Lies of Light: The Watercourse Trilogy

PhilipAthans

TheWatercourseTrilogy02-

LiesofLight

By

THESTORYTHUSFAR

The city-state of Innarlith sits on the far eastern shore of the Lake ofSteam,allbut ignoredby thewiderRealms.There, thepoor suffer in thecrime-ridden streets of the FourthQuarter, craftsmen ply their trades intheThirdQuarter,theprivilegedfewliveinluxuryintheSecondQuarter,andshipscomeandgofromthedocksoftheFirstQuarter.

Pristolephwas born into the day-to-day horrors of theFourthQuarterslums, but even as a boy he dreamed of greater things. As a man he'sbecomeoneofthecity'smostpowerfulmen.

MarekRymiit,sonofawealthyThayanmerchant,wasindoctrinatedintothe ranks of the mysterious Red Wizards. Decades later he's sent toInnarlith where he quickly insinuates himself into the city-state's innercircles.

IvarDevorastandWillemKorvan,studentsfromCormyr,bothfindtheirwaytoInnarlithaswell.There,Devorastlearnsshipbuilding,whileWillempursuespowerandinfluence.

Phyrea, daughter of the city's influential master builder, is the perfectyoung lady by day-and a cunning thief by night. When she spends thesummeratherfamily'scountryestate,shemeetsDevorastandischangedforever, encounters theghostsof thehauntedmanor,and is slowlydrivenmad.

AsWillem's star rises in Innarlan society, Devorast sinks into poverty,but only one of them feels the icy chill of desperation.Willem sees all hisdreamscometrue,butsatisfactioneludeshim.Devorastisinspiredtobuilda canal to link the Lake of Steam with the Sea of Fallen Stars. Whencompleted,itwillchangethefaceofFaerunforever.Butforeveryonewhowantstoseethatdaycome,there'satleastonewhowouldkilltopreventit.

1

6Hammer,theYearoftheSword

(1365DR)Berrywilde

Phyreawatchediteating,anditwasthemosthorrifyingthingshe'deverseen.

After only the first few bites themystery of what had been killing theworkers at her father's vineyard had been explained. They'd blamed oneanimalafteranother,huntedforwolves,thenbears,thengiantboars.Theremainshadalwaysbeen found in themorning-boneswitha fewstripsofbloodyfleshortendonhangingfromthemlikethreadsofftheedgeofanoldblanket.Theyneverfoundtheskulls.

Atfirst,Phyreadidn'tpayanyattention.Shedidn'tevenknowanythingwas wrong at the camp until a tenday and a half and six murders hadpassed.Ithadbeenmorethanthreemonthssinceshe'dleftBerrywildeforInnarlith,andshewasn'thappyabouthavingtogoback.

Theghostshadcomewithher,butat least in thecity shedidn't feel soalonewiththem,somuchlikethem.

But when her father told her about the murders, complained that theworkerswerebeginningtodesertthesiteandthewineryconstructionwaswoefully behind schedule, something nudged at her. Shewanted to call itguilt, but wasn't sure what the feeling was. It wasn't as though she hadkilled and eaten those men herself. She'd been miles away when ithappened,butthevoicesthatspoketoherwhennoonewasthereseemedtorelishthenewsofthemurders.Theytooksomekindofspitefulgleeinthefact that somethingwaseating those innocentmen. Itwas the feeling thattheyknewsomethingshedidn'tthatbroughtherbacktothecountryestate.Herowninstincts,andhersenseofsmell,broughthertotheghast.

It didn't see her, hear her, or smell her. At least it hadn't yet. Phyreawanted to look away from it, but couldn't. In the dim starlight it wasdifficultatfirsttotellthatitwasn'thuman-oratleastwasnolongerhuman.

Shehadheardofthingslikeitbefore-ghouls-undeadcreaturesthatfeastedon the flesh of humans, but what was killing the workers was somethingsimilar,butstronger,moredangerous.

Phyreasighed.

The ghast took another bite, a hugemouthful of bloody skin from thedeadman's thigh. It came awaywith a tearing sound, duller than fabric.Thickbloodpatteredonthewetgrass.Thething'sjaggedfangsrippedtheskin andmeat into strips that it gulped downwith undisguised relish. Itsburning red eyes rolled back slightly in its misshapen skull, and itsshoulderstwitched.Theghast'spurplefleshwasthecolorofabruise,butasinglebruisethatcovereditsentirebony,nakedform.EvenfromadistancePhyreacouldsmellrottingflesh,decayingmeat,bloodbotholdandnew…theodorofacrypt.

Youmadethat,avoice-oneshehadcometoassociatewiththeoldwomanwho'd lost the skin from the side of her face in what must have been aterriblefire-echoedinPhyrea'smind.

Pretty,prettything,alittlegirl'svoiceadded.

Phyreatriedtoanswerwithafeelingofimpatience.Shetriedtotellthemtobequietwithoutwords, and for themoment at least it seemed tohaveworked.

They were well outside the perimeter torches of the work camp-farenoughthatnoonecouldheartheghastfeed.Theworkerswhoremained,and the guards her father had hired to protect them, slept as soundly asthey couldknowing that themurderswere still goingon.Phyrea couldn'tsee in the dark any better than any other human girl her age, but thestarlightwouldjusthavetobeenough.

Youdon'twanttoseeitanybetteranyway,aman'svoicetoldher.

She smiled, nodded, and took a step closer to the still-feeding ghast. Itdidn't hear her first step, and went on chewing with the same calmabandon. She had the gentle winter breeze in her face, so had reason tohopethattheundeadcannibalcouldn'tsmellhereither.

Asshemovedcloser still, one silent footstepata time, shewrapped thefingersofherrighthandaroundthepommelofhersword.Thegriptingledat her touch, almost as though the beautiful blade were trying tocommunicatewithher.She'dbeengettingthatfeelingmoreandmorefromthe sword she'd found in the hidden tomb beneath her family's countrymanor.Likebefore,sheignoredit.Theweaponfeltgoodwhensheusedit,sosheletitnettleherwhenshewasn't.

Thoughthebladedidn'tmakethefaintestwhisperofasoundwhenitleftthe scabbard, the ghast looked up when she drew it. Perhaps the finelycrafted, wave-shaped blade had caught a bit of the starlight. Maybe thecreaturefinallysmelledherdespitethecoolbreeze.Itcouldhaveheardthetoeofherbootsinkintotherain-soaked,muddygrass.

Itcantasteyoualready,theburnedoldcronetoldher.Itremembersyou.

Remembers me? she thought, and was answered with the feeling ofmorbidamusement.

Theghastgrowledandlungedather.Shesteppedback,skippingonthetipsofhertoes,andbroughtherswordupinfrontofher.Shestopped,andfrozeforhalfaheartbeat,fortworeasons.First,shewashitbythestenchlikeshe'dfallenfromatreeontoherhead.Andsecond,sherecognizedthething.

Closer, a break in the gathering clouds letting through just enoughstarlight to reveal it's violet-hued features, she could see its face. Skinstretched tautover its skull, it appeared tobeamanwhohadn't eaten inweeks. Stretched back over teeth that would have been even morehorrifying to the man it had once been, its cracked lips drew back intosomethingthatmighthavebeenasmile.

"You," the ghast said, its voice a desiccated mockery of its livingcounterpart."Iknowyou."

"Yes,"Phyreareplied."Yes."

"It'syou,"thethinghissed.

Phyrea tried to speak again but gagged instead.The smell of the thing

wasthickintheair.Shecouldtasteitasmuchassmellit.Thedampnightaroundherhadagreasyqualitytoit.Bileroseinherthroat,andshefoundherselffightingjusttobreathe.Herlungsatoncelustedforairandrejectedtheputrescence,andtheyhadnochoicebuttoinhale.

"Why?"theghastasked,andPhyreathoughtitwasgoingtocry.

Sheshookherheadandcoughed.Theghasttookthatasanopportunitytolungeather,itsyellowedtalonsoutinfrontofittorakeherfleshfromher bones. Its fang-linedmouth openedwide. If she could have breathed,shewouldhavescreamed,butinsteadsheacted.

Wasitherarmthatreactedorthesworditself?Shedidn'tknow,butinthemoment,shedidn'tcare.Allsheknewwasthatthebladetookoneoftheghast'shandsoffatthewristbeforetheclawscouldtouchher.

The undead thing scrambled back, screeching so loudly that Phyrea'seyesclosedagainst the sound.Thecrywasonepartpain,onepartanger,anditwasthesecondpartthatsnappedPhyrea'seyesopenasfastasthey'dshut.Itwasgoingtocomeatheragain.

Theswordonceagainmovedherarm,pullingather.Shestabbedattheghast,lettingtheenchantedbladedotheworkforher.Thewavysteelsankdeep intothething'schest,releasingblackbloodthat fell inclumpstotheground.Thesmellmadeherstomachtwistandhereyeswater.Shewastooclosetothethingandtriedtobackaway,triedtopulltheswordoutof it,butthebladeonlywentdeeper.

"Whatnow?"theghastrattled,it'svoicelikethelastgaspofadrowningman.

A chorus of voices, none of them her own, echoed in Phyrea's head:Obliteration.

"Obliteration," she whispered to the man she'd killed three monthsbefore.

"No,"theghastwhimpered.

Dissolution,thevoicescriedout.

"I'msorry,"Phyreabreathed.

Thesecondtime,oneofthevoicestoldher,isforever.

"The foreman," Phyrea whispered, and the ghast, with the last bit ofstrengthlefttoit,nodded."Ikilledyou."

Theghast froze,everymuscle tense,andonly thendidPhyrearealize itwasonitsknees.Shecoughed,andthefacesherecognizedblewaway,thepurple-bruised skin turned to dust. A white skull glowed in the meagerstarlight, thenmorebonesas therestof theundead fleshdriftedawayonthe damp winter breeze. It fell apart, clattering to her feet, a pile ofbleachedwhitebones.

Thesmellwasgone.

Phyreatookastepbackandlookedatthesword.Ittingledinherhand,andmorethanever,shewasafraidofit.

Yes,thevoiceoftheman-themanwiththescaronhischeekintheshapeofaZ-whisperedintoherconsciousness,'itwasthesword.Itwastheswordthatkilledhim.

"Andtheswordthatbroughthimback,"Phyreawhisperedinreply.

2


(1365DR)TheCanalSite

As far asHrothgar could tell, no one in the campworked harder thanIvar Devorast. And by all rights, Devorast was the one who should havebeenworkingtheleast.Itwashisprojectafterall,hisbrainchild,hislife'swork.Orwasit?

"There are times, Ivar,"Hrothgar told him that cool, graymorning inthefirstmonthoftheyear,"thatIthinkthismaddelusionofyoursismorewhimthanobsession."

Devorastheardhim, thoughhegavenooutward sign.Thehumanreadfromalistofprovisionsthathadrecentlybeendeliveredtotheworksitebyoneoftheransar'ssupplycaravans.

"Thathalf-elf…what'shisname?"thedwarfprodded.

"Enril,"Devorastreplied.

"For the sake ofMoradin's sweatin' danglies, Ivar, do you reallyknowthenameofeveryswingin'hammeratworkhere?"ThatdrewtheslightesttraceofasmilefromDevorast,andHrothgarpressedon."Can'tEnrilseetothat?It'shisjob,isn'tit?"

"Hehas,"Devorastsaid.

Hrothgarwasabouttoheaveadramatic,world-wearysigh,butstoppedhimself,knowingfullwellitwouldbelostonthatpeculiarhumanhe'dcometocallafriend.

"There's a difference, you know, between a dwarf and a pick-axe,"Hrothgarsaid.

Awarmbreezeblewinfromthesouth,bringingthesulfur-tingedbreath

of the Lake of Steam with it, rattling the wood shutters that closed thewindowfromthemorning'sdamp.Devorastgottotheendofthelist,foldedtheparchmentonceinhalf,thenstuffeditintothewoodstovethatwarmedthelittlecabinthatwasDevorast'shome,office,commandpost,and…

"Temple,"Hrothgarmumbled.Itfeltlikeatempleofsorts,butdevotedto no god but Devorast himself. A god who asked for and accepted noworshipers,noprayers,nomercy,nopity,butenormousresponsibility.

"I'mgoingtounderstandyouoneday,"thedwarfsaid."Imayhavetoliveaslongasawitheredoldelf,butI'mgoingtofigureyourmindoutifit'sthedeathofme."

Devorastignoredhim,movingonfromthelistofprovisionstoawrittenreportfromoneoftheforemen.Hrothgardidn'tbothertryingtoreadoverthehuman's shoulder.Hedidn'treallycarewhat the foremanhad to say,andbythe lookonhis faceneitherdidDevorast.Still,HrothgarcouldseebythewayhiseyesmovedthatDevorastreadeverywordbeforestuffingit,too,intothefire.

"It's an old saying from theGreat Rift,"Hrothgarwent on. "Wisdomfromhome,right?'There'sadifferencebetweenadwarfandapick-axe.'"

Devorastlookedathim,andHrothgarwasmomentarilytakenabackbythesuddenshiftinhisfriend'sattention.Thedwarfswallowed.

"Itmeans,"Hrothgar said after clearing his throat, "that a good kingdoesn'tusehispeopleliketools."

"I'mnoone'sking,"Devorastsaid.

"Closeenough,outhere,"thedwarfsaid.

"I'vereadthecomplaints."

"I'mnottalkingaboutcomplaints.Amansignsuptodigheshouldshutupanddig;hesignsuptocuttreesheshouldgettosawin'.WhatImeanishowyouuseyourownself,myfriend.Doin'theworkofathousandmenisonlynecessarywhenyoudon'thaveathousandmentodoasyousay.Youdon'thavetodoeverything.Youdon'thavetowieldeverytool,readevery

supplylist.TrustyerpeoplefortheGrayProtector'ssake."

"YouknowIdon'tmeananydisrespectatallwhenIremindyouthatIdon'tdoanythingfortheGrayProtector'ssake,"saidDevorast."Itrustthepeopleheretodowhattheydo,butIholdmyselftoacertainstandardandsoIholdthiscanaltothatstandard,whichmeansIhavetoholdeveryonewhotouchesittothesamestandard.Youneverstruckmeasthesortwhowouldfindthatunreasonable.I'veseenthestandardsyousetforyourownwork."

Hrothgartookabreathwiththeintenttoargue,buthecouldn'tfindthewords. He wasn't quite sure what to say. If Devorast noticed hisdiscomfiturehemadenosign.

Thedwarf lethisbreathout inasighandlethisgazeroamaroundthesingleroomasDevorastsiftedthroughabowlofloosesoilwithhisfingers.The room was a clutter of sheets of parchment, some as big square asHrothgar was tall. Drawings had been tacked to the walls, clothes lay inrumpled piles on the floor, and a meager collection of dishes sat clean-perhapsneverused-onalittleshelfbythestove.Devorastlookedmuchlikehis quarters. His red hair was clean but in a fashion Hrothgar thoughtatypical of humans and elves, it was long and uncombed. His skin wasweathered from their time in thedampand rain of awinternorth of theLake of Steam. His clothing was simple and practical, sturdy andunadorned. He wore not a single piece of jewelry. His fingertips werestainedwiththecharcoalheusedtowriteanddraw,andthedirthewasinsome ways moving himself, handful by handful, to form his straight-linerivertoconnectseatosea.

"Ifyoufindaworminthere,saveitforme,"Hrothgarsaid,noddingatthe bowl of dirtDevorast still sifted through, deep in thought. "I've beenmeaningtotakeupthis'fishing'I'veheardtellof."

Devorast didn't look up from the bowl when he said, "You won't likefishing."

"Oh,andwhynot?"

"Itdependstoomuchonthewhimofthefish."

3


(1365DR)SecondQuarter,Innarlith

It's cold outside," Phyrea said, staring out the window, her back toMarekRymiit."Ihateitwhenitgetscoldlikethis."

Marekdidn'tfeelcold.Therewasabitofachill intheair,but itneverreally got too cold in Innarlith.The stinkingwarmwaters of the volcanicLakeofSteamkepttheairwarmanddampmostoftheyear.

Butitwasn'ttheweatherthatMarekfoundinterestingjustthen.ItwasPhyreaherself.

"It'spositivelyfreezing,mydear,"hesaidtoherback.

Shedidn'tturnaround,butseemedtorelaxabit.Hershoulderssagged,butdidn'thunch.Marekcouldn'tshakethefeelingthatshewantedtoturnandfacehimbutwasafraidto.Hecouldn'timaginethatshefearedhimforanyreason.She'dnevershownanysignofthatbefore,andtheyhadknowneachotheratleastinpassingforsometime.

"There'ssomethingdifferentaboutyou,"hesaid,keepinghisvoicelight,though what he began to feel emanating from her was increasinglydisturbing."You'vebeenaway."

"I'vebeenatBerrywilde,"sheallbutwhispered.

Heknewitwell.He'dbeentooneoranothersocialengagementthere-herfather's country estate. The first time he walked into the main house heknewitwashaunted,butnooneelseseemedtosenseit,sohe'dkeptquiet.

"Lovely,"hesaid."I'vebeendabblingmyselfwithalittleplace…outsidethecity."

AndhewouldnevertellPhyreajusthowfaroutsidethecitytheLandof

OneHundredandThirteenwas.

"It's cold," she said again, hugging herself, wrapping her slim fingersaroundherupperarms.SheshiveredjustenoughforMarektonotice.

"Has something scared you?" he said. Itwas a risk to ask, butMarekcouldn'tthinkofareasonnotto.

Phyreastiffened.

"Doyouwanttotellmeaboutit?"heasked."Isthatwhyyoucameheretoday?Totellmeaboutwhat-?"

"Wedon'tknoweachotherthatwell,MasterRymiit."

TherewasalongsilencebeforeMarekfinallysaid,"Ofcoursethat'strue,isn't it? One could say we're really little more than distant socialacquaintances. I'll admit that when I received word that you wanted tocomeseemeinmyhomeIwasassurprisedasIwasintrigued.WhatisitIcandoforyou,mydear?"

Still not turning to showhimher face, she said, "I have a certain itemthatI…found."

Marek smiled. He'd heard rumors about her but had never believedthem. Could they be true? Could the master builder's beautiful littledebutante really be the leather-clad sneak thief that had stolen from thefinest families in the city-state? If shewas,Marekpuzzled overwhy.Herfatherwaswealthy andwell-placed, and shehis only family. She couldn'twantforanything.

Justlikeme,hethought,beforethezulkircametotakemeaway.

"Tellmeallaboutit,"heprompted,thenswepthisrobesupbehindhimand sat onadivanofpastel lavender rothehide thathad costhimexactlytwice theannual incomeof theaveragecitizenof Innarlith.Marekalwayslikedremindinghimselfofthatotherwisetrivialfact.

Phyrea sighed in a way that almost felt to Marek as though she wascondemninghismusingoverthedivan,thenshesaid,"It'sasword."

"Isit?"hesaidaroundahalf-stifledyawn.

"Ithinkit'scalledafalchion."

"Afalchion,then."

"Is thatwhat you call it?" she asked. "Theblade iswavy, likewater."Andas she said that shemovedone finger in a series of slow,undulatingarcsthatalmostanyoneelseinFaerunwouldsurelyhavefoundsensual."Isthatafalchion?"

"Flamberge,"hecorrected."Butsurelythat'snotallyou'dliketoknow."

"I'vebeenassuredthatyouknowhowto…"Shepausedandhecouldtellshewas searching for the rightword, but it also appeared as though shelistenedintentlytosomethingorsomeone,thoughtheThayanwizardheardnosound."Youcanread,orsensethemagicinthings.Youcantellmewhatthisswordcando."

"So,"hereplied,"youcameacrossanenchantedbladeatyourdaddy'scountryretreatandyou'dlikemetoidentifyitspropertiesforyou?"

Shenodded,stillnotlookingathim.

He tookadeepbreath and said, "Well, you certainlyhave come to therightplace. Iwon'tpretend that I'mnotat leasta littledisappointed thatthis visit isn't entirely social. I was so hoping we could get to know oneanotherjustalittlebitbetter."

"I'llpayyou,"shesaid.

"Youinsultme,"heshotbackfast,hisvoicecold.

Shestiffenedagain,andstillappearedtobelisteningatthesametime.

"Butnevermindthat,"hesaid."Doyouhavetheweaponwithyou?"

Sheshookherhead.

"Well,ofcourseI'llhavetonotonlyseeitbuthandleitinordertogive

you any relevant information. We can work out a mutually beneficialarrangementasfaraspaymentorexchangeofservicesisconcerned.ButIgetthefeelingyouhaveoneparticularquestionyou'dlikemetoanswer."

"Theswordkillspeople,"shesaid.

Marek laughed and said, "Well, then, it's fulfilled its one true destiny,hasn'tit?"

"No,"Phyreareplied,"that'snotwhatImean."

She turned to face him, andMarek was taken aback by the cold andterrifiedgazesheleveledonhim.Hereyesshook,thoughherfaceremainedperfectlycalm,almostdead.

"Tellme,girl,"hewhispered.

"Iusedittokillaman,"shesaid,"andhecameback."

Marek flinched a little, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "He cameback…?"

Phyreashuddered,huggedherselfagain,turnedbacktofacethewindowthoughherheadtippeddowntolookatthefloor,andsaid,"Aghoul."

"Aswordthatmakesghouls,isit?"

"No,"shesaid."Itwasaghast."

"Haveyouheardaboutthecanal?"heasked,changingthesubjectasfastaspossibleinhopesofsnappingheroutofwhatseemedalmostahypnoticstate.

She turned and faced him again. The terror in her eyes replaced withannoyedcuriosity,sheasked,"What?"

"ThismadmanhasconvincedourdearransartogivehimallthegoldinthecityinordertodigatrenchallthewayfromtheLakeofSteamtotheNagaf low and fill it up with water. I understand it will take a hundredthousand men a hundred thousand years to dig it, but they've begun in

earnest."

She didn't seem to believe him, and not just because he'd so greatlyexaggerated the number ofmen and the length of time the projectwouldrequire. She'd been back in the city long enough that surely she'd haveheardofIvarDevorastandhisfool'serrand.Butshehadn't.

"Doesmyfatherknowaboutthis?"sheasked.

"Of course," Marek replied. "He doesn't like it one bit, of course. Asensibleman,yourfather,hisloyaltiesarewiththecity-state."

"Acanal,"shesaid,hervoiceabreathy,barelyaudiblewhisper."IftheycanconnecttheSeaofFallenStarsto…"

He watched her stare at the floor, thinking about it. She seemedimpressed, and Marek hated that. He hated people who were impressedwiththatdangerousidea,thatmaderrand.

"Youwillbringmetheflamberge?"heasked.

Phyreanodded,buthereyesgavenoindicationthatshe'dactuallyheardhim.Again,shelistenedtosomethingorsomeoneMarekcouldn'thear.

So, he thought, the country house isn't the only thing of the masterbuilder'sthat'shaunted.

4

3Alturiak,theYearoftheSword


Whatissospecial,"Surerowhisperedintothecold,dampairofhiscell,"aboutonehundredandtwenty-five?"

Whentheyfirst lockedhimup,he'dbeentoldthattheywouldfeedhimonceaday.Assumingtheyhadbeenasgoodastheirword,he'dbeeninthecellforonehundredandtwenty-fivedays,sincethefirstdayofMarpenothintheYearoftheWave.

"Thethird,"hetoldhimself."It'sthethirddayofAlturiak."

"That'sright,"thevoicefrombeyondthedoorreplied.

The sound of the first human voice he'd heard in fourmonths tickledSurero'sears.Muchashe'dtriedtoengagehisjailersinconversation,noneofthemhadeveranswered.All theydidwastakethebucketofurineandfeces,replaceitwithanemptybucket,thenslideinthemoldy,hardbreadandthetincupofwater.Sometimestheygavehimastripofporkfatorafishhead.

"Why?"heaskedthedoor."Whytoday?"

Therewasnoanswerrightaway,andSurero'sheartraced.Hestoodonlegsthathadbeentooweaktosupporthimformostofthelastmonth.Theyheldhim,though,eveniftheywereabitshaky.He'dtakentospendinghisdayssittingagainstthecool,roughstoneofthesubterraneancell.Hehadnowindow,andafterhe'deatenthefirsttwohecameacross,eventuallyeventhespidersstoppedwanderingin.

Asoundcamefrombehindthedoor-theclankofkeysonaring.

"Hello?" Surero called out, his own voice hurting his ears, which hadgrownsoaccustomedtotheuttersilenceofthetomb.

"Standawayfromthedoor,"theman'sdeepvoicerumbled,andSureroimagineditmadetheheavy,iron-boundoakdoorquiverasifinfright.

Heslidonefootback,thenthesecondfoottomeetit,andalmostfell.Heputahandagainstthewall,scrapingsomeskinfromhispalm,butheheldhimselfup.Hiseyesburned,andifhe'dhadenoughwaterinhisbody,he'dhavebeguntocry.Insteadhejuststoodthereandquivered.

"We'regoingtoletyougo,"thevoicesaid."Doyouunderstand?"

Surero'svoicecaughtinhisthroat.Henodded,butthemanwouldn'tbeable to seehim.Hestoodandwaited,and it seemedas thoughanawfullylongtimehadpassed.Thedoordidn'topen.

"Rymiit?"hewhispered.

Thenhisthroatclosedagain,andhiskneesweregoingtocollapseunderhim,sohesat.Heendedupleaninghalfagainsttheroughstone,hischeekpressedagainstthewall,hisnosefilledwiththespiceofmold.

He's tauntingme, Surero thought. They aren't going to let me go. It'sRymiit.He'splayingatrickonme.

"He'splayingatrickonme,"Surerowhispered.

Then his teeth closed as tightly as his throat, and his wasted, filthy,clammybody trembledwith impotentrage.Heboiled insidehis sixbysixcell,andtriedtoclosehisearstothesoundofmenmovingontheothersideofthedoor.

Theyaren'tthere,hetoldhimself.Giveup.Giveuphope.

Surerohadn'thadawordofnewsfromtheoutsideworldforahundredand twenty-fivedays.Forallheknew, thehatedMarekRymiitwasdead.Buthedoubtedthat.SurelytheThayanscumhadonlyfurtheringratiatedhimself into the petty aristocracy of Innarlith. Surero had no doubt thatRymiit had taken frommore andmorepeople likehim.TheThayanhadtaken his customers, had stolen his formulae, had robbed him of hisreputation.Surero,whohadlivedeverymomentofhismiserableexistencein the pursuit of excellence in the alchemical arts, had been reduced to a

ragged,homeless,desperatehuskofaman,nomoresubstantialacreaturethanthewretchfourmonthsintheransar'sdungeonhadmadehim.Whenhe'ddonetheonlythingfitting,theonlythingamaninhispositioncoulddo, he had failed. Something had gone wrong. The mixture itself hadworkedandtheexplosionwaspowerful,butMarekRymiithadlived.

AndSurerohadgonetothedungeontorot.Forever.

Akeyturnedinthelock.Thesoundwasunmistakable.

Surerolookedupatthedoor,hiseyeslockedontheveryedgesohecouldperceiveanyminutecrackthatmightactuallyopen.

Fearwashedawayhishatred,butthesourcewasthesame.WasitMarekRymiitbehindthatdoor?WasittheThayanrobbercometokillhimonceandforall?

"Rymiit?'heasked,hisvoicesqueakingpasthisconstrictedvocalchords.

Thedoorswungopentoaflashofblindinglightandadeafeningsqueakofhinges thathadn'tbeenused,much lessoiled, in fourmonths.Surero'seyeslockedshutagainstthebrilliantilluminationofthesingletorch,andhecould only listen as the man stepped into the room, his steps heavy andconfident,shakingthestainedflagstonesbeneaththem.

"Stand up," the voice commanded, closer and clearer with no doorbetweenitandSurero.

"Killme,"Surero croaked, his handspressedhard against his burningeyes."Goaheadandkillme,Thayanbastard."

Ahandthatseemedthesizeofagod'sgrabbedafistfulofthesoiledlinengown that had been his only clothing since the previousMarpenoth, andtookafewdozenchesthairsalongwithit.Surerowincedandshookashewaspulledtohisfeet.

Hotbreath that smelled almost as bad as his cellwashed overhis face,and the man said, "Who in the Nine perspi-rin' Hells are you calling aThayan?"

Surerochancedit.Heopenedoneeye.

"You…"hemumbled."You'renot…Rymiit."

"I'mthejailer,wretch,"themansaid."I'mtheblokewhat'sbeenfeedingyouthesemonths.How'saboutalittlegratitudehere,eh?"

Surero swallowed, forgetting how much his throat hurt, and replied,"Yes.Sorry.Thanks."

Thatmade the jailer laugh, and Surerowas just relived enough that itwasn'tRymiitwho'dcometoclaimhimthathelaughedalittletoo.

"Are you really…?" the prisoner stuttered. "A-are… are y-you goingto…?"

"You'realldone,mate,"thejailersaid,settingSurerodownandlettinggohisclothes."The'Thayanbastard'saidyou'dhadenoughsotheransar'sspringin'ya.You'refree."

"Free?"Sureroasked. Itwasnotpossible-not for thereasons the jailergave."I'vehadenough?"

"Well,kid,youdidn'tkillhimafterall."

"ButItried."

Therewas a short silencewhile Surero just looked at theman.Hewashardly less filthy that his prisoner, but bigger, better fed, and capable ofsmiling.

"Maybe,"saidthejailer,"you'llwanttokeepthatbittoyourself,son."

5



Everybodywhowouldeventuallybesomebodywasthere.WillemKorvanmade an effort to talk to each and every one of them, but didn't botherlistening.Hewatchedtheirmouthsmove.Henoddedandsmiled.Fromtimetotimehetippedhisheadabittoonesideasifreallyconcentratingonwhattheyhadtosaythenhewouldnodagainandsmile.Noddingandsmiling,hemightmakeameaningless commentonwhat theywerewearing.Thenhewouldsmileandnod.Eachandeveryoneofthemsmiledback,andnodded.

WhatWillemwasmostconcernedwithatthetimewasthesmell.MarekRynuit's fashionableSecondQuarterhomehadall therightfurnitureandfixtures,everythingpredictableandacceptable,but thesmellcouldnotbeignored.

Oranges?hethought.No.Nothingsosimple.Willemwonderedifitcouldbe a combination of things. Oranges after all, maybe, but mixed with…lampoil?No.

Themortarthey'dusedonthecitywallprojectcombinedwithaFourthQuarterbeggar's sickand theporridgehismotherused tomakewhenhewasaboy?

Closer.

"The current state of things," another young senator said toWillem'sblank, smiling face, "guarantees naught but that the wealthy grow onlywealthierwhile thepoorbecome increasinglydesperate over time.Really,it'sup tous, isn't it,Korvan, to set thingsaright onceand forall, just asMasterRymiitsuggests?"

