THE DRAGONS OF KRYNN
Edited by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman Copyright 1994 TSR, Inc All Rights Reserved.
OCR ed by Alliga t or croc@aha.ru
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Seven Hymns of the Dragon
Michael Williams
2. The Final Touch
Michael and Teri Williams
3. Night of Falling Stars
Nancy Varian Berberick
4. Honor Is All
Mickey Zucker Reichert
5. Easy Pickings
Douglas Niles
6. A Dragon to the Core
Roger E. Moore
7. Dragon Breath
Nick O'Donohoe
8. Fool's Gold
Jeff Grubb
9. Scourge of the Wicked Kendragon
Janet Pack
10. And Baby Makes Three
Amy Stout
11. The First Dragonarmy Bridging Company Don Perrin
12. The Middle of Nowhere
Dan Harnden
13. Kaz and the Dragon's Children
Richard A. Knaak
14. Into the Light
Linda P. Baker
15. The Best
Margaret Weis
16. The Hunt
Kevin Stein

SEVEN HYMNS OF THE DRAGON Michael Williams I. Approaches

In the burning house in a scattered country you will see us rising the shadow of wings crossing your sunlight obscuring the moon as the red sky blossoms in fire and confusion.

Do not say you awaited
the flight and the shadow
the first incandescence
of your villages:
O do not say you expected
this fire, this turning,
the breath of the coming year as it passes
above you and through you,
bearing no promise
no memory of grief and effacement.

Do not tell your children that you understood
the explosion of air and light, the last implausible burning after the wings
had passed above you,
the red wind exploding
like fire in dry thistle.
They must not remember us, so that when we return
our price is exacted
from copper to diamond, and above your country the thorn trees spread
over collapsing time
as the past and the future close into single flame.

II. Dragonhoard In the heart of the lair
lies the fortunate substance:
lost in the incandescence of sapphire, drowned in an attar of violets. In the heart of the lair
in forgotten cloisters of granite down where a second darkness covers the light carnelian,
there in our midst, we imagine, lie the stones of redemption
where we have relinquished them to a light so brilliant
that after the days of sun
and the stars' corona,
the memory marks the eye
in its changed interior
where the color of light inverts yellow remembered as violet
green as the red of the blood unveiled as the blood we have spilled
over hearts and stones
as the last of the light assembles hard upon what we imagine
here in the marshes,
on wing in the early
and the blackening swamp
where the heart of the lair
is fixed and holy
speaking forever of miracles
because we remember it so.
III. The Language of Dragons
The language of dragons is the sleep of magic. Hard as agate
slick as quicksilver
cold barometer
of the brazen heart
and the destined wing. Out of the country
twinned and murderous in a spring of stars
let the word bind the body to the wind of the senses
bind the invisible
nerve of the air
bind and loose
jess and unfetter
the blank and awaiting country here in a season of hawks and O may the word
upon word engender
past fear and sleep may it ride limning the imagined
life of the planets
Gilean and Sirrion
book and flame
here at the Alchemist's Gate where the sound of our singing assembles, dissembles,
weaving a veil over nothing.
IV. Hymn of the Lair
The lair is the plan of the body, the yearning of blood
in expectant country,
as over the desert
the lightning stalks
in the promise of promises. The lair is a whisper of stars, is the way we remember
the lapsed constellations, forgetting the passage of years as inclement time
shrinks to arrangements
of pearls in the dark
of our summoned caverns.

Let it never be said
that the country of dragons is barren, is settled with specters, now when the tangible
glitters around us,
the eggs hard as pearls,
the smell of acanthus,
the watery shift
of blue upon blue,
the arrangement of stars before us.

Now our heritage
rests in old vintages
wine of the dark
wine of the maple
wine of the cane
at the edge of the prospects,
and all of our children
harbored in stone,
in a pure and invulnerable light.
O let them rise from that light
on a blue and immaculate wing,
let the violent sun
be their rising and falling,
and let them remember
past desert, past dark
past all definitions
of star and lightning,
let them remember
this place where the mind
bows down to the heart,
where the blood gives over
into the veins
of forgotten metals,
where the seed of the father
carries the pattern of stars,
where the last of the words is remember.
V. Paladine
He is the one we remember the word for the children
the light of the blood
in its native season
the hard incandescence of rubies.

Alive in the heart
of the wheeling planets he is sun and nebula
the tipped and generous cup of the trining moons.

And O we remember
that somewhere in rumor, beyond the cramped articulate country where the visions of stars
open to breath and belief,

where faith is the evidence and all constellations
converge on a still
and joyous center,
there in the reconciled bays,

in the last home of waters the millennium of fire
where the earth perpetual blossoms the trust of the air in the sunlight of memory, there where the vision
and heart reconcile
with the high mathematics of judgment and logic,
he is there and beyond there

free of arrangement
of reason and passion
where the scent of rosemary harbors his presence
and the light glints over the sun.
VI. The Journey
Blood of the sun
and the lone hawk turning spiraling under me
gold upon gold
blood of the sun
through nine generations of fire and cloud
until the mined vein
of heaven opens
and gold upon gold
is the country beneath me gold upon gold its story.

I turn above clouds
above the tipped cups
of the moons' penury
where only the sun
is behind me, only the light refracted through gold upon gold as I dive through the eons
and the sunlight fractures
in the blood of my wings.

From immutable distance the story of men
is a cry in the sun
the faint wing's rustle, the song of the sky
is bright, indecipherable, imagined in prayer,
in the breath of the mortals, the long, effacing sigh
of the elf,
encoded in time
and the first of the season always returning
under my wing.

The blood of the sun
in a steady light
glitters above
lamentations of earth
and the vein of heaven
opens in song,
the first of the hymns,
the hymn you will always
and always remember,
the first of the breath of the light.

VII. The Dreams of Dragons House of the whirlpool
month of the drowned rose We in the absence
of light remember
the turn of winter
the chromatic dazzle of wings here in the prison
of sleep and forgetfulness
amber of winter
refracted country
the lady remembered
in the altered veins of the throat

Month of the rains
month of the secret water
Under the light
the lapse of memory
rises to sound
to the lost blood calling
to the loud gate of knives
and the world's entry
parabola of the hawk
as the sun descends.
O let the lady rise in fire
as the last sky burns to nothing.
The Final Touch
Michael and Teri Williams
Mort the gardener's broad hand rested lightly on the cottage door. Th e old boa r d wa r m ed plea sa n t ly u n der h is cr ea sed pa lm , a n d Mor t looked in t o t h e fa ded h ea r t of t h e a n cien t t r ee t h a t t h e door h a d on ce been. Th e gr een wor ld h eld few secr et s t h a t Mor t cou ld n ot see t h r ou gh h is fin ger s t h is t r ee h a d fa llen in t h e Ca t a clysm , a n d it s m em or ies h a d slowly faded from every growth ring but the last.
Mor t closed h is eyes a n d r em oved h is hand. H e r ecover ed h is sm ile by r em em ber in g wh y h e'd com e it wa s L'In da sh a 's bir t h da y. An d ju st in t im e, for Rober t ca u gh t sigh t of h im t h r ou gh t h e win dow a n d swu n g open the heavy door.
"Mor t ! Welcom e! Com e in fr om t h e cold. H a ve som et h in g t o dr in k. It 's been too long again!" Robert boomed.
It was true.
H e h a d n ot seen h is fr ien ds sin ce t h e m iddle of la st yea r n eit h er t h e dr u idess n or h er h u sba n d. Now t h e ea r ly sn ows h a d fa llen in Ta m a n Bu su k, a n d t h e sea son a l bir ds h a d deser t ed t h e h igh cou n t r y a s t h e fir st autumn of peace returned to the Khalkist Mountains.
A lit t le sn ow h a d descen ded on L'In da sh a a s well, Mor t t h ou gh t , sm ilin g wider . H e looked pa st Rober t t o see h er fr a m ed in fir eligh t , fr own in g a s sh e in spect ed a sm a ll, decor a t ed bu cket , t h e fir st sligh t frosting of silver in her auburn hair.
As t h e sea son s a n d yea r s pa ssed, sh e wa s set t lin g gr a du a lly in t o a ge. Som eon e else h a d t a ken over h er lon g secr et wa t ch in t h e Kh a lkist s, a n d L'Indasha's immortality had been transferred to her successor.
L'In da sh a r ose a n d h u gged Mor t a s h e spoke h is bir t h da y blessin g. She smelled of sunlight and fresh herbs and falling water.
"Oh , Mor t ! It 's good t o see you !" sh e excla im ed. "I wa s ju st t r yin g t o figu r e ou t wh y m y a u gu r y bu cket for m ed n o ice la st n igh t . It h a ppen s every so often, and somehow always on the coldest night of the year. Why, the water was still warm when I brought... "
Suddenly, fiercely, she hugged Mort again.
"But this is no night for complaint!" she said with a laugh. "My friend is here, and we've things to celebrate. "
Rober t br ou gh t Mor t a cu p of br a n died coffee a n d sa id, "You 'r e ju st in time for a tale. L'Indasha is about to tell me the story of the dragons.... "
"Wh en t h e wa r s bega n a n d Nidu s bu r n ed?" Mor t a sked, set t in g a sm a ll parcel safely at the far edge of the hearth.
"Mu ch ea r lier . Wh en t h e Da r k Qu een 's m in ion s fir st r et u r n ed t o t h e con t in en t a n d pilla ged t h e n est s of t h eir n oble cou sin s, " L'In da sh a explained. "We kn ow t oo well t h e st or y of t h e Wa r of t h e La n ce. Bu t t h is is different, a smaller tale. A story to tell on a birthday. "
She grinned, relishing her first birthday in thirty centuries.
Th e dr u idess bega n t h e st or y, a n d t h e ga r den er set t led in t o t h e chair beside h er , sippin g h is dr in k. H e r ea ch ed for t h e sm a ll decor a t ive bu cket a n d r a n h is h a n ds over it s bu r n ish ed sla t s, h is fin ger s fin din g pla ces t h a t seemed to have been chewed or gnawed at.
Mor t 's eyes widen ed slowly a s h e felt t h e m a gica l gr a in of t h e wood. Th is wa s st ill a power fu l a u gu r y vessel; it s wood-h a llowed m em or ies wer e clea r a n d br ea t h t a kin gly a live. Tou ch in g it , h e sa w t h e ver y pict u r es of t h e wor ds t h e dr u idess spoke, a n d m or e for t h is bu cket h a d n ot on ly been witness to the story she was telling, but its wood remembered things she did not know.
Mort began to see how....
* * * * *
It wa s t h e t im e of dr a gon s, a n d t h e fir st win gs wer e pa ssin g over t h e red moon.
L'In da sh a Ym a n cr ou ch ed ben ea t h t h e sa ggin g br a n ch es of t h e blu en eedled t r ee a n d wa t ch ed t h e sh a dows over t h e sn ow-dim m ed la n dsca pe a s t h ey wea ved sou n dlessly in a n d ou t of t h e st a r ligh t , bla ck bet ween t h e sparse evergreens.

It t ook n o dr u idica l t ea ch in g, n o a u gu r y or in sigh t , t o r em in d h er t o lie low, ou t of t h e pier cin g sigh t t h a t cou ld spot a r a bbit or a vole fr om t wo thousand feet.

Th e villa ger s h a d t old L'In da sh a of t h e fligh t s, of t h e m yst er iou s wh eelin g sh a pes da r k a ga in st t h e r ed m oon , t h e silver m oon . Of t h eir spiraling path north into the impenetrable mountains.

Th ey a r e ba t s, t h e villa ger s m a in t a in ed. E n or m ou s ba t s r elea sed by t h e wr on gdoin g of a t h ou sa n d yea r s. Wh en t h e t im e com es, t h ey will t r a vel in daylight. Then they will swallow the sun.

L'In da sh a did n ot cor r ect t h em . Th e t r u t h wou ld r a ise even m or e pa n ic, more discord.
For the evil dragons had come to the mountains of Krynn.
She had known about them for a month through her auguries through t h e fr a ct u r es of ice a n d t h e fligh t pa t t er n s of win t er bir ds a n d sh e kn ew a s well, in t h a t qu iet fa it h beyon d a u gu r y a n d kn owin g, t h a t t h e good dr a gon s wou ld be com in g a s well, t h ou gh t h eir evil cou sin s m igh t dest r oy the world in the delay.
Sh e cou ld h a ve fled, sou gh t sh elt er . Bu t h er st r on g, pr ot ect ive m a gic m igh t sh ield t h e villa ger s fr om fir e a n d plu n der . So sh e h a d decided t o follow t h e dr a gon s a s fa r a s h er legs a n d h er br a ver y wou ld go. Good a s it wa s, gelom a n cy wa s a n er r a t ic or a cle. Sh e wa n t ed t o see wh a t wa s goin g on with her own eyes.
Th e eviden ce wa s m en a cin g a n d gr im . Th er e wer e t en of t h em , per h a ps twelve in t h e fier cely swir lin g sn ow it wa s h a r d t o cou n t . Dr a gon s in such numbers were sure to be about momentous business.
"Hiddukel's legions, " L'Indasha breathed. "The Dark Lady's minions. "
She caught herself with a gasp.
Ta lkin g t o h er self a ga in , wh en a voice m igh t ca r r y on t h e st or m win ds a n d t h e en em y wh eeled a bove h er in h opeless n u m ber s! Silen t ly, h oldin g h er br ea t h , t h e dr u idess collect ed in h er a u gu r y bu cket a n d dr ew close against the fragrant bole of the tree.
On e of t h e dr a gon s, a squ a t you n g cr ea t u r e, pivot ed a n d dove t owa r d t h e a et er n a gr ove, sn iffin g t h e a ir a ppr eh en sively, it s bla ck win gs flickering obscenely in the bloody moonlight.
Slowly, m im ickin g t h e dr oop of sn ow-la den br a n ch es, L'In da sh a spr ea d t h e blu e lim bs like a veil in fr on t of h er a n d br ea t h ed a pr a yer t o Paladine, to Branchala and Chislev, into the fragrant needles.
In u n st ea dy fligh t , t h e you n g st r a ggler br u sh ed win gs wit h a la r ge blu e dr a gon , t h e sla p of sca les cu t t in g t h r ou gh t h e fr ost y a ir like t h e cr a ck of fa llin g t im ber s. Th e big blu e sh r ieked a n d wh eeled a bove t h e sm a ller m on st er , wh o sh eer ed a wa y in pa n ic, br ea st in g t h e t op of t h e a et er n a grove in a swift, fetid rush.
L'Indasha gasped. The creature stared right at her....
And beyond her. Its eyes were terror-struck, blank.
Wit h a gibber in g cr y, t h e you n g dr a gon fla sh ed t h r ou gh t h e t r ees, sca t t er in g br a n ch es, n eedles, a n d snow. F or a m om en t it r ea ch ed ou t blin dly t o br ea k a fa ll t h a t n ever ca m e, it s t a lon s gr opin g, clu t ch in g ice and frozen earth.
Something dropped softly from its grasp.
Th e dr a gon t u r n ed, pu zzled a n d disor ien t ed, sh ook t h e sn ow fr om it s lea t h er y win gs, a n d soa r ed t o ca t ch u p wit h it s com pa n y. It dipped on ce m or e, t h en va u lt ed a t a ll ou t -cr oppin g of va llen wood, wobblin g on a frantic, unsteady path to catch up with its comrades.
"By P a la din e's pu r ple h a t !" L'In da sh a wh isper ed, st a r in g a t t h e sn owcover ed object t h e bea st h a d left beh in d. "An egg! An d u n br oken !" Sh e ca u gh t h er self a ga in , cla ppin g h er h a n d over h er m ou t h , st ood slowly a s t h e sn ow t u m bled fr om h er sh ou lder s, a n d wa t ch ed t h e la st of t h e dragons vanish into the swirling night, heedless of her words.
Wit h a deep br ea t h , L'In da sh a st epped fr om beh in d t h e a et er n a , t h e gr een ligh t spr ea din g fr om h er fin ger t ips t o illu m in e h er pa t h u p t h e t r ea ch er ou s slope of t h e h ill. Sh e clu t ch ed t h e ba r e, fr a yed br a n ch es of a n old ju n iper t o st ea dy h er self for t h e la st few feet of a scen t . Th e a n cien t t r ee glowed a t h er fir st t ou ch , a n d it seem ed for a m om en t t h a t it wa s renewed with vigor.
At h er feet , illu m in a t ed by t h e sh in in g br a n ch es, t h e egg la y da r k against the glinting snow.
Sh e won der ed if t h e dr a gon s wer e m ovin g t h eir la ir s fa r t o t h e north and why....
Bu t t h er e wa s a n ot h er qu est ion , m or e ser iou s a n d im m edia t e. What would she do with this egg?
H er fir st t h ou gh t wa s t o sm a sh it , t o dest r oy t h e t h in g in side t h a t wou ld becom e a scr ea m in g killer . Bu t t h en a sor t of a m bigu ou s pr ot ect ion began to rise up in her. What if the egg were stolen? It could belong to the good on es. Lon g a go, lon ger t h a n sh e cou ld cou n t t h e yea r s or r eckon t h e t im e, t h e dr u ids befor e h er h a d kn own wh a t t o do wit h lost cr ea t u r es. Do nothing, they h a d t old h er . Th er e is a h a r m on y in t h e losin g a n d fin din g, a n d t h e gr ea t ba la n ces of n a t u r e t ilt for n o on e cr ea t u r e. Do n ot h in g. You cannot be delicate.
"So be it , " sh e wh isper ed, bu t lift ed t h e egg a n ywa y, for som ewh a t of a scientific observation.
The t h in g wa s lea t h er y, t h e size of a sm a ll m elon . L'In da sh a m a r veled at its heft, at the strange texture of its shiny, almost metallic surface. She t u r n ed t h e egg ca r efu lly, ba la n cin g it wit h som e effor t in t h e pa lm of h er left h a n d, n ot in g it s lin es a n d con t ou r s, color a n d t ext u r e. Alr ea dy h er fir st in st in ct wa s pa ssin g fr om t h ou gh t ; t h e egg wa s n ow a cu r iosit y, something to learn about and then leave alone.
It was just part of the great impartial balance.
H er h a n ds glowin g soft ly t o gu ide h er vision , L'In da sh a st a r ed t h r ou gh the shimmering, translucent shell into the interior of the egg.
Tr a n spa r en t , blu e-vein ed win gs sh r ou ded a r ept ilia n fa ce wit h t wo great black eyes. Tiny arms slowly moved in the milky fluid, and one claw r ea ch ed su dden ly t owa r d h er , a fer ven t gr a sp t h a t st a r t led L'In da sh a back into the moment.
It wa s a lm ost for m ed. In a sh or t sea son , given sh elt er a n d a t t en t ion , it s en or m ou s, skewed egg t oot h wou ld br ea k t h e sh ell, a n d t h e dr a gon wou ld burst forth and take wing.
An d it wa s a br on ze. Th e good dr a gon s had come. Th is wa s on e of theirs.
The druidess sighed.
* * * * *
In t h e h ea r t of t h e egg, h over in g in a glit t er in g a m n iot ic flu id, t h e bronze dragon stirred.
A green light played across the edge of the world before him, strong and steady. He reached for the light, turning slowly in the metallic waters, his thin wings hunched.
It wa s a h u m a n h a n d h e sa w, gr een a n d golden , r a dia n t wit h a st r a n ge a n d wa r m in g ligh t . H e kn ew t h is h a n d wa s n o pa r t of t h e dr ea m t h a t h a d kept h im a yea r in t h e sh ell t h e dr ea m of flyin g, of h ot a r id spa ces, of spellcraft and fifty thousand years of dragon heritage.
No. Th is wa s som et h in g en t ir ely n ew a n d wa r m a t t h e edge of h is egg. H e sa w t h e ligh t pu lse a n d sh iver , felt a r oa r in g h ea r t bea t in t h e dept h s of the hand. It was an overwhelming music, a power he could not resist.
It had to be the promised change. The dream had told him how the edge of this metallic world would crack, would open....
An d beyon d it wou ld lie yet a n ot h er wor ld, wit h h ot a r id spa ces, a n d gravity a n d t h e bu oya n cy of a ir . Th er e wou ld be a h igh a n d dissolvin g sun, which you kept at your back in the hunt, in battle....
An d t h is t ou ch m u st be t h e h er a ld. Gr een a n d glowin g, it wou ld br in g h im t o t h e n ew wor ld, a n d h e yea r n ed t o be t h er e, t o r ea ch for t his kindness and courage....
He leapt forward with love and longing....
* * * * *

L'Indasha Yman gently replaced the egg where it had fallen and backed away from it, wrapping her green cloak tightly around her shoulders.
Do n ot h in g, L'In da sh a t old h er self, a ga in a n d a ga in a n d a ga in a s sh e r eca lled t h e bla ck, wa t er y eyes of t h e cr ea t u r e st a r in g soft ly t h r ou gh t h e shell. You cannot be delicate.
On ly on ce did sh e look ba ck a t t h e lea t h er y egg lyin g desola t e in t h e sn ow, blu r r ed by t h e swir lin g win d a n d by h er own su dden wellin g of tears. Wh en sh e r ea ch ed t h e sa fet y of h er ca ve, a m ile fr om t h e ou t cr oppin g of va llen -wood, t h e slope, a n d t h e icy pla in , sh e h a d collect ed h er self a n d wa s ca lm ly pon der in g t h e n ew ice in h er oa ken bu cket , reading its crazing and clouds for auguries, for insights and omens.
Why would the black dragons... ?
An d t h is cr ea t u r e, a ccu st om ed t o t h e dr y, h ot wa st ela n ds, wou ld per ish at once in a winter such as this....
Do n ot h in g. Som e m yst er ies a r e t o u n r a vel, a n d som e m yst er ies m u st remain.
Sn ow slowly cover ed t h e br on ze egg, bu t t h e t in y dr a gon la y st ill, wa r m ed m a gica lly by L'In da sh a 's t ou ch , fier cely gr owin g t owa r d a n ew dream.
* * * * *
In t h e Kh a lkist Mou n t a in s, win t er pa ssed in t o spr in g dou bt fu lly a n d gradually. H u ddled by t h e fir e, L'In da sh a cou ld t ell by t h e r et u r n of t h e sn ow ea gle, by t h e la t er a r r iva ls of r obin a n d la r ken va le, t h a t t h is win t er wa s n ea r ly gon e. Wh en t h e dr u idess looked u p t o see Lu n it a r i a dr ift a t t h e pea k of t h e h ea ven s, pa ssin g in fu ll ph a se t h r ou gh t h e con st ellation Gilea n , sh e bega n t o clea r t h e ca ve of win t er 's r efu se, t o a ir h er m u st y belongings and plant the first of this year's seeds.

On t h e secon d da y of pla n t in g, a s sh e kn elt ea r t h , dr oppin g t h e glit t er in g bla ck seeds in ca n t a t ion , L'In da sh a h ea r d a n odd n oise in t h e a et er n a t h icket below. Ca u t iou sly, t h e dr u idess r ose, br u sh in g t h e gr a y dir t fr om t h e fr on t of h er dress. Sh ieldin g h er eyes fr om t h e n oon su n , sh e st a r ed down in t o a swir l of blue branches and needles.

Th r a sh in g, discor da n t ly ba bblin g, som et h in g h a d ca u gh t it self in t h e evergreens. Th e blu e br a n ch es br oke a n d t ossed, a n d t h e dr u idess cou ld see something, brazen and flickering, in the middle of the copse.
A great bleat pulverized L'Indasha's ears.
Quickly br ea t h in g a spell of pr ot ect ion , t h e dr u idess st epped in t o a globe of gr een ligh t a n d m oved t owa r d t h e en t a n gled bea st . F or bea st it a bove t h e spa r e, r ocky
a n d sin gin g a gen t le was t h a t m u ch sh e cou ld discer n fr om t h e ben din g of t h e folia ge, fr om t h e fu r iou s la n gu a ge of t h e sca t t er in g bir ds a s t h ey fla pped ou t of t h e aeterna and flew, panic-stricken, down the mountain slopes.

Aft er a n ot h er sh a r p cr y, t h e cr ea t u r e bu r st for t h fr om it s sn a r e, it s rust-color ed win gs sh a kin g a wa y blu e n eedles, dir t , a n d dew. Without h esit a t ion , a s t h ou gh it h a d expect ed h er t o be t h er e, it wh eeled t owa r d t h e slopin g h illside a n d lu m ber ed over t o L'In da sh a , it s ba bblin g gr own even louder, more frenzied.

"No!" L'In da sh a sh r ieked. It wa s a dr a gon , a n d t h ou gh it wa s a ver y small one, the druidess suddenly felt her legs shake and the blind surge of fea r st iffen t h e ba ck of h er n eck. Th is wa s kn own t o t h e dr u ids a s dragonawe, a nearly uncontrollable reaction to the sight of the creatures.

"No, " sh e sa id, figh t in g for con t r ol a n d t h e power t o r u n , a n d "n o" again, as the crea t u r e r u sh ed t owa r d h er , sidlin g cr a blike, st u m blin g over loose r ocks a n d cr a sh in g in t o a you n g va llen wood, u pr oot in g t h e t r ee in it s br ea k-n eck ch a r ge. H er wa r din g h eld ju st a s t h e cr ea t u r e st opped short of her nose.

Well, nearly.
"No, " t h e dr u idess decla r ed a fou r t h t im e, st u m blin g ba ckwa r d, a n d a t la st t h e ca lm of h er h ea r t m a t ch ed t h e ca lm of h er wor ds. Sh e r ega r ded t h e cr ea t u r e or r a t h er , t h e giga n t ic, cr ooked egg t oot h a t t h e en d of it s snout wit h a cold, level st a r e, a n d lift ed h er h a n ds t o t h e fir st of t h e seven st a t ion s of Kir i-Jolith. Th e a ir cr a ckled wit h h ea t , a n d t h e win d rose.
L'In da sh a sh ift ed h er h a n ds t o t h e secon d st a t ion , a s a dist a n t clou d r u sh ed in fr om t h e west er n sky, boilin g a n d da r ken in g a s it ga t h er ed speed.
Then the dragon sneezed hugely, spraying her with phlegm and smoke.
H er con cen t r a t ion t ot a lly br oken , L'In da sh a wa s well in t o la u gh t er a s the poor creature staggered backward from the explosive force, stepped on it s own t a il, a n d som er sa u lt ed down t h e h illside in t o a wh it e ou t cropping of r ock, wh er e it st r u ck it s h ea d a n d la y st ill, for lor n lit t le wisps of sm oke rising from its nostrils.
Th e dr u idess wiped h er self off a n d cr ept t owa r d t h e da zed dr a gon . Slowly, she leaned over it and then stopped laughing altogether.
"Oh, no... "
Sh e r ea ch ed ou t a n d t ou ch ed t h e glit t er in g sca les, t ook t h e edge of on e between thumb and forefinger. Less than a year old.
"Oh, no. "
How had he ever found her? she wondered.
Do nothing, they had said.
But she had done nothing....
Su dden ly, wit h a sor t of a ddled br illia n ce, t h e en or m ou s da r k eyes opened and regarded her with delight.
"Blor t , " t h e dr a gon slobber ed, a foolish , in n ocen t sm ile spr ea din g over two rows of razored teeth.
* * * * *
Th e dr u idess sa w n o ch oice in t h e m a t t er . Left t o it s own r esou r ces, t h e cr ea t u r e wou ld n o dou bt m a u l it self in t h e r u gged, m ou n t a in ou s t er r a in . It m igh t even becom e t h e fir st of it s kin d t o be h u n t ed down a n d ea t en by wolves.

Never h a d a dr a gon seem ed so h elpless, so gu ileless su ch a sor r y excuse for dragonkind.
Do nothing....
Bu t sh e swor e t o h er self t h a t it wou ld be ju st for a sh or t sea son , ju st u n t il t h a t egg t oot h dr opped off. Sh e cou ld n ot h a r bor a pet wh o wou ld fill h a lf h er ca ve by t h e t im e it wa s fu lly gr own . J u st u n t il h igh su m m er , sh e t old h er self, u n t il h e wa s n ou r ish ed a n d less a wkwa r d, u n t il t h e wea t h er wa r m ed a n d t h e a bu n da n ce of ga m e in t h e gr a ssla n ds lu r ed pa n t h er a n d wolf from the mountain fastness.
Th en sh e wou ld t a ke t h e dr a gon sou t h , gu ide h im t o a pla ce wh er e t h e plains spread below him, vast and featureless and inviting. Sh e wou ld bid h im fa r ewell, t h en , a n d poin t ou t t h e St r a it s of Sch a llsea , beyon d wh ich la y Aba n a sin ia , wh er e t h e lon g st r et ch es of wa st ela n d wou ld be m or e t o h is likin g, t h e va llen woods spa r se a n d en or m ou s a n d n on t a n glin g. There h e wou ld fin d fr ien dlier t er r a in , join ed wit h t h e possibilit y t h a t som eh ow his kind were gaining force in Krynn.
If h e su r vived t h e sea son , h is ch a n ces wou ld blossom fr om blea k t o slim , a n d per h a ps h e wou ld live t o a du lt h ood, t o t h e legen da r y a ges of h is fa bled a n d a n cien t kin sm en . It wou ld ba la n ce n a t u r e, sh e decided give t h e cr ea t u r e t h e ch a n ce t h a t a cciden t a n d t h e evil dr a gon s' m yst er iou s greed had taken away.
It wa s h er pa r t , sh e decided. Bu t t h e ba la n cin g da y wh en n a t u r e wa s righted and her work ended was still a trying season away.
* * * * *
On e m on t h pa ssed, a n d t h en a n ot h er . No m or e evil dr a gon s wer e seen on t h e slopin g fa ce of t h e Kh a lkist Mou n t a in s a s spr in g a ppr oa ch ed a n d passed, and summer followed.

St a n din g a t t h e m ou t h of h er ca ver n , br oom in h a n d, L'In da sh a t old h er self t h a t t h is a t la st wou ld be t h e week. F or t h e dr a gon wa s st ill wit h h er , sn or in g on a bed of st r a w a n d dr ied lea ves, in h a lin g h er foodst or es a n d exh a lin g sm oke a n d, occa sion a lly, a lit t le fla m e. Th e bea st followed h er t h r ou gh t h e ga r den s like a n en or m ou s, per sist en t dog, so close on h er h eels t h a t t h e spr in g cr ops of r h u ba r b a n d r a dish es h a d been fla t t en ed beyond recognition.

Oliver , sh e ca lled h im in t h e old t on gu e, a ft er t h e gr een ca st of h is br on ze sca les. Sh e sm iled a s sh e wh isper ed t h e n a m e. Oliver wa s sm oke in t h e ba ck of t h e ca ver n , a r u m blin g a n d belch in g, a n d a st r a n ge, reptilian devotion.

H e wou ld slip h is h ea d ben ea t h h er h a n d, u r gin g h er wor dlessly t o scratch behind his ears.
L'Indasha straightened sharply. She must be on guard against softness. Despit e t h e wa r r in g voices in h er own con scien ce, t h er e wa s n o keepin g a creature who fractured the furniture and singed the dried herbs.
Sh e sm iled a ga in , t h is t im e a bit wea r ily. "Bu t I t old m yself t h ese sa m e t h in gs a t m idsu m m er , " sh e a ckn owledged. "An d n ow t h e m oon h a s passed to the ninth month, and Oliver is still here.... "
As t h e dr u idess swept t h e lea ves fr om t h e m ou t h of t h e ca ve, a n odd cla t t er in g in t h e ca ver n 's r ecesses st a r t led h er . In st a n t ly sh e t u r n ed a n d m oved st ea dily in t o t h e da r kn ess, r a isin g h er left h a n d t o pr ovide fa in t light, her right hand still clutching the broom.
Sh e r ela xed a s sh e sa w Oliver 's h u ge sh a dow da n ce, h ea r d h im squ ea l a n d m u t t er a s h e ba t t er ed h is win gs a ga in st t h e wa lls of t h e ca ve, h is thick tail thrashing wildly.
"Again?" she exclaimed, dropping the broom and rushing over to him.
"Mr gr y, " t h e dr a gon expla in ed, sh a kin g h is h ea d, poin t in g clu m sily a t his snout, which was obviously stuck in a small bucket.
Wit h a sigh , L'In da sh a set h er foot t o t h e dr a gon 's ch est , seized t h e oa ken bu cket , a n d wit h on e power fu l ya n k, r em oved h er or a cle wit h a pop fr om t h e cr ea t u r e's n ose. Dr u idess a n d dr a gon t u m bled t o opposit e sides of t h e ca ver n , wh er e t h ey slu m ped da zed a n d br ea t h less a ga in st t h e cool walls.
"H ow m a n y t im es m u st we do t h is, Oliver ?" t h e dr u idess scolded, br u sh in g t h e du st fr om h er r obes. "My bu cket is a ll scr a t ch ed u p, a n d you've ruined the ice for augury again. Now it's a trip to the mountaintops for more... "
Th e dr a gon h u n g h is chamber. H e st a r ed a t folded wings.
"Ga wgr , " h e m u r m u r ed, a wisp of sm oke r isin g la zily fr om h is r igh t nostril. H is egg t oot h , wh ich seem ed t o be a per m a n en t fea t u r e, ju t t ed absurdly from beneath his upper lip.
L'In da sh a r olled h er eyes. "E n ou gh !" sh e com m a n ded, m a skin g a sm ile a s a wa ve of h er h a n d dispelled t h e da r kn ess in t h e ca ver n ch a m ber . "You 'r e n ot bein g pu n ish ed. Now com e wit h m e. Th e n or t h side ga r den h ea d, a n d cr ept t o t h e fa r t h est cor n er of t h e h er dolefu lly, bla ck eyes glit t er in g bet ween h is needs attention. "
She heard the dragon follow, shuffling and grumbling behind her as she st epped fr om t h e m ou t h of t h e ca ve in t o t h e even in g solit u de. It da wn ed on her again that the time had passed in which she could safely send such a creature into the wild on his own.
Oliver wa s defen seless wh er e a dr a gon sh ou ld h a ve br ist led wit h armament. H is win gs wer e lit t le m or e t h a n la r ge lea t h er y or n a m en t s: t h e on e fligh t h e h a d a t t em pt ed h a d lodged h im t igh t ly in t h e lower br a n ches of a va llen wood, wh er e h e h a d squ a wked a n d t h r a sh ed h is t a il u n t il L'In da sh a fr eed h im wit h a m ild dr u idic spell. H e wa s st r on g bu t clu m sy, m or e likely t o sh ock h im self wit h h is ligh t n in g br ea t h t h a n t o t u r n h is formidable weapons against predator or foe.
As for sen se of dir ect ion ... sh e h a d fou n d h im on t wo occa sion s, hopelessly lost, his head half-swallowed by a large pillowcase he had been exploring.
His lumbering footsteps slowed behind her, then stopped altogether.
"Froof?"
Th e dr u idess wh eeled a r ou n d, expect in g a n a cciden t , or m or e pr oba bly, a n ea r -disaster. Oliver t eet er ed a bsu r dly on t h e edge of t h e en or m ou s ba r r el in wh ich L'In da sh a kept dr ied a pples a n d n u t s, a n d m u n ch ed merrily, his outsized bottom and tail twitching like a contented cat's.
"It h a s gon e on t oo lon g, " L'In da sh a m u r m u r ed, r u sh in g t owa r d t h e glu t t ed, gr u m blin g h in dr a n ce devou r in g h er a u t u m n st or es. "It's unnatural. The balance has tilted. "
Th en , a s t h e fir st m oon r ose br igh t a n d pa le over t h e Khalkist Mou n t a in s, t h e dr u idess r esolved t o do t h e on ly t h in g r em a in in g t o do. L'In da sh a Ym a n r esolved t o t ea ch t h e belch in g, st u m blin g t h in g in h er custody...
How to be a dragon.
* * * * *
Oliver... was not a good student.
Daunted by his first, ill-starred venture into the air, the dragon avoided a er on a u t ics a lt oget h er , pr efer r in g t o cr ou ch on a beet lin g ledge a bove t h e ca ver n , win gs folded t igh t ly over h is h ea d. Wit h t h e va st r u bble-strewn a n d level st r et ch es of Ta m a n Bu su k spr ea din g ou t below, L'In da sh a would stand at the edge of the bluff, clutch the hem of her bulky robe, flap h er cover ed a r m s in h er best im it a t ion of fligh t , t h en st a r e h opefu lly a t Oliver.
"Nyawmp!" Oliver always rumbled, his egg tooth protruding stupidly. It wa s h is den ia l sou n d, h is r efu sa l. Sh e h a d h ea r d it dozen s of t im es before wh en sh e h a d t r ied t o t ea ch h im t o h u n t , t o u se t h e ligh t n in g a n d clou d of ga s t h a t wer e h is br ea t h wea pon s by n a t u r e, wh en sh e h a d t r ied, with increasing desperation, to housebreak him....
"Nyawmp!" Th e h igh m ou n t a in win ds swir led a bou t h er , t h e Ner a ka n forest showed red and golden below, and Castle Nidus could be seen small a n d dim in t h e n or t h er n dist a n ces. Twen t y t im es sh e h a d br ou gh t h im h er e, a n d t wen t y t im es h e h a d r efu sed t o fly, t o m ove, even t o fla p t hose recently enormous and always useless wings.
Bu t t oda y wou ld be differ en t . H er kin dn ess over st r et ch ed, h er pa t ien ce u n r a velin g, L'In da sh a h a d sn ea ked u p h er e t h e n igh t befor e, wh ile Oliver snored and whistled in the musty throat of the cave.
All wa s r ea dy. Sh e spr in kled t h e dr ied fr u it a lon g t h e lip of t h e overhang.
"Wh er e plea s a n d t h r ea t s fa il... " t h e dr u idess wh isper ed wit h a st r a n ge half-smile "... then pick and shovel avail. "
Wit h ou t a wor d t o Oliver , L'In da sh a descen ded t h e r ocky st a ir s t o t h e mouth of the cave below.
Th e dr a gon st ir r ed, m a de t o follow. "Nya wm p? Ah ... F r oof!" Th e sigh t and smell of apples and apricots were irresistible.
H e con sider ed. Dr ied fr u it wa s h is fa vor it e t r ea t , su r pa ssin g br ea d, beer , a n d even r osem a r y t ea . Bu t t h e delica cies la y per ilou sly close t o t h e edge of the bluff.
Perhaps if he stretched...
Oliver t ook a t en t a t ive st ep t owa r d t h e ledge, t h en a n ot h er . He ext en ded h is n eck, st r et ch ed ou t h is t on gu e t owa r d t h e n ea r est a pr icot , lying tantalizingly out of reach.
"Shirrot, " he grumbled, and took another tiny step.
Now t h e a r t of sa ppin g is a dwa r f's a r t , t h e pa st im e of m in er s a n d engineers. A clever sapper may undermine a keep, a wall, even a parcel of la n d, so t h a t wh en a n y h ea vy veh icle, wea pon , or cr ea t u r e st r a ys on t o it , t h e st r u ct u r e colla pses im m edia t ely. St u den t s of t h e a r t cla im t h a t it s u ses a r e a lm ost a ll m ilit a r y, a n d t h a t sa ppin g is u seless t o woodla n d peoples to elves and centaurs, dryads and druids.
H owever , L'In da sh a Ym a n wa s a m ost r esou r cefu l t ea ch er . Virtually n ot h in g wa s u seless t o h er . An d if it didn 't wor k, well sh e wou ld ju st make a good story out of it.
Bu t it did wor k, a n d t h e cliff cr u m bled ea sily u n der Oliver 's weigh t . He fou n d h im self slidin g over t h e edge of t h e deep r a vin e breakneck t h r ou gh t h e cr isp m ou n t a in a ir . H e fla iled, clutched for the rock face....
An d t h en som et h in g fa m ilia r power su r ged dreamed of in the long spring nights and forgotten until this moment, this dir e t im e in t h e a ir . An d t h en h e wa s u n st ea dily a loft , spin n in g gen t ly a n d h u r t lin g sh r ieked, a n d
desper a t e u n t a n gled h is t h r ou gh h is u pper body, win gs. A st r a n gely
som et h in g h e h a d t owa r d Ta m a n Bu su k, r u bble fr om t h e fr a ct u r ed cliffside t opplin g by h im , bouncing harmlessly off his strong back.

Wit h a sn or t of deligh t , Oliver st ea died, ba n ked, a n d soa r ed t owa r d Mou n t Ber ka n t h , ga in in g a lt it u de a n d st r en gt h a n d con fiden ce a s h e dr ew n ea r er a n d n ea r er t h e loft y m ou n t a in . Th e su n ligh t pou r ed over h is br on ze win gs, a n d h e bellowed in h a ppin ess, t h e sou n d ech oin g t h r ou gh the sheer valleys of the Upper Khalkists.
F a r below, a t t h e m ou t h of t h e ca ver n , t h e dr u idess lea n ed a ga in st h er shovel and laughed with the same abandon.
* * * * *
Du r in g t h e lon g win t er , t h e egg-dr ea m r et u r n ed t o Oliver . H e st ir r ed r est lessly in t h e ca ve, h is en or m ou s t a il wr en ch in g a n d t h r a sh in g, u n t il t h e dr u idess, pla gu ed by m a n y sleepless n igh t s, ga t h er ed a n d pla ced a siza ble m ou n d of st r a w a n d dr ied lea ves by t h e ca ve m ou t h , on st u r dy r ock a n d ou t of in clem en t win ds. Sh e led t h e gr u m blin g dr a gon ou t , a n d a s Oliver set t led discon sola t ely in h is n ew bed, L'In da sh a t u r n ed t o t h e fir e, ign or in g on e la st pa t h et ic blort befor e t h e cr ea t u r e fell a sleep a n d snored merrily, impervious to the snow and cold.

F or n ow, h e t h in ks I a m cr u el, sh e t old h er self. Bu t I m u st keep patience, must stay the time. The seasons and nature will take care of the rest.
Besides, this cavern is too confined for his smell.
* * * * *
Oliver wa s lyin g on t h e pa llet a t t h e ca ve's m ou t h , la zin g in t h e n ew yea r 's su n , wh en h e sa w t h e in va der s. H is t a il t h r a sh ed n er vou sly, a n d alerted by the noise, the druidess hurried to the mouth of the cave.

A dozen sh a dowy figu r es r a n ged over t h e ice, a squ a dr on h ea din g n or t h toward the ruins of Nidus.
F or a m on t h , L'In da sh a h a d kn own t h ey wer e com in g. Sh e h a d r ea d, in t h e ice, t h e m ovem en t of som e kin d of a r m y. An d t h is a r m y wa s u n like the goblin regiments or the swift, elusive bands of barbarians.
These were winged creatures. She had never before seen their like.
Loping, almost undulating with a sinister, reptilian grace, the creatures pa ssed by t h e fr in ge of t h e for est a n d fa r t h er ou t on t o t h e clea r a n d desola t e pla in . Th eir lea t h er y sca les glin t ed a du ll br on ze, la ced wit h a ch a lky ver digr is. Th eir win gs fla pped slowly like sca ven ger s per ch ed on a carcass.
F r om h er h igh va n t a ge, sa fely down win d fr om t h e st a lkin g m on st er s, L'In da sh a ca u gh t t h e fa in t wh iff of m et a l a n d blood on t h e icy a ir . At h er side, Oliver stirred and rumbled.
"Easy, child, " the druidess soothed.
"Eessie, " the dragon echoed, and was obediently still.
But he was not at all easy that night, and the druidess gazed with great con cer n a t h is r est less, sh a dowy for m a t t h e br oken blu ff's edge. Oliver pa ced a n d st a r ed t owa r d t h e r u in s of Nidu s, t h e old ca st le fr a m ed in t h e rising red light of Lunitari.
Wh a t is h e t h in kin g? t h e dr u idess a sked h er self. Wh a t goes on in t h a t opaque, inhuman mind?
She kn ew som et h in g wa s ca llin g t o h im fr om ou t of t h e r u in s, for a s t h e win d r u st led t h e dr y st r a w on t h e blu ff, Oliver r u m bled a n d boded, h is eyes fixed on som et h in g t h a t m oved a m on g t h e dist a n t , colla psed wa lls and towers.
When he slept at last he found the long dream of the dragon, listened to t h e st r a n ge, win ged cr ea t u r es, a ll of t h em sh a r in g a com m on dr ea m a s their heritage, as their destiny.
Th e in va der s wer e ca lled t h e Boza k, Oliver lea r n ed. Th eir t h ou gh t s wer e a fever of con fu sion a n d r a ge. Th ey r em em ber ed on ly t h a t a st r a n ge m a gic h a d cou r sed t h r ou gh t h em in t h e egg, a s t h ey coiled a n d gr ew a n d awaited their birth.
H a d t im e a n d n a t u r e t a ken it s cou r se, t h e Boza k wou ld h a ve becom e br on ze dr a gon s, like Oliver . Th ese m on st er s h a d been Oliver 's n est m a t es, ch a n ged fr om t h eir n a t u r es a n d r u in ed for ever by a n old a n d evil design . In st ea d of bein g dr a gon s, t h ey wer e dr a con ia n s, dwa r fed in body a n d spir it , t r a ckin g over t h e wa st es of Ta m a n Bu su k on a m ission so da r k t h a t t h e t h ou gh t of it wa s a bla ck a n d swir lin g spot a t t h e edge of t h e dream.
Oliver a woke t h e n ext m or n in g, r a ised h is h ea d, a n d wa iled sa dly in t o the dying wind.
* * * * *
"From that moment, " the druidess proclaimed, lifting her eyes from the fir eligh t , "t h e dr a gon wa s n o lon ger t h e docile, ea ger cr ea t u r e of t h e spr in g a n d h igh su m m er a n d fa ll. Som et h in g t u r n ed in h im a s t h e yea r t u r n ed, a n d it wa s h igh t im e t h e ch a n ge h a d com e. I wa s gla d t o see it , even t h ou gh it h a d t a ken m on st er s t o br in g it on . I t h ou gh t h e wou ld never leave. "

Mor t wa s silen t , st a r in g in t o t h e fir eligh t , a secr et sm ile pla yin g a cr oss his face.
Rober t n odded. "It h a ppen s in wa r . Th e boy wh o sees h is fa ce in t h e fa ce of t h e en em y is a boy n o lon ger , t h ou gh it m a y t a ke h im m a n y yea r s a n d m a n y ba t t les t o kn ow it . H e pu t s a wa y ch ildish t h in gs. An d soon er or later, he welcomes adulthood. "
L'In da sh a sm iled. "Odd you sh ou ld sa y t h a t , m y pea ch . It wa s a ba t t le of sor t s t h a t br ou gh t Oliver t o fu ll m a t u r it y. Bu t fir st , I sh ou ld t ell you that... "
* * * * *
Oliver h a d begu n t o h u n t . At fir st , it wa s sm a ll ga m e: a r a bbit h e sn a t ch ed fr om som ewh er e on t h e pla in s a n d ca r r ied gen t ly ba ck t o t h e cavern. Th er e, h e wou ld set t h e t r em blin g cr ea t u r e on h is st r a w pa llet , st a r e a t it for a n h ou r , t h en fa ll a sleep. Th e r a bbit wou ld seize t h e opportunity to escape.

La t er , in t h e n ew spr in g, t h e dr a gon soa r ed over t h e r ocky pla in s, br in gin g ba ck a h olly bu sh , a cr en el fr om r u in ed Nidu s, a r icket y h a y wa gon , a n d fin a lly, h is fir st kill a sm a ll cen t icor e t h a t h e m u st h a ve ponder ed over for a bou t a week, for t h e sm ell wa s so dr ea dfu l t h a t t h e dr u idess t h r ea t en ed t o spr ou t h is t a il wit h m u sh r oom s u n less h e r em oved the carcass.

It wa s a bou t t h is t im e wh en you n g Sir Da u n t less J eoffr ey, Sola m n ic Kn igh t of t h e Swor d, r ode a cr oss Ta m a n Bu su k in sea r ch of... well, it wa s n ever ver y clear wh a t Sir Da u n t less J eoffr ey wa s sea r ch in g for . H e wa s a wfu lly fa r ea st of t h e H igh Cler ist 's Tower a n d a lon e in a la n d qu it e hostile to the Order.

Perhaps it was adventure he sought, and honor.
Perhaps he, too, followed some undefinable dream.
Wh a t ever dr ove h im for t h or dr ew h im on wa r d, Sir Da u n t less J eoffr ey

pa ssed t h r ou gh villa ges wh er e Sola m n ic kn igh t h ood wa s h eld in con t em pt , wh er e h is fellow kn igh t s wer e con sider ed sm u g, self-righteous, and meddlesome.

Sir Da u n t less wa s t h e per fect sh owpiece of t h a t Or der , t h e kn igh t t h ey had dreamed of.
Keen of eye a n d deft of h a n d, t h e loca ls n ever sa ved a cu r se or a r ot t en t u r n ip for la t er . By t h e t im e Da u n t less r ea ch ed E st wilde, h is sh ield wa s spa t t er ed wit h m u d, r efu se, a n d wit h t h in gs t oo vile t o descr ibe. H e wa s t ir ed of Oa t h a n d Mea su r e, a n d very t ir ed of t h e in t r ica t e code of h is Or der t h a t t old h im t o r et u r n dign it y for scor n a n d t o r a ise n o wea pon against a weaker soul.
By t h e t im e h e r ea ch ed t h e Kh a lkist Mou n t a in s, h e wa s posit ively spoiling for trouble.
At t h e edge of t h e Ner a ka n for est , h e ca m e a cr oss a pa ir of h u n t er s fa r m la ds fr om n or t h of Ner a ka wh o wer e t er r ified by h is a r m or a n d h is big glist en in g swor d, wh o dr opped t h eir field-dr essed deer a n d m a de for the cover of some trees.
Ra ised a m on g t h e Sola m n ic n obilit y, a m id post ed la n ds a n d pr iva t e deer pa r ks, Sir Da u n t less m ist ook t h e r a gged m en for poa ch er s a n d in qu ir ed in a voice t h a t m iles of in dign it ies h a d st r ipped of a n y cou r t esy, just what they planned to do with this deer.
"E a t it , we r eckon , " t h e la ds r espon ded. "An d t h en wea r som e of it , t oo. "
It wa s a ll Sir Da u n t less J eoffr ey cou ld do t o r est r a in h im self. Instead, h is fa ce a fla m e wit h a n ger a n d h is voice qu iver in g wit h ou t r a ge, h e a sked the two peasants who they reckoned owned these woods.
The men exchanged wary glances.
"That would be the druidess?" the older one offered, more question than answer in his voice.
The druidess?
Th e you n g kn igh t ga sped. Su dden ly, h is t r u e qu est bla zed br igh t ly before him.
H a d n ot t h e Or der in st r u ct ed h im a bou t t h e wa ys of t h e wicked dr u ids? Tr ickst er s a n d illu sion ist s, shrubbery.
Stealers of babies.
H e in st a n t ly en vision ed victory, toward great honor and repute.
Aft er ext r a ct in g dir ect ion s t o L'In da sh a 's ca ve, Sir Da u n t less a br u pt ly left the two puzzled hunters and their erstwhile dinner/wardrobe for more impor t a n t ga m e. H e wou ld ca pt u r e t h is m on st r ou s for est t em pt r ess a n d m a ke h is n a m e in a ll of Sola m n ia . Th is wa s a ch a llen ge h e h a d yea r n ed for sin ce h is fir st disa st r ou s h u n t in t h e H a r t 's F or est . Th e you n ger knights had laughed at him then; the older ones ignored him.
But now, when he returned, bearing druidic trophies...
Sir Da u n t less skir t ed t h e sm oot h pa t h in t o t h e m ou n t a in s, pr efer r in g a pr eca r iou s, n a r r ow r ou t e by wh ich h e fa n cied h e wou ld ca t ch t h e dr u idess entirely by surprise. Instead, it led him above the cavern, to a ruined bluff someone, evidently, had labored to collapse.
Dwa r ven wor k, t h e you n g kn igh t su pposed, dism ou n t in g a n d st oopin g t o in spect t h e sca t t er ed r u bble a lon g t h e ledge som e of wh ich , t o h is great perplexity, turned out to be dried apricots.
Ah . P oison , of cou r se, h e t h ou gh t . Set ou t especia lly for h im . An d t h er e
t h ey h a d sa id. Wor sh ipper s of t r ee a n d
h im self ch a r gin g r ega lly t owa r d a cer t a in
wa s n o t ellin g h ow a n cien t wa s t h is cr ea t u r e's m or e illu sion s a n d sn a r es sh e h a d sca t t er ed shrewdly.

H e sh u dder ed, fr igh t en ed of h is own im a gin in gs. Bu t sh a kin g it off, h e lea pt in t o t h e sa ddle, h opin g t o fin d a pa t h wa y down t o t h e dr u idess's cavern.

H is h or se, h owever , wa s of a n ot h er m in d. Th e a n im a l, diggin g it s st r on gh old, h ow m a n y for h im , h e r ea son ed h ooves in t o t h e gr a vel, r efu sed t o bu dge, a n d despit e ca joler y, t h r ea t s, a n d cu r ses, Sir Da u n t less J eoffr ey soon r ea lized t h a t h e wou ld in deed travel the rest of the way alone.

Th e h or se h a d st opped for it s own r ea son s, bu t a ver y good on e wou ld h a ve been beca u se L'In da sh a Ym a n wa s n ot in t h e ca ver n , h a vin g t a ken the sunlit afternoon to tend her daylilies some hundred yards away.

The dragon, however, was home.
H u n gr y a s u su a l, Oliver h a d sn ea ked in t o t h e fa r t h est r ecesses of t h e ca ve, wh er e h e h a d pr eviou sly en t a n gled h im self in pillowca ses a n d buckets. Th is t im e, h owever , h e wa s plu n der in g t h e la st of t h e win t er foodstores t h e veget a bles pu t a wa y a n d pr eser ved by L'In da sh a 's dr u idica l a r t s. Qu iet ly, gu ilt ily, a n d wit h gr ea t gu st o, h e gobbled bea n s, r a w ca bba ge, a n d pa r sn ips. Sh ift in g h is h u ge ba ckside t owa r d t h e m ou t h of t h e ch a m ber so t h a t t a il, win g, a n d sca les blocked t h e su n ligh t , h e for a ged gr eedily in t h e da r k, t h in kin g t h a t L'In da sh a cou ld n ot see h im if he could not see her.
St eppin g u p t o t h e ca ve, swor d dr a wn , Sir Da u n t less J eoffr ey spied som et h in g h u lkin g
m a kin g disgu st in g
a n d da r k h idin g in t h e fu r t h er m ost r ecesses a n d sou n ds. H e su r m ised it wa s t h e dr u idess, ea t in g ch ildr en , n o dou bt . H e t ook a deep br ea t h , pla n t ed h is feet solidly, a n d braced for the fight of his life.
At t h e sou n d of Da u n t less's cla n kin g a r m or , t h e dr a gon , a gr ea t m a n y pa r sn ips st ill wedged in h is t eet h , per ceived t h a t h e h a d com pa n y, a n d t h a t it wa s not L'Indasha. Desper a t ely, n ot r iskin g t h e sou n d of fu r t h er ch ewin g, h e t r ied t o fold h is lips over t h e lu m py veget a bles. He tucked his tail and crouched, trying to make himself look like nothing, nothing at all.
But Sir Dauntless Jeoffrey threw down the challenge.
"Infernal creature of cavernous darkness, " he intoned, "I have ventured for m on t h s a n d for h u n dr eds of m iles t o t r ea t wit h t h ee. Relea se t h ose sm a ll sweet pr ison er s you a r e su r ely devou r in g! I decla r e wa r on you a n d your kind! Show thyself, and die an honorable death!"
"Nyawmp!" a n swer ed Oliver , h or r ified a n d a m a zed t h a t som eon e h a d kn own t o com e a n d r escu e h is ill-got t en pa r sn ips. H e qu ickly spa t t h em back into the barrel.
"Com e for wa r d!" Da u n t less com m a n ded, r a isin g h is swor d. "F a ce t h e light, monster!"
Oliver turned slowly, apprehensively, his eyes adjusting to the sunlight. Th e m a n wa s a blu r t h a t seem ed t o be m a de of m et a l a n d m u d. The dragon caught a strong whiff of rotten turnips.
Th is m u st be som et h in g fr om t h e gr a ve, som et h in g fr om a m on g t h e ferocious undead. Oliver fought down a sudden surge of panic.
Bu t isn 't fir e t h e en em y of t h e u n dea d? h e a sked h im self, sh ift in g h is pon der ou s weigh t a n d st a r in g a t t h e ou t lin e of h is a dver sa r y, h a lf lost in sunlight.
An d isn 't ligh t n in g t h e m ot h er of fir e? Oliver t ook a m om en t for a qu ick calculation....
The bronze dragon is famous for its two breath weapons. One, of course, is t h e ligh t n in g br ea t h ga s t h a t encounters it.
Oliver fu lly in t en ded t o u se t h e lightning, so t h e gr een , fet id clou d t h a t billowed fr om h is n ost r ils su r pr ised h im , a s did t h e pla in t ive blort that r ose fr om som ewh er e ju st a bove h is st om a ch a n d r u sh ed u p t h e lon g t u n n el of h is n eck, explodin g fr om h is m ou t h in a m ia sm a of h a lfdigest ed cabbage, beans, and parsnips.
Sir Da u n t less J eoffr ey st a gger ed in h is boot s a s t h e sm ell sla pped h im senseless. H is swor d slipped fr om h is h a n d. "Wh a t in t h e n a m e of Paladine " h e bega n , bu t t h e floor seem ed t o t ilt a n d r ise, h is st om a ch r oiled, a n d h e fell t o h is kn ees a t t h e ca ver n m ou t h , t h e gr een m ist eddying around him like some deadly stew.
"Wh a t ... " h e br ea t h ed, bu t h e h a d for got t en wh a t h e wa s a skin g, a n d he would remember nothing else for hours.
Wit h a cr y of t r iu m ph , Oliver lu r ch ed u pwa r d a n d t owa r d t h e m ou t h of t h e ca ve, h is h ea d a n d dr a gon -consciousness n ow r a ised. Th e dr ea m er u pt ed wit h vision s of fla m e a n d ligh t n in g, of t h e kn igh t 's leg in h is ravening maw. He bounded toward his helpless opponent....
And struck his snout soundly against a low-hanging row of stalactites.
H is silly egg t oot h br oke off a n d cla t t er ed t o t h e floor of t h e cave. The dr a gon r eeled. F or a m om en t Oliver t h ou gh t h e wa s a ir bor n e a n d fla pped h is win gs foolish ly, t h en t h e da r kn ess over t ook h im , a n d h e colla psed in a heap next to the gas-felled knight.
L'In da sh a h ea r d t h e boom , sa w t h e gr een clou d, a n d r a n fr om t h e ga r den t o fin d t h e t wo fa cedown a m id veget a bles, sh a t t er ed st a la ct it es, Dauntless's last shred of dignity, and Oliver's egg tooth.
Sh e celebr a t ed t h e a r m ist ice by h a vin g a picn ic a lon e, fa r , fa r a wa y from them all.
t h e ja gged, ir r esist ible fir e of ba t t le. Th er e is a lso t h e dr ives fea r a n d loa t h in g in t o a n y a dver sa r y wh o
* * * * *
It wa s a fu ll da y a n d n igh t befor e t h e dr a gon ca m e t o, a n d t h e kn igh t t ook a wh ole da y lon ger . Th r ou gh ou t t h e week of m en din g a n d clea n in g t h a t followed, t h e a dver sa r ies eyed ea ch ot h er wa r ily fr om opposit e sides of the cave.

Sir Da u n t less J eoffr ey left on t h e eigh t h da y, t h e st in k of rotten veget a bles lodged in h is n ost r ils for ever . H e cou ld n ot believe t h a t t h e dr u idess h a d n ot m ir ed h im in qu icksa n d or t r a n sfor m ed h im in t o a box elder, that she had patched him and fed him and sent him on his way....

Th a t h is a r m or wa s polish ed, h is swor d sh a r pen ed, a n d t h a t h is h or se was glossy and fed and newly shod.
Aft er t h e kn igh t 's depa r t u r e, it wa s sca r cely a week u n t il Oliver t ook t o t h e a ir a n d h ea ded sou t h t owa r d t h e ice ca ps, wh er e t h e dr u idess's a u gu r y h a d su ggest ed t h a t fleet s of good dr a gon s wou ld even t u a lly appear.
L'In da sh a st ood on t h e sh or t en ed blu ff a n d wa t ch ed t h e gr ea t cr ea t u r e va u lt clu m sily in t o t h e sky. St eer by t h e book, sh e h a d t old h im by t h e con st ella t ion Gilea n , a n d follow r ed Ch islev in h er n igh t ly cycle, a n d soon you will fly over Aba n a sin ia , a n d Qu a lin ost beyon d it , wh ich you will know by the towers.
Beyond the Plains of Dust, you will catch a coolness in the air. It will be fa in t , bu t you will kn ow it , like t h e feel of a dist a n t m ou n t a in t op on a su m m er da y. An d you will keep t h e r isin g su n a t you r h ea r t 's win g a n d fly for a n igh t , a n d a n ot h er n igh t , a n d t h er e will be ice t h en , a n d t h e ancient nests of your kind....
And there will be dragons. I speak this in faith, Oliver.
Sh e looked a ft er h im sa dly, t h en sm iled a s h e soa r ed a bove h er , a n d wa ved a s h e ba n ked h is win gs a n d cir cled in a widen in g gyr e. Soon h e wa s lost t o sigh t , a n d sh e r et u r n ed t o t h e ca ve, h er t h ou gh t s on t h e su m m er , a n d t h e la t e pla n t in gs, a n d a st r a n ge, la r ge em pt in ess sh e had not expected to feel.
* * * * *
Mor t st a r t ed a s t h e bu cket n ea r ly slipped fr om h is h a n d. Th e br a n died coffee wa s cold n ow, a n d t h e fir e wa s a fa in t or a n ge glow a m id t h e a sh es of the hearth.

"It wa s good t o be r id of h im , " t h e dr u idess sa id a lit t le too em ph a t ica lly, a s sh e t u r n ed h er fa ce fr om t h e h ea r t h . "H e n ever ca m e back. "

"Is t h a t so?" Mor t a sked ver y qu iet ly, sm ilin g a s h e gen t ly r epla ced t h e magical bucket. "I brought you a gift, L'Indasha. In the bag by the hearth. "

It wa s a pla n t , of cou r se a da ylily h e h a d br ed fr om h is own a n cien t st ock on P a la din e's h illside. H e kn ew h ow t h e dr u idess loved t h e br ief, abundant blooms.

L'In da sh a sm iled, a dm ir in g t h e lea ves, t h e sca pes, t h e pod-shaped buds. Sh e m a r veled t h a t it wa s n ot dor m a n t , like t h e ot h er s in t h e deepening cold of autumn.
"I've h a n dled it , L'In da sh a , " Mor t expla in ed, "so t h a t for t h is yea r , it 's the latest bloomer of all. Happy birthday. "
H is big gen t le h a n d pa ssed over a swellin g bu d, a n d im m edia t ely, a s t h ou gh it wer e t ou ch ed by a m on t h of su n ligh t , t h e sm a ll flower open ed a n d blossom ed, pa le or ch id pet a ls, a pu r ple eye, a gr een t h r oa t .... An d a skewed and jagged edge to the blossom, like...

"Like his tooth!" the druidess exclaimed. "Like his egg tooth!" "Oliver Dr a gon t oot h , I'll ca ll it , " t h e ga r den er a n n ou n ced wit h a la u gh . "Th ou gh it bloom s ou t of sea son , it bloom s n on et h eless, a n d in t h e yea r s t o com e, it will fin d it s own cycle, it s own ba la n ce in n a t u r e. It 's a fit t in g final touch to the dragon's story. "
It was time to go.
"Ah ... " t h e dr u idess a sked, "befor e you lea ve, wou ld you m in d set t in g m y bu cket ju st ou t side t h e door ? I'll give it a n ot h er ch a n ce t o ga t h er ice before I scrap it for firewood. "
Mor t sm iled, kn owin g L'In da sh a wou ld do n ot h in g of t h e kin d. Fastening his cloak, he stepped into the darkness and softly closed the big oaken door behind him. It had been a marvelous evening.
Mor t pa u sed a s h e looked ou t in t o t h e m yst ic n igh t sky a n d set t h e bu cket on t h e cot t a ge t h r esh old. H e ch u ckled a t wh a t h is ga r den er 's hands had discovered in the weathered whorl of that wood.
F or t h e wood's secr et , u n kn own t o a n y bu t t h e m ost m a gica l of h a n ds, was that Oliver had come back. Again and again, season after season.
Wh en t h e dr a gon dr ea m is fir st br oken by t h e t ou ch of a h a n d on t h e egg, t h e cr ea t u r e is bou n d for ever t o t h a t h a n d n ot by cu r se or en ch a n t m en t or even in st in ct , bu t by t h e soft er , m or e willin g bon ds of love.
Th a t wa s wh y n o ice h a d for m ed in t h e bu cket , even on t h e coldest n igh t s of t h e yea r . Th e st ea m of dr a gon br ea t h h a d wa r m ed it a s it la y in the frigid darkness. Oliver had returned, and with a silent grace, newborn fr om h is su r viva l in t h e wild, cr ept slowly t o t h e t h r esh old of L'In da sh a 's h ou se, n ew sn ow cover in g h is t r a cks, familiar bucket.
"F or ever a u gu r in g for fr oof, " Mor t trudged down the snow-covered hillside. a n d ga zed cu r iou sly in t o t h e
m u t t er ed wit h a la u gh , a s h e
Night of Falling Stars Nancy Varian Berberick
E ver yon e sa id t h a t it wa sn 't m y fa u lt , wh a t h a ppen ed wh en I wa s fifteen. No on e sa id, "If Ryle h a d on ly been fa st er ... if h e'd on ly been stronger... " No on e sa id t h a t m y fa t h er wou ld be a live t oda y if I'd seen t h e boa r in t im e, if I'd sh ou t ed lou der if I'd n ot been fea r -fr ozen a n d unable to draw bow and loose bolt in time. But I knew the truth. I'd had a lon g wa y h om e t o Ra ven t h a t h ot su m m er 's n igh t , r idin g on e h or se a n d lea din g t h e ot h er , t h e lit t le ba y m a r e wh o ca r r ied m y fa t h er 's t or n a n d br oken body. It h a d been a n igh t of fa llin g st a r s, br igh t bit s of ligh t st r ea kin g a cr oss t h e bla ck sky, sh ower in g t h e da r kn ess like t ea r s fa llen for the truth.

Th e boa r h a d gor ed m y fa t h er a n d m or t a lly wou n ded h im , bu t it wa s my fear that killed him.
Wh en I gr ew u p, people n a m ed m e Ryle Swor der beca u se, in t h e t en yea r s sin ce m y fa t h er 's dea t h , I'd h on ed m y figh t in g skills a s if t h ey wer e t eet h a n d cla ws, a n d t h en I pu t t h em u p for sa le. Likely you 'll sa y it 's br a ggin g, bu t I'll t ell you a n ywa y: Th er e wer e few bet t er swor ds for h ir e in t h is pa r t of Kr yn n t h a n m in e. P eople sa id, "Never wor r y t h a t Ryle Swor der will r u n a wa y sca r ed fr om r obber s a n d fr eeboot er s. An d h e's n ot afraid of goblins, either, nor of any beast in the forest. "
Th a t wa s so, a s fa r a s it wen t . I wa sn 't fea r less, a s folk sa id. Th e t er r or that haunted me was this: That someone would again die of my dread.
I ch ose m y wor k in or der t o pit m yself a ga in st t h e t er r or a n d defea t it , like a boy a fr a id of gh ost s a n d ea ger t o go wh ist lin g pa st ever y gr a veya r d h e ca n fin d, ju st t o pr ove t h a t h e isn 't a fr a id a t a ll. Aft er a wh ile, I bega n t o believe t h a t I'd don e a good job of for get t in g t h e old dr ea d. Th er e ca m e a t im e wh en I didn 't t h in k I wa s wh ist lin g pa st gr a veya r ds wh en they pa id m e t o escor t t en der vir gin s and their dear dowries through the forest t o t h e weddin g fea st , or t o sh eph er d wea lt h y old m en down t h e r iver pa st lu r kin g r obber s t o kin . Aft er a wh ile, I t h ou gh t I wa s ju st doin g a n h on est job of work. I didn't know that fear isn't laid to rest until it is forgiven.
Wh en I wa sn 't h ir ed ou t , I lived a t t h e t a ver n in Ra ven , in t h e sm a ll ch a m ber a bove t h e com m on r oom . In t h ose da ys t h e villa ge wa sn 't m or e or less t h a n it is t oda y a cr ossr oa ds ju m ble of win e sh ops, in n s, taverns, a n d sm it h ies ga t h er ed r ou n d t h e best for d a cr oss t h e Wh it er u sh River wh er e it win ds t h r ou gh a n a r r ow va lley a t t h e feet of t h e Kh a r olis Mountains. On e su m m er I fell in love wit h golden Rea t h a , t h e fer r ym a n 's daughter. As I loved h er , sh e loved m e, bu t by win t er sh e wa s t ellin g m e that there wasn't enough room in my heart for her and the ghostly past.
"Let it go, " sh e sa id, sa d a n d sor r y. "Ryle, h u n t in g a cciden t s h a ppen . Please let it go. "
Ta lk like t h a t st ir r ed u p t h e deep-bu r ied dr ea d, t h e old guilt. I h a d som e st a ke in n ot wa n t in g t o r ou se t h ose, a n d so I a r gu ed wit h Rea t h a a s if sh e wer e t ellin g m e t o for get m y fa t h er . Sh e t r ied h a r d t o m a ke m e understand what she meant. I tried harder not to hear her. We didn't stay t oget h er pa st m idwin t er , bu t we wa t ch ed ea ch ot h er fr om a dist a n ce. My eyes cou ld fin d h er a cr oss a cr owded st r eet ; h er s cou ld fin d m e in t h e dark.
* * * * *
Th e t a ver n wa s ca lled t h e Ra ven 's Rose, n a m ed for t h e villa ge a n d for t h e t win in g wh it e a n d r ed r oses t h a t cover ed t h e wooden wa lls en closin g t h e t a ver n 's ga r den . Th e r ose bower sa t beh in d t h e m a r ch in g r a n ks of t u r n ips a n d ca r r ot s a n d pot a t oes a n d bea n s a n d beet s, a n d it belon ged t o Cyn a r a Ta ver n er , t en ded over a ll t h e yea r s sin ce sh e wa s a ch ild. This was the kind of garden they tell about in songs, and you got to sit yourself down in t h e com for t a ble wooden ch a ir , or on t h e st on e ben ch a ga in st t h e rose-t a pest r ied wa ll, on ly by in vit a t ion . I en joyed t h a t bower fr om t im e t o t im e, for I h a d a good fr ien d in Cyn a r a . A widow, sh e wou ld h a ve married m y fa t h er , t h e widower , if h e'd su r vived t h e h u n t in g t r ip wit h m e. She'd been looking after me with a mother's eye since my own had died, and she kept on doin g t h a t a ft er m y fa t h er 's dea t h . Sh e sa id, "Ba d lu ck a n d boa r s can't change how I feel about you, child. "

On e da y in ea r ly su m m er , I sa t in t h e r ose bower dozin g t o t h e sou n d of the flower-drunk bees, when the gate behind me opened, the bottom hinge squ ea kin g a s it a lwa ys did. A dwa r f st r ode in t o t h e ga r den a n d ba n ged t h e ga t e sh u t beh in d h im . H e ca m e a n d st ood befor e m e, in t h a t h ea dba ck wa y t h a t dwa r ves h a ve even wh en you 'r e sit t in g a n d t h ey'r e standing and everyone's comfortably eye-to-eye.

Th e dwa r f a sked if I wa s Ryle Swor der , a n d I t old h im I wa s. H e didn 't do more than grunt to acknowledge the answer.
"Who wants to know?"
He told me that he was an old friend of Cynara's and that his name was Ta r r a n Ir on wood, t h en h e wen t a n d sa t on t h e ben ch by t h e wa ll. It wa s a lovely ben ch , cr a ft ed by a m a st er st on e-wr igh t fr om wh it est m a r ble, a r elief of t win in g r oses wor ked on t h e sides a n d t h e legs. Most people st opped t o a dm ir e it , even t h ose wh o sa w it oft en . Ta r r a n Ir on wood didn 't give it a glance. He sat himself down and stared at me.
Studied, I studied back. His face was pale, his black beard trimmed and glossy. H e wa s wh ip-t h in a n d of good h eigh t for a dwa r f, a bou t h ea r t -high t o a m iddlin g t a ll h u m a n . H e h a d t h e well-h eeled a ir of Th or ba r din a bou t h im , a n d h e looked t o be in h is ea r ly m iddle yea r s, wh ich m ea n s h e wa s a bou t n in et y or so yea r s old. Th in a s h e wa s, h e wa s h a le en ou gh , bu t h e wa s m issin g h is r igh t a r m . A br ooch of gold a n d em er a lds, sh a ped like a dragon winging, pinned up the empty sleeve.
"What do you want, Tarran Ironwood?"
"I came to see you. "
A great shout of laughter thundered out from the tavern, a dozen voices raised up in hooting derision. Someone cried, "The dragon! Oh, aye, tell us a ll a bou t it a n d t h e st or y'll be t old for t h e h u n dr edt h t im e t h is yea r !" And t h e st or m of la u gh t er r olled a r ou n d t h e Rose a ga in , spla sh in g ou t into the garden.
Th e dwa r f sa t st ill on t h e st on e ben ch a m on g t h e r oses, h ea d cocked and listening.
"Have you never heard the tale, Tarran Ironwood?"
H e n odded. "I've h ea r d it . Th er e's a copper dr a gon lives u n der t h e m ou n t a in s, fa r a wa y a n d down wh er e even we of Th or ba r din don 't go. Claw, they call him. "
A wa r m br eeze st ir r ed a m on g t h e r oses, r ou sin g a h ea dy scen t you could almost see.
"Th a t 's t h e on e, " I sa id. "Th ou gh I've n ever h ea r d t h e pa r t a bou t h is name or even t h a t it 's a h im . An ywa y, t h e r est of t h e st or y sa ys it he sit s on a t r ea su r e m ou n d t h e size of t h e Rose, a n d t h ey sa y t h e dr a gon 's not the worst of what you can find down there. "
"Th er e, t h e st or y is wr on g. " Ta r r a n t ou ch ed on e of t h e scu lpt ed r oses on t h e side of t h e ben ch , t r a ced t h e sh a pe of a m a r ble pet a l wit h a fin ger , stroking the overlying softness of greeny-gold lichen. "Claw is the worst of what you can find under the mountain. "
Ta r r a n sa t ver y st ill, a n d t h e a ft er n oon ligh t glit t er ed on t h e gem m ed br ooch wh er e h is a r m u sed t o be. All t h a t sh in in g m a de it seem a s if t h e small emerald dragon were alive and breathing there on his shoulder.
"You've seen that dragon, " I said.
"I've seen h im . Twen t y yea r s a go. " Tarran sat still as stone, but for one finger tap-tapping on the stony rose. "Tomorrow I'm going back. "
"Let me guess, " I said. "You want to kill him, right?"
Th a t wa s a joke, of cou r se; ever yon e kn ows it t a kes a few a r m ies t o kill a dragon. But Tarran took the jest soberly, just as if I were serious.
"If I cou ld kill t h e bea st , " h e sa id, "I wou ldn 't . I wa n t r even ge, a n d a longer one than Claw's death would give me. "
I stopped smiling. "And you've got this revenge all planned out?"
"I do. An d m a ybe you t h in k it 'll be a cold r even ge, com in g t h is la t e, bu t it took me a long time to stop screaming in my sleep. "
Screaming in terror, howling down the long night.
I looked a wa y fr om h im a n d h is a dm ission of fea r a s you look a wa y fr om a defor m it y, pr et en din g t o t h e polit en ess t h a t com m on sen se sa ys is kin der t h a n st a r in g a t t h e m a im ed a n d m a kin g h im feel self-conscious. Wh a t com m on sen se sa ys, a n d wh a t t h e gest u r e r ea lly is, a r e t wo differ en t t h in gs. In som e deep pla ce wit h in , oft en a s n ot folk see in ju r y or defor m it y a s illn ess, som et h in g t h a t m igh t be ca t ch in g. So it wa s wit h m e and any confession of dread.
Bu t on e-a r m ed Ta r r a n didn 't seem t o ca r e if h is fea r wa s t oo u gly for m e t o see it wa s h is, a n d h e own ed it . H e sa t for wa r d on t h e ben ch , h is elbow on his knee, his dark eyes glinting.
"Ryle, Cyn a r a sa ys you r swor d is for h ir e. An d t h e wor d a r ou n d is t h a t wh en you 'r e h ir ed, you st a y h ir ed, a n d you won 't r u n off beca u se you 've killed m e a n d r obbed m e or beca u se you h a ven 't got t h e h ea r t t o see a thing through. "
"Word's right, " I said. "There's no future in either. "
H e t ook t h e dr a gon br ooch fr om h is em pt y r igh t sleeve a n d t ossed it t o me. I ca u gh t it , a n d got lost in t h e br illia n t gr een of t h e em er a ld win gs, the wink of light in the ruby eyes.
"That's the least of what treasure is under the mountain, Ryle Sworder. "
I t ossed t h e dr a gon br ooch ba ck. Th e gold a n d em er a lds a n d r u bies sh on e like a n a r cin g r a in bow bet ween u s. H is r igh t sh ou lder t wit ch ed, a s t h ou gh h is body cou ldn 't for get wh a t u sed t o be t r u e. H e'd been r igh t h a n ded befor e h e m et t h e dr a gon . Bu t h e r ecover ed in t im e, a n d ca u gh t the brooch in his lone left hand.
"As you see, " h e sa id, sm ilin g for t h e fir st t im e, a n d gr im ly. "I n eed a h a n d. If you com e wit h m e a n d h elp m e get m y r even ge on t h e dr a gon , half of everything you and I can carry out is yours. "
I decided quickly, as I always do.
"My swor d's you r s, " I sa id. "An d sin ce you 'r e Cyn a r a 's fr ien d, I'll n ot haggle over the fee. "
Th a t wa s a joke, t oo, bu t Ta r r a n h a d a lr ea dy sm iled on ce t h a t da y a n d didn 't see t h e n eed t o in du lge a ga in . H e sa id we'd lea ve in t h e m or n in g, a n d h e didn 't sa y a n yt h in g else. Aft er h e left m e, I sa t a lon e for a lon g t im e, a ll t h e wa y in t o t h e dim m in g a n d beyon d t o t wiligh t . Twice I h ea r d Rea t h a 's voice on ce lilt in g in la u gh t er , on ce cou ch ed in qu iet con fidin g t on es a s sh e a n d a fr ien d wa lked pa st t h e ga r den on t h e ot h er side of t h e wall. I closed m y eyes a n d im a gin ed h ow sh e'd look dr essed in t r ea su r e fr om t h e dr a gon 's h oa r d, a golden ch a lice in h a n d, a dia m on d n eckla ce spilling all down her breast like water running.
Wh en t h e la st of t h e ligh t wa s fa din g, Cyn a r a ca m e in t o t h e ga r den t o br in g m e a pla t e of su pper , a n d sh e sa t on t h e st on e ben ch t o wa t ch m e eat. After a time she said, "Has Tarran hired you?"
"Yes. "
Sh e h ea r d t h a t a n d st a yed qu iet for a wh ile, a sm a ll wom a n on t h e white marble bench in the last light of the day. Her roses arched over her, trailed around her, and the scent of them was always the scent of her.
"Ryle, h e's goin g t o la y a gh ost , " sh e sa id, wh en n igh t wa s a lm ost fallen. "That's what the dragon really is to him. "
I sh r u gged, a n d I sa id t h a t if t h a t 's wh a t Ta r r a n wa s goin g t o do, it wa s h is bu sin ess. Min e wa s t o keep h im sa fe a lon g t h e wa y, h elp h im a s h e wished, and come home a rich man.
"Ar en 't you a fr a id you m igh t m eet som e gh ost of you r own , Ryle, t h er e in the dark under the mountain?"
A ch ill t ou ch ed m e, a st r a n ge br ea t h on a h ot su m m er 's n igh t . Bu t I sm iled, a s t h ou gh sh e wer e jokin g, a n d I sa id, "I've n ever seen a gh ost in my life, Cynara. I don't expect I'll start seeing 'em now. "
I wen t a n d kissed h er cheek t h e skin a s soft a s a pet a l fr om on e of h er beloved roses and wished her goodnight.
She took my hands in hers, and she wished me good luck.
* * * * *
In t h e m or n in g, wh en Ta r r a n a n d I wen t t o t a ke t h e fer r y a cr oss t h e Wh it er u sh , we fou n d Rea t h a by t h e wa t er side fish in g, h er h a ir u n bou n d a n d st r ea m in g gold, h er skir t s kilt ed u p a n d t ied ou t of h er wa y. Rosy da wn ligh t sh on e on h er legs, a n d sh e kicked u p a lit t le spr a y like diamonds in her wake when she ran to fetch her father, the ferryman.

She watched me all the way across the river, and she knew I knew that. On the far bank I turned, and Reatha lifted her hand to wave.
"Friend of yours?" Tarran asked.
"Yes, " I said tightly.
"Ah. " He shook his head, understanding. "Too bad. "
We didn't have much else to say to each other for the rest of the day.
* * * * *
Ta r r a n sa t wa t ch in g t h e st a r s da zzlin g t h e su m m er ligh t s swept t oget h er a n d sh in in g t h eir best in t h e pr een in g m oon s, t h e r ed a n d t h e silver on ly la t ely set. We wer e t wo da ys ou t of Ra ven a n d ca m ped ju st a bove t h e t r ee lin e n ea r a h igh slopin g r ock face. Midwa y u p t h e slope, da r k a ga in st t h e st on e, t h e en t r a n ce t o t h e st or ied ca ver n s ga ped ou t in t o t h e n igh t . We'd t a ke t h a t wa y in a n d down in the morning.

Cyn a r a h a d sen t u s off wit h ou r pa cks filled wit h dr ied m ea t a n d fr u it , a n d bu n dles of br a n ds for t or ch es. In side t h e ca ves t h er e'd be n o for a ge a n d n o ligh t . Ou t side, we t r u st ed m y h u n t in g skill for su pper , a n d wit h t h e lit t le bir d-a r r ows I fet ch ed u s a br a ce of fa t gr ou se. Ta r r a n a t e, wa t ch in g t h e sky glit t er , a n d wh en t h e ea t in g wa s don e, h e left t h e st a r s to shine on their own and came close to the fire.

F or a wh ile h e sa id n ot h in g, a n d h e sa t lookin g a t m e a cr oss t h e fir e a s if he were trying to see deep in and down.
I t ook m y swor d a n d la id it a cr oss m y kn ees, t ook a wh et st on e a n d h on ed t h e glit t er in g bla de. Th a t deeplookin g m a de m e edgy, a n d I kept the steel between him and me, as though it could deflect his gaze.
H e sm iled on ly fa in t ly a s t h ou gh h e u n derstood. Ver y soft ly, h e sa id, "We wer e five wh o ca m e h er e t wen t y yea r s a go. Me a n d m y br ot h er , a n d t h r ee of ou r kin . In Th or ba r din t h ey sa y t h ese ca ver n s a r e filled wit h n igh t , t h e t in y a bsen ce of t h e vein s of silver a n d gold. Bu t we didn 't com e h er e for t h a t . In Th or ba r din we cu r se t h e dr a gon a n d m ou r n t h e loss of t h e silver a n d gold, bu t we lea ve it be a n d delve in ot h er pla ces. Me a n d t h e ot h er s... we wer e you n g fools out to find legend's treasure. "
Th e golden fir eligh t glin t ed fr om t h e kn ives h e h a d st owed a bou t h im a cou ple of st raight-bla ded dir ks, t h r ee wa vy-edged da gger s, a n d on e jewel-h ilt ed lon g kn ife. One-a r m ed, h e h a d n o u se for a bow, n on e for a br oa dswor d, lit t le for a n y a xe t h a t wa sn 't a t h r owin g a xe. One-armed, Tarran liked knives.
"Th er e wa s t r ea su r e, " h e sa id. Now h is voice wa sn 't soft , a n d it h a d a jagged edge to it. "It was so lovely that it made our wild dreams pale. And t h er e wa s Cla w. H e's well n a m ed, like a t a lon , lon g a n d swift , a n d ver y keen. He's a copper, and he's old and swollen with greed.... "
H is wor ds t r a iled off in t o silen t r em em ber in g, a n d h e h a d su ch a sh u t t igh t look on h im t h a t I wa sn 't su r e h e'd fin ish t h e st or y. Down in t h e woods an owl hooted; another answered.
"We fou n d t h e t r ea su r e, " Ta r r a n sa id on a sigh . "An d t h e dr a gon fou n d us. Of cou r se. I don 't h a ve a br ot h er n ow, on ly t h e m em or y of h im dyin g. Ya r den wa s h is n a m e, a n d ou r fr ien ds wer e Rowson , Wu lf, a n d Or a n . They were the sons of Lunn Hammerfell, and they were kin of mine. I will avenge them all. "
"How will you take revenge without killing the dragon?"
"Claw's a miser, " he said. "In Thorbardin we say that a miser hoards to hide the one thing that is most dear to him. I know what the dragon loves. Ta ke it fr om h im , a n d h e'll feel t h e h u r t a ll t h e da ys of h is life. Th a t lon g will have to be long enough. "
F la m es lea pt u p fr om ou r fir e, t h en fell, dr a ggin g t h e ligh t a wa y fr om Ta r r a n 's fa ce. H e t ilt ed h is h ea d ba ck a lit t le, lookin g pa st m e, u p t o where da r ker t h a n t h e da r k t h e wa y in t o t h e ca ver n s ga ped. I cou ldn 't see h is fa ce; I cou ldn 't r ea d h im , or gu ess wh a t h e wa s t h in kin g. Aft er a moment he looked back to me, and he nodded shortly.
"Good night, " he said, and his voice had a haunted, hollow sound to it.
I sat up a long while, making my weapons fit. I bundled the bird arrows a n d r epla ced t h em in m y qu iver wit h st eelh ea ds. In m y h a n ds wea pon s a lwa ys felt like com for t good st eel t o r a ise a ga in st foes a n d fea r . So it was that night.
As I wor ked, I fell t o t h in kin g a bou t Rea t h a , h er goldr u n n in g h a ir , h er sun-browned legs, the smooth calves rosy and plump in the morning light. Wit h t h e Wh it er u sh bet ween u s, sh e'd lift ed a h a n d t o wa ve m e fa r ewell. Aft er a ll t h is t im e, t h er e wa s st ill n o on e sh e looked t o t h e wa y sh e looked to me.
My wor k soon don e, I st r et ch ed ou t befor e t h e fir e a n d fell a t on ce t o sleep. I wa sn 't r est less, a n d I slept well. Bu t on ce, t owa r d da wn , I woke wit h a ch ill, a n d a cr oss t h e sky, in t h e da r k west , I sa w t h e br igh t plu m a ge of a sh oot in g st a r sket ch a fa llin g a r c, like a silver a r r ow com in g to ground.
I piled som e wood on t h e low fir e, wa r m in g m yself a n d wa it in g for Ta r r a n t o wa ke. I sh ou ld h a ve seen a wa r n in g in t h e fa llin g st a r , t h e r em in der of a fea r I wou ldn 't a dm it t o, bu t I didn 't . I h a d t oo m u ch in vest ed in t h e pr et en se t h a t I'd lon g a go va n qu ish ed t h e old gu ilt y dread that someday, once again, my cowardice would cause a death.
* * * * *
We left t h e ou t wor ld ju st befor e su n r ise, wh en t h e r ock fa ce wa s cool t o t ou ch a n d dewy da m p. We h a d som e clim bin g t o do t o get t o t h e en t r a n ce, and Tarran made me go first up the stony wall.

"You don't want a one-armed climber ahead of you. If I fall, I'll take you down with me. Go. "
Th a t m a de sen se. I wen t scr a m blin g u p, fin din g good h a n da n d footholds. At t h e ledge I got a br a n d a n d set t o wit h flin t a n d st r iker . The fla r in g t or ch spilled ligh t over t h e ledge, a n d by it I wa t ch ed Ta r r a n com e up. Unlike m e, h e didn 't u se h a n dh olds for pu llin g; h e u sed t h em on ly for balance. H e pu t a ll h is fa it h in t h e foot h olds. Wh en h e wa s wit h in a r m 's r ea ch , h e a ccept ed t h e h a n d I offer ed a n d let m e h oist h im on t o t h e ledge. Th in a s h e wa s, h e wa s a n ea sy lift . Sa fely u p, Ta r r a n pu t h is ba ck t o t h e rising sun and led me into the mountain, the landscape of his nightmares.
Th e ligh t fr om wit h ou t ca m e t r a ilin g a ft er u s for lon ger t h a n I'd thought it would, like a little pale dog at our heels, but soon it left us, and there wa s on ly t h e t or ch ligh t r u n n in g on da m p wa lls, t h e pa le sm oke dr ift in g a h ea d of u s t o t h e ca ll of som e ca ver n br eeze. We wen t a lon g a n a r r ow pa t h , wit h t h e wa lls closin g t igh t er ea ch ya r d of t h e wa y, t h e ceilin g dr oppin g lower , u n t il I h a d t o st oop t o pa ss wh er e Ta r r a n ea sily went. After a while walking, he held up a hand to halt.
"Listen!"
"To what?"
H e st ood per fect ly st ill. Tor ch ligh t glea m ed in h is da r k eyes a s t h e pu pils widen ed t o t a ke in t h e flicker in g fir eglow. H e t u r n ed h is h ea d a lit t le, a n d h is eyes t ill t h en bla ck su dden ly fla sh ed r eddish , like a wolf's in t h e n igh t . Dwa r ves h a ve eyes like t h a t , sh ift in g a n d ch a n gin g t o adjust to whatever light is found.
"There, " he said. "Hear it?"
Now I heard breathing that wasn't Tarran's and wasn't mine.
"Th is is wh a t t h e dr a gon sou n ds like sleepin g, " Ta r r a n sa id. "Whether h e's sleepin g ju st n ow, I don 't kn ow. Th in gs ech o in h er e, a n d t h e ech oes echo. " He eyed me closely, head cocked. "You all right?"
"Of course I am, " I said, a little coldly.
H e r a ised a n eyebr ow, a s a t som et h in g st r a n ge. "No la w sa ys you ca n 't be afraid, boy. "
I t old h im I wa sn 't a fr a id of a n ech o, a n d h e la u gh ed, a sh or t dr y ba r k. "Right, then. We've got some walking to do. "
I ch ecked t h e set of t h e qu iver on m y h ip, t h e h eft of t h e swor d a t m y side. My lon gbow, t h e weigh t y yew, la y u n st r u n g in a h older a cr oss m y back. Tor ch h igh , I followed Ta r r a n t h r ou gh t h e n a r r ow pa ssa ge. All t h e wh ile a n d a ll t h e wa y, t h e sou n d of t h e dr a gon 's br ea t h in g r ose u p fr om t h e floor u n der ou r feet , flowed down fr om t h e da m p ceilin g, seem ed t o roll off the very walls themselves.
I am here, I am here, I am here... whispered the echoes of the beast, the dragon deep down in his lair.
If I'd been wise en ou gh t o list en wit h in , I'd h a ve h ea r d t h e deep-buried fear in me stirring awake.
I am here, I am here, I am here!
* * * * *
Wh en we ca m e ou t of t h e n a r r ow sh a ft , Ta r r a n h a lt ed a ga in , a n d I h eld t h e t or ch u p a n d ou t . Befor e u s la y a n ew pa t h , a n d we st ood a bove a void so wide I cou ldn 't gu ess wh er e t h e ot h er side m u st be. Ta r r a n kicked a st on e over t h e edge of t h e dr op. We wa it ed t o h ea r it h it bot t om , a n d we waited, and we waited.
"Come on, " he said, when he was sure his point was made and taken.
The path wound down the side of the pit, spiraling around, and here the ech o of t h e dr a gon 's br ea t h in g h a d com pa n y. Voices wh isper ed, like ghosts rustling up from the blackness.

Som eon e, lon g yea r s a go, wh isper ed a secr et . An ot h er voice m oa n ed in dr ea d's cold gr a sp, t h e sou n d like a ch ill fin ger on t h e ba ck of m y n eck. A treasure-st a lker spoke of h ope a n d gold a n d som eon e scr ea m ed, a hundred years ago, falling into the swallowing darkness.

In the next breath all the whispering ghosts, all the ancient echoes, fled t o silen ce befor e a h ollow, gr oa n in g r oa r . In t h e wa ver in g t or ch ligh t , Ta r r a n 's fa ce sh owed wa xy a n d wh it e a bove h is bla ck bea r d. He shuddered, and the gems on the dragon brooch glinted, little darts of light in the blackness.

"Th a t 's Cla w, " h e sa id, peer in g u p a t m e a s t h ou gh h e wer e wa t ch in g for sign of the fear I professed not to have.
Cold in t h e belly, I sa id t h a t I r eckon ed it wa s Cla w, a n d t h en I sa id t h a t we'd best be m ovin g on . H e wen t for wa r d ca r efu lly a n d slowly, a n d I followed after.
The pa t h wa s wide en ou gh for Ta r r a n a n d m e t o wa lk side by side wit h a m a n 's-len gt h of r oom bet ween u s a n d t h e dr op. We'd en t er ed on a west r u n n in g pa t h , bu t I soon lost a n y sen se of ou r dir ect ion on t h e spir a l wa y. Th e br a n d I'd ligh t ed ou t side bu r n ed down t o a st u m p, a n d I spa r ked a fr esh on e off t h e em ber . Wh en t h e t h ir d on e wa s h a lf bu r n ed, Ta r r a n st opped a n d t ook t h e t or ch fr om m e. H e h eld it h igh a n d a lit t le for wa r d. Ligh t spilled a ll down t h e r ocky wa ll, like a fir efa ll, a silen t gold-shining river, and he stood like he was stone-carved.
Whispers from below rustled around us.
"What is it?" I asked.
H e st epped ba ck t o let m e see wh a t la y a h ea d. At h is feet wa s a br ea k in the path, a gap almost twice as long as I am tall. I kicked at the slender ledge r em a in in g; st on es t u m bled down in t o t h e ch a sm , pebbles cla t t er in g on the sides, the larger rocks silent in their fall.
"We'll go back and find another path, " I said.
"Th er e is n o ot h er pa t h . " H e wen t down on h is h eels, peer in g in t o t h e da r kn ess a n d so close t o t h e edge it m a de m y belly clen ch t o see h im . Gh ost y ech oes sigh ed a bou t gold a n d silver , a bou t t r ea su r e a n d wea lt h . Keep on... hold on... we'll find... more than you've ever... worth a man's life to risk... Now, or then, the dragon rumbled and moaned.
I lifted the torch as high as I could reach and saw that here, as all along ou r wa y, t h e wa ll wa s st u dded wit h sm a ll ou t cr oppin gs. Most didn 't look like good a n ch or s, bu t on e lon g kn ob looked a s t h ou gh it cou ld ea sily bea r weight.
"Are you afraid of heights, Tarran Ironwood?"
I sa id t h a t in jest , a n d h e la u gh ed n ot t h a t sh or t dr y la u gh t er , bu t a sudden gleeful amusement I'd not have thought him capable of.
"I'd like to meet the dwarf who is. "
I t ook a st ou t coil of r ope fr om m y pa ck, t ied a swift n oose, a nd tossed it high. Th e n oose slipped over t h e kn ob a n d lodged t h er e secu r ely. I t ied a st ir r u p in t h e en d of t h e r ope a n d a sked Ta r r a n if h e wa n t ed t o go fir st . H e ga ve m e t h e t or ch , wou n d t h e r ope on ce a r ou n d h is h a n d, gripping, a n d sh oved off, lea n in g a lit t le ou t t owa r d t h e ch a sm a n d let t in g h is weight swing him back to the path.
Sa fe a gr ou n d, Ta r r a n sen t t h e r ope ba ck t o m e, a n d I t ossed t h e t or ch a cr oss t h e ga p t o h im . Wh en t h e ligh t wa s st ea dy a ga in , I set t led m y pa ck, t ook m y pla ce, a n d kicked off. I wa s bu t a few bea t s of t h e h ea r t h a n gin g t h er e a t t h e t op of t h e a r c. Alm ost st ill over t h e da r k a n d t h e void, I looked down , in t o t h e pit , in t o t h e bla ck. Th a t en dless em pt in ess made me feel light in the belly, like I could soar if only I let go of the rope.
A shrieking, wrathful roar blasted up from the unseen deep.
St a r t led, I clen ch ed. My h a n d slipped on t h e r ope; t h e r ou gh h em p burned the skin. I felt the sickening drop then caught myself.
Th e ech o of t h e dr a gon ech oed, a n d Ta r r a n cr ied ou t a s t h e a r c of m y flight wobbled.
Ryle!... Ryle!... Ryle!
I cou ldn 't feel m y gr ip on t h e r ope, a n d I seem ed t o feel t h e dr a g a n d pu ll of fa llin g a ga in a s Ta r r a n flu n g t h e t or ch a wa y a n d r ea ch ed ou t a s fa r a s h e da r ed fa r t h er t h a n h e sh ou ld h a ve a n d ca u gh t h old of m y pack, trying to correct the swing. Below, t h e t or ch wa s a lit t le fa llin g st a r , shooting down into the eternal blackness.
I hung, but whether over emptiness or the ledge, I didn't know.
"Let go the rope!" Tarran shouted. "Now!"
In leaping echo, the cavern pleaded, Let go now!... Go now!
Blin dly, in u t t er da r kn ess, I t r u st ed. I let go of t h e r ope a n d fell h a r d a ga in st t h e r ock wa ll. Sick t o m y st om a ch , m y kn ees gon e su dden ly watery, I stumbled, clutched at Tarran's shoulder.
"Stand still, boy! You'll spill us both over the edge!"
Th e t er r or t h a t h a d been like ice in m y belly n ow bled a ll t h r ou gh m e, like a poison. I staggered when he moved back and away from me. Tarran gr a bbed m y a r m t o h old m e st ill, gr ipped so h a r d I kn ew t h er e'd be bruises later.
"St a y r igh t t h er e, " h e sa id. "St a y r igh t t h er e. I'm goin g t o ligh t a t or ch . "
Sh a kin g, belly-sick, I clu n g t o t h e st on e wh ile h e got a br a n d fr om m y pack. H e st r u ck h is st eel a ga in st t h e r ock wa ll. A spa r k lea pt a n d fell. An ot h er . Th e t h ir d ca u gh t , a n d Ta r r a n pr a ised h is dwa r f god, h is r ed Reor x, for t h e gr a ce of ligh t . H e h eld t h e n ew t or ch h igh , a n d for t h e fir st time I saw some color come into his face, a flush of relief.
"You all right?"
Swea t r a n cold on m e, down m y n eck, down m y r ibs, like dea t h 's icy touch. I said, "Of course I am, " and I was pretty sure I looked like I was.
Yet , like a n a ccu sa t ion of t h e t r u t h , t h e a ft er im a ge of t h e fa llin g t or ch , t h e sh oot in g st a r , lin ger ed in m y m in d. P a n icked, I'd com e dose t o r u m blin g u s bot h off t h e ledge. I m igh t h a ve ca u sed Ta r r a n 's dea t h . So it h a d been , on ce befor e, wh en pa n icked I cou ld n ot dr a w t h e bow, loose the bolt, and kill the boar that was bearing down on my father.
Tarran put his hand on my arm, and I tensed under his grip.
"Easy now. You're back to the wall, and feet on the ground again. "
Bu t it wa sn 't h eigh t -fea r t h a t h a d m e, n ot t h e fea r of fa llin g. It wa s wor se, a n d h e m u st h a ve sen sed it , for n ow I h ea r d a n ew n ot e in h is voice. Beneath the reassurance I heard doubt, a thin qualm.
"Let's go, " I said gruffly, taking the torch from him.
Narrow-eyed, h e n odded a n d set ou t . I cou ld feel it a s you feel a st or m coming Ta r r a n wa s won der in g if h e'd m a de a m ist a ke t o h ir e m e. He sa id n ot h in g t o m e a bou t it , a n d I wa s cold a n d su r ly a skin g n o questions of h im a n d per m it t in g n on e fr om h im . I wa s n ot m in ded t o t a lk about the fear he suspected.
An d t h er e wa s t h is, t o keep u s bot h qu iet : Ta r r a n h a d been t wen t y yea r s a t lea r n in g n ot t o scr ea m in h is sleep, t wen t y yea r s wa it in g t ill h e could tame his terror and take his revenge. He'd take the chance that he'd n ot gon e wr on g in h ir in g m e. An d I'd been t en yea r s a t t h e wor k of bu ildin g a n h on est ly ea r n ed r epu t a t ion beh in d wh ich t o h ide t h e on e n a ked dr ea d I m u st let n o on e see
som eon e wh o t r u st ed m e. If I wen t
t h a t m y fea r wou ld on ce a ga in kill ba ck n ow, I'd go ba ck sh a m ed, a cowa r d for old m en t o poin t a t , for wom en t o clu ck over , a n d ch ildr en t o la u gh a t . A cowa r d for Rea t h a t o t u r n fr om in pit y. Ta r r a n a n d I, we h a d to go on.
* * * * *
We left t h e spir a l pa t h a ft er on ly a lit t le wh ile m or e of wa lkin g. We'd n ot com e t o t h e bot t om of t h e ch a sm Ta r r a n sa id we'd n ot gon e even a tenth of the distance down but there was a fork in the winding road, and t h e left -h a n d wa y led u s off t h e r ou n din g pa t h a n d in t o a t u n n el, a sm a ll shaft. As we wa lked, m e st oopin g a ga in , t h e lesser ech oes fr om t h e ch a sm fa ded a n d fell beh in d. Cla w's br ea t h in g, h is lon g a go gr oa n s a n d cr ies, followed. Th e sou n d of t h e bea st wa s wit h u s st ill a s we st epped fr om t h e shaft onto a great wide plain of stone.

A st r ea m of wa t er in a st on y-edged ch a n n el r a n t h r ou gh t h a t pla in , a n u n der gr ou n d br ook t h a t seem ed t o spr in g fr om t h e r ock it self a n d wa n der away into the dark.
"Where does it come from, Tarran?"
H e sh r u gged. "Th er e a r e la yer s a n d la yer s u n der t h e wor ld. Th e wa t er comes from under here, just like any sudden wellspring in the outworld. "
St a la ct it es, like st on y icicles, dr ipped down fr om t h e r oof. Gr oves of st a la gm it es r ose fr om t h e floor , som e a s h igh a s t r ees. J u st pa st t h e t u n n el's m ou t h , in t wo pla ces, pa ir s of ea ch kin d of for m a t ion join ed, m a kin g floor -to-r oof colu m n s like a for m a l en t r a n ce. Ta r r a n sa id t h a t h er e wou ld be a good pla ce t o st op a n d r est , a n d h e t old m e we'd been underground for most of the day.
"Outside, " he said, "the moons are rising. "
I ached for the sight of that, and the sound of crickets, and the dazzle of stars on the black, black sky.
* * * * *
Ta r r a n a t e wa lkin g, pa cin g r ou n d t h e wide ca ver n , t ou ch in g t h e wa lls, st r okin g a pile of st on e, a n d a lwa ys com in g ba ck t o t h e t h r ee colu m n s. We'd wedged a t or ch bet ween som e r ocks a n d n ea r t h e br ook for t h e wa t er 's r eflect ion , bu t even so it ga ve lit t le ligh t . I sa t close t o t h e br a n d, watching Tarran and seeing him as only a black shadow.

"I u sed t o be a st on e-wright, " h e sa id, h is h a n d on a glist en in g colu m n . H e h a d a look a bou t h im a s if h e wer e t ou ch in g a livin g t h in g. "I'd t a ke a h a m m er a n d ch isel t o a r ea ch like t h is a n d ca ll a n y sh a pe you wa n t ed from it. " Softly, almost tenderly, he whispered, "It isn't magic, but it used to feel like that. "

H e t u r n ed, m oved a br u pt ly a wa y fr om wh a t h e cou ld n ow on ly dr ea m about.
"Th a t 's h ow I kn ow Cyn a r a , " h e sa id. "Not a ll t h e good st on e is in Thorbardin. I u sed t o com e ou t of t h e cit ies fr om t im e t o t im e, lookin g. Sh e wa s a lit t le gir l wh en I fir st sa w h er , ou t beh in d t h e t a ver n a n d pla n t in g t h or n y r ose bu sh es. It wa s I wh o m a de t h e ben ch in t h e ga r den , for her wedding gift. " He stopped, smiling ruefully. "For her first wedding gift . Th er e wa s a n ot h er weddin g pla n n ed, a ft er sh e'd been a widow for a while. Bu t h er m a n died. Ach , you pr oba bly kn ow m or e a bou t t h a t t h a n m e, bein g fr om Ra ven . An y ca se, Cyn a r a 's been a fr ien d for a lon g t im e. How do you know her?"
I lea n ed a wa y fr om t h e ligh t , scooped u p icy wa t er a n d dr a n k. I wa s a wh ile swa llowin g, keepin g t h e wa t er in m y m ou t h t o wa r m . It wa s t h a t cold, like snowmelt, and swallowed too fast that stuff can cramp the belly.
F in a lly, I sa id, "It wa s m y fa t h er sh e wa s goin g t o m a r r y, t h a t secon d time. He died in a hunting accident. "
All around us the dragon-echo sighed, and if Tarran heard anything but the thin fact in my answer he gave no sign.
"I'm sor r y, " h e sa id, a wkwa r d a n d ca u gh t u n a wa r e in t h e a ct of trespassing on another's pain.
"Me, too. "
Ta r r a n wa lked a wa y fr om t h e st one. H e sa t down n ea r t h e t or ch , a n d t h e ligh t glin t ed on t h e h ilt s of h is kn ives, da r t ed fr om t h e r u by-eyed dr a gon br ooch wh er e h is r igh t a r m u sed t o be. H e h a d a t en t a t ive look on h im , a s t h ou gh h e wa sn 't su r e h e sh ou ld sa y som et h in g. Bu t h e sa id it , sure or not.
"Feeling better?" He glanced away, then back. "From before, I mean. "
"I've got the solid ground under me again, " I said flatly. "I feel fine. "
H is t h in lips wer e a gr im lin e, pr essed t igh t , wh ile h e sa t t h er e thinking. In t h e st on y ch a n n el, t h e icy wa t er r ippled over r ocks, murmuring softly.
"You're not afraid of heights, Ryle, are you?"
"No m or e t h a n you a r e. " An d t h a t wa s t h e t r u t h . I la u gh ed, for sh ow. "But I was afraid I wouldn't grow wings fast enough. "
Th e t or ch spa t em ber s. Tin y bit s of ligh t a r ced over t h e br ook a n d fell in t o t h e br ea t h in g da r kn ess. Ta r r a n wa t ch ed m e in t en t ly, n ever blin kin g, his black eyes never moving.
"Ryle, listen. "
Th e dr a gon br ea t h ed in ech oes, like t h e sea la ppin g a t t h e sh or e. Ta r r a n r ea ch ed a n d t ou ch ed m y ch est . H e h a d a da r k a n d st r a n ge look on h im n ow, like a m a n seein g vision s a s t h ou gh h e cou ld kn ow ever yt h in g in m y h ea r t ju st fr om t ou ch in g m e. I wa n t ed t o m ove a wa y, bu t I kept still, afraid to seem afraid.
"Th ey sa y you 'r e fea r less, Ryle Swor der . Bu t su r ely t h ey sa y wr on g no on e is fea r less. List en t o you r self, Ryle, a n d sea r ch for you r wor st fea r , your most dire dread. Listen!"
H e st ood u p, h ea d cocked, eyes bla ck a s t h e ch a sm a s t h e pu pils widened, adjusting to the greater darkness.
"Cla w feeds a t n igh t , in t h e for est wh er e n o on e goes. If we'r e ver y lu cky, a n d ver y ca r efu l, we won 't see h im . I'll get m y r even ge, a n d we'll get ou t of h er e wit h ou r pocket s a n d pa cks filled wit h en ou gh t r ea su r e t o keep you like a king.
"But if our luck misses, " Tarran said, "if we once come in sight of Claw, h e'll kn ow h ow t o look a t you a n d see you r wor st fea r , t h e t er r or t h a t cr ipples you . H e'll u se t h a t fea r , a n d h e'll kill you wit h it ju st a s if it wer e a sword to cut you apart. "
Th e t or ch gu t t er ed, spa t spa r ks in t o t h e da r kn ess, a r cin g bit s of ligh t . Th en t h e da r kn ess fell; t h e st u m py lit t le em ber cou ldn 't st a n d lon g against it.
"I wa s t h e fir st on e Cla w spot t ed, " Ta r r a n sa id, wh isper in g. "Th e fir st on e h e ca m e for . H e h u r t m e, a n d h e left m e bleedin g h a lfwa y bet ween him and my friends. "
H is wor ds wer e like h ea vy st on es, on e t h en a n ot h er , a n d I felt t h e weight of them on my chest, like a barrow being built too soon over me.
"Cla w u sed m e for ba it , a n d t h ey t ook it . F ir st Ya r den ... t h en t h e others. I cou ldn 't do a n yt h in g t o st op it h a ppen in g. Bet ween t h e dr a gon and them... I was helpless. "
E ven in t h e da r k people sh ou ldn 't t a lk a bou t su ch dr ea d. I sa id, "St op, Tarran. I don't want to hear it. "
I spoke r ou gh ly, a s t o a cowa r d ba r in g h is wor st cr a ven deed. I h a d n o r igh t t o spea k like t h a t , a n d I h a t ed t h e silen ce m y wor ds ca u sed. Bu t I cou ldn 't a pologize, t h ou gh I kn ew I sh ou ld. H is t a lk of wor st fea r s wa s like one more crack in a weakening dam.
"It's all right to be afraid, Ryle. Here, you'd better be. "
I closed my eyes, coldly quiet.
"All r igh t , t h en . I'll sa y n o m or e bu t t h is: if you don 't kn ow wh a t you r wor st fea r is, you 'd bet t er spen d t h e n igh t r eckon in g it ou t . You don 't want Claw to be the one to show it to you. "
I didn 't a n swer h im , n or did I spea k a ga in for t h e r est of t h e n igh t . In t h e m or n in g, Ta r r a n a sked if I'd slept well, a n d I t old h im t h a t I h a d. He sh ook h is h ea d a s you wou ld over a st u bbor n fool. On ce, wh en h e t h ou gh t I wa sn 't lookin g, h e gla n ced ba ck t owa r d t h e t u n n el t h a t led t o t h e ch a sm and the spiral path, the way back.
Bu t h e sa id n ot h in g a bou t n ot goin g for wa r d. H e'd com e t oo fa r . So h a d I.
* * * * *
We wen t a ll t h e da y t h r ou gh a ser ies of ch a m ber s, ca ver n s sm a ll a n d large, narrow and wide, and Tarran Ironwood remembered his path.
"I ca m e in t h is wa y, a n d I wen t ou t t h is wa y. " H e sm iled bit t er ly. "Th e last somewhat more slowly than the first. "
H e'd h a d h is r igh t a r m on t h e wa y ou t ; t h e bon e h a d st ill h u n g t o t h e shoulder. In t wo pla ces t h e m ea t of t h e a r m h a d been la id open , t h e m u scles n a ked t o h is sigh t . H e t old m e t h a t , a n d h e sa id t h a t a m a n sh ou ld n ever h a ve t o see wh a t t h e in side of h im self looks like. H e'd bou n d the wound and done his best to keep it clean, but the arm already had the ga n gr en ou s st in k a bou t it by t h e t im e h e got ou t a n d got fou n d. He kn ew befor e a n yon e h a d t o t ell h im t h a t h e'd be on e-a r m ed for t h e r est of h is life.
I followed h im closely, a n d h e n ever t ook a wr on g t u r n , n ever st opped for m or e t h a n a m om en t t o r eckon a dir ect ion . I m a r ked t im e pa ssin g by t h e cou n t of t h e t or ch es, a n d so I kn ew we'd wa lked a fu ll da y by t h e t im e we ca m e t o a low n a r r ow t u n n el like t h e on e t h a t led off t h e spir a l r oa d a lon g t h e side of t h e ch a sm . Th is t u n n el wa s m u ch lon ger t h a n t h a t fir st , a n d a s low. All t h e m u scles in m y ba ck a n d sh ou lder s wer e cr a m ped wit h st oopin g by t h e t im e we ca m e ou t of it a n d on t o a wide ledge, like t h e gallery rounding a king's great hall.
Th e wh ole pla ce st a n k of dr a gon , t h e dr y, du st y r ept ile sm ell, t h e scen t of en dless a ge, a n d Ta r r a n 's br ea t h in g got r ou gh a n d ch oppy, like h e wa s t r yin g n ot t o ga g. I looked u p t o t h e edge of ligh t a r ou n d t h e h ole in t h e ceiling. Th e silver m oon a n d t h e r ed sa t t oget h er in a qu a r t er of t h e sky, t h eir ligh t pou r in g down t h r ou gh t h e open in g. By t h a t sh in in g I sa w bon es lit t er in g t h e st on y ga ller y, t h e la r ge r ib ca ges of ca t t le a n d h or ses, the smaller bones of deer and elk. I saw a bear's skull, and what had to be t h e skelet on of a m in ot a u r , t h e h or n ed sku ll la r ger t h a n t h a t of a n y bu ll you 'd ever h ope t o see. Old blood pa in t ed t h e ledge, r u st y br own , dr ippin g over the edge, streaking the walls of the beast-hall below. Here was where Cla w br ou gh t h is n igh t kills. H er e, on t h is wide ledge, wa s wh er e t h e dr a gon din ed. Below u s a lm ost sixt y feet down la y t h e bea st 's la ir , em pt y, a s Ta r r a n kn ew it wou ld be. Cla w wa s a n igh t h u n t er . Above so h igh I h a d t o cr a n e m y n eck t o see ya wn ed t h e dr a gon 's wa y ou t , a n d the dragon's way in.
"Th er e's a wa y down , " Ta r r a n sa id, h is voice h u sh ed, h a r dly h ea r d. He poin t ed t o t h e left , a n d I r a ised t h e t or ch , sa w gou ges in t h e st on e, like stairs.
"Th ey'r e n ot a s r egu la r a s st a ir s, " t h e dwa r f sa id. "Som e a r e a lon ger step than others. But they'll do. "
"Who built them?"
"Cla w. Th e dr a gon 's got a wa y of ch a n gin g h is br ea t h a n d spit in t o a cid when it suits him. You knew that, didn't you?"
I didn't before then. "Why'd he build steps in here?"
"You'll see. "
He didn't say anything more, and now he was all pulled into himself, as h e'd been wh en I fir st sa w h im in Cyn a r a 's r ose bower . I st r u n g m y bow a n d slu n g it over m y sh ou lder , t h en ch ecked t o see t h a t t h e st eel-heads wer e close t o h a n d. I t ook m y swor d fr om t h e sh ea t h . Th ese wer e good wea pon s a n d st r on g, a n d t h ey'd a lwa ys been m y com for t . Not t h is t im e, a n d a ll t h e h a ir r ose, pr icklin g on m y a r m s a n d n eck a s I followed Ta r r an Ironwood down into the dragon's lair.
* * * * *
I t h ou gh t I sa w t h e em pt y-eyed sku lls sca t t er ed on t h e floor befor e Tarran did. Maybe that's so, but he knew they were there.
They were four, the bone-naked remains of dwarves by the size of them. Th e sku lls wer en 't blea ch ed wh it e, for t h ey'd n ot la in ou t in t h e su n a n d t h e win d a n d t h e r a in . Th ey wer e br own , old a n d sh in y t h in gs wit h ga pin g ja ws a n d st a r in g eye socket s. On e of t h e sku lls wa s split r igh t down t h e m iddle, a n d t h e t h r ee wh ole on es wer e cr a cked, t h e cr a cks like dark lace.
"Rowson , " Ta r r a n sa id, poin t in g t o on e of t h e t h r ee wh ole sku lls. "And there's Wulf. Oran's over there. "
H e wen t a n d kn elt beside t h e br oken sku ll, t h e on e t h a t la y in t wo pieces a wa y fr om a ll t h e ot h er s. I r a ised u p t h e t or ch . Ta r r a n kn elt r igh t in t h e m iddle of a da r k st a in on t h e floor , a wide sweepin g st r ea k of r u st y brown. Th er e h e'd la in , bleedin g a n d beggin g h is kin sm en t o flee. They h a dn 't don e t h a t . On e by on e t h ey ch a llen ged t h e dr a gon for h im , bit in g t h e ba it ever y t im e, u n t il t h ey wer e a ll dea d a n d Ta r r a n la y a lon e in h is gor e, t h e br oken bodies of h is kin sca t t er ed a r ou n d h im . Th eir dyin g screams framed his nightmares for twenty years.
Ta r r a n t ou ch ed t h e br oken sku ll, ver y gen t ly, a s if h e wer e t ou ch in g livin g flesh. H er e wa s h is br ot h er , a n d t h e st a in on t h e floor wa s t h e shadow of their blood.
"It was a hard way to kill them, " Tarran said. He got to his feet, and he came to stand by me. "It was a cruel, hard way to do it. "
H e wa sn 't lookin g a t t h e blood m a r k a s h e spoke, or a t m e. H e wa s ch eckin g t h e r elea se of ever y on e of t h ose kn ives of h is, m a kin g su r e ea ch wou ld com e swift ly fr om it s sh ea t h wh en n eeded. He kept the jewel-hilted long knife to hand.
"Are you ready, Ryle?"
Dry-mouthed, I said that I was.
"Put the torch out. "
I hesitated, wanting to cling to all the light I could.
"Do it. "
I did, a n d wh en m y vision set t led, t h er e wa s m or e ligh t t o see by t h a n I'd r eckon ed cou ld be so. Th e gr ea t open in g in t h e ceilin g ch a n n eled t h e st a r ligh t a n d m oon ligh t down wa r d in a sla n t in g, m ilky colu m n . An d n ow, wit h t h e ligh t even ly spr ea d, I sa w m or e t h a n blood a n d t h e br own ed sku lls of Ta r r a n 's lu ckless kin sm en . Now I sa w t h e dr a gon 's h oa r d r isin g like a mountain of moonlit rainbows under the ground.
"It 's a fin e h oa r d, " Ta r r a n sa id, h is voice low. "Ra w gem s fr om t h e m ou n t a in s of Ka r t h a y, golden t or qu es fr om Ist a r , r in gs fr om P a la n t h a s... ch a lices a n d pla t e fr om t h e t ower s of wiza r ds, fr om t h e h a lls of kn igh t s, fr om t h e t a bles of t h e elf lor ds in Silva n ost . There, " h e sa id, poin t in g t o a swor d. Th e bla de wa s r u st -pit t ed, a ge-du lled; t h e gr ip wa s a r u by, on e solid st on e sh a ped for a slen der h a n d. "Th a t belon ged t o a n elven qu een , a n d it 's sa id t h a t sh e for ged it h er self, so lon g a go t h a t t h ese da ys h er people h a r dly r em em ber h er n a m e. All t h is Cla w h a s st olen t o h ide t h e single thing he holds dearest. "
Wh isper in g, like a wor sh iper , I sa id, "Wh a t cou ld t h e bea st h old dea r er than this hoard?"
"I sa w it , " h e sa id, a n swer in g m e on ly gla n cin gly. Now h e sou n ded like a dr ea m in g m a n . "Wh en I wa s lyin g for ba it , I sa w wh a t t h e bea st guarded, what he always tried to hide with every turn, every spread of his wings. "
We wen t wide a r ou n d t h e bloodst a in , wide a r ou n d t h e sku lls. Tarran wa s wh it e in t h e m oon ligh t , like a gh ost wa lking. We wen t pa st piles of u n cu t t opa z, a n d t h a t wa s like wa lkin g pa st fr ozen fir e. In t h e sh a dow of t h e m ou n d, beh in d t h e h oa r d, we fou n d a n ot h er sku ll. It wa s a dr a gon 's, and it paled every treasure Claw had in his hoard.
Lon g a s m e, a n d h a lf a s lon g a ga in , t h is sku ll wa s like t h e ot h er s br own ed wit h a ge. It s fa n gs wer e gilded, it s eye socket s dr essed in silver a n d filled ea ch wit h a r u by t h e size of m y t wo fist s t oget h er . Seven bon y spin es, t h e st a r t of a cr est t h a t m u st h a ve r u n down t h e len gt h of t h e dr a gon 's ba ck, wor e sh ea t h s of silver a n d wer e h u n g wit h n et s of slen der gold strands from which diamonds and blue, blue sapphires dangled.
I t ou ch ed on e of t h ose n et s, a n d t h e jewels ch im ed gen t ly a ga in st ea ch other, a delicate tinkling.
"Tarran, what is this?"
H e sigh ed, a wh isper ed gr oa n . "Wh a t t h e m iser h oa r ds t o h ide. Who would look past that mountain of trinkets to see this, aye?"
Th is sku ll, dr essed in gold a n d silver a n d gem s, wa s Cla w's t r ea su r e. Ta r r a n h a d seen t h a t . Wh en h is kin sm en wer e dyin g, on e by on e m u r der ed, Ta r r a n h a d seen t h e sh a pe of h is r even ge beh in d t h e sh in in g mass of stolen treasure.
Now h e m oved a lit t le, a s if t o r ea ch t o t ou ch t h e sku ll. Bu t h e didn 't reach, and he didn't touch. He let his hand fall, barely raised.
"Th is is wh y Cla w bu ilt t h e st eps in h is la ir , " h e sa id. "A gem sm it h , or m or e t h a n on e, h a d t o com e in t o do t h is wor k. It 's dwa r f-cr a ft . Cla w made a bargain with someone out of Thorbardin, a long time ago. "
H e lift ed h is lon g kn ife, eyein g it a s t h ou gh h e'd n ever seen it befor e now. H e t u r n ed it t h is wa y a n d t h a t , t h e jeweled h ilt a n d blu ed st eel glit t er in g in t h e m oon s' ligh t . Th en , su dden ly, h e r ever sed h is gr ip a n d m a de a sh in in g h a m m er of t h e h ilt . Gr oa n in g, a ch in g r igh t t o h is sou l, h e st r u ck t h e dr a gon sku ll. Under t h is fir st of r even ge's blows, a silver sheathed spine fell from the bony crest and shattered at my feet. A golden n et of sa pph ir es r a t t led, slit h er ed, a n d cla t t er ed t o t h e floor . I r ea ch ed for it, and Tarran turned on me, his eyes like dark fire.
"Not till I've powdered this damn skull!"
H e br oke a n ot h er spin e fr om t h e cr est , a n d h e sh ou t ed a cu r se, t h e cr y a lon ged-for r elea se fr om old, old pa in . H e pr ied a r u bied eye fr om on e of t h e socket s, a n d h is cu r sin g n ow sou n ded like t h e cr ies of a blood-lusty soldier sacking a foeman's hall.
Th is wa sn 't m y ven gea n ce; it wa sn 't for m e t o do t h is br ea kin g. I st epped a wa y, ou t in t o t h e m oon ligh t , t igh t a n d t en se a n d doin g t h e job I wa s h ir ed for wa r din g t h e ven gea n ce-taking. E yes on t h e gr ea t open in g a bove, I wa lked pa st t h e h ill of t r ea su r e, ou t in t o t h e m iddle of t h e la ir . I st epped wide a r ou n d t h e sku lls of Ta r r a n 's kin sm en , wide a r ou n d t h e old blood mark on the stony floor.
Tarran kicked a tooth from the dragon's skull. Now his cursing sounded like sobbin g. I didn 't t u r n t o look a t h im . Reven ge is a pr iva t e t h in g, a n d if a man wants to sob over it, he should be able to do it in privacy.
I wa lked r ou n d t h e la ir , pa cin g, wa t ch in g t h e sky a n d, n ot wa t ch in g t h e floor , I t r ipped on som et h in g. I flin ch ed ba ck, t h in kin g it wa s a n a n cien t bon y r elic of som e u n for t u n a t e dea t h , a n d sa w t h a t it wa sn 't . In t h e sh a dows, I cou ldn 't t ell m or e t h a n t h a t , a n d I t oed it ou t in t o t h e center of the lair, into the light of the two moons. It was a shard of an old, lea t h er y eggsh ell. On ce a sh e-dr a gon h a d lived in t h is la ir . Wit h a su dden ch ill, I t u r n ed t o see Ta r r a n kickin g a n ot h er t oot h fr om t h e sku ll t h a t a gemsmith out of Thorbardin had dressed like a queen in jewels and gold.
Th e win d ou t side m oa n ed like gr ief. Th e sou n d sh iver ed down m y spine. Ta r r a n n ever seem ed t o n ot ice. H e kicked a n ot h er t oot h ou t of t h e dr a gon sku ll, a n d t h e win d's m oa n in g r ose in pit ch . Th e h a ir on t h e ba ck of my neck and arms bristled.
Ta r r a n !
A sh a dow, a wide pool of da r kn ess, slid a cr oss t h e floor , a n d I sa w t h e dr a gon , t h e bea st fr a m ed in t h e open in g. Br oa d bla ck win gs wer e ju st t u ckin g in , h is copper body glea m ed, a lon g sh in in g st r ea k of r ed a cr oss t h e bla ckn ess, a br igh t st a r loose fr om t h e sky a n d r u n n in g bet ween t h e moons.
Ta r r a n !
Th e la ir filled wit h t h ick blood-reek a n d t h e bon e-cr u n ch sou n d of t wo h ea vy bodies h it t in g t h e st on e of t h e ledge, a n elk a n d a cow. Su pper . I grabbed Tarran's arm, yanked him away from the skull.
"Come on! This isn't worth dying for!"
H is da r k eyes wild, Ta r r a n pu lled a wa y fr om m e, bu t h e wa s on earmed a n d I h a d t h a t a r m in a t igh t gr ip. H e cou ldn 't h elp bu t go wh er e I dragged him.
I didn't drag him far, only behind the jeweled skull. There, I went to my kn ees a n d pu lled h im down wit h m e, so t h a t we h a d Cla w's pr eciou s h eir loom bet ween u s a n d t h e bea st . F or good m ea su r e, I sh ift ed m y gr ip on Ta r r a n a n d cla m ped a h a n d over h is m ou t h a n d n ose. H e cou ldn 't br ea t h e beh in d m y h a n d, a n d so h e wa s for ced t o ca lm down . Wh en I wa s su r e h e'd com e a ll t h e wa y ba ck fr om r a ge, I let h im go. I pointed upward, t h en pu t a fin ger t o m y lips for silen ce. I cou ld on ly h ope t h a t Cla w's hearing wasn't so good that he'd catch the sound of my heart thundering.
We h ea r d t h e bea st ea t in g, we h ea r d t h e r ippin g of flesh , t h e cr u n ch in g of bon es. We h ea r d t h e copper dr a gon la ppin g u p st ea m in g blood befor e it cou ld a ll r u n off t h e ledge. I bu r ied m y fa ce in m y a r m s t o h ide fr om t h e reek, to keep from retching.
As Cla w a t e, gr oa n in g, a glu t t on over a fea st , Ta r r a n lea n ed close a n d by gest u r es let m e kn ow t h a t t h e dr a gon wou ld lea ve a s soon a s h e'd fed, wa n t in g wa t er . I set t led t o wa it , m y h a n ds sh a kin g so h a r d I h a d t o cla sp them together, a fist against fear.
In a su dden silen ce, I h ea r d t h e t a ppin g of blood wh er e it dr ipped over t h e ledge a n d down t o t h e floor of t h e la ir . An d t h en Cla w r ose u p on m a ssive h in d legs, t h u n der in g plea su r e, sa t ed. Moon ligh t r a n on blooddr ippin g fa n gs, a n d t a lon s st ill clot t ed wit h gobbet s of flesh . Th e ligh t r a ced down t h e bea st 's cr est ed n eck, glin t in g fr om spin e t o spin e, spin n in g down t h e copper sca les. Cla w st r et ch ed bla ck win gs, lea t h er y and broad, then thrust them suddenly downward while leaping upward.
In t h e wa ke of h is lea vin g, win d r oiled t h e st en ch of h is left over s, blood and bone and the undigested contents of the creatures' stomachs.
Ta r r a n a n d I scr a m bled ou t fr om beh in d t h e dr a gon sku ll a n d r a n for t h e blood-wet st a ir s a n d t h e wa y ou t . We bolt ed pa st t h e h ea ped t r ea su r e as if it were no more worthy of a glance than the leavings of a gravel pit.
Cla w m u st h a ve seen som et h in g a s h e wh eeled, t u r n in g, a bove t h e lair the wink of starlight on my sword, the sudden shine of moonlight on Ta r r a n 's lon g kn ife, ou r sh a dows wh er e n on e sh ou ld be. Th e dr a gon screamed down on the opening to the lair, confusing the light.
Acid fell like r a in , t h e dr a gon 's dea dly sla ver h issin g on st on e. Things melted golden r in gs a n d t or qu es, a silver ch a lice, t h e r u st y bla de of t h e elf-qu een 's r u by swor d. One sin gle dr op of a cid h it m y own swor d. I on ly dr opped it in t im e t o sa ve m y h a n d. Cla w scr ea m ed a ga in , a n d I h ea r d n o dumb bestial roaring now, but one raging word.
Thief!
Th e sou n d of it r a n g t h r ou gh t h e ca ver n , ech oin g in t h e ver y bon es of m e a s I fit t ed a r r ow t o bowst r in g wit h clu m sy, sh a kin g h a n ds. An d t h en the dragon saw what we'd really been doing.
He howled, lunging at Tarran.
Desecrator!
All m y ca r efu lly h on ed in st in ct s t ook over . I wa s like a vessel for som e cooler in t en t . I t u r n ed, dr ew, a n d let fly a st eel-h ea ded a r r ow. I m issed t h e bea st 's eye by a h a n d's widt h , a n d t h e bolt ca u gh t u p u n der a pla t escale. H owlin g cu r ses, Ta r r a n sen t a dir k flyin g a ft er m y a r r ow, a n d t h a t bla de ca u gh t t h e bea st in t h e u n sea led pla ce r igh t u n der h is left eye. Ta r r a n sh ou t ed, "I'll blin d you , you ba st a r d!" a n d h e t h r ew a n ot h er dir k just as I let loose another arrow.
Bu t ou r t a r get wa sn 't t h er e. Th r u st in g down wit h lea t h er y win gs, Cla w rose up to the opening in the ceiling.
Th e dr a gon wa s gon e, a n d I h a dn 't clen ch ed wh en m ost n eeded! I shouted gratitude to whatever god was listening.
"Too ea r ly for t h a t , " Ta r r a n sa id. "H e's ju st get t in g r oom for a n ot h er dive. Come on!"
His wa r n in g wa s like a spu r . F or get t in g gr a t it u de, a n d a n yt h in g else t h a t didn 't h a ve t o do wit h su r viva l, we r a n for t h e st a ir s, scr a m blin g a r ou n d a cid-h ewn pit s st ill h issin g a t t h e edges. Bu t in side m e, gleefu l, a voice celebr a t ed vict or y wit h la u gh t er . I'd n ot clen ch ed, n or fr ozen wit h fear!
Th e la ir gr ew da r k a s t h e dr a gon ca m e bet ween u s a n d t h e m oon s' light. The stairs were in reach.
Su dden ly it wa sn 't we running it wa s m e scr a bblin g u p t h e fir st few steps. Ta r r a n slipped in blood, st a gger ed, a n d fell a s t h e bea st ca m e raging down again.
I t u r n ed on t h e st a ir s, a r r ow n ocked t o bow, a n d sen t a st eel-headed bolt r igh t in t o t h e bea st 's ga pin g ja ws. In t h e sa m e in st a n t , Ta r r a n r a ised u p on h is kn ees n ow h is helplessness a n d let fly t h e beast's tongue.
Cla w bled, a n d h e sh r ieked in fu r y a n d pa in . H e sh eer ed a wa y a n d t h r u st u pwa r d, ou t of t h e la ir a ga in . Ta r r a n t r ied t o get u p, bu t h e fell back. He'd broken an ankle.
"Go, " h e gr oa n ed. H is fa ce sh on e wh it e in t h e m oon ligh t ; h is eyes glit t er ed da r k a s polish ed jet . Dr ea d et ch ed deep lin es in t o t h e flesh of h is face. "Now, Ryle. Go!"
I wou ldn 't , a n d I t ook a st ep t owa r d h im , down on e bloody st a ir . Th en I stopped, sweat running on me, cold as terror.
Som et h in g t ou ch ed m e. Not a h a n d wa ft in g by, n ot a n yt h in g like t h a t . It per ch ed on t h e lip of t h e open in g in t h e r oof of h is la ir a n d lookin g down like some enormous, brooding vulture.
Cla w r a ised win gs a n d bea t u p a win d so st r on g it flu n g m e a ga in st t h e stone wall and held me there, a foul-smelling fist. The beast looked at me, a h elpless t h in g, a u seless t h ief com e pa ddin g, a wr et ch on t wo legs. Him seeing me was like something cold and hard and sharp piercing the inside of m e, wh er e t h e h ea r t is, a n d a ll t h e t h in gs I kn ow a n d r em em ber a n d h ope a n d dr ea d. In t h a t m om en t , I st ood m or e n a ked t h a n t h e old br own bon es sca t t er ed a r ou n d t h e dr a gon 's la ir , a n d t h e bea st h over ed on t h e edge of the opening, moonlight darting from talons and teeth.
Aren't you going to help your friend, Ryle?
Tarran groaned. We knew it, both of us he was bait again.
Ar e you a fr a id? Ar e you a fr a id you won 't be fa st en ou gh ? Or br a ve enough? Are you frozen there, Ryle Sworder?
My belly ch u r n ed wit h t h e fea r h e a ccu sed m e of; m y h a n ds sh ook so that the arrow I tried to nock rattled against the bow.
I'll give you t h e ch a n ce you didn 't h a ve t h e cou r a ge t o t a ke for you r father. Cla w la u gh ed a s h e wove t wo n igh t m a r es in t o on e. Ru n for t h e dwarf, Ryle Sworder I'll give you a count.
"Ryle! Don't!" cried Tarran, cried the bait. "Don't!"
I t r ied t o pla ce t h e a r r ow a ga in , a n d cu t m y h a n d on t h e st eel h ea d. Blood r a n down m y a r m . I'd sen t on e a r r ow in t o t h e bea st 's m ou t h , a n ot h er t o wou n d h im n ea r t h e eye. H e wa s h u r t , bu t h e wa s a lon g wa y from dying. This futile arrow of mine couldn't harm the beast.
Wit h t h e voice of win t er , Cla w h issed: Th e m a n 's got n o m or e cou r a ge t h a n t h e boy, does h e? Th e boa r killed you r fa t h er wh ile you st ood qu a kin g, Ryle Swor der . Th in gs don 't seem m u ch differ en t a ll t h ese yea r s later.
In Ta r r a n 's glit t er in g eyes, in h is h ollow pa llor , I sa w su dden understanding and swift despair.
h owlin g wa s for pa in , h is cu r ses for jewel-h ilt ed lon g kn ife a n d pier ced t h e
on t h e sh ou lder , n ot a br eeze wa s t h e dr a gon 's t h ou gh t , h im
Th e dr a gon la u gh ed, seein g in t o bot h h ea r t s. Ta r r a n Ir on wood! Old fr ien d! Do you su ppose h e'll be ca llin g t h is la t est cowa r dice a 'h u n t in g accident,' too?

