknewtheywerecomingofcourse,"Kemanputin."ButalltheyweresupposedtodowastolookfortheOldWhiner.Theyweren'tgoingtobutttheirsnoutsinonus,whyshouldthey?Therewasnoreasonto.Whenwegotback,you'dhavejustfoundoutthey'dcaughtthewretch,soIdidn'tseeanyreasontobotheryouwithit."

"YouleftmeinchargetodealwithCaellach,"LorryntoldShana,meetinghergazefrankly,andshegavehishandalittlesqueeze."WithoutCaellach,therewasnoonetoorganizediscontent.Frankly,knowingwherehewasandkeepinghimfrommakingconspiraciesoutofhalf-truthswasmoreimportantthanmybeingdirectlyincommandforadayorso."

Shenodded,andsmiled.Howcouldshenotagreewithhimwhenhewasobviouslyeverybitascompetentas

shewas?Shelefthimincharge;thatmeanttobeinchargeandmakedecisionswithoutconsultingheriftherewasnoneedto.Itwouldbeprettyabsurdtobeangrywithhimfordoingjustthat.

Butshecouldtellhimallthatlater,whentheywerealone.Fornowitwasenoughtoknowthatshedidn'thavetobe"theElvenbane"aloneanymore....

"Wetransportedinthismorningandflewhere,butwenever,everexpectedyoutowakeupamonster!Andletmetellyou,"Lorrynconcluded,"thoselastfewmomentswhenthatthingattackedyouandwewerestillintheairweretheworstinmylife."

"Theyweren'tanyjoyforus,Icantellyou,"Kemangrumbled.

"Sothatwaswhyyouwentaheadandattackedthething!"Shanaexclaimed.

"Yousurelydidn'tthinkI'dbestupidenoughtodothatwithoutbeingprettysureIknewwhatIwasdoing,didyou?"Kemanrepliedindignantly."IthinkIdidallrightwithouttheirhelp,thankyou.Wedidn'tevenreallyneedthemtogetoutofthecave,andIknowIcouldhaveatleastblockedtheentranceenoughbymyselftoholdthatmonster,longenoughforusalltotransportoutofhere,anyway!I'll



admitIwasgladtoseethem,anditmadegettingthatthingbottledupeasier,butwethreewereperfectlyabletodealwithitonourown."

"Youmighthaveatleasttoldmethattherewashelpcoming,"Shanapointedoutreasonably,shethought,butKemanonlysnorted,andforamoment,shewasirritated.

"Ididn'texactlyhavetimetodiscussitwithyou!"hesaid,lookingjustasirritatedasshewas."Andweweren'tinanytrouble,anyway!"

Shedecidednottoquarrelwithhimbutthisnewattitudeonhispartwassomethingshehadn'texpected.NotfromKemanthegentle,Kemanherlittlebrother

Kemanthenot-so-little-anymore....

She'dhavetotakethatintohercalculationsfromnowon.Males,shethought.Hewassomuchmorereasonablewhenhewasstilladragonling!IthadtobeallofthecourtingandcooingwithDora,shefinallydecided.

Hewasn'ta"kid"anymoreanditlookedasifhewasgoingtobelikeeveryotheradolescentmaleandstart

provingit.

Nowhe'dbehavelikemostoftheotheryoungmaledragonssheknew.Wizardmalesandhumanmales,forthatmatter.Nextthing,he'dbeflyingmock-combatsanddoingacrobaticsforDora'sadmiration.



Lorrynmusthaveguessedatherthoughtsormaybeshewasthinkingthemalittletooloudly.:Noworries,:hesaid,squeezingherhand.:He'llgetoverit.AndIassureyou,I'mpastit.:

:ThanktheAncestors!:shereplied,herhumorcomingback..7thinkI'dsendyoutotheIronPeopletogetitbeatenoutofyouifyouweren't!:

"AllIcansayisthatI'mgladyoucame,"Kyrtiansaidfervently,withagratefulslaptoKeman'sflank."Whateverisintherecanremaininthereforever,sofarasI'mconcerned."Heshuddered,andsaidnothingmore,butShanacouldonlywonderifhewouldfeelthatwaysometimeinthefuture.Afterall,hisfatherorwhatwasleftofhisfatherwasstillinthere.