Willem smiled and nodded, and the young senator appeared pleased.Theywanderedawayfromeachotherandintothesameconversationswithdifferentpeople.

"It did seem radical to me at first," a young woman trolling for ahusbandsaidbehindtoomuchShou-inspiredmakeup."Afterall,myfamilyhassoldhorsesforgenerationsandhardlyworkedashardastheyhaveinorder to see our estates divided among the tradesmen. That idea inparticular…but,well,ifMasterRymiitthinksit'sbest…"

Willemnoddedbutdidn'tsmile.Hecaughtthewoman'seyeanddetectedjustenoughdesperationinhergazethathefledherpresenceasquicklyashecould.

Looking for Rymiit in the crowded sitting room, Willem began toformulate his excuse for leaving so early. Before he could find his host,though,hewasstoppedbyanapparition.

Ithadbeensometimesincehe'dseenher,butthereshestood.She'djuststeppedintotheroom,andallatoncethesmellwasgone,asthoughtheairhadrefresheditselfinherhonor.

"Phyrea,"hewhispered.

Sheeitherheardhimorsensedhiseyesonher,andshe lookedrightathim.Willem took a step back and smiled. She stared at him, but didn'tsmileback.Whenshesteppedintotheroomtheguestspartedforher,anditwasasiftheairitselfgavewaybeforeher.Theyweren'tafraidtotouchher,justunworthy.

WillemsteppedforwardtomeetherandalmoststumbledtoastopwhenMarekRymiit slidbetween them.FocusedonlyonPhyrea's jaw-droppingbeauty,hehadn'tseenthepudgyThayan.

"Ah,Phyrea,"Mareksaid."DidIinviteyou?"

Phyreasmiledathim,andthesightofitmadeWillem'smouthgodry.

"Ah,Marek,"Phyreareplied."Icameanyway."

They shareda conspiratorial smile thatmadeWillem feel as thoughheshouldgetoutofthathouseasfasthecould,thentheybothnoticedhimatthesametime.

"You'vemetWillemKorvan,"Mareksaid.

Phyreanoddedbutdidn'tsmile,andWillemsmiledbutdidn'tnod.Theotherguestsaroundthemseemedtoquiver.

"Sothesearetheyoungmasters?"PhyreaaskedMarek.

"Theheirsapparent,yes,"heansweredwithagrin.

Phyrea,unimpressed,said,"Thiscanal-builderI'veheardabout…"SheturnedtoWillem."It'snotyou."

"No,"Willem said. He wanted to elaborate, but the words failed him.Phyreawasn'tlisteninganyway.

"Ishehere?"sheaskedMarek.

"No,heisn't,"saidtheThayan,withahintoffireinhiseyes.

"I'mnotsurprised,"Willemventured,"thatyouandhewouldn'tseeeyetoeye,MasterRymiit."

Phyreascannedtheroom,bored,evenexhausted.Shewasn'tlistening.

"Theyoungfoolourunfortunateransarhastrustedwiththisexerciseinendlessditchdigging?"Marekreplied.

"Youdon'tknowhim?"WillemaskedPhyrea.

Sheshruggedthequestionoff.HowcouldsheknowIvarDevorast,afterall?

"Thelasttimewespoke,youinquiredaboutacertainitem,"MareksaidtoPhyrea."Tellmeyoubroughtitalong."

"Hardly," she said, looking around the room so she didn't registerMarek'sannoyedlook.

Theirhost'sexpressionchangedbacktoitsplacid,friendlymienandhemuttered,"Enjoymylittlecaucus."

WithabowPhyreadidn'treturnbutWillemdid,hewasgone.

"Phyrea,"Willemsaidwhenhesawherbegintotakeastepawayfromhim.

Sheturned,impatient,andfoldedherarmsinfrontofher.

"Comewithme,"hesaid,reachingouttotakeherbytheelbow.

Sheflinchedawayfromhimasifhistouchwouldscaldher,andWillem'sheartleaped."Please,"hesaid.

Shewouldn't lookathim,butturnedandlethimfollowhertoMarek'sveranda.TheyhadtowavetheirwaythroughhugeclaypotsthatsomeonetoldhimMarekhadgottenfromas farasMaztica.Theplantswere local,butappearedunhealthy.

"Phyrea,"hesaidwhenhehopedtheywerealone.Hetriedtotouchheragainandsheflinched.Shemadenoefforttomaskhercontemptforhim.

"Hatemeifyouwantto,"hetoldher."Itdoesn'tmakemewantyouanyless."

"Idon'thateyou,"shesaid.

Relieved,Willemsighed.

"Iwouldhavetothinkaboutyouatalltohateyou."

She isn't ignoringme,he toldhimself, thenshookhishead to try toridhimselfofnotonlythewordsbutthefeelingofreliefthatwashedoverhim.

"Idon'tcareifyouhateme,orthinkofmeatall,orloveme,orthinkofmeasabrother,"hesaid,thewordsspillingoutofhim."Iwillserveyou.Iwillbeyourslave, if that'swhatyouwish. Iwilldoanythingtohaveyou.AndImaybetheonlymaninthiswretchedcitywhounderstandsyou-theonlyonewillingtogiveyoueverythingandaskfornothinginreturn."

Sheallowedhimthebriefest,unconvincedglare.

"Iunderstand thatyou're thekindofwoman that theworldhasgot tocometoascreechinghaltfor,"hewenton."Youhavetobethecenternotonlyofattentionbutofinfinityitself."

"Ifyoutellmeyouloveme,I'llkillyouwhereyoustand,"shesaid,andhecouldtellshemeantit.

"AndifItoldyouIthoughtthatmightbeworthdyingfor?"heasked.

"Then all you'd be tellingme is that you're a fool," she shot back. "Aboy."

"If-"hestarted.

"WhenIwasawayfromthecitylastsummer,"sheinterrupted,"atmyfather'sestateinthecountry,therewasaman.Hehadmeinawayyou'llneverhaveme."

Willemcouldswearatthatmomentthathisheartturnedtoglass.

"You'repretty,"Phyreasaid."Youservewell.Youmakefriendseasily.You have position and potential, and all of that meaningless stupidity Icouldn'tpossiblyfindlessinteresting."

Willemclosedhiseyesagainstherwords,buttheykeptcoming.

"That man, last summer," she went on, "was a stone mason. He wasnothing…noone.Hewasabrute,buthewasmorethanyou'lleverbe,andnomatterwhathappensbetweenus for the rest of our lives,Willem,youwillneverbea tenth themanhe is. I'mnot even sure it'sbecausehe's sogreatamanoryou'resoinsignificant,butlikelyabitofboth.Andnotonlydidhefailtooffermehismortalsoul,whenheleft,hedidn'tevensaygood-bye."

Willemcouldn'tquitebreathe.

"There,"shesaid."Stillwantme?"

Hemovedhislips,butnosoundcameout.

"You're pathetic," she whispered as she brushed past him anddisappearedbehindthedyingpottedplants.

AdropofcoldrainhitthebridgeofWillem'snoseandmadehimflinch.Hetookabreathandsighed.

"Yes,"he said to thecoolnightair, to therooftopsof Innarlith,"I stillwantyou."

6

l2Alturiak,theYearoftheSword

(1365DR)FirstQuarter,Innarlith

Thebrutishmancameatherwithahook,butitwashissmellthatRanAiYu foundmost disturbing. They all smelled bad, as though theywererotting fromwithin-and they looked it too.She'd foughtanimatedcorpsesthatdidn'tstinksobad.

Sheslitthedockworker'swrist,andthehookclatteredontothepier.Shedidn't recognize any of the words that spewed at her from his mostlytoothlessmouth,buthisintentwasclear.

"Youwillstopthis,"shesaidtothewoundeddockworkerwhileshekepthimatbaywithhersword."Iwillpayyoufairly."

Another string of unintelligible curses followed, and themanmade themistakeofreachingforthehook.Shecuthimagain,andhebackedaway.

"Idon'twanttokillyou,"shesaid.

Another dockworker fell at her feet, pushing the man she'd cut evenfarther back from her. Thatman held some kind of crude club and hadbeenkicked in the face hard enough to flattenhis nose and soakhis facewithhisownblood.

RanAiYuglancedbackinthedirectionthebloodymanhadcomefrom.LauCheungFenstoodwiththegreatporcelainshipJieZudbehindhim.Hestoodononefoot,theotherhanginginfrontofhim,hiskneeatwaistlevel.Themorningsunshonefromhisshavedhead,whichsatatophisunusuallylarge neck in a loose, comfortable way, as if suspended from above by awire.

Thelittlehairsonthebackofherneckstoodonend.

Somethinghitheronthesideoftheface.Herteethrattled,andhervision

flaredwhite,but shewasstillable togetherbladeup fastenoughtoslapawaythesecondblow.Themanshe'dcuthadbeenjoinedbytwomore,asragged and reeking as he. Though it was barely past dawn, they weredrunk.RanAiYuheardherpassengerkicktwomoremen.Shecouldonlyhopethathecouldtakedownenoughofthemtogettoherbeforethetwodockworkersthat fastapproachedherjoinedthethreeshedidherbest tofendoff.Theyweredrunk,slow,andbrutish,butfivewastoomanyforher.

"Iwillpayyou,"shesaid.

Herfacefelthot.Thehorriblemenleeredatherlikehungrydogs.

"You'llpayallright,"themanshe'dcutgrowledather-perhapshewasadog."Butnotwithcoin."

RanAiYushiftedherweightbackontoherrearfootandsetherswordbladeparallelwiththepier.Shelookedtheleadthugintheeyes,sensedhewas going to shift right, and that'swhathedid. She let him step into theswordtip,butdidn'tstabhim.Thebladeonlywentinthebarestfractionofaninch.Shedidn'twanttokillhim.Ifshekilledhim,she'dhavetokilltherestofthem.

His two friends lunged at her, andRanAiYu stepped back a few faststeps. Then one of themen fell flat on his face. Shewatched a stone rollalongthewoodplanks,andblinkedatit.

Whenthesecondmanfellsherelaxedherstance,andletherswordarmfalltoherside,thebladecrossedinfrontofherlegs.ShestoodlikethatandwatchedIvarDevorastknocktheothermantothegroundwithhisfist.Hesmiledatherovertheman'slimpform,andshesmiledback.Athudfrombehindher turnedher attentionback to herpassenger.LauCheungFen,like Devorast, stood over the unconscious bodies of drunken dockhands."MissRan,"Devorastsaid.

She turned back to face him, sheathed her sword, and said, "MasterDevorast, is good to see you once again." Lau Cheung Fen stepped upbehind her, and she added, "May I presentmy passenger, the honorableLauCheungFenofLiaopei."

"Mister Lau," he said. "Are you injured? Do you need any further

assistance?"

"Yourmanner…"Lausaid."SolikeShou."Devorastjustlookedathim.

"We will require a crew to unload our cargo," Ran Ai Yu answered."Thesementriedto…"Shepaused,searchingfortheword.

"WhoisthismanfLauaskedherinKaoteShou,theirnativetongue.

She looked at Devorast, but detected no outward trace that he wasoffended by Lau's speaking in front of him in a language he did notunderstand.

"Master IvarDevorast is themanwho created the great Jie ZuoV'sheansweredintheCommonTongueofFaerun.

"Ah,"Lauresponded,andhisheadbentlowonthatstrangelongneckofhis.Hiseyesglitteredblackinthesunshine."Youarethegreatgenius.Itistrulyanhonortomeetyou,MasterDevorast."

"MasterLauisamostimportantdignitaryfrommyprovince,"RansaidinhopesthatshecouldhelpDevorastframehisresponseproperly.

"Thankyou,MasterLau,"Devorastsaid,buthiseyesstayedonRanAiYu.

"Youhavebuiltmanysuchships,then,"Lausaid."Ishouldpurchaseanumberofthem.Thoughmyhomeisfarfromthesea,manyinShouLunghave commented on the strange and wonderful ship of Ran Ai Yu, andwouldpaymuchforoneofherkind."

"Therearenomoreofherkind,"DevorastsaidbeforeRancouldsaythesamething.

"Youhavesportofme,"saidherpassenger.

"No,"RanAiYu cut in."Hehasbuilt only this one, andwill buildnomorelikeher."

"Thisistrue?"heaskedDevorast.

"Itis,"wastheFaerunian'sonlyreply.

"7sthissomesecretthewhitemenseektokeepfromus?"LauaskedinKaoteShou.

"Withapologies,MasterDevorast," she said, then turned toLau."It isno secret.He is a veryunusualman, and that is all.Hewill likely find itrude, however, if we continue to speak in a language he does notunderstand.Withrespect,MasterLau,he isa friendand important tradecontact."

"Indeed,"Laureplied,thenbowedtoDevorast."Pleaseacceptmymosthumbleapologiesformyrudeness,MasterDevorast.Perhapsyouwouldbesokind…ifyounolongerbuildyourtileships,whatisitthatoccupiesyou?Perhapsifitisoneofakindaswell,Imighthaveitinstead."

"It'sacanal,"Devorastreplied.

ThetwoShoumerchantsexchangedaglance.

"Pardonme,"Lausaid.HeaskedRanAiYu,"Kuh-nahl?"Shegavehimthewordintheirlanguage,andhenodded."Well,thenIwillnotbeabletotakeitwithme.Pray,whereisthiscanal?"

"Northwestofhere,"hereplied.

"Toconnect theLakeofSteamwithyourgreat InnerSea,"RanAiYusaid.Devorastnodded.

"Thiswillbeamightyboontotrade,"saidLau.

"Forme,"saidDevorast,"it'sacanal."

"Ishould like tosee it,"RanAiYusaid.Amemory tickled theedgeofher consciousness-a similar conversation that she had had with Devorastwhenshe'dlastseenhim.

"I should like to show it to you," he said. "But in the meantime, weshouldseetoadockcrewforyou."

"Is this theway trade is always conducted here?With such violence?"askedthetallmerchant-amanRanAiYuhadhersuspicionswasnohumanatall.Hegesturedtothefallendockhands,someofthembeginningtorise.

"Itwasnot sowhen Iwas lasthere, twoyears and threemonths ago,"saidRan.

"Theymadeamistake,"Devorastsaid.

RanAiYusmiled.

7



WhenshefirstsawtheworksiteRanAiYuthoughtitwassomekindofmilitary drill. The sight of it gave the immediate impression of rigidorganizationthatshehadonlyexperiencedattheedgeofaparadeground.But thendetailspresented themselves,pieces took shapeoutof thewhole,andthat impressiondisappeared.Shewas leftwithchaos-madness,even-abarrage of colors and dizzying movement that erased any sense oforganization at all, until she once again let those details melt into thebeautifulwhole.

"Thesemenareall at your command?" sheaskedDevorast,who stoodbesideheronalowhill.

The sound of themenworking deafened her, but thenDevorast didn'tansweranyway.Pickschippedstone,shovelsmoveddirtandclay,andcartstrundled past full of rocks, earth, wood, and more men. Oxen grunted,foremenshoutedorders,anditwaslikemusicforagreatdance.

"This is as it should be," she said, unconcerned with whether or notDevorastcouldhearher."Youwillfindyourdestinyhere.Yourspiritwillfillitselfwiththiswork."

The heavy, damp air carried the smell of the Lake of Steam, but onlyfaintlyunderthestenchofturnedearthandsweatingbodies.Itsmelledlikehardwork.

"Ihopeyoulivetoseeitscompletion,"shesaid.

Devorast shrugged-a response thatwouldhavebeen considered rude inShouLung-butshetooknooffense.

RanAiYucrouchedandtouchedthedirtatherfeet.Itwasdampbutnotmuddy,andshewasabletoscoopupahandful, testingtheweightof it in

herhand.Shetriedtoimaginetheweightofthedirtandrock,thetreesandweeds,thatDevorastmeanttomovetomakethetrenchforhiscanal.Thenshe tried to imagine theweightof thewater thatwould fill it,and thoughshe'dpliedthewatersofafargreatercanalinherfar-offhomeland,stilltheweightfeltunbearable.

"Youwillnot require that I tell youhowmanypeople theremustbe…powerfulpeopleeven…whowillwishforyoutofail,"shetoldhim.

Hewaitedforhertolookupathimbeforeheshruggedagain.

She let the dirt pour out throughher fingers, and somethingmadehertouchthetipofhertongue.Shedidn'ttrytounderstandtheimpulsetotasteitanymorethanshewantedtostopit.Shejustwantedtotasteit-wantedtoexperience it with every one of her senses. It tasted like life, but not thesamewayfoodorwatertasted;notphysical life,butadeeperneedwithineachhuman,thedrivetobuild,theimperativetoleavesomethingbehind,tomakesomemark.Ittastedlikethevitalnecessitytosay,"Iwashere."

"Yes,"hesaid,"youare."

RanAiYufelthercheeksreddenandherearsburn.Shestood,avoidinghiseyes.

"I had not meant to… to speak that," she stammered, her Commonalmostdesertingher.

Devorastsaid,"I'vetastedittoo."

She smiled at that, and smiledwider than she felt proper in front of amanshehadnot-

TheShoumerchantpushedthatthoughtawaybeforeitwascompleted.

"Thisissupportedbyyourleader,"sheasked,"yourransar?"

"Idon'tconsiderhimmyransar,"Devorastreplied,"butyes,itis."

"Both with the gold to pay these men and to buy their tools andmaterials, and so on," she said then had to pause to again search her

memoryforthecorrectword."Politically?"

Devorastnodded.Hedidn'tlookather.Instead,hiseyesdartedfromonepartoftherealizationofhisgeniustoanother.

"It ismyunderstanding,having traveled toInnarlithonmore thanoneoccasion,"shewenton,"andovermorethanafewyears,thattheirransarisatemporarypost.Isthisnottrue?"

Heglancedatherwithamischievousgrinthatfurtherembarrassedher,andsaid,"Anyjobthatisanswerabletootherscouldbecalledtemporary."

"Ah,andisthatnottrueofmasterbuilder?"

"I'mnottheransar'smasterbuilder,"hesaid.

"Evenworseforyou,Ishouldthink."

Helookedatheragain,butforalongertime,andshefinallymethisgaze.

"Ifitistheransar'sgoldandtheransar'smen,"shesaid,"thenyouworkforhim,whethereitherofyouadmititornot.If…pardonme,whenthereisanewransar,will thatransarbeasgenerous?WillhebeastakenwiththiscanalasisOsorkon?"

Devorastreplied,"Perhaps,butperhapsnot.Ofcourse, I'veconsideredthat."

"Andyouhaveaplan?"

Devorastwassilent.

"Meykhati,"shesaid."You'veheardthisname?Youknowthisman?"

"I'veheardthename."

"Thereisareceptionathishomeinsixdays'time,"RanAiYusaid."Ihavebeeninvited,andyoushouldcomewithmethere."

"Ihavenotimeforsocial-"

"Doyouhavetimetoburyyourgarbagetokeeptheseagullsaway?"sheasked,glancingupattheskybutgesturingwithoneopenhandatarefusepit.

Hedidn'tfollowhergaze.Heknewtherewerenogulls.

"Ofcourseyoudo,"shesaid."Youmaketimeforwhatisimportantforthecompletionofyourcanal,evenifitisnotpleasanttoconsiderortodo."

Again,silence.

"Meykhatiwill likelybe thenextransar,"shesaid."Howdoyouknowthat?"

"Idonotknowthat,"RanAiYureplied."IhavehearditsaidbypeoplewhoIhavereasontobelievehavereasontobelieve it.That isenough, forme, tobegin toacquaintmyselfwith thismanso thatheknowsmynameandmyface,knowsmytrade,intheeventthatthesepeoplearecorrect."

"AndIshoulddothesame,"hesaid."Ishouldingratiatemyselftothispointless,mumbling busybody so that on the off chance that he succeedsOsorkonhewillcontinuetosupportthecanal?"

"MasterLauCheungFenwillbethere,"sheadded,"atthisgatheringofMeykhati'sfriendsandassociates."

"Andsycophants."

"Andthosewhothinkahead."

Heshookhishead.

"Perhaps,"shesaid,"ifMeykhatifeelswelltowardyouandyoureffortshere,withMeykhatiasransar,youwillbehismasterbuilder,even ifyouarenotOsorkon's."

"I have no interest in titles and offices,"Devorast told her. "I build tobuild,nottoadvancemyselfintheSecondQuarter."

"Iunderstandthatthemasterbuilderofthemomentmayhavedecided

tokeepholdof thattitleandofficeanyway,shouldMeykhatiadvance.Hewillbetherewithhisdaughter."

Devorast stiffened-not much, barely enough for Ran Ai Yu to notice.Could it be thatDevorast sought the post ofmaster builder after all?Orwasitsomethingelseshe'dsaid?

"Perhaps,"hesaid."Yes.Fine."

8



Marekwatchedthedancersforafewheartbeats,thenwatchedoneofthepartygoers watching the dancers, then the dancers again, then anotherguest, on and on.He hadn't come toMeykhati's ridiculous affair for thepleasureofit,afterall,buttodowhathealwaysdid.

ThedancershadbeenbroughtbytheexoticmerchantLauCheungFen,and the guests were dazzled by their otherworldly beauty and aliengestures.Sevenwomendressedinsilkgownseoveredintinybrassbellsandwhatappearedtobeminiaturecymbals,twitchedandjerkedtothestrainsof a Shou "musician" who made the most horrendous, atonal bleats onsome kind of unwieldy string instrument.Marek's head began to pound,and he found he had to use a spell to make the "music" fade from hishearing, to be replaced by the private, often whispered conversations ofMeykhati'sotherguests.

"MissPhyrea,"theShouwomanRanAiYu,whoMarekfoundalmostasfascinatingashedid frustratingsaidwithashallowbow."Ihavenothadthepleasuretoseeyourfatherthisevening."

"He'snothere,"Phyreachokedout.

Thebeautiful,haunteddaughteroftheineptmasterbuildercouldn'tevenlook at the Shou woman. Her eyes had fastened themselves to the red-headedmanwhostoodatRanAiYu'sside.Marekhadneverbeenformallyintroducedtotheman,butheknewwhoIvarDevorastwas.Sotoo,itwouldseem,didPhyrea.Devorast,ifherecognizedthemasterbuilder'sdaughteratall,gavenooutwardsignofit.Forallthat,themangavenooutwardsignofanything.Phyreasquirmedunderhisambivalentglances.

Yes,MarekRymiitthought,muchmoreinterestingthandancinggirls.

"MayIintroduceyoutoIvarDevorastofCormyr,"RanAiYusaid.

Marekfoundthe lookonPhyrea's facesopricelesshe justhadtosmileand clap his hands. The other guests around him clapped as well,apparentlythinkinghewasapplaudingtheperformance.

"Aren'ttheyjust?"ashrillvoiceinvadedfromhisside.Theeffectofthespellmade it painfully loud, andMarek couldn't stifle a grunt andbody-rackingtwitch."Goodness,MasterRymiit.Areyouwell?"

Meykhati'sawfulwife.

Heforcedasmileandnodded."Yes,quite,"hewhispered,hisownvoicerattlinghisears."Iwouldhatetofurtherinterruptthemusic."

The woman smiled and made a childlike motion as though she werelockingherlipsclosed.AspellthatwouldactuallydothatcametoMarek'smind, but he suppressed the nearly overwhelming urge to cast it, and asecond incantation thatwouldmake the lockpermanent. Instead,hekepthisearsontheShoumerchantandheroddlittlecouple,whilehiseyesmadeagreatshowofadoringthedancersfrombeyondtheUtterEast.

"No,"Phyreasaid,hervoicesothickwiththeliethatMarekwishedhecouldatleastglanceatRanAiYu'sfacetobesureshedetecteditaswell,butalasMeykhati'shideouswifestillstoodathiselbow,believinghimtobeeveryinchthedilettanteherhusbandwas."No,wehaven'tmet."

"Iwouldhaveremembered,I'msure."Devorastmusthaveliedtoo,buttherewasnohintofthatinhissteady,uninterestedvoice.

"Of course, though," Phyrea said, "I have heard of your great… yourgreatundertaking."

Two of the dancers swayed their hips to the jarring rhythm while theother five stoodas stillas statues.Marek found theirutter lackofmotioninteresting,butonlypassinglyso.Thetwo leaddancersjangledtheirbellsandotherwisemaderhythmichissingandpingingnoises.TheywavedtheirhandsinawaythatMarekthoughtlookedabitliketheymightbecastingspells,buthedetectednofluctuationintheWeave.

"Itkeepsmeoccupied,"Devorastreplied."Iamawayfromthecityforprolongedperiods."

"Are you?" Phyrea accused.Marek raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps thatexplainswhy ourpathshavenever even once crossed, thoughwe seem toknowmanyofthesamepeople."

"Nottoomany,"Devorastassuredher."Meykhati,atleast,"shesaid.

Devorastshookhishead,butitwasRanAiYuwhosaid,"IaskedMasterDevorasttocomewithmetonightsothathemightmaketheacquaintanceofthesenator."

"Andhaveyou?"PhyreaaskedDevorast.

"Wehavebeenintroduced,"hereplied.

Thetwoleaddancerswiggledbacktothelinebehindthem,andlookingforalltheworldlikewaterfoulpluckingfoodfromastillpond,peckedoneeach of their companions and froze. Those so pecked began to sway andslippedoutoflinetotakeovertheincomprehensibleseriesofmotions.Themusicchangedtoo,goingfromonesetofatonalpingstoaseriesofburstsofgrindingmetal.Marekresistedtheurgetoflee.

"Itcanbeaburden,can'tit?"askedPhyrea.

"Ma'am?"Devorastprompted.

"Havingtoomanyfriends."

"Iwouldn'tknow."

"Wouldn't you?" sheasked, andMarekgot the feeling she thought shemightbetoyingwithDevorast.Sillygirl."Youseemlikeamanwhowouldhaveunusualfriends.LikeMissYu,here."

"Miss Ran," Devorast corrected, and Marek so wanted to see Phyreasquirm.But instead,hewatched thedancers swayaroundeachother liketwosnakesreluctanttomate."Ihavefriends,yes.Idon'tfeelburdenedbythem."

"Sometimes I feel so burdened I can hardly stand," Phyrea said, andagainMarekliftedaneyebrow.

"Perhapsyoudon'thaveenoughtooccupyyourmind,"Devorastsaid.

"ShouldIbuildacanalthen?"

"No," he told her, still without a trace of emotion. "But you can doanythingelse.""Iwishthatwereso."

"Itis,"heassuredher,andMarekfeltbileriseinhisthroat.

"Oh, yes, my darling," Meykhati's pinch-faced wife whispered atMarek's elbow. Her hissing voice was so loud to him thatMarek had toclosehiseyes."Straightaway."

Withthat,atleastshewasgone.

Asthenewleadpairofdancersworkedtheirwaybacktothelinebehindthem, Marek turned to glance at Phyrea and Devorast. Ran Ai Yu hadwanderedofftobereplacedbyLauCheungFen,whotookDevorastbythearm.

TheShougentlemanhadnotroublepullingDevorastawayfromPhyrea,whoallbutrantothefarthestcornerofthelargeroom,disappearingintoacrowdofherfather'sfriendsandpoliticalassociates.Devorastdidn'twatchhergo,butatwitchofhiseyebetrayedhimtooneasobservantasMarekRymiit.

This, theRedWizard thought, is a relationship Iwill need to followascloselyaspossible.

Twonewdancersbegantoquiversoquicklytheyappearedinthethrowsof some sort of catalepsy. The jangle of their various bells and cymbalsbegantointrudeonMarek'sspell,andhenotedafewinthecrowdedroomplacehandstotheirearstofendofftheforeigncacophony.

"I will leave it to you to determine the advantages to you and yourtrade,"DevorasttoldLauCheungFen.

"Andthereisnothingyouwishtoadd?"theShouasked."IshouldthinkthattohavetheendorsementofthemerchantfleetsofShouLungwouldbeforyouavery…ah,buthelpwiththeword…?"

"Advantageous?"Devorastprovided.

Sharp, Marek thought. Very sharp of mind indeed, this shipwrightturnedcanalbuilder.

Lau sketched a shallow bow and said, "To have this advantageoussupport from afar would give you greater support at home, is that nottrue?"

"IhaveallthesupportIneed,"Devorastreplied,andMarekcringedatthesupremeself-confidenceofthat,theboldnaivete."Iwillbuildthecanal,whousesitandwhymakesnodifferencetome."

"Ivar,"WillemKorvan said, appearing from the crowdholdingahalf-full tallglass of Inthelph's upstart local vintage. He took Devorast by thearmandbowedtotheShou."IfImay."

LauCheungFenappearedreluctanttoreleasehim,butapparentlyfelthehadnochoiceandreturnedWillem'sbow.

Allsevenofthedancersbegantomoveinaslow,fluidmotionthatMarekassumedmostmenwouldfindalluring.Forhim,though,therewasWillemKorvan. The young senator's immaculate dress complimented his perfectfeatures. Next to the disheveled, weather-beaten, ill-dressed Devorast,Willemappearedsoft, still in the full flowerofyouth.ThoughMarekhadheardthetwowereofanage,hewouldhavethoughtIvarDevorastatleastadecadeWillemKorvan'ssenior.

"Is that the best you can do?"Willem said to Devorast, the contemptsoakingeachwordinbile.

"Hello,Willem,"Devorastsaid."Isthatthebestyoucando?"

"Istheresomethingyouneedfromme?"askedDevorast.

Willem'shandsomefacewentflat,hisjawtightandhislipstwisted.

"Doyourealizethatthatonemancould-"Willemstartedtosay,andjustthen Marek's spell faded out, and the clashing harmonics of the exoticmusiconcemoreassaultedhisears.

HestartedmovinginthedirectionofthetwoCormyreansbeforeheevenmadeuphismindastowhichoftheseveralreasonsfordoingsodrovehimover there. Did he want to break up what might become and unseemlybrawl? Other than the fact that it would be a shame should somethinghappentodamageWillem's-face,whyonspinningTorilwouldhecareifthetwomen came toblows?Of course, hewanted tohear their conversationbutknewthatassoonashewascloseenoughtohearthemwithouttheaidofaspellthey'dstoptalkinginfrontofhim.

Whateverthereason,hearrivedattheirsideinashot,butrefusedtolookatDevorast.

"Ah,SenatorKorvan,"hegushed,"thereyouare."

"MasterRymiit,"Willemmumbled,hisfacered,hiseyesdartingaroundasthoughhewerearabbitcaughtinasnare."MayIpresent-"

Marekdidn'twanttobeintroducedtoIvarDevorastjustthen.Notyet,hethought.SoheclampedhishandonWillem'sarmandsqueezed.

"MasterRymiit…"Willemalmostprotested,butlethimselfbeledawayatapacethatdrewalarmedglancesfromtheminglingaristocratsaroundthem.