Ta r r a n got t o on e kn ee, t r ied t o get h is good leg u n der h im t o r ise. Wh en h e cou ldn 't , h e cr a wled, elbow a n d kn ee, elbow a n d kn ee a ga in , a n agonizing progress. He didn't get but a yard before he fell.

Th a t dr a gon h a d t h e cold sou l of a ca t ; h e liked t o pla y wit h pr ey. La u gh in g, h e spr ea d h is win gs, fa n n in g t h e a ir . Th e st en ch of h is fea st filled t h e a ir som e m a gic gh ost of m y fa t h er . An d t h e bon es lit t er in g t h e ledge wer e h is, t h e blood st a in in g t h e la ir , even Ta r r a n 's pa n t in g gr oa n s a s h e t r ied t o get t o t h e stairs.

It wa s swea t or t ea r s r u n n in g on m y fa ce n ow. It felt like blood. It wa s goin g t o h a ppen a ga in . As m y fa t h er h a d died, so wou ld Ta r r a n die, killed by my fear. Or, as Tarran's kinsmen had, I would be killed taking the bait the dragon offered, the chance of saving Tarran's life.

You a r e h elpless, Ryle. You h a ve a lwa ys been . Now Cla w's voice wa s h ollow, like a gh ost 's. H elpless, u seless, a n d it wou ldn 't h a ve m a t t er ed if you h a d seen t h e boa r in t im e. No pu n y a r r ow fr om you r bow wou ld h a ve stopped it. Helpless!

Ut t er ly. Th en , a s wouldn't hurt Claw, but he could snatch Tarran up and dash him to death befor e ever I cou ld r ea ch h im . Th er e wa s n o wa y t o win t h is cr u el ga m e, as there had been no way to stop the boar fifteen years ago.

F ea r dr a in ed a wa y fr om m e in on e su dden r u sh . Sh a dows wer e sh a dows a ga in , a n d n o gh ost wa s h er e t o h a u n t m e. F or given ess is t h a t achingly swift and final.

I t u r n ed t o ch a n ge m y a im . Cla w st opped la u gh in g. In t h e silen ce I h ea r d Ta r r a n 's la bor ed br ea t h in g. I sigh t ed down t h e su r e, st r a igh t sh a ft , dea d cen t er on t h e dr a gon sku ll glit t er in g in it s jeweled ga r b. Swift , I caught the edge of the beast's unguarded thought.

Flame!
So h a d h is m a t e been n a m ed, t h e copper sh e-dr a gon wh o'd sh on e like a bla ze, like fla sh a n d gla r e a n d, in t h e ligh t of t h e m oon s, like sh im m er in g golden fir e. An d if m y a im wa s t r u e, m y a r r ow wou ld st r ike t h e br it t le r elic a n d t u r n it in t o a pile of gem s a n d bon e sliver s. Cla w a n d I both knew that.
"Tarran, " I said, like a soldier snapping an order. "Come here. "
E lbow a n d kn ee, h e cr a wled a ga in , a n d it seem ed like for ever t ill h e t ou ch ed t h e fir st st ep wit h h is h a n d. Cla w r u m bled. F a t dr ops of a cid spilled down in t o t h e la ir , h issin g. Bu t t h a t wa s a n em pt y t h r ea t , a u seless gest u r e. If on ce t h a t cor r odin g sla ver ca m e so close a s t o spla sh wit h dea t h -reek. Sh a dows skit t er ed a ll over t h e la ir a n d or gu ilt y t er r or ch a n ged ever y pa t ch of da r kn ess in t o t h e

n ow. An d m y pu n y a r r ows, t h e h on ed st eel t ips, near Tarran, I would loose my arrow. Cla w kn ew t h a t , a n d t h e kn owledge wa s like a n ir on sh a ckle on h im a s h e wa t ch ed Ta r r a n m a ke a pa in fu l wa y u p, on e blood-wet st ep a t a t im e, br a cin g on on e h a n d, dr a ggin g on e leg, sweat running on him as if he were a man in a rainstorm.

Wh en Ta r r a n pa ssed m e on t h e st a ir s I cou ldn 't wa t ch h im a n ym or e, on ly h ea r h im . A st ep a t a t im e, I wen t u p beh in d h im . I n ever t ook m y eyes off t h e dr a gon sku ll, a n d t h a t won der -dr essed r elic wa s like a lodestone locking my arrow's aim. Tarran got onto the ledge, the rounding ga ller y st r ewn wit h gor e a n d bon es a n d offa l. H e got in t o t h e sh a dow of t h e open in g. H is gr oa n in g sigh t old m e t h a t h e'd got a s fa r a s h e cou ld on his own.

Cla w kn ew it , t oo, a n d h e t u r n ed, h is lon g n eck sn a kin g t owa r d t h e gallery and the shadowed opening where Tarran lay.
Th e bea st wa s ju st st a r t in g t o la u gh wh en I loosed m y a r r ow, sen t it wh ist lin g low t h r ou gh t h e la ir . Moonlight win ked on t h e st eel h ea d. Th e treasure-dr essed sku ll, t h e r elic of h is beloved F la m e, sh a t t er ed like ice, shards flying everywhere.
Cla w scr ea m ed a s if h e wer e dyin g, a n d I ben t a n d lift ed Ta r r a n in m y arms. H e m a de n o sou n d bu t on e, a gr oa n in g like a m a n wa kin g fr om nightmares. Or maybe that was me.
We wer e n ot h u n t ed t h r ou gh t h e ca ver n s, bu t t h e sou n d of Cla w's gr ief, of Tarran's revenge, followed us all the way.
* * * * *
We ca m e ba ck t o Ra ven a t t h e en d of t h e su m m er . It wa s n o ea sy t h in g get t in g ou t of t h e ca ver n s, a n d on ce ou t I wou ldn 't lea ve Ta r r a n a lon e. I n u r sed h im ca r efu lly, a s if h e wer e m y kin . On ce h e sa id t h a t h e owed m e a fee, for we'd n ot t a ken t h e sm a llest t r in ket fr om Cla w's h oa r d. H e sa id h e'd m a ke it good if I wou ld wa it t ill we got t o Th or ba r din , for h e wa sn 't a poor m a n a m on g t h ose m ou n t a in folk. Bu t I t old h im t h a t I'd n ot be goin g to Thorbardin with him, though I admitted it would be a rare thing to see, the seven great cities under the mountain. I told him I'd tend him until he was well and able to make his way.
"Then I'm bound home, " I said. "Back to Raven. "
H e sm iled, t h a t lea n sm ile of h is, a n d sa id h e su pposed h e'd go wit h m e t o see h is old fr ien d Cyn a r a . La t er t h a t da y, h e a sked if I t h ou gh t t h e ferryman's daughter would know me when we met again.
"Why not?" I asked, surprised into laughing.
"You 'r e n ot t h e sa m e boy wh o wen t ou t fr om t h er e, Ryle. Ta ke a look a t yourself some time. "
I did, in a st ill pool on e m or n in g wh ile t h e m ist wa s st ill r isin g, a n d I looked a bou t t h e sa m e a s I a lwa ys did. A lit t le t h in n er in t h e fa ce m a ybe, but about the same.
St ill, Ta r r a n wa s r igh t a bou t m e n ot bein g t h e sa m e a s I u sed t o be. Wh en we ca m e t o t h e Wh it er u sh , it wa s Rea t h a wh o br ou gh t t h e fer r y across. Sh e gr eet ed Ta r r a n gr a vely, bu t sh e ligh t ed u p t o see m e. Quietly, sh e a sked if I wa s well. As qu iet ly, I t old h er t h a t I wa s. Sm ilin g, golden a t t h e en d of t h e da y, sh e kn ew t h e t r u t h wh en sh e sa w it , a n d sh e believed me.
We wer e m a r r ied in t h e r ose bower soon a ft er . Ta r r a n st ood by m e, a n d Cyn a r a st ood a t Rea t h a 's side. Th er e wa s n o jewel t o be h a d for dr essin g m y br ide, on ly a t h in gold ba n d for h er fin ger . An d t h er e wa s n ot a gh ost in sight to stand between us.
Honor Is All
Mickey Zucker Reichert
A sh eet of clou ds r eflect ed spr in g su n ligh t in t o a gla ze over t h e sa lt barrens. Th e h ooves of Mer ca n yin 's ba y geldin g sa n k deep in t o t h e sa n d wit h ea ch st ep, a n d t h e wh eels of t h e wa gon it dr ew seem ed t o ca t ch on ever y st r a gglin g weed. E a r lier , t h e ligh t weigh t bor r owed ca r t h a d r olled over t h r ee t im es, bu t sin ce t h e kn igh t h a d t r a n sfer r ed h is a r m or a n d su pplies t o t h e wa gon 's bed for ba lla st t h e goin g h a d pr oven ea sier . Still, Mer ca n yin cou ld n ot h elp bu t qu est ion h is decision t o lu g t h e dr a gon 's corpse back to the village the beast had terrorized, once he killed it.

Win d sla sh ed t h e u n pr ot ect ed pla in , wh ippin g Mer ca n yin 's over t u n ic and cape into a frenzied dance. The wind tore off his hood, spilling hair as coa r se a n d da r k a s t h e h or se's m a n e. H e squ in t ed, sh ieldin g h a zel eyes from the blowing sand with one hand, using the other to support his lance in it s r est . Th e win d h a m m er ed h is ea r s, m a kin g t h em a ch e, bu t t h e pa in only fueled his determination.

Ma n y of t h e villa ger s cla im ed t h e dr a gon h a d n ever h a r m ed m a n or wom a n , ju st st olen a few of t h e h er dsm en 's cows a n d sh eep. A m er ch a n t bla m ed t h e bea st for h is br ot h er -in-la w's cor pse fou n d floa t in g in t h e r iver , t h ou gh t h e old cooper a t t r ibu t ed t h e m a n 's dea t h t o dr own in g in a dr u n ken st u por . F ew sea m st r ess's m issin g t r a u m a t ized t o spea k of t h e in ciden t . Som e sa id t h e dr a gon wa s a s la r ge a s a dozen m en ; ot h er s cla im ed it s sh a dow blot t ed t h e en t ir e villa ge a n d a ll it s su r r ou n din g fields. Som e sa id it spou t ed fir e, a n d ot h er s t h a t it left icicles on su n -wa r m ed st on es. On e det a il n ever va r ied: ever y per son wh o h a d seen t h e m on st er descr ibed it a s wh it e a s cr ea m . An d Mer ca n yin knew all white dragons were evil.
Evil. Mer ca n yin h a d n eeded t o h ea r n ot h in g m or e t o sen d h im ch a r gin g r ecklessly t owa r d ba t t le. A yea r a go, wh en h is you n ger br ot h er a t t a in ed dou bt ed t h e dr a gon h a d m a de a m ea l of t h e
ch ild, t h ou gh t h e wom a n h er self wa s t oo the coveted rank of Lord Knight, honor and glory had become Mercanyin's obsession. No act of heroism seemed sufficiently grand, no number of good deeds en ou gh t o sa t isfy h is cr a vin g. On e wa y or a n ot h er , h e h a d pledged t o becom e t h e m ost fa m ou s, t h e br a vest kn igh t in a ll Sola m n ia 's h ist or y. H e wou ld scr u pu lou sly follow h is oa t h a n d m a ke h is h on or h is life. Word of t h e dr a gon h a d dr a wn h im t o t h e villa ge ju st a s t a les of a ssa ssin s, shapech a n ger s, a n d evil wiza r ds h a d dr iven h im t o so m a n y ot h er s. So m a n y t h a t h e h a d for got t en t h eir n a m es a n d t h e cou n t less disa st er s h e had resolved or averted.

F r om t h e villa ge, Mer ca n yin h a d seen t h e wit n esses cla im ed t h e dr a gon h a d it s la ir , bu t seemed to bring him no nearer to them. On the second and third days, the foot h ills h a d a ppea r ed closer , bu t decept ively so. Now, a s t h e fou r t h da y dr a gged in t o a ft er n oon , h is h or se fin a lly r ea ch ed t h e ba se of t h e first gr a ssy h illock. Th e geldin g lower ed it s h ea d t o gr a ze, a n d Mer ca n yin jer ked ba ck on t h e r ein s. Th e ba y sn a pped it s h ea d u p, ea r s a t t en t ive, t h ou gh it sn or t ed it s displea su r e. Soon en ou gh , it wou ld h a ve t im e t o r oa m a n d ea t in pea ce. F ir st , Mer ca n yin n eeded t o loca t e t h e dr a gon 's den, preferably before the beast found him.

Un h it ch in g t h e wa gon , Mer ca n yin r ode a r ou n d t h e ba se of t h e h illst u dded kn oll. It wa s sm a ller t h a n h e h a d a n t icipa t ed, a n isla n d in a va st pla in of sa n d, n ou r ish ed by a spr in g t h a t wou n d t owa r d t h e da r k bu lk of ocea n h over in g et er n a lly on t h e h or izon . A t r a veler , br a ver t h a n m ost , h a d followed t h e dr a gon 's r oa r t o it s la ir n ea r t h e cen t er , n est led a m id h illocks t h a t pr ot ect ed it on ever y side fr om view a n d fr om wea t h er . The m a n h a d even peer ed in t o t h e im pen et r a ble da r kn ess of fr on t a n d ba ck en t r a n ces, t h ou gh t h er e h is cou r a ge h a d fa iled. Mer ca n yin a ppr ecia t ed the scouting. Spying like a common highwayman was beneath his dignity. Br a ver deeds fell t o kn igh t s like h im , t h e h a n dlin g of per ils fr om wh ich lesser men cowered.

A bir d t r illed in a dist a n t t r ee, it s ca ll ech oin g fr om on e en d of t h e kn oll t o t h e ot h er . Th e h a ppy son g boded n o da n ger , su ggest in g t o Mer ca n yin t h a t t h e dr a gon h a d eit h er gon e ou t or la y r em ot ely t u cked in it s ca ve. The bir dson g br ou gh t ot h er m em or ies, on es h e h a d fier cely dr iven t o t h e fa r t h est cor n er of h is t h ou gh t s a n d t r ied t o sm ot h er ben ea t h da n ger ou s m ission s in t h e n a m es of vir t u e, ch a r it y, a n d kin dn ess. Th e fa ce of h is wife, Da m eer n ya , a ppea r ed in h is m in d's eye: h er sa n dy h a ir a lwa ys t ou sled; t h e t oo-t h in body; t h e la r ge br own eyes fu ll of love for a ll wea k a n d h elpless cr ea t u r es. Th ou gh sh e wa s fa r fr om bea u t ifu l, h er dedica t ion t o a n im a ls sick or in ju r ed h a d m a de h im believe sh e cou ld u n der st a n d h is own u n wa ver in g dedica t ion t o t h e or der of kn igh t s a n d t o t h e oa t h : My honor is my life. But it had all been a lie.

Mer ca n yin gr im a ced, in t en t ion a lly blu r r in g Da m eer n ya 's fa ce ben ea t h ea st er n foot h ills wh er e h is fir st da y's r ide h a d t h e im a ge of ever y wom a n h e h a d ever seen or m et . H e ch a sed t h e m em or y ba ck t o it s cor n er , bu t h er la st wor ds t o h im st ill h a u n t ed. Da m eer n ya 's gen t le voice vivid: "If you r h on or is t r u ly you r life, Mercanyin, then that's all you'll ever have. "

All you 'll ever h a ve. Mer ca n yin dism ou n t ed, r em ovin g br idle, sa ddle, a n d la n ce m et h odica lly a n d pla cin g t h em on t h e wa gon . Th a t 's a ll I ever wanted. He tried to convince himself this thought was truth, but time had wh it t led t h e lie u n t il it h a d becom e sim pler t o a void t h in kin g a bou t it than to face brutal reality. Since that summer day nearly a year ago when h is dr ivin g pa ssion for h on or h a d sen t h im pa ckin g h is wea pon s a n d a r m or , lea vin g h is wife a n d h om e wit h ou t a ba ckwa r d gla n ce, h e h a d su ffer ed fr om a differ en t n eed t h a t seem ed equ a lly u n qu en ch a ble. Mer ca n yin cou ld n ot iden t ify t h e n eed. H e kn ew on ly t h a t it sen t h im r oa m in g a n d figh t in g lon g a ft er h is ch ildish qu est for per fect ion h a d fa ded, lookin g a lwa ys over t h e n ext m ou n t a in , t h e dist r a ct ion of va r iou s com ba t s seem in g gods-sen t t h ou gh t h ey n ever sa t ed t h e h u n ger for wh a t he sought but could not name.

Th e h or se lower ed it s h ea d t o ea t , a n d Mer ca n yin for ced h is t h ou gh t s ba ck t o t h e pr esen t . Th e a n im a l wou ld n ot st r a y wit h food a n d wa t er so n ea r a n d n ot h in g bu t sa lt pla in s beyon d. H e focu sed on t h e dr a gon , gla d t o pla ce a ll ot h er t h ou gh t ba ck in t o t h e lim bo wh er e it cou ld n ot ju dge him. H e h a d a job t o do, in n ocen t s t o pr ot ect fr om evil, a n h on or t o follow wit h a devot ion few cou ld u n der st a n d. Th ose m en con t en t t o t oil a t t h eir pet t y jobs fr om da y t o da y, wh ile ot h er s fou gh t t h eir ba t t les, cou ld n ever kn ow t h e h a llowed dedica t ion t h a t led t h e Kn igh t s of Sola m n ia t o follow t h e ca u ses of r igh t a n d goodn ess t o som e wou ld sa y t h e ext r em e. Few h a d t h e cou r a ge t o fin d su ch dedica t ion in side t h em selves. An d, like m ost t h in gs u n com pr eh en ded, t h e kn igh t s wou ld a lwa ys be wor sh iped, fea r ed, a n d r eviled. So Mer ca n yin believed, yet t h e fa m ilia r pla t it u des r a n g hollow.

F or t h e kn igh t s, h e h a d given u p h is on e t r u e love. H e h a d a ba n don ed h is h om e a n d t h e a n im a ls Da m eer n ya n u r t u r ed, givin g t h em a ll t h e love she wou ld h a ve la vish ed on h er ch ildr en h a d sh e bor n e a n y. H om e life a n d fa m ily h a d st olen t oo m u ch of Mer ca n yin 's a t t en t ion , wea ken in g h is honor. Therefore, he had had no choice but to discard them.

Wa lkin g t o t h e wa gon , Mer ca n yin sor t ed spea r , a n d h is swor d belt . H is ou t t h e pa ck con t a in ing
h ea r t qu icken ed wit h a a r m or , h is
com bin a t ion combat. H e fa m ilia r a r m or of a lea t h er fit t in g in t o t h e best posit ion for swift don n in g. Qu ickly, h e doffed overtunic and cape, hefting breastplate over mail and padding. Each piece fou n d it s pr oper posit ion in pr a ct iced m ovem en t s, a n d h e pla ced t h e of excit em en t a n d fea r , a s it a lwa ys did befor e a wor t h y u n la ced t h e pa ck, peelin g ba ck t h e lea t h er t o r evea l t h e

Kn igh t of t h e Cr own . H e la id ou t ea ch st eel a n d ga u n t let s la st , flexin g h is fin ger s t o r est or e cir cu la t ion . Spea r a n d sh ield in h a n d, swor d r ea died a t h is belt , h e h ea ded t owa r d t h e cen t er of t h e knoll. H e wou ld fa ce t h e dr a gon boldly, gla d t o die for t h e h on or h e embraced.

A few st r ides ca r r ied h im t o a va st open in g in t h e side of a h illock, ga pin g bla ck a ga in st spr in g gr een er y, t h e fr on t en t r a n ce pr ecisely wh er e t h e scou t in g t r a veler h a d sa id. Vin es dipped a cr oss t h e open in g, a n d fr on ds veiled it fr om t h e gr ou n d, bu t t h ese wer e sca n t cover for t h e m a ssive ca vit y, even disca r din g t h e t ellt a le, t r a m pled lin e of ea r t h a n d sh a t t er ed st em s wh er e t h e dr a gon m u st h a ve t ou ch ed down m or e t h a n once. F oot pr in t s in t h e dir t st r et ch ed a s lon g a s Mer ca n yin 's body, t opped wit h cla ws t h e len gt h of h is for ea r m . H is m in d con ju r ed a n im a ge of t h e cr ea t u r e in it s en t ir et y, a n d t h e per cept ion of size m om en t a r ily fr oze h im in pla ce. H e felt a cold wa sh of swea t ben ea t h h is a r m or a n d t old h im self it ca m e of a n t icipa t ion , n ot fea r . Th e m or e t r em en dou s t h e evil h e destroyed, the larger the gain for the forces of good.

Dr a win g h im self t o h is fu ll h eigh t , Mer ca n yin sh ou t ed a t t h e open in g. "Dr a gon !" H is voice ech oed t h r ou gh t h e con fin es. H e r a ised h is sh ield a n d tensed, preparing to deflect or dodge the icy breath weapon.

Som et h in g swish ed a n d t h u m ped in side t h e ca ve. Th en silen ce returned.
Mercanyin cleared his throat. "Dragon!"
Mor e m ovem en t followed fr om wit h in , bu t n o r oa r or wild scr a m ble t o indicate a coming attack.
"Dragon!"
This time, an answer emerged, the voice rock-steady but no louder than his own and also speaking the common tongue of mankind. "Go away!"
"E vil On e, com e for t h a n d m eet you r dest in y!" Mer ca n yin st ood pr ou d, honor a savage heat in his chest.
"My dest in y is h er e, " t h e bea st r eplied, it s voice t ir ed. "Go a wa y. I will not fight. "
Mer ca n yin squ in t ed, t r yin g t o ca t ch a glim pse of t h e dr a gon in t h e darkness. Th ou gh h e h a d n ever seen a dr a gon befor e, legen d ca lled t h e wh it e on es h a u gh t y a n d solit a r y. H is vision ca r ved for m fr om sh a dow. A giga n t ic, pa le cr ea t u r e h over ed well ba ck fr om t h e m ou t h of t h e ca ve. Th ou gh blu r r y, t h e dr a gon 's sh a pe a n d size wer e u n m ist a ka ble. If anything, it seemed larger than he expected.
"You r evil r eign h a s en ded, " Mer ca n yin r oa r ed. "Come ou t a n d figh t , or die a cowering craven. "
"I've don e you n o h a r m , n or a n y ot h er , bu t I will kill in defen se. Go a wa y n ow, a n d n o on e will get h u r t . " Appa r en t ly, t h e dr a gon believed t h e con ver sa t ion fin ish ed. It s wh it en ess sh ift ed. It s h or n ed h ea d swu n g a bou t amid a rattle of scales, and the tail lashed a semicircle through the gloom, it s t ip n ea r ly clea r in g t h e ca ve m ou t h . It lu m ber ed in t o t h e dept h s, soon lost to Mercanyin's sight.
Mer ca n yin lower ed sh ield a n d spea r , en r a ged by t h e dr a gon 's r efu sa l. H e felt ch ea pen ed, a s if t h e dr a gon did n ot fin d h is pit ifu l goodn ess t hreat en ou gh t o a t t a ck. Th e u n cer t a in t y t h a t h a d a lr ea dy begu n t o cr a ck Mercanyin's faith now fueled his anger. He was seized by the sudden urge to charge into the cave, but common sense intervened.
Ru sh in g t h e cr ea t u r e blin dly in it s own da r k la ir wa s cer t a in dea t h . He h a d lit t le ch oice bu t t o dr a w it ou t . Th e t r a veler h a d r epor t ed a h idden ba ck en t r a n ce t o t h e dr a gon 's la ir . It seem ed likely t h e dr a gon wou ld h ide it s h oa r ded t r ea su r es t h er e. Mer ca n yin h a d lit t le in t er est in ba u bles, bu t r ecla im in g som e of it s wea lt h m igh t goa d t h e loa t h som e bea st in t o daylight and a battle.
Sever a l h ou r s of sea r ch in g, t r a m pin g a bou t in a r m or t h a t seem ed t o gr ow h ea vier by t h e in st a n t , on ly fu eled Mer ca n yin 's t em per . By t h e t im e h e fou n d t h e n a t u r a l slot t h a t ser ved a s t h e dr a gon 's ba ck door , h e h a d fa llen oft en en ou gh t o per m a n en t ly scr a t ch h is a r m or a n d st a m p br u ises on ever y lim b. St a le swea t m a de h is skin it ch ben ea t h t h e m et a l, a n d t h e white dragon seemed more evil for its reluctance.
Qu iet ly, ca u t iou sly, Mer ca n yin slipped in side, pr epa r ed for a t r a p. The wh it e dr a gon h a d pla yed h is va n qu ish ed wa r r ior s befor e. em ot ion s P er h a ps trophies dr a gon 's t h em selves seekin g a secon d pa ssa ge t h a t sm elled of da m p, m ovin g deliber a t ely t o keep fr om cla n gin g a r m or a ga in st st on e, gla d h e kept it s pa r t s well oiled so t h ey did n ot clin k or cr ea k. Th e sh a pe of t h e ca ve wou ld fu n n el t h e sligh t est sou n d in t o echoes, and he worried even for the soft rhythm of his breathing.
Th e ca ve widen ed. Mer ca n yin slipped a r ou n d a cor n er a n d su dden ly fou n d h im self in a n a t u r a lly r ou n ded ca ver n lin ed wit h st icks, fu r , scr a ps of clot h , a n d wh it e sca les pu lver ized in t o a su pple n est . H is eyes a dju st ed t o t h e da r kn ess qu ickly, a n d h is ga ze flowed n a t u r a lly t o t h e br igh t est spot in the lair. A creature white as a hen's egg and large as a man curled in t h e cen t er . H e a ppr oa ch ed wit h silen t a n t icipa t ion , gu a r din g ea ch st ep t o keep fr om cr u sh in g som et h in g t h a t m igh t sh ift or cr a ck ben ea t h h is foot. H e kept t h e spea r clen ch ed in on e h a n d, t h e sh ield st r a pped t o t h e other wrist.
Ir on ica lly, it wa s Mer ca n yin 's ca u t ion t h a t bet r a yed h im . Th e m or e deliber a t e ea ch st ep, t h e m or e debr is seem ed t o a ppea r ben ea t h h is feet a n d t h e m or e solidly h e sh ift ed h is weigh t on t o it . Sh ed sca les, a s blea ch ed a s old bon e, cr u sh ed t o powder
inadver t en t ly st om ped on a br a n ch , a n d it
ben ea t h h is boot s. Th en h e pivot ed, sen din g a wa ve of t oo well n ot t o h a ve m et a n d it kept a n en t ir e collect ion of sh ields or skelet on s won fr om kn igh t s wh o eit h er believed t h e
fooler y, ch a r ged it in a h eedless fit of r a ge, or en t r a n ce. H e t h r ea ded t h r ou gh exh a u st ed t h e wide rattles and snaps through the rubble. He froze.
A squ a wk sou n ded fr om deeper in t h e ca ve, followed by t h e lea t h er y wh isk a n d scr a pe of win gbea t s. Mer ca n yin sca r cely m a n a ged t o cou ch h is spear and raise his shield before the white dragon charged him. The beast wh isked over t h e sleepin g a n im a l, h ea d cocked ba ck, cla ws spla yed. Its blu e eyes flicker ed r ed in a bea m of su n ligh t win din g t h r ou gh a cr a ck in t h e wa ll. It s t on gu e st r ea m ed ou t , a n d it h u ffed ou t a bla st of br ea t h t h a t swirled, cloudlike, through the intermittent light.

Mer ca n yin dodged, boot ca t ch in g on t h e br a n ch . H e st u m bled, figh t in g for ba la n ce h e on ly h a lf ca u gh t . H e t wist ed a s h e fell, dislodgin g t h e spea r . H e t en sed for t h e cold a gon y of t h e br ea t h wea pon , bu t t h e sen sa t ion h e expect ed n ever ca m e. It s effect wen t beyon d cold, fr eezin g ever y m u scle in t o a t igh t spa sm h e fou gh t t o u n lock. H is sh ield skit t er ed across stone.

Th e dr a gon 's fr en zied ch a r ge left it n o ch a n ce for a su dden stop. Mom en t u m sla m m ed t h e dr a gon in t o t h e fa llen kn igh t , bowlin g h im over . Th e bea st clu n g, m a ssive cla ws r a kin g Mer ca n yin 's a r m or in a sa va ge ch a os of offen se. On e cla w t or e a ga u n t let fr om h is h a n d a n d t h e ot h er gashed his cheek, the helmet all that saved his ear.

P a in m obilized Mer ca n yin , a n d h e m a n a ged t o t ea r fr ee of t h e br ea t h wea pon t h a t h a d pa r a lyzed h im beyon d win t er cold. H e fla iled for h is swor d, t h e effor t m or e desper a t ion t h a n in t en t . H is h a n d closed on t h e h ilt , t h e t u g t h a t fr eed it open in g h is defen ses. Th e dr a gon la t ch ed it s ja ws on t o h is left sh ou lder , t eet h in den t in g a r m or , t h e pr essu r e of it s bit e r a w a gon y. Mer ca n yin swu n g in a pa in -m a d fu r y. Th e swor d bla de crashed harmlessly against scales.

Th e pa in in Mer ca n yin 's sh ou lder beca m e a n gu ish h e cou ld n o lon ger bear. H e r eeled a n d lu r ch ed, pa n ic t h r ea t en in g t o u su r p t r a in in g. H e clu n g t o h is h on or , fillin g h is m in d wit h n eed. Good a ga in st evil. Righ t against wrong.

H is h on or r ose t o t h e ch a llen ge, len din g t h e secon d win d h e sou gh t . He lu n ged for t h e spea r , a n d h is fin ger s t h r a sh ed a ga in st wood. H e ca u gh t t h e sh a ft in h is u n pr ot ect ed h a n d, t h e in t en sit y of h is gr ip dr ivin g splin t er s in t o h is pa lm . Th e dr a gon 's foot ca u gh t h im a blow t h a t den t ed h is h elm et a n d sh ocked pa in t h r ou gh h is h ea d. Blinded by a fla sh of ligh t that threatened to steal consciousness, he thrust for the beast's eye. Metal ja r r ed t h r ou gh flesh . Th e dr a gon scr ea m ed, a n d t h e sm a ller cr ea t u r e beh in d it h owled a n ech o. Mer ca n yin t wist ed. Th e spea r sh ift ed off bon e, glidin g deeper in t o wh a t h e cou ld n ow see wa s t h e dr a gon 's br ea st . Warm blood splattered Mercanyin, and he hoped it was not his own.

Th e bea st r ea r ed wit h a cr y m or e pa in ed t h a n a n ger ed. It s t eet h fell a wa y, a n d it flopped t o t h e floor . It s lim bs st iffen ed, t a il la sh in g a r a pid bu t u n dir ect ed ca den ce. Th en it s blu e eyes, soft en ed by t h e gla ze of h over in g dea t h , r olled t o Mer ca n yin . "Do you gr a n t you r vict im s a la st request?" it rasped, blood foaming from its mouth with every word.

St u n n ed by t h e a ppea l, Mer ca n yin ga ve n o a n swer , ju st fou gh t t o ca t ch his own breath.
Th e dr a gon closed it s eyes, fin ish in g wit h ou t a wa it in g a r eply. "Please. Ta ke ca r e of m y son . H e's n ot wh a t h e seem s. " Gr ea t lu n gs h ea vin g, it st r u ggled t o open on e eye a cr a ck. "An d n eit h er a m I. " Th e effor t proved t oo m u ch . Th e eye sn a pped closed, a n d blood wa sh ed fr om it s ja ws, coloring nose and teeth scarlet. All breathing ceased.
Mer ca n yin felt h is own con sciou sn ess wa ver in g. A swir l of pin poin t ligh t s u n focu sed h is vision , a n d a r oa r filled h is h ea d, gr owin g lou der . He da r ed n ot m ove, gr ippin g t h e r ock floor wit h fin ger s t h a t felt t h ick a n d detached. Gr a du a lly, sigh t r et u r n ed. Th e sou n d in h is h ea d dim in ish ed, t h en disa ppea r ed, lea vin g a silen ce in t er r u pt ed on ly by r egu la r gr u n t s from deeper in the cave.
F or n ow, Mer ca n yin ign or ed t h em , n ot wish in g t o fa ce a n ot h er dr a gon , n o m a t t er it s size, so soon . H e st u died h is dea d en em y. Th e m a ssive body spr a wled on t h e st on e floor , st ill a n d h a r m less in t h e gloom . Old wou n ds m a r r ed it s h ide, som e u n n a t u r a lly st r a igh t , obviou sly ca r ved by swor d or a xe in com ba t . Ot h er s left t h e t ellt a le, pa r a llel ga sh es of cla ws or t h e r a ggedly edged ova ls t h a t in dica t ed bit es. On e flesh y h ea d h or n en ded in a tattered stump. Scars crisscrossed its snout.
Despite his hatred, Mercanyin knew a moment of pity for a creature his h on or t old h im sh ou ld n ever h a ve exist ed for it s evil. Despit e it s su r ely feign ed r elu ct a n ce, it h a d lon g kn own h ow t o figh t . H e won der ed if a ll dr a gon s bor e t h e m a r ks of m a n y com ba t s. It seem ed u n likely. On ly t h e bra vest of m en wou ld con sider fa cin g su ch a cr ea t u r e, a n d su r ely a ll bu t t h e m ost foolish pr eda t or wou ld seek a less spir it ed m ea l. Mercanyin won der ed wh y t h is pa r t icu la r dr a gon seem ed t h e vict im of so m u ch violence. It s in h er en t evil did n ot seem en ou gh for a n y bu t a dedica t ed kn igh t ; it h a d a ct ed disin clin ed t o do ba t t le wit h h im . A cr ea t u r e wh ich spen t m u ch of it s life ca u sin g st r ife wou ld su r ely h a ve seen a kn igh t a s a ch a llen ge, n ot a n in t r u der t o be ign or ed u n t il h e br ea ch ed t h e la ir a n d placed family in danger.
Th e en d of t h e spea r pr ot r u ded fr om ben ea t h t h e dr a gon . Mercanyin seized it , br a ced h im self, a n d pu lled. Br oken , t h e wea pon jolt ed fr ee easier than he expected and sent him staggering backward. He caught his ba la n ce, ver t igo bu ffet in g h im a t t h e su dden m ovem en t . H e h eld a bloodsmeared, shattered shaft in his hands.
Mer ca n yin t ossed t h e u seless st ick a side. It t h u n ked h ollowly a ga in st t h e ca ve wa ll, t h en r olled a cr oss t h e piled debr is wit h a wooden cla t t er . Th e dr a gon 's la st wor ds ech oed t h r ou gh h is h ea d. All t h e legen ds a n d a ll h is st u dy t old h im t h a t wh it e dr a gon s h a d n o h on or a t a ll. F r om wh er e, t h en , ca m e t h e loya lt y t o it s ch ild t h a t h a d m a de it figh t wh en it wou ld r a t h er h ide a n d goa ded it t o beg a n en em y t o r a ise it s you n g? Th e n eed t o question bot h er ed Mer ca n yin m or e t h a n t h e cir cu m st a n ces. E a ch of t h e evil cr ea t u r es h e h a d en cou n t er ed wou ld flin g it s own m ot h er on t h e knight's sword if it might gain its own escape.
Mer ca n yin h ea ded ba ck t owa r d t h e n est a n d t h e sm a ll wh it e cr ea t u r e t h a t m u st be t h e dr a gon 's son . H e did n ot feel bou n d by a pr om ise t o evil. H on or dr ove h im t o ch oose t h e m or a l pa t h a n d t o da m n a ll con sequ en ce. Yet, the dragon's desperation seemed to echo through his heart; the words r em a in ed lodged in h is m in d. "Ta ke ca r e of m y son . " H e owed a n en em y nothing, yet he would examine this baby.
Th e h a t ch lin g h u ddled in t h e m iddle of t h e pa ssa gewa y. It r esem bled it s pa r en t closely in sh a pe a n d color , a lt h ou gh it s im m a t u r it y wa s obvious. It la cked t h e a du lt 's a n gu la r it y, a ll edges r ou n ded a n d pu dgy. Th ou gh soft er -fea t u r ed t h a n it s elder , t h er e wa s n ot h in g a t t r a ct ive a bou t t h e cr ea t u r e. It s lon g, h a ir less n eck st r et ch ed fr om a body pla t ed wit h wh it e sca les. It s bea k spla yed open , for ked t on gu e pr ot r u din g. St u bby win gs bea t ba ckwa r d a t t h e sigh t of Mer ca n yin , a n d it open ed it s m ou t h wider , lookin g like som e a n cien t , r ept ilia n bir d. F r om h is yea r s wit h Da m eer n ya a n d h er a n im a ls, Mer ca n yin su spect ed it s m ot iva t ion s wer e similar. Too young to yet know friend from foe, it wanted to be fed.
Unsh ea t h in g h is swor d, Mer ca n yin st epped u p beside t h e h a t ch lin g. Its a ct ion s beca m e m or e wild a s h e a ppr oa ch ed. It s blea t s blen ded in t o a fr en zy, a n d it s m ou t h seem ed t o u n h in ge wit h a n t icipa t ion . H u ge blu e eyes r ivet ed on Mer ca n yin , fu ll of a n in t elligen ce t h a t seem ed beyon d it s a ge, t h ou gh n ot beyon d it s br eed. Human eyes. Mer ca n yin fr eed h is m in d of t h e com pa r ison . H e fa ced a cr ea t u r e of u lt im a t e evil. Th ou gh it wa s sm a ll n ow, h e cou ld n ot let it r ea ch t h e size of it s pa r en t . Mercanyin raised his sword for the kill.
Th e h a t ch lin g's eyes followed t h e m ovem en t , bu t it did n ot cower or cringe. Clea r ly, it h a d n o con cept of dea t h or da n ger , a ll-t r u st in g like a human infant.
Sin ce lon ger t h a n a deca de a go, wh en Mer ca n yin h a d in t er n a lized t h e kn igh t 's oa t h in a fla sh of wh a t h a d seem ed P a la din e-in spir ed in sigh t , h e h a d n ever qu est ion ed. Now, a m illion u n cer t a in t ies bom ba r ded h im a t on ce. Th e feelin g of som et h in g a m iss t h a t h a d h ou n ded h im sin ce lea vin g Da m eer n ya n ow ign it ed in t o a sa va ge bon fir e t h a t fin a lly a llowed h im t o r ecogn ize dou bt . Doubt. It con su m ed h im , spr ea din g fr om lim b t o m in d t o h ea r t in a n in st a n t . Dou bt a ssa iled h im in t h e for m of a t r a il of clu es h e cou ld n ot follow a s well a s a n in n er skept icism h e da r ed n ot con t em pla t e. Too m a n y det a ils of t h is dr a gon a n d it s offspr in g did n ot fit in t o h is n ea t a n d n a r r ow view of a r ea lit y ba sed on a sin gle sen t en ce a n d t h e t h r ee h u n dr ed volu m es t h a t defin ed it : My h on or is m y life. Mer ca n yin focu sed on t h e ph r a se, t r yin g t o u se it t o fu el a n ow-t r it e a ct ion t h a t sh ou ld n ot h a ve r equ ir ed t h ou gh t . Bu t , in st ea d of descen din g, t h e swor d r em a in ed frozen in place. Slowly, Mercanyin lowered blade and arm.
Com m on sen se t old Mer ca n yin t h a t t h is cr ea t u r e wa s evil. P eople, n ot m a gica l cr ea t u r es, wer e bor n in n ocen t , sin less, wit h ou t ben t t owa r d a n y for m of beh a vior . Legen ds fr om sou r ces h e wou ld n ever dou bt t old t h a t ever y ch r om a t ic dr a gon wa s evil a n d ever y m et a llic good. Br eedin g, n ot en vir on m en t , det er m in ed h a t ch lin g's eyes bespoke ultimately needy.
Mer ca n yin sh ea t h ed h is needed to consider his actions. Always, his honor rose to steer him toward t h e m or a l cou r se, qu ellin g a n y m isgivin gs wit h a n u n derstanding of right. Now, for t h e fir st t im e, h on or fa iled h im . H e felt u t t er ly a lon e a n d a s desper a t ely n eedy a s t h e h a t ch lin g. Th e h ole in side h im gr ew t o a va st a n d lon ely desola t ion . Th e a n swer fin a lly ca m e; it h a d elu ded h im befor e beca u se h is m in d wou ld n ot a ccept it . Th e t h in g t h a t h a d m a de h im in com plet e, t h e n a m eless som et h in g h e ch a sed wa s t h e ver y t h in g h e h a d t r ied t o esca pe: Dameernya. H is obsession for glor y cou ld n ot , by it self, carry him any longer. Certainly, there was room in his life for love.
Mer ca n yin sa n k t o t h e gr ou n d, sit t in g, lost in t h ou gh t . Th e dr a gon 's h u n gr y gr u n t s beca m e dist a n t ba ckgr ou n d t o t h ou gh t s h e h a d den ied t oo lon g, h idden beh in d a code h e h a d ch osen n ever t o qu est ion . F or a ll it s evil, t h e dr a gon sh owed m or e h on or t h a n I. E ven n ea r dea t h , it s loya lt y wa s t o it s blood fir st , wh ile I a ba n don ed m y love. Gu ilt swa m down on Mer ca n yin , a n d t h e in t r ospect ion open ed h im t o ot h er det a ils. Many pa r t icu la r s a bou t t h e dr a gon st ill did n ot fit . F ir st , it wa s la r ger t h a n h is studies suggested it should be, nearly ten times rather than five times his height. Un t il n ow, h e h a d pa ssed t h is off a s t h e exa gger a t ed per cept ion of an enemy, the same that made villagers describe a biting puppy as a wolf. Bu t h e did n ot u su a lly fa ll pr ey t o t h e delu sion s t h a t ga ve cr eden ce t o t h e puny accomplishments of small-minded men. The dragon was oversized.
Secon d, t h e dr a gon 's r elu ct a n ce t o figh t seem ed ou t -of-place. Clearly, n eit h er fea r n or la ck of a bilit y a ccou n t ed for t h is. Mer ca n yin wou ld n ot delu de h im self. As in m ost ba t t les a ga in st com pet en t en em ies, lu ck h a d pla yed a s la r ge a h a n d a s skill. H e, n ot t h e dr a gon , cou ld a s ea sily lie dead on the cave floor.
Th e la st in con gr u it y pla ced t h e pict u r e in t o fu ll per spect ive. Th e br ea t h wea pon t h a t h a d ba r ely ca u gh t h im a n d t em por a r ily pa r a lyzed h im wa s t h e piece t h a t ja r r ed t h e m ost . At t h e t im e, h e h a d expect ed a wh it e dr a gon 's icy br ea t h , a n d h is m in d h a d clu n g t o t h e im a ge of fr eezin g h is m u scles in pla ce. Now, h e cou ld r eca ll n o sen sa t ion of coldn ess in the a t t a ck, a n d t h e exh a la t ion h a d been m or e ga seou s t h a n con ica l a n d t h e n a t u r e of su ch cr ea t u r es. Yet , t h e a differ en t st or y: gu ileless, t r u st in g, a n d

swor d. It seem ed like for ever sin ce h e h a d blasting. Th e a n swer ca m e swift ly: On ly silver dr a gon s h a ve a ga s weapon that paralyzes.

H or r or clu t ch ed Mer ca n yin 's ch est , a n d h is h ea r t seem ed t o st op bea t in g, lea vin g h im ga spin g for life a n d a ir . He leapt to his feet, heedless of t h e dizzin ess t h a t wa sh ed down on h im . H is h a n ds a n d feet wen t icy a s h is blood flowed t o vit a l or ga n s. H e r u sh ed t o t h e a du lt dr a gon , dr a win g his knife as he ran.

It seem ed like a n et er n it y befor e h e m a n a ged t o pr y a sca le fr ee wit h t h e kn ife, r evea lin g a pa t ch of skin a s pin k a s a piglet 's. H e ch a r ged ou t side a m id t h e yelpin g ch or u s of t h e ba by dr a gon , h oldin g t h e sca le u p t o t h e even in g ligh t . It wa s wh it e, pu r e wh it e, wit h ou t even a h in t of metallic sheen.

The relief that flooded Mercanyin barely budged the grim certainty that h e h a d m u r der ed a cr ea t u r e of u lt im a t e goodn ess, a dr a gon h e sh ou ld h a ve sa cr ificed h is own life t o pr ot ect . H is m in d fla sh ed a ga in t o t h e im a ge of a piglet . Not a ll pigs wer e pin k, on ly t h ose t h a t wou ld becom e wh it e a s a du lt s. On ly t h ose t h a t wer e a lbin o. Ligh t sh een ed soft ly fr om t h e sca le, t h ou gh it seem ed blin din g in t h e Da m eer n ya h a d n u r sed m or e t h a n on e r ed-eyed sa m e u n br ea ch a ble wh it e a s bot h of t h e dr a gon s h e h a d fa ced t h is da y. Albin o r oden t s h a d pin k eyes. Ot h er s, like t h e pigs, t h e h or se, a n d t h e human child he had seen, had blue eyes. Blue like the dragon's.

Rem or se followed r ea liza t ion in a wild r u sh t h a t n ea r ly over t u r n ed reason. I killed on e of t h e m ost power fu l ser va n t s of goodn ess. A wor se thought usurped the first. I nearly murdered a baby silver dragon as well. Tea r s of fr u st r a t ion bu r n ed h is eyes, a n d gu ilt h a m m er ed m er cilessly a t h is con scien ce. H e did n ot r a t ion a lize or t r y t o ju st ify wh a t h e h a d don e. Ot h er s wou ld h a ve fa llen a s ea sily t o con clu sion s, bu t h e wa s n ot ot h er s. Th e t a t t er s of h is h on or t old h im t o m a ke a m en ds, a n d h e delved t h e means from his core.

I h a ve t o t en d t h is ba by. I h a ve t o r a ise it . Da m eer n ya will kn ow h ow. Mer ca n yin kn ew h is wife h a d n ever befor e seen a dr a gon , bu t ca r in g for animals of every kind came naturally to her.

"My h on or is m y life, " Mer ca n yin wh isper ed, yet t h e wor ds seem ed t o h a ve lost a ll t h eir a bilit y t o ch a r ge h im . Th e loss fr igh t en ed h im , a n d h e felt wh olly a lon e for t h e fir st t im e sin ce h is t r a in in g a s a kn igh t . There wa s m or e t o h is life t h a n bein g a Kn igh t of Sola m n ia . Th er e wa s Da m eer n ya , if sh e h a d t h e gr a ce t o t a ke ba ck a h u sba n d so u n deser vin g, a n d, n ow, t h e a lbin o silver h a t ch lin g. H e won der ed if h e cou ld r econ cile t h a t t o h is h on or , won der ed even if h e sh ou ld. Too m a n y, in clu din g t h ose who followed the way of right most staunchly, lived by appearances alone.

The dying silver dragon had charged him with a responsibility he dared n ot t r u st t o a n ot h er . Th er e wer e t h ose wh o wou ld u se it s pr esen ce in h is wa ke of r ea liza t ion . r a bbit t o h ea lt h , t h e h ou se t o defile t h e kn igh t s, wh o wou ld see h is a ssocia t ion wit h a "wh it e" dr a gon a s pr oof t h a t t h e Kn igh t s of Sola m n ia lea gu ed wit h evil a n d sh ou ld be loa t h ed a n d r eject ed, even killed. Th er e wou ld be t h ose a m on g t h e kn igh t s t h em selves wh o wou ld n ot believe or even st a y t o list en t o h is explanation. Su r ely, t h e dr a gon h a d su ffer ed t h e sa m e fa t e, despised by evil for its goodness and by those of good for appearances only.

Mer ca n yin h ea ded ba ck in side, h is m in d a lr ea dy ch u r n in g over t h e m a n y possible wa ys t o t r a n spor t t h e ba by dr a gon t o t h e wa gon h e h a d br ou gh t for it s pa r en t 's cor pse. Now, for t h e fir st t im e sin ce h is obsession wit h h on or a n d fa m e h a d m a de a fool of h im , t h e idea of displa yin g h is prize and prowess made him blush, his glory becoming a shame as well as a r egr et . H e h a d ch osen a difficu lt cou r se, yet on e t h a t wa s ba r ely su fficien t for a t on em en t . In t h e en d, h e h oped, it wou ld r edefin e r a t h er than destroy his honor.
Mer ca n yin r em oved ga u n t let a n d h elm et , t h en h ea ded ba ck in t o t h e dragon's cave.
Easy Pickings Douglas Niles
"Ca u gh t 'em wit ' t h e r iver beh in d 'em m or e bet t er for killin ', "
Chaltiford growled, excitement pounding within his barrel-sized chest. "St u pid pla ce t o r ide, " a gr eed Delm a r kia m Sla sh m a st er , Ch a lt ifor d's
tribal chief.
Th e t wo ogr es st ood on a gr a ssy em ba n km en t over lookin g a r iver
valley. A file of a r m or ed r ider s Kn igh t s of Sola m n ia patrolled t h e n ea r
ba n k, m ovin g st ea dily down st r ea m . Wit h t h e va st a r m y of H u m a a n d h is
dr a gon s r u m or ed t o be fa r t o t h e n or t h , t h is det a ch m en t bet t er t h a n
three score knights certainly faced terrible danger.
Th ou gh a ll t h e wa r ch iefs h a d a dva n ced t o t h e lip of t h e pr om on t or y, a s
yet t h ey h a d n ot been obser ved. Ch a lt ifor d's kin sm en , six dozen st r on g,
h u n ker ed down ou t of sigh t , a s did t h e ot h er n u m er ou s com pa n ies of t h e
h u lkin g, br u t ish h u m a n oids. As t h e ch ieft a in of a sm a ll t r ibe,
Delmarkiam commanded a band of his village mates and cousins. "They'll git too far away, " Chaltiford warned. In deed, Ch a lt ifor d's com pa n y n eeded t o st r ike fa st
riders would soon slip out of range.
"Ch a r ge!" bellowed Delm a r kia m , n ever on e for
conferences.
Twenty ch iefs sh a r ed a ppr oxim a t ely t h e sa m e t h ou gh t pr ocess, a n d a
lon g, r ipplin g bellow r u m bled fr om t h e h eigh t s a lon gside t h e r iver . Now
t h e kn igh t s looked u p, im m edia t ely wh eelin g t h eir h ea vy ch a r ger s t owa r d
t h e t h r ea t . Ch a lt ifor d im a gin ed t h eir fea r a s a t h ou sa n d ogr es pou n ded else t h e h u m a n
lon g com m a n d toward them, and the thought pierced him with a chill of pleasure.
Th e dozen cla n s of ogr es, a ll u n it ed u n der t h e ba n n er of t h e Da r k Qu een , pr essed for wa r d. F or br ief m in u t es the t im e it t ook t o ch a r ge a half mile Chalt relished one of the most glorious episodes in his long and violen t life. Th e h u lkin g br u t es, ch a r gin g lin e a br ea st , m a de t h e ver y ground rumble beneath their awesome onslaught!

Befor e t h em , t h e sm a ll com pa n y of h ea vily a r m or ed kn igh t s wh eeled t h eir h or ses in a t igh t cir cle, bu t t h ey wer e n ot a ble t o pr ot ect t h eir flanks. An d t h e r iver beh in d t h em , t oo deep t o for d, effect ively blocked their retreat.

A gr ea t st a llion r ea r ed befor e Ch a lt ifor d, a n d h e sm a sh ed a t it wit h h is clu b, br ea kin g t h e st eed's leg. Th e r ider 's swor d sla sh ed down wa r d, bit in g t h e ogr e's wr ist , bu t Delm a r kia m Sla sh m a st er t h r u st h is st on e-tipped blade between Chaltiford and the knight.

Th e h u m a n gr u n t ed, wou n ded in t h e belly, a n d Ch a lt ifor d's clu b r ose a ga in , sweepin g t h e lu ckless fellow fr om h is h or se. Eigh t or t en ogr es cr owded n ea r t o ea ger ly a dm in ist er t h e fin a l blows, wh ile Delm a r kia m slit the horse's throat as an afterthought.

Ra isin g h is bloody clu b, Ch a lt ifor d h owled in t r iu m ph . H is ch ieft a in a t h is side, t h e ogr e lieu t en a n t lu m ber ed deeper in t o t h e fr a y, pu r su in g h is next victim.

Bu t t h e kn igh t s r esist ed wit h su r pr isin g disciplin e a n d im pr essive ferocity. Aft er t h e fir st cla sh t h ey dr ew t h eir h or ses t igh t ly t oget h er . The ogres tried valiantly, but could not press close enough to drag the insolent humans from their saddles.

Th e kn igh t s m a de a ser ies of gu t sy cou n t er ch a r ges, keepin g t h eir br u t ish oppon en t s off ba la n ce. Chaltiford a dm ir ed t h eir br a ver y even a s h e lu st ed for t h eir blood, bu t h is clu b r em a in ed u n wet t ed by fu r t h er bloodletting. H owlin g in fr u st r a t ion , h e h u r led h im self a ga in st t h e wa ll of bucking horses, falling back with bruises from many an iron-shod hoof.

Eventually, n u m ber s pr eva iled, a n d t h e br u t ish ogr es fu lly en cir cled t h e sm a ll ba n d of r ider s. Axes a n d h a m m er s r a n g a ga in st swor ds a n d sh ields, a n d t h e field r esou n ded wit h t h e cla sh a n d ch a os of a fin e ba t t le. Cries of men, ogres, and horses mingled in a cacophony of pain and rage.

St ill, less t h a n h a lf of t h e h u m a n s h a d been kn ocked fr om t h eir sa ddles wh en Ch a lt ifor d's premonition.

Sleek m et a l dea t h com e, a n d n ow t h ey dove fr om t h e h ea ven s in glea m in g sa va ger y, golds a n d silver s, br a sses a n d br on zes, a ll bea r in g r ider s a n d m a n y of t h e r ider s wieldin g t h e dea dly la n ces t h a t h a d so decisively t u r n ed t h e t ide of the war.
Th e en t ir e for ce of ogr es qu a iled befor e t h e sigh t of t h e m a t u r e eyes swept skywa r d, com pelled by som e gu t
swooped t owa r d h im . Th e dr a gon s of H u m a h a d serpents. Ma n y of t h e h u ge h u m a n oids fell t o t h e gr ou n d, gr ovelin g pathetically, too terrified even to try to fight the great wyrms.

Th e m ou n t ed kn igh t s fou n d n ew life a n d lu n ged for wa r d in a n u n expect ed ch a r ge. Ch a lt ifor d r a ised h is clu b, ba r ely kn ockin g a side a blow t h a t wou ld h a ve split h is fa ce. Delm a r kia m st a bbed a t a ch a r gin g h or se, bu t sliced a t t h in a ir . In a n in st a n t , it seem ed, t h e kn igh t s h a d erupted through the ring of ogres.

Th e fu ll fu r y of t h e dr a gon s wa s ven t ed on t h e fleein g ogr es. Ch a lt ifor d's la ir m a t es bled t o t h e cu t of t a lon a n d fa n g, or died in a gon y ben ea t h sca ldin g fir eba lls of dr a gon br ea t h a n d t h e spit t le of ca u st ic a cid. F or fr a n t ic m in u t es Ch a lt ifor d's own life beca m e a t er r ifyin g colla ge of near-fatal encounters with death.

H e sa w Delm a r kia m bor n e t o ea r t h , cr u sh ed by power fu l cla ws. The dyin g ogr e cr ied ou t t o h is fr ien d, bu t Ch a lt scr a m bled a wa y, t er r ified by the nearness of the dragons.

Ot h er wyr m s soa r ed pa st , blot t in g ou t t h e su n . Ch a lt ifor d dove t o t h e m oist ea r t h a n d bu r ied h is fa ce in t h e m u d, qu iver in g in h or r or a s ogr es t o h is r igh t a n d left wer e r en t by t h e cla ws of a h u ge gold dr a gon . Sn a ppin g ja ws t or e a wa y m ost of on e of h is ea r s a s h e desper a t ely crawled away.

Th e ogr e dove for som e bu sh es, feelin g t h e sea r in g explosion of a dr a gon 's br ea t h blossom in g over h is h ea d ju st h igh en ou gh t o spa r e h is life, t h ou gh cr a cklin g blist er s r ose on h is ba ck, a n d t h e lon g pigt a il on t h e rear of his scalp was singed to ashes.

Clea r of t h e im m edia t e ba t t le, Ch a lt ifor d r ose t o h is feet a n d lu m ber ed for t h e sh elt er of a n ea r by for est . E ven t h en h e wa s n ot com plet ely sa fe, h owever , a s a n in t r epid kn igh t ga lloped a ft er h im on h is gr ea t , ba r ded charger. The ogre barely reached the entwined branches in time, plunging t h r ou gh a t h icket of t h or n s wit h t h e kn igh t 's la n ce pr oddin g h im in t h e heel. Prickly branches tore Chaltiford's burned, bruised flesh, but his pain only drove him to greater panic and more desperate flight.

On ly a ft er h ou r s of ga spin g, t er r ified r u n n in g did h e da r e t o slow h is pa ce t o a st u m blin g wa lk. As h e blin dly plodded a lon g, h is st or m of emotions obscured any immediate sense of fatigue.

Ch a lt ifor d wa s wou n ded, a n gr y, defea t ed, h u m bled, fr u st r a t ed... a blea k a n d depr essin g lit a n y. Yet h e cou ld n ot for get t h a t , m ost of a ll, h e was alive!

"A h u n dr ed cu r ses on t h e Kn igh t s of Sola m n ia !" h e sn a r led a lou d, h a lf expect in g t h e t r ees on eit h er side of t h e t r a il t o cower in t er r or a t t h e fiercen ess of h is voice. Aft er a ll, t h er e h a d been a t im e h er e in t h e Kh a r olis Mou n t a in s wh en t h e ba r k of a n ogr e wa s a fea r ed a n d r espect ed sound! Of cou r se, t h a t h a d been in t h e t im e befor e t h e kn igh t s, a n d t h e dragons of metal, and the accursed lances, Chaltiford reflected ruefully.

Wh y did t h ey h a ve t o figh t a n en em y so br u t a lly ca pa ble? H e gr ou sed t h a t com pla in t over a n d over , t ellin g h im self t h a t t h e Da r k Qu een 's wa r had become a gigantic waste of time and blood. Ogres against knights and dragons? Too many ogres were getting killed.

Wh a t h e n eeded wer e som e ea sy pickin gs, Ch a lt ifor d decided. H e wa s a big, st r on g ogr e h e sh ou ld be a ble t o fin d som et h in g sm a ll a n d wea k, like in t h e old da ys, a n d ba sh it pr et t y good. F r om n ow on , that's what h e'd m a ke su r e t o do. Ch a lt ifor d wa s don e wit h wa r s a n d ca m pa ign s a n d battles against fire-breathing, flying serpents!

H e m a in t a in ed h is t r u dgin g m a r ch for m a n y da ys. H is cou r se t ook h im deep in t o t h e Kh a r olis Mou n t a in s n ot for a n y pa r t icu la r r ea son , bu t beca u se h is fea r -cra zed in st in ct s t old h im t h a t t h e r u gged h eigh t s offer ed him som e r efu ge fr om t h e h a t efu l h u m a n s a n d t h eir wr et ch ed a llies, t h e dragons of metal.

Of cou r se, in Ch a lt ifor d kn ew wa r r ior s, a n d h e loa t h ed t h em n ea r ly a s m u ch a s h e did t h e Sola m n ics. Bu t h e kn ew t h a t Th or ba r din la y fa r t o t h e sou t h , a n d dwa r ves in t h is r a n ge wer e pr et t y sca r ce. F or t h e t im e bein g, Ch a lt ifor d wou ld h a ve t o t a ke h is ch a n ces a ga in st t h e possibilit y of dwa r ves over t h e cer t a in t y of the dragons and knights who ruled the plains of Solamnia.

H e wa s t r ekkin g wea r ily t h r ou gh a r ocky, ba r r en va le wh en t h e ogr e ch ieft a in sa w som et h in g t h a t st opped h im in h is t r a cks. At fir st h e fea r ed t h a t a ll h is eva sion s h a d been for n a u gh t . Su n ligh t , sla n t in g low over t h e west er n r idge, r eflect ed over a glea m in g su r fa ce befor e h im a skin of rippling scales, each as bright as a polished coin of purest gold.

Dragon! Th e big, ser pen t in e body spr a wled on a m ou n t a in side n o m or e t h a n a h a lf m ile a wa y. Th e wyr m la y a t t h e ba se of a sh eer pr ecipice, a n d for the moment at least had not noticed Chaltiford's presence.

Th e ogr e's kn ees wen t r u bber y, a n d h e slu m ped t o t h e gr ou n d wit h a low m oa n . E yes wide, h e ga ped a t t h e im m en se golden ser pen t t h a t h e h a t ed a n d fea r ed m or e t h a n a n yt h in g else. Th e cr ea t u r e la y, a ppa r en t ly su n n in g it self, on a r ou gh a n d st eeply slopin g r idget op of bou lder s. The cliff beyon d t h e dr a gon ext en ded u pwa r d for t h ou sa n ds of feet , cu lm in a t in g in on e of t h e h igh est pea ks in t h is pa r t of t h e Kh a r olis Range.

H a d t h e dr a gon spot t ed Ch a lt ifor d? Th e ogr e wa sn 't su r e t h ou gh t h e dr a gon h a d n ot m oved. Th en Ch a lt ifor d r ea lized som et h in g, a s t h e dr a gon fea r slowly dissipa t ed. Th er e wa s n ot h in g in t h is dr a gon 's m a n n er , Ch a lt ifor d t old h im self wit h gr owin g cockin ess, even t o su ggest t h a t it was alive!
Th e ogr e's dr oopin g lids descen ded over h is wicked, piglike eyes a s a look of cr a ft y a ppr a isa l r epla ced t h e st a r k t er r or t h a t h a d dist or t ed h is m ou n t a in s
dwa r ves, t h e t h r ea t of dwa r ves wa s a lwa ys h a d killed m a n y of t h e scr a ppy, pr esen t . bea r ded face moments earlier. Climbing to his feet, Chaltiford scuttled to a nearby boulder. Th e st on e ju t t ed u pwa r d fr om t h e gr ou n d, h igh en ou gh t o scr een h im fr om t h e r ecu m ben t dr a gon . P eer in g a r ou n d t h e r ock, h e st u died t h e motionless creature.

Su r e en ou gh , Ch a lt ifor d spot t ed a ga pin g t ea r in t h e cr ea t u r e's n eck, a n d it s win g la y spr a wled beside it in a n a wkwa r d fa sh ion , wr en ch ed from its proper alignment.

Sh r ewdly, t h e ogr e st u died h is a n cien t en em y. Ch a lt ifor d sh u dder ed wit h r evu lsion even a s h e gloa t ed over t h is dr a gon 's pr edicament. The cr ea t u r e m u st h a ve been t r u ly a wesom e wh en it wa s a live, for it s body wa s u n com m on ly h u ge. H ow m u ch t r ea su r e m igh t a wyr m like t h a t acquire during a lifetime? Surely, an unimaginable amount!

As t h e t h ou gh t en t er ed h is m in d, a n ot h er followed in u n u su a lly r a pid sequence. Wh a t ever t r ea su r e t h is dr a gon h a d a m a ssed h a d t o be presently unguarded!

Of cou r se, t h e cr ea t u r e cou ld h a ve en ded u p h er e a ft er flyin g fr om a vir t u a lly u n lim it ed dist a n ce. Bu t fr om t h e Ch a lt ifor d gu essed t h a t t h e dr a gon h a d n ot wea ken ed st a t e. No, t h e golden ser pen t h a d been r igh t in t h is vicin it y, h e suspected, when grim fate claimed it.

Tr em blin g, Ch a lt cr ept closer . E ven dea d, t h e m on st er r em a in ed m a ssive, a we-in spir in g, a n d h or r ific. It wa s a ll t h e ogr e cou ld do t o for ce his wobbling legs forward. Yet as he continued his cautious approach, and n o sign of m ovem en t r ippled t h ose golden sca les, Ch a lt ifor d bega n t o master his fear.

By the time he had reached the massive corpse, the ogre was practically swa gger in g, sh ou lder a t lim b, a n d even t h ou gh t a bou t deliver in g a scor n fu l contented himself by spitting in the dragon's direction.

Th e ogr e's bloodsh ot eyes glit t er ed a s h e in spect ed t h e cor pse of h is r a ce's dr ea d en em y. H e sa w t h a t on e of t h e dr a gon 's win gs wa s cr u m pled a n d sca r r ed, a s if it h a d su ffer ed a gr ievou s wou n d a lon g t im e a go. Chaltiford r ea son ed t h a t , even a ft er t h a t wou n d h a d h ea led, t h e dr a gon had been unable to fly.

Ot h er wou n ds wer e fa r fr esh er , a n d t h ese t h e ogr e dedu ced t o be t h e m or t a l on es. Th ou gh n o m a st er of logic, Ch a lt ifor d h a d seen en ou gh m a n gled flesh a n d dea d or dyin g bodies t o u n der st a n d t h e gen er a l n a t u r e of fa t a l in ju r y. A lon g ga sh t or e t h e dr a gon 's n eck, a n d t h e ogr e kn ew t h is t o be t h e dea t h blow. Yet t h e golden wyr m h a d n ot su ccu m bed t o a wea pon , for n ot even a dr a gon la n ce wou ld in flict a wou n d so deep a n d wide.

Instinct ively t h e ogr e's eyes t ilt ed, exa m in in g t h e st eep fa ce of r ock sever it y of it s wou n ds, t r a veled ver y fa r in it s

pu ffin g h is ch est ou t wa r d a n d ba la n cin g a ja u n t y a n gle. H e st epped r igh t u p t o a h is clu b on h is m a ssive, lifeless kick. Chaltiford stretching skyward to a high, snow-swept summit. Halfway up the cliff he sa w a pr ot u ber a n ce of r ock. Du ll br own ish st a in s in t er m ixed wit h a few flecks of golden sca les m a r r ed t h e su r fa ce of t h a t ou t cr op a n d con fir m ed Ch a lt ifor d's h u n ch : Th e wea ken ed dr a gon h a d t oppled, br ea kin g it s n eck in the plunge.

Wh y wa s t h e dr a gon a lon e, h er e, wh en so m a n y of it s kin wa ged wa r over t h e pla in s? Of cou r se, wit h it s im pa ir ed win g t h e ser pen t wou ld h a ve been lit t le u se in t h e gr ea t flyin g for m a t ion s bu t t h en , wh y h a d it t r ied t o a scen d su ch a loft y a n d st eep-sided pea k? Idea s t u gged a t Ch a lt ifor d's avaricious mind.

A cla t t er in g of st on es ca u gh t t h e ogr e's ea r . Wh ir lin g, t h e br u t e r a ised h is clu b a n d squ in t ed a lon g t h e m ou n t a in side. Sever a l pebbles r olled ou t from beneath the dead serpent's tail.

Chaltiford crept forward, club raised. He stooped to investigate, peering into a shadowy niche where the dragon's tail slumped over a pair of rocks.
Two golden eyes blin ked fea r lessly ba ck a t h im . The dragon he saw was a m in ia t u r e of it s m ot h er , t h ou gh a t ba r ely t wo feet lon g it h eld n on e of t h e fea r som e m a jest y of t h e a du lt wyr m . Too, it s win gs wer e t in y a n d n ot yet u sa ble. Th e lit t le cr ea t u r e t ook a st ep forward. Wh en t h e t in y h ea d em er ged fr om t h e sh a dows, Ch a lt ifor d br ou gh t h is clu b down in a sh a r p strike, smashing the serpentine skull with a single blow.
Th en h e fr oze, excit em en t t in glin g t h r ou gh h is vein s. Wh y wou ld t h is dr a gon 's h a t ch lin g be a r ou n d? The a n swer wa s obviou s somewhere nearby was the dragon's lair!
H e sa w gou ges n ea r t h e t op of t h e cliff su r ely t h e dr a gon 's cla ws h a d m a de t h em , scr a t ch in g desper a t ely a s it lost it s ba la n ce a n d fell. With fier ce glee, h e m a de ou t , a bove t h e t a lon m a r ks, t h e sh a dowy ou t lin e of a cave's mouth.
He had found the dragon's lair.
Tr em blin g wit h joy, Ch a lt ifor d a ppr a ised t h e t ower in g m ou n t a in . To t h e r igh t a n d left of h im wer e m or e gr a du a l sh ou lder s of r ock. Th ese, t oo, wer e st eep, bu t t h e ogr e n o st r a n ger t o m ou n t a in ou s t er r a in knew t h a t h e cou ld clim b eit h er side. Obviou sly, t h e fligh t less h a t ch lin g h a d made the easy descent.
Th e cer t a in t y t h a t a bove h im wa it ed t h e dr a gon 's la ir pr oved a power fu l in t oxica t ion . A m igh t y ser pen t su ch a s t h is m u st a ssu r edly h a ve been guarding a veritable hoard of treasure!
The day's sunlight was already fading, so the ogre forced himself to rest for t h e n igh t , in t en din g t o begin t h e clim b wit h t h e da wn . Cu r lin g u p bet ween a pa ir of ju t t in g r ocks n ot t oo close t o t h e dr a gon 's lifeless form Ch a lt ifor d fell in t o a deep, r est fu l sleep. H is slu m ber wa s br oken by plea sa n t dr ea m s, in wh ich h e wa s su r r ou n ded by m ou n t a in s of gold, which shimmered like a hundred brilliant suns.
Wh en h e a wa ken ed, h e wa st ed n o t im e. H e bou n ced t o h is feet , h oist ed his clu b, st a r t ed t owa r d on e of t h e m ou n t a in 's st eep, cu r vin g sh ou lder s, and began plodding up the rock-strewn base.
St ea dily h e clim bed. Beh in d h im la y a va st pa n or a m a of m ou n t a in s, r idges, a n d va lleys. Yet t h e ogr e's eyes did n ot t u r n fr om t h e r ocks in fron t of h im , a n d h e m oved con t in u a lly u pwa r d, t owa r d t h a t bla ck h ole on the mountain's peak.
Th e goin g wa s r ou gh , a n d in pla ces Ch a lt ifor d wa s for ced t o slin g h is clu b t h r ou gh h is belt so t h a t h e cou ld u se bot h h a n ds t o a ssist h is clim b. Never t h eless, h e h a d clim bed m a n y su ch ch a llen gin g slopes a n d n ever with such a compelling inducement.
Th e lu r e of t r ea su r e gr ew vivid in t h e ogr e's m in d. Th e im a ges of h is dr ea m , sh im m er in g m ou n t a in s of gold, fever ed h is im a gin a t ion . Riches! Ch a lt ifor d kn ew h e wa s on t h e ver ge of gr ea t wea lt h . Wh en h e r et u r n ed t o h is villa ge, t h e ogr es wou ld ch a n t h is n a m e, t ellin g t h e t a le of h is t r iu m ph a n t a ccom plish m en t . H e wou ld h a ve h is pick of t h e fem a les, h e kn ew, a n d even t h e swa gger in g you n g m a les wou ld st a r e du m bly in a we at the wondrous wealth of Chaltiford!
Ogr es loved gold wit h ou t r ea son . In t h is, t h ou gh in few ot h er wa ys, t h ey wer e m u ch like dwa r ves. Gold sedu ced t h em , m or e t h a n a n yt h in g else. J u st t h e n ea r n ess of t h e pr eciou s m et a l ca u sed t h em t o sa liva t e. To possess gold overshadowed all other possible rewards.
Th e ogr es of Ch a lt ifor d's villa ge h a d been su ffer in g fr om n ea r st a r va t ion wh en t h e Da r k Qu een 's scou t s h a d com e t o r ecr u it t h em for war. Yet , wh en offer ed t h eir ch oice of pa ym en t , n on e of t h e h u m a n oids h a d a sked for food. In st ea d, ea ch h a d desir ed gold. Th e h u m a n com m a n der s h a d en ga ged t h eir ser vices for pa lt r y n u gget s. Now t h ose t idbit s wou ld be m er e ba u bles com pa r ed t o t h e t r ea su r e t h a t wa s a bou t t o become Chaltiford's and his alone!
H ow m u ch gold wou ld h e fin d in t h e gr ea t dr a gon 's h oa r d? Wou ld t h er e be piles of coin s or t r u n ks of n u gget s? Perhaps t h e ver y t h ou gh t t ook h is br ea t h a wa y h e wou ld fin d a st a ck of glea m in g in got s, ea ch weigh in g a s much as a kender!
Of cou r se, t h er e wou ld dou bt less be gem s a n d silver a n d ot h er or n a m en t s, a n d t h ese, t oo, Ch a lt ifor d in t en ded t o cla im . Silver wou ld pr ovide gift s for t h e wen ch es ba ck h om e, wh ile t h e ot h er t r in ket s m igh t pr ove u sefu l for ba r t er on t h e r oa d. Bu t t h e t h ou gh t of t h ese pa led beside the gold that drew him upward.
H is m in d t h u s occu pied, Ch a lt ifor d t ook lit t le n ot e of t h e pa ssin g of t h e day. Wh en h e fin a lly pa u sed t o r eflect on h is pr ogr ess, h e r ea lized h e h a d a lm ost r ea ch ed t h e t op of t h e m ou n t a in a n d t h a t t h e su n h a d a lr ea dy dropped far into the western sky.
F r om t h e cr est of t h e r idge, t h e ogr e sa w t h e dr a gon 's la ir wit h it s wide, sh a dowy m ou t h . E xcit edly, t h e ogr e st a r t ed t o in ch t owa r d it a lon g a fla t sh elf of r ock. Wit h h is lon g a r m s, h e r ea ch ed t o gr a sp a t igh t cr a ck in t h e r ock wa ll a s a h a n dh old. Sh u fflin g h is feet sidewa ys, h e edged closer t o t h e la ir . Th e ledge wa s n ot ver y wide, a n d in som e pla ces Chaltiford's heels hung suspended over a many-thousand-foot drop.
Each step was made with painstaking care, and each move necessitated a fir m h a n dh old. In t h is slow fa sh ion , Ch a lt ifor d m a de r em a r ka bly good t im e, a n d wit h in a n h ou r t h e sh a dowy, a r ch ed en t r a n ce of t h e ca ve wa s within reach just slightly overhead.
Now h e st r a in ed t o lift t h e bu lk of h is m a ssive body u pwa r d. His roughtoed boots clawed at the rock, scrambling for lift, and a haze of red floated a cr oss h is eyes a s h e gr u n t ed a n d ga sped. Wit h on e m igh t y pu sh , Ch a lt ifor d r olled u p a n d for wa r d a n d despit e t h e pr oxim it y of t h e la ir pa n t ed for sever a l m in u t es befor e h e felt r ea dy t o st a n d a n d begin plundering.
Risin g t o h is feet , h e peer ed in t o t h e sh a dow-da r ken ed ca ve. Behind h im , t h e fu ll glor y of t h e Kh a r olis r a n ge spilled in t o t h e dist a n ce, yet h is attention remained riveted on the immediate goal of the lair.
F or t h e fir st t im e a glim m er of fea r t u gged a t h im . H e u n slu n g t h e clu b fr om h is belt , a n d t h e ea sy h eft of t h e wea pon con sider a bly bolst er ed h is courage. Th e sm oot h ca ver n floor beckon ed h im in wa r d, a n d h e ca r efu lly stepped under the arched roof.
Qu ickly h is eyes a dju st ed br it t le r ocks, a n d h e looked cover in g t h e floor . Sever a l sku lls of deer , m ou n t a in sh eep, a n d elk lay sca t t er ed a bou t . Th e r est of t h e bon es h a d been br oken a n d splin t er ed by something eager to get at the rich marrow inside.
An ot h er few st eps br ou gh t Ch a lt ifor d wit h in sigh t of a h u ge bu n dle of twigs and hide. It resembled a bird's nest, though it could easily have held t h e ogr e a n d a pa ir of h is kin sm en . Lookin g wit h in , h e sa w sh a r ds of eggshells.
Th e n est pr oved beyon d a dou bt t h a t t h is wa s t h e dr a gon 's la ir . Som ewh er e wit h in pr oba bly in t h e fa r t h est r ecess of t h e ca ve Ch a lt ifor d wou ld fin d t h e ser pen t 's r ich es. Th e t h ou gh t sen t t in gles of plea su r e r ipplin g t h r ou gh h is body, br in gin g goosebu m ps a cr oss t h e surface of his pale, bristle-stubbled skin.
Cr u sh in g sh ell t h r ou gh t h e n est pa ssa gewa y con t in u ed in wa r d, br a n ch in g in t o n u m er ou s la r ge ch a m ber s. Som e of t h e cor r idor s m u st h a ve been u n com for t a bly n a r r ow for t h e h u ge serpent, Chaltiford mused to himself.
Th e ogr e a dva n ced ca u t iou sly t h r ou gh swin gin g h is clu b t h is wa y a n d t h a t . H is t o t h e da r kn ess. H is feet cr u n ch ed over down t o see well-ch ewed sh a r ds of bon e

fr a gm en t s ben ea t h h is boot s, a n d pr obed deeper in t o t h e Ch a lt ifor d st om ped ca ve. Th e win din g
sever a l of t h ese ch a m ber s, eyes, sh in in g wit h a va r ice, strained to penetrate the gloom.
H e h ea r d a scu t t lin g, r oden t like sou n d. Wh ir lin g, h e sa w n ot h in g bu t sh a dows a n d m ot ion less r ock. There! Som et h in g r a ced t h r ou gh t h e a ir wit h fr igh t en in g speed, a n d Ch a lt ifor d yelped in su r pr ise. Instinctively t h e ogr e t h r ew h im self t o t h e floor , on ly t h en r ea lizin g t h a t h e h a d been st a r t led by ba t s. H u n dr eds of t h e t in y cr ea t u r es win ged over h ea d, flyin g ou t fr om t h e dept h s of t h e ca ve. In a few secon ds, t h e pla gu e of ba t s h a d passed.

Th e ogr e sn or t ed con t em pt u ou sly, du st in g h im self off a s h e r ose t o h is feet. Again he hefted the club, feeling the reassuring weight of its grip.
Th e n ext ch a m ber in t h e ca ver n n et wor k pr oved u n expect edly la r ge. A h igh ceilin g, st u dded wit h iciclelike spir es of da n glin g st on e, a r ch ed well over h is h ea d. P ools of st ill, clea r wa t er dot t ed t h e floor . Beside t h ese h e found many fish skeletons, picked clean of meat.
Movin g t h r ou gh t h is la r ge ca ve, Ch a lt ifor d t h ou gh t on ce m or e t h a t h e h ea r d som et h in g m ovin g beh in d h im , bu t h e sa w nothing. Transferring h is clu b t o h is left h a n d, t h e ogr e fou n d a good-sized ch u n k of r ock a n d h oist ed it in h is r igh t fist . St ill wa lkin g, h e swiveled h is blu n t n eck t o t h e right and left, daring the darkness to show any sign of movement.
Th e ca ve wa s silen t a s h e cr ossed t o t h e fa r en d. A n a r r ow a r ch led t o a win din g cor r idor , a n d h e followed t h is for a dozen pa ces befor e t h e wa lls open ed t o ea ch side, a n d h e on ce m or e fou n d h im self in a la r ge, su bt er r a n ea n ch a m ber . Un like t h e pr eviou s r oom s, h owever , t h is por t ion of the cavern had no smooth floor.
In st ea d, t h e st on e befor e t h e ogr e's feet t u m bled st eeply a wa y. Ch a lt ifor d cou ld ba r ely m a ke ou t t h e r ou gh , r ocky bot t om of a pit , som e t wen t y or t h ir t y feet below. Th e depr ession filled m ost of t h is ca ver n , though n a r r ow, cr u m blin g sh elves of r ock ext en ded a r ou n d t h e sides. Beyon d t h e pit , t h e br u t ish h u m a n oid sa w t h e da r ken ed a r ch wa y lea din g to yet another underground chamber.
Som et h in g glim m er ed wit h in t h a t r oom , a n d pounded. H is pa lm s gr ew slick wit h swea t a s h e desper a t ely t o pen et r a t e t h e gloom . H is eyes slowly con fir m ed wh a t h is mind had dared to hope.
Th e ogr e's ja w dr opped in a m a zem en t . H er e wa s gold a sm a ll m ou n t a in of it , ju st a s h e h a d pict u r ed so vividly in h is imagination! Even the shadows could not conceal the luster of the smooth coins.
Ot h er color s glit t er ed a n d t ea sed h im . H e sa w t h e lu st r ou s gr een t h a t cou ld on ly m ea n em er a lds, a n d m a n y a cr im son speck sign ified r u bies. La r ger object s of gr een a n d bla ck h e su spect ed wer e ja de, wh ile ga r n et s, a ga t es, a n d t u r qu oise a ll a dded t h eir m u lt ih u ed br illia n ce t o t h e h ea pin g mound of treasure.
Chaltiford licked his lips, unaware that drool had begun to trickle down Ch a lt ifor d's h ea r t squ in t ed, st r a in in g h is m a n y-folded ch in . On ly a su pr em e effor t of h is dim br a in st opped h im fr om flin gin g h im self a cr oss t h e pit in a desper a t e effor t t o lea p t o t h e other side.
H e for ced h im self t o look for a pa t h a r ou n d t h e obst a cle. E it h er of t h e rubble-st r ewn ledges, h e decided, offer ed a sh r u g of h is st ooped sh ou lder s, Ch a lt ifor d P eer in g in t o t h e pit , h e n ot ed t h a t t h ou gh it s dept h va r ied, it did n ot t h r ea t en a fa t a l fa ll. Th e bot t om wa s st r ewn wit h ir r egu la r r ocks, h owever , wh ich wou ld m a ke for a ver y u n com for t a ble la n din g, so t h e ogr e took great pains to make sure that he didn't miss a step.
F or t u n a t ely, t h er e wa s r oom for h im t o wa lk wit h ou t clin gin g t o t h e wa ll wit h bot h h a n ds, so h e kept h is clu b r ea dy, swin gin g it wit h h is left h a n d a s h e ea sed for wa r d sim ply beca u se t h e h eft a n d feel of it r ea ssu r ed him and increased his confidence.
Not that he had anything to worry about, he reminded himself.
H e h ea r d sca m per in g st eps beh in d h im a n d t wist ed a r ou n d so t h a t h is ba ck wa s a ga in st t h e wa ll. H e wa s st a r t led t o see a n ot h er m in u scu le dr a gon , lea pin g a lon g t h e ledge ju st a few feet beh in d h im . Th e h ea d wa s n o la r ger t h a n a sn a ke's, su ppor t ed by a su pple, cu r vin g n eck. The cr ea t u r e's for efeet wer e t ipped wit h sh a r p cla ws, a n d despit e it s t in y size it regarded the hulking humanoid without any obvious trace of fear.
Ch a lt ifor d's clu b sm a sh ed down wa r d, splin t er in g st on es a n d sca t t er in g gr a vel, bu t t h e lit t le dr a gon da r t ed spr yly ba ckwa r d befor e t h e blow struck.
Th e h a t ch lin g wa s da r n fa st for su ch a t in y cr ea t u r e, t h e ogr e a dm it t ed t o h im self. If t h a t h a d been a r a t or squ ir r el cr ea t u r es of com pa r a ble size t h e blow wou ld h a ve cer t a in ly spla t t er ed it a ll over t h e ledge. Yet t h e dr a gon h a d seem ed t o disa ppea r even a s t h e clu b st a r t ed it s downward plunge!
Th e im por t a n t t h in g wa s t h a t it h a d gon e, Ch a lt ifor d t old h im self. It cou ldn 't h a ve h u r t h im ver y m u ch , bu t t h e la st t h in g h e wa n t ed wa s a pesky wyr m lin g n ippin g a t h is h eels wh ile h e m a de t h is t r ea ch er ou s crossing.
An ot h er st ep of h is h ea vy boot kn ocked loose st on es fr ee fr om t h e ledge, a n d Ch a lt ifor d r ea lized t h a t t h e t r a ver se wa s a lit t le m or e ch a llen gin g t h a n h e h a d fir st su spect ed. Th e ledge n a r r owed, a n d h e wa s for ced t o t u r n h is fa ce t o t h e ca ver n wa ll a s h e ba la n ced on h is t oes for su ppor t . Th e r ock su r fa ce wa s pit t ed a n d sca r r ed wit h n u m er ou s cr a cks a n d h oles, so a t lea st h e fou n d plen t y of handholds. H e st ill clu t ch ed t h e h ea vy clu b in his left fist.
Ir r it a t in gly, t h e lit t le dr a gon h a d a ppea r ed on ce a ga in , sca m per in g beh in d h im on t h e ledge. It st ood, a m in ia t u r e im a ge of it s m ot h er , st a r in g u pwa r d a t t h e ogr e fr om a bou t t en feet a wa y. Tin y win gs pot en t ia l wa y. So, wit h a h ea ded t owa r d t h e r igh t . u n fu r led, fla ppin g a wkwa r dly, t h ou gh like it s siblin g down by t h e m ot h er 's cor pse Ch a lt ifor d kn ew t h e cr ea t u r e wa s st ill t oo you n g t o fly. A t in y, for ked t on gu e slipped bet ween n eedle sh a r p t eet h , a n d t h e creature's eyes glowed with a strange urgency.
Th er e wa s en ou gh m en a ce in t h ose lit t le fa n gs for t h e h u m a n oid t o con sider t u r n in g ba ck a n d ch a sin g t h e cr ea t u r e off t h e ledge or preferably killing it before he continued on to claim the treasure.
Bu t t h e n ea r n ess of t h a t gilded m ou n d pr oved t oo st r on g a lu r e. Wit h a sh a r p kick, t h e ogr e sen t t h e wyr m lin g scr a m blin g a wa y. On ly t h en did Ch a lt ifor d con t in u e h is ca u t iou s t r a ver se of t h e ledge. Loose st on es tumbled away with each step, and the ogre concentrated on maintaining a t igh t gr ip wit h h is fr ee h a n d wh ile h e ca r efu lly exa m in ed t h e foot in g below.
Mor e n oises scr a t ch ed t h e ledge beh in d h im . Cu r sin g, t h e h u ge h u m a n oid wish ed h e h a d left t h e clu b in h is r igh t h a n d t h e h a t ch lin g wa s close by, bu t t h e ogr e's pr eca r iou s ba la n ce m a de it difficu lt for h im t o t r a n sfer t h e wea pon . E ven so, wit h h is t oes wedged fir m ly a ga in st t h e ledge, Ch a lt ifor d r ea ch ed a r ou n d beh in d h im self t o pa ss t h e clu b t o h is ot h er h a n d. Now h e r a ised t h e kn obby st ick, wa it in g for t h e lit t le dr a gon to move just a tad closer.
Yet the creature hung back, regarding him with those penetrating eyes. Aga in t h e ogr e a lm ost st a r t ed a ft er it , bu t h e kn ew by n ow t h a t t h e wyr m lin g cou ld flee fa r fa st er t h a n t h e h u m a n oid cou ld pu r su e. Instead, Ch a lt ifor d t u r n ed ba ck t owa r d h is goa l, r elieved a t lea st t h a t h e wa s about halfway around the pit.
Once again he heard that familiar clattering of claws on stone but this t im e t h e sou n d or igin a t ed in fr on t of h im . On t h e ledge in h is pa t h a n ot h er lit t le dr a gon sa t pa t ien t ly, well ou t of st r ikin g r a n ge. An d even if t h e ser pen t h a d been closer t o h im , Ch a lt ifor d sn or t ed a n gr ily, on ce a ga in he held the accursed club in the wrong hand!
Of cou r se, t h is h a t ch lin g wa sn 't a bou t t o st op h im eit h er ! Gr im ly, t h e ogr e con t in u ed on , kickin g t h e ledge clea r of loose r u bble. H is fa ce wa s pr essed close t o t h e st on e wa ll, a n d ou t of t h e cor n er of h is eye h e sa w that the first wyrmling had again followed him onto the ledge.
Cu r sin g, Ch a lt ifor d m a de ou t t h e ou t lin es of sever a l m or e lit t le dragons, cautiously emerging from the darkness behind their bold sibling. Wh en h e t wist ed h is fa ce ba ck t o t h e left , h e sa w t h a t m or e of t h e hatchlings had joined the one that blocked his forward path.
Th er e wa s n o dou bt in t h e ogr e's m in d a s t o h is cou r se of a ct ion he had t o go for wa r d. Th a t t r ea su r e st ill beckon ed, a n d h e wa s n ot a bou t t o be depr ived of h is r igh t fu l r ewa r d. Th e in sign ifica n t liza r ds r ega r ded h im wit h h u ge, fa scin a t ed eyes, bu t m a de n o m ove t o r et r ea t a s h e dr ew closer. Wa vin g h is clu b a t t h e ser pen t s t o h is r ea r , h e a ga in pr opped h im self on h is t oes a n d r ea ch ed h is h a n ds a r ou n d h is ba ck t o t r a n sfer t h e weapon to his other side.
It wa s t h en t h a t h e n ot iced t h e t in y dr a gon cr ou ch ed in t h e sh a dows of a crevice right before his face.
Ch a lt ifor d blin ked, cr ossin g h is eyes t o focu s on t h e ser pen t ba r ely a foot from his nose. Tiny jaws gaped, showing an array of truly large teeth.
Th e wyr m lin g's eyes fla sh ed wickedly a s it gu lped a h u ge br ea t h . Golden scales bulged outward on the swelling chest, and then a small puff of fla m e belch ed fr om t h e ser pen t 's widespr ea d m ou t h . F ir e sea r ed Ch a lt ifor d's fa ce, bu r n in g a wa y h is eyebr ows a n d sizzlin g t h e skin of h is bulbous nose.
Wit h a bellow of pa in , Ch a lt ifor d lu n ged a wa y fr om t h e dr a gon and a wa y fr om t h e ledge u pon wh ich h e st ood. Tu m blin g ba ckwa r d, h e fla iled t h r ou gh t h e a ir u n t il h e cr a sh ed on t o a pile of ja gged bou lder s t h a t com pr ised t h e floor of t h e pit . Bon es sn a pped in h is legs a n d sh ou lder s, while his club clattered to the ground some distance away.
An d a ga in h e h ea r d t h a t sou n d t h e clickin g of t in y cla ws a ga in st t h e stone. Even blinded by fire, the ogre could easily locate the dragons by the clickin g sou n ds. Th e h a t ch lin gs wer e cr eepin g closer , clim bin g down t h e walls of the pit with no apparent difficulty.
Agon y t or e a t Ch a lt ifor d's body, bu t h e cou ld do lit t le m or e t h a n gr oa n . Non e of h is lim bs r espon ded t o t h e desper a t e com m a n ds fr om h is m in d. Though he strained to see, his eyes refused to function.
In st ea d, h e list en ed in h or r or a s t h e ser pen t s a dva n ced. Th ey ca m e fr om a ll a r ou n d h im , a h ideou s pa r ody of t h e golden coin s t h a t h a d surrounded him in his dream.
Now h e u n der st ood t h a t pecu lia r u r gen cy h e h a d sen sed in t h e h a t ch lin gs' eyes. Th e dr a gon s' expr ession wa s on ly n a t u r a l, h e r ea lized a s h e gr it t ed h is t eet h in pa in . Aft er a ll, t h eir m ot h er wa s dea d, a n d t h ey h a d been left a lon e in t h e la ir for a lon g t im e. Th e expla n a t ion wa s a simple one:
They were hungry.
A Dragon to the Core Roger E. Moore
Th e t h ir d evict ion n ot ice a r r ived in t h e m or n in g's post du r in g a la t e spr in g t h u n der sh ower . Th e la n dla dy kn ew a bou t gn om es a n d t h eir mecha n ica l devices fir st h a n d (sh e h a d been ca u gh t in a n E n t r a n ce a n d E gr ess F a cilit a t ion Device on ce), a n d so ch ose t o con t a ct h er dim in u t ive tenant from afar.

Th e r a in -soa ked post m a n , t oo, kn ew a bou t gn om es fir st h a n d. H e h a d lea r n ed lon g a go n ot t o pu t h is h a n d in side t h e t r a plike open in g of t h e st eel Missive Recept a cle ou t side t h e gn om e's office. Now h e a ppr oa ch ed wit h con sider a ble ca u t ion . H oldin g t h e let t er by a cor n er a n d t a kin g ca r e n ot t o st a n d dir ect ly in fr on t , h e gen t ly pu t t h e let t er in t o t h e box without t ou ch in g a n y pa r t of t h e m et a l. H e t h en flipped t h e let t er in a n d jer ked h is h a n d ba ck. Th e lid sn a pped sh u t wit h a lou d cla n g. Th e post m a n sighed with relief and went on his way, fingers intact.

Gilben st ock, t h e per son t o wh om t h e let t er wa s a ddr essed, wa s bu sy a t h is desk wh en t h e m a il a r r ived. H e t ook n o n ot ice a s a la r ge m a ch in e m ou n t ed t o t h e wa ll by t h e fr on t door P a r cels a n d E n velopes (Redesign ed) avoided being cut into confetti by the letter-opening blades (the fate of the fir st evict ion n ot ice) or bein g ca u gh t in t h e r oller s of t h e let t er con veyor a n d becom in g so sm u dged wit h oil t h a t it looked like a n over u sed gr ea se r a g (t h e fa t e of t h e secon d). It wa s gen t ly plu cked fr om t h e belt by a m ech a n ica l a r m , wh ich cr u m pled t h e let t er in t o a pea ch -sized wa d a n d placed it on the gnome's desk.

Gilben st ock spen t a n ot h er fift een m in u t es pu t t in g t h e fin a l t ou ch es t o h is la t est set of pla n s for a giga n t ic r ock-bor in g m a ch in e, t h is on e ca pable of dr illin g a per fect ly t r ia n gu la r h ole t h r ou gh a m ou n t a in , a ssu m in g a n yon e ever h a d a n eed for su ch a t h in g. "You n ever kn ow wh er e t h e n ext t r en d will be in t u n n el bor in g" wa s on e of Gilben st ock's fa vor it e ph r a ses, a lon g wit h "Th a t sh ou ld do it , " or "I pu t t h e r en t m on ey in t h e m a il ju st yest er da y, " or "We'll h a ve t o wa t ch for colla t er a l da m a ge wh en I t u r n it on, of course. "

"Th a t sh ou ld do it , " h e sa id wit h a n a ir of sa t isfa ct ion , pu t t in g down h is pen . H e a u t om a t ica lly r ea ch ed for t h e wa d of pa per on h is n ot epa per cover ed desk, u n wa ddin g it wit h ou t on ce t a kin g h is eyes off h is fin ish ed sketches. Bea m in g wit h excit em en t , h e gla n ced over t h e evict ion n ot ice, set it on a two-foot stack of papers in a box labeled "To Do, " and got down fr om h is st ool. St r et ch in g, h e st r a igh t en ed h is r u m pled wor k clot h es a n d wandered off into the kitchen, the door banging shut behind him.

"No br occoli, " h e gr owled a ft er a br ief sea r ch of t h e sh elves. "I wa s posit ive I t old Squ ib t o pick u p som e a t t h e m a r ket yest er da y. " H e wen t back to the door and looked into the office room. "Squib! Squiiiiib!"

A r u st lin g n oise ca m e fr om beh in d on e of t h e m a n y st a cks of n ot epa per a r ou n d t h e office. Mom en t s la t er , a sh a bby dwa r f on ly h a lf a foot t a ller t h a n t h e t h r ee-foot seven -in ch gn om e cr a wled fr om beh in d t h e st a ck a n d got u n st ea dily t o h is feet . Br own h a ir a skew a n d bea r d st ickin g ou t in a ll dir ect ion s a s if it h a d been h it by ligh t n in g, t h e gu lly dwa r f ga ve t h e gnome a cross-eyed salute as he sucked in his lips over crooked teeth.

"Ah , t h er e you a r e, " Gilben st ock "E xcellen t . I've been sea r ch in g for fin ish ed a n ew set of pla n s t h a t a r e cer t a in t o im pr ove ou r fin a n cia lly t h e Rea ct ive In t er cept or of P ost ed
ch u gged lou dly t o life. Th e let t er
sa id, goin g ba ck in t o t h e kit ch en . som e br occoli for lu n ch . I've ju st challenged condition of late, and I should mail them out to potential... "
H u n gr y h im self, t h e gu lly dwa r f wa n der ed over t o t h e kit ch en a n d wa s a lm ost kn ocked t o t h e gr ou n d a s t h e gn om e flu n g t h e door open a n d r a n out, eyes as big as saucers.

Gilben st ock r a n t o t h e eviction notice from the top. He held it up to the desk lantern as he read it a second time.

"Gr ea t Reor x!" h e sh r ieked. "I pu t t h e r en t in t h e m a il ju st yest er da y or m a ybe it wa s befor e t h en by a week or t wo, bu t st ill I ca n 't believe sh e wou ld t h r ow m e ou t of m y office! Th r ee m on t h s sh e sa ys t h e r en t is over du e! Th a t 's im possible, beca u se n ow I r em em ber t h a t I filled ou t t h e ba n k n ot e a n d st u ck it in a n en velope a n d h a n ded it r igh t t o you , Squ ib, and the note covered our rent for the next three... "

Gilben st ock's voice fa iled h im a s h e sa w fa it h fu l Squ ib's fa ce ligh t u p. Th e gu lly dwa r f r ea ch ed in t o a ba ck pocket of h is pa n t s a n d pu lled ou t a wa d of st a in ed, cr u m pled pa per . Wit h a br oa d gr in , h e h eld it a loft a n d handed it to the gnome.

Gilbenstock felt a n eed t o sit down . H e pu lled u p a st ool, t ook a sea t , a n d u n folded t h e pa per . Aft er lookin g it over , h e closed h is eyes. Th e paper fell to the floor.

"You wer e su pposed t o m a il t h is, " h e sa id, wit h ou t lookin g u p a t Squ ib. "I've spen t a ll t h e r est of ou r m on ey on food a n d h a d t o bor r ow even m or e t o pa y t h e r en t on t h e wor ksh op so ou r ba n k a ccou n t is em pt y beca u se I wa s expect in g a n ot h er geologica l su r vey job r igh t a bou t n ow bu t n ow we'r e bein g evict ed a n d I wa s goin g t o m a ke br occoli bu t m a ybe we ca n get something for dinner out of the garbage somewhere if I don't throw up first. "

Th e gn om e sigh ed deeply, t h en st ood er ect t o h is fu ll t h ou gh m in u scu le height. H e a bsen t ly br u sh ed a t h is wh it e bea r d a n d gr een vest . "We sh a ll st ill per sever e, pa t ien t Squ ib, t h ou gh Squ ib wa s n o lon ger t h er e. "I've lived a m on g h u m a n s for m ost of m y life, a n d t h er e h a ve been fin a n cia lly ch a llen gin g t im es befor e, a n d we sh a ll yet see t h is on e t h r ou gh , t oo. A righteous dragon has courage, and it kn ows wh a t it m u st do a n d does it , so we m u st be like dr a gon s in side, strong and brave and resolute. Just like dragons, Squib. "

Bu t for a n in st a n t , Gilben st ock's spir it s fla gged. F a ilu r e likely m ea n t he would have to leave mighty Palanthas, jewel of all Ansalon, and return t o t h e gn om ish h om ela n d of Mou n t Never m in d. Th e n eed for geologica l su r veys wa s cer t a in ly gr ea t er a t Mou n t Never m in d, bu ilt a s it wa s in t o a dor m a n t volca n o, bu t get t in g pa id for jobs wa s im possible. Th e Gr a n d Ba n k of Never m in d h a d swit ch ed t o a n ew a ccou n t in g syst em a ft er t h e Wa r of t h e La n ce a n d n ow t h e fin a n ces of h u n dr eds of bu sin esses a n d gu ilds wer e h opelessly fou led. Gilben st ock h a d left t welve yea r s a go t o t r y "To Do" st a ck a n d sn a t ch ed t h e wrinkled
st r a igh t en ed h is " h e con t in u ed, his luck in Palanthas.
It h a d been h a r d goin g h er e. Twelve yea r s spen t a t odd jobs a n d m en ia l la bor in a n u n fr ien dly cit y, scr a pin g t oget h er t h e m on ey a n d m a t er ia ls t o bu ild h is bu sin ess a n d a ssem ble t h e pa r t s n eeded t o bu ild t h e Ir on Dr a gon , h is gr ea t m in in g m a ch in e a n d t h e cor e of h is life. Twelve yea r s spen t lea r n in g t h e pecu lia r wa ys of h u m a n s, t o t h e poin t wh er e Gilben st ock wa s sh ocked t o fin d h e som et im es even t h ou gh t a n d spoke in sh or t sen t en ces like t h em . Th e best pa r t of t h ose yea r s wer e t h e m om en t s h e'd spen t wor kin g on t h e Ir on Dr a gon , fit t in g ever y n u t a n d bolt into place in the warehouse he'd rented a few blocks away.

Gilben st ock gr im a ced, u n con sciou sly r u bbin g h is la r ge n ose. H e did n ot wa n t t o lea ve P a la n t h a s. H e h a d gr own fon d of t h e gr ea t cit y, t h ick wit h won der a n d m a gic, filled wit h a ch in g bea u t y a n d wr et ch ed squ a lor . He h a d been gla d t o lea ve t h e n oisy con fin em en t of Mou n t Never m in d t o see the "real world. "

Gilben st ock wa sn 't like ot h er gn om es. H e u n der st ood h u m a n s som et im es, for on e t h in g. Mor e r em a r ka bly, h is in ven t ion s wor ked m or e oft en t h a n n ot . On e even h a d m a r ket a ble qu a lit ies h is Sem i-Hermetic Recept a cle E r a dica t in g Debr is by Dilu t ion , E xcit a t ion , a n d Rot a t ion . But it st ill n eeded wor k t o a void t u r n in g soiled la u n dr y in t o st r ips of r ipped cloth.

H e h a d a good life h er e. H e h a d h is bu sin ess. H e h a d t h e Ir on Dr a gon . H e h a d t r u st y Squ ib, h is on ly fr ien d a n d t h e on ly per son h e t r u st ed t o pilot t h e Ir on Dr a gon . E ven if t h e gu lly dwa r f cou ldn 't spea k a wor d, Squib was a genius at operating mechanical things.

Bu t t h er e wa s lit t le else of ch eer . H e a n d Squ ib wou ld st a r ve in t h e wa r eh ou se wit h on ly m ot or oil a n d m a ch in e pa r t s for food. No, cor r ect that on ly h e wou ld st a r ve. Squ ib h a bit u a lly a t e ou t of t h e ga r ba ge beh in d pr odu ce a n d bu t ch er y sh ops; Gilben st ock wa s t oo pr ou d a n d h a d t oo wea k a st om a ch t o even t h in k of t h a t . Th e gn om e st a r ed a t h is sh oes in abject depression. No new plans came to mind. Perhaps there was some nutritive value in motor oil.

There was a sudden, strong knock at the door. The gnome jumped, then yelled for Squ ib. Th e gu lly dwa r f h a d disa ppea r ed a ga in . Mu t t er in g t o himself, Gilbenstock crossed the threshold and threw open the door.

Three men stood outside in the pouring rain, oblivious to the streams of wa t er t h a t r a n down t h eir fa ces. On e wa s ga n gly a n d r ed-bea r ded, on e wa s t a ll a n d bla ck-h a ir ed, a n d on e wa s t h ick-m u scled a n d blon d. F or a r ea son h e cou ld n ot fa t h om , Gilben st ock h a d a m om en t a r y im pr ession that all three were brothers.

"Good... sir , " sa id t h e closest , t h e r ed-bea r ded m a n . H e sm iled a s h e spoke, bu t h esit a t ed bet ween wor ds a s if u n fa m ilia r wit h t h e la n gu a ge. "Gilben st ock Min es a n d Min er a ls Su r vey for wh ich we a r e lookin g. " H e waited for a response.

Gilben st ock blin ked, h is br ea t h sh a llow. All t h r ee m en wer e st a r in g a t h im in a ver y pecu lia r wa y, bu t t h ey did n ot a ppea r t o be a r m ed or unfriendly.

"I'm Gilbenstock, " he said finally, remembering to speak like a human. At that, the three men smiled broadly, showing all their teeth. "Gilbenstock, very good, " said the red-bearded man. "Very good. A mine
we wish a survey from you. You we wish hire. "
Gilben st ock sim ply st a r ed ba ck a t t h em . "You wish t o h ir e m e, " h e repeated. Th en it h it h im . "Oh !" h e ga sped. "Oh ! Oh , yes!" Forgetting h im self com plet ely, t h e gn om e sla m m ed t h e door sh u t a n d r a n ba ck in t o h is office, h ea din g for h is desk. H e sca t t er ed pa per s m a dly, sea r ch in g for h is bu sin ess files. Th en h e r em em ber ed t h e door a n d r u sh ed ba ck, flin gin g it wide open in a pa n ic. Th e t h r ee m en wer e st ill t h er e, st a n din g in the rain in their soaking clothes.
"By Reorx!" the gnome cried. "Come in! Come in at once!"
Th ey en t er ed, h eedless of t h eir wet con dit ion , a n d Gilben st ock bu sied h im self wit h clea r in g t h e pa per s fr om en ou gh ch a ir s t o sea t t h em a ll. Squ ib a ppea r ed fr om t h e food cu pboa r d, h is r a t t y br own bea r d filled wit h crumbs a n d h a lf-chewed bit s of dr ied fr u it , a n d wa s im m edia t ely pu t t o wor k br in gin g t h e r a in -soa ked cu st om er s wa r m cu ps of fr esh goa t 's m ilk. Th e t h r ee m en st a r ed in t o t h eir cu ps in silen ce, t h en ca r efu lly set t h em aside on nearby stacks of paper.

"You 'll h a ve t o excu se t h e looks of t h e pla ce, " Gilben st ock sa id, u n a ble t o con t a in h is excit em en t . "Bu sin ess h a s been a bit slow, of cou r se, wh a t wit h t h e wea t h er , bu t I've been keepin g m y h opes u p t h a t fin e gen t lem en like you r selves wou ld n eed pr ofession a l a ssist a n ce wit h m a t t er s in geology, pet r ogr a ph y, m in er a logy, or even gem ology, su ch a s it m a y be, a n d I gr a du a t ed fir st a m on g m y gu ild in m in e en gin eer in g a n d geology, with a secondary degree in mechanics.... "

H e slowed a n d st opped. E a ch of t h e t h r ee m en wa s wa t ch in g h im in tha t pecu lia r wa y a ga in . F or a dr ea dfu l secon d, Gilben st ock t h ou gh t t h a t if he reached out and touched one of the men, the human would be hollow, like a papier-mache mannikin. A sh iver wen t u p h is spin e. H e su ppr essed the thought.

"... bu t a n ywa y, I'm ju st r a t t lin g on , " h e fin ish ed qu ickly. "Wh a t sor t of professional assistance do you need?"
Th e t h r ee m en looked a t on e a n ot h er , t h en ba ck a t t h e gn om e on t h e st ool. Th is t im e, it wa s t h e big blon d on e wh o spoke. "A m in e we n eed, " h e bega n , t h en cor r ect ed h im self. "No, a m in e we h a ve. You we n eed a m in e su r vey. Un der st a n d?" Wh en Gilben st ock n odded, t h e m a n wen t on . "A mine we have was broken "
"Collapsed, " said the dark-haired man. "Fall down in mine. "
H ow for t u it ou s, Gilben st ock machine t h a t digs. I in ven t ed St a r boa r d Com m a n d-Modu le P ilot . Squ ib will r u n t h e m a ch in e, a n d it will dig out your mine. "
The men looked at each other and made peculiar open-handed gestures. "We h ea r t ell m a ch in e, " sa id t h e r ed-bea r ded m a n , t u r n in g ba ck t o t h e gn om e. "Ca t a pu lt like?" "No, n o, n o, n ot like a ca t a pu lt a t a ll. Not a siege m a ch in e. It 's a diggin g m a ch in e, t h e Ir on Dr a gon . I bu ilt it m yself, wit h help from trusty Squib, of course. "
"Dr a gon ?" a sked t h e r ed-bea r ded m a n a n d t h e blon d m a n a t t h e sa m e time, with round-eyed looks of shock. "Dragon?"
Gilben st ock su dden ly la u gh ed, t h e t en sion br oken . "Oh , m y, n o! it 's n ot a real dr a gon . I qu it e a pologize for t h e slip. it 's a gr ea t m a ch in e, a st ea m "In mountains, near Palanthas, " put in the red-bearded man.
"Yes, a m in e we h a ve wa s colla psed. You we n eed su r vey. Th e m in e we must dig out. You we need dig out. Understand?"
"Yes, of cou r se, " sa id Gilben st ock. "You wa n t m e t o su r vey you r colla psed m in e a n d see if it is sa fe, a n d per h a ps see if it st ill con t a in s a n y valuable ores or other resources. And you want me to dig it all out. "
"Yes, " sa id t h e blon d m a n . "Sla ves you h a ve dig?" "Wor ker s, " sa id t h e dark-h a ir ed m a n sh a r ply. "Wor ker s. " Th e blon d m a n n odded qu ickly, flinging droplets from his long, wet hair. "Yes, workers. "
t h ou gh t . "It ju st so h a ppen s I h a ve a it . F a it h fu l Squ ib h er e is t h e On boa r d

power ed device t h a t r igh t , you pr oba bly Nevermind, but that's quite all right, I wouldn't worry about it. We've had no real dragons around here or none to speak of, anyway since the War of t h e La n ce, fift een yea r s a go, so t h in gs a r e qu it e sa fe h er e, m or e or less. "

H e h esit a t ed, t h en plu n ged on . "You kn ow, I don 't m ea n t o be r u de, of cou r se, bu t I h a ve t o a sk a n d it 's on ly beca u se of m y gr ea t cu r iosit y, you u n der st a n d, I've been a fflict ed wit h it sin ce I wa s ju st a lit t le spr ocket m oves on wh eels like a wh oosh wa gon oh , t h a t 's h a ven 't seen t h em u n less you 've been t o Mou n t

wrench bu t I h a ve t h e im pr ession t h a t a r ou n d h er e, fr om P a la n t h a s. I wa s ju st in t er est in g wa y of spea kin g, a n d I wa s nothing wrong with that at all, you see but I felt as if, well, you might be pa ssin g t h r ou gh h er e fr om som ewh er e else, m a ybe n ot ver y fa r a wa y. " He finished with a cough. "It wasn't very important, and we can get "

"E a st , " sa id t h e r ed-bea r ded m a n . "E a st we a r e of h er e, ver y fa r . Now, you hire we wish, make survey?"
"Of cou r se, " Gilben st ock sa id, em ba r r a ssed a n d gla d t o m ove on t o a n ot h er t opic. A n ew su bject ca m e im m edia t ely t o h is m in d. "Um , I h ope you don 't t h in k m e u n u su a lly for wa r d for a skin g, bu t I wou ld r equ ir e a down payment, if possible advance money, you understand. " you fellows a r en 't r ea lly fr om t h in kin g t h a t you ... h a ve a n qu it e t a ken wit h it there's
Th e big blon d m a n r ea ch ed for a da m p pou ch on h is belt a n d pu lled it fr ee. H e t ossed it t o t h e gn om e, wh o wa s som ewh a t disa ppoin t ed. Th e ba g wa s ligh t er t h a n h e'd expect ed. H e'd cou n t ed on r eceivin g st eel coin s. Th e pouch rattled faintly.
H is n er ves st r a in ed t o t h eir lim it s by t h e even t s of t h e m or n in g, Gilben st ock pu lled open t h e dr a wst r in gs. H e peer ed in side, a dju st in g t h e bag so that the interior was illuminated by lantern light.
"Oh, " he said in a small voice.
"Mon ey we h a ve n o, " sa id t h e blon d m a n . "Dia m on ds, yes, bu t m on ey we have no. Diamonds you take?"
Th er e wa s a dela y wh ile Gilben st ock decided n ot t o fa in t . "Of cou r se, " he squeaked. "Oh, of course. "
All three men smiled, their teeth shining.
* * * * *
Two h ou r s a ft er t h e m en h a d left , Gilben st ock spla sh ed t h r ou gh t h e lon g, cu r ved st r eet s of P a la n t h a s's Mer ch a n dizin g Dist r ict . H is r a incoat wa sn 't fa st en ed in fr on t , a n d h e'd for got t en h is boot s, bu t h e didn 't ca r e h ow wet h e got . H e r a n a s if h e wer e weigh t less. H e'd ju st pa id off h is la n dla dy a n d t h e wa r eh ou se own er for t h e n ext yea r ea ch , t h ou gh t h e landlady had demanded double the normal rent as security against future n on pa ym en t . Gilben st ock, n ow r ich beyon d h is dr ea m s, h a d locked a wa y t h e r em a in in g gem s a t a m er ch a n t s' ba n k. H e wou ld be r ich er st ill on ce h e wa s pa id t h e fin a l su m owed h im a ft er t h e m in in g oper a t ion wa s concluded. His financial troubles were forever gone.