Well,itwouldn'tbeherproblem.Hewasforewarnednow,andifhedecidedheha

dtogoback,heknewhe'dbettercomewithplentyofhelp.

And,beingwithoutaladyfriendtoimpress,hejustmightactinasensiblemanner,unlikecertainyoungdragons.

Shecockedhereartolistenforamomenttothingsoutsidethecamp.Thesoundsfrominsidethemountain

weredefinitelyweaker."DidyoufindanysignofCaellach?"sheasked,belatedlyrecallingthatthiswaswhytheirrescuershadcomeinthefirstplace.

"Wefoundwherehe'dtransportedinsohedidmanagetolearnthespellandthenwefoundambush-beasttracksontopofhis,"Lorrynsaidgrimly."Wedidn'tbothertofollowthembacktotheden;therewasenoughbloodtoprettymuchguaranteethatCaellachmusthavebeenthebeast'sdinner."

Hermouthformedintoasoundless"O"butshecouldn'tthinkofwhatelsetosay.Lorrynwaitedforamoment,thencontinued."Mythoughtistojustlethimvanish.IftheotherOldWhinersminkhe'sgoneofftotheoldCitadelorsomewhereelsetoliveinluxurywiththeirbelongingsandwithluxurygoodsliftedfromtheElvenlords,they'renotgoingtomakeamartyroutofhim."



"Whereas,iftheyfoundouthisownstupiditykilledhim?"shecountered."Wouldn'tthatdestroyhiscreditwiththem?"

"Thensomeonemighttryandmakeitlookasifyouarrangedforhisdeath,"Lorrynreplied,withagrimace.Thefireflaredupforamomentandgavethemallalookofraptconcentration."It'donlybeourwordforwhatreallyhappened."

"Asufficientlycleverfellowcouldevenmakehimouttobeamartyriftheydidbelievethatanambushbeastkilledhim,"Kyrtiansaidunexpectedly."Afterall,hewasthelastsupporteroftheOldWays,andhewastryingtogetinformationthatwouldshowtheothersthatyouandyourNewWayswerefomentingtreacherytoyourownkind.Itwasn'tstupiditythatkilledhim,itwasawillingnesstosacrificehimselftoprovethetruth."

Shanastaredathimforamoment,astonished.

Wheredidhegetthat?It'spossibleit'sevenlikelybutIwouldn'thavethoughtofit!

EvenLorrynlookedsurprised."I'mgladyou'reonourside,"Lorrynmanaged,aft

eramoment."Ifyoucanthinkofthingslikethat"

Kyrtianshrugged,hiseyesbleakinthefirelight."Ididn'talwaysthinkthisway,"hepointedout."IsupposeIcanthankmylatecousinAelmarkinformyeducationandmylossofinnocence."Thenhesmiled,andhelookedmorelikehimselfagain.



"Well,yourcousingotexactlywhathedeserved,"Kemansaid.

ButKyrtianshrugged."MuchasI'mgladIwon'thavetoworryabouthimanylonger,Iwouldn'twishthedeathhegotonanyone."

Shanacompressedherlips;shewasn'tfeelingthatgenerous.EspeciallywhennowthatshecametothinkaboutititwasentirelypossiblethatithadbeenAelmarkinwhowokethatblastedconstruct."Idoubthewouldhavesaidthesameofyou,"shesaidbrusquely.

Kyrtiansighed,andlookedwearyandpensive."You'reprobablyright.No,youareright.Butitwouldmakememorelikehimtothinkthatway,soIwon't."Hisjawfirmed."Irefusetodesce

ndtohislevel.SoI'llforgivehim."

"Nowthatheisn'theretomakeanymoretroubleforyou,eh?"Kemansaidshrewdly.

"Hismenareshiveringwithfearinanill-madecamp,outthatway,"FatherDragonputin,unexpectedly."Shallwerescuethem,doyouthink?"

"Yes!"saidKyrtianandLorryn.