When theywere out of earshot of IvarDevorast, Rymiit said, "Really,Senator,youshouldtakecarewithwhomyou'reseenconversing."

"But-"theprettyweaklingstartedtoprotest.

"Gotellourhosthowmuchyouenjoythishideousclangingandstompingabout," he said, pushingWillem away, but releasing his grip only slowly,andwithsomereluctance.

Willemlookeddownathishandwithvaguediscomfort,butMarekwasquicklydistractedbyPhyrea.Thegirlstoodonhertiptoes,peeringasbestshe could above the heads of the other guests. The crowd erupted ininsincereapplause for the imported entertainment, andMarek stopped tomake a show of it. His eyes never left Phyrea though, and he took someinterestinhercrestfallenmien.

Astheapplausedieddown,hemadehiswaytoherside.ShelookedupathimasifhewerethelastmaninFaerunshewantedtosee,andmaybehewas.

"MasterRymiit,"shesaid,"helloagain."

"Helloagaintoyoutoo,mydear.Icouldn'thelpbutnotice…wereyoulookingforsomeone?"

She sighed, her shoulders slumped, and she looked off to her right atnothing.

"Phyrea?"

"Yes," she answered fast. "No. I mean… that man. Devorast is hisname."

"The savior ofmerchant captains across Toril, yes,"Marekmumbled."Whatofhim?"

"He's…"

"Gone,yes,"Mareksaid."I'msureSenatorKorvantoldmehewasjustleaving.Surelyyoudon'thaveanythingtodowiththatbeastlyman."

Shenodded and shookher head at the same time, andMarek risked aplayfullaughatherconfusion.

"Theransar-"shestarted.

"Isnot immune to the occasional ill-considereddecisions,mydear,"hefinishedforher."IassureyouthatIvarDevorastisjustthat."

"Still,there'ssomethingabouthim,don'tyouthink?"

"No,"helied."There'snothingabouthimatallbutamanindeepwaterwhohasn'tsortedoutthathe'salreadydrowned."

Phyreawasn't listening.Marek could tell. She listened to someone else,andnoddedeversoslightlyinresponse.

Whatdoyouhear?MarekRymiitwondered.Whatdoyouknow?

9



The stoutwooden planks that braced the sides of the trench shattered.They crumbled to sawdust all at once; an explosion of brown dust thatfolloweda loudsizzlingsoundthatmusthavebeenamillionsoftercracksallintermingled.

Hrothgarlookedupatthesound.He'dheardalotofnew,strangesoundsin his time among humans, under the limitless sky and so near theunforgiving sea, but he'd been at the canal site long enough to growaccustomedtoitsnoises,andthatone-thosemillionsatonce-didn'tbelong.Becauseofthesound,though,hesawtheplanksshatter,andthedried-mudwalls begin to crumble.He saw themen inside paw at their dust-blindedeyes,andtheirscreamstoreupfromthedepthsofthetrench.Astallasthehumanswere,thelipofthetrenchtoweredovertheirheads,twiceagainastallasthetallestofthediggers.

"BytheunhewnrockofDeepshaftHall,"thedwarfcursed."They'llbe-"

Devorastpushedpasthimatarun,butittooksometimeforHrothgartorealize they were being attacked. At first the trench collapse was justanother accident-not that there had been many. In fact, Hrothgar hadcommented to Devorast and to his cousin Vrengarl on many occasionsalreadyhowsurprisedhewasthatsofewmenhadbeeninjured,andhowincomprehensibleitwasthatnoonehadyetdiedforthecauseofthecanal.Whattheywerebuildingwassobig,thereweresomanymen,andsomanythingsthatcouldgowrong.

Atrenchcouldcavein,butwhatmadetheplanksexplodeintodust?

The wind had been light all day, the clouds gray but thin and dry.ThoughHrothgarcouldhardlybecalledanexpertonthewaysofwindandstorm,thewindthatblewthedirtontothosepoordiggersdidn'tjustblowinonitsownfromtheLakeofSteam.

He ran afterDevorast, not bothering to consider howmany times he'ddone just that inonly thepast fewyears.Devorastreached thecrumblingedgeofthetrenchlongbeforethedwarf.Heskiddedtoastop,sendingdustswirling around his toes only to be whipped into a series of tiny littletornadoesaroundhisfeet.

Then thewind changed again, and liftedDevorast off the ground. Thehumanhurtledbackwardthroughtheair,hisarmspinwheelingathissidesin a vain attempt to either stop or control his sudden flight.He slammedhardintoHrothgar.Thedwarftriedtowraphisarmsaroundthehuman'swaist, made every effort to catch him, but was rewarded with a brokennose, a poked eye, and an impact on his chest hard enough to drain hislungsofair.

They ended up on the ground in an undignified sprawl, their hair andclothing still whipping around them in the sourceless gust of hurricane-forcewind.

"Themen!"Devorastbarked.

Hiseyeswereclosed,andbloodtrickledfromunderthelineofhisshaggyredhair.Hrothgarblinkedbackunwelcometearsandshotbloodandsnotoutofhisnoseinapainfulexhalationthatatleastlethimstarttobreatheagain.Thetwoofthemstoodatthesametime,neitherhelpingtheothertohisfeet.

By the time Hrothgar reoriented himself, the trench was gone. Windwhippedthedirtsothoroughlythatanyonepassingbywhohadnotseenitonlymoments before, would never have suspected that there had been aholethereatall.

"Fivemen,"Hrothgargrowledtohimself.

He looked toDevorast,who stood tall but still.His headmoved to oneside,thentheother.

"What is it?" thedwarfaskedcastingabout foraweapon.Where'smygods bedamned hammer? he thought. "Is it some mage? Some windwizard?"

Devorast stopped-he sawsomething.Hrothgarmovedbackandhis footkickedsomethingheavy.Withoutlooking,hereacheddownandgrabbedit-justanoldtreelimbtheclean-upcrewhadmissed.

It'lldo,hethought,thenfollowedDevorast'sgaze.

"SweetHaela'sbum,"thedwarfoathed.

"Naga,"Devorastsaid.

Thehumanrelaxed.Hrothgarcouldn'tbelieveit.Heheftedthemakeshiftclubandsteppedforward,butDevorastdidn'tmove.Hefacedthecreatureasiftheywereoldfriends,andHrothgarrealizedthatperhapstheywere.

"Whatdoyouwanthere,nqja'ssara?"Devorastcalledout.

The creaturehissed at him.For all theworld itwas a giant snake, butwith a human's face. That face held all the hate, anger, and violent rageHrothgar had ever associated with humans, and more. The dwarf couldonlyguessthatthethingwasamale.

"Ivar,"hesaid,"youtoldusthatyou-"

"Speak,"Devorastcalledtothenaga,ignoringthedwarf.

"Thisfalseriverwillnotberealized,"thethingsaid.Hrothgardidn'tlikeitsvoice,notonebit."Gofromhere,dista'ssara.Gonow,ormorewilldie."

Devorast crouched and picked up a rock. The action elicited from thenaga a sound thatHrothgar assumed to be a laugh.He liked that soundevenlessthanitsspeakingvoice.

"WhatofSvayyah?"Devorastdemanded."SheandI-""Svayyah?"thenagashrieked,hurlingthenameatDevorastas if itwereaspear.WhatitsaidnexthadnomeaningHrothgarcouldfathom.Devorastthrewtherockatthesametimeitspoke.

As the rock arced through the air, four slivers of red-orange lightappeared perhaps a yard in front of the naga and arrowed through theinterveningspace,unerringlyforDevorast.Whentheyhithim,thehuman

staggeredbackwithagrunt.HisfacetwistedinwhatHrothgarperceivedtobefrustration,notpain-certainlynotfear-buthekeptonhisfeet.

TherockDevorasthadthrownwentwide-butthen,itshouldn'thave.

Hrothgar blinked and shookhis head.The nagawas there, then itwasjustasteportwotothesideofthere.Therockwassupposedtohitthethingbut…

But you've seen it use foul magic, the dwarf told himself. Now here'smore.

"Allrightthen,"hesaidaloudsoDevorastcould,perhaps,benefitfromhiswisdom,"aimayardorsotothesnake'sleft."

As if they'dplanned it thatway,aworkgangbearingall sortsofnastyimplements-shovels, awls, picks, and hammers-came up over a rise,attractedby thewindandcommotion.They'd seenDevorast staggeredbythe naga's magic, and though Devorast had assured them all that he'dgarneredthesnake-people'ssupport,eventhosesimplemencouldaddtwoandtwo.Theyrushedatthenaga.

"Careful,boys,"Hrothgartriedtowarnthem,"it's-"

Thethingletlooseanotherstringofnonsensewords,andlightflashedintheair.Therewasnogettingasenseof thesourceof itandthereweresomany colors it was impossible for the eye to pick one from the next.Devorastturnedhisfaceaway.

"Don'tlookatit!"Devorastshouted,butonlyHrothgarwasabletoheedhiswords.

The on-rushing gang stopped dead in their tracks, eyes wide, mothsagape, fixed in their places and thoroughly mesmerized by the naga'sincandescentdisplay.

"Damntheireyes,"Hrothgarmuttered.

Hecharged,tryingnottoconsiderwhatbizarreandhorrendousfatethesnakemonsterwiththehumanfacehadinstoreforhim.

Onehit, he thought, slapping the tree limb against his palm as he ran.Justone.

Devorast threwanotherrock,and thenagastarted torattleoffanotherone of its spells.Hrothgar sent a silent thanks toClangeddin Silverbeardthat the rock not only beat the incantation from its mouth, but actuallystruck the creature a glancing blow. Surprisedmore than hurt, the thingstumbled over its words then growled in frustration. Sparks of blue andgreenlightplayedintheairarounditshead,butthatwasall,andHrothgarwasthere.

Heswunghardandspunafullcirclewhentheclubmisseditstarget.Allhiswarrior's instincts-by theNineHells, allhis stonecutter's instincts-toldhimheshouldhavehitthething,butitsimplywasn'twhereitappearedtobe.

"Fool!" the naga hissed at him, then said something else in either thelanguageof thewizardsor the languageof thenagas.Thedwarfhoped itwasthelatter.

Hrothgarswungagainwiththetreelimb,butatwhatappearedtohimtobethinairjusttothecreature's left.Hefeltthebranchscrapesomething,butcouldn'tseeanything.ThenagatwitcheditstailandthoughitappearedasifthetipofitwasafullarmslengthfromHrothgar'sside,itslappedhimhardenoughtocrackarib-butthatwastheleastofit.

Thedwarf'sbodyspasmedandshook,andhisteethclampeddownhard.

He'dlosthisclubandtriedtofindit.Thereitwas-inDevorast'shands.

Thehumanswungtheclubhardfromrighttoleftacrosshisbody,andithit something more or less near the naga, who reacted as though it hadtaken the full force of theblow.Devorast losthis grip on the club, and itwentwhirlingpastHrothgar'sface.

"Itpays!"thenagashrieked."Itpaysormoreofitsstinkingkinddies!"

Hrothgarlookedupatthesoundofanothermutteredincantation-ashortone-and watched the naga slither away at such aspeed____________________

"Lookatit…go,"hehuffedout.

Devorastdroppedtheclubonthegroundathisfeet.Hrothgarstood,hiswholebodystilltinglingfromwhateverthenagahaddonetohim.

"You hurt it bad, my friend," the dwarf said, bending to retrieve themakeshiftweapon."Butyoucanbetit'llbeback."

Devorastdidn'tevenbothertoshrugthatoff.Heranforthespotwherethetrenchhadcollapsed.Hrothgarfollowed,gruntingwithpainthewholeway.Theydugasfastastheycould,brought inasmanymenaswouldfitaroundthetrench,butnotoneofthefivediggerswerepulledoutalive.

10

5Ches,theYearoftheSword(1365

DR)ThirdQuarter,Innarlith

Shehadn'tdoneanyofthethingsshewouldhaveexpectedherselftodo.

She had taken no one's advice. She'd used none of her father's-herfamily's-gold.The rented flatwasn't in theworst part of Innarlith, but itwasn't in thebesteither.Deep in theThirdQuarter, itwasa tradesman'sflataboveavacantstorefront thatusedtosellcheese.Shehatedthesmellthatwas leftbehindandunderanyothercircumstancesneverwouldhaveput up with it. It was the kind of building she'd have burned down justbecause she didn't like it. She spent not a single silver on furniture ordecorations, and even promised herself-and any disembodied spirits thatmightbelisteningin-thatshewouldsleeponthestainedmattress,sitontheflea-riddenchair,andkeepherclothesinthecupboardwiththeratskeletonand the hardened undergarment the previous tenant-perhaps thecheesemonger'swife-had left behind. She didn't bring the flamberge, andhad not even a slim dagger or kitchen knife with which she might cutherself.

Phyrea sat on the floor. She had a candle, but had forgotten to bringanythingwithwhichtolightit,soshesatinthedark.

Shefoldedherarmsinfrontofheranddoubledover.HerstomachhurtalmostasmuchasherheadthrobbedShewantedtocutherselfsobadlyshewantedtoscream.¦Butshewouldn'tletherselfdoeitherofthosethings.

The ghosts screamed louder and louder as the room grew darker anddarker.

Cutyourself.

Youlongforit,cameashriekingwail.Weknowyoucravethecoldbiteofsteel.That thinchillof thebladepassing throughyourownflesh,and thedeliciousquiverofyourhandasyouforceittodrawyourownblood.

Thesword.

Thatbladebitesthebest.

Use the flamberge, they screamed at her in a chorus of disembodiedhowls.Letitdrinkyouin.Letitbringyoutous.

Oneof themsaid,Takemehome. Idon't like ithere.Takemeback toBerrywilde.Berrywilde____________________

Itsoundedlikealittlegirl,butPhyreacouldfeelitssoulsometimes,anditwasthecold,bitter,meanspiritofadevil.

"No,"shewhimpered into thedeathlyquietof themerchantquarteratnight."Getoutofme."

A man screamed into her ear in inarticulate rage, but no real sounddisturbedthesilence.Thevoicesdidn'tspeakintoherear,butratherfromit.

"Tellmewhatyouwant,"sheasked,thoughthey'dtoldherbefore.Shewantedadifferentanswer.

Cutyourself.

Usethesword-theswordIgaveyou.

Don'tgiveittohim.Don'tgiveittotheThayan.

Gohome.

Takeusbacktoourprettyhomeandstaywithusthereforever.

Killforme.Giveusyourlife.Spillyourblood.Phyreashookherhead.

She'dgone there-rented the flat,broken fromher life inwhateverwaysshecould-inthehopeofgainingsomeclearerunderstanding.Perhaps,she'dthought, in the silence of a strange place, away from the people and theplacesthatkepttheghostsrootedinher,shemightfindsomeanswers.

Didyouhopetocatchusoffguard?oneofthem-alittleboybythesound

ofhisvoice,butamonsterbythecolddreadthatfollowedhiswords-asked.Whatdidyouhope?Thatwewouldjustrotintheground,orthatwewouldbe frightened by the stench of rotten cheese? Have you ever smelted theinsideofyourownmolderingcasket?

Phyreashookherhead.

Ofcourseyouhaven't,awomanwhisperedattheedgeofasob.Butyouwill.

Phyreaopenedhereyes,wonderinghowlongshe'dhadthemclosed,andsawthemgatheredallaroundher.Theyloomedoverher,eachonedrawnin the air from violet light. They existed as a glow, as a sourcelessluminescence,andasvoices.

Freeus,alittleboywithonearmdemandedthroughstern,grittedteeth.

Freeyourself,themanwiththescaronhischeeksaid.

Phyreashookherhead,pressedherhandstohertemples.

Cutyourself,awomanwhispered inherearsoclose itmadeher jump.Thedesperationplaininthewoman'svoicemadetearswellupinPhyrea'seyes.Maybeitwillmakeitgoaway.

Phyreabegan to sob sohard she fearedher ribswould crack, and thatfearonlymadehercrysomemore.

Feelthatlittlepain,thewoman-theghost-wenton.Justalittlepainofthebodymakesallthepainofthemindgoaway.Atleastforalittlewhile,yes?Justalittle?Isn'tthatgood?Doesn'tthatmakeitgoaway?Can'tyoujustmakeitgoaway?

Stillcrying,Phyreanodded.

Trust us, said theman with the z-shaped scar-some long-dead relativeshe'd never known.We love you.Will you listen while we tell you somethingsyouneedtodo?

Phyreawipedthetearsfromhereyesonlytofeelhercheekssoakedwith

tearsagainascantheartbeatlater.

Trustus,theoldwomaninsisted.

Phyreastartedtonod,andtheghostsstartedtolaugh.

11


DR)TheCanalSite

Thisisdisgraceful,"Phyreasaid.

Sheglancedtoherlefttomakesurethestrangemanwaslookingather-hewas.

Shefoldedherarmsinfrontofherandletabreathhissoutthroughhernose.Themandidn't speak,butPhyreaknewhe'dheardandunderstoodher.

Averyshortman-notallerthanahalfling,buthelookedhuman-rusheduptothestrangerandspoketohiminalanguagePhyreadidn'trecognize,thoughsheassumeditwasthelanguageofShouLung,fromwhencethey'dcome.

LauCheungFen answered the littleman in clipped tones that sent theservantscurryingawayasfastashe'dapproached.

"Youobject,Miss, to theviewingstationor to theendeavor itself?"theShoumerchantasked.

Phyrea paused to consider her response carefully. She'd learned fromMeykhati's dreary wife that Shou would only respect slow speech andcarefulresponses.

"Please accept my assurance, Master Lau," she said, "that this is asubjectthatIhavegivenconsiderablestudy.Iobjecttoboth."

Themerchantnodded.

"Thiscanalisafool'serrand,"sheadded.

"IhaveheardquitedifferentlyofthisIvarDevorast,"Laureplied.

"There are some who mistake madness…" she began, but stopped tothink. Then she continued, "Thank you, Master Lau, for letting mereconsiderwhatIwas…forlettingmethink."

"Oneshoulddopreciselythat,"hesaid,"beforeonespeaks.But infactthereismoreofinteresttomeinwhatyourfirstresponsemighthavebeenthaninwhatyoumightbelieveIwishtohaveyousay."

Phyrealetonesideofhermouthturnupinasmile.Thoughhewasalientoherinsomanyways,shecouldfeelhimrespondtoherbeautythesameasanyInnarlan.

"Ihope,"shesaid,"thatthosewhohavegivenyoureasontobelievethatthis canalwillbeof;use toyour tradewill thinkagain.ThisDevorasthasideasandpassions,buthehasnotrueskill."

"Hewillnotbeabletofinishthis?"theShouasked.

Phyrea lookeddownat the toes ofherboots and sighed.She scrapedalineofdriedmudfromherbootacrossthewoodplanks.

"Ithinkthis…station,asyoucalledit,"Phyreasaid,"isalloneneedstoseetounderstandthenatureofthiscanal."Sheputasmuchsarcasmasshecould into that last word-and feared it might have been a bit too much."This is for show. It's a performance. A master manipulator is at workhere,notamasterbuilder."

LauCheungFennodded,andlookedoutoverthemenscurryingthiswayand that, going about the complicated business of digging a miles-longtrenchfromtheLakeofSteamtotheNagaflow.

"Soon,"Phyreawenton,"thiswillallstop.Thiswillallbecloseddown,andallthesemenwillgobacktoInnarlith."

"Iwastounderstandthathehadthesupportofyourransar,"Lausaid.

"Andhedoes, for thetimebeing.Thatwill surelychangeoncethegoldhasrunout."

"Theransar'sgold?"Lauasked.

"The gold he's already given Devorast," Phyrea told him. "It's all thegoldhe'sgoingtoget-allthegoldtheransarwillgivehim.AndfromwhatIhave been told, there might be enough coin left for a tenday's work. Nomore."

LauCheungFennoddedagain,andshethoughtitappearedasthoughhewasconsideringherwords.Atleastshehopedhewas.

You'rehurtinghim,thesadwoman'svoiceaskedher.Why?

ShefelthercheekbegintotwitchandsosheturnedawayfromtheShoumerchant.

"Tobegin,andnottoend____________________"LauCheungFensaid,trailingoffwithashakeofhishead.

"Itmightstillbefinished,"Phyreaoffered,"butnotbyDevorast."

WAy?thewomanaskedagain.

Butitwastheoldman,hisvoiceahoarsecroak,whoanswered,Becauseshecan.

PhyreasmiledandLauasked,"Bysomeoneelsethen?"

"ThemasterbuilderofInnarlith,"shesaid,"hasanapprenticewhobyallaccountshassurpassedhiminskillifnotposition.Thismanisasenatorin Innarlith, well liked and with all the right friends. He will be masterbuilder himself soon, and this canal, should the ransar decide it's indeedsomethingthatshouldbefinished,willbe-shouldbe-completedbyhim."

Phyrea swallowed. Her mouth and throat had gone entirely dry. Herchestfelttight,andshedrewinabreathonlywithsomedifficulty.

"Forme,"saidLauCheungFen,"itmattersonlythatthereisacanal.IfIvarDevorastor…?"

"WillemKorvan,"shesaid.

"OrWillemKorvanbuildsit,itwillmeannothingtomyships.Ifthereis

waterbetweenhereandthere,theywillfloat."

Phyreabobbeddowninasmallbowandgrinned.Herupperlipstuckforhalfaheartbeatonhersand-dryteeth.

"ThenIwon'tbelaborthepoint,"shesaid.

"Ididexpecttoseehimhere,"saidLau,"butI'mtoldheisaway."

"He'sgonetobegpeacefromthenagas,"Phyreareplied.Shehadbeenatthecanalsiteforlessthanaday,buthadheardthings."Theyagreedtolethimbuildthecanalatfirst-orsohetoldtheransar-butcamerecentlyandkilled some of the workers. I fear that if the canal is completed itmightsucceed only in spilling ships out into hostile waters, controlled by thosemonstroussnakethings."

She saw theveryreal concern thatprospect elicitedon theShou's face,andturnedaway.

12


DR)ThkNagaflow

We feel anger," Svayyah said for all the assembled naja'ssara to hear."We feel great, grave, crippling anger, and that anger is directed nottowardthisdista'ssarabeforeyou,butforoneofourown."

Thesourceofherfrustrationgloweredbackatherfromwherehehungsuspended, almostmotionless in the cool,murkywater. Sixmore of theirkindswirledaroundthem,theirattentionsstrugglingbetweentheaccused-Shingrayu-and thehuman, IvarDevorast.Their tensionbegan toheat thewater,andSvayyah'sred-orangespinesgrewredderstill.

"Anger?"Shingrayureplied,literallydrippingvenomfromhisfangsintothewaterwitheachsneeredsyllable."WhatdoesSvayyahknowofanger?Letustellourtribe-matesofanger."

Svayyah brought to mind a spell that would heat the water aroundShingrayu to so scaldinga temperature thathis scaleswould slough fromhisbody.Butrather thancast it, shesaid to theotherwaternagas,"Thisdista'ssara,thishuman,isknowntous.Wehavegivenitourword.Wehavemadeanagreementwithit."

She lookedatDevorast,whofloated in.thebubbleofairshe'dmadeforhimwith his arms folded across his chest. She could read nothing in hisface,buthis irritationcameoffhiminwavesthatnettledathersea-greenscales.

"We care nothing for an agreement with this low monkey of the drycities," Shingrayu spat. His serpentine body twitched, and he movedforward-onlyafootortwo-butSvayyahreactedtothethreatbyenvelopingherselfinaprotectiveshieldofmagic.Itlitaroundherwithapearles-centglow,reflectingofftheparticlesofdirtthatfloatedinthewater."Youmadethisagreement,Svayyah."

Theotherhalfdozenwaternagaswrithedatthesoundofthatword:you.

"Wecloseupontheplacewherewordsfail,"Svayyahwarnedhim.

"Discussionswerehad,"Zaeliiracutin.Herblue-greenscaleslookeddulland old in the meager light from the surface and the glow of Svayyah'sshield.

"Zaeliira has been swimming the Nagaflow for eight centuries," saidShuryall, "and howeverweakened by age,Zaeliiramay be, all naja'ssaraheedthecounselofZaeliira."

"Wemakeourownway,"Shingrayuhissed."WeareSsa'Naja."

"Shingrayu went above the waves and brought violent magic to thenaja'ssara in the employ of Ivar Devorast," Svayyah accused. "DoesShingrayudenythis?"

"Is there denial?" asked Zaeliira, who appeared to smart fromShingrayu'scomment.

Shingrayu pulled himself out to his full length, an impressive eighteenfeet, and drew his scales in tight so that he seemed to blaze green in themurk."We seeprey andwe eat.We see invaders andwedefend.We seeinsult and we take offense. We see Svayyah's ambition and we protectourselvesandourways.Therewillbenoserpentqueenhere."

The other nagas raced through thewater at the sound of thosewords,whirling faster and faster around the bubble Devorast floated in until itbegantoturninthewater.Heheldouthishands-thosefreakishappendagesof the dista'ssara-and steadied himself. Svayyahwaited for him to speak,buthesaidnothing.Hemethereyesfinally,andshefell intohisgazeinaway she couldn't understandin a way that almost made her believe thatShingrayuhadbeenrightallalong.

"Whatthisdista'ssaraworkswillbeofgreatbenefittoallthenaja'ssaraof the Nagaflow and the Nagawater," she said, shouting into thetempestuouswaters.

Theothernagasbegantocalm,butShingrayuremainedjustasrigid.

"Ivar Devorast comes here of his own will," Svayyah went on, "andentirelyatourmercy.Shouldwebutwishit,thewaterwouldrushintofillhishumanlungsandtakehimtowhateverafterlifeawaitshim.Hebravesthis,forawork."

"Awork?"Shuryallasked.

"We have heard of this thing the dista'ssara seeks to build," said theyoung and impetuous Flayanna. "It will bring human after human, shipaftershiptoourwaters.

Humanfilth.Shingrayuspeaksandactstrue.Weshouldalsoliketogotothesedista'ssaraandkill."

"IfFlayannawishes tokill Svayyah first todo so, thenwe standat theready,"Svayyahchallenged,knowingtheyoungernagawouldbackdown.

Flayannawouldn't look at her, and only swammore slowly in a circlearoundDevorast.

"If this human wishes it," Shingrayu said, "let it ask us all, not onlySvayyah,whoisnoqueenhere."

"Again, that word," Svayyah growled. She twitched her tail to bringherselfclosertoShingrayu."Speakitoncemore,anditwillbethelastwordtopassShingrayu'spoisontongue."

Theothernagasswamthen,nottoofast,butwithapurpose.Theygavethe two combatants room. They knew what was going to happen. AndSvayyahknewthatthefutureofthecanalwouldrestwithher.IfShingrayukilled her, Devorast would never live to see the surface again. He likelywouldn'toutlivethelastdyingspasmofSvayyah'sownheart.

"Therewillbenocanaltobringhumanexcrementintoourhomewaters,Svayyah,"Shingrayusaid,hisvoiceheavywithchallenge."TherewillbenoQueenoftheNagaflow."

Svayyahopenedhermouthwide,showedherfangs,letherforkedtonguetaste the familiar waters, and shrieked her challenge at the damnableShingrayu.Thesound,amplifiedbymagic,sentvisibleripplesthroughthe

water.Theothernagaspulledevenfartherback.WhenthewavefronthitShingrayu,heclosedhiseyesandwithstoodthebatteringforce.Thesideofhisfacehe'dturnedintotheShockwaveburnedred,andaweltrosefasttomarhissmoothskin.Thoughhiseyeswereclosedtightly,histongueslippedthroughafastincantation.

Shingrayuopenedhiseyestowatchthreejaggedboltsoflimegreenlightslicethroughthewater, leavingnotabubbleintheirwakes.TheycrashedintoSvayyah'sspellshieldwithforceenoughonlytostingher,buttheshieldunraveled fast, drifting away into the water like a cloud of luminescentsediment.

Svayyah closed the distance between them with a single lash of hermuscular body. In the briefmoment that passed before their bodiesmet,Shingrayurattledoffanotherspell.

SvayyahwrappedherserpentinebodyaroundShingrayu's,andthefirsttouchsentanettlingripplethroughherveins.Thetouchoftheothernagawaspainful to her. Scales stood out fromher flesh, and the ridge of longspinesonherbackleapedtoattention.Apainfulcrampraceduptheentirelengthofherbodyandslammedintoherjaw.

Butshefeltitcoming,andbeforeitgotthere,sheopenedhermouthwideagain. Perhaps confident that his shocking grasp would fend her off,Shingrayu left his all too vulnerable neck open. Svayyah's fangs presseddown, and the lightning touch of his spell clampedher jaws closed like avise. She bit so deeply into Shingrayu's neck that she felt her teeth cometogether. She couldn't swallow, and couldn't release the hot mouthful offlesh.Thebloodinthewater,likeblack-redsmokeintheairofthesurfaceworld, burned her eyes and filled her nose so she could neither see norsmell.Thesoundofherownbloodwhooshingthroughveiiisandarteriesasclampedtightasherjawdrownedoutallothersounds.

Holdingherbreath,SvayyahwrithedagainstShingrayuas though theyweremating. The series of cramps thatwrapped her ever tighter aroundher adversary threatened to snap every bone in her body, and Svayyahsteeled herself against that certainty. A loud snap, then the second andthird,cametohernotthroughherearsbutthroughherscales.Shethoughtat first that her bones had begun to break under Shingrayu'smagic, but

therewasnopain.

Itwasn'therbonesthatwerebreaking.

TheeffectofShingrayu'sspell fledallatonce.Svayyahuncoiled,outofcontrol, like a string from around a child's toy. She floated away fromShingrayuandspat themouthfulofhis throatout into thewaterbetweenthem.Shecoughedandshuddered,justtryingtobreathe.

Shingrayudrifted limp,buthis eyeswereopen.Heblinkedandopenedhismouth to speak.He had something to say, but couldn't get thewordsout.Hislipstwitched.Intelligenceandintentlefthiseyesfirst,thenthelifeitselffled.

Svayyahcontinuedtogaspforabreathastheotherwaternagascircledcloser.

"Svayyah says that this is a great work this dista'ssara does," Zaeliirasaid. "Does that make this human a great being? Does it make itsenthissa'ssa?"

Doesit?Svayyahthought.

SheturnedtoDevorast,who'sexpressionhadnotchangedatall.Shefelta sense of inevitability from him. It wasn't that he knew she would killShingrayu,butsomethingelse-somethingthatdependedinnowayonwhatshedid,whatShingrayudid,orwhatanyofthenaja'ssaradid.

"Areyou,IvarDevorast?"shemanagedtowhisperthroughathroatstillstrugglingopen."IsIvarDevorastateacherworthyofemulating?"

"Well?"Zaeliirapressed.

Svayyahturnedtoherkinandsaid,"Ifhebuildsit."