Th e r a in h a d let u p for a wh ile. Da r k gr a y clou ds sh r ou ded t h e st eep slopes of t h e Vin ga a r d Mou n t a in s, wh ich r in ged t h e old cit y. Silen t don keys a n d h or ses, soa ked a n d m iser a ble, gla n ced u p a s t h e gn om e h u r r ied pa st . H e cou ld see t h e r ed r oof of t h e wa r eh ou se n ow, a n d h e pushed on, though he was out of breath and near exhaustion.

At t h e wa r eh ou se's gr ea t dou ble door s, h e slowed a n d st opped, pu ffin g a n d lea n in g h is h ea d a ga in st t h e peelin g pa in t . Ca t ch in g h is br ea t h , he felt in h is r a in coa t pocket s for t h e pa dlock key, bu t didn 't fin d it . H e ga sped, t er r ified t h a t h e h a d for got t en t h e key r in g in h is office or lost it on h is m a d r u n t o pa y off h is debt s. A m om en t la t er , h e t h r u st a pa n icked h a n d in t o a pa n t s pocket a n d t ou ch ed t h e keys' cool m et a l, sa fe a n d sound.

Wea k wit h r elief, h e r ea ch ed u p a n d ca r efu lly in ser t ed on e of t h e keys in t o t h e ch a in lock h oldin g t h e door s closed. A t wist of t h e wr ist , a n d t h e lock r elea sed. Gilben st ock pu sh ed open t h e door a cr a ck a n d slipped inside.

Th e sm ell of oil a n d gr ea se wa s t h ick in t h e cool a ir . P a le wh it e ligh t fell fr om a h a lf dozen glowin g m et a l globes su spen ded fr om t h e h igh ceilin g on t h in r opes. Gilben st ock h a d pa id a you n g m a ge dea r ly for t h ose continual-ligh t spells, bu t it h a d been wor t h ever y st eel. Th e ligh t s sa fely illu m in a t ed h is wor ksh op a t a ll h ou r s of t h e da y or n igh t , a llowin g h im t o work until he dropped from hunger or sleep.

Th e r esu lt of h is yea r s of la bor r ose h igh a bove Gilben st ock, a lm ost fillin g t h e gr ea t wa r eh ou se wit h it s st a gger in g bu lk. Th e gn om e sigh ed and looked up at his creation with tears of joy in his eyes.

The black monster slept soundly, unaware of him.
The Iron Dragon was as long as three wagon-teams and a third as wide. Ben ea t h it s six t ower in g wh eels, t h e pa ved st on es h a d su n k a h a lf foot into the earth under its stupendous mass. The main body was a great iron cylinder a boiler la id on it s side fr om wh ich a m a ze of pipes a n d va lves spr a n g like gn a r led bla ck ivy. A pa ir of ir on -cover ed ca bin s sa t h igh on it s ba ck t o eit h er side, for it s pilot a n d com m a n der Squ ib a n d Gilben st ock, r espect ively. At t h e bow of t h e cylin der wa s a m a ssive block of gea r s a n d dr ive sh a ft s fr om wh ich pr oject ed a gr ea t set of t h r ee t a per in g, st eel-gray r ock dr ills, t wo below a n d on e a bove, ea ch a s t h ick a s a dr a gon 's n eck. Th e fa n ged dr ill en ds h u n g in t h e a ir h igh over t h e gn om e's head, gleaming dully in the magical light.
Th e m a ch in e wa s ga r ga n t u a n , cold, a n d u gly beyon d n igh t m a r es. To Gilben st ock, it wa s a s bea u t ifu l a s a lover 's fa ce. It h a d m or e power t h a n a wh ole dr a gon a r m y. An d in ju st a m a t t er of da ys, it wou ld go on it s fir st run.
"Th a n k you , Reor x, wh o gu ided m y h a n d, " wh isper ed t h e gn om e, su dden ly h u m ble in t h e pr esen ce of h is own wor k. Th en h e t ook a deep br ea t h , lift ed h is ch in , a n d set off in t o t h e sh op t o give t h e m a ch in e a complete oiling and checkout.
Th e h ou r s pa ssed u n n ot iced. Cover ed wit h gr im e, Gilben st ock h u m m ed t o h im self a s h e wor ked u n der t h e st a r boa r d cen t r a l wh eel ch a ssis, checking the shock-absorbing coils. Aside from a couple of birds' nests and t h e u su a l lea vin gs of r a t s a n d m ice, t h e gr ea t m a ch in e h a d weathered well sin ce h e'd seen it la st . H e r ea ch ed u p t o ch eck t h e fit of a n u t on a bolt.
A m et a llic n oise r a n g t o t h e floor by h is r igh t ea r . St a r t led, Gilben st ock looked over a n d sa w t h e br igh t st eel key t h a t h e h a d u sed t o en t er t h e building. It lay on the paved floor astride a gap between two stones.
J u st beyon d t h e key, a t t h e side of t h e wh eel it self, wer e t wo t a ll bla ck boot s, m u ddy a n d wet . As h e wa t ch ed, on e boot sh ift ed sligh t ly, flexin g the toe.
"Tim e flies wh en you 'r e h a vin g a good t im e, eh ?" sa id a m a n 's unfamiliar voice.
Gilben st ock let ou t h is br ea t h ver y slowly. H e felt a n u n r ea son in g u r ge t o cr a wl u p in t o t h e m a ch in er y of t h e Ir on Dr a gon a n d h ide. Wit h trembling fingers, he carefully picked up the key.
"You forgot it in the lock, " drawled the voice above the boots.
Gilben st ock bit h is lower lip. Cou ld it be a m eddlesom e cit y gu a r d? If so, t h a t cou ld be h a n dled qu ickly: Gilben st ock cer t a in ly h a d t h e m on ey, if it came to bribery.
Th e gn om e collect ed h im self. "Th a n k you , " h e ca lled ou t , h a st ily fin ish in g h is ch eck of t h e n u t a n d bolt . "I sh a ll be wit h you in ju st a m om en t , if you 'll bea r wit h m e. I a m ju st a bit bu sy h er e. A lit t le maintenance goes a long way, you know. "
Th e m a n st epped ba ck a s Gilben st ock gr u n t ed a n d pu sh ed h im self ou t fr om u n der t h e wh eel ch a ssis, a voidin g t h e pist on -dr iven ba r t h a t con n ect ed t h e t h r ee side wh eels t oget h er . Th e gn om e sa w im m edia t ely that the man was not with the city guard.
H e wa s t a ll, like a ll h u m a n s, wit h pockm a r ked fa ce, a n d sa llow skin . H e com m on clot h es, a n d h a d n o wea pon s cou ld see. H is clot h in g wa s fa ir ly dr y except for h is boot s, a n d h e wor e a low gr a y ca p t h a t Gilben st ock h a d seen m ost ly u sed by visit or s fr om t h e central part of Ansalon, around Estwilde.
Gilben st ock gla n ced beh in d t h e m a n a n d sa w t h a t t h e fr on t door s h a d been pulled shut.
"In t er est in g, " sa id t h e m a n , h is ga ze r oa m in g over t h e ir on levia t h a n beside t h e gn om e. Th e m a n ch ewed som et h in g, pr oba bly a bit of fla vor ed r esin or gu m , a ca n dy t h a t h a d gr own popu la r in som e pla ces a ft er t h e War of the Lance. "You build this yourself?"
Gilbenstock felt a glim m er of pr ide t h r ou gh h is n er vou sn ess. "Wh y, yes, I did a t t h a t . Took m e t welve yea r s t o get it a ll t oget h er , fin din g a ll t h e r igh t pa r t s a n d... a n d ever yt h in g. " H e clea r ed h is t h r oa t . "I con fess I didn 't expect t o h a ve com pa n y in m y wor ksh op t h is m or n in g, Mist er u m ... "
Th e m a n n odded, ign or in g t h e cu e. H e con t in u ed t o ch ew h is r esin a n d look t h e Ir on Dr a gon over wit h a ca lcu la t in g eye. "You a r e a bu sy lit t le guy, aren't you, " he said.
Gilbenstock bristled. It had been a long time since someone had been so open ly r u de t o h im wit h r em a r ks a bou t h is h eigh t . "I a m , " h e sa id cu r t ly. "Now, if you'll please let me get back to "
"Th is t h in g sa fe t o r u n , or does it blow u p wh en you st a r t it ?" a sked t h e m a n wit h a gr in . "You n ever kn ow wit h gn om e t h in gs som et im es, do you ? No offense. "
It t ook a m om en t for Gilben st ock t o fin d h is t on gu e. "I'll h a ve you kn ow t h a t t h is is n o or din a r y device, " h e sa id a n gr ily. "I've in clu ded ever y n ecessa r y sa fet y fea t u r e, a n d t h er e's a bsolu t ely n o da n ger of explosive t igh t ly cu r led bla ck h a ir , a wor e n o visible a r m or , on ly a t lea st , n on e t h a t Gilben st ock boiler m a lfu n ct ion so lon g a s t h e por t com m a n der keeps t h e pr essu r er elea se va lves open wh ile t h e veh icle is a t r est a n d so lon g a s t h e wa t er levels a r e pr oper ly m on it or ed. Th e h ea t in g elem en t s r equ ir e n o fu el a n d a r e qu it e foolpr oof, sin ce t h ey a r e a lit t le bit m a gica l in or igin , a n d I wou ld da r e sa y t h a t r idin g a h or se cou ld be m or e da n ger ou s, so it wou ld be qu it e cr u de of som eon e t o su ggest despit e pa st u n for t u n a t e in ciden t s t h a t sim ply beca u se som et h in g is m a de by gn om es t h a t it pr esen t s a n y real hazard to "
"It 's a st ea m -power ed t h in g, r igh t ?" t h e m a n in t er r u pt ed. H e seem ed a m u sed. "Does it weed flower beds wit h t h ose big dr ill bit s on it s n ose? A steam-powered flower weeder?"
Th a t wa s t h e la st st r a w. Gilben st ock squ a r ed h is sh ou lder s. "I beg you r pa r don , bu t I've r ea lly h a d qu it e en ou gh of t h is discu ssion a n d I'm goin g t o h a ve t o a sk t h a t you plea se lea ve a n d let m e get on wit h m y wor k h er e a s it is ver y im por t a n t a n d I sim ply don 't h a ve t h e t im e t o m a ke chitchat "
"You h a d som e visit or s t h is m or n in g, " t h e m a n sa id ca su a lly. "Th r ee guys, wasn't it?"
"And what if I did?" Gilbenstock retorted.
Th e m a n didn 't a n swer r igh t a wa y. In st ea d, h e st epped closer t o t h e Iron Dragon and rubbed a thumb over a black-painted pipe that ran along the top of the upper wheel housing. "They give you their names?"
"Un like som e people, t h ey... " A n a st y r em a r k died on Gilben st ock's lips a s h e r ea lized t o h is a m a zem en t t h a t t h e t h r ee m en h a d not given ou t t h eir n a m es, n or h a d Gilben st ock r em em ber ed t o a sk for t h em . "I won 't sa y, " t h e gn om e fin ish ed. "Wh a t bu sin ess cou ld som et h in g like t h a t possibly be of yours, anyway?"
"Well... let 's sa y t h a t , in a wa y, t h ose t h r ee gu ys a n d I, we'r e in t h e same bu sin ess. We'r e lookin g for t h in gs. Ma ybe I'm a lit t le cu r iou s a bou t what they're looking for. For personal reasons. "
Th e m a n lea n ed a ga in st t h e wh eel h ou sin g, t h en su dden ly looked down a t Gilben st ock in a wa y t h a t wa s a lm ost fr ien dly. "You r u n a m in in g business, right?"
If I were bigger, the gnome thought, I'd punch him right in the nose and t h r ow h im ou t t h e door wit h on e h a n d. H is fist s clen ch ed h elplessly. If I were only bigger....
"Right?" prompted the man again, eyebrow raised.
"Yes, " growled the gnome.
The man smiled. "They want you to dig something up for them?"
"Th a t , " Gilben st ock sa id slowly, "is bet ween m y cu st om er s a n d m yself. "
"H u h . " Th e m a n 's ga ze lift ed, a n d h e st a r ed in t o spa ce a t a secr et thought. "Maybe. " He thought for a moment more, then looked to the side at the silent bulk of the Iron Dragon. "You taking the job?"
"I sa id, t h a t is bet ween m y cu st om er s a n d m yself, a n d you a r e h a r dly better than a goblin in your manners. "
Th e m a n st opped ch ewin g h is gu m . H is sm ile fa ded. H e sh ook h is h ea d a lm ost sa dly a s h e exh a led t h r ou gh h is n ose a n d looked down a t t h e gnome with cold, empty eyes.
Gilben st ock st opped br ea t h in g. H is a n ger m elt ed in t h e fea r t h a t h e'd gon e t oo fa r . H e st epped ba ck wit h a su dden a wa r en ess of h is ph ysica l limitations.
A few lon g secon ds pa ssed. Qu iet ly, t h e m a n r ea ch ed for som et h in g under his overcoat. He pulled the object into view without hurry.
Th e cool over h ea d ligh t s glea m ed off t h e su r fa ce of a polish ed st eel bla de, a n over sized h u n t er 's kn ife wit h a sin gle cu t t in g edge a n d deep blood gr ooves, vir t u a lly a swor d t o Gilben st ock. Red r u n es decor a t ed t h e st eel. Th e gn om e's st om a ch kn ot t ed in a n in st a n t . I've got t o r u n , h e t h ou gh t wildly. I've got t o get ou t of h er e. To h is h or r or , h e wa s pa r a lyzed with fear, unable to do anything but stare.
Th e h u m a n lift ed t h e h u n t in g kn ife a n d bega n t o scr a pe a t t h e pa in t on t h e pipe of t h e Ir on Dr a gon , r u bbin g t h e fla kes a wa y wit h h is fin ger s. Aft er scr a pin g a wa y a n a r ea a bou t a foot lon g a n d a h a lf-in ch wide, h e nodded as if satisfied with his inspection.
"Nice job, " h e sa id, let t in g h is kn ife h a n d dr op. Th e h u ge bla de poin t ed down a t Gilben st ock's feet . "Gu ess I'd bet t er be goin g a n d let you get ba ck to your work. "
Gilbenstock said nothing, unable to take his gaze away from the knife.
Th e m a n sm iled fa in t ly a n d n odded, t h en t u r n ed a n d wa lked t owa r d t h e dou ble door s. H e h a d a lm ost r ea ch ed t h em wh en h e t u r n ed a r ou n d. The knife was gone.
"Oh , you kn ow, I wa s ju st t h in kin g, " t h e h u m a n sa id. "If you r cu st om er s wer e t o kn ow a bou t m e, it m igh t be a ba d t h in g a ll a r ou n d. I wouldn't mention this nice little chat of ours to them if I were you. "
H e wa it ed ju st lon g en ou gh t o m a ke su r e t h e gn om e h a d got t en t h e m essa ge, t h en pu sh ed open t h e door s a n d left . As h e did, h e looked ba ck at the gnome and winked. Then he was gone.
It t ook a wh ile for Gilben st ock t o r ea lize t h a t t h e su n wa s sh in in g ou t side t h r ou gh t h e clou ds. H e h ea r d t h e st r eet t r a ffic pickin g u p, t h e sou n ds of h ooves cloppin g a n d wa gon s r a t t lin g over t h e cobblest on es. Aft er a cou ple of m in u t es, h e wor ked u p t h e n er ve t o wa lk t o t h e door a n d look up and down the street.
There was no sign of the human.
Gilben st ock pu lled t h e door sh u t , dr opped a h ea vy bolt in t o pla ce, t h en pulled a chain across the double doors.
P a sser sby n ot iced t h er e wa s n o sou n d a t a ll fr om t h e wa r eh ou se, wh ich was usually quite noisy whenever the gnome was inside.
* * * * *
Tr u st y Squ ib wa s pu t in ch a r ge of m a kin g t h e h or s d'oeu vr es for t h e even in g's m ea l, wh en t h e t h r ee m en wer e t o r et u r n t o sign t h e con t r a ct s a n d cla r ify t h eir m ission for Gilben st ock. Th e gn om e kn ew per fect ly well t h a t Squ ib's idea of edible fa r e did n ot m a t ch a n yon e's bu t a n ot h er gu lly dwa r f's, bu t h e a lso t r u st ed Squ ib t o qu ickly get lost in P a la n t h a s on h is sh oppin g spr ee, a s h e a lwa ys did. Th is wou ld give t h e gn om e a n d h is cu st om er s a few m in u t es of pea ce t o discu ss t h e m ission . If Squ ib returned early, Gilbenstock could always generously allow the gully dwarf to ea t h is own cookin g (by h im self in t h e kit ch en wit h t h e door closed, of course).

Th e t h r ee h u m a n s a r r ived a t su n set . Th ey h a dn 't bot h er ed t o com b t h eir h a ir or st r a igh t en t h eir ou t fit s, bu t su ch n icet ies m ea n t lit t le t o Gilbenstock, who welcomed them in and got them seated in short order.

"Yes, " sigh ed Gilben st ock, "I m u st sa y it 's been qu it e a da y sin ce you dropped in on me this morning, Mister um... "
The three men nodded in unison.
"Uh , " m u m bled Gilben st ock t o t h e r ed-bea r ded m a n , wh o wa s n ea r est . "I'm dreadfully afraid that I've forgotten to ask your names. "
Com pr eh en sion da wn ed in t h e m a n 's fa ce. "H a r bis, " h e sa id. "H a r bis my name is. "
The other two men looked surprised, then responded as well.
"Klarmun, " said the big blond.
"Skort, " said the tall one.
Gilben st ock wa s flooded wit h r elief. "My, " h e sa id, "I ca n 't t ell you h ow good it is t o m eet people wh o a r e polit e en ou gh t o give you t h eir n a m es, u n like som e people I kn ow. " H e wa s on t h e ver ge of sa yin g m or e wh en t h e m em or y of t h e h u n t in g kn ife ca m e ba ck. "Wou ld you like som e goa fs m ilk?" h e sa id in st ea d, seizin g t h e pit ch er a n d pou r in g ou t dr in ks. Wit h a forced smile, he passed the mugs around.
E a ch m a n t ook h is dr in k a n d set it , wit h ou t a secon d look, beside h is pla t e. "We you a sked for spea kin g of a bou t ou r m in e, you h ir e for diggin g, " bega n t h e big blon d. H e r ea ch ed in t o h is deer skin vest a n d pu lled ou t a piece of folded parchment.
The muscular blond unfolded the paper carefully and smoothed it out in t h e flicker in g la n t er n ligh t . Th e side fa cin g u p wa s bla n k except for som e cr u de m a r kin gs t h a t seem ed t o h a ve been m a de wit h a sh a r p ch a r coa l stick. Gilbenstock looked at the paper in confusion until he recognized the northern Ba y of Br a n ch a la , t h e cit y of P a la n t h a s, a n d Old Sou t h Roa d, lea din g off in t o t h e m ou n t a in s t owa r d t h e Tower of t h e H igh Cler ist a n d the lands of Solamnia.
Kla r m u n clea r ed h is t h r oa t a n d poin t ed decisively a t t h e pa per . "Now we are here, " he said as he indicated Palanthas, "and soon we are there. " H is fin ger slid t o a poin t ju st ea st of t h e sou t h r oa d ou t of P a la n t h a s. Gilbenstock guessed it to be ten miles out of town, and again felt relieved. Th e Ir on Dr a gon cou ld m a ke t h a t dist a n ce a n d ba ck ea sily on a fu ll t a n k of water.
"That's the location of your mine?" he asked.
All t h r ee m en n odded. "F r om r oa d h er e, you fly " Kla r m u n cou gh ed and began again. "You walk here, inside dry water flow. "
"Dr y cr eek, " cor r ect ed t h e t a ll, da r k-h a ir ed Skor t . Kla r m u n n odded quickly.
Gilben st ock h a d r a r ely been ou t side P a la n t h a s sin ce h is a r r iva l a ll t h ose yea r s a go, so h e wa s u n fa m ilia r wit h t h e a r ea t h e m en in dica t ed. Th e Ir on Dr a gon , h owever , h a d a sem i-flexible ch a ssis a n d h ea vy sh ock a bsor ber s. It m igh t m a n a ge a dr ive u p a cr eek bed. "Is t h e cr eek bed solid stone?" he asked. "Or is it muddy or gravel-filled?"
"Ah, stone, " said Klarmun. "Very wide, easy walk. "
"E xcellen t . Th a t 's wh er e I'll h a ve Squ ib t a ke t h e Ir on Dr a gon . " Gilbenstock noticed the blank looks the men now gave him. "Oh, yes, good Squ ib is t h e pilot . I believe I m en t ion ed t h a t on ce. H e will oper a t e t h e Ir on Dr a gon on it s fir st r u n . H e's a ct u a lly qu it e a gift ed sor t wit h mechanical things, which I've noticed a great many people don't expect. In truth, he's helped me quite a bit with the Iron Dragon during its building, a n d I'd n ever h a ve got t en so fa r wit h ou t h im . A sa va n t , I believe is t h e wor d for it . " Gilben st ock t a ct fu lly sh or t en ed t h e ph r a se idiot sa va n t . "H e's defin it ely a clever r ogu e a n d qu it e good-h ea r t ed, a r ea l plea su r e on ce you com e t o kn ow h im . H e on ce fou n d a wa y t o... a h , t h a t m u st be dinner. I'll be right back. "
A low wh ist lin g sou n d of esca pin g st ea m h a d begu n in t h e kit ch en . Gilben st ock clim bed down fr om h is st ool a n d h u r r ied off, t o r ea ppea r t wo m in u t es la t er (a ft er a ser ies of oa t h s a n d cr ies of pa in ) wit h sever a l bowls fu ll of va r iou s cooked veget a bles. H e set t h ese on t h e t a ble, on e beside ea ch cu st om er , a n d blew on h is bu r n ed fin ger s. Th e com bin a t ion F ood Steamer, Masher, and Plate-Wiper was a bit on the blink
"I do r ea lize t h is is qu it e ou t of t h e or din a r y for a con t r a ct or t o su pply a r epa st t o t h ose wh o h ir e h im , " h e sa id h a ppily, "bu t t h is r ea lly h a s been a n ext r a or din a r y da y, a n d I su ppose I sh ou ld be per m it t ed t o t a ke a few liber t ies wit h n or m a l pr ot ocol. Ah , t h er e we go, t h a t 's t h e lot of it . We h a ve som e veget a ble con fet t i t h er e, broccoli t h e m a r ket wa s com plet ely pot a t oes, t wice cooked, a n d t h a t r igh t over t h er e by you r elbow is sa vor y squ a sh , qu it e fr esh , a n d t o wr a p it u p I've ba ked a lt h ou gh it is ou t of wit h kelp su bst it u t ed for t h e ou t of it a n d som e P a la n t h a s sea son , I kn ow a Lor d Am ot h u s's Yu le sou r -cr ea m wa ln u t ca ke. It 's a r em a r ka ble sor t of ca ke, a n d t h is is t h e fir st on e I've been a ble t o ba ke wit h ou t set t in g t h e kit ch en on fir e. I pu t ext r a wa ln u t s in , I h ope you don't mind. Squib likes it that way. "
Th e t h r ee m en m a de n o m ove t o ea t t h eir food. Th e r ed-bea r ded m a n , Harbis, swallowed and looked sick.
"Qu est ion , " sa id Skor t . H e lea n ed for wa r d, h is h a n ds cu pped over the bowl of sa vor y squ a sh a s if sh ieldin g it fr om h im . "H ow soon t h e m in e you dig out?"
"H ow soon ?" Gilben st ock spoon ed m ou n ds of veget a ble con fet t i on t o h is pla t e. "Well, I in spect ed t h e Ir on Dr a gon t h is m or n in g sh or t ly a ft er you left , a n d... u m , ever yt h in g wa s fin e t h er e, so a ll I n eed t o do is r u n a pipe in t o t h e st or m dr a in s a n d t op off t h e pr im a r y boiler , wh ich sh ou ldn 't t a ke lon g a t a ll given t h e r u n off fr om t h e r a in t h is m or n in g, t h en I'll n eed t o give it a la st syst em s ch eck, t h en I'll n eed t o get per m ission fr om t h e cit y gover n m en t for m ovin g a n over sized veh icle t h r ou gh t own though per h a ps I cou ld get a wa y wit h it ju st t h is on ce, a s t h e officia ls ca n be qu it e u n der st a n din g som et im es bu t n ot a lwa ys so t owa r d in ven t or s, a s I have learned in "
"How soon?" repeated Skort patiently.
"Th e da y a ft er t om or r ow, " sa id Gilben st ock. H e r ea ch ed for t h e pot a t oes bu t st opped sh or t . "You ca n ea t n ow, " h e sa id, n oddin g a t h is guests' empty plates.
H a r bis wa s swea t in g visibly. Kla r m u n t oyed wit h a t in y piece of fr ied pot a t o. Skor t n ever looked down a t t h e t a ble. "Two da ys, good, " Skor t sa id wit h sa t isfa ct ion . "At m in e we t h r ee will be, wa it in g a t n oon . Wa lkin g good for u s, we see you t h er e. " H e pa u sed, t h en wen t on . "Rem em ber , you we a sk n ot spea k a bou t m in e or diggin g ot h er s. Secr et our mine. "
"Beg pa r don ?" Gilben st ock h a d fin ish ed ser vin g h im self a n d wa s preparing to eat the sour-cream walnut cake.
Th e t h r ee m en looked a t ea ch ot h er , t h en Kla r m u n ga ve it a t r y, gr a t efu lly pu t t in g a side h is pot a t o scr a p. "You a bou t t h is, ou r m in e, n ot speak about. Not good, everyone know. Secret. "
Gilben st ock n odded. "Yes, I r eca ll you sa id t h a t t h is m or n in g ju st befor e... ju st befor e you left . " H e t h ou gh t of t h e m a n wit h t h e big kn ife in h is wor ksh op. H is fa ce su dden ly felt a s if a ll t h e blood h a d left it . Wh a t was going on here?
"Dia m on ds we you ga ve, you ou r t r u st , " Skor t sa id. H is eyes seem ed t o h a ve gr own la r ger . "If ever yon e ou r m in e kn ow, we h a ve for u s m u ch trouble, yes, trouble. Our trust you and... your friend have. No trouble?"
Th er e wa s a lit t le silen ce. Gilben st ock felt ligh t -h ea ded wit h fea r . "No trouble. None whatsoever. "
"No trouble, " Skort said again in approval. "If trouble, you we must "
Th e fr on t door ba n ged open wit h ou t wa r n in g. Cold n igh t win ds blew in . A squat, filthy figure carrying a bucket staggered inside.
"Squib!" cried the gnome.
Th e gu lly dwa r f wa s cover ed wit h lon g, bleedin g scr a t ch es fr om h ea d t o mud-cover ed feet . H is n or m a lly r a gged clot h es wer e n ea r ly sh r edded, a n d he smelled as if he'd been rolling in an alley latrine.
"Gr ea t Reor x, wer e you set u pon ?" Gilben st ock clim bed down fr om h is stool so quickly he nearly fell. He rushed to Squib. "Were you beaten?"
Squ ib r olled h is eyes a n d sh ook h is h ea d, h oldin g u p t h e bu cket . H e fir st sh a ded h is eyes wit h on e h a n d, a s if sea r ch in g. Th en h e poin t ed, made a brief hissing sound with his free hand in the shape of a scratching cla w, a n d pa n t om im ed a scen e of ba t t le wit h a felin e oppon en t . At the en d, h e h eld t h e bu cket a loft a ga in in t r iu m ph , h is fr ee h a n d n ow a fist waving over his head. He then offered the bucket to the men at the table.
Gilben st ock's eyes locked on t h e bu cket a n d wen t wide wit h h or r or . Th e bucket was filled almost to the brim with dead mice.
Squib had brought back the hors d'oeuvres.
Gilben st ock wa s m or t ified. "Squ ib, by m y t welve-times-great Grandfather Mulorbinello, no! We don't offer our... our guests... "
H is voice t r a iled off. H a r bis, fa ce glowin g in r elief, t ook t h e bu cket of m ice fr om t h e gu lly dwa r f. Gr in s br oke ou t a ll a r ou n d t h e t a ble. Squ ib gr a bbed a ch a ir a n d pu lled it u p t o join t h e t h r ee m en a s H a r bis qu ickly doled ou t m ice t o ea ch of t h e ot h er s pr esen t . Th ey a ccept ed t h em wit h gusty sighs.
Gilben st ock gr a bbed h is own pla t e fr om t h e t a ble a n d m a de it t o t h e kitchen in t h e n ick of t im e. H e h oped h is cu st om er s wou ld for give h is r u den ess, t h ou gh h e n ow kn ew t h em t o be ba r ba r ia n s wea r in g civilized clot h in g. Ta kin g a sea t on t h e floor , Gilben st ock m a de a st a b a t som e of t h e sou r -cr ea m wa ln u t ca ke, bu t h e kept im a gin in g it wa s fu ll of m ou se h ea ds or t a ils. H e glu m ly set h is m ea l a side a n d pou r ed h im self a cu p of water as he fought off nausea.
Not everyone, he reflected, is cut out to be a vegetarian.
* * * * *
Th e con t r a ct s wer e sign ed t h e followin g m or n in g, wh en Gilben stock wa s feelin g well a ga in . Th e m ea l h a d been a com plet e su ccess fr om t h e h u m a n s' poin t of view a n d fr om Squ ib's, a s t h e gu lly dwa r f got n ot on ly some of the mice but the entire sour-cream walnut cake as well.

Th e da y pa ssed qu ickly. Gilben st ock a sked som e of t h e cit y gu a r ds t o t a ke a n ext r a wa lk pa st h is sh op t o look for pr owler s, a n d t h e gen er ou s don a t ion h e m a de t o t h e cit y gu a r ds' t r ea su r y a n d widows' fu n d en su r ed t h a t t h e gu a r ds t ook a fr ien dly in t er est in ch a sin g sm a ll ch ildr en a n d va gr a n t s fr om h is door wa y. Th e gn om e felt m u ch m or e secu r e a n d wa s a ble t o t a n k u p t h e Ir on Dr a gon by lower in g a h ose in t o t h e dr a in in h is sh op, pu m pin g ou t wh a t wa t er h e n eeded fr om t h e st or m sewer s in t o t h e drilling machine's huge boiler.

After a long day spent in the fin a l ch eckou t of t h e m a ch in e, Gilben st ock br ou gh t Squ ib t o t h e wor ksh op for a t est st a r t of t h e Ir on Dr a gon . Th e gn om e a n d gu lly dwa r f clim bed t o t h eir r espect ive ca bin s, a n d Gilben st ock, wit h h is cu st om a r y r em a r k a bou t "colla t er a l da m a ge, " signaled for the Iron Dragon's boiler to be brought to one-quarter steam.

At fir st t h er e wa s silen ce in t h e wor ksh op. Over a spa ce of t en m in u t es, h owever , a low r u m ble cou ld be h ea r d fr om t h e Ir on Dr a gon 's h u ge boiler . Gilben st ock felt t h e m a ch in e ga t h er power a n d t r em ble sligh t ly. Th ou gh P a la n t h a s h a d st r ict la ws a bou t n oisem a kin g a ft er da r k, t h e h u m a n s wh o cou ldn 't st a n d t h e con st a n t h a m m er in g h a d lon g a go m oved a wa y fr om this block, so Gilbenstock wasn't worried about civil trouble.

Th e r u m blin g gr ew u n t il t h e wa lls of t h e wa r eh ou se sh ook u n der wa ves of sou n d so lou d t h a t t h e gn om e believed h e cou ld see t h em . Th e wa x ea r plu gs a n d h ea vy-du t y ea r m u ffler s h e kept t ied over h is h ea d h elped a gr ea t dea l. F a it h fu l Squ ib wa s ca lm a n d u n a ffect ed. H e wor e a com bin a t ion of over sized goggles a n d ea r m u ffs t h a t m a de h im look r a t h er like a bu g-eyed in sect , wit h a t h ickly pa dded su it a n d h ea vy gloves t o protect from steam blasts. Gilbenstock wore a similar outfit.

At on e-qu a r t er st ea m , t h e Ir on Dr a gon ga ve a ll in dica t ion s t h a t it wa s a ct u a lly com in g t o life. A sm a ll pipe bu r st n ea r t h e por t cen t r a l wh eel h ou sin g. Squ ib a n d Gilben st ock pu lled lever s, t u gged cor ds, flipped swit ch es, a n d t u r n ed kn obs. Th e st ea m lea k wa s sh u t off. Sh or t ly a ft er , oil spr a yed fr om a loose join t ju st u n der t h e dr ill h ea d m ou n t , bu t Gilbenstock ignored it. The test start was all he could have hoped for.

J u st a s plea sin g wa s t h e ch a n ce Gilben st ock h a d t o see Squ ib displa y h is u n iqu e gen iu s wit h t h e con t r ols of t h e m a gn ificen t veh icle. Th e m u t e gu lly dwa r f cou ldn 't cou n t pa st t wo, like m ost of h is kin d, bu t h e cou ld disa ssem ble a n y device a n d r ea ssem ble it fla wlessly, a skill t h a t h a d saved the gnome from disaster on this project a hundred times. Squib had pa ssed a ll t h e pilot in g t est s t h a t Gilben st ock cou ld devise. Wit h ou t fa il, h e oper a t ed t h e Ir on Dr a gon 's a r r a y of com plex dia ls, lever s, bu t t on s, ga u ges, wa r n in g wh ist les, t im in g bells, sign a l fla gs, a n d ot h er devices t h a t fa ced h im in h is lit t le ca bin . Th e gn om e h a ppily for ga ve Squ ib ever y offense even last night's "hors d'oeuvres. "

Gilben st ock br ou gh t t h e boiler pr essu r e down a ft er a few m in u t es, seein g n o n eed for fu r t h er t est s. Tom or r ow a t da wn , h e'd br in g it u p t o full pressure and engage the main drive. The Iron Dragon would roll off to m eet h is cu st om er s a t t h e m in e. It wou ld be a h ist or ic m om en t . P er h a ps, h e r eflect ed, t h e cit y wou ld offer h im som e for m of r ecogn it ion for h is achievement, such as a statue and a sack full of money. One never knew.

Th e m a ch in e wa s com plet ely sh u t down by m idn igh t , a ccor din g t o t h e sh op's h ou r gla ss t h e on ly gla sswa r e in t h e pla ce t h a t wa sn 't com plet ely shattered by the noise. After final repairs, Gilbenstock motioned for Squib n ot t o bot h er clea n in g u p, a n d t h ey left by a sm a ll door in t h e ba ck of t h e sh op. Squ ib sh or t ly t h er ea ft er disa ppea r ed t o r u m m a ge t h r ou gh a garbage heap.

Th e gn om e con t in u ed on a lon e, en joyin g t h e n igh t a ir a n d t r yin g t o get t h e lou d r in gin g ou t of h is ea r s. P er h a ps a qu a r t er of a n h ou r wen t by before Gilbenstock could make out normal street noises. Curiously, all the dogs in t h e n eigh bor h ood wer e ba r kin g like m a d. Ma n y la m ps wer e lit in the windows and rooms, and there seemed to be an extraordinary number of people ou t on t h e st r eet s, a r gu in g a n d poin t in g in t h e dir ect ion fr om wh ich t h e gn om e h a d ju st come. He shrugged, supposing the warm spring weather had brought everyone out, and began to hum a tune off-key.

H e cu t t h r ou gh a n a lley a n d even t u a lly wa lked ou t on t o a poor ly lit st r eet on ly t wo blocks fr om h om e. A r a t t lin g n oise sou n ded beh in d h im in the alley, like a fallen pebble. Glancing back, he saw nothing.

He looked ahead again just in time to run into a man's legs. Ba dly st a r t led, t h e gn om e cr ied ou t in spit e of h im self. H e ba cked a wa y a n d looked u p. "By m y a n cest or 's a lu m in u m -sidin g pa t en t , I h a d qu it e a turn there! You must forgive "
Recogn izin g t h e m a n 's fa ce, Gilben st ock in st a n t ly t u r n ed t o r u n . A pit iless h a n d gr a bbed h is u pper r igh t a r m a n d sh oved h im ba ck in t o t h e alley. Gilbenstock lost his balance and fell.
"Time flies when you're having a good time, eh?"
It t ook a few m om en t s for t h e gn om e t o fin d h is voice. Ter r or kept h im fr om lookin g u p. "I kept you r secr et , " h e ga sped. "I swea r t h a t I did. If you ca n possibly see you r wa y t o m a kin g fr ien ds a n d let t in g m e go, I would aagh!"
Th e h u m a n 's h a n ds closed on t h e gn om e's clot h in g a n d dr a gged Gilbenstock to his feet, shoving him against an alley wall. The gnome was t oo fr igh t en ed t o ca ll for h elp. Th e m a n 's h a n ds slowly r elea sed t h eir gr ip on t h e gn om e's wa t er logged clot h in g. Th en h e kn elt down in fr on t of Gilben st ock, h is fa ce a n d ou t lin e ba r ely visible in t h e da r kn ess. H e bega n to gently brush off the gnome's clothing like a concerned old friend.
"Ba d fa ll you t ook t h er e, " t h e m a n sa id gen t ly. H e fin ish ed h is m in ist r a t ion s a n d ga zed in t o t h e gn om e's fa ce. "I wa n t t o kn ow if a n d wh en you 'r e lea vin g t own t o h elp ou t you r fr ien ds. An d I h ope you won 't say it isn't any of my business. "
Gilben st ock wa n t ed so ba dly t o figh t ba ck, t o do a n yt h in g t o defen d himself.
"I asked you a question, " said the man.
"Tom or r ow m or n in g, " t h e gn om e wh isper ed su llen ly. "We lea ve ju st before dawn. "
Th e m a n sn or t ed in disgu st . "I t h ou gh t som et h in g wa s u p wh en I h ea r d you r st ea m -power ed flower weeder st a r t u p t on igh t . Gr ea t gods of Kr yn n , you cou ld h ea r it a ll over t h e cit y. I wou ldn 't be su r pr ised if t h e good t own sfolk don 't bu r n you r lit t le wor ksh op down for a ll t h e sleep t h ey've lost . You gn om es h a ve dog cr a p for com m on sen se. An d you 've got less than usual for taking up with those special pals of yours. "
Aft er a m om en t of t h ou gh t , t h e m a n t ook a deep br ea t h . "Well, lit t le gu y, I'll t ell you wh a t 's goin g t o h a ppen . Befor e you get r ea dy t o lea ve town with your three big buddies, you're going to "
"Zorlen, " a voice said. It sounded like Klarmun.
Gilben st ock a n d t h e m a n im m edia t ely t u r n ed. In t h e dim ligh t of a dist a n t la m p, t h e gn om e cou ld see t h e silh ou et t e of som eon e st a n din g in t h e a lley en t r a n ce som eon e t a ll a n d t h ick-a r m ed, wit h sh ou lder -length hair. The man froze.
Gilben st ock lu n ged for wa r d. H e t h r ew h is weigh t a ga in st t h e kn eelin g m a n befor e h im , sen din g h im spr a wlin g ba ckwa r d. Th e gn om e t h en fled down t h e a lley t h e wa y h e'd com e, st u m blin g over cobblest on es a n d t r a sh in the blackness.
Beh in d h im r a n g ou t cu r ses, t h en m et a llic blows on st on e, a n d m or e curses. The fight faded in the distance as he ran on and on.
An u n kn own t im e la t er , Gilben st ock st a gger ed u p t o h is fr on t door a n d colla psed a ga in st it . H is lu n gs wer e on fir e, a n d h e cou ldn 't ca t ch h is br ea t h . H e t r ied t o t u r n t h e door -kn ob. It wa s locked. H e st r u ggled wit h it, then released the knob as he felt in his pocket for the key ring.
The keys were gone.
Aft er a fr u it less sea r ch , Gilben st ock sa t down on t h e door st ep a n d cover ed h is fa ce wit h h is t h ick h a n ds. H e wou ld h a ve t o go ba ck a n d fin d h is keys. H e kn ew wh er e t h ey wer e n ow, r em em ber in g a m et a llic cla t t er wh en h is a ssa ila n t h a d pu sh ed h im a ga in st t h e wa ll. It h a d been t h e keys falling from his vest pocket.
Gilben st ock wou ld r a t h er h a ve died t h a n r et u r n t o t h e a lley, bu t h is wor ksh op key wa s on t h e key r in g a s well a s h is h ou se key. If h e wa it ed until dawn, a child might carry them off.
"Be a dr a gon in side, " h e sa id t o h im self. H e kn ew h e wa s a n yt h in g bu t a dr a gon . H e cou ld kid h im self a n d believe h e wa s br a ve a n d kn ew t h e right thing to do, but it meant nothing in the real world.
It wa s t h e ver y deepest pa r t of n igh t wh en h e fou n d t h e a lley a ga in . No sou n ds issu ed fr om it . All la m p ligh t s h a d been ext in gu ish ed; t h e da r kn ess wa s a lm ost com plet e. H e wa s for ced t o feel h is wa y a lon g t h e alley wall.
Like a ll gn om es, Gilben st ock h a d in fr a r ed-sen sit ive vision t h a t let h im see h ea t sou r ces in da r kn ess, bu t h e sa w n ot h in g wa r m in t h e en t r a n ce t o t h e a lley. H e kept h is fa ce t o t h e wa ll, h is fin ger s st r a yin g in t o st in kin g, unidentified filth and debris as he slid his hands over the cobble-stones.
Th e sea r ch for t h e keys wen t on for a ges. Gilben st ock lost a ll sen se of t im e. H a ven 't I su ffer ed en ou gh ? h e a sked h im self. H is h a n ds a n d clot h in g wer e cover ed in fou l ga r ba ge. H e cou ld sm ell a n im a l du n g a n d r ot t in g fr u it a n d m old a n d, soon , blood lot s of blood. Don 't let m e fin d a body, he prayed. Let me find my keys and I'll go. Let me find my keys. Let me find
H is fin ger s t ou ch ed som et h in g m et a l. Slowly h e felt down wit h h is whole hand. His fist closed on his lost keys.
In a ll h is life, Gilben st ock h a d n ever believed it wa s possible t o feel a s r elieved a n d ligh t a s h e felt t h en . Reor x h a d been wa t ch in g ou t for h im , a ft er a ll. Th e gn om e sigh ed a n d st epped a wa y fr om t h e wa ll. H e pr om pt ly st u m bled over som et h in g in t h e a lley beh in d h im , fa llin g a ga in st a la r ge object t h a t wa s soft a n d wet . Gilben st ock cr ied ou t in fr igh t . H e cou ld almost taste the sharp odor of fresh blood.
A man-sized body lay on the alley's stones. It wasn't moving. It was also cooler than a live body would be.
Kla r m u n or t h e a ssa ila n t ? wa s t h e fir st qu est ion t h a t ca m e t o Gilben st ock on ce h is t h ou gh t s wer e coh er en t a ga in . It wa s a m in u t e befor e h e cou ld wor k u p t h e cou r a ge t o fin d ou t . H e looked a r ou n d, sa w a n d h ea r d n o on e com in g, t h en in ch ed over t o t h e dea d m a n 's h ea d. Slowly, the gnome put out a hand and touched the man's hair.
Th e h a ir wa s t h ick a n d wir y, set in t igh t cu r ls. It wa s st icky wit h drying blood. Zorlen, Klarmun had called him. Zorlen was dead.
Gilbenstock released the man's hair and stepped back.
Th e h ea d r olled fr eely a wa y fr om t h e body a n d bu m ped a ga in st t h e gnome's foot, leaving a trail of blood behind it.
Gilben st ock wen t r igid wit h t er r or a n d m a de a ch okin g n oise. H e t ook another step back, then fainted.
* * * * *
Som et h in g wa r m wa s pr essed in t o h is h a n ds. Gilben st ock t ook it wit h ou t t h in kin g, du lly a wa r e of t h e sm ell of m ea t y br ot h . Som eon e t h en pu sh ed h is h a n ds t owa r d h is m ou t h , spillin g a bit of h ot liqu id fr om t h e cu p h e h eld. H e bega n t o dr in k. Th e br ot h st u n g h is fin ger s a n d m ou t h , but h e dr a n k wit h ou t flin ch in g. Befor e lon g, Gilben st ock lower ed t h e empty cup and pulled the blanket around his shoulders a little tighter.
To h is su r pr ise, h e fou n d t h a t h e wa s in h is own bed. Som eon e pu sh ed h is feet on t o t h e bed a n d t u cked h im u n der t h e cover s. H ow n ice, h e thought. Within moments, the gnome was sound asleep.
A gn a r led, dir t y h a n d pa t t ed t h e sn or in g lu m p u n der t h e bla n ket s a n d picked u p t h e cu p fr om t h e floor . Squ ib dr a in ed t h e la st few dr ops of br ot h , t h en h eft ed Gilben st ock's filt h y clot h in g a n d h ea ded for t h e sometimes-fu n ct ion a l, t welve-foot-lon g E r a dica t ion Recept a cle in t h e ba ck of t h e office. H e h a d n o idea wh a t t h e gn om e h a d been doin g in t h e a lley so la t e a t n igh t in su ch a h or r ible pr edica m en t , bu t it wa s obviou s t h a t it wa s lon g pa st t im e for h is boss t o go h om e. It h a d been a lu cky t h in g for t h e gn om e t h a t br a ve Squ ib h a d ch a sed h is r oden t qu a r r y r igh t in t o t h e a lley wh er e t h e figh t h a d occu r r ed. Ot h er wise... Squ ib sh u dder ed t o even im a gin e wh a t m igh t h a ve h a ppen ed. Som et h in g ba d for su r e, like wh a t h a ppen ed t o t h a t ot h er gu y, Mist er No-h ea d. Squ ib h a d been so sh ocked that he'd even let the rat get away.

On t h e wa y ba ck fr om t h e E r a dica t or , wh ich t h u m ped ch eer ily a s it m a n gled t h e clot h in g, t h e gu lly dwa r f st opped in t h e kit ch en a n d got h im self a n ot h er cu p of br ot h . H e dr a n k a sip a n d sigh ed wit h sa t isfa ct ion . Of a ll t h e t h in gs h e kn ew h ow t o cook, cr ea m of r a t sou p wa s ea sily t h e best thing of all. He hoped his boss appreciated that.
* * * * *
Th e m or n in g sky wa s br igh t over t h e m ou n t a in s r in gin g P a la n t h a s. F a r m er s dr ove t h eir ca r t s t h r ou gh t h e st r eet s, br in gin g pr odu ce for t h e markets. Gulls shrieked and crows cawed angrily by the bay waterfront.

Gn a r led h a n ds open ed a pa ir of wooden sh u t t er s t o t h e da wn , t h en r ou gh ly sh ook t h e bla n ket ed lu m p in t h e n ea r by bed. Th e gn om e a woke wit h a ga sp a n d a cciden t a lly kicked over a ch a ir by h is bedside. A fivefoot st a ck of pa per s on t h e ch a ir t ilt ed a n d fell, bu r yin g t h e gn om e beneath its whirling white pages.

"Aaaaaggggghhhhh!" Gilben st ock sh r ieked, con vin ced h e wa s bein g a t t a cked a ga in . H e fla iled a bou t , h u r lin g r ea m s of old n ot es fr om h is bed as Squib wisely retreated and hid under a table.

Wh en h e h a d ca lm ed down a n d cor r ect ly a ssessed t h e sit u a t ion , Gilben st ock fell ba ck a m on g h is cover s, t r yin g t o slow h is h ea r t bea t . Th e pr eviou s n igh t 's even t s seem ed m or e dist a n t n ow, t h ou gh h a r dly less frightening.

Ca u t iou sly, Squ ib cr a wled fr om u n der t h e bed a n d t a pped Gilben st ock on t h e a r m , poin t in g t o t h e win dow a n d t h e ligh t st r ea m in g t h r ou gh it . Gilben st ock st a r ed, t h en looked ba ck a t Squ ib in con fu sion . An d comprehension.

"Oh , gr ea t gods of Kr yn n !" In r en ewed pa n ic, Gilben st ock st r u ggled t o get u n t a n gled fr om h is bla n ket s. "We m u st get t o t h e wor ksh op! We'r e scheduled to meet our clients at the mine at noon!"

Th e n ext few m in u t es wer e a blu r . It wa s wh ile h e wa s h a st ily pu llin g on a clean pair of pants that Gilbenstock realized that his client Klarmun, wh om h e'd be m eet in g sh or t ly, wa s a killer . Th e t h ou gh t ca u sed h im t o tear a hole in his breeches by jamming his foot into a trouser leg too hard. H e dr opped t h e pa n t s a n d fr a n t ica lly h u n t ed for yet a n ot h er pa ir . Th en a ga in , h e r eflect ed, Kla r m u n h a d on ly com e t o h is r escu e, so per h a ps a cer t a in a m ou n t of bloodlet t in g wa s t o be for given . Ma ybe. Th e ver y idea st ill m a de t h e gn om e bla n ch . H e skipped br ea kfa st (t h e F la gr a t ion a r y La r der Applia n ce Ma in t a in in g E qu ipot en t ia l Ra dia n ce h a d bu r n ed a ll t h e wa ffles), a n d h e a n d Squ ib t h e la t t er clu t ch in g a wa r m cu p of som e sor t of meaty broth hurried off into the street.

To Gilben st ock's a st on ish m en t , la r ge sh eet s of pa per wer e n a iled t o t h e front doors of the warehouse. He squinted up at the writing.
"'Wa r n in g,'" h e r ea d a lou d. "'On t h is da y, t h e cit y gu a r d of P a la n t h a s h a s det er m in ed t h a t t h e m ech a n ica l device kept wit h in t h is fa cilit y m u st n ot be oper a t ed wit h in t h ese cit y lim it s, by or der of Ser gea n t Lia m J er a ws, u n t il su ch t im e a s it s excessive n oise, wh ich so violen t ly disturbed the public on the previous evening, can be permanently ' What rubbish is this?" Gilbenstock snorted as he led the way around to the back en t r a n ce. "To t h in k of a ll t h e br ibes I pa id h im , a n d n ow t h is! Th a t 's utterly disgraceful. No one has any respect for money these days. "
Squ ib belch ed in sym pa t h y. Wipin g h is m ou t h a n d bea r d on h is sleeve, he followed his boss into the warehouse.
It t ook bu t a few m in u t es t o don t h e pr ot ect ive clot h in g, gloves, t ool belt s, ea r plu gs, goggles, a n d ea r m u ffs. It t ook a n ot h er few m in u t es t o t a ke t h em a ll off a ga in wh en bot h gn om e a n d gu lly dwa r f discover ed t h ey h a d t o visit t h e la t r in e befor e t h e t r ip ("Too m u ch excit em en t , " m u t t er ed Gilben st ock). On ce a ga in fu lly ou t fit t ed, t h ey got on wit h a la st ch eck of t h e su pply boxes, wh ich con t a in ed food, t ools, ext r a clot h in g, a n d ya r ds of clean bandages just in case.
Wit h in t en m in u t es, t h e r u m blin g boiler wa s u p t o on e-qu a r t er power . A sh r ill wh ist le wen t off a t h a lf power , t r igger in g a ch or u s of a la r m bells a r ou n d t h e t wo gr ea t dr iver pist on s. Th e m on st r ou s locom ot ive gr owled and shook as if an earthquake boiled within it.
All evil memories of the past night vanished. The gnome felt taller than he really was, even taller than a human. His blood rushed and pounded in his veins in time with the shock waves of sound that filled the warehouse. Dust fell from the ceiling.
Gilben st ock looked ou t of t h e win dow t o h is r igh t for Squ ib's ca bin , ju st a s t h e gu lly dwa r f looked over a n d ca u gh t h is ga ze. Th e gu lly dwa r f gr in n ed fr om ea r t o ea r -m u ffed ea r , h is cr ossed eyes ba r ely visible beh in d his thick goggles. The moment was at hand.
"F or wa r d, in t o dest in y!" cr ied Gilben st ock, bu t h is voice wa s lost in t h e chaos as he pointed at the doors.
Squ ib n odded h a ppily, t h ou gh com plet ely u n a ble t o h ea r a t h in g, a n d pu lled down h a r d on t h e t h r ot t le. Th e Ir on Dr a gon open ed u p t o fu ll power as Squib engaged the main drive.
A thought occurred to the gnome.
"F ir st , let 's open t h e fr on t door s, " Gilben st ock a dded a m om en t la t er . "We'll have to watch for collateral oops!"
H e wa s t oo la t e. H a m m er blows of sou n d cr a sh ed in t o h is bon es. Turbines a n d pist on s scr ea m ed. Th e Ir on Dr a gon ga ve a t or t u r ed m et a llic sh r iek t h a t wen t u p t o t h e r oof a n d sky, t h e bla st sh a t t er in g t h e h ou r gla ss a t t h e sh op's r ea r . Wit h a ba n gin g of gea r s, t h e gr ea t m a ch in e lurched forward.
Gilben st ock wa t ch ed wit h a m ixt u r e of a st on ish m en t , h or r or , a n d wild pr ide a s t h e gia n t r ock dr ills pu n ch ed t h r ou gh t h e locked wooden door s of t h e wa r eh ou se. Mom en t s la t er , t h e Ir on Dr a gon wh ole wa ll wit h ea se. Th e bla ck m on st er su r ged ga pin g h ole a n d r olled dir ect ly on t o t h e st r eet cr a sh ed for wa r d t h r ou gh t h e t h r ou gh t h e su r pr isin gly fr ee of pedest r ia n s in t h e im m edia t e a r ea . Th e m a ch in e's wh eels cr u sh ed fla t a n a ba n don ed m elon ca r t . Squ ib's kn owin g h a n ds flew over t h e con t r ols, a n d t h e Ir on Dr a gon sm oot h ly pivot ed on it s st a r boa r d wh eels t o m a ke a r igh t t u r n down t h e st r eet , wh ich wa s r a pidly em pt yin g of a ll t r a ffic. Th e people seemed quite excited as they fled.
As well they should be, the gnome thought proudly.
In h is wildest dr ea m s, Gilben st ock h a d n ever im a gin ed r idin g h is Ir on Dr a gon wou ld be like t h is. Th e ir on floor t h u m ped a s if pou n ded by a giant, beating the soles of his feet mercilessly. He barely managed to keep u pr igh t by gr a spin g lever s a n d pipes wit h a ll h is st r en gt h . Most of t h e glass-cover ed dia ls soon br oke, a n d sever a l dia ls st opped fu n ct ion in g entirely, but the Iron Dragon still appeared to be in good running order.
An d t h e sound! Th e ver y a ir vibr a t ed like wa ves on t h e sh or e du r in g a gr ea t st or m . H ou ses seem ed t o sh iver in fea r a n d a we of Gilben st ock's in ven t ion . Su r ely t h e cit y popu la ce wou ld welcom e h im ba ck a s a h er o wh en h e r et u r n ed fr om h is fir st m ission ! Su r ely h u n dr eds wou ld t h en fill h is geologica l su r vey sh op wit h n ew m in es t o dig, n ew for t u n es t o m a ke, and rivers of praise for his genius!
The Iron Dragon drove down the street toward the intersection with the tree-lin ed Old Sou t h Roa d. Gilben st ock gla n ced beh in d bu t cou ldn 't see m u ch t h r ou gh t h e h u r r ica n e of du st a n d st ea m t h a t followed t h em . H e cou ld t ell, h owever , t h a t fr om t h eir pa ssa ge. H e dia m on d or t wo for r oa d r epa ir s, bu t it wou ld be wor t h t h e good pu blic relations.
Th er e wer e ot h er pr oblem s, t oo. Two a ba n don ed wa gon s wer e sm a sh ed t h e st r eet wa s su ffer in g con sider a ble da m a ge gr im a ced a t t h e t h ou gh t of spen din g a n ot h er t o pieces ben ea t h t h e m a ch in e's cot t a ge-sized wh eels, a n d a st r a y boa r d fr om on e br iefly ja m m ed t h e por t dr iver ba r . Lu r ch in g t o t h e left , t h e Ir on Dr a gon st r u ck a n d splin t er ed a h a lf dozen old t r ees lin in g t h e bou leva r d befor e t h e boa r d wa s dislodged a n d Squ ib br ou gh t t h e m a ch in e ba ck under control.
Pivoting at the intersection with Old South Road, the Iron Dragon came a bou t t o m a ke t h e fin a l leg of it s jou r n ey ou t of t own . As it did, Gilben st ock fou n d h im self con fr on t ed by a n er vou s cr owd of m a cewieldin g dr y gu a r ds, a ccom pa n ied by a m a n a n d a wom a n wea r in g t h e r ed r obes u sed by som e of t h e cit y's m a ges. Th e posse wa s on ly a h u n dr ed feet away.
"Uh-oh , " m u t t er ed t h e gn om e, h is voice lost in t h e r a cket . H e r ea ch ed u p a n d pu lled a cor d t o a ct iva t e a wa r n in g wh ist le pr ior t o h is slowin g down t h e m a ch in e. Th e gu a r ds dou bled over in a gon y a s t h e wh ist le scr ea m ed. Th r owin g down t h eir wea pon s, m ou t h s open wide a n d h a n ds cla sped t o t h eir ea r s, t h e h u m a n s fled for t h eir lives. Th ose in r ed r obes r a n fa st est of a ll. Gilben st ock decided t h er e wa s n o n eed t o st op n ow, a n d so continued on.
Th e la st bu ildin gs on t h e edge of t own wer e n ow goin g pa st t h e win dows. Th e fr on t en d of t h e Ir on Dr a gon r ose st ea dily, clim bin g t h e Old Sou t h Roa d a t t h e sou t h ea st er n en d of t h e Mer ch a n disin g Dist r ict . Th ey wer e a t t h e foot of t h e m ou n t a in s. F r om h er e, t h e r oa d cu r ved ba ck a n d for t h like a dr u n ka r d's wa lk for sever a l m iles a ft er lea vin g t h e cit y, bu t it wouldn't take but a few hours to reach the mine if the steam stayed high.
Th e Ir on Dr a gon st r u ck som et h in g in t h e r oa d a br on ze st a t u e on a low st on e pedest a l a n d bou n ced pa r t icu la r ly h igh befor e it cr u sh ed t h e figu r e a n d it s st on e ba se fla t . As t h e gn om e wa s t ossed in t o t h e a ir , h e ca u gh t a glim pse t h r ou gh t h e for wa r d win dow of som et h in g a h ea d in t h e road, directly in the path of the juggernaut.
A man wearing black robes.
Gilbenstock got up on tiptoes and took a second look.
It a ct u a lly a ppea r ed t o be a n elf in bla ck r obes. H e st ood ca lm ly, n ot a h u n dr ed a n d fift y feet a h ea d, h is a r m s cr ossed over h is ch est in ca r eless fa sh ion a s h e wa t ch ed t h e on com in g m a ch in e. Gilben st ock cou ld see t h e elf's liquid black eyes perfectly. They were focused on him.
His blood ran cold.
Even the most humble of gnome tinkers in Palanthas knew of Dalamar, h ea d of t h e Or der of Bla ck Robes, on e of t h e m igh t iest wiza r ds a live. Gilben st ock va gu ely r eca lled h ea r in g t h a t Da la m a r h a d u n dea d sor cer er s for ser va n t s. Un spea ka ble m on st er s wer e a t h is beck a n d ca ll. Ot h er r u m or s a bou t Da la m a r h a d given Gilben st ock u n plea sa n t dr ea m s in t h e pa st . To see t h e da r k elf a ct u a lly lookin g a t h im wa s wor se by fa r t h a n a n y n igh t m a r e. Th e gn om e t r ied t o sou n d t h e wa r n in g wh ist le, bu t t h e cor d h a d flipped u p ou t of r ea ch . Gilben st ock looked t o t h e r igh t a n d sa w t h a t fa it h fu l Squ ib a ppea r ed t o be wr est lin g wit h a st u ck va lve a n d wa s not paying the slightest attention to the road ahead or its lone obstacle.
Gr eet in gs, Gilben st ockelbu r lin diosoph a m ist ila lin ia r , sa id a cool, da r k voice in t h e gn om e's h ea d. Gilben st ock h a d n ot h ea r d t h e lon ger sh or t for m of h is n a m e in m a n y yea r s. It t er r ified h im t o h ea r it spoken n ow in h is m in d, a s if by a gh ost . H is t h ou gh t s ja m m ed u p like a gea r box wit h a log stuck in it.
F or give m e for u sin g dir ect m en t a l con t a ct wit h you , bu t n or m a l speech is qu it e im possible, sa id t h e voice. I wa s a wa ken ed la st n igh t by t h e r a cket of you r m a ch in e, a n d on ly a qu a r t er h ou r a go wa s in t er r u pt ed in m y st u dies by t h e sa m e. Now I fin d t h a t in a ddit ion t o t r ou blin g m e, you r device has driven away all street traffic for blocks, reduced the population of t h is cit y t o a n a r ch y, a n d da m a ged t h is dist r ict a t a cost of m a n y t h ou sa n d st eels. It wou ld n ot t r ou ble m e in t h e sligh t est t o h u r l bot h you a n d you r m iser a ble device in t o t h e ba y, a n d I a m gr ea t ly t em pt ed t o do so now.
All t h e st r en gt h wen t ou t of t h e gn om e's kn ees. H e gr ipped t h e win dow ledge to keep from falling. He steeled himself for what would come next.
A sm ile flit t ed a cr oss t h e fa ce of t h e da r k elf, n ow on ly fift y feet a h ea d. On t h e ot h er h a n d, you h a ve u n in t en t ion a lly a m u sed a n d plea sed m e, the voice sa id. I great ly disliked E list a n 's st a t u e, wh ich you 've r edu ced t o scr a p. E list a n wa s a s gr ea t a do-gooder a n d fool a s I h a ve ever kn own , and his statue was a drink of bile. Besides, it was a terrible likeness. We'll call it even. You may leave this city unharmed.
The da r k elf t h en t u r n ed in t o m ist a n d fa ded fr om view. J u st t h r ee secon ds la t er , t h e Ir on Dr a gon dr ove dir ect ly over t h e spot in t h e r oa d wh er e t h e elf h a d been st a n din g, con t in u in g it s t h u n der in g dr ive in t o t h e m ou n t a in s. Aft er a expect ed Da la m a r gn om e closed h is eyes a n d open ed h is m ou t h t o sa y a pr a yer of t h a n ks t o Reorx.
I wou ld en cou r a ge you t o t a ke you r t im e a bou t com in g ba ck, h owever , the voice added abruptly. And you'd best come on foot, if you come at all.
No more was said.
Aside fr om r u n n in g over a wa gon loa d of fr u it a n d a dea f opossu m , t h e Ir on Dr a gon a n d it s cr ew left t h e on ce t r a n qu il cit y wit h ou t fu r t h er incident.
lon g, br ea t h less m om en t du r in g wh ich Gilben st ock t o r ea ppea r a n d ca r r y ou t h is t h r ea t a n ywa y, t h e
* * * * *
After frantic hand signals from Gilbenstock, Squib was able to bring the ga r ga n t u a n device t o a h a lt a bou t sixt een m iles ou t side of t own , deep in t h e Vin ga a r d Mou n t a in s. Bla st s of st ea m spr a yed fr om t h e locom ot ive's pipes a n d va lves, t h e t h u n der ech oin g a cr oss t h e va lleys a n d cliffs. Gilben st ock fou n d t h a t h e wa s so a ffect ed by t h e bon e-ja r r in g r ide t h a t h e wa s t em por a r ily u n a ble t o wa lk or pick u p t h in gs wit h h is fin ger s. H e r ea ch ed t h e gr ou n d a ft er fa llin g h a lfwa y down t h e la dder a n d wa s removing sharp rock fragments from his palms when Squib joined him.

The gnome took off his ear protection and tried to speak, but he couldn't even h ea r h im self over t h e en dless r in gin g in h is ea r s. H e gest u r ed h elplessly, t h en ca u gh t Squ ib by t h e a r m a n d dr a gged h im t o t h e por t side of the idling machine. He pointed to the dry creek bed that ran across t h e r oa d a h ea d, t r a velin g per pen dicu la r t o t h eir dir ect ion of t r a vel. Aft er a few m or e gest u r es, Squ ib ca u gh t on t o t h e idea t h a t t h ey wer e t o dr ive u p t h e cr eek bed a n d, wit h sh a ky lim bs, bot h of t h em r em ou n t ed t h e veh icle. New bla st s of n oise r a n g t h r ou gh ou t t h e pea ks. Th e Ir on Dr a gon slowly spu n on it s por t wh eels, r ocks flyin g, a n d set ou t over t h e r ou gh ground.

Tr a velin g wa s n ow fa r wor se t h a n befor e. Th e Old Sou t h Roa d wa s h a r dly in t h e best of con dit ion in t h is a r ea , bu t t h e r ocky gr ou n d wa s a wfu l a n d for ced t h e gu lly dwa r f t o dr ive a t a fr a ct ion of t h eir pr eviou s speed. Gilben st ock wa s r egu la r ly sla m m ed fr om side t o side in h is ca bin , t h e boxes a n d cr a t es bou n cin g a r ou n d h im , a n d h e ba n ged h is h ea d pa in fu lly on n ea r by pipes a n d ga u ges m or e oft en t h a n wa s exa ct ly plea sa n t . Mor e t h a n on ce h e wa s n ea r ly t h r own fr om t h e ca bin t h r ou gh a side window.

Aft er wh a t seem ed like a t h ou sa n d yea r s of t h is pu n ish m en t , Gilbenstock dazedly noted that the Iron Dragon was coming to a halt. The m a ch in e r ocked on it s wh eels sligh t ly, t h en set t led down wit h a n ot h er chorus of steam blasts and metallic clanks and bangs.

I a m n ot on ly dea f, h e t h ou gh t a s h e la y on t h e floor of h is ca bin , h is sh or t a r m s wr a pped a r ou n d a pipe, bu t I h a ve a lso h a d ever y bon e in m y body br oken t o pieces. I will h a ve t o bu y a n ew body, wh ich m ea n s a n ot h er dia m on d gon e, bu t it will be wor t h it . I sh a ll a sk a r ou n d for a taller body if possible.

Squ ib, gr in n in g a n d h a r dly t h e wor se for t h e wea r , wa s a ble t o br in g Gilben st ock down t h e la dder a n d r evive h im wit h a dr in k of m ea t y br ot h fr om a sea led con t a in er . Gilben st ock soon pu sh ed t h e cu p a wa y. Wh o knew what the gully dwarf had made the soup with?

Gilben st ock qu ickly sa w t h a t Squ ib h a d st opped t h e m a ch in e beca u se t h er e wa s sim ply n owh er e else t o go. Th e br oa d, t r a il-like cr eek h a d on ce flowed fr om wh a t looked like a ca ver n in t h e side of t h e m ou n t a in . Th e ca ver n h a d lon g a go colla psed, a n d t h e cr eek h a d pr oba bly died wit h it . Wh ile Squ ib ga ve t h e Ir on Dr a gon a br ief ch eckover , Gilben st ock st r ipped off h is ea r m u ffs, goggles, a n d gloves, t h en set off on r u bber y legs t o examine the area.

Th e ca ver n wa s n ot t r u ly a ca ver n a t a ll, in st ea d bein g t h e dwa r ven m a de en t r a n ce t o wh a t wa s pr oba bly a n old m in e a n ir on m in e, ju dgin g by t h e r eddish ch u n ks of h em a t it e t h a t lit t er ed t h e gr ou n d. Gilben st ock blin ked a s h e r a n h is h a n ds over t h e fit t ed st on ewor k t h a t fr a m ed t h e bu r ied en t r a n ce. Th er e wa s a good ch a n ce t h a t t h e ver y dwa r ves wh o h a d bu ilt P a la n t h a s in a ges pa st h a d a lso du g t h is m in e. Gilben st ock gu essed that the mine had seen no workers for...

"H u n dr eds of yea r s, " Gilben st ock sigh ed. H e fou n d h is h ea r in g h a d come back, though the ringing had yet to leave.
"Ten centuries, " said a familiar voice behind him.
Clutching his heart, Gilbenstock gasped and spun around.
H a r bis a n d Skor t st ood on ly a dozen feet a wa y. Neit h er m a n wa s smiling. They were dusty but seemed comfortable in the heat.
"Mer cifu l gods, you ga ve m e qu it e a t u r n . " Gilben st ock la u gh ed a n d t wea ked a pin ky in h is r igh t ea r . "My h ea r in g's ju st a lit t le off, bu t it sh ou ld be ba ck in sh a pe soon en ou gh . Is t h is t h e m in e a bou t wh ich you were speaking earlier?"
"It is, " sa id Skor t . H is ga ze flicked t o t h e en t r a n ce, t h en ba ck t o t h e gn om e. "F or give u s for st a r t lin g you , bu t we'd ea r lier r et r ea t ed som e dist a n ce a r ou n d t h e side of t h e m ou n t a in t o a void bein g dea fen ed by your... remarkable Iron Dragon. "
"Ah , n o pr oblem a t a ll, " Gilben st ock r eplied gr a n dly. Som et h in g st r u ck t h e gn om e a s differ en t , bu t h e cou ldn 't qu it e pla ce it . "Well, we h a ve about five more hours until sundown, so if you wish us to start drilling we can get on with it in just a few more minutes after my assistant clears the Iron Dragon for operation. We had quite a rough ride up here, I must "
H e st opped in m idspeech . H e felt a n u n r ea son in g m om en t of fea r , t h en swa llowed a n d looked u p a t Skor t . "I m u st sa y, you 've r ea lly ca u gh t on with the language since I last saw you. You should be commended on your a bilit y. You 've m a n a ged t o pick u p t h e t on gu e fa r m or e qu ickly t h a n m ost people do. I don 't m ea n t h a t a s a slu r a ga in st h u m a n s, you u n der st a n d, but it does seem perhaps a bit unusual. "
"I a pologize for t h e decept ion , bu t we wish ed t o a ppea r a s som et h in g ot h er t h a n we a r e, " Skor t sa id dr yly. "My ba r ba r ic r ole ser ves m e well; som et im es it pa ys t o a ppea r u n soph ist ica t ed. My a ssocia t es a r e n ot a s skilled in you r la n gu a ge a s I, so t h eir r oles wer e m or e gen u in e. An d, yes, t h e soon er you st a r t dr illin g, t h e bet t er . We a r e ver y ea ger t o get ou r business underway again. "
"Of cou r se, " Gilben st ock a gr eed u n cer t a in ly, u n a ble t o t h in k of a n yt h in g m or e t o sa y. H e t u r n ed t o look a t t h e m in e en t r a n ce bu t in st ea d sa w H a r bis, h a n ds on h ips, blockin g h is view. Ra t h er , H a r bis seemed to h a ve bot h h a n ds on h is h ips, bu t on e h a n d wa s a ct u a lly r est in g on t h e pommel of a long dagger that was strapped to his right thigh.
"Oh, " Gilbenstock said, and looked back at Skort with frightened eyes.
"J u st st a r t diggin g, plea se, " Skor t sa id. "You h a ve been well pa id for your work, and we greatly wish to see the results. "
"Um , r esu lt s, of cou r se, " t h e gn om e ech oed. "Of cou r se. " H e looked on e la st t im e a t H a r bis's da gger , t h en h ea ded ba ck t owa r d t h e Ir on Dr a gon , fighting the urge to run away.
Befor e h e r ea ch ed t h e Ir on Dr a gon , h owever , h e st opped on ce on im pu lse a n d looked ba ck. E ven a s h e spoke, Gilben st ock kn ew h e wa s r iskin g t r ou ble. H e cou ldn 't h elp h im self. H e h a d t o kn ow. "F or give m e, " h e ca lled, "bu t I don 't see ou r fr ien d Kla r m u n h er e. I h ope you don 't m in d my asking after him. "
Skort and Harbis stared at the gnome for a few seconds. Three inches of Harbis's dagger blade appeared from its sheath.
"Kla r m u n wa s det a in ed by a n old a cqu a in t a n ce in t own , " Skor t sa id without expression. "Carry on. "
H a r bis's bla de slowly disa ppea r ed, t h ou gh h is kn ot t ed h a n d did n ot relax its grip on the hilt.
Gilben st ock n odded a ga in , t h en wen t on t o t h e Ir on Dr a gon . H e cu r sed himself as he did. For the love of money, he had sold his services to agents of da r kn ess, a n d t h ey n ow expect ed t h eir du e. Th ey wer e n ot cr u de ba r ba r ia n s a t a ll, bu t sh r ewd a ct or s pla yin g ou t t h eir pa r t s, secr et ly for t u n e h u n t er s or t h ieves. Th ey obviou sly t h ou gh t t h e m in e h eld bu r ied t r ea su r e of som e sor t , a n d t h ey'd kill for t h a t t r ea su r e. Gilben st ock h a d been pla yed for a fool. H e wa s a live on ly beca u se h e wa s u sefu l and because no one suspected him of treachery.
The excitement the gnome had felt earlier on the drive out of Palanthas wa s gon e. Now h e sh iver ed, a n t icipa t in g t h e sh a r p pa in of a kn ife t h r u st in his back, and wondering how long he had to live.
Skor t h a d im plied t h a t Zor len wa s kn own t o t h em , a n "old a cqu a in t a n ce. " An old en em y, m or e likely. Did t h e t h r ee su spect t h a t Gilbenstock had told Zorlen about their plans? What would they do if they thought he had?
H is m in d over r u n wit h t r ou blin g qu est ion s, t h e gn om e wa s ba r ely a ble t o keep h is t h ou gh t s on h is wor k a s h e ch ecked ba ck wit h h is a ssist a n t . Wor t h y Squ ib poin t ed ou t a few a r ea s of pa r t icu la r da m a ge don e t o t h e Ir on Dr a gon on it s h ou r s-lon g dr ive, bu t t h e m a ch in e a s a wh ole h a d h eld up well. There was no reason it couldn't tackle the drilling right away.
With a heavy sigh, Gilbenstock waved to the two men and warned them t h a t t h e dr illin g wou ld soon com m en ce. Wh en h e spelled ou t t h e da n ger s of t h e n oise a n d flyin g r ocks ("Th e colla t er a l da m a ge sh ou ld be ext r a or din a r y"), t h e t wo m en n odded, t h en set off down t h e cr eek bed t o be out of harm's way.
Gilbenstock distractedly patted Squib on the back, then started back up t h e ir on la dder t o h is ca bin . On ce t h er e, h e ca r efu lly ba r r ed h is door a n d r a ised sever a l sm a ll sh ields in t h e win dows t o pr ot ect h im fr om r ock sh a r ds. H e t h en peeked ou t t h e st a r boa r d win dow t o see h ow Squ ib wa s doing.
On e of t h e la r ge su pply boxes beh in d Gilben st ock sh ift ed a n d cr ea ked. Its lid ca m e open . St a r t led, Gilben st ock spu n a r ou n d. A dir t y figu r e a r ose fr om in side t h e box, h oldin g t h e lid open wit h on e a r m . Th e m a n 's cu r ly black hair was damp with sweat. Old blood streaked his face.
"Tim e flies wh en you 'r e h a vin g a good t im e, eh ?" sa id t h e m a n in a soft , weary voice.
Gilben st ock cou ldn 't t h in k of a n yt h in g t o sa y. H e wa s n u m b wit h terror and astonishment.
Th e m a n Zorlen sh ook h is h ea d a s if t o clea r it . "It 's m e, lit t le fr ien d, " h e sa id. "Don 't bot h er t o a n swer ; I ca n ba r ely h ea r a t h in g a n ywa y fr om t h e r a cket you r flower weeder pu t ou t . I ju st h a d t o t a g a lon g on you r lit t le t r ip in t o t h e m ou n t a in s. You h a d lot s of t h in gs in t h is cr a t e, bu t I figu r ed you wou ldn 't m iss t h em , so I t ook t h em ou t a n d pu t m yself in la st n igh t a ft er ou r m eet in g in t h e a lley. It t ook a wh ile t o do it . Ou r fr ien d turned out to be better with a blade than I'd allowed. "
The man grimaced, then brought his other arm out of the crate and into view. In a ba n da ged h a n d, h e clu t ch ed t h e h u ge, bloodst a in ed h u n t in g knife.
Gilben st ock fou n d h is t on gu e. "You wer e d-d-dea d, " h e m a n a ged t o gibber. "You had no h-h -h... "
Zor len ga ve a fa in t la u gh , qu ickly gon e. "I looked m igh t y dea d, didn 't I? I t h ou gh t so, t oo. Th e cor pse looked ju st like m e. Th ey a ll do t h a t , you kn ow. Dea t h ch a n ges a ll Siva k dr a con ia n s, wh et h er t h ey kill or a r e killed t h em selves. I h a d t o m a ke su r e h e wa s a s dea d a s h e cou ld get , befor e... " Zor len r a ised t h e t ip of h is la r ge kn ife a n d flicked it gen t ly pa st h is throat. "Best cure for headaches there ever was. "
"Draconians, " the gnome repeated dazedly.
Zor len r u bbed h is ea r s. "Dr a con ia n s. I kn ew t h e t h r ee of t h em wer e on t o som et h in g. F ollowed t h e sca ly ba st a r ds fr om Ka la m a n , ea st of h er e. They stole some papers from an old mage, a friend of mine, after they tore h im t o r ibbon s. Th ey kn ew wh a t t h ey wer e a ft er a n d wh er e t h ey wa n t ed t o go. Th e Da r k Qu een m u st h a ve t ipped t h em off. Th ey t ook on ly t h e pa per s wr it t en down by t h e dwa r ves a t P a la n t h a s, a bou t t h eir m in es. My fr ien d collect ed old st or ies like t h a t . Th en t h ey killed som e pea sa n t s, t ook their clothes and identities. "
Zor len h a d t o sh ou t ou t side. "Th e dwa r ves Migh t , down in t h is m in e. Aft er t h ey fou n d it , t h e dwa r ves sea led off t h e t o be h ea r d over t h e r isin g st ea m n oises fr om fou n d som et h in g, yea r s a go du r in g t h e Age of sh a ft a n d n ever wen t ba ck t o it . You r t h r ee bu ddies discover ed t h eir secret. Now they want it for themselves, and you've been recruited to help them get it. "
"Wa it !" Gilben st ock pr ot est ed. "Th ey'r e n o fr ien ds of m in e they're cu st om er s! I n ever m et t h em u n t il t wo da ys a go! Th ey h ir ed m e! I don 't know what they want, either!"
Zorlen sighed and nodded. In the background, the great engine began to r u m ble ver y lou dly. "I t h ou gh t t h a t m igh t be t h e ca se, bu t I wa sn 't su r e. At fir st I t h ou gh t you m igh t even be on e of t h em , bu t I decided you wer en 't . You did t oo m a n y st u pid t h in gs, a ct ed t oo m u ch like a r ea l gnome. "
Gilben st ock wa s u n su r e if h e sh ou ld be r elieved or m or t a lly in su lt ed. "How could you mistake me for one of them?"
"Never h u r t s t o be pa r a n oid. " Zor len ga ve a r u efu l sm ile. "If Siva k dr a con ia n s kill som eon e, t h ey ca n t a ke h is sh a pe for a t im e, wh et h er gnome or ogre. I'm afraid I was a little rough with you, not knowing if you wer e on e of t h em or ju st a la ckey. I owe you a n a pology. Wh a t we n eed t o do now, however, is "
Zor len st ood u p, lea n in g ba ck a ga in st t h e box lid. As h e did, t h e h issin g n oises fr om ou t side su dden ly ch a n ged in t o r oa r in g t h u n der . Th e Ir on Dr a gon lu r ch ed for wa r d. Gilben st ock fell on h is side. Zor len , wh o wa s off ba la n ce, pit ch ed h ea dlon g in t o t h e r ea r wa ll, sla m m in g h is cu r ly h ea d in t o t h e t h ick bla ck ir on . H e fell fla t ou t of t h e cr a t e like a r a g doll. H is long knife clattered across the floor.
"Zor len !" Gilben st ock t r ied desper a t ely t o r est or e t h e m a n , t o n o a va il. H e wa s ou t cold. Gilben st ock goggles, pu t t in g t h em on a ft er device r olled for wa r d, foot by exper t ise. Wh a t if t h e dr a con ia n s looked in side a n d sa w Zor len ? Skor t a n d H a r bis m igh t becom e da n ger ou sly per t u r bed. Doin g t h e on ly t h in g h e cou ld t h in k of, t h e gn om e u pen ded t h e em pt y cr a t e a n d cover ed Zor len 's unconscious form with it.
Gilben st ock gin ger ly picked u p t h e bloodst a in ed kn ife by it s h a n dle a n d, a ft er som e t h ou gh t , pla ced h u m a n sou n ded a s if h e wer e h a r m ed t h e gn om e wh en h e h a d t h e oppor t u n it y. H e deser ved a ch a n ce t o a ven ge h is dea d m a ge fr ien d, t h ou gh Gilben st ock h oped t h e la r ge h u m a n wou ldn 't wa ke u p u n t il t h e job wa s don e a n d h e wa s sa fely ba ck in Palanthas.
A n ew n oise bega n fr om deep in side t h e Ir on Dr a gon a slow, r egu la r vibr a t ion wit h a r isin g h u m . Gilben st ock peer ed ou t a fr on t win dow a n d sa w t h e t h r ee en or m ou s dr ills spin n in g, ga in in g speed by t h e secon d. Du st on t h e floor r ose in a clou d u n der t h e in cr ea sin g t em po of t h e h a st ily gr a bbed for h is ea r m u ffs a n d in ser t in g wa x in t o h is ea r s. Th e gr ea t foot , lever ed in t o posit ion by Squ ib's
it u n der t h e box n ext t o Zor len . Th e t ellin g t h e t r u t h . Aft er a ll, h e h a dn 't vibration.
Th e Ir on Dr a gon dr ove for wa r d, jer ked a s t h e dr ills m a de con t a ct wit h t h e old r ockslide. Gilben st ock clu t ch ed h is goggles. A t h ick clou d of du st a n d r ock fr a gm en t s spr a yed in t o h is ca bin t h r ou gh a ll t h e win dows. H e bu r ied h is m ou t h in h is pr ot ect ive coa t a n d wish ed h e'd t h ou gh t t o design a n a r m or ed sca r f. Not t h a t it wou ld m a t t er , sin ce h e wa s t r a pped in h is own drilling device with a mad avenger while outside waited humans who were probably bloodthirsty, shapechanging draconians.

Gilben st ock h u n ker ed down . Th e spr a y of debr is a n d du st gr ew wor se, blockin g ou t t h e ligh t a n d a ir . Bu t h e h a d t o a dm it pr ou dly t h a t , n o matter how bad things were now, the Iron Dragon was working perfectly.
* * * * *
Wh en t h e dr ills fin a lly sh u t down , it wa s t oo da r k t o r ea d t h e su r vivin g ga u ges a n d dia ls. Th r ee feet of r ock du st filled t h e ca bin . Gilben st ock open ed t h e r ea r door t o sh ovel it ou t , t h en r ea lized wh y it wa s da r k beca u se t h e Ir on Dr a gon h a d br oken t h r ou gh t h e en t r a n ce a n d wa s approximately one hundred feet underground.

He carefully pulled off his earmuffs and pulled out the wax. Lighting an oil la n t er n , h e fou n d a br u sh on a wa ll t ool r a ck a n d wa s du st in g off t h e m a ch in er y wh en h e r em em ber ed Zor len . H e ca r efu lly ch ecked on t h e m a n , sa w t h a t h e wa s st ill u n con sciou s, t h en du st ed a r ou n d t h e overturned crate and quietly left the cabin by way of the ladder.

F a it h fu l Squ ib wa s a lr ea dy on t h e gr ou n d, in spect in g t h e m a ch in e. In t h e fa in t ligh t , h is br oa d sm ile wa s a s welcom e a s t h e su n on a st or m y da y. Th e gn om e a n d gu lly dwa r f h u gged ea ch ot h er in con gr a t u la t ion s, then proceeded to check out the Iron Dragon.

"I t r u st a ll is well, " sa id Skor t m om en t s la t er , a s h e a n d H a r bis wa lked across the crushed rock toward the drilling machine.
Gilben st ock ju m ped; h e h a d a lm ost clien t s. "E xcellen t , " h e sa id qu ickly. in deed, n o per m a n en t da m a ge or pr oblem s, a t lea st beyon d t h e u su a l sor t of scarring, denting "
"Good, " in t er r u pt ed Skor t . "Kin dly wa it h er e. " H e m ot ion ed t o st on yfaced Harbis, and the two men stepped over the Iron Dragon's huge wheel ruts and walked ahead into the broad tunnel of the mine.
Without lights.
"I su ppose I sh ou ld get t h e la n t er n fr om t h e ca bin for t h em , " m u t t er ed Gilben st ock a s h e wa t ch ed t h em go. "Th ey m igh t pu t in a n ot h er dia m on d or t wo for ... " H is voice t r a iled off. Th e t wo m en h a d va n ish ed in t o t h e darkness ahead without slowing down.
F or a few m om en t s, h e m er ely st a r ed. "H ow pecu lia r , " h e sa id fa in t ly, for got t en h is t wo t h r ea t en in g "E ver yt h in g is goin g sm oothly st eppin g for wa r d a n d squ in t in g. On ly t h e fa in t sou n d of foot st eps on r ock m a r ked t h eir pa ssin g, a n d even t h a t wa s fa din g a wa y a ga in st t h e h iss of steam from the great machine.
In the space of perhaps twenty seconds, the forces of wisdom and daring wa r r ed wit h in Gilben st ock's m in d. It wa s cu r iosit y wh ich h a s killed more gnomes than cats that won out.
"Good Squ ib," h e wh isper ed t o h is fr ien d, wh o wa s a ga in pickin g h is n ose. "P lea se wa it for m e h er e, by t h e m a ch in e. Don 't follow m e, on ly wa it . " H e h esit a t ed, t h en a dded, "If t h ose t wo m en com e ba ck wit h ou t m e, you m u st clim b a boa r d t h e Ir on Dr a gon , lock you r self in t o you r ca bin , and drive back to Palanthas. Stop at the city limits and leave the machine there. Don't stop for anyone else. Um, except anyone in black robes."
Squ ib's br ow fu r r owed a s h e t r ied t o r em em ber a ll of t h e in st r u ct ion s. Wit h a pa t on Squ ib's ba ck, Gilben st ock u n did h is st ea m a r m or , t ook off h is st eel-t oed boot s a n d t ool belt , a n d set off in t o t h e t u n n el a h ea d in h is st ockin g feet . H e gr it t ed h is t eet h fr om st eppin g on r ock sh a r ds, bu t on ce pa st t h e Ir on Dr a gon , t h e pa cked-ea r t h m in e floor wa s fa ir ly sm oot h a n d level.
I'm goin g t o be killed, h e t h ou gh t . Th ose dr a con ia n s if t h a t 's wh a t t h ey a r e will h ea r m e, t h en t h ey'll cu t m e u p like a sou r -cr ea m wa ln u t ca ke. Not even t h e Mou n t Never m in d Gu ild of An a t om y, P h ysiology, a n d Meat-P a ckin g will r ecogn ize m e. I m u st be in sa n e. I a m in sa n e. I sh ou ld st op r igh t h er e a n d go ba ck t o Mou n t Never m in d a n d t a ke u p h ydr odyn a m ics like ever yon e else in m y fa m ily, wit h t h e except ion of Great-times-t welve Gr a n dfa t h er Mu lor bin ello, wh o wen t in t o a lu m in u m siding and got rich.
Gilben st ock sa w ligh t u p a h ea d cold, pa le ligh t , like t h e su n on a h a zy win t er m or n . H e slowed h is h u r r ied t ipt oein g, feelin g t h e m in e floor st a r t to angle down slightly and become rougher.
Th e gn om e spot t ed som et h in g in t h e pa t h wa y a s h e m oved a lon g, a n d he slowed to pick it u p. It wa s a boot . Beyon d it wa s a n ot h er , t h en sever a l articles of strewn clothing and two other boots. He couldn't tell if they had belon ged t o Skor t a n d H a r bis, bu t t h e it em s wer e st ill wa r m . Th ey a lso sm elled fu n n y. Gilben st ock h esit a t ed, t h en pr essed a sh ir t t o h is over la r ge n ose a n d sn iffed deeply. F r own in g, h e pu lled t h e sh ir t a wa y from his face. Lizard came to mind.
A n oise ca m e fr om down slope. Gilben st ock cr ou ch ed, t h en t ipt oed for wa r d a ga in , dr oppin g t h e sh ir t . H e cou ld h ea r som eon e ca llin g H a r bis. F in din g a lit t le bit of cover a m on g som e r ocks, t h e gn om e m a de for it and hid there.
At fir st h e t h ou gh t t h a t H a r bis wa s ca llin g for "ca t lit t er , " bu t in a n ot h er m om en t h e h ea r d Skor t ca ll in a clea r er voice, "Bloodglit t er !" Th e ca ll ech oed for sever a l secon ds. Gilben st ock ca r efu lly peeked a r ou n d t h e side of a sm a ll bou lder a n d sa w bot h Skor t a n d H a r bis, wit h h a r dly a st it ch of clot h in g on , st a n din g a t t h e poin t wh er e t h e t u n n el leveled ou t a n d open ed in t o a va st ca ver n h a ll. On eit h er side of t h e t wo m en wer e la r ge glowin g globes, a ppa r en t ly of gla ss, m ou n t ed on st on e pedest a ls. From his position slightly above and some distance behind the level of the men's heads, Gilbenstock could not see far into the chamber.
"Bloodglit t er !" ca lled Skor t a ga in , t h en lower ed h is cu pped h a n ds fr om his mouth. "I wonder if he died. "
"Ou r qu een n o let t h a t h a ppen , " H a r bis sa id. H e st r oked h is bea r d thoughtfully. "Maybe the drilling he heard. "
"Sh h h . " Skor t r a ised a h a n d. Gilben st ock st r a in ed h is ea r s, a n d soon heard a slow, dist a n t t h u m pin g sou n d. H e swa llowed, t r yin g n ot t o breathe.
"H e's h u ge!" H a r bis ga sped. "Too big. Befor e h er e h e get s, we " H e abruptly stepped back.
"Gods damn, " said Skort. His mouth fell open wide. "Gods damn. "
Th er e wa s a low, r h yt h m ic sou n d like a ir r u sh in g in a n d ou t of a gr ea t bellows. Wit h t h e sou n d ca m e t h e deep t h u m pin g n oise, t h e bea t s spa ced several seconds apart.
A n ew voice ech oed fr om a cr oss t h e h u ge r oom . It wa s a low r oll of t h u n der , yet st r a n gely like a wh isper . "Wh o ca lls for m e?" sa id t h e voice slowly. "Who knows my name?"
Skor t t ook a qu ick br ea t h . "We ca ll for you , Bloodglit t er !" h e sh ou t ed. He smacked Harbis on the arm. "Change now!" he hissed.
H a r bis n odded, bu t Skor t wa s a lr ea dy ch a n gin g. Th e h u m a n 's fa ce st r et ch ed ou t , elon ga t in g in t o a m u zzle. H is n eck disa ppea r ed. H is a r m s gr ew t h icker ; h is feet en la r ged. H u ge t oes br a n ch ed ou t in t o cla ws, a n d st r a n ge pr oject ion s gr ew ou t of h is sh ou lder bla des. A t a il a ppea r ed fr om the base of his spine and grew thick, reaching down to the floor.
Th e pr oject ion s fr om h is ba ck t u r n ed in t o la r ge silver win gs. H is fa ce wa s r ept ilia n . An d h is skin ch a n ged in t h e pa le, cold ligh t fr om br on ze t o wh it e, t h en t o a glea m in g silver . H a r bis ch a n ged in t o t h e sa m e sh a pe, only a few seconds behind.
Gilben st ock h a d lived t h r ou gh t h e Wa r of t h e La n ce a lm ost wit h ou t n ot icin g it , bu r ied in h is geologica l a n d m ech a n ica l st u dies a t Mou n t Never m in d. H owever , h e h a d over h ea r d a lot of t a lk a bou t t h e wa r , so h e kn ew a bou t t h e r ept ilia n dr a con ia n s. H e kn ew t h a t dr a con ia n s wer e bor n of cor r u pt ed dr a gon eggs, ca m e in m et a llic color s, a n d blew u p or t u r n ed t o st on e or a cid wh en t h ey died, a s r epor t ed by t h e su r vivor s of Mou n t Never m in d's Su bcom m it t ee for t h e Vivisect ion of Da n ger ou s bu t Potentially Fascinating Specimens of Local Fauna. He'd also heard stories t h a t cer t a in dr a con ia n s wer e a ble t o t a ke on t h e sh a pes of bein gs t h a t they killed. Zorlen had been right.
"We ca ll for you , Bloodglit t er , " r a sped t h e gr ea t Siva k dr a con ia n wh o h a d on ce been Skor t . "We r ea d of you r en t r a pm en t in t h e a n cien t scr olls of the dwarves, and we came to search for you. "
"You have found me, " returned the thunder during a pause in the deep, r h yt h m ic bellows-sou n d. A lou d t h u m p sou n ded; a sh a dow fell over t h e t wo dr a con ia n s. A h u ge, sca led foot st r u ck t h e r ocky floor on ly t en feet fr om Skor t a n d H a r bis, a foot so la r ge t h a t it dwa r fed bot h bein gs. Gilbenstock could clearly see the bright red reptilian scales.
A dr a gon ! Bloodglit t er wa s a r ea l, live, fir e-br ea t h in g, gn om e-chomping dragon!
"I do n ot r ecogn ize you t wo, " sa id t h e dr a gon ca u t iou sly. "H ow do you know me?"
"We a r e ser va n t s of ou r qu een , a n d we a r e h on or ed t o gr eet you , Gr ea t On e, " sa id Skor t r ever en t ly. "Th e legen ds of t h e dwa r ves ga ve you r n a m e a n d you r la ir , bu t we h a d n ot expect ed t o fin d on e a s gr ea t in size a s you . We wish t o set you fr ee. Aft er t h a t , we will ser ve you in a n y wa y possible. "
Th e bellows-sou n d gr ew ver y lou d t h en st opped a lt oget h er . Aft er a pa u se, t h er e ca m e a r oa r so h or r en dou s t h a t t h e gn om e cla pped h is h a n ds to his ears. Dust danced on the ground before him. It was a wave of sound like t h e Ir on Dr a gon 's, on ly fr om a livin g t h r oa t . It wen t on for wh a t seemed like an hour.
Abruptly, t h e gr ea t r oa r died a wa y, a n d t h e dr a gon spoke a ga in . "You da r e so m ock m e?" it a sked in a voice t h a t seem ed bot h sa cch a r in a n d ven om ou s. E a ch wor d a wa ken ed a n d t r a pped secon d t im e I h a d been im pr ison ed in t h is gr ea t st on e cell. F ir st wer e t h e elves, t h e t h r ee wiza r ds wh o com m a n ded t h e ea r t h t o swa llow u p m y br et h r en . In t h e et er n a l h a lls of silen ce h er e I slept , r a cked wit h dr ea m s of vengeance, yet denied even the chance to move a claw.
"Th en I h ea r d a t a ppin g, a cla n gin g, t h e kn ockin g of dwa r ven t ools. Un kn owin g, t h ey dr ove t u n n els pa st m e, a bove m e, below m e. Th en on e fou n d m e, exposin g m y fla n k. Th ey m ist ook m e for dea d, a pet r ified r elic fr om a n a n cien t a ge, a n d la bor ed like a n t s t o fr ee m e a n d let m e st a n d a s t h e cen t er piece t o a gr ea t h a ll t h ey ca r ved fr om t h e r ock a r ou n d m e. I a ch ed t o m ove, even t o blin k m y eyes, yet I bet r a yed n ot a m ot ion u n t il t h e da y wh en t h ey h a d fin ish ed t h eir wor k. As t h ey ga zed u pon m e, I br ou gh t m yself ou t of m y lon g, m iser a ble sleep, a n d I fell u pon t h em like the mountain itself. "
Th e slow r u m ble of t h e dr a gon 's br ea t h in g r esu m ed for per h a ps a m in u t e befor e t h e cr ea t u r e con t in u ed. "Sweet it wa s t o t a st e blood in m y ja ws, bu t sh or t t h e sweet n ess la st ed. Ma n y esca ped, sea lin g t h e ca ver n beh in d t h em a n d lea vin g m e a m on g t h eir a r t ifa ct s t h eir m a gica l ligh t s, vibr a t ed Gilben st ock's bon es. "Wh en I wa s h er e by t h e dwa r ves of P a la n t h a s, it wa s the t h eir ca r ved st a ir ca ses, t h eir piles of t ools a n d bon es. I cou ld m ove, bu t n ot fly. I cou ld see, bu t sa w n o h or izon . I cou ld spea k, bu t n o on e h ea r d. I in vest iga t ed ever y pa r t of t h is r u in for a m ea n s of esca pe. It wa s u seless. Th e bon es of m y ca pt or s h a ve deca yed a n d va n ish ed. H ow lon g h a ve I been kept from the mortal world?"
Th e t wo silver dr a con ia n s looked a t on e a n ot h er , t h en looked u p a ga in . "You r Gr ea t n ess, t h e wa r of wh ich you spoke fir st , a ga in st t h e elves, wa s over t h r ee t h ou sa n d yea r s a go. Th e dwa r ves fou n d you a t h ou sa n d yea r s ago, as best we can tell. "
Th e h ea vy br ea t h in g en ded wit h a lou d sn or t . A dr op of yellow liqu id fell fr om a bove a n d spla sh ed five feet fr om t h e cla wed t oes of t h e t wo draconians. The liquid flamed briefly as the rock floor sizzled.
"Ta kh isis h a s for got t en m e, t h en , " sa id t h e dr a gon . "Bu t I h a ve n ot for got t en h er . I h a ve fed on m a gic a n d st on e, bon es a n d du st , gem s a n d blood. I h a ve slu m ber ed h er e t h r ou gh t h e a ges, a wa it in g a ch a n ce t o soa r the winds of the world. I have waited too long to breathe vengeance on the green lands above. I can wait no more. You must free me. I care not how. "
"We ca n do it !" sh ou t ed Skor t a br u pt ly, like a n ea ger pu pil. H is eyes glea m ed wh it e wit h excit em en t . "We fou n d a m a d gn om e a n d a degen er a t e dwa r f wh o h a ve bu ilt a m in in g device. We t r icked t h em in t o com in g h er e. Th ey wer e a ble t o dr ill t h r ou gh t h e debr is a t t h e en t r a n ce t o t h e m in e. Th e device wa it s for u s a t t h e t u n n el's m ou t h . We will for ce t h em t o widen t h e t u n n els so you m a y pa ss t h r ou gh . You will be fr ee within a matter of days!"
"A m in in g m a ch in e? Th is is so? Wa s t h a t t h e ca u se of t h e r u m blin g a n d noise ea r lier ? Ta kh isis m u st h a ve gu ided you fr om t h e Abyss it self, t h en . Let us not delay. "
The two draconians quickly stepped back.
"Wa it !" t h e dr a gon com m a n ded. An ot h er dr op of a m ber liqu id fell fr om a bove a n d spa t t er ed on t h e r ocks a t t h e t u n n el m ou t h . "Blood, " sa id t h e dr a gon , a n d t h er e wa s som et h in g differ en t n ow in it s t on e. "I sm ell a live t h in g wit h wa r m blood. It h a s spa r ked m y h u n ger . Wh o h a ve you br ou gh t with you?"
Th e dr a con ia n s looked ba ck u p t h e t u n n el, fr own in g in con fu sion . "There is no other being here but us, Great One, " said Skort.
"F ool!" sa id t h e dr a gon sh a r ply. An ot h er bu r n in g dr op of a m ber fell fr om it s open ja ws t o t h e bla cken ed st on e. "I h a ve been wit h ou t food for ten centuries. I know what is here and what is not. "
E yes n a r r owed, Skor t looked u p t h e t u n n el. "Go ba ck a n d see if som eon e followed you , " h e sa id t o H a r bis. Aft er a m om en t 's h esit a t ion , t h e dr a con ia n obeyed, peer in g beh in d t h e sm a ll bou lder s a n d old debr is that littered the way.
"F r ee a t la st , " sa id t h e low t h u n der beh in d h im . "F r ee a t la st . Br igh t will be t h e fir es wh en I r ea ch t h e cit ies of elves a n d dwa r ves. Br igh t t h e for est s a n d fields a s t h ey bu r n ben ea t h m e. Too lon g h a ve I wa it ed a n d dreamed. Too long have my enemies known peace. I must be free!"
* * * * *
Gilben st ock r a ced ba ck t h r ou gh t h e da r kn ess t owa r d t h e Ir on Dr a gon . H e wa s com plet ely ou t of br ea t h . H e ga sped a s h e st epped on sh a r p r ocks in h is st ockin ged feet a n d t r ipped on t h e bu m py gr ou n d, bu t h e m oved a s qu ickly a s h e cou ld. Th er e wa s n o t im e even t o ber a t e h im self for h a vin g fallen so deeply into this trap. There was time only to flee.

Su ch wa s h is h u r r y t h a t h e r ou n ded a cor n er a n d r a n st r a igh t in t o som eon e feelin g h is wa y slowly down t h e t u n n el t owa r d t h e gn om e. Wit h grunts of pain and surprise, gnome and human fell over in a heap.

P a n icked, Gilben st ock t r ied t o bolt pa st . A h a n d sn a gged t h e gn om e's pa n t s wit h on e st r on g h a n d a n d jer ked h im ba ck. An ot h er h a n d r ea ch ed out and caught Gilbenstock's beard. "Don't kill me!" the gnome cried out.

"Da m n you , sh u t u p!" Zor len h issed, r elea sin g h is gr ip. "Do you wa n t the bastards to hear us?"
"Dr a gon !" ga sped Gilben st ock, h is h ea r t pou n din g. "Dr a gon ... ba ck there... huge red one... draconians... "
"A dragon?" whispered Zorlen. "Tell me what you saw!"
Bet ween r a gged br ea t h s of a ir a n d con st a n t cou gh in g, t h e gn om e pou r ed ou t t h e t a le of wh a t h e h a d seen a n d h ea r d. Th e h u m a n 's fa ce went slack; his hands released their grip on the gnome.
"Wit h a ll t h e gods a s m y wit n esses, " Zor len sa id a t la st . "I'd n ever im a gin ed t h er e'd be a dr a gon down h er e. My wiza r d bu ddy kn ew som e st or ies a bou t a m on st er en cou n t er ed by t h e dwa r ves cen t u r ies a go in these mines. The draconians must have figured it out. Damn!"
P u ffin g less n ow, Gilben st ock looked t h e m a n over . Th e gn om e's h ea t vision r evea led t h a t Zor len wa s bleedin g fr om a sca lp wou n d, pr oba bly caused by his fall inside the cabin of the Iron Dragon. Zorlen's hand shook as he touched his head. He didn't look at all like the threatening figure he h a d on ce been . H e looked like a ba t t er ed, desper a t e h u m a n wh o h a d r u n out of luck.
"J u st wh o a r e you ?" Gilben st ock a sked sh a kily. "I don 't like bein g pu sh ed a r ou n d by som eon e I don 't kn ow, a lt h ou gh it seem s t o h a ve been the pastime of a great many people lately. Not that I'm bitter. "
Zor len looked in t h e gn om e's gen er a l dir ect ion , sm iled sligh t ly. Gilben st ock r ea lized t h a t t h e h u m a n cou ldn 't see h im in t h e da r kn ess. The man couldn't see anything.
"Na m e's Zor len , " h e sa id a t la st . "Zor len Ma r ga u ff. I'm a m er cen a r y, sor t of a n osy odd-jobs m a n for r ich folks in Ka la m a n . I wa s h elpin g a fr ien d, t h e wiza r d I t old you a bou t , wh o got a ba d divin a t ion fr om h is cr yst a l ba ll. I left h im for a cou ple h ou r s a n d got ba ck t o fin d h im cu t u p a s t h ou gh h e'd been r u n t h r ou gh a bu t ch er 's m ea t gr in der . I got a few divin a t ion s m yself a n d picked u p t h e t r a il of t h e killer s. I've been h u n t in g t h em for weeks ju st t o see wh a t t h ey'r e u p t o. Never dr ea m ed it wou ld be this. "
Zor len exh a led deeply a n d m a de a gest u r e wit h h is h a n ds. "Sor r y a bou t r ou gh in g you u p. It wa s in t h e lin e of du t y, sor t of. I r ea lly t h ou gh t you wer e a dr a con ia n , t oo, t h e wa y you a ll bu ddied u p t h er e a t t h e st a r t . Bu t , like I said, you were "
H e h esit a t ed, sen sin g t h e gn om e's su dden t en sion . "E h , for get it . Draconians are good actors, but not that good. I was wrong. "
Gilben st ock gla n ced ba ck down t h e t u n n el, bu t h e cou ldn 't see a r ou n d the corner. "I suppose I shall have to be satisfied with that for an apology, " h e sa id qu iet ly. "Ou r pr ior it y n ow is t o get ou t of h er e a s qu ickly a s possible with our limbs and internal organs still intact. "
"The Abyss it is, " said Zorlen, pulling an object from his belt. It was the lon g kn ife. Zor len r ea ch ed down wit h h is ot h er h a n d a n d pr odu ced a n ot h er lon g object fr om a boot , a h ea vy wr en ch , pr oba bly bor r owed fr om on e of t h e Ir on Dr a gon 's m a n y t ool boxes. "We've got t wo dr a con ia n s t o kill first. Then we're going to find a way to seal up this mine again. "
"You 've been ea t in g t oo m u ch cooked m ea t !" ga sped Gilben st ock. "Forget the draconians! We've got to get out of here before they "
Around the corner, a pebble rattled across the floor.
Man and gnome turned to look, words frozen on their lips.
A h u ge win ged sh a pe lu r ch ed a r ou n d t h e cor n er a n d t h r ew it self u pon them.
A win g sla m m ed in t o t h e gn om e's fa ce, a lm ost kn ockin g h im sen seless. H e fell ba ck. Th e dr a con ia n lea pt a t Zor len . Som et h in g cla t t er ed t o t h e m in e floor a m on g t h e r ocks a n d dir t . Zor len cr ied ou t in pa in , la sh ed ou t wit h bot h feet , a n d ca u gh t t h e dr a con ia n in t h e ch est . It fla pped it s win gs and came on a second time, claws out and jaws wide.
"Light!" cried Zorlen, stabbing at the darkness. "I need light!"
Gilben st ock scr a m bled a wa y a n d t r ied t o get t o h is feet . H is fin ger s fou n d a h a r d m et a llic t h in g on t h e gr ou n d. H e sn a t ch ed it u p. It wa s a wr en ch , t h e on e Zor len h a d br ou gh t used on the driver wheels.
Dr a con ia n a n d h u m a n ba t t led on bot t om . Gilben st ock sa w t h e dr a con ia n 's power fu l a r m s st r ike down a t t h e h u m a n t im e a n d a ga in , win gs wh ir lin g a n d pu m pin g. Zor len 's agonized screams echoed wildly through the mine tunnel.
Without thinking, the gnome swung the wrench and ran forward.
Th e blow la n ded solidly on t h e dr a con ia n 's lower ba ck. Th e sh a r p cr a ck a h u ge t wen t y-pou n der n or m a lly

t h e m in e floor , t h e h u m a n on t h e of bon es br ea kin g wa s a u dible even over Zor len 's sh r ieks. Th e cr ea t u r e fell for wa r d, ca t ch in g it self on it s cla wed h a n ds. Cu r iou s wh eezin g sou n ds came from its jaws, as if it couldn't breathe. It tried to turn around.

Gilben st ock ch a r ged for wa r d, t oo fr igh t en ed t o do a n yt h in g bu t a t t a ck. H e du cked u n der a win g a n d swu n g t h e wr en ch a ga in , u p a n d over . It smashed into the draconian's muzzle just in front of its eyes. A scaled arm la sh ed ou t a n d st r u ck t h e gn om e in t h e fa ce, t h r owin g h im fla t on h is back. He banged his head as he fell.

Th e wor ld exploded in a sh ower of st a r s a n d spa r ks. Gilben st ock m a r veled a t it a ll. It wa s a n im pr essive displa y. F or som e r ea son , t h ou gh , he knew he was not going to like it when the stars went away.

Th e st a r s soon left , r epla ced by t h e on set of a sku ll-pounding, vision throbbing, record-breaking headache. All was darkness.
"Help me, " Zorlen moaned. "It's clawed me. Help me. "
Dizzy a n d a ch in g, t h e gn om e r olled over , t h en got u n st ea dily t o h is h a n ds a n d kn ees a n d cr a wled t owa r d t h e h u m a n . Zor len la y on h is ba ck, h a n ds gr a spin g h is left t h igh . H e wa s bleedin g fr om a dozen pla ces. A few feet a wa y fr om h im la y a n ot h er body, a kn ife st ickin g u p fr om it s motionless chest.
The dead body was Zorlen.
"Help me, " Zorlen gasped. "I think it broke my leg. "
Th e gn om e h esit a t ed, r em em ber in g ea r lier con ver sa t ion s. It wa s h a r d t o t h in k wh en h is h ea d h u r t so m u ch . "Ar e you r ea lly Zor len ?" h e a sked. "You cou ld be t h e dr a con ia n , cou ldn 't you ? I m ea n , you cou ld h a ve t a ken Zorlen's shape when you killed him, and you could be waiting for me to "
"You r ot t en lit t le m idget , " h issed Zor len wea kly. "I'm n ot t h e da m n dr a con ia n . My leg's br oken . " H e la psed in t o a st r in g of cu r ses t h a t amazed Gilbenstock with their creativity and pithiness.
H ea d t h u n der in g, Gilben st ock m a n a ged t o get t o a wa ll a n d pu ll himself to his feet. He carefully made his way to Zorlen's side. The human had fallen silent again, except for his moaning.
"You m u st be Zor len , t h en , " t h e gn om e sa id. "As som eon e on ce t old m e, draconians are good actors, but they're not that good. "
"Gods, just shut up and get me out of here. "
"You 'r e goin g t o h a ve t o st a n d u p a n d pu t you r a r m a r ou n d m e, " sa id the gnome.
Zorlen lever ed h im self u p, on e h a n d st ill gr a spin g h is left t h igh . H is fa ce t wist ed wit h pa in . "You 'r e t oo da m n sh or t , " h e m u t t er ed. "I ca n 't do it. "
Gilben st ock gr oa n ed. H e sigh ed a n d looked a r ou n d in t h e da r kn ess. "Well, I su ppose I cou ld m a ke u p som e kin d of splin t for you r leg wit h t h e wrench, and maybe I could even improvise some sort of tourniquet, since I t h in k I r em em ber a lect u r e a bou t t h a t given by t h e Gu ild of An a t om y, P h ysiology, a n d Mea t -P a ckin g, a n d I'm fa ir ly cer t a in I ca n a void t h e lect u r er 's m ist a kes a n d n ot h a ve t h e sa m e t h in g h a ppen t o you a s h a ppen ed t o t h e t ou r n iqu et volu n t eer , wh ich wa s qu it e a pit y con sider in g that "
Zor len gr it t ed h is t eet h a n d r ea ch ed ou t blin dly. "F or get it . I ca n m a ke it, " he said. "Help me up before the other draconian gets here. "
"It wouldn't take but a moment to assemble the materials for "
"Up! Up! Where the Abyss are you?"
Wit h t er r ible slown ess on t h e gn om e's pa r t a n d en dless cu r ses on t h e h u m a n 's, Gilben st ock m a n a ged t o get Zor len t o h is feet . Aft er som e experimen t in g, t h ey wer e a ble t o devise a sor t of t h r ee-legged wa lk; Zor len gr ipped t h e t op of t h e gn om e's h ea d wit h bot h h a n ds a n d h opped slowly t h r ou gh t h e t u n n el beh in d h is sh or t er com pa n ion . Th e pr essu r e m a de Gilben st ock's n eck a ch e, wh ich a ggr a va t ed h is h ea dache. Nonetheless, the system seemed to work.
Tim e beca m e m ea n in gless a s t h ey plodded a lon g. Th er e wa s on ly t h eir slow foot st eps, t h e n igh t of t h e t u n n el, a n d pa in . Neit h er spoke. Yea r s came and went.
Then light appeared ahead. They were almost at the Iron Dragon.
Zor len sa gged su dden ly. Gilben st ock fell, m a sh in g h is n ose in t o t h e debris-st r ewn floor . Th e h u m a n colla psed on t op of h im . It t ook a few m om en t s for t h e gn om e t o pu ll h im self fr ee a n d ch eck Zor len for life. Th e man was alive but unconscious. He had lost too much blood.
"Ra t poop, " m u t t er ed Gilben st ock, u sin g t h e st r on gest pr ofa n it y h e kn ew. H e clu t ch ed h is a ch in g h ea d a n d st a gger ed t owa r d t h e Ir on Dragon.
Cross-eyed Squ ib wa s pu llin g debr is fr om t h e veh icle's wh eel a ssem blies. H e wor e h is ea r m u ffs a n d wa s so t ot a lly focu sed on h is job t h a t h e m issed t h e gn om e's a ppr oa ch , ju st a s h e h a d m issed seein g Zor len ea r lier . Wh en Gilben st ock poked h is fr ien d in t h e side, t h e gu lly dwa r f ju m ped a foot a n d dr opped h is pick. "Br a ve Squ ib, " Gilben st ock ga sped when the trembling gully dwarf had removed his earmuffs. "We must flee! We m u st t a ke t h e Ir on Dr a gon ba ck t o P a la n t h a s a t on ce. We a r e in t h e gr a vest da n ger !" H e gla n ced ba ck. "Oh , a n d we'll h a ve a pa ssen ger . Let 's hurry. "
Gilben st ock st a r t ed u p t h e ir on la dder for h is ca bin , a lm ost fa llin g t wice. H is h ea da ch e m a de t h e wor ld seem dist a n t a n d u n r ea l, like a ba d dream.
Zor len 's over t u r n ed cr a t e h a lf blocked t h e door . Du st st ill cover ed ever yt h in g. Gilben st ock pu sh ed t h e cr a t e ou t t h e door , t h en t u r n ed t o t h e con t r ols a n d a ct iva t ed t h em for a r a pid st a r t -u p. If t h e la st dr a con ia n sh owed u p, it wou ld get a n u n plea sa n t t a st e of a t r iple-h ea ded r ock dr ill. Th e t h ou gh t kept Gilben st ock a m u sed a s h e flipped swit ch es a n d t wist ed kn obs. Nea r in g t h e en d of t h e st a r t u p sequ en ce, h e a u t om a t ica lly r ea ch ed for a lever mounted in the floor and tugged.
Nothing happened.
Th e gn om e t r ied a ga in , t h en st opped ever yt h in g else h e wa s doin g a n d threw all of his weight into moving the lever. It didn't budge.
Gilben st ock's h a n ds bega n t o swea t . Zor len m u st h a ve a cciden t a lly sh oved t h e cr a t e a ga in st t h e lever , ja m m in g t h e m ech a n ism . Th e lever wa s t h e Ir on Dr a gon 's Ter t ia r y Ba ck-u p E m er gen cy Br a ke it locked t h e driver bars.
Gilben st ock r elea sed t h e lever a n d st epped ba ck. H is h ea r t st opped. E ven h is h ea da ch e st opped. Th e Ir on Dr a gon cou ld n ot m ove a n in ch wit h t h e br a ke ja m m ed. Ma jor r epa ir s wer e ca lled for ; ca bles wou ld h a ve t o be cut and iron pins sheared off.
But there was nothing he could do about it here. Not a thing.
The Iron Dragon was finished.
Th e gn om e looked a r ou n d t h e ca bin a s if seein g it for t h e fir st t im e. H e kn ew ever y bolt , ever y gea r , ever y blot of pa in t . H e t h ou gh t of t h e sor e thumbs and pinched fingers he had suffered, the endless rolls of bandages h e'd u sed. All of it for t h is, h is on ly ch ild, a n d n ow it wa s st u ck in a lon gabandoned mine and could not move.
Th e la st dr a con ia n wou ld be com in g. It 'd h a ve n o t r ou ble fin ish in g off a gn om e, a gu lly dwa r f, a n d a n u n con sciou s h u m a n . Th en it wou ld fr ee t h e dragon, and then...
A bla st of st ea m blew ou t fr om on e of t h e side va lves on t h e gr ea t m a ch in e. Th e boiler pr essu r e h a d bu ilt u p in side t h e Ir on Dr a gon over it s lon g idle. Gilben st ock r ea ch ed u p a u t om a t ica lly for a con t r ol t h a t wou ld widen the valve and let off the steam.
His h a n d gr ipped t h e wh eel va lve, t h en h e h esit a t ed. Th e gn om e st ood u n m ovin g, h is eyes lookin g a t t h e va lve bu t seein g beyon d it . H e bit h is lip, and a tic caused his left eye to twitch.
I must be a dragon inside. I must be a dragon, too.
A pr eciou s m in u t e pa ssed. Th en t h e gn om e's h a n d gr ipped t h e va lve tightly and began to turn, but not in the direction he had originally meant to turn it. The steam blast was shut off by degrees until it was gone.
Gilben st ock felt t h e floor cr ea k. H e r ea ch ed u p a n d t u r n ed a nother va lve, closin g it a s well. H e t u r n ed t h r ee m or e, m ovin g m or e qu ickly n ow, t h en t u r n ed t h e boiler u p t o fu ll power wit h a set of ba cku p con t r ols. H e left t h e ca bin qu ickly. H e t h ou gh t h e wa s goin g t o cr y, bu t n o t ea r s ca m e. He did not even look back.
At t h e bot t om of t h e la dder , Gilben st ock fou n d t h e gu lly dwa r f h u n ch ed over Zor len 's sem icon sciou s for m . Squ ib a ga in h a d a cu p of wa r m , m ea t y br ot h a n d wa s feedin g it t o t h e h u m a n in sips, h oldin g Zor len 's h ea d in one dirty hand.
"We'll h a ve t im e for t h a t la t er !" t h e gn om e sa id qu ickly. "We m u st abandon the Iron Dragon! Let's drag him with us and get out!"
Squ ib st a r ed in a st on ish m en t a t h is fr ien d, t h en looked u p a t t h e t ower in g bu lk of t h e bla ck en gin e. Th e Ir on Dr a gon wa s st a r t in g t o r u m ble sligh t ly a n d m a de lou d kn ockin g sou n ds a s it s pipes a n d boiler walls began to expand.
"Ru n for it ! F lee! E sca pe! E va cu a t e! Aba n don sh ip!" sh ou t ed Gilben st ock, wa vin g h is a r m s in Squ ib's fa ce. "A dr a con ia n is com in g u p the tunnel! The driver brake's jammed! Let's go!"
Squ ib dr ew ba ck, bu g-eyed a n d open m ou t h ed. H e dr opped h is cu p of br ot h on Zor len 's h ea d in gr oa n ed. Gilben st ock a n d sh ou lder s a n d h ea ved. Th e h u m a n weigh ed a t on , bu t h e cou ld be moved, head lolling back, hair just brushing the rocky ground.
Gr u n t in g wit h effor t , t h e gn om e a n d gu lly dwa r f m a de for t h e dim m in g ligh t a t t h e t u n n el's m ou t h . It wa s a lm ost n igh t fa ll. Cou gh in g on t h e du st t h ey st ir r ed u p, t h ey st u m bled over wh eel r u t s a n d n ea r ly fell on loose gravel. The entrance grew nearer. Thirty feet. Twenty feet. Ten.
Beh in d t h em , a pipe bu r st in a wh eel h ou sin g. Met a llic debr is r icoch et ed off m et a l a n d r ock. A pr essu r e-wa r n in g wh ist le wen t off, t h e sh r iek wa sh in g t h r ou gh t h e t u n n el like a dyin g a n im a l's scr ea m . Th ey reached the entrance.
Gilben st ock pa u sed, looked ba ck. Th e Ir on Dr a gon bla zed in h is in fr a vision like t h e su n . E ven a t t h is dist a n ce, h e cou ld feel t h e h ea t fr om t h e boiler t h r ou gh h is clot h in g. Wa r pin g m et a l cr ied ou t . Sm a ll sea m s burst and steam roared out.
"Good-bye, " Gilben st ock sa id wit h ou t br ea t h , so h is wor ds wer e silen t . "Good-bye. "
Th ey pu lled Zor len fr om t h e m in e in t o fa din g da yligh t a n d dr a gged h im a bou t fift y feet a wa y fr om t h e en t r a n ce t o on e side, beh in d a large bou lder . Th e win d wa s cool, t h e even in g sky a lm ost fr ee of clou ds. Overhead were the planets and the first stars of night.
"Gods, m y leg h u r t s, " Zor len m u m bled a s t h ey sa t t oget h er , exh a u st ed. It wa s t h e fir st t h in g h e'd sa id in m a n y m in u t es. Bleedin g a n d pa le, h e looked for all the world as if he were already dead.
"Yes, I r eca ll you r m en t ion in g t h a t , " sa id Gilben st ock. H e got on h a n ds a n d kn ees a n d cr ept a r ou n d t h e r ock t o t a ke a la st look a t t h e m in e en t r a n ce. H e wa s h a lf t em pt ed t o go ba ck a n d see h is cr ea t ion on ce m or e. Maybe it wouldn't explode after all, in which case he could
Gilbenstock froze.
The last draconian was at the mine entrance.
It wa s h oldin g Zor len 's h u n t in g kn ife, n ow clot t ed wit h da r k blood. As it s eyes r oved t h e scen er y, t h e dr a con ia n spot t ed t h e m ot ion less gn om e. a st on ish m en t . Th e h u m a n spu t t er ed a n d Squ ib gr a bbed Zor len 's clot h in g a t t h e Its eyes widened slightly, and a slow, thick smile played over its features.
"Gilbenstock, " it called, its voice like rocks grinding together. "I've been looking for you. You haven't finished your job for us yet. Your Iron Dragon is overheated but unharmed. Don't leave now. " The smile grew. "We have a u se for you r fr ien d Zor len , t oo. I kn ow h e's t h er e. You t r ied t o t r ick u s, I t h in k, a n d t h a t won 't go over well. You wer en 't su pposed t o t ell a n yon e about this, but you did. "
The tip of the long knife rose slightly.
"We'll sit down a n d t a lk a bou t t h in gs a ft er you fin ish t h is la st job for u s, " t h e dr a con ia n sa id. It s t eet h ca m e t oget h er , sh in in g a n d wh it e. "Bu sin ess fir st . You 'r e a bu sin essm a n , so you kn ow t h a t . Th en , wh en t h e business is done "
The ground jumped.
In t h e blin k of a n eye, t h e dr a con ia n wa s gon e. A m on st r ou s jet of fla m e, sm oke, a n d r ock exploded fr om t h e m in e en t r a n ce. Th e bla st lea pt u p a t t h e sky a n d m ou n t a in t ops, ca r r yin g a wa y a pa r t of t h e m ou n t a in with it.
The gnome threw himself flat and covered his head with his short arms. Sh a r ds of r ock t or e a t h is h a n ds a n d n eck. Th e m ou n t a in s a cr oss t h e gr ea t va lley r a n g over a n d over , r epea t in g t h e Ir on Dr a gon 's la st gr ea t roar.
And then, all was silent.
Minutes wen t by a s t h in gs ca lm ed down . Wh en it seem ed sa fe, Gilben st ock r a ised h is h ea d a n d blin ked a wa y du st . Th e m in e en t r a n ce wa s gon e. A m ou n d of fa llen r ock bu r ied it t o a dept h of h u n dr eds of feet . There was no sign of the draconian. Not even scales.
Gilbenst ock r em em ber ed t o br ea t h e. H e filled h is lu n gs wit h t h e cool night air.
"Well, " h e sa id. "Th a t sh ou ld do it . " H e got u n st ea dily t o h is feet a n d wiped a t h is eyes. Tu r n in g a r ou n d, h e sa w Zor len a n d Squ ib st a r in g a t him in amazement.
Gilben st ock st r a igh t en ed u p, br u sh in g h im self off wit h a m or e pr ofession a l a ir . "You u n der st a n d, of cou r se, " h e sa id, "t h a t ca t a st r oph ic even t s a r e n ot u n com m on wh er e a dva n ced t ech n ology is con cer n ed. You can't help but burn down the kitchen at least once in making a waffle. "
"The mine " began Zorlen.
"Is n o lon ger , " fin ish ed Gilben st ock. "No dr a gon , n o dr a con ia n s. Th a t 's t h e good n ews, a s t h ey sa y. Th e ba d n ews is t h a t we sh a ll h a ve t o wa lk h om e. Ra t h er , Squ ib a n d I will wa lk h om e, bu t we ca n r ig u p som e sor t of litter for dragging you along with us. " He paused. Dalamar had said...
"On t h e ot h er h a n d, " t h e gn om e a dded, "wa lkin g is kn own t o be in vigor a t in g for t h e cir cu la t ion , so per h a ps t h a t 's n ot su ch ba d n ews a ft er all. "
As Gilben st ock a n d Squ ib scou t ed t h e a r ea la t er for m a t er ia ls t o u se in m a kin g t h e lit t er , t h e gn om e fou n d h im self t h in kin g a bou t t h e Ir on Dr a gon . H is t h ou gh t s a t fir st wer e sa d, bu t a ft er a few m in u t es h e r em em ber ed t h a t h e st ill h a d qu it e a lot of m on ey left fr om t h e draconians' advance payment, and he did still have the plans for that new dr illin g m a ch in e, t h e on e t h a t m a de t h e t r ia n gu la r h oles. H e wa s st ill a you n g gn om e, on ly in h is for t ies. An Ir on Dr a gon II wa s n ot ou t of t h e realm of possibility.
Aft er a ll, on e n ever kn ew wh a t t h e n ext t r en d wou ld be in t u n n el boring.
Dragon Breath Nick O'Donohoe
Th e bu ildin g wa s lopsided, lea n in g in t h e da r k a s t h ou gh it h a d dr u n k t oo m u ch . A ba dly ca r ved sign pr ocla im ed t h a t t h is wa s t h e E n d of t h e Roa d. F or t h ose wh o cou ldn 't r ea d, t h er e wa s a sign boa r d fea t u r in g a sleepy-eyed m a n wit h on e a r m a r ou n d a sleepy-eyed h or se, bot h wa vin g a le st ein s. St r a n gely, for a n in n , t h er e wer e n o h or ses n ea r by, n o visit or s en t er in g or lea vin g. Th e m oon sh on e on a n em pt y r oa d a ll t h e wa y in t o the town of Graveside.