"No!"saidShanaandKemanatthesamemoment.Allfourexchangedglances,anditwasShanawhobrokethedeadlock.

"Allright,"shesaidgrudgingly."IsupposewecanroundthemupandtakethembacktothenewCitadelwhenyou'veleft,Kyrtian.Zedcanprobablyfindauseforthem."

"We'llleavethewaywecame,"saidKyrtian,withasigh.



"Havingfoundnothingbutemptycaves.Wehavealargerplantothinkof."

"Indeed,"Kalamadearumbled,anditseemedtoShanathathespokeforallofthem."AndnowrestWehaveagreatdealofworkaheadofus."

Indeedwedo,shethought,asLorrynhelpedhertoherfeet,andledhertothetentthattwoofKyrtian'smenhadvacatedforthem.

Kyrtianstretched,feelingeverysinglescrape,bruise,andpulledmuscle.Butjustasmuchashelongedforhomeandahotbath,hedreadedfacinghismotherwiththenewshehad.

Absently,todistracthimselffromhisowngloomythoughts,hepattedKemah'sside."Idon'tsupposeIcould

talkyouandyourlady-friendintoturningupinafewdays,couldI?"heasked."I'dloveformothertoseeyouforherself."

Anditwoulddohergoodtodistractherfrommybadnews.Oh,ofcourse,shehadbeenassumingalltheseyearsthathisfatherwasdeadbutitwasonethingtoassume,andanothertoknow.Whenyouassumed,therecouldalwaysbethatlittlehopelurkinginthebackofyourheartthatyoucouldn'tquitegiveup....

Heknewhewasnevergoingtoactuallytellherwhathehadfound.Itwouldbeenoughtotellherthathe'dfoundhisfather'sremainsandnotgetanymoreelaboratethanthat.



Andtellherthat,yes,hedidfindtheGreatPortaljustashe'dalwaysexpected,butthathewaskilledinanaccident.Thatitlookedasifhewastakencompletelybysurprise.Thatwouldleaveherwiththecomfortableimpressionthathe'dneverknownwhatwasgoingtohappentohim.

Kemanlaughed."Ofcourseyoucould!Infact,IthinkIwillaskLorrynandShanaifDoraandIcanbetheWizards'liaisonswithyou.Theydon'tneedusparticularlytospyontheGreatLords,andtheadvantageofhavinguswithyouratherthanWizardsisthatwewon'tdisguiseourtruenaturewithillusion.WecanposeasaLesserLordandhisLady.ShouldyouhaveanymorevisitsfromsayLordKyndreth,nomatterhowmanyillusion-dispellingmagicshecasts,we'llpasshistest."

"Ihadn'tthoughtofthat!"Kyrtiansaid,inwearysurprise,feelingarenewedstirringofpleasure."Considertheinvitationtendered,then.Thatwouldsolveanynumberofproblems."

Doranudgedhimwithhersnoutaffectionately."Ithinkthatwouldbelovely,myLord,"shereplied."Idon'tsupposeyouhaveanycavesonyourproperty,doyou?"

Kyrtianrepressedtheautomaticshudder;afterwhathe'djustbeenthrough,henever,everwantedtogoundergroundagain

ButhelookedoveratLynder,whogrinnedsheepishly,andansweredforhim."Quiteafew,miahyour"

"JustDora,"thefemaledragonsaid,inakindlytoneofvoice.

"Ah."Lynderrubbedthesideofhisnosewithhishand,self-consciously."Dora,then.Yes,HobieandIhave

foundquiteafew.Limestonecaves,water-carved,withlotsofformations."

"Lovely!"thefemaledragonsaidwithenthusiasm."LordKyrtian,youwouldn'tmindifwetookoverone,wouldyou?"



"We,"isit?hethought,holdingbackachuckleatthewayKeman'sexpressionchangedfromstartlementtopleasure.Nowondertheyoungcockisstartingtostrut!Mightbeaverygoodthingforallofthemtoseparatethisyoungfellowfromtherestofhispeers,sohe'slesstemptedtoactwell,likeayoungcock.Withthecurrentstateofthings...besttogethimsettled.ThenexttimetherewasasituationinvolvingyoungKeman,theurgetotryandprovehimselfcouldhavesomeseriousconsequences.