Shehadspokenlikeahuman,andhaddoneitonpurpose.ThephrasingwasnotlostonZaeliiraatleast.

"Very well," said the aged water naga. "Let this dista'ssara build itsgreat work. If it succeeds, it will have proven itself senthissa'ssa. Do the

naja'ssaraoftheNagaflowandNagawateragree?Alloflikemindonthis?"

Each of the other five nagas signaled their agreement and one by oneswamoff to theirownbusiness.ZaeliiraandSvayyah shareda look, thenshetooswamoffatherownslowpace.

Svayyah looked atDevorast in his bubble and shook her head.He haddone precisely what he should have, and Svayyah found herself whollyunabletobelieveit.

Hehadn'tsaidathingthewholetime.

13



H ow did you-" Phyrea began, then quickly chose from two possibleendingstothatquestion-"findme?"

Devoraststeppedcloser toher,butstoppedmorethanherarm's lengthaway.He'd been sitting in one of the uncomfortable old chairs that camewiththerentedflat,waitingforher in thedark.In the lightof thecandleshe'dlitbeforesheknewhewassittingthere,hisskinlookedsofterthansheknewittobe,buthiseyeswerenolessguarded,nomoreforthcoming.

"Osorkon," he said. His voice sounded different, softer too, but thatcouldn'thavebeenthecandlelight.

"Theransar?"sheasked.Shedidn'treallycarehowhe'dfoundher,butachill randownher spineat therevelation that theransarknewofwhatshethoughtofasherhidingplace.Ofalltheconversations,ofallthethingsshehopedwouldpassbetween them thatnight, thewheresandwhysandhowsofthethingsOsorkonknewaboutherwasoftheleastinterest."Howdidhe-?"

PhyreastoppedwhenDevorastmovedevencloser toher.Hesmelledofthedryearth,thepoisonsea,andthebitterwind.

"Isthatit?"sheasked,hervoicebelowevenawhisper,butsheknewheheardher."Isthathowyoucandothistome?Isthatyoursecret?Areyouan elemental? Some creature of all the forces of nature-earth, air, fire,water…theAstraletheritself?"

Hereachedoutahandandthoughhermindwantedherbodyto flinchaway,she foundherself leaningforward.Whenthe tipofhis finger foundthelaceofherbodiceshefellhalfastepclosertohim."Whatareyou?"sheasked.

Heraisedhisotherhandandbegantounlaceherbodice.Phyrea'skneesshook, then her hips, then her shoulders. Her hands had been shakingalready.Shefounditdifficulttobreathein,butexhaledinthroatygasps.

"I'mall Ieverneeded tobe,andallyoueverneed fromme,"Devorastsaid."Aman."

"No,"shesaid,evenwhilewishingitwastrue."Thatcan'tbe.Thatcan'tbeall."

Thestiffleatherbodicefellaway.

"I'vesaidthingsaboutyou,"Phyreatoldhimasheputhishandto thesideofherface.Hispalmwaswarmandrough."I'vehurtyou."

He kissed her on the cheek, and she leaned against him. She put herhandsonhisforearms.Thethintunicheworewasmadeofroughmaterial,cheappeasantclothes.

"Ipoisonpeopleagainstyou,"shetoldhimashis tongueplayedonherear.Herbodyquiveredathistouch.Shecouldn'tquitebreathe."Ihurtyouonpurpose."

"No,youdon't,"hewhispered,thenkissedheronthemouth.

Shetriedtomelt intohim,triedherbest todisappear intohisembrace,butcouldn't.

"Ifyoutellmetostop,I'llstop,"shesaidwhentheirlipsfinallyparted."Ifyoudemandmyobedience,you'llhaveit.Ifyouwantmeasyourwife,yourharlot, your slave,oryourmistress, youwillhaveme. Iwill remakemyselftowhateverstandardsyouimpose.Iwillerasemyselfifthat'swhatyouwish.I'llcutmyself.I'llkillmyself.I'll-"

"Dononeofthosethings,"hesaidintotheskinofherneck."Youdon'tneed to do anything to satisfy me, the same way I'll never do anythingsimplytosatisfyyou."

Tearsstreamedfromhereyes.

"Ican'thaveyou,canI?"sheasked.

"Notthewayyoumean,"washisanswer.

Shecriedwhileheheldherforalittlewhile,andsheonlystoppedwhensherealizedthatinthattime,shehadn'theardoneofthevoices,orseenasingleapparition.Shehadn'twanted tohurtherself, though she'dofferedto.

"Ihavetodestroyyou,"shetoldhimevenasshelethimcarryhertoherbed."Thisworldistoosmallforyou."

Hemovedtokissheragain,butshestoppedhim.

"Therearepeoplewhoaretryingtostopyou,"shetoldhim,thoughhemust have already known. "They'll succeed, too, because it's easy to dowhattheydo.It'stheeasiestthingintheworldtotearamandown,topickat his flesh till there's nothing left of him but bones. I can't watch thathappen.Doyouunderstandme?"

HesmiledinawaythatmadePhyrea'sheartseemtostopinherchest.

"I won't let you live to be so degraded," she whispered as he finishedundressingher."Notbythem."

Thosewerethelastwordseitherofthemspokethatnight,andtheghostsdidn'tcomebackuntilDevorastfinallyleft.

14

5Kythorn,theYearoftheSword


IarekRymiit couldn't see the ghosts that hauntedPhyrea, butheknewtheywerethere.Thoughhewasnonecromancer-enchantmentsweremorehis cup of tea-he knew enough of theways of the undead.He knew theirpowerand their sharplydelineated limitations.Over thepast few tendayshe'dlearnedmoreandmoreaboutthespiritsthathadtakenupresidenceinthatpoor littlerichgirl, that tortureddaughterofawealthy idiot,andhefoundhimselfinventingmoreandmoreexcusestoseeher.

"Myapologies,gentlesir,"PhyreasaidtoMarek'soldest friend,"pleasehelpmetopronounceyourname."

"ln-sith-riU-ax," the black dragon said, enunciating each syllable withgreat care. In the guise of a human, he smiled at her without the barestsliverofinterest.

"Insithryllax,"thegirlrepeated."It'sanimposingname.TolookatyouIwould have to say you are Chondathan, but that doesn't sound like aChondathanname."

"I suppose," the disguised dragon replied, "that I'mmoreMulhorandithanChondathan,butthenameis…averyoldone."

MarekcaughtthetwinkleinPhyrea'seyesthattoldhimshemighthavebeenclose to figuringout that InsithryllaxwasnomoreMulhorandi thanMarekwasafieldmouse.

"Howare you enjoying the tea,my love?"Marek askedher, returningthetwinkle.

She did her best not to look him in the eye when she answered, "I'veneverbeenonefortea,MasterRymiit,butI'msureit'swonderful."

"The leaves are harvested onMidsummer's eve from the slopes of oneparticularmountainhighintheSpineoftheWorld,"hetoldher,inventingevery word of the preposterous tale as he went along. "Ore slaves carrythem whole to a shop in the heart of fair Silverymoon, where they arepurified with spells granted by the grace of Chauntea. Onemust have asignedwritfromtheLadyAlustrielherselftobuyit."

Phyrea laughed and said, "Somehow I doubt you possess such a writ,MasterRymiit."

"Youwoundmewiththetruth,mydarlinggirl,"herespondedwithanentirely false chuckle. "The owner of the tea shop knows someone whoknowssomeonewhoknowssomeone."

Phyreanodded,makingitplainshe'dlostinterestinstoriesaboutteashedidn'tevendrink.InsteadshelookedatInsithryllax.

"The way your eyes dart around the room," she said to the dragon,"constantly on the lookout for-what? Another mad alchemist? A rivalwizarddeterminedtoresisttheinevitable?Iwasundertheimpressionthatnosuchattackshavecomeforsometime."

So,Marek thought, you've been studyingme, too.Well done, girl. Buttreadlightly.

"I am happy to report,"Marek said before the evenmorewary blackdragoncouldassumetheworstfromherplayfulquestion,"thatmyeffortstocivilize the trade inenchanted itemsandspellcraft inInnarlithhasmetwithsomesuccessoflate.Itisacredittothecityofyourbirth."

Phyrea forced a smile and said, "Any foreigner can have hiswaywithInnarlith.It'stoyourcreditonlythatyouhavetamedtheotherforeigners."

Mareklaughedthatoffandsaid,"Youholdsolowaregardforyourowncity,Iwonderwhyyoustayhere."

ThatelicitedalooksograveMarekwasmomentarilytakenaback.

"Please,Marek,"Insithryllaxsaid,"you'lloffendthegirl."

When theRedWizard regardedhis old friend,hewashappy to seenotraceofrealconcernonhisface.

"Pleasedoacceptmy-"Marekstarted.

"No,"Phyreacutin."Don'tbother.OfcourseIholdthiscesspoolinlowregard." She paused to listen to something, but the tea room wascharacteristicallyquiet."OfcourseIdo."

Marekputthecuptohislipsandwhisperedaspell,hidingthegesturesasamomentaryindecisionoverwhichofthelittlepastriestosample.

… him the sword, a voice whispered from nowhere. It was a strangesensation. Marek had heard voices in his head before, had oftencommunicatedinthatway,butitwassomethingelseentirelytohearavoiceinsomeoneelse'shead.It'sforyou.

Thenawoman:Wemeantitforyou.

Andalittleboy:Ifyougiveittohim,wewillbecrosswithyou.

Marek resisted the urge to shudder. Instead he took a sip of tea andstudiedPhyrea'sface.

Shewasbeautiful,ofthattherewasnodoubt,butshelookedolderthanheknewhertobe.She'dseenonlytwentysummers,buttolookathereyeshe'dsayshewasfifty.

"You'renotwell,"heventured.

Sheshookherhead,buttoldhim,"I'mfine."

"You'vebeenbusy."

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"I'veheardthethingsyou'vebeensayingaboutthathorridman,"Mareksaid."Youknow,thatditchdigger?"

"Devorast,"shewhispered,thenclearedherthroatandsaidmoreloudly,

"IvarDevorast."

Use the sword on him, a man all but screamed at Phyrea andMarekbroughttomindaspellthathehopedcouldsavehislifeifshefollowedthatorder.

Devorast,thelittleboywhined.Ihatehim.Youneedtokillhimwiththeflam…theflam…"

"Theflamberge,"Mareksaidaloud,riskingthattheghostswouldrealizehecouldhearthem.

Phyrealookedhimintheeyeforthefirsttimethatday,butbeforeMarekcoulddosomuchassmileshelookeddownatthetightly-wrappedbundleather feet-a sheet of soft linen precisely the dimensions of a sheathed longsword,tiedtogetherwithtwine.

No!oneofthespiritsscreamed.

Wait,breathedanother.

"You'llbeabletotellme…"shestarted,butwasinterruptedbytheboy.

I'llhateyou ifyougive it tohim.He'llkillyouwith it.Hewants tokillyou.

Sheshookherhead.

"Iwillmakeastudyofit,"hepromisedher."AndIwon'tgiveitback."

We'llshredyourmindifyoulethimtakeitaway,saidthevoiceofanoldwoman.

Itwasforyou,anotherghostwhimpered.

"Ican'thandittoyou,"shesaidandtookasipofhertea.Shegrimaced.

"Leaveitonthefloorthen,"Marektoldher."I'lltakeitwithmewhenIgo."

Don'tlethim,awomanmoaned.Plea-

Hisspellhadrunitscourse,butMarekhadheardallheneededtohearofthevoicesinPhyrea'shead.

"I hate to keep bringing him up, as he seems to upset you so,"Mareksaid. "But I wish you would tell me why you're so opposed to theCormyreanandhisludicrousmission.Afterall,isn'the,likeme,aforeignermanipulatingtheweaknessesofthecityyouhateso?Why,onewouldthinkyou'dhaveinvitedhimtoteawithus."

"Ihopeyoutwowillnevermeetagain,"shesaid."AndanywayIdon'tcareaboutthecanal.Ihopeitisfinished…anywayitmakesnodifferencetome if it isor isn't,as longasDevorast-"andonlysomeoneasastuteasMarekRymiitcouldhavedetectedthepauseinhervoicejustthen-"doesn'tgettoseeitthrough."

"Well,then…"Marekchuckled."Still,IwonderwhyWillemKorvan."

"What?"

"Iknowyou'vementionedhisnametoanumberofpeople,"hepressed.

With a shrug Phyrea answered, "My father thinks highly of him. Andhe'saforeigner.Whynothim?"

"WhynotDevorast?"Marekcontinuedtopress.

Phyreapaused,almostfrozeinplace.ItappearedtoMarekasthoughshesearcheddeepwithinherselfforananswer.

Orisshelisteningtotheghostsagain?hethought.

"Because,"shefinallyanswered,"Ihatehim."

Marek tookabreath to speak,but stoppedhimselfwhenherealizedhedidn'tknowwhoshewastalkingabout.DidshehateDevorastorKorvan?Orboth?

15

9Kythorn,theYearoftheSword(1365

DR)TheLandofOneHundredand

Thirteen

TTnderanyothercircumstances,Marekwouldhavedemandedcompletesilence. He would have roared that order in a magically-enhanced voiceloudenoughtoburst theeardrumsof theoffendingparties,andhewouldhavefollowedtheorderwiththreatssocruelthesoundofthemcouldpeelthepaintfromawall.

Buthedidn'tdothat.Heunwrappedtheswordtotheaccompanimentofsaws and shovels, shouted orders and pained grunts, and stone gratingagainststoneandhammersclangingonhotmetal.Asanxiousashe'dbeentoexaminethatfascinatingflambergeofPhyrea'stherewasstillworktobedoneonhiskeep,afterall.

The huge black dragon alit several paces away, scattering some of theblack firedrakes that had been bent to their work beneath him. Theyscamperedoutofhiswayashemovedtotheunfinishedwallandcranedhismassive,serpentineneckdowntoregardMarek.

"Ah,"saidthedragon,"thereyouare."

Thelinensheetcameawayfromthescabbardedsword,andMarekstifledagiggle.

"Lovely,isn'tit?"theRedWizardsaid."Suchcraftsmanship."

"Elven,"Insithryllaxsaid,betrayingadragon'sappreciationforthefinerthings.

"Ibelieveso,yes,"Marekagreed."Anddoyoufeelit?"

"HowcouldInot?"

"Such a powerful enchantment," the wizard said. The dragon made ashow of sniffing the air in front of him and said, "Necromancy." "Yes,"Marekreplied."Whatdoyouwantwithit?"

Mareklookedupat thewyrmandsmiled.Behindhim,ringingtheflat-toppedhilluponwhichhiskeepwasbeingbuilt,wasthesprawlingcampofhisarmyofblackfiredrakes.

"They're almost ready, aren't they?" Marek said, ham-handedlychangingthesubject.

The dragon snorted, releasing a puff of gray-black mist that madeMarek'seyesitchevenfromadistance.

"Sorry,"thedragonsaidwhenMarekblinkedandrubbedhiseyes.

"Partofthejoysofyourfriendship,"theRedWizardquipped."Butbethat as itmay"-hepulled thewavy-bladed sword from its scabbard-"howcouldInotwantaweaponsuchasthis?"

"Butyou?"askedthedragon."Awizard?"

"Phyrea thinks thatanyonewho iskilledby thisblade isreanimated insomestateofundeath,"Mareksaid.

"Issheright?"

Marekshruggedandreplied,"Caretotry?Haven'tyoualwayssecretlywishedtobeadracolich?"

Thewyrm'snostrilsflared,butheheldhisacidicmistin.

"A jest, I assure you, my friend," the wizard covered. With somedifficulty-he almost cut himself twice-Marek sheathed the sword. "I willstudythisingreatdetail."

"Tellme innouncertainterms,Marek, thatyouhavenoplansfor thatbladethatinvolveme,"thedragoninsisted."Unlessyoumeantogiveittome."

Mareklockedeyeswiththedragon-notaneasythingtodo-andsaid,"Iwould do nothing of the kind without your consent. My thoughts runtoward…someoneelse."

Marekhopedthedragonwouldacceptthat.Hewasnowherenearreadytorevealanyplanshehadforthatblade,especiallysinceitcouldbesometime,yearseven,beforehesetthoseplansinmotion.

"Good,"theblackdragonsaid.

"Iwillofferyetanotherapology,myfriend,"saidthe

RedWizard."IhavenotbeenbackhereasmuchasIwouldhaveliked.Mattersinthecityhavekeptmeoccupied,buttheprogresshereisacredittoyourefforts,andyouhavemythanks."

The dragon twisted his neck inwhatMarek had come to know as onevariation on a shrug, and said, "The black firedrakes are learningmorequicklyeveryday.Theyactalmostentirelyontheirownnow."

Marekplacedtheswordonatablecrowdedwithotheritemsofvaryingpowerandwenttotheedgeoftheincompletewall.Helookedoutoverthefiniteconfinesofhistinylittleuniverseandsighed.Theairtastedstale,andhe realized that every breath he took felt less satisfying than the last.HecouldfeelInsithryllaxeyeinghim.

"Wecan'tlastmuchlongerhere,"thedragonsaid.

Marekshookhisheadandreplied,."No,notwithsomanylungstofill."

The black firedrakes, some in human form, others resembling smalldragons,walkedorflewinaconstantflurryofactivity.They'dbuiltwhatcouldbestbedescribedasasmallvillageontherockyplainoftheLandofOneHundredandThirteen.

"Could be they sense it, too," Insithryllax said.With his eyes, and hisgreatlongneckhedrewMarek'sgazeupintothealways-cloudysky.

Twoblackfiredrakeswheeledintheair,swoopinginfastateachothertospray jetsofhissingblackacid.Theydodgedandweaved in thedeadair,

clawingandsnappingtheirjaws.Anotherdozenorsooftheirkindcircledthe pair,watching their everymove and sometimes spinning in the air inreactiontosomesurprisebiteorwell-placedsprayofacid.

"They'll always do that, I think,"Marekmused, watching the circlingdrakes.

Oneofthecreaturesmanagedtogetundertheotherandbitdownhardonitsopponent'srightfoot.Thoughhewastoofarawaytohearit,Marekcould imagine themighty crunchof theblack firedrake's talon shatteringunderitssister'sfangs.

"Therearewaystoreplenishtheair.Spells…"Marekbegan.

Theblackfiredrakethathadbeenbittensnappeditsheaddownandspatamist of corrosive fluid at the drake that still had it's broken foot in itsmouth. The acid poured over its wing like syrup, and pieces of the thinmembranetoreoffandwaftedtotheground,sizzlingontheedges.

"Still,"Insithryllaxsaid,"atleastsomeofthefiredrakeswillhavetobetakenout."

Theburnedfiredrakeopeneditsmouthtoscream,anditfellawayfromitsopponent'sshatteredfoot.Withonewingburnedalmostentirelyaway,itspunintheairlike.theseedfromamapletree,shriekinginagonythewholewaydown.

"Higharvestide, I think," Marek said, pausing only when the burnedfiredrakehitthegroundandseemedtocollapseinonitself.

OthersofitskinddivedintotearchunksoffleshfromitsstilltwitchingcorpseandInsithryllaxasked,"WhyHigharvestide?"

"I don't know,"Marek answered with a shrug. "I just have a feelingeverythingwillbealignedproperlybythen."

Four black firedrakes went after the one with the shattered foot andbroughtitdowninpieces.

"That's less than four months away," sighed the dragon. "We should

surviveuntilthen."

16


(1365DR)AboardJieZud,in

InnarlithHarbor

Theairwassowarmshedidn'tmindbeingwet,evensolateatnight.Thethinmaterialofherundergarmentsclungtoher,andPhyreawasremindedofherleathers,whichshehadn'tworninaverylongtime.

Youhaveasmuchrighttoitasshedoes,theoldwomanwiththeterribleburn scars onher face andneckwhispered,maybemore so. It shouldbeyours.

Phyrea shookherheadand lookedat thewoman.She stoodonlya fewpacesdowntherailfromher,though"stood"mightnothavebeentherightword.Herfeetdidn'tquitetouchthedeck.Phyreacouldeasilymakeouttheoutlines of the sterncastle through her incorporeal form, and when shespokeherlipsdidn'tmove.

"No,"Phyreaansweredaloud,shakingherhead.

You could have killed that man, the little boy said from behind her.Phyrea didn't turn to look but she could feel him there. No one will doanything to you if you do it. Youwon't get in trouble. They're not fromhere.They'renotlikeus.

"Idon'twanttokillanyone,"Phyreasaid."Notthesepeople."

Shelookedoutoverthestillwatertothelightsofthecity.Themoonwasbright in the clear, star-speckled sky, trailing her glittering tears behindher. Phyrea felt a sudden urge to offer a prayer to Selune-a prayer offorgiveness,perhaps.

Youhavenothing tobeashamedof, thevoiceof themanmurmured inher head.He sounded bored, old, and tired. Except for relinquishing the

sword.

Yes, said the old woman, you should be ashamed of giving away thatsword.

"No,"Phyreasighed.

Yes, thewomanrepeatedasshedriftedcloser.TheThayanwilldestroyyouandeverythingyou'veeverlovedwiththatsword.

Anditwasmeantforyou,themansaid.

Andwewantitback,saidtheboy.

"You'rewrong,"Phyreasaid,notlookingattheghosts.Sheranafingeralongthecool,smoothtilesontherailing.Theglazedceramicshoneinthemoonlight. "No, you're lying.He can't destroy everything I've ever loved,becauseI'veneverlovedanything,except-"

"Who are you?" a strange, heavily-accented voice interrupted. Phyreadismissed it as another ghost, until she heard a footstep. "Answer me,woman,oryourheadandyourbodywillgoseparatelyintothenextworld."

Phyreaturnedherhead.Thewomanthathadbeentherebefore,theonethathadtakenupresidenceinPhyrea'shead,wasgone.Thesilhouetteofawomanstoodat thehatch to the sterncastle.Phyreacouldn't seeher face,but the straight-bladed long sword she held in her right hand reflectedSelune'sbrilliance."Speak,"thewomandemanded.

Phyreasighed,andmadeapointtoleavebothherhandsontherailinginfrontofherwheretheycouldbeclearlyseen.

Another hatch opened, and a man's voice rattled through a sentence'sworth ofwords in some incomprehensible tongue.Hewas answered by asinglewordfromthewoman.

"I ammaster of this vessel," thewoman said, "and I command you toexplainyourself."

"I justwanted to see it," Phyrea said, her voice quiet and small,weak

even,butcarryingwellenoughinthestillnightair."No…Imean,Iwantedtotouchit.Iwantedtofeelit."

Thewomanand themankeptquiet and stillwhilePhyrea foughtbacktears.

"Myman,"thewoman-RanAiYu-said,"didyoukillhim?"

Phyreashookherhead.

Thewomansteppedcloser,andPhyreacouldfeelhereyesonher.Phyreawasunarmed.Shewaspracticallynaked.Thereweremorefootsteps,moremen,moreofRanAiYu'screw.

"Imighthavehurthim,"Phyreasaid."I'msorry."

"I know you," Ran Ai Yu said. "You are the daughter of the masterbuilder."

She wants him too, you know, the old woman's voice whispered insideher.

"Whywouldn'tshe?"Phyreaansweredaloud.RanAiYusteppedcloserstill.

"Areyoudrunk?"theShouwomanasked."Areyoumad?"

Phyrealaughedandsobbedatthesametime.

"Hebuiltthis,"Phyreasaid."Hemadeitwithhisownhands,butmorethanthat,heformeditinhismindfromnothing.Heconjuredit,youknow,but not the way a wizard would. It was an act of pure creation, theinventionofsomethingfromnothing."

"IvarDevorast,"RanAiYusaid,"yes."

Phyreacringed,almostseizedwhenthewomanofpurplelightshrieked,Yousee?

"Stopit,"Phyreademandedoftheghost."Youdon'tknow."

"Ido,"theShouanswered.

Phyrea shook her head, her tearsminglingwith the harborwater thatstilldampenedherface.

"Whathauntsyou,girl?"RanAiYuasked.

Phyrealookedupintotheblacksky,purposefullyturningherheadawayfromdazzlingSelune,andsaid,"Him,morethananything."

Weareyourblood,Phyrea,thevoiceofthelittlegirlwhowalkedthroughwalls sighed, and we love you. We love you more than he ever will, nomatterhowmuchyousmileathim,orwhateverpresentsyoubring.

"Youlie,"Phyreawhispered.

"Youmust find someone tohelp you,"RanAiYu said. "Butnot here.Youarenotwelcomehere."

One of themen spoke to hismistress in their native tongue, and againRanAiYuansweredwithbutasingleword.

Then in Common she said, "No, I can not let her swim back at night.Therewillbetonrongs.Iwillhavemymenloweraboatandrowyoubacktothecity.Ihopeyouwillneveragainbesofoolishastodothis,andifmymanhereisdead,ordiesasaresultofyourattackuponhim,therewillbeadebtowed."

Phyrea couldn't move, even just to shrug, nod, or hake her head. Herhandswarmedthetilesontherailing,andherfeetcaressedthedeck.Herheartseemedtoswellinherchestandshestoodthere,herhairbeginningtodryandswirlinasuddenbreeze,whiletheyloweredaboat.

Beforesheclimbeddowninto it, she lookedat theShousailorsprawledonthedeck,andinthequietshecouldhearhimbreathing.

Youshouldhavekilledthatslant-eyedforeignbastard,thelittleboytoldher.

Phyreasawhimstandingthere,theoutlineofRanAiYuvisiblethrough

thevioletluminescence,andshewasallbutovercomewithsadness.

"Perhaps,"theShouwomansaid,"ifyoutoohadsomethingofhis…"

Notwantingher to continue,Phyrea turnedand followedawary sailorintothewaitingboat.

17

l0Kythorn,theYearoftheSword(1365

DR)ThePalaceofManySpires,

Innarlith

Thoughhisskinwaspale,vergingonpink,andhisfeaturesweretypicallybrutish, theRansarofInnarlithremindedRanAiYuof themonksofherhomeland.Hisheadwasshavedclean,andhisdresswassimple,functional,anddevoidofornamentation.Though in thestrictlyconfined limitsof thecity-statehewasasortofking,itwouldhavebeenimpossibletodrawanysuchconclusionmerelybylookingathim.Whenhewalked,hisarmsswungathis side in anundisciplined, evenboyishmanner.He smelled faintly ofgarlicandtheroughtallowsoaptheInnarlanstoorarelyused.Hisfeetwerecladinsimpleleathersandalsthatexposedhislong,crookedtoes.

"Her name is Phyrea," Ran Ai Yu said. "She is the daughter of yourmasterbuilder."

Osorkon nodded as they strolled, and replied, "Of course. Everyoneknows Phyrea, at least, as much as she allows us to know her. No smallnumberofmenwouldliketotakeherasamistressifnotawife.Therearerumorsofadarksidetoher,too-someaccusationsofthievery,even.WhatinterestcanshebetoShouLung?"

"Sheisofinteresttome,Ransar,"RanAiYusaid.Shedidn'tbothertoonce again correcthim, to tell him that shewas amerchant-mistress of asailingvessel ofherown-andnot anofficial, ambassador, or other sort ofrepresentativeofherhomeland."OnlyjustbeforemiddarklastnightdidIfindherstandingbytherailofmyship.Shehadswim…swum…Idon't…butsheswamthereinthedarkofthenightatgreatrisk,andwithmotivesIamhavingtroubleunderstanding."

"Shecan'thavebeentryingtostealfromyou,"Osorkonsaid.

"Idonothavereasontobelievethat."

RanAiYuletherfingertipsbrushabloomingroseasshestrolledpastaparticularlyhealthybush.Theransar'sgardenwasimpressiveforaprivateresidence, though thepalacesofShouLunghadgardens far larger.She'dnoted the ransar's gazedarting frombloom tobloomas theywalkedandcouldseethatheappreciatedthefoliageandthepeacefulnessoftheplace.Somehow,itdidn'tmatchtheman.

"Sheishaunted,"theShoumerchantsaid."Phyrea?"

"Spirits have attached themselves to her," she explained. "One of mymenissensitivetosuchthings.Evenwithouthiscounsel,Iwouldhaveseenitinhermyself.Shespeakstopeoplewhocannotbeseen."

The ransar shrugged and said, "Maybe she didn't swim to your shipalone."

RanAiYuskippedastep.Herhesitationelicitedascantsmilefromtheransar.Shehadn'tconsideredthatpossibility-thatPhyreamighthavebeenaccompanied by some number of compatriots cloaked in spells ofinvisibility-butsomehowitsimplydidn'tringtrue.

"Nothingwasmissing ofmy cargo or personal items," she said. "I amsureshewasalone."

"Andyouhaveasensitiveman____________________"

RanAiYuletthatpass.

"Wouldyoulikemetoinformthemasterbuilder?"heasked.

"Ifyoufeelthatwouldbeproper."

RanAiYulethergazedriftupfromtheflowerstothetoweringrampartsofthePalaceofManySpires.Onetowerinparticularstruckhereye.ItwasnewerthantheothersandpossessedofanetherealbeautythatwasoutofplaceintheotherwiseunderwhelmingcityofInnarlith.

"I find itdifficult, sometimes," the ransar said,"todeterminepreciselywhatisandwhatisn'tproper.Itcanplagueone,don'tyouagree?"

"Withallhonorandrespect,Ransar,butIdonot.Ihavecometoknowmany of theways of Innarlith, so tome I am not surprised bywhat youhavebeensokindtoconfideinme,butinmyrealmweareschooledfromouryoungestage-frombeforewecaneven speakin thewaysofpoliteandcivilized society. We are taught always to know what is proper in anysituation.Itisthebloodandsinewofourveryculture."

Whatshe'dsaidseemedtopleasehim,andhereplied,"WellthenIguessIwillhavetorelyonyoutotellmeifitwouldbeproperforamanlikemetoasktoseeawomanlikeyouinasocialsetting."

Ran Ai Yu was struck momentarily dumb. She wasn't even entirelycertainwhattheransarwasasking.

"Iamcertainwewillencountereachotheragainatreceptionsandsuch,"shesaid."MybusinessdemandsthatI-"

"Tellmeifyouareuncomfortablewithmyadvances,

RanAiYu," he said, his voice sending a chill down the Shouwoman'sspine.

"I am uncomfortable only because I have been here so long, and havebeenunabletounloadpreciouscargofortradeinInnarlith,"shesaid.

Hesighedatthechangeinsubjectandsaid,"Therearemeninthiscitywhoareinflamingthepassionsoftheworkingclass,thoughIhavenoideaofthepurposebehindit.Istrivediligently,Iassureyou,totakemattersinhand.Youwillunloadyourcargowhenlimitedresourcesmakeitpossible."

"Itiswarmtoday,"shesaid.

RansarOsorkongruntedintheaffirmative.

"I arrivedon the twelfthdayofAlturiak," she said."Though I greatlyenjoy your city and its people, now it is fourmonths gone by, the warmwindsofsummerblow,andstillmyshipisatanchorintheharbor."