The door was barred and the ragged curtains pulled shut. It was testing night, when the newest batches were checked.
Tr a dit ion a lly, t est in g wa s don e qu iet ly, wit h ca u t iou s sips in n ea r da r kn ess, so a s n ot
appearance. On t h is
t o be dist r a ct ed by t h e com pa n y or by t h e spir it s' occa sion , h owever , fir eligh t flicker ed on a copper t a n k t opped wit h copper coils, dr ippin g liqu id in t o a h u ge open va t . In t h e glow of t h e fla m es, a fa t , m iddle-a ged m a n n a m ed Gr a ym la u gh ed u n t il t ea r s lea ked fr om h is eyes a s t h e Wolf br ot h er s, lea n in g gr ea sy sh ou lder s a ga in st ea ch ot h er Drink! Drink!"
Da r ll, a gr izzled exa gger a t ed ca r e a n d t ou ch ed it t o a t in y gla ss of br own ish liqu id. F la m es sh ot u p fr om t h e liqu id. Wit h a flou r ish , Da r ll sn a t ch ed u p t h e gla ss, open ed h is m ou t h , a n d t h r ew t h e bu r n in g con coct ion in t h e gen er a l direction of his throat.
Un for t u n a t ely, t h is wa s h is fift h t a st e-t est . H e m issed h is m ou t h a n d h it h is bea r d, set t in g it on fir e. Gr a ym la u gh ed so h a r d h e fell off h is wooden bench onto the floor.
Da r ll's eyes wen t wide a s h e t r ied t o blow ou t h is own bea r d wit h qu ick pu ffs. H e gest u r ed fr a n t ica lly t o t h e Wolf br ot h er s, wh o wer e st ill pou n din g t h e t a ble; t h ey h a dn 't n ot iced t h a t h e wa s on fir e. J a r ek, t h e gawky youth next to him, laughed and gestured back.
for su ppor t , pou n ded t h e t a ble, ch a n t in g, "Dr in k!
ex-m er cen a r y, m a n ipu la t ed a lit splin t er wit h
In desper a t ion , Da r ll gr a bbed a fu ll a le st ein a n d du m ped it over h is own head. The ale running down his face put out the fire.
Gr a ym , st r u gglin g u p t o t a ble level, bu r st ou t la u gh in g a ga in a n d colla psed t o h is kn ees. H e st r u ggled ba ck on t o t h e ben ch a n d lea n ed on t h e t a ble, pu sh in g t h e open bu cket of t est liqu id fon dly wit h h is fin ger . "We have got to find a name for this stuff. "
Darll, fingering his singed and still warm chin, came out with one.
Gr a ym sh ook h is h ea d. "In ven t ive, sir , bu t n o, a n d a n ywa y, I'm n ot so sure that dead trolls do that. "
"What can we n a m e it ?" J a r ek t h e ga wky you t h a sked. "Th er e's never been anything like it. "
"Came from a still, didn't it, Fan?" Fenris said to his brother.
"Righ t you a r e, F en . " Th e ot h er Wolf br ot h er jer ked h is h ea d t owa r d t h e copper t u bin g a n d va t con t r a pt ion over t h e fir e pit , n ea r ly t opplin g them both backward.
"Well, there you are. " Fenris thumped the table. "Stillwaters. "
"Ru n deep, " F a n r is su ggest ed, a n d t h ey exploded in t o ga les of la u gh t er even though it wasn't that funny.
Da r ll cou gh ed on ly pa r t ly fr om sm oke a n d poin t ed a n u n st ea dy a n d accusing finger at Graym. "You're a damn wizard. "
"No, sir . " Gr a ym sh ook h is h ea d, wh ich spu n obligin gly, so h e st opped. "Nothing but a good honest cooper with a head for business "
"No m a gic?" Da r ll sa id it h oa r sely, t wo or t h r ee t im es. "Th en h ow'd you learn to make this stuff?"
"F r om a r ecipe La u r in ga ve m e, wit h dir ect ion s. " H e r ea ch ed for wa r d and picked up the test glass. "Here's to Laurin. "
"To La u r in !" t h e ot h er s sh ou t ed. At t h is poin t , t h ey'd h a ve dr u n k a s readily to crop blight.
Gr a ym du t ifu lly pa ssed t h e gla ss a r ou n d, m a kin g su r e t h e Wolf br ot h er s got it la st , t h en t ook it ba ck a n d wa sh ed it ca r efu lly u sin g a pitcher of water which, so far tonight, had been used for nothing else.
"Where'd she get the recipe?" Darll wanted to know.
"H er la t e h u sba n d fou n d it in t h e r u in s of Kr in n eor . Th er e's a wh ole wor ld wa it in g t o be r elea r n ed ou t t h er e, fou n d kn owledge t o be a pplied by entre-pergnoirs... now that the Cart-Collision's over. "
"Ca t a clysm , " Da r ll cor r ect ed a u t om a t ica lly. H e'd been cor r ect in g Graym's m a n glin g of t h e wor d for a s lon g a s t h e t wo h a d kn own ea ch other.
J a r ek, beh in d t h e ot h er s, fin a lly poin t ed a t Da r ll's soppin g, h a lf-burned beard and laughed. Darll dipped the tiny glass in the bucket and passed it to him. "Think it's funny, boy? You try. "
Gr a ym fon dly h u gged t h e sm a ll va llen wood a gin g ba r r el fr om wh ich h e'd pou r ed t h e t est bu cket . P a r t of h im wa s a wa r e t h a t t h e t a st e-testing h a d got t en ou t of h a n d. Th e r est of h im , glowin g wit h vision s of su ccess and hazy with test drinks, didn't much care.
The Wolf brothers pounded the table, chanting, "Drink! Drink!"
J a r ek pu lled a wood splin t er fr om t h e fir e pit u n der t h e dist iller y, lit t h e dr in k gla ss in t h r ee t r ies, a n d pr om pt ly t ossed it in t o h is own lon g h a ir , wh ich bla zed u p n icely. Da r ll la u gh ed a s J a r ek swu n g h is bu r n in g hair this way and that in panic.
H is eyes sh u t t igh t , J a r ek gr oped for t h e a le st ein . H is h a n ds wr a pped around the bucket of test drink instead. He lifted it over his own head and began to pour.
Da r ll kn ocked t h e bu cket fr om h is h a n ds ju st in t im e, u pen din g t h e a le st ein over J a r ek's h a ir . Th e bu cket of fla m m a ble t a st e-test flew across the table and hit the floor. The liquid spilled out in a long, straight stream.
Tim e seem ed t o slow. All of t h em wa t ch ed in fa scin a t ion a s t h e st r ea m in g liqu id r a n over t h e floor st on es, pa st t h e open va t , down t h e su n ken h ea r t h , a n d in t o t h e fir e pit a r ou n d t h e st ill a n d t h e h oldin g t a n k. A fin ger of liqu id t ou ch ed t h e bla ze. A t r a ck of fla m e m oved ba ck t owa r d the open va t . Th e va t , n ow fu ll, wa s t r icklin g liqu id down t h e side. Th e flame lit the trickle and leapt up it to the vat....
* * * * *
Gr a veside, t h e villa ge down t h e r ebu ilt r oa d, slept . Th e m ist in t h e west er n h ills sh on e in t h e set t in g t h r ee-qu a r t er m oon , a n d ou t side t h e End of the Road Inn, all was quiet.

Th e r oof lift ed a lm ost st r a igh t off t h e in n , fla m in g a t t h e edges. F our m en dove a n d r olled ou t t h e gr ou n d floor win dows. Two of t h em looked in cr edibly ch a r r ed bu t wer e m er ely filt h y. On e wa s a gr izzled, m u scled m a n dr a ggin g a skin n y, da zed you t h clu t ch in g a sm a ll, em pt y gla ss. La st ca m e a fa t , m iddle-a ged m a n wh o, wit h som e effor t a n d in cr edible det er m in a t ion , ca r r ied a va llen wood ca sk wit h h im . Th ey a ll t u r n ed t o watch the fire, which was now quite spectacular.

Aft er a m om en t 's st u n n ed silen ce, Gr a ym t u r n ed t o t h e ot h er s. "St ill a n d a ll, " h e sa id ch eer fu lly, "except for t h is la st bit , it wa s a fin e pa r t y, wasn't it?"

J a r ek wa s n ea r t ea r s. "I didn 't m ea n t o do a n yt h in g except wh a t Da r ll h a d don e, a n d wh en I ca u gh t fir e, I t h ou gh t , wh y n ot pu t it ou t t h e sa m e way.... "

Gr a ym sm iled a t h im , a m u sed a n d com plet ely fr ee of r a n cor . "A good idea , boy. A bit m u ddled in t h e execu t ion , bu t a good idea . " H e pu t a n a r m a r ou n d J a r ek's sh ou lder s. Th ey st ood in silen ce, wa t ch in g t h e bea m s blaze.

Da r ll, wh o h a d ca r r ied J a r ek ou t t h e win dow, st ood u p pa in fu lly. E ven for m er m er cen a r ies get a lit t le old for t h is sor t of t h in g. "Do you kn ow wh a t ca n h a ppen wh en you pou r a bu cket of t h a t st u ff on a fla m e n ea r your head?"
Jarek stared at him blankly. "No. What?"
Da r ll let go of h im a n d st ood wit h h is fa ce in h is h a n ds. Aft er a wh ile, Jarek shrugged and turned back to the fire.
* * * * *
In t h e fir st gr a y m or n in g ligh t , it cou ld be seen t h a t t h e E n d of t h e Road was little more than ashes and more ashes. The inn's signpost, lying on t h e gr ou n d, wa s st ill sm older in g. Th e secon d-st or y floor boa r ds were ch a r r ed a n d da n glin g. Th e st ea m in g ba r r els wer e ch a r coa l on t h e ou t side, ale-soa ked wood in . All of t h em wer e spr u n g, t h e h ea t h a vin g wa r ped t h e m et a l h oops a n d popped t h e n a ils h oldin g t h em in pla ce. Th e dist iller y wa s bu ckled fr om t h e h ea t , bu t Gr a ym t h ou gh t it m igh t be ser vicea ble, if they could clean it.

J a r ek, ga wky a n d va ca n t , st ood peer in g m ou r n fu lly t h r ou gh a door frame where no outside wall existed.
F en r is a n d F a n r is, t h e Wolf br ot h er s, poked t h r ou gh
in t er est . Tr u t h be t old, t h ey felt r igh t a t h om e a r ou n d
t h e r u in s wit h wr ecka ge a n d garbage.
Da r ll, u n a ble t o sh a ke old h a bit s, pa t r olled t h e per im et er , a s t h ou gh the fire had been part of an attack.
Also wa lkin g a r ou n d t h e edge of t h e sm okin g a n d st ea m in g wr ecka ge wa s a det er m in edly ch eer fu l, over weigh t , m iddle-a ged m a n wit h a dr oopin g m u st a ch e wh ich h a d a lr ea dy been sin ged on ce in t h e sea r ch for anything of value.
"H er e's som et h in g. " Gr a ym st ooped pa in fu lly, feelin g even fa t t er a n d older t h a n h e wa s, a n d picked u p a sm oke-bla cken ed r in t le, t h e t in y thumb-gu a r d t h a t cooper s u se. H e t ossed it fr om pa lm t o pa lm . "Th er e's always salvage, if you know where to look. "
H e pa ssed it t o J a r ek, wh o slid it on h is t h u m b, yelped, a n d jer ked it off. It fell into the rubble, where it vanished.
Graym sighed. "Well, it wasn't much anyway. "
F en r is ca m e for wa r d wit h t h e gla ss J a r ek h a d sa ved, n ow r efilled fr om t h e sm a ll keg t h a t Gr a ym h a d ca r r ied ou t . Gr a ym t ook it a n d sipped gratefully.
Darll glared at him. "How can you?"
Gr a ym sm iled a t h im pla cidly. "Well, su r ely a m a n ou gh t t o be a llowed to enjoy a drink at his own fireside. "
Darll snorted in disgust.
A few moments later the Wolf brothers chuckled.
Qu it e a wh ile la t er , J a r ek sa id su dden ly, "Oh , I get it !" a n d la u gh ed until Darll told him sharply to be quiet.
Bu t n on e of t h em la u gh ed for lon g. Th e r u in s of t h eir beds a n d t h eir business lay in front of them, gray and smoldering.
"So m u ch for t h e a le ba t ch we h a d a gin g, " Da r ll sa id. Swor d in h a n d even in a t own a s pea cefu l a s Gr a veside, h e h a d r efu sed t o give u p h is sword t h e m er cen a r y pr odded on e of t h e split , ch a r r ed kegs. "Now that's a loss. "
J a r ek looked m iser a ble a ga in . Gr a ym wa ved a h a n d in dism issa l. "Not so gr ea t a loss, sir . Rem em ber , t h e m a r ket for Sku ll-Splitter P r em iu m wa s dr oppin g off. We n eeded t o a t t r a ct n ew cu st om er s. " H e con sider ed. "More, we needed to cut costs somehow. "
Th e ot h er s looked a t Gr a ym h opefu lly a s h e pon der ed t h e r u in s. "Wh en you t h in k a bou t it , we've cu t over h ea d som et h in g con sider a ble. No r oof r epa ir s, n o keg m a in t en a n ce " H e looked a r ou n d a t t h e ot h er s ea r n est ly. "It's our chance to start over. "
"With the new stuff?" Fenris asked curiously.
His brother added, "The stuff with no name?"
"We'll never have a better time to start it. " Graym put his hands on his h ips, fa cin g t h em . "E ver y eye in Gr a veside will be wa t ch in g u s. Th e st or y of t h e fir e will t r a vel u p a n d down t h e r oa d, t oo. As a dver t isin g it 'll do wonders. "
Darll rolled his eyes.
Gr a ym fin ish ed, in evit a bly, by pu m pin g J a r ek's h a n d. "Best t h in g t h a t cou ld h a ppen , r ea lly. On ce a ga in , on t h e cu t t in g edge of down sizin g. Boldly done, sir. "
Jarek looked happier.
"St ill... " Gr a ym eyed t h e ot h er s. "We'll a ll feel t h e la ck of t h e old life, wh ile we st a r t ba ck u p. Aft er a ll, livin g in door s is h a bit -for m in g. We'll m iss ba t h in g. " H e gla n ced a t t h e Wolf br ot h er s a n d a m en ded, "Some of us will miss bathing. "
"An d t h e cu st om er s. " Da r ll r u bbed h is ja w, wh ich h a d a la r ge, slowfading bruise.
"It wa s a good in n , " Gr a ym sa id r eflect ively. "F igh t s, t h iever y, cr ooked gambling... venture investment at its best. " He sighed. "I'll miss it. "
"We'll m iss t h e m on ey, " Da r ll r u m bled. "It wa sn 't m u ch , bu t it wa s good enough. "
Gr a ym st a r ed in t o t h e em ber s, sigh in g a ga in . "I wa s goin g t o u se t h e money to marry Laurin. "
"Ahhh. "
La u r in h a d lost h er h u sba n d of t wen t y yea r s t o a Ca t a clysm a va la n ch e. Sh e h a d h a ir t h a t wa s pa r t ly gr a y a n d m ost ly r ed; sh e wor e sh a wls a n d r obes t o h ide h er weigh t , a n d sh e wa s pr et t y en ou gh t h a t it wor ked. La u r in , a s Gr a ym h a d obser ved on ce, "cu r ls a r ou n d you r h ea r t like a ca t a n d m a kes you h a ppy. " E ven Da r ll, wh o h a d n ever felt t h e n eed t o m a r r y, con ceded t h a t La u r in , wit h h er sh a r p t on gu e a n d soft h ea r t , m a de a place feel like home just by walking in.
"And she won't marry you without the money?" he said dubiously.
"Sh e wou ld, " Gr a ym r eplied sh or t ly. "I wou ldn 't a sk h er . An d t h er e's... complications. " He didn't elaborate.
"You ju st lost t h e wom a n you love. You don 't h a ve t o be so da m n cheerful. "
"I do. " Gr a ym looked a t Da r ll ea r n est ly. "It keeps u s goin g. On ly t h in k, sir, when none of us is cheerful, of the first hard times that hit us. "
Da r ll, in ch a in s, h a d been dr a gged t o Gr a veside by Gr a ym , wh o ca lled t h e Ca t a clysm "a bu sin ess oppor t u n it y. " Th ey sa ved Gr a veside mostly throu gh lu ck a t t h a t fr om a t h r ea t en ed in va sion of m en wh o t u r n ed ou t t o be dea d. Gr a ym pa r don ed Da r ll, m a de h im a m ilit a r y a dvisor t o Graym, 'Graveside's Protector. '
"On e of u s a lwa ys n eeds t o be ch eer fu l, " Da r ll a dm it t ed gr u dgin gly. "Probably, it'll be you. "
H e peer ed u p t h e r oa d t owa r d t h e t own of Gr a veside. By n ow, t h e t own speople cou ld see t h e sm oke. Sever a l of t h em wer e t r ot t in g t owa r d t h e in n , ga pin g a t t h e da m a ge. "H er e t h ey com e. F r igh t en ed, fr om t h e look of them. "
Gr a ym t h ou gh t t h ey looked u n com m on ly fea r fu l. "Nice of t h em t o be worried for us. "
"Or for t h e in n . " Da r ll gla n ced a t h im sh r ewdly. "Ar e t h ey u pset over losing the place or losing their money?" He paused. "Gods, Graym, you did pay them back, didn't you?"
Graym's calm smile wavered. "Actually, we still owe a little to the city. " As a r ewa r d for defen din g t h e t own , Gr a veside h a d loa n ed t h em m on ey t o st a r t t h e in n a n d t h e br ewer y. Gr a ym h a d pa id som e ba ck wh en ever t h e city reminded him how far past due he was.
"How little?" Darll growled.
"Some. "
"All of it?"
Graym sighed. "Almost. "
Da r ll closed h is eyes a n d sa id bit t er ly, "I don 't t h in k a sh es a r e via ble loca l t r a de goods. " A t h ou gh t st r u ck h im for t h e fir st t im e: "I won der wh y they didn't come out last night? What are they afraid of?"
Th e good cit izen s of Gr a veside h u n g ba ck, poin t in g wit h a we a t t h e sm okin g r u in s. Th ey wh isper ed t oget h er , n ot ou t of polit en ess for Gr a ym a n d t h e ot h er s, bu t fea r fu lly. A n u m ber r u in s, du cked h u r r iedly u n der t r ees apprehension.
of t h em , a ft er in spect in g t h e a n d wa t ch ed t h e sky in
A well-r ou n ded, r ed-h a ir ed wom a n , wit h a sh ock of gr a y a bove h er for eh ea d, bu st led t h r ou gh t h e cr owd. "You 'r e a ll r igh t , t h en ?" Sh e wa s looking only at Graym.
"All of u s a r e. " Gr a ym sm iled in t o h er gr een eyes, feelin g su dden ly better about everything. "Good to see you, Ma'am. "
"I t h ou gh t you 'd be n eedin g br ea kfa st a ft er su ch a n igh t . " La u r in r a ised t h e wicker ba sket on h er a r m ; it wa s st ea m in g sligh t ly. Th e Wolf brothers looked sick; Jarek, staring at the basket, was green.
She ch u ckled a n d wen t st r a igh t t o J a r ek. "An d for you , you n g m a n , dr y t oa st . " Sh e pu lled ou t a fr esh -ba ked, ligh t ly t oa st ed bu n . "Som et h in g in you r st om a ch will m a ke you feel bet t er , n o m a t t er wh a t la st n igh t wa s like. " Sh e for ced it in t o h is h a n ds. "Go on , t h en , let m e see you ea t you r breakfast. Most important meal of the day. "
"The wisdom of the ages, " Graym murmured fervently, taking a roll for himself. "Was there ever such a woman?"
"You love m e 'ca u se I feed you , " La u r in sa id, la u gh in g. Sh e h a n ded rolls t o t h e Wolf br ot h er s a s well. "Th er e n ever wa s a cr isis so ba d t h a t food didn't make a body feel better. "
Gr a ym wa s wa t ch in g h er a n d sm ilin g. H e h ea r d a discr eet cou gh n ea r his elbow. Jayem, one of the Elders of Graveside, stood by Graym's side.
Elder J a yem spoke in a fu ssy, solem n voice. "Th ese a sh es cr y ou t for revenge, do they not?"
Though he had no idea what the elder was talking about, Graym patted t h e sm a ller m a n 's sh ou lder . "I a lwa ys t r y t o live a n d let live, sir . 'Specially with those who don't want to let me live. "
"Let live?" J a yem cr ied lou dly, a n d a few n er vou s t own speople ju m ped. "I h a ve n ot h ea r d t h a t dr a gon s a r e willin g t o let live. " H e poin t ed a n a ccu sin g fin ger a t t h e r u in s. "Ca n you den y t h a t t h is is t h e wor k of a dragon?"
Jarek stared nervously at the sky.
Gr a ym h esit a t ed. "H a ven 't t h ou gh t a bou t it , sir , a n d wh a t if it wer e?" he said. "What could we do about it?"
E lder J a yem 's voice r a n g ou t , clea r a n d ech oin g wit h con vict ion . "Wh a t cou ld you do? Go, a s Gr a veside's P r ot ect or , a n d sla y t h e dr a gon in combat!"
Sever a l t own speople m u r m u r ed a ppr ovin gly. Th e Wolf br ot h er s, wh o also had been staring at the sky, suddenly appeared very upset.
J a yem folded h is a r m s. "Th er e h a ve been r u m blin g n oises in t h e n igh t , a n d sigh t in gs of win ged m on st er s in t h e sky. Th er e h a ve been r u m or s of da m a ge t o cot t a ges a n d fa r m bu ildin gs. " H e poin t ed t o t h e ch a r r ed r u in of the ale house. "Is there any more sensible explanation for that?"
Aft er a st r a n gled cou gh , Gr a ym sa id, " 'Mor e sen sible. ' Ah . Th er e you've got us. " He looked at Darll and winked.
"E xa ct ly. " E lder J a yem poin t ed. "Befor e, we on ly h a d r u m or s a n d r epor t s of a dr a gon in t h e m ou n t a in s t h er e t o t h e west ; n ow we ca n be sure. We have proof. Something must be done immediately. "
E lder J a yem n ow st ood a t t h e cen t er of a h opefu l cr owd of t own speople. Da r ll fin ger ed h is swor d, t h en m oved h is h a n d a wa y. H is lon g com ba t ca r eer h a d t a u gh t h im t h a t it is im polit ic t o r ea ch for wea pon s in fr on t of someone to whom you owe money.
Graym said skeptically, "So you think we should fight this dragon?"
"F igh t a n d kill it , " J a yem sa id. Th e Gr a vesider s kicked in wit h a few ragged cheers.
"Kill it ?" Da r ll ven t u r ed. "Ma ybe we sh ou ld ju st br u ise it . Aft er a ll, n o dragons have been seen in generations. "
The crowd ignored him completely.
Elder Jayem was solemn. "There will be danger. "
The Wolf brothers edged back.
"There will be horrors unimaginable. "
J a r ek lea n ed for wa r d in t er est edly. Da r ll pu sh ed h im ba ck. On e a n d a ll were shaking their heads.
Jayem coughed discreetly. "There will be a reward. "
Th e h ea d-sh a kin g fr oze. Gr a ym br igh t en ed, sa yin g h ea r t ily, "Alwa ys a pleasure when business discussions get down to particulars. "
"Fifty steel pieces, raised by the village. "
For once Graym couldn't think of a thing to say.
"Just for killing the dragon?" Darll demanded.
"Killing, driving off. Either requires proof or witnesses. "
"Naturally. " Darll fingered his sword.
E lder J a yem n odded. "So you will kill t h e dr a gon for u s, " h e sa id, a s t h ou gh it wer e set t led. "P r om pt ly. " H e fr own ed a t Da r ll's sin ged bea r d. "And do something about your personal appearance. " He walked away.
Gr a ym ca u gh t Da r ll's a r m a s t h e m er cen a r y a im ed a blow a t J a yem 's back. "Now, now. Weren't you taught as a child to respect your Elders?"
Darll growled, "The pompous little twit! He knows we need the money. "
Graym shrugged. "He even knows why we need it. It's a small town, sir. " H e t u r n ed a wa y fr om t h e r u in a n d st a r ed in t o t h e m ou n t a in s t o t h e west.
Da r ll r u bbed h is h a n ds t oget h er , su dden ly a wa r e h ow m u ch h e h a d been m issin g com ba t . "So. We go t o t h e t own a r m or y, get t h e wea pon s, a n d give 'em a good sh ow.... " H e looked a t Gr a ym 's fa ce a n d st opped. Th e t wo of t h em edged ou t of La u r in 's ea r sh ot , a n d Da r ll sa id, "Well?" "I sold 'em, " Graym said shortly.
Da r ll cou ld n ot h a ve been m or e sh ocked if Gr a ym h a d con fessed t o sellin g E lder J a yem 's br eech es. "You 'r e t h e t own 's P r ot ect or , a n d you sold their weapons?"
"Well, look a t it . " Gr a ym wa ved a n a r m a t Gr a veside, wh ich wa s su r r ou n ded by fa r m fields a n d spr in g flower s. "It 's com plet ely pea cefu l. We've hardly had a problem. " He smiled around the village. "Lovely place to live. "
Darll poked Graym in the chest. "And you're its Protector. "
Gr a ym win ced, n ot en t ir ely fr om t h e poke. "Well, t o be t r u t h fu l, you are, sir. "
It wa s t r u e. Wh en t h iever y h a ppen ed, Da r ll in vest iga t ed. Wh en figh t s br oke ou t , Da r ll st opped t h em . Wh en r ou gh st r a n ger s ca m e down t h e r oa d, Da r ll wen t ou t a n d spoke t o t h em oft en t h ey r et r ea t ed, som et im es with bandages.
Da r ll scr a t ch ed h is bea r ded ch in , t h in kin g. "Bu t st ill, you 'r e t h e on e wit h t h e officia l swor d of office. " H e gla n ced a r ou n d. "Com e t o t h in k of it , I haven't seen Graym, you didn't.... "
"F ir st t o go, sir . A collect or 's it em . H igh r esa le va lu e, even in h a r d times. "
Darll bit his lip. "Still, you had some spears "
"Sold a s a sin gle lot . " Gr a ym fr own ed t h ou gh t fu lly. "I sh ou ld h a ve got more for them, but some sales are for goodwill and word of mouth. "
"Is there anything left?"
"Oh , of cou r se. " Gr a ym spr ea d h is h a n ds, im plyin g a wea lt h of wea pon r y, t h en gr a du a lly br ou gh t t h em in . "Act u a lly, m ost of wh a t 's left has mainly sentimental value. "
Da r ll n odded t ir edly. "Mea n in g, it wou ldn 't sell. " H e sh ook h is h ea d. "All I can say is, it's a damn good thing there's not a real dragon. "
"Oh, but there is one!" a voice cried.
They turned to look. Rhael, youngest of the Elders, stood before Graym.
Even n ow, Gr a ym wa s h a ppy t o see h er . Rh a el, E lder of F ea r lessn ess, had been Graym's first friend in Graveside. She was also Laurin's favorite niece.
"Please, you're not really going to try to kill the dragon, are you?" Rhael demanded.
"Don 't you wor r y a bou t u s, " J a r ek sa id. H e pa r r ied wit h a n im a gin a r y sword, since Graym wouldn't let him carry a real one this close to town.
Rhael said flatly, "I'm not. I'm worried about the dragon. "
"There is no " Graym began.
Darll stepped on his foot, hard.
Rh a el wen t on wit h ou t n ot icin g, "Dr a gon s a r e wise, gr a cefu l, bea u t ifu l bea st s, a n d t h ey h a ven 't been seen for a ges befor e t h is. You ca n 't kill on e, just when they're coming back. You mustn't!"
"Wh y n ot ?" Gr a ym wa s fr a n kly pu zzled. "We'r e h er oes, su ch a s we a r e; they're dr a gon s. If we kill t h em in st ea d of t h em killin g u s, t h a t 's gooddeed-doing. "
La u r in st epped for wa r d, h a n ded Rh a el a biscu it t o ea t . "Ch ild, h e's t h e Protector. it's his job. "
Rh a el sh ook h er h ea d vigor ou sly. St r a y a sh es fr om t h e fir e dr ift ed ou t of h er h a ir a n d on t o h er n ose. "Bu t a dr a gon isn 't a villa in . " H er eyes shone. "Dragons are the noblest, wisest, most graceful and beautiful "
Gr a ym h eld u p a h a n d, t h in kin g a bou t t h e m on ey E lder J a yem h a d offer ed. "Com m it m en t t o bea u t y's a ll r igh t , " h e sa id du biou sly, "bu t you ca n 't let it in t er fer e wit h good-deed-doin g. " H e gest u r ed t o t h e m en wit h him. "We've survived the Cat-Collusion "
"Cataclysm, " Darll corrected tiredly.
"Of cou r se, you did, " Rh a el sa id qu ickly. "Bu t you 'r e h er oes a n d warriors "
"An d a s su ch , " Gr a ym sa id solem n ly, "we h a ve ou r wor k. " H e gla n ced a t t h e Wolf br ot h er s a n d a t J a r ek, wh o wa s pr a ct icin g swor dpla y wit h t h e heat-bowed poker fr om t h e in n 's fir epla ce. "Som e wou ld sa y we h a ve ou r wor k cu t ou t for u s. " H e fin ish ed solem n ly, "Cou ld you r espect u s, if we t u r n ed a wa y fr om t h is? Cou ld you see m e m a r r yin g you r Au n t ie La u r in ?" Laurin came closer, put a hand on his arm.
Rh a el sh ook h er h ea d fir m ly. "I ca n 't see m y fa vor it e a u n t m a r r yin g someone who would kill a dragon. I'm sorry, but I can't. "
La u r in sa id qu ickly, "Now, lovey, you 'r e ju st u pset by t h e fir e a n d a ll. I'm sure if you think about "
"No. " Rh a el fa ced h er a u n t fir m ly. "My Un cle Ot t o wa sn 't t h e sor t of man who ran around killing dragons."
"There weren't any. "
"An d I ca n 't let you m a r r y som eon e wh o wou ld. " Rh a el t ossed h er h ea d and walked off.
La u r in sa id, "I'll t a lk t o h er , love. Don 't you be t r ou bled. " Sh e h a n ded Graym a muffin, which he ate, then she lifted her heavy skirt and hurried after Rhael.
Da r ll r u m bled, "Let 's go see wh a t wea pon s you cou ldn 't pa wn off on anyone. "
By m idm or n in g t h ey h a d a pit t ed swor d, a ba t t er ed br oa da xe ca lled Ga lea n or , t h e Axe of t h e J u st , a n d on e r ea l fin d Accor din g t o t own legen d, it wa s on e of t h e Un for t u n a t ely, t h e pole h a d been sh a t t er ed. It clumsy-looking spear.
They also had splitting headaches remnants of the new product. Jarek wh im per ed a n d sa id a h u n dr ed t im es t h a t h e wa s sor r y t h e fir e h a d happened.
Graym thought, but did not say, that he was sorry, too.
a t wice-m en ded la n ce. or igin a l dr a gon la n ces. wa s n ow a sh or t a n d
* * * * * Th e wh ole t own sa w t h em off. Th er e wa s n o t im e t o m a ke ba n n er s, a n d
Jayem, the Elder of Promptness, wouldn't let anyone make long speeches. Wer low, t h e E lder of Ca u t ion , st epped for wa r d ca r efu lly. "Sa fe jou r n ey.
Be watchful. "
Wa r issa , t h e E lder of J u st ice, st r ode ou t a n d fa ced t h em . "St r ike wh er e
you must, " she said clearly and calmly. "Wrong no one. Safe journey. " They nodded back to her politely. Given their pasts, the Elder of Justice
made them most uncomfortable.
Ser n a ya , t h e E lder of Th r ift , ca m e for wa r d a n d ba r ely n odded. "Min d
you r expen ses. Ta ke a lu n ch . Sleep ou t door s, n ot a t in n s. Don 't for get t o
br in g pr oof of a kill, or of dr ivin g it a wa y. " Sh e pa t t ed t h e keg of t est
liqu id, set on a sm a ll ca r t t o t a ke wit h t h em , a n d sa id r epr ovin gly, "Don 't
dr in k t oo m u ch of t h is on t h e wa y ou t of t own . " Sh e st epped ba ck a n d
added as an afterthought, "Safe journey. "
Th e ot h er E lder s ca m e u p t o t h em on e by on e, wish in g t h em lu ck a n d
giving them advice.
F in a lly, Rh a el, lookin g t r ou bled, st epped for wa r d a n d sa id su ccin ct ly,
"Safe journey. " She turned away.
La u r in wa lked ou t of t h e cr owd. Sh e pu t a clot h -wr a pped ba g in
Gr a ym 's h a n ds. "Ser n a ya a lwa ys sa ys, Ta ke a lu n ch . ' I pa cked you ea ch
one. "
"Wou ldn 't you ju st , " Gr a ym sa id r ever en t ly. It sm elled like por k ba ked
into bread, and it was steaming through the cloth. "How many women are
there like you?"
Sh e sa id sever ely, "Don 't you go lookin g for t h em . " Sh e kissed h im on
the lips. "Safe journey, and a safe journey back. "
Gr a ym 's h ea r t swelled. As a you n g m a n , h e'd been t oo bu sy t o m a r r y.
La t er , a poor cooper in a r ich t own , h e'd been t oo disr epu t a ble. H e bowed,
pu ffin g a t t h e effor t t o ben d h is con sider a ble wa ist . "Did you t a lk t o you r
niece?" he whispered.
"Some. " She glanced sideways at Rhael, who was frowning. Laurin blushed, scowled defensively, and hurried back into the crowd. Gr a ym clea r ed h is t h r oa t . "Yes, well. Good sen d-off. You 'r e n ice people.
We'd best be going now. " He grabbed the cart carrying the test liquid and
lurched forward. The others followed him.
Laurin pulled out a napkin and waved sadly to him. Rhael glared at her
and Laurin stopped. Graym shrugged resignedly.
Two tattered, dish eveled cr ea t u r es det a ch ed t h em selves fr om t h e cr owd
and leapt onto Fenris and Fanris, all but wrestling them to the ground. Da r ll dr ew h is swor d. Gr a ym , wit h a gest u r e, st opped h im . Th ey bot h
stared.
Appa r en t ly, t h e cr ea t u r es wer e fem a le. Mor e a st on ish in gly, t h ey wer e kissin g t h e Wolf br ot h er s. Th e wa t ch in g Gr a vesider s sm iled t oler a n t ly,
though some of them looked queasy.
"The Rulg Sisters, " Fenris said rapturously.
"They're new in town, " Fanris added.
"I'm sure, " Darll said, scowling.
Graym asked, "Where are they from?"
"Some other town, " Fenris said.
"They had to leave, " Fanris said. "Real quick. "
"Don't know why, " Fenris said moodily and sighed.
"Well, som e t h in gs a r e h a r d t o expla in , " Gr a ym m u r m u r ed, t h en
sla pped t h e t wo on t h e ba ck. "Bu t well don e, a n d boldly, t h e bot h of you .
You've met the loves of your lives, and I know you'll be happy. " They were already happy. "They're going to marry us "
"But we need to have money. " Fenris sagged despondently. "Th ey sa id t h ey wou ldn 't m a r r y u s wit h ou t m on ey. " F a n r is looked t o
Graym for reassurance.
Gr a ym flou n der ed for a m om en t , t h en ca m e ou t wit h , "Yes, well, it 's
nice that you've both met women with standards. "
Da r ll sn or t ed a n d bega n wa lkin g. Th e ot h er s, pu llin g t h e ca r t ,
struggled to keep up.
Fanris burbled, "Have you ever seen a woman "
" like either of them?" Fenris finished.
Th ey wer e a t t h e edge of Gr a veside, pa ssin g a st on e-wa lled pigst y.
Graym looked at it thoughtfully. "Not a woman, no. "
Th ey wa lked a wh ile, t h in kin g t o t h em selves a ll except J a r ek, wh o
was happily throwing stones at other stones.
F in a lly Da r ll sa id, "Th e wa y I see it , if t h er e wer e a dr a gon , a n d t h er e
isn 't , we'd be in big t r ou ble. If we som eh ow m a n a ged t o kill it , a n d we
ca n 't beca u se t h er e isn 't on e, you 'll lose t h e ch a n ce t o m a r r y La u r in . If we
t r y t o dr ive it off, a n d we ca n 't beca u se t h er e isn 't on e, it wou ldn 't go
wit h ou t a figh t . If we don 't fin d on e, a n d we won 't beca u se t h er e isn 't on e,
we'r e st ill goin g t o be br oke a n d n on e of u s will get t o m a r r y, in clu din g
you . " H e a dded beca u se h e wa s get t in g h u n gr y, "P lu s we'll pr oba bly
starve to death. "
Gr a ym con sider ed, t h en squ in t ed u pwa r d in t o t h e fog. "An ywa y, it 's a
nice day for a walk. "
* * * * *
J a yem h a d dir ect ed t h em t owa r d t h e m ou n t a in s t o t h e west . Un for t u n a t ely, t h e r oa d west didn 't diver ge fr om t h e m a in r oa d u n t il it had passed through the Valley of Death, a huge abandoned cemetery from t h e r u in s of a la r ger cit y. Th e ea r t h qu a kes a n d r ock slides of t h e Ca t a clysm , a s well a s r ecen t va n da lism , h a d left a gr ea t m a n y skelet on s exposed. Th eir blea ch ed, u n cea sin g gr in s did lit t le for t h e Wolf br ot h er s' moods.
"Are dragons big?" Fenris asked Graym.
Th e fa t m a n pu r sed h is lips. "H a r d t o sa y. By r epor t , som e of t h em a r e the size of houses. "
"Are they fierce?" quavered Fenris.
"Ah h . Now, t h er e you h a ve m e, sir . Th ey sa y, a n d a ga in t h is is on ly by r epor t , t h a t som e of t h em a r e fier ce en ou gh t o figh t wh ole a r m ies. " Gr a ym sm iled a t t h e t wo of t h em . "Bu t likely t h e legen d h a s gr own over the years. "
Th ey wa lked on , t h e r oa d win din g u pwa r d. F en r is a n d F a n r is seem ed unusually pensive.
F in a lly Da r ll sn a pped, "Wou ld you t wo st op lookin g like you 'r e thinking? It's unnatural. "
They stopped.
Graym said patiently, "What's on your minds?"
"The dragon, " they said in unison.
"We could pretend to kill it, " Fanris offered.
"And go home, " Fenris added.
"Right now, " Fanris finished.
J a r ek object ed. "Wh a t a bou t wh en t h e dr a gon sh ows u p a n d bu r n s another building?"
Da r ll r u bbed h is eyes a n d sa id wit h ba r ely su st a in ed pa t ien ce, "Th e dragon didn't burn the first building, now, did he, Jarek?"
Jarek blinked. "Oh, right, right. "
Gr a ym pu ffed h is lips ou t , con sider in g. "P r et en din g t o kill t h e dr a gon is a n a t t r a ct ive idea r ea ssu r es people, br in gs u s h om e u n h a r m ed, even pr om ot es t r a de.... No, n o, I for got . J a yem sa id we n eed pr oof t h a t we've killed it, or we can't get the money. "
"I'll say I saw it, " Fenris offered.
"And I'll say I saw him see it, " Fanris added.
"The general worth of your testimony aside, I think they want a witness who isn't getting paid for the death of the dragon, " Graym said solemnly.
"Dr a gon s!" Da r ll cou ldn 't con t a in h im self a n y lon ger . "Wh o believes in t h em a n ym or e, ou t side of Gr a veside a n d a few fa r m er s? Wh a t is it wit h this town? Something in the water, that keeps folk simple?"
"I like Graveside, " Jarek said stubbornly.
"I like it, too, " Graym echoed quietly. "I'd like nothing better than to go ba ck t o it a n d r ebu ild t h e in n , a n d m a r a n d m a r ket a le. " H e gla r ed a r ou n d. "So we'd a ll bet t er h ope t h a t t h er e's a dr a gon , a n d t h a t we kill it . Eh?" He turned to continue pulling the cart on the upward, winding road.
Th e r oa d n a r r owed in t o t wo r u t s. Da r ll gr ew m or e a ler t , t h e fa r t h er u p t h e r u t s t h ey t r a veled. Th e Wolf br ot h er s gr ew m or e n er vou s. Gr a ym pu t t h em in ch a r ge of t h e keg a n d ca r t , bu t pu llin g it didn 't t ir e t h em ou t enough to calm them down.
Th e five h er oes pa ssed a dism a l-lookin g fa r m . Gr a ym polit ely kn ocked a t t h e door a n d bowed t o t h e wir y, in cr edibly ga p-toot h ed wom a n wh o opened it.
"Your pardon, ma'am. We're warriors, of a sort "
Th e old wom a n wa s st a r in g over h is sh ou lder a t J a r ek; Gr a ym decided not to specify what sort....
"And we couldn't help wondering what happened to your house. "
Sh e lea n ed ou t , h er lon g wh it e h a ir wa vin g in t h e br eeze, a n d h issed, "The dragon did it. "
Fenris made a small, sick noise. Fanris echoed it.
Th e old wom a n cocked h er h ea d a n d gr in n ed. "Wit h on e cla w, h e did it , dears, one claw the size of a man. He spun down in the moon and the mist a n d spit fir e over m e h ou se, a n d kicked t h e cor n er clea n off it . " Sh e laughed, an awful cackle that died away slowly.
Gr a ym h a d n ever seen a cr on e, bu t h e wa s fa ir ly su r e t h is wa s on e. H e said politely, "And what is your name, ma'am?"
"Ra n issa . " Sh e r olled h er eyes, st u ck a cla wlike h a n d ou t t o h im , a n d finished, "Ranissa the Mad, they call me. What d'you think of that?"
Gr a ym , ever polit e, sa id, "I ca n see wh er e you r m a n n er of spea kin g m igh t st a r t le qu iet folk.... Ma ybe I'd h a ve n a m ed you Ra n issa -the-notlikery-to-be-asked-for-dinner-twice, but "
"An d t h e dr a gon r et u r n ed, " Ra n issa wa iled, st r ikin g h er for eh ea d. "Divin g fr om t h e m ist , like a t h in g of dea t h , st r a igh t for m e own h om e a n d fa r m . " Sh e gla r ed a t Da r ll, wh o looked du biou s. "An d h e t or e a t m e farm and the hill above it, and he belched fire and swooped to and fro, like a t h in g gon e m a d. " Ra n issa wa ved h er a r m s a n d swooped ba ck a n d for t h in front of the cottage, bobbing her scrawny neck and glaring fiercely.
Th e Wolf br ot h er s gr a bbed h old of ea ch ot h er a n d sh r ieked in t er r or . Deligh t ed a t t h e effect of t h e on ly good st or y t h a t seven t y yea r s of fa r m life h a d given h er , Ra n issa swooped a t t h em t wice m or e, n ea r ly sen din g them into hysteria.
Darll pu t a h a lt t o it , sa yin g wit h m or e m a n n er s t h a n h e wa n t ed, "Where did this exceptional dragon go, ma'am?"
Ra n issa poin t ed a skin n y fin ger u p t h e r oa d t h ey h a d been clim bin g. "Up in t o t h e m ist , a n d t h er e h e wa it s for wh oever com es, in t h e clou ds we've always called Dragon Breath. "
Th ey clim bed t h e st eep r oa d t h a t gr ew ever st eeper beh in d Ra n issa 's cot t a ge, u n a ble t o h elp gla n cin g fr om t im e t o t im e a t t h e la yer of m ist hanging above them: Dragon Breath.
Passing a point on the hillside where the earth was scored with a single gigantic track, Darll bent and examined it.
"See h ow t h e fr on t is deeper ? Som et h in g pu sh ed h a r d h er e, m a ybe leaping. "
"Leaping. " Fenris wrapped his tattered cloak tighter.
"At fa r m s. " F a n r is h u ddled a ga in st h im , a n d t h ey looked lon gin gly a t the tiny cart, wishing it were large enough to hide under.
All glanced back at the damaged roof of Ranissa's farm-house.
"Something kicked it, " Fenris said firmly.
"Something with big feet, " Fanris agreed.
"F lyin g big feet , " Da r ll poin t ed ou t . Up u n t il n ow, h e h a dn 't believed in dr a gon s. Bu t som et h in g h a d kicked t h a t h ou se in . Th e Wolf br ot h er s cou ldn 't h elp bu t n ot ice t h a t h e h a d u n sh ea t h ed h is ba t t er ed swor d a n d carried it at the ready, in true mercenary fashion.
Graym, in the lead, protested cheerily.
"Didn't kick it in, now. Just knocked it about. In play, like. "
Da r ll m u t t er ed t o Gr a ym . "You kn ow, I fin d it h a r d t o believe we m igh t really meet a dragon up here. "
"Th a t 's you r t r ou ble, " Gr a ym sa id. "Not a n opt im ist like m e. " Wh en Da r ll st a r ed a t h im , h e a dded, "An d wh en we do fin d h im , we'll kill h im . We need the money. "
"Plus it's our duty to the town, " Darll said stiffly.
"A won der fu l m a n for du t y, you a r e n ow, sir . So we'll m eet t h e bea st ie, a n d give h im ou r best " Gr a ym gla n ced ba ck a t J a r ek, wh o wa s ja bbin g t h e a ir wit h t h e m en ded la n ce, a n d a t t h e Wolf br ot h er s, wh o wer e flinching away every time Jarek jabbed. "With luck, he'll be asleep.... "
* * * * *
Th ey edged u pwa r d. Sh or t ly t h ey wer e su r r ou n ded by blin din g, br igh t fog.
A r a ven cr ied, som ewh er e in t h e m ist s. Th e Wolf br ot h er s cower ed. J a r ek sn a t ch ed u p a swor d a n d peer ed a ler t ly in t h e wr on g dir ect ion . Th e raven flew off behind them.
"I heard something!" Fanris wailed.
"From there!" Fenris cried.
Darll, scowling, kicked viciously at a rock.
A small lizard dashed out from under. The lizard stopped in front of the Wolf brothers, puffed itself up, and hissed.
They screamed in unison. "Dragon!"
J a r ek fla iled a bou t in t h e fog, st a bbin g, t h e la n ce n a r r owly a voidin g puncturing the keg. "Where?"
But the Wolf brothers, fleeing back down the road, had no answer.
Th ey h a d ba r ely r ou n ded t h e fir st cu r ve wh en a r obed, cowled figure a ppea r ed ou t of t h e m ist , h a lt ed t h eir fligh t . It t u r n ed, r a ised a slen der arm, and pointed at them.
The Wolf brothers, spinning to run the other way, screeched, "Wizard!"
Th e figu r e pu lled ba ck it s h ood. "Don 't be sca r ed, loves; it 's on ly m e. " Laurin sm iled r ea ssu r in gly, t h ou gh sh e looked wor r ied. "F en r is, F a n r is, are you all right?"
They were as close to pale as their unwashed skin could get.
Sh e cir cled a r ou n d t h em , a sm a ll cr u st y loa f in ea ch h a n d. "P oor dea r s. Here, eat something. "
"We saw it, " Fenris wailed, ignoring the bread.
"It's huge. " Fanris extended his arms wide.
Gr a ym , ca t ch in g u p wit h t h em , pu ffed a n d sa id gen ia lly, "It wa sn 't that big. "
"Of cou r se n ot , t o you . " La u r in looked a t h im a dm ir in gly. "You 'r e n ot afraid of anything. "
"Nor a r e you . You followed m e u s, " Gr a ym sa id, givin g h er a kiss on the cheek.
La u r in blu sh ed a n d gla n ced sh yly a t J a r ek. "Love, n ot in fr on t of t h e child. "
Darll, limping up to them, snorted.
Fenris quavered, "Did you see Ranissa?"
Fanris echoed, "The Mad?"
"Th a t I did. Sh e scr ea m ed in m y fa ce a bou t dr a gon fir e, disembowelment, and death. Cheery soul. " Laurin laughed.
"And what did you do?" Jarek asked, awed.
"F ed h er a ber r y-ja m t a r t a n d t old h er t o get m or e sleep. By t h e by, have you killed it yet?" Laurin looked around at them complacently.
Jarek blinked. "Killed what?"
"The dragon, child, the dragon!"
J a r ek kicked a sm a ll st on e a n d sa id gloom ily, "We h a ven 't even seen it . "
"Th a t 's good, t h en . I'm n ot t oo la t e. " La u r in sa t h ea vily on a bou lder by t h e r oa d. Sh e qu ickly h a n ded ever ybody m or e t a r t s fr om h er kn a psa ck. "Eat these and relax. Graym and Darll and I need to talk a bit. " She eyed them. "I know the truth. "
Graym blushed. Jarek groaned.
Da r ll sh r u gged. "Not m u ch t o t a lk a bou t t h en , is t h er e? If t h er e's n o r ea l dr a gon , we ca n 't kill it or ch a se it ou t , a n d we t h er efor e don 't get paid. We're finished. If there is a dragon, and we don't kill it, we've let the t own down . If t h er e's a dr a gon , a n d we do kill it , you r n iece won 't let you and Graym get married. "
"Righ t . " La u r in bea m ed a t h im a n d h a n ded h im a m ea t pie. "So t h er e h a s t o be a dr a gon , a n d you h a ve t o dr ive h im a wa y. Good t h in kin g, dea r . Proud of you, I am. "
A h issin g n oise ca m e fr om fa r off in t h e m ist . Th e Wolf br ot h er s gu lped and clutched at each other.
Gr a ym ign or ed t h em . "Th e pr oblem bein g, m a 'a m , n o on e's seen a r ea l, live dragon for a long time now. "
A dr a wn -ou t cr ea k, dim a n d m ou r n fu l, sou n ded in t h e fog a bove t h em . The Wolf brothers edged closer to Darll.
Laurin smiled. "Let's say it was a dragon as destroyed your inn. "
J a r ek du g h is t oe in t h e dir t a n d m u t t er ed. La u r in pa t t ed h is elbow, in ser t in g a cr ea m r oll in t h e cr ook of h is a r m . "Be fr a n k wit h you r self, child. Couldn't it have been a dragon?"
"I'd like t o t h in k so, " Da r ll r u m bled. "Nobody likes ca r eless idiot s, bu t it seems as though everyone wants a dragon. "
A gr a t in g scr eech ech oed fr om t h e h illside. Th e Wolf br ot h er s, wideeyed, st a r ed fr om side t o side. J a r ek scr a t ch ed h is h ea d a bsen t ly wit h t h e la n ce. Da r ll's h a n d dr ift ed down t o h is swor d. Gr a ym gla n ced a t h im a n d fingered the axe.
"H a s you r n iece t h e you n gest E lder soft en ed h er h ea r t t owa r d pr ogr ess a n d dr a gon -sla yin g a t a ll?" Gr a ym a sked, clea r in g h is t h r oa t of a n unexpected huskiness.
La u r in t h r ew u p h er h a n ds. "Oh , you kn ow h er wh en sh e's fu ll of h er self a n d h ow m a gica l life is. All sh e sa ys is, 'Dr a gon s a r e wise, graceful, beautiful beasts. ' "
A lou d bellow fr om a bove cu t h er off. J a r ek, h is m ou t h h a n gin g open , pointed at the sky.
A h u ge, ba t -win ged for m ca r een ed t h r ou gh t h e m ist , divin g st r a igh t a t them.
All of t h em du cked... except J a r ek. At t h e la st m in u t e, Da r ll dove for h im , st r u ck h im wit h a n exa sper a t ed gr u n t , a n d kn ocked h im ou t of h a r m 's wa y. Th e da r k figu r e swooped wit h in a few feet of t h e r oa d, on e win g scr a pin g t h e dir t . A bu r st of fla m e belch ed fr om it s fr on t ; t h e da r k win gs over sh a dowed t h e en t ir e com pa n y. Th en , wit h a lou d gr a t in g screech, it pulled up and disappeared into the mist.
Darll, checking his bones as he got up, muttered, "Graceful, you said. "
Th ey h ea r d a lou d t h u m p; t h e dr a gon st r u ck a r ock som ewh er e a bove them on the mountain face.
"Here it comes again!" Graym cried.
Th ey dove for t h e gr ou n d a s t h e dr a gon spu n over h ea d, losin g a lt it u de rapidly and belching fire. The fire smelled like a badly run smithy.
"And wise, " Darll concluded. He crouched, waiting for the next flyover.
Laurin shook her head sadly, stared into the fog. "Doesn't seem graceful a n d wise, does it ? Well, we a ll h a ve ou r off da ys. P oor t h in g; m a ybe it 's hungry. "
Fenris and Fanris whimpered in unison.
A fu ll-t h r oa t ed scr ea m sou n ded like t wo pieces of m et a l dr a gged a cr oss ea ch ot h er . A sh a dow descen ded fr om t h e m ist . It wobbled, t h en fla pped it s win gs list lessly, a n d fin a lly pou r ed ou t h ot st ea m y br ea t h a s it dr ift ed beyond them. One wing, flapping all the way down to the trail, cut a divot beside J a r ek. La u r in pu lled h im ou t of t h e wa y ju st befor e a secon d win g spu r dr a gged a r a gged gou ge in t h e r oa d. Th e dr a gon va n ish ed in t h e mist, flapping up the mountain.
The small party collected in the middle of the road, mouths agape. Even Gr a ym wa s m om en t a r ily speech less. H e t ook t h e la n ce fr om J a r ek a n d poked Da r ll wit h it . "Sir , wou ld you m in d for m in g a scou t in g pa r t y wit h me? And bring the supply barrel. "
Da r ll st r u ggled t o h is feet . Gr a ym h a n ded h im t h e la n ce a n d ba r r el of taste-test, then dragged him off into the mist.
Wh en t h ey wer e fa r en ou gh a wa y fr om t h e ot h er s, Da r ll sa id sa r ca st ica lly, "F in e idea br in gin g t h e br ew a lon g. Th ose Wolf la ya bou t s might drink this while we're out of sight. "
Gr a ym sh ook h is h ea d, "You 'r e a fin e on e for st r a t egy, sir , bu t you do m e t oo m u ch cr edit . I wa s t h in kin g som et h in g else en t ir ely. " H e a dded t h ou gh t fu lly, "You kn ow, I'm begin n in g t o won der if m a ybe t h e dr a gon didn't burn the inn after all. "
Darll stared at him as if he had gone mad.
"Now, n ow. You 'r e a m a n of t h e wor ld, sir , a n d you 've seen folk lu m ber a bou t gr a celessly t h e wa y t h a t poor flyin g bea st ie is m ovin g. Does t h a t movement remind you of anything?"
Da r ll open ed h is m ou t h , sh u t it , a n d st a r ed fir st a t t h e liqu or keg, a n d then at Graym.
"I'm t h in kin g we wer en 't t h e on ly on es pa r t yin g t h a t n igh t , " Gr a ym con t in u ed, "a n d m a ybe we h a ve a dr a gon a s n eeds a m or n in g pick-me-up; a little hair of the troll. Mmm?"
Da r ll, com plet ely ba ffled, m u t t er ed, "A r ea l dr a gon , a ft er a ll t h ese ages?"
"Well, sir , " Gr a ym sa id r ea son a bly, "wh a t else cou ld it be?" H e ca lled ba ck t o La u r in a n d t h e ot h er s, "Da r ll a n d I a r e goin g scou t in g. Be r ea dy to take cover. "
La u r in a n swer ed, "H u r r y ba ck, t h en , love, " a s ca lm ly a s if h e h a d sa id they were going to the farmer's market.
J a r ek a n n ou n ced, "I'm r ea dy t o figh t , " a t wh ich t h er e wa s a lou d t h u d and a yelp in the mist.
Gr a ym sa id st ea dily, "Th a t 's wh y I've left you t o gu a r d t h e m a in body, boy. If anything happens to us, you're in charge. "
Da r ll sa id a lou d, "Th a t 's t r u e, boy, " a n d wh isper ed t o Gr a ym , "In a ll m y yea r s, I've n ever h ea r d a n yt h in g befor e t o m a ke m e sh iver . Th a t ju st did it. " He climbed uphill beside Graym.
Th ey wen t a su r pr isin g dist a n ce befor e bein g a t t a cked on ce a ga in . Gr a ym wa s pu ffin g, a n d even Da r ll wa s t ir ed, wh en t h ey h ea r d a st r a n ge wh in e over h ea d, gr owin g lou der ever y secon d. Gr a ym r a ised t h e a xe, straining to see in the fog.
Darll pushed the fat man down. "He's diving. "
Th e dr a gon skidded over h ea d, u pside down , wit h in a few feet of t h em . Sm oke a n d st ea m pu ffed a t tightly gr ipped t h e ba t t er ed assault.
Lyin g a lm ost pr on e on t h e r oa d, Da r ll h ea ved t h e la n ce a s t h e dr a gon pa ssed over . H is t h r ow wa s per fect . Th e spea r poin t en t er ed t h e ba ck of t h e dr a gon . Th e cr ea t u r e r eeled u pr igh t , a n d t h ey sa w t h e la n ce protruding from its belly.
"Amazing shot, sir, " Graym said.
Darll, staring after it, protested, "I'm not that strong!"
They heard a hiss and a sigh. The dragon's wings slowed visibly.
"It 's wou n ded!" Gr a ym sh ou t ed a n d r a n u ph ill, h is belly bou n cin g u p and down as he charged forward with the axe.
"Ca r efu l, " Da r ll wa r n ed. Dr a win g a sh or t swor d, h e followed m or e slowly.
Wit h a h iss, a r oa r , m or e gr a t in g scr eech es, a n d a t er r ible scr a pe, the dragon slid onto the hill above them.
Da r ll ca u gh t u p wit h Gr a ym wit h in a r m 's r ea ch of t h e dr a gon . Da r ll wa s a bou t t o h iss a wa r n in g wh en h e wa s dist r a ct ed by t h e sigh t of something peculiar about the left wing.
A broken cable trailed from it. Darll stared harder. The cable ran across a pulley to the wing's outer tip.
Th e dr a gon per ch ed on r u n n er s, skis, r ocker s, a n d a h u ge, st r a n ge, single boot attached to a crouched leg near the tail.
Gr a ym a ppr oa ch ed, t ou ch ed t h e bea st 's sca ly side t en t a t ively. It wa s covered with rubbery shingles.
A ca st -ir on r a t ch et wh eel dr opped ou t a n d la n ded squ a r ely on Da r ll's foot . H is eyes wa t er ed, a n d h e wh isper ed som et h in g fer ven t a bou t wizards and poor hygiene.
Graym clutched the axe tightly. " 'Ware. It's moving. "
Darll leapt back and raised his sword. The construct rocked from side to t h em ; soot r a in ed down on t h em . Gr a ym a xe, Ga lea n or , a n d r ea died for a dir ect side, seem in g t er r ibly flim sy. It set t led ba ck in pla ce a s a sm a ll, bea r ded figu r e, wa vin g bot h a r m s, ju m ped t o t h e gr ou n d. It sh ou t ed wh a t seem ed one long, polysyllabic, extremely grateful word.
Darll dropped his sword. "A gnome. "
Th e gn om e gr a bbed h is h a n d, pu m ped it u p a n d down fer ven t ly wh ile expressing his thanks.
H e wen t on for som e t im e. F in a lly Da r ll sa id desper a t ely, "P lea se! Sh u t up. "
The gnome stopped.
Darll said, "Now briefly
"Th a n k you for pr ovidin g conscious effort to talk slowly. "How did you know I needed one?"
"Needed on e for wh a t , sir ?" Bewilder ed, Gr a ym exa m in ed t h e m a ch in e collapsed on the hillside.
"Wh y, for t h e Su pr a -Ter r est r ia l, Un con n ect ed, Aleon ic Over -Transport. " The gnome gestured. "Surely you can see that it got left out. "
Gr a ym looked over t h e dr a gon 's bu lky ca n va s a n d wood body, it s h u ge fu el t a n k, it s boiler , it s ch a in dr ive a n d spr in g lea ves, it s ba ll scr ew cylin der wit h a gover n or m ech a n ism over it , a n d it s lea kin g h ydr a u lics. "Frankly, sir, it's hard to imagine your having left anything out of this. "
Th e gn om e n odded gr a vely, a ccept in g t h e com plim en t . "E xa ct ly. Un for t u n a t ely, m y or igin a l st eer in g
per h a ps t oo a er odyn a m ica lly sou n d,
Power Unit to which it was connected
lever , wh ile well design ed, wa s a n d t h e Ba ck-u p F ligh t F a ilu r e " "Fell out, did it?" Darll snorted.
"Not exactly, " the gnome answered reflectively. "It flew on ahead, and I couldn't catch up with it. "
"Cou ld you bu ild a n ot h er , sir ?" Gr a ym a sked. H e wa s pokin g interestedly at the boot.
Th e gn om e sa id h a st ily, "I don 't t h in k I'd t ou ch t h e Boot a pu lt , if I wer e you , beca u se it r ecocks it self a u t om a t ica lly on la n din g, wh ich is ver y h a n dy in t h e even t of n eed for a qu ick la u n ch , bu t t h e la t ch isn 't t er r ibly reliable, and it's strong enough to kick the entire machine into the air "
H e st opped. By n ow Gr a ym wa s well a wa y fr om t h e m a ch in e. Th e gn om e fin ish ed la m ely, "Of cou r se, I'd like t o bu ild a bet t er st eer in g lever , but to do that I have to fly back to my workshop "
"Which is where?" Darll broke in.
"It is ca lled Mou n t Never m in d by h u m a n s, " t h e gn om e sa id wit h dign it y. "H om e of t h e gr ea t est gn om e t ech n ology im a gin a ble machines that would make human technicians weep "
"I believe you. "
The gnome frowned at Darll's tone.
Gr a ym sa id qu ickly, "By t h e wa y, sir , wh a t 's you r n a m e?" Da r ll, wh o knew something of gnomes, said quickly, "Your human name. " what were you saying?"
t h e st eer in g lever . " Th e gn om e m a de a
Th e gn om e h a d t o r eflect or per h a ps t r a n sla t e. "I wa s r en a m ed for t h e con sider a t ion by wh ich I u n der t ook t o t est t h e Over -Tr a n spor t on ly u n der cover of darkness, so that chance observation would frighten people less "
Graym thought of Ranissa and said, "Less than what?"
Th e gn om e open ed h is m ou t h , a n d Gr a ym sa id h a st ily, "I wit h dr a w t h e question, sir. What did you say your name was?"
The gnome gave up trying to explain. "Fly-By-Night. "
"A good n a m e, " Gr a ym sa id solem n ly, "a ll t h in gs con sider ed. Well, sir , if you need the haven of your workshop, what's keeping you here?"
Th e gn om e sigh ed. "Appa r en t ly, t h e Over -Tr a n spor t St ea m P r opu lsion Syst em h a s a design wea kn ess. I keep t a kin g off for h om e, bu t wit h ou t su fficien t fu el I t en d t o glide m or e t h a n fly, a n d t h is m ou n t a in doesn't give me an adequate starting altitude to find an updraft before I land.... "
H e wen t on h a ppily a bou t t a il win ds, t h er m a ls, lift r a t ios, a n d ot h er strange terms.
Eventually, Graym caught the gist and said, "Hold on a minute, sir. Are you saying that if you could only find sufficient fuel, you'd leave here?"
"Exactly. Ideally I should have a liquid fuel, but in its absence I've tried wood, a n d I've t r ied m a kin g ch a r coa l, t h ou gh I h a d t o con st r u ct a n Ult r a Pressure Charcoal Compactor, and I've even tried inventing a dirt burner. " F ly-by-Nigh t r ega r ded t h em ea r n est ly. "It h a sn 't wor ked, so fa r , bu t ca n you imagine a more efficient fuel source?"
Gr a ym exch a n ged a gla n ce wit h Da r ll. H e pa t t ed t h e keg beside h im in affectionate farewell. "As it happens, sir, " he said heavily, "I can. "
* * * * *
Un der F ly-By-Nigh t 's lon g-win ded dir ect ion s, Gr a ym a n d Da r ll cr a wled over a n d u n der t h e dr a gon , h ookin g u p ca bles, pou n din g on bolt s wit h t h e a xe h ea d, a n d r et h r ea din g fu el pipes. Bot h of t h em wer e sligh t ly bu r n ed, Gr a ym on t h e for eh ea d. Twice Da r ll wa s wh a cked on t h e h ea d by ba dly fa st en ed pa r t s; on ce Gr a ym n a r r owly a voided bein g st r u ck by a descen din g win g. As t h ey cla m ber ed a bou t , t h e giga n t ic spr in g t h a t wa s com pr essed a bove t h e Boot a pu lt cr ea ked a n d t wist ed. Bot h of t h em
a s possible, t ipt oein g wh en ever t h ey wer e st a yed a s fa r a wa y fr om it working on the tail section.
Th ey pou r ed t h e con t en t s m in u t e, figu r in g (a t Da r ll's su ggest ion ) t h a t som et h in g cou ld go wr on g if they pou r ed it in t oo ea r ly. E a ch of t h em deba t ed t a kin g a fa r ewell sip, bu t n obly decided t h e gn om e's n eed ou t weigh ed t h eir plea su r e a n d r esolved n ot t o h a ve a n y. Th en t h ey wen t ba ck on t h eir r esolve for a fin a l toast.
of t h e keg in t o t h e fu el t a n k a t t h e la st
At la st F ly-By-Nigh t clim bed in t o a t r a p n ea r t h e fr on t , wh er e a n a r r a y of lever s, wh eels, cr a n ks, bu t t on s, a n d dia ls im plied a t lea st som e m ea su r e of con t r ol. H e sh ou t ed lon g bu t fa ir ly clea r or der s t o t h em . Wit h Gr a ym fla ppin g on e win g u p a n d down , a n d Da r ll fla ppin g t h e ot h er , t h e gn om e pu lled lever s a n d cr a n ked gea r s u n t il t h e en t ir e con t r a pt ion wa s flapping on its own.

Su dden ly F ly-By-Nigh t jer ked t h e spea r -lever ba ck a n d cr ied, "St a n d clea r beca u se you n ever kn ow qu it e wh a t will h a ppen in t h e even t t h a t t h e boiler st a ys u n der pr essu r e, t h e h ea t r em a in s con st a n t , win g lift is su fficien t , a n d t h e Boot a pu lt m ech a n ism en ga ges wit h ou t m y n eedin g t o climb down and kick it free "

F or t u n a t ely, t h ey h a d a lr ea dy lea pt a side. Th e Boot a pu lt r elea sed pr em a t u r ely a n d, wit h a t h u n der ou s kick, la u n ch ed t h e wh ole sh iver in g m ech a n ism t welve feet in t h e a ir . Th e Boot a pu lt , sh ovin g off, left a m a r k in t h e ea r t h exa ct ly like t h e gia n t dr a gon t r a cks t h ey h a d seen on t h e hillside.

A secon d la t er , wit h a spa r k a n d a wh oosh , t h e boiler ign it ed. F ly-ByNigh t st r a pped on a biza r r e lea t h er -and-m et a l h elm et wit h bin ocu la r s over t h e eyes a n d sh ou t ed down a t t h em , "Wh ich wa y t o Mou n t Nevermind?"

Da r ll poin t ed va gu ely t o t h e sou t h west . Th e gn om e, n oddin g a n d waving, pulled back on the stick.
With a series of loud creaks and hisses, the dragon flew bumpily around wh ile it bu ilt u p st ea m . Gr a ym a n d Da r ll r a n a ft er it , keepin g u p ea sily despite Graym's being out of shape. After two circuits, the gnome waved a fin a l t im e again pu lled t h e lever again a n d let off a m a gn ificen t screech fr om t h e fu lly power ed st ea m wh ist le. Th e en t ir e pu ffin g assembly flapped purposefully off to the northeast.
Gr a ym a n d Da r ll, a lso pu ffin g, wa t ch ed it fa de in t o t h e m ist . A fa in t screech of strained metal echoed across the valley. It sounded like a cry of triumph.
"Th er e's n ot h in g, " Gr a ym pa n t ed, "like a good deed well don e, even if you're not sure what you did. "
A few m in u t es la t er , La u r in ca m e r u n n in g u p t o t h em , J a r ek close behind, tripping every third step.
"Su ch a wfu l n oises! Ar e you a ll r igh t , love?" Sh e t ou ch ed Gr a ym 's forehead. "It hurt you!"
"I'm fine. " He patted her shoulder.
J a r ek dr ew h im self u p a n d br a n dish ed a st ou t br a n ch . "Wh er e is t h is wicked dragon? We'll have words, I'll tell you that. "
Darll, grinning hugely, opened his mouth to say something.
La u r in cu t h im off ca lm ly. "Bu t I sa w you ch a se t h e dr a gon . I sa w h im fly off. I wit n essed t h e wh ole t h in g.
Gr a ym , t h in kin g fa st er t h a n h e h a d in h is en t ir e life, st epped on Da r ll's br u ised r igh t foot . Da r ll's m ou t h sn a pped sh u t wit h a n a u dible click a s Graym said with a catch in his throat, "And what did you witness, love?"
"Well, fir st I sa w Da r ll h ea ve a spea r a t h im n ot t h a t it h u r t h im , of cou r se, " La u r in a dded h a st ily, "wh ich we'll be su r e t o t ell Rh a el. Th en I sa w t h e bot h of you cr a wl r igh t u n der h is win gs a n d t h u m p h im wit h t h e butt of your axe, giving him due notice but not hurting him, of course. "
"So, " sh e fin ish ed, h a n din g t h em ea ch a sn a ck. "Ma y I sa y t o m y n iece that the dragon's been banished from these parts, very much alive?"
Gr a ym pon der ed a n d fin a lly sa id, "Well, h e's cer t a in ly n ot dea d. " Which was true.
"Good enough. " Laurin winked.
Da r ll's eyebr ows wer e pu lled t oget h er in t h ou gh t . H e open ed h is m ou t h again.
"The beastie was lost, and not feeling his best, " Graym said easily. "We talked to him, and showed him the way home. "
"And that's what I'll testify. "
A hoot, perhaps a steam whistle, sounded in the distance.
Laurin looked adoringly at Graym. "A little hint here and there, and it's wonderful what you can make of an opportunity. "
Darll shut his mouth again, swallowing hard.
Graym sighed happily. "That's that, then. We can go home. "
"H om e?" F en r is a n d F a n r is, cr in gin g beh in d J a r ek, sa id in u n ison for once.
"Ba ck t o Gr a veside, a n yh ow. " Gr a ym wa s gr in n in g a t Da r ll's t h ou gh t fu l expr ession . Th e m er cen a r y wa s st r u gglin g bet ween a love for the truth and a love for reward money. "We'll need to rebuild. "
"I'll h elp you , " La u r in sa id fir m ly. "Me a n d t h e wh ole t own . You 've ea r n ed it . " Sh e a dded h esit a n t ly, "Ma ybe you cou ld pa y ba ck t h e t own with the reward "
"I wa s ju st t h in kin g t h a t ver y t h in g, " Gr a ym sa id, so sin cer ely t h a t even Da r ll won der ed if h e h a dn 't been . "An d I n eed som e t o set u p h ou se, if I sh ou ld becom e m a r if I sh ou ld be n ot sin gle.... " H e h esit a t ed u n t il La u r in n odded vigor ou sly, sm ilin g, t h en h e sigh ed. "Well, t h en . An d Fenris and Fanris will need some money for their own bride-price. "
La u r in looked a t t h em in a st on ish m en t . "We ca n h a ve on e weddin g, " Fenris said happily.
"One big wedding, " Fanris added, scratching.
La u r in pu t a n a r m a r ou n d Gr a ym a n d squ eezed. Th ey fell in st ep, h ea din g h om e, t h ou gh La u r in st a r ed wist fu lly over h er sh ou lder in t h e direction the dragon had disappeared.
"I never saw it close up. Was it beautiful?"
"I've never seen its like, " Graym said gravely.
"You didn't hurt it, did you?"
Gr a ym pa t t ed h er sh ou lder . "You kn ow I m ost likely won 't h u r t anything, even when I set out to. "
Da r ll h obbled beh in d t h em , fa vor in g h is sor e foot . "I wou ldn 't go t h a t far. " Jarek and the Wolf brothers chuckled.
La t er , wh en La u r in scu r r ied a h ea d t o spr ea d t h e good n ews, Gr a ym dropped back beside Darll. "How's your foot?"
"Ba d, bu t bet t er t h a n you r h ea d. " Da r ll a dded gr u dgin gly, "Sh e's a smart woman. Now we get the money, you don't have to kill a dragon, and you ca n st ill m a r r y. " H e a dded, "An d t h e Wolf br ot h er s m a r r y gods h elp t h e n ext gen er a t ion a n d J a r ek h a d a good t im e. E ver ybody got something but me. "
"I wou ldn 't sa y t h a t , sir " Gr a ym sa id slowly. "I've been t h in kin g.... As a m a r r ied m a n , I ca n 't a ffor d t o t a ke t h e r isks a P r ot ect or h a s t o. Th en , t oo, I'll need to watch the inn more, make it a going concern. "
Darll stopped in his tracks and stared, afraid even to hope.
Gr a ym fin ish ed, "All in a ll, sir , I'd be m or e t h a n gr a t efu l if you 'd be Protector instead of me. "
Wh en Da r ll cou ld spea k, h e sou n ded a lm ost a s ga wky a s J a r ek. "I'll be good a t it , Gr a ym . I pr om ise. I've h a d lot s of exper ien ce wit h la w enforcement. "
Gr a ym cla pped h im on t h e sh ou lder . "Th er e you a r e, sir . I wa s n ever a n y good a t a r r est s, wh er e you kn ow a ll t h e pr ot ocol a n d n u a n ces. You 'll be a natural, I predict. "
J a r ek lu n ged, em pt y-h a n ded, a n d sa lu t ed a n im a gin a r y foe. Da r ll h a d sen sibly t a ken h is wea pon s a wa y befor e t h ey got t o t own . "It 's good t o be heroes again. Think how famous we'll be. "
"We've got n ot or iet y, good wor d-of-m ou t h , a n d a n est a blish ed bu sin ess, " Graym said solemnly.
"The business, " Darll reminded him, "is burned to the ground. "
"Now, n ow. I've t old you m a n y t im es t h a t you n eed a posit ive ou t look. " Graym thought. "If only we had something new to sell people "
"How about the new drink?" Fenris said, edging up to Graym.
"If you can make it again, " Fanris added, beside him.
Gr a ym st a r ed a t t h em in su r pr ise. "Good t h in kin g. Don 't wor r y; La u r in wou ld n ever t r u st m e wit h t h e on ly copy of t h e r ecipe. We'll m a r ket it by t h e ba r r elfu l, a n d m a ybe even da r ken it wit h ch a r coa l. P a la din e kn ows we've got enough charcoal. " His eyes glowed. "And we'll call it "
Fenris, beside him, belched.
Graym's eyes watered, then flew open wide. "Pure Dragon Breath. "
Fenris looked insulted only for a minute.
Fool's Gold Jeff Grubb
"Of a ll t h e Dr a gon kin d, t h e wor st by fa r a r e t h e Golden Wyr m s. Th e rainbow-h u ed m on st er s of evil will ju st wa n t t o ea t you , bu t t h e Golds, t h ey won 't be h a ppy u n t il you lea r n som et h in g. Given t h e ch oice, I'd rather be eaten."
Flint Fireforge (attributed)
"Th is is a gn om e st or y!" bellowed t h e ba r d, fu lly expect in g ever y eye in t h e r oom t o t u r n h is wa y. In deed, ever y eye did t u r n h is wa y, a s well a s ever y h a n d h a n ds filled wit h pot t er y m u gs, wooden pla t t er s, st a in ed cu t ler y, a n d t h e odd food it em . A h a ilst or m of pr odu ce a n d kit ch en wa r e pelt ed t h e st or yt eller , a n d h e m a de for t h e n ea r est exit , bot h expect a t ion s and clothes spoiled.

On h is wa y ou t , t h e ba r d collided, ever so br iefly, wit h a t ower in g gen t lem a n wh o m om en t a r ily filled t h e door wa y a t t h e sa m e t im e t h e ba r d wa s seekin g egr ess. Th e m a n -mountain wa s n ot ver y m ova ble, a n d wou ld n ot h a ve m oved in n or m a l cir cu m st a n ces, a n d t h e ba r d wou ld h a ve r ebou n ded ba ck in t o t h e com m on r oom of t h e Wolf's H ea d In n . Bu t t h e n ewcom er h a r dly expect ed fleein g ska lds t o gr eet h im , so h e st epped ba ck u n der t h e a ssa u lt of t h e t er r or -st r icken t a lespin n er . Th e ba r d did n ot m iss a st ep a s h e esca ped fr om bot h t h e in n a n d t h e r em a in der of t h is tale.

As t h e h u ge m a n t u r n ed, r evea lin g t h e sca bba r d slu n g a cr oss h is ba ck, h e glower ed a t t h e r et r ea t in g for m of t h e ba r d. H e st ood poised in t h e door wa y, u n t il a low ruff sh ook h im fr om h is t h ou gh t s. Th e h u ge newcomer entered the inn, a large hound padding along at his side.

The newcomer had that haggard, well-traveled look of an adventurer. A m er ch a n t wou ld by n a t u r e sca n t h e r oom , sizin g u p t h e m a r ket . A t h ief, or even a for m er wa r r ior in t h e dr a gon a r m ies wou ld slou ch in , h opin g t o a void r ecogn it ion . Th is on e sim ply did n ot ca r e. H e h a d t h e look, it wou ld be sa id la t er , of on e m a de wise a ga in st h is will. H is dog wa s lea n a n d long-faced, but otherwise filled all the basic requirements of dogness.

Th e m a n m a de for t h e ba r , wh ile t h e dog sa u n t er ed t h r ou gh t h e debr is left by t h e ill-fa t ed ba r d, st oppin g on ly br iefly t o n ose a m ost ly ch ewed m u t t on bon e. Th e dog sn or t ed a r eject ion , pa dded on t owa r d t h e h ea r t h . Th er e h e t u r n ed t h r ice a r ou n d in fr on t of t h e fir e a n d la y down , cu r led t owa r d t h e fla m es, golden -fu r r ed belly u p, h ea d u pside down a n d r est in g on t h e floor . It wa s a s if t h e cr ea t u r e wer e a r egu la r visit or , a n d t h is wa s also later mentioned as curious by those relating the story.

Th e n ewcom er h eld u p t wo fin ger s t o t h e ba r keep. Th e t a ver n m a st er in t u r n pu lled t wo m u gs, on e in ea ch fist , a n d r a ised a n eyebr ow, a silen t inquiry. Th e n ewcom er spoke for t h e fir st t im e. "On e for m y com pa n ion ," h e expla in ed, m ot ion in g t o t h e a n im a l st r et ch ed ou t by t h e fir e. Th e ba r keep n odded, sm ot h er ed a gr in in t o a t igh t , bu sin esslike sm ile, a n d drew two ales.

Th e st r a n ger 's ca n in e com pa n ion h a d a lr ea dy a t t r a ct ed a n a dm ir er in t h e for m of on e of t h e ba r m a ids, a pr et t y you n g wom a n dr essed in a sim ple wh it e skir t a n d da r k blu e blou se, t h e en t ir e en sem ble cover ed by a many-pocket ed a pr on of a zu r e. H er h a ir wa s pu lled ba ck fr om h er fa ce, a n d r a n in a n or n a t e br a id r ea ch in g t h e sm a ll of h er ba ck. Sh e wa s pet t in g t h e dog's blon d belly fu r , a n d t h e bea st m a de n o m ot ion t o dissuade her.

Th e dog on ly r ea ct ed wh en t h e n ewcom er set a foa m in g m u g by h is m u zzle. An d t h en t h e dog looked a t t h e m u g a n d t h e you n g la dy a n d a t t em pt ed t o ch oose bet ween t h em . At len gt h , t h e a le won ou t , a n d t h e bea st licked h is ch ops a n d r a ised h is h ea d t o sligh t ly a bove t h e m u g's level, la ppin g t h e beer wit h a lon g, slen der t on gu e. Spu r n ed, t h e you n g la dy sigh ed a n d r et u r n ed t o h er t a sk of ga t h er in g em pt y m u gs a n d bottles "dea d soldier s" in t h e loca l pa r la n ce of a t own t h a t h a d esca ped m ost of t h e wa r 's wor st effect s. Sh e br ou gh t t h em ba ck t o t h e ba r , t a kin g a less t h a n dir ect r ou t e t h a t swu n g h er well a wa y fr om a n older , welldressed patron who had been eyeing her throughout the episode.

Sa id r ou t e t ook h er ba ck pa st t h e n ewcom er , wh o st opped h er in h er t r a cks wit h a m ot ion of h is h a n d. "Br in g a secon d r ou n d wh en h e fin ish es t h e fir st , a n d a t h ir d wh en h e fin ish es t h e secon d, a n d so a ga in u n t il h e ca r es t o st op. " Th e wom a n (a st it ch er y of ligh t blu e t h r ea d on h er a pr on iden t ified h er a s Melissa ) m a de a s if t o com m en t , t h en n odded a n d r et u r n ed t o t h e ba r . Th e r em a in der of t h e pa t r on s farmers talking about t h e u pcom in g h a r vest , ca r pen t er s a n d br ickla yer s dr iven in door s by t h e da r kn ess, a bespect a cled scr ibe wr it in g a let t er for a m iddle-a ged wom a n in the corner had all returned to activities previously interrupted.

All except for t h e older , well-dr essed pa t r on , wh o looked dir ect ly a t t h e n ewcom er wit h t h e su r en ess of eit h er a wiza r d or a pet t y lor d. H is fin er y was faded but still serviceable, though his gut stretched the buttons of his vest . Th e m a n h a d a slen der wa n d of wor n ivor y or bon e h a n gin g fr om h is belt , bu t it wa s u n clea r a t fir st gla n ce if t h is wa s a n en ch a n t ed it em , a symbol of power, or an affectation.

"That is an interesting animal, " said the local noble at length. "More so than you know, " came the reply, flat and automatic. "I have never seen a dog take to ale. "
"H e dr in ks on ly t o em ba r r a ss m e, " sa id t h e n ewcom er wit h a sigh . "No

one ever asks him to clear the check. "
"Is he for sale?"
"H e is n ot m in e t o sell. Th e dog a ccom pa n ies m e of h is own fr ee will.
Th er e wer e t im es I t r ied t o sell h im , dr ive h im off, a ba n don h im , bu t h e always returns, bringing trouble when he does. "
At this the dog pulled his muzzle from the now empty mug and yawned, ba r in g a fu ll set of clea n , sh a r p t eet h , on ly sligh t ly yellowed by a ge. H e cocked his head at his human companion.

"You know it's true, " added the newcomer, addressing the dog. Then he m u t t er ed, "As if it cou ld be a n yt h in g but t h e t r u t h . " An d wit h t h a t , h e motioned for the second round.

Th e con ver sa t ion died in t h e flicker in g of t h e fir e a s t h e older m a n (pet t y lor d defin it ely, t h e eyes wer e sh a r p a n d fer a l, bu t n ot br igh t en ou gh t o in dica t e wiza r dr y) r ea lized h e h a d been cu t ou t of t h e dia logu e bet ween t h e m a n a n d t h e dog. H e t r ied a ga in . "You fin d ou r villa ge pleasant?"
"I fou n d you r villa ge by a cciden t . I wa s t r a velin g down t h e coa st fr om
Trentwood. "
"Business or pleasure?"
"I have no business and very little pleasure. "
"Ar e you a wa r r ior ?" H is eyes t r a veled t o t h e swor d a n d spa r kled for a

moment with awareness. "I we have need of a warrior, here. " "I... " said the newcomer, taking a long draw on his mug, "am a fool. But
you can call me Jengar. "
"At least you're truthful about it, " said the old baron, the chuckle dying
in his throat as he realized that Jengar did not share his amusement. J en ga r t r a n sfixed t h e pet t y lor d wit h a h a r sh gla r e, t h en r ela xed, bu t
on ly a t ou ch . "I do n ot h a ve a ch oice in t h e m a t t er . It is m y cu r se, t o t ell
the truth. Are you interested in the story?"
"Of cou r se, of cou r se, " sa id t h e pet t y lor d. "It doesn 't fea t u r e... a h ,
gnomes, does it?"
"Not yet , " gr owled t h e m a n . "Bu t gn om es cou ld on ly ser ve t o m a ke
matters worse.... "
* * * * *
Th e r oom qu iet ed slowly a s J en ga r bega n h is t a le. H e did so wit h ou t pr ologu e or ca ll for qu iet , m er ely set t in g in t o a r ecit a t ion of t h e fa ct s. H is qu iet dem ea n or ca u gh t m a n y by su r pr ise, so t h a t h a lf t h e r oom m issed h is begin n in g, yet a ft er Con ver sa t ion s en ded u n deliver ed, a n d even t h e scr a t ch of t h e scr ibe's pen wa s st illed. Th e on ly sou n d wa s t h e dog la ppin g n oisily a t h is m u g, a n d even t h a t fell off a s t h e tale proceeded.

"Let it be kn own t h a t m y n a m e is J en ga r . Th e dog's n a m e is F ool's Gold, named such for reasons that will become clear. Back during the war I t a cked on a n ickn a m e for m yself t ypica l for wa r r ior s Tr ollkiller or t h e fir st m in u t e, t h e en t ir e r oom wen t silen t .

in m idsen t en ce, a le wen t u n or der ed a n d F la m edea t h or som et h in g equ a lly st u pid. Wh y I've let su ch sobr iqu et s perish will also become clear.

"I ser ved well in t h e la st wa r a n d fou gh t h a r d. At Two Wa r s a n d Armada and at the Siege of Ca st le Dir e, I wa s n o h er o lea din g t h e ch a r ge, m in d you , bu t wa s pa r t a n d pa r cel of t h e ba t t le. An d if I h a ve pr eviou sly in fla t ed m y own con t r ibu t ion t o su ch vict or ies, well, t h a t is t o be expect ed from a battle-worn veteran. My flaw, like that of m a n y of m y com pa n ion s, wa s t o r et ell m y vict or ies in t h e m ost glowin g t er m s possible m a n y t im es, until at last I believed them myself.

"Wh en t h e la st of t h e dr a gon lor ds wer e dr iven fr om t h is pa r t of t h e wor ld, I t h ou gh t , like m a n y soldier s, t h a t I cou ld ju st pu t m y swor d a wa y a n d go ba ck t o fa r m in g, or cobblin g, or in m y ca se, sm it h in g. An d, like m a n y, I fou n d I cou ld n ot . My a t t en t ion wa s n ot on m y cr a ft , wh ich befor e t h e wa r h a d been t h e cen t er a n d t ot a l of m y life. Th e la n d a n d t h e for ge just didn't seem to hold the same appeal after I had battled the minions of the Abyss and their fell Queen.

"Th er e wer e fou r of u s, of sim ila r in t en t a n d ba ckgr ou n d. We h a t ch ed a sch em e t h a t cou ld on ly be h a t ch ed in a dim ly lit t a ver n sim ila r t o t h e on e wh er e we n ow sit . Wor d wa s floa t in g a bou t t h a t a dr a gon t h a t su r vived t h e wa r h a d m a de it s la ir in t h e m ou n t a in s t o t h e sou t h . A ba r d br ou gh t bot h t h e t a le, wh ich h e ga ve u p willin gly, a n d a su pposedly a ccu r a t e m a p, which he parted with at no small cost.

"We in t en ded t o bea t ot h er for t u n e h u n t er s t o t h a t dr a gon a n d t o it s riches. Four mere men against a dragon! Yet we were full of ourselves and t h e st or ies of ot h er s wh o h a d bea t en su ch fell wyr m s, a n d so we pa wn ed ou r m ea ger belon gin gs for su pplies t o m a ke t h e jou r n ey a n d t he chance to strike it rich.

"We t r a veled fou r , n o, five da ys in t o t h e m ou n t a in s. Ou r t a lk wa s m er r y, m or e of h ow we wer e t o spen d t h e dr a gon 's h oa r d t h a n h ow we wou ld defea t t h e m on st er . We m a de n o m ove t o con cea l ou r selves fr om ou r pr ey, a n d wou ld h a ve sen t it a n en gr a ved wa r n in g of ou r a ppr oa ch if we h a d st opped t o t h in k of it . Yes, we wer e fu ll of ou r selves, a n d ou r t a les of bravado.

"Th e even in g of t h e fift h da y, we wer e beddin g down wh en t h er e wa s a com m ot ion in t h e br u sh . Th e m igh t y dr a gon h u n t er s, in clu din g m yself, scr a m bled for ou r wea pon s, su r e t h a t cr ea t u r es fr om t h e pit s wou ld descen d on u s a t a n y m om en t . In st ea d, t h e bu sh es r u st led, pa r t ed, a n d out limped... this. "

H e m ot ion ed a t t h e dog, wh o n osed over a n em pt y m u g a n d ga ve t h e room a cockeyed glance of expectation. Melissa, the serving girl, brought a fr esh m u g for t h e dog. J en ga r sa t qu iet ly u n t il F ool's Gold wa s la ppin g u p a n ot h er a le, ign or in g t h e a t t en t ion su dden ly foist ed on h im . J en ga r sighed and continued.

"We wer e h a r d m en , t ou gh m en . We wer e pr epa r ed for ba t t le a n d t h en con fr on t ed by t h is r idicu lou s, m iser a ble-lookin g cr ea t u r e. Bu r r s a n d n et t les cover ed h is body, a n d h e looked m a n gier t h a n h e looks n ow. Aft er la u gh in g a t ou r own foolish n ess (a n d m a kin g t h e m en t a l n ot e t o post watches), we deba t ed wh a t t o do wit h h im . We did n ot pa ck a lot in t h e wa y of pr ovision s, a n d on e of t h e pa r t y su ggest ed, h a lf in jest , t h a t we roast him for the evening meal.

"Our supplies weren't really that strained. I volunteered part of my own su pplies t o feed h im , a n d t h e bea st t ook t o t h em r ea dily. E ven t h en h e was a mooch. He tagged along beside me for the next day, as we discussed how we were going to spend our portions of the treasure. Quick Eddie, the on e wh o h a d offer ed t o cook ou r n ew pet , pla n n ed t o set h im self u p a s a local lord. A couple others talked about wine and women and status in the com m u n it y. Me, I wa n t ed t o t r a vel for a wh ile in st yle, t h en set t le down once I had seen everything I needed to. "

J en ga r ga ve a sly ch u ckle, a n d a fa r a wa y look ca m e in t o h is eyes. A man made wise against his will, the people would say.
"Th e fir st wa r n in g we got a bou t wh a t wa s t o h a ppen wa s wh en t h e dog disa ppea r ed. H e's got t h a t a bilit y t o va n ish a t a m om en t 's n ot ice in t h e fa ce of da n ger , bu t a t t h e t im e I wa s st ill lea r n in g a bou t h is h a bit s, so wh en I looked down , I wa s su r pr ised t o fin d h e h a d eva por a t ed. I open ed m y m ou t h t o ca ll ou t for h im , bu t Qu ick E ddie's m or e fr a n t ic sh ou t drowned my cry.
"We had expected the typical dragon's cave such as the bards describe a h u ge m ou t h gou ged in t o t h e side of a m ou n t a in , cu st om -m a de for la r ge liza r dlike cr ea t u r es t o cla im a s h om e. In st ea d, we sa w a wide clea r in g, t h e t ype deer m a ke wh en t h ey set t le for t h e n igh t . Th e br u sh a n d sm a ller t r ees wer e pu sh ed t o t h e side, a n d in t h e cen t er , a for got t en don a t ion t o a now dead god, was a huge pile of treasure. Just like the old legends said!
"Th er e wer e gem s of a m ber a n d r u by, a n d pla t t er s of wh a t looked like bu r n ish ed st eel, sh a ped like r ou n ded dwa r ven sh ields. J ewelr y of gold a n d ot h er sem ipr eciou s m et a ls wer e ga t h er ed solely for ou r en joym en t . Disca r ded ivor y t u sks wer e pla n t ed in a lin e a lon g on e edge of t h e pile. And the entire assembly was displayed on a bed of golden coins, worthless n ow a s r ea l m on ey, of cou r se, bu t good en ou gh for t r a de wit h cr a ft sm en for good, dependable steel.
"Qu ick E ddie ga ve a cr y of gr eedy joy, a n d we a ll st ood t h er e like fools, sm ilin g a t ou r good for t u n e. Th is wa s excellen t ! We h a d fou n d t h e dr a gon 's t r ea su r e wh ile t h e dr a gon it self wa sn 't even h om e! As on e m a n , we lea pt for wa r d, dr oppin g ou r wea pon s a n d pu llin g sa t ch els, ba gs, a n d packs out to scoop up the ancient coinage.
"Then the pile of gold sneezed.
"It wa s a h u ge, a n cien t , win dy sn eeze of bellows t h a t wer e a n t iqu e befor e we wer e bor n . A golden ser pen t in e h ea d r ose u p fr om t h e pile, a n d gr ea t win gs u n folded, glit t er in g in t h e west er in g su n . Wh a t we h a d t h ou gh t wer e st eel pla t t er s wer e t h e belly-plates of the creature, the ivory t u sks it s t eet h , a n d wh a t we swor e wer e pieces of fin ely wor ked jewelr y wer e well-for m ed m u scles r oilin g ben ea t h it s sh in in g sca les. It s eyes wer e t h e color of glowin g r u bies, a n d it s wh isker s r esem bled gold spu n in t o fine, soft wire.
"You see, we h a d for got t en , in ou r gr eed a n d ou r dr ea m s, t o in qu ir e a s to the dragon's color.
"Ou r gr eedy ch a r ge n ow beca m e a fu ll-fledged r et r ea t t o wh er e we h a d du m ped ou r wea pon s. Two of m y ba t t le-h a r den ed com pa t r iot s a ba n don ed ever yt h in g a n d kept goin g, fleein g like ch ildr en in t o t h e woods, a n d if a n yon e h a s ever seen t h em a ga in , I ca n n ot sa y. Qu ick E ddie st opped on ly br iefly t o gr a b for h is disca r ded swor d. H e wa s r ewa r ded for h is a t t em pt wit h a sh or t gou t of fla m e, wh ich set h is t r ou ser s a ligh t a n d sen t h im , bu r n in g a n d sh ou t in g, deeper in t o t h e woods. If h e wa s ever seen a ga in , I cannot say.
"I alone grabbed my weapon and stood my ground. Not out of bravery or h er oism or even gr eed. I wa s r oot ed t o t h e spot by m y own cowa r dice, petrified with fear. It is one thing to describe a dragon the huge leathery win gs, t h e fir e, t h e golden sca les sh in in g like n ewly clea n ed gilt wor k. It is on e t h in g t o see a dr a win g of on e or even a st u ffed cr ea t ion or m odel. Bu t t o be con fr on t ed wit h t h e gen u in e a r t icle, it s m a w t h ir t y feet a bove you a n d br ist lin g wit h t eet h t h a t glow like h ot coa ls, t h a t wa s qu it e a n ot h er m a t t er . I h a d t h ou gh t m yself a br a ve m a n , ser vin g wit h ot h er br a ve m en a ga in st t h e dr a gon a r m ies, I h a d boa st ed m yself a h er o, bu t a t t h a t moment, alone with the creature, I was shown my true face.
"You h a ve h ea r d t h e ba r ds spea k of t h e m igh t y wa r r ior br in gin g a dr a gon t o h eel wit h a sin gle blow of h is swor d. Su ch a blow, ca r efu lly a im ed wit h gr ea t power , wou ld be of su ch st r en gt h t h a t t h e for ce wou ld convince the dragon to retreat.
"You h a ve h ea r d su ch t a les, a n d so h a d I. I closed m y eyes, pla ced m y fa it h in t h e t r u e gods, a n d swu n g for cefu lly, if a bit wildly. I wa s r ewa r ded for m y fa it h wit h a h a r d jolt t h a t bega n a t t h e fla t of m y bla de a n d t r a veled u p m y a r m s, t h e sh ock a lm ost disloca t in g t h em fr om m y shoulders.
"I kept m y eyes sh u t , wa it in g for eit h er t h e t h u n der of t h e bea st crashing to the ground, or the fire-baked exhalation that would be the last thing I ever heard. I heard neither, and after a long moment, popped open one eye.
"Th e scen e wa s u n ch a n ged. Th e dr a gon st ill t ower ed over m e, golden wh isker s ju t t in g fr om ben ea t h it s ivor y t eet h , eyes glowin g like r u bies t h a t h a d ca pt u r ed fir eligh t . My swor d wa s sh or t a foot , a n d en ded n ow wit h a ja gged, br oken edge. Th e t ip, sn a pped off by t h e for ce of t h e blow, wa s lyin g a r ou n d som ewh er e, bu t I h a d n o u se for it . Th e dr a gon open ed its mouth, showing rows of smaller, sharper teeth.
" 'Ar e you quite fin ish ed?' " It spoke, it s voice r u m blin g t h e gr ou n d around me and shaking me to my bones.
"It wa s a polit e if a wesom ely power fu l bea st , con sider in g t h e sit u a t ion . It a sked m e m y n a m e a n d bu sin ess. I h a d en ou gh pr esen ce of m in d (I t h ou gh t a t t h e t im e) t o lie m y fool h ea d off. Robber s? Na y, we wer e m er e travelers wh o h a ppen ed u pon it s sleepin g for m . Killer s? Na y, we wer e goin g for ou r wea pon s for self-pr ot ect ion . Wa r r ior s? Well yes, I wa s a power fu l wa r r ior , bu t on ly if r iled. I r em em ber n ot qu it e kn owin g wh a t I wou ld sa y n ext , m y m in d m a dly scr a m blin g ju st t o keep t h e con ver sa t ion goin g, sin ce t h a t wa s a ll t h a t a ppea r ed t o be st a n din g bet ween m e a n d extinction.
"Th e im per ia l bea st wou ld h a ve n on e of m y ch ica n er y. It kn ew, in t h e wa y t h a t a ll dr a gon s kn ow t h in gs the fullness of the moon, the weight of t h e h u m a n h ea r t , scien ces u n dr ea m ed of, a n d m a gics t o t a ke t h e a t t r ibu t es of t h e lesser m or t a ls a n d bea st s. It kn ew t h a t I wa s lyin g, a n d that knowledge seemed to both anger and sadden it.
"Yet , t h e m on st er did n ot sla y m e, n or la y a cla w on m e. Som et im es I wish it h a d. In st ea d it la id u pon m e a gr ea t geas, t o t r a vel (a s h a d been my wish) and when traveling, to always speak the truth.
"The great wyrm set me free with this heady curse, and then I, too, fled, in t o t h e for est a n d fa r fr om m y h om e, for I did n ot wa n t t o t ell fr ien ds of m y folly in believin g I cou ld best a dr a gon . Th e dog ca u gh t u p wit h m e t h a t even in g, a n d r em a in s by m y side. I n a m ed h im F ool's Gold, for h e is t h e on ly t r ea su r e I r eceived for m y foolish n ess. As I sa id, I h a ve t r ied t o get r id of h im , t o t r a de h im , or t o sell h im , bu t ba d t h in gs u sed t o h a ppen wh en I t r ied, so I n o lon ger do so. I h a ve a lso t r ied t o lie, t o t est t h e cu r se, bu t a ga in , ba d t h in gs h a ppen , so a ga in I n o lon ger do so. It is m y fa t e, m y curse, and my lesson to be an honest wanderer.
"If I sa y you r a le is fla t a n d you r beds fit on ly for flea s, it is t h e t r u t h , a n d m a n y do n ot ca r e t o h ea r t h a t t ype of sla n der . So I ca m e t o you r villa ge a n d will st a y, for a da y or t wo u n t il m y m a n n er s becom e u n seem ly, t h en I will depa r t . I a m a livin g exa m ple of t h e foolish n ess of lyin g, a n d t h e folly of self-decept ion a n d gr eed. An d, of cou r se, of t h e lessons of a dragon. "
* * * * *
J en ga r fin ish ed h is t a le t o a qu iet r oom , t h e t own speople con sider in g h is wor ds. Th en t h er e wa s a su dden explosion a s Melissa t h e ser vin g gir l wheeled and struck the petty lord fully across the face, then stormed, redfaced and teary-eyed, into the tavern's back storeroom.

Th e old ba r on looked a st ou n ded a n d m u t t er ed, lou d en ou gh for t h ose in the room to hear, "What got into her?"
J en ga r looked a t t h e old ba r on solem n ly. "You h a d pla ced you r h a n d in a m ost u n gen t lem a n ly loca t ion du r in g m y t a le. On ce it h a d fin ish ed, sh e realized both its location and your intent. "
Now it was the old baron's turn to grow red-faced. "Now, see here... "
J en ga r in t er r u pt ed. "I do see, h er e, a n d spea k, h er e, a n d spea k t h e t r u t h , h er e, for t h a t is m y cu r se. Did you t h in k m y t a le a m er e t oot h less fa ble? It is t r u e, a n d t h a t is wh y I ca n n ot r em a in lon g. " An d wit h t h a t h e t ook h is own em pt y m u g a n d t h e dog's t o t h e ba r . Th e a u dien ce t ook t h is a s t h e officia l en d of t h e pr esen t a t ion a n d r et u r n ed t o t h eir own a ffa ir s. The serving girl did not reappear.
J en ga r sign a led for t wo m or e, a n d n ot iced t h e ba r keep's scowl dir ect ed past him, back toward the fireplace and the petty lord.
"You do n ot like t h e gen t lem a n ?" a sked J en ga r , a n d t h e ba r keep returned his attention to him with a start.
"The old baron? I never said... " he began, then shrugged.
"You do not need to. I take it he has eyes for the young woman?"
"It 's n ot h is eyes t h a t bot h er m e, " sa id t h e t a ver n -keeper . "It 's h is h a n ds. An d t h e r est of h im . H e's been pu sh in g for m y per m ission t o t a ke her into his service. "
"And she does not care for this?"
"Not in t h e lea st . Sh e's t h r ea t en ed t o r u n off if I a gr ee. Mea n wh ile, h e m a kes it m or e difficu lt for m e t o wor k. H e r a ises t a r iffs, in vokes pet t y la ws, a n d h a r a sses m e wit h m in or m a t t er s t h a t will n o dou bt fa de a wa y when I agree to his demands. "
"And you will agree eventually. "
"It 's a h a r d wor ld, " m u t t er ed t h e ba r keep, interested in a spot a few feet away.
J en ga r r et u r n ed t o t h e h ea r t h . Th e old ba r on fr ien ds wit h F ool's Gold, bu t wa s h a vin g a s m u ch su ccess wit h h im a s h e'd h a d ea r lier wit h t h e m a iden . Th e dog r ecoiled, ph ysica lly sh r in kin g a wa y fr om t h e m a n 's t ou ch , cr ou ch in g a t la st a ga in st t h e ch a ir . Th e dog wa s gr a t efu l for t h e m u g a n d t u r n ed h is a t t en t ion t o t h e a le. Th e old baron appraised Jengar dubiously.
"Ar e you st ill t h e br a ve wa r r ior you descr ibe in you r t a le?" h e sa id, h is eyes glin t in g in t h e fla m es. J en ga r cou ld a lm ost see t h e wh eels spin n in g behind them.
J en ga r sh r u gged. "Br a ve, bu t wit h in m y own lim it s. My t a le sh ou ld have proven those limits. I know I cannot ever face a dragon again. "
Th e old ba r on wa ved a h a n d dism issively. "I h a ve a pr oblem , " h e bega n , t h en st opped a n d t h ou gh t for h a lf a bea t . "Th e community h a s a su dden ly becom in g
wa s t r yin g t o m a ke problem. There is a gnome living nearby. "
J en ga r sh r u gged a ga in . "Th a t expla in ed t h e h ost ile r ea ct ion t o t h e ba r d, a t lea st . Ca vea t lect or . Kn ow you r a u dien ce. Wh a t m a t t er is it t o me?"

"I a m con cer n ed t h a t t h is sm a ll gn om e ca n pr esen t a gr ea t da n ger t o my er , ou r com m u n it y. E xplosion s. Volca n oes. Sea ser pen t s. Ru n a wa y juggernauts and all that. "

"I am inexperienced in gnome removals, " Jengar said flatly. "Yes, bu t you a r e h on est , " sa id t h e old ba r on , r ea ch in g ou t t o pa t t h e wa r r ior on t h e kn ee in a fr ien dly m a n n er . J en ga r flin ch ed a t h is t ou ch a n d u n der st ood a t on ce F ool's Gold's r ea ct ion t o t h e m a n . "I've sen t ot h er so-ca lled 'br a ve wa r r ior s' ou t t o t h e cr ea t u r e's la ir t o in vest iga t e, bu t t h ey n ever r et u r n ed. Cowa r ds a ll. I wa n t you t o dr ive t h e cr ea t u r e ou t , or a t least return to me and tell me why the others have failed. "
"An d if I t ell you t h a t you a r e a r epellen t lit t le m a n ?" sa id J en ga r plainly. "One unworthy of a warrior's time?"
"I t a ke t h a t a s a m a r k of you r h on est y, " r eplied t h e old ba r on wit h a m ild, t h ea t r ica l ch u ckle. "I ca n m a ke you wea lt h y for you r sm a ll effor t , a n d per h a ps give you a h a ven wh er e you r ... in discr et ion s wou ld go forgiven. "
"Wh a t do you t h in k?" qu est ion ed J en ga r , a n d t h e old ba r on wa s goin g t o con t in u e t h e con ver sa t ion u n t il h e r ea lized t h a t t h is t im e t h e wa r r ior was addressing the dog.
Fool's Gold, now lying on his side, let out a healthy belch, which seemed to settle the matter.
* * * * *
In t h e en d, t h e old ba r on a gr eed t o pu t u p r oom a n d boa r d for m a n a n d dog ("I h a ve in flu en ce wit h t h e in n keep," h e sa id wit h a n oily win k) in exch a n ge for J en ga r a ppr oa ch in g t h e gn om e a n d discover in g wh a t h a d h a ppen ed t o t h e pr eviou s wa r r ior s. J en ga r pr om ised t o r et u r n t h e n ext day with the intelligence.

Th e gn om e's t ower wa s a h a lf-da y's wa lk down t h e coa st , a lon ely, fla t spu r of la n d ju t t in g ou t in t o t h e sea , fr a m ed by a sm oot h bea ch of golden sa n d. A secon d pen in su la fa r t h er sou t h h elped cr a dle t h e wa t er in a pla cid ba y, pr ot ect ed fr om t h e sea 's fu r y by a br oken ja w-line of bla ckr ocked sh oa ls. A low t ower of m u d-da u bed st on e dom in a t ed t h e fla t la n dsca pe, for t y feet h igh a n d a lm ost t h a t gr ea t a r ou n d a t t h e ba se. Th e t ower en ded in a fla t , t r u n ca t ed t op cr a dlin g a gr ea t ir on bowl, a n d t h e structure looked as though it had served in the past as a lighthouse.

Th e bea ch lea din g t o t h e t ower wa s dot t ed wit h pit s, a s wa s t o be expect ed wit h gn om ish la n d, a n d spr in kled wit h st r a n ge st r u ct u r es. Th e st r u ct u r es wer e u n iver sa lly of wea t h er ed wood, wit h t a t t er ed ba n n er s of ca n va s h a n gin g fr om a ll sides. Th ey wer e ca st a bou t on t h e sa n d a bove the high-tide line, like toys abandoned by some godling.

J en ga r wa s n ot ca u gh t u n a wa r e by t h e m a ch in e a s it swooped in on h im , if on ly beca u se t h e n oise pr ecedin g it wa s in cr edibly lou d. It wa s t h e sou n d of a ba g of bees a t t a ckin g a sa wm ill, a n d it issu ed fr om ou t t o sea . Ma n a n d dog in st in ct ively looked u p, bu t t h e cu lpr it wa s closer t o t h e horizon, on the surface of the bay itself.

It wa s skit t er in g sidewa ys a lon g t h e sm oot h wa t er s, ca n t ed a t wh a t J en ga r a ssu m ed wa s a n a n gle t o it s in t en ded or ien t a t ion . A la r ge, silver y cr escen t , m ou n t ed on wh a t wou ld n or m a lly be ca lled t h e "t op" du g fir m ly in t o t h e ba y, t r a ilin g a la r ge plu m e of sa lt y spr a y r oost er 's t a il. Bla ck sm oke issu ed fr om a ca st -ir on beh in d it in lon g, la zy loops. Th e en t ir e a ssem bla ge wa s h ea din g, ver y quickly and sideways, toward the beach.

A sm a ll figu r e fou gh t for con t r ol of t h e cr a ft , bu t in t h e en d a ba n don ed both his course of action and the vehicle. The figure dived into the shallow wa t er , wh ile t h e cr a ft sped for wa r d a n ot h er few h u n dr ed feet t o dr y la n d. It s speed wa s su ch t h a t t h e cr a ft plowed u p t h r ou gh t h e wet sa n d t o t h e bea ch , t h en colla psed on it self, join in g t h e ot h er fr eest a n din g scu lpt u r es of wood and tattered canvas.

J en ga r r a n u p t o t h e figu r e, wh o wa s a lr ea dy pu llin g h im self fr om t h e su r f a n d wr in gin g wa t er fr om h is t u n ic. J en ga r h a d expect ed t h e gn om e, bu t t h is wa s a you n g m a n , slen der a n d ju st get t in g t h e fir st fu zz of a bea r d. Th e you n g m a n wa s swea r in g in a m a n n er fa m ilia r t o vet er a n s of the War of the Lance, but rarely heard from one so young.
"You all right?" wondered Jengar.
Th e you n g m a n n ot iced J en ga r for t h e fir st t im e, t h en n odded, fir st a t the man, then at the wreck. "Damn. We almost had it. "
"Had what?" asked the warrior.
"A win dless sa ilboa t , " sa id t h e you n g m a n , t h en a dded, "You m u st be the old baron's latest bully, here to threaten Tug. "
"What?"
"Th e swor d, sir , " sa id t h e you n g m a n , a n d J en ga r for t h e fir st t im e r ea lized t h a t h e h a d pu lled h is wea pon wh en t h e cr a ft fir st a ppea r ed. With a grunt, he resheathed it.
A sm a ll figu r e ca m e r u n n in g u p fr om t h e dir ect ion of t h e ligh t h ou se, bellowin g. H is h ea d wa s wr ea t h ed in blon d h a ir , t h in n in g on t h e t op, a n d h e wor e a pa ir of cover a lls t h a t cla n ked a n d jin gled a s h e m oved. "Excellent! We almost had it!"
"This the gnome?" asked Jengar.
"Master Tug, " said the young man.
Th e gn om e r a n u p a n d st opped, for a m om en t t r a n sfixed bet ween t h a t r esem bled a st ove a n d spir a led cu r iosit y a bou t t h e wr eck a n d good m a n n er s t o t h e manners won out, but only barely. He extended a hand.
"P lea sed t o m a ke you r a cqu a in t a n ce, " sa id t h e "Tugawallop Highseamaster Rolloporvikia... " n ewcom er . Good
sm a ll h u m a n oid.
"Tu g, " sa id t h e you n g m a n , a n d sa u n t er ed over t o exa m in e t h e cr a sh . J en ga r a n d t h e gn om e followed, t h e gn om e wit h h a n d continuing the rendition.
"... Diamocles Diogenes Thrustwaddle... "
"Not a com plet e loss, " sa id t h e you n g m a n , sift in g shattered remains of the craft.
"... Miriland Kiriland Yaweigh Henweigh... "
"Boiler s in t a ct , a n d t h e n ew coa l gr id h eld. No fir e continued the young man in his inventory.
"... Jomalia Greatstroke Cannontip Kennelworth... "
"P r opeller 's sh ot , " sa id t h e you n g m a n . "Upper sa il m a de it . Lower pontoons a total loss. "
"... Breeding Bromwork Haloisius Homebody... "
Th e you n g m a n sigh ed. "Com pa r ed t o t h e ot h er t est s, t h is is a bon a fide success. "
"... Moridotes Mugglewump Flinders Jones Atyerservice. "
J en ga r wa s a wa r e t h e gn om e fin a lly h a d fin ish ed h is in t r odu ct ion . H e a bsen t m in dedly st u ck ou t h is h a n d, h is eyes st ill sweepin g t h e wr ecka ge. "Jengar. " There was a low, halfhearted woof. "And Fool's Gold, " he added offhandedly.
"Ca ll m e Tu g, " sa id t h e gn om e. "Da m a ge r epor t , Lexi?" "H a ve t o wa it for t h e boiler t o cool, bu t it looks good. " "H ow did t h e m et a l u pper win g su r fa ce do?" "Un br oken , bu t I st ill t h in k it wa s t oo h ea vy. " "We n eed a bigger boiler, then, " said the gnome, nodding.
"Mor e weigh t , " r eplied t h e you n g m a n wit h a sh a ke of h is h ea d. "You 'll sink her. "
"Bu t a lso m or e st ea m , wh ich r ises, a n d t h er efor e m a kes it weigh less, " countered the gnome. "You have to think these things through. "
"Excuse me, " said Jengar. "This... thing... it is supposed to... what?"
"P ower ed, n on m a gica l sea t r a vel, " sa id t h e gn om e wit h a gr in . "I'm sorry, where are my manners? You probably want to threaten me. Can we do it over tea? It'll take a while for the boiler to cool to the touch, and then we could use some help lugging it back to the shop. "
Th e gn om e set off t owa r d t h e ligh t h ou se wit h ou t wa it in g for a r eply, the young man named Lexi in tow.
J en ga r a n d F ool's Gold exch a n ged a gla n ce, a s if bot h won der ed wh a t they had gotten into, and trudged after them.
ou t st r et ch ed,
t h r ou gh t h e
t h is t im e, "
* * * * * "This happens regularly?" asked Jengar, helping himself to thirds of the sweet-bu t t er biscu it s. F ool's Gold wu ffed a n d a u t om a t ica lly J en ga r dr opped h is h a n d, pu t t in g t h e h on ey-coa t ed t r ea t wit h in ca n in e st r ikin g distance.

"Th e old ba r on sen din g som e swor d-br a vo t o in for m m e t h a t m y pr esen ce is u n welcom e? Abou t on ce ever y few weeks for t h e pa st t h r ee months, since spring broke. Can't figure what's gotten into him of late. He used to be, well, if not pleasant, at least tolerable. "

The four of them (warrior, young man, dog, and gnome) were on a small la n din g over lookin g t h e open m a in floor of t h e ligh t h ou se. A h u ge cen t r a l clea r spa ce h a d u n t il r ecen t ly been t h e h om e of t h e wr ecka ge ou t side. Th e wa lls wer e lit t er ed wit h t ool r a cks a n d cor kboa r ds, a n d br ea ch ed by a la r ge set of dou ble door s (cu r r en t ly open ). A la r ge bla ckboa r d wa s cr owded wit h t h e ca lcu la t ion s of skippin g a st on e a cr oss a la ke. Th e h igh ceilin g wa s h u n g wit h a ll m a n n er of m odels of (pr esu m a bly) sea cr a ft sh ips wit h t h e win gs of ba t s a n d fin s of dolph in s a n d h or izon t a l sa ils, sea dr a gon s a n d dolph in s, wicker bodies cover ed wit h pa per , folded cr a n es a n d or iga m i son gbir ds. Som e wer e m a de of m et a l a n d cla n ged a ga in st ea ch ot h er m u sica lly in t h e sligh t br eeze. Ligh t flowed in t h r ou gh t h e open door wa y a n d fr om a ser ies of open in gs in t h e ligh t h ou se h igh a bove them.

"But now he wants you gone, " said Jengar, without inflection. "An d t h e qu est ion is wh y? Reor x kn ows I've h a d la r ger , lou der exper im en t s. Wh y doesn 't t h e old ba r on wa n t m e t o per fect m y power ed nonmagical sea travel?"
"What will it do?" asked Jengar
Th e gn om e looked a t t h e wa r r ior , br ou gh t u p sh or t . "Wh y, sa il quickly, of course. "
J en ga r sh ift ed u n com for t a bly, "Well, in a n y por t I ca n bu y pa ssa ge on a large, though admittedly slower wind-powered craft. And at the Towers of H igh Sor cer y, t h er e a r e sa id t o be r in gs t o be h a d t h a t a llow m ovem en t t h r ou gh t h e a ir , a n d ot h er s t h a t a llow sim ila r m ovem en t ben ea t h t h e sea . Add t o t h a t a ll m a n n er of m ou n t s t h a t a llow m ovem en t a bove a n d below t h e sea sea h or ses, sea lion s, dr a gon s, a n d wh a t n ot . Will it be qu icker than these?"
Th e gn om e sh r u gged, t r yin g t o wr a p h is m in d a r ou n d t h e qu est ion . It wa s Lexi, h is a ppr en t ice, wh o br oke in . "Th er e a r e t h ose wh o do n ot h a ve dragons for allies, or can't rely on magic. Regular folk, like you and me. "
"You , per h a ps, " sa id J en ga r wit h a sm a ll sm ile, sn a ggin g a n ot h er r oll. Fool's Gold wuffed and Jengar fed that one to him as well.
Th e gn om e wa s dist r a u gh t . "I ca n 't u n der st a n d t h e ba r on 's h ost ilit y. This project is much less hazardous than my automatic harrower... " "Which drove itself off a cliff, " said Lexi softly.
"... or my fire-juggling wood golem... "
"Which burned on its first test run, " added Lexi.
"... or my invisible volcano detector... "
"Which hasn't been seen since we switched it on, " said Lexi.
"I ju st don 't u n der st a n d, " sa id t h e gn om e. "Wh y pick now t o t r y t o r u n me out of town?
"Do you kn ow, "sa id J en ga r , r ea ch in g for a n ot h er biscu it , "wh y n on e of t h e ot h er s h a ve r et u r n ed?" F ool's Gold wu ffed, a n d J en ga r absentmindedly fed him the roll. "The other... 'threateners. ' "
Th e gn om e sh ook h im self fr om h is t h ou gh t s, "H m m ? Th e ot h er wa r r ior s? Well, t h ey com e ou t h er e, see wh a t I'm u p t o, a n d t h en lea ve. Som e h a n g a r ou n d lon g en ou gh t o h elp wit h t h e h ea vy lift in g. Th e m or e hard-h ea r t ed a r e t em pt ed, bu t decide t h a t t h e old ba r on m igh t n ot live u p t o h is en d of t h e pr om ise a n d lea ve soon en ou gh for gr een er pa st u r es. H e carries a magical wand, you know. "
"I've seen it on h is belt , a n d won der ed if it wer e t h r ea t or ornamentation. "
"A few of t h e br a vos in t en ded t o r et u r n t o t h e old ba r on , bu t I n ever saw them again. Either they changed their minds, or... "
"The old baron lied about no one returning, " finished Jengar.
"The old baron has a bit of a temper, " said the gnome.
"The old baron is a money-grubbing old pus-ball, " growled Lexi.
"Lexi, r espect you r elder s, " sa id Tu g sh a r ply, a n d looked a t J en ga r , "even if you are correct. " He chuckled.
Th e con ver sa t ion qu iet ed, a n d Lexi clea r ed t h e t ea t r a y. Th e fish sh a ped win d ch im es cla n ked soft ly, a n d t h e la t e a ft er n oon su n et ch ed bright squares against the far wall.
"So, are you going to threaten me now?" Tug asked cheerily.
"I ca n see wh y t h e ot h er ... br a vos fa iled. You a r e t h e m ost disa r m in g threat I've ever encountered. " Jengar smiled.
"I'm t old I h a ve a win som e wa y, " sa id t h e gn om e. "Bu t I in t en d t o see t h a t Lexi lea r n s t o h a n dle a swor d a n d a slin g. Som et im e, soon er or la t er , t h e old ba r on is goin g t o fin d som eon e wh o is willin g t o do h is dir t y wor k, a n d t h en " h e sigh ed "we m a y h a ve t o defen d ou r selves a s best we ca n . "
J en ga r sigh ed in sym pa t h y. "Th er e a r e t oo m a n y br a vos ou t t h er e in the years since the war. "
"The best thing for you would be to continue your journey. "
J en ga r picked u p a n ot h er biscu it , exa m in ed it , a n d fed it t o t h e dog a u t om a t ica lly. "I ca n n ot . I pr om ised t o r et u r n t o t h e old ba r on wit h n ews. "
"You stand to get more deeply involved than you wish. " "I am afraid I cannot avoid my responsibility. "
"You ca n a lwa ys r em a in h er e for a sh or t wh ile. H elp ou t wit h t h e rebuilding. "
"Perhaps later. I gave my word to return. "
"An d you ca n n ot br ea k it , eh ?" sa id t h e gn om e. "Or cook u p som e good excuse, like I am the only thing preventing an incursion of sea drakes?"
"I am forced to be truthful. "
Th e gn om e ga ve ou t a lon g, low sigh t h a t seem ed t o sa y "h u m a n s, " t h en sa id, "I'll sen d Lexi a lon g wit h you . H e n eeds t o pick u p som e supplies anyway. "
At t h is Lexi br igh t en ed. "Give m e five m in u t es t o clea n u p!" h e sh ou t ed a n d ba r r eled down t h e st a r s. Soon t h er e wa s t h e sou n d of t h e pu m p drawing water and a vigorous splashing.
"I cannot convince you to change your mind?"
"It is n ot u p t o m e. If I pr om ise som et h in g, I ca n n ot go ba ck on m y word. "
"Then may the true gods watch your steps. Another biscuit?"
J en ga r r ea ch ed for t h e a lm ost em pt y bowl, t h en wa ved it a wa y. "I'll h a ve t o pa ss, even t h ou gh I m u st com m en d you r cookin g. Th ese r olls a r e hardly filling, and seem lighter than air. "
* * * * *
Lexi was voluble and friendly on the road back to town. Master Tug had t a ken h im on a s a n a ppr en t ice yea r s a go, a n d t h e t wo h a d t a lked of a pa r t n er sh ip. Wh ile h e la cked t h e gr a n d im a gin a t ion of t h e gn om e, Lexi h a d a pr a ct ica lit y t h a t ba la n ced t h e gn om e's good in t en t ion s a n d kept t h e da m a ge t o a m in im u m . If a n yt h in g, Tu g seem ed less da n ger ou s t h a n t h e average gnome. Which made the old baron's hostility even more puzzling.