"Iwouldconsideritanhonor,"hesaid,toboththeirsatisfaction.

"Shana'ssousedtodependingonme,youknow,andIthinkitwouldbebetterforherifshegotoutofthathabitandstartedwelldependingonLorryninstead,"Kemansaidinaslightlypatronizingundertone,withaglanceatthenowoccupiedtent."IpracticallyraisedherwithMother'shelp,ofcourse,butIdidmostofit."

Thatconceptmadehisheadswimforamoment!"Ahreally?"heasked.

Kemanchuckled."Ihadallsortsofpets.SofarastheothersofourLairwereconcerned,shewasjustonemore!Untilshestartedtalkingandactinglikeaperson,ofcourse."

ItmadeKyrtian'sheadswimalittlemore."Intheverynearfuturewhenyou'resettledonmyestateandwe

havethetimeyouaregoingtohavetotellmeallaboutthat,"hesaid,asfirmlyashecould.

HewasnotgoingtodisabusetheyoungdragonofhisnotionthatLashana"depended"onhim.Hedidfeelapangofjealousythough,overthatyoungWizard,Lorryn....



No,hecorrectedhimself.Notjealousy.Envy.

Itwasn'tthathewantedShanashewasahandsomeyoungwoman,butnot,well,notthetypehewasattractedto,really.Except,perhaps,forthosecharacteristicsofmindandspiritthatheadmired.No,whathewantedwasthekindofrelationshipthatsheandLorrynsoclearlyshared.Whathismotherandfatherhadoncehadtogether.

Ancestors.Won'tthatbeasurpriseforMother.Buthedidn'tthinkhe'dgiveherfreereintogohunthimupawife.Notatthemoment.Therewerealotofdifficultdaysaheadofthem;theywereallgoingtohaveagreatmanymoreimportantthingstooccupytheirtime.

Likehowtosurvive,foronething.

HewasundernoillusionthatwithAelmarkingone,allofhistroubleswereabouttovanish.Quitethecontrary.HewasnowintothemorassofthepoliticsoftheGreatLords,hehadtheYoungLordstoworryaboutand

AndI'mtechnicallyatraitor.I'mconspiringwiththeWizardstocreateaslaverebellion.

Allthat,inadditiontotryingtokeephisownpeoplesafe.Ifhethoughtaboutittoolong,itseemedimpossible,andhebegantodoubthe'devenmanagethatlast,andinsomewaysmostimportanttask,muchlessalltherest.

Buthewasn'taloneinthis,now.Foronce,itdidn'talldependonhimandhispaltryskills.We'llbedoingittogether,dragonsandElvenlords,Wizardsandhumansworkingtogether.Atlast.

Andwiththatformidablecombinationhehadtobelievetherewasnoproblemthattheycouldnotultimatelydefeat.

EPILOGUE



Trianahadneverbeenparticularlyafraidbeforeshe'denteredthesecaves.She'donlythoughtshe'dencounteredterrorbeforetheconstructcamealive.

Butthemomentthatthethingaroseoutoftherest,likesometerrifyingmetalinsectwithascreamingAelmarkininitsclaws,sheknewtrueandparalyzinghorror.

BythenshehadbeenbesidetheGreatPortal,andasthethingblunderedbackandforthacrossthecaveinpursuitofKyrtianandhispeople,sheshrankintotheshelterofoneofitscurvedsides,prayingthatitwouldn'tseeher,wouldn'tblunderintoher.Thatwasallshecouldmanage;herkneesscarcelyheldherup,andshecouldn'thaverunifshewantedto.Shewasdrenchedinacold,coldsweat;everytimethethingcameanywherenearsheheldherbreathuntilshenearlypassedout,lestithearherbreathing.

Shewassureshewasgoingtodie.Forthefirsttimeinherlife,shestaredmortalityintheface,andrealizedthatshecouldn'tbearit....

Shecouldn'tbearit.Inamoment,shewasgoingtofaint,orscreamandbetrayherself.Shetrembledandsweated,andclenchedherfistsuntilherlongnailsbitintoherpalmsandmadethembleed.