"Takeyourcomplaintstotheharbormaster,"theransarreplied.

RanAiYunoddedandchangedthesubject."Ihavebeentovisitthesiteof the canal that Ivar Devorast constructs in your name. It is of greatinteresttome,toonedaybeabletosailintotheSeaofFallenStars,whichIhavelongheardtellof,buthaveneverseen."

"Devorastdidn'ttellyouthathewasbuildingitinmyname,didhe?"

"Ionlyassumed."

Theransarsighed,andRanAiYuriskedaglanceathisface.Hispinkishskinhadturnedadeeperred,andshecouldfeel thathewasembarrassedbyherrebuff.

"Ithonorsyou,nonetheless,"shetoldhim.

"Devorast____________________" said the ransar. "Now that one ishaunted."

"Butnotinthesamewayasthemasterbuilder'sunfortunatedaughter?"

"No,"Osorkonreplied."Devorastishauntedbyhisowngreatness.IfthesonofawhorehadanonceofpoliticalambitionIwouldhavehadtohavehimkilledalongtimeago."

ItwasRanAiYu's turn tobeembarrassed.She said,"Sheknows IvarDevorast,yes?""Phyrea?"

RanAiYunodded,andtheransarshruggedandsaid,"Isupposeso."

"I thinkshecametomyshipbecausehebuilt it.""Devorastbuiltyourship?"

"Hedid,yes,"saidtheShoumerchant,"somethreeyearsago."

"That'sright,"theransarsaid."Hedidbuildships."

Theywent a few slow steps in silence, andRanAiYu could no longerignorethefeelingthathewantedhertoleave.

"Iwill allow you to proceedwith your day,Ransar," she said. "Please

accept my most humble thanks for the honor of your time, and yourgarden."

Hestoppedwalkingandturnedtolookather.Thoughshedidn'twantto,etiquettedemandedshedothesame.

"Iwilltrytoconveytothemasterbuilderthathisdaughterishaunted,"hesaidwithatraceofabow,"byIvarDevorast,andotherghosts."

Shedidn'tbelievehim,becauseitwasobviousthenthathedidn'tbelieveher.Still,shebowed,thankedhim,andwentbacktohership.

18

11Kytkorn,theYearoftheSword

(1365DR)TheChamberofLawand

Civility,Innarlith

Willem Korvan wasn't drunk, but he had been drinking. He'd comestraightfromtheinnwherehe'dbeenwithHalina.Hestillsmelledofher-oratleasthefearedhedid,butitwasthesmellofthewinehefearedmost.Theairinsidethegiantchamberthatservedasameetingroom-asortoftemple-forthesenateofInnarlithwasdryandhot.Thoughitwasmanydozensoftimes the size of the room in the inn,he feltmore closed inby the senatechamber.Hefounditmoredifficulttobreathethere.

"Doyouthinkitawasteofyourtime,myboy,"themasterbuildersaid,"ifItellyouagainhowproudIamofyou?"

Willemcouldn'tanswer,soheshookhishead.

But I can't believe this, he told himself. She can't be the one I end upwith.Mymotherisright.MarekRymiitisright.They'reallright.Halinaiswrong.

"You'vedonewellthesepastmonths,Willem,"Inthelphdronedon."Weareallveryhappywithyou-allyourgenerouspatrons."

Hethoughtofadozensycophanticrepliestothatbutspokenoneofthem.Hecouldn'tmustertheenergytopushthatmuchairoutofhislungs.

"ButyoushouldalsoknowthatIexpectmoreofyouthanavoteinthesechambers,"Inthelphwenton.

HisvoicemadeWillem'sskincrawl.Themasterbuilderspoketohiminpaternal tones, andWillem wanted nothing more than to strike out. Hecouldn'tgatherthestrengthtospeaktohim,buthefeltsurehecouldsnaptheoldman'sneckintheblinkofaneye.Theywerealoneinthechamber,

afterall.Itwouldbeasimpleenoughthingtoconcoctastory-atragicfall,almostsillyreally,thatsuchagreatmanmighttriponastairandfalljustso as to breakhis neck.No onewould question,would they?Would theytakethemasterbuilder'sstillcorpsetoapriestandinquireofhisdepartedsoul?WouldInthelphaccuseWillemfrombeyondthegrave?Itwasthesortof thing one had to consider, though they never did that withKhonsu____________________

"Though you're a senator now you're still a very talented youngman,andthecityneedsyourtalents,perhapsnowmorethanever."

Butthentheoldmanwaswrong,wasn'the?Willemhadnotalent-noneat all-save the talent for impressing easily impressed old men and shy,bookish foreign women. He couldn't build anything. He couldn't leave alegacy,oramarkontheworld.Buthecouldkisswitheredoldarsewiththebestofthem.Willemdesperatelycravedmorewine,orsomethingstronger.

"I just simply deplore the notion that any serious program of publicworksshouldproceedwithoutyourinvolvement.It'sadisservicetothecity,theransar,andthepeopleofInnarlith-agravedisserviceindeed."

Willem tried to sigh, but had no strength to do it, so he just sat theretryingtokeepapictureofDevorast'scanalfromforminginhishead.Theyboth knew that thatwaswhat themaster builderwas talking about. ButapparentlyonlyWillemknewthattherewasnowayinallNinescreamingbloodyHellsthathewouldbeabletobuildit.Willemcouldn'tevenreallyimagine the thing. He understood the basic concept of course: Build atrenchfromtheshoreoftheLakeofSteamtothebankoftheNagaflowandsomehowfillitwithwatertoformaman-maderiver.Butitwassuchalongway,andwouldhavetobesodeep.

"I'msureyouknowthattheransarwillsoonenoughdiscoverthesortofmanyouroldfriendIvarDevorastis,afterall.Thatfool-it'sTymora'smostficklewhimsythatthemanhasavoidedhisunfortunatepatron'swraththislong.Imean,honestly…"

Maybe,Willemthought,thisransarisnotasstupidasyouorI.Maybeheunderstands that though Devorast was no one's idea of a sparklingconversationalist, he was perhaps the only human being on the whole of

spinningToril thatmight everhave even conceivedof the thing, let alonewasinpossessionoftheskillsnecessarytoseeitdone.IfthemasterbuilderinsistedthatWillemfinishthecanal,hewouldhavetodoit,andhewouldhavetofail.

"Butthat'salljustfancynow,isn'tit?We'llletitbeasitmay,yes?"

Yes,yes,yes,Willemthought.Letitbe.LetitbedamnedwiththebothofthemtotheendlessAbyss.Willemrubbedhisface,andanimageofHalinacameunbiddentohismind'seye.Shelaynakedonthebedintheinnwherehe'dlefther.Shesmiledathiminthatwayshehadofsmilingathimthatmadehimnotwanttokillhimself.

"Really, Willem, I worry about you. You don't look all together well.Pleasetellmeyou'vebeensleeping.It'ssleepthatisthefinesttonicforanyman'sbodyandsoul.You'veearnedsomerest,atleastuntilyouarecalledupontofinishsomeendeavororanotherforyourdearadoptedhome."

Rest?Sleep?WithHalina, yes, two or threedays out of every ten.Therestofthetimehecouldn'tsleep.Nohalfdozenbottlesofwinecouldmakehimpassout, even.All.hedidwas sitathome in thedarkand think, thesound of his mother's snoring wafting through the strangely unfamiliarhallsofhistownhouse.Thatsoundremindedhimofhischildhood,andwasjust barely enough to keep him from opening his veins in the wee hoursbeforedawn,butthehousehe'dboughtwasnohomeforhim.

"Perhaps you need a diversion, or better yet, a family. You knowmyfeelings on this, Willem, and I think Phyrea's coming around. In fact, Iknowforafactsheis.BytheMerchantfriend'sjinglingpurse,myboy,I'velong considered you a son-a part of the family already. Marry Phyrea,Willem,andlet'smakethattrulythecase,eh?"

MarryPhyrea?The thoughtmadehisheadspinmore than thewineorthememoryofthesoftnessofHalina'sskin.Phyreahadshownhimnothingbut scathing contempt, and hermouth-breathing old imbecile of a fatherthoughtthatshewas"comingaround?"HerdisdainwassomethingWillemcarried aroundwith him like othermen carried knives. It had become acomfortablepartofhim.MarryPhyrea?HehadabetterchanceofweddingChaunteaherselfinagrandceremonyintheGreatMother'sGarden.

"I suppose you've heard the things she's been saying about you. Mydaughterhasbecomequitethedevoteeof

SenatorWillemKorvan.She'smentionedyoutotheransarhimself-toallthe finest people. She's sung your praises toMarek Rymiit, and even tosomevisitingcelestialfromShouLung…you'vemethim,haven'tyou?Thetall,willowyonethat looksevenmorelikeanelf thantherestofhiskind.She'smadeyousomethingofacause.All thewivesaregossiping.They'vesussed out her motives and I swear the wives of half the senators inInnarlithhavealreadyboughttheirdressesforthewedding."

Themasterbuilderwastoostupidtohaveinventedthat.Itmustbetrue.Buthow?Why?Howcold itpossibly servePhyrea to turnheropinionofhim so sharply that she would even bother to criticize him in the highersocial circles, let alone praise him. But the master builder couldn't bemakingitup.AndwhatofHalina?

"Oh,gods…"Willemmuttered,hisgorgerisinginhisthroat.

"Goodnessgracious,Willem,"Inthelphcooed,puttingadry,bonyhandonhisback."Youaren'twell,areyou?"

"I'mfine,"hemanagedtosay."I'mjust…"

Themaster builder laughed-a cackling, oldman's laugh-and said, "Mydaughtercanhavethateffectonmen,can'tshe?"

Willemnoddedoncethenemptiedhisstomachontothefloorofthesenatechamber.

19


(1365DR)TheLandopOneHundred

andThirteen

While Salatis stood in slack-jawed amazement, Marek Rymiit stoodbehind him and wove a spell that would, as he'd heard the Zulkir ofEnchantmentoncesay,"softenthegroundabit."Ithadn'ttakentrustforMarektobringSalatistohispocketdimension.Hewouldeitherbeabletodependontheman,orhe'dbeabletokillhim.Butwhathewantedmorethantheman'strustwashisword.

"Wherearewe?"thesenatorasked,thewordssoundinghollowbecausehecouldn'tseemtogethislipstocometogether."Beshabaprotectusfromherownillwill."

"Beshabanow,isit?"Marekasked.

He leaned in closer to the tall, angularman.Marek had to reach up alittletotakethesenator'spendantinhishand.Finelycraftedofredenamelover silver, the antlers depicted there hadbeen carved froma single thinshardofebony.Thoughhe'dexpectedSalatistomoveawayathisadvance,thesenatorstoodstockstill,gazingoutovertheabruptconfinesoftheLandof One Hundred and Thirteen.Marek took the opportunity to study themanalittlemoreclosely.

Hestoodfullynineinchesoversixfeet,butsurelyweighedless-bydozensofpoundseven-thandidMarek.WhereMarekwasbald,hisheadadornedwiththetattoosofaRedWizard,Salatissportedafull,healthyheadofhair.AChondathan,hishairwasdark,butageandotherdifficultieshadtraceditwithgray.

"WhatinthenameoftheMaidofMisfortunearethosethings?"Salatisasked.

"Theyareblackfiredrakes,"Marekanswered."Doyoulikethem?"

Insithryllax wheeled in the sky overhead, a cadre of firedrakessurrounding him in close formation. Salatis looked up, and his breathcaughtinhisthroat.

"M-MasterRymiit…"

"Neverfear,"saidMarek.

SalatistriedtorunwhenInsithryllaxreeleddowntolandonthehillnexttothem.Marektookthesenatorbythearmandheldhim.Hecouldfeelthetall man shake, and his skin was clammy and cold. The dirt shudderedunderthedragon'sconsiderableweightwhenitcametoground,andSalatisalmostfelltohisknees.

"Stand,"Marekcommanded."ThisisInsithryllax.Thoughhewillneverbeyoursubject,Iwouldlikeforhimtoconsideryouanequalinthemonthsandyearsaheadofus.Isn'tthataswediscussed,Insithryllax?"

Marekknewthatthesoundtheblackdragonmadejustthenwasalaugh,butSalatissurelyassumeditwasagrowl.

"Insithryllax,"thesenatorsaid,hisvoiceshakingonlyalittlelessthanhisbody.

"Ransar,"thewyrmrumbled.

SalatisgaspedandMareksighed.

"Well,thecat'soutofthebagnow,isn'tit,"saidtheRedWizard.

"What do youmean?" Salatis asked. "LadyDoom has heldme in theembraceofthebarbsofher111Fortune.Iamnottheransar."

"Youhaven'ttoldhim?"theblackdragonasked.

"Notyet,"saidtheRedWizard."Iwantedhimtoseefirst.Afterall,I'mnot giving him the Palace ofMany Spires, only the means to gain it forhimself."

"You'regivingme…?"Salatisbegan.

"Really, Salatis," Marek said, "if you're going to be the ransar you'lleventuallyhavetocompleteathought.Iknowit'salottotakein,myfriend,butit'shappening,Iassureyou.You'rehere,onaplaneofexistenceofmyowncreation,andwhatyouseebeforeyouarecreaturesmadebymyhand,with the indispensable assistance of my dear friend the black wyrmInsithryllax.Theyaretheblackfiredrakes,andIgivethemtoyou."

Salatis shookhisheadandmuttered, "I fear theMaidofMisfortune. Ibeghertoignoreme."

"Oh,please,Senator.Yourmistressmayhaveherwaywithusfromtimetotime,butIassureyouwepettymortalsmakeourownluck.AnditwasneitherBeshabanorhersisterwhobroughtmetoyou."

"WhatcanIdowiththesethings?"thesenatorasked.

"Theblackfiredrakes?Well, ifyou insistongettingaheadofourselves,let's discuss precisely that. They were created, by me, from the cross-breadingofordinary firedrakes captured from thenorthern shoresof theLakeof

Steamwithmyboon companion Insithryllax.Heproved tobe aheartysource of fatherly essence"-the dragon took a bow-"and the blackfiredrakeswereborn.Aftersomemonthsofnurturing,somehalfdozenorso began to exhibit unusually high functionality. I have put them incommand of units of various sizes, though I admit that militaryorganizationisoflittleinteresttome,soyoumaywanttoreorganizethemtofityourownneeds.Youwillbeabletodosoatyourwhim."

"Mywhim…"Salatissaid,perhapsjusttryingtogetusedtotheidea.

"Indeed,"Mareksaid."Mygifttoyou."

"Anarmyofdragon-men?"askedthesenator."ToinvadeInnarlith?"

"Well…"Marekreplied."Nottoputtoofineapointonit."

The senatorwatched the firedrakesmove around each other in silence.

Somewere in human form, some in the their natural shapes. He seemedequallyinterestedinboth,whichMarektookasagoodsign.

"Whyme?"Salatisasked.

"I could give you any number of false answers, Senator,"Marek said,"butIshan't.Sufficeittosaythatyouhavebeenrecruited."

Theblackdragon'slaughrumbledthroughthestaleairandwasmetwithshrieksandcallsfromthesurroundingfiredrakes.MarekcouldseeSalatis'sskincrawl,butthehintofasmileplayedattheedgesofthetallman'slips.

"Youwillcommandthefiredrakes,"Marekexplained."Iwillcontinuetocontrolthetradesmen."

"The tradesmen?" said the senator, turning finally to look at Marek."It'syou,then?Nooneevensuspectsthat."

Marek sketched a sarcastic bow and equally insincere smile, and said,"The comfort of the aristocracy has always been in the hands of thecommon man, Senator. Control their comforts, and you control them.Controlthem,andyoucontrolthecity."

"Andyoucontrolthecity?"

Marek laughedat that and said, "Only theparts of it that interestme,Senator.Fortherest,Iwilldependonyou.""WhatofOsorkon?"

Again, theblackdragon laughed.Marekcaught the senatorglancingatthewyrm,fearheavyinhisgaze.

"Isuspectthatyou'llhaveoneoftheblackfiredrakeskillandeathim,"Marekanswered."Anyway,that'swhatIwoulddo.Butfirstthingsfirst.Iwillgiveyoutheblackfiredrakessothatyoucanberansar,andinreturnIwillexpectwhatfavorsfromyouImightchoosetorequest.Youwilldenynotasingleoneofthoserequests,norshallyoupausebeforeseeingtotheircompletion.Otherwise,thecity-stateisyourstodowithasyouwish."

"Whatfavors-?"

"Whathewishes,"thedragongrumbled."Whenhewishesit."

Salatisswallowedhard,almostchoked.

"I will require from you only a single word answer, Senator Salatis,"Mareksaid.

Without pause Salatis asked, "And if I refuse? I will never leave thisstrangelittleworldofyoursalive,willI?"

Marektookadeepbreath, lockedhiseyesonSalatis's,andsaid,"Sincetimeisaluxurythatneitherofuscansquanderontrivialities,we'llletthatbeasitmayfornow.Iwillhaveyouranswer."

Salatis swallowed again, looked out over the army of transformedmonsters,andsaid,"Beshabaguideme."

Marek smiled, and studied the tall man. Salatis was afraid, but thatpassedinafewbreathstobereplacedbyalookMarekhadseentooofteninmen like Salatis. It was a lust for power that transcended all sense ofproportion. Itwas thedrive thatmadeempiresriseand fall,andriseandfall,overandoverandoveragainformillenniumaftermillennium.

"This business with religion," Marek said. "It could be of use incontrolling thepeople,of course,but fromhenceforthyouwill set it asidewhenyouspeakwithme.Youwillholdswayovertheblackfiredrakesforas long as I have your loyalty. Themoment I feel I no longer have that-whetheryou'vegiven itover toanotherman,or somegodorgoddess-youwill no longer hold sway over the beating of your heart or the breath inyourlungs,muchlessthefiredrakes.Rememberthisgiftandwhogaveittoyou, or I will send Insithryllax to see you, and he will send you to theembraceofwhateverPower is forgivingenough to takeyourdisloyal soulintoitsembrace.

"Areyou,orareyounot,myransar?"

Mareklistenedforoneword,andheardit.

"Yes,Iamyourransar,"Salatisansweredwithanalmostdrunkengrin.

Myransar,Marek thought.The ficklestdaughterofTychewillhave tolookelsewhereforhers.

20


(1365DR)ThirdQuarter,Innarlith

WillemwatchedPhyreawanderthroughthemerchants'stallsformostoftheafternoon.Hewasable tobreathe,aftera time,only to therhythmofherfootstepsandthegracefulswayofhernarrowhips.Sheworeacloakofshimmeringsilkandcarriedaparasolofblack lace.Hehadn'trecognizedherat firstbecauseof theparasol. Itwasanaristocratic lady'saffectationthatwasbeneathher,especiallywiththethin,highovercasttemperingthedirectraysofthesun.

"Howmuch?"sheaskedavendor.

Theman studied the boot she held up to him, glanced at her foot, andseemedata lossforwords.Willemslidpastawomanwhohadstoppedtoadmireasprayofcheappewterjewelrylaidoutonablanketonthestreetso that he could get a better look.He ignored the look of impatience thewoman shothisway, evenwhenher face softenedand she smiled at him,tryingtocatchhiseye.

"Forthelady'shusband?"thecobbleraskedPhyrea.

Sheshookherhead.Thebootwaseasilytwicethesizeofherowndelicatefoot,andcutforaman.Thecraftsmanshipwasexceptional.Willemcouldseethatevenfromadistance.

Someonebumpedhim,andWillemlookeddowntoseehispursestolenbyaboynoolderthanten.Theylookedeachotherintheeyeforhalfabreath,theboy'sdirtyfacefrozeninfear,hismouthopentoshowyellowteeth-anoldman'steeth.Heranintothecrowd,pushingpastamancarryingacrateoflivechickens.Thechickenfarmershoutedsomeobscenityattheboy,andthe chickens put up a fuss of their own.Theboydidn't run too fast, andWillemcouldhavecaughthimeasilyenoughandgothiscoinsback,buthedidn'tbother.

Whenhelookedbackatthecobbler'sstall,Phyreawasgone.

Hisheartstutteredinhischest,andhewhispered,"Oh,no.

Heturnedhishead,unawarethathisshoulderstwistedatthesametime,andhenudgedthemanwiththechickens.Oneofthecratesclatteredtothecobblestones,elicitingaloudchorusofcomplaintsfromthechickens,andalouderburstofprofanityfromthemansellingthecheappewterjewelry.

"Oh," Willem breathed. "My apologies-" But the man had alreadypickeduphischickensandignoredhim.

"Wait,"Phyreasaid,andWillemgasped.Sheputahandonthechickenfarmer'sarm,andthemanlookedfirstatherhand,thenonlybrieflyatherface, before lettinghis eyes pour overher likewarm,but stagnantwater."I'dlikeoneofthose."

"Phyrea,"Willemsaid,notsureifheshould,orevencould,smile."I-"

"Achicken,miss?"thefarmerasked,obviouslynotsurehe'dheardhercorrectly.

Shedroppedthebootsshewascarryingandduginapocketofhercloakforacoin.Shehandedhimagoldpiece-toomuchforasinglechicken-andlooked atWillemwhile theman pulled a squawking bird from the crudewoodenbox.

"It'sasurprisetoseeyouhere,"Willemlied,andbyherfaceshedidn'tbelieveit.

"I may not be able to make change, miss," the chicken monger said,pocketingthecoinatthesametimeheheldoutthebirdtoher.

"Keepit,"shetoldhim.

Withsomedifficultyshetookthesquealingfoulfromtheman,holdingitashehadbythelegs,atarm'slengthtoavoidthefuriousflappingofwings.Onthegroundbeneaththem,thepewtermerchantgathereduphisjewelry,cursing under a shower of chicken feathers.The farmer arrowed off intothecrowdbeforeshechangedhermindaboutthegoldpiece.

"Whyareyoufollowingme?"shedemanded.

"I'm not-" Willem started, but stopped himself before she couldinterrupt."Iwantedtoaskyousomething."

"They'reforyou,"shesaid,hereyesdartingdowntothecobblestonesatherfeet.

Willemlookeddownandsawtheboots.

"Thankyou,"hesaidbyreflexalone.

"Youdon'twanttoknowwhyIboughtthemforyou?"sheaskedfrombehindthestill-panickedchicken.Peopleonthestreetbegantogivethetwoofthemawideberth.

Asmilecametohim,andpleasedwithhimself,hesaid,"Iwasactuallymorecuriousaboutthechicken."

Without the slightest change in her stony demeanor, she dropped theblack laceparasol to theground,andsquinted in thedim light.Herhandfree, she grabbed the struggling bird by the neck and twisted once, hardandfast.Itsoundedlikeatwigsnappingunderfoot.Thechickenflappeditswingsonlyfaster,butnotforlong.

"Thechickenisfordinner,"shesaid.

Willemsteppedbackfromher,andthatelicitedasmile.Shedroppedthechickentothecobblestonesnexttothebootsandretrievedherparasol.

"They are fine boots," he said, and found that hismouthwas dry, histongueheavyandstickingtohisteeth.Sweattickledhishairline."Whyareyouhelpingme?"

"Iabhoryourtasteinfootwear,"shesaid,andWillemblinkedatthefireinhereyes.

Herjawsettight,Phyreastaredhimdown.Willemblinked.

"YouknowwhatImean,"herisked,unabletoputasmuchstrengthinto

hisvoiceashe'dhopedto."Youhavebeentalkingtopeopleonmybehalf."

Herlipstwistedwithundisguisedcontempt,andshesaid,"Becausetheydon'tdeserveitanymorethanyoudo."

"Iwon'tpretendIhaveanyideawhatyoumean,"hesaid.

Somethingdistractedher,andshelookedofftooneside,listening.Willemcouldpickoutnothingfromthebackgrounddroneofthemarket.

"Thankme,"shesaid,finallyturningbacktolookathim.

Hedidn'tspeak,butstudiedherasbesthecould.Herperfectbeautywasundiminished, even by the palpable madness that radiated from herburninggaze.

"Youcankeepthechicken,too,"shetoldhim.

ShouldIkillher?Willemthought.Ishouldkillher.

"YouarethemostbeautifulwomanI'veeverseen,"hesaid.

Phyrea put a hand to her lips and gagged. The skin of her long necktwisted and rippled.Willem looked away, andwatched a peasantwomancarryabasketoflemonsonherhead.

Whenhelookedback,Phyreawasgone.Hestoodthereforalongtime,andifpassersbynoticedhimatalltheywouldhaveassumedhewasdeepinthought,buthedidn'tthinkatall.Hejuststoodthere.

Eventually hebent andpickedup theboots, but left the chicken in thestreetforthebeggars.

21



The rich anddecadentmasters of Innarlith have never been in greaterdangerthanthroughthedirectactionofourbrotherhoodofthemany,wewhodo theworkof thecity-state,but see so little, if any,of thegold thatpassesthroughthisport."

MarekRymiit paused to let the assembled dockworkers cheer in theirunrulyfashion.Disguisedbythesimplestofillusions,tothemhewasbutanordinaryworker,aburly, grimy,near-toothlesshulkofaman.Hismagichadmadehimoneofthem,andbecausehewasoneofthem,theylistened.

"Andsohereweare,notbecausewearestrongorbecausewearemany;forwecontinuetostrugglewithtraditionevenasweremoveourselvesinchby inch from the ten-copperwords of the ThirdQuarter tradesmen. Forthatreasonthearistocratswillfinditfairlyeasyforatimetokeepusandourconfused,confusingbrothersintheThirdQuarterdown."

He'dheard frommany thathis speeches to the tradesmenof theThirdQuarter had been too confusing-complex words and concepts directed atsimplemen.Iftheskilledtradesmenweresimplemen,thenwhatwerethebruteswholoadedandunloadedships,plyingatradethatbarelyrequiredsentience,letaloneskillorcraft?

Whatevertheyare,Marekthought,aslongasthey'redisruptingtheflowof trade in Innarlith, as long as they're slitting their own throats by notlaboringforatleastthepittancetheyoncemade,theyserveme.

"Thedangertothesenateisnotthattheirpowerisdirectlymenaced,butin the fact thatwecannotpossibly formtheguildswe've formedwithoutoversteppingthefalselimitsplacedonusbythosethievesintheirChamberofso-calledLawandCivility.TheGuildofStevedoresisboundonlybyitsown laws-laws that guarantee thatwe, themenwhodeserve itmost,whohavepaid thehighestpriceof sweatandbloodandpoverty,canonceand

foralltakechargeofthisportandgatherforourselvesourfairportionofthecointhattradewithInnarlith-ourcityasmuchastheirs-bringshere."

Mostofthemenwerelistening,afewjabberedtoeachother,butMarekcould tell that his ideas, if not the finer points of hiswords,were gettingthrough to them. One man shouted some incoherent muddle of drunkensyllables at him and was answered by loud cheers from a small grouparound him. The rest of the dockhands ignored them, though, soMarekwenton.

"Our guild shows that the simple folk-whenwe finally exhibit to thosedoddering dandies the true extent of our power-can seize control of thedocks and the storehouses.Because themastery of the senate depends onthecontrolof thewayeverything ismadeand traded in Innarlith-for thisreason thesenateand itsbullieshavenochoice.Theymustbeatusdown,andbeatdownourThirdQuarterbrothers,too,withthesharpestmeansattheircommand."

A thunderous barrage of boos rumbledup from the crowd ofworkers,and some began towave torches in the air.Marekworried that someonewouldbeburned,orthelongwoodenpiermightbesetablaze,butTymorafavored the simple-minded once again.He let them revel in the idea thattheyhadthreatenedthesenatetothedegreethatthesenatehadnochoicebuttothreatenthem.

Of course, thedisguisedRedWizardhadno intentionofwarning themthat the senate and their bullies could, should they finally chose to do so,replace them all with summoned and undead servants provided, for amodestfeeofcourse,byaThayanEnclaveofMarek'screation.Andthoseautomatons would never stop to eat, drink, sleep, or do any of the otherthingsthatplaguedtheliving.Theywouldworkalldayandallnight,everyday,withoutpause forrestandwithout thebriefestwhisperofcomplaint.Beyondthepriceoftheircreationtheywouldrequirenostipendorupkeep,oreventhemerestmorseloffood.

"Assoonasweletadaygobywithoutunloadingtheirpreciouscargoes,the aristocratswill answer at oncewithmartial law.Our guild, our long-awaitedfraternityofsweatandtoil,willbeoutlawed.Evennowtheyargueover this in theChamberofLawandCivility.Butwhenaguild likeours

comes finally topass, it stands tall against the lawsof the richandweak-hearted.Wewillgoonwhether they like itornot.That, ifnothingelse, Icanpromiseyou!"

AsMarekstoodsoaking in thecheersof thestinkingmobofungratefulbrutes, he noted a disturbance at the far edge of the crowd. Perhaps athousandofthedirty,sweat-soakedhulkshadgatheredtohearhiswords,andthespeechesofafewoftheircomradeswhohadbeendupedearlyonbyMarek'srabble-rousing.ThoughMarekcouldn'tseetheirfaces,thetopsoftheirrustedanddentedhelms,andthetipsoftheirspears,roseabovetheheads of the men at the foot of the pier. The crowd began to compresstowardMarek.

"Butyouwillhavetohelpmekeepthatpromise,brothers,bytakingupthestruggleagainstthesenate.Only ifwedrawbackbeforethemwill thearistocratsbeable todefeatus.But ifweresistwith the same strengthofarmandheartwithwhichwe'veunloadedtheirriches for them, theguildwill become subject to its own inner law. On the quay, where we havesomethingtosayaboutit,adifferentlawwillprevailthanwhatthesenatorstrytomakeforusintheirChamberofCrimeandOppression."

Thetenorofthecheerthatfollowedsoundeddifferent.InitMarekcouldhear both the misguided revelry of the powerless empowered, and thegrowingdesperationofmenwhowerebeginningtofeartheconsequencesoftheir actions. The former sound came from the men closest to Marek'smakeshift stage-cobbled together from crates that had beenwaiting for atenday tobe loadedonto a coaster fromAthkatla-and the latter from themenclosertothefootofthepierwhohadbecomeawarethroughthepressoftheirfellowworkersofthepresenceofthewatchmenwhohadeffectivelycutthemofffromthecity.

ForallTorilas thoughhe'dnevernoticedthehelmsandspears,Marekwenton,lettinghisfalsefaceflushredwithinsincerepassion.

"Ournewlawwillshowitselfinouruttercontemptofprivateproperty.Andnotbecauseweseekpovertyforourselves-Ithinkwe'veallhadenoughofthat,eh?"

AndthereMarekpaused,andfoldedhisarmsacrosshisbarrel-chest.His

eyesclosed,hecouldn't see if thewatchmenpressed theassembly further,butsowhatiftheydid?