Lexi skir t ed t h e issu e wh en J en ga r br ou gh t it u p, in st ea d en ga gin g in a rousin g ga m e of t oss-the-st ick wit h F ool's Gold. J en ga r n ot ed t h a t t h e you n g m a n h a d scr u bbed h im self t o wit h in a n in ch of h is life, odd bu t n ot exceptional behavior for a simple trip into town.

Lexi escor t ed J en ga r t o t h e ba r on 's m a n or a n d offer ed h a lfh ea r t edly t o wait for him. Jengar declined. With a pat to Fool's Gold, the likable young man was gone, down into the center of the village.

A br u t ish -lookin g gu a r d u sh er ed J en ga r in t o t h e old ba r on 's pr esen ce. Th e t igh t , da r k lit t le office wa s lit by a sm a ll br a zier beh in d t h e old ba r on 's sea t . Th e effect wa s su pposed t o give t h e ba r on t h e illu sion of a halo, but in reality it looked as if the back of his head were on fire.

Th e old ba r on h a lf r ose a n d wa ved J en ga r t o a sea t . "You h a ve t a ken care of the matter?"
"I h a ve ch ecked t h in gs ou t , a s you h a ve r equ est ed. I sa id I wou ld eit h er remove the gnome or find why the others failed. I have done the latter. "
Th is wa s n ot t h e n ews t h e old ba r on h a d h oped for . H e fr own ed, sa t in silen ce for a m om en t , t h en bega n t a ppin g h is wa n d in on e h a n d. At length, he said, "And?"
"Th e gn om e, Ma st er Tu g, is ever y bit t ypica l of h is r a ce, bu t poses n o t h r ea t t o you or t h e villa ge. In fa ct , h e is qu it e t h e con gen ia l fellow. Th e ot h er wa r r ior s you 've sen t ou t seem t o h a ve r ea lized t h is a n d ju st kept on going. " Another silence, as the old baron tapped.
"But you returned. "
"I said that I would. I am cursed to tell the truth. "
"So you h a ve sa id. An t icipa t in g t h is, I sen t a m essen ger la st n igh t t o Tr en t wood, a n d h e br ou gh t ba ck pr oof of you r h on est y. It seem s t h a t t h e local mayor there is displeased with your truth-telling. "
"He took issue with my review of his accommodations. "
"Yes, t h is 'h on est y' you keep t a lkin g a bou t . It led t o br ea kin g u p t h ose accommodations. "
"A figh t br oke ou t , yes. I r egr et t h a t , bu t t h e m a yor 's son s did a t t a ck first. "
"Th e m a yor of Tr en t wood h a s a sked if I wou ld h old you for ch a r ges. I am inclined to oblige, since you seem to treat your honesty as an excuse to in su lt you r h ost s wh er ever you go. H owever , I ou gh t t o be fa ir a bou t this.... "
"Mea n in g?" J en ga r sh ift ed u n com for t a bly. As soon a s on e side u ses t h e word "fair, " he had learned in life, things quickly became less than fair.
"Go ba ck a n d fin ish t h e job. Get r id of t h e gn om e. I'll sen d wor d ba ck t o Trentwood t h a t you pu sh ed on . Th e m a yor t h er e is a n old fool a n d will soon be whining about other matters. "
"I would rather not, " said Jengar.
"You r r a t h er s do n ot cou n t , " sa id t h e old ba r on wa vin g t h e wa n d a bsen t m in dedly a t F ool's Gold. "We will h old you r possession s a s a sign of good faith. "
"Possessions?"
"You r a le-swillin g h ou n d, " sa id t h e old ba r on wit h a t igh t , pa per -dry smile.
"Were I half the warrior you think I am, I could slay you now. "
"P er h a ps. An d a t t h e cost of you r own life, per h a ps. Or t h a t of you r com pa n ion . " H e m ot ion ed a ga in t owa r d t h e dog. F ool's Gold gr owled a s J en ga r r ea ch ed down a h a n d t o sh u sh h im . Bu t J en ga r wa sn 't qu ick enough, and the creature leapt toward the petty lord.
"Obser ve a n d lea r n , " sa id t h e old ba r on , poin t in g h is wa n d a t t h e h ou n d a n d m u t t er in g som et h in g u n der h is br ea t h . F ool's Gold n ever com plet ed h is lea p. Th e dog fr oze, m idwa y bet ween t h e wa r r ior a n d t h e dais, and hung there, trapped within a sphere of softly scintillating color.
"P r et t y, n o?" sa id t h e old ba r on wit h a sm ile. "Th is t oy wa s fou n d lon g a go in wh a t is n ow t h e gn om e's ligh t h ou se. Wa t ch fu r t h er . " An ot h er m u t t er , a n ot h er wa ve of t h e wa n d, a n d t h e sph er e bega n t o con t r a ct fr om a ll sides. F ool's Gold sh r a n k a s well, dim in ish in g u n t il h e wa s h a lf h is original size. The dog gave a whine that was half surprise, half fear.
Th e old ba r on lea n ed for wa r d. "Do I h a ve you r pr om ise you will r id t h e village of this gnomish threat?"
Jengar frowned. "I cannot promise, " he said with annoyance verging on anger.
Th e old ba r on ch u ckled. "Yes, you ca n . Th a t 's wh a t m a kes you idea l for t h is t a sk. Ot h er s I sen t , cowa r ds a n d wa st r els a ll, wer e bou gh t off wit h h igh idea ls a n d a lit t le t ea . You ca n pr om ise, a n d you m u st keep you r promise. "
"Th ose t h a t disa ppoin t ed you in t h e pa st wer e sh r u n k t o n ot h in gn ess, " surmised Jengar.
"You sa id t h a t , n ot I, a n d you a lwa ys spea k t h e t r u t h . " A t h ir d m u t t er , a n d F ool's Gold a n d t h e glowin g globe floa t ed t o t h e ba se of t h e da is, t h e fr igh t en ed dog spin n in g wit h in , lookin g for a n ou t let . "Th e bodily fu n ct ion s a r e slowed wit h in t h e globe, bu t st a r va t ion a n d su ffoca t ion do occu r even t u a lly, " sa id t h e old ba r on in a n offh a n d m a n n er , t h en a dded in a half whisper, "One bravo lasted two full weeks, a record.
"I wa n t t h e gn om e a n d h is lit t le in du st r y gon e fr om m y ba r on y, " t h e old ba r on con t in u ed, h is voice r isin g wit h su r pr isin g st r en gt h . "If you do not so promise, I fear for both you and your pet. "
Jengar was silent.
"If you n eed t o t h in k a bou t it , " sa id t h e old ba r on sweet ly, "t a ke a wa lk around the village. I'll be here. So will the dog. "
J en ga r kn elt a n d looked a t t h e dog in t h e sph er e. F ool's Gold h a d ca lm ed a n d n ow wa s sea t ed, t on gu e lollin g ou t , lookin g a s t h ou gh h e wer e wa it in g for din n er . "It 's a ll r igh t boy, I'll get you ou t . " Lookin g a t t h e old baron, Jengar added, "Give me time to think. "
"Ta ke you r t im e bu t r et u r n befor e n igh t fa ll. I r et ir e ea r ly, a n d I wou ld hate to see something happen to your prize possession while you dithered. " The old baron chuckled as the door slammed behind Jengar.
Th e old ba r on r ea ch ed down a n d h eft ed t h e m a gica l sph er e, a dm ir in g h is pr ize. "I sh ou ld h a ve t h ou gh t of t h is ea r lier t h r ea t en a m a n , a n d h e r esist s. Th r ea t en h is dog, well, t h a t 's a n ot h er m a t t er , isn 't it ? Oh , you are misnamed, Fool's Gold, because you are very valuable to me. "
Th e dog sn a r led a n d t r ied t o bit e h is wa y t h r ou gh t h e globe, wh ich caused the old baron to laugh all the harder.
* * * * *
J en ga r wa n der ed in t o t h e villa ge. Th e even in g win d wa s a lr ea dy u p, blowin g in la n d, a n d t h e su n wa s west er in g. H e h a d h a lf a m in d t o lea ve F ool's Gold beh in d, bu t n o dou bt a n ot h er wa r r ior wou ld com e a lon g wh o wou ld be m er ciless en ou gh t o do t h e old ba r on 's biddin g a n d foolish enough to take him at his word.

Th e wa r r ior m a de for t h e Wolf's H ea d In n . At lea st h is cr edit wit h t h e old ba r on wa s good, a n d a n a le or five wou ld h elp wea r down h is r esist a n ce t o t h e idea . H e cou ld dr ive t h e gn om e ou t , h e su pposed, bu t it seem ed su ch a n u n n ecessa r y a ct . Wh y wou ld t h e pet t y lor d t oler a t e previous gnomish inventions, then suddenly bridle at a powered boat?

So lost in t h ou gh t wa s h e t h a t h e wa s a lm ost u pon t h em befor e h e sa w t h em . Th ey wer e sea t ed by t h e well in fr on t of t h e in n , t h e you n g m a n , Lexi, and the serving girl, Melissa. They paid him no mind, and would not h a ve n ot iced if h e h a d a ppr oa ch ed ju gglin g wea pon s a n d sin gin g a t t h e t op of h is lu n gs. Th ey wer e on ly con cer n ed wit h ea ch ot h er , fa ce-to-face, for eh ea ds pr essed a ga in st ea ch ot h er . Th ey spoke t oo low for J en ga r t o hear, but then, he did not need to.

Aft er a sh or t wh ile, Melissa r ose, kissed Lexi on t h e for eh ea d, a n d r et u r n ed t o t h e in n . Lexi r ose a n d wa t ch ed h er r et r ea t in g for m , a n d on ly beca m e a wa r e of J en ga r (a n d t h e r est of t h e wor ld) a ft er sh e had disappeared.
"Have you been watching long?"
"Long enough, " said Jengar with a shrug. "How long have you two been meeting like this?"
Lexi blu sh ed h ot ly, h is fa ce even r edder in t h e set t in g su n . "It 's n o cr im e. Sh e's on ly t h r ee yea r s older t h a n I a m . An d I don 't in t en d t o propose until I become a master inventor. "
It h a d t h e sou n d of a st a t em en t r epea t ed t o on e's self a h u n dr ed t im es, u n t il it sou n ded r ea son a ble. P er h a ps it wa s. An d su ch wou ld expla in h is obsessive devot ion t o t h e gn om e, t h ou gh t J en ga r . "An d h ow does t h e innkeep feel about this?"
"H e likes m e, bu t t h in ks I'm t oo you n g. I'm a fr a id h e's goin g t o give in to the old baron and pressure her into marrying the old pus-ball. "
Lexi's voice qu iet ed a s J en ga r sa t down beside h im , wa vin g h im silen t . After a while the warrior said, "That seems a distinct possibility. "
"Is t h a t st or y you t old Melissa a n d t h e ot h er s t r u e?" a sked t h e you n g man. "About you being cursed to tell the truth?"
"All too true, such that now I am in greater difficulties than before. " He r ela t ed h is ea r lier m eet in g wit h t h e old ba r on , a n d t h e fa ct t h a t F ool's Gold wa s bein g h eld a s a h ost a ge t o for ce h is cooper a t ion . Lexi wa s ou t r a ged bu t less t h a n h elpfu l, pu n ct u a t in g h is t h ou gh t s wit h in vect ives like "pus-ball" and "money-grubber. "
"Be t h a t a s it m a y, n ow I a m fa ced wit h t h is dilem m a : To r escu e F ool's Gold, I have to agree to get rid of your master, Tug. "
"I kn ow! Ma ybe we ca n go t o Tu g a n d expla in t h e sit u a t ion t o h im , a n d m a ybe h e'll m ove a wa y ju st lon g en ou gh for t h e old ba r on t o ca lm down from whatever's bothering him. "
J en ga r looked a t t h e you t h wit h a lon g, slow ga ze, a n d sa id, "Bu t you 'd have to go with him. "
"Well, I guess I would. "
"E xa ct ly. An d t h a t does n ot solve a n yon e's pr oblem s, except m a ybe t h e old ba r on 's. " H e ga ve Lexi a m ea n in gfu l look, wh ose m ea n in g wen t unnoticed.
"I wish t h er e wa s som e wa y we cou ld get r id of t h e old wa r t . Ma ybe h e ca n disa ppea r in t h e m iddle of t h e n igh t . You 'r e skilled wit h swor ds, ca n 't you... ?"
J en ga r sh ook h is h ea d. "Som e wa r r ior s r ea ch for t h eir swor ds ever y t im e t h ey per ceive a n in ju st ice or a n oppor t u n it y, t h en t h ey a r e su r pr ised wh en t h e en t ir e wor ld closes in on t h em , a n d ever yon e is m a de m iser a ble. I've learned that lesson from the dragon, at least. "
A silen ce fell bet ween t h em wh ile t h e sh a dows len gt h en ed. At la st J en ga r spoke. "On ly on e t h in g t o do, " h e sa id. "Lexi, go ba ck t o you r master and tell him I'll take up his offer to work with him. " He started to walk back toward the manor.
"Where are you going?" shouted Lexi.
"I h a ve t o m a ke a pr om ise t o t h e ba r on , " ca m e t h e r espon se. "An d t h en I h a ve t o t a lk t o m y dog.
* * * * *
J en ga r sh owed u p a t t h e ligh t h ou se t h e n ext m or n in g, ju st a s Lexi a n d Tug were salvaging the great crescent-shaped sail and the steam boiler.
J en ga r t old Tu g t h e t r u t h (h e cou ld do n o less). J en ga r wa s u n der a gr ea t dea l of pr essu r e a n d h a d a gr eed t o "r id t h e la n d of t h e gn om ish threat. "
"Those were my exact words, " he sighed.
J u st a s Lexi pr edict ed, Tu g volu n t eer ed t o m ove a n d even st a r t ed sket ch in g som e pla n s t o pu t t h e ligh t h ou se on t wo legs t o wa lk it in land. J en ga r sn a t ch ed t h e pla n s ou t of h is h a n ds a n d in st ea d r epla ced t h em wit h a n ot h er set , dr a wn u p t h e pr eviou s even in g a t t h e in n . Tu g let ou t a low wh ist le a n d fr own ed. "It will n ever floa t , " sa id Tu g, a bit in g condemnation coming from a gnome.
"Yes, it will, " insisted Jengar.
The gnome sniffed. "How can you be so certain?"
"Because I said it will, and I always tell the truth. "
The gnome considered the logic of the argument and had to agree.
Th e r est of t h e week con sist ed of r ebu ildin g t h e cr a ft a lon g t h e lin es of t h e n ew pla n s. Lexi, J en ga r , a n d Tu g cu t t im ber s, r ebu ilt t h e h u ll a n d pon t oon s, a n d cover ed t h e fr a m e wit h r esin -cover ed ga u ze. Lexi pr oved qu it e kn owledgea ble, m or e so t h a n Tu g ga ve h im cr edit for . Oft en Lexi wou ld m a ke a su ggest ion a n d h a ve it over r u led by h is m a st er , wh o wa s t h en a r gu ed in t o t h a t ver y decision by J en ga r . By t h e fou r t h da y, Lexi wa s m a kin g h is r ecom m en da t ion s dir ect ly t o t h e wa r r ior (wh en Tu g wa s elsewhere, in order to avoid hurting his master's feelings).
Wh a t lit t le spa r e t im e t h ey h a d, even in gs, Lexi spen t wit h Melissa (u n der t h e in n keep's wa t ch fu l eye), wh ile J en ga r wen t t o visit h is im pr ison ed fr ien d. H e wou ld br in g wit h h im t h e la t est blu epr in t s a n d ca lcu la t ion books fr om t h e da y's wor k, bu t on ly pu ll t h em ou t wh en he and the dog were left alone.
Th e ba r on h a d h is m en ea vesdr op, a n d t h ey r epor t ed ba ck t h a t J en ga r spen t m u ch of h is t im e t ellin g t h e dog t h e even t s of t h e da y a n d a bou t t h e n on esu ch device t h e gn om e wa s cu r r en t ly bu ildin g. Occa sion a lly J en ga r wou ld a sk a qu est ion a n d t h e dog wou ld wuff or ruff in r espon se. An d Jengar also told the dog to be patient. He said that a lot.
On ce, t h e gu a r ds r epor t ed, wh en t h ey poked t h eir h ea ds a r ou n d t h e corner they saw the warrior kneel over the globe, his arms wrapped about it . At fir st t h ey t h ou gh t h e wa s t r yin g t o pir a t e off t h e en t ir e sph er e, bu t h e wa sn 't lift in g t h e globe, on ly h u ggin g it a n d spea kin g in a soft , low voice. Th ey did n ot ca t ch a n y of t h e wor ds, bu t t h e dog h a d h is fa ce pr essed a ga in st t h e globe, a ga in st t h e wa r r ior 's fa ce. Th e wa r r ior 's voice seem ed t o fa lt er a n d ca t ch , a n d t h e gu a r ds, n ot wa n t in g t o be spot t ed, retreated.
Th e old ba r on sh ook h is h ea d. P er h a ps t h is wa r r ior wa s less t h a n h e seem ed a n d n ot ca pa ble of t h e n a st y bu sin ess of t a kin g ca r e of t h e pest Tu g a n d h is m ewlin g a ssist a n t . Wer e it u p t o h im , h e wou ld h a ve lopped off t h e lit t le wea sel's h ea d a lr ea dy a n d ba n ish ed Lexi, bu t a h , appearances must be maintained. It is easier to make strangers disappear than long-standing citizens fewer questions that way.
St ill, h is spies t old h im t h a t J en ga r a n d Lexi din ed a t t h e in n , ever y even in g, on h is a ccou n t . Th e wa r r ior 's com r a desh ip wit h t h e gn om e a n d h is a ssist a n t m a de t h e old ba r on u n ea sy. H e pr essed t h e poin t on e evening, as Jengar was leaving the manor after visiting his dog.
Jengar was stiff, polite, watching every word.
"You sa id you wer e goin g t o get r id of t h e gn om e!" Th e pet t y lor d exploded in Jengar's face.
"I sa id I wou ld r em ove t h e gn om ish t h r ea t , a n d t h a t in seven da ys' time. It has only been five days. "
"Tim e wh en you h a ve r u n u p m y t a b wit h t h e in n keep a n d for t ified h is idiot helper. "
"I will remove the gnomish threat, " said Jengar.
"You said that five days ago. "
"An d I m ea n it n ow, ju st a s I m ea n t it t h en , " r eplied J en ga r ca lm ly. "I am h elpin g Ma st er Tu g solve a few pr oblem s, t h en a ll will be r ea dy for the decisive act. I am aware I must hasten in this matter. "
"What can I do to hurry you?" the old baron demanded to know.
"Well, " sa id J en ga r , sm ilin g gr im ly a s if h e h a d ju st t h ou gh t of it , "you can put together a going-away party. "
J en ga r did n ot lin ger for t h e r espon se of t h e old ba r on , wh ose grumbling and curses followed the warrior out the door.
* * * * *
Two da ys pa ssed, a n d a ll wa s in r ea din ess. Lexi sen t wor d t h r ou gh t h e village a n d post ed a h a n d-let t er ed sign by t h e in n , a n n ou n cin g t h a t Ma st er Tu gwa ddle h a d solved on e of t h e gr ea t m yst er ies of t h e a ge a n d would dem on st r a t e h is la t est device a t n oon . Wor d qu ickly spr ea d t o t h e n eigh bor in g t own s, a n d by a qu a r t er t o t welve t h e en t ir e popu la ce of t h e villa ge, plu s t h ose of n eigh bor in g villa ges, wa s ga t h er ed expect a n t ly ou t by t h e ligh t h ou se. E ven Tr en t wood sen t a r epr esen t a t ive, on e of t h e m a yor 's u n wou n ded son s, a st u ffy, pom pou s sor t wh o im m edia t ely got into a snit over Jengar's continued presence in the area.

Th e old ba r on wa s beside h im self. H e h a d, on J en ga r 's su ggest ion , offer ed a picn ic t o t h ose wh o sh owed u p, bu t t h e r a w n u m ber s gr ew a n d st r et ch ed t h e la r der s of t h e in n . Now h e st a lked u p a n d down t h e bea ch a m on g t h e a ssem bled gu est s, wa t ch in g t h em ea t a n d dr in k a n d be m er r y at his expense. Of Jengar, Lexi, and the gnome there was no sign yet, and both the innkeep and Melissa were busy cooking.

Ah , well, h e t h ou gh t , on ce t h e la d wa s gon e t h er e wou ld be t im e for more leisurely pursuits. The old baron snarled for another ale, though the h ea t of t h e da y a n d t h e exer cise of wa lkin g t o t h e ligh t h ou se h a d a lr ea dy left his face unpleasantly flushed.

At n oon t h er e wa s a flou r ish of t r u m pet s (sligh t ly off-key, t h e lega cy of a pr eviou s gn om ish in ven t ion ), a n d t h e door s t o t h e ligh t h ou se flew open . Straining, Jengar, Tug, and Lexi pulled forth a large, wheeled conveyance h idden ben ea t h a t a r p. All t h r ee wer e dr essed in bla ck sh or t s a n d open n ecked wh it e sh ir t s, wit h r ed ba n da n n a s a dor n in g t h eir h ea ds. J en ga r looked like a pir a t e, Lexi like a you t h wh o wa s pla yin g pir a t e. Tu g looked like a gnome in a red kerchief.

Th ey in ch ed t h eir con t r a pt ion for wa r d on t o t h e bea ch , a n d a ft er a bou t t en ya r ds sever a l villa ger s ca m e for wa r d t o h elp wh eel it t owa r d t h e cr owd. Tu g wen t fr om pu llin g t o dir ect in g, a n d a t la st t h e gr ea t cr a ft wa s in place. Tug waved the crowd to silence.

"La dies, gen t lem en , villa ger s, wor t h y n obles, a n d visit or s, " Tu g sa id in on e br ea t h , t h e cr owd lea n in g for wa r d t o ca t ch h is r eedy voice. Tu g pa u sed, a n d for a m om en t J en ga r t h ou gh t t h e gn om e wou ld con t in u e on wit h h is ela bor a t e gr eet in g, bu t in st ea d t h e sm a ll bein g ca u gh t himself a n d got (for on ce) t o t h e h ea r t of t h e m a t t er . "As you kn ow, I h a ve been u n der t a kin g a n ew dir ect ion in m y r esea r ch , t o a llow m a n by wh ich I m ea n a ll sen t ien t
sim ila r a da pt ion s
a n d good cr ea t u r es... er , wit h ou t fin s a n d gills a n d

t o sa il t h e sea s wit h ou t a id of win d, m on st er , or magic. To that end I have been aided by the traveler Jengar, and of course my erstwhile assistant Lexi. " There was polite applause, and both Jengar and Lexi took deep, theatrical bows.

"Th er efor e, wit h ou t fu r t h er a do, " sa id t h e gn om e, "I give you t h e fr u it s of my labor the Sea Dragon!"
Lexi a n d J en ga r peeled ba ck t h e t a r p t o r evea l t h eir wor k. It r esem bled a ca n va s-cover ed sa u cer on sm a ll wh eels, t h e sa u cer ca r r yin g t h e boiler a n d win glike sa il. A sm a ll ch a r coa l bu r n er sm oked in t h e st er n , wh ich h ea t ed a br a ss ket t le-boiler , a n d wa s a t t a ch ed by gea r s a n d ch a in s t o a pr opeller fa cin g t h e r ea r . A set of ou t r igger s en din g in ba lloon -shaped pon t oon s ju t t ed ou t t o eit h er side t o pr ovide ba la n ce. A sin gle sea t wa s posit ion ed wh er e t h e dr ivin g boa r d wa s loca t ed, in fr on t of a webwor k of wir es a n d st r in gs lea din g ba ck t o t h e sa il, a n d a la r ge lever , like a br a ke t o on e side, wa s a t t a ch ed t o a r u dder h a n gin g a t t h e st er n . Two ot h er seats were positioned directly behind the driving board.
Th e en t ir e t h in ga m a jig wa s pa in t ed vivid sh a des of r ed. Th e ca n va s sa u cer wa s dyed a br igh t cr im son , a n d t h e wood of t h e r u dder , ou t r igger s, and pontoons was tinted with magenta. Even the brass of the boiler had a r eddish sh een t o it . Th e sa il h a d been bu r n ish ed wit h a r ed-br own och r e and gleamed in the sun.
Th e cr owd a ppla u ded polit ely a t t h e a ppea r a n ce of t h e veh icle. Th e old ba r on fr oze, t h e a le r a ised h a lfwa y t o h is lips, a s if st u n n ed by som e h idden bea u t y in t h e design . Th en h e n ot iced Melissa , n ewly a r r ived wit h a ba t ch of a le a n d edibles, ga zin g dr ea m ily a t h er h er o, Lexi, a n d h is headache returned.
Tug held up his hands for silence.
"To dem on st r a t e t h is n ew device, m y com pa n ion s a n d I will t a ke t o t h e ocea n , u n a ided by m a gic or con ven t ion a l win d. Sh ou ld t h is wor k (a n d I h a ve been a ssu r ed it will), fr ee r ides will be offer ed t o t h ose br a ve en ou gh to venture into the bay. These will continue for the rest of the day or until the charcoal runs out. "
Lexi a n d J en ga r wer e a lr ea dy m a n h a n dlin g t h e cr a ft in t o t h e wa t er . It fa iled t o sin k im m edia t ely, wh ich a ll t ook a s a n excellen t sign . On ce a floa t , t h e wh eels ea sily det a ch ed. Bot h m en , you n g a n d old, h eld t h e cr a ft st ea dy a s t h e gn om e wa ded ou t t o t h e veh icle. Th ey h elped h im a boa r d, t h en boa r ded t h em selves. Wit h du e cer em on y, t h ey belt ed a n d tied themselves securely in their places.
Wit h a gr ea t flou r ish , Tu g m ou n t ed t h e dr ivin g boa r d a n d ea sed t h e la r ge br a ke lever . Slowly, t h e st ea m va lves closed a n d t h e pr opeller en ga ged, bea t in g t h e a ir in wide, sm oot h st r okes. F or a m om en t , a ll wa s h u sh ed st illn ess sa ve for t h e h iss of st ea m a n d t h e leisu r ely bea t of t h e propeller t h r ou gh forward.
Th e dr ift wa s obser ver s t h ou gh t it a m er e illu sion , t h eir own sen se of h ope ca u sin g t h e cr a ft t o appear t o m ove. Bu t n o, a s t h e pr opeller ch opped t h e a ir , t h e strange ship began to glide forward of its own volition. Scattered applause was followed by cheers as the gnome's triumph became clear.
As t h e cr a ft m oved for wa r d, it bega n t o r ise wit h gr ea t er speed, lea vin g less a n d less of t h e sa u cer in con t a ct wit h t h e wa t er . Wh en it wa s a t t h e fa r side of t h e ba y, n ea r t h e bla ck sh oa ls t h a t blocked t h e h a r bor , Tu g pu lled m a dly on wir es a n d st r in g, a n d t h e sh ip wh eeled obedien t ly ba ck toward the lighthouse.
Th e fir st pa ss ba r r eled dir ect ly a t t h e h ea r t of t h e cr owd on sh or e, br ea kin g t o t h e r igh t on ly a t t h e la st m om en t . Ma n y of t h e on looker s in st in ct ively h u r led t h em selves t o t h e golden sa n d, em in en t ly a wa r e t h a t this was a gn om e in ven t ion , a n d if som et h in g wer e t o go wr on g, it wou ld go wr on g a t t h e a bsolu t ely wor st m om en t . Th e win d of t h e boa t 's pa ssin g sent skirts fluttering and hats rolling across the beach.
Th e secon d pa ss wa s a lit t le fa st er a n d a lit t le closer t o t h e sh or e. E ver yon e a ppla u ded fu r iou sly. On t h e t h ir d pa ss, Lexi pu lled ou t a sa t ch el a n d swu n g t h e con t en t s over h is h ea d like a slin g. H e bom ba r ded t h e cr owd wit h sm a ll bit s of wr a pped ca n dy, m a de t h e da y befor e by t h e innkeeper's wife. The crowd went wild.
On e la st pa ss, t h is t im e a leisu r ely sa il pa st t h e ligh t h ou se it self a s t h e craft threaded its way through the large, lone rocks at the building's base. J en ga r looked a cr oss a n d sa w Lexi sm ilin g, wa vin g a t t h e cr owd. J en ga r noted his own hands were still tightly gripping the sides of his seat.
The Sea Dr a gon ca m e in fr om t h e sea , t ou ch in g gr ou n d ju st a bou t wh er e it h a d t a ken off, power in g on t o t h e bea ch it self. Th e sa u cer cr u n ch ed a n d wh it en ed t h e da m p sa n d ben ea t h it a n d ca m e t o r est n ot t en feet fr om t h e a ssem bled villa ger s. All t h r ee n ew sa ilor s dism ou n t ed and bowed deeply as the crowd applauded, hooted, and hollered.
"All right, " shouted Tug with a smile, "who's first?"
A lid of silen ce cla m ped down on t h e cr owd. Th en on e m a n wa ded unsteadily forward. "That would be me!" cried the old baron.
Lexi and Jengar looked at each other.
"I'm goin g ou t , " sa id t h e old ba r on , t ower in g over t h e gn om e like a n t h e a ir . Th en , ver y slowly, t h e cr a ft bega n t o ea se

im per cept ible a t fir st , a n d m or e t h a n a few of t h e u n st ea dy t r ee in a h igh win d. H e looked a r ou n d t o see Melissa 's r ea ct ion , but he had lost sight of her in the crowd of happy revelers.

"Of course, sir, " said Tug. "Let me check the lines and I'll... " "Not you, " he spat. "I'll take her out. "
"Milor d, " sa id J en ga r , ch oosin g h is wor ds ca r efu lly, "Tu g is a bet t er
pilot for this marvelous device than I. You would be safer with him. "
Th e old ba r on wa ved h is h a n ds a n d sh ou t ed, "You ! You 'r e t h e on e wh o sa id you 'd t a ke ca r e of t h e gn om e a n d h is a ssist a n t . Ma de t h em bloody h er oes, t h a n k you ver y m u ch . I don't wa n t t o h ea r a n yt h in g fr om you. It's my turn to be the hero. "

"I t h in k wh a t J en ga r m ea n s, " Tu g r espon ded, "is t h a t t h is is a t r icky operation, such that its subtleties may elude even one as puissant as "
Th e old ba r on bellowed h im down . "You m ea n t o sa y t h a t a fa iled sellswor d, a gn om e, a n d a ca llow you n g m a n ca n sa il, a n d n ot I? I bet even t h e da m n ed dog kn ows h ow t o r u n t h is rig. I've been paying for this damn party. Let me at it. "
Lexi a n d Tu g looked a t ea ch ot h er a n d sh r u gged. J en ga r r em a in ed silent and solemn, his eyes focused to the right and slightly behind the old baron.
"Th in k of it t h is wa y, " sn a r led t h e pet t y lor d. "If t h is is a s su ccessfu l a cr ea t ion a s it seem s, m a ybe I'll decide t o keep it a n d let you h a ve you r flea-bitten companion. Chew on that!"
J en ga r sigh ed a s Tu g ch ecked t h e con t r ols. E ver yt h in g wa s pu t in t o readiness while the old baron tied himself securely to the driving board as he had seen the others do.
J en ga r , st a n din g in wa t er t o h is kn ees, t a pped t h e va r iou s con t r ols. "Th r ot t le. St ea m feed. Ru dder . I do n ot r ecom m en d you do t h is, ba r on , and I cannot in honesty tell you to proceed. "
Th e old ba r on h owled. "H on est y! Th a t m ea n s lit t le t o you , cu r se or n o curse. You said that you would get rid of the gnomish threat. "
J en ga r looked down , a lm ost a sh a m ed. "Yes, a n d t h a t cou ld m ea n m or e t h a n on e t h in g. A gn om e t h a t does n ot t h r ea t en you is n ot a t h r ea t . An d there is also a difference between the threat of a gnome and a threat to... "
Th e old ba r on sh ou t ed h im down wit h a h ea r t y "St a n d clea r !" and threw the steam feed full open.
The Sea Dr a gon bolt ed for wa r d a s if n ewly r elea sed fr om ca pt ivit y. Th e boa t t ook a m igh t y lu r ch a n d pit ch ed t o t h e left . Th e old ba r on la bor ed a t the controls, his face an even deeper shade of red.
Alt h ou gh st a r t ed wit h a good h ea d of st ea m , t h e Sea Dr a gon got even fa st er by t h e m om en t , a s if pr opelled by t h e a n ger a n d r esen t m en t of t h e old ba r on . It m a de a fir st pa ss close t o t h e sh or e, t h e secon d even closer . In bot h ca ses, t h e pa ssin g kicked u p sh a r p spr a ys of su r f t h a t ca u gh t t h e closest of the revelers. The saucer seemed to barely touch the surface as it sped by, the old baron tightly gripping the controls.
Then the craft turned toward the inlet and its black-toothed shoals. The cr a ft bor e down on t h em wit h a r elen t less pu r pose. J en ga r cou ld see t h e old ba r on 's sm a ll figu r e, t r yin g t o m a n h a n dle t h e con t r ols on t o a sa fe course.
Tu g wa s sh ou t in g n ow. "I kn ew it ! H e's goin g t o wr eck it ! H e's goin g t oo fa st ! Tu r n , bla st you ! Tu r n !" An d wit h t h a t h e t h r ew h im self on t h e sa n d, u n a ble t o bea r wa t ch in g. Th is m a de h im t h e on ly m em ber of t h e gr ou p who missed the greatest measure of the gnome's success.
Beca u se t h a t wa s wh en t h e Sea Dr a gon lift ed it self com plet ely fr om t h e su r fa ce of t h e ba y. Not by a gr ea t dea l, n ot en ou gh t o give t h e old ba r on a t r u e sen se of fligh t , bu t m or e t h a n en ou gh t o a llow it t o clea r t h e sh a r p r ocks gu a r din g t h e ba y's en t r a n ce. Th e Sea Dr a gon dr opped, t h en r ose a ga in a n d dr opped a ga in , a t h ir d a n d fou r t h t im e like a fla t r ock t h r own by a skilled st on e-skipper . Th e r ed sa u cer of t h e cr a ft ca u gh t t h e su n ligh t a n d glowed like h ea t ed blood. Th e m or e sh a r p-eyed obser ver s wou ld la t er sa y t h a t t h e loca l n obilit y wa s st ill pu llin g on t h e con t r ols a s t h e cr a ft become a small dot, then at last was lost to sight.
* * * * *
Aft er t h e excit em en t wa s don e a n d a ll t h e a le dr u n k, t h e r eveler s staggered off to their homes. At last the only ones remaining on the beach wer e Tu g, J en ga r , Lexi, Melissa (st a n din g ver y close), a n d a scr ibe, t h e last trying to put his observations down as quickly as possible, chronicling t h e u n expect ed t r a gedy. Th ey a ll sa t a t t h e ba se of t h e ligh t h ou se, fa cin g t h e dyin g su n , a s if a t a n y m om en t t h e r u sh of win d a n d h iss of st ea m would signal the Sea Dragon's return.

"It is my fault, I'm afraid, " said the gnome sorrowfully.
"No, it is not, " said Jengar softly, "least of all, yours.
"I sh ou ld h a ve r ea lized ou r pla n s did t h e job t oo well. Th e lift a n d
su ppor t wer e so per fect t h a t on ly su fficien t weigh t kept it fr om flyin g off on its own volition. The old baron had insufficient weight for the device."
Lexi m a de a fa ce. "Wh o is goin g t o t r u st a device t h a t ca r r ies off t h e local ruling class?"
"Som e m igh t t h in k t h a t a n a dva n t a ge in a n d of it self, " sa id Melissa quietly, but not so quietly that anyone missed it.
Abou t t h is t im e, F ool's Gold r om ped u p, la n kier for h is week of pr iva t ion bu t a ppa r en t ly n on e t h e wor se for a ll h is su ffer in g. Wh et h er h e h a d been r elea sed by t h e r et u r n in g ba r on 's m en , or t h e m a gic fin a lly ela psed t o a llow a n esca pe wa s u n clea r , bu t h e seem ed t o be a dog ext r em ely plea sed wit h h im self. H e ca r r ied a sm a ll wh it ish st ick in h is jaws.
"Wit h ea ch exper im en t , we lea r n som et h in g n ew, " sa id t h e gn om e. "We ca n m a ke a power ed boa t , bu t we n eed t o solve t h is skippin g pr oblem . An ch or s. I t h in k I'd bet t er do m or e wor k in a n ch or s. On e t h a t doesn 't weigh a n yt h in g u n t il you n eed it wou ld be idea l. " Ma st er Tu gwa ddle began sketching something in the dirt, making his plans.
"We ca n sa y, " sa id J en ga r , "t h a t a gr ea t a n d t er r ible bea st t ook you r lor d fr om you . A gr ea t dr a gon of t h e sea . Th a t wou ld be t h e t r u t h , if n ot en t ir ely h on est . I don 't t h in k you r ba r on kn ew t h e differ en ce bet ween t h e t wo. H e m a y yet live ou t t h er e som ewh er e, per h a ps on a n isla n d fa r r em oved fr om u s. At lea st I h ope so, " h e sa id, st r essin g t h e wor d hope as he patted Fool's Gold on the head.
Th e dog ya wn ed a n d dr opped t h e st ick. Lexi picked it u p, h eld it a loft . "It 's t h e old ba r on 's wa n d. Mu st h a ve fa llen in t o t h e ba y wh en t h e Sea Dragon took that big leap, then washed up on shore. "
"On ly r ea son a ble expla n a t ion , " m u t t er ed J en ga r t r u t h fu lly, if n ot wit h complete honesty.
J en ga r flu n g t h e wa n d ba ck a cr oss t h e bea ch , a n d t h e golden -haired dog wen t lea pin g a ft er it . Lexi a n d Melissa h eld h a n ds, Tu g scr a t ch ed ou t h is m u sin gs in t h e dyin g ligh t , a n d t h e scr ibe ca u gh t t h e la st m om en t s of the day for future tales.
An d F ool's Gold la u gh ed a s h e ca u gh t t h e bon e wa n d in t h e a ir , r ollin g over a n d over in t h e dyin g su n ligh t u n t il h is fu r r esem bled r ipe wh ea t bending before a summer breeze, or gold spun into fine, soft wire.
Scourge of the Wicked Kendragon Janet Pack
"But I was only... aaahhhh!"
P r opelled by t h e sh opkeeper 's a r m , t h e ken der Ma psh a ker Wa n der fu ss beca m e a bir d, sa ilin g t h r ou gh t h e door a n d t h u ddin g in t o t h e m iddle of Da lt igot h 's m a in st r eet . Du st clou ded a r ou n d t h e ken der . In dign a n t a n d coughing, he levered himself to a sitting position.

"I was just looking at that silver box, " Mapshaker defended himself. No on e list en ed. "Th e sh opkeeper sa id m y pou ch wa s open , bu t I'm su r e it wa sn 't . H e m u st h a ve ba d eyesigh t . " Th e ken der br u sh ed a t t h e ea r t h du llin g h is blu e sh ir t a n d cou gh ed a ga in . E ver yon e's t em per seem ed short, perhaps because of draconians recently spotted in the area.

" 'Wa y! Ou t of t h e wa y!" Th e m et a l-ba n ded wh eel of a la r ge h a n dca r t loa ded wit h ba r r els a im ed st r a igh t for Ma psh a ker 's n ose. Th e ken der scrambled to safety on the far side of the road as it lumbered past, driving right over the place he'd been sitting.
A gu a r d dog's h u ge ja ws sn a pped in ch es fr om h is sh ou lder . Ma psh a ker made himself into a ball and rolled out of reach. Jumping up, he pointed a shaking finger at the bristling dog.
"Good t h in g you 'r e lea sh ed. I ca n 't im a gin e wh o wou ld lea ve su ch a n u n fr ien dly a n im a l so close t o pa sser sby!" H e sh ook h im self, sh eddin g du st a n d r ea r r a n gin g h is pou ch es, t h en t ook a closer look a t t h e bu ildin g. Only on e door , n o win dows. It m igh t be a wa r eh ou se. Th e ken der gr in n ed. Guarded by such a fierce dog, there had to be treasure inside!

H e wa s det er m in in g t h e best wa y t o wea sel in t o t h e bu ildin g wh en t h e sou n d of pou n din g fr om t h e bla cksm it h 's sh op a cr oss t h e st r eet in t r igu ed him.

"I didn 't st ea l t h a t pa st r y, you kn ow. " Ma psh a ker wa n der ed in t o t h e for ge a r ea a n d con t in u ed h is expla n a t ion . "I on ly t a st ed it . Aft er a ll, on e corner was hanging over the edge of the table. "

"I'm busy. Go away, " the smith said roughly, pumping the bellows until the roaring fire made conversation impossible.
A m er ch a n t 's m essen ger scu r r ied by wit h a h a n dfu l of a ccou n t s. Ru n n in g t o keep u p, Ma psh a ker a t t a ch ed h im self t o t h e t a ll you n g wom a n . "Th en I wa s t h r own ou t of t h a t sh op for ju st looking a t a silver box. Now my shoulder hurts "
"Ou t of m y wa y!" Th e m essen ger br u sh ed pa st a n d disa ppea r ed down a side st r eet . Th e edge of h er cloa k ca u gh t a r ou n d Ma psh a ker 's body, t h en snapped away, twirling the kender like a top.
H e st a gger ed a cou ple st eps, dizzy, t h en lea n ed a ga in st t h e bla cksm it h 's wa ll, h is spir it s lower t h a n st r eet du st . E ver yon e wa s t oo busy to talk. If he were human or an elf instead, even a dwarf, surely then no one would overlook him!
Two m en h eft ed a h ea vy object , cover ed by a bla n ket , ou t of t h e bla cksm it h 's sh op a n d on t o a ca r t . Th e clot h slipped, r evea lin g a lon g m et a l spea r wit h a pecu lia r a ppen da ge st ickin g ou t of t h e u n der side of t h e sh a ft , obviou sly m ea n t t o fa st en on t o som et h in g, per h a ps a sa ddle. Bu t wh a t wou ld be la r ge en ou gh t o ca r r y su ch a spea r , Ma psh a ker wondered, except maybe a dragon?
"Wh a t is t h a t t h in g?" t h e ken der a sked. "Wh a t does it do? H ow does it work? What do you put it on?"
"This is not kender business!" The men hurried to cover the weapon and r oll t h e ca r t ou t of sigh t . Ma psh a ker t r a iled t h em down a da r k, n a r r ow side st r eet . Su dden ly h is wa y wa s blocked by t h e la r gest h u m a n h e'd ever seen.
"Uh , h ello, " gu lped t h e ken der , st a r in g u p in t o t h e m a n 's cold eyes. "Is this your alley?"
"Go, " t h e big m a n gr a t ed, poin t in g in t h e dir ect ion fr om wh ich Mapshaker had come.
"But I just wanted to see "
"Seen en ou gh , " t h e m a n sn a r led. H u ge fist s r ea ch ed ou t , cla m ped on Ma psh a ker 's clot h in g. F lippin g h im a r ou n d, t h e h u m a n gia n t pit ch ed t h e kender back toward the main street.
"Uff!" Ma psh a ker du st ed h im self off on ce a ga in . "At lea st t h a t la n din g wa sn 't a s h a r d a s t h e fir st on e. " Aim in g h im self t owa r d t h e ou t skir t s of the city, he began walking.
A r a in dr op spla t t er ed a ga in st h is sh ou lder , t h en a n ot h er . In secon ds, st in gin g r a in h a d soa ked t h e ken der a n d t u r n ed t h e r oa d in t o st icky m u d. Su dden ly h e fou n d a h ou se wit h a por ch deep en ou gh t o pr ovide sh elt er . H e r a n t owa r d it , t h ou gh st u bbor n m u d su ckin g a t h is boot s m a de t h a t difficu lt . Win ded, h e fin a lly r ea ch ed t h e h ou se wit h t h e por ch a n d scoot ed into its shadows, sagging with his back against the front door.
"Wish I... st ill h a d m y... wa r m in h a lin g a n d exh a lin g in gr ea t Ma psh a ker con t em pla t ed t h e silver y down pou r , t ot a lly u n a wa r e t h a t h is r igh t h a n d wa s cr eepin g t owa r d t h e door lock. H is n im ble fin ger s bega n wor kin g a t t h e m ech a n ism . Th e ken der lea n ed h a r der a ga in st t h e fa ded wood. Lea vin g t h e lock, h is h a n d dove in t o a br own lea t h er pou ch , t h en returned to work with a small piece of metal.
Th e sn ick of t h e r elea sin g la t ch wa s oblit er a t ed by t h e sou n d of t h e pou n din g r a in . Su r pr ised, Ma psh a ker fell ba ckwa r d t h r ou gh t h e open in g, lan din g wit h a sodden whump in a la r ge en t r ywa y. To h is r igh t , a wooden st a ir wa y wit h delica t e wr ou gh t ir on r a ilin gs floa t ed u pwa r d t o t h e secon d story. A brace of mullioned windows above it allowed in rain-filtered light. To h is left a n d a h ea d wer e t h r ee door s, on e sh a dowed by t h e st a ir ca se. That one drew the kender like a lodestone draws iron.
Ma psh a ker 's left h a n d m a n ipu la t ed t h is lock. It yielded a lm ost in st a n t ly a n d t h e door swu n g in wa r d, cr ea kin g. "Sh h h !" t h e ken der ca u t ion ed it . "Som eon e m igh t h ea r !" Cu r iou s a n d a ler t , h e st epped in t o a mage's workroom.
Sh elves filled wit h r ed lea t h er books lin ed t h e wa lls fr om floor t o ceilin g. Vessels a n d via ls sa t in t idy r ows on ever y fla t su r fa ce. A h u ge a r m illa r y sph er e glin t ed in t h e fa r cor n er . Bu t by fa r t h e m ost in t er est in g thing in the room was the small casket sitting on a marble pedestal to the left of the door.
It s in t r ica t e em br oider y glowed even in t h e dim ligh t . Ma psh a ker h eld h is br ea t h a s h e lift ed t h e ca t ch , expect in g r esist a n ce. Th er e wa s n on e. Inside, set t led on in dividu a l cu sh ion s of wh it e silk, r est ed t h r ee ca r ved figu r es. On e wa s a ca t in a m et h yst wit h a n a m ber n ecklet . Th e secon d wa s a fish of t r a n spa r en t r ock cr yst a l wit h eyes of pa le gr een a n d yellow st on es. An d t h e t h ir d wa s a dr a gon of da r k golden m et a l. It wa s sea t ed with tail curled around its legs and its wings furled as if testing the wind.
Enthralled, the kender gently lifted the dragon from its elegant nest.
"Ow!" Ma psh a ker n ea r ly dr opped t h e dr a gon a t t h e su dden st in g. A r ed ca pe, " h e m u t t er ed t o h im self, gu st s. Wh ile ca t ch in g h is br ea t h , bead of blood welled on his thumb. "It bit me!"
Wipin g t h e blood on h is r u st -color ed pa n t s, t h e ken der qu ickly for got a bou t h is wou n d. H e ca r r ied t h e dr a gon ca r efu lly t h is t im e in t o t h e h a ll for closer in spect ion . Th e elega n t spir a l h or n s a n d per fect t in y sca les suggested dwa r ven wor k. Two da r k r ed st on es, set a s it s eyes, win ked a t h im . Deligh t ed wit h h is t r ea su r e, Ma psh a ker du g a lea t h er t h on g fr om a pou ch , wou n d it secu r ely a bou t t h e lit t le dr a gon 's body, a n d su spen ded it around his neck. He then confronted the next door.
"It 's sooooo t er r ibly h ot in h er e, " h e m u t t er ed. Ma psh a ker br oke ou t in swea t a n d t in gled su dden ly fr om t h e r oot s of h is lon g h a ir t o t h e en ds of h is t oes. Som et h in g clen ch ed h is win dpipe. H e cou gh ed. "Ca u gh t cold fr om t h e r a in fa st er t h a n I t h ou gh t . " Th e ken der 's voice gr ew r ou gh er , deeper wit h ea ch wor d. F ir e bu r n ed in h is belly a n d fla sh ed t o h is h ea d. H ea t a n d pa in skewed h is vision a n d disr u pt ed h is ba la n ce. H is n ose, h is feet, his hands seemed to grow and distort.
"I'm ... I'm ... a a a h h h h h h h h h h h h !" Ma psh a ker 's voice dr opped t wo oct a ves. H is ph r a se fin ish ed in a boom in g, r oa r in g h owl. F la ppin g h is a r m s in a n effor t t o r elieve t h e h ea t , h e soa r ed t h r ou gh t h e r oof wit h a resounding crash and disappeared into the rain.
* * * * *
Th e fa llin g of br oken sla t es a n d splin t er ed r a ft er s a dded m or e n oise t o t h e down pou r dr u m m in g in t h e en t r y wa y. Not h in g else m oved in t h e house for long moments.

Th en a door sla m m ed som ewh er e in t h e secon d st or y. "Kh a r ia n ! Wh a t in the name of Krynn is going on?"
A r ed-r obed m a ge a ppea r ed a t t h e t op of t h e bea u t ifu l st a ir wa y, t h ick gr a y h a ir sweepin g over h is sh ou lder s like a ca pe. "Kh a r ia n , wh er e a r e you ? An swer m e!" h e sh ou t ed ir r it a bly. H e wr a pped t h e ba lu st r a de wit h cla wlike fin ger s, t h eir bea u t y sa cr ificed du r in g h is Test a t t h e Tower of H igh Sor cer y. H e looked a bou t . Th e r a in a n d debr is on t h e floor below ca u gh t h is a t t en t ion . H is in t en se pa le eyes jer ked u pwa r d t o view t h e skeleton of the ceiling.
"By t h e t h r ee m oon s!" h e swor e. "Wh o or wh a t da r es dest r oy a m a ge's roof?" H e qu ickly descen ded t h e st a ir s, h is lon g br a ided m u st a ch e quivering. "What could have caused such a huge hole... ?" At the bottom of t h e fligh t h e t u r n ed t owa r d h is wor kr oom . Th e open por t a l r evea led much. Striding across the wet floor to the doorway, he looked inside to his left. The embroidered casket gaped, only two inhabitants remaining.
"Some thief has the dragon!" he shouted.
"Ma st er Myr t h in ?" A dr ippin g you n g fem a le a ssist a n t , a r m s piled wit h foodstuffs, skidded through the main aperture. "I heard "
Th e m a ge wh ir led on h er . "Didn 't I r en ew t h e spell on t h is door ? You were supposed to keep track of that sort of thing since my illness!"
H e st epped ca r efu lly t h r ou gh t h e foyer , exa m in in g sh a t t er ed r oofin g for clues as he spoke.
She cowered at his criticism.
"Don't stand there like a fool. Look for anything he, she, or it dropped. "
P ilin g h er pa r cels in a dr y spa ce, t h e a ssist a n t join ed Myr t h in , eyes searching the wooden floor.
Th e m a ge fin a lly gr u n t ed in sa t isfa ct ion a n d st r a igh t en ed, a t in y sca le fr om t h e br a ss dr a gon ba la n ced on t h e t ip of on e cr ooked fin ger . "Get som eon e t o pa t ch t h e r oof well en ou gh so t h e r est of t h e h ou se won 't flood wh ile I'm gon e. Clea n u p t h is m ess. Th en pa ck ever yt h in g we'll n eed for a journey. "
"But, Master, you're still not well. "
"Wh a t ch oice do I h a ve? Im a gin e dest r u ct ion h e or sh e cou ld ca u se wou ld be deva st a t in g. Th e bla m e is en t ir ely m in e. " H e t u r n ed t owa r d h is wor kr oom , t h e pr eciou s dr a gon sca le im pr ison ed bet ween gn a r led t h u m b a n d for efin ger . "Get t o wor k, Kharian. Now. "
som eon e evil, n ow a dr a gon the
* * * * *
Ma psh a ker 's eyes wer e closed. H e felt m u ch cooler t h a n h e h a d a few m in u t es a go. Win d t ickled h is ea r s a n d soot h ed t h e fir e st r ea kin g t h r ou gh ou t h is body. H e r ela xed. An over wh elm in g im pr ession of fa llin g made his eyes pop open.

He was fa llin g... t h r ou gh dia ph a n ou s clou ds, t owa r d gr een fields divided by fen ces of piled r ocks. Th er e wa s n ot h in g t o ca t ch h im except grass and stone outcroppings far below.

"Uh-oh h h h !" H is scr ea m em er ged a s a fu ll-t h r oa t ed r oa r . P a n ic blot t ed his mind. And then something flapped, leveling him off. He peered behind h im . "Win gs!" h e sh ou t ed. Deligh t a n d cu r iosit y r epla ced pa n ic a s h e soared upward.
"I'm really flying, " he crowed. "Wonder how that happened. "
Th in clou ds con den sed a ga in st h is n ose, t icklin g. Ma psh a ker dr ew u p h is r igh t a r m t o scr a t ch it . H is h a n d a ppea r ed h u ge, r oped by t h ick muscles under brass-colored scales and tipped with enormous onyx claws.

"Cla ws?" t h e ken der bellowed. "Sca les?" H e du cked h is h ea d for a su r vey, h is n ew lon g n eck m a kin g t h a t ea sy. Br a ss pla t ed h is m iddle. H is pou ch es, t in y a ga in st h is bu lk, h u n g by t h eir st r in gs fr om sca les. On ly tatters of his leather belt were left, and no sign remained of the rest of his clot h in g. A lon g sin u ou s t a il wh ipped beh in d. H e cou ld feel t h e dr a gon st a t u et t e bu m pin g h im h igh u n der h is n eck, st ill su ppor t ed by it s lea t h er thong.

Ma psh a ker 's h ea d sn a pped for wa r d a ga in ; h is m in d r oiled wit h disbelief. J oy over ca m e h im a n d h e ch or t led, a ver y n on dr a gon sou n d. "I'm a dr a gon ! No won der I ca n fly! Ma ybe I'll go ba ck t o Da lt igot h a n d sin ge t h e sou t h en d of t own . Tea ch t h ose people t o be u n fr ien dly, t h ey won't know what hit them! I uh... "

F a r below h e spied a scen ic pon d. All of a su dden h e wa s ver y, ver y t h ir st y. F or get t in g a ll a bou t h is r even ge on Da lt igot h , Ma psh a ker poin t ed h is h ea d down a n d pu lled h is win gs pa r t wa y in . Th e m a n eu ver sen t t h e ken der in t o a n u n expect edly st eep dive. Win d scr ea m ed pa st h is ea r s; t h e gr ou n d spr a n g t o m eet h im . P a n icked h er ds of cows, sh eep, pigs, a n d goats ran bawling and squealing in all directions.

At t h e la st m om en t t h e ken der t r ied pu sh in g ou t h is win gs a lit t le. Th e a ddit ion a l sa il sen t h im u pwa r d wit h en ou gh m om en t u m t o com plet e a t igh t u pside-down r oll. Ma psh a ker wa s so excit ed over t h is n ew t a len t h e repeated it several times. The pond was left far behind.

Hours later, he was still thirsty but also exceedingly tired. A large hay field cover ed t h ickly wit h sh or t gr een gr a ss a n d dot t ed wit h lon g golden r icks seem ed a per fect la n din g sit e. E xcept h e st ill didn 't kn ow h ow t o land.

He came in much too fast, back claws outstretched. His intention was to gr a b ea r t h wit h t h em , slow down , t h en dig in wit h h is fr on t cla ws a n d st op. It didn 't wor k. In st ea d Ma psh a ker got fou r feet fu ll of m u d. H e somersaulted into a hayrick, exploded that section of it, and plowed into a second, where he finally stopped.

A h or se wh in n ied in t er r or a n d t h u n der ed a wa y. Som et h in g st r u ggled ben ea t h Ma psh a ker 's t a il. H e pu sh ed giddily t o h is feet a n d sh ook, sen din g h a y a ll dir ect ion s. Th en h e peeked beh in d h im . H is u n wit t in g pr ison er t h r a sh ed, m u m blin g, fa cedown in m u d. Ma psh a ker m oved h is appendage.

"... r epose a n d h a ve a m u st a ch e t r em blin g wit h h im self t o h is feet a n d dr ew t h e biggest swor d t h e ken der h a d ever seen . "An d you a ffr igh t ed m y steed h e is dou bt less in fu ll fligh t ba ck t o Sola m n ia . Wh o a r e you ? F or by t h e Oa t h a n d t h e Mea su r e, I, Sir Ar ic von Ka t h m a n n , Kn igh t of t h e Rose, dem a n d cowardly deed!"

Ma psh a ker scoot ed for t h e n ea r est in t a ct beh in d it . It wa sn 't la r ge en ou gh . H is h ea d a n d t a il pr ot r u ded fr om eit h er side, allowing the knight to follow every movement he made.

"Bu t I didn 't kn ow you wer e t h er e!" Ma psh a ker pr ot est ed a s Sir Ar ic stalked toward him. The knight dripped gouts of mud and hay.
"I'm a ken " Not a n ym or e h e wa sn 't . Alm ost t oo la t e Ma psh a ker dr a gon descen d!" Da r k eyes fla sh in g, m u ddy ir r it a t ion , t h e t a ll a r m or ed kn igh t lever ed
sa t isfa ct ion for t h is m ost
h a yst a ck, h opin g t o h ide r ea lized h is m ist a ke a n d sn a pped h is ja w sh u t . "Dr a gon , " h e fin ish ed lamely.

"A ken dr a gon ?" Th e kn igh t lower ed h is swor d a n in ch . "I h a ve n ever h ea r d of su ch . You a ppea r a s a br a ss dr a gon , t h ou gh m u ch n or t h of you r n or m a l clim e. Bu t you r cla n a n d dom icile h a ve n o bea r in g on m y h on or , n or do t h ey excu se you r a ct ion . " H e r a ised h is swor d in t o posit ion a ga in . "Defend yourself, maleficent kendragon!"

Ma psh a ker bea t h is win gs fu r iou sly a n d r ose in t o t h e a ir . H is a ct ion t or e t h e h a yst a ck t o bit s a n d sen t t h e pieces soa r in g. Th e gu st kn ocked t h e kn igh t fla t on h is ba ck, t h en bu r ied h im u n der a la r ge pile of golden hay.

"I'd better go, " Mapshaker called from above. "Good-bye!"
"I will loca t e you , ken dr a gon !" Th r owin g off t h e dr ied gr a ss, t h e kn igh t st r u ggled t o h is feet . "I will sea r ch E r got h diligen t ly u n t il we a r e m et again and my honor can be assuaged!"
H a ppy t o esca pe wit h ou t bein g im pa led, Ma psh a ker soa r ed a n d spir a led a bove for est , m ea dow, a n d t h e foot h ills of E r got h . H e fou n d n ew en er gy a n d flew h a ppily a ga in . H e h a d ju st discover ed a n in t er est in g thermal when something sharp like a tiny sword poked him.
"Robber! Thief!" it shrieked. "Nest defiler!"
"Wh a t ? Wa it !" Th e ken dr a gon cr a n ed h is h ea d u pwa r d t o see h is a t t a cker , du ckin g a s t h e bea k st a bbed a t h is eye. "I h a ven 't been in a n y nests "
"E gg cr a cker ! F ledglin g ea t er ! Get ou t ! H elp, h elp! Da n ger !" At t a ckin g h im wa s a n a wa s, a m ediu m -sized br own a n d wh it e bir d (com plet ely u n r ela t ed t o goa t -su cker bir ds) wh ose lon g poin t ed bea k wa s n or m a lly u sed t o dig in sect s fr om t r ees. Th ese cr ea t u r es a r e ver y t er r it or ia l, a ssa u lt in g a n yt h in g u n lu cky en ou gh t o wa n der t oo close t o t h eir n est s. Th is pa r t icu la r a wa s flew a bove Ma psh a ker 's h ea d, spea r in g a t a n y vulnerable-looking spot and screaming continuously.
"I h a ven 't don e a n yt h in g, " t h e ken dr a gon pr ot est ed. "I'm ju st pa ssin g through "
"Worse, a traveler! Harm, desecration! Get out, get out!"
Decidin g t h a t pr u den ce wa s t h e bet t er pa r t of va lor , Ma psh a ker in cr ea sed h is speed. Th ou gh ou t dist a n ced, t h e a wa s ch a sed h im for som e t im e, yellin g in cessa n t ly, u n t il it fin a lly veer ed off t o a t t a ck a n ot h er trespasser.
Happy that incident was over, the kendragon flew blithely on, right into a clou d of bu zzin g in sect s. Th ey la n ded on h is win gs a n d h ea d, a t t a ch in g themselves with tiny barbed feet.
"We'r e h u n gr y, " t h ey h u m m ed. "H er e's a m ea l la r ge en ou gh t o feed a ll of u s!" Wh en t h ey bit h is t en der pa r t s, Ma psh a ker felt a s if h e'd been punctured by thousands of tiny needles.
"Ow!" he protested. "That hurts!"
Th e in sect s, ea ch a wa it in g it s t u r n t o dr in k h is blood, closed a r ou n d him, obscuring his view. "I can't see!" yelled Mapshaker. He blew at them, pu ffin g h u n dr eds a wa y a t a t im e. Un for t u n a t ely, ot h er s r u sh ed t o r epla ce t h em . Th e ken dr a gon lost a lt it u de, h is legs a n d belly occa sion a lly slapping the tops of trees. "Good thing those aren't rocks!" he bellowed.
Su dden ly h e figu r ed ou t exa ct ly wh a t h e n eeded t o do t o get r id of t h e pest s. E xh a lin g a t t h e in sect s r egu la r ly a llowed h im t o ch eck h is posit ion a s h e pa in fu lly win ged ea st . Over t h e sea , sever a l dr a gon -len gt h s fr om the beach, he plunged into the water.
An d sa n k. Ma psh a ker st r u ggled t o fla p a ga in , t h is t im e en dea vor in g t o pr opel h im self u pwa r d t h r ou gh su r gin g sa lt wa t er . It wa s m or e difficu lt t h a n h e'd im a gin ed, especia lly wh en t h e liqu id a r ou n d h im beca m e cr owded wit h fish feedin g on t h e in sect swa r m . Un for t u n a t ely, som e of the fish decided to nibble the kendragon also.
E xh a u st ed, Ma psh a ker fin a lly dr a gged h im self in t o t h e sh a llows a n d fr om t h er e t o t h e sh or e. H is win gs, h is eyelids, t h e in sides of h is ea r canals, and his lower nasal passages were swollen from bites.
"Wh a t a da y!" H e sigh ed, ea sin g in t o t h e wa r m sa n d, h is wou n ds st in gin g fr om sa lt wa t er . "I didn 't kn ow bir ds a n d in sect s wer e su ch a n u isa n ce t o dr a gon s. I a lso didn 't kn ow dr a gon s ca n 't swim . " H e ya wn ed h u gely. "At lea st I got a big dr in k ou t of it . " H e ya wn ed a ga in , pu llin g a fa ce. "Ugh ! Sa lt wa t er !" F oldin g h is win gs a n d la yin g h is h ea d a lon gside his claws, Mapshaker fell asleep.
Th e n ext m or n in g h e a wa ken ed a s dozen s of sm a ll cr a bs t r ied t o ca r r y h im off in a s m a n y differ en t dir ect ion s. F a scin a t ed a n d a m u sed, t h e ken dr a gon wa t ch ed a s t h e lit t le cr ea t u r es a t t em pt ed diligen t ly bu t unsuccessfully to hoist parts of him and skitter away.
H e fin a lly spr ea d on e win g a n d t u cked t h e ot h er , r ollin g on t o h is side a n d fr om t h er e t o h is ba ck. P u llin g bot h win gs closer t o h is body h e twisted, scrubbing all thirty-three feet of his back in the coarse sand.
Th e en t ir e bea ch wa s sin u ou sly pa t t er n ed by h is effor t s. F eelin g on ly a lit t le sor en ess fr om t h e pr eviou s da y's bir d pecks, in sect bit es, a n d fish nibbles, Mapshaker winged upward.
H e soon lea r n ed h ow t o sideslip in t o wide, gr a cefu l t u r n s. Tigh t t u r n s dem a n ded m u scle con t r ol wh ile pu llin g in on e win g or t h e ot h er a n d holding it in position. After much practice, he learned those, too. Updrafts wer e fa scin a t in g, bu t h e t ir ed qu ickly fr om h oldin g h is win gs in a lm ost t h e sa m e pose for ext en ded per iods. Ar r owin g ou t of t h e sky st r a igh t a t h er d a n im a ls wa s by fa r t h e m ost fu n beca u se of t h e m a d wa y t h ey ba wled a n d sca t t er ed. Du r in g h is t h ir d da y of dr a gon h ood, on e befu ddled cow sla m m ed fu ll speed in t o a bou lder a n d didn 't get u p. Ma psh a ker felt gu ilt y a bou t ca u sin g t h e bea st 's dem ise, yet licked h is ch ops in anticipation of the hot, juicy meal.
"Ra w cow?" H e cir cled, peer in g down a t t h e dea d a n im a l. "It m igh t be good. I guess I could try it. " Then the kender in him became nauseated at t h e t h ou gh t of ea t in g u n cooked m ea t . "No, I don 't t h in k so. I don 't t h in k I ca n . " F igh t in g h is dem a n din g st om a ch , Ma psh a ker flew off in sea r ch of another dragon to get some tips on landing.
* * * * *
Myrthin st r ode a lon g t h e dir t r oa d, t r a iled by Kh a r ia n wit h t h eir pa ck. Th e m a ge kept on e eye open for t r ea ch er ou s pot h oles, t h e ot h er on t h e bla ck box in h is t wist ed h a n d. H is t r a cer , wit h t h e br a ss dr a gon sca le im pr ison ed wit h in , bu bbled a n d blu r ped, pu t t in g ou t n o m or e t h a n a t in y questing pinna of odorous earth-colored fog.

"Th in g m a de m e t r a vel in cir cles yest er da y, " Myr t h in m u t t er ed, t h u m pin g it n on e t oo gen t ly wit h a wa r ped fin ger . H e scr u t in ized t h e sky hoping for sight of the dragon. The box emitted another tendril of stinking sm oke t h a t dr ift ed fir st sou t h ea st , t h en cu r led ba ck on it self a n d poin t ed n or t h west . Th e st u ff m a de Kh a r ia n ga g. "A gn om e m igh t h a ve bu ilt t h is for all the good it's doing. "

H e wa lked on , sigh in g, wh en su dden ly t h e plu m e fr om t h e t r a cer t h icken ed a n d defin it ely in dica t ed n or t h west . H u r r yin g, Myr t h in followed it.

Ar ou n d a n a br u pt cu r ve in t h e r oa d, t h e t wo ca m e u pon a fa r m er , wh o st ood st a r in g a t h is ba r n . P a r t of it h a d colla psed u n der a loa d of st ea m in g du n g. Next t o t h e fa r m er fidget ed a h or se h it ch ed t o a ca r t . At an abrupt signal from the mage, Kharian scurried forward.

"Excuse me, my good man, but did a dragon cause that damage?" "Ya h , r ot get t o 'is win gs. Wh oa t h er e, h or se. Not h in ' left bu t it s sm ell. H a ppen ed h a lf a n h ou r gon e. Got t a get t o Ma yga r t h n ow fer n a ils. " Th e fa r m er scr a t ch ed h is bea r d. "Dr a gon did m or e'n t h is, t oo. Neigh bor ca m e by la st n igh t t ellin g 'bou t it ch a sed h is cows. Kilt on e, bu t didn 't et it . St r a n ge, t h a t . J u s' left it lyin ' t h er e. Been flyin ' r ou n d Ma yga r t h , spookin ' villagers, well as stock. "
"Th e t r a cer 's wor kin g a ga in !" ca lled Myr t h in im per iou sly t o h is assistant. "Come on!"
"Mom en t a r ily, Ma st er . " Kh a r ia n t u r n ed ba ck t o t h e fa r m er . "Th a n ks for your information. Good luck rebuilding. "
Th e fa r m er squ in t ed a t Myr t h in n ea r sigh t edly a s t h e m a ge st a r t ed ahead of Kharian along the track.
"Th er e be a n ot h er m a n lookin ' fer it , t oo, " t h e fa r m er ca lled a ft er t h em . "Big on e, a r m or ed. Sa ys it sm ir ch ed h is h on or . 'E 's ou t t o kill it , iffen 'e can git it to set still that long. "
"A Solamnic Knight?" asked Kharian, surprised.
The farmer shook his head. "Dunno. "
Kh a r ia n wor ked t h e pa ck on t o h er sh ou lder a n d ca u gh t u p wit h h er master. "He said "
"I h a ve excellen t h ea r in g, " Myr t h in sn a pped. Th e m a ge a lm ost r a n , followin g t h e t r a ce fr om t h e dr a gon fin der . Th e lit t le box pou r ed br own smoke wit h golden glin t s. It sm elled even m or e vile t h a n befor e. "I m u st reach that dragon before the knight does or chance losing the statuette!"
* * * * *
Clang!
Met a l sla m m in g m et a l a wa ken ed Ma psh a ker t h e n ext m or n in g. "Oh , good! A wa r !" Th e ken dr a gon popped u p h is h ea d t o see, for get t in g t h e st on e over h a n g of h is sh elt er . "W-owwww!" Ma psh a ker im pa ct ed t h e r oof h a r d en ou gh t o go a ll wobbly a n d sh ower h im self wit h gr a vel. Unsteadily, h e ba cked ou t a n d t r ied t o focu s h is eyes t owa r d t h e din com in g fr om t h e nearby meadow.
H is vision fin a lly clea r ed a ft er h e st a r ed a t t h e com ba t a n t s for a fu ll m in u t e. A h u ge ogr e wieldin g a la r ge m a ce wa s ba t t lin g a sin gle kn igh t on h or seba ck. Th e a r m or -cla d kn igh t fou gh t desper a t ely wit h lon g swor d and shield. He barely held his own.
Th e ken dr a gon 's a n ger fla r ed. "I hate ogr es!" An ogr e h a d kicked a pa r t everything in Mapshaker's hometown. Fanning his wings, he rose into the air. "I'll save you from that ogre, Sir Aric!"
Ma psh a ker clim bed h igh , t h en r ever sed t o a st eep dive. "E eeyowww!" H e t h u n der ed h is n ew wa r cr y... wh ich beca m e a fr igh t en ed "Aa a h h h h !" a s h e fla sh ed pa st t h e wa r r ior s, flew t oo n ea r t h e gr ou n d, a n d h a d t o t r y every trick he knew to keep from crashing.
Th e ba ckwa sh fr om Ma psh a ker 's pa ssin g h a d lit t le effect on t h e m a ssive ogr e, ot h er t h a n t a n glin g it s gr ea sy h a ir . Bu t Sir Ar ic's ch a r ger staggered in the gale, almost unseating the knight.
Gr in n in g, t h e ogr e lift ed it s h u ge m a ce for a killin g blow, wh ile Sir Ar ic and his mount struggled to recover.
Now well pa st t h e scen e of t h e figh t , t h e ken dr a gon la bor ed in t o a t igh t turn in preparation for another, hopefully more effective, pass.
"I'll get you , you u gly bea st !" pa n t ed Ma psh a ker , fla ppin g fu ll speed t owa r d h is en em y. Wor ds m a gica l wor ds h e didn 't kn ow h e kn ew blazed su dden ly in h is m in d; a st r a n ge gu r gle ca m e fr om t h e r egion n ea r his stomach. He opened his mouth and hiccoughed.
Deser t h ea t sea r ed t h e ogr e's ba ck. Th e ogr e ch ecked it s swin g, bellowin g in pa in a n d su r pr ise a s t h e dr a gon swooped close by. Sir Ar ic's char ger plu n ged in a n a t t em pt t o get a wa y fr om t h e sin gein g bla st , a n d t h e kn igh t ga sped a s t h e su dden in cr ea se in t em per a t u r e m a de h is m et a l armor truly uncomfortable.
"I do n ot n eed h elp of t h is sor t !" Sir Ar ic sh ou t ed, m a st er in g h is h or se and forcing it to face the enemy again. "Kendragon, desist!"
Bu t h is cr y ca m e t oo la t e. Ma psh a ker h a d fla pped a ga in , ca llin g m or e m a gic wor ds t o m in d. Th is t im e h e belch ed, spr ea din g a m ilky opa qu e clou d t h a t en ca sed fir st t h e kn igh t a n d h is ch a r ger , t h en t h e ogr e. Unfortun a t ely, t h e m ist dr ift ed u pwa r d. Tr y a s h e m igh t , t h e ken dr a gon couldn't fly fast enough to avoid it as he passed the fighters and banked.
Th e ogr e lift ed it s wea pon a ga in , bu t wh et h er t h e blow wa s m ea n t for Sir Aric or the kendragon, Mapshaker couldn't tell. At the fullest extent of it s swin g, t h e en or m ou s m a ce dr opped fr om t h e bea st 's n er veless fin ger s. The ogre thudded backward into the grass like a felled tree, unconscious.
Sir Ar ic slu m ped over h is m ou n t 's n eck, let t in g go of h is own swor d a s t h e h or se st a gger ed. Th e kn igh t 's gr ip on t h e sa ddle loosen ed, a n d h e crashed, helmet-first, to the ground. The charger whuffled mournfully, sat on its haunches, then slowly rolled sideways and collapsed.
Ma psh a ker h im self felt st r a n gely sleepy. H e ya wn ed, t h en sa w t h e a ppr oa ch in g t r ee lin e. It
ken dr a gon slowed, st a lled,
wa s t oo close. Ba ckwin gin g m a dly, t h e a n d t u m bled in t o som e sa plin gs, a lr ea dy snoring, a victim of his own sleep breath.
* * * * *
"Wake, Kendragon."
Mapshaker, startled from dreaming, had no idea wh er e h is im a gin a t ion en ded a n d r ea lit y st a r t ed. Su r ely t h a t fa m ilia r pr oddin g voice spoke on ly in his dream.
"Wake, Kendragon. The hour of our battle draws nigh. "
P oppin g on e eye open , Ma psh a ker fou n d Sir Ar ic pla n t ed befor e h is sn ou t , lea n in g on h is sca bba r ded swor d. Th e kn igh t fa vor ed h is r igh t leg, st a n din g wit h m or e weigh t on h is left . H is h elm et wa s m a sh ed down on h is h ea d, wit h t h e visor t h or ou gh ly a skew. Beh in d h im , t h e kn igh t 's gr a y charger stood unsteadily, head dangling between forelegs.

Sighing, fin din g h im self st ill a lit t le woozy fr om t h e sleep ga s, Mapshaker closed his eye.
"Do n ot en dea vor t o deceive m e, " Sir Ar ic bellowed. "I ken you a r e roused. Despite my infirmity, despite no longer being able to see well from u n der m y h elm et , I sh a ll dispa t ch you wit h t h e gr ea t est sa t isfa ct ion . You will never vex my battles or my repose again. "
Bot h of Ma psh a ker 's eyes blin ked open . "Bu t I wa s h elpin g! Th a t ogr e would have bashed you with its mace "
"You st a gger ed m y st eed wit h you r fir st u n con t r olled pa ssa ge, n ea r ly u n h or sin g m e. Th a t deliver ed ba t t le a dva n t a ge t o t h e ogr e, wh o wa s n ot t h e lea st discom m oded by you r cu r r en t . P ilin g on e in dign it y u pon a n ot h er , you t h en em ployed you r deser t -h ea t br ea t h wea pon , t h or ou gh ly scor ch in g a ll bu t you r self. An d, eclipsin g a ll else, you fu r t h er u sed you r sleep br ea t h wea pon t o r en der m y en em y, m y h or se, a n d m yself u n con sciou s u n t il deep in t o t h is a ft er n oon . I cou ld n ot com plet e m y du t y u n t il I a woke. On ly excellen t good for t u n e a llowed m e t o r ou se befor e t h e ogr e. H is h ea d is n ow divided fr om h is t r u n k. Th er efor e, pr epa r e you r self. By t h e Oa t h a n d t h e Mea su r e, m y h on or will n ow be a ssu a ged by you r blood!"
"But "
"Excuse me, Sir Knight, " came a new voice.
Red-fa ced wit h exer t ion , pa n t in g, it wa s Kh a r ia n wh o a ppea r ed a t Sir Aric's elbow. "My master, Myrthin the Red Mage, urgently requests words wit h you befor e you con fr on t t h is dr a gon . Th e m a t t er dir ect ly r ela t es t o your honor. "
Th e m a ge cou ld be seen st a n din g a t a sligh t dist a n ce down t h e r oa d, st ill cla spin g t h e bla ck box in h is t a lon like fin ger s a n d st a r in g a t t h e ken dr a gon . Ou t of t h e t r a cer pou r ed st in kin g br own sm oke, da n cin g wit h brassy glints.
Sir Ar ic lower ed h is wea pon . "By m y gr a n dfa t h er 's swor d, will I n ever find the moment to dispatch this beast?"
"H e's n o bea st , bu t a t h ief wit h t wo legs, " Myr t h in ca lled a s h e a ppr oa ch ed t h e t r io, h is h a r d-edged voice ch illin g t h e su n ligh t . "H e is m y responsibility. I will now return him to what he was. "
Th e kn igh t st r a igh t en ed, st a r in g down a t t h e m a ge. "An d I h a ve sworn by t h e Oa t h a n d t h e Mea su r e t h a t h e sh a ll a t on e for m y su llied h on or with his life. " His dark eyes glared steadily into those of ice. "I will not be forsworn. "
Ten sion sizzled bet ween t h e t wo like ligh t n in g. Ma psh a ker looked fr om on e t o t h e ot h er , h or r or m in glin g wit h pr ide a s h e r ea lized a figh t wa s in evit a ble. A figh t over h im ! Th e m a ge's lips st a r t ed m ovin g; t h e kn igh t 's swor d bega n t o r ise. Th e ken dr a gon t ook in br ea t h t o pr ot est , a n d sneezed.
Th e t or n a dic win d wh ipped Myr t h in in t o Sir Ar ic, t h en r u m bled bot h in t o Kh a r ia n , wh o'd been st a n din g in fr on t of t h e kn igh t 's h or se. Ta n gled, t h r ee h u m a n s a n d t h e ch a r ger skidded t h r ou gh t h e m ea dow gr a ss a lm ost to the road.
Th e ken dr a gon blew h im self ba ckwa r d. A r ock ou t cr oppin g a goodly dist a n ce a wa y h a lt ed h is m om en t u m pa in fu lly. Air oofed ou t of Ma psh a ker 's lu n gs a n d h e sa gged a ga in st t h e m on olit h 's ba se. Th e ot h er s sorted themselves out and began looking for him.
"Th er e!" Kh a r ia n cr ied poin t in g, eyes t r a ilin g a lon g t h e plu m e of sm oke fr om t h e t r a cer . Sh e st r u ggled t o follow Myr t h in a s t h e m a ge ext r ica t ed himself from the knot of bodies and raced toward the kendragon.
Th e kn igh t , t u ggin g h is ba t t er ed h elm et a r ou n d t o wh er e h e cou ld see, slowly r ose, u r ged h is ch a r ger t o it s feet , t h en pu lled h im self in t o t h e saddle. The confused horse balked, champed his bit, and finally broke into a reluctant walk toward Mapshaker.
Th e m a gic-u ser r ea ch ed t h e H u n ch ed m iser a bly a ga in st wheezing and coughing behind a veil of ocher haze.
"I've got you n ow, t h ief!" Myr t h in poin t ed t o t h e st a t u et t e bu m pin g a ga in st Ma psh a ker 's n eck. "Th a t 's m y pr oper t y. Give it ba ck, t h en I'll return you to your natural form. "
"Cou ld you t u r n off t h a t n a st y sm oke fir st ?" t h e ken dr a gon a sked plaintively, choking.
The mage muttered a few words at the black box. After a final gush, the tracer became quiescent.
"And what kind of being were you before?" Kharian prodded gently.
"A kender. " Mapshaker hacked.
"I m igh t h a ve kn own !" excla im ed Myr t h in . "All t h is effor t on ly for a kender!" He raised his gnarled hands. "Now prepare yourself "
"Be n ot h a st y, " t h u n der ed Sir Ar ic, pr opit iou sly r idin g u p a n d dismounting. "My honor has not yet been satisfied. "
Myr t h in fa ced h im , eyes for biddin g. "Wou ld you , a Sola m n ic Kn igh t , fight a kender?"
"H er e is n o ken der , " pr ot est ed t h e kn igh t . "Th is be a br a ss ken dr a gon , although somewhat beyond its accustomed clime. "
"Th a t 's h ow h e cu r r en t ly a ppea r s, " sn a pped t h e m a ge. "H e st ole a bespelled object fr om m e, wh ich t u r n ed h im in t o a br a ss dr a gon . Now h e must return to being a kender. " He held out one ugly hand to Mapshaker. "Give the statuette back. "
"I on ly bor r owed it , " Ma psh a ker defen ded h im self, u n t a n glin g t h e lea t h er st r ip fr om h is sca les wit h a clu m sy cla w. Relu ct a n t ly h e h a n ded t h e st a t u et t e t o Myr t h in , wh o popped it in t o a pou ch a n d bega n secu r in g the ties to his belt.
"If you r em a in dr a gon , it beh ooves m e t o figh t you , " sa id Sir Ar ic. "Th er efor e I sh a ll st r ike n ow. " E yes like obsidia n , t h e kn igh t st epped forward suddenly, lifting his sword. "Succumb and make an end. "
Ma psh a ker sn a t ch ed h is left fr on t leg ou t of t h e wa y of t h e wea pon ju st as the sword whistled by.
"I a m sm a ller , t h er efor e I t ir e less ea sily t h a n you , " Sir Ar ic a dvised t h e ken dr a gon . H e a im ed a t r em en dou s blow a t Ma psh a ker , in t en din g t o rip him open from high side to low side.
"Su margath naga nulis!" howled Myrthin, pointing at the kendragon. dr a gon fir st , followed st on e, t h e exh a u st ed by h is a ssist a n t . Ma psh a ker wa s
Th e kn igh t 's bla de bit dir t in st ea d of flesh , fa llin g on ly a h a n d-width a wa y fr om t h e sm a ll body. Ma psh a ker wa s a ken der on ce m or e. H e sa t , br ea t h less a n d t r em blin g, br own eyes h u ge in h is pa le fa ce, wh ile Sir Ar ic towered above him. Sir Aric raised his mighty sword again and stopped.
"Bah!" The knight snorted in disgust. " 'Tis a kender, in truth. "
Wipin g h is swor d ca r efu lly wit h a n oiled clot h fr om a pou ch on h is sa ddle, h e sh ea t h ed it a n d m ou n t ed h is h or se. "Rem em ber t h is, " t h e Sola m n ic Kn igh t decla im ed in a dir e voice. "If ever you t u r n ken dr a gon again, your life is mine!"
"Farewell, Sir Knight, " said Kharian softly as the knight rode away.
"Ken der , I h ope you lea r n ed a va lu a ble lesson fr om a ll t h is!" sn a pped Myrthin. "You've caused many people no end of trouble. "
"I lea r n ed lot s, " Ma psh a ker r espon ded, r isin g, lookin g m ou r n fu lly a t h is pou ch es sca t t er ed a bou t in t h e gr a ss. H e bega n ga t h er in g u p h is t h in gs. "I lea r n ed t h a t dr a gon s n eed la n din g lesson s, a n d t h a t I ca n 't ea t a r a w cow. " H e peer ed in qu isit ively t owa r d Kh a r ia n 's pa ck. "You wou ldn 't h a ve a n y pa st r ies in t h er e, wou ld you ? I h a ven 't ea t en a n yt h in g for days. No? Oh, well. "
Th e r ed m a ge glower ed down a t Ma psh a ker . "Did you lea r n t h a t t h in gs a r e oft en n ot a s t h ey a ppea r , a n d t h a t ver y seldom does r ea lit y approximate what you imagine?"
The kender gulped. "Of course. Isn't that what I said?"
"H e's h opeless!" Myr t h in t u r n ed a wa y in disgu st . "I don 't kn ow wh y I bot h er ed t r a n sfor m in g h im . H e'll ju st 'bor r ow' som et h in g else a n d begin t h e wh ole pr ocess a ll over a ga in . " H e h a d a su dden idea . "P er h a ps I sh ou ld sh r in k h im , pu t h im in a ja r on m y wor kt a ble. Th a t m igh t keep him out of trouble. "
Ma psh a ker sh iver ed. "Uh , n o t h a n ks, I u m ... I lea r n ed m y lesson , I really, really did!" H e da r t ed a wa y fr om Myr t h in . "Th in k I'll h ea d for Ma yga r t h . Ma ybe t h ey h a ve a ba ker y. " H e wa ved, h is h a n ds fu ll of pouches, a n d spr in t ed u p t h e r oa d. No on e n ot iced t h er e wa s on e m or e small bag than he had started with. "Good-bye!"
Ma psh a ker 's spir it soa r ed a s h is feet h it t h e r oa d. H e h a d a n ew a dven t u r e t o t ell, on e h e wa s cer t a in n o ot h er ken der cou ld du plica t e. H is might even be bet t er t h a n som e of h is Au n t Na r ylock's st or ies! An d a s soon a s h e fou n d som et h in g t o ea t in Ma yga r t h a n d a n ew belt for h is pouches, he planned to head for Goodlund.
A spla t t er of r a in h it h is sh ou lder , t h en a n ot h er la n ded on h is n ose. H e looked in t o t h e lower in g clou ds. "Not a ga in . An d I st ill don 't h a ve a good cape!" The downpour was sudden. Mapshaker ran, seeking shelter.
H e fou n d it a t t h e ou t skir t s of Ma yga r t h . Th e h ou se sa t well ba ck fr om t h e r oa d. It wa s n ot la r ge, yet t h e door wa y a ppea r ed deep en ou gh t o protect a kender from the worst of the rain.
"Look a t t h is ca r vin g!" Ma psh a ker cr owed deligh t edly a s h e st epped on t o t h e por ch . "It 's a s if I'm st a n din g in t h e m ou t h of som e m on st er ! Th e door even h a s eyes pa in t ed a bove it . Won der wh a t it 's su pposed t o be? Kinda reminds me of that ogre. "
Th e fa ce a ppea r ed decidedly u n fr ien dly, bu t Ma psh a ker didn 't m in d. H e fa ced t h e r a in , lea n in g ba ck a ga in st t h e door , r elivin g h is m em or ies a s a dragon. Even encumbered with pouches, one hand fiddled with the lock.
Th e la t ch sn icked open . Ma psh a ker fell ba ckwa r d on t o a wooden floor , t h en h ea ved a gu st y sigh . "P eople h a ve ju st got t o fix t h ese br oken locks. I'll have to tell somebody ... after I investigate.... "
* * * * *
E dit or 's Not e: Th e a u t h or t h a n ks Tr a cy H ickm a n for h is "n ot es" on awas birds, and for Myrthin's spell.
And Baby Makes Three Amy Stout
Cr oesu s sa ys I t h in k t oo m u ch , t h a t I sh ou ld r em em ber m y vir t u e is in my sword arm. Prob'ly so. The two of us always flew together, swung claw a n d bla de wh en t h e ca u se or t h e m on ey wa s r igh t , t h en r ode t h e n ext u pdr a ft . Th e dr a gon 's ba ck h a d r oom for m or e, bu t we wou ld h a ve join ed the navy if we'd wanted tight quarters.

Till Jax.
Wh en I fir st m et J a kst er , t h e blood on m y swor d h a d a ct u a lly dr ied a n d m y fist wa s it ch in ' for a good figh t . As it h a ppen s, I a lso h a d u n 'voida ble bu sin ess a bou t t o r a in a ll over t h e dr a gon 's n eck. I wa s begin n in ' t o t h in k I wa sn 't goin ' t o la st t ill we r ea ch ed on e of ou r r eg'la r wa t er in ' h oles. I poin t ed t o a r ocky pla t ea u ba r ely lon g en ou gh t o keep h is t a il fr om hanging over the edge. "That one. One of our old favorites. "
Th e Old Gr ou ch I n ever spoke t h e n ickn a m e a lou d, t h ou gh I'd la y odds he knew I thought it snorted in contempt.
I open ed m y m ou t h , n ot su r e wh a t wor ds'd be com in ' ou t , t h en sla pped it sh u t . Sit t in ' a t op a dr a gon for da ys'll st iffen u p t h e m ost h a r den ed of mercenaries wh ich I su r ely beca m e lon g a go a ft er I st opped cou n t in ' ba t t les or bodies. Righ t t h en , I n eeded t o st a n d st r a igh t on m y own t wo legs a n d wa lk 'em a r ou n d u n t il t h ey r em em ber ed h ow t o do it t h em selves wit h ou t h elp. I kept qu iet . Not h in ' wor se t h a n a n a r gu m en t wit h a dragon.
Croesus took a sudden dive and brought us to ground. He knew this one ca ve wh er e h e cou ld com for t a bly set t le h is gr ea t copper bu lk. H e also kn ew t h a t a wh ile ba ck I'd spen t t im e h er e wit h a cer t a in wom a n . A long wh ile ba ck. We h a dn 't pa r t ed a ll t h a t fr ien dly, a n d I swor e t o a void cr ossin ' h er pa t h a ga in . Th a t ga l h a d t a len t s, t h e t h ou gh t of wh ich wa s enough to give me an itch at the base of my spine.
Cr oesu s's ba ck da n cer 's st om a ch dropped me none too gently to the ground.
"I sm ell fr esh m ea t . " H is m ou t h open ed in a sm ile. "Un less I'm mistaken , t h er e's a wisp of a fir e goin g som ewh er e. Ma ybe we've got friends who know how my tastes run. "
Th a t wa s it t h en . I m igh t a s well h ea d u pwin d. Cr oesu s wou ld be ga ssin ' som e poor st r a y cr ea t u r e soon . H e wa s a lwa ys ver y ca r efu l, bu t I didn't want there ever to be a first time for me to fall under that spell.
I fou n d a spot a s fa r a wa y fr om t h e ca ve m ou t h a s I cou ld. Th e h a n dand footholds weren't the best, but 'least I could let the fluids flow.
I'd ju st fin ish ed m y bu sin ess, wh en t h e dr a gon r oa r ed ou t a gr ea t ch a llen ge a n d I scr a m bled ba ck down . I dr ew m y swor d a n d wa it ed a t t h e mouth in the unlikely possibility that he wanted my help. Sometimes food pr ot est ed, bu t I'd n ever seen t h e Old Gr ou ch lose especia lly wh en h e was hungry.
A high-pitched voice said, "Stop that! I warn you, stop that!"
Croesus thumped his tail against the wall hard enough to crack it.
The high-pitched meal just said, "No! Bad dragon! Get back!"
The dragon hissed.
I wa s get t in g cu r iou s. I pu t m y swor d a wa y a n d sidled in side t o see wh a t wa s givin ' Cr oesu s pa u se a n d t o get a bet t er view of t h in gs. Well, I im m edia t ely sa w t h e pr oblem . Lu n ch t u r n ed ou t t o be a kid wh a t , five, maybe six. Not that it ought to make any difference to Croesus.
Bu t t h is kid wa s pu t t in g on qu it e a sh ow, wa vin ' a sm a ll wooden swor d a t Cr oesu s. H e sh ou ld've been cower in g a ga in st t h e wa ll. Gr own m en h a d bla cked ou t fr om n ea r ly a m ile off. Th ese t wo wer e close en ou gh t o sh a ke h a n ds, yet t h is kid seem ed com plet ely u n a fr a id of a t h ir t y-sixfoot copper dragon. It was impossible!
Th e dr a gon t u r n ed a n d ga ve m e a don 't -that-beat-a ll look. In between h is sh ou t in ' a t u s, t h e kid wa s pokin ' a t a sm a ll fir e a few st eps ba ck fr om Cr oesu s. H e h a d t a len t t o keep t h e fir e goin g wit h ou r bu lk blockin g m ost of the fresh air, I had to give him that.
"Th is on e bea r s st u dy. " Cr oesu s dipped h is h ea d in wh a t pa ssed for a n od in h u m a n s. I scr a t ch ed a bsen t ly a t m y ba ckside a n d wa it ed a bea t . We h a d lon g a go a gr eed on a few t h in gs. We ga ve on e a n ot h er r oom t o figh t a n d didn 't pr ess t oo h a r d a bou t per son a l plea su r es, like a dr a gon 's sweet tooth or a mercenary's... well, never mind.
One time I caught Croesus munchin' on some kind of meat after a nasty ba t t le. Lot s of flesh ever ywh er e, a n d n ot a ll of it wa s t ou gh -m u scled m en . r ippled fr om a bove it 'd look som et h in ' like a belly ju st wh en t h e a u dien ce ch eer s t h e lou dest and I wa sn 't pa yin ' m u ch a t t en t ion t ill h e t u r n ed a wa y a n d ben t over a s t h ou gh m a ybe h e wa s h idin ' som et h in ' fr om m e, wh ich got m e cu r iou s. Thought maybe he'd found a trinket he was considerin' he might not want t' share.
Tu r n ed ou t Cr oesu s h a d a soft spot , a s it wer e, for you n g flesh . Didn 't matter what species. He thought just about all of 'em tasted pretty good 'cept m a ybe t h e ka pa ks. H e cou ld u su a lly wa it t ill t h ey died on t h eir own (pr efer a bly by fir e, m ediu m r a r e), bu t wa s ou t r igh t a ba sh ed t o a dm it h e som et im es h elped 'lon g t h e likelier t idbit s. It wa s a s m u ch a pa r t of h is nature as casual greed was born into his race.
I didn 't m in d. We a ll got t est y pla ces closed t o discu ssion . I figu r ed t h is wa sn 't a n y wor se well, n ot m u ch a n ywa y t h a n som e of t h e st u ff I'd done when it came to kids or their mams.
Wh ich m a de it a ll t h e m or e pecu lia r t h a t t h e Old Gr ou ch looked st u m ped by t h e you n g'u n wit h t h e wooden swor d. "Wh a t a bou t h is folks?" t h e dr a gon gr owled. "H e's got t a be h er e wit h som eon e. Too sm a ll t o t r a vel a lon e. " Th e dr a gon ga ve m e a pier cin g look a s t h ou gh m a ybe I ou gh t t o have a theory on the subject.
Now t h a t I wa s for ced t o give it som e t h ou gh t , t h er e wa s som et h in ' pla in odd a bou t t h e boy. J u st bein ' n ea r h im m a de m y skin pu cker . I n ot iced h e ca r r ied a sm a ll pa ck slu n g a cr oss h is ba ck. I figu r ed it m igh t yield som e clu es wh ich , if n ot h in g else, wou ld pr ovide in t er est in g a ft er din n er con ver sa t ion , so I gr a bbed for it a n d h im . H e wa s a slipper y cu ss, bu t I h ooked h is a r m a n d t igh t en ed m y gr ip in flames.
You see st r a n ge t h in gs in m y lin e of wor k da m sels, t ykes wh o con ju r e vision s. F ew've slowed m e down bu t su dden ly I fou n d m 'self st a r in ' ou t a t t h e slice of sky a s I t old Cr oesu s, "I get t h e distinct feelin' the bugger's an orphan. "
"Then that's settled, " he said, matter-of-fact.
I sh r u gged. Th e dr a gon wa s r igh t . On r eflect ion I t h ou gh t it best t o keep t h e ca ve t idy a n d dr a gged t h e kickin ', ju m pin ', swin gin ', scr ea m in ', danglin'-from-my-arm-kid outside. Croesus followed hungrily.
"Stop that! I warn you, stop that!"
Th e boy's fa ce wa s t h e pict u r e of br a t t in ess. As if h e t h ou gh t I'd obey him. I cou ldn 't h elp won der in ' wh a t kin d of fool h e h a d for a fa t h er . Ma ybe t h e kid'd n ever seen a dr a gon , so h e didn 't gr a sp pu r e t h r ea t wh en it was vergin' on his throat.
"I'm warning you for the last time!"
"Okay, " I muttered, and waited for 'nother phantasm.
And got jabbed in the gut.
I'd for got a bou t h is pu n y swor d. Lit t le bu gger kn ew ju st wh er e t o h it . I dropped him with a loud "uh" and doubled over.
a n d got a fla sh of a villa ge

bu r n in g t own s, dist r essed Croesus got a good guffaw out of it, thank you.
Wou ldn 't be t h e la st t im e t h e kid'd ca t ch m e by su r pr ise, or even t h e

m ost pa in fu l, bu t it wa s t h e on e t h a t woke m e qu ick a s a bu cket of cold wa t er over m y h ea d. I r evised m y 'pin ion of h is fa t h er ... a n d developed som e r espect for t h e wh elp on a ccou n t of bein ' sh owed u p by som eon e a t en t h m y weigh t . (An d a sim 'la r por t ion of m y a ge, bu t we won 't m en t ion that. )

H e wa s a good lit t le figh t er wit h da r n ed sh a r p su r viva l in st in ct s, a n d I a lm ost felt a t win ge of r egr et t h a t h e wa s a bou t t o becom e a dr a gon hors d'oeuvre. Wh en I cou ld st a n d a n d br ea t h e a t t h e sa m e t im e, I t ook a look a r ou n d. Th e li'l ba st a r d h a d scoot ed on m e. H e h a d t a ken a dva n t a ge of Croesus's laughin' spell to cut a wide arc around him, all the while keepin' ou t of m y r ea ch , a n d wa s da r t in ' ba ck t owa r d t h e m ou t h of t h e ca ve. I t ell you this kid was impressive.

Th e boy'd been so qu ick t h a t I wa s ga pin ' a t h im like a r u be wh o'd ju st seen t h e fin a le of t h e Da n ce of t h e F ift een Veils. (Bu t , oh , t h a t fift een t h veil!)

Th e Old Gr ou ch h a d got h is ch u cklin ' u n der con t r ol, a n d clea r ed h is throat. "Got your breath back?" he asked sarcastically.
E ven wit h t h e kid's lea d on m e, I ca u gh t u p wit h h im befor e h e got fa r into the cave. I grabbed him by an ankle and dragged him outside again. I da n gled t h e kid in fr on t of t h e dr a gon a t a r m 's len gt h (h e wa s swin gin ' t h a t swor d a r ou n d like a m a n ia c). "H er e's you r din n er . P len t y of ba by fa t on those legs. "
Th e Old Gr ou ch 's eyes gla zed ju st a secon d a s if m a ybe h is r esolve wer e slippin ' 'lon g wit h m y pa t ien ce t h is kid wa s m or e wor k t h a n a t own of thieves then he said, "No, there's something about this child I would like to explore further. We will have to restrain him, though, don't you think?"
Th e kid swu n g u p a n d n icked m y h a n d. It st u n g wor se t h a n a n a n gr y vixen , bu t I wa s r ea dy t h is t im e. I t igh t en ed m y gr ip on h is a n kle, da n gled h im closer t o t h e Old Gr ou ch (wh ose br ea t h cou ld be r a t h er intimidatin'), and shook hard. "Do that again, and I'll eat you m'self. "
The kid went limp, then turned to study me from his unten'ble position. Th e set of h is ja w st opped m e cold. Rem in ded m e of t h a t wom a n I u sed t o see... n a h . I sh r u gged it off. "Beh a ve you r self, a n d I won 't t r u ss you like a pig, 'kay?"
Still upside down, he nodded seriously.
I let go h is foot , a n d h e t u m bled t o t h e gr ou n d. "Oka y, " h e sa id, com in ' u p wit h h is h a n d h eld ou t . I t ook it a n d a ga in got t h e vision of a bu r n in ' village.
Th is kid su r e h a d a n in t er est in ' ba g of t r icks. I gr a bbed m y h a n d ba ck a n d m ot ion ed h im over t owa r d a r ock. Cr oesu s offer ed n o gu ida n ce. H e had closed his eyes as if the proceedin's no longer interested him, though I kn ew h e wa s list en in ' a n d wou ld pr oba bly ea t t h e boy a n ywa y wh en t h e mood struck.
I let t h e boy sea t h im self, t h en pu t on m y best for m a l voice. "I a m St oic J oh n . My companion" a qu iet sn or t fr om sa m e "is Cr oesu s. We h a ve n o reason in the slightest to tolerate you. You have trespassed on our private sanctuary" h er e I wa s st r et ch in ' t h e t r u t h ju st a bit "a n d dist u r bed ou r pea ce of m in d. " (Wh ich h e h a d, 'specia lly my pea ce of m in d. Bu t h e'd a lso been a m ost ly a m u sin ' diver sion , u p t ill n ow. ) "Most dist u r ba n ces die" I con t in u ed, givin ' t h a t a ch a n ce t o soa k in . "Wh a t do you h a ve t o sa y for yourself?"
H e looked a t m e wit h big eyes, ca lcu la t in '. "I'm J a kst er , " h e sa id pr ou dly, a s if t h a t expla in ed wh a t h e wa s doin ' in a ca ve h igh u p in t h e mountains.
I wa it ed. H e r epea t ed. I wa it ed som e m or e. Th e dr a gon a llowed a qu iet , manufactured snore to escape.
I a dm it I h a lf expect ed t h e kid t o la u n ch in t o som e ou t r a geou s lie, spea kin ' in per fect elven . I wa s a lit t le disa ppoin t ed wh en h e wen t for sym pa t h y in st ea d. Th er e wer e la r ge t ea r s, wh ich h e br a vely wiped a wa y. "My mommy left me. "
No dou bt . Wh o cou ld bla m e h er ? I sh owed n ot a t r a ce of com pa ssion (I h a d plen t y of pr a ct ice in t h a t depa r t m en t ). At la st h e m a de a sh ow of sittin' stiffer and straighter and lettin' the tears dry up.
"Okay, Jakster... " His name lingered in my mouth.
"J a x, " t h e dr a gon r u m bled, a n d wa s st ill. Th e Old Gr ou ch liked t ' keep names simple. One of his quirks.
"We'll call you Jax, " I continued.
The kid gave a friendly shrug and said, "Okay. "
"Your show, " I told the dragon.
Cr oesu s open ed h is eyes. Th ey sh on e br igh t ly. "We've wa st ed enough time. Why don't you head back upwind?"
Good idea , if I didn 't sa y so m yself. I t ook on e la st gla n ce a t t h e kid. H e wa s diggin ' in h is pa ck. H e didn 't pa y a n y a t t en t ion t o t h e dr a gon . E it h er he was fearless, as I said or stupid. I turned away.
"Uh, Mr. Stoic?"
I froze in surprise. Mr. Stoic?
Befor e I cou ld r espon d, h e wen t on , "My m om m y sa id t o give you t h is. " I tensed as his hand came out of the pack, but he was only holdin' a note.
It wa s h er h a n dwr it in ' a ll r igh t . Ra slyn . J u st t ou ch in ' t h a t bit of pa r ch m en t felt t h e sa m e a s pu t t in ' m y h a n d in a wa sp n est . I ja m m ed t h e pa per in t o m y pocket . I didn 't n eed t o look a t it . All of a su dden realization hit me, and I knew what it'd probably say. Then I was standin' t h er e, fa cin ' down t h e dr a gon a n d t h e boy, n ot qu it e su r e h ow I got in t o this mess.
"Anything I should know?" Croesus mocked, waitin' for my departure. "You already know all about Raslyn, " I snapped back.
Th e Old Gr ou ch ga ve a good im it a t ion of a sh r u g. "Yes. An d wh a t I didn 't kn ow I gu essed, " h e sa id poin t edly, r ollin ' h is eyes t owa r d J a x. "Bu t it doesn 't m a t t er , does it ? H e's m in e t o do wit h a s I will?" Oh , so polite, for one as powerful as he.
"Always has been, " I replied, my face red. "And I sure don't screen your food for you . Wh a t a m I, a t a st e t est er ?" I m u t t er ed cu r ses, em ba r r a ssed a t m yself for h esit a t in ' over t h is n o-'cou n t ch ild, a n d st om ped off t owa r d an upper ledge.
Cr oesu s wa it ed t ill h e sa w t h a t I wa s u n com for t a bly set t led, t h en exhaled in the kid's direction.
To m y su r pr ise, J a x didn 't seem t o r ea ct , wh ile I fou n d m yself t h in kin ' of t h a t bu r n in ' villa ge a ga in . I wa s begin n in ' t o ca t ch on t h is t im e. Th e vision got deeper , r ich er , m or e det a iled on t h e edges. I cou ld h ea r t h e villa ger s scr ea m in ', feel t h e h ea t of t h e fla m es. Odd t h in g wa s n o on e seemed hurt.
An d wh er e wer e t h e cu t t h r oa t s wh o'd st a r t ed t h e bla ze? St ea lin ' loot ? What could a poor place like this village have worth takin'?
F r om m y lookou t , I cou ld see Cr oesu s cir cle J a x. Th e dr a gon looked beh in d t h e kid's lit t le ea r s, u n der h is pu dgy a r m s, in side h is m ou t h fu ll of ga pped t eet h . (H e'd lost a cou ple in fr on t . ) Th e kid h a d a lopsided sm ile. H e h a d sh ea t h ed h is t oy swor d a n d seem ed t o be en joyin ' h im self a s t h e dragon poked at him.
Su dden ly I felt a s t h ou gh I'd st epped in t o a n a n t h ill a n d su n k u p t o m y neck. The itchin' I'd felt when we'd first landed just set my body afire.
I con sider ed t h e kid. Na h , n o wa y h e cou ld've been t r a in ed t o t h a t level yet . It t ook yea r s. Th ose vision s s'gest ed J a x h a d a h eft y dose of t h e gift , but it wa sn 't t h e kid m a kin ' m e it ch . No. I fin a lly h a d t o a dm it , it wa s much worse than magic.
I h a dn 't seen or t ou ch ed Ra slyn in six or seven yea r s. We u sed t o da lly in t h is ca ve r igh t h er e. Ot h er t im es we wen t t o h er h u t 'm idst cla t t er in ' a n d cr a sh in ' of m a gica l st u ff cr owdin ' ever y su r fa ce. Ra slyn wa s t h e m ost won der fu l flesh I'd ever set h a n ds on t h en or sin ce. H a d a n ice sm ile, t oo. I su r e cou ld've got u sed t o wa kin ' u p wit h h er a r ou n d... if sh e wa sn 't so, well, contrary. Argumentative.
I left her in the darkest hour of the darkest night, tried to leave without fuss or clues. But her mage breed isn't easily fooled. 'Sides, I was clumsier t h en . Wit h ou t open in ' t h ose gor geou s a ll-kn owin g eyes, sh e wh isper ed in h er con ju r in ' voice, "You will m eet you r fa t e on e da y. Sh ou ld you be t em pt ed t o esca pe wh en F a t e ca lls, kn ow t h a t I h a ve m a r ked you . " Sh e open ed h er eyes t h en , t h ou gh h er fa ce st ill h eld t h e r est fu l ca lm of untroubled sleep. "It will not be denied. "
Wh en ever I t h ou gh t ba ck t o t h a t n igh t , I t r ied t o t ell m 'self I'd left ju st in t im e. Bu t t h e la dy t a u gh t lesson s. Sh e a lwa ys spoke t r u e, a n d sh e h a d t h e will t o wa it even if it t ook yea r s. I cou ldn 't t h in k of a on e wh o cr ossed her who didn't 'ventually get a reminder.
E ver sin ce, I gu ess, I kn ew m y t im e wa s com in '. At fir st , ev'r y pecu lia r pa in or st r a n ge it ch , I'd been su r e wa s m y en d. St ill, a n y m er cen a r y h a s to live with such, and I got used to odd symptoms after a while.
I r u bbed a t a br u ise on m y t a ilbon e. Da ys on a dr a gon 's ba ck, I t old myself.
I wa t ch ed t h e dr a gon keep pokin ' a t J a x a s I r elu ct a n t ly u n folded t h e note. It said, "Fate. She's yours. Honor her. "
Fate that fickle female. She sure was mine.
I looked u p t o see t h e Old Gr ou ch lickin g t h e kid's fa ce. You m igh t 've t h ou gh t h e wa s ju st bein ' pu ppy-dog fr ien dly, bu t you 'd 've been wr on g. J a x kn ew it t oo. Th e dr a gon h eld J a x ou t a s if t o get a bet t er view, t h en lowered the kid toward his open mouth.
"Stop that!" Jax and I yelled as one.
"In t er est in g, " Cr oesu s r espon ded. H e pa u sed, bu t h eld t h e kid dangerously close to those jaws.
Ra slyn 's m a gic wa s power fu l. Th e it ch y feelin ' got u n bea r a ble. Su dden ly I h a d t o st op Cr oesu s. I ju m ped u p a n d slipped on loose r ock. "Don't do that!" I shouted as I fell.
Th e dr a gon t u r n ed t o fa ce m e, t h en m oved t o br in g u s a t eye level. I wa s h a lf on m y ba ck. H is bu lgin ' eyes, h is fla r ed n ost r ils, h is h u ge for m blocked a ll else fr om m y sigh t . We bot h kn ew wh o wa s m a st er h er e a n d had been from the first.
In a voice h e u sed on ly wh en h e t h ou gh t h is sm a r t er en em ies m igh t yet have the sense to run away, the dragon said, "I've decided to eat the child. What concern is it of yours?"
I sh ook m yself. My fa ce it ch ed. I t u r n ed it in t o a n em ba r r a ssed sm ile. "Don 't kn ow wh a t got in t o m e. Mu st 've been t h ose fu m es you 'r e pu t t in ' out. I spoke hastily, " I said, hopin' to loosen him some.
Cr oesu s lower ed h is fa ce closer t o m in e. "You kn ow it wa s n ot h in g of the kind, " he said through gritted teeth.
We h a dn 't been t h is t igh t fa ce-to-fa ce for a lon g t im e. P r oba bly ever , com e t o t h in k a bou t it . Cr oesu s wa sn 't pa t ien t wit h disa gr eem en t s. H e didn 't bot h er t o wor k wit h fa t e. H e was fa t e. J u dgm en t s wer e in st a n t a n d final. I'd always liked that about the Old Grouch... till now.
"The kid, " I reminded him.
"Will keep, " he said. "This requires a strong... stomach, shall we say. "
S'gest in ' I'd lost m y n er ve wa s a gr a ve in su lt . J okin ' a bou t it m ea n t I wa s on e st ep closer t o becom in ' dr a gon ch ow. E it h er wa y, n o on e wa s la u gh in '. My skin seem ed wild wit h cr a wlin ' in sect s. I cou ld h a r dly keep fr om br u sh in ' 'em a wa y. In t h e ba ck of m y m in d, I sa t n ext t o a sm a ll child and watched a village burn.
A h a r sh win d blew. Loose r ocks cla t t er ed beh in d u s. Cr oesu s wa it ed. I scr a t ch ed m y ba ck a n d n eck wit h t h e scr a p of pa r ch m en t a m a zin gly st ill in my hand.
"Cr oesu s, I'm , u h ... " I fa lt er ed. "I h a ve t o keep t h e kid. You can't eat him!" I spat it out quick in one breath then tensed for the worst.
"What will you do with her?" he exploded. "You have no use for this one. Do you t h in k you owe h er som et h in g?" Cr oesu s wa s st ea m in '. We'd n ever fought like this even when he almost ate me once.
"I owe h er n ot h in '!" I sh ou t ed ba ck, gla d for a n excu se t o blow a n d plenty angry myself. "I left her, fair and reasonable, as you well know "
"Not the mother, you incompetent human! Jax!"
"Jax! But Jax isn't a her. He's a he... isn't he?"
Th e dr a gon 's fa ce sa id ot h er wise, a n d h e ba cked off en ou gh t o let m e get t h e m essa ge. I st u died t h e sky. Th e wor ld spr ea d ou t befor e m e. Th e win ds wer e su dden ly ca lm . It m a de a t wist ed sen se. F a t e wa s su r ely fem a le. Sh e a n d m y la dy m a ge kn ew h ow t o t ea ch a m er cen a r y a lesson . I a lm ost la u gh ed a s I sa id, "Gir l or boy, doesn 't m a t t er . I h a ve t o keep... her. "
I sa id it a lm ost a s t h ou gh I believed it . (A gir l, oh sweet da n cin ' sist er s, the blasted woman left me a girl!) I h a n ded t h e Old Gr ou ch Ra slyn 's n ot e, wh ich h e sn a t ch ed fu r iou sly wit h on e cla w. "Th is m ea n s n ot h in g, " h e said, readin' it. "Dragons are not bound by fate. "
"Bu t I a m , " I t old h im wit h su r pr isin 'ly lit t le r egr et (a n d m a ybe even a lit t le r elief a t fin a lly h a vin ' F a t e sla p m e in t h e r u m p). Cr oesu s wa s ba ck t o t a lkin ' t o m e, a n d t h e cr a wlin ' a n t s wer e r et r ea t in ', so I kn ew I h a d a ch a n ce. "I got n o idea wh a t we'r e goin ' t o do wit h a n u n t r a in ed, gir lch ild magician, but she's the debt I owe. " I paused, waitin' for a sign he agreed.
Th e dr a gon sn iffed, h a lf in con t em pt bu t a lit t le sor r owfu lly t oo, I thought. "I agree this child will cause us indigestion, " he said with a sigh.
Th e n ot e, im pa led on on e of t h e dr a gon 's cla ws, wa s st ir r ed by a st r a y gust of wind, which also brought with it a delicious, unexpected scent.
"Is that smoke?"
"Where did the child disappear to, anyway?"
An d t h en I sm iled wider 'n a t a h a r em fu ll of da n cin ' gir ls. (No, n ot t h a t . Much, much wider I'm n ot m u ch for h a r em s. Th e gir ls t en d t o be a lit t le you n g. P r efer m in e wit h exper ien ce. ) It fin a lly da wn ed on m e wh a t t h a t sm ell wa s com in ' fr om t h e ba ck of t h e ca ve, a n d h ow I cou ld pu t t h in gs right with the Old Grouch.
I m oved t o t h e ca ve m ou t h t o eyeba ll t h e kid a n d ch eck ou t m y t h eor y. Cr oesu s wa s r igh t beh in d m e. In side, J a x wa s h u m m in ' a h igh -pitched tune as she merrily fed a growing fire 'neath a roastin' hunk of venison.
See, I sh ou ld h a ve r ea lized t h e villa ge in m y vision s looked m igh t y familiar. Besides havin' a penchant for magic, Jakster was a little firebug. She had set her village, Raslyn's village, ablaze. Her neighbors prob'ly put ou t h er fla m es plen t y of t im es befor e. Th is t im e wa s t h e la st st r a w. I learned t h e gor y det a ils la t er , fr om J a x h er self. Sh e wa s u n der st a n da bly proud.
Wit h h is im pecca ble t im in ', Cr oesu s t a pped m e on t h e sh ou lder a n d h a n ded m e Ra slyn 's n ot e. On t h e ba ck of t h e pa r ch m en t , in a m essy scrawl m a ybe t h e a n gr y h or des wer e closin g in it sa id: "P . S. J a x is a pr et t y fa ir cook bu t wa t ch t h e fir e. " An d in a m essier scr a wl st ill, "Tell t h e dr a gon it will ea se h is con scien ce t o ea t som eon e else's cookin g for a change. "
"Well, h u h , " I gr u n t ed t ' m 'self. I looked over a t t h e kid, bu t J a x seemed to be altogether caught up in preparations for dinner.
Cr oesu s wa s st ill h over in ', lookin ' n on e t oo plea sed a t developm en t s. "We could use a cook, " I said weakly.
H is t a il sla pped t h e gr ou n d h a r d en ou gh t o a dd cr a cks t o t h e ledge a n d loosen a few rocks somewhere below.
" 'Sides, sh e don 't weigh m u ch , a n d t h er e's plen t y of r oom . " I t r ied t o sound ingratiatin', but I didn't even convince myself.
The dragon slapped his tail harder, making the entire cliff shake.
"Awr igh t , a wr igh t . I'm com in g!" sa id a h igh -pit ch ed voice. An d J a x ca m e h u r r yin ' ou t of t h e ca ve ca r r yin ' a m ou n ded pla t t er of r ea dy-to-eat ven ison . "Mediu m r a r e!" J a x a n n ou n ced, set t in ' t h e m ea t befor e t h e dr a gon . Like t h e n ot e sa id, J a x wa s a pr et t y fa ir cook. Cr oesu s sa id so himself, shortly after he tore into a good-sized hunk.
Th in gs wer e set t led. F a t e well m et . I ca st a soft h ea r t ed gla n ce over m y sh ou lder a s J a x wen t ba ck in t o t h e ca ve t o pr epa r e a n ot h er pla t t er , t h en heard a crack behind me. The dragon, interruptin' his feast, held a branch snapped in t wo a n olive br a n ch , a s it wer e. My r elief didn 't esca pe h is n ot ice a s h e h a n ded t h e wood t o m e. H e kn ew fu ll well wh er e I'd t a ke it , provin' he really isn't a bad sort once you get past that tough hide.
Back in the cave, I said, "Jakster, I found some more kindlin' for you. "
J a x looked solem n a s sh e t ook it fr om m e a n d pla ced it cer em on ia lly on the fire. "Thank you, " was all she said.
I scr a t ch ed a t in y it ch in t h e sm a ll of m y ba ck a n d won der ed a bou t t h e t r ou ble we'd get in t o. "You a r e in deed welcom e, " I t old h er , ba r ely catchin' the rumble of a snore from a middle-aged dragon settlin' down for a nap.
The First Dragonarmy Bridging Company Don Perrin
Th e r a in wa s ju st en din g. Th e sou n d of t h e wa t er spla sh in g in pu ddles h a d slowly su bsided t o ligh t spla t s. F igu r es bega n t o em er ge fr om wh a t ever sh elt er t h ey'd been a ble t o fin d, cu r sin g t h e wet , sea r ch in g in va in for wood dr y en ou gh t o bu r n . Som eon e else wa s sea r ch in g t h e ca m p, too.