Onemoment,therewasthemetalmonster.Thenthemetalonewasattackedbyadragon.



Itwasimpossible.Itwastoomuch.SheclutchedatthePortalside,andturnedherfaceintoitandrefusedtolook.Itdidn'tmatterwhichoneofthemwonthesurvivorwouldfindherandkillhershe'ddielikeAelmarkin,screaminginterrorandpain;shedidn'tstandachance

Shefoughtdownthescreamthatthreatenedtoescapetearsscorchedherfaceandherthroatachedwiththeneedtoshriekandshriek,butifshedid,she'ddiethenandthere,andshewantedtolive....

Somethingsnappedinsideher.Hermouthopened,butnothingcameout.Shefeltherselfstarttocollapse,thenblacknessswoopeddownonherlikeadragon,andtookhersenses.

Whenshewoke,thecavewasquiet,andshelaysprawledatthefootoftheGreatPortal.Thecavewasstill

illuminatedbytheuncertainyellowlightofKyrtian'slanterns,orwhatwasleftofthem.

Suddenly,shedidnotwanttoknowifKyrtianhadmetthesamefateasAelmarkin.Itwasonethingtoseemerehumanslavesdie;itwasanotherthingentirelytoknow,toseethehandofdeathcutdownanotherElvenlord.

No.Thecaveswerenotentirelyquiet...inthefar,fardistance,outintheen

trancecave,perhaps,somethingbatteredmonotonouslyatthestone.Sincethe"something"soundedlikemetal,itmusthavebeenthemetalmonsterthatsurvived.

Soitwasbetweenherandtheonlywayout.

Foramoment,shethoughtshewasgoingtofaintagain,butasherhandsclosedconvulsivelyandhernailsbit

intoherpalm,sodidthebandoftheheavysignetringshewore

Thering.Thering!ItwasherPortalkeyandshelayinthebiggestPortalofthemall!

Shakingineverylimb,shegottoherfeetsomehow,anddismissedtheillusions



hewore.Ifthiswasgoingtowork,shewouldneedeverymorselofpower.

ShefacedtheGreatPortal,closedhereyes,andslowly,carefully,begantoweavethelinesofenergythatwouldopenalong-dormantPortallikethisone.Itwasgoingtotakealotthisonehadbeenmadebytheconcertedeffortofdozensofmages,andshewasonlyone.

Butshealsodidn'thaveanychoiceifshewantedtolive.

Bitbybit,sluggishly,thePortalbegantorespond.Thelinesofpoweroozedintoplaceratherthansnappingcrisplyintotheirpositions.Thepatternsformed,butoh!soslowly!

Andthen,withnowarningatallthePortalsnappedtofullandvibrantlife!

Startled,Trianaopenedhereyes.

Theshimmeringcurtainofpowerwithintheglowinggreenarchshivered.

Parted.

Andanentirelynewhorrorsteppedthrough.



LikesomeunsanctifiedmeldingofElfandreptile,thethingstoodtwiceastallasshe.Itwaslong-limbed,sexless,andentirelynaked,coveredinitsownblue-greenscales.Ithadatailthatlashedbackandforthrestlessly,ahairlesshead,legsthatbentthewrongwayattheknees,aliplessmouthfullofpointedteeth,andmosthorribleofalleyesshewouldhaverecognizedonanyElvenlord.AnditsawhertheinstantitwalkedthroughthePortal.

Beforeshecouldmove,ithadclearedthedistancebetweentheminasingleleap,andseizedher.

Itsstrong,scaledfingersclosedaroundherwaist,inagripunbreakableasmetalcables.Nowshescreamed,shriekedandfought,butshemightaswellhavebeenfightingthemetalmonster.Ithadnoexpressionwhatsoeverontheflatplatethatwasitsface.

Itevensmelledlikeasnake,mustyandgreen,andthesmellmadeherevenmorefrantic,somehow,triggeringfearssoatavisticthatshetoreoffnailsandbitlikeananimaltryingtogetfreeofit.Herentirebodyfeltafire;nothingexistedforherbuttheoverpoweringneedtoescape

Allfornaught.Thethingneverevenwinced.Itwasimpossiblystrongandutterlyimplacable;themomentthatshetired,itflungheroveritsshoulder.