"OurnewLawoftheQuaysidewillprotectusthesamewaythelawsofthe senate protect the aristocracy, because the struggle itself makes itnecessary.Andwhatwestarthere todayon theveryedgeof thecity,willsoon rise in the whole of Innarlith. It is revealed in our Laws of theQuaysidethatwecandonothingwithourpowerunlesswebendthesenatetoourwillthesamewaytheyhavebentustotheirsforsovery,verylongnow.Whenourlawbecomestheonlylaw,ourstrugglewillend."

Marekscanned theedgeof thecrowdandhad to strugglenot to lethisdisappointment show through his illusory features. The watchmen stoodtheir ground and after a time only the first few rows of dockworkerscontinuedtosendfearfulglancestheirway.TherestofthelaborersseemedtohavefallenforMarek'sLawsoftheQuayside-aconcepthehadarrivedupontheafternoonbeforeandthathadgivenhimacutecasesofthegigglesoffandoninthehoursbeforebedtime.

"Solongasourfraternityremainssmall,andseparatefromtheguildsofour Third Quarter brothers, the tendency toward our mastery of allInnarlithdoesnotcomesoclearlytolight.Butifwegathermoremenintoour fold, and come together finally with the trade guilds, thenmore andmorethundergathersinthestormcloudfistsoftheworkingmen.TheLawof the Quayside must meet the Law of the Third Quarter. From thatstrugglingmasstherethencomesaboutafreshbridgebetweenthecommonman and the forces by which we've been-until now-blown like the windchurnsthewater.Anewerawillcometopass.Wewillraiseourvoicesinvictory,evenas-thesenateshrieksinhorror!"

The frightful cheers that rose up from those words once again madeMarekstrugglenot to laugh.Itwasas thoughtheyalreadycelebrated theimpossibleeventualityhe'djustpromisedthem.

Thezombies,hethought,willbequieter,too.

22



Civility,Innarlith

Senators," the clerk calledout inhis clear,practicedbaritone,"andallthosehavingbusinesswiththisdistinguishedbody,pleasebeupstandingfortheRansarofInnarlith."

Osorkonwatched from the doorway,makingmental note of thosewhostoodthefastestandthosewhostoodtheslowest.Everyoneinbetweenwerehistrueenemies.

Hetookthepodiumandsaid,"Beseated,honoredcolleagues."

Hepausedforadeep,dramaticbreathduringtheruckusthatfollowed.

"Ithankyouallforallowingmetohumblemyselfbeforeyou,"hesaid,speaking the traditional opening line of a ransar's address to the senatewithout a trace of the contemptheheld for themajority of that body. "Ihavecomeheretodaytospeakoncemoreofagreatwork."

Themurmurthatsweptthroughthesenatechamberwasasforcedasitwaspredictable.

"The near-continuous efforts of a small army of craftsmen has donehonor to thecityof theirbirth, to their ransar, their senate,and themanwhosocapablyleadsthemintheirhistoricendeavor.Ofcourse,thatmanofwhomIspeakisIvarDevorast."

ThenamesentaShockwaveofaffectedoutragethroughthesenate,andtheransarsmiled.

"Oh,IknowhowyoufeelaboutDevorast,"Osorkoncontinued,histoneconversational,asthoughthewholeoftheassembledsenatorswasbutone

man. "Believe me, he can be"-a well-placed pause-"frustrating, at times.Butdoesthecity-statebenefitfromhisgeniusorhischarisma?ConsideringMasterDevorast'sconsiderable-"

"Master Devorast?" Salatis shouted from the floor of the senate. Hestood, turning once to each side to indicate that he addressed his fellowsenators.Therewereafewhisses,butmostifnotallofthemeninthatroomexpectedsomeonetointerrupteventually."Surelytheransarerrsintheuseof that title.For the city of Innarlithhasbut onemasterbuilder, andhisnameisInthelph."

OsorkonlookedtoInthelph'schair,andafewofthesenatorspattedhimontheshoulders,thenurgedhimtostand.Themasterbuilderstood,bowed,thensatagain,notoncelookingtheransarintheeye.

"Youallknowofmydeeprespectandaffectionforthemasterbuilder,"Osorkonsaid."WasitnotIwhoappointedhim,afterall?No,whenIusedthatappellationitwastohonoraforeigndignitary."

"He isnodignitary, thisman,"Salatisbroke in."He is a commoner intherealmofhisbirth,notimportantenough,lovedorrespectedenough,tobekeptclosebyhisking'sside.IfCormyrrecognizedhisso-calledgenius,whywouldIvarDevorastbehere?"

"Inthat,mydearoldfriend,"OsorkonsaidtoSalatis,"IwillsimplybehappythatKingAzoun'slossisInnarlith'sgain."

"NeedIremindyouthatyouarenoking,sir?"Salatissaid.

A hush fell over the assembly then, all eyes darting back and forthbetween Osorkon on the podium, and Salatis alone standing among theseatedsenators.

"No," replied the ransar. "Youneednot remindme of that, Senator. Imeant only that the kingdomofCormyrhas lost a goodman to the city-stateofInnarlith.Theirloss,isourgain."

"Yourgain,youmean,"Salatispressed.

"Thecanalbenefitsme,yes,"Osorkonsaid."Thereisnosecretthatmy

ships ply thewaters of the Lake of Steam, and trade as far north as theSwordCoast.ShouldtheVilhonReachbeopentothematlast,andtheSeaof Fallen Stars beyond, Cormyrean coin, Sembian coin… gold from theMoonseatotheOldEmpireswillfinditswayintomypurse,butdon'tthinkfor a moment-not for a moment-that it will fill my purse alone. Richesenough forusallwillpass through thatwaterway.Of that Ihavenot theslightestdoubt."

Osorkon paused, and in some small way he still hoped someonewouldspeakup then insupportof thecanal,with loyalty to theirransar,butheknewnoonewould.

Salatislookedaroundtheroom,hishandspalmsupathissides,makingagreat showofwaiting for the same thing.Finallyhe said,"Ransar,pleasebelievemewhenI say thatallofusrealize that tradeeventuallywill flowthroughthiscanalofyours,but-"

"Thiscanalofours,Senator,"theransarinterrupted.

Salatiscontinuedwithoutmissingabeat,"-howmuchandhowsoon?Ifitcosts forty pieces of gold to build awagon, and one sells it for thirty-fiveonlyaftertakingadecadetobuildthedamnedthing,whatkindoftradeisthat?This insanity that takesplace to thenorthwestwilldrainmoregoldfromourcofferswhileit'sbeingbuiltthanitwilldrainwaterfromtheLakeofSteamwhen it'scompleted.Andwillanyoneofuseven live tosee thatday?"

Osorkonsmiledthroughtheroundofapplauseandcheersthatfollowed.Whenthesenatequietedenoughforhimtobeheard,hesaid,"Isthereanyguarantee,Senator,thatanyofuswilllivetoseethemorrow?"

The twomenstaredateachotheracrossa stretchofair.asheavyas itwassilent.

"Perhaps,"saidMeykhati,risingwithhishandsathissideasthoughhewassurrendering to someone,"wecanagree that tradewill flowonce thecanalisdone,andthatmanyinthisbodywillprofitfromiteitherdirectlyorindirectly-butisthatthemostpressingquestion?"Meykhatipausedforeffect, but Osorkon knew what was coming. "Perhaps it is theman whobuilds it,not thewatercourse itself, thatoffends.Perhaps there isanother

manbetter suited to oversee this project so that it can be completed in atimelyfashion…sothatwewillindeedalllivetoprofitfromthattrade."

Once again the senators who sat around the master builder pattedInthelph on the back and whispered in his ear, all grins and chuckles.Osorkon'sskincrawled,andhiseyesmetSalatis's.

"That," the ransar said, "is not an eventuality I am prepared toconsider."

Salatis smiled, and spoke for a majority of the senate when he said,"Thenperhapsit'stimewefindsomeonemoreprepared."

"Is that a challenge?"Osorkon asked, and again the chamber fell intoperfect silence. The ransar imagined he could hear every one of theirheartbeats."SenatorSalatis?"

"That's not a question the ransar should ask lightly," Salatis replied."Letus say, for thenonce, that I respect thegreat traditionsof thisbodyand reserve, as do all senators, the right to petition for the office of firstamongequals.Butonthisday…onthisdaythatisnotaneventualityIampreparedtoconsider."

23

10Eleasias,theYearoftheSword

(1365DR)SomewhereontheNaga

Plains

Didyouhearthat?"Dharmunwhispered,lookingupintothewarmrain."Something…upthere."

Hrothgar sighed, and didn't look up. Even at night, even when it wasraining,hedidn'tliketolookupintotheopen,endlesssky.Hetightenedhisgriponhisheavyhammerandlistened.

"Ican'thearanything,"thedwarfsaid."Rain…thetorchflame…"

HeresistedtheurgetolookatthetorchthatDevorastheldoverhishead.Thegutteringorangelightwoulddampenhisdarkvision.

"It'saboveus,"Devorastsaid.

Hrothgarcursedsilentlyandlookedup.Therainmadehimblink,andhecouldn'tseeanything.

"Shouldwegobackformoremen?"Dharmunsaid,hisvoicequiveringalittle.Hemighthavebeencold,withnoshirtonlateatnight,buttheairwasstillmuggywith late summerheat,despite therain."Imean,wecouldgobackandreturnwith-"

At the same moment Devorast shushed Dharmun, something pushedHrothgar to the ground. Pain skipped up his back in a series of ripplingcramps,andhealmostdroppedhishammer.Heslidfacefirstinthemud,gettingalittleinhismouth,butthankfullynoneinhiseyes.

Dharmun grunted and as Hrothgar rolled to his feet, pain in his backmakingitharderforhimtobreathethantostand,thedwarfsawhimswinghisheavywoodaxeatashapemadeofdeeperblackness thanthealready

inky,moonlessnight.

"Damnit,"Hrothgarbreathed."It'sbig."

Devorastswungatitwithhistorch,andHrothgarcaughtaglimpseofitin silhouette. The light shone through one membranous patch that musthavebeenawing.Hrothgarcouldsenseaserpent'swedge-shapedhead,andtherewasa flashof long, curved talons.Sparks flew,but the thingdidn'tevenflinch.

"Ivar,"Hrothgarwarned,"watch-"

Acloudofthick,oilyblackmistbenchedfromthecreature,dimmingthetorchlightlikeablacklacecurtain.Dharmunscreamed.

Hrothgar stomped forward with his hammer out in front of him.Devorast'storchwasontheground.Hesawabootedfoot,didn'tknowifitwas Devorast's or Dharmun's, but before he could investigate further hewashitinthebackagain-harder.

Thehammer flewfromhisgripandwentcartwheeling throughtheair,andonceagainhisfacepressedintotheslickmud.Clawsrakedathisback,diggingintotheleathertunichewore.Hewasbruised,butnotcut.

"Where'smyaxe?"Dharmuncalledout."Whatisthatthing?"

Hrothgartriedtoanswerhimbutcoughedinstead.Hepattedthegroundaroundhimforhishammerandfoundsomethinglikeit.Hestaggeredtohisfeet and was almost fully upright when he realized he'd picked upDevorast'storchinstead.

"Ihaveyouraxe,"Devorastsaid-andittookamomenttorealizethathewasansweringDharmun'squestionfrombefore.

Theblackcreaturescreamed-acombinationofsomekindofbirdofpreyand ablare of trumpets-and skipped along the groundbetweenHrothgarandDevorast. The dwarf saw it lift something in its claws as it swoopedbackupintothenightsky-Hrothgar'shammer.

"Trove Lord take you, whatever you are," the dwarf roared into the

night,spinningwithDevorast'storchinavainattempttofindthethinginthedarkness."That'smyluckyhammer!"

"Thereitis!"Dharmunscreamed.

"Where?"Devorastdemanded.

HrothgarlookedatDharmun,andthehumanmethiseye,thenlookedupagain,thenlookedbackatthedwarfandshrugged.

"Isthatarockyouhavethere?"Hrothgarasked.

Dharmunlookedatthefirst-sizedstoneinhishandasifnoticingitforthefirsttime,shrugged,andsaid,"MasterDevorasthasmy-"

SomethinghitDharmuninthehead,andthewoodcutterfelllikeasackofflour dropped from a third-story window. Hrothgar could hear the airpunchedfromthehuman'slungs.

"WhatinthenameofDumathoin'shairy-"

"Itdroppedyourhammeronhim,"Devorastsaid.

Hrothgar grimaced. He didn't like that at all. The dwarf didn't knowDharmun all that well. He was a woodcutter, who kept with the otherwoodcutters, and Hrothgar was a stonecutter who kept with the otherstonecutters. But when Dharmun ran from his tent screaming thatsomethinghadcomeinandsnatchedhis tentmateaway,HrothgarwasupandoutalmostasfastasDevorast.Togetherthethreeofthemhadpursuedthe beast out into the darkness and had gone too far from camp forHrothgar'sliking.Othergroupsofthree,four,orfivemenhadgoneoffinotherdirections,andjustwhentheywerenolongerabletoheartheothergroupscallingoutthemissingman'sname,thethinghadattacked.

"Ishedead?"Hrothgarasked,turningallthewayaroundoncewiththetorchheldhigh,waitingfortheinevitablenextattack."Idon't-"

ItwasDevorast'sturntobepushedintothemud,andthesightofitonlymadeHrothgarangrier.Hegotabetterlookatthething,though.It'sscalesas black as themiddark sky, it looked for all the world like aminiature

dragon.

Hrothgarthrewthetorchatitandshouted,"Eatthis,lizard!"

The monster took the torch in midair and bit it cleanly in half. Thelightedendskippedacrosstherain-soakedmudandsputteredoutbarelyaninch from Dharmun's head. That seemed to rouse the woodcutter, whorolledtoaseatedpositionandgruntedinpain.

"Where'smy…?"Dharmungasped, feelingaroundon thegroundwithonehandwhileheheldtheotherpressedtightagainsthischest.Hrothgarcouldn'tseeanyblood,buthecouldsmellit."Ineedmyaxe."

Dharmunfoundsomethingonthegroundnexttohimandpickeditup-itwasjustastick.

A loud thump brought Hrothgar's attention back to the creature.Devorast stoodnext to it, dwarfedby it, butpoundedawayat itwith therockDharmunhadfound.Thebeastseemedmoresurprisedthananythingelse.

Hrothgar charged it, having no idea what he was actually going to dowhenhegottoit-hedidn'tevenhavearock.

The creature hissed at Devorast and flapped its huge, leathery wings.Hrothgarturnedsofasthealmosttwistedhisankle,butavoidedthewing.Hetrippedagainwhenhekickedsomethingheavy.Stumblingtoastop,thedwarfalmostfellbutmanagedtopickupDharmun'saxe.Theweaponfeltgoodinhishand-itwasjustahammerwithasharpedge,afterall.

Devorastthrewthestone,butthethingdodgedit.Thedodgebrought itclosertoHrothgar,though,whoswungtheaxe.Theaxeheadcaughtinthemonster's wing, fetching up on one of the bony spurs. The thing reactedwithviolenceandanear-splittingscream.ItswingbashedHrothgarintheface, cracking thebridgeofhisnoseand sendinghim flying three feetofftheground,andfourtimesthatbackwardthroughtheair.

Herolledtoabruisingstopandwithsomedifficultysatupsoatleasthecould see the thing coming to kill him.But the creaturehadn'tmoved. Itflailed both wings and hopped about trying to dislodge the axe that still

hunginitsrightwing.

"Hrothgar?"Devorastcalled.

Thedwarfcouldn'tseehisfriend.Hetookadeepbreathtoanswerthathe was all right, but couldn't get enough air in his lungs. He coughed,hopingthatsoundwouldbegoodenoughtotellDevorastthathestilllived.

"Dharmun,"Devorastshouted,"no!"

"What-?"Hrothgargasped.

Dharmun stood andwavedhis twisted, ridiculous stick at the creature,whichrearedback,startledbythehumanthatitapparentlythoughtithadkilled.

"Thisisn't…"thewoodcuttersaid.

"Don't-"Hrothgarwheezed.

Thecreaturetookadeepbreath,it'sscalychestexpandinglikeabellows.When it exhaled, Hrothgar winced at the stench of the fluid that rushedfromitsmouth.Thegreasyblackclouddescendedoverthewoodcutter,butHrothgar could still see theoutlineofDharmun'sbody,which stoodrigidbutquivering.

Theclouddissipated,sizzlinginthepouringrain,andHrothgarblinkedawayasuddensting.Heheardthewoodcutterfallandknewhewasdead.Livingpeopledidn'tfalllikethat.

"Hrothgar,"Devorastsaid,startlingthedwarf.

"Howdidyou…?"Hrothgarstartedtoask,butfinishedwithanotherfitofcoughing.Therewaspaininatleastthreepartsofhisbodythatwasbadenoughtoactuallyworrythedwarf."Where

Devorasthadobviouslyrunaroundbehindthedragon-thingasitburnedDharmuntodeathwithsomesortofliquid.

"Canyoustand?"Devorastasked.

Hrothgarshookhishead,buttriedtostandanyway.Thecreaturebeatitswingshardagainandrolledontheground.

"What'sit-?"thedwarfstarted.

"Theaxe,"Devorastfinishedforhim.

Theaxecamefreeofthebeast'swingfinally,andslidalongthewetmud.Themonsterturnedtowatchtheweapon'sprogress,itseyesburningredinthe night like hot coals. Black mist puffed from its nostrils and it ran,draggingit'sruinedwingbehindit,fortheaxe.

DevorastjumpedoverHrothgar,makingthedwarfgri-.maceandgroanwith pain. Sprawling out face-first in the mud, Devorast got his fingersaroundtheaxehandlandrolled.Thedragon-thingcamedownrightnexttohimandsnappedathimwithjawslikeacrocodile's.

Hrothgar cast about for something-anything-he could use as aweapon.Allhefoundwasarock,nobiggerormorethreateningthantheonepoorDharmunhadcomeupwith,butthenDevorasthadusedit todistractthething,hadn'the?

Devorastswungtheaxeandcutthecreaturedeepatthebaseofitsneck.Itgrowledandbackedup,andblackacidsprayedformitsnose.

ItwhirledbackatDevorast,it'sjawswide,andHrothgarthrewtherockashardashecould.

As a child, back in his home mines of the Great Rift, Hrothgar hadthrown a lot of rocks. They'd set up elaborate games of skill and chancearound theactof throwingarock.Hehadn'tdone it ina long time-adultdwarvesdon'tthrowrocks-buthisbodyremembered.

Therockwentdownitsthroat.

The creature backed up again, twisting its neck, and made a terriblestrangling sound thatHrothgarknewhewouldhearagain inhishappiestnightmares.Smokebillowedoutfromthecornersofitsmouth.

Devorastscrambledawayfromit,theaxestillinhishands.Hrothgarset

hisjaw,closedhiseyes,andgotatleasttohisknees.Notsurewhathecoulddoinhiscurrentcondition,hecrawledforward-andhispalmcamedownonthefamiliarhandleofhishammer.

"Ah,"hebreathed,thengasped,"thereyouare."

Using the hammer to support himself, the dwarf stood. Devorast stoodnexttohim.Theylookedateachotherandsmiledthoughtheybothpantedlikedogs.Hrothgarheftedhishammer,andDevorastputtheaxeuponhisshoulder.

Thechoking,strugglingdragon-thingseemedtohaveforgottenallaboutthem.Theystrodeinwithcare,,butkilleditwithrelish.

24

9Eleint,theYearoftheSword

(1365DR)TheNagaflowKeep

Ididn'texpecttohavetowait,"thetallCormyreanAyesunderTruesilversaidwith obvious impatience. "I don't suppose you have some ideawhenhe'llbeback?"

Hrothgar shrugged, and thought fast.He looked south, in the directionDevorasthadgoneandsaid,"Idon'twanttogivethewardenfalsehopes.Devorastcouldbeawayanotherdayorso.It'lldependonhowfarafieldtheblastedcreaturefled."

The Cormyrean sighed and followed the dwarfs gaze out to the flatsouthern horizon. Hrothgar watched him, and saw his eyes pick up andfollowthelineofstakeswiththethinredribbonstiedtothem.Theparadeoftinyflagsstretchedintwoparallel,perfectlystraightlines,asfarsouthastheeyecouldsee-pastthehorizon.

"Howoftendoesthishappen?"askedtheCormyrean.

Thedwarfturnedtofacetheman.BehindhimrosetheNagaflowKeep,standingstronginthehotsummerair.Hrothgarhadtopushbackthefloodofmemoriesthatstruckhimeverytimehelaideyesonthekeep.

"Thesearestillwildlands,"Hrothgarsaid.

Truesilverglancedbehindhimatthefortressandsaidwithasmile,"It'sanimpressivefortification.Quitenewbythelookofit."

"Beingapartofitsconstructionisoneofthegreatjoys-oneofthegreathonorsofmylife."

"Andit,too,wasbuiltbyDevorast?"

"It's his genius behind it, aye," the dwarf said. "But there was some

politics around it… it was finished by someone else, but to Devorast'sspecifications."

Truesilvernoddedandnarrowedhiseyes.Hrothgarhadtolookaway-hedidn'tlikethewaythehumanexaminedhim.

"Canitreallybedone?"askedtheCormyrean.

"The canal?"Hrothgar asked.When thehumannodded, he continued,"ByMoradin'ssparkinghammer,yes."

"Youhaveconsiderableconfidenceinthisman."

"Whenhesetsouttodosomething,hedoesit,"thedwarfreplied.

"Highpraisefromanydwarf,"theCormyreanobserved."Youraccentisstrangetome.Youaren'tfromtheNorth."

"TheGreat Rift," Hrothgar said, looking the human in the eye again."CanIaskyou,sir,whyyou'rehere?"

ThehumanhadcomewithaletterofintroductionfromRansarOsorkonand half a dozen armed guards in leather armor and steel breastplatesemblazoned with a stylized dragon. His guards wore bowl-shaped helmsandcarriedoddhook-shapedpolearmsHrothgarcouldn'tplaceanameto.Truesilver had a well-crafted long sword at his belt. He had the air andmanner of someone important, and Hrothgar knew they needed all thefriends they could get, even friends from as far away as the ForestKingdom.

"Ihavebeen sent byHisMajestyKingAzoun theFourth to assess thefeasibility of this canal and report back to the Cormyrean nobility," heexplained."Asyoucanimagine,awatercoursetoconnecttheSeaofFallenStarstotheGreatSea,theSwordCoast,andallpointswest,wouldbequiteaboontotheshippingtradeoutofmyhomecityofMarsember."

Hrothgarnoddedandsaid,"Indeed.That'soneofthethingsthatdrivesustocompletethedamnedthing."

Truesilver chuckled, and though Hrothgar didn't usually like it when

humanslaughedathim,hefoundhimselfsmilingbackattheman.

"Tellme, though," Truesilver asked, hismanner shifting quickly fromjovialtoearnest,"whydidhegoouttherehimself?Surelyyour-or,well,theransar has sent soldiers to protect the workers and the work site. Whywould the master builder himself go chasing off after some wanderingmonster?"

"Well,firstoffIvarDevorastissurelyamasterbuilder,buthe'snottheMasterBuilderofInnarlith,"Hrothgarcorrected.Hetriedtoresistasneerat themention of the idiot Inthelph's title, and once again his eyes weredrawntothegreatkeep-greatinspiteofInthelph'seffortstothecontrary."ButtheonlyanswerIhavetoyourquestionisIhaven'tthefoggiestideainboisterousDwarfhomewhyDevorastthinkshe'sgottofightoffeverygiantfrogorbabydragonthathappensbyus,buthedoes.It'skindathewayheis.I'veheardhumanscallit'handson.'"

AyesunderTruesilverlaughed,andHrothgarfeltcompelledtojoinhim.

"Amanaftermyownheart,"theCormyreansaid."I'vebeenaccusedofthesamesinmyself."

Theylaughedabitmore,thentherewasapauseintheconversationthatmadeHrothgarshufflehisfeet.Hedidn'tknowwhatorwhomtolookat.

"Idon'twanttotakeanymoreofyourtimethannecessary,"Truesilversaid,"butonemorequestion:IwastoldthatDevorasthadsomethingtodowith a ship built in Innarlith that was meant for the Royal Navy ofCormyr."

"Aye,"wasallthedwarfwantedtosay.

"The shipwas calledEverwind, and she broke apart in the portal thatwastodeliverhertotheVilhonReach.""Aye,itdidatthat."

"Nottopressyouonasubject thatseemsuncomfortableforyou,but itwasexplainedtomethat theshipwasbuilt too large for theportal,"saidtheCormyrean."If that's thecase,andIvarDevorastwasat least inpartresponsibleforthatdisaster,howcanIgivemykinganyassurancethatasimilarfatewon'tbefallthismuchgrander,morecomplexundertaking?"

Hrothgarletabreathhissoutthroughhisnoseandsteadiedhistemperbeforeanswering,"Iheardittoldadifferentway,sir."

"Dotell."

"Theshipwasn'ttoobigforthemagicalportal,orwhateveryoucall it.Theportalwasmadetoosmallfortheship,andmadethatwayonpurpose,by someonewho didn't want that ship to get to theVilhonReach in onepiece.Theshipitselfwassound,andIhavenodoubtitwouldhavepleasedyourking,andyourself.MenlikeDevorasthaveenemies,Warden."

Hrothgarmadehimselfstopthere,butheheldtheman'seyesforalongmoment.HegotthefeelingsoonenoughthattheCormyreanunderstoodthegravityofwhathewastryingtosay.

"Well, then…" theman started, but trailed offwhen his attentionwasdrawnawaytothesouthwest."Isthathim?"

Hrothgarturnedandsawamancrestthetopofalowhillsomehundredyards or so away. Long red hair blew in the hot summer wind, andHrothgarknewthewalkwell.

"Aye," the dwarf said with a long, relieved sigh, "that'll be IvarDevorast."

Truesilver set off tomeet Devorast, andHrothgar scurried to keep upwithhim,wincing a little at the lingeringpain from the injuries that hadslowedhimdownforalongandtryingmonth.Hismusclesloosenedupashe went, though, and soon they stood face to face with Devorast, whodraggedbehindhim,lashedwithropes,thecarcassofanotherofthestrangeblack dragon-creatures. Two of the ransar's men who'd gone with himfollowed behind, each dragging a makeshift litter on which two more oftheir comrades lay. One of the soldiers on the litters was dead, meltedbeyond recognition. The other was burned badly and quivered inunrelentingagony.ThemenwhoboretheirlittersbledfromcutsHrothgarcouldtellcamefrombothtoothandclaw.Devorastappeareddirty,soakedwithsweatandspatteredwithblood,butotherwiseuninjured.

Truesilvermotioned hismen forward and though the Innarlan soldierswere confused by the presence of a troop of Cormyrean Purple Dragon

regulars,theyweregratefulforthehelp.Whenthedeadandwoundedwereontheirwaytothekeep,Hrothgarmadehisintroductions.

"IvarDevorast,"hesaid,"thishere'sAyesunderTruesilver,WardenofthePortof…whatcitywasit,sir?"

"Marsember,"Truesilveranswered,holdingoutahand.

Devorast took theCormyrean's hand in thehumanmanner-briefly-andsaid,"Warden,welcometotheNagaPlains."

TheCormyrean nodded at the deadmonster and asked, "What is thatthing?I'veneverseenthelike."

Devorastdroppedtheropefromaroundhisshouldersandsteppedawayfromthecarcass."Idon'tknow,"hesaid,"butit'snotthefirstonewe'vehadtokill."

"Dangerouswork,"Hrothgaradded.

"Anyworkworthdoinggenerallyis,"saidTruesilver."SoIunderstandthatyou'reCormyreanyourself."

"IwasbornandraisedinMarsember,"Devorastreplied.

"Ah,well,thengreetingsfromhome,"thewardensaidwithasmilethatDevorastfailedtoreturn.

"The warden was telling me that he was sent by the king of Cormyrhimself to report on the canal," Hrothgar cut in, hoping to forestall anyuncomfortableexchangebetweenthetwomen.Devorastwasn'tonetopinefor home, but Hrothgar was smart enough to have identified AyesunderTruesilverasanimportantally,andsometimesDevorast'smanner…

"That'scorrect,"thewardenof theportsaid."Hismajestyhastakenapersonalinterestinyourendeavor."

Devorasthadnoreactiontothat.Somemoreoftheransar'ssoldiershadapproachedandDevorastwavedthemforward."Takethistothekeep.Weshould have it examined. I'd like to know what it is and where it came

from."

HrothgarwatchedTruesilverwatchtheransar'smentakechargeofthedeaddragon-thing.AsmilethreatenedtheedgesoftheCormyrean'smouth.

"Maybewe should go back to the keep, too, eh?" the dwarf suggested."Talkoverthiscanalbusinessoveranaleortwo,sothewardencanreportbacktohiskingthathe'llhaveasearoutetoWaterdeepinhislifetime."

Devorastnodded,andAyesunderTruesilvergrinnedandsaid,"Yes,let's.I'lldrinktothat."

Whenthetwohumansstartedwalkingtothekeep,Hrothgarbreathedasighofrelief.

25

Higharvestide,theYearoftheSword

(1365DR)ThePalaceofMany

Spires,Innarlith

"Idue to increasingcivilunrest.'"RansarOsorkonread fromhisowndecree.

"Really,Ransar,"oneofthelastofhishangers-onsighed,"there'snouseinreadingitoverandoveragain."

"Indeed,mylord,"saidKolviss,anotherofOsorkon'sdwindlingsupplyoftoadies."Thensumkonisright.Youdidtherightthing."

Theystaredathimwiththeirwet,dull,puppyeyes,andOsorkonhadtolookaway.Hesatathisdeskbehindabiggerthannormalstackofunsignedparchmentwithhisheadinhishands.

"Well,Tlaet?"theransaraskedwhenhethoughtthesilencehaddraggedonlongenough.

"Oh, Ransar, of course I agree!" Tlaet beamed, probably concurringwithapointfromthedaybefore.

"Andthentherewerethree,"Osorkonwhispered.

"Ransar?"Thensumkonprompted.

Osorkondidn't answer,didn't even lookat thebloated, sweatyadvisor.Insteadhelookedatthewidedoubledoorsthatweretheonlywayinoroutof his office. He'd contemplated having a secret door installed, but thennoneof theother ransarsbeforehimhaddone that-at least if theyhad itremainedasecret.He'dneverfoundone,andhe'dlooked.Therewasonlyonewayintotheransar'soffice,andonlyonewayout.

"That'sfitting,"hewhisperedtohimself.

"Fitting,Ransar?"Kolvissasked.Hesmiledandrevealedasilvertooth.His hair was greasy, and Osorkon could smell him even from six pacesaway-andhedidn'tsmellgood."Dotelluswhat'sonyourmind."