"Ka n g? Br idge Ma st er Ka n g? Get yer sca ly la r d a ss ou t h er e befor e I have to hunt you down like a dog! Kang! Kang!"
Un a ble t o believe t h a t som eon e wa s a ct u a lly lookin g for h im , a la r ge Boza k dr a con ia n em er ged slowly fr om t h e ba r r a cks t en t . H e wa s sligh t ly hunched and wore tooled leather armor. The standard curve-bladed sword wor n by m ost dr a con ia n wa r r ior s wa s a bsen t fr om h is belt . In it s pla ce hung a small dagger and a coiled rope.
"I am Kang, " he growled. "What is it you want, human?"
"Ra ja k, t o you , Br idge Ma st er . Secon d Aide t o Dr a gon H igh lor d Ar ia ka s. You will a ccom pa n y m e t o t h e com m a n d t en t . You will r eceive your orders for the upcoming operation there. "
Kang stared in astonishment. Before the draconian could ask questions, t h e officer h a d t u r n ed a n d begu n t r u dgin g u p a m u ddy t r a ck. Spu t t er in g ca m pfir es wer e dim ly r eflect ed in t h e m a n 's pla t e cu ir a ss. Sh r u ggin g, Ka n g slogged r espect fu lly a ft er h im . Th e dr a con ia n wa s ea sily t wice t h e weigh t a n d a good six in ch es t a ller t h a n t h e h u m a n , bu t t h er e wa s n o t h ou gh t of a n yt h in g bu t obedien ce t h e lifeblood of t h e dr a con ia n . H is ver y exist en ce, fr om h a t ch lin g on , wa s dedica t ed t o ser vin g t h e Dr a gon Highlord, following his orders.
Orders...
Kang's long, lizardlike tongue flicked from his mouth in anticipation. At last, after all this time, orders...
As Br idge Ma st er , it wa s Ka n g's job t o t r a in , m a in t a in , a n d lea d a squ a dr on of dr a con ia n br idge bu ilder s. Th ey h a d t r a in ed for t h r ee m on t h s n ow a n d h a d pr a ct iced bu ildin g ever y con ceiva ble t ype of br idge. Th ey h a d, h owever , n ever u sed t h eir cr a ft in com ba t , n ever ga in ed t h e pr a ise a n d r espect Ka n g kn ew wer e du e t h em . H is squ a dr on h a d n ot been through its baptism of fire.
Not t h a t t h er e h a dn 't been br idges bu ilt . Th e con t in en t of An sa lon wa s la ced wit h r iver s a n d st r ea m s, dot t ed wit h la kes. Br idges wer e n eeded t o a id in t h e a dva n ce of gr ou n d t r oops, t o br in g u p su pplies a n d siege equ ipm en t so vit a l t o t h e con t in u ed su ccess of a figh t in g for ce. Un t il a yea r a go, it h a d been st a n da r d oper a t in g pr ocedu r e t o ca ll in t h e draconian combat engineers.
All t h is h a d ch a n ged, h owever , wh en t h e Bla ck Robe Golm it a ck a n d h is sm a ll ba n d of wiza r ds a n d dr u ids h a d won t h e fa vor of Ar ia ka s, Dr a gon H igh lor d. Golm it a ck a r gu ed t h a t it wa s fa r m or e efficien t t o a llow t h e dr u ids t o ca lm t h e wa t er s a n d solidify t h e a ppr oa ch es, a n d h a ve t h e m a ges cr a ft t h e st r u ct u r es fr om m a gica l sou r ces. Ar ia ka s a wielder of m a gic h im self h a d been im pr essed by Golm it a ck a n d h is fla sh y m et h ods. Th e dr a con ia n en gin eer s wer e r elega t ed t o r ea r a r ea secu r it y, standing guard, doing kitchen and latrine duty.
Latrine duty.
Kang snorted. He was damn sick and tired of latrine duty.
H is wa s t h e on ly br idgin g squ a dr on left in t h e en t ir e Red Dr a gon a r m y. His command was made up of the biggest Sivak draconians around, led by h im self, a Boza k. H is t r oops wer e a ble a n d r ea dy. Th ey'd been a ble a n d r ea dy for m on t h s n ow. An d t h ey wer e a ble a n d r ea dy t o do som et h in g other than dig those everlasting slit trenches....
Ka n g wa s plea sed t h a t h e wa s bein g su m m on ed t o a n or der s con fer en ce, bu t h e cou ldn 't h elp bu t won der wh y. It m a de n o sen se. Th e Red Dr a gon a r m y's a dva n ce h a d st a lled on a h a st ily bu ilt set of defen ses t h r own u p by h u m a n a n d dwa r ven wa r r ior s a cr oss t h e on ly for da ble sect ion of t h e r iver . Th e m igh t of t h e h u m a n for ces wa s t h r ea t en in g t h e r igh t fla n k of t h e dr a gon a r m y, a n d t h er e wer e r u m or s of silver dr a gon s supporting the humans.
Ka n g a ssu m ed t h a t t h e Bla ck Robe Golm it a ck wou ld eit h er devise a m et h od t o defea t t h e defen ses or bu ild a br idge over t h e r iver . Or per h a ps Win g Lea der Ba r t let t wou ld lea d t h e Dr a gon H igh lor d's r ed dr a gon s in a r a id ben t on dest r oyin g t h e pest er in g defen der s. All in a ll, t h e pla n s a dded u p t o m or e la t r in e diggin g for t h e dr a con ia n en gin eer s, a n d Ka n g didn't need a division commander or a Highlord to tell him that.
Secon d Aide Ra ja k ca m e t o a h a lt in fr on t of t h e la r ge h ea dqu a r t er s tent. "Wait out here, Bridge Master, until you are called for. "
Ka n g gr u n t ed in a ckn owledgm en t . Ra ja k en t er ed t h e t en t . As t h e fla p open ed, Ka n g cou ld h ea r t h e sou n ds of h ea t ed deba t e in side. H e st ood, puzzled. What was the problem?
Apparently, he was about to find out. Rajak reappeared.
"Br idge Ma st er Ka n g, you a r e su m m on ed. Wh en you en t er , you will t u r n t o you r left , m a r ch for wa r d t o t h e a r ea in fr on t of t h e ba t t le m a p, salute, and face the Highlord. Questions? No? Good. Carry on. "
Th e r a n k of Br idge Ma st er wa s officia lly a n officer r a n k. Ka n g wa s n ot u sed t o bein g t r ea t ed like a n officer , h owever . La t r in e a n d kit ch en du t y t en ded t o wea r t h e sh in e off h is m et a l cla sps. H e t wit ch ed h is a r m or in t o pla ce, ga ve h is h a r n ess bu ckles a qu ick swipe wit h h is t on gu e. E n t er in g the tent, he performed as instructed, saluted the Dragon Highlord.
"Bridge Master Kang as requested, Highlord. "
Ar ia ka s wa s la r ge for a h u m a n . Th e Dr a gon lor d's cold, expr ession less fa ce m a r ked h im a s cr u el, pr ou d, a m bit iou s. Ka n g, wh o h a d on ly seen h is commander from a distance, was considerably impressed.
"Br idge Ma st er . " Lor d Ar ia ka s's voice r u m bled t h r ou gh t h e t en t , silen cin g a ll con ver sa t ion . "H ow wou ld you r a t e t h e oper a t ion a l effectiveness of your bridging squadron in night bridging operations?"
Ka n g wa s st u n n ed. H ow by t h e Qu een wou ld h e kn ow? H is squ a dr on had not been in combat for over a year! There was no way....
Receivin g n o a n swer t o h is qu est ion , Lor d Ar ia ka s h a d begu n t o fr own . "Bridge Master?"
Kang took a deep breath, made the only response he could.
"H igh lor d, we a r e figh t in g fit a n d r ea dy for com ba t . It is ou r h on or t o serve one such as you.... "
Ar ia ka s wa ved h is h a n d im pa t ien t ly. "Yes, yes. F in e. E n ou gh wit h t h e plea sa n t r ies a n d br a va do. I n eed st r a igh t a n swer s, a n d I n eed a pla n in t h e n ext h a lf h ou r . As you kn ow, br idgin g h a s for m er ly been t h e dom a in of t h e m a ges a n d dr u ids. Bu t yest er da y, a pa t r ol of elves, a ided by power fu l m a gics, a m bu sh ed a n d killed ou r t wo dr u ids a n d ser iou sly wounded the wizard Golmitack. "
Ka n g a t t em pt ed t o a ssu m e a n expr ession of deepest sym pa t h y, a ll t h e while trying to keep his scales from clicking together in joy.
Ar ia ka s wen t on . "We h a ve t o get r ou n d t h ose cu r sed dwa r ven for t ifica t ion s. Th e a r m y m u st cr oss t h e r iver , fla n k t h e for t ifica t ion s, a n d cr u sh t h e defen se. Ot h er wise, we'll be squ a sh ed like bu gs wit h t h e h u m a n s pou r in g in fr om ou r r igh t a n d n o wa y t o cr oss t h is da m n ed r iver . "
Th e H igh lor d st r ode over t o t h e la r ge ba t t le m a p spr ea d ou t a cr oss a cr u de wooden t a ble. Ma r ker s of va r iou s t ypes delin ea t ed en em y a n d fr ien dly t r oop u n it s, for t ifica t ion s, a n d t er r a in . On e t h e sym bol of a silver dr a gon , on t h e side of t h e en em y im m edia t ely ca u gh t t h e draconian's attention. Silver dragons? Could it be true?
Dr a con ia n blood n or m a lly r u n s cold, bu t Ka n g's r a n colder t h a n u su a l. H e h a d difficu lt y, for a m om en t , followin g Ar ia ka s's wor ds. Th en a sin gle phrase jolted the draconian to attention.
"Br idge Ma st er , " sa id Ar ia ka s, "I n eed a br idge. Wh er e wou ld you pu t it?"
Ka n g lost h is fea r a n d h is a we. H is sca ly skin lit er a lly t wit ch ed wit h a n t icipa t ion . Lor d Ar ia ka s wa s asking Ka n g t o com m it t o h is ba pt ism of fire h is fir st oppor t u n it y sin ce becom in g com m a n der . Ka n g st u died t h e map intently. The answer was, to him, obvious.
"Here, Highlord. I would build a single-lane floating foot bridge. Here. "
Ka n g poin t ed a t on e of t h e widest , deepest por t ion s of t h e r iver downstream from the enemy defenses.
Lord Ariakas grunted in disgust.
"There? Bridge Master, even for a draconian, you are an idiot.... "
Th e Dr a gon H igh lor d pa u sed. H is h a n d r u bbed h is ch in , da r k wit h sever a l da y's gr owt h of bea r d. A slow sm ile bega n t o slide a cr oss t h e Dr a gon H igh lor d's fa ce. Th e sm ile br oa den ed t o a ch u ckle. "I see you r plan."
Ka n g bega n t o br ea t h e a ga in . "If I m a y be a llowed t o ela bor a t e, H igh lor d. I wou ld bu ild t h e br idge down st r ea m in t h e wide a n d deep pa r t of t h e r iver , fir st t o m a ke t h e cr ossin g ea sier du e t o t h e ca lm er wa t er s, a n d secon d beca u se n o on e in h is r igh t m in d wou ld pu t a br idge t h er e, t h u s en su r in g ou r secu r it y a n d secr ecy. On ce t h e m igh t of ou r in fa n t r y is across, we will widen the bridge to accommodate siege engines and wagon trains. "
Ariakas nodded. "What of bridging materials?"
Th e sca les on t h e dr a con ia n 's ba ck t igh t en ed a n d clicked in t o pla ce, ea ch on e a lign in g it self wit h it s n eigh bor a n a t u r a l r ea ct ion t o t en sion and nervousness for dragonspawn.
"H igh lor d, t h is for est ed a r ea h er e will ser ve t o bot h cover ou r con st r u ct ion a n d pr ovide t h e m a t er ia ls. We ca n u se t h e la r ge t r ees a s du gou t pon t oon s Lon g, t h in t r ees t oget h er . It will t a ke t h e squ a dr on t h r ee da ys t o h a ve t h e m a t er ia ls r ea dy to build a floating bridge, Lord. "
Ar ia ka s sm iled. "You h a ve u n t il t om or r ow n igh t , Br idge Ma st er . Th a t bridge will be up before the rise of the sun the next day. "
Ka n g's sca les clicked m or e lou dly. "Th en I will n eed m or e m a n power , Highlord.... "
"Im possible. I ca n n ot spa r e a n y m en t o a id you in you r con st r u ct ion . Th e loss of t r oops fr om t h e ea r t h wor ks wou ld a ler t t h e en em y t o ou r ... my pla n . " Ar ia ka s t u r n ed a wa y. "Win g Lea der Ba r t let t , you will gr ou n d you r dr a gon win g u n t il a ft er t h e br idge is u p, except t o fly in t er cept m ission s. I wa n t n o ch a n ce of en em y silver dr a gon r ider s obser vin g t h e br idge construction. Understood?"
Ka n g h a d been so a wed a n d n er vou s, h e'd n ever a ct u a lly r ea lized ot h er officer s wer e pr esen t . Now t h a t h e looked, h e r ecogn ized t h r ee division com m a n der s, ea ch wit h h is st a ff, sever a l of t h e H igh lor d's a ides, specialists, and guards. The place stank of senior officer.
Ariakas con t in u ed t o issu e or der s. Ka n g st ood a s silen t a n d u n m ovin g as a bronze-scaled post.
"Br idge Ma st er , you a r e dism issed. Begin you r wor k a t on ce. Oh , a n d Bridge Master, you will sit in on my planning conferences from now on. "
"Glory to our Dark Queen, Highlord!" Kang said, saluting.
"To the Queen, " Ariakas said absently, with a wave of his hand.
Ka n g a lm ost flew down t h e m u d t r a ck t o h is squ a dr on 's ba r r a cks t en t . H e h esit a t ed a t t h e t en t fla p, sa vor in g t h e m om en t . Two wor ds wou ld start his first real combat command. For this, he'd been hatched.
H e en t er ed t h e t en t qu iet ly a n d n odded polit ely t o t h e sen t r y. P u t t in g a n d t h e sm a ller on es t o cr ea t e will be u sed t o pr ovide gir der s a cor du r oy pla n kin g. t o lin k t h e pon t oon s his hands on his leather belt, he drew in a huge breath of air.
"Staaaaand toooooooo!"
H e wa s in h is elem en t n ow, for t h e fir st t im e in h is exist en ce. Th is wa s his hatch-right!
"Get ou t t a bed, you idle git s! Get m ovin g! St a n d t o, you la zy ba st a r ds! F or m r a n ks on t h e r oa d in t h r ee m in u t es, com ba t br a ces a n d h elm et s. Full construction gear. We're going to work! Move it!"
Th is la st or der ca u sed a sen sa t ion a m on g t h e dr a con ia n s. F u ll con st r u ct ion gea r ? Th a t wa s on ly n eeded for bu ildin g br idges real bridges. This was certainly no time for a practice exercise.
The squadron formed up in columns with twenty seconds to spare. They were going to war. They were back in the business of fighting....
Ka n g looked ever yon e over . "Righ t . List en u p. Tr oop com m a n der s r epor t t o m e in t wen t y m in u t es. Th e r est of you , u n pa ck a ll br idgin g t ools a n d pla n s. Recon n a issa n ce Com m a n der , r epor t t o m e n ow. Th e r est of you dismissed!"
Comos, leader of Reconnaissance Troop, stumped over.
Ka n g dr ew h im t o on e side. "Recce Com m a n der , I wa n t you a n d you r t r oop t o ch eck ou t a good sit e down st r ea m , wh er e t h e r iver get s wide a n d ca lm . Yea h , you kn ow t h e pla ce. Th e squ a dr on will a r r ive in t h r ee h ou r s. I want trees marked for planking, pontoons, and girders. I want a bivouac sit e m a r ked, a n d I wa n t a sm okeless fir e well h idden fr om t h e opposit e sh or e goin g a n d a t lea st on e la r ge r oden t r oa st in g wh en I get t h er e. Clear? Good. Go. "
Th e a r ea exploded in a flu r r y of a ct ivit y. E ver y sin gle m em ber of t h e br idgin g squ a dr on kn ew t h e sign ifica n ce of t h e en dea vor . E a ch on e of t h em ju m ped a t t h e ch a n ce t o pr ove h im self in t h e eyes of t h e Br idge Master.
Th e br idgin g squ a dr on wa s or ga n ized in t o gr ou ps of t wen t y Siva ks a n d on e Boza k. Th e Siva ks pr ovided t h e br a wn n eed for br idgin g oper a t ion s. Th e Boza k a ct ed a s t h e t r oop com m a n der a n d t h e sen ior Siva k a s h is su bcom m a n der . Th eir m a in t a sks wer e t h e con st r u ct ion of pa r t s a n d t h en assembly of those parts into a bridge.
Su ppor t Tr oop, con sist in g of r ou gh ly t h e sa m e m ix of dr a con ia n s, constructed tools and specialized in digging the approaches for the bridge. Recce, or Recon n a issa n ce Tr oop, wa s r espon sible for pickin g t h e exa ct br idge sit e, m a r kin g t h e t r ees n eeded for t h e con st r u ct ion of t h e br idge, a n d t h e defen se of t h e sit e du r in g con st r u ct ion . Sever a l Ba a z dr a con ia n s wer e m ixed in , a s t h er e wa s n o n eed t o wa st e h igh er qu a lit y dr a con ia n s on sen t r y or cookin g du t ies. As t h e sa yin g wen t , if t h er e wa s a m u n da n e job to do, let a Baaz do it.
Recce Tr oop a lso h a d t h e n ot so en via ble t a sk of h oldin g t h e fa r ba n k of t h e r iver du r in g br idge a ssem bly. Th a t wa s, a ccor din g t o t h e lea r n ed scrolls, usually referred to as a suicide mission.
Ka n g h eld h is own or der s con fer en ce wit h h is t r oop com m a n der s in side t h e ba r r a cks t en t . Th er e h a d n ever been so m u ch excit em en t or su ch h igh spir it s in t h e squ a dr on . No on e n eeded Ka n g t o em ph a size t h e sign ifica n ce of t h is oper a t ion . If t h ey su cceeded, n ot on ly wou ld t h ey be cover ed wit h glor y, bu t Lor d Ar ia ka s m igh t see fit t o dispen se wit h t h ose sneaky Black Robes and the tree-hugging druids.
Aft er t h e or der s wer e given , t h e t r oop com m a n der s r et u r n ed t o t h eir pr epa r a t ion s. Ka n g dr a gged h is su bcom m a n der , a h u ge Siva k dr a con ia n , off to the side.
"Slit h , t h is is it . We'r e goin g t o bu ild a godsfor sa ken br idge a n d sa ve t h e wh ole bloody da y. Now I wa n t you , a s secon d-in-com m a n d, t o be t h e disciplinarian. Keep those toads in line. Here's how we work it. I want the t r oops t o look over a t u s a n d sa y 't h a t Slit h , h e's a m ea n ba st a r d of a dr a gon spa wn , bu t Br idge Ma st er Ka n g, h e's oka y. ' Get m y dr ift ? Wh en t h er e's pr a ise or en cou r a gem en t t o be given , t h a t 's m y job. Wh en t h er e's wh ips t o be cr a cked or per h a ps a few h ea ds you 'll do t h e cr a ckin g. How's that with you?"
Slit h h a d been su bcom m a n der for on ly on e m on t h u n der Ka n g, bu t it h a d been a good m on t h . Slit h h a d sh own h im self t o be br igh t er t h a n m ost Siva ks a n d r u t h less wh en it ca m e t o a pplyin g t h e la w. H e wou ld likely n ever ea r n a com m a n d of h is own , bu t h e cer t a in ly wa s good a t subcommanding.
Slith's taut cartilage lips peeled back from rows of razor-sharp teeth.
"I a m lookin g for wa r d t o t h is, Br idge Ma st er . My on ly r equ est " squ in t y eyes n a r r owed a s h e ga u ged t h e effect of h is n ext few wor ds on his commander "is that I command the far-side holding section. "
Ka n g wa s plea sed a t t h e r equ est . Slit h wa s ea ger t o pr ove h im self. H e wa s a skin g for t h e m ost da n ger ou s posit ion gu a r din g t h e side of t h e river that was in enemy hands.
Ka n g cla pped t h e Siva k on h is bon y sh ou lder . "I don 't h a ve t o r em in d you that you may never come back across that bridge. "
Slith's toothy smile widened.
Kang nodded. "The honor is yours. "
J u st a s t h e su n r ose a bove t h e gr een h ills su r r ou n din g t h e va lley, t h e br idgin g squ a dr on a r r ived in for ce a t t h eir dest in a t ion . Th ey m oved wit h a ll du e ca u t ion a n d st ea lt h t h r ou gh t h e u n der br u sh . Th ey wer e ou t side t h e defen sive per im et er of t h e dr a gon a r m y, m ea n in g t h ey wer e in en em y t er r it or y. Bu t it wa s t h e su n t h a t wor r ied Ka n g m or e t h a n elves or even silver dr a gon s a t t h e m om en t . Wit h in t h e t r ee lin e it wa s st ill da r k, bu t already it was obvious to Kang that the day was going to be a hot one.
Spa wn ed fr om dr a gon s, dr a con ia n s t h eir body t em per a t u r e t o su it t h e a r e cold-blooded a n d ca n a dju st clim a t e. Th is spr in g h a d been u n u su a lly h ot , h owever , a n d ben ea t h t h e t r ees, h ot wa s ver y h ot . Som e dr a con ia n s cou ld n ot a dju st com plet ely. You cou ld a lwa ys t ell a dr aconian who was exhausted or overheated he grinned without knowing it. As the sca les on h is ba ck spr ea d t o a llow t h e a ir t o cir cu la t e, t h e skin of h is fa ce pulled taut, his mouth opened to allow greater cooling.
Ka n g wa s a fr a id t h a t h is t r oops wou ld n ot be a ble t o h a n dle t h e h a r d la bor in t h e h ea t , a n d h e h a d n o flexibilit y in h is t im et a ble for a dela y. It occurred to him, however, that every draconian in this unit was as excited about the coming battle as he was. He was probably worrying needlessly.
By ea r ly a ft er n oon , t h e t h wa ckin g of a xes a n d t h e pou n din g of wooden mallets on end posts were sweet music to Kang. He almost started to hum a lon g, ca u gh t h im self ju st in t im e. Wh a t if Lor d Ar ia ka s h a ppen ed by, discover ed h is Br idge Ma st er sin gin g? Ka n g's sca les clicked a t t h e thought.
Rounding up Slith, Kang decided to survey the work.
Th e fir st t r oop wa s deep in t h e for est cu t t in g t a ll, st r a igh t pin e t r ees. Th ose t h a t wer e t o be cu t wer e m a r ked by a dou ble bla zin g m a r k on t h e t r u n k, m a de by t h e m em ber s of Recon n a issa n ce Tr oop wh en t h ey h a d fir st a r r ived. Th e t r ees wer e felled a n d t h en st r ipped, lea vin g on ly t h e lon g t r u n k. Th ese wer e t o be u sed a s t h e r a ils of t h e br idge a n d con n ect the pontoons.
Kang was watching his men work when...
Thunk!
Ka n g r olled for cover . Th e t r ee t o h is r igh t h a d vir t u a lly exploded wit h the impact of... of what?
All wor k in t h e a r ea im m edia t ely dr a con ia n s wer e n ea r ly in visible in t h e sound.
Kang rolled to his side to look up at the tree. It had split dead center six feet from the ground. Kang's gaze moved first up the tree, and then down, fin a lly exa m in in g t h e ba se. H er e h e fou n d h is a n swer . A sm a ll piece of dowel wit h silver lea f sh a r ds la y br oken n ea r t h e t r u n k. You cou ld a lm ost smell the magic coming from the shaft. An elven arrow. Which meant...
"Slit h , look a t t h is!" Ka n g h issed. "Th er e's a da m n ed elf pa n sy-assing around out there. Do you see him?"
Slit h wa s m ovin g slowly, sn a kelike, in t h e dir ect ion of t h e sh ot . H e m a de n o sou n d a n d ga ve n o r eply. Bu t t h e Siva k h a d given Ka n g a ll t h e answers he needed.
Rollin g t o h is left , Ka n g r ose t o a cr ou ch a n d loped off in a slow a r c through the woods.
"Th er e's n o wa y u n der t h e Abyss I'll let som e poin t y-ea r ed woodsy r u in my first combat command, " Kang muttered.
Rou n din g a la r ge decidu ou s t r ee, h e spot t ed m ovem en t . H e dr ew h is cea sed. Th e lea t h er -armored den se br u sh . No on e m a de a da gger , t h en , cu r sin g, r et u r n ed it t o t h e sca bba r d. Wh a t wa s h e goin g t o do with a dagger when he faced a well-armed elf warrior?
Wit h r elief, Ka n g r ea lized t h a t t h e m ovem en t h a d been m a de by Slit h . Th e su bcom m a n der , seein g Ka n g, m ot ion ed t o a bu sh on a kn oll. Th e cu r sed elf m u st be h idin g t h er e. Slit h wa s silen t ly a skin g Ka n g t o dr a w the elf out, so that the Sivak could ambush their enemy from behind.
Ka n g n odded. Alt h ou gh h e wa s a m a gic-u ser , h e'd on ly h a d t im e t o m em or ize on e spell befor e bein g in t er r u pt ed for t h e or der s con fer en ce. Now it was time to put the spell to use.
Ka n g r ose t o h is fu ll h eigh t , cr a sh ed t h r ou gh t h e br u sh . Th e elf spot t ed h im ea sily. An ot h er thwack sen t t h e dr a con ia n spr a wlin g. An a r r ow embedded itself in the thick trunk of a nearby tree.
Rou n din g a sm a ll r ock, Ka n g sigh t ed t h e elf. Th e cr ea t u r e wa s wea r in g a gr een jer kin a n d t r ou ser s over lea t h er boot s, wit h a ch a in cu ir a ss cover in g it s t or so. At it s side, it wor e a sh or t swor d, a n d in it s h a n d wa s a n or n a t ely cr a ft ed elven lon gbow. Th e elf loa ded it s bow a n d bega n t o aim, all in one fluid motion.
Ka n g loosed h is spell. Th e for est lit u p like a bon fir e a t on e of t h e dea t h god Ch em osh 's fest iva ls. Th e elf a ppea r ed t o be m om en t a r ily con fu sed, bu t qu ickly r ega in ed it s com posu r e a n d pr epa r ed t o sen d t h e dr a con ia n t o his Queen.
Slith rose up behind the elf, struck.
A sh ocked expr ession con t or t ed t h e elf's fa ce. It slowly r elea sed t en sion on the bow and, with a grunt, sat down.
Ka n g st a r t ed t o con gr a t u la t e Slit h , bu t Slit h wa s n o lon ger t h er e. St a n din g beh in d t h e dea d elf wa s a secon d elf, exa ct ly t h e sa m e a s t h e first in every detail, but holding a draconian dagger, dripping with blood.
"I've always wanted to do that!" exclaimed Slith the elf.
It h a d been so lon g sin ce t h ey'd been in com ba t , Ka n g h a d for got t en t h a t Siva k dr a con ia n s h a d t h e power t o t a ke t h e sh a pe of t h e cr ea t u r e t h ey'd ju st killed. All dr a con ia n s wer e en dowed wit h cer t a in specia l gift s fr om t h eir Qu een . E ven in dea t h , a dr a con ia n cou ld in flict ser iou s h a r m on t h e en em y. Ka n g wa s pa r t icu la r ly pr ou d t o kn ow t h a t , wh en it ca m e t im e t o r et u r n t o h is Qu een , h is bon es wou ld explode, doin g con sider a ble da m a ge t o h is killer . A Siva k's cor pse t ook on t h e a ppea r a n ce of t h e on e wh o m u r der ed h im , wh ile a vict or iou s Siva k cou ld sh a pe-ch a n ge t o look like h is vict im u n n er vin g a n y of t h e en em y wh o st u m bled a cr oss wh a t a ppea r ed t o be a fr ien d t h ey'd t h ou gh t dea d. E ven t h e lowly Ba a z cou ld t u r n t o st on e, en ca sin g a n en em y's wea pon in t h eir bodies, ser iou sly hampering his ability to continue to fight.
Ka n g let ou t a n u n dign ified sigh of r elief. H e wa lked u p t o h is fr ien d, grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Good wor k, Slit h . I t h ou gh t I wa s h ea ded for t h e Abyss t h er e for a second. Damn, but you gave me half a fright looking like that cursed elf. "
Slit h gr in n ed a t t h e pr a ise. "Sir , t h er e m a y be m or e t h a n on e elf in t h is pa r t y, a n d I'm t h e pr a n cin g n in n y t o fin d t h em . Aft er a ll, don 't I look ju st like one of them twits?"
Ka n g bega n t o la u gh a la u gh t h a t bu bbled u p fr om deep in t h e belly. "Yes, yes, go a n d h u n t t h em down . Wh en you 'r e don e wit h you r fu n , I'll see you in you r normal for m ba ck a t t h e ca m p. If you 'r e n ot ba ck by sundown, I'll send Comos across with Recce Troop to take the far side. "
Slith t h e "elf" wiped h is bloody da gger on t h e ba ck of t h e dea d elf and tiptoed daintily into the woods.
Ka n g h u r r ied ba ck t o t h e en gin eer in g t r oop. Th ey h a d r esu m ed wor k, bu t h e n ot iced t h a t h is dr a con ia n s wer e u n ea sy. Th e ba st a r ds kept st oppin g t o peer n er vou sly a r ou n d. At t h is r a t e, it 'd t a ke t h em six m on t h s to build the damn bridge!
Assu m in g a dou r expr ession , Ka n g st r ode pu r posely u p t o t h e t r oop commander.
"Where in the Abyss are your sentries, Gloth?"
Glot h , t h e officer in ch a r ge, ju m ped n er vou sly. H is eyes da r t ed ba ck a n d for t h a cr oss t h e Br idge Ma st er 's m a ssive for m , h is ga ze a bou t level wit h Ka n g's sh ou lder s. Th e sligh t clickin g sou n d of h is sca les a lign in g was all that Kang needed to hear.
"Don 't t ell m e you 'r e sca r ed of a sin gle poin t y-ea r ! You sn ivelin g wh elp! Get a gr ip on you r sla ck a n d idle body. I've seen braver-looking h a t ch lin gs! F or t h e love of t h e Qu een , you bet t er get som e ice ba ck in those veins, or I'll have you guarding kender prisoners back at base camp! Now where the devil are your bloody sentries?"
Clot h 's eyes wer e wild, sn a ppin g t h is wa y a n d t h a t . "Sir , it 's on ly t h a t you t old m e I h a d fou r t een h ou r s t o com plet e a t h r ee-da y job! Th er e's n o way I can spare engineers for sentry duty!"
Ka n g, n ow t h a t h e h a d t a ken t h e officer a pa r t , h a d t o r ebu ild Glot h in t h e Br idge Ma st er 's own im a ge. H is voice soft en ed. H e dr ew t h e draconian to one side, hand on his quivering shoulder.
"List en , Glot h , I kn ow t h a t it 's t ou gh ou t h er e t ou gh er t h a n it 's ever been for u s, bu t t h is is our battle, our br idge. You 've got t o do m ir a cles, a n d t h e t r oop looks t o you for t h ose m ir a cles. Give t h em you r h ea r t a n d you r figh t in g spir it a n d t h e m ir a cles will com e. I kn ow you 've got it in you. Remember our pugil stick fight?"
Glot h dr ew a br ea t h , pr oba bly for t h e fir st t im e sin ce t h e a r r ow h a d h it t h e t r ee. Du r in g t h a t pu gil st ick m a t ch , Glot h h a d a t t a cked Ka n g wit h su ch fer ocit y t h a t Ka n g wa s su r e Glot h wou ld be in lin e for lea der sh ip someday. The draconian had it in him, and it was starting to show again.
"Yes, sir , " Glot h sa id, st r a igh t en in g. "Th is won 't h a ppen a ga in , a n d, sir, we'll be ready for bridge assembly this evening. We'll also be ready for a n y elves t h a t sh ow t h eir u gly fa ces in t h is woods a ga in . " H e wa sn 't bright, but he had drive enough for two draconians.
Saluting, Gloth moved back to his troop.
Ka n g h a d been for ced t o pla y bot h ba d dr a co a n d good dr a co in t h a t con fr on t a t ion , bu t it n eeded doin g. H e'd bet t er ch eck on t h e ot h er t r oops. Gloth had reminded him of that damn deadline.
Kang was starting to worry.
* * * * *
In t h e woods, Slit h m oved a bou t ja u n t ily. H e kept deliber a t ely ou t in the open so he could be seen, and hopefully spot his elven "comrades. " He h a d r ou n ded a ben d in t h e t r a il wh en a st r on g h a n d gr a bbed h old of h is arm, jerked him off the path, and threw him to the ground.

H e looked u p. St a n din g over h im st ood t wo elves, bot h dr essed sim ila r to himself.
"H ey, ca r efu l, fellows! I'm a delica t e elf. I m igh t br u ise, you kn ow. Be nice, " said Slith, speaking the Common language and trying to sound and look elflike. H e r ea ch ed ou t a h a n d. "C'm on . H elp m e u p. I t h in k you made me twist my ankle. " "Glthgbhe bheee thghdedd bllah?"
Th e t wo elves ju st st ood a n d st a r ed, on e of t h em ja bber in g a t h im in that birdbrained tongue of theirs.
St u pid, st u ck-u p t wit s. Wh y cou ldn 't t h ey t a lk a sen sible la n gu a ge like ever yon e else in t h e wor ld? Slit h h a d n o idea wh a t t h e poin t y-eared doofus was saying.
"Oh, yes, yes, of course!" he answered, again in Common.
The elf eyed Slith warily, but helped him to his feet.
As h e r ea ch ed a st a n din g posit ion , Slit h dr ove h is da gger in t o t h e st om a ch of t h e elf, h ea ved t h e bla de u p in t o it s r ibs. Blood gu sh ed, a n d the second elf stared in amazement.
Alm ost im m edia t ely, Slit h h a d m u t a t ed in t o t h e for m of t h e dyin g elf, and turned on the second, living one.
Dropping its bow, the elf reached for a short sword.
Slit h dr ove h is fist in t o t h e elf's fa ce, a t t h e sa m e t im e t r a n sfor m in g back into his draconian body.
Th e look of disbelief on t h e elf's fa ce wa s la u gh a ble, so Slit h la u gh ed a n d dou ble-fist ed t h e elf's n eck, br ea kin g it a n d dr ivin g t h e lifeless body to the ground.
Aga in Slit h m u t a t ed, t h is t im e in t o t h e for m of t h e secon d elf, wh o turned out to be a female. Slith was elated. Things were going exceedingly well. If h e kept t h is u p, h e'd h a ve a ll t h e elves in t h is en d of t h e wor ld dead by sundown.
Th a t ga ve h im a n idea . H e'd swim a cr oss t h e r iver in t h is for m a n d clea r t h e fa r side posit ion t o r et a ke Brilliant! of t h e en em y! It com m a n d of t h e wa s per fect . H e'd be in t h e r igh t defen se pa r t y wh en h e'd fin ish ed.
* * * * *
Su n down t h a t n igh t wa s on e of t h e m ost eer ie a n d bea u t ifu l sigh t s
P a la din e. Bla ck ch a n gin g wea k Kang.

Ka n g h a t ed a n d fea r ed silver dr a gon s. An d t h e dr a con ia n kn ew t h e feeling was mutual.
H e br oke t h e a wed silen ce wit h a bellowed or der . "Tr oop com m a n der s, report to me in fifteen minutes!"
Work continued. The river was over one hundred feet wide at this point. F er r yin g Recce Tr oop a cr oss wa s goin g t o be a pr oblem . Th e dist a n ce wa s t oo gr ea t t o h a ve t h e Ba a z fly a cr oss, a n d t h e cu r r en t wa s st r on g, m a kin g swim m in g a pr oblem . Ka n g didn 't wa n t h a lf h is com m a n d floa t in g off downstream.
Th e t r oop com m a n der s a r r ived a t t h e com m a n d t en t on e by on e, a h ea d of t h e fift een -m in u t e dea dlin e. Th ey m a r ked t h eir m a ps fr om t h e m a st er m a p Ka n g h a d n a iled t o a la r ge slewm u c t r ee, a ddin g a n y ch a n ges t h a t may have been made. That was the ritual in the dragonarmy. You arrived for or der s a h ea d of t im e, m a r ked you r m a p, gr a bbed a m u g of st ea m in g gr u el fr om t h e bivou a c a r ea , a n d wa it ed for t h e m eet in g t o be ca lled t o order.
Th e t r oop com m a n der s t a lked a m on g t h em selves, discu ssin g t h eir pr ogr ess a n d wor kin g ou t det a ils. Ka n g clea r ed h is t h r oa t . All r ose t o t h eir feet wh en t h e Br idge Ma st er t ook h is pla ce a t t h e fr on t of t h e t en t . Nor m a lly, t h e su bcom m a n der wou ld ca ll t h e m eet in g t o a t t en t ion , bu t Slith had not yet returned.
"Rela x. Th is is goin g t o be sh or t . I've visit ed a ll of t h e t r oops, a n d I'm plea sed wit h t h e pr ogr ess. I wa n t a ll br idge sect ion s a ssem bled by t wo h ou r s pa st m idn igh t h er e in t h e clea r in g. Recce Tr oop will cr oss a t Ka n g h a d ever seen . At t h e h or izon , t h e sky t u r n ed t h e color of blood. All of t h e dr a con ia n s st opped t h eir ba ckbr ea kin g wor k a n d r eveled in t h e sight. It was an omen of the battle to come.
Bu t ju st wh en Ka n g wa s feelin g r ea lly, r ea lly good, h e sa w som et h in g fly a cr oss t h e h or izon . It wa s t oo fa r a wa y t o iden t ify by sigh t , bu t t h e dr a con ia n kn ew, by t h e t er r ible st ir r in g of t h e blood a st ir r in g t h a t clenched his gut and shriveled his bowels what it was. A silver dragon.
Dr a con ia n s h a d been "bor n " of t h e eggs of silver , gold, a n d ot h er dr a gon s wh o ser ved t h e wim p god of sn ivelin g good a n d r igh t eou sn ess, m a gic a n d da r k pr a yer s h a d a lt er ed t h e dr a gon eggs, dr a gon h a t ch lin gs in t o st r on g, power fu l figh t er s like midnight. Comos, what do you think is the best way to cross?"
Com os con sider ed for a m om en t . "Sir , wh y don 't we fir e a ba llist a bolt wit h a sm a ll-ga u ge r ope a t t a ch ed a cr oss t h e r iver ? If it st icks, we'll swim , using the rope as a guide. If it doesn't, we'll swim and hope for the best. "
"Good. I like it . Set u p t h e ba llist a t wen t y m in u t es befor e you go. Ca ll m e t h en . I'm goin g t o r est a n d m em or ize spells. Get a t it , a n d t h e Qu een 's wrath to any of you who're late. "
Th e t en t em pt ied. Ka n g wa s left a lon e. A sin gle t or ch lit t h e in t er ior . P u llin g a wor n lea t h er t h on g fr om a pou ch in h is belt , Ka n g r h yt h m ica lly wr a pped a n d u n wr a pped h is h a n d wit h t h e t h on g. H e a llowed h im self t o fa ll in t o a t r a n ce, m u r m u r in g t h e a n cien t wor ds a skin g t h e Qu een of Darkness for her blessing and the granting of spells.
Mem or iza t ion of spells wa s a ct u a lly a m isn om er , com in g fr om t h e h u m a n h a bit of r ea din g a n d m em or izin g spells fr om a book. In fa ct , wit h the draconians, the use of magic was more similar to that practiced by the a n cien t cler ics, wh o wer e gr a n t ed spells by t h e gr a ce of t h eir gods. To a n ou t sider , t h e m a gic u sed by t h e Boza k dr a con ia n s a ppea r ed t o be a n in n a t e a bilit y. Th e Boza k kn ew t h a t h is m a gic wa s a gift fr om t h e Qu een herself.
A knock on the tent post startled Kang into wakefulness. "What is it?"
Th e r eply wa s fr om h is sen t r y. "Sir , it is ju st com in g u p t o m idn igh t , and you ordered we should wake you. "
"Midnight? Already?"
Ka n g wa s obviou sly m or e t ir ed t h a n h e'd t h ou gh t . H e did, h owever , h a ve a com plet e com plem en t of spells. Th e Qu een h a d sen sed h is n eed and granted him all that he had asked.
Exiting the tent, he turned to the sentry.
"Any word from Subcommander Slith?"
"No word, sir. No one has seen him since early this afternoon. "
Ka n g wa lked over t o t h e clea r in g. Th e da r kn ess possessed n o m a jor pr oblem s for h im . All dr a con ia n s, wit h t h eir specia lized h ea t -sensing vision , cou ld see fa ir ly well in t h e n igh t . Th r ee officer s descen ded u pon t h e Br idge Ma st er a s soon a s h e wa s in sigh t . Two of t h em wer e draconians of the bridging squadron, and the other was a human.
"Good even in g, Secon d Aide Ra ja k. I t r u st a ll is well wit h t h e Highlord?"
"All is well, Br idge Ma st er Ka n g. Lor d Ar ia ka s a sks for a pr ogr ess report. "
"Th e br idge will be r ea dy for u se ju st befor e t h e fir st br ea kin g of ligh t , a ccor din g t o h is or der s. Also, a n elven scou t wa s killed. I h a ve sen t m y su bcom m a n der t o dispa t ch t h e r est of t h e pa r t y. I a ssu m e, t h er efor e, t hat n o wor d of u s h a s m a de it ba ck t o t h e en em y. Recon n a issa n ce Tr oop will deploy t o t h e opposit e ba n k in m in u t es. Th e a ssem bly of t h e br idge will begin in t wo h ou r s. Du r in g a ssem bly, I wou ld a sk t h e H igh lor d t o r edeploy som e of h is sh ock in fa n t r y t o t h is a r ea . I won 't be a ble t o spa r e engineers for sentry duty once we begin. The noise will undoubtedly make this a hot spot. "
Ra ja k n odded. "I will r epor t t h is t o t h e Dr a gon H igh lor d. You will n ot ice t h e t r oops a ssem blin g on t h e t r a ck beh in d t h is clea r in g in a n h ou r or so. When the bridge is open, I will lead our forces to the other side. "
Th e secon d a ide depa r t ed. Ka n g t u r n ed t o t h e ot h er t wo officer s, Glot h and Comos.
"Comos, is the ballista ready?"
"Yes, sir , bu t t h er e is n o wa y t o a ccu r a t ely a im in t h e da r k. " Not even draconians could see across the vast river.
"Do the best you can. "
Ka n g m ot ion ed h is officer s t o follow a n d wa lked t o t h e ba llist a . In slow, m et h odica l t on es, t h e Br idge Ma st er in t on ed t h e spell for silen t fligh t , a n d pla ced h is h a n ds u pon t h e bowst r in g of t h e ba llist a . Wh en h e h a d fin ish ed, h e picked u p t h e ba llist a bolt wit h t h e r ope t ied t o t h e en d a n d repeated the process. Then he handed the bolt to Gloth.
"Fire it quickly. The silence spell does not last long. "
Th e bolt flew a cr oss t h e r iver a n d la n ded on t h e ot h er side, som ewh er e in t h e br u sh , a ll in u n n a t u r a l, dea dly silen ce. Th e on ly sou n d wa s t h e wood of t h e ba llist a cr ea kin g, a n d t h a t wa s m in or . Ka n g's spell h a d worked.
H e peer ed in t o t h e da r kn ess, t h ou gh t h e sa w m ovem en t on t h e fa r ba n k. To h is a st on ish m en t , t h e r ope wa s in explica bly dr a wn a n ot h er t en feet across before it stopped.
Slith! It had to be Slith!
He hoped to the Queen it was Slith....
Recce Com m a n der Com os pu lled on h is en d of t h e r ope, fou n d t h e ot h er en d secu r e. H e or der ed h is t r oop a cr oss. Ten m in u t es la t er , a ft er t h e la st of h is com m a n d h a d en t er ed t h e wa t er , himself.
Th e cr ossin g wa s ea sy. E a ch
h im self a lon g, cla w over cla w.
dr a con ia n Ar r ivin g clambered out of the water, then stopped dead in his tracks.
H e r ea ch ed for h is da gger . F a cin g h im wa s a n elf officer in gold pla t e mail armor. Comos's men had the elf surrounded. One of the Sivaks had a knife to the elf's throat.
"By t h e Qu een , wh a t h a ve we got h er e?" Com os la u gh ed. "A h a u gh t y prisoner caught in a draconian spiderweb, eh?"
Th e elf cu r sed in dr a con ia n . command of this gaggle of yours!"
Th e Siva k h oldin g t h e da gger Com os st a r t ed t h e jou r n ey
h u n g on t o t h e r ope, pu lled on t h e ot h er ba n k, Comos
"Com os, you dolt . Sh u t u p a n d t a ke
on t h e elf t h r ew down h is wea pon in disgu st . "If t h a t isn 't Su bcom m a n der Slit h , I'm a fa er ie pr in cess! All t h is trouble for nothing!"

Comos stared, narrow-eyed. "Sir, is that you?"
"Of cou r se it 's m e, fr og-br a in . Wh o in t h e Abyss did you t h in k secu r ed you r r ope on t h is side? Th e Qu een h er self? Now, list en t o m e. I'll r et a in t h is elf for m for a n ot h er h ou r or t wo. I'm goin g t o scou t a r ou n d. If som et h in g goes wr on g, you 'll h ea r m y ba t t le cr y. An d if you r u n a cr oss a n elf wea r in g a h elm or a h a t , kill it . I'll t a ke m y h elm off a n d wa ve it , so you'll know it's me. "
Wit h t h a t , Slit h t u r n ed a n d disa ppea r ed in t o t h e woods. Th e ot h er dr a con ia n s spr ea d ou t in a sem icir cle a n d st a r t ed t o wor k. Usin g h u ge m a llet s, t h e dr a con ia n s bega n t o pou n d la r ge wooden spikes in t o t h e ground to form the bridge anchor.
Th e n oise wa s su r e t o dr a w a t t en t ion on t h is side, a ssu m in g a n yon e was within hearing distance. Comos prepared for trouble.
J u st a s t h e la st spike wa s bein g pou n ded, h e h ea r d a la r ge spla sh on t h e opposit e side of t h e r iver Ka n g's side. Th e br idge wa s st a r t in g t o be assembled. Now, the race was on.
"To t h e Abyss wit h givin g ou r selves a wa y, " Com os sh ou t ed, gr in n in g t o himself. "Let the enemy try to stop us!"
Officer s yelled or der s. Th e h ea vin g a n d pou n din g of ir on spikes in t o t h e wood pon t oon s m a de a ca coph on y in t h e n igh t . E ver y t wen t y m in u t es or so, a n ot h er spla sh sou n ded, a n ot h er pon t oon wa s pu sh ed in t o t h e r iver . The pounding and yelling renewed.
Ten sion wa s r isin g on Com os's side, h owever . Slit h h a dn 't r et u r n ed, a n d t h e sen t r ies wer e qu iet t oo qu iet . Com os wa s a bou t t o go ch eck on things himself when he heard a rustling in the trees.
An elf wa vin g h is h elm st a lked ou t of t h e sh a dows. E n t er in g t h e clea r area at the bank, the elf changed into a Sivak draconian Slith.
Th e su bcom m a n der wa s n ot plea sed. H e st r ode u p t o Com os, gr a bbed h old of h im by t h e colla r of h is lea t h er a r m or , a n d sh ook h im like a dog shakes a rat.
"You idiot ! Never n ever never pu t a Ba a z on sen t r y du t y! You 'r e a fool, Com os. I've kn own scr a m bled eggs wit h m or e br a in s! Tell m e, wh a t do you think happens when a Baaz is garroted? He just stands there quiet as stone! As stone, lizard-breath! All your damn sentries out there have been killed, and they've turned to stone! And you didn't hear a damn thing!"
"But, sir " Comos tried to explain.
Slit h glower ed. "At lea st if a Boza k bu ys it on sen t r y du t y, h e'd h a ve exploded, a n d we'd h a ve h a d som e wa r n in g! Lu cky for you I wa s n ea r by. Th e m u r der in g elven scou t pa r t y is n ow fer t ilizin g da isies n ot fift y feet from here. I'm assuming command. You'll act as my aide. Clear?"
"Yes, s-s-sir!" stammered the unhappy Comos, through rattling teeth.
Slit h gla n ced a r ou n d, n ot iced t h e r est of Recce Tr oop st a n din g a r ou n d, doing nothing, watching the two officers.
"J u st wh a t in t h e Abyss do you t h in k you 'r e lookin g a t ?" Slit h sh ou t ed a t t h em . "No on e t old you t o st op wor kin g! F or m a defen sive per im et er ! Move!"
Recce Tr oop bega n t o slog off in t h e dir ect ion of t h e t r ee lin e. Su dden ly on e dr a con ia n gr oa n ed a n d sa gged t o t h e gr ou n d. An ot h er fell, clu t ch in g a n a r r ow in h is m idr iff. Mor e a r r ows wh in ed t h r ou gh t h e t r ees, sou n din g like evil wasps.
"Get going, you maggots!" Slith hollered. "Enemy to your front!"
Acr oss t h e r iver , Ka n g st ood on a t r ee st u m p a t t h e wa t er 's edge a n d su r veyed t h e wor k. All of t h e pon t oon s wer e con st r u ct ed, a n d cr ossbea m s wer e bein g n a iled in t o pla ce. As a sect ion wa s r ea died, it wa s pu sh ed in t o t h e wa t er , m ovin g t h e en t ir e floa t in g br idge closer t o t h e opposit e ba n k. Th e en d of t h e br idge wa s secu r ed t o t h e r ope t h a t Recce Tr oop h a d sh ot across, ensuring that the bridge was not swept downriver.
Siva k dr a con ia n s, ba la n cin g on t h e bea m s, n a iled h a lflogs in t o pla ce, cr ea t in g a wa lkwa y. Sever a l h eld sh or t bows, t h eir a t t en t ion on t h e a ir and the land, keeping watch.
Ka n g wa s m or e wor r ied n ow t h a n ever . Th e br idge wa s n ea r in g com plet ion , a n d n ot on e pr oblem h a d occu r r ed. Su r ely it ca n 't be t h is easy, he thought.
H e wa s r igh t . F r om a cr oss t h e fa r side of t h e r iver , h e h ea r d wh a t sounded like Slith's rumbling voice, the words: "Enemy to the front. "
"Da m n !" Ka n g peer ed a cr oss t h e wa t er , t r yin g desper a t ely t o see. H e cou ld h ea r t h e cla sh of bla des, m or e sh ou t s. An d t h en a h u ge bla ck sh a pe dr ift ed over h ea d in t h e da r kn ess, bla cker t h a n bla ck. It wa s flyin g a bove the river, and it could only be one thing.
Ka n g ju m ped down fr om h is per ch . H e r a ced over t o a ccost t h e h u m a n , st a n din g on t h e r iver 's edge. "Secon d Aide, I t a ke it t h a t is on e of ou r dragons?"
Ra ja k sh ook h is h ea d. "No, cou ldn 't be on e of ou r s, Br idge Ma st er . Ou r dr a gon s a r e gr ou n ded except t o in t er cept en em y... " Th e h u m a n 's voice trailed off. "Holy Mother Takhisis!" Kang swore.
Ra ja k t u r n ed a n d spr in t ed t o t h e r ea r , h ea din g ba ck t o Lor d Ar ia kas's command tent.
Ka n g ju m ped on t o t h e pa r t ia lly com plet ed br idge, m a de h is wa y t o t h e center. Pounding his feet, he urged the engineers on.
"F a st er ! Move it ! We've got t h e en em y on ou r ... Blessed Abyss! Incoming!"
The darkness suddenly coalesced into the form of a huge silver dragon.
So that's how it disguised itself. Magical darkness spell! Kang realized.
Th e dr a gon n ow sh on e br igh t silver . It swept for wa r d. It s ou t st r et ch ed h in d t a lon s r a ked a cr oss t h e br idge. Th e da m a ge t h e dr a gon did wa s ligh t , bu t it ca r r ied off t wo Boza ks in it s cla ws. Ka n g r ecogn ized Com os, screaming curses as the dragon's talons dug into his scaly flesh.
Th e Br idge Com m a n der swor e. Th e dr a gon h a d ca pt u r ed pr ison er s alive. Torture couldn't make a draconian talk, but give that wretch Comos a couple of drams of elven wine and...
Ka n g wa s blin ded by a fla sh , t h en dea fen ed by a n explosion , followed qu ickly by a n ot h er . It t ook h im a m om en t t o r ea lize wh a t h a d h a ppen ed. Th e t wo Boza ks h a d blown a pa r t in m ida ir ! Th e for ce of t h e bla st r ipped t h e u n der belly of t h e silver dr a gon wide open . It scr ea m ed, r olled over onto its back, and plunged into the river.
"Not bad shooting, eh, Bridge Master?"
Subcommander Slith, holding an elven bow, was grinning at Kang.
The Bridge Master stared at him in wordless astonishment.
Slith shrugged. "Couldn't have that lizard-livered Comos and that other officer bla bbin g a bou t ou r br idge, cou ld we, sir ? So I sh ot t h em . Th ese a r r ows a r e fr om a n elven officer , a n d I gu ess t h ey don 't m iss. I r em em ber ed t h a t wit h you Boza ks, you r bon es explode wh en you 'r e dead beggin g you r pa r don , sir . Not h in g per son a l. It 's ju st t h a t I figu r ed if those two went up, they'd take the dragon with 'em. "
Ka n g fou n d h is voice. "Slit h ! Wh er e in t h e Qu een 's n a m e did you com e from? How in the Abyss did you get over here?"
"Th e br idge h a s r ea ch ed t h e opposit e sh or e. Recce Tr oop is secu r in g t h e ot h er side a s we spea k. We'r e bein g over r u n by elves over t h er e. Th a t 's what I sent Comos to tell you. "
Ka n g h a dn 't r ea lized t h ey'd m a de t h is m u ch pr ogr ess. H e peer ed a cr oss the river, could see his troops all over the opposite bank. He could also see t h e fla sh of m et a l, h ea r t h ose n er ve-gr a t in g son gs t h ose cu r sed elves sa n g wh en t h ey wen t in t o ba t t le. H e looked ba ck a t t h e n ea r ba n k. Th e fir st engineering t r oop wa s ju st fin ish in g t h e pla n kin g. Good for Glot h . H e h a d not permitted his men to stop work, even when the dragon attacked.
Kang was suddenly, deeply, righteously angry.
Spr in t in g on t o t h e br idge, h e r a llied h is for ces. "Keep F ir st Tr oop wor kin g!" h e yelled a t Glot h . "Th e r est of you , com e wit h m e! We'r e n ot goin g t o let a n y Qu een -cu r sed, poin t y-ea r ed, sin g-son gy, gim py-legged elves take our bridge! Are we?"
The draconians answered with one resounding voice. "No, sir!"
Th e en gin eer s wor kin g on t h e br idge did n ot go a r m ed; swor ds wou ld on ly get in t h eir wa y. Now t h ey gr a bbed a n yt h in g t h a t cou ld be u sed t o kill: h a m m er s, m a llet s, a xes, spikes. Wieldin g t h eir cr u de wea pon s, t h e dr a con ia n s swa r m ed a cr oss t h e br idge their br idge. E lven a r r ows picked off more than a few, but the draconians surged on.
By all the gods in the dark pantheon, their bridge would stand.
Th e for ce of t h e dr a con ia n on sla u gh t sm a sh ed t h e elven lin e. Soon , t h e far bank was awash with elven and draconian blood.
Ka n g, h a ckin g t h e h ea d off a n elf wa r r ior , h ea r d t h e elven t r u m pet s sou n d r et r ea t . Th e elves left a live a n d t h er e wer en 't m a n y m a de a da sh for t h e sa fet y of t h e woods. Ka n g wa s for ced t o st op h is ba t t le-mad troops from pursuing.
Their job was the bridge. Let Rajak and his army finish off the elves.
Wea r y bu t t r iu m ph a n t , Ka n g slogged ba ck a cr oss t h e br idge in company with Slith. The draconian was licking elf blood from his dagger.
"You kn ow wh a t I h ea r d on e of t h em n in n ies sa y t o a n ot h er , r igh t befor e I slit t h eir t h r oa t s? 'Wh a t 's got in t o t h ese devil-spa wn ? Usu a lly they're pushovers. ' "
"Obviou sly, t h ey've n ever fou gh t t h e en gin eer s befor e, " Ka n g sa id, gr in n in g. On ce h e r ea ch ed t h e ot h er side, h e looked over t h e br idge, rubbed his claws together in satisfaction. "Good, it's ready to cross. "
"Spea kin g of cr ossin g, wh er e's t h e a r m y, sir ? Sh ou ldn 't t h ey be h er e by now?"
"You 'r e r igh t , " Ka n g m u t t er ed. "I h ope n ot h in g's gon e wr on g.... Ah , here comes Rajak! He's leading the crossing. "
"Yeah? Well, he's in no hurry, is he, sir?" Slith observed.
Th r ou gh t h e da r kn ess, glowin g body a h u m a n riverbank.
"Cou ldn 't h e h ea r we wer e u n der a t t a ck?" Ka n g swor e. "Wh a t 's h e lollygagging around for?"
Ka n g da sh ed u p t o m eet Ra ja k. Despit e t h e fa ct t h a t m ost of Recce Tr oop h a d pa id for t h is br idge wit h t h eir lives or m a ybe beca u se of t h a t fact this was Kang's proudest moment.
"Secon d Aide Ra ja k" Ka n g sa lu t ed sm a r t ly "you m a y r epor t t o H igh lor d Ar ia ka s t h a t , a s Br idge Ma st er , I h er eby decla r e t h is br idge open. Your army can cross immediately!"
Ra ja k ba r ely spa r ed t h e br idge a gla n ce. "Good wor k, Br idge Ma st er , " h e sa id a bsen t ly. H is ga ze sh ift ed ba ck t o Ka n g. "Bu t we won 't be n eedin g it. "
Ka n g's m ou t h fell open . H is liza r d t on gu e u n r olled, dr opped down n ea r ly t o h is wa ist . Rea lizin g h e looked u n dign ified, h e h a st ily su cked h is t on gu e ba ck in . "If you 'll excu se m y a skin g, sir ... did you sa y t h e a r m y won't be crossing?"
Ra ja k swa t t ed ir r it a bly a t a m osqu it o. "Cor r ect , Br idge Ma st er . We will not be needing this bridge. "
"Uh, begging your pardon, sir, but could I ask why?"
"We won 't be cr ossin g t h e r iver . Not h er e, a t a n y r a t e. Th a t da m n Golden Gen er a l a n d h er silver -pla t ed kn igh t s a r e a h u n dr ed m iles n or t h t h e dr a con ia n s cou ld m a ke ou t a wa r m ly st r ollin g a t a leisu r ely pa ce a lon g t h e of here. Stole a march on us.
"This" Ra ja k wa ved a h a n d a t t h e opposit e ba n k "wa s a ll a diver sion . In t elligen ce fell for it . In t elligen ce!" Th e soldier sn or t ed. "Now t h er e's a m isn om er . Da m n spooks cou ldn 't fin d P a la din e if h e fell ou t of the sky and landed right on top of 'em!"
"I... I don 't su ppose Lor d Ar ia ka s wou ld like t o com e t a ke a look a t t h e bridge we built?" Kang asked wistfully.
"Lor d Ar ia ka s h a s seen a br idge befor e, you kn ow, " Ra ja k sa id sa r ca st ica lly. Th en h e sigh ed. "Besides, you wou ldn 't wa n t t o be a r ou n d him just now, Kang. My lord is not, shall we say, in the best of moods. "
The human massaged his jaw. Kang noticed a large and swelling bruise starting to develop on the left side of Rajak's face. Apparently it didn't pay to be near Ariakas when he received bad news.
"Well, Br idge Ma st er , I sh ou ld be h ea din g ba ck t o ca m p. Ta kin g m y time, of course. "
Secon d Aide Ra ja k a dded, a s a n a ft er t h ou gh t , "You 'll be r eceivin g n ew orders. "
"Goin g t o be n eedin g a lot of la t r in es wh er e we'r e goin g, eh , sir ?" Ka n g grunted.
Ra ja k la u gh ed a ppr ecia t ively, sla pped t h e dr a con ia n on h is sca ly sh ou lder , a n d m oved off. Ka n g st ood st a r in g a ft er h im discon sola t ely. Slith, who had been watching, but keeping out of earshot, sidled up.
"What's the word? Where in the Abyss is everyone?"
"They're not coming, " Kang said. "They're not crossing. "
"Not crossing?" Slith gaped. "After all Well, I'll be a skin n y-assed elf!" He flung the dagger into the mud in disgust.
Ka n g didn 't r espon d. H e wa s lookin g a t t h e br idge h is br idge. Un du la t in g gen t ly on t h e su r fa ce of t h e flowin g wa t er , it st r et ch ed a cr oss the dark river the way a ribbon of the finest silk might lie across his Dark Queen's bosom. He made his decision.
"By the gods, someone will cross our bridge, " he announced.
Slit h st a r ed a t h is com m a n der a s if h e'd ju st n ewly cr a cked ou t of h is shell.
"Form ranks, " Kang ordered. "Have the troops fall in. Let's go. "
Th e F ir st Dr a gon a r m y Br idgin g Com pa n y la id down t h eir t ools. Th ey formed a double line behind their officers. Kang took his place in front.
"Quick march!"
With claw-footed precision, the draconians marched across their bridge.
Once on the other side, they formed ranks.
"F ir st Tr oop, fa ll ou t , " Ka n g or der ed. "Bu r y t h e dea d. Accor din g t o custom, " he added, trying to keep his voice from shaking.
Th ey bu r ied t h e r em a in s of Recce Tr oop n ea r t h e foot of t h e br idge, t h eir br idge. Th e r est looked on solem n ly, t h e r a n ks a s r igid a s if t h ey'd a ll been t u r n ed t o st on e. Not a wor d or a sou n d, ot h er t h a n t h e diggin g. Wh en t h e job wa s don e, Ka n g or der ed t h e t r oop t o fa ll in . H e m a r ch ed for wa r d a n d em bedded a n ir on m a llet in t o t h e t op of t h e m ou n d. An yon e who saw it would know that engineers were buried here.
Kang saluted the dead, then returned to the squadron.
In silen ce, t h e F ir st Dr a gon a r m y Br idgin g Com pa n y m a r ch ed ba ck across their bridge.
"Move 'em in t o ca m p, " Ka n g or der ed Glot h . "Ma ke su r e ever y wor ker 's got his shovel. "
Glot h , a bit dim -wit t ed, didn 't u n der st a n d t h e sa r ca sm . H e blin ked, slurped his tongue, and did as he was told.
Br idge Ma st er Ka n g a n d Su bcom m a n der Slit h fell ou t of t h e pr ocession a n d st opped, st a n din g a lon e on t h e r iver ba n k. Th e br idge bobbed gen t ly in t h e wa t er . An en t ir e squ a dr on of dr a con ia n s h a d m a r ch ed ba ck a n d for t h a cr oss it a n d n ot on e pla n k h a d given wa y, n ot on e log slipped it s moorings. The bridge was a masterpiece, a miracle.
"Wh a t do we do n ow?" Slit h a sked solem n ly. It seem ed a solem n moment.
Kang drew his dagger. "Cut 'er loose. "
The Middle of Nowhere Dan Harnden
It wa s a ver y sm a ll bu t or din a r y villa ge, t h e kin d cit y dweller s oft en t h in k of a s idyllic, offer in g a sim ple, m or e pea cefu l wa y of life. At t h e t own 's cen t er wer e ju st a few st or es. If t h e villa ger s' n eeds cou ld n ot be sa t isfied by t h ese loca l m er ch a n t s, t h en a lon g wa it for deliver ed goods or a n even lon ger jou r n ey t o som e dist a n t loca t ion wer e t h eir on ly ot h er a lt er n a t ives. Bu t t h is wa s r a r ely n ecessa r y. Th e t own wa s self-sufficient a n d, in fa ct , h a d lit t le or n o con t a ct wit h t h e ou t side wor ld. All ver y quaint.

Alt h ou gh som e r esiden t s lived a t a dist a n ce fr om t h e villa ge pr oper , other s ch ose t o bu ild t h eir h ou ses r igh t in t own a n d r a t h er close t o on e a n ot h er . Th e dwellin gs a n d ot h er st r u ct u r es wer e sim ply design ed. Alm ost a ll t h e h om es wer e sh ea t h ed wit h ba r k in t h e m a n n er t h a t wa s popu la r a m on g cou n t r y folk. Th e m a in st r eet , wh ich wa sn 't lon g, wa s pa ved wit h dir t a n d cr u sh ed r ock a n d lin ed wit h lu sh old t r ees t h a t pa r t ia lly h id m a n y of t h e h ou ses fr om view. Bu t t h e m a in st r eet did n ot pa ss a ll t h e wa y t h r ou gh t h e villa ge a s on e m igh t expect . In st ea d, it widen ed a n d en ded in a cir cle wit h a villa ge gr een in t h e cen t er . If on e wer e flyin g a bove t h e t own a s sa y a dr a gon m igh t t h e st r eet wou ld look something like a keyhole. Really quite charming.

Not all the structures were made of bark. The ones at the circumference of t h e cir cle wer e bu ilt of wea t h er ed gr a y st on e. Th is wa s t h e bu sin ess dist r ict , wh ich in clu ded a bla cksm it h 's sh op, a com bin a t ion feed a n d gen er a l st or e, a t a ver n , a n d a la r ge bu ildin g t h a t ser ved a s t h e a r ch ives. Th e villa ge's on ly sou r ce of n egot ia ble in com e ca m e fr om t h e preserving, copyin g, r eplica t in g, a n d su bsequ en t sellin g of a n cien t m a n u scr ipt s. Ver y m et icu lou s wor k. Of t h e fou r bu ildin gs, t h e t a ver n wa s by fa r t h e m ost popular.

As it wa s t oo ea r ly t h is da y for a n y decen t cit izen t o be im bibin g, t h e t a ver n wa s wit h ou t pa t r on a ge. Th is wa s n ot ou t of t h e or din a r y. Bu t t h e la ck of a ct ivit y a t t h e feed st or e a n d bla cksm it h 's sh op wa s fa r fr om n or m a l, a s wer e t h e sh ou t s of a n ger t h a t r ose fr om t h e a r ch ives, wh ich dou bled a s t h e t own 's m eet in g pla ce in t im es of cr isis. F ist s cr a sh ed down on t a bles a n d a ccu sa t ion s flew. F ea r wa s in t h e a ir , a n d t h e ser en it y of this mostly sleepy hamlet had been shattered.
* * * * *
Th e sigh t in g of a dr a gon h a d pr om pt ed t h e em er gen cy session a t t h e a r ch ives. Wit h ou t except ion , a ll t h e r esiden t s h a d t u r n ed ou t for t h e meeting and were in good voice.
"What kind of dragon was it?" someone shouted.
"What kind do you think, idiot?" snapped Glykor, who directed the work of the archives.
"H ow ca n we be su r e it wa s on a r econ n a issa n ce m ission ? Wh y wou ld the dragon attack us?" another villager inquired.
"Shut up! You know why, " replied Smorg, the town's forge smith.
A lou d, ext en ded session of in coh er en t sh ou t in g en su ed. Moin Ra n kel h a d lon g a go lea r n ed t o ign or e t h e ou t bu r st s of h is con st it u en cy a n d wa s confident he had found the solution to their dilemma. He was just waiting for the whooping to die down.
Th is wa s by fa r t h e wor st sit u a t ion Moin Ra n kel's a dm in ist r a t ion h a d ever fa ced, a n d t h er e exist ed t h e r ea l da n ger t h a t pa n ic a m on g t h e people wou ld t h r ea t en ever yt h in g t h ey h a d wor ked so h a r d t o a ch ieve. Bu t Moin Ra n kel wa s a r esou r cefu l lea der som e t h ou gh t h im a bit pom pou s and wh en h e r ose t o h is feet , t h e t own speople gr a du a lly bega n t o fix t h eir a t t en t ion u pon h im . Th e r oom figu r e, let t h e silen ce h a n g in speaking. The consummate politician.
"An d wh a t , pr a y t ell, is your su ggest ion ?" h e a sked, fixin g h is ga ze on Smorg. "Swords and arrows from your forge against a dragon?"
Smorg could find no reply.
"An d wh a t a bou t you ?" Moin Ra n kel sh ift ed h is a t t en t ion t o Glykor . "P er h a ps you cou ld wr it e t h e dr a gon a let t er . Ma ybe you r eloqu en t wa y gr ew silen t . Moin Ra n kel, a n im posin g t h e a ir for a n ext en ded m om en t befor e with words will convince the beast to seek out another town to destroy. "
Silence.
Moin Ra n kel t u r n ed t o t h e a ssem bly. H e a dopt ed a m or e con cilia t or y tone. "These are indeed troubled times. The truth is there is no acceptable solu t ion t o ou r dilem m a , a n d t h u s we m u st ch oose fr om t h e u n acceptable opt ion s. I'm cer t a in , wh en you ea ch h a ve h a d t im e t o con sider t h e r ea lit ies of ou r sit u a t ion , you will a gr ee t h a t m y pla n is ou r on ly r a t ion a l course of action. "
H e wen t on t o det a il h is pla n , t h en sa t down wit h a wea r in ess t h a t su ggest ed h is own a ccept a n ce of t h e in evit a ble. A m a st er m a n ipu la t or a t wor k. Bu t m a ke n o m ist a ke a bou t it , like t h e r est of t h e com m u n it y, t h e sweat pouring from his brow was quite genuine.
Ma n y h ou r s la t er , sh or t ly befor e su n r ise, Moin Ra n kel's st r a t egy wa s fin a lly a ccept ed. Of cou r se, if h is pla n sh ou ld fa il, t h e fa u lt wou ld be solely h is. On ly Moin Ra n kel r ea lized t h er e wou ld be n o su ch r ecr im in a t ion s if h is pla n did n ot su cceed. No on e wou ld be left a live t o r ecr im in a t e. As h e left t h e m eet in g, h e fou n d h im self won der in g wh y t h e gods had seen fit to give him such a town of imbeciles to govern.
Wh y m e? h e t h ou gh t a s h e h ea ded in t o t h e for est on h is wa y t o wh a t was the most important and terrifying meeting of his life.
* * * * *
H e wor ked h is wa y a lon g t h e seldom -traveled pa t h ; t h e for est gr ew darker and more foreboding with every step. Leadership is a double-edged swor d, Moin Ra n kel r ea lized; t h is wa s h is idea a n d t h er efor e h is r espon sibilit y. St ill, h e wish ed t h er e wer e som e ot h er wa y. Bu t it wa s clea r t h a t a n y con ven t ion a l defen se a ga in st a dr a gon wou ld be u seless, wh ich left on ly on e a lt er n a t ive: m a gic. An d for bet t er or wor se, t h a t meant Lozlan.

Th er e wer e plen t y of r ea son s wh y n obody wa n t ed a n yt h in g t o do wit h Lozla n . H is m a n n er a n d a ppea r a n ce wer e t er r ifyin g. Lozla n 's eyes wer e glowin g r ed slit s. H is fa ce wa s exceedin gly wr in kled, wit h n on e of t h e lin es ch a r a ct er ist ic of on e wh o h a s a n y occa sion t o sm ile. H e wa s t h e kin d of man impossible to imagine having ever been a child. It was rumored, in fa ct , t h a t h e wa s bor n old, com plet e wit h a bea r d. Wh a t ever t h e t r u t h , it wa s clea r h e wa s a n in dividu a l wh ose ch ildh ood wa s fa r , fa r beh in d h im , a n d a lt h ou gh h e wa s n ot in lea gu e wit h t h e da r k gods, n eit h er did h e side with the light. You never really knew where you stood with the man.

Th e on ly pr ospect m or e fr igh t en in g t h a n a dr a gon a n d Lozla n wa s a dr a gon a n d n o Lozla n . So Moin Ra n kel pr essed on t owa r d t h e m a ge's la ir . As h e ca m e t o t h e t op of a r ise, h e beca m e su dden ly a wa r e of a n a llencompassing presence. He stopped dead in his tracks. From the corner of his eye, he saw something shift behind a tree.

Nothing there.
H e t u r n ed a t a n ot h er m ovem en t , bu t a ga in sa w n ot h in g. Wh a t ever it wa s m a n a ged t o st a y in t h e cor n er of h is eye, a lwa ys on e st ep a h ea d of h im . It wa s m a dden in g. An d t h en , a ll a t on ce, a cr ow cr ied ou t lou dly, ca u sin g Moin Ra n kel t o wh ir l a r ou n d a n d, ca t ch in g h is foot in t h e protruding root of a tree, fall to the ground.
"Da m n ! Be da m n ed!" Moin Ra n kel cr ied ou t . An gr y, h e st a gger ed t o h is feet, brushing the dirt from his legs.
Lozlan was standing directly in front of him.
Moin Rankel gasped. The mage smiled sadistically.
"Well, if it isn 't t h e gr ea t lea der h im self, " Lozla n h issed. "Com e, " h e commanded.
And the great leader followed.
Lozla n 's a bode wa s a s pecu lia r a s t h e m a n . A per pet u a l m ist clou ded t h e st r u ct u r e, h idin g it fr om view. On ce in side, t h e sa m e m ist ga ve t h e viewer the unnerving impression that the world outside no longer existed. And perhaps, in some way, it did not.
Lozla n offer ed Moin Ra n kel a cu p of t ea , a n d t h e t ea pot bega n t o wa lk down t h e t a ble t owa r d t h em . Lozla n wa s a m u sed by h is gu est 's n er vou s reaction. That was his style.
Moin Ra n kel fou gh t t o keep h is wit s a bou t h im . Wh en t h e t ea cu p a sked h im if h e wa n t ed m ilk or su ga r , h e cou ldn 't h elp h im self, h e bega n t o stammer.
"I'm s-s-sorry to bother you, Lozlan, but I have c-c-come because "
"I kn ow wh y you h a ve com e, " in t er r u pt ed t h e m a ge. "An d it will cost you. "
"How much?" Moin Rankel asked fearfully.
"Not quite everything. "
Th is wa s t h e kin d of r espon se Moin Ra n kel h a d expect ed. An d yet , what option did they have?
"You will protect us from the dragon?"
"I don't know. Dragons are dangerous, " Lozlan said coyly.
Moin Ra n kel sen sed t h e m a ge wa s t oyin g wit h h im . "Th en , you t h in k we should abandon the village?"
"Not n ecessa r ily. I, t oo, a m da n ger ou s, a n d if t h e pr ice is r igh t , I m igh t defeat the dragon... conceivably. "
"Then you think you can save us?" Moin Rankel persisted.
"I ca n 't h ide t h e t own , a t lea st n ot in defin it ely, " Lozla n m u sed. "An d it is unlikely I can dissuade the beast from attacking. "
"Then what can be done?"
"Why, we will have to trick the dragon, naturally. "
"We?" Moin Rankel had a sinking feeling.
"Yes. You, me, and the morons you so ineptly govern. "
"I don't understand. "
"Then I'll explain. "
F or t h e fir st t im e, Moin Ra n kel sa w som et h in g a lm ost su ggest ive of a smile cross the old man's face.
Lozla n 's idea wa s t o h a ve t h e villa ger s collect a ll t h eir gold, silver , jewels, coin s, pen da n t s, a n d a n yt h in g else of va lu e t h ey own ed a n d h ea p it in a con spicu ou s pile on t h e villa ge gr een . Dr a gon ba it , h e ca lled it . Th e sigh t of t h e t r ea su r e, h e con ject u r ed, wou ld be a n ir r esist ible dist r a ct ion t o t h e win ged cr ea t u r e. E n ou gh so t h a t it wou ld spa r e t h e t own immediate destruction and move in for a closer look. As it approached, the dr a gon wou ld (h opefu lly) n ot n ot ice Lozla n 's m a gica l sph er e a r ou n d it . By t h e t im e t h e win ged ser pen t sen sed wh a t wa s wou ld be t oo la t e. It s let h a l br ea t h of fir e wou ld n ot be a ble t o esca pe Lozla n 's in visible globe, a n d t h e dr a gon wou ld in cin er a t e it self r a t h er t h a n t h e villa ge. As for t h e r esiden t s, t h eir pa r t wa s t o go a bou t t h eir bu sin ess in pla in sigh t , a ct in g a s t h ou gh it wer e a n or din a r y da y a n d n ot arouse the dragon's suspicions.
"Clever, don't you agree?" asked the mage.
Typica l, t h ou gh t Moin Ra n kel. Not on ly does h e a sk a n u n t h in ka ble price, but he also makes us risk our lives to provide amusement for him.
"Th e t r ea su r e will m ost likely be dest r oyed by t h e h ea t . Bu t wh a t ever por t ion of it t h a t sh ou ld su r vive, we will con sider pa r t of m y fee, " Lozla n added.
Aft er sever a l h ou r s, t h e n egot ia t ion s fin a lly ca m e t o a n en d. Th ey wen t even wor se t h a n Moin Ra n kel h a d expect ed, wit h Lozla n dem a n din g a h u ge yea r ly per cen t a ge of t h e t own 's m ea ger ea r n in gs in r et u r n for h is magical services. For his part, the mage agreed to protect the village from t h is a n d a n y fu t u r e dr a gon a t t a cks for a s lon g a s h e lived. Moin Ra n kel insisted on the last part.
"You drive a hard bargain, " Lozlan said.
"Wh en do we pu t you r t r a p in t o oper a t ion ?" a sked Moin Ra n kel, ignoring the sarcastic comment.
Lozla n looked ou t h is win dow in t o t h e opa qu e gr a y m ist . Appa r en t ly t h e m a ge wa s a ble t o see in t o it or t h r ou gh it , for wh en h e fin a lly t u r n ed ba ck t o Moin Ra n kel, h e h a d t h e a n swer . "In t h e m or n in g, t h r ee da ys hence. "
"Three days! That isn't much time!" Moin Rankel gasped.
"Well, t h en you best be h u r r yin g off t o you r lit t le en cla ve a n d t ell t h ose m or on s t o st a r t collect in g t h eir va lu a bles or pa ckin g t h eir ba gs. Now, I've got important matters to deal with. "
Lozla n t u r n ed a wa y. Moin Ra n kel's ch a ir pu sh ed h im t o a st a n din g position, and the door swung open. The meeting was over.
for m in g a foot , it
Moin Rankel paused in the doorway, about to ask a final question of the m a ge. Bu t a s h e did, t h e door swu n g sh u t , st r u ck h im on t h e n ose, a n d propelled him backward onto the ground.
"Da m n ! Be da m n ed!" wa s t h e best Moin Ra n kel cou ld m u st er . Wipin g blood from his nose, he began the long walk back to town.
* * * * *
"The price is too high!" insisted Smorg.
"Sixty percent! He's mad, " piped up Glykor.
"Yes, h e is, " fir ed ba ck t h e belea gu er ed Moin Ra n kel. "An d t h e dea l,

qu it e fr a n kly, offen ds t h e n ost r ils. Bu t r em em ber t h is, Lozla n is ver y old a n d ca n 't possibly live m a n y m or e yea r s. " Th e t r u t h wa s, h e h a d n o idea h ow old Lozla n wa s, bu t he looked old a n d on e m u st n ot for get , Moin Rankel was a politician.

"I don't like it, " grumbled Smorg.
"Neit h er do I. Bu t wh a t is ou r ch oice? Aba n don ou r h om es, ou r beloved a r ch ives? I kn ow t h is is n ot t h e best of dea ls, bu t I t ell you , it is t h e on ly chance we have. Our only chance. "
"But all of our valuables?" One of the senior scribes spoke up.
"Yes, in a pile on t h e villa ge gr een , " Moin Ra n kel r espon ded. H e expla in ed Lozla n 's pla n in det a il t o t h e a git a t ed cr owd a n d pr odu ced a ba g of bla ck cr yst a ls. "Lozla n sa id we ea ch m u st ca r r y on e of t h ese on ou r per son a n d be st a n din g a r ou n d t h e cir cu m fer en ce of t h e gr een wh en t h e dr a gon a r r ives. H e is a da m a n t t h a t ever y on e of u s, wit h ou t except ion , be pr esen t a t t h e cr u cia l m om en t , or else t h e m a gic will n ot su cceed. Th e crystals will activate spontaneously at just the right time. "
"You a sk u s t o pu t ou r fa it h in t h ese wor t h less pieces of coa l?" Glykor demanded.
"No. I ask you to put your faith in me!" was Moin Rankers response.
F a it h n ot com in g ea sy t o t h is bu n ch , t h e deba t e wen t on for h ou r s a n d h ou r s. Bu t ea r ly t h a t m or n in g, t h e decision wa s fin a lly m a de. Wit h t h e h elp of Lozla n , t h e gods, a n d som e weir d-lookin g bla ck r ocks, t h ey wou ld attempt to smite the dragon.
* * * * *
P r epa r a t ion s wer e begu n com m u n it y wa s su spen ded collect in g t h e people's va lu a bles. It wa s n ot ea sy for cin g a gr ou p of people a s t igh t fist ed a s t h ese t o h a n d over t h eir t r ea su r es, even wh en t h eir lives wer e a t st a ke. It t ook pr oddin g a n d, a t t im es, ou t r igh t t h r ea t s t o get m a n y of t h e cit izen s t o do t h eir civic du t y. Moin Ra n kel felt cer t a in m ost a t on ce. Th e n or m a l da ily bu sin ess of t h e
wh ile Moin Ra n kel scou r ed t h e villa ge, of the residents were holding back.
St ill, it wa s r em a r ka ble ju st h ow m u ch wea lt h a com m u n it y a s seem in gly h u m ble a s t h is wa s a ble t o keep h idden fr om it self a ll t h ese yea r s. E ver yon e m a r veled a t t h e size of t h e pile of t r ea su r e a s it gr ew on t h e villa ge gr een . Th e sm a ll m ou n t a in of opu len ce wa s a t h in g of pr ide wh ile a t t h e sa m e t im e ser vin g t o con fir m t h e su spicion s t h ese villa ger s had long harbored of each other.

Wh en t h e fa t efu l da y a r r ived, t h e people m illed a bou t t h e st r eet a t t h e edge of t h e villa ge gr een , n ot r ea lly kn owin g wh a t t o do wit h t h em selves, nervously checking for the black crystals in their pockets.

It is hard to say exactly when the drinking began. Fear and the tavern's close pr oxim it y com bin ed t o lu r e t h e n er vou s r esiden t s in side. As t h e m or n in g dr a gged on , t h e br ew flowed a t a n in cr ea sin gly gen er ou s r a t e. Even Smorg and Glykor fell under the spell of the bubbly intoxicant. Moin Ra n kel h im self wa s som ewh a t su r pr ised wh en h e looked down t o discover an overflowing mug clenched tightly in his own hand.

It wa s soon gen er a lly a gr eed t h a t , u n der differ en t cir cu m st a n ces, t h e even t cou ld h a ve been a r a t h er plea sa n t exper ien ce. Ma n y fou n d t h eir long-lost cou r a ge in t h e cold m ea d; som e even displa yed a sor t of cockin ess Moin Ra n kel fou n d t ot a lly in a ppr opr ia t e. In gen er a l, t h ou gh , h e did n ot object t o t h e dr in kin g, for it m igh t h elp t h e people h old t h eir cou r a ge wh en t h e cr u cia l m om en t wa s a t h a n d. H e kn ew it wa s h elpin g him.

Aft er a wh ile, t h e or dea l a ct u a lly bega n t o t r a n sfor m it self in t o a festival. There was dancing and singing and laughter. Even the most dour m em ber s of t h e com m u n it y got ca u gh t u p in t h e celebr a t ion . It wa s t h e m ost fu n t h ey'd h a d sin ce t h e villa ge's fou n din g. If t h is is t o be ou r la st da y, t h en wh y n ot m a ke it ou r best ? beca m e t h e m ot t o. Th e br ew flowed and flowed.

"It doesn 't get a n y bet t er t h a n t h is!" It wa s h a r d t o believe su ch wor ds came from the mouth of Glykor.
"You 've r ea lly ou t don e you r self t h is t im e!" a Ra n kel, a s sh e a n d h er pa r t n er wh ir led pa st afternoon, the dragon was long forgotten.
Th e fir st sign t h a t t h e pa r t y wa s a bou t t o com e t o a n a br u pt en d wa s a su bt le som et h in g in t h e a ir , som et h in g in defin a ble. Sm or g, Glykor , a n d Moin Rankel were the first to notice it. Soon everyone felt it and stiffened, a s t h ey r em em ber ed wh a t t h ey wer e r ea lly t h er e for . Moin Ra n kel u r ged t h em t o get in t o posit ion a n d n ot look u p. At t h is poin t , t h e dr a gon wa s m er ely a speck on t h e h or izon , bu t it wa s clea r t h e cr ea t u r e wa s r a pidly closing in.
Th e people beca m e m or e fr igh t en ed wit h ea ch pa ssin g secon d. Moin Rankel prayed they would not break and run. "Maintain!" he screamed. wom a n yelled a t Moin in a fr en zied da n ce. By
F or wh a t ever r ea son , t h ey did a s t h ey wer e t old. Like h im self, t h ey wer e pr oba bly pet r ified. Wh en h e h ea r d t h e sou n d of t h e win d r u sh in g ben ea t h t h e cr ea t u r e's en or m ou s win gs, h e t ook a la st gu lp of br ew a n d looked up.
Moin Ra n kel st ood t h er e fr ozen in h or r or a s h e st a r ed in t o t h e fa ce of a dragon now close enough to breathe infernal death upon them all. But the dr a gon did n ot im m edia t ely a t t a ck. Tr a n sfixed by t h e sigh t of t h e treasure, it was hovering just above them.
Lozla n h a d been cor r ect so fa r , bu t wh y, Moin Ra n kel won der ed desper a t ely, h a dn 't t h e bla ck cr yst a ls a ct iva t ed? Su dden ly t h e dr a gon looked dir ect ly a t t h e r esiden t s, a n d a t t h a t in st a n t it beca m e clea r t h e beast realized this was a trap. It was then, while unspeakable terror filled t h e sou ls of ever y villa ger , t h a t Moin Ra n kel felt som et h in g st ir in h is pocket. Looking around him, he could see an eerie glow radiating from the pocket s of a ll wh o wer e pr esen t . H e n ow kn ew wh a t it wa s t h a t t r igger ed t h e cr yst a ls a t pr ecisely t h e r igh t in st a n t . It wa s t h e level of fea r . H e wa s cu r sin g Lozla n wh en a n u n godly for ce h u r led h im a n d t h e r est of t h e villa ger s a ga in st t h e st on e wa lls of t h e bu ildin gs beh in d t h em . Mu lt icolor ed bea m s of pu r e en er gy em a n a t ed fr om t h e pocket s of ever y per son . Th e r a ys for m ed a h u ge t r a n slu cen t sph er e t h a t n ow su r r ou n ded t h e h ein ou s cr ea t u r e ju st a bove t h e cen t er of t h e gr een . Th e dr a gon open ed it s m ou t h , a n d t h er e wa s n o dou bt in Moin Ra n kel's m in d wh a t was going to happen next. He closed his eyes.
Several seconds later Moin Rankel found himself still alive. He dared to slowly open h is Lozla n 's sph er e dr a gon , t r a pped in a fir e of it s own cr ea t ion . Moin Ra n kel cou ld clea r ly see t h e bea st sh r iekin g in pa in , yet n ot a sou n d of a n y kin d esca ped t h e dia bolica l sph er e. It wa s m a n y m in u t es befor e t h e dr a gon fin a lly st opped struggling.
An d t h en , a t on ce, t h e sph er e bega n t o disin t egr a t e. As t h e cr yst a ls beca m e dor m a n t , Moin Ra n kel a n d t h e ot h er s slid down t h e wa lls t o t h e gr ou n d. Th e dr a gon 's ch a r r ed flesh bega n t o fa ll fr om t h e sky, la n din g in a sm older in g m a ss n o m or e t h a n t en feet fr om Moin Ra n kel. Spa r ks singed his clothes and arms. His breathing came hard and fast.
It wa s don e. Th e m ir a cle h a d occu r r ed, a n d t h e dr a gon la y dea d in t h e cen t er of t h e villa ge gr een n ext t o t h e pile of t r ea su r e t h a t h a d su r vived u n h a r m ed. Th e r esiden t s r a n t o r ecla im t h eir loot , bu t a s t h ey did, t h e treasur e disa ppea r ed. Moin Ra n kel n ow u n der st ood t h a t t h is h a d been Lozlan's plan from the start. He could almost hear the mage laughing.
Stunned, the villagers stood staring at the huge smoking carcass and at on e a n ot h er . E ven t u a lly som eon e h a n ded som eon e a m u g of br ew, a n d wit h in m in u t es sever a l of t h e t own speople h a d begu n t o plu n ge t h eir eyes. Befor e h im wa s a sigh t h e wou ld n ever for get . wa s u n du la t in g, h oldin g wit h in it a wildly wr it h in g swords into the lifeless mass. Others joined in until it became a frenzy. By sunset, tales of individual courage had begun to circulate. All lauded their great leader, Moin Rankel, saying he had led them to victory.
Th a t 's h ow it bega n , t h e yea r ly fest iva l on t h e villa ge gr een . An u n in h ibit ed t im e of deca den ce a n d over in du lgin g, t h e fest iva l h a d been h eld ever y yea r for seven t een yea r s. Most of t h e or igin a l pa r t icipa n t s wer e st ill a live a n d n ow, on t h is da y, wer e ga t h er in g for t h eir m om en t of glor y, becom in g dr u n k wit h som et h in g even m or e pot en t t h a n br ew im a gin ed m em or ies of br a ver y. It wa s self-decept ion t h a t r ea lly kept a live the town of Lozlania, now its name, by Lozlan's final demand.
All very quaint.
* * * * *
Th e su n da r t ed in a n d ou t of t h e clou ds t h r ou gh ou t t h e m or n in g. Th e wea t h er cou ld go eit h er wa y. It didn 't m a t t er m u ch t o Moin Ra n kel, wh o st ood a t h is ba ck door . Th is da y wa s t o be on e of r est a n d r ela xa t ion , weath er be da m n ed. If it r a in ed, h e wou ld st a y ben ea t h h is n ea r ly lea kfree roof. If not, his hammock would do nicely. The important thing for a m a n of h is yea r s wa s t o get su fficien t r est . It wa s on ly t wo da ys befor e the festival.

Th e la st seven t een yea r s h a d n ot been pa r t icu la r ly kin d t o t h e Lozla n ia n lea der . H is on ce bu r ly, in t im ida t in g for m h a d r ou n ded qu it e a bit , a n d h e wa s cer t a in ly less a gile. H is m in d wa s st ill sh a r p t h ou gh . H e h a d m a n a ged t o h old on t o power a ll t h is t im e, in spit e of ever -increasing threats from ever-increasing detractors. The ungrateful fools. How was he to guess that Lozlan would live this long?

Th e u n pr edict a ble su n br oke t h r ou gh t h e clou ds, r evea lin g a ver y pr om isin g pa t ch of blu e sky. Moin Ra n kel t h ou gh t t h e h a m m ock a ppr opr ia t e for t h e da y's r epose. H e ga zed u pwa r d a t t h e r u st lin g lea ves h igh a bove h is h ea d. It wa s a n a u spiciou s da y, well su it ed t o t h e deep thoughts of a man of his potential. And there was much to think about.

A m eet in g a t t h e a r ch ives wa s sch edu led for t h a t even in g, a n d Moin Ra n kel wa s su r e t o com e u n der h ea vy cr it icism . H e a lwa ys did a t t h is t im e of yea r , wh en Lozla n 's a n n u a l pa ym en t ca m e du e. Th e over t a xed villa ger s h a d lon g a go st opped bein g gr a t efu l for t h eir deliver a n ce a n d now bitterly blamed Moin Rankel for their dire financial straits. The sixty per cen t yea r ly cu t t o Lozla n pu t t oo gr ea t a bu r den on t h e sm a ll community. Many now believed Moin Rankel should have driven a harder bargain back when.

Wh a t is n eeded, t h e Lozla n ia n lea der t h ou gh t t o h im self a s h e awkwardly rolled over, trying to get comfortable on the hammock, is some n ew dem on st r a t ion of m y lea der sh ip t o im pr ess t h e t own speople. Th a t would require some thought. Soon Moin Rankel was asleep.

Sever a l h ou r s la t er , h e open ed h is eyes. Th e lea ves wer e st ill da n cin g above his head. The sun had beaten back the clouds, causing Moin Rankel t o squ in t a s h e la y t h er e wit h ou t m ovin g. Th e sou n ds of win d, bir ds, in sect s, a n d sm a ll cr ea t u r es st ir r in g in t h e br u sh blen ded in t o a soot h in g lullaby. The leader was drifting back into sleep when something shook his barely conscious mind to attention.

An unlikely sound.
H is eyes n ow wide open , h e list en ed in t en t ly. Yes, t h er e it wa s a ga in . It blen ded so well wit h t h e sou n ds of t h e for est , on e cou ld h a ve ea sily missed it. It was strange music.
Sit t in g u p, Moin Ra n kel gr a bbed h is swor d a n d m a r ch ed in t o t h e surrounding forest. He intended to find the source.
Moin Ra n kel st opped in a clea r in g. Th e oddly st ir r in g m u sic wa s com in g fr om ju st over a sm a ll r ise, som ewh er e beh in d t h e t h ick folia ge st r a igh t a h ea d. Not kn own for t h e ligh t n ess of h is t r ea d, Moin Ra n kel t r ied t o soft en h is st eps a s h e n ea r ed. H e cou ld n ow discer n t h a t t h e m elodic in t r u der wa s pla yin g som e sor t of st r in ged in st r u m en t , a n d qu it e skillfu lly a t t h a t . Wh en h e wa s on ly a few feet a wa y, t h e m u sic su dden ly stopped and so did Moin Rankel. He stood frozen, not quite knowing what t o do, feelin g som ewh a t foolish . H e h eld h is br ea t h for sever a l lon g seconds, until another tune began and this one had words.
It h a d been m a n y yea r s sin ce h e h a d h ea r d su ch voca l pr oficien cy. Th e voice h a d a plea sin g t im br e, wa s m ellow a n d skilled. Th e lyr ics, su bt le and oddly compelling, seemed to speak directly to Moin Rankel.
"When to yield and when to be stern, when to lift the sword and when a spell to learn. "
H ow a ppr opr ia t e, t h ou gh t Moin Ra n kel. H e list en ed, ca r efu l n ot t o st ir t h e lea ves a t h is feet . Yes, t h e son g t r u ly wen t t o t h e h ea r t of h is pr oblem s. H e list en ed, t r a n sfixed a n d m esm er ized. It wa s t h e m ost beautiful music he had ever heard. But who would choose these particular woods t o ser en a de, a n d wh y? Wh en t h e son g fin ish ed, it wa s t im e t o fin d ou t . F igh t in g a n u r ge t o a ppla u d, Moin Ra n kel br a n dish ed h is swor d a n d charged through the underbrush.
Th e sin ger wa s a you n g m a n in h is t een s, lit h e, wit h blon d h a ir fa llin g t o h is sh ou lder s. H is a m ber eyes fla sh ed in fea r a s h e ju m ped t o h is feet , knocking his instrument to the ground.
"Wh o a r e you ? Wh a t do you wa n t ? I h a ve n o m on ey, " t h e you n g m a n said, trembling.
"Wh o a m I? Wh y, I'm a m a n wit h a swor d wh o h a s discover ed a st r a n ger in t h e woods n ea r h is h om e. Now, wh o a r e you a n d wh a t a r e you doin g h er e?" Moin Ra n kel n a r r owed h is br ow, im it a t in g wh a t h e considered one of Lozlan's most unnerving mannerisms.
"Visiting. "
"Visiting whom?"
Th e m in st r el h esit a t ed. "I'm visit in g t h e la n d. " Seein g t h is wa s inadequate, he quickly added, "Passing through. "
"On your way to where?" the leader of Lozlania pressed.
"To wor k in t h e gr ea t n or t h er n cit ies. Tim es a r e lea n wh er e I com e fr om . F ew ca n a ffor d m y ser vices, " h e sa id, poin t in g t o h is in st r u m en t . H is t on e ch a n ged t o on e a sh a de m or e h a u gh t y. "You n eed n ot poin t you r sword at me. As you can see, I'm unarmed. "
Th er e wa s a t ou ch of defia n ce in t h is you n g fellow t h a t r em in ded Moin Ra n kel of h im self a t a sim ila r a ge. H e su spect ed t h e st r a n ger 's st or y wa s n ot a lt oget h er t r u e. Bu t t h e m in st r el's m u sic wa s su r ely a gift fr om t h e gods, t h e likes of wh ich h a d n ever been h ea r d in t h is sm a ll, isola t ed com m u n it y. H a vin g discover ed a t a len t su ch a s t h is in t h e m iddle of n owh er e wou ld su r ely be a fea t h er in t h e lea der 's h a t . H e m a de h is decision.
"P er h a ps I h a ve m isju dged you , " h e sa id a s h e sh ea t h ed h is swor d. "What is your name?"
"I am called Aureal, " the young man replied.
"If it is wor k you seek, " Moin Ra n kel con t in u ed, "I m a y h a ve som e for you. Your music is most remarkable. Totally enchanting. "
"So they say, Your Grace, " the minstrel responded, bowing slightly.
"Well, I know of an audience that would truly appreciate a bit of culture a ft er h a vin g lived wit h ou t it for a lon g t im e. It wou ld n ot be a la r ge crowd, mind you, but a grateful one nonetheless. "
"I would consider the opportunity a stroke of good fortune. "
"Well, grab your instrument and follow me. No doubt you are hungry. "
"You ca n n ot im a gin e h ow m u ch so, " Au r ea l r eplied, a s h e ga t h er ed u p his musical device and began to follow his new employer.
"Wh a t do you ca ll t h a t t h in g you pla y?" a sked Moin Ra n kel a s t h ey worked their way through the underbrush.
"I call it a slither. It is of my own creation. "
It wa s a s cu r iou s a n d com plex a n in st r u m en t a s Moin Ra n kel h a d ever seen . Th e slit h er h a d dou ble fin ger boa r ds a n d t wo set s of sym pa t h et ic strings. Music was produced by playing both ends against the middle. The m or e h e looked a t it , t h e m or e Moin Ra n kel wa s a m a zed t h a t a n yon e could master such an intricate device.
"An d t ell m e, You r Gr a ce, does you r villa ge h a ve a n a m e?" Au r ea l inquired, as the two men walked along.
"We ca ll it Lozla n ia . " An d m a ybe som eda y, Ra n kelia , a dded Moin Rankel to himself.
"What a pleasant sounding name, " commented Aureal.
* * * * *

Th ey a t e in silen ce, t h e m in st r el devou r in g h is m ea l. "You a r e in good spir it s, You r Gr a ce, " Au r ea l sa id a s h e wa t ch ed Moin Ra n kel wa sh down his supper with several large gulps of brew.

"Yes, it is a h a ppy t im e for t h e Lozla n ia n s. In t wo da ys t h e villa ge will h old it s yea r ly fest iva l t o com m em or a t e ou r m ir a cu lou s deliver a n ce t h a n ks t o m e fr om cer t a in dest r u ct ion . " H e ch ewed h is wa y t h r ou gh a pa r t icu la r ly t ou gh piece of m ea t . "My idea is you will per for m a t t h is festival. "

"I look forward to it, Your Grace. "
"I pr edict , Au r ea l, t h a t you will pr ove t h e best en t er t a in m en t in t h ese parts for many a year, " Moin Rankel said, refilling their mugs and taking another generous swallow. "And you will probably be the last. "
"What do you mean?" asked the youth.
"Our villa ge is on e of sever a l set t led deep in t h ese for est s, fa r fr om civiliza t ion , fa r fr om on e a n ot h er . We did t h is t o en su r e ou r isola t ion in or der t h a t we n ot be dist r a ct ed by t h in gs t h a t m igh t slow t h e pr ogr ess of ou r im por t a n t wor k. Two of t h e set t lem en t s wer e dest r oyed by a n u n m en t ion a ble h or r or . " Moin Ra n kel pa u sed t o wet h is gu llet a ga in . "Th a n ks t o m e, we a r e doin g qu it e well. Soon we will h a ve a ch ieved ou r goa l, a n d t h e people will m ost cer t a in ly disper se a n d spr ea d ou r wa r es t h r ou gh ou t An sa lon . Th en t h is m iddle-of-n owh er e will, on ce a ga in , be t h e middle of nowhere. What do you think of that, minstrel?"
"It is a strange melody, " came the response.
"H a ve you on e t o m a t ch it ?" la u gh ed Moin Ra n kel, n ow sligh t ly inebriated.
"Always, Your Grace, " Aureal said. He reached for his instrument.
On ce a ga in t h e m elody seem ed t o spea k t o Moin Ra n kel, t ou ch in g som e in n er pa r t of h im . Th e you n g m in st r el wove h is voice in t o t h e in t r ica t e t a pest r y of sou n d. H e sa n g of people a n d pla ces fa r a wa y, t h ou gh h e cou ld well h a ve been sin gin g of Lozla n ia . Appa r en t ly, a ll sm a ll h a m let s h a ve sim ila r people in sim ila r sit u a t ion s. Of cou r se, a s t h e sh r ewd lea der kn ew a n d t h e you n g la d cou ld n ot possibly kn ow, t h er e wer e cer t a in t h in gs about Lozlania that were unique.
Wh en t h e son g fin a lly ca m e t o a n en d, sever a l lin es fr om t h e r efr a in lingered in Moin Rankel's mind:
It wa s lon g a gr eed, t igh t lips t o h eed, lest we su cceed, it wa s lon g agreed.
It seem ed t o a u gu r som et h in g t o Moin Ra n kel. H e wa s n ow cer t a in t h a t Aureal's performance would be exactly what the village needed to hear.
"So wh a t exa ct ly do t h e people of Lozla n ia do?" Au r ea l a dded, pickin g up the conversation where it left off.
"We do what we must, " Moin Rankel returned cunningly. "As do we all, Your Grace. I meant no intrusion. "
Moin Ra n kel r ose t o h is feet a n d sm iled. "You m u st for give t h e su spiciou s n a t u r e of a n old m a n . We h a ve h a d so few visit or s. Ba sica lly, we are a village of translators and scribes. "
"What are you transcribing?"
"Ancient books of little interest to most people. "
"And one day soon the task will be completed, Your Grace?"
"I hope to see that day. "
"Wh a t a r e t h ese books a bou t ? Wh o wr ot e t h em ?" Au r ea l's voice wa s soothing. Like his music, it put one at ease.
"It h a s been a lon g da y, a n d I h a ve bu sin ess ea r ly in t h e m or n in g. It is t im e t o r et ir e, " r eplied t h e wily polit icia n a s h e wa lked a wa y. Moin Rankel was not a man readily put at ease.
* * * * *
Moin Ra n kel st opped ou t side t h e en t r a n ce t o t h e a r ch ives. H e kn ew wh a t a wa it ed h im in side. Th is wa s t h e da y t h a t Lozla n 's per cen t a ge of t h e villa ge's pr ofit s ca m e du e. Th e t own 's elder s wer e a lwa ys on h a n d a s t h e lea t h er sa cks wer e h a n ded t o Moin Ra n kel, wh o in t u r n ca r r ied t h em t o t h e m a ge. Over t h e yea r s, t h e elder s h a d gr a du a lly r elin qu ish ed a ll r espon sibilit y for t h eir collect ive decision of seven t een yea r s pa st , pr opor t ion a lly in cr ea sin g t h e a m ou n t of a bu se t h ey h ea ped on t h e on e a ll bla m ed for t h e u n bea r a ble fin a n cia l bu r den . Moin Ra n kel su cked in a deep breath of crisp air and pushed open the large wooden door.

"Ah, there he is, " one of them muttered.
"Come to bring his wizard our blood money, " came another comment. "You wou ld be a pile of a sh es h a d it n ot been for t h is blood m on ey, "

Moin Rankel said, defending himself as usual.
"Maybe a man would be better off ashes than to spend his life toiling for
a fraction of his worth!" Smorg returned.
"Th en , per h a ps, you wou ld like t o go in m y st ea d t oda y a n d expla in t o
Lozlan that you've decided not pay him anymore. "
It wa s n ow Glykor 's t u r n t o t wist t h e kn ife. "Th e people h a ve lost
confidence in your leadership, Moin Rankel. After the festival, we will ask
the people if they still choose you as the one to guide us into the future. " F or t h e fir st t im e a n y of t h ose pr esen t cou ld r em em ber , Moin Ra n kel
wa s a t a loss for wor ds. H e kn ew, wit h t h e sit u a t ion a s it wa s, h e wou ld
n ever su r vive a vot e of con fiden ce. E ver ybody in t h e r oom kn ew t h is a s
well. Moin Ra n kel h oist ed t h e lea t h er sa cks over h is sh ou lder , looked h is
detractors in the eye.
"We'll see, " he said, and turned and headed for the door.
"Moin Rankel!" Glykor snapped. "You brought this on yourself. " "Yes, t h e pr ice of sa vin g u n gr a t efu l fools, " Moin Ra n kel r et or t ed. H e
wa lked ou t of t h e bu ildin g a n gr y a n d sh a ken , m a de h is wa y down t h e
well-wor n pa t h in t o t h e woods. H e h a d n o idea h ow h e wa s goin g t o t u r n
t h is sit u a t ion a r ou n d. H is gr ip on power seem ed t o be loosen in g by t h e
h ou r . Th er e m u st be som e wa y ou t . H e wa lked a lon g, qu it e t h ou gh t fu l,
heading for his dwelling.
* * * * *
Not fa r fr om Moin Ra n kel's h ou se, a bu bblin g st r ea m wou n d it s wa y t h r ou gh t h e for est in sea r ch of t h e sea . Moin Ra n kel fou n d Au r ea l sit t in g by t h e st r ea m . H oldin g h is in st r u m en t , h e wa s st a r in g in t o t h e gen t le t u r bu len ce a t h is feet . As t h e t r ou bled Lozla n ia n lea der dr ew closer , t h e minstrel began to play a most enchanting melody.

"P ower will r ecede, if you da r e n ot heed, lest we succeed. "
An d su dden ly m a n y t h in gs seem ed what course of action he must take.
"Beautiful, absolutely beautiful, " Moin Rankel spoke up.
"I, myself, prefer the sound of the stream, " said Aureal.
"Yes, I suppose it is much like music. "
"Bu t u n like m u sic, wh ich on ly gives, a st r ea m a lso t a kes a wa y, " ca m e the minstrel's strange reply.
Moin Ra n kel n ot on e for ph ilosoph y t u r n ed t o t h e m a t t er a t h a n d. "I h a ve a pr oposit ion for you . Th e fa ct is, ou r t own h a s been su ffer in g a n u n bea r a ble sit u a t ion for yea r s. A gr eedy old m a ge h a s u n fa ir ly for ced a t a x u pon t h e villa ger s. If you will h elp m e dea l wit h t h is m a d wiza r d, I will make you rich beyond your wildest dreams. "
"If that is your wish, Your Grace, " responded the gracious youth.
"It is, " sa id Moin Ra n kel, "a n d you will m ost cer t a in ly wa n t t o br in g your instrument. I'll explain as we walk. "
Th e you n g m a n did a s h e wa s t old, slin gin g t h e u n iqu e in st r u m en t over h is sh ou lder a n d followin g Moin Ra n kel on t o t h e seldom t r a veled pa t h that led north toward Lozlan's place.
t h e deed, t h ese wor ds you must
clea r t o Moin Ra n kel. H e kn ew
* * * * *
Aft er Moin Ra n kel expla in ed h is pla n , t h ey pr ogr essed in silen ce. Som eh ow, t h is u n likely du o h a d developed a n u n der st a n din g t h a t wen t beyon d wor ds. A kin d of pea ce seem ed t o su r r ou n d Au r ea l. Th is pea ce ext en ded t o Moin Ra n kel a n d pr ovided a m u ch n eeded br ea k fr om t h e pressure and worries of these past years.

H ow for t u it ou s it is, t h ou gh t Moin Ra n kel, t h a t t h is r em a r ka ble you n g man has come into my life.
Th ey en t er ed t h e clea r in g ou t side of Lozla n 's dwellin g. Th e old m a ge's a bode wa s n o lon ger sh r ou ded in fog, bu t wea kly a ccen t ed by wisps of va por ou s m ist . Th e t wo wer e a lm ost t o t h e door wh en it su dden ly open ed, and there stood Lozlan.
If seven t een yea r s h a d been less t h a n kin d t o Moin Ra n kel, a ge h a d been ou t r igh t cr u el t o t h e old m a ge. H is wr in kles t wist ed h is fa cia l features into something that was only partially human. He stood hunched over , lea n in g on a st ick, t r em blin g, a n d gen er a lly a ppea r in g qu it e fr a il. Lozla n 's eyes n ow a ppea r ed pin k in t in t a n d sh on e wit h ou t t h eir pr eviou s in t en sit y. Moin Ra n kel h a d oft en won der ed, over t h e yea r s, ju st h ow m u ch m a gic t h is bedeviled sor cer er h a d exh a u st ed, a n d h ow m u ch h e st ill had left in him.
"I h a ve br ou gh t som eon e for you t o m eet , Lozla n , " Moin Ra n kel bega n . H e kn ew t h e u su a l cou r t esies wer e of n o in t er est t o t h e m a ge, wh o h a d already shifted his gaze toward Aureal.
"Why?" Lozlan's feeble voice still had all the charm of a coiled snake.
"Beca u se h e h a s a t a len t t h a t is u n iqu e a n d plea su r a ble. I t h ou gh t you might take some interest in him. "
Lozla n st a r ed a t t h e m in st r el for a lon g t im e, t h en sh ift ed h is ga ze t o t h e lea t h er sa cks t h a t h u n g a cr oss Moin Ra n kel's sh ou lder . No on e kn ew wh a t t h e wr in kled wiza r d did wit h h is t r ea su r e. Moin Ra n kel su spect ed t h e m a ge fou n d su fficien t plea su r e in m er ely collect in g it fr om t h e villagers.
"Very well, come in, " Lozlan said ungraciously.
Au r ea l sea t ed h im self a cr oss t h e sm a ll r oom opposit e Lozla n a n d Moin Ra n kel. Th e ch a ir t h e m in st r el ch ose, m u ch like t h e ot h er spa r se furnishings, had seen better days.
"I h a ve lost in t er est in t h e pr im it ive t r a ppin gs of t h is wor ld, " Lozla n sa id, "a n d n ow devot e a lm ost a ll m y a t t en t ion t o m a t t er s you cou ld n ever hope to appreciate or fathom. "
Moin Ra n kel a lwa ys fou n d Lozla n 's a bilit y t o r ea d h is t h ou gh t s unner vin g. H e ch a n ged t h e su bject . "I t h in k you will soon a gr ee t h a t ou r young visitor has much to offer. "
Moin Ra n kel n odded a t t h e m in st r el, wh o wa s a lr ea dy a dju st in g h is instrument, preparing to play.
"Th e t r ee h a s n o m or e fr u it t o bea r . It wa s t h en a n d you wer e t h er e. Unbalanced nature unaware. Do you care? Do you care?"
Th e son g, Au r ea l's m ost ca pt iva t in g yet , wen t on a n d on , bu ildin g t o a n in t en sit y t h a t filled t h e r oom . Moin Ra n kel cou ld see t h a t Lozla n wa s deeply a ffect ed. Th e m a ge wa s r ockin g slowly, r h yt h m ica lly, side t o side. The music continued.
"So h eed t h e wor ds of on e so you n g. Dou bt n ot t h e t r u t h of t h is fa ir t on gu e. To t h ose for wh om t h e bell h a s r u n g, I com e t o sin g t h e son g I've sung. "
Lozla n r ose t o h is feet , a s if t o a ppla u d, bu t t h e expr ession on h is fa ce was not one of pleasure. Instead, his mouth was gaping as he looked down t o fin d Moin Ra n kel's swor d pr ot r u din g fr om h is ch est . H e t r ied t o spea k, bu t n o wor ds ca m e ou t . Th e m a ge st a gger ed a n d t u r n ed t owa r d Moin Ra n kel, figh t in g t o m a in t a in h is ba la n ce. H e a ppea r ed r ea dy t o u n lea sh a dea dly spell u pon h is killer . On ce a ga in h e t r ied t o sa y som et h in g t o Moin Rankel but failed. Then he fell to the floor.
Lozla n st opped st r u gglin g; a st r a n ge ca lm ca m e over h im . An d t h en , u n expect edly, h e looked u p a t Moin Ra n kel a n d sm iled. H e spoke on e word, then his eyes flickered several times and finally went dark.
Moin Ra n kel r em a in ed m ot ion less. It wa s sever a l m om en t s befor e h e da r ed t o br ea t h e a ga in . H e wa s a m a zed a t h ow ea sy it a ll h a d been . H e had faced a hopeless situation and triumphed.
H e felt even bet t er a bou t t h in gs wh en h e discover ed t h e t r ea su r e a n d a ll t h e m on ey t h e t own h a d pa id over seven t een yea r s h idden u n der t h e floor.
Au r ea l, wh o h a d been pr om ised a h elpfu l in ca r r yin g a s m u ch of it a s Rankel's place. Lozlan's last word came back to Moin Rankel's mind.
"Fool. "
Moin Rankel only laughed.
good por t ion of t h e fin d, pr oved t h ey cou ld h a n dle ba ck t o Moin
* * * * *
Th e br eeze ca r r ied t h e sm ell of in cen se, r oa st in g m ea t , a n d st r on g br ew fa r in t o t h e woods. Moin Ra n kel cou ld h ea r t h e sou n d of sh ou t s a n d la u gh t er . Th e fest iva l wa s obviou sly well u n der wa y. Moin Ra n kel wa s eager to report Lozlan's death and receive the acclamation he was due. He picked up his pace.
* * * * *
Sm or g h a n ded a n over flowin g m u g t o t h e m a n wh ose job it wa s t o fu r n ish t h e pa r ch m en t essen t ia l t o t h eir h oly pr oject . Sever a l feet a wa y, a gr ou p of wom en wer e la u gh in g over som eon e else's m isfor t u n e. Glykor a ppr oa ch ed t h e bla cksm it h a n d h is com pa n ion . Set t in g h is m u g bet ween t h e ot h er t wo, wit h ou t gr eet in g or in vit a t ion , t h e m a st er of t h e a r ch ives launched into his first complaint of the day. It wouldn't be his last.

"This beverage is not properly brewed. It never is. "
"I'm damned sick and tired of this place, " Smorg added.
"Who isn't?" Glykor agreed sullenly. "It 's t h is

another.
"Well, it 's
Glykor said. en dless pover t y we've been for ced t o en du r e, " m u t t er ed
cer t a in ly n ot my fa u lt we'r e in t h is dr ea dfu l sit u a t ion , "
Smorg st r et ch ed h is h u ge sh ou lder s. "I don 't see wh y we ju st don 't a ba n don t h e villa ge. We h a ve a lr ea dy t r a n sla t ed a n d copied m or e t h a n enough material to saturate all Ansalon. "
"We've been through all this, " Glykor snarled, really angry now. "Leave t h e t h in kin g t o t h ose wit h br a in s, Sm or g. We wer e or der ed t o copy a n d spr ea d a ll t h e Da r k Qu een 's t ea ch in gs, a n d we will do n ot h in g less! We will stay until all are inscribed!"

"Some wou ld disa gr ee! Som e wou ld sa y we h a ve a lr ea dy fu lfilled ou r commitments. "
Th e in figh t in g for con t r ol h a d a lr ea dy begu n , in a n t icipa t ion of t h eir cu r r en t lea der 's dem ise. Glykor , kn owin g it wa s u seless t o a r gu e, st ood a n d wa lked t owa r d pa r t icu la r sect ion of preserved. Th ey, like Glykor , wer e dr essed in bla ck. All t h e Lozla n ia n s always dressed in black.
a sm a ll gr ou p of m en wh o wer e discu ssin g a m a n u scr ipt t h a t h a d r ecen t ly been copied a n d
* * * * *
Moin Ra n kel's h a ppin ess wa s a ppa r en t in h is st ep. H e br iskly bou n ded down t h e pa t h t h a t led t o t h e villa ge. H e wou ld give h is det r a ct or s a m ple oppor t u n it y t o r idicu le h im . Th en h e wou ld ca ll for t h Au r ea l. Aft er t h e minstrel's performance, Moin Rankel would tell the people of Lozlan's fate a n d of t h e r ecover y of some of t h e t r ea su r e; h e wa s st ill decidin g h ow m u ch . On ce a ga in , h e wou ld be in ch a r ge. In a ddit ion , h e wou ld be exceedingly wealthy. Not a bad day's work.

As h e a ppr oa ch ed t h e villa ge, Moin Ra n kel r ea ch ed in h is pocket t o feel for t h e bla ck cr yst a l. Alt h ou gh a dr a gon a t t a ck wa s t h e la st t h in g a n yon e expect ed, it wa s cu st om a r y for Lozla n ia n s t o ca r r y t h eir cr yst a ls t h is on e day of the year.

Th e t own looked exa ct ly a s it h a d t h ose seven t een yea r s a go. Sa m e people, sa m e ever yt h in g. Abou t t h e on ly t h in g t h a t h a d ch a n ged wa s t h e gr a ss on t h e villa ge gr een . It gr ew lu sh a n d bea u t ifu l over t h e pla ce where they had buried the golden dragon's remains.

Moin Ra n kel wa s gr eet ed wit h boos a n d h isses. H e r et u r n ed t h e sa lu t a t ion s in differ en t ly a n d pu sh ed h is m u g in t o t h e fr ee-flowin g st r ea m of the blessed beverage.
It wa s a t ypica l fest iva l. Old st or ies, for got t en da n ces, in fla t ed egos, u n in spir ed poet r y, a n d a bsolu t ely t er r ible sin gin g com bin ed t o cr ea t e another hallowed anniversary of the slaying of the dragon.
Th e br ew isn 't ba d t h is yea r , t h ou gh t Moin Ra n kel a s h e silen t ly wa t ch ed t h e a r m -wr est lin g con t est . Sm or g won it . H e won it ever y yea r . Not much of a show.

It wa sn 't lon g befor e m ost of pr oceedin gs a n d dr a n k in cr ea sin g t ediu m . Moin Ra n kel did n ot bla m e h is n eigh bor s. Th ey wer e sick a n d tired of one another. He was sick and tired of them.
Still, they had no choice but to go on.
"An d do you t h in k ou r gr ea t lea der ca r es?" Sm or g sh ou t ed dr u n ken ly.
"He probably has some private deal with Lozlan. "
"That's a lie!" said Moin Rankel.
Ma n y h ea ds t u r n ed t owa r d t h e old polit icia n t h e sou r ce of a ll t h eir

t r ou bles. Wit h in m in u t es, Moin Ra n kel wa s defen din g h im self a ga in st a n angry mob.
"He has betrayed us!" Smorg continued, encouraging the unruly crowd.
"He should be removed!" added Glykor. "Maybe even killed. "
The crowd surged forward. Moin Rankel, knowing well the mind of such a gr ou p, m a de h is m ove. H e, t oo, su r ged for wa r d. Th e villa ger s h esit a t ed, fell back.
"Now, you dr u n ken h a lf-wit s, list en t o m e. F ir st , you 'd a ll be dea d if you 'd list en ed t o t h ese t wo seven t een yea r s a go. " Moin Ra n kel poin t ed a t Glykor a n d Sm or g. "Rem em ber t h a t ! Secon d, la t er t h is ver y da y, I will m a ke a dr a m a t ic a n n ou n cem en t t h a t will im pr ove ou r lives. Bu t befor e I do, I feel it is appropriate to mark this occasion with a special event. So as a gift t o you , m y n eigh bor s, a llow m e t o pr esen t m y good fr ien d, t h e gr ea t minstrel, Aureal. "
H e t u r n ed a r ou n d, wa ved a t n ot h in g bu t a ir . Au r ea l wa s n owh er e t o be seen.
Glykor la u gh ed u n plea sa n t ly. "If t h is is som e t r ick t o t r y t o h old on t o power, it's not going to work. "
Moin Ra n kel looked in t o t h e fa ces of h is con st it u en cy. H e sh a r ed h is n eigh bor s' loya lt y t o t h e da r k gods, bu t n ow, h e r ea lized, t h a t evil wa s a ll t h ey h a d in com m on . Aft er sever a l m in u t es, t h e cr owd a ga in gr ew restless.
Where was Aureal?
"Yea r a ft er yea r we su ffer beca u se we let a fool n egot ia t e ou r fu t u r e away, " Smorg said.
Still no Aureal.
"He should pay!" shouted Glykor, and the crowd edged in.
Aureal, where are you? Moin Rankel wondered desperately.
"Wait! You must listen, " he cried out.
"We've h a d en ou gh of you r wor t h less gibber in g! Ta ke h im !" Sm or g t h e r esiden t s gr ew bor ed wit h t h e a m ou n t s of br ew t o cope wit h t h e grabbed hold of Moin Rankel.
Screaming, fa ces t wist ed in h a t r ed, t h e people in t h e cr owd st a r t ed t o dr a g t h eir lea der t o t h e villa ge gr een . Th ey st opped dea d in t h eir t r a cks. Th er e, st a n din g on t op of a t a ble, wa s Au r ea l. H is blon d h a ir blowin g in t h e win d, h e h eld h is in st r u m en t close t o h is body, h is eyes fixed on t h e villa ger s. Th e st a r t led cr owd r elea sed Moin Ra n kel. H e colla psed t o t h e ground.
Th e Lozla n ia n s su ch pr ou d cit izen s m oved closer t o t h e m in st r el, like a da r k clou d descen din g u pon t h e su n . As t h e fir st st r a in s of m u sic reached their ears, they slowed their steps.
"Listen well to the song of she, the song of me I sing to thee. "
In t o t h e villa ger s' m in ds ca m e t h e sa m e m ovin g im a ge t h a t of a n in fa n t , a lon e in a for est , close t o a villa ge n ot u n like t h eir own . E ven t h e m ost evil Lozla n ia n s cou ld n ot h elp bu t t o be swept a wa y by t h e minstrel's tale.
"Ca n you im a gin e, losin g you r m ot h er a da y a ft er bein g bor n , " on e villager was heard to mutter. Another wept.
"Drifting in a stream of light. Dreaming till the time was right. "
Wh en t h e ch ild wa s old en ou gh , h e bega n t o spy on t h e villa ge, bein g pa r t icu la r ly ca r efu l t o a void discover y by t h e loca l m a ge. In t im e, t h e boy came to know all the town's secrets.
"Ch ild of for est possessed of t h e sigh t . Den izen s of da r kn ess in t h e Village of Night. "
Au r ea l cou ld well h a ve been sin gin g of Lozla n ia . H e sa n g of t h in gs n o outsider could possibly know. It was wonderful and strange.
"Tim e gr ew n igh in t h e h ea r t of fea r . Bu t h ow t o pier ce t h e sor cer ou s sphere?"
Aureal's voice grew louder and deeper in timber.
Sm or g sh ot a qu est ion in g gla n ce a t Moin Ra n kel wh o wa s ba skin g in h is m om en t of t r iu m ph a n d did n ot n ot ice. Th e bla cksm it h m a n a ged t o catch the eye of Glykor. Something was very wrong.
"All sh a ll descen d, a s t h e da r k m u st fa ll. I h ea r t h e m u sic, I h eed t h e call. "
Moin Rankel finally snapped out of his trance long enough to see Smorg a n d Glykor fr a n t ica lly gest u r in g h im t owa r d a n ea r by t en t . An in defin a ble sen se of t er r or cr ept in t o h is sou l a s Moin Ra n kel h u r r ied t o join his longtime rivals.
"The golden flight once begun, now fallen to the golden son. "
Still louder and deeper came the minstrel's voice.
"Th e deed t o you I n ow con fide. Th e t a sk of fin ish in g wh a t h a d been tried. "
Deeper and louder than any human voice could ever be.
In side t h e t en t , Sm or g scr ea m ed a t Moin Ra n kel, "You idiot ! Do you have any idea what you have brought upon us?"
The great Lozlanian leader could only gasp and stutter.
"It doesn 't m a t t er . We a ll st ill h a ve ou r cr yst a ls, a n d Lozla n swor e h e would protect us as long as he lived!" Glykor shouted.
Not icin g t h e h or r ified expr ession on Moin Ra n kel's fa ce, Glykor grabbed his leader. "What's the matter with you? Moin Rankel, what have you done?"
F r om ou t side ca m e t h e sou n d of h u ge win gs fla ppin g, followed by t h e t er r ified scr ea m s of t h e dyin g t own speople. Th e t h r ee m en r u sh ed t o t h e opposit e en d of t h e t en t a n d t r ied t o esca pe t h r ou gh a n open in g in t h e side.
* * * * *
Th e r et u r n in g su n br oke fr ee of t h e clou ds, wa r m in g t h e a ir below. F r om h igh a bove, t h e dr a gon cou ld see a st r ea m r eflect in g ligh t off t h e r u sh in g wa t er . Sm a ll st r ea m s go on t o becom e r a gin g r iver s in t h e cou r se of their journeys. It would be interesting to follow this one. A sudden rush of win d swept t h r ou gh t h e t r ees. Th e lu sh pea ce of t h e woodla n d seem ed u n br oken a n d et er n a l. Th e ch a r r ed, keyh ole sh a ped pa t ch wa s ba r ely visible fr om a bove. Th e dr a gon cou ld h a r dly see t h e sligh t est sign of it . It wa s a ver y la r ge bu t or din a r y for est , t h e kin d cit y dweller s oft en t h in k of as idyllic.
The middle of nowhere.
Kaz and the Dragon's Children Richard A. Knaak
H e h a d lea r n ed t o sleep wit h t h e ba t t le-a xe clu t ch ed in h is h a n ds, a t r ick t h a t h a d sa ved h is life m or e t h a n on ce. E ven n ow, wit h t h e wa r su pposedly over for m or e t h a n a m on t h , it wa s a wise t h in g t o do, for t h er e wer e st ill t h ose wh o wou ld h a ve seen h im dea d sim ply beca u se of wh a t h e wa s. Th r ee da ys a go, h e h a d ba r ely esca ped t h e loca l m ilit ia . Th ey'd wa n t ed t o m a ke h im pa y for wh a t h is kin d h a d don e in t h e ser vice of t h e Da r k Goddess, Ta kh isis. Sm a ll m a t t er t h a t he h a d ser ved wit h t h e Kn igh t s of Sola m n ia a n d ch osen t o figh t a ga in st h is old m a st er s in t h e wa n in g weeks of t h e wa r . Ka z wa s a m on st er in t h e eyes of h u m a n s, a n d t o som e t h a t m a de h im for ever a n evil t h a t n eeded t o be ext in gu ished. Birth alone had condemned him to that fate.