Reducednowtomindlesspanic,sherenewedherfight,buthershrieksmadenoimpressiononit,andshemightaswellhavebeenfightingwiththestoneofthecave.

ItcarriedhertothePortal,whichshimmeredwithactivity.Shescreamedastheyapproachedtheshiveringcurtainoflight.

Theytouchedit.Andpassedthroughit.

AndthePortalclosedbehindthemagain.



LordKyndrethsteepledhisfingerstogetherandstaredathissonGildor,whohadjustbroughthimnewsthatwaswellpeculiar.Hewasn'tcertainwhattomakeofit.Hewasevenlesscertainwhattodoaboutit.

HehadyoungKyrtian'sreportonhisdesk,awrittencopyofwhatKyrtianhadtoldhimviatheteleson,andalthoughhecouldfindnofaultinit,ithadlefthimfeelingvaguelyunsatisfied.Granted,everyoneknewwhattheforestborderingChey-nar'sestatewasdangerous,fullofalicornsandtheAncestorsonlyknewwhatsortsofworsethings.AndtherewasnorealreasonwhyKyrtianshouldhaveactuallyfoundthepurporteddenofhalfbloodsinthere.Afterall,they'dbeenhidingforcenturieswithnoonesuspectingtheirpresence,sowhyshouldoneyoungElvenlordfindthemnow?

Butthereportfeltincomplete.AsifKyrtianwashidingsomethingfromhim,althoughhecouldnotevenbegintoguesswhatthat"something"was.

AndnowGildor,poordullardthathewas,walkedintothestudywiththeastonishingnewsthatLadyTrianaandAel-markinweremissing.Thattheyhadlefttheirestateswithcampinggearandatrainofslavesthatincluded(inTriana'scase,atleast)slavestrainedasforesters.Andnow,bothweremissing,theirestatesinconfuseddisarray,theirslavesleftwithnoorders,uncertainofwhattheyshoulddonow.GildorandhisfriendshadturnedupatAelmarkin'sestateforaplannedeventoneatwhichLadyTrianawasalsosupposedto

appeartofindthatbothweregone,vanished.



"Thankyou,Gildor,"Kyndrethtoldhisson,withthegravityduetoamajorpieceofintelligence."Thankyouverymuch.Wouldyoucaretoinviteallofthosefriendsofyourswhoweredisappointedoftheiramusementhere?Iwillbehappytoentertainthemforaweek,ifyoulike."

Ashe'dexpected,Gildor'sdullfacebrightenedattheprospect;KyndrethsummonedhisstewardandsenthissonoffwiththelesserLordtoorganizetheentertainment.Thatis,LordBelathwouldorganizetheentertainment,andGildorwouldsummonhisfriends...itwouldbeagreatdisruptiontoKyn-dreth'swork,infact,hemighthavetoretiretothehunting-lodgeortheoldDowager-Housewhiletheyoungroisterersrompedthroughhishalls.ButthatwouldbeasmallpricetopayifGildorcontinuedtobringhimtidbitslikethisone.

WasthiswhatKyrtianwashiding?

Thatdidn'tfitwithhisreadingoftheyoungLord.Kyrtianwasnotlikelytoconcealthefactthathiscousinhadcometogrief,andevenlesslikelytohavemurderedAelmarkinhimself.KyndrethcouldreadilyseewhyAelmarkinwouldfollowKyrtianintothewildernessAelmarkinwouldbeperfectlyhappytoengineeran"accident"outthere.Butif,inthecourseoftryingtosetupsuchanaccident,itwasAelmarkinwhoperished,andKyrtianfoundoutaboutit,whywouldKyrtianhideit?

Whywouldhewantto?IfAelmarkinwerehoistuponhisownpetardoftreachery,Kyrtianshouldbeonlytoopleasedtotrumpetthefacttoalltheworld.