Osorkon sighed and said, "I was just thinking that I used to have sixbodyguards."

All three of his dim-witted "advisors" turned to look at the doors. Oneithersideof thestoutoakenportal,barredwithasteelpole it tookthreemento lift,wasasingleguard.Theystoodstiffandatattention,andtheyweregoodmenwho'dbeenwithOsorkonforalongtime.Formorethanatendaythey'dbeentheonlyonestoreportforduty.

"Didyouorderareductioninyourpersonalstaff,mylord?"askedTlaet.

"No,Tlaet,Ididn't,"hesaid.

"Well,then,whodid?"theidiotTlaetasked.

"Well,youpiercer-brainedspore-farm,ifIhadtohazardaguessI'dsayitwasMarekRymiit."

"Ransar?"Thensumkonasked.

"Oh,"Tlaetinterjected,"thereheisnow."

Osorkon,confused,lookedupandfollowedhisboot-lick'semptygazetooneofthetwentycrystalballsthatstilladornedhisprivatesanctum.Overthepasttwomonthsthey'donebyonegoneblackuntilonlytwostillglowedwith the image of a distant locale. It had been about that long since he'dseenorheardfromoneofhisstaffofmages,sotherewasnoonetotellhimwhythey'dstoppedworking,andnoonetomakethemworkagain.

One of the crystal balls was locked on a top-down view of SenatorSalatis's seat in the senate chambers.The second showedOsorkon'souteroffice,emptysincehe'dsenthissecretaryhometohideinherhousewhiledockworkersand tradesmenclashed in the street,drunkenlybeatingeachotherupinlieuoforganizedholidayfestivities.

Osorkonlookedintothefirstcrystalsphere.MarekRymiitsatinSalatis'sblue-and-white upholstered armchair with its bright red cherry woodaccents.Onthetopofthebackofthechairwasacherrywoodemblemofthree lightning bolts converging on a single spot.The symbolwas a clearindication thatSalatishadrecently converted to theworshipofTalos, theBullyofFury'sHeart.

"Rymiit,"Osorkonwhispered, confident that theThayan couldn't hearhimanyway,"whatareyoudoingthere?"

Marek looked up, andOsorkon could swear theymade eye contact. Acoldchillrandownhisspine,andhecouldfeelhisfacegowhite.

"Ransar?"Kolvisssaid,hisvoiceshaking."Ransar,what'sthat?"

Hepointedattheotherfunctioningcrystalball.Displayedthereinwastheempty outer off ice-or at least it was supposed to be empty. Somethingpulsedinthecenteroftheroom.Itlookedlikeacloudofblackandpurplesmoke,formedinatallovalshape.

"Itlookslikeadoor,"Tlaetremarkedwithachildlikeliltinhisvoice.

"Ransar?"oneofthebodyguardscalledfromthedoor.

"Beready,"Osorkontoldthetwoguards."It'shappening."

"What'shappening?"askedThensumkon.Hedidn'tevensoundcurious.

OsorkonglancedatthecrystalballthatrevealedthesenatechamberandsawMarekreclineinSalatis'schairandputhissandaledfeetuponthedeskinfrontofhim.Again,Osorkoncouldswearhemadeeyecontact,andtheThayanwizardsmiled.

"There'ssomeone,"Kolvisssaid.

Osorkon'seyessnappedbacktotheviewofhisouteroffice,andhestood.Amanofmediumheightbutsturdybuildsteppedoutofthecloudofblackand purple smoke just as if it was indeed a doorway. He held a finely-crafted longaxe inbothhandsandwasdressed forbattle inblack leatherringmail.

Osorkonwatchedasfivemorefollowedthefirstman.Allofthemlookedenough alike to be brothers.They appeared ofmulandescentwith duskybrownskinandeyesthatappearedblackinthecrystalball.Allsixofthemwenttothedoorstotheransar'soffice.Noneofthemspoke,noordersweregiven.Theyallheldidenticalweapons.

"Stand alert,men,"Osorkon told his bodyguards. "They have axes, sothey'llgetin,butitshouldtakeawhile."

The ransar opened a cabinet behind him and drew out a carvedmahoganyboxthathesetonastackofparchmentonhisdesk.

"Ooh,"Thensumkonsaid,"what'sthat?"

Osorkonlookedathim,butdidn'tanswer.Thefoolhadnoideatheywereallabouttobekilled.

Well,hethought,ignoranceisbliss.

Whilehedug inadeskdrawerfor thekeyto theboxOsorkonkepthiseyes fixedonwhattranspired inhisouteroffice, thoughthetemptationtolookbackatMarekRymiit-whocontinuedtostaredirectlyathimfromtheChamberofLawandCivility-nettledathisnerves.Twoofthesixassassinsstood close to the double doors, opened their mouths, and for allappearancesvomitedonthem.Astreamofblackfluidgushedupfromdeepintheirthroatsandflowedoverthesmooth-polishedoak.Thewoodbegantodissolvelikeasugarcubeinahotcupoftea…actuallyalittlefasterthanthat.

"Allright,men,"hewarnedtheguards,"they'llbethroughthedoorsabitsooner."

Hefoundthekeyandblinkedsweatoutofhiseyesashestruggledwiththelockonthemahoganybox.Hedidn'trememberfeelingsowarmbeforetheassassinssteppedoutofacloudinthenextroom.

"Shouldwebeleaving?"askedKolviss.

Osorkonhadtosmileatthatone,butwithheldhisreplywhenhefinallygot the box unlocked.He opened it with a faint squeak of long-neglected

hinges.Inside,nestledinrichgreenvelvet,satamace.Theweapon,whichhad been enchanted to contain the concentrated essence of lightning, hadbeeninhisfamilyforgenerationsandasaboyhe'dbeenschooledinitsuse.

He drew it out and looked at the door.The sizzling sound ofwhatevercaustic substance the strange men had vomited onto it grew louder andlouder,thenawispofbrown-graysmoketwistedupfromaspotafinger'slengthfromthecrackwherethetwodoorsmet.

"Thereisanotherwayoutofhere,isn'tthere,Ransar?"askedKolviss.

"Wherearewegoing?"Tlaetreplied.

"Wherearewegoing?"Osorkonasked."Thatdependsonwhatgodyouprayedtolast."

"I always pray toWaukeen,"Thensumkon said. "Don'twe all pray toWaukeen,forgoldandwhatnot?"

Osorkonshookhishead,heftedhisheirloommace,andsteppedaroundhisdesktostandinfrontofit,facingthedoor.HerefusedtolookatMarek,soinsteadhelethisgazelingeronhismap.Paintedontoonewall,thehugerepresentationshowedeverythingfromthemiddleoftheNagaflowsouthtoPiresteapCitadelinexcellentdetail.Tenmonthsbefore,ontheNinthdayofNightalintheYearoftheWave,Osorkonhadhadathin,straightblueline,running north-to-south, painted in the space between theNagaflowRiverandtheLakeofSteam.

Thedoor sizzled so loudlyhis earsbegan to ring.Palm-sized chunksofwoodfelloffonlytodissolveawaytonothingbutblackblistersonthewoodfloor.MovementtothesidecaughtOsorkon'sattentionandhewatchedasanother figure stepped through the hovering black cloud into the roombeyondthedisintegratingdoors.

"Salatis,"Osorkonwhispered.

"Who,Ransar?"oneof thebodyguardsaskedas theybothbacked intotheroomwiththeirhalberdsoutinfrontofthem.

"It'sSenatorSalatis,"Osorkonsaid.

"Well," Thensumkon huffed with sincere disapproval, "he won't havethattitleforlong."

"No,"Osorkonsaidwithawrysmile,"he'llhavemineifwedon'tfightwell."

"Andgetdamnedlucky,"oneofthebodyguardsgrumbledashewatchedtwomoreofthesixassassinsdousethefailingdoorswithcausticsecretions.

With a final sizzling, shattering cacophony theywere in the room.Thetwo bodyguards dropped back to defend their ransar, stepping past astartled,immobileThensumkon.

"Well,now," theadvisorstarted to say,but thewordsbecameagurglethenwerelostentirelytothethumpofhisseveredheadhittingthefloor.

"Goodness!"Tlaetexclaimed.

"Really,now,"Kolvisssaid,scurryingbackinthedirectionoftheransarandhis guardson legs shaking sobadlyhewasobviouslyon thevergeofcollapsing,ifnotshattering,tothefloor,"thereisabackdooroutofhere,now, isn't there?Asecretdoororatrapdoor…aconcealeddoor,maybe?Someofkindof-"

Kolviss stopped talkingwhen one of the bodyguards droppedhimwiththe butt end of his halberd and said, "Sorry, Master Kolviss, but don'tcrowdusor-"

And itwas thebodyguard's turn to stop inmidsentence.Kolviss'shair,thenscalp,dissolvedawayinfrontoftheireyes,injusttheblinkofaneyerevealing a dome of brilliant white skull. The advisor put a hand to hishead,feltthebone,andfainted.

Osorkondecided thatwasagood thing-Kolvisswouldn'tbeable to feelhiseyesmelt,thenhisface.Nooneshouldhavetobeawakewhilehisheadwasliquefied.

Tlaetsquealedlikeagirlandransofastandsosuddenlyheaccidentallyavoided a swipe from one of the assassins' longaxes.Two of the assassinsstepped right past him to engage the bodyguards. Osorkon stepped back

behindhisdesk,holdinghismaceinfrontofhim,hisfeetwideapartandhisknees bent. The reach of the assassins' longaxes almost matched thebodyguards'halberds,andthefourofthemparriedandstruck,parriedandstruck.

One of the assassins grunted loudly and stepped back.Angry, bleedingfrom a hugewound in his chest, the strangeman opened hismouth, butbeforehecouldlaunchastreamofblackacidatthebodyguardwho'dslicedhim, his eyes rolledup in his head andhe fell backward.Theblack fluidoozedoutfromthesidesofhismouthandbegantodissolvethewoodfloorunderhisstillhead.

Anothersteppedupinhisplace,andtheywerebackatitagain.

Thesecondbodyguardfelltoadisemboweling,lowslashofalongaxe.Hewas at least alive enough to cry out for his mother before the assassinstompedonhisneckandcuthispleashortwithanear-assaultingcrack.

"Ransar,"Kolvisssquealed,"letusaway!"

"Forthe last time,Kolviss,"Osorkonsaidsteppingbackfast toavoidastream of black fluid that arced through the air at his face, "there isnowheretogo."

Theacidstartedworkingathisdeskchair,andOsorkonkickeditawayandjumpedupontohisdesk-kickingthestacksofparchmenttothefloor.Kolviss, in ablindpanic, leapedathim, grabbingathis legs, his face redandtearsstreamingfromhiseyes.OneoftheassassinssteppedupbehindKolvissandbroughthis longaxedowninasmootharcto imbedthebladeintothetopoftheman'shead.Thebladesankdowntothetipofhisnose,andtherewassurprisinglylittleblood.Kolviss'seyesstillmoved,followingOsorkon's,andhis lipstwitchedsilentlyafewtimesbeforehemanagedtosay,"Osorkon?"inavoicemadebothwetandnasalbythebloodyruinhissinuseshadbecome.Theassassintwistedthehandleofhislongaxe,chokingupon itashedidso,andbrokeKolviss'sheadopen likeanegg.Kolviss'slegscollapsed,andhefellinagoryheap.

Twoof theassassinscrowded the lastbodyguard,whobled fromhalfadozenwounds.The guard growled through gritted teeth and jabbed thenswung, jabbed then swung, with his heavy halberd. When he spun the

polearmuptoparryadownwardslashfromonelongaxe,theotherassassinbroughthisweaponinlowandtookbothoftheguard'slegsoffatthekneeswiththatoneswipe.

"Surrender, Osorkon!" Salatis shouted over the bodyguard's agonizedshriek.

Thescreamwassilencedwhenoneoftheassassinstooktheguard'sheadoff.

"Surrender!"Salatiscalledagainfromthedoorway."It'sover."

Knowingthenewransarwasright,Osorkonletlooseanincoherentbattlecryandchargedthenearestassassin.Hemanagedbypurelucktogetinsidethelongaxe'sreachandhesmasheddownonthedarkman'sshoulder.Thecarved steel head of themace crunched the assassin's shoulderblade andsentaspiderwebofblue-whitesparkscrisscrossingoverhistwitchingtorso.The assassin's face screwed up in a spasm of agony, and he stood there,quivering under the mace's enchanted lightning for a heartbeat, thenanother, Osorkon shouting in defiance the whole time-which was longenoughforanotheroftheintruderstostepinandtakeoneofhisarmsoff.

The lightning disappeared, and the assassin dropped to the floor, stilltwitching,butotherwisedead.Osorkonstaggeredback,themacestillintheonehandhehadleft,andwatchedthebloodpumpfromhisopenveins.

Itdoesn'thurt,hethought.Isn'tthatstrange?

A dark-skinned assassin charged in, andOsorkonmanaged to beat hislongaxeawaywith themace,buthedidn'tregister theotheronestandingrightnexttohim.

Thefluidwascoldonhisskinat first,andthick. It feltheavy,andthatalongwiththeweightofthemacemadehimdrophisguard.Hetookabootto thechestand fell.He tried to takeadeepbreath fromonhisbackbutcouldn't.

Just as well, he thought. Now I can't give Salatis the satisfaction of ascream.

Theacidtookhisskinandthathurt.Osorkonhadnever imaginedpainlikethat.

Killme,hethought,insomewaydesperatetocommunicatewiththepainitself.Makemepassout,byLoviatar'sbloodyscourge.

Hiseyesslammedshutandhisteethchatteredastheacidbegantoworkonthemeatofhisarm.Ifheevenhadahandanymore,hewasno longerholding the mace. He watched it roll across the floor, the haft gettingsmallerandsmallerasaciddissolvedeventheenchantedweapon.

"What-"hegasped."What'sthat…smell?"

Hecaughtaglanceof theboneofhis forearm. Itwasevenwhiter thanThensumkon'sskull,ifthatwaspossible.

He lookedup,blinking, thepainmakingall themuscles left inhisbodyquiversothathefeltforalltheworldasifhisbloodhadreachedarollingboil.AbovehimstoodSalatis,dressedinafinebluesilkrobewithacleanwhitesash,andoneofthedarkassassins.Osorkonwaslostintheassassin'seyes.He'dneverseeneyessoblack-atleastnotonanythingbutashark.

Hetriedtospeakagainbutcouldn't.

"TheStormLordbepraised,"Salatissaid,thenglancedattheassassin."Welldone,CaptainOlin."

Osorkoncoughed.Hecouldn'tbreathe.Thepainwasstartingtogoaway.Thatdidn'tseemlikeagoodsign.

"Well, Osorkon, my old friend," Salatis said. "By the grace of theDestroyer,bythewillofTalos,Imustinformyouthatyourservicestothecity-stateofInnarlitharenolongerrequired."Salatisgiggledinawaythatmadehimappear,especiallyfrombelow,likeadroolingidiot."MayTaloseatyourwretchedsoultobreakhisfastonthemorrow."

Osorkon still couldn't breathe, and couldn't get any part of his bodyexcepthisnecktomove,buthecouldmovehisneck,andhedid,tiltinghishead away from the gloating, laughing Salatis and his stoic, unamused,silentassassin.Helookedatthemap,triedtokeephiseyesopenandonthe

straightblueline.

Finish it anyway, he thought. Finish it, Devorast. It was never reallymine,afterall.

AndthosewerethewordsOsorkontookwithhimtoeternity.

26

3Nightal,theYearoftheSword(1365

DR)SecondQuarter,Innarlith

Really,Willem, what in the diamond battlements of Trueheart do youhave to be afraid of?" Marek Rymiit asked with a sibilant hiss to hisaccentedvoice-hepronouncedWillem'snameas if it startedwithaVandnotaW.Therotundwizardblinked,almostas thoughhewasbattinghiseyelashes."Imean,really.Youarewellandtrulyblessed."

Willemswallowedandnodded, lookingaroundthehigh-ceilingedroom.Scatteredaboutsatanumberofcrates.Hayhadbeenpiledinthecorners,andcanvastarpshadbeenspreadoverthescuffedwoodfloor.

"Willem?"theThayanprompted.

"Yes,"Willemreplied,stillnotlookingMarekintheeye."Iamwellandtruly…"Hepausedtothink,thenrisked:"…caredfor."

Marek laughed, and the soundwas so light and so sincere thatWillemwasforcedtosmile.

"Youknow,ofcourse,thatIcanhelpyou,"Mareksaidashecrossedtheroomtooneofthecrates."Pleaseexcusethemess.We'veonlyjustbeguntomovein.Doyoulikeit?"

Willemnodded, lying.Thebuildingwasgarishandoverly large foroneman,andhe'dheardthatMarekdidn'tevenintendtolivethere.

"I understand you'll be keeping the house, too,"Willem said, asmuchjust to make conversation to cover his nervousness than to verify therumors.

"Of course," thewizard replied as he dug through first one crate thenanother. "This is a place of business. From this compound, the finest inmagicalitemswillbemadeavailabletothefinepeopleofInnarlith."

Willemnodded,watching themansearchapparentlyatrandomfor thepromiseditem,andasked,"Itwillbeanembassy,too,Iunderstand."

MarekstoppedandturnedtoregardhimwithagazethatmadeWillem'sskincrawl.

Marekturnedbacktothenextcrateandcontinuedhissearch,butjustalittlemoreslowlythanbefore.

"It might one day serve a similar function," said the RedWizard. "Isuppose it's safe to consider thisThayan ground.But it's not somuchanembassyasan…anenclave.Iamherenottoinfluence,buttoserve."

"Youinfluenceanyway,"Willemsaid.

Marek chuckled and stopped rooting around in the crate. When heturnedheheldasmallboxofpolishedmapleandworeawarmgrin.

"When I am asked a question," thewizard said, "I answer.Whenmyopinionissoughtout,Ioblige.IfIinfluence,itisbecauseIhavemadeeveryefforttohelp,andalwaysinthebestinterestsofmyadoptedhome."

Willemsmiledandnodded,butcouldn'thelpstaringatthebox."Isthatit?"heasked.

Marek glanced down at the box in his hand but said, "I understandyou'vehadsomesuccessrecentlythathasbroughtconsiderablecointoyourpersonalcoffers."

Willemnodded.

"Anappleorchard,ofallthings,"saidtheThayan."Really,Willem,mylad,Ican'tpossiblybeaskedtoimagineyouafarmer."

"I'mnofarmer,"hesaid."Therearetenantstotendthetrees.Ijust…"

"Ownit?"theThayanprompted.

"I'vebeentoldthatasenatormusthaveanincome,"Willemsaid."Iwasencouragedtoacquireland."

"Butatsomeageraprice,"Marekreplied,"andforsorichaharvest."

Willemshrugged,stillstaringatthebox.

"Youcanaffordmore,"thewizardsaidwithawink."Thisis…atrifle."

"But itwilldowhatIasked?"Willemasked."It'lldowhatIneed it todo?"

TheThayannodded and stepped forward, holding the box out.Willemtook it, flinching whenMarek touched the back of his hand with a cool,clammyfingertip.Willemfumbled theboxa little,andalmostdropped it.Marekplaceditinhishand,andWillemsnatcheditawayabittooquicklyfordecorum's sake.Abrief glowpassed throughMarek's eyes thatmadeWillem'sbreathcatchinhisthroat.

Theybothreleasedabreathtogether,andWillemopenedthebox.

"Youhavebuttowearit,"Mareksaid.

Insidetheboxwasasimplebroochoffinegoldfashionedinthelikenessofaheartheldinthepalmofahand.Willemhadseenbetterworkmanship.Therewasnothingaboutthethingthatseemedparticularlyspecial.

"AndifIdo?"Willemasked.

"Youwillbearupunderthestrain,"theThayanexplainedwithasmirk."Itwillemboldenyou.Youwillnotbesoeasilyintimidated."

Willemlookedupathim,hisjawtense.Marekwassurprisedbutshoweditonlyforthebriefestfractionofaheartbeatbeforesmilingoncemore.

"Itmayevenhavesomebenefitwherethefairersexisconcerned,"saidMarek.

"Whatdoyoumean?"Willemasked,closingthebox."MayI?"

Marek nodded and Willem put the box in the deep pocket of hisweathercloak.Fromthesamepockethewithdrewapurseheavywithcoins.

"Imeanthatperhapswithitssubtleinfluenceyouwillfinallybeabletoleavemynieceinyourwake,"thewizardexplained.

Willem shivered. He looked at his hand, which held the purse out toMarek,andsawitshake.

Marekwrappedhissausagefingersaroundthebagofcoinsandsaid,"Athousand?"

"Asweagreed,"Willemreplied,lettinghisarmfalltohisside."So,withthatI'll-"

"Oh,bother,"Marekcutin,droppingthecoinpurseintooneoftheopencrates."Don'tbe like that,my lad.Youknowofmy fondness forHalina,and certainly your perpetually-impending nuptialswould be a rare socialeventamong the least imaginativeof Innarlan society,buthonestly, is shethebestchoice?"•

"TheonlytimesIcanrememberfeelingeventheslightestbithappyhavebeen in her presence," Willem said. Sweat gathered at his hairline andunder his arms. He hadn't meant to reveal so much, especially to theThayan."Butmymotherisofsimilarmindtoyou."

"Ah,yes,"Marekreplied."AndhowfaresthelovelyThurene?"

"Sheiswell."

"Just'well'?"

Willemshrugged.Hedidn'tknowwhatelsetosay.

"Shewhispersanameinyourear,I'llwager,"Mareksaid."Iknowthatthemasterbuilderhasbeen,too,andforsometime."

Willemshookhishead,hopingagainsthopethatMarekwouldn'tsaythename.

"I'mhappywithHalina,"Willemsaid.

"Andwhatofthat?"askedthewizard."Whoareyoutobehappy?"

Willemlookedhimintheeyeandshookhishead.Hadheheardthemancorrectly?"I'm…"Willemstarted.

"Allmenareequal,"theThayansaid."Weallhaveourrolestoplayinthegods'greattheater.Whoareyoutoexpecttobehappywhensomanysuffer?Sowhat ifyouloveHalina?YoushouldmarryPhyrea.Herfatherwishes it, and so domany others in this city-many otherswho have beenwatchingoveryouandwillcontinuetowatchoveryouboth."

"But…"Willemgrunted.Hedidn'tknowwhattosay.Hedidn'twanttohavetheconversationMarekseemedintentonbullyinghiminto.

"I'msureyoufindthefairPhyreapleasingtotheeye,"saidMarek.

Willemnodded,butsaid,"Willyouforbidmefrommarryingyourniece?Willyoupreventmefromseeingher?"

Willem had tried to keep that last from sounding like a plea, but hecouldn't help it. Anyway, Marek Rymiit was too intelligent and astute alistener not to have sensed it. Willem could see it written plainly in theThayan'ssparklingeyesandunevensmile.

"Iwilldonosuchthing,"saidMarek."Ifyouaredeadsetonembarkingon a path pointed away from the goals you've worked so diligently toachieve,howcouldIpresumetostopyou?"

"Phyreahatesme,"Willemsaid.

"Wiveshatetheirhusbands,lad,"Marekreplied.

"Beforethey'reevenmarried?"

"Well…"

There was a heavy silence while Willem hoped he looked like he wasthinkinglongandhard.

"Phyrea-"Willemsaid,hisvoicebarelymorethanawhisper.

Mareksmiledandsaid,"Wearthepin,son.Itwillhelp."

27

30Nightal,theYearoftheSword


Spires,Innarlith

The evening had begun with a lengthy and confusing prayer ofappeasementtoMalar,givenbythenewlyconfirmedransarhimself.Salatishad insisted thathisguestsattend the festivities in theguiseofananimal,andWillemKorvanhadchosenforhimselftheweasel.

"It's a creature with its own nobility, wouldn't you say, Meykhati?"Willemsaid."OrshouldIsay,'SirCrane'?"

The elder senator indulged himwith a largely uninterested laugh frombehindhisavianmaskoffineShouporcelainandsaid,"Ifyousayso,Will-SenatorWeasel."

The laughs thatsizzledupfromthecircleofguestsWillemhadmergedwithmockedhim.Heputahand lightly to thebrooch thatheldhis cloakaround his shoulders. A palpable sensation of warmth flooded his chestwhenhetouchedit.

"Tellusmore,SenatorWeasel,"requestedthewomanwithpurplehair,amask in the likeness of an eagle, and the familiar accent of Willem'shomeland.

"You'reCormyrean,"hesaid.

The woman, stout and heavy, immaculately dressed in a gown thatincludedactualeaglefeathers,bowedslightlyandintroducedherselfasTiaHarriman,thenewly-appointedambassadorfromCormyr.

Theothers-Meykhatibehindhiscranemask;themasterbuilderwithanelephant'sghastly trunk;Rymut'smanInsithryllax,wearinga frighteningblackdragon'shead;Kurtssonwiththefaceofabear;andhismother,who

pressedclosetohim,hereyesascoldandhardasthetigresswhosefeaturesshe'dborrowed-heapednicetiesonthewoman.

"I'msurprised,"Willemsaid,marvelingatthesoundofhisownvoice-soclearandstrong.

"Whateverdoyoumean,mydear?"hismother inquired.Hecould feelhernervousness,andperhapsforthefirsttimeinhislifehedidn'tcare.

"WhydoesAzounsuddenlyfeelthatInnarlith,ofallplaces,requiresthepresenceofanembassy?"

WillemstoodinthecenteroftheensuingsilencefeelinglikeTalosintheeyeofahurricaneofhisowncreation.Thurene squeezedhisarm,butheignoredher.

"His Majesty," the ambassador replied, correcting his protocol, "hastakenaninterestinthecanal."

"Well, you get right to the point, don't you, Ambassador?" Willemreplied.Hefeltcheerful,andlethisvoiceconveythat.Everyonerelaxed,atleasta little."I suppose IcanseewhyCormyrmightbenefit from it.Toobaditwillnevercometopass."

"Won'tit?"askedtheambassador.

"No,madam,"InthelphansweredbeforeWillemcould,"Idon'tthinkitwill.TheonlytwopeopleinInnarlithwhomightmakeagoofit"-henoddedtoWillem-"arestandingbeforeyourightnow.Andneitherofushaveanyinterestinthatfool'serrand."

"No?"askedtheambassador."Andwhynot?"

"It'snotnecessary,"Inthelphsaid.

"There are already means to travel from here to the Vilhon Reach,"Kurtssoncutin,thevoicefrombehindthebearmaskhadanexoticaccent."Icouldtakeyoutheremyselfrightnow,andbackagain,inbuttheblinkofthe eye. And I can do the same with an entire ship. Why, then, all thedigging?"

Thecontemptheput intothat lastwordstuckinWillem'searabit.AnanswertoKurtsson'squestionoccurredtohim,buthedidn'tspeakit.Theideaforacanalwasbrilliant,andheknewfullwellthatifanyoneinFaerunmighthaveachancetomakeitworkitwasIvarDevorast,butthatwasthelastthinghe'dtellthepeoplearoundhimjustthen.

"My friend thebear is correct," said the strangemanbehind theblackdragon mask. Even under the influence of the brooch's magic, Willemrecoiled a little from the man, as did all of them. "But perhaps a morecheerfulsubjectisinorder."

"Indeed,SirDragon,"theambassadorsaid."Idohaveaquestionforourfriendtheweasel."

"Of course," said Willem. "We hunt birds, rabbits, rats, frogs, andvarioussmallrodentsbythehundreds."

Therewas a pause while they all struggled in their ownways with hisanswer,thenafewreluctant,almostfrightenedgiggles.

"Oh, Willem, my dear, don't be silly," Thurene said as she dug herfingernailsintohisarm.

Willemendured thepainand said,"Interesting thingaboutusweasels:the young are born almost exclusively in themonth ofTarsakh-as few astwo,andasmanyasteninalitterinanestlinedwiththefurofthemother'skills. Like humans, the femaleweasel has a strong instinct to protect heryoung.Ittakesthreeandahalftendaysfortheireyestoopen,butthey'rehuntingbytheendoftheirsecondmonthoflife."

"It must be difficult for the mother weasel to see them leave," theambassadorplayedalong.

"Oh, my," Meykhati interjected. "Were we to have been prepared todiscuss thebehaviorandmatinghabitsofouranimals? Isn't thedreadfulmaskenough?"

"Fear not, Senator," Willem reassured him. "For me, the weasel hasalwaysbeenof interest-itshabitsand itsupbringing. I chose themask forthatreason,nottheotherwayaround.Asimilardevotiononthepartofany

otherguesttotheirtotemsishardlyrequired.Butinanyevent,Ihopetheambassadorisentertained."

"I am," she replied. "But I hadn't intended to inquire into the secretmatingritualsoftheweasel.IremaincuriousastowhyoneofHisMajesty'ssubjectssitsonthegoverningbodyofanindependentcity-statesofarfromhome? Surely a youngman of your accomplishments could have found asuitablepositionathome?"

"One would think," Willem answered, letting all the bile, all the oldanimosityhe couldmusterweighheavily onhiswords.Meykhati actuallytookastepback,Insithryllaxtensedasifexpectingafighttobreakout,andThurenegasped."But,alas,Iwaswooedaway.Onceagain,I'mremindedof theweasel.Their fur-lineddensare stolen fromtheburrowinganimalsthey'vekilledandeaten."

"Haveyoukilledandeatenusthen?"Meykhatiasked.

"Notquiteeatenyet,no,"repliedWillem.

A waiter passed by, his naked body painted to resemble the colorfulfeathers of a native bird Willem didn't know the name of. He took atallglassofwine fromtheproffered trayanddrainedhalfof it ina singleswallow.Themaskmadethatdifficult,buthemanaged itwithoutspillingany,evenwithhismotherpullingonhisarm.

Themasterbuilderclearedhisthroatandsaid,"So,Willem,dotell.HaveyougivenanyfurtherthoughttoPhyrea?"

"Phyrea?"theambassadorasked.

"The master builder's lovely and charming daughter," Thureneanswered."SenatorInthelphandIhavehopesforthem."

"Ourhumbletakeontheroyalmarriage,"Meykhatijoked.

Willemtookadeepbreathandalmost spilled thewineonhis silk tunicwhen he went to touch the brooch again. It steeled his nerves, but didnothing tohelphimorganizehis thoughts.Thementionof thatnamewasenough to sendhimalmost into a swoon.Phyrea-beautiful anddisturbed,

with her bizarre convictions andmysterious agendas-andHalina-soft andinsubstantial,butcomfortable-thetwowomeninhislife.

"Really, my dear," Thurene said, "what could possibly cause you tohesitate?She'ssuchalovelygirl."

Threewomen,Willemcorrectedhimself.

"Graciousasalways,MadamKorvan,"themasterbuildergushed.