The savage history of the minotaur's race had not helped, either. Ka z's h u ge h a n ds t en sed im per cept ibly. H e open ed h is eyes a cr a ck. H e cou ld see lit t le, for t h e m oon s wer e h idden by t h e clou ds, a n d da wn was st ill a t lea st a n h ou r a wa y. Wh a t lit t le h e did see did n ot a id h im . An d so h e list en ed. A sou n d, a sligh t sou n d, h a d br oken t h e n or m a l pa t t er n of n igh t n oises a n d st ir r ed t h e vet er a n wa r r ior t o wa kin g. It m igh t h a ve been n ot h in g m or e t h a n a n a n xiou s r a bbit , a clu m sy ba t , or Tem pest , h is own h or se, sh ift in g posit ion , bu t Ka z didn 't t h in k so. H e h a d n ot su r vived this long jumping at animal noises. This was something more.
If t h ose in fer n a l soldier s h a ve t r a cked m e down a ga in , Ka z t h ou gh t in bit t er n ess, t h en t h is t im e I will st a n d a n d figh t r ega r dless! In t h e wa r a ga in st t h e legion s of t h e Da r k Qu een , h e h a d fou gh t beside a lon e kn igh t ca lled H u m a , a kn igh t wh ose h on or a n d skill wou ld ea r n h im t h e t it les of Dr a gon ba n e a n d H u m a of t h e La n ce. Wh en defea t h a d appeared im m in en t , H u m a h a d br ou gh t t o t h e desper a t e defen der s of good t h e legen da r y dr a gon la n ces, wh ich h a d t u r n ed t h e t ide by br in gin g down t h e dr a gon s of doom a n d despa ir . H u m a h im self h a d died defea t in g t h e Da r k Goddess.
H on or wa s t h e m ost im por t a n t for ce in a m in ot a u r 's life, a n d Ka z h a d a dm ir ed H u m a for h is h on or . Th e kn igh t 's u n sh a ka ble belief in t h e goodn ess of t h e wor ld h a d ch a n ged t h e m in ot a u r . Ka z h a d swor n t h a t h is wea pon s wou ld be r a ised a ga in st on ly t h ose wh o followed t h e pa t h of evil. It was his tribute to one he considered the greatest champion of all.
A t r ibu t e h e wa s fin din g ver y difficu lt t o su r vive. Th e soldier s wh o h a d a lm ost ca pt u r ed h im t h r ee da ys a go h a d ba sica lly been good m en t r yin g t o clea r t h eir la n d of t h e st r a ggler s a n d m a r a u din g ba n ds t h a t h a d sprouted up like weeds after the Goddess's armies had been routed. It had been quite reasonable for them to assume that a minotaur wandering this far south was a part of those scattered forces. Unfortunately, they had not a llowed Ka z a n y t im e t o pr esen t pr oof ot h er wise. Th e docu m en t s a n d medallion given to him by the masters of the Solamnic orders were secure in t h e h idden com pa r t m en t of h is sa ddleba gs. H e dou bt ed t h a t h is pu r su er s wou ld believe t h e pr oof even if t h ey a llowed h im t h e ch a n ce to displa y it Sca r ed h u m a n s h a d t h e ba d h a bit of killin g fir st , a skin g questions later.
Ka z con t in u ed t o list en , bu t t h e n igh t wa s n ow silen t sa ve for t h e a n xiou s m ovem en t s of h is h or se. Th e silen ce in it self wa s om in ou s, for even the sounds associated with the dark had ceased. Kaz opened his eyes a bit farther.
Som et h in g h issed. H is m ou n t , t ied t o a t r ee beh in d h im , bega n t o sh ift in u n ea se. All n ot ion of a h u m a n foe va n ish ed. Not h in g in Ka z's experience had ever made a sibilant sound quite like that.
H e lea pt t o h is feet , a xe a t t h e r ea dy. Th e h iss h a d com e fr om so close that he was certain that the... thing... would instantly be upon him.
Not h in g. Th e n igh t wa s silen t a ga in . Ka z, h owever , did n ot r ela x. An unwary warrior was a dead warrior.
"Th is is wh a t I get for seekin g solit u de, " t h e m in ot a u r muttered, snorting.
A piece of t h e n igh t sh ift ed a m on g t h e t r ees. Ka z h eft ed t h e a xe a n d sn a r led bu t did n ot t a ke a st ep t owa r d t h e n ebu lou s sh a pe. Let wh a t ever was out there come to him.
It did. The minotaur's horse whinnied as the thing materialized.
"Sa r ga s!" Ka z sh ou t ed, for get t in g in h is a st on ish m en t a n d ca llin g on t h e da r k god h is own people wor sh iped. Ka z h a d for sa ken Sa r ga s for t h e ju st god P a la din e, pa t r on of t h e kn igh t h ood, bu t in t im es of gr ea t excitement, his heritage caught up with him.
Th e m on st er wa s h u ge. St a n din g, it wou ld h a ve been a t lea st a s t a ll a s Ka z. In t h e da r kn ess, h e cou ld n ot m a ke ou t specific det a ils, bu t t h e cr ea t u r e h a d a t a il a n d looked like som e sor t of biza r r e r ept ile pla yin g a t being human. Most important, the thing had long, wicked talons and jaws wide enough to snap a minotaur's head off.
Th e m on st er st a n k. Ka z wr in kled h is n ose. F igh t in g ba ck t h e u r ge t o t h r ow u p, Ka z t h r u st t h e sh a ft of t h e ba t t le-a xe in t o wh a t h e h oped wa s the monster's stomach.
He might have been striking rock, so armored was the beast.
Ta lon s r a ked a t h is a r m s. Th e m in ot a u r gr u n t ed in pa in , bu t for t u n a t ely h is a t t a ck
cr ea t u r e. Ka z fou gh t
h a d t a ken som e of t h e figh t ou t of t h e h or r ific down t h e pa in a n d pu sh ed for wa r d, t r yin g t o over power t h e bea st befor e it r ecover ed. On ce a ga in , t h ou gh , h it t in g it wa s like h it t in g a wa ll of st on e. Ka z dr ove ba ck t h e sla sh in g cla ws of t h e thing, but nothing more.
E ven t h is close, Ka z cou ld n ot see wh a t it wa s h e fou gh t . It wa s r ept ilia n , yes, bu t like n ot h in g t h e m in ot a u r h a d ever com e a cr oss in t h e war. Almost it resembled... but that was impossible.
It came for him again.
Twist in g t h e a xe a r ou n d, h e br ou gh t t h e fla t of t h e dou ble-edged bla de against the snout of his adversary.
The beast hissed in pain but did not back away.
Kaz struck the sensitive snout again and again.
H owlin g, t h e r ept ilia n m on st er st u m bled ba ck. Ka z sh ift ed t h e a xe t o dr ive t h e dea dly bla des in t o t h e m on st er 's h ea d, bu t t h e bea st su dden ly spr a n g ba ckwa r d. It st opped, looked a r ou n d, a s if it h a d h ea r d a ca ll. Then, without warning, the creature turned and leapt for the safety of the woods. Th e m in ot a u r st a r t ed t o pu r su e, bu t t h e m on st er 's t a il st r u ck h im in t h e side like a wh ip. It wa s a ll Ka z cou ld do t o m a in t a in h is h old on his wea pon . Th r ou gh pa in -blu r r ed eyes, h e wa t ch ed t h e sh a dowy t h in g vanish into the safety of the night-shrouded woods.
It wa s sever a l h ea r t bea t s befor e t h e pa in beca m e bea r a ble. Ka z's wou n ds con t in u ed t o st in g, bu t a qu ick ch eck r evea led t h a t h e h a d been fortunate. The jagged wounds were shallow.
"Wh a t wa s t h a t a ll a bou t ?" Ka z m u t t er ed. H e h a d been st a lked a n d a ssa u lt ed, bu t t h en h is a t t a cker fled befor e t h e ba t t le h a d r ea lly been join ed. A bloody n ose sh ou ldn 't h a ve been en ou gh t o m a ke t h a t t h in g r u n off.... What was it after?
Th e m in ot a u r sn or t ed in a n n oya n ce. In t h e ea r ly da ys, befor e H u m a h a d t a u gh t Ka z pa t ien ce, h e wou ld h a ve sou gh t ou t som et h in g t o ba t t er wit h h is h ea vy fist s. Now h e cou ld on ly clen ch h is fist s in fr u st r a t ion . H e h a d r idden h er e in t h e h opes of fin din g solit u de, sa n ct u a r y. H e h a d sou gh t ou t t h is for est a n d t h e n ea r by m ou n t a in s beca u se few cr ea t u r es of t h e in t elligen t r a ces wer e sa id t o dwell in t h is r egion . Ka z wa s n ot a h er m it , bu t it wa s good t o be a ble t o r est a n d r eflect n ow a n d t h en , even when one was a warrior born.
Th e m on st er h a d r u in ed Ka z's pea ce. Now h e wou ld h a ve t o spen d t h e n ext sever a l da ys pon der in g it s a br u pt a ppea r a n ce, wh ile con st a n t ly looking over his shoulder.
Snorting, he turned to see to his horse.
Th e h or se wa s gon e, spooked by t h e m on st er . Ka z felt a r ou n d t h e t r ee and discovered the tattered remnants of the tether.
"Th e gods a r e ou t t o get m e!" t h e m in ot a u r sn a r led. Th er e wa s n o t im e t o t en d h is own wou n ds. H e h a d t o begin sea r ch in g for h is h or se im m edia t ely. E ver y secon d m ea n t less ch a n ce of r ecover in g t h e a n im a l, and without Tempest, he would be faced with a long, hard journey.
H is ca m pfir e h a d gon e ou t wh ile h e slu m ber ed, a n d t h er e wa s n o swift way of starting a new one. Kaz decided to forego a torch and hope that his night sight and hearing would be up to the task.
As h e m oved, Ka z m a de clickin g sou n ds wit h h is m ou t h . If t h e h or se wa s n ea r , it wou ld r ecogn ize t h em . Kn igh t s of Sola m n ia oft en t r a in ed t h eir h or ses t o r espon d t o a wh ist le, bu t m in ot a u r s' m ou t h s wer e n ot designed for creating such sounds.
H e wa s clim bin g a squ a t h ill in t h e pr eda wn ligh t , wh en h e h ea r d som et h in g on t h e ot h er side. Ka z ca u t iou sly com plet ed t h e clim b a n d peered down.
Something moved among the trees beyond the hill.
Un a ble t o t ell wh et h er or n ot it wa s h is h or se, Ka z r ea died h is ba t t lea xe a n d st a r t ed down t h e slope. H is wou n ds con t in u ed t o bu r n , bu t h e ign or ed t h em . H e h a d ign or ed wor se on es du r in g t h e wa r . As h e r ea ch ed t h e bot t om , Ka z ca u gh t a n ot h er glim pse of som et h in g, bu t it wa s st ill t oo far away and too obscured by foliage to be identifiable.
P ickin g u p h is pa ce, h e da r t ed a m on g t h e t r ees. At la st , Ka z ca u gh t a bet t er glim pse. H e exh a led in r elief. H is m ou n t . Th e a n im a l wa s gla d t o see him, seemed to wonder where he'd been.
Putting h is a n n oya n ce a side, Ka z ca lled ou t . Th e h or se t r ot t ed t owa r d h im . Ka z r epla ced h is ba t t le-a xe in t h e h a r n ess h e wor e on h is ba ck. H e wa s plea sed t o n ot e t h a t h is pa cks wer e secu r e a n d t h a t t h e h or se wa s u n in ju r ed. Th e h or se r u bbed it s n ose in Ka z's sh ou lder a n d sn iffed h im . Ka z t ook t h e r ein s, wh ich da n gled loosely over t h e h or se's n eck, a n d pa t t ed t h e a n im a l on t h e side. "Br a ve wa r -h or se, a r en 't you n ow? Th ey t old m e t h a t you 'd fa ce u p t o ju st a bou t a n yt h in g! H a ! St ill, I ca n 't bla m e you for running from that hellish creature, but the least you could've done was take me with you!"
A sen se of dr ea d su dden ly wa sh ed over Ka z. H e looked swift ly a r ou n d, but saw nothing. It was the silence again. The same eerie silence that had fa llen wh en h e wa s a t t a cked by t h e m on st er . St ill sca n n in g t h e a r ea , Ka z mounted his horse. He had a great desire to be far away from here.
"I m u st h a ve m on st er s on t h e br a in , " h e m u t t er ed. Wa s t h is wh a t it wa s goin g t o be like n ow t h a t h e did n ot h a ve t h e wa r t o occu py h is ever y moment? J u m pin g a t ever y sou n d or la ck of sou n d. Im a gin in g foes behind every tree and rock?
"Let's go!" he growled at his horse.
The animal trotted a few steps, then came to a halt.
Ka z pr odded t h e a n im a l a ga in . H e truly wa n t ed t o get a wa y fr om t h is place. "What's the matter with you, Tempest? Get moving!"
Th is t im e, t h e a n im a l bega n t o plod a lon g; t h e pa ce it set wa s so slow t h a t Ka z bega n t o won der if h e wou ld m a ke bet t er t im e ca r r yin g Tem pest instead of the horse carrying him.
Th e win d bega n t o pick u p, t ossin g dea d lea ves a bou t . Clou ds wer e ga t h er in g in t h e sky in wh a t m igh t be t h e pr ecu r sor of a st or m . "Sa r ga s take you, beast!" Kaz kicked the horse's flanks. "Move, I said!"
Unbelievably, the horse began to slow its pace.
Bla ck clou ds swir led. Th e win d wa s a h owlin g fien d t h a t t ossed lea ves a n d br oken folia ge a r ou n d t h e h or se a n d r ider . Ka z sh ielded h is eyes a ga in st t h e st in gin g du st a n d bega n deba t in g t h e possibilit y of st oppin g where he was and seeking shelter.
As if r ea din g h is t h ou gh t s, Tem pest a br u pt ly h a lt ed. Ka z t r ied t o u r ge t h e bea st on a ga in , bu t it st ood fa st . F u r iou s, Ka z st a r t ed t o dism ou n t , thinking perhaps he could lead the animal.
The wind buffeted him back onto the saddle.
He tried again to dismount.
Once more, the horrendous wind seemed to hold him fixed in place.
"By P a la din e's bla de! I'll n ot be best ed by air!" Th e m in ot a u r let go of the reins and tried throwing himself off his mount.
A wall of wind tossed him back.
Th en , it wa s a s if a t or n a do h a d spr u n g t o m a d life. Wildly t u m blin g lea ves a n d t wigs cu t visibilit y t o a foot or t wo beyon d t h e h or se's n ose. No matter which direction he looked, all Kaz saw were leaves.
No, n ot a ll dir ect ion s. Ga zin g u p, h e n ot ed t h a t t h e a ir wa s in explica bly clea r a few feet a bove h is h ea d. Wit h t h e except ion of t h e clou ds t h a t h a d gathered directly overhead, the sky was sunny and bright. All around him t h e for est wa s pea cefu l, yet Ka z h im self wa s ca u gh t u p in a ver it a ble maelstrom.
In st in ct ively, h e r ea ch ed for h is wea pon , t h ou gh wh a t h e wou ld do wit h it wa s beyon d h im . Ka z wa s a bor n wa r r ior a n d u n der st ood n ot h in g a bou t t h e wor kin gs of m a gic, bu t h e kn ew it s m a levolen t t ou ch wh en h e sa w it . H e a lso h a d t h e sin kin g feelin g t h a t fin din g Tem pest h a d n ot been t h e good for t u n e h e h a d a ssu m ed, bu t r a t h er t h e lu r e wit h wh ich t h e unknown mage had drawn him into a trap.
P a la din e, Ka z pr a yed, if you st ill wa t ch over m e a ssu m in g you ever have I could use your help about now!
The whirlwind started to close in around the minotaur. Now, only a few inches separated horse and rider from the thickening wall of dead foliage.
A lea f st r u ck t h e side of t h e m in ot a u r 's sn ou t a n d st u ck t h er e. Ka z r ea ch ed u p t o t ea r t h e lea f a wa y, bu t t o h is bewilder m en t it r em a in ed fixed t o h im . A secon d lea f ca u gh t on h is h a n d, a n d wh en t h e m in ot a u r tried to shake it free, that leaf, too, clung.
Ka z's legs a n d t or so wer e a lr ea dy dot t ed wit h lea ves, n on e of wh ich would shake loose. H is h or se wa s n ea r ly h a lf bu r ied u n der a gr owin g skin of folia ge, bu t , u n like Ka z, Tem pest sh owed n o con cer n . Th e a n im a l did not move at all, seeming to accept its fate.
Not so t h e m in ot a u r . Sn a r lin g, h e t r ied t o sh ield h im self wit h h is lea fencrusted a xe, bu t t h e ba r r a ge wa s t oo gr ea t . Lea ves blew over , u n der , a n d a r ou n d h im , st ickin g on h is fa ce a n d a r m s, clin gin g like blood leech es to his skin.
"Bla st you , m a ge!" h e r oa r ed, cover in g h is m ou t h in or der t o pr even t su ffoca t ion . "Com e a n d fa ce m e! F igh t m e a s a wa r r ior , n ot a cowa r d wh o must hide behind cursed tricks!"
No on e r espon ded. H e h a d n ot t r u ly expect ed a n yon e t o do so. Ma ges wer e, in h is opin ion , con n ivin g m ilksops wh o wor ked fr om sh a dows or anywhere far from danger.
Th e on sla u gh t con t in u ed. Lea ves a lm ost com plet ely bu r ied h im a live. H is sn ou t wa s a lr ea dy cover ed, a n d lea ves com plet e obscu r ed vision in on e eye a n d pa r t ia lly in t h e ot h er . It wa s n ea r ly im possible t o m ove. H e was forced to breathe through his mouth.
Rou n d a n d r ou n d t h e win d blew, a ddin g lea f a ft er lea f t o t h e pile. Th e m in ot a u r wa s n ea r t o su ffoca t in g. H e st r u ggled desper a t ely t o clea r t h e lea ves fr om h is n ose a n d m ou t h , bu t h e cou ldn 't lift h is lea f-coa t ed a r m more than an inch or two. Kaz began to choke....
"Kiri-J olit h , god of ju st ca u se, is t h is a n y wa y for a wa r r ior t o die?" Ka z demanded in helpless fury.
If t h er e wa s a n a n swer , h e did n ot r em a in con sciou s lon g en ou gh t o hear it.
* * * * *
"Amazing t h e t h in gs on e fin ds in da r kn ess. "I wa s expect in g t o ca t ch a captured the horse, I assumed its rider would be human. Silly of me. "

Ka z st ir r ed a n d slowly n ot ed t h a t wh ile h e cou ld n eit h er see n or m ove, he was most certainly alive.
"Ah. Awake at last. Feeling better?"
Th e gr oggy m in ot a u r for ced h is eyelids open a sligh t cr a ck. Wh a t lit t le h e cou ld see wa s blu r r y, bu t a t lea st it wa s n ot lea ves. H e h a d t h e va gu e impression of a robed figure sta n din g a lm ost below h im . Not h in g else wa s clear enough to even guess at.
"Wh a t a r e you doin g in t h ese pa r t s, so fa r fr om you r kin d, m y solit a r y m in ot a u r ? You 'd best a n swer m e befor e I lose m y t em per a n d feed you t o my other guest. "
Feed me to it? Kaz opened his eyes wide.
H e wa s in a m a gica l pr ison , a clea r bu bble floa t in g sever a l feet a bove t h e floor . Alt h ou gh delica t e in a ppea r a n ce, t h e bu bble h eld fir m wh en h e pr essed h is h a n ds a ga in st it . Ka z sn or t ed a n d ga ped. H is wea pon s wer e gone.
"Rea lly a sim ple sor t of spell, m y bovin e fr ien d. Not h in g so spect a cu la r , " said the voice. Yet, there was a touch of pride in the tone.
Ka z gla r ed down a t h is ca pt or . H e wor e t h e fa m ilia r ebon y ga r m en t s of t h e da r k m a ges, or Bla ck Robes a s t h e evil m a gic-u ser s wer e ca lled. Th e m a ge wa s t a ll for a h u m a n , a lm ost a s t a ll a s t h e m in ot a u r , bu t so ga n gly a s t o m a ke a sca r ecr ow look fa t . H is fa ce looked a s if som eon e h a d wr a pped a ba n da ge of skin a r ou n d t h e sku ll. Lon g, flowin g gr a y h a ir hung to his waist.
Ka z sea r ch ed n er vou sly for t h e "h u n gr y" gu est . H e wa s im pr ison ed in a cavern chamber, one that had apparently been hollowed out by some force ot h er t h a n n a t u r e. Th e wa lls a n d ceilin g wer e sm oot h . A cu r iou s blu e sphere floating above his gaunt host illuminated the chamber.
Shelves lin ed t h e ca ve a r t ifa ct s t h a t even Ka z, powerful talismans.
Below h is floa t in g cell, a pa t t er n h a d been et ch ed in t o t h e cen t er of t h e floor . A ser ies of t r ia n gles a n d pen t a gr a m s wer e bou n d t oget h er by a n over la ppin g cir cle, n ea r ly t wice Ka z's h eigh t in dia m et er . Dir ect ly below Ka z, a sm a ll m et a l st a n d wit h a t op r esem blin g a h ollowed-ou t gou r d stood in the circle's center.
Kaz breathed easier. No sign at all of the hungry "guest. " on e's n et s, " a voice sa id in t h e kn igh t , n ot a m in ot a u r . Wh en I
wa lls, sh elves filled wit h scr olls, books, a n d wh o h a d n o sen se of m a gic, cou ld t ell wer e
Th e m a ge h a d been silen t du r in g h is ca pt ive's in spect ion , bu t n ow h e spoke again. "What is your name, minotaur?"
"I am Kaz. "
"An d I a m Ma st er Ma ge Br en n . " Th e spin dly figu r e bowed sa r don ica lly. "You a r e m u ch t oo fa r sou t h a n d west for on e of you r kin d, my horned friend. I ask again what are you doing here?"
Ka z t h ou gh t qu ickly. Br en n m u st n ot h a ve bot h er ed t o in spect Ka z's gear closely. He had obviously missed the hidden compartment containing the Solamnic documents and medallion. Good a Black Robe would not be friendly toward a friend of the Knights of Solamnia.
"I've been on the run since the Lady fell, Master Brenn. " Kaz answered boldly. "Th e m in ot a u r a r m y wa s sca t t er ed, t h e for ces of P a la din e blocked my way back. I killed a knight, stole his horse, and fled south. "
"Why did you not fight to the death like a good cow?"
Kaz growled, barely succeeding in keeping his temper in check. Such an in su lt wou ld h a ve h a d t h e m a ge's h ea d r ollin g fr om h is sh ou lder s if Ka z and his axe had been free.
"Th e ca u se wa s lost , " h e sa id. "Th e ba t t le wa s over . I t h ou gh t it pr efer a ble t o pr eser ve m yself for t h e da y wh en m y skills ca n be pu t t o better use. "
Br en n sm iled. "You h a ve a fin er h ea d on you r sh ou lder s t h a n m ost of your kind. "
Th e m a gic-u ser sn a pped h is fin ger s. Ka z fou n d h im self st a n din g on t h e r ocky floor . H e gla n ced u p. H is m a gica l pr ison h a d va n ish ed. All t h a t r em a in ed wa s t h e pa t t er n on t h e floor , t h e st a n d, a n d, of cou r se, t h e Black Robe.
"As it h a ppen s, Ka z t h e Min ot a u r , you h a ve com e t o t h e r igh t pla ce. I will have need of your skills before long. "
"Where is this right place, Master Brenn?" Kaz demanded.
"You a r e in t h e m ou n t a in s n ea r wh er e I fou n d you , " Br en n r eplied. "You a r e for t u n a t e, m y h or n ed fr ien d. H a d you been a kn igh t a s I fir st presumed you wou ld be dea d. I a m t oo close t o su ccess t o a llow m y secrets to be discovered. "
Th e ga u n t m a ge pa u sed. "Tell m e, m in ot a u r , did you see a n yt h in g... unusual... in the forest?"
"What did you have in mind, Master Brenn?"
Br en n fr own ed, ir r it a t ed. "You wou ld kn ow wh a t I m ea n t if you h a d seen it. "
Ka z wa s cer t a in t h a t t h e Bla ck Robe m ea n t t h e m on st er , bu t h e elected n ot t o sh a r e t h e det a ils of h is en cou n t er wit h h is h ost . Wh a t Br en n did n ot kn ow m igh t ben efit t h e m in ot a u r . Did t h e m a ge h a ve som et h in g t o do wit h t h e m on st er ? If so, wh a t ? An d wh er e wa s it ? Ka z wa s deba t in g t h e da n ger of pr obin g for m or e in for m a t ion wh en a m ou r n fu l wa il ech oed t h r ou gh ou t t h e m a ge's sa n ct u m . Th e sou n d r em in ded Ka z of a wom a n sobbin g, bu t a t t h e sa m e t im e h e kn ew t h a t it wa s n ot h u m a n . It wa s unnerving, terrible, and extraordinarily sad.
Br en n , qu it e ca lm , n odded a t t h e sou n d a n d cr ypt ica lly sa id, "Sh e's awake. She should be more manageable, by now. "
"She?" the minotaur rumbled.
"Com e. I will sh ow you . " Br en n st a r t ed t owa r d t h e ca ver n 's en t r a n ce. Abr u pt ly, h e t u r n ed. H e st u died t h e m in ot a u r , t h en com m a n ded, "H old out your hands. "
Kaz obeyed.
Suddenly he was holding his lost axe.
"You will feel m or e com for t a ble wit h t h a t in you r possession . Do t r y t o be careful with it. "
Th e m a ge t u r n ed h is ba ck on t h e m in ot a u r a n d r esu m ed wa lkin g. Ka z h eft ed t h e wea pon , t h in kin g br iefly of pa r t in g t h e m a ge's lon g gr a y h a ir . Ka z kn ew bet t er t h a n t o a t t a ck, h owever . If Br en n h a d given t h e a xe back, it could only be because he had no fear of it.
Things were not looking promising.
Th e glowin g sph er e flew a h ea d of t h em , ligh t in g t h e wa y. Ka z followed the gangly magic-user through a maze of tunnels that led from one cavern chamber to another, until they came to one larger than all the rest.
Br en n pa u sed a t t h e en t r a n ce, on e h a n d on t h e r ocky wa ll, a n d t u r n ed t o t h e m in ot a u r . "I t h in k per h a ps it wou ld be best if you st a yed in t h e ba ckgr ou n d. Sh e becom es dist r a u gh t a t t h e sligh t est t h in g. I will spea k t o her in private. " His eyes narrowed a bit. "Don't wander off. "
With that warning, Brenn entered the chamber, the blue light following h im . Ka z wa s m or e t h a n sa t isfied t o be left beh in d, bu t h e wa s a lso in t er est ed in a glim pse of t h e Bla ck Robe's ot h er "gu est . " St a n din g t o t h e side of the entrance, the burly minotaur peered into the cavern.
"Th er e, t h er e, m y dea r !" Br en n ca lled ou t . "I t h in k t h in gs will look brighter from this point on, would you not agree?"
A h u ge r ept ilia n h ea d r ose fr om t h e ca ver n floor . Th e glea m in g eyes of a silver dr a gon st a r ed a t Br en n . Ka z h a d n ever seen su ch open h a t r ed and revulsion in all his life.
"I wa n t ... m y children, you vile... vile m on st er !" t h e silver dr a gon cr ied in a low, anguished voice.
Th er e wer e n o dr a gon s left in Kr yn n . Th ey h a d a ll va n ish ed soon a ft er t h e defea t in ba t t le of dr ea d Ta kh isis by t h e kn igh t H u m a . All dragons, wh et h er follower s of t h e Da r k La dy or ser va n t s of sh in in g P a la din e her victorious foe had departed from the world.
Ka z t h e m in ot a u r won der ed if som eon e h a d for got t en t o t ell t h is particular dragon that she was not supposed to be here.
Th e silver dr a gon wa s en or m ou s; Ka z h a d n ever seen on e so la r ge. Brenn wa s lit t le m or e t h a n a m ou t h fu l t o su ch a gr a n d cr ea t u r e, yet t h e dr a gon m a de n o h ost ile m ove t owa r d t h e m a st er m a ge. Ka z da r ed t o st ep a bit closer , a n d sa w t h e dr a gon in a bet t er ligh t . Th e dr a gon wa s ba dly in ju r ed. Deep, fet id sca r s scor ed t h e m a ssive body. H er win gs wer e t or n . On e eyelid dr ooped a n d t h e or b t h a t it h a lf-obscu r ed did n ot focu s well. Most of t h e wou n ds wer e old, yet u n t r ea t ed. If n ot ca r ed for soon , t h ey would almost certainly mean a slow, painful death.
Th e m in ot a u r 's r espect for t h e m a ge's da r k power s gr ew a h u n dr edfold. Br en n cou ld n ot h a ve possibly in flict ed su ch da m a ge... a t lea st , Ka z thought n ot ... bu t even t h is ba dly wou n ded, t h e silver dr a gon m u st be a terrible force to reckon with.
"You r ch ildr en a r e sa fe, a s you ca n pla in ly see, m a da m , " Br en n sa id, st r et ch in g h is r igh t h a n d t o t h e side t o in dica t e som et h in g. Ka z t r ied t o see, bu t cou ldn 't fr om h is va n t a ge poin t . Did t h e m a ge h a ve a ca ge fu ll of young dragons as well?
"Monster!" The silver dragon moaned.
Br en n cr ossed h is a r m s. "You ca n sa y t h a t , m a da m , wh en I so t h ou gh t fu lly a llow you t o ga ze u pon you r pr eciou s eggs wh en ever you desire? I thought it rather a kindness on my part. "
"Kindness?" Th e dr a gon st r u ggled. Like Ka z ea r lier , sh e wa s h eld in pla ce by in visible m a gica l bon ds. Aft er a m om en t of in t en se effor t , t h e glittering dragon's head sank to the ground.
Kaz feared she was dying.
"Kin dn ess... " t h e dr a gon wh isper ed. "Tor t u r e... is... is wh a t you m ea n , m or t a l! P la cin g m y eggs wh er e I ca n see... bu t n ot ... t ou ch ! E ggs t h a t ... that you stole from ... my lair!"
"Well, m a da m , n o on e seem ed t o be t a kin g ca r e of t h em . I t h ou gh t t o give t h em a good h om e. " Br en n ch u ckled. "An d you kn ow well, m y dea r , t h a t I h a ve m a de a ver y fin e offer t o you t h a t wou ld see you r ch ildr en back in your care in perhaps two or three days at most! Just give me what I want, and I promise you that your eggs will be returned to you. "
"How... how can I believe you?"
Th e spellca st er sh r u gged. "Believe wh a t you like, m a da m , bu t eit h er accept my offer or... "
Br en n m u st h a ve per for m ed som e spell on t h e h idden eggs, for su dden ly t h e in ju r ed dr a gon r en ewed h er st r u ggle t o esca pe. "No! Don 't hurt them!"
"Well?"
"Yes!" Sh e spa t , t u r n ed a bu r n in g ga ze on t h e bla ck r obed spellca st er . "You win , fien d! I will do a s you wish , bu t " t h e dr a gon wa s r ocked by spa sm s of pa in "if you h a r m m y ch ildr en , I will fin d som e m ea n s t o destroy you!"
Br en n la u gh ed. "I wou ld m a ke a poor m ea l, m a da m , for you r kin d. All gristle and no meat to speak of. "
"You... have my word now, human. What do you want of me?"
"Th a t you sh a ll lea r n on t h e m or r ow, m a da m . " Br en n bowed. "F or n ow, ot h er t h in gs dem a n d m y a t t en t ion . I r ecom m en d you t r y t o r est . You will certainly need your strength. "
Th e silver dr a gon wa s n o lon ger pa yin g a n y a t t en t ion t o h im . In st ea d h er ga ze r et u r n ed t o t h e a r ea t h a t Ka z cou ld n ot see, t o h er eggs. Despit e her weakened condition, the gleaming dragon craned in that direction.
Ka z eyed t h e m a ge. Th e m in ot a u r 's gr ip t igh t en ed on t h e a xe, yet h e forced himself to hold back, fearing Brenn's magic.
"At som e poin t , t h ou gh , t h er e will com e a m om en t wh en you let down you r gu a r d, Ma st er Br en n , " Ka z m u t t er ed. H e sim ply h a d t o su r vive until then.
Returning to the passageway, Brenn sagged, leaned wearily against the ou t er wa ll. H is im pr ison m en t of t h e dr a gon wa s a ppa r en t ly cost in g h im a gr ea t dea l of effor t . Aft er a br ea t h or t wo, t h e m a ge st r a igh t en ed a n d proceeded past Kaz.
"Come, " Brenn commanded.
They had taken a dozen steps or so before Kaz decided to speak. "You've captured a dragon. "
"Wea k a s sh e wa s, it wa s ea sy. I ca u gh t h er wh ile h er a t t en t ion wa s on other t h in gs. Th a t is a ll I h a ve t o sa y on t h e su bject . " Aft er a m om en t of silen t con t em pla t ion , Br en n t u r n ed t o a n ew t opic. "I will sh ow you where you r h or se is bein g st a bled. It will ser ve a s you r qu a r t er s, t oo. If you a r e h u n gr y, I will a lso sh ow you wh er e you m a y fin d food. I t h in k I a m bein g quite generous. All I ask in return is your obedience. Fair enough?"
Ka z gr im a ced. Th er e wa s n ot h in g h e cou ld do bu t con t in u e pla yin g t h e grateful prisoner.
Th e m in ot a u r a t e t h e pr ovision s a n d ca r ed for h is h or se. H is qu a r t er s con sist ed of a sm a ll ca ve a ccessible fr om in side t h e m ou n t a in by m ea n s of a t u n n el bu t a lso open t o t h e ou t side wor ld. Ka z con sider ed esca pe, bu t a t r ip t o t h e ca ve's en t r a n ce r evea led t h a t t h e edge en ded in a sh eer cliff several hundred feet high. No escape from this exit.
H e wa s polish in g h is a xe, h is t h ou gh t s r u n n in g over t h e pa t t er n of t u n n els h e h a d wa lked t h r ou gh , wh en t h e m a ge en t er ed. Br en n looked dist r a ct ed. "Com e wit h m e. I h a ve n eed of you r ph ysica l pr owess. Br in g the axe. "
Act in g t h e obedien t soldier , Ka z followed Br en n ba ck t h r ou gh t h e m a ze of u n der gr ou n d cor r idor s. As h e wa lked, t h e m in ot a u r kept ca r efu l t r a ck of t h e st eps a n d t u r n s h e a n d h is h ost t ook. If h e wa s t o h a ve a n y ch a n ce of esca pe, it wou ld be essen t ia l t o kn ow h is wa y a r ou n d t h e sor cer er 's domain.
Th ey r et u r n ed t o t h e ca da ver ou s m a ge's sa n ct u m . Wit h dist a st e Ka z eyed t h e m a gica l pa t t er n on t h e floor a n d t h e m et a l device t h a t st ood on it. He could still recall his bubble prison.
Brenn, too, studied the pattern. His words were more to himself than to t h e m in ot a u r . "Now t h a t I h a ve h er wor d, I ca n wa it n o lon ger . It h a s a voided t h e t r a ps I've set . Th er e's n o t ellin g if it st ill even exist s. I will h a ve t o u se m or e ext r em e m ea su r es a n d t r y t o br in g it h er e n ow. " Without looking at his companion, Brenn added, "Stand to the side and do exactly what I tell you to do. "
The mage raised his bony hands high.
A bu bble iden t ica l in sh a pe t o t h e on e t h a t h a d h eld Ka z for m ed ju st a bove t h e t op of t h e m et a l device. At fir st t h e bu bble wa s n o la r ger t h a n a n egg, t h en it gr ew t o t h e size of a m elon , t h en la r ger u n t il it s dia m et er wa s gr ea t er t h a n t h e len gt h of Ka z's a r m . A t in gle r a n t h r ou gh Ka z, wh o r ea died h is a xe, even t h ou gh h e wa s n ot cer t a in wh a t good t h e wea pon wou ld do expa n sion . chamber.
Th en Ka z sa w som et h in g in t h e cen t er of t h e bu bble. Ka z squ in t ed t o see bet t er . In side t h e bu bble wa s a wooden ch est a sim ple wooden ch est devoid of decoration. As the bubble grew, the chest grew.
Wh en t h e ch est wa s a lm ost a s big a s t h e m in ot a u r , Br en n flicked a fin ger a t t h e m a gica l bu bble. Th e t r a n spa r en t sph er e floa t ed over t o h im , com in g t o r est a t t h e m a ge's feet . As it t ou ch ed t h e ca ver n floor , t h ou gh , t h e bot t om of t h e bu bble dissolved. Th e bu bble con t in u ed t o sin k, a n d a s it did, it dissolved. Before long, there was only the chest.
An ot h er flick of Br en n 's fin ger open ed t h e lid. Br en n r em oved sever a l leathery-lookin g fr a gm en t s ch est . H e eyed ea ch piece fragment held securely in his arms the mage stepped away.
The lid closed and the chest began to rise. The bubble formed around it, and the entire process that Kaz had just witnessed repeated itself, only in r ever se. Th e bu bble a n d ch est r et u r n ed t o t h eir pla ce a bove t h e pa t t er n a n d t h e m et a l device. Th en t h e ch est a n d t h e bu bble gr a du a lly sh r a n k until at last both vanished.
Br en n en t er ed t h e pa t t er n t h e m om en t t h e bu bble disa ppea r ed, a n d h e bega n piecin g t oget h er t h e fr a gm en t s in t h e la r ge bowl a t t h e t op of t h e talisman.
Soon the true form of the object became apparent. It was not pottery, as Kaz had first surmised.
An egg! H e wa s r ebu ildin g a br oken egg! An egg so la r ge a n d so peculiar in appearance that it could only come from...
"A dragon!"
Only after he had said the words did Kaz realize that he had spoken out u n der t h e cir cu m st a n ces. Th e bu bble did n ot cea se it s Ka z won der ed wh et h er it wou ld even t u a lly fill t h e en t ir e

of wh a t m igh t h a ve been pot t er y fr om t h e ca r efu lly, especia lly t h e edges, t h en every lou d. F or t u n a t ely, Br en n wa s t oo en gr ossed in h is wor k t o n ot ice. Th e m a ge pu t t h e fin ish in g t ou ch es on t h e egg. H e st epped ou t of t h e pa t t er n and turned to the minotaur.
"Now your skills may be necessary, my friend. Ready yourself. "
Ka z h a d n o t im e t o con sider wh a t Br en n wa s doin g wit h t h e eggsh ell of a dr a gon . Alr ea dy som et h in g wa s bubble t h is on e r eddish in t in t larger and larger until it could have easily contained Kaz and the mage.

Brenn stretched a nearly fleshless arm toward the bubble and muttered som et h in g. A fier ce look glowed in h is eyes. Th e skin of h is fa ce, a lr ea dy t a u t , pu lled so t igh t Ka z t h ou gh t it wou ld soon t ea r a wa y, r evea lin g t h e skull underneath.
The eggshell wavered.
Br en n st r et ch ed for t h h is ot h er a r m . Swea t pou r ed fr om h is for eh ea d; his hollow eyes flared.
"Wh er ever you a r e, " h e sh ou t ed, "you must com e t o m e! Th e pu ll of your birth will not be denied!"
In t h e bu bble, t h e r econ st r u ct ed sh ell sm oked. P lu m es r ose a bove t h e egg, swirling and forming a cloud.
Ka z blin ked. F or a m om en t , h e wou ld h a ve swor n h e sa w a n a r m in t h e cloud.
A sh a pe coa lesced slowly over t h e sh ell, wh ich seem ed t o be dissolvin g a s t h e t h in g a bove it solidified. Th e t h in g wa s n ot h u m a n ; t h a t wa s obviou s a ft er t h e fir st few secon ds. It wa s n ot like a n y cr ea t u r e t h a t Ka z had ever seen . It h a d win gs a n d a lon g, power fu l t a il. Th e t h in g in t h e bubble was bent over and seemed undecided as to whether it should stand on t wo legs or fou r . St a n din g, it wou ld h a ve been t a ller t h a n Br en n a n d possibly even Ka z. It wa s a lso likely t wice t h e m in ot a u r 's weigh t . Ka z stared in shock and amazement at the creature.
It wa s t h e m on st er t h a t h a d a t t a cked h im ! H e r ecogn ized it by t h e bruised and bloodied snout. Yes, this was what he had fought.
But what was it?
Th e m on st r osit y in side Br en n 's bu bble open ed it s blu n t ed, r ept ilia n m a w a n d let loose wit h a r oa r ... or t r ied t o. No sou n d esca ped t h e bu bble. Th e cr ea t u r e cla wed a t t h e in t er ior of it s cell wit h h a n ds t h a t looked almost human.
It wa s a dr a gon ... yet it wa s n ot . Ka z kn ew of t h e silver dr a gon 's a bilit y t o sh a pech a n ge, bu t t h is t h in g looked a s if it h a d ch a n ged it s m in d m idwa y t h r ou gh t h e t r a n sfor m a t ion a n d h a d been u n a ble t o sh ift ba ck t o its natural state.
Br en n wa lked t o wh er e t h e m on st er cou ld see h im . It s h a t r ed for t h e Bla ck Robe wa s eviden t . F or t u n a t ely for t h e m a ge, t h e bu bble wa s st r on ger t h a n t h e m on st er . "Roa r a ll you like, m y dr a gon -m a n , " Br en n h a ppen in g in t h e cen t er . An ot h er for m ed a r ou n d t h e sh ell, gr owin g r em a r ked. "Not on ly will this pr ison h old you bet t er , bu t you r m ot h er will never hear you in there. "
Mot h er ? Ka z looked closely a t t h e m on st er 's sca ly h ide. Wh a t h e h a d taken for gray was actually a muted silver!
Th e t h in g wa s on e of t h e silver dr a gon 's ch ildr en ! Th er e cou ld be n o ot h er expla n a t ion , yet Ka z h a d n ever seen a dr a gon t h a t looked like t h is one. It was, as Brenn had put it, more of a dragon-man....
Wh a t h a ve you don e, m a ge? Ka z won der ed. Wh a t vile sor cer y h a ve you performed?
"Good. Th e sh ell h olds, " Br en n com m en t ed. H e wa lked a r ou n d h is cr ea t ion , st u dyin g it a s a ch ild m igh t in spect a n ewly a cqu ir ed pet . "Som e fu r t h er dist or t ion , bu t t h e spell h a s n ot com plet ely br oken down yet . An ot h er few da ys, t h ou gh ... Yes, I t h in k I wa s cor r ect a ft er a ll, " Br en n muttered.
Ka z cou ld r est r a in h im self n o lon ger . "You a r e r espon sible for t h a t creature?"
"It is som et h in g of a disa ppoin t m en t , is it n ot ? In t er est in g, bu t n ot qu it e wh a t I h a d in m in d, a n d I do h a t e t o lea ve a t h in g h a lf don e. There is a lso t h e pr oblem t h a t m y m a gic r efu ses t o st a y bou n d t o it . Given t h r ee or fou r m or e da ys, t h e spell wou ld br ea k down , a n d we wou ld h a ve n eit h er t h is cr ea t u r e n or a you n g h a t ch lin g, n ot h in g bu t a n a st y m ess. Until she ga ve in , I wa s r ea dy t o let h im r em a in loose u n t il t h e u n r a velin g of t h e spell t or e h im a pa r t . Now t h a t I h a ve h er cooper a t ion , I can remedy the situation. I can start on the others. "
"So that was one of the dragon's eggs?"
Br en n cea sed h is in spect ion of t h e dr a gon -m a n a n d ga zed t h ou ghtfully a t t h e m in ot a u r . "Of cou r se. Alm ost n ewly la id, in fa ct . Th is wa s m y fir st a t t em pt . Ver y st r on g h e is. Tor e a pa r t t h e n ice ir on cell I h a d h im in a n d fled to the woods. I was elsewhere at the time. "
"That is your reason for stealing the eggs? That thing?" Kaz asked.
"Th e idea wa s a n ot h er 's a n old com pa n ion of m in e wh o h a d becom e a cler ic of t h e Da r k Qu een . H e on ce m en t ion ed t o m e h ow deligh t fu l it wou ld be if P a la din e's gr ea t est ser va n t s cou ld be t r icked in t o figh t in g for Ta kh isis. Wh a t bet t er wa y t o dest r oy t h eir m or a le t h a n by t u r n in g t h eir ch ildr en in t o cr ea t u r es dedica t ed t o t h e da r kn ess?" Br en n 's expr ession was almost wistful. "His power was insufficient for the task, however, and he died in the process.... The fool. "
Th e m a ge sh ook h is h ea d. "Cler ics! Th ey a r e t oo lim it ed by t h eir fa n a t ica l devot ion . A m a ge, on t h e ot h er h a n d... well, you see wh a t I h a ve accomplished!"
"Not what you intended, " Kaz growled.
Th e obser va t ion did n ot seem t o bot h er t h e m a gic-u ser . "No, bu t u n like Au gu s, m y poor , u n la m en t ed fr ien d, I u n der st a n d m y lim it a t ion s... a n d then devise ways of overcoming them. She will provide the added strength I need. "
Br en n st epped a r ou n d t h e pa t t er n a n d r ejoin ed Ka z. Th e m a ge wa lked m u ch m or e slowly t h a n befor e, a sign t h a t h e wa s exh a u st ed. "We h a ve a bu sy da y a h ea d of u s t om or r ow, m in ot a u r . I n eed t o con ser ve m y st r en gt h for t h e spell I pla n t o ca st . Th e ph ysica l exer t ion m u st fa ll t o you . Th er efor e, it wou ld be best if you wen t t o bed n ow. I sh a ll su m m on you when the time comes. "
The minotaur bowed obediently. "Yes, Master Brenn. "
"Sin ce you do n ot yet kn ow you r wa y a r ou n d t h is pla ce, I sh a ll give you t h is t o gu ide you t o you r qu a r t er s. " Th e skelet a l figu r e flicked a fin ger a t t h e blu e ligh t . Th e or b sh im m er ed, t h en split in t o t wo iden t ica l sph er es. On e of t h em flu t t er ed over t o t h e st a r t led wa r r ior . "It will r em a in in exist en ce so lon g a s you n eed it t o r ea ch you r qu a r t er s. Aft er t h a t , it will fade away, leaving you in complete darkness. "
Wa r n in g m e n ot t o wa n der a n ywh er e a ft er wa r d, Ka z t h ou gh t , n oddin g his understanding.
Brenn returned his attention to his monstrous creation. "You may go. "
Ka z st a r t ed t o lea ve, bu t felt som et h in g m a ke t h e h a ir on h is n eck st a n d on en d. H e looked ba ck a t Br en n . Th e m a ge's ga ze wa s st ill focu sed on t h e t h in g in t h e m a gica l bu bble. Th e m in ot a u r 's br ow fu r r owed, t h en he chanced to look up at the dragon-man.
It was watching Kaz.
Th e m in ot a u r st a lked qu ickly t owa r d t h e pa ssa gewa y, n ot on ce lookin g ba ck. On ly wh en h e wa s sever a l st eps down t h e t u n n el a n d fa r fr om t h e u n n er vin g eyes of t h e m on st er did h e pa u se. It h a d been yea r s sin ce a n yt h in g h a d so dist u r bed
dragon-m a n h a d bu r n ed
h im , bu t t h e h u n gr y, kn owin g ga ze of t h e in t o Ka z's ver y sou l. Br en n h a d cr ea t ed som et h in g in sidiou s, som et h in g wh ose in n er da r kn ess per h a ps even t h e magic-user did not fully comprehend.
Ka z did n ot like m a gic. An a xe cou ld n ot clea ve m a gic. Yet , Ka z kn ew h e cou ld n ot lea ve u n less h e dest r oyed Br en n 's cr ea t ion fir st . Ka z a dded u p h is ch a n ces of su cceedin g in su ch a m a d qu est a n d sn or t ed in frustration.
Lit t le ch a n ce, in deed! H e wou ld h a ve t o be a su icida l fool t o ser iou sly consider doing anything other than escaping at the first opportunity!
"P a la din e pr eser ve m e!" Ka z m u t t er ed u n der h is br ea t h . J u st a s h e m a de t h a t decision , h e r ea lized t h er e wa s n o decision t o m a ke. H e cou ld not permit Brenn to continue his unearthly experiments. He had to act.
Th e gods, Ka z decided t h er e a n d t h en , r ea lly a r e ou t t o get m e... a n d this time they'll probably succeed!
* * * * *
H is m em or y ser ved h im well. Ka z wa s plea sed t o discover , som e h ou r s la t er , t h a t despit e t h e u t t er da r kn ess, h e wa s a ble t o r et r a ce h is r ou t e. On ly on ce so fa r h a d h e m a de a wr on g t u r n , a n d h e h a d r ea lized t h a t mistake almost at once.

Ka z h a d been t em pt ed t o u se a m a kesh ift t or ch , bu t t h e ligh t wou ld have put him at risk. He was fairly certain that the weary Brenn was now a sleep, bu t t h e m in ot a u r wa s t a kin g n o ch a n ces. H e wa s cou n t in g on t h e darkness to hide him.

Ka z h a d been t em pt ed t o a t t a ck Br en n in t h e n igh t . Bu t Ka z kn ew n o m a ge wou ld go t o sleep wit h ou t some pr ot ect ive spell. In Br en n 's ca se, it wou ld be a power fu l wa r d. No, t h e m in ot a u r 's best h ope wa s t o r em a in on the course he had decided.

Only she could aid him.
H e t u r n ed a cor n er a n d sa w a dim ligh t a h ea d. At fir st , h e fea r ed t h a t he had miscalculated, that Brenn was still awake. It was a moment before Ka z r ecogn ized t h e dim illu m in a t ion a s com in g fr om t h e ch a m ber wh er e t h e silver dr a gon wa s im pr ison ed. Wit h m or e con fiden ce, h e a ppr oa ch ed the mouth of the cavern and peered inside.
The silver dragon lay still, so still, in fact, that the minotaur feared that sh e h a d a lr ea dy died in h er sleep. Th en , Ka z sa w h er st ir in obviou s a gon y. Un der st a n din g t o som e ext en t h er in ju r ies a n d wou n ds, h e could not help but admire her determination to live.
The other dragons had all departed, but she stayed behind, unwilling to take the time to heal herself, and all because of her love for her children.
Ka z wa s ou t r a ged a t t h e t h ou gh t of wh a t Br en n h a d don e t o on e of t h ose ch ildr en . Th e m in ot a u r had t o t ell t h e silver dr a gon t h e t r u t h ... pr ovidin g sh e wou ld believe a n yt h in g a m in ot a u r sa id. Th e la st wa s t h e part of the plan he had been unable to resolve to his own satisfaction.
Kaz started toward the dragon... and ran into an invisible wall.
Cursing, he slammed his fist against it. "What now?" he muttered.
F r u st r a t ed, t h e m in ot a u r sh ift ed posit ion in a n a t t em pt t o see if t h er e m igh t be a n ot h er en t r a n ce n ea r er t o t h e dr a gon . As h e m oved, h e pu t a hand against the rock wall of the cavern.
Air cu r r en t s sh ift ed. A t in gle r a n t h r ou gh t h e m in ot a u r 's h a n d. St a r t led, h e pu lled h is h a n d fr om t h e r ock. Ka z r eca lled som et h in g Br en n h a d don e bot h wh en en t er in g a n d depa r t in g t h e dr a gon 's pr ison . Twice t h e spellca st er 's h a n d h a d t ou ch ed t h e wa ll. In fa ct , Ka z r ea lized, Br en n had gone out of his way to touch the rock.
Kaz tried to touch the invisible wall.
It was gone.
Ka z qu ickly en t er ed t h e ch a m ber a n d, wit h som e h esit a t ion , approached the massive prisoner.
"You com e... qu iet ... in t h e n igh t , " a soft voice wh isper ed su dden ly. "Th e m a ge... h a s a cqu ir ed h im self a n ew ser va n t . You sh ou ld n ot be h er e without your master, minotaur. I should tear you... tear you apart. "
The head shifted. With her good eye, the silver dragon stared bitterly at the tiny figure to her side.
Bein g devou r ed by t h e ver y t h in g h e h a d com e t o r escu e wa s n ot pa r t of Ka z's pla n . "I a m a pr ison er h er e a lso, Gr ea t On e. By m y a n cest or s, I swear that what I tell you now is the truth. You have my word of honor. "
"Min ot a u r s a r e... a r e kn own t o lie n ow a n d t h en . F or a pr ison er , you have very... very long chains. "
Kaz snorted. "Like you, Master Brenn made assumptions. "
"Why... have you truly... come to... to me?" The dragon might not believe him not yet but she evidently knew enough about minotaur honor to at least listen to him.
"To get you ou t of t h is. " E ven a s Ka z sa id it , h e r ea lized h ow r idicu lou s h e sou n ded. He wa s t r yin g t o r escu e a dr a gon . "I n eed you r power t o h elp end this. "
"E ven if... if I believed you , I ca n n ot ... lea ve wit h ou t m y children, m in ot a u r . I will n ot lea ve... wit h ... wit h ou t t h em . " Th e silver dr a gon flinched several times during the course of her reply. She turned her head a n d in dica t ed t h e wa ll befor e h er , t h e on e Ka z h a d been u n a ble t o see from the entrance. "Look there. Just beyond my... my reach. "
Ka z followed h er dir ect ion . H is eyes widen ed. Th er e in a n ook in t h e r ock wa ll wer e six la r ge, lea t h er y eggs iden t ica l t o t h e fr a gm en t ed egg Br en n h a d pieced t oget h er . It seem ed st r a n ge t h a t t h e m a ge wou ld pu t the eggs here, when he would be forced to move them for his experiments. H ow did h e h ope t o m a in t a in t h e dr a gon 's cooper a t ion if sh e sa w t h em vanishing, one by one?
Th e dr a gon swu n g h er h ea d a r ou n d. "Th ey wer e on ly fr esh ly la id a few days befor e h e... h e... stole t h em . Alt h ou gh t im e h a s pa ssed, h is a ccu r sed spell has... kept them as they were. "
Kaz snorted. "How was it he was able to seize them?"
"A ba t t le for ced u s t o lea ve t h em for a t im e. A t er r ible ba t t le a s you ca n see. I ca m e ba ck, h elped by m y m a t e, t o discover t h em gon e!" Sh e gr im a ced a s pa in sh ook h er . "My m a t e a n d I swor e t h a t on ly dea t h wou ld keep... keep u s fr om ou r ch ildr en . " Th e dr a gon pa u sed for br ea t h . "It seem s I will be h eld t o... t o t h a t vow. I a m beyon d eit h er h elp or helping. Yet, if you would do me any favor, minotaur, save my children. "
Ka z fou gh t down h is disa ppoin t m en t a t fin din g t h e dr a gon t oo wea k t o a id h im . H e st u died t h e eggs. H e cou ld n ot a ba n don t h em t o t h e fa t e of t h e ot h er . H e cou ld n ot a llow Br en n t o cr ea t e a n y m or e su ch monstrosities... even if that meant destroying the eggs.
It wa s on ly wh en h e da r ed r ea ch u p t o t h e eggs t h em selves t h a t h e discover ed som et h in g r ou gh , r ocky su r fa ce would have been unable to tell where the wall ended and the nook began.
H e r a n h is h a n ds a r ou n d t h e edge, t r yin g t o fin d som e mechanical m ea n s t o open it , like t h e en t r a n ce. Not h in g. H e con t em pla t ed t r yin g h is a xe on t h e wa ll, bu t t h e n oise wou ld cer t a in ly wa ke t h e spellca st er a n d m ost likely a ccom plish n ot h in g bu t da m a gin g t h e wea pon . Defea t ed, h e turned back to the dragon. "Is there nothing that you can do?"
"Wou ld I be h er e?" Sh e sigh ed. "My on ly h ope is t h a t h e will keep h is word and give... them back. "
"H e will do n ot h in g of t h e kin d. " Ka z sn a r led. "H e in t en ds t o t a ke you r eggs a n d dr a w on you r power t o t wist you r ch ildr en in t o a bom in a t ion s obedient to him!"
The dragon lifted her head. "Even he could not do that; he dares not!"
"Haven't you wondered why the eggs aren't all here?" Kaz asked her.
Now sh e a ppea r ed su spiciou s. "Wh a t sor t of t r ick is t h is? All of m y eggs... are there. I see them. "
"What? They can't be!" Kaz was astounded.
"Th ey a r e. " Th e dr a gon eyed h im . "Wh a t ever you wer e plot t in g h a s failed. Perhaps you should return to your master. "
"By Paladine! Listen to "
Befor e h e cou ld fin ish , a n ot h er voice cu t t h r ou gh . "Ka z, you kn ow I or der ed you not t o t or m en t ou r gu est ! You wou ld do bet t er t o lea r n t o obey!"
Br en n st ood n ea r t h e en t r a n ce. Ka z cu r sed silen t ly; h e h a d been a fool not to guess there might be some sort of magical alarm.
Ka z t r ied t o r ea ch for h is a xe, discover ed h e cou ldn 't m ove. Th e silver dr a gon r ega r ded t h e m in ot a u r wit h m u ch loa t h in g. Sh e wou ld n ever believe him now.
"You a r e goin g t o h a ve t o be pu n ish ed for t h is disobedien ce, Ka z, " Brenn continued.
A bu bble for m ed a r ou n d Ka z, a floa t in g sph er e iden t ica l t o t h e on e t h a t imprisoned the dragon-man.
H e fou n d h e cou ld m ove n ow, bu t wh er e cou ld h e go? E ven a s h e t h ou gh t t h a t , t h er e wa s a su dden , om in ou s ch a n ge in t h e bu bble. It bega n t o sh r in k! Now t h e t op ba r ely clea r ed h is h or n s, a n d t h e sides wer e so close he could touch them with his fingers.
Bein g slowly cr u sh ed t o dea t h in a m a gica l bu bble wa s n ot a n h on or a ble wa y t o die. H e t r ied br ea kin g t h e bu bble wit h h is h or n s, bu t r ea lized it wa s m or e likely h is h or n s wou ld br ea k befor e t h e sph er e wou ld burst.
Un a ble t o do a n yt h in g else, Ka z cu r sed Br en n in t h e n a m e of ever y god h e cou ld t h in k of, t h en bega n t ellin g t h e m a levolen t m a gic-u ser wh a t t h e st r a n ge. H e cou ldn 't r ea ch t h e n ook. H e felt a ben ea t h h is h a n d. H a d h is eyes been closed, h e minotaur would do when he got free. It didn't matter that Brenn probably cou ldn 't h ea r h im ; Ka z wa s qu it e con fiden t t h a t t h e m a ge wou ld understand.
Br en n a ppa r en t ly did. As Ka z t ook a br ea t h , t h e m a ge poin t ed a fin ger at him. The air caught in Kaz's throat.
A moment later, he collapsed.
* * * * *
Ka z woke u p, looked swift ly a r ou n d. H e wa s st ill t r a pped in Br en n 's a ccu r sed bu bble, bu t h is loca t ion h a d ch a n ged. Now h e floa t ed in on e cor n er of t h e Bla ck Robe's in n er sa n ct u m , n ea r t h e h u ge pa t t er n a n d t h e ot h er sph er e t h a t st ill floa t ed a bove it . Too n ea r . Br en n 's dr a gon -man st a r ed a t t h e m in ot a u r a s if n ot h in g else in t h e wor ld m a t t er ed. Now a n d t h en , t h e cr ea t u r e wou ld blin k or it s for ked t on gu e wou ld da r t ou t , bu t otherwise the dragon-man did not move.

"Size m e u p a ll you like, liza r d, " Ka z gr owled, n ot ca r in g wh et h er or n ot t h e bea st cou ld h ea r or even u n der st a n d h im . "You 'll fin d m e a m ea l that bites back!"

Th e dr a gon -m a n t ook n o n ot ice of Ka z's r a vin gs a n d sim ply con t in u ed to stare at him.
Ka z wa s n ot cer t a in h ow lon g it wa s befor e Br en n en t er ed. An h ou r , maybe two.
"Ah , bot h of you a r e a wa ke!" Br en n r em a r ked. H e t ook som e t im e t o in spect t h e dr a gon -m a n , wh ich su dden ly r ecom m en ced wit h it s sn a r lin g and clawing. Brenn turned to Kaz. A flick of the mage's finger brought the minotaur's sphere floating to him.
"You may notice that you can hear me, but nothing else. "
It wa s t r u e. Despit e t h e m a n y t im es t h e dr a gon -m a n open ed it s m ou t h in wh a t wa s obviou sly a r oa r , t h e ch a m ber wa s silen t , sa ve wh en ever t h e spellcaster spoke.
Th e ca da ver ou s m a ge ga ve Ka z a sm ile. "In a wa y, you m a ke t h is m u ch ea sier . I a dm it I wou ld h a ve felt gu ilt y a bou t sa cr ificin g a u sefu l soldier like you r self if you h a d n ot r evea led you r self t o be t h e t r a it or you a r e. Imagine! A minotaur with a conscience!"
"You actually know the word?" Kaz snarled.
"St ill defia n t . Good. It m ea n s you will pu t u p a st r on g figh t wh en t h e t im e com es. Th e ba t t le sh ou ld be en t er t a in in g, even if t h e ou t com e is inevitable. "
Battle? Kaz did not like the sound of that. "What battle?"
Br en n t u r n ed a n d st r olled ba ck t o t h e pa t t er n . As h e wa lked, t h e minotaur's sphere followed. "When I said your arrival was timely, I meant it . I wa s t r yin g t o devise a wa y in wh ich t o t est t h e st r en gt h of m y creation on ce I r eca pt u r ed it a n d t h en you fell in t o m y h a n ds. My original in t en t ion wa s t o let you becom e com for t a ble, pu t you r m in d a t ea se, so t h a t wh en t h e t im e ca m e t o figh t , you wou ld be a t you r best . Then, of course "
"You pla n t o h a ve m e fight t h a t t h in g?" Ka z r oa r ed, poin t in g a t t h e snarling dragon-man.
"I wou ld h a ve t h ou gh t t h a t wa s obviou s, even t o you , " t h e m a ge com m en t ed, lookin g a t Ka z wit h m ild su r pr ise. "I h ope you r wit s a r e sharper during battle, especially since you will be fighting claw-to-claw. "
Ka z r ea ch ed ba ck. H is a xe wa s gon e. H e scowled a t Br en n , wh o pointed to one of the tables nearby. The battle-axe now lay upon it.
Th e m in ot a u r looked fr om Br en n t o t h e dr a gon -m a n , t h en t o t h e spellcaster again. "This is your idea of a fair fight?"
Th e m a ge st u died h is cr ea t ion , wh o con t in u ed t o scr a pe a t t h e bu bble with t a lon s n ea r ly t h e len gt h of t h e m in ot a u r 's h a n d. Th e dr a gon -man open ed wide it s ja ws, r evea lin g on ce a ga in it s r a zor -sh a r p fa n gs. Aft er some deliber a t ion , Br en n t u r n ed t o Ka z. "No, bu t it will sa t isfy m y curiosity. "
"Let me loose, and I will satisfy your curiosity!"
The mage smiled. "I think it's time we begin. "
Th e bu bble con t a in in g Ka z r et r ea t ed sever a l ya r ds. Th e ot h er sph er e a lso m oved a wa y fr om t h e pa t t er n . Br en n eyed t h e m a gica l design a n d raised a narrow hand.
A bu bble a ppea r ed, a n d in side wa s t h e h u ge ch est fr om wh ich Br en n had removed the egg fragments.
Br en n dir ect ed t h e bu bble t o h im . As befor e, it dissolved wh en it t ou ch ed t h e ca ver n floor , lea vin g beh in d t h e ch est . Th e spellca st er open ed the chest and reached in.
Givin g a n od of sa t isfa ct ion , Br en n pu lled ou t h is pr ize. Ka z cou ld n ot see wh a t h e h eld a t fir st , bu t wh en t h e t a ll m a ge lift ed it h igh , t h er e wa s no mistaking.
Another silver dragon egg.
"Illu sion s!" Ka z ga sped. "I u n der st a n d it n ow! Th e eggs sh e lon gs a ft er are only illusions! No wonder the barrier felt as if it were made of rock!"
Br en n h eld t h e egg for Ka z t o see. "Of cou r se. I n eeded a lu r e, bu t I wa s not about to risk my prizes. Dragon eggs are quite difficult to come by. "
H e lower ed h is bu r den . "It is sim ple, r ea lly. H er own obsession feeds t h e st r en gt h of t h e illu sion a s h er own power feeds t h e spell t h a t bin ds her. Why waste my own energy when I can make use of others? Still, after t h e in com plet e su ccess of m y fir st a t t em pt , I decided t o st op h idin g fr om h er a n d in st ea d dr a w h er in t o m y dom a in . You see, if on e sor t of m a gic is n ot en ou gh , t h en m a ybe t wo com bin ed will a ch ieve su ccess. Wh en I bega n t h is, I t h ou gh t t o cr ea t e a n a r m y, bu t wit h t h e ot h er dr a gon s gon e, I will be sa t isfied wit h m y lit t le ba n d a n d t h e kn owledge t h a t I h a ve on ce m or e triumphed where others have failed. "
"I kn ew a m a ge like you on ce, " Ka z gr owled. "Ga len Dr a cos. H e's dea d now, Paladine be praised!"
Br en n la u gh ed. Th en h e r epla ced t h e egg in t h e ch est a n d closed t h e lid. Rea ch in g in t o t h e colla r of h is r obe, h e pu lled ou t a bejeweled pen da n t . Ka z ca u gh t t h e fla sh of a n em er a ld cr yst a l em bedded in t h e center.
The mage directed his attention to the dragon-m a n , which had renewed it s a t t a ck on t h e im pr ison in g bu bble. Br en n br ou gh t t h e sph er e ba ck t o it s or igin a l r est in g pla ce a bove t h e m et a l device in t h e cen t er of t h e pa t t er n . Th en , t a kin g a deep br ea t h , h e pu t bot h h a n ds on t h e t a lism a n hanging from his neck and closed his eyes.
"Th e t im e h a s com e, m a da m , " t h e m a ge sa id soft ly. "You kn ow wh a t I expect from you!"
Ka z sen sed in t en se power , bu t Br en n a ppea r ed disa ppoin t ed. H e opened his eyes. "Your children, madam! Remember our bargain!"
An in t en se wa ve of m a gic over wh elm ed Ka z. H e sh ook h is h ea d a n d gr u n t ed in pa in . Br en n 's flesh less fa ce lit u p. gleamed.
In side t h e bu bble, t h e dr a gon -m a n clu t ch ed a t a n gu ish . It s skin bega n t o r ipple. Ka z lea n ed for wa r d u n t il h is sn ou t rubbed against the interior of his prison, looking closer. The dragon-man's skin was melting!
P ower con t in u ed t o flow fr om t h e dr a gon t o Br en n . Dr a gon s wer e m a gica l cr ea t u r es; Br en n h a d on ly su cceeded in ca pt u r in g t h e silver on e beca u se hatched formidable task for any mage, no matter how powerful.
Th e dr a gon -m a n 's skin slou gh ed off in h or r id gobbet s, yet , in st ea d of becom in g sm a ller , t h e cr ea t u r e a ppea r ed t o gr ow. It r em in ded Ka z of a you n g sn a ke sh eddin g it s skin . Th e dr a gon -m a n wa s in h or r ible pa in , so much so that Kaz almost pitied the thing.
H is pit y fa ded wh en h e r eca lled t h a t h e wou ld soon be for ced t o do battle with the monster.
Wit h ea ch sh eddin g, t h e dr a gon -m a n beca m e m or e h u m a n oid in a ppea r a n ce. It s sn ou t sh or t en ed u n t il it wa s lit t le lon ger t h a n t h a t of t h e m in ot a u r . It s for elegs ch a n ged in t o a r m s a n d t a lon ed h a n ds. Th e t a il sh or t en ed, a n d t h e dr a gon -m a n 's win gs beca m e vest igia l. Despit e t h e a lt er a t ion s, Ka z did n ot t h in k h is ch a n ces of win n in g a n y bet t er . Not on ly wa s t h e dr a gon -m a n n ow la r ger t h a n befor e, bu t t h er e wa s a lso a look in t h ose r ept ilia n eyes t h a t spoke of t r u e cu n n in g. It wa s t h e look of a warrior.
Th e em er a ld cr yst a l
it s t h r oa t in obviou s
of h er dea dly in ju r ies. To a lt er a dr a gon even on e n ot yet wa s t o wor k a ga in st t h e n a t u r a l m a gic of t h e legen da r y r a ce. A
Wa r r ior or m on st er or bot h , I'll give you t h e figh t of you r life! Ka z pr om ised. H e wa s fa ir ly cer t a in t h e ba t t le wou ld t a ke pla ce soon . Th e cr ea t u r e wa s st ill in a st a t e of flu x, bu t t h e ch a n ges wer e becom in g m or e su bt le. F or t h e fir st t im e, t h e dr a gon -m a n seem ed t o t a ke n ot e of it s own shape. It studied itself carefully, then stared at the one who had made it.

P ower con t in u ed t o flow in t o t h e t a lism a n a n d fr om t h er e ou t t o t h e cr ea t u r e in t h e bu bble. Br en n wa s n o lon ger sm ilin g. St r a in sh owed on h is fa ce a s h e pu sh ed for t h e com plet ion of h is spell. Dr a gon m a gic con t in u ed t o flow t o h im t h r ou gh t h e t a lism a n . Th e for ce wa s so over wh elm in g t h a t even Ka z felt st u n n ed by it s in t en sit y. Br en n ga sped at one point, but did not falter.

Su dden ly, t h e st r ea m of m a gica l power wa ver ed. Br en n gla r ed in t o empty space and roared, "Remember your children!"
H is wa r n in g did n ot seem t o h elp. Th e power fa lt er ed m or e a n d m or e... t h en dwin dled a wa y. Wit h a pa in fu l gr u n t , t h e m a ge br oke h is own connection to the spell. "Damnable lizard!"
Ka z won der ed if t h e dr a gon 's t r em en dou s exer t ion h a d fin a lly killed h er . Th e m a ge t wit ch ed, t h en r u bbed h is pa le fa ce. Ka z yea r n ed t o be fr ee of h is pr ison . If t h er e wa s a t im e wh en t h e spellca st er m igh t be wea k enough to be attacked, it was now.
Brenn gazed a t "Complete at last!"
Th e dr a gon -m a n sh ift ed ba ck a n d for t h bet ween Br en n a n d Ka z. E a ch t im e it st a r ed a t t h e minotaur, the dragon-man clenched its taloned fists.
"P er fect !" t h e Bla ck Robe pr ocla im ed. "P er fect !" H e t u r n ed t o Ka z, t h e only witness to his magnificence. "Do you see "
Th e dr a gon -m a n a br u pt ly ben t over a n d h owled. Th e m on st er 's skin began to peel off in large pieces.
"Wh a t is wr on g?" Th e m a ge br ou gh t t h e bu bble closer t o h im . Br en n wa lked u p t o t h e wa ll of t h e t r a n spa r en t cell a n d peer ed down a t t h e dragon-m a n , wh ich wa s n ow on it s kn ees. "Wh a t is t h e matter wit h you ? You must be stable now!"
The dragon-man, eyes wide and red, glared up at its creator and, driven by pa in , r ea ch ed for Br en n . Th e spellca st er flin ch ed bu t did n ot m ove away.
Th e dr a gon -m a n 's cla ws du g in t o t h e bu bble a n d t or e it open a s ea sily a s if it h a d been for m ed fr om t h in clot h . Th e bu bble popped, dr opped it s prisoner to the ground.
Brenn stared at his creation in disbelief.
Th e dr a gon -m a n lift ed Br en n by t h e colla r a n d, in a voice bot h sibila n t and deep, rumbled, "You hurt me!"
"Put me down! I can make it "
h is cr ea t ion . "Won der fu l!" t h e m a ge br ea t h ed.

st ood er ect wit h in t h e con fin es of it s cell. It s ga ze The dragon-man ignored the command. "I will hurt you!"
Ra isin g Br en n a bove h im , t h e dr a gon -m a n t h r ew t h e m a gic-u ser a cr oss
the cavern.
Weakened by his spellcasting, Brenn could not help himself. He crashed in t o a sh elf, cr u sh in g a r t ifa ct s a n d con t a in er s, fin a lly br in gin g t h e en t ir e set of shelves down on himself.

Br en n t r ied t o r ise, bu t cou ld n ot . It wa s clea r t h a t h e wa s ba dly in ju r ed. Th e dr a gon -m a n st a r t ed t owa r d t h e m a ge. Br en n poin t ed wea kly a t Ka z, t h en slu m ped ba ck, n ot u n con sciou s, bu t u n a ble, a t t h e m om en t , to do anything else to save himself.

Th e bu bble in wh ich t h e m in ot a u r wa s im pr ison ed fa ded. Wit h a gr u n t , Kaz struck the hard cavern floor.
Th e dr a gon -m a n t u r n ed t owa r d t h e m in ot a u r , h issin g. Ta lon s fla sh ed as it started for Kaz. The dragon-man lunged for Kaz's throat.
Ka z t h r ew h im self t o t h e gr ou n d a n d r olled t owa r d t h e t a ble wh er e h is wea pon la y. H e h oped h e cou ld r ea ch h is a xe befor e t h e cr ea t u r e st r u ck again.
Th e a ct ion ca u gh t t h e dr a gon -m a n by su r pr ise. F or a br ea t h or t wo, t h e cr ea t u r e st a r ed down a t t h e spot wh er e it s in t en ded vict im h a d been. Th en , h issin g a ga in , t h e cr ea t u r e wh ir led. Loca t in g Ka z, t h e dr a gon -man stalked t owa r d t h e m in ot a u r , t a lon s ext en ded a n d m a w open wide. Ka z r ea lized t h a t h e wou ld n ever m a ke it t o t h e t a ble befor e t h e m on st er wa s on him.
Th en a n ot h er wa ve of pa in r ocked t h e dr a gon -m a n . It fell t o on e kn ee. Its form began to shift again, almost as if liquefying.
Ma kin g t h e m ost of h is u n expect ed oppor t u n it y, Ka z da sh ed over t o t h e table and put his hand on the axe. Behind him, the howl of pain died.
Th e dr a gon -m a n wa s on it s feet a ga in . It lu n ged a t Ka z, m ovin g even m or e swift ly t h a n befor e. Ra isin g t h e a xe wit h on e h a n d, Ka z su cceeded in fen din g off t h e a t t a ck. Th e cr ea t u r e wa s a gile despit e it s gr ot esqu e a ppea r a n ce. Ka z t r ied a secon d swin g. Th e dr a gon -m a n gr a bbed h old of t h e a xe by t h e u pper h a lf of t h e sh a ft , n ea r ly wr en ch ed it fr om t h e m in ot a u r 's gr a sp. Ka z fou gh t t o pu ll t h e wea pon fr ee. H e did n ot like t o think about his chances in hand-to-hand fighting.
Rem em ber in g t h eir st r u ggle in t h e woods, Ka z sh ift ed h is wea pon a n d t r ied t o r epea t h is t a ct ic fr om t h a t ba t t le, t r ied t o h it t h e cr ea t u r e on t h e sn ou t . Th e m on st er wa s m u ch m or e wa r y t h is t im e, a n d on ce m or e Ka z almost lost his axe.
In t en t on a voidin g t h e ja ws a n d t a lon s of h is a dver sa r y, t h e m in ot a u r sa w t h e slit h er in g t a il t oo la t e. It da r t ed t owa r d h is leg. Ka z st r u ck t h e tail with his axe. One well-honed blade caught the tip and severed it.
Th e dr a gon -m a n h owled wit h pa in , la sh ed ou t wit h ou t t h in kin g. Th e blow ca u gh t Ka z a s h e wor ked t h e a xe fr ee, for t h e edge h a d n ot on ly cu t t h r ou gh t h e t a il bu t gou ged a slit sever a l in ch es deep in t h e r ock-hard ground. Pain coursed through the minotaur. The axe came free just as the dragon-m a n a t t a cked a ga in . Th e wou n ded m in ot a u r st u m bled ou t of r ea ch . H is left a r m wa s cover ed in blood, pou r in g fr om r a gged ga ps n ea r his shoulder.
A r ed r a ge wounded him!
"I... have... had... enough!" he snarled.
Ka z br ou gh t t h e a xe a r ou n d a n d for ced h is r ept ilia n adver sa r y ba ck. E a ch swin g sen t sh iver s of pa in t h r ou gh t h e m in ot a u r , bu t Ka z kn ew h e cou ld n ot let u p. If h e st opped even for a m om en t , t h e dr a gon -m a n wou ld have him.
Th e u pper edge of on e of t h e a xe's bla des cu t a st r ea k of gr een slim e a cr oss t h e dr a gon -man's ch est . It h issed a n d st u m bled, bu t Ka z cou ld n ot pu r su e h is a dva n t a ge soon en ou gh . Recover in g, t h e cr ea t u r e gla r ed a t t h e m in ot a u r , t h en su dden ly lea pt st r a igh t a t h im . H a d Ka z been u n in ju r ed, h e wou ld h a ve cu t h is oppon en t down t h en , bu t t h e a ch e in h is sh ou lder slowed h im . Th e a xe st r u ck t h e dr a gon -m a n in t h e u pper a r m , bu t t h e wou n d wa s sh a llow a n d, even wor se, t h e m on st er n ow fin a lly h a d a good grip on the shaft of the minotaur's weapon.
Ka z t r ied t o h old on , bu t h e wa s t oo wea k. Th e dr a gon -m a n pu lled t h e axe from the minotaur's grip and tossed it aside.
"Now, " it hissed, "you will die!"
Ka z, h owever , wa s a lr ea dy m ovin g. E ven for a cr ea t u r e a s st r on g a s t h e dragon-m a n , a fu ll-gr own m in ot a u r wa s a ver y, ver y h ea vy bu r den . A ch a r gin g m in ot a u r wa s even m or e so. Ka z lower ed h is h ea d, a im ed h is horns at the dragon-man.
Wicked t a lon s cu t a n d t or e in t o h is body, bu t Ka z did n ot st op. Th e dragon-m a n gr u n t ed in a gon y a s t h e m in ot a u r 's h or n s ca u gh t it n ea r t h e chest wound. The horns pierced its hard, armored skin.
P r opelled ba ckwa r d by t h e m in ot a u r 's a t t a ck, t h e dr a gon -man st u m bled a n d fell. Ka z a lm ost fell, t oo, bu t m a n a ged t o fr ee h is h or n s ju st in time.
Th e wou n ded m on st er bega n t o sh ift a ga in . Less a n d less it looked like a m a n a n d m or e like... like n ot h in g in t h e m in ot a u r 's exper ien ce. Th e dragon-man roared and struggled to its feet. Kaz wondered wearily where t h e a bom in a t ion con t in u ed t o dr a w it s st r en gt h . Th e wou n ded m in ot a u r wa s vir t u a lly fin ish ed. H e ba r ely h a d t h e power t o st a n d, m u ch less renew the battle.
Th e dr a gon -m a n h issed. Ou t of t h e cor n er of h is eye, t h e m in ot a u r t r ied t o est im a t e h is ch a n ces of r ea ch in g h is ba t t le-a xe. Th ose odds wer e n ot wh a t h e wou ld h a ve h oped, bu t if t h e con t in u a l m a gica l t r a n sfor m a t ion s had slowed the dragon-man even a little bit...
bega n t o over wh elm t h e m in ot a u r . Th e cr ea t u r e h a d The creature also glanced in the direction of the axe.
Ka z st a r t ed for t h e wea pon . Th e dr a gon -m a n sou gh t t o in t er cept h im . Th e m on st er m oved wit h m or e speed t h a n Ka z cou ld m u st er . Th e ba t t le h a d wor n down t h e m in ot a u r . H is legs a n d a r m s felt like lu m ps of ir on , and with each step the room seemed to whirl.
Th en t h e dr a gon -m a n st u m bled a ga in . Not m u ch , bu t en ou gh t o give Ka z t wo or t h r ee pr eciou s secon ds. J u st en ou gh t im e t o gr a b t h e a xe a n d barely roll out of reach.
Ka z t u r n ed ba ck in t im e t o see a h ideou s sigh t . Th e m on st er 's flesh dr ibbled off a s it m oved. Th e cr ea t u r e con t in u ed t o h owl in fu r y a n d in pain.
Su m m on in g wh a t r em a in ed of h is st r en gt h , Ka z swu n g t h e ba t t le-axe over Ms head and brought it down.
Th e blow ca u gh t t h e m on st er in t h e sku ll. To Ka z's a st on ish m en t , t h e axe went clean through the skull into the body.
Literally cleaved in two, the dragon-man collapsed.
Th en it disa ppea r ed. Ka z sa w on ly a t in y r em n a n t of Br en n 's cr ea t ion . Th e m in ot a u r st u died t h e h ea d of h is a xe, bu t fou n d lit t le t r a ce t h er e, eit h er . As fa r a s h e cou ld moment Kaz had killed it.
A sh u fflin g n oise ca u gh t dragon-m a n h a d som eh ow r et u r n ed fr om t h e dea d. H e sa w t h e ba t t er ed for m of Br en n in st ea d. Th e m a ge h a d dr a gged h im self t o t h e cen t er of t h e pa t t er n ed floor . H is fa ce wa s t a u t . On e leg dr a gged u selessly. Seein g t h e minotaur, Brenn managed one of his ghastly smiles.
"My gr a t it u de for ... for clea n in g u p t h a t lit t le m ess. " Th e m a ge gla n ced a r ou n d a n xiou sly, a s if sea r ch in g for som et h in g on t h e floor . "I sh a ll endeavor to avoid such an occurrence the next time. "
Kaz snorted. "Next time?" He hefted the axe.
Brenn pointed at Kaz.
Th e wa r r ior 's m ovem en t s slowed. H e wa s r em in ded of a ll t h ose t im es du r in g t h e wa r wh en h e a n d t h e ot h er s h a d been for ced t o wa de t h r ou gh hip-deep mud. He moved as if in a dream.
Brenn saw that his spell had only half succeeded. For the first time, the mage's eyes looked a bit frantic.
Ka z su dden ly kn ew wh a t Br en n wa s seekin g. Th e m a ge wa s lookin g for h is cr yst a l t a lism a n . It m u st h a ve been t or n off wh en t h e dr a gon -man t r ied t o gr a b t h e ga u n t sor cer er by t h e t h r oa t . Bot h Br en n a n d Ka z sa w t h e cr yst a l a t t h e sa m e t im e. Br en n wa s closer ; h e wou ld h a ve t h e talisman before Kaz could reach him.
F igh t in g a ga in st t h e spell, t h e m in ot a u r swu n g t h e a xe t o on e side. As he did, he saw the mage's hand hovering over the talisman.
Ka z t h r ew t h e a xe, a im in g n ot for t h e m a ge bu t for t h e m et a l st a n d in
ga t h er , t h e dr a gon -m a n h a d dissolved t h e
Ka z's a t t en t ion . H e wh ir led, t h in kin g t h e the center of the room.
The flying axe struck the metal device. Sparks flew.
A bu bble for m ed over t h e cen t er of t h e pa t t er n . Un like t h e pr eviou s bu bbles, it did n ot floa t off t h e gr ou n d. It wa s sin kin g, a lm ost exa ct ly where Brenn was trying to drag himself away.
H is in ju r ies slowed h im . Th e bu bble t ou ch ed h im . Su dden ly Br en n wa s inside.
Th e m a ge st r u ggled, bu t h is effor t s on ly br ou gh t h im ba ck t o t h e cen t er of t h e pa t t er n a n d t h e ben t m ech a n ism fr om wh ich t h e bu bble h a d been su m m on ed. Ka z sa w fr a n t ic fea r on Br en n 's fa ce a s t h e bu bble dr ift ed back to the magical device. The sphere froze as it reached the center.
Th e bu bble bega n t o con t r a ct . Br en n scr ea m ed, bu t n o sou n d cou ld be h ea r d. Th e sph er e n ow ga ve h im lit t le r oom t o m ove. Th e m a ge locked eyes with Kaz and pointed at the talisman. Brenn was pleading.
Ka z gr u n t ed, sh ook h is h or n ed h ea d. Th e bu bble sh r a n k, a n d wit h it sh r a n k Br en n . All t h e wh ile, t h e in cr ea sin gly t in y figu r e of t h e m a ge silently screamed.
Th e bu bble va n ish ed. Ka z picked u p t h e gem a n d t ossed t h e t a lism a n among the rest of the wreckage.
"Can't say that I'm sorry, Master Brenn. "
* * * * *
The dragon was dead.
Ka z h a d ga t h er ed u p t h e r em a in in g eggs a n d dr a gged t h em t o h er ca ver n , on ly t o discover t h e silver dr a gon wa s n o lon ger a live. H e a lso n ot ed t h a t t h e illu sion a r y eggs wer e gon e. P er h a ps sh e h a d r ea lized t h a t Ka z h a d been t ellin g t h e t r u t h : Th e m a ge h a d t r icked h er a n d wa s u sin g h er own power t o exper im en t on h er ch ildr en . Th e sh ock m u st h a ve been too much in her injured state.
H e t r ied n ot t o t h in k a bou t t h a t a s h e m a de pla n s for h is depa r t u r e. Th er e wer e m a n y t h in gs t o be don e. Ka z h a d h is own in ju r ies t o dea l wit h , in ju r ies t h a t m a de dr a ggin g a r ou n d five h ea vy eggs pa in fu l. H e h a d t o fin d a pa t h ou t of t h ese ca ves. Loca t in g t h e dr a gon 's m a t e wou ld be difficu lt , bu t Ka z h a d som e idea of wh er e t o look. H is t im e a s a dr a gon r ider h a d given h im in sigh t in t o wh er e t h e dr a gon s n est ed. On e wa y or t h e ot h er , h e wou ld loca t e t h e m a le a n d r et u r n t h e eggs. Ka z h a d t h e feelin g t h a t like h is m a t e t h e m a le silver dr a gon wou ld n ot lea ve Krynn until certain the eggs were safe.
Ka z a lso h a d t o m a ke su r e t h a t n o on e wou ld be a ble t o u se Br en n 's sa n ct u m a ga in . Th e m in ot a u r wa s det er m in ed t o wipe a wa y a ll t r a ces of the foul mage.
Th e dea t h of t h e bla ck-r obed m a ge, a lon e, ch eer ed Ka z. Br en n 's exper im en t s wou ld be lost t o t h e wor ld. Th er e wer e en ou gh m on st er s on Kr yn n wit h ou t a ddin g su ch h or r ible specim en s t o t h e list . Th a n ks t o Ka z, Kr yn n wou ld n ever kn ow t h er e h a d ever been su ch a t h in g a s a dr a gon man.
Ka z en vision ed a n en t ir e a r m y of t h e cr ea t u r es. Th e im a ge wa s en ou gh to make even a minotaur blanch.
Ka z sn or t ed. Dr ea m a r m ies wer e n ot wor t h wor r yin g a bou t . Kr yn n h a d nothing to fear of dragon-men. Not now.
Not ever.
Into the Light Linda P. Baker
Th e scr ea m in g t r ickled in t o silen ce, t h e wa y a n igh t m a r e slips a wa y wit h da ybr ea k, a n d st illn ess set t led like sn owfla kes floa t in g delica t ely t o ground.

A cr ea kin g, a ber r a n t win d swept over Tor in a n d disa ppea r ed, t a kin g wit h it t h e da r kn ess a n d t h e t er r or , lea vin g beh in d sm ells so fier y a n d t er r ible h is m in d did n ot wa n t t o n a m e t h em . Th e u n n a t u r a l fea r t h a t h eld h im pin n ed in t h e sa n d dissipa t ed. Th e ir on gr ip it h eld on h is eyelids lessen ed, a n d h e open ed h is eyes t o t h e h ot , clea r blu e of t h e deser t m or n in g. H is ea r s r a n g wit h a br u pt silen ce, a qu iet t h a t wa s t h ick and menacing after the roaring, trumpeting blackness.

Th e wh it e ba ll of t h e su n h a d n ot m oved fr om wh er e it wa s wh en t h e da r kn ess over ca m e h im . Cou ld t h e pa n ic a n d t h e sm ells a n d t h e voices r a ised in pa in a ll be r em n a n t s of a dr ea m ? A wa kin g n igh t m a r e in wh ich h is swor d la y beside h im in t h e sa n d, t oo h ea vy for h is pa r a lyzed m u scles to wield?

H e wish ed desper a t ely for t h e la st few m om en t s t o h a ve been a n igh t m a r e, bu t h is sen ses wer e n ot so ea sily con vin ced. F ea r st ill la y in h is st om a ch , kn ot t ed a n d r ea l a n d sh a m efu l. H is m ou t h wa s fu ll of sa n d wh er e h e h a d open ed it t o sh ou t , a n d h is fin ger s wer e cr a m ped, clu t ch in g the hilt of his sword. He had fallen in the act of drawing it.

H e r olled t o h is feet , pa ssin g h is fin ger s down h is t h igh t o t h e da gger con cea led ben ea t h h is su m m er r obe. Th e kn ife wa s st ill in it s sh ea t h , a n d the reassuring balance of the sword in his hand brought sanity as nothing else cou ld. H e wou ld h a ve welcom ed t h e weigh t of h is st a ff a cr oss h is ba ck, bu t it wa s in h is t en t on t h e ot h er side of t h e ca m p. H e wou ld m eet t h e en em y a r m ed wit h on ly swor d a n d da gger , a n d t h ey wou ld h a ve t o be enough.

H e cr a wled on h is st om a ch u p t h e lit t le spin e of deser t r ock t h a t m a r ked t h e n or t h er n edge of t h e oa sis. On ly h is eyes clea r ed t h e r idge of stone.

Not h in g m oved in t h e su m m er ca m p of t h e Keda sa n om a ds except for wisps of sm oke wa ft in g in t h e deser t br eeze. H ea t sh im m er s m a r ked wh er e ea ch sa n d-color ed t en t h a d st ood; sm oke seeped fr om bla cken ed, twisted lumps that had once been living beings.

Tor in lea pt t o h is feet , swor d r ea dy in h is h a n d, a n d su r veyed t h e ca m p a ga in . Su r ely m or e people of h is t r ibe wer e h idin g in sa fet y ju st over t h e dunes, just behind...

Beh in d wh a t ? Th e t en t s wer e fla t t en ed, t h e oa sis a scor ch ed wa st ela n d. Acr oss t h e spr in g, t h e a n im a l pen s wer e da r k squ a r es of a sh cor r a llin g charred sh a pes t h a t bor e va gu e r esem bla n ce t o goa t s a n d h or ses. Th e pa lm s wer e bu r n ed a n d bla cken ed spir es, r isin g u p ou t of sa n d t h a t h a d been fused and melted like glass.

Th e scen t of bu r n ed flesh wa s st r on g, a n d it br ou gh t t h e m em or y of t h e attack sounds. Screams, roaring blackness, the camp.
The so silent camp...
A sou n d a r ea l sou n d, n ot on e r em em ber ed br oke t h r ou gh h is sor r ow, a n d h e dr opped, r ollin g down t h e in clin e. H e ca m e t o h is feet , coiled, sword up and ready, pulse racing, ready for battle. The fear he now felt u n like t h e fea r du r in g t h e a t t a ck m a de h im a wa ke a n d r ea dy t o figh t . H e wa s gla d t o be t a ken a wa y fr om t h e r ecollect ion of t h e sin ist er da r kn ess, if on ly for a m om en t . Bu t t h e sou n d, a ch oked in t a ke of br ea t h , had not come from an enemy.
Bia r , t h e m a ge's a ppr en t ice, la y on h is st om a ch , a sh a dow's len gt h a wa y, st a r in g a t t h e r u in ed ca m p. H is fa ce wa s t wist ed wit h h or r or , m a kin g h im look like a wizen ed old m a n , in st ea d of a boy wh o h a d seen only thirteen summers.
Tor in r em em ber ed da r kn ess descen din g, fea r so over wh elm in g it devoured all light and will.
E ven wit h t h e h ea t of t h e m or n in g su n wa r m in g h is sh ou lder s, t h e r ecollect ion m a de h im cold. H e t u r n ed a wa y t o h ide h is sh a m e. Wh a t h a d happened?
I am no fledgling boy like Biar, he thought. I have seen thirty summers. I a m a sea son ed wa r r ior of m a n y ba t t les, a n d in n on e of t h em h a ve I qu a iled like a fr igh t en ed ch ild. Wh a t wit ch cr a ft left m e cower in g in t h e sand while my tribe was massacred?
"Elim!" Biar cried the name of his master.
On t h e gr ou n d in fr on t of h is t en t , a bla cken ed sh a pe for m ed a n X, a s if E lim h a d died wit h h is a r m s ou t st r et ch ed, ca llin g down a spell on t h ose wh o m u r der ed h im . Th e boy st a r t ed t o scr a m ble on h is h a n ds a n d kn ees over the ridge toward the burned tent that had been his home.
"Wa it !" Tor in lea pt a n d ca u gh t t h e boy's t h in a r m . "It is n ot sa fe. Wh oever a t t a cked t h e ca m p h a s su r ely n ot a ba n don ed it . " H e pu lled t h e boy ba ck over t h e r idge a n d pu sh ed h im down low. "Do n ot com e u n t il I call. "
Tor in br u sh ed sa n d fr om t h e folds of t h e jela ya , wh ich h a d com e u n wou n d fr om h is h ea d, t h en h e wr a pped t h e t h ick clot h ba ck in t o pla ce, fa st en in g t h e la st lon g len gt h so t h a t on ly h is copper y br own eyes sh owed through the slit.
Th ou gh Bia r wa s h a lf cr a zed wit h sh ock a n d disbelief, h is fin ger s m im icked Tor in 's, pu llin g h is own jela ya a r ou n d h is h ea d a n d a cr oss h is face until only his eyes, brimming with tears, showed through.
Th e Keda sa wor e t h e jela ya n ot ju st for pr ot ect ion fr om t h e su n , bu t a lso t o a ppea r m or e fier ce t o a n en em y. An d Tor in h a d n o dou bt h e wou ld fa ce a n en em y t h is da y. If h e spen t h is la st br ea t h , h e wou ld a ven ge t h e attack. Someone would pay for the death and destruction. Someone would pay with blood for blood.
H e st a lked t h e decim a t ed ca m p, t h e cu r ved bla de of h is swor d fla sh in g in t h e su n ligh t . At ever y t u r n , h e expect ed a n en em y wa r r ior , clu t ch in g a sword already blooded and hungry for more, to rise up to face him.
In st ea d, a ll t h a t gr eet ed h im wer e t h e dea d, a ll t h e m or e h or r ifyin g beca u se h e r ecogn ized t h em on ly by t h eir possession s t h e r ed sa sh Ka ya 's m ot h er h a d
ela bor a t ely scr olled
m a de h im wh en h e pa ssed h is wa r r ior 's t est , t h e swor d of J er im , t h e h a n dle of t h e cr a dle-basket Sadaar had been making for her baby, soon to come.
H is a n ger bu r n ed st r on g a n d h ot , wit h ou t a n ou t let . H is sh a m e wa s a t h in g t oo h ein ou s t o bea r . H ow m a n y of t h em cou ld I h a ve sa ved? Wa r r ior of the Kedasa, he snorted to himself. What good have I been?
F or t h e fir st t im e in t h e t en sea son s sin ce h is wife a n d pa r en t s h a d been killed in a r a id, Tor in wa s gla d t h a t n o on e h e loved wa s a live t o witness his shame, to see the ruins of their beloved camp.
Beh in d h im , Bia r sh ou t ed, h is boyish voice sh r ill wit h excit em en t a n d fea r . Tor in r a n ba ck a cr oss t h e ca m p t o fin d t h e boy t ea r in g a t a t en t , wh ich h a d been blown off it s m oor in g a n d la y h a lf in , h a lf ou t of t h e spr in g. F ir e h a d licked a t it s edges, bu t t h e wa t er h a d sa ved it . At fir st , Tor in t h ou gh t t h e boy m a d, bu t t h en som et h in g m oved ben ea t h t h e heavy, twisted folds of canvas.
Tor in sh oved Bia r a side a n d r a ised h is swor d, ju st a s wh oever wa s in side fou n d t h e door slit a n d pu sh ed t h r ou gh . A wom a n scr a m bled ou t . H er r obes h u n g in disa r r a y; h er lon g bla ck h a ir t u m bled a bou t h er sh ou lder s. Seein g t h e swor d-wieldin g m a n , sh e wh im per ed a n d fell t o h er kn ees, on e h a n d r a ised in pu pils so la r ge a n d bla ck bloodless with terror.
F or a m om en t , Tor in r em a in ed st ill, swor d poised h igh . Th en h e t u r n ed a wa y in disgu st . Th e wom a n wa s H er ik's cit y-bor n con cu bin e. Tor in sh ea t h ed h is swor d sa va gely. Th e wom a n sa w t h e bu r n ed-ou t ca m p a n d su pplica t ion . H er eyes wer e st r et ch ed wide, t h ey seem ed bot t om less. H er fa ir skin wa s moaned.
H er ik's body la y n ea r by. A t h in piece of blu e-edged r obe wa s a ll t h a t distinguished it from the other mounds of ash. The woman moaned again, a sou n d a s low a n d m ou r n fu l a s win t er win d a cr oss a du n e. In u n ison with her whimper, Biar sniffled.
Tor in kn ew, in a n ot h er m om en t , t h ey'd bot h be wa ilin g. "St op t h is!" H e wh eeled so a br u pt ly t h ey bot h cea sed in m idsou n d. "Th e t im e for mourning will come when we have avenged this treachery. "
Shamefaced, Biar wiped at his eyes. "Who did it, Torin? And why?"
Un der t h e jela ya , Tor in 's m ou t h h a r den ed in t o a gr im , st r a igh t lin e, a n d h e n eeded n o fa ce-coverin g t o m a ke h is eyes bu r n wit h fer ocit y. "I do not know. But I will find them. And I will bury their heads in these ashes. "
"You will n ot fin d t h e on es wh o did t h is, " sa id H er ik's wom a n . Sh e struggled to her feet and stumbled clear of the wrecked tent.
Torin frowned, a scathing retort ready, but the words died in his throat. Not a sea son h a d pa ssed sin ce t h e m er ch a n t r et u r n ed fr om a t r ip t o Ta r sis wit h t h e wom a n a st r ide h is h or se in st ea d of t h e u su a l bolt of fin e silk or h ea vy ca n va s. An d ea ch t im e Tor in sa w h er , h e wa s a s su r pr ised, a s da zzled by h er bea u t y a s h e h a d been t h e da y H er ik br ou gh t h er t o t h e camp.
Th ou gh Tor in h a d n ever seen a n elf, h e'd h ea r d t h em descr ibed. H e knew there must be elven blood mixed in the woman's veins.
Seen from a distance, she appeared small, fragile, and sharp-featured br ea ka ble like a ll cit y-m a de t h in gs. H er ik h a d cer t a in ly t r ea t ed h er so, keepin g h er a pa r t fr om t h e r est of t h e ca m p like som e jewel t oo pr eciou s t o sh a r e. Bu t u p close, a ll t h ose im pr ession s wer e sh a t t er ed, blown a pa r t like the petals of a sisc flower in high wind.
Sh e wa s a s t a ll a s Tor in , wh o wa s t a ll a m on g t h e Keda sa , so gr a cefu l a n d poised sh e seem ed m or e likely t o ben d t h a n br ea k. Th e sh a r pn ess in h er fea t u r es a n d t h e st r a n ge t ilt t o h er bla ck eyes blen ded in t o a bea u t y that was disturbingly alien. And strangely soothing.
"Cover you r fa ce, wom a n !" Tor in sn a pped a n d m ot ion ed for Bia r t o com e a wa y. H e wa s va gu ely a wa r e t h a t t h e wom a n h a d sa id som et h in g t h a t a n ger ed h im , a n d h e h a d t o st r u ggle t o r em em ber t h e wor ds something about not finding his enemies.
Th e wom a n blu sh ed a n d r u m bled wit h t h e folds of h er jela ya , wr a ppin g it u n t il on ly h er exot ic bla ck eyes wer e visible t h r ou gh t h e slit . "My n a m e is Ma li, " sh e t old h im . Her voice wa s ligh t ly a ccen t ed a n d su r pr isin gly without reproach for Torin's churlishness.
Th is, t oo, wa s ir r it a t in g, a n d Tor in t u r n ed h is ba ck on h er . "Sea r ch H er ik's t en t for t h in gs I ca n u se, " h e t old Bia r . "I m u st be on t h e t r a il before the enemy's footprints have grown cold. "
Hesitantly, with a quick glance over his shoulder at the woman, the boy did as he was told, scuffling his boots in the sand to show his reluctance.
Torin caught hold of the woman by the arm. "What you said before. Tell m e wh a t you kn ow of t h is. " H e wa ved h is fr ee h a n d t o in dica t e t h e destroyed camp.
Ma li pu lled h er self u p, st r on g a n d st r a igh t , for a m om en t so t a ll sh e seem ed t o t ower over h im . H er eyes wer e filled wit h dist a st e a n d h a u gh t y disdain.
He snorted. A concubine who did not like to be touched! But he released her.
"Wh a t did you m ea n , I 'will n ot fin d t h e on es wh o did t h is'?" Tor in insisted.
Th e wom a n r efu sed t o m eet h is ga ze, t r ied t o t u r n ba ck t o H er ik's t en t . He placed himself in front of her. "I must know what you know!"
"I know nothing. "
Torin took a menacing step toward her.
"Dragons, " she whispered. "Dragons did this. "
Tor in wa s so a st on ish ed, h e st ood open m ou t h ed. "Ar e you su n -m a d?" h e a sked a t la st . "Th er e is n o su ch t h in g. " H e gla r ed, da r in g h er t o r epea t the ridiculous statement.
Bia r in t er r u pt ed. "E lim t old m e h e h ea r d r u m or s t h a t dr a gon s h a d returned to Krynn. "
"Wh a t a r e you t a lkin g a bou t ?" Tor in dem a n ded, t u r n in g h is gla r e fr om the woman to the boy.
Bia r gla n ced a t Ma li for su ppor t , t h en con t in u ed. "It wa s in t h e spring, wh en h e jou r n eyed t o Ta r sis. E lim sa id h e h ea r d st r a n ge st or ies, t h a t t h e dr a gon s h a d com e ba ck. Bu t " Bia r sh r u gged a pologet ica lly a t Ma li "he didn't believe them. "
Tor in gr owled in wor dless a n ger . Dr a gon s! Wa s h e expect ed t o believe in m yt h s old even befor e t h e pla in s wer e for m ed? Bu t wh o, or wh a t , h a d t h e power of su ch dest r u ct ion ? Wh o, or wh a t , h a d t h e power t o m a ke h im so afraid he'd cowered while his people died? A wizard, perhaps?
H e su r veyed t h e dest r oyed ca m p, a n d r a ge kn ot t ed t h e m u scles low in his belly. "Only a sorcerer could have done this, " Torin said scornfully.
Biar flushed, his small hands balling into fists.
"On ly a sor cer er , a ver y st r on g on e, " Tor in r epea t ed. H e h a d lit t le u se for wiza r ds, wit h t h eir disda in of t h e swor d a n d t h eir m ot ives h idden always in shadow. "It took great power. "
Ma li's eyes n a r r owed over t h e r im of h er jela ya . "It t ook t h e power of a dr a gon . Look a bou t you ! Wh a t wiza r d cou ld bu r n a m a n so t h a t n ot even h is bon es r em a in ? Wh a t wiza r d cou ld m a ke sa n d m elt in t o gla ss like su ga r in t o ca n dy? A dr a gon 's br ea t h did t h is! A dr a gon 's power m a de m e so afraid I could do nothing but lie in the darkness of my tent and pray for death. "
At this, Torin's anger sputtered and died. "What do you mean?"
Th e wom a n ga zed a t h im wit h h er ext r a or din a r y eyes. "Did you n ot feel the dragonfear? Did you not cower where you stood?"
Tor in fr own ed. H e wa n t ed t o den y h er ch a r ge. H e wa n t ed t o sa y h e'd st ood st r on g a n d t a ll befor e t h e en em y. Bu t h e cou ld n ot . "If wh a t you sa y is t r u e, a n d we wer e a t t a cked by a dr a gon , wh y did it do t h is? Wh a t did it want here with us?"
"I think I know, " Biar said.
Mali grew very pale, lowered her eyes.
Th e boy pa t t ed t h e pocket s h idden a m on g t h e folds of h is r obe a n d wit h dr ew a lea t h er ba g wor n soft wit h a ge a n d h a n dlin g. "Th e Aqu a r a . Just before... " He choked, couldn't go on.
Torin made an irritated gesture.
Bia r dr ew a deep br ea t h . "E lim sa id I cou ld st u dy t h e cr yst a l. I wa s sit t in g a t t h e edge of t h e oa sis, a n d ju st a s t h e da r kn ess ca m e, t h e cr yst a l glowed wit h h ea t a n d color s su ch a s I h a ve n ever seen . I sh ou t ed ou t t o Elim.... "
Tor in n a r r owed h is eyes, r em em ber in g. "I h ea r d you .... " An d t h en t h e bla ck fea r h a d com e u pon h im , so power fu lly, so su dden ly it h a d been a ph ysica l pa in . An d t h e scr ea m in g. Th e Keda sa bein g m a ssa cr ed wh ile h e lay helpless and frightened. "But that proves it. The attack was sorcery. "
Biar shrugged, obviously reluctant to agree. "The crystal is silent now. " H e r em oved a silk-wr a pped object a s lon g a s h is h a n d, folded t h e edges of t h e clot h ba ck t o expose t h e Aqu a r a of t h e Keda sa . Th e jewel glea m ed in t h e su n ligh t , sh im m er in g wit h t h e color s of h on ey a n d n ew gr a ss a n d fr esh wa t er . Ligh t r efr a ct ed off t h e st r a n ge sym bols et ch ed in t o t h e fa cet s of the crystal, casting rainbowed crescents onto Biar's face.
Ma li m a de a soft lit t le sou n d su r pr ise, a ppr ecia t ion , a ppr eh en sion . Her h a n d da r t ed ou t , r ea ch in g for t h e Aqu a r a , a n d on ly a t t h e la st moment did she pull back.
Biar grinned, the smile of a child sharing a new toy.
"Wa t ch , Ma li. " Bia r r a n h is fin ger t ips a lon g on e of t h e fa ces, t ou ch in g t h e et ch ed m a r kin gs. Th e cr yst a l t win kled wea kly in r espon se, it s color s deepening.
Th e jewel wa s a s old a s t h e Keda sa , a t r ibe t h a t cla im ed a n cest or s fr om befor e t h e Ca t a clysm . Som e sa id t h e Aqu a r a wa s of t h e a n cien t gods, t h e on es wh o h a d br ou gh t dest r u ct ion t o Kr yn n , Th e cr yst a l su pposedly h a d won dr ou s power s, bu t n o on e h a d seen it do a n yt h in g ot h er t h a n glim m er wh en t ou ch ed. Bu t t h e m a ges kept it a n d st u died it , h opin g t o r ega in t h e significance it had once held for their forebears.
Bia r h eld t h e Aqu a r a ou t t o Ma li, silen t ly givin g per m ission for h er t o t ou ch . H esit a n t ly, sh e la id a fin ger t ip on on e edge. Th e cr yst a l r espon ded m or e st r on gly t o h er t h a n it h a d t o t h e boy, glim m er in g a zu r e a n d da r k silver in it s dept h s, t h e color s swir lin g like clou ds befor e win d. St a r t led, sh e pu lled h er h a n d a wa y, t h en looked a t h er fin ger s, r u bbin g t h e t ips together as if she had never seen them before.
Th e boy ga ped a t h er wit h a wed a ppr ova l. "E lim sa id t h e Aqu a r a collect s t h e en er gy of ever y per son in t h e t r ibe a n d sa ves it for a t im e when it will be needed. "
"An d wh a t will it do wit h t h e life en er gy of a cit y dweller ?" Tor in a sked coldly.
H e h a d t ou ch ed t h e Aqu a r a wh en h e wa s n o older t h a n Bia r . Th e cr yst a l h a d glit t er ed r ed. H e cou ld well r em em ber t h e sen sa t ion , like t h e cold of win t er n igh t , t h a t h a d sn a ked a ll t h e wa y t o h is elbow befor e h e could pull away. But Mali did not seem to be in pain.
Sh e st epped ba ck, pu t t in g dist a n ce bet ween t h e Aqu a r a a n d h er self. Bu t sh e st ill lea n ed a s if it t u gged a t h er . Tor in cou ld r em em ber feelin g the same repulsed fascination.
"E lim sa id t h e da y wou ld com e wh en t h e jewel wou ld on ce a ga in be a t h in g of gr ea t power t o t h e Keda sa , " Bia r sa id, st r a igh t en in g t h e edges of the silk wrapping.
"Th er e a r e so few of t h e Keda sa left , I wou ld sa y it m a t t er s n ot , " Tor in m u t t er ed. Th a t kn owledge h u r t m or e t h a n h e wou ld ever a dm it . Th e Keda sa , a n a n cien t people, wou ld t r a vel t h e P la in s of Du st n o m or e. H e and the boy were the last.
Tor in left t h e t wo h u ddled over t h e cr yst a l a n d wen t in sea r ch of t h e t h in gs h e h a d m a r ked a s sa lva gea ble du r in g h is ea r lier t ou r of t h e ca m p. H e ga t h er ed t h em qu ickly: a wa t er skin , a st eel kn ife wit h t h e h a n dle burned off, half a blanket.
Tor in st a r t ed t o pick u p J er im 's swor d. Like t h e kn ife, t h e swor d cou ld be r epa ir ed, bu t Tor in fou n d h e cou ld n ot br in g h im self t o pa r t it fr om t h e wa r r ior 's ch a r r ed h a n d. J er im h a d died in t h e m a n n er Tor in wish ed for h im self, swor d in h a n d, m eet in g t h e en em y. H e deser ved t o r em a in so for the afterworld that awaited him.
Tor in cir cled t h e ca m p on ce a ga in , pa ssin g t h e r u bble of h is own t en t wit h ou t a gla n ce. H e wa lked m or e slowly t h is t im e, lookin g for t h e on e thing he must have to carry out his vengeance the trail of the enemy. He fou n d n ot h in g h e cou ld m a r k a s a pa t h , ot h er t h a n a wide swa t h of sa n d t h a t looked m or e a s if it h a d been swept by t h e win d t h a n dist u r bed by feet. Several paces north, at the ridge of a dune, the trail disappeared.
By t h e t im e h e r et u r n ed, Bia r h a d sor t ed t h e con t en t s of H er ik's t en t in t o piles of u sa ble a n d u n u sa ble it em s: a bla n ket , wa t er skin s, leather ba gs. Tor in h oped t h ose con t a in ed t r a il food. Th er e wer e a lso silk gown s, sla sh ed a t t h e a r m s, cit y-st yle, a n d a r obe so soft a n d fin e it pou r ed t h r ou gh h is fin ger s like sa n d. H er ik h a d pr ovided well for h is con cu bin e. Bia r h a d a lso fou n d a sa t in ba g, wh ich pr oba bly con t a in ed H er ik's ca ch e of jewels and coins.
Bia r h a d a ppa r en t ly t a ken t h e t im e t o sift t h r ou gh t h e a sh es of E lim 's t en t , a lso. Th e boy sa t cr oss-legged on t h e st on e r idge wit h E lim 's spellbook a n d t h e ba g con t a in in g t h e Aqu a r a cla sped bet ween h is h a n ds. Th e for est -gr een bin din g of t h e spellbook wit h it s u n fa t h om a ble m a r kin gs was stained gray with ash, but appeared whole.
H er ik's wom a n sa t beside t h e boy, h er legs dr a wn u p u n der h er voluminous robes, her cheek resting on her knees, her eyes closed.
Tor in dr opped h is bu n dle a n d bega n t o for m a t r a vel pa ck. Th e kn ife, a ba g of dr ied m ea t , a ba g of h a r d, dr ied ch eese, a n ot h er of u n lea ven ed travel bread went into the folds of the blanket. He added the two partially full waterskins from Herik's tent to the one he'd found.
Tor in weigh ed t h e sa t in ba g in h is pa lm , ga u gin g t h e clin k of coin s, t h en t h r ew it t o t h e feet of t h e wom a n . "Spoils of t h e livin g. I'm su r e you 've ea r n ed it . " H e sn eer ed, n ot bot h er in g t o con cea l t h e disda in in h is voice.
Mali st ir r ed a n d st r a igh t en ed, bu t sa id n ot h in g. H er eyes, sh owin g t h r ou gh t h e slit in t h e jela ya , wer e bot h gu ileless a s a ch ild's a n d wiser than her years. So other-worldly, so emotionless, she betrayed no anger at Torin's words.
Biar, however, looked at Torin with reproach. He picked up the bag and h a n ded it t o Ma li. "Wh a t wa s H er ik's is you r s n ow, ju st a s wh a t wa s Elim's is mine. "
Sh e t ook t h e pou ch a n d cu pped it in h er h a n ds. "It is m in e, bu t n ot by r igh t of dea t h , " sh e sa id qu iet ly. "I br ou gh t it wit h m e wh en I ca m e fr om Tarsis. "
Tor in cou ld n ot bea r t h e qu iet sa dn ess in h er eyes, t h ou gh t h e r evela t ion m a de h im r espect t h e wom a n n o m or e a n d t r u st h er even less. Why would anyone be a slave when she had the money to buy freedom?
Bia r pa t t ed a h idden pocket . "Tor in , sh ou ldn 't we t a ke t h e Aqu a r a t o someone and tell them what has happened? Chire, maybe?"
Wh a t t h e boy su ggest ed wa s a kin t o bla sph em y. No on e ou t side of t h e Keda sa h a d set eyes on t h e Aqu a r a for sever a l lifet im es. An d Ch ir e, t h ou gh a ckn owledged a m ost power fu l m a ge, wa s of a t r ibe t h a t h a d never known kinship with the Kedasa.
Bu t Tor in on ly sh r u gged. H e didn 't ca r e wh a t Bia r did. H on or dem a n ded t h a t Tor in be on h is wa y, st a lkin g, seekin g a dir ect ion for h is a n ger , ven gea n ce t o a ssu a ge t h e spir it s of h is t r ibespeople. Not wet nursing a boy-child on a foolhardy mission.
Wh en h e didn 't r espon d, Bia r a sked in a sm a ll voice, "Ar e you goin g t o leave us here? Alone?"
"There are none left here to harm you, boy. "
"But what if the dragons come back for the Aquara?"
Tor in sh ook h is h ea d a n d ga t h er ed t h e wa t er skin s. H e wa s n ot t h or ou gh ly con vin ced t h er e wa s su ch a t h in g a s a dr a gon , or if t h er e wa s, that it killed for a piece of antique glass.
Kneeling, he opened one of the leather bags to dip it into the water. The wa t er , n or m a lly clea n a n d clea r , wa s m u r ky. H e ben t closer a n d sn iffed. H ow h a d h e m issed it befor e? Th e r a n k, oily, m a lign a n t scen t wa s unmistakable.
"Poisoned, " Biar said in a voice dull and flat with horror.
Tor in n odded, disgu st a t h ick slim e in h is t h r oa t . On ly a m a dm a n wou ld do su ch a t h in g! Wa t er wa s a s pr eciou s a s life. Wa t er was life. No rival, not even a mage, would do such!
Ma li sa n k gr a cefu lly t o h er kn ees beside h im a n d st a r ed a t h er r eflect ion in t h e t a in t ed pool. Th e skin a r ou n d h er eyes wa s bloodless, a s white as bone bleached by the desert sun. She reached out, as if to dip her fingers into the water.
Torin grabbed her wrist roughly. "Do not touch it!"
Sh e looked a t h im ca lm ly, n ot a t t em pt in g t o ext r ica t e h er self fr om h is grip as she had before.
H er skin wa s cool ben ea t h h is fin ger s, soft a n d sm oot h a n d pa le. Th e scent of the woman washed over him, not of perfume, not like the Kedasa, wh o sm elled of su n -wa r m ed skin a n d deser t a ir . Ma li sm elled of something dark and shadowy, something... cool.
After a moment, she asked, "What will we do now?"
He released her and edged back slightly, putting a space between them, bu t t h e scen t pu r su ed h im , u n iden t ifia ble, m a gica l, a n d r ich wit h a sola ce h e did n ot wa n t . "Did you expect t o st a y h er e? You 'll h a ve t o follow a route to another camp. "
"But, Torin!" Biar clutched his shoulder. "We don't have enough water!"
Tor in clen ch ed h is fist s a n d st a r ed a t t h e h or izon . H e cou ldn 't t r a ck a n en em y wh ile dr a ggin g wit h h im a boy-wiza r d a n d a deser t -ignorant woman. "I cannot take you with me, " Torin growled.
Ma li h issed wit h su r pr ise. "You ca n n ot be t h in kin g of goin g a ft er them?"
"I will avenge the deaths of my people. "
Th e wom a n sh iver ed a t t h e sou n d of blood in h is voice. "If you could fin d t h em wh ich you will n ot you wou ld n ot live t o dr a w you r swor d. " Mali leaned forward urgently, touching him this time, laying her soft, cool fin ger s on h is wr ist , wr a ppin g h er dist u r bin g scen t a bou t h im . "It is certain death!"
"Th en it is dea t h !" h e r et or t ed. "Wh a t m a t t er wh en m y h on or lies cower in g in a sa n dpit , a n d I h a ve n o h om e t o r et u r n t o?" H e st ood a n d turned so abruptly, so angrily, he almost stepped on her.
Th ey wer e lookin g a t h im , wa it in g for h is decision , m a kin g h im r espon sible. All of t h e Keda sa m a ssa cr ed in t h eir su m m er h om es, a n d h e wa s bu r den ed wit h a st r iplin g boy ba r ely ou t of h is m ot h er 's t en t a n d a city-r a ised wh or e! H e cou ld n ot lea ve t h em a lon e in a t om b of a n oa sis wit h ou t wa t er , a n d t h e boy wa s n ot t r a il-wise en ou gh t o follow a dir ect route to safety.
A night and a morning, maybe more, before he could be rid of them. The t r a il of t h e en em y wou ld be m or e t h a n cold. It wou ld be gon e. Tor in kicked the half-empty water-skins.
"Bu n dle u p a n yt h in g we ca n u se. I will gu ide you t o Gelen Oa sis. F r om t h er e you ca n go on a lon e. Th e su m m er ca m p of t h e F a r a ezi is sou t h of Tarsis. My mother's people will take you in. "
* * * * *
Tor in led t h em a lon g t h e wa di, wh ich cu r ved u p a n d ou t of t h e va st depr ession en cir clin g t h e oa sis. In m idsu m m er t h e win din g ch a n n el wa s dr y, a st r ea m bed wa it in g for t h e m elt in g sn ows of win t er , a pa t h for t h e nomads of the plains.

It wa s a r elief t o be a wa y fr om t h e st en ch of t h e oa sis, ou t in t o t h e h ot , du st y a ir of t h e sa n ds. Mu scles st r a in ed a s h e clim bed t h e sh ift in g sa n d. Tor in pa u sed a t t h e r idge of a du n e a n d looked ou t over t h e spr a wlin g la n d. Th e pla in s spr ea d ou t befor e h im , silen t , ch a n gea ble a s t h e win d, colors shimmering from deepest bronze to blazing white.