AndasforTrianavanishingatthesametimewell,theonlythingthatLordKyndrethcouldimaginewasthatforsomereasonshehadgonechasingafterKyrtianaswell.Althoughhecouldnotimaginewhy.

Kyndrethgroundhisteeth,feelingfrustrationwellupinsidehim.Thiswasanentirelynewexperienceforhimandhedidn'tlikeit.Always,always,fromthetimehefirstcametopowerandtookhisCouncilseat,hehadknownwhowasdoingwhat,andwhy.Especiallywhy.Andnowthingswerehappeningthathehadnotbeentoldof,hadnotanticipated,andworstofall,hehadnorealnotionofthemotivationsthatlaybehindtheseincidents.



MotivationswhatintheworldcouldhavebroughtAelmarkinoutintothewildernessbesideshatredforKyrtian?Or,forthatmatter,LadyTriana?Whatcouldthetwopossiblyhaveincommon?

Heclosedhiseyesforamoment,emptiedhismind,andviolentlysuppressedtheemotionsthatcamewellingupinthewakeofthatfrustration.Emotionwasnotuseful.Heneededlogicandreasonandaboveall,planning.

Andonceheclearedhismindofemotion,somethingelseoccurredtohimatlonglast.TheonethingthatTrianaandAelmarkindidhaveincommonwasthegroupthattheyassociatedwithsociallytheyoungersons,andsomefewyoungerdaughters.UntiltheYoungLords'Revolt,thathadincludedtherebelliousYoungLords.

Whatif,ratherthantrailingafterKyrtian,AelmarkinandTri-anahadgonequitecoincidentallyintothesamearea,intendingtomeetwiththefugitives?

WhatifAelmarkinandTrianahadbeenthespieswithintheranksoftheOldLordsfortheyoungsters?

IfthatwasthecasenowonderAelmarkinhadbeensointentonfosteringtheimpressionhiscousinKyrtianwasdotty!Andnowonderhe'dbeensodisgruntledwhenKyrtianwasplacedinchargeofthearmy!

Itwasonlyatheorycouldbynomeansbeprovedbutitwouldn'thurttokeepthetheoryinreserve.Itmightbeuseful.



Meanwhile,heshouldbetheonetospreadthenewstotherestoftheCouncil,ifatallpossible.HowmanyotherCouncilmembershadoffspringlikelytobeinvitedtothatabortedparty?Notmanyandnonewerelikelytohavementionedthedisappearancesyet.

Good.Hemightbeswimminginaseaofuncertainties,buthecouldmakesomethingoutofthisyet.

Hestraightenedhisback,calledforstrongwine,andbegantoplanwhathewouldtelltheCouncil.Andashedidso,hefeltafaintsmilecrosshislips.

Attheveryleast,hewouldgainsomething.Trianahadsomeancientcousinorotherwhowouldswiftlyclaimherestate,butAelmarkin'snearestrelationwasKyrtian...andKyrtianwasunlikelytowantAelmarkin'stiny

holdingorhisbusinessofbreedingpleasure-slaves.Whenanestatewentunclaimed,ittraditionallywenttotheHeadoftheCouncil.

Whichwas,ofcourse,LordKyndreth.

Andiftherewasanyquestionofwhetherornotitshouldbeconfiscated,well,Kyndrethcouldbringupthattheory,brandingAelmarkinasatraitor,andoverturningallpossibleobjections

toconfiscatingtheproperty.

Kyndrethnoddedtohimself,feelingfirmgroundbeneathhisfeetagain.Goodenough.Heknewwherehewasnow.HewouldcalltheCouncilMeeting,announcethedisappearances,andseewhoreacted,andhow.Thatwouldtellhimagreatdealandinthemeantime,hewouldsendhisstewardsintotakecontrolofAelmarkin'spossessions.

Hetookalongbreath,andkeyedtheteleson.Shakethetree,andseewhatfruitfellandhowfar.

Andwhateverhappened,tomakecertainthatitprofitedhim.



"Well,Anster,"hebegan,whenLordAnster'sservanthadsummonedhimtotheteleson-screen,"itseemswehaveamysteryonourhands...."

[halfblood chronicles 03] - with andre norton - elvenborn

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