"It is sa id, 'Th e gods cr ea t ed t h e deser t t o give people a pla ce plea sant to walk. ' "
Bia r join ed h im a n d fa ced t h e su n , n oddin g in a gr eem en t . Th e cit y wom a n ca m e u p beh in d a n d st ood in t h e m ea ger sh a de ca st by h er com pa n ion s, pr ot ect in g h er eyes wit h t h e folds of clot h wou n d a r ou n d h er h ea d. Sh e st ood peer in g fea r fu lly fr om t h e cor n er s of h er eyes a t t h e sweeping panorama before her.
Tor in sh ook h is h ea d in disgu st a n d st a r t ed down t h e fa ce of t h e du n e away from the trail.
Bia r followed, t r ippin g on h is r obe in h is r u sh t o keep u p. "We'r e n ot going to follow the caravan route?"
"No. It will a dd a da y a n d a h a lf for wh ich we do n ot h a ve wa t er . We'll go straight into the sun. Then follow the stars to Gelen. "
Th e t em per a t u r e r ose st ea dily a s t h e su n clim bed. Th e la n d gr ew wh it er , losin g it s r a in bow sh a din gs of gold, r eflect in g h ea t in sh im m er in g wa ves. Swea t dr ied befor e it h a d t im e t o slip down Tor in 's skin . Th e fin e sa n d for wh ich t h e P la in s of Du st h a d been n a m ed r ose wit h ea ch foot st ep, pu ffed u p a r ou n d t h em a s t h ey wa lked, a n d set t led on t h eir clot h es a n d skin u n t il, h ea d t o foot , t h e t h r ee wer e t h e sa m e du st y color as the desert floor.
Th ey pa ssed m idda y in t h e lee of a du n e, sh elt er ed u n der a bla n ket st r et ch ed fr om slope t o gr ou n d. It offer ed sca n t r elief fr om t h e bla zin g su n , keepin g ba ck t h e wor st of t h e h ea t bu t a lso blu n t in g a n y h in t of breeze that might have freshened the oppressive air.
Bia r cu r led u p bet ween t h e t wo a du lt s a n d slept im m edia t ely, a boneless rest punctuated with the whimpers of disturbing dreams.
H er ik's wom a n sa t a s sh e h a d on t h e r idge befor e t h e decim a t ed ca m p, lon g legs dr a wn u p u n der h er r obe, h er ch in r est in g on h er kn ees. "You sa id... " sh e pa u sed h esit a n t ly. "You ca lled t h e F a r a ezi you r m ot h er 's people?"
"Yes, " Torin answered shortly.
"Was she... Was your mother in the camp this morning?"
H e wor ked a st r ip of lea t h er , m a kin g a wr a ppin g for t h e h a n dle of t h e kn ife h e'd sa lva ged. H e did n ot wa n t t o sh a r e h im self wit h a st r a n ger , n ot even one who had lived among his tribe. But in a land where the names of fa m ily wer e ch er ish ed, t o kn ow som et h in g of a fellow t r a veler wa s a r equ est h e cou ld n ot r ea son a bly r efu se. "My wife a n d pa r en t s a r e dea d many years. " His voice was so gruff that Biar stirred.
Ma li soot h ed t h e boy, pa t t in g h is sh ou lder a n d m a kin g n on sen sica l noises. Softly, she said, "I'm sorry. "
Tor in gr u n t ed a n d poked sa va gely a t t h e st r ip of lea t h er , a n d t h e kn ife point sliced through, splitting the material instead of making a hole.
Ma li wa s silen t for a m om en t , t h en spoke a s h esit a n t ly a s befor e. "Th e Faraezi, did you say their summer camp is near Tarsis?"
"Yes, wom a n . " Wit h ou t offer in g m or e, Tor in fin ish ed t h e in t r ica t e wrapping for the knife handle.
"You don't like towns. Or city dwellers. "
Tor in gr u n t ed a ga in , t h is t im e wit h disda in . "Ba r ba r ia n s. Wh er e wa t er is plentiful, people become slaves. "
Th e wom a n 's exot ic eyes n a r r owed over t h e r im of du st y clot h , bu t sh e said no more.
H e m oved on a s soon a s t h e h ea t followed t h e su n in t o t h e even in g sky, pu sh in g t h e wom a n a n d t h e boy h a r der t h a n h e wou ld h a ve pu sh ed sea son ed t r a veler s, t h e t h ou gh t of t h e en em y disa ppea r in g in t o t h e pla in s giving him speed and energy. The faster he could get the two to water, the faster he could be rid of them. The faster he could be on the trail.
The sun set, falling below the horizon with a spectacular show of purple a n d r ed. Wit h t h e n igh t ca m e t h e win d, r a cin g a cr oss t h e sa n ds a s if it were chasing the waning sun.
Tor in ca lled a r est . H e wou ld wa it for t h e ligh t of t h e r isin g m oon . Th ey sa t in t h e sh elt er of a cr escen t du n e a n d sh a r ed br ea d a n d ch eese a n d precious sips of water. Mali and the boy leaned against each other, almost too tired to eat.
On ly r ed Lu n it a r i r ose t o sh ed it s ligh t on t h e deser t , lim n in g t h e r ocks a n d t h e du n es in a r osy glow. Despit e bein g t old a ll h is life t h a t t h e r ed m oon wa s t h e power of t h e n eu t r a l wiza r ds, Tor in fou n d it s ligh t ba lefu l. Th e cu r ves a n d h ollows of sa n d beca m e pla ces of su spiciou s sh a dow, ba t h ed wit h a blood-r ed glow t h a t m a de h im cold. Bu t it wa s ligh t n ever t h eless, a n d it lit t h eir wa y ea st . P er h a ps t h r ee h ou r s of good t r a velin g t im e r em a in ed wh en Tor in st opped t h em for a n ot h er r est . Th e chill in the night air made him want to keep moving, to warm his muscles wit h effor t . Bu t Bia r wa s n o lon ger wa lkin g a st r a igh t lin e, a n d exhaustion had robbed Mali of her graceful stride.
Tor in ch a fed a t t h e lim it s t h ey set u pon h im . Alon e, h e wou ld h a ve con t in u ed well in t o t h e m or n in g, t h en slept a wa y t h e wor st of t h e com in g day's heat, but the woman and the boy did not have his stamina. Biar was nearly a sleep on h is feet befor e h e cou ld h elp u n r oll t h e bla n ket . Ma li stood nearby, leaning on the sheltering rocks.
"We will r est soon er if I h a ve h elp, " Tor in sa id, gla r in g u p a t Ma li. H e r ea lized t h e wom a n wa s n ot r est in g. Sh e wa s st a r in g u p in t o t h e n igh t sky, her eyes reflecting red in the light of the moon.
Torin dropped the blanket. "What ?"
Ma li m a de a n a br u pt cu t t in g m ot ion . Th e wh it es of h er eyes st ood ou t a ga in st h er du st y skin a s sh e sea r ch ed t h e sky. "Th ey'r e u p t h er e, " sh e whispered. "They're near. I can feel them!"
"Wh a t ?" Tor in r epea t ed, dr a win g h is swor d. Th e bla de fla sh ed in t h e light of the moon, and he slapped it against his thigh to hide the revealing r eflect ion . "Wh er e?" H e cou ld see n ot h in g bu t st a r s a ga in st t h e bla ckn ess of sky.
Behind them, Biar gasped. "The crystal! It's warm!"
"P u t it a wa y!" Ma li cr ied. Gr a bbin g t h e boy, sh e dr a gged h im ba ck in t o the thin shadow at the base of the rock.
"But "
Sh e cla pped h er h a n d over Bia r 's m ou t h a n d sh oved h im t o t h e gr ou n d, yanking at Torin as she dove for cover.
Tor in r esist ed t h e st r en gt h in t h e a r m t h a t t u gged a t h im . Th e sou n ds wer e closer t h is t im e, clea r er wit h ou t t h e voices of t h e dyin g, a n d m or e fr igh t en in g wit h ou t t h e swir lin g bla ckn ess for dist r a ct ion . Cr ea kin g, fla ppin g, st ir r in g t h e win d fr om a bove. Wh a t wa s it t h a t sen t t h e deser t sa n d swir lin g a bou t h is legs, t h a t blot t ed ou t t h e ligh t of Lu n it a r i? H e didn't have the courage to look up.
He pressed back into the scant protection of the shadows and waited for t h e bla ckn ess t h a t h a d com e wit h t h e sou n ds, for t h e debilit a t in g t er r or . But the unnatural fear didn't come.
H e gr ipped h is swor d t igh t er a n d sh ift ed t o a cr ou ch . H e wou ld n ot cower in the dirt this time! He would be stronger than the darkness.
Ma li's gr ip t igh t en ed on h is a r m , silen t ly u r gin g h im t o st illn ess. Torin cou ld feel t h e wom a n 's body sh iver in g a ga in st h is sh ou lder , cou ld sm ell t h e sweet n ess of fr esh swea t . Bu t Ma li wa s n ot qu a kin g wit h fea r . Sh e was shaking her head, warning him not to move.
Th e m om en t 's h esit a t ion wa s en ou gh for Tor in t o r ea lize t h e sou nds a n d t h e bla ckn ess wer e pa ssin g t h em by, wer e gr owin g fa in t er a s t h e sand settled around his feet, as the moonlight and stars returned.
The three stayed silent, huddled together for long minutes after the sky wa s clea r . It wa s Bia r wh o fin a lly m oved, pr ot est in g t h e weigh t of t h e woman on top of him.
Tor in st ood slowly a n d su r veyed t h e m oon lit la n dsca pe in a ll dir ect ion s. H e sa w n ot h in g bu t t h e sca r let ou t lin e of du n es, t h e pin poin t t win kle of st a r s. "Wh a t wa s it ?" h e dem a n ded, a n gr y beca u se h e a lr ea dy kn ew h er reply, because belief was more confusing than not knowing the answer.
Mali shook her head and turned away to worry with the blanket.
"H ow com e you kn ow so m u ch of t h ese m yt h ica l bea st s?" Tor in ca u gh t the woman's arm and spun her so the moonlight illuminated her face.
Ma li ext r ica t ed h er self fr om Tor in 's gr ip. "I wa s t old... I h ea r d a s E lim did, that the dragons had returned to Krynn. "
"In Tarsis? Is this the same city rumor Elim did not believe?"
Sh e h esit a t ed, lookin g a t h im silen t ly, eyes plea din g a bove t h e edge of h er jela ya . Th e clot h dr ooped a cr oss h er fa ce, below t h e lin e of du st a r ou n d h er eyes, a n d t h e clea n skin sh on e pa le a n d bloodless, even in t h e red light of the waning moon. She took a deep breath and said, "I was told in Silvanesti. "
"You're elven?" Biar breathed, his voice awed.
"Yes, " Mali admitted, still watching Torin.
H e ga zed ba ck a t h er t h r ou gh slit t ed eyes, su r pr ised. Th is wa s n o h u m a n wit h exot ic blood m ixed in h er vein s. Not if sh e'd been in Silva n est i. Wh a t wa s a Silva n est i elf doin g livin g a m on g t h e t r ibes? H e open ed h is m ou t h t o a sk, sa w t h a t sh e flin ch ed befor e t h e wor ds even formed on his lips. "What ?"
"What's your elf name?" Biar interrupted.
Wit h a qu ick gla n ce a t Tor in , Ma li sm iled a n d a n swer ed. "Am a lie. Amalie Canaradon. "
"It sounds like music, " Biar said. "I've never met an elf. "
Tor in sn or t ed, t u r n ed h is ba ck on t h em bot h , a n d wa lked a few st eps a wa y. Th e deser t floor wa s in ky bla ck n ot h in gn ess. Above, t h e m a t ch in g darkness of the sky was peppered with brilliant stars. In all the darkness, n ot h in g dist u r bed t h e silen t la n d, n ot h in g flew, blot t in g ou t t h e pin poin t s of diamond light.
Sa n d slit h er ed a ga in st sa n d, in t er r u pt in g h is r ever ie, a n d Bia r sidled u p beside h im . "Tor in , wh y don 't you t h in k t h e dr a gon s a r e sea r ch in g for the crystal? If it warns of their presence, they'd want to destroy it. "
"Th en wh y didn 't t h ey dest r oy it in t h e ca m p, m a ge?" Tor in a sked bitterly. "We would not have been much hindrance. "
"Perhaps they can't sense it as it senses them. "
Mali's voice, com in g fr om ju st beh in d h im , st a r t led Tor in . Sh e h a d moved so silently he hadn't heard her.
Oblivious to his glare, Mali continued, "Perhaps they couldn't find it. "
"Th en wh y a r e t h ey seekin g it n ow? If t h ey ca n 't fin d it , h ow do t h ey kn ow it wa sn 't dest r oyed? Wh y " Tor in st opped. Qu est ion s wer e a wa st e of t im e. "Th er e is n o t im e t o discu ss t h is n ow. We m u st t r a vel wh ile we can. "
Tor in pu sh ed on , even t h ou gh h e kn ew t h e ot h er t wo wer e n ea r t h e lim it s of t h eir en du r a n ce, even a ft er Lu n it a r i h a d set , a n d h e cou ld gu ide on ly by in st in ct a n d t h e dim ligh t of t h e st a r s. Th ey wa lked a s fa r in t o m or n in g a s possible, slept t h r ou gh t h e h ea t of t h e da y, t h en m oved on again.
Th e wom a n a n d boy st u m bled a s t h ey wa lked, som et im es goin g t o t h eir kn ees a s t h ey t r od du n es t h a t seem ed t o gr ow in st eepn ess a s t h e su n clim bed a cr oss t h e sky. Bia r h a d slipped a ga in , sin kin g t o h is kn ees n ea r the top of a dune, when Torin saw the thing of which he'd dreamed.
Gelen Oa sis. St ill h ou r s a wa y, bu t so close h e cou ld sm ell m oist u r e in t h e a ir . It sh im m er ed on t h e h or izon , a gr een sla sh m or e bea u t ifu l t h a n any jewel, an island of green in a sea of dust.
Revit a lized by so sim ple a t h in g a s a st r ip of veget a t ion in t h e sa n d, Tor in set h is own pa ce, r a pidly lea vin g h is fellow t r a veler s beh in d. Wh en Bia r ca lled ou t for h im t o wa it , Tor in ign or ed t h e boy. Th e t wo cou ld fin d t h e oa sis wit h ou t h im n ow, a n d h e cou ld n ot bea r t o h old ba ck, t o m ove slowly when he could run.
Th e pr om ise of wa t er dr ew h im , m a de t h e discom for t of t h ir st a bearable t h in g. Th e a ch es a n d pa in s in h is legs disa ppea r ed, a n d h e cou ld have flown across the hot sands, buoyed by the scent of water.
Gelen Oa sis wa s on ly a sm a ll wa t er in g pla ce a lon g t h e ca r a va n t r a il, a gr een spot n ot la r ge en ou gh t o su ppor t a sea son a l en ca m pm en t , bu t it wa s a s plea sin g t o Tor in a s a r oa r in g r iver . H e st u m bled a cr oss t h e r ocky bor der , fell t o h is kn ees wit h wea r in ess, a n d st a yed t h er e for t h e pu r e plea su r e of feelin g gr a ss ben ea t h h is pa lm s. Th e scen t of life wa s a ba lm a ft er t h e m em or y of scor ch ed la n d. H e sa n k down beside t h e pool t o dr in k and to wait for Biar and the woman.
Th ey st u m bled in t o Gelen ju st a s Lu n it a r i clea r ed t h e h or izon . Wit h a wh oop, Bia r r u sh ed a h ea d a n d t h r ew h im self down beside t h e clea r pool. Wit h ou t bot h er in g t o r em ove h is jela ya , h e t h r u st h is wh ole h ea d in t o t h e water.
Ma li followed m or e slowly, pa u sin g befor e sh e dipped h er h a n ds delica t ely in t o t h e pool. "I fea r ed you wou ld n ot wa it , " sh e t old Tor in . "I thought you might leave us here. "
Ir r it a t ed, h e ign or ed h er . H e ca u gh t Bia r by t h e ba ck of h is r obe a n d h a u led h im bodily ou t of t h e wa t er . "Don 't dr in k t oo m u ch . You 'll get sick. "
The boy pulled away. "I know that. " Then he plunged his face back into t h e pool a n d spla sh ed wa t er Torin.
Ma li u n wou n d h er jela ya dipped the end of it in the water and used the dampened cloth to wipe her fa ce a n d n eck, t o pa t m oist u r e on t o h er dr y lips. Th e poin t ed t ips of h er ears peeked through the heavy, dusty mass of her hair.
Wh o wa s t h is st u n n in g, exot ic cr ea t u r e color ed of t h e n igh t , so u n like t h e wom en of t h e pla in s? Sh e wa s so ver y a lien in h er bea u t y. So ver y a lien in h er ser en it y. It wa s n ot so won dr ou s a ft er a ll t h a t H er ik h a d pa ssed u p silk for t h e r igh t t o t ou ch h er pa le skin , t o r u n h is fin ger s through her dark hair. Looking at her made Torin feel alive.
Tor in t u gged Bia r fr om t h e pool on ce m or e a n d sen t h im t o fill t h eir wa t er skin s on t h e ot h er side, a wa y fr om t h e clou dy wa t er t h e boy h a d stirred up with his thrashings. Biar grumbled his way around the shallow pool, dragging the waterskins in the sand.
Wh en h e wa s ou t of h ea r in g r a n ge, Tor in a sked, "H ow do you com e t o be here?"
H is t on e m a de h er look u p, a n d som et h in g in h is ga ze m a de h er look away even more quickly. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"Why does a Silvanesti elf live among the Kedasa as a slave?"
Wh en sh e didn 't r espon d, Tor in con t in u ed, "I h a ve a lwa ys been t old of t h e pr ide of t h e Silva n est i, of t h eir belief in t h eir su per ior it y. H ow cou ld you live a m on g u s a s a ... a s a con cu bin e?" H e fin ish ed h u r r iedly, befor e Mali could realize he'd been thinking of a less kind word.
Bu t sh e u n der st ood a n ywa y. "I wa s n ever h a r ln . " Wit h ou t blu sh in g, sh e u sed a n even r u der wor d t h a n t h e on e Tor in h a d con sider ed, a wor d t h a t m ea n t "less t h a n sla ve" or "wh or e" or bot h , depen din g on t h e con t ext a n d t h e u ser . "H er ik wa s kin d t o m e. H e ga ve m e a h om e wh en I h a d none. He protected me in Tarsis when... " She stopped suddenly.
"Protected you from what?" Torin persisted.
Sh e sh ook h er h ea d, h er m ou t h a h a r d, st r a igh t lin e. "I a m ... exiled. " Sh e sa id t h e la st wor d so soft ly Tor in a lm ost didn 't h ea r it , a n d sh e sa t with her head bowed, waiting for his reaction. "I don't understand. "
Ma li st iffen ed a n d win ced, fin e lin es a ppea r in g in t h e fla wless skin a t t h e cor n er s of h er eyes. Sh e h a d n ot r epla ced h er jela ya , bu t Tor in m a de no comment on it.
on t o h is h ea d a n d sh ou lder s, spla t t er in g
a n d dr a ped it a r ou n d h er sh ou lder s. Sh e
"I a m in exile. " Sh e spoke t h e wor ds t h is t im e wit h a plea in h er voice, as if she feared his reaction.
"So you said. " Torin didn't understand.
Mali hung her head, shoulders slumped low. She fumbled with the skirt of h er jela ya , t r yin g t o fa st en it , bu t h er fin ger s wer e t r em blin g so ba dly sh e cou ldn 't pu sh t h e clot h in t o pla ce. "It is difficu lt t o believe... I t h ou gh t you would recoil from me in horror. My people would. "
Sh e a llowed t h e du st y clot h t o fa ll a wa y fr om h er t r em blin g fin ger s. "It is... I a m ... To m y people, I a m a t h in g r eviled. I a m wh a t t h ey ca ll a da r k elf. If I returned to my homeland, my people would kill me.
"Th a t is wh y, wh en H er ik wa n t ed m e, I wen t wit h h im . I wa s... " Sh e pa u sed a n d h u n g h er h ea d on ce m or e. "I wa s a lon e in a la n d I did n ot u n der st a n d, wit h n o h ope. " Sh e r a ised h er h ea d on ce m or e, a n d h er eyes glittered like a pool of clear water in Solinari's light. "I was afraid. "
Bia r r et u r n ed, dr a ggin g skin s n ow fu ll, sa vin g Tor in t h e n eed t o respond.
Tor in t ook a piece of br ea d a n d ch eese a n d wa n der ed a wa y t o t h e edge of t h e oa sis. H e set t led in a n est of sa n d, h is ba ck a ga in st a r ock st ill su n wa r m . Th e m or e h e lea r n ed of t h e wom a n , t h e less h e u n der st ood. Yet wh en a sked t h e m ost pr yin g h on est y spa wn ed even m or e H er ik, sh e h a d been a n en igm a t o t h e Keda sa , a n d sh e r em a in ed so. An d sh e wou ld con t in u e t o r em a in so. Wit h fir st ligh t , h e wou ld lea ve h er a n d the boy to make their way alone.
Tor in pu t a side h is specu la t ion s t o pla n h is t r ek a cr oss t h e deser t . In st ea d of t a kin g a st r a igh t pa t h ba ck t o t h e r u in s of Keda sa , h e wou ld cut higher west. Perhaps he could intersect the path of the enemy.
Solin a r i r ose, a m er e sliver of silver t in ged r ed by Lu n it a r i, a n d t oget h er t h e t wo m oon s ca st t h eir ligh t over t h e deser t , cr ea t in g a wor k of a r t ou t of h ea ps of sa n d, a scu lpt u r e in bla ck a n d wh it e a n d cr im son . A bir d ven t u r ed ou t of it s h idin g pla ce in t h e r ocks a n d ca lled t o it s m a t e, a sound as soft and silver as the night. Then all was silent.
"The land rewards stillness. " It was an old Kedasan proverb, and Torin r em em ber ed it wh en h e sa w som et h in g st ir r in g a t t h e edge of h is vision . Something was behind the nearby dune, where nothing should be moving. He rose to a crouch, sliding his sword free of the scabbard.
A wh isper of sou n d slit h er ed t h r ou gh t h e silen ce runoff in the wadis, of water where none should be.
Not qu it e h idden beh in d t h e slope, a sh a dow m oon ligh t a n d icy glim m er s. H e ca u gh t a glim pse of h a r d, glist en in g scales and upswept wings and gleaming talons.
Th e sh a dow sh ift ed, r u st lin g it s h u ge win gs, t u r n in g it s h ea d. In t h e cen t er of t h e da r k blot t h a t wa s it s h ea d, eyes glowed r ed-bla ck like t h e qu est ion s, sh e ba r ed h er sou l. An d h er qu est ion s. Kept a pa r t a n d pr ot ect ed by
t h e gu r gle of spr in g
swelled, ou t lin ed in heart of a slow-burning fire.
Tor in 's br ea t h fr oze in h is lu n gs; t h e blood t h r u m m ed in h is ea r s. H e su dden ly per ceived, a s h e n ever h a d in ba t t le, t h e pr oxim it y of dea t h . This creature exuded evil the way Mali radiated serenity.

Ma li! Sh e a n d t h e boy wer e beside t h e pool, obliviou s t o t h e m on st er . Torin had to warn them, hide them. Get them away somehow!
H e st epped ba ckwa r d t o pu t t h e du n e bet ween h im self a n d t h e bea st . H e expect ed a t a n y m om en t t o be discover ed, st r u ck down by da r kn ess and fear, to be incinerated where he stood.
H e sh ea t h ed h is swor d, t ook a st ep.... Sa n d closed over h is boot s. H e lea pt ba ck, a n d t h e du n e sh ift ed. Th e r idge a t it s t op cr est ed a n d br oke. Sand roiled down the slope toward him in a growing wave.
Tor in sh ou t ed a wor dless wa r n in g, t h en t h e r u sh in g sa n d kn ocked h im off h is feet a n d wa sh ed over h im . H e st r u ggled t o r ega in h is foot in g, bu t t h e m ovem en t of t h e sa n d t wist ed h im , wr en ch ed h im t o t h e side. Th e muscles in his right knee stretched and pulled. Pain shot up his leg.
H e scr ea m ed a n d gr it pou r ed in t o h is m ou t h , sm ot h er in g t h e sou n d. Th e sa n d r a n in t o h is clot h es, h is eyes, in t o h is ea r s, m ovin g a s wa t er wou ld m ove. It spilled like liqu id t h r ou gh h is fin ger s a s h e cla wed for a h a n dh old, gu sh ed in t o h is t h r oa t a s h e ga gged a n d ga sped for a ir . H e t h r a sh ed ben ea t h t h e weigh t of t h e gr a n u les, fr a n t ic t h a t h e wa s goin g t o drown in the depths of a dune.
H is h a n ds t ou ch ed som et h in g solid t h e sa n d ch u r n ed a r ou n d h im , t or e tenuous grip. The soft and fragile-feeling hand clasped around his fingers, h a u lin g Tor in a lon g. H is h ea d br oke t h e su r fa ce of t h e du n e. Bobbin g in waves of su r gin g du st , Tor in t h r ew ba ck h is h ea d a n d gr eedily su cked in air. Though filled with grit, the breaths were as welcome and sweet as the crisp, clean air from winter's first snow.
Tor in blin ked en ou gh sa n d fr om h is eyes t o see t h a t h e wa s gr ippin g Ma li's a r m . Th e wom a n gu ided h im t owa r d solid gr ou n d. Wit h h is good leg, h e kicked a s if h e wer e swim m in g in a st r ea m . Ma li dr a gged h im , gasping and coughing, until his feet were out of the moving sand.
Tor in r olled t o h is kn ees, peer in g t h r ou gh a h a ze of gr it a n d t ea r s, a n d wa t ch ed Ma li st u m ble ba ck t o t h e edge of t h e r oilin g pool a n d disa ppea r in t o t h e clou d of du st a n d sa n d. Over t h e r oa r of t h e st or m , h e cou ld h ea r the elven woman screaming Biar's name.
It seem ed a n et er n it y befor e sh e r ea ppea r ed, dr a ggin g t h e boy beh in d h er a s sh e'd dr a gged Tor in . Sh e du m ped Bia r on fir m gr ou n d a n d fell t o h er kn ees beside h im , cla win g a t t h e jela ya wou n d t igh t ly a r ou n d h is t h r oa t . F or lon g secon ds, Bia r la y st ill, t h en h e ga sped a lon g in dr a wn wheeze and began to cough.
Ma li pou n ded h im on t h e ba ck wit h on e h a n d a n d cla wed t h e skir t of a h a n d! H e fou gh t t o h old on a s a t h im , t h r ea t en in g t o br ea k h is h er jela ya fr om h er fa ce wit h t h e ot h er . Sh e br ea t h ed deeply of t h e du st filled air, then sneezed.
Torin crawled the two paces to them.
Bia r ga zed u p a t h im wit h eyes so r ed a n d sh ot t h r ou gh wit h blood t h a t they made Torin's tear in sympathy.
Ma li a dded a n ot h er sn eeze t o Bia r 's wh eezin g. To Tor in , t h e sou n ds wer e lou d a n d da n ger ou s. H e pa n t om im ed for silen ce, t ou ch in g h is jela ya . H is fin ger s loosen ed t h e sa n d ca ked in it s folds, a n d h e, t oo, fou gh t a sn eeze. "Qu iet !" H e for ced t h e wor d ou t pa st a t h r oa t scr u bbed r a w by inhaled sand.
Obedien t ly, Ma li ca u gh t t h e skir t of h er jela ya a n d h eld it a ga in st h er nose and mouth.
Bia r r olled on t o h is side a n d h id h is fa ce a ga in st Ma li's kn ee, t r yin g t o smother the sounds of his coughing.
Torin shook him to get his attention. "The crystal?"
Wh eezin g a n d n oddin g, t h e boy clu t ch ed a t a fold in h is r obe. "H er e. Safe. "
Tor in clim bed t o h is feet , ign or in g t h e sh a r p pa in in h is kn ee, a n d dr ew h is swor d. Th e bla de gr a t ed a ga in st t h e sca bba r d a s it slid fr ee, u n n a t u r a lly lou d in a la n d su dden ly u n n a t u r a lly qu iet . H is eyes wer e so clou ded wit h t ea r s a n d dir t t h a t on ly blu r r ed sh a des of gr een a n d t a n filled his vision.
Im pa t ien t ly, h e wa it ed for h is vision t o clea r , t h ou gh h e kn ew h e wou ld fin d n ot h in g. If t h e cr ea t u r e wer e st ill a bou t , h e a n d t h e ot h er s wou ld n ot be alive.
Th e view t h a t slowly swa m in t o focu s wa s so ch a n ged it wa s n ot r ecogn iza ble a s Gelen Oa sis. Tor in st ood on a cr escen t of yellow-gr een , a ll that was left of the sunburned grass. The few palms that Gelen supported wer e a lm ost bu r ied by t h e sa n d. Th e du n e it self wa s gon e, fla t t en ed, it s m a ss pou r ed in t o t h e bowl t h a t h a d h eld t h e lifeblood of t h e oa sis. Th er e wa s n o wa t er left in t h e pool, t h ou gh t h e sa n d t h a t filled it st ill m oved slu ggish ly, la ppin g t h e sa n dy sh or e a s if it wer e wa t er , a s if som et h in g stirred its silent depths.
Ma li clim bed t o h er feet a n d t u r n ed slowly, sea r ch in g t h e sky. Tor in also gazed upward, but the night was as clear and empty as the desert.
H e lim ped t o t h e edge of t h e r ocks a n d ga t h er ed h is pa ck, a ll t h a t wa s left of t h eir gea r . E ver yt h in g Ma li a n d Bia r h a d been ca r r yin g food, blankets, waterskins was now beneath an ocean of sand.
Mali joined him. "What do we do now?" she asked quietly.
Tor in sh r u gged t o sh ow t h a t h e didn 't kn ow. H e wa s on ce a ga in r espon sible for t h e t wo of t h em . On ce a ga in sidet r a cked. H e h a d a lr ea dy thrown away his best chance to face the enemy.
He expected to be furious, with himself and with them. He wanted to be fu r iou s. Bu t h e wa sn 't . Th e la ck of a n ger left a n em pt in ess h e wa sn 't r ea dy t o fa ce. Wit h ou t h is fu r y, wit h ou t t h e cr yin g-ou t of h is h on or for revenge, what was the purpose in his life?
Ma li t ou ch ed h im , a n d h er fin ger s on h is wer e soft a n d dr y. H er n ea r n ess br ou gh t a st r a n ge, sweet , ea r t h y scen t t o h is n ost r ils. Th e a ch e in h is kn ee r eceded in t o t h e ba ckgr ou n d, for got t en a s h e br ea t h ed in t h e sm ell of flower s a n d t r ee-sh a ded gla des. Despit e t h e h ea t of t h e su n , h e shivered.
"You sa ved u s bot h , " h e sa id h a r sh ly, t o cover h is feelin gs. "I owe a debt even taking you to safety will not repay. "
"You owe me nothing, " she answered softly.
H e t u r n ed t o fa ce h er , so close h e cou ld feel h er br ea t h on h is fa ce, t h e cooln ess of h er body a ll a lon g t h e len gt h of h is own . Sh e r a dia t ed a n energy, a power, that made the hair at the nape of his neck stand up.
"My life is not nothing, " he said huskily.
Ma li flu sh ed, a lovely h igh pin k t h a t r iva led t h e su n r ise. Sh e st epped ba ck, fu m blin g t o cover h er fa ce. "I did wh a t a n yon e wou ld h a ve don e. Without thinking. It was not an act for which I expect payment. "
Wit h ou t t h e dist r a ct in g t ou ch of h er slim fin ger s, Tor in 's t ir edn ess returned, and with it, the need to make decisions. He wished for her hand upon his again. "We have to go north, " he said.
Ma li fr oze, h er eyes gr owin g la r ge wit h som e em ot ion Tor in cou ldn 't read. Fear... or hope.
"Towa r d Silva n est i?" sh e wh isper ed. "I ca n n ot go ba ck t h er e. Th ey would kill me. " "Surely you exaggerate. "
She shook her head, and a deep sadness clouded her eyes. She turned to walk away from him.
H e ca u gh t h er a r m a n d st opped h er . "P er h a ps you sh ou ld t ell m e m or e. "
"You will not believe me. As my people did not believe me. "
H e t ook a sm a ll swa llow of wa t er fr om h is wa t er skin . H e a ch ed t o r in se h is m ou t h of t h e sa n d t h a t gr a t ed bet ween h is t eet h , bu t t h eir wa t er wa s once again too precious for such comforts. "Perhaps I will. "
She looked at him, measuring.
"P er h a ps I will, " h e r epea t ed, m or e soft ly. Soft ly so t h a t sh e wou ld n ot be frightened.
Sh e t ook a deep br ea t h a n d let it ou t slowly. "In t h e dept h s of t h e River Thon Thalas, I died. "
Tor in 's su r pr ise wa s t oo in volu n t a r y t o h ide. Ma li t u r n ed h er h ea d away. "You see? You do not believe me. "
H e wa s so sh ocked h e cou ld t h in k of n ot h in g t o sa y. Th e wor ds wer e totally beyond his imagination, but as she had spoken those few words, he h a d seen m or e a n im a t ion in h er st a r k fa ce t h a n in a ll t h e da ys of t h eir journey.
"I will believe, or disbelieve, after I h a ve h ea r d you r t a le, " h e sa id sternly.
Ta kin g a n ot h er deep br ea t h , sh e con t in u ed in a sm a ll, fa r a wa y voice. "I fell in t o t h e wa t er a n d h it m y h ea d. " H er fin ger s wen t t o h er sku ll, t ou ch in g a pla ce beh in d h er ea r in r em em ber ed pa in . "Th e wa t er wa s da r k. An d h ea vy. I sa w... fa ces of t h ose wh o h a d died befor e m e. I h ea r d their voices welcoming me. Then... then the light came. "
"Th e ligh t ? Wh a t ligh t ?" Tor in 's t on e com m u n ica t ed h is disbelief, a n d the spell was broken. The luminous life he had seen in Mali's eyes faded.
Tor in felt su dden ly gu ilt y. "You h a ve t o a dm it it is a fa n t a st ic t a le, " h e said, trying to explain. "But... go on."
Ma li's fa ce h a r den ed, a n d for ju st a m om en t , h e sa w wh a t h e wou ld h a ve expect ed of a n elf t h e h a u gh t y dem ea n or , t h e a r r oga n t scor n in t h e lin es a bove h er silky br ows. Th en t h e expr ession fa ded, r epla ced wit h n o expression at all. In a dull, flat voice, she told the rest of her story.
"A voice bea u t ifu l beyon d im a gin in g. Mu sic... like n ot h in g of t h is wor ld. Sou n ds... Th e wa t er , wh ich h a d seem ed so h ea vy, wa s like floa t in g on clou ds. A voice, t h e bea u t ifu l, m u sica l voice of a goddess t old m e t h a t I m u st ca r r y h er m essa ge of h ea lin g ba ck t o m y people. Sh e t old m e of t h e r et u r n of dr a gon s t o Kr yn n , a n d of t h e r et u r n of t h e old gods. Sh e t old m e I m u st wa r n m y people of t h e da n ger , a n d spr ea d wor ds of h ope. Sh e sa id I must save my people. "
Ma li's fa ce wa s a s wh it e a s t h e m or n in g of t h e a t t a ck, a s blea k a s win t er . "Th e goddess sa id, 'Br in g ou t t h e sou ls t h a t a r e in da r kn ess. ' An d I h a ve fa iled, you see. My people did n ot believe m e. Lor a c t h e kin g ca lled m e bla sph em ou s. H e sen t m e a wa y in exile. Now I ca n n ot do the goddess's biddin g. " Ma li sigh ed deeply. Th e in t a ke of a ir seem ed t o r ea ch to the depths of her soul. "I cannot bring their souls into the light. "
"I thought the elves had not turned away from the old gods. "
"Th ey h a ve n ot . Bu t a ppa r en t ly on ly t h e elder s, or t h ose wor t h y, m a y t a lk t o t h e gods. Wh o wa s I a low-ca st e wom a n t h a t t h e goddess wou ld t a lk t o me? My people believe, bu t t h ey do n ot believe. An d som et im es, " she added softly, "I begin to doubt myself. "
Tor in sh r u gged, u n willin g t o a dm it in t h e fa ce of su ch sor r ow t h a t h is own fir st in st in ct wa s disbelief. Bu t h e h a d seen t h e dr a gon , felt t h e power in Mali's touch.
H e t ou ch ed h er ch eek, a n d t h e ca r ess clim bed u p, a cr oss h er fa ce, over t h e silky br ows, in t o t h e t h ickn ess of h er bla ck h a ir . Th e h ea vy st r a n ds fell forward, hiding her face, exposing her delicate ears.
As he traced the pointed tip, she covered his fingers with hers.
H e closed h is eyes, seein g t h e deser t spr ea d ou t beh in d h is eyelids a s clea r ly a s if h e'd h eld a m a p in h is h a n ds. Th e foot h ills of t h e Kh a r olis wou ld be per h a ps a h a lf da y closer t h a n on e of t h e oa ses spa wn ed by t h e Torath River. The trail would be more difficult, especially with his injured kn ee. Bu t Ma li a n d Bia r wou ld be sa fe. "I'll t a ke you ea st . To t h e foot h ills of the Kharolis Mountains. "
* * * * *
In bla zin g h ot m ida ft er n oon ligh t , t h ey en t er ed t h e foot h ills of t h e Kh a r olis Mou n t a in s, h om e t o t h e dwa r ves of Th or ba r din . Th ey t r a veled fa st er t h a n Tor in h a d h oped, Ma li a n d Bia r pu sh in g so h a r d, a t t im es h e wa s t h e on e wh o h a d t r ou ble keepin g u p. Wh en h e wa ver ed, wh en t h e clim bin g pu t t oo gr ea t a st r a in on h is in ju r ed kn ee, Ma li h a d dr opped back, offering her shoulder for support.

E ven lim pin g, Tor in h a d n o t r ou ble keepin g pa ce n ow, for Bia r wa s wide-eyed a n d r eckless, st oppin g t o t ou ch t h e lu sh gr a ss, so u n like t h e yellowed oa sis st u bble. H e t u r n ed h is h ea d t h is wa y a n d t h a t , lookin g everywhere but where he was going.

Ma li st ood for a lon g t im e on t h e t r a il, h er fin ger s m ovin g over a t r ee a s a blin d m a n 's wou ld. Th e t r ee wa s a pit ifu l sigh t , scr a ggly a n d st u n t ed, t wist ed a s if ca u gh t bet ween st r et ch in g t o t h e sky a n d t r yin g t o h ide fr om t h e u n for givin g su n . Bu t sh e t ou ch ed it r ever en t ly a n d sm iled a t Tor in a s if given a great gift.

Wa r m ed, Tor in r et u r n ed t h e sm ile a n d h eld h is t on gu e. F or h im self, h e cou ld fin d n ot h in g en joya ble in t h e scen er y. Alr ea dy h e wa s cold, h is lu n gs n ot sa t isfied wit h t h e da m p, h ea vy a ir of t h e m ou n t a in s. H is pu lse ju m ped wit h ever y cr a ckle in t h e veget a t ion , a t t h e t h in gs slit h er in g u n seen in t h e u n der br u sh , a t t h e r u st le of lea ves over h ea d, a t t h e h a r d pa t t er of h is own foot st eps on pa cked gr ou n d. H e h a d n ever en joyed t h e woodland climb to water.

"Th is is t h e wa y in t o t h e va lley, " Tor in sa id. H e pu t on e foot on t h e t r a il t h a t led down a n d st ood br a ced. Th e cooln ess ben ea t h h is boot leeched the warmth from his foot, aggravated the soreness in his knee.

"It 'll be ju st a s Ma li sa id. A r u n n in g st r ea m " Biar laughed "with wa t er r u sh in g pa st , a n d gr ea t m ossy bou lder s st a n din g in deep pa t ch es of shade. "

Over h is sh ou lder , Tor in sa w Ma li's da r k eyes lift a t t h e cor n er s. Beneath the jelaya, she was smiling.
H e sm iled ba ck. Tor in cou ld h ea r h er m elodiou s voice in Bia r 's descr ipt ion a n d won der ed wh en sh e h a d pa in t ed t h e scen e for h im . H e tried to catch the boy's enthusiasm. Clean, clear water. More than enough to wash away the grit that still grated between his teeth.
Biar brushed past him, running down the trail at a quick, eager pace.
"Bia r !" Tor in ca lled a n d st a r t ed down t h e t r a il, t oo. H is lim p h a m per ed him, however.
Th e boy slowed a n d wa it ed for t h em t o ca t ch u p, a lm ost da n cin g wit h impatience and excitement. "I want to see the running water. "
"I'll go a h ea d wit h h im , " Ma li offer ed. Bia r wa it ed for h er t o ca t ch u p, then they disappeared around a curve in the trail.
Tor in swit ch ed t o a slower , sidlin g ga it t h a t didn 't ja r h is kn ee wit h ever y down wa r d st ep. H e h a d a lm ost r ea ch ed t h e for k in t h e t r a il wh en he heard a scream Mali's voice, high-pitched and terrified.
Dr a win g h is swor d, Tor in r a n , n ot su r e t h a t h e cou ld con t r ol h is own legs. H is kn ee fin a lly su ccu m bin g t o t h e pu n ish m en t , h e st u m bled a n d a lm ost fell. Th e pa t h for ked befor e h im , t u r n in g ba ck on it self, con t in u in g down wa r d a n ot h er t wen t y pa ces t o t h e st r ea m . To t h e left , a t a dia gon a l, the path sloped gently upward, continuing farther into the mountains.
F ea r a n d r u n n in g h a d r obbed h im of br ea t h , a n d h e h a d t o pa u se, t o gu lp in a ir , t o st ea dy h im self. Wou ld h e fin d t h em a t t h e en d of t h e pa t h , m elt ed in t o lu m ps of ch a r r ed, u n r ecogn iza ble flesh ? Movin g ca r efu lly, favoring his knee, he eased down the trail toward the stream.
Biar was there, not burned, but dying just the same.
He lay on his back, half in and half out of the running stream he had so lon ged t o see. A da gger pr ot r u ded fr om h is ch est , a n d h is blood m in gled with the clear water.
Tor in kn elt beside h im a n d felt for a pu lse, kn owin g a s h e did t h a t t h e a ct wa s u seless. Th e boy's fa ce wa s u n cover ed, h is jela ya u n wou n d fr om h is cu r ly br own h a ir . H is ch ildish m ou t h wa s dr a wn ba ck in a fer a l grimace. Tears streamed from his eyes as blood poured from the wound in his chest. The boy clutched the bag that held the Aquara.
"They took Mali, " he wheezed.
Tor in slid Bia r u p on t o t h e gr ou n d, ou t of t h e wa t er , a n d pr essed t h e boy's jelaya against the wound, trying to stanch the rapid flow of blood.
The boy groaned softly, but whispered, "Don't let them hurt Mali. "
Th e gr ou n d wa s scu ffled fr om a st r u ggle, t h e wa t er -skin s sca t t er ed, bu t there was no sign of her.
"Mali!" Torin hissed, afraid to call too loudly.
Th e on ly r espon ses wer e t h e a lien sou n ds of t h e for est : a gu r gle of wa t er over st on es, t h e soft r u st le of win d in t h e t r ees, t h e a n xiou s wa r n in g cr y of a bir d in t h e u n der br u sh . E ver ywh er e h e looked, h e sa w darkness and light, hiding places for the enemy.
Torin placed Biar's hand against the jelaya and whispered, "Press hard, here. I'll be back. "
Ma li cou ld n ot be fa r , if sh e st ill lived, wh ich Tor in dou bt ed. Bu t a live or dead, Torin would find her, and those who had attacked Biar.
H e wa s a lm ost ba ck t o t h e for k wh en h e h ea r d Ma li cr y ou t . Th e sou n d was strangled, a scream severed abruptly.
A h u n dr ed pa ces u p t h e dia gon a l t r a il, Tor in fou n d h er , kickin g and struggling, being dragged along the path by a vision from a nightmare.
The creature was at least four hands taller than Mali, and looked for all t h e wor ld like a deser t liza r d gr own t o h u ge size. E xcept n o deser t liza r d walked upright, or had wings, or the twisted face of a man.
On e la r ge, cla wed h a n d wa s cla m ped over t h e lower h a lf of Ma li's fa ce, t h e ot h er h ooked in t h e folds of h er r obe. It h issed a s it t r ied t o su bdu e her.
Ma li t wist ed in it s gr ip a n d ya n ked it s h a n d fr om h er m ou t h . "Go ba ck, Torin!" she screamed.
Aler t ed t o Tor in 's pr esen ce, t h e cr ea t u r e gu r gled wit h displea su r e. It dr ew a h u ge, dou ble-edged swor d a n d con t in u ed it s fligh t u p t h e t r a il, dragging Mali with it.
Tor in lea pt , ju m pin g so qu ickly fr om st a r t led t r a n ce t o a t t a ck t h a t h e t ook t h e cr ea t u r e by su r pr ise. H e sla sh ed a t t h e liza r d-m a n , t h e swor d biting deeply into the leathery neck. Green ichor spurted from the gash.
Th e cr ea t u r e sh r ieked a n d dr opped Ma li. P la n t in g on e h ea vy foot on h er r obe t o keep h er fr om get t in g a wa y, t h e liza r d-m a n swu n g t h e huge sword in a high arc toward Torin's head.
Tor in du cked below t h e h igh swin g a n d sla sh ed qu ickly wit h h is swor d, a mosquito attacking a horse. His curved blade, which had always seemed so st r on g, ba r ely m a r ked t h e sca ly h ide. Th e viciou s cu t s h a d n ot even scr a t ch ed it s ch est , bu t t h e fer ocit y of Tor in 's a t t a ck dr ove t h e cr ea t u r e back a step, then another, away from Mali.
Tor in pr essed, sla sh in g wildly wit h n o h ope of doin g da m a ge, bu t gaining enough space to put himself between Mali and the creature.
"Run !" Tor in sh ou t ed t o Ma li wit h ou t lookin g ba ck. "Ru n !" H e h eld h is sword at ready, waiting for the lizard-man to charge.
It m oved t owa r d h im , t r ea din g h ea vily, clu m sily. It s weigh t y swor d wa s poin t ed a t h is ch est , t h e t ip u n wa ver in g. Bu t t h e cr ea t u r e's ga ze kept shifting to Mali.
Tor in r isked a qu ick gla n ce ba ck. Ma li h a d on ly gon e a few pa ces down the trail.
"Go!" Torin yelled. "Run!"
H e didn 't h a ve t o gla n ce ba ck t o see if t h e wom a n h a d obeyed h im . H e cou ld t ell sh e h a dn 't fr om t h e wa y t h e cr ea t u r e's ga ze wa ver ed ba ck a n d forth between the two of them.
Taking advantage of the lizard-man's distraction, Torin danced in close, st r u ck a qu ick, sla sh in g blow, a n d slipped ou t of r a n ge ju st a s t h e creature swung at him.
Th e cr ea t u r e st r u ck left , t h en r igh t , t h en wh ipped t h e swor d a r ou n d in a whistling arc.
Tor in dodged t h e blows, in st in ct ively dr oppin g ben ea t h t h e la st swin g a s h e h a d befor e. Th e power beh in d t h e swor d wa s en ou gh t o cu t h im in h a lf, bu t t h e cr ea t u r e wa s swin gin g h igh . H igh en ou gh t o a llow Tor in t o move beneath the flashing blade.
H e fell ba ck ou t of r a n ge a n d r epea t ed t h e a t t a ck, slippin g in ju st close enough to sting with his sword, then skipping back from retaliation.
When the lizard-man's high, arcing swing came again, Torin was ready. H e r olled, ca m e u p ben ea t h t h e swa t h of t h e bla de, a n d st a bbed. H is cu r ved bla de, in t en ded for sla sh in g a t t a cks, slid h or izon t a lly in t o t h e cr ea t u r e's a bdom en , bet ween it s sca ly ch est a n d t h e sca ly a r m or , t ea r in g a gaping wound.
Th e liza r d-m a n gu r gled a n d dr opped it s wea pon . Th e h a ft h it t h e gr ou n d, cla n gin g like t h e bell on a cit y ga t e. Gr een blood spla sh ed a cr oss Torin's hands. His sword was snatched from his fingers.
Th e cr ea t u r e gu r gled a n d t oppled ba ckwa r d, Tor in 's swor d st ill bu r ied in its stomach. It landed with a heavy, dead thud.
Tor in wh eeled a bou t t o fin d t h a t Ma li st ill st ood on ly a few pa ces a wa y. "Ar e t h er e ot h er s?" h e st a r t ed t o a sk, bu t a t t h a t m om en t , h e r ea ch ed t o r em ove h is swor d fr om t h e m on st er 's body a n d a lm ost wr en ch ed h is a r m s from their sockets.
Th e bla de wa s st u ck in t h e wou n d. Th e body of t h e liza r d-m a n seem ed t o h a ve pet r ified! It wa s a s solid a s st on e. Tor in 's swor d wa s h eld so tightly, the blade would break before coming free.
H e gr a bbed t h e dea d cr ea t u r e's h u ge swor d in st ea d. Lift in g wit h bot h h a n ds, h e m a n a ged t o r a ise t h e t ip off t h e gr ou n d. "Ar e t h er e ot h er s?" h e demanded again.
H er fa ce wh it e a n d bloodless wit h t er r or , Ma li sh ook h er h ea d, bu t sh e was trembling so badly Torin wasn't sure if she meant "no" or "yes. "
Tor in lim ped ba ck t o wh er e sh e st ood, qu a kin g wit h fea r . H e sh ook h er gently. "Are there any others, Mali?"
"Two. " Mali shuddered. "There were two. " "Where's the other one?"
Ma li sh ook h er h ea d. "I don 't kn ow. It didn 't face going even whiter.
"What ?" Tor in cr ied. H eft in g t h e swor d t o expect in g t o fin d t h e ot h er cr ea t u r e. Bu t t h er e wa s n ot h in g t h er e. Not even the body of the lizard-man he'd just killed. It was gone!
H e blin ked, blin ked a ga in , a n d swiped a t h is eyes befor e h e believed wh a t h e sa w. On e m om en t , t h e body h a d been a s h e h a d left it . Now h is sword lay whole and clean in an irregularly shaped layer of fine dust.
"It disappeared, " Mali whispered. "It just... disintegrated. "
Tor in dr opped t h e cr ea t u r e's swor d a n d picked u p h is own . It h a d n ot even a drop of green blood on it.
Beside h im , Ma li bega n t o sob, h er br ea t h com in g in qu ick r a gged gasps. "Biar... ?"
" Sh e ga sped, h er wh it e

r ea din ess, h e wh eeled, Torin shook his head.
"No!" Mali screamed. She ran back down the path toward the stream. Torin followed more slowly. He knew the boy was dead by now. H e fou n d Ma li kn eelin g beside Bia r 's body, t a lkin g t o h im in sh or t

ga spin g wor ds t h a t m a de n o sen se a n d wer e r a w wit h pa in . Sh e wa s h oldin g t h e bloody jela ya Tor in h a d wr a pped a r ou n d t h e sh a ft of t h e knife, pressing on a wound that no longer bled.

Th e boy's sm a ll h a n ds h a d slipped t o t h e gr ou n d, lim p a n d lifeless. Th e Aquara, the object for which Biar had died, had fallen from his grasp.
Tor in r et r ieved t h e pou ch , cla m m y a n d wet wit h Bia r 's blood. H e cou ld feel the crystal, hard and cold inside.
"It 's st ill h er e!" Tor in sa id in a m a zem en t . H e pu lled t h e silk-wrapped crystal from the pouch and flipped the cloth back to expose it. The Aquara glittered in the dappled sunlight, and a tingling sensation wiggled its way u p Tor in 's fin ger s in t o h is wr ist . "Th a t t h in g killed Bia r , a n d it didn 't even bot h er t o t a ke t h e Aqu a r a . " H e flu n g t h e cr yst a l t o t h e gr ou n d. "What was it really after?"
H is qu est ion qu iet ed Ma li's sobs, t h ou gh la r ge t ea r s con t in u ed t o r oll down h er ch eeks. Sh e h a d lost h er jela ya in t h e st r u ggle, a n d h er h a ir h u n g in t a n gled st r a n ds a r ou n d h er sh ou lder s. Th er e wa s blood on h er robe, but Torin didn't know if it was hers or the boy's.
Tor in lim ped pa in fu lly t owa r d h er . "Th e cr yst a l is st ill h er e. " H e grabbed her and twisted her up and around.
Mali cried out, pushing out at his hands. "No! Don't!"
"Th a t m on st er wa sn 't a ft er t h e Aqu a r a . It left t h e cr yst a l h er e, on a dying boy. It took you. "
"No!" Ma li dr opped t o h er kn ees beside Bia r 's body a n d h eld ou t a h a n d in supplication.
"It wa s you , fr om t h e begin n in g. " Tor in sa id, st a r in g a t h er , st u n n ed wit h r ea liza t ion . "Th ey wer e lookin g for you wh en t h ey dest r oyed t h e ca m p. Wh a t h a ve you don e?" An ger flicker ed a n d ca u gh t . H is people wer e dea d. Th e boy wa s dea d. An d wh y? F or wh a t ? Wh o wa s t h is wom a n wh o warmed him as the sun, and was as deadly as its heat?
"You don 't kn ow t h a t . " Ma li sobbed, pa t t in g a t t h e wa dded jela ya on Biar's chest as if she could force the life back into him. "It can't be! It can't be! Not all of this, because of me. "
Torin needed answers, but the other creature was probably still nearby. He caught hold of the woman's shoulder. "We have to go. Now!"
"Torin, please... "
"Biar's dead. There's nothing you can do. "
"No!" Ma li cr ied. Sh e h u gged h er self, clu t ch in g a t h er own a r m s a n d sh ou lder s a s if sh e cou ld h ide, a s if sh e cou ld fold in u pon h er self u n t il t h er e wa s n ot h in g left . "Not t r u e, " sh e wh isper ed. "Not m y fa u lt . " Sh e crouched lower, whimpering, her forehead almost touching the ground.
"Mali... " Torin glanced around nervously, thinking he heard something. This time he hooked a hand beneath her arm and tugged, not gently.
Sh e lift ed h er h ea d; h er eyes widen ed. Sh r iekin g a wa r n in g, sh e st r u ck at him, shoving him so hard he stumbled.
A swor d wh ist led t h r ou gh t h e a ir wh er e h e h a d been st a n din g on ly moments before. Torin wheeled and faced another lizard-man.
Th e cr ea t u r e st r u ck a ga in , qu ickly, swin gin g it s swor d in a h a lf cir cle. Th e dea dly bla de sliced clea n ly t h r ou gh Tor in 's r obe a n d t h e flesh beneath.
A st r ea k of fir e fla sh ed u p Tor in 's r ibs in t o h is sh ou lder . H e felt t h e warm slickness of blood gush down his right side.
H is elbow pr essed a ga in st t h e wou n d, Tor in st a gger ed sidewa ys, a wa y from Mali, hoping the thing would pursue him. "Run!" he gasped.
Clumsily, t r yin g t o st a n ch t h e flow of blood fr om h is side, Tor in dr ew his sword, but there was no chance of striking.
Th is liza r d-m a n , t h ou gh a s lu m ber in g a n d clu m sy a s it s br ot h er , wa s qu icker . An d a bet t er swor dsm a n . Th e cr ea t u r e swu n g it s h u ge swor d viciously, side to side, up and down as it advanced on Torin.
Tor in sh ift ed h is swor d t o h is left h a n d. H e ba r ely dodged t h e blows. H is bla de felt u n believa bly h ea vy, a n d h is feet seem ed t o h a ve lost a ll feeling.
Th e cr ea t u r e lu n ged, t h r u st in g, a n d t h e sh a r p edge of t h e wea pon grazed Torin's hand.
H e gr u n t ed in pa in , ba r ely h oldin g on t o h is swor d, ba r ely h oldin g on t o consciou sn ess. So m u ch blood. H e cou ld feel it pou r in g down h is leg, dr ippin g on t o t h e gr ou n d, h is life r u n n in g ou t r a pidly. Th e n ext blow, h e knew, would be the last.
The lizard-man raised its sword high for the killing stroke.
Th en Tor in 's vision bega n t o pla y t r icks on h im . It seem ed t h a t t h e cr ea t u r e's swor d slowed a s it bega n it s descen t . Ma li scr a m bled, a lso in slow m ot ion , on h a n ds a n d kn ees, n ot a wa y t o sa fet y, bu t t owa r d Tor in , toward the creature.
Torin's scream came from somewhere far away, warped and twisted. He t h r ew h im self for wa r d t o sh ield h er , a n d t h e m ovem en t wa s like swimming through deep sand. Too slow. Too late.
H er h a n d ca m e u p, slowly, slowly, r isin g u p in t o t h e a ir . Th e Aqu a r a of t h e Keda sa wa s clu t ch ed in h er fist . It sh on e in t h e su n like a jewel in firelight, all blue fire and golden rainbow.
Th e liza r d-m a n 's swor d cr a sh ed in t o t h e Aqu a r a , st eel cla n gin g a ga in st cr yst a l. Met a l sh r ieked a n d cr yst a l r a n g wit h ea r -split t in g cla r it y. Blinding lightning erupted.
Movin g a t n or m a l speed a ga in , t h e cr ea t u r e yelped a n d fell ba ckwa r d, it s body cr a cklin g wit h a dea t h ly ligh t . It s swor d, split a su n der , sh ower ed down in pieces.
Th e cr yst a l's blu e glow fa ded, a n d Ma li colla psed in t o Tor in 's a r m s. Sh e wa s so lim p t h a t h is br ea t h ca u gh t fea r fu lly in h is t h r oa t . Ca r efu lly, h e t u r n ed h er over . A pu lse bea t st r on gly ben ea t h t h e fa ir skin of h er n eck, and he groaned with relief.
A m om en t la t er , h er eyelids flu t t er ed open . Sh e jer ked u p, h er eyes darting wildly, searching for the creature.
It s body la y st ill, on e of it s lea t h er y win gs cr a ckled in t o pieces like stone. Pieces of the sword littered the body.
Ma li st a r ed a t t h e cr yst a l lyin g in h er pa lm . It n o lon ger glit t er ed wit h t h e r a in bow color s of t h e deser t . It glea m ed a t r a n spa r en t silver -blue a m ixt u r e of sky a n d clea r wa t er a n d sisc flower . Th e sym bols et ch ed in t o t h e cr yst a l sh owed clea r ly n ow a ga in st t h e ba ckgr ou n d t wo t ea r dr op shapes scribed in unending lines.
"I don 't u n der st a n d. Wh a t h a ppen ed?" Ma li wh isper ed. H er soft , confused words trailed off as she looked from the crystal to the body of the creature and its shattered sword.
Tor in t ou ch ed t h e Aqu a r a wa r ily. It felt sm oot h despit e t h e et ch ed sym bols, a n d h is fin ger s wa r m ed sligh t ly, plea sa n t ly. Gon e wa s t h e ir r it a t in g, discom fit in g t in gle. "You do u n der st a n d, " Tor in t old h er . Wit h ou t a wor d, h e t ook Ma li's fr ee h a n d a n d gu ided it t h r ou gh t h e t or n edges of h is r obe t o t h e bleedin g wou n d a bove h is r ibs. "You h a ve on ly t o believe. "
Mali stared at him, wide-eyed, unsure.
H e pr essed h er h a n d t igh t er a ga in st h is wou n d, a n d t h ou gh h is eyelids felt a s if t h ey wer e t oo h ea vy t o r em a in open , h e t r ied t o m eet h er ga ze wit h h is own u n wa ver in g belief. "Believe, Ma li. Believe wh a t t h e goddess told you. "
H oldin g t h e cr yst a l t o h er br ea st , Ma li n odded. Sh e closed h er eyes a n d took a deep, deep breath and exhaled slowly.
Tor in t wit ch ed a s t h e en er gy pou r ed in t o h im , gu sh ed a s if it wer e spilled, as if the souls of hundreds were flowing into his veins. Energy and h ea t a n d spir it , t in ged blu e, ch a sed a wa y sh a dow a n d dea t h . Life flowed, pu lsin g. H e cou ld feel h is own blood glidin g ben ea t h h is skin , t h e a ir in his lungs caressing him inside.
Ma li ga sped a n d sa n k ba ckwa r d, wit h dr a win g h er t ou ch a n d t h e influence of the crystal.
E xh ila r a t ed wit h t h e spir it cou r sin g t h r ou gh h im , Tor in pu lled a pa r t the cut edges of his robe and peered at the wound. It was closed, no longer bleedin g, bu t it h a d n ot h ea led, n ot com plet ely. It st ill t h r obbed, bu t it was closed. It was enough for now.
"Torin?" Mali whispered. Her hand cupped his cheek.
H er power flowed in t o h im , t h e h ea lin g t ou ch , t h e lovin g wa r m t h . H e cover ed h er h a n d wit h h is, fou n d it st icky wit h blood bu t st ill so wa r m , so soot h in g. H e kissed h er pa lm , a n d wh en sh e didn 't pr ot est , h e kissed h er full lips, too, lightly, quickly, then pulled back.
"Biar, " he said, still holding her hand.
She stiffened. "But how can I? He's dead. "
Tor in cover ed t h e h a n d h oldin g t h e cr yst a l. "You h a ve been ch osen by the goddess. How can you not?"
Ma li sh iver ed. Sh e sh ook h er h ea d in a ssen t , a n d Tor in h elped h er t o her feet. Together they went to Biar's body.
H oldin g t h e cr yst a l bet ween h er pa lm s, Ma li gla n ced a t Tor in for r ea ssu r a n ce. Th en sh e t u r n ed h er bea u t ifu l fa ce u pwa r d, t o t h e ca n opy of trees and the sky peeking through. "Please, Blessed Mishakal. Help me. "
Mali closed her eyes and held the crystal to her heart as she had before. Nothing happened.
Sh e la id t h e cr yst a l on Bia r 's ch est a n d cu pped h er h a n ds a r ou n d t h e bla de em bedded in h is ch est . Th e blu e wit h in t h e cr yst a l bega n t o glow, brighter and brighter until it encompassed Biar's body and Mali.
Th en Tor in , t oo, wa s en closed wit h in t h e soft , r em a in der of h is exh a u st ion slipped a wa y. H e felt wou n d a n d t h e m u scle ben ea t h r ipple a n d sh ift a s it h ea led. H e kn ew if h e looked n ow, t h e skin wou ld be fla wless, a s u n blem ish ed a s wh en h e wa s a ch ild. Bu t t h e ph ysica l com for t wa s n ot h in g com pa r ed t o t h e pea ce, the joy, in his heart.
Th e ligh t in t en sified, beca m e a blu e a s br illia n t a s a su m m er 's sky, a s spa r klin g a s t h e su r fa ce of a pool. Wit h t ea r s flowin g silen t ly down h er fa ce, Ma li wr a pped h er fin ger s a r ou n d t h e bla de of t h e kn ife wh er e it h a d en t er ed Bia r 's flesh . Th e cr yst a llin e glow ca sca ded a lon g h er fin ger s, down on t o t h e body, wr a ppin g br igh t st r ea m er s a r ou n d t h e kn ife. Slowly Mali pulled the blade from the wound.
No flow of blood followed t h e r em ova l. Th e wou n d closed, a n d a secon d la t er , t h er e wa s n ot even a sca r left . Ma li's h a n ds fell a wa y, a n d sh e drooped back on her heels.
Torin held his breath as the blue glow dimmed.
Th en , wit h a jer k, Bia r 's t h in ch est h ea ved. H e ga sped in a lu n gfu l of a ir , a n d h is eyes flu t t er ed open , wide a n d su r pr ised. H e t ou ch ed h is ch est wh er e t h e kn ife h a d been . "Ma li, " h e wh isper ed, sm ilin g u p a t h er . "I dreamed the souls of the Kedasa came to save me. "
Ma li st a r ed a t t h e boy, disbelief a n d deligh t m in gled on h er fa ce. Wh en sh e t u r n ed t o Tor in , h oldin g u p t h e cr yst a l for h im t o see, t h e joy in h er eyes bu r n ed like fir e, br igh t er t h a n t h e su n a t n oon . " 'Br in g ou t t h e sou ls t h a t a r e in da r kn ess, ' " sh e sa id, m u sin g, a wed. "Now Kin g Lor a c will have to believe me!"
h ea lin g ligh t . Th e t h e skin a cr oss h is
Tor in t ou ch ed t h e Aqu a r a . It wa s blu e n ow, t h e clea n , clea r blu e of sky a n d pu r e wa t er . In st ea d of t h e cold, jit t er in g sen sa t ion of a n t s pr icklin g his skin, he felt the pleasure of Mali's power, of Mali's purpose.
And his own.
"If your king does not accept your word, Mali, I will tell him myself. "
The Best
Margaret Weis
A story from the ancient times...
I kn ew t h e fou r wou ld com e. My u r gen t plea h a d br ou gh t t h em . Wh a t ever t h eir m ot ives a n d, a m on g t h is diver se gr ou p, I kn ew t h ose motives were mixed they were here.
The best. The very best.
I st ood in t h e door of t h e Bit t er Ale In n a n d, su r veyin g t h em , m y h ea r t was easier than it had been in many, many days.
Th e fou r did n ot sit t oget h er . Of cou r se, t h ey didn 't kn ow ea ch ot h er , except per h a ps by r epu t a t ion . E a ch sa t a t h is or h er own t a ble, ea t in g, dr in kin g qu iet ly. Not m a kin g a sh ow of t h em selves. Th ey didn 't n eed t o. Th ey wer e t h e best . Bu t t h ou gh t h ey sa id n ot h in g wit h t h eir m ou t h s u sin g t h em for t h e bit t er a le so fa m ou s in t h ese pa r t s t h ey wer e pu t t in g t h eir eyes t o wor k: sizin g ea ch ot h er u p, t a kin g ea ch ot h er 's m ea su r e. I was thankful to see that each seemed to like what he or she saw. I wanted no bad blood between members of this group.
Sit t in g a t t h e ver y fr on t of t h e in n , sh or t in st a t u r e, bu t la r ge in courage wa s Or in . Th e dwa r f wa s r en own ed t h r ou gh t h ese pa r t s for h is skill wit h h is a xe, bu t t h en so wer e m ost dwa r ves. H is bla de Splithair la y on t h e t a ble befor e h im , wh er e h e cou ld keep bot h a n eye a n d a lovin g h a n d on it . Or in 's t r u e t a len t la y ben ea t h a m ou n t a in , a s t h e sa yin g wen t H e h a d t r a ver sed m or e dr a gon ca ves t h a n a n y ot h er dwa r f wh o h a d ever lived. An d h e h a d n ever on ce lost h is wa y, eit h er t h er e or (m or e im por t a n t ) ba ck ou t a ga in . Ma n y a t r ea su r e-h u n t er owed h is life and about a third of the treasure to his guide, Orin Dark-seer.
Sea t ed n ea r t h e dwa r f, a t t h e best t a ble t h e Bit t er Ale h a d t o offer , wa s a wom a n of in cr edible bea u t y. H er h a ir wa s lon g a n d bla ck a s a m oon less n igh t ; h er eyes dr a n k in m en 's sou ls t h e wa y t h e dwa r f dr a n k a le. Th e tavern's regulars a sor r y lot of n e'er -do-wells wou ld h a ve been n osin g around her, their tongues hanging out, but for the marks on her clothes.
Sh e wa s well dr essed, don 't m ist a ke m e. Th e clot h sh e wor e wa s t h e fin est , m ost expen sive velvet in a ll t h e la n d. It s blu e color glea m ed in t h e firelight. It was the silver embroidery on the cuffs of her robes and around t h e h em lin e t h a t wa r n ed off t h e ch eek-pin ch er s a n d kiss-snatchers. P en t a gr a m s a n d st a r s a n d in t er t win ed cir cles a n d su ch like. Ca ba list ic marks. Her beautiful eyes met mine, and I bowed to Ulanda the sorceress, come all the way from her fabled castle hidden in the Blue Mist Forest.
Sea t ed n ea r t h e door a s n ea r t h e door a s h e cou ld get a n d st ill r em a in in t h e in n wa s t h e on e m em ber of t h e fou r I kn ew well. I kn ew h im beca u se I wa s t h e on e wh o h a d t u r n ed t h e key in h is pr ison cell a n d set h im fr ee. H e wa s t h in a n d qu ick, wit h a m op of r ed h a ir a n d gr een r ogu ish eyes t h a t cou ld ch a r m a widow ou t of h er life sa vin gs a n d lea ve h er lovin g h im for it . Th ose slen der fin ger s of h is cou ld slide in a n d ou t of a pocket as fast as his knife could cut a purse from a belt. He was good, so good h e wa sn 't oft en ca u gh t . Reyn a r d Deft -h a n d h a d m a de on e sm a ll mistake. He'd try to lift a purse from me.
Dir ect ly a cr oss t h e r oom fr om Reynard da r k ba la n cin g ligh t in t h e sca les of cr ea t ion wa s a m a n of n oble bea r in g a n d st er n cou n t en a n ce. Th e r egu la r s left h im a lon e, t oo, ou t of r espect for h is lon g a n d sh in in g swor d a n d t h e wh it e su r coa t h e wor e, m a r ked wit h t h e silver r ose. E r ic of Truestone, Knight of the Rose, a holy paladin. I was as amazed to see him a s I wa s plea sed. I h a d sen t m y m essen ger s t o t h e H igh Cler ist 's Tower , begging the knights for aid. I knew they would respond they were honorbound. But they had responded by sending me their best.
All fou r t h e best , t h e ver y best . I looked a t t h em a n d I felt a wed, humbled.
"You sh ou ld be closin g down for t h e n igh t , Ma r ia n , " I sa id, t u r n in g t o the pretty lass who tended bar.
Th e fou r dr a gon -h u n t er s looked a t m e, a n d n ot on e of t h em m oved. Th e r egu la r s, on t h e ot h er h a n d, t ook t h e h in t . Th ey qu a ffed t h eir a le a n d left wit h ou t a m u r m u r . I h a dn 't been in t h ese pa r t s lon g n ewly com e t o m y job a n d, of cou r se, t h ey'd pu t m e t o t h e t est . I'd been for ced t o t ea ch t h em t o r espect m e. Th a t h a d been a week a go a n d on e, so I h ea r d, wa s st ill la id u p. Sever a l of t h e ot h er s win ced a n d r u bbed t h eir cr a cked h ea ds as they hurried past me, all politely wishing me good-night.
"I'll lock the door, " I said to Marian.
Sh e, t oo, left , a lso wish in g m e wit h a sa u cy sm ile a good n igh t . I kn ew well sh e'd like t o m a ke m y good n igh t a bet t er on e, bu t I h a d business.
Wh en sh e wa s gon e, I sh u t a n d bolt ed t h e door . Th is clea r ly m a de Reyn a r d n er vou s (h e wa s a lr ea dy lookin g for a n ot h er esca pe r ou t e), so I came quickly to the point.
"No n eed t o a sk wh y you 'r e h er e. You 've ea ch com e in r espon se t o m y plea for h elp. I a m Gon da r , Kin g F r eder ick's sen esch a l. I a m t h e on e wh o sen t you t h e m essa ge. I t h a n k you for you r qu ick r espon se, a n d I welcom e you , well, m ost of you " I ca st a st er n gla n ce a t Reyn a r d, wh o gr in n ed "to Fredericksborough. "
Sir E r ic r ose a n d m a de m e a cou r t eou s bow. Ula n da looked m e over wit h h er won der fu l eyes. Or in gr u n t ed. Reyn a r d wa s jin glin g coin s in h is pocket . Th e r egu la r s wou ld fin d t h em selves wit h ou t a le m on ey t om or r ow, I guessed.
"You all know why I sent for you, " I continued. "At least, you know part of the reason. The part I could make public. "
"P lea se be sea t ed, Sen esch a l, " sa id Ula n da , wit h a gr a cefu l gest u r e. "And tell us the part you couldn't make public. "
Th e kn igh t join ed u s, a s did t h e dwa r f. Reyn a r d wa s goin g t o, bu t Ula n da wa r n ed h im off wit h a look. Not t h e lea st bit offen ded, h e gr in n ed again and leaned against the bar.
The four waited politely for me to continue.
"I t ell you t h is in a bsolu t e con fiden t ia lit y, " I sa id, lower in g m y voice. "As you kn ow, ou r good kin g, F r eder ick, h a s jou r n eyed t o t h e n or t h on in vit a t ion fr om h is h a lf br ot h er , t h e Du ke of Nor h a m pt on . Th er e wer e many in the court who advised His Majesty not to go. None of us trust the t wist ed, covet ou s du ke. Bu t H is Ma jest y wa s ever a lovin g siblin g a n d n or t h h e wen t . Now, ou r wor st fea r s h a ve been r ea lized. Th e du ke is h oldin g t h e kin g h ost a ge, dem a n din g in r a n som seven coffer s filled wit h gold, n in e coffer s filled wit h silver , a n d t welve coffer s filled wit h pr eciou s jewels. "
"By t h e eye of P a la din e, we sh ou ld bu r n t h is du ke's ca st le t o t h e ground, " said Eric of the Rose. His hand clenched over his sword's hilt.
"We would never see His Majesty alive again. " I shook my head.
"Th is is n ot wh y you br ou gh t u s h er e, " gr owled Or in . "Not t o r escu e you r kin g. H e m a y be a good kin g, for a ll I kn ow, bu t ... " Th e dwa r f shrugged.
"Yes, bu t you don 't ca r e wh et h er a h u m a n kin g lives or dies, do you , Orin?" I said with a smile. "No reason you should. The dwarves have their own king. "
"An d t h er e a r e som e of u s, " sa id Ula n da soft ly, "wh o h a ve n o kin g a t all. "
I won der ed if t h e r u m or s I'd h ea r d a bou t h er wer e t r u e, t h a t sh e lu r ed you n g m en t o h er ca st le a n d kept t h em u n t il sh e t ir ed of t h em , t h en ch a n ged t h em in t o wolves, for ced t o gu a r d h er dwellin g pla ce. At n igh t , it wa s sa id, you cou ld h ea r t h eir h owls of a n gu ish . Lookin g in t o t h ose lovely eyes, I found myself thinking it might just be worth it!
I wrenched myself back to the business at hand.
"I have not told you the worst, " I said. "I collected the ransom. This is a wea lt h y kin gdom . Th e n obles dipped in t o t h eir t r ea su r ies. Th eir la dy wives sacrificed their jewels. The treasure was loaded into a wagon, ready to be sent north when... "
I clea r ed m y t h r oa t , wish ed I h a d dr a wn m yself a m u g of a le. "A h u ge r ed dr a gon swept ou t of t h e sky, a t t a cked t h e t r ea su r e ca r a va n . I t r ied t o st a n d a n d figh t , bu t " m y fa ce bu r n ed in sh a m e "I've n ever kn own su ch pa r a lyzin g fea r . Th e n ext t h in g I kn ew, I wa s fa cefir st on t h e gr ou n d, shivering in terror. The guard fled in panic.
"Th e gr ea t dr a gon set t led down on t h e Kin g's H igh wa y. It leisu r ely devou r ed t h e h or ses, t h en , lift in g t h e wa gon con t a in in g t h e t r ea su r e in it s claws, the cursed beast flew away. "
"Dragonfear, " said Orin, as one long experienced in such things.
"Th ou gh it h a s n ever h a ppen ed t o m e, I've h ea r d t h e dr a gon fea r ca n be deva st a t in g. " Sir E r ic r est ed h is h a n d pit yin gly on m in e. "It wa s fou l magic that unmanned you, Seneschal. No need for shame. "
"Foul m a gic, " r epea t ed Ula n da , ca st in g t h e kn igh t a da r k look. I cou ld see she was thinking what an excellent wolf he would make.
"I sa w t h e t r ea su r e. " Reyn a r d h ea ved a gu st y sigh . "It wa s a bea u t ifu l sight. And there must be more, lots more, in that dragon's lair. "
"Th er e is, " sa id Or in . "Do you t h in k you r s is t h e on ly kin gdom t h is dr a gon h a s r obbed, Sen esch a l? My people wer e h a u lin g a sh ipm en t of golden n u gget s fr om ou r m in es in t h e sou t h wh en a r ed dr a gon pu ll ou t m y bea r d if it 's n ot t h e sa m e on e swooped ou t of t h e skies a n d m a de off with it!"
"Golden n u gget s!" Reyn a r d licked h is lips. "H ow m u ch wer e t h ey wor t h , all told?"
Orin cast him a baleful glance. "Never you mind, Light-finger. "
"The name is Deft-hand, " Reynard said, but the rest ignored him.
"I h a ve r eceived wor d fr om m y sist er s in t h e ea st , " Ula n da wa s sa yin g, "that this same dragon is responsible for the theft of several of our coven's most powerful arcane artifacts. I would describe them to you, but they are ver y secr et . An d ver y da n ger ou s, t o t h e in exper ien ced, " sh e a dded pointedly, for Reynard's sake.
"We, t oo, h a ve su ffer ed by t h is wyr m , " sa id E r ic gr im ly. "Ou r br et h r en to the west sent us as a gift a holy relic a finger bone of Vinus Solamnus. Th e dr a gon a t t a cked t h e escor t , sla u gh t er ed t h em t o a m a n , ca r r ied a wa y our artifact. "
Ulanda laughed, made a face. "I don't believe it! What would the dragon want with a moldy old finger bone?"
Th e kn igh t 's fa ce h a r den ed. "Th e fin ger bon e wa s en ca sed in a dia m on d, big a r ou n d a s a n a pple. Th e dia m on d wa s ca r r ied in a ch a lice m a de of gold, en cr u st ed wit h r u bies a n d em er a lds. Th e ch a lice wa s carried on a platter made of silver, set with a hundred sapphires. "
"I t h ou gh t you h oly kn igh t s t ook vows of pover t y, " Reyn a r d in sin u a t ed slyly. "Maybe I should start going to church again. "
E r ic r ose m a jest ica lly t o h is feet . Gla r in g a t t h e t h ief, t h e kn igh t dr ew his sword. Reynard sidled over behind me.
"H old, Sir Kn igh t , " I sa id, st a n din g. "Th e r ou t e t o t h e dr a gon 's la ir leads up a sheer cliff with nary a hand- or foothold in sight. "
Th e kn igh t eyed Reyn a r d's slen der fin ger s a n d wir y body. Sh ea t h in g his sword, the knight sat back down.
"You 've discover ed t h e la ir !" Reyn a r d cr ied. H e wa s t r em blin g, so excited, I feared he might hug me.
"Is t h is t r u e, Sen esch a l?" Ula n da lea n ed n ea r m e. I cou ld sm ell m u sk a n d spice. H er fin ger t ips wer e cool on m y h a n d. "H a ve you fou n d t h e dragon's lair?"
"I pr a y t o P a la din e you h a ve! Gla dly wou ld I lea ve t h is life, spen d et er n it y in t h e blessed r ea lm of P a la din e, if I cou ld h a ve a ch a n ce t o figh t t h is wyr m !" E r ic vowed. Lift in g a sa cr ed m eda llion h e wor e a r ou n d h is neck to his lips, he kissed it to seal his holy oath.
"I lost m y kin g's r a n som , " I sa id. "I t ook a vow n eit h er t o ea t n or sleep u n t il I h a d t r a cked t h e bea st t o it s la ir . Ma n y wea r y da ys a n d n igh t s I followed the trail a shining coin fallen to the ground, a jewel spilled from t h e wa gon . Th e t r a il led st r a igh t t o a pea k kn own a s Bla ck Mou n t a in . A da y I wa it ed, pa t ien t , wa t ch in g. I wa s r ewa r ded. I sa w t h e dr a gon lea ve its lair. I know how to get inside. "
Reyn a r d bega n t o da n ce a r ou n d t h e t a ver n , sin gin g a n d sn a ppin g h is lon g fin ger s. E r ic of t h e Rose a ct u a lly sm iled. Or in Da r k-seer r a n h is thumb lovingly over his axe-blade. Ulanda kissed my cheek.
"You must come visit me some night, Seneschal, when this adventure is ended, " she whispered.
Th e fou r of t h em a n d I spen t t h e n igh t in t h e in n , wer e u p well befor e dawn to begin our journey.
* * * * *
Th e Bla ck Mou n t a in loom ed befor e u s, it s pea k h idden by a per pet u a l clou d of gr a y sm oke. Th e m ou n t a in is n a m ed for it s sh in in g bla ck r ock, belch ed u p fr om t h e ver y bowels of t h e wor ld. Som et im es t h e m ou n t a in st ill r u m bles, ju st t o r em in d u s t h a t it is a live, bu t n on e livin g cou ld remember the last time it spewed flame.

We r ea ch ed it by la t e a ft er n oon . Th e su n 's r a ys sh on e r ed on t h e cliff fa ce we wou ld h a ve t o clim b. By cr a n in g m y n eck, I cou ld see t h e ga pin g dark hole that was the entrance to the dragon's lair.

"Not a h a n dh old in sigh t . By P a la din e, you wer en 't exa gger a t ing, Sen esch a l, " sa id E r ic, fr own in g a s h e r a n h is h a n d over t h e sm oot h bla ck rock.

Reyn a r d la u gh ed. "Ba h ! I've clim bed ca st le wa lls t h a t wer e a s sm oot h as milady's Well, let's just say they were smooth. "
Th e t h ief looped a lon g len gt h of r ope over h is sh ou lder . H e st a r t ed t o add a bag full of spikes and a hammer, but I stopped him.
"Th e dr a gon m igh t h a ve r et u r n ed. If so, t h e bea st wou ld h ea r you dr ivin g t h e spikes in t o t h e r ock. " I gla n ced u pwa r d. "Th e wa y is n ot fa r , ju st difficu lt . On ce you m a ke it , lower t h e r ope down t o u s. We ca n clim b it. "
Reyn a r d a gr eed. H e st u died t h e cliff fa ce a m om en t , a ll ser iou sn ess n ow, n o sign of a gr in . Th en , t o t h e a m a zem en t of a ll of u s wa t ch in g, h e attached himself to the rock like a spider and began to climb.
I had known Reynard was good, but I must admit, I had not known how good. I wa t ch ed h im cr a wl u p t h a t sh eer cliff fa ce, diggin g h is fin ger s in t o m in u t e cr a cks, h is feet scr a bblin g for pu r ch a se, h a n gin g on , som et im es, by effor t of will a lon e. I wa s im pr essed. H e wa s t h e best . No ot h er m a n living could have made it up that cliff.
"Th e gods a r e wit h u s in ou r h oly ca u se, " sa id E r ic r ever en t ly, watching Reynard crawl up the black rock like a lizard.
Ula n da st ifled a ya wn , cover ed h er m ou t h wit h a da in t y h a n d. Or in st om ped a r ou n d t h e foot of t h e cliff in im pa t ien ce. I con t in u ed t o wa t ch Reyn a r d, a dm ir in g h is wor k. H e h a d r ea ch ed t h e en t r a n ce t o t h e ca ver n , disa ppea r ed in side. In a m om en t , h e ca m e ba ck ou t , in dica t ed wit h a wave of his hand that all was safe.
Reyn a r d lower ed t h e r ope down t o u s. Un for t u n a t ely, t h e r ope h e'd br ou gh t wa s fa r t oo sh or t . We cou ldn 't r ea ch it . Or in bega n t o cu r se lou dly. Ula n da la u gh ed, sn a pped h er fin ger s, spoke a wor d. Th e r ope quivered, and suddenly it was exactly the right length.
E r ic eyed t h e m a giced r ope du biou sly, bu t it wa s h is on ly wa y u p. H e gr a bbed h old of it , t h en a ppea r in g t o t h in k of som et h in g h e t u r n ed t o the sorceress.
"My la dy, I fea r you r delica t e h a n ds a r e n ot m ea n t for clim bin g r opes, n or a r e you dr essed for sca lin g m ou n t a in s. If you will for give m e t h e liberty, I will carry you up the cliff. "
"Carry me!" Ulanda stared at him, then she laughed again.
Eric stiffened; his face went rigid and cold. "Your pardon, my lady "
"F or give m e, Sir Kn igh t , " Ula n da sa id sm oot h ly. "Bu t I a m n ot a wea k a n d h elpless da m sel. An d it wou ld be best if you r em em ber ed t h a t . All of you. "
So saying, Ulanda drew a lacy, silken handkerchief from her pocket and spr ea d it u pon t h e gr ou n d. P la cin g h er feet u pon t h e h a n dker ch ief, sh e spoke wor ds t h a t wer e like t h e sou n d of t in klin g ch im es. Th e h a n dker ch ief beca m e h a r d a s st eel. It bega n t o r ise slowly in t o t h e a ir , bearing the sorceress with it.
Sir Eric's eyes widened. He made the sign against evil.
Ula n da floa t ed ca lm ly u p t h e cliff fa ce. Reyn a r d wa s on h a n d t o a ssist h er wit h t h e la n din g a t t h e m ou t h of t h e ca ve. Th e t h ief's eyes n ea r ly bu gged ou t of h is h ea d. H e wa s pr a ct ica lly dr oolin g. We cou ld a ll h ea r h is words.
"Wh a t a secon d-st or y m a n you 'd m a ke! La dy, I'll give you h a lf well, a fourth of my treasure for that scrap of cloth. "
Ula n da picked u p t h e st eel pla t for m , sn a pped it on ce in t h e a ir . On ce a ga in , t h e h a n dker ch ief wa s silk a n d la ce. Sh e pla ced it ca r efu lly in a pocket of her robes. The thief's eyes followed it all the way.
"It is n ot for sa le, " Ula n da sa id, a n d sh e sh r u gged. "You wou ldn 't fin d it of m u ch va lu e a n ywa y. If a n yon e t ou ch es it , ot h er t h a n m yself, t h e h a n dker ch ief will wr a p it self a r ou n d t h e u n for t u n a t e per son 's n ose a n d mouth. It will smother him to death. "
Sh e sm iled a t Reyn a r d sweet ly. H e eyed h er , decided sh e wa s t ellin g the truth, gulped, and turned hastily away.
"Ma y P a la din e pr eser ve m e, " E r ic sa id dou r ly. La yin g h is h a n d u pon the rope, he started to climb.
H e wa s st r on g, t h a t kn igh t . E n ca sed in h ea vy pla t e a r m or a n d ch a in m a il, h is swor d h a n gin g fr om h is side, h e pu lled h im self u p t h e cliff wit h ease. Th e dwa r f wa s qu ick t o follow, r u n n in g u p t h e r ope n im bly. I t ook m y t im e. It wa s n ea r ly even in g n ow, bu t t h e a ft er n oon su n h a d wa r m ed the rock. Hauling myself up that rope was hot work. I slipped once, giving m yself t h e sca r e of a lifet im e. Bu t I m a n a ged t o h a n g on , h ea ved a sign of r elief wh en E r ic pu lled m e u p over t h e ledge a n d in t o t h e cool sh a dows of the cavern.
"Wh er e's t h e dwa r f?" I a sked, n ot icin g on ly t h r ee of m y com pa n ion s were around.
"He went ahead to scout the way, " said Eric.
I n odded, gla d for t h e ch a n ce t o r est . Reyn a r d dr ew u p t h e r ope, h id it ben ea t h a r ock for u se on t h e wa y ba ck. I gla n ced a r ou n d. All a lon g t h e sides of t h e ca ver n , I cou ld see m a r ks left by t h e dr a gon 's m a ssive body scr a pin g a ga in st t h e r ock. We wer e exa m in in g t h ese wh en Or in r et u r n ed, his bearded face split in a wide smile.
"You a r e r igh t , Sen esch a l. Th is is t h e wa y t o t h e dr a gon 's la ir . An d t h is proves it. "
Or in h eld h is fin d u p t o t h e ligh t . It wa s a golden n u gget . Reyn a r d eyed it covetously, and I knew then and there it was going to cause trouble.
"Th is pr oves it !" Or in r epea t ed, h is eyes sh in in g br igh t a s t h e gold. "This is the beast's hole. We've got him! Got him now!"
E r ic of t h e Rose, a gr im look on h is fa ce, dr ew h is swor d a n d st a r t ed for a h u ge t u n n el lea din g off t h e ca ver n 's en t r a n ce. Sh ocked, Or in ca u gh t hold of the knight, pulled him back.
"Ar e you da ft , m a n ?" t h e dwa r f dem a n ded. "Will you go wa lkin g in t h e dr a gon 's fr on t door ? Wh y don 't you ju st r in g t h e bell, let h im kn ow we'r e here?"
"What other way is there?" Eric asked, nettled at Orin's superior tone.
"The back way, " said the dwarf cunningly. "The secret way. All dragons keep a back exit, just in case. We'll use that. "
"You 'r e sa yin g we h a ve t o clim b r ou n d t o t h e ot h er side of t h is bloody mountain?" Reynard protested. "After all the work it took to get here?"
"Na w, Ligh t -fin ger !" Or in scoffed. "We'll go through t h e m ou n t a in . Safer, easier. Follow me. "
H e h ea ded for wh a t looked t o m e like n ot h in g m or e t h a n a cr a ck in t h e wa ll. Bu t , on ce we h a d a ll squ eezed in side, we discover ed a t u n n el t h a t led even deeper into the mountain.
"Th is pla ce is bla cker t h a n t h e Da r k Qu een 's h ea r t , " m u t t er ed E r ic, a s we t ook ou r fir st few t en t a t ive st eps in side. Alt h ou gh h e h a d spoken in a low voice, his words echoed alarmingly.
"H u sh !" t h e dwa r f gr owled. "Wh a t do you m ea n da r k? I ca n see perfectly. "
"But we humans can't! Do we dare risk a light?" I whispered.
"We won 't get fa r wit h ou t on e, " E r ic gr u m bled. H e'd a lr ea dy n ea r ly brained himself on a low-hanging rock. "What about a torch?"
"Tor ch es sm oke. An d it 's r u m or ed t h er e'r e ot h er t h in gs livin g in t h is mountain besides the dragon!" Reynard said ominously.
"Will this do?" asked Ulanda.
Rem ovin g a jeweled wa n d fr om h er belt , sh e h eld it u p. Sh e spoke n o word, but as if offended by the darkness the wand began to shine with a soft white light.
Or in sh ook h is h ea d over t h e fr a ilt y of h u m a n s a n d st u m ped off down the tunnel. We followed after.
The pa t h led down a n d a r ou n d a n d over a n d u n der a n d in t o a n d ou t of a n d u p a n d sidewa ys a n d a cr oss... a ver it a ble m a ze. H ow Or in kept fr om get t in g lost or m ixed u p wa s beyon d m e. All of u s h a d dou bt s (Reyn a r d expressed his loudly), but Orin never wavered.
We soon lost t r a ck of t im e, wa n der in g in t h e da r kn ess ben ea t h t h e m ou n t a in , bu t I wou ld gu ess t h a t we en ded u p wa lkin g m ost of t h e n igh t . If we h a d n ot fou n d t h e coin , we st ill wou ld h a ve gu essed t h e dr a gon 's pr esen ce, ju st by t h e sm ell. It wa sn 't h ea vy or r a n k, didn 't set u s ga ggin g or ch okin g. It wa s a scen t , a br ea t h , a h in t of blood a n d su lph u r , gold a n d iron. It wasn't pervasive, but drifted through the narrow corridors like the dust, teasing, taunting.
Ula n da wr in kled h er n ose in disgu st . Sh e'd ju st complained br ea t h lessly t h a t sh e cou ldn 't st a n d a n ot h er m om en t in t h is "st u ffy h ole" when Orin brought us to a halt. Grinning slyly, he looked round at us.
"This is it, " he said.
"This is what?" Eric asked dubiously, staring at yet another crack in the wall. (We'd seen a lot of cracks!)
"It leads to the dragon's other entrance, " said the dwarf.
Squ eezin g t h r ou gh t h e cr a ck, we fou n d ou r selves in a n ot h er t u n n el, t h is on e fa r la r ger t h a n a n y we'd fou n d yet . We cou ldn 't see da yligh t , bu t we cou ld sm ell fr esh a ir , so we kn ew t h e t u n n el con n ect ed wit h t h e ou t side. Ula n da h eld h er wa n d u p t o t h e wa ll, a n d t h er e a ga in wer e t h e m a r ks m a de by t h e dr a gon 's body. To clin ch t h e m a t t er , a few r ed sca les glittered on the ground.
Or in Da r k-seer h a d don e t h e im possible. H e'd t a ken u s clea n t h r ou gh t h e m ou n t a in . Th e dwa r f wa s pr et t y plea sed wit h h im self, bu t h is pleasure was short-lived.
We stopped for a rest, to drink some water and eat a bite of food to keep u p ou r en er gy. Ula n da wa s sit t in g beside m e, t ellin g m e in a low voice of the wonders of her castle, when suddenly Orin sprang to his feet.
"Thief!" The dwarf howled. He leapt at Reynard. "Give it back!"
I wa s st a n din g; so wa s Reyn a r d, wh o m a n a ged t o pu t m e in bet ween himself and the enraged dwarf.
"My gold nugget!" Orin shrieked.
"Sh a r e a n d sh a r e a like, " Reyn a r d sa id, bobbin g t h is wa y a n d t h a t t o avoid the dwarf. "Finders keepers. "
Or in bega n swin gin g t h a t da m n a xe of h is a bit t oo n ea r m y kn ees for comfort.
"Sh u t t h em u p, Sen esch a l!" E r ic or der ed m e, a s if I wer e on e of h is foot soldiers. "They'll bring the dragon down on us!"
"F ools! I'll pu t a n en d t o t h is!" Ula n da r ea ch ed h er h a n d in t o a silken pouch she wore on her belt.
I t h in k we m a y well h a ve lost bot h t h ief a n d gu ide a t t h a t m om en t , bu t we suddenly had far greater problems.
"Orin! Behind you!" I shouted.
Seein g by t h e expr ession of sh eer t er r or on m y fa ce t h a t t h is wa s n o trick, Orin whirled around.
A kn igh t or wh a t h a d on ce been a kn igh t H is a r m or cover ed bon e, n ot flesh . H is h elm bloodst a in ed sku ll. H e h eld a swor d in h is skelet a l h a n d. Beh in d h im , I sa w wh a t seem ed a n a r m y of t h ese h or r or s, t h ou gh t h er e wer e in reality only six or seven.
"I've h ea r d t ell of t h is!" E r ic sa id, a wed. "Th ese wer e on ce livin g m en , who dared a t t a ck t h is dr a gon . Th e wyr m killed t h em a n d n ow for ces t h eir rotting corpses to serve him!"
"I'll pu t it ou t of it s m iser y, " Or in cr ied. Bou n din g for wa r d, t h e dwa r f st r u ck a t t h e u n dea d wa r r ior wit h h is a xe. Th e bla de sever ed t h e kn igh t 's knees at the joint. The skeleton toppled. The dwarf laughed.
"No need to trouble yourselves over this lot, " he told us. "Stand back. "
The dwarf went after the second. But at that moment, the first skeleton wa s wa lkin g t owa r d u s. r a t t led on a ba r e a n d picked u p it s bon es, bega n pu t t in g it self ba ck t oget h er ! Wit h in m om en t s, it wa s wh ole a ga in . Th e skelet on br ou gh t it s swor d down on t h e dwa r f's h ea d. F or t u n a t ely for Or in , h e wa s wea r in g a h ea vy st eel h elm . Th e sword did no damage, but the blow sent the dwarf reeling.
Ula n da a lr ea dy h a d h er h a n d in h er pou ch . Sh e dr ew ou t a n oxiou s powder , t ossed it on t o t h e u n dea d wa r r ior n ea r est h er . Th e skelet on wen t u p in a wh oosh of fla m e t h a t n ea r ly in cin er a t ed t h e t h ief, wh o h a d been a t t em pt in g t o lift a jeweled da gger fr om t h e u n dea d wa r r ior 's belt . Aft er t h a t , Reyn a r d ver y wisely t ook h im self ou t of t h e wa y, wa t ch ed t h e figh t from a corner.
E r ic of t h e Rose dr ew h is swor d, bu t h e did n ot a t t a ck. H oldin g h is bla de by t h e h ilt , h e r a ised it in fr on t of on e of t h e wa lkin g skelet on s. "I ca ll on P a la din e t o fr ee t h ese n oble kn igh t s of t h e cu r se t h a t bin ds t h em to this wretched life. "
Th e u n dea d wa r r ior kept com in g, it s bon y h a n d clu t ch in g a r u st in g swor d. E r ic h eld h is gr ou n d, st ood fa st , r epea t in g h is pr a yer in son or ou s Sola m n ic. Th e skelet a l wa r r ior r a ised it s swor d for t h e dea t h blow. E r ic gazed at it steadfastly, never wavering in his faith.
I watched with that terrible fascination that freezes a man in his tracks until the end.
"Paladine!" Eric gave a great shout, raised his sword to the heavens.
The skeletal knight dropped down in a pile of dust at the knight's feet.
Or in , wh o h a d been exch a n gin g blows wit h t wo cor pses for som e t im e a n d wa s n ow get t in g t h e wor st of t h e ba t t le, bea t a st r a t egic r et r ea t . Ula n da wit h h er m a gic a n d E r ic wit h h is fa it h t ook ca r e of t h e r em a in der of the skeletal warriors.
I h a d dr a wn m y swor d, bu t , seein g t h a t m y h elp wa sn 't n eeded, I wa t ch ed in a dm ir a t ion . Wh en t h e wa r r ior s wer e eit h er r edu ced t o du st or smoldering ash, the two returned. Ulanda's hair wasn't even mussed. Eric hadn't broken into a sweat.
"Th er e a r e n ot t wo in t h is la n d wh o cou ld h a ve don e wh a t you did, " I said to them, and I meant it.
"I am good at anything I undertake, " Ulanda said. She wiped dust from h er h a n ds. "Ver y good, " sh e a dded wit h a ch a r m in g sm ile a n d a gla n ce a t me from beneath her long eyelashes.
"My god Paladine was with me, " Eric said humbly.
The battered dwarf glowered. "Meaning to say my god Reorx wasn't?"
"Th e good kn igh t m ea n s n ot h in g of t h e sor t . " I wa s qu ick t o en d t h e a r gu m en t . "Wit h ou t you , Or in Da r k-seer , we wou ld be food for t h e dr a gon r igh t n ow. Wh y do you t h in k t h e skelet on m en a t t a cked u s? Beca u se we a r e dr a win g t oo n ea r t h e dr a gon 's la ir , a n d t h a t is du e en t ir ely t o you r exper t ise. No on e else in t h is la n d cou ld h a ve br ou gh t u s t h is fa r sa fely, and we all know it. "
At t h is, I gla n ced poin t edly a t E r ic, wh o t ook t h e h in t a n d bowed courteously, if a bit stiffly, to the dwarf. Ulanda rolled her lovely eyes, but muttered something gracious.
I ga ve Reyn a r d a swift kick in t h e pa n t s, a n d t h e t h ief r elu ct a n t ly h a n ded over t h e golden n u gget , wh ich seem ed t o m ea n m or e t o t h e dwa r f t h a n ou r wor ds of pr a ise. Or in t h a n ked u s a ll, of cou r se, bu t h is a t t en t ion wa s on t h e gold. H e exa m in ed it su spiciou sly, a s if wor r ied t h a t Reyn a r d m igh t h a ve t r ied t o swit ch t h e r ea l n u gget wit h a fa ke. Th e dwa r f bit down it , polish ed it on h is dou blet . F in a lly cer t a in t h e gold wa s r ea l, Or in thrust it beneath his leather armor for safekeeping.
So a bsor bed wa s t h e dwa r f in h is gold t h a t h e didn 't n ot ice Reyn a r d lifting his purse from behind. I did, but I took care not to mention it.
As I said, we were close to the dragon's lair.
We m oved a h ea d, dou bly ca u t iou s, keepin g sh a r p wa t ch for a n y foe. We were deep, deep inside the mountain now. It was silent. Too silent.
"You 'd t h in k we'd h ea r som et h in g, " E r ic wh isper ed t o m e. "Th e dr a gon br ea t h in g, if n ot h in g else. A bea st t h a t la r ge wou ld sou n d like a bellows down here. "
"Perhaps this means he's not home, " Reynard said.
"Or perhaps it means we've come to a dead end, " said Ulanda idly.
Rou n din g a cor n er of t h e t u n n el, we a ll st opped a n d st a r ed. Th e sorceress was right. Ahead of us, blocking our path, was a solid rock wall.
Th e da r kn ess gr ew da r ker a t t h a t m om en t . All h in t of ou t side a ir h a d long since been left behind. The scent of blood and sulphur, now enhanced by a da n k, ch ill, m u st y sm ell, wa s st r on g. An d so wa s t h e scen t of gold. I could sm ell it a n d so, I kn ew, cou ld m y com pa n ion s. Ou r im a gin a t ion s, I su ppose, or per h a ps wish fu l t h in kin g. Bu t m a ybe n ot . Gold h a s a sm ell it s own m et a l sm ell a n d, a dded t o t h a t , t h e st in k of t h e swea t fr om a ll t h e h a n ds t h a t h a ve t ou ch ed it a n d covet ed it a n d gr a sped it a n d lost it . Th a t wa s t h e sm ell, a n d it wa s sweet per fu m e t o ever yon e in t h a t ca ve. Sweet and frustrating, for seemingly we had no way to reach it.
Or in 's ch eeks flu sh ed. H e t u gged on h is bea r d, ca st u s a ll a sidelon g gla n ce. "Th is m u st be t h e wa y, " h e m u t t er ed, kickin g discon sola t ely a t the rock.
"We'll h a ve t o go ba ck, " E r ic sa id gr im ly. "P a la din e is t ea ch in g m e a lesson . I sh ou ld h a ve fa ced t h e wyr m in h on or a ble ba t t le. Non e of t h is skulking about like a "
"Th ief?" Reyn a r d sa id br igh t ly. "Ver y well, Sir Kn igh t , you ca n go ba ck to the front door, if you want. I will sneak in by the window. "
Wit h t h is, Reyn a r d closed h is eyes a n d, fla t t en in g h im self a ga in st t h e r ock wa ll, h e seem ed h a n ds cr a wled over wh isper ed wh a t sou n ded like cooin g a n d coa xin g wor ds. Su dden ly, wit h a t o a ll a ppea r a n ces t o be m a kin g love t o it . H is it , h is fin ger s pokin g a n d pr oddin g. H e even t r iu m ph a n t gr in , h e pla ced h is feet in t wo in den t a t ion s in t h e bot t om of the wall, put his hands in two cracks at the top, and pressed.
Th e r ock wa ll sh iver ed, t h en it bega n t o slide t o on e side! A sh a ft of r eddish ligh t bea m ed ou t . Th e t h ief ju m ped off t h e wa ll, wa ved h is h a n d at the opening he'd created.
"A secret door, " Orin said. "I knew it all along. "
"You wa n t t o go a r ou n d t o t h e fr on t n ow?" Reyn a r d a sked t h e kn igh t slyly.
E r ic gla r ed a t t h e t h ief, bu t h e a ppea r ed t o be h a vin g secon d t h ou gh t s a bou t m eet in g t h e dr a gon fa ce-to-fa ce in a n h on or a ble figh t . H e dr ew h is sword, waited for the wall to open completely so that we could see inside.
Th e ligh t pou r in g ou t fr om t h e door wa y wa s ext r em ely br igh t . All of u s blin ked a n d r u bbed ou r eyes, t r yin g t o a dju st t h em t o t h e su dden br illia n ce a ft er t h e da r kn ess of t h e t u n n els. We wa it ed, list en in g for t h e dr a gon . Non e of u s h a d a dou bt bu t t h a t we h a d discover ed t h e bea st 's dwelling place.
We heard nothing. All was deathly quiet.
"Th e dr a gon 's n ot h om e!" Reyn a r d r u bbed h is h a n ds. "H iddu kel t h e Tr ickst er is wit h m e t oda y!" H e m a de a da sh for t h e en t r a n ce, bu t Sir Eric's hand fell, like doom, on his shoulder.
"I will lead, " he said. "It is my right. "
Swor d in h a n d, a pr a yer on h is lips, t h e h oly pa la din wa lked in t o t h e dragon's lair.
Reynard cr ept r igh t beh in d h im . Or in , m ovin g m or e ca u t iou sly, followed t h e t h ief. Ula n da h a d t a ken a cu r iou s-lookin g scr oll fr om h er belt . H oldin g it fa st , sh e en t er ed t h e la ir a ft er t h e dwa r f. I dr ew m y dagger. Keeping watch behind me, I entered last.
The door began to rumble shut.
I h a lt ed. "We'r e goin g t o be t r a pped in h er e!" I ca lled ou t a s lou dly a s I dared.
Th e ot h er s pa id n o a t t en t ion t o m e. Th ey h a d discover ed t h e dr a gon 's treasure room.
The bright light's source was a pit of molten rock bubbling in a corner of t h e giga n t ic u n der gr ou n d ch a m ber . Th e floor of t h e ca ver n h a d been wor n sm oot h , pr oba bly by t h e r u bbin g of t h e dr a gon 's en or m ou s body. A gr ea t , glit t er in g h ea p, t a ll a s H is Ma jest y's ca st le, wa s piled t oget h er on t h e cavern floor.
Ga t h er ed h er e wa s ever y bea u t ifu l, va lu a ble, a n d pr eciou s object in t h e kin gdom . Gold sh on e r ed in t h e fir e-ligh t , jewels of ever y color of t h e r a in bow win ked a n d spa r kled. Th e silver r eflect ed t h e sm iles of t h e dragon-hunters. And, best of all, the cavern was uninhabited.
Sir Eric fell on his knees and began to pray.
Ulanda stared, openmouthed.
Or in wa s weepin g in t o h is bea r d wit h joy. Bu t by n ow, t h e secr et door had slammed shut.
Not one of them noticed.
"Th e dr a gon 's n ot h om e!" Reyn a r d sh r ieked, a n d h e m a de a dive for t h e treasure pile.
My treasure pile.
The thief began pawing through the gold.
My gold.
I walked up behind him.
"Never jump to conclusions, " I said.
With my dagger, I gave him the death a thief deserves.
I stabbed him in the back.
"I t h ou gh t you sh ou ld a t lea st h a ve a look, " I sa id t o h im kin dly, gesturing to my hoard. "Since you're the best. "
Reyn a r d died t h en t h e m ost a st on ish ed lookin g cor pse I'd ever seen . I still don't think he'd quite figured things out.
Bu t Ula n da h a d. Sh e wa s sm a r t , t h a t sor cer ess. Sh e gu essed t h e t r u t h im m edia t ely, if a bit la t e even befor e I t ook off m y r in g of shapechanging.
Now, a t la st , a ft er weeks of bein g cr a m ped in t o t h a t t in y for m , I cou ld st r et ch ou t . My body gr ew, slowly t a kin g on it s or igin a l, im m en se sh a pe, almost filling the cavern. I held the ring up in front of her eyes.
"You wer e r igh t , " I t old h er , t h e jewel spa r klin g in wh a t wa s n ow a cla w. "You r coven did possess m a n y power fu l a r ca n e object s. Th is is ju st one of them. "
Ula n da st a r ed a t m e in t er r or . Sh e t r ied t o u se h er scr oll, bu t t h e dr a gon fea r wa s t oo m u ch for h er . Th e wor ds of m a gic wou ldn 't com e t o her parched, pale lips.
Sh e'd been sweet en ou gh t o in vit e m e t o spen d t h e n igh t , a n d so I did h er a fa vor . I let h er see, befor e sh e died, a dem on st r a t ion of t h e m a gic n ow in m y possession . Appr opr ia t ely, it wa s on e of m y m ost pr ized artifacts a n eckla ce m a de ou t of m a gica l wolves' t eet h t h a t en cir cled her lovely neck and tore out her throat.
All t h is t im e, Or in Da r k-seer h a d been h a ckin g a t m y h in d leg wit h h is a xe. I let h im get in a few licks. Th e dwa r f h a dn 't been a ba d sor t , a ft er a ll, a n d h e'd don e m e a fa vor by sh owin g m e t h e wea kn ess in m y defen ses. Wh en h e seem ed likely t o dr a w blood, h owever , I t ir ed of t h e con t est . P ickin g h im u p, I t ossed h im in t h e pool of m olt en la va . Eventually, he'd become part of the mountain a fitting end for a dwarf. I trust he appreciated it.
Th a t left Sir E r ic, wh o h a d wa n t ed, a ll a lon g, t o m eet m e in h on or able battle. I granted him his wish.
He faced me bravely, calling on Paladine to fight at his side.
P a la din e m u st h a ve bu sy wit h som et h in g else ju st t h en , for h e didn 't make an appearance.
Eric died in a blaze of glory.
Well, he died in a blaze.
I t r u st h is sou l wen t st r a igh t t o t h e Dom e of Cr ea t ion , wh er e it 's m y guess his god must have had some pretty fancy explaining to do.
They were dead now. All four.
I pu t ou t t h e fir e, swept u p t h e kn igh t 's a sh es. Th en I sh oved t h e ot h er t wo cor pses ou t t h e secr et door . Th e t h ief a n d t h e sor cer ess wou ld t a ke t h e pla ce of t h e skelet a l wa r r ior s I'd been for ced t o sa cr ifice t o keep u p appearances.
Cr a wlin g ba ck t o m y t r ea su r e pile, I t idied u p t h e gold a bit , wh er e t h e t h ief h a d dist u r bed it . Th en I clim bed on t op, spr ea d m yself ou t , a n d bu r r owed deeply a n d lu xu r iou sly in t o t h e gold a n d silver a n d jewels. I spr ea d m y win gs pr ot ect ively over t h e t r ea su r e, even pa u sed t o a dm ir e t h e effect of t h e fir eligh t sh in in g on m y r ed sca les. I wr a pped m y lon g t a il a r ou n d t h e golden n u gget s of t h e dwa r ves, st r et ch ed m y body com for t a bly ou t over t h e jewels of t h e kn igh t s, la id m y h ea d down on t h e m a gica l treasure of the sorceress's coven.
I wa s t ir ed, bu t sa t isfied. My pla n h a d wor ked ou t won der fu lly well. I had rid myself of them.
They'd been the best. The very best.
Soon er or la t er , sepa r a t ely or t oget h er , t h ey wou ld h a ve com e a ft er m e. And they might have caught me napping.
I set t led m yself on t o t h e t r ea su r e m or e com for t a bly, closed m y eyes. I'd earned my rest.
And I could sleep peacefully... now.
The hunt
Kevin Stein
Ga la n r ose fr om h is cold bed in t h e m u ck. H e h a d fa llen a sleep som e t im e a go, exh a u st ed fr om h is jou r n ey. H e felt h is legs a lm ost colla pse ben ea t h h im in t h e da m p da r kn ess a s, wit h a n effor t of will, h e for ced himself to stand.

Th e swa m p offer ed n on e of t h e com for t s Ga la n h a d kn own befor e h e bega n h is h u n t for t h e bla ck dr a gon , Bor a c. H e h a d fin a lly fou n d a spot t h a t t h e m u sh r oom s h a d n ot qu it e st a r t ed t o devou r , t h e m u r ky wa t er s h a d n ot yet em br a ced. H e cou ld n ot r em em ber h ow lon g h e h a d la in sleeping in this place.

Wit h a gr oa n , h e st r a igh t en ed, flexin g h is m u scles ben ea t h h is a r m or . H e wiped a wa y m ost of t h e m u d t h a t cover ed h is m a il, ca r efu lly r em ovin g the last traces of swampy filth from the engraved Solamnic roses.

Th e ligh t fr om t h e t win m oon s t r ickled slowly t h r ou gh t h e cu r t a in of m ist s h a n gin g in t h e a ir . E er ie sh a dows of r ed a n d silver da n ced on t h e da r k lea ves, set t in g Ga la n on edge m or e t h a n h e wou ld h a ve liked t o a dm it . A br eeze t h a t h e cou ld ba r ely feel t h r ou gh h is pla t e a r m or sh ift ed the reeds and rushes. Yet he shivered.

The thought of the black dragon made the knight shiver again, but with fu r y. Th a t fu r y h a d kept h im goin g, m ovin g u n t old m iles du r in g h is h u n t . He had seen the world change while the hunt continued, but he paid little h eed. Th e Wa r of t h e La n ce m igh t be over , bu t t h a t did n ot m ea n evil h a d been dr iven fr om Kr yn n . As a Kn igh t of Sola m n ia , it wa s Ga la n 's du t y t o pu r ge t h e la n d of vile cr ea t u r es. H e wa s t h e spir it of ven gea n ce summoned by the dragon's rampage.

Sh a kin g h is h ea d, h e m u t t er ed t h r ou gh gr it t ed t eet h , "Soon , Bor a c. Soon. "
Ga la n sn iffed a t t h e m idn igh t va por s, sm ellin g n ot h in g bu t cor r u pt ion a n d t h e t oo fa m ilia r scen t of h is en em y. H e h a d ch a sed Bor a c for m a n y seasons, tracking, hunting, and finally, cornering. He would make his last st a n d in t h is swa m p befor e t h e r a va ges of a ge t ook t oo gr ea t a t oll on h is body.
"Soon , Bor a c!" h e h issed, h is a n ger so br igh t wit h in h is sou l t h a t h e kn ew h e cou ld t r a vel by it s ligh t for ever in sea r ch of h is pr ey. H e sm elled t h e dr a gon 's bla ck a cid br ea t h . H is dr a gon la n ce cu t t h e a ir in a da zzlin g ser ies of m a n eu ver s, on e-h a n ded, t wo-h a n ded, t h r u st in g a n d pa r r yin g. "Soon, Borac, I will send you to your grave. "
* * * * *
Galan checked his map, not because he was lost, but because he wanted t o kn ow t h e exa ct pla ce of Bor a c's dea t h . Nor dm a a r wa s fa r n or t h of t h e Kh a lkist Mou n t a in s. Accor din g t o h is m a p, wh ich wa s slowly disin t egr a t in g du e t o t h e da m p a n d r ot of t h e swa m p, t h e cit y of Valkinard was to the west.

Th e scen t of h is pr ey led t h e kn igh t for wa r d. Ga la n clen ch ed h is ja w t igh t ly. Th e n eed for t h e h u n t wa s t h e ver y t h in g t h a t set h im on h is cou r se. Th e h u n t wa s a ll h e h a d in t h e wor ld. Th e h u n t su st a in ed h im and would continue to do so right through his last, dire encounter.

Ga la n st opped a m om en t a n d lower ed h is pa ck on t o a spot of soft ea r t h . Lift in g h is a r m or ed leg fr om t h e wa t er s, h e sh ook off t h e leech es t h a t clu n g h u n gr ily t o wh a t flesh t h ey cou ld fin d. Th e cold m ist s fr om t h e swamp continued to penetrate the padded armor beneath his mail, and he felt sure he would never be dry again.

Gla n cin g down a t t h e ea r t h , t h e kn igh t sa w som et h in g u n u su a l in t h e wa y t h e m u d set t led a ga in st t h e bla ck wa t er s of t h e swa m p. H e st a r ed a m om en t lon ger a n d won der ed wh y t h e wa t er bu bbled wit h st r a n ge r egu la r it y. Th er e wa s n o sign of a n y livin g t h in g t h a t m igh t ca u se u n du e churning of the silt.

Ga la n ben t h is legs a n d r ea ch ed down wit h h is h a n ds. Th e fou ln ess of t h e bog sicken ed h im , bu t h e da r kn ess. H e felt t h e con t ou r several places. At the end of each shallow there was another depression in the shape of a rough triangle.

The knight rose from the water. His lips pulled back in a feral grin. The m a r k wa s t h a t of a dr a gon 's cla w, h ea din g in t h e dir ect ion Ga la n wa s pu r su in g. H e spit , r u n n in g h is h a n ds over h is fa ce. Th e dr a gon wou ld soon be dead.

Ga la n h eld st ill a n d list en ed, br a n dish in g t h e dr a gon la n ce; it s ba r bed tip caught rays of blood and silver.
Som et h in g scr ea m ed. Th e fea r fu l sou n d ech oed fr om t h e dept h s of t h e swa m p. Ga la n 's h ea r t bea t h a r d in h is ch est , blot t in g ou t ot h er sou n ds. With great discipline, he calmed himself.
Th e a ir sh iver ed a r ou n d h im , t h e r eeds r u st led, a n d t h e wa t er continued to bubble. Nothing stirred. Letting go the breath he held, Galan pla n t ed t h e dr a gon la n ce in t h e gr ou n d, sin kin g t h e en d-spike in t h e deep mud.
An im m en se weigh t st r u ck h im fr om beh in d, pu m m eled h is ba ck, den t ed h is a r m or . H e pit ch ed for wa r d in t o t h e wa t er , a t t em pt ed t o st r u ggle u p fr om u n der t h e st a gn a t ion . H e cou ld n ot t h r ow t h e a t t a cker off h is ba ck. H e h ea r d t r a pped ga ses bu bble a s deca y bu r n ed h is eyes. H e thrashed in panic as his breath ran out.
Ga la n br ou gh t h is legs u p fr om u n der n ea t h h im a n d r olled for wa r d, u sin g t h e a t t a cker 's weigh t a s a cou n t er . H is h ea d bu r st ou t of t h e poison ou s wa t er s, a n d h e swa llowed a ir , ga spin g. Th e t h in g on h is ba ck slid off h im . Ga la n gr a bbed t h e dr a gon la n ce a n d br a n dish ed it s gr ea t len gt h , h oldin g it wit h bot h h a n ds, set wide a pa r t n ea r t h e en d-spike. H e could see nothing.
Th er e wa s silen ce. Ga la n t r ied t o see t h r ou gh t h e veil of m ist s t h a t h u n g la zily a bou t t h e swa m p, bu t t h e ligh t fr om t h e m oon s cou ld n o lon ger pen et r a t e. Th e dr a gon la n ce dr ipped m oist u r e in t o t h e wa t er . Th e drops sounded too loud in his ears.
In st in ct a n d t r a in in g blen ded t oget h er in Ga la n 's st a n ce. H e fir m ly pla n t ed h is r igh t foot for wa r d a n d swu n g t h e la n ce wide t o t h e left . Th e haft struck something solid, and the knight turned, backing two steps and lunging. He thrust the spear.
Th e t h in g scr ea m ed, a n d it seem ed t h a t t h e m ist s pa r t ed wit h it s cr y. Ga la n let t h e fu r y of ba t t le gu ide h im , a n d h e pr essed for wa r d, cr u elly r u n n in g t h e sh a ft fa r t h er t h r ou gh t h e t h in g's body. It scr ea m ed a ga in , for ced h is h a n ds t o pr obe t h r ou gh t h e of t h e m u d ch a n ge, dippin g even ly in a n d Ga la n got a glim pse of it s fa ce, dea t h ly pa le, wit h lon g la n ks of r a gged h a ir . Th e kn igh t st a r ed in t o t h e sh im m er in g gr een or bs t h a t wer e t h e t h in g's eyes, a n d h e sa w t or t u r e a n d h a t r ed, t h e desir e t o kill, the t a in t of cu r ses. H e sa w h is own r eflect ion st a r in g ou t fr om t h ose dyin g orbs.
The specter writhed painfully on the tip of the dragonlance, the weapon of heroes. The knight's lips pulled back in a snarl. He spat as he breathed. H e lift ed t h e la n ce, h is en em y clin gin g t o it . Ru sh in g for wa r d a s qu ickly a s t h e clu t ch in g m u d wou ld a llow, Ga la n pier ced t h e cen t er of a dyin g tree, pinning his foe.
"Die!" he muttered. "Die and curse this place no longer!"
Th e spect er 's sku ll jer ked a s t h e cr ea t u r e a t t em pt ed t o ya n k t h e la n ce h ea d fr om it s body. Ga la n t h r u st for wa r d a ga in , cr a ckin g t h e t r ee wit h his strength. He cruelly twisted the weapon.
Th e kn igh t wit h dr ew t h e spea r t ip wit h a deft pu ll a n d st a bbed for wa r d a ga in , t a kin g t h e cr ea t u r e in t h e t h r oa t . Th e t h in g t h r ew it s h ea d ba ck with a final, terrifying wail.
Kn igh t ly pla t e a r m or fell in t o t h e wa t er . Ga la n kicked t h e m a il in fu r y. Befor e it sa n k for ever ben ea t h t h e wa t er s, h e ca u gh t sigh t of a scu lpt ed rose.
Ga la n 's fa ce wor ked wit h n ea r ly u n con t r olla ble r a ge. H e had dispa t ch ed a cr ea t u r e so vile t h a t h is sou l qu a ver ed wit h r evu lsion . Th e kn igh t wit h dr ew h is wea pon fr om t h e t r ee, slowly ga in in g con t r ol over himself.
Ga la n du g h is la n ce in t o t h e soft m u d a secon d t im e. Th e figh t wit h t h e spect er con t in u ed t o m a ke h is lim bs sh a ke wit h ba t t le fu r y, bu t h e ign or ed t h e sen sa t ion . H e ch ecked h is m a p a ga in a n d sa w t h a t t h e m a r sh en ded n ea r ly sixt y m iles t o t h e n or t h . H e h a d less t h a n sixt y m iles t o go before he was avenged.
* * * * *
Ga la n did n ot t h in k t h e su n ever sh on e on t h e swa m p. H e h a d wa n der ed for m a n y h ou r s sin ce t h e a t t a ck of t h e spect er . All h e h a d t o show for it was the mud in his boots and the creak in his limbs.

Th e swa m p's va por s sh ift ed con st a n t ly, m a kin g t r a vel difficu lt . H e h a d a va gu e sen se of dir ect ion bu t did n ot con su lt h is com pa ss. F r om a ll t h e t im e h e h a d spen t on t h e dr a gon 's t r a il, h e kn ew t h a t h e cou ld t r u st h is instincts, even in the Great Moors.

Th e kn igh t felt h im self begin t o t ir e. Th e jou r n ey t h r ou gh t h e swamp h a d been a con st a n t st r u ggle. Th e m u d seem ed t o t a ke on a m a levolen t hunger, clinging to his every step; the air still had the taint of the dragon, but it had also turned from foul to rot.

Th e m a p sh owed t h a t t h e swa m p wa s on ly sixt y m iles a t it s fa rthest reaches. Galan knew that it might go on forever.
Th e m ist s wer e t h ick, a n d Ga la n did n ot see t h e r ot t ed for est u n t il h e h a d st u m bled over a dea d st u m p. Th e wa t er wa s wa ist -h igh , a n d a s h e wa ded t h r ou gh it , h e wa s for ced t o h old t h e la n ce a bove h is h ea d. Th e ligh t fr om Solin a r i a n d Lu n it a r i fin a lly bu r st t h r ou gh t h e m ist s a n d illuminated the area, giving the knight a clearer view.
Mushrooms grew everywhere, clinging with poisonous life to the rotting wood. Th e kn igh t felt m or e leech es pen et r a t e t h e cr a cks in h is a r m or a n d a ffix t h em selves t o h is flesh . Th e wa t er it self wa s br a ckish a n d bla ck, despit e t h e silver a n d r ed ligh t fr om t h e h ea ven s. Th er e wa s n o sou n d ot h er t h a n h is pa ssa ge t h r ou gh t h e bog. H is br ea t h la bor ed a s h is legs churned the silt, releasing other tenacious life.
A st r a n ge scen t su dden ly filled t h e a ir . H e peer ed t h r ou gh t h e gloom . Ga la n h a d t h e su dden u r ge t o dr in k, t o give h is life som et h in g clea r a n d wh olesom e t o wh ich t o clin g, bu t h e r em em ber ed t h a t h e h a d dr u n k t h e last of the fresh water some time ago.
The ground rose slightly. Galan's knees cleared the water. He gradually en t er ed a n a n cien t , dea d for est . Th e kn igh t su dden ly r ea lized wh a t t h e m yst er iou s scen t m u st be: t h e scen t of a ge a n d deca y of t h e flesh , deca y of t h e spir it . It wa s a scen t wit h wh ich h e wa s ver y fa m ilia r fr om dist a n t battlefields.
Ga la n st r u ggled t o keep h is foot in g a s t h e m u d a n d ba n ks of fest er in g r ot r ose h igh er . H e u sed t h e en d of t h e dr a gon la n ce for su ppor t a n d a lm ost t oppled over in t o t h e da r k wa t er s wh en t h e en d-spike split a la r ge t r ee in h a lf, r elea sin g m yr ia d ven om ou s in sect s. H e fou n d h im self dr a wn forward by the overpowering scent of decay.
Ga la n st opped a t t h e t op of a r idge. In a cir cle of deep m u d la y sleepin g t h e object of h is h a t r ed. Bor a c's gr ea t len gt h wa s cu r led a r ou n d it self, black scales blending with the surrounding death of the forest.
Ga la n h a d a lwa ys been cer t a in of h is cou r se of a ct ion . H e wou ld ca t ch up with the huge dragon and pierce it with his lance, driving the evil from t h e wor ld for ever . Kr yn n wou ld be fr eed, a n d pa st wr on gs wou ld be avenged. But the smell of age, now mixed with sickness, gave him pause.
Th e kn igh t 's h a n ds sh ook a s t h e wea k m om en t pa ssed. H is m ou t h slowly pu lled ba ck in t o a sn a r l, a n d t h e m u scles in h is legs t igh t ened, ready for action. With a deafening roar, Galan threw himself from the tall r idgelin e down in t o t h e pit . Th e h a t r ed a n d a n ger h e h a d con t a in ed, t h a t wh ich h e n ow per son ified, r u led h is m ovem en t s. H e r a ised t h e wea pon high above his head.
Ga la n ch a r ged down t h e r em a in in g len gt h of t h e slope, kickin g u p m u d a n d wet splin t er s. Bor a c slowly open ed h is left eye. Th e kn igh t wa s n ot a bou t t o give t h e evil dr a gon t h e ch a n ce t o ca st a cu r sed spell or u se t h e a cid t h a t h a d dest r oyed so m a n y you n g lives. H e wa s u pon the monster in a m om en t , h is sh in in g la n ce ca st in g m ixed silver a n d r ed r eflect ion s in t o the pit.
Borac closed his eye and dug his head deeper into the decay.
Ga la n st opped a br u pt ly, t h ou gh h is sin ews dem a n ded ven gea n ce a n d h is m ou t h spa t blood. H e wa n t ed t o qu en ch h is lu st for ven gea n ce in t h e blood of h is foe. Bor a c sh ou ld be on t h e offen sive, n ot cower in g in t h e m u d. Th is wa s n ot t h e con fr on t a t ion Ga la n desir ed. H e won der ed if t h is wer e som e t r ick a n d for a m om en t pa n icked, r a isin g t h e dr a gon la n ce higher to strike an even deadlier blow.
Borac did not move. "Kill me, Galan. Kill me now and end this struggle. "
The knight lowered his weapon, but maintained his guard.
Bor a c open ed h is left eye a ga in , lift in g h is h ea d t o get a bet t er view of Ga la n . "Wh y do you wa it , kn igh t ? Th is is t h e en d of you r h u n t . You h a ve m e. Bor a c. Bor a c t h e Rea ver . Bor a c t h e Dest r oyer . " Befor e h e h a d finished the last word, the dragon laid his head down again.
In silen ce, Ga la n st a r ed a t t h e bea st a n d cou ld n ot u n der st a n d wh y h e did n ot kill t h e cr ea t u r e h e h a d h u n t ed so lon g. H e st a r ed a t t h e bea st a n d won der ed wh y it did n ot kill h im . Th e scen t of a ge wa s a lm ost overwhelming, but the knight concentrated on those two questions.
"Wh a t is h a ppen in g h er e?" h e a sked t h e h ea ven s r h et or ica lly. H e relaxed his guard.
"Wh a t does it m a t t er , kn igh t ?" Bor a c a n swer ed, h is voice wea r y. Th e dr a gon 's m ou t h wa s filled wit h t eet h , bu t m ost of t h em wer e br oken , a n d t h e t h in g's voice h a d t h e r a sp of a n old m a n 's. "Sla y m e n ow a n d fin ish this hunt. "
Ga la n 's h ea d dr opped. Th er e seem ed t o be n ot h in g left in t h e wor ld bu t h im self a n d t h e dr a gon . Th e h u n t seem ed t o h a ve n ever exist ed, wa s nothing more than a creation of his hatred.
"I will kill you, " the knight muttered.
"It sh ou ld be ea sy, " Bor a c r eplied, sh ift in g h is weigh t . "Look a t m e, Ga la n . I a m eigh t -hundred-forty-t h r ee a ges pa st . My win gs a r e t a t t er ed. I a m blin d in on e eye. Th ose sca les t h a t on ce kept m e sa fe fr om h a r m a r e n ow r ot t ed wit h m or e disea se t h a n t h e wh ole of t h ese m oor s ca n ca r r y. Slay me now and end my pain. "
Galan suddenly lifted his head, his eyes blazing once again. "Your pain? Your pain! What of my pain?"
Th e kn igh t br a n dish ed t h e dr a gon la n ce t h r ea t en in gly. H e wa lked a r ou n d t h e bu lk of t h e dyin g dr a gon . "Wh y sh ou ld I gr a n t you you r dea t h as a boon?"
Borac laughed. "What did I do to hurt you, Galan? Did I slay your kin? I do not remember slaying your kin. All I remember is the hunt. "
Ga la n 's a r m s sh ook wit h fu r y. Th e bea st wa n t ed t o die, bu t t h e kn igh t did n ot wa n t t o gr a n t t h e fa vor of et er n a l r est . H e h a d seen t h is sh in in g moment as triumph, not hesitation.
Ga la n r a ised t h e la n ce h igh , a im in g for t h e dr a gon 's t h r oa t . Ma n y sca les wer e m issin g t h er e, a n d t h e wea pon wou ld ea sily pen et r a t e t h e beast's tough hide.
He lowered the lance, his arms losing their strength.
Bor a c fixed t h e kn igh t wit h it s sin gle eye. "Wh o a r e you , Ga la n ? Wh en did you st a r t t h is h u n t ? Wh a t a r e t h e m em or ies you h old? Th ose of you r wife, your children, your estate?"
Th e dr a gon r a ised it s h ea d sligh t ly a s it con t in u ed. 'Tell m e som et h in g of your life, Galan. "
Ga la n st ood, st u n n ed. H e t r ied t o r em em ber wh a t h a d dr iven h im t o it , t r ied t o see t h e pa st , t r ied t o see t h e fa ces of a wife... a ch ild... fr ien ds... com pa t r iot s.... Not h in g. H e cou ld see n ot h in g bu t t h e dr a gon . H e r eca lled only hatred.
"You are a wraith, Galan. A specter. You rise from the swamps to haunt me. You have been dead as long as I am old. Soon, I will rest. Will you?"
Borac laid his head down again and closed his eye, murmuring, "Put me to the blade, knight. Perhaps my death will free you. "
"No, " Ga la n m u t t er ed. "No! Th is ca n n ot be! I live! I a m flesh a n d blood like any other man. "
"You are dead, Galan. You cannot even remember when you died. "
Ga la n dr opped t o h is kn ees. H e st a r ed a t h is ga u n t let ed h a n ds. Th e blood a n d silver of t h e m oon s r a n t h r ou gh h is flesh a n d m a il like ligh t through a curtain.
Th e dr a gon wa s r igh t . H e h a dn 't killed t h e spect er . H e was t h e spect er . Th e kn igh t h e'd killed h a d been r ea l, a live, h u n t in g h im . Th e a r m or h e had forced beneath the black waters had been solid.
Ga la n cover ed h is fa ce wit h h is h a n ds. Th e swa m p a r ou n d h im t eem ed with life.
"I r em em ber on ly ven gea n ce, " Ga la n discon sola t ely m u t t er ed t o himself. "Borac lives. There is only hate."
Ga la n slu m ped down a ga in st t h e dr a gon 's h ide, clin gin g t o t h e dr a gon la n ce. H e looked a t it s sh a r p, cr u elly ba r bed t ip. Th e wea pon of heroes. The weapon of his curse.
"Th is will be m y gr a ve, fool kn igh t . Wh er e did you r kin bu r y you ?" Borac asked.
Ga la n t ook a br ea t h , u n su r e if h e t r u ly n eeded t o br ea t h e. Th e scen t of a ge wa s st r on g in t h e a ir , bu t it didn 't belon g t o h im . H a d h e a ged? H ow had he died? He could not answer the dragon's questions.
Th e gr ea t len gt h of t h e bla ck bea st sh u dder ed, a n d Ga la n t h ou gh t h e h ea r d a la u gh esca pe fr om it s m a w. Ga la n r ose fr om h is pla ce a n d h eld t h e dr a gon la n ce a loft in t h e m oon s' ligh t . H is pr ey wa s dea d, a n d h e wa s left behind as testament to its life.
H e plu n ged t h e wea pon in t o Bor a c's flesh . H e plu n ged a ga in a n d a ga in wit h ou t effect . H is a n ger bu r n ed wit h in h im , wa r m in g h is flesh a n d giving him cursed life. He raised up the lance and continued to attack.