But Willem knew all too well why Inthelph wanted him to marry hisdaughter.HethoughtWillemcouldreinherin,settlerher,controlher,andmake her something she wasn't. He couldn't even do that for himselfwithouttheaidofThayanmagic.Hetouchedthebroochagainandfeltjustalittlelesswarmth.

"Inthewinter,"hesaid,"theweasel'sfurturnswhite."Hegesturedwithhistallglasstoindicatethewhitemaskhewore."IfthiswastheMidsummerrevel, I'dhavehad itpaintedbrown.Phyrea is themostbeautifulwomanI'veeverseen."

Therewasanotherheavysilence,butWillemfeltlessinclinedtorevelinit.InsithryllaxandKurtssontradedalook.Thurenemovedherhanduphisarm and found fresh skin tomarwith her expensively-manicured talons.The ambassador studiedhim frombehindher eaglemask as thoughhe'djustcrawledupoutofthesea.Meykhatichuckled,andthemasterbuildernoddedinaconfused,dullway.

"Ifyouwill excuseus," Insithryllax said,andwithabowofhisdragonhead,heandKurtssonmovedaway.

Willemcaughtaglimpseofawomanwithamousemaskstandingbehindthem and got the distinct impression that she had been eavesdropping.Beforehecouldstudyherinanydetail,though,themasterbuilderstolehisattention.

"Whatdoyousay,Willem?"

"Yes, my dear," Thurene pressed. "Wouldn't the ransar's New Year'sMasquebetheperfectplaceforsuchlovelynews?"

"Phyrea?" Willem asked, and they all nodded, even the woman fromCormyr."Theweaselisanighthunterthatkillsbybitingintothebackofitsvictim'sneck."

"Youmeanitsprey,"saidtheambassador.

"Yes,mydear,"Thurenesaidwithanotherpainfulsqueeze,"dosaywhatyoumean."

"Noteveryoneisfondoftheweasel,"hesaid,"thoughitspoorreputationishardlydeserved.Soittakesachickenortwohereandthere.Italsoeatsrats andmice, so even a chicken farmer can appreciate it. It's as noble acreatureasany,theweasel,anddeservesachancetosurvive."

"I'm sure we would all do our best to preserve the noble weasel,"Meykhatisaid,hisvoicemakingitplainwhathewantedfromWillem.

Willemtouchedthebroochandstudiedatthepeoplewholookedathimthroughtheirmasks.Theireyespulledathim.

"Evenweaselsmust come together for the good of their kind,"Willemsaid.

"Indeed,"saidMeykhati."Evenweasels."

"MasterBuilder,"Willem said, turning to address Inthelph. Thurene'shandfellawayfromhisarm,andheheardherbreathcatch."Inthespiritof the noble weasel, in the home of our ransar, in the presence of mymother,andbecauseherbeauty isunparalleled inall theworld,Ihumblyseekyourpermissiontoaskyourdaughtertobecomemywife."

Willem ignored the ensuing gaggle of congratulations. He didn't reallyevenhearthemasterbuildergivehimhisblessing,butheofcoursedid-andwithgreatenthusiasm.Instead,hisattentionwasdrawntothewomanwiththemousemask,whostoodseveralpacesaway,staringathim.Heblinked,but couldn't quite see her eyes. Still, there was something familiar abouther.

"Oh,itwillbeagrandaffair!"Thureneallbutshrieked.

Heglancedather,but thenmovementdrewhis eyeback to themouse.Shetookhermaskoffwithashakinghand.

"Halina,"Willemwhispered.

Tearswelledupinhereyesasshestaredathim.

Willemtouchedthebrooch,butitwasn'tcourageheneededjustthen.

"Willem,dear,"hismotherallbutshoutedathim.Shegrabbedhisarm,againandheflinched.

Meykhati clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Well done, Senator.Welldone,indeed."

WillemforcedhisgazeawayfromHalina,buthecouldseeherturnandrunintothecrowdofrevelersfromthecornerofhiseye.Hespenttherestof the last night of the Year of the Sword talking about weasels andmarriage.

28

30Nightal,theYearoftheSword


Hemovedontopofher, insideher,toarhythmthathadstartedoutashis own, but had become a perfect fusion of two heartbeats. Phyrea letherselfgasp,letateartricklefromthecornerofoneeye,andletherbodytakehisandbetakenbyhis.ShegaveherselftoIvarDevorastasbestshecouldwhenhewantedsolittleofher.Hemadenosounds,buthisbodytoldher that hewanted her,wanted nothingmore at thatmoment than to betherewithher.Shehadfromhimthebesthecouldgive,andmorethanshecouldevertrulyhavehopedfor:hisundividedattention.

Whenfinallyheslippedoffher,Phyreahadtogaspforair.Thoughitwascoldinhisoddlittlecabin,asheenofsweatcoveredher.Shelaythereuntilshe began to shiver before she drew the blanket over herself. He lookeddownather,andshewantedhimtoseeher.Theaircouldhavebeendrawnfrom the room, theblooddrained fromherheart, but as long ashis eyeswereonhershewouldbesustained.

He smiled at her in thatwayhe had thatmade it appear as thoughhekneweverything,andsheshiveredagain.

Outside, the whistle of the winter wind mixed with the sound of mendrinking and laughing, shouting and singing. Even in the remote workcamp,ittheNewYear'sRevel,afterall.

"Ifyoutellmenottospeak,"shewhispered,"Iwon't.Ifyoutellmetogo,I'llgo."

"Idon'twanttotellyouwhattodo,"hesaid.Hisvoicewasmorerelaxedthanshe'deverheard it."Youdon'thave toawaitmycommand.Iwouldlikeyoutostay."

"ThenI'llstay,"shewhispered,andputherhandonhischest.Hetookitin his, andher thin fingerswere swallowedup in his grasp.Hedrewher

hand to his lips and kissed her palm.When the tip of his tongue drew acirclethere,herbodyalitonceagain."I'llstayforever."

He smiled, his teeth white in the dark space of the cabin. "Surely youhavesomethingof interestwaitingforyouinInnarlith.Ithoughtyousaidyouweregoingtodestroyme.That,atleast,will-"

"Shut up," she said. Phyrea sat, letting the blanket fall away. Shewrappedherarmsaroundhimforwarmth."Don'tsay…"

But hewas right. She had beenworking hard to poison people againsthimandhiscanal.She'dgonesofarastoletherfatherknowthatshewouldbewillingtomarryWillemKorvan.Farallsheknew,hewasarrangingtheceremonyatthatverymoment.

"I'mherenow,withyou,"shewhisperedinDevorast'sear.

Hereturnedherembrace,andanothertearrolleddownhercheek.Theembracewassotender,shewasnearlyoverwhelmed.

"Isupposeyoucouldstay,"hesaid."Yourworkagainstmeisdone."

"Please,don't-"

"The new ransar could stop everything simply by drawing closed thepursestrings,"hesaid."I'vebeentoldthatheislessthanenthusiasticaboutthecanal."

"He listens to themages," she toldhim."But Idon'twant tohave thisconversation.Ican'ttalkaboutanypossibilityofyoufailing."

"Ithoughtyouwantedmetofail,"hesaid,"sothatIwouldstopbeforeIwasbeatenbylessermen."

Thesarcasmwasplaininhisvoice.

"Don't have funwithme," she said, and though she'd hoped to soundthreateningallsheheardinhervoicewasalittlegirl'spleading.

Heturnedtoherandkissedhercheek,thenherlips.

"MarekRymiit,"shewhispered.

"TheThayan."

"Hewon'tletyoubuildit."

"Becausehemakeshislivingbysellingthemagicnecessarytoteleport,ortoopenportals.Iknowthat."

Phyrea sighed and said, "Osorkon is dead.Whowill protect you fromhim?"

"TheThayanhasSalatis'sear?"

"PeopletellmehemadeSalatisransar,"shesaid.

"ThenI'llhavetoacceleratethework."

Sheshookherheadandtoldhim,"Byallaccountsyou'vestretchedyourmentoofarasitis.Howfastcanonemandig?AndIdoubtyou'llgetournewransartosendyouanymorestrongbacks.Thatuprisingonthedocksisover,andInnarlithisbacktowork.Peasantmendon'tneedtocomeouthereandriskmonstersandtrenchcollapsestoearnaday'swage."

Hesmiledatheragain,andthefeelingitelicitedinherwassointense,shenestledherfaceinhisnecksohecouldn'tseeit.

"Youhaveitallsorted,"hejoked.

Phyreastoppedherselffromcryingbysheerforceofwill.

"Haveyouheardheword'smokepowder'?"heasked.

She cleared her throat and pulled away just far enough that she couldlookathimagain."Somekindofalchemythatcausesthingstoexplode?"He nodded and she continued, "Butwhatwould youwantwithmagic? Ithoughtyouweredeterminednottousemagic."

"Iusesomeformofmagiceveryday,hereandthere,"hesaid."Ihavenoaversiontotherighttoolfortherightjob,butanywaysmokepowderisnot

magical in nature. It's amixture of rare earth elements that together arequitevolatile.""And?"

"With the proper application of enough force, I canmovemore earththananymancouldshovel."

"So, youwant to digwith-" Phyrea said. She stoppedwhen somethingoccurredtoherallatonce."TheThayan…he…"

"I won't accept it fromMarek Rymiit, if that's what-" "No, no," sheinterrupted."SomeoneusedsmokepowdertotrytokillRymiit.Youneverheardof it? It causedquite a row. Innocentbystanderswere injured,buttheThayan survivedunscathed.Thewould-beassassinwas just let out oftheransar'sdungeon.""Whoishe?"

"An alchemist," she said, only then remembering the rest of the story."Heusedtobequiteindemandinthecity,untilRymiitcamealong.TheysaidhewasbitteraboutthelossoftradetotheThayan,soheusedhisskillstotrytoblowhimtobits."

"Butfailed."

"The smokepowder exploded, though," she said. Her heartbeatquickened,andshethoughtshecouldfeelhisraceaswell."Itworked,butMarekwasabletogetoutofharm'sway.Thegroundwon'tbesodifficultatarget."

Devorastnodded.

"Doyouthinkitcouldwork?"sheasked,andhenoddedagain."Ifyoucan dig faster, if you can show indisputable progress, Salatismay not beable to-maynotevenwant to stopyou, especially ifyoucanbring ingoldandworkersfromotherrealms,asyouplanned."

"Whoisthisalchemist?"

"Idon'trememberhisname,"shesaid."Icouldfindout.Icouldask,inthecity."

"Becareful,"Devorastsaid."IfthewrongpeopleknowwhatIintend,it

couldendeverything."

"Trustme,"shewhisperedandbegantokisshisshoulder.

"Does that mean you no longer want to destroy me?" he said. "Thiswouldbetheperfectchance.TellMarekRymiitthatIwantsmokepowdertouseasadiggingtool,andtellhimIwanttohirethemanwhotriedtokillhimtomakeitforme.He'llfinallyjustcomeuphereandkillmehimself."

Phyreafroze.Andwhyhadn'tMasterRymiitdonejustthat?Whatwashewaitingfor?"Trustme,"shetoldhimagain.

29

17Hammer,theYearoftheStaff

(1366DR)TheCityofSaelmur,on

theShoreoftheLakeofSteam

YournameisSurero,"themansaidashesatinthechairacrossthetableforalltheworldasthoughhe'dbeeninvitedtodoso.

"WhointheinfiniteAbyssareyou?"Sureroasked,hiseyesnarrowing,his fingerstensingaroundtheheavyearthenwaremughewasaheartbeatfromsmashingovertheman'sred-hairedhead.

"Ivar Devorast," the man said. "If you're finished hiding out anddrinking,Ihaveajobforyoutodo."

Surero swallowed and nodded, looking around the low-ceilinged room.The tavernwas crowdedwith peoplewho drank and spoke, but rarely ifeverlaughed.Thedankairwasfilledwithpipeweedsmokeandsweat,andthealewasbitterbutstilloverpriced.

"YouareSurero,"Devorastprompted.

"Yes,"Sureroreplied,notquitelookingthestrangerintheeye."Iam…"Hepausedtothink,thenfinished,"Iusedtobe."

Devorastlaughed,andthesoundwassolightandsosincerethatSurerowasforcedtosmile.

"I understand that you are accomplished in the creation and use ofsmokepowder," Devorast said. "I have a challenge for you, closer toInnarlith,ifyou'reinterested."

Surerofrozeatthesoundofthatcity'sname,andhadtoforcehimselftospeak."ItoldmyselfIwouldnevergobacktothatpitofforeigndeceit.AndwhyshouldI?SoIcanberobbedblindagain?GobackandtellyourRed

WizardmasterthatIhavenothingleftforhimtotake."

"Idon'tworkforanyRedWizard,"Devorastsaid."You'veheardofthecanal?"

Surero nodded, then took a sip of the bitter ale to try to hide theconfusionandexcitementthatgrippedhim.Hisfaceflushed,andhebegantosweat.

Hewaited a bit for Devorast to go on, but finally asked, "What of it?Whatdoyouwantfromme?"

"I need tomove a great deal of earth in a very short time," Devorastexplained."Ihavetheideathatwithasufficientquantityofsmokepowder,set in just the right places, that could be accomplished. I knowwhy youwere sent to the ransar's dungeon, and I honestly don't care. I have noaffectionforMarekRymiit,butnordoIwasteanytimehatinghim.Heisn'tinvolvedinmyproject,andhewon'tbe.Youdon'thavetogobacktothecity.Youcanliveandworkatthesite,asIdo."

"Ineedtoknowwho'scoinwillpayme,"Surerosaid.

"Mine," Devorast said. "Where I get it from doesn't have to concernyou."

With a sigh, Surero looked around the room again. "You see all thesepeople,Devorast?Lookat them.Theseare sad,desperatepeople.Anddoyouknowwhy?"

"No,"Devorastreplied.

SurerostoppedhimselffromansweringrightawayandlookedDevorastintheeye.Hecouldseetheunspokenwordsintheman'ssteelygaze:AndIdon'tcare.

"Tellme,haveyouspokenwithRymiitaboutthiscanalofyours?Hashemadehisopinionofitknowntoyou?"

"I have reason to believe he's sentmonsters to killme on at least twooccasions,"Devorastsaid.

Surero found it difficult to breathe.He downed the rest of his ale andalmostchokedon it.Devorastheldupahandandgot theattentionof theservingwench.Hehelduptwofingers,andshenoddedandwaddledtothebar.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"askedDevorast."I'veaskedaboutyou,andbyallaccountsyou'reanalchemistofconsiderableskill."

"Iusedtobe,"hesaid."ThentheThayan…"

"He took your customers from you, and otherwise made it difficult topracticeyourcraft,"Devorastfinishedforhim."Ifyou'rereadytoleaveoffcrying about that, come with me and help do something that no one inFaerunhaseverdone."

"Ican'tplaceyouraccent,"Surerosaid.

"IwasborninCormyr."

Surero shrugged, and sat quietlywhile the servingwench set twomoreales on the table, collected his empty and the Cormyrean's coin, andshuffledoff.

"Ineedtoknowifthiscanal…whenit'sdone,willMarekRymiithateit?Willhedespiseanyonewhohelped?Willhestopatnothingtodestroyit?"Surero asked. "Answerme-and tell the truth. I have ways of knowing ifyou'relying."

Therewasapotionthatwouldhelphimdiscernthetruth,buthehadn'tmixedoneinyears.Surerojustneededtohearthemansayit.

"Iwillbuildit,becauseIwantittobebuilt,"Devorastsaid."IhavenointentionofseekingpermissionfromMarekRymiit."

SurerosighedagainandmetDevorast'sfirmgaze.

"It's a good idea," Surero said. "Smokepowder for digging… I hadn'teverthoughtofit,butit'llwork.I'msureit'llwork.Thiscanal,basicallyit'sa trench that'll eventually be filled with water?" Devorast nodded, andSurerowenton,"Icandothat.I'dbethefirsttodoit…atleastthatIknow

of…andIcandoit."

Devorast took a sip of his ale and didn't seem to react at all to itsbitterness.HelookedSurerointheeyeandwaited.

Thealchemistsighedagainandsaid,"Icameherewiththe intentionofgathering what few coins I could before moving on farther west. I'dthought, maybe, Athkatla. I've heard that some of the port cities areexperimenting with weapons powered by smokepowder that could hurlheavyobjectslongdistancestocrashintoshipsandwhatnot."

Devorastnoddedas ifhe'dheardthattoo,andas ifhethoughtthe ideawasperfectlysound,buthesaid,"WhatImeantobuildismoreworthyofyourtalents."

Surerolaughedanddrankmoreofhisale,wincingatthebiteofitonhistongue.

"Whyme?"heasked.

"BecauseIthinkyoucandoit."

"Tobethefirst…"Surerosaid.

DevorastnoddedandSureropushedtheflagonofaleawayfromhimselfwithagrimace.

"What's it like?" thealchemistasked."Yourworksite. Is it like this?"Hegesturedtotheroomfullofdesperatemen.

"Yes,"Devorastreplied,"buttheairisalittlefresher."

Surerolaughedandfeltreliefwashoverhimlikeawaterfall.Ithadbeensolongsincehe'dhadanythingtodo,henearlycried.

Nodding,hesaid,"Allrightthen."

TheyfinishedtheiralesandSurerotalked.HetoldDevorasteverything-every last detail of his attempt to killMarek Rymiit. He told him of histraining in thealchemicalarts,hisworkshopandbusinessbefore theRed

WizardcametoInnarlith.Hetalkedandtalked,andeverythinginsidehimspilled out into the ears of the red-headed Cormyrean who sat almostperfectlystill,almostperfectlysilent,andlistened.

30

4Alturiak,theYearoftheStaff(1366

DR)TheCanalSite

The soundof the explosionwasmuffledby eight feet ofdirt, butmuchlouderwastheshowerofloosesoilthatdrummedthroughtheairandbackontotheground inahardrainofbrownandgray.Thecrowdofworkersthat had gathered-at a safe distance determined by Surero-cheered andhooted.

"Ithinktheylikeit,"Surerosaid,smilingatthecloudofdustandsmoke,slowtodissipateinthecalmair.Thedustbegantomixwiththeincessantdrizzletoformadirtyrainthatfollowedtheshowerofdirt.

"Theyenjoy thespectacle,"saidDevorast,whostoodbesidehimonthelowhilltothesideofthecanal'spath.

"Aren't they happy not to have to dig all that out by hand?" Sureroaskedwithashrug.

Devorast didn't answer. Instead, he walked down the hill to the wide,deepcrater.Hecarriedameasuringstick,andbythetimeSurerofollowedhimtotheedgeofthepit,hehadalreadyclimbedintothecraterandbeguntomeasureit.

"Careful of the loose dirt," the alchemist warned, watching Devorast'sbootslipandsinkhalftohisankleindustysoil."Whatdoyouthink?"

"It'sdefinitelybigger,"Devorastreplied."Whentherestoftheloosedirtisdugout,it'llbedeeperstill."

"Iprefertothinkofmycreationasapickmorethanashovel,"Surerosaid.

Hismeasurementscompleted,Devorast ledhimbackupthehill.Sureroblinked in thedrizzleandranahand throughhiswethair.Theyclimbed

the low hill and stepped into the little hut they'd built to store thesmokepowder.

Inside, lined up on half a dozen shelves, were cheap burlap sacks ofvarioussizes,frombarelythesizeofasmallcoinpurse,tosacksmadeforfortypoundsofgrain.Thesackswerefilledwithhislatestmasterpiece.

"Thenewratioisbetter,"Devorastsaid.

Surero smiledandreplied,"I'mhappywith it. the trickwas increasingtheamountofsulfurinthemix-convenientthatitwashesuponshorebythebarrels-full everyday.Wedon't evenhave tobuy it, just scrape itoff thebeachesandletitdry."

"Andthecharcoal?"Devorastaskedashesearchedthesacksforjusttherightsize.¦

"Willow,"Sureroreplied."Fromnowon,I'llonlyusewillow."Devorastglancedathimwithoneeyebrowraised,soSureroexplained,"Youcanusealmostanything.Zalantarisn'tbad,butitcanbeexpensive.Elderorlaurelispretty good. I'veheardofpeopleusinggrapevine. I couldmake itwithpinecones,even."

Devorast lifted a sack from a low shelf and hefted it. He gave noindicationthathe'dheardawordthealchemisthadsaid.

"Youknowwhatyouare,Ivar?"heasked,notexpectingaresponseandnotgettingone."You'refearless."

Devorastglancedathimashewalkedpastwiththesackofsmokepowder,andSurerocouldseethetraceofagrimaceonhislips.

"See?"thealchemistcontinued,followinghimoutoftheshack."That'stenpoundsyouhavethere.Imeasureditmyself.Ifthatwentoffnowtherewouldn'tbeenoughleftofyoutouseasfertilizer,buttolookatyou,anyonewouldthinkitwasasackofpotatoes."

Devorastkeptwalking,downthehill.

"Iknow,Iknow…"Surerowenton."It'snotgoingtogooff.Youknowit

won't,becauseyouknowhowtohandleit.That'syoursecret,isn'tit?Self-confidence.Youjustbelieveinyourselfcompletely."

"Don'tyou?"Devorastasked.

Surero laughedand said,"Don't I? I still lie awakeatnightwonderingwhyMarekRymiithadmereleased from thedungeon. I experimentwithsmokepowder and every second of itmy hands are shaking and sweatingandI'msurethenextturnofthemortarandpestleandwillbemylast."

Devorast ignored him as, having set the sack of smokepowder on thegroundnexttohim,hecrouchedtoinspectthehole.Tenyardsawayfromthe crater they'd just made, and still a safe distance from the onlookingworkers,Devorasthadhadanothershaftdug.Theholewasnomorethanafootindiameter.

"That's ten feet," Surero said. "Tenpounds at ten feet?That's easy toremember."

Devorast tiedtheendof thesmokepowder-infusedtwineontothetopofthesack,thenlowereditdownthehole.SurerowatchedDevorastcountthedepthfromknotsthathadbeentiedintheropeeveryfoot.Whenthesackfinallyrestedonthebottom,andDevorasthadcountednineknots,hestoodandwalkedbackupthehill,trailingthetwineashewent.

"Aren'tyoupayingmetodothat?"thealchemistasked.

"I'mpayingyouforthepowder,"Devorastreplied.

Oncetheywereasafedistanceaway,upthehill,Devoraststruckaflintand steel and a spark leaped to the twine. It sizzled and popped its waydownthelengthofthefuse.Surerowatcheditsprogresswithaself-satisfiedsmile.

"You'llwant to cover your ears this time," the alchemistwarned, thendidashe'dadvisedhimself.

Devorast waited until the little sparking flame following the length oftwinedippeddownintothedeepshaftbeforeholdinghishandsagainsthisears.Surerosquinted,afraidofwhattenpoundsof-

Theexplosionwassolouditrattledhiseardrums,regardlessofhishandspressedtothesidesofhishead.Hestaggeredbackafewstepsandclosedhiseyes.Bendingatthewaisthemovedhishandsfromhisearstothebackofhishead,protectingitfromthestingingrainofdirtandstonesthatpoundedthemboth.Theonlookingworkersshiftedbackseveralpaces likeaschooloffishfleeingashark.

Whenitwassafetoopenhiseyesagain,SurerolookedatDevorast.TheCormyreanstoodtherenodding,watchingasthedustandsmokeclearedtorevealacraterseveraltimesthedepthanddiameterofthefirst.

"Weneedmore,"hesaid.

Surero chuckled, nodded, and said, "I don't have a single grain ofsaltpeterleft,andnooneinInnarlithwillsellittome."

Devorastnodded,thinking,thensaid,"Phyrea'sfatherharvestssaltpeterathiscountryestate.Isawthelean-towhenIworkedthere."

"That'sinteresting,butisn'tPhyrea'sfatherthemasterbuilder,andoneof Rymiit's closest allies in the senate?" Devorast shrugged. "If Rymiitdoesn'twantustohaveit-doesn'twantmetohaveitsincehe'smageenoughtoknowwhatIintendtouseitfor-he'llneversellittous.I'mgoingtoneeda lotof it, too.Threequartersof every sack is sulfur,a tenth is saltpeter,and the rest charcoal.A young lady can't just hide it in her pockets andwalkitouttous."

"She'll think of something," Devorast assured him, then turned andpickeduphismeasuringstickagain.

Hewalkeddown thehill, andSurero calledafterhim,"Maybe she canstealussomeofherfather'swine,too.Icanuseittomixtheserpentinesoitdoesn'tblowupinmyface!"Devorastagainmadenoindicationhe'dheardanythingthealchemisthadtosay,soheaddedmorequietly,"AndifIdrinkenoughofitmaybemyhandswillstopshakingallthetime."

31

9Alturiak,theYearoftheStaff


Spires,Innarlith

Salatissmiledandrubbedhishandstogether,gazingupatthejetblackiron disk rimmed with purple-stained wood-the finishing touch to theshrine.

"Sharbepraised,"hewhispered.

Oneofthemenlookedathim,hiseyeswide.Salatis'sbloodrancold,andtheman lookedaway, sensing,perhaps, thathe shouldn'thaveheard thatname.

"Olin,"Salatissaid,stillstaringattheworkman.

The black firedrake stepped up behind him with hardly a sound, andstood stiff and at the ready in his human guise. The workman and hispartner wouldn't look them in the eye. Instead, they hurried to pack uptheirtools.Theyweresuchsimplemen,withtheirroughhomespunclothesanddirty,callousedhands.Theysmelledofsweatandsawdust.

"Is there a problem, Ransar?" a stern, deep voice asked from behindhim.

Salatis turned to see Insithryllax standing in the open doorway. Theswarthy, intimidating man folded his arms and leaned against thedoorjamb.HeglancedatOlinwithasmirk,buttheblackfiredrakerefusedtolookathim.

"No,"Salatissaid,"thankyou,Insithryllax.Whatbringsyouhere?"

"Just curious," Marek Rymiit's man replied, stepping into the room.SalatiscouldfeelOlinmovebetweenthem."Backoff,drake."

AsoundlikeacreakingdoorrumbledoutofOlin'sthroat-abestialgrowl.Insithryllaxlaughed.

"Please, gentlemen," saidSalatis."Have somecarewithyourbehavior.Youareinaholyplace."

Thetoo-curiousworkmanglancedupatthesymboloftheLadyofLoss,andSalatiswatchedgoosef leshbreakoutonhisarms.Heputahammerintohistoolbox,andSalatissensedhisreluctancetoletgoofthewould-beweapon.

"Myapologies,Ransar,"Insithryllaxsneered.

Salatisstifledagaspandthought,Ransar.Iamtheransar,aren'tI?

"Not at all, Insithryllax,"he said,watching the twoworkmen finishuptheirpacking."Ifyoudon'tmind, though,Iwonder ifbetweenthe twoofyou,youmightdomeafavorandkillthesetwoworkmen."

Thetwomenlookedupatthat,feartakingovertheirfaces.Theybeganto sweat profusely, and stood on shaking legs. One of them held up hishands,theothershookhishead.

"Why?"Insithryllaxasked.

"BecauseIamyourransar,andIwishit."

"Please, Ransar," one of the peasants blurted. "What-what have wedone?"

"Pardonme,"saidInsithryllax,"butyouarenotmyransar."

Thehair onSalatis's arms stood on end, andhe suppressed a shudder.Olin,withoutaword,steppedclosertothetwomen,whobackedawayfromhimwiththeirhandsuptofendhimoff.Heheftedhislongaxeandsmiledtheleerofakiller-thetoothygrinofthejackal.

The frontofoneof theworkers' trousersbloomedwithadarkshadow,andthestenchofurinefilledthedenseairoftheclosespace.

"Leaveusalone,"themanwhimpered.

Theotheronesobbed,"Letusgohome,mylord.Pleaseletusgo."

"YouareexcellentcraftsmenandI'msureyourfamiliesareveryproudof you," Salatis said, excitement making his heart race and his throattighten.

"Please,Ransar,"oneofthembegged.

"YouwillgototheFuguePlanehavingdoneagreatservicetotheDarkGoddess.PerhapsthereshewillclaimyoursoulsandbringthemwithhertothePlaneofShadowwhereyouwillserveherasyouservedme."

Olinsteppedforward,andsethislongaxeonhisshoulder.

"Oh,Isee,"Insithryllaxsaid."Thislittletempleofyoursisasecret."

"Careful," the ransar said, glancing back over his shoulder atInsithryllax.

Thebolderof thetwodoomedmen-theonewhohadn'tyetwethimself-tookthatasanopportunitytoattempttorunpastthethreeofthemandoutthrough the secret door to the ransar's hidden shrine-the hidden shrinethey'djustfinishedbuildingforhim.Olinswunghisheavylongaxefromhisright shoulder, took the man's head off in the blink of an eye, and onlystoppedwhentheaxehaftrestedgentlyonhisleftshoulder.

Bloodfountainedfromthedecapitatedman'sneckashisbodyjerkedtothefloor.Hispartnerwassprayedintheface,andyelped,tryinghisbesttofend it off. He fell to his knees, then scrambled back until he fetched upagainstawall.Babblingincoherentpleasforhismiserableexistence,heallbutclawedthebloodfromhiseyes.

Insithryllaxchuckledinamean-spiritedwayandsaid,"Collectingheads,arewe?"

Hetippedhisheadinthedirectionofthealtar,behindwhichwasashelf.Ontheshelfwasabigglassjar,tightlysealedwithawaxedcork.Insidethejarwasthegrimacing,disembodiedheadofOsorkon.

"I hadn't actually thought of that, no," Salatis answeredwith a laugh."Anyway,thisnewoneisn'tworthkeeping."

The survivingworkman groveled on the blood-soaked floor, crying.Heretracted, staring up with pleading, animal's eyes, as Olin stepped up totoweroverhim.

"Allthisblood,"Insithryllaxsaid,"onyournewfloors."

"A small sacrifice," Salatis said, "for the favor of the Mistress of theNight."

"Weren't you a devoted follower of Malar just a tenday or so past?"Insithryllaxasked.

Salatisstiffenedandsaid,"I'llthankyounottomentionthat.Today,herein this place, I live for the dark secrets of Shar, divine daughter of LordAo."HepausedandInsithryllaxshrugged."CaptainOlin-"

Olinbroughttheaxedownagain,andthemanstoppedcryingallatonce.WhenOlintriedtopullhisaxeoutofthedeadman'sback,itstuckfast.TheblackfiredrakevomitedablackfluidoverhisaxebladeandSalatishadtoturnaway.Hecouldheartheworkman'sskinsizzleaway,freeingtheblade.

"Leave themess,"Salatis said as he steppedpast Insithryllax, ignoringthestrangeman'sgrimsmirk."WhenSharhashadherfillof theirsouls,cleanitup,andnevercomebackinhereagain.Isthatclear?"

Olin nodded, wiping the blood and acid from his longaxe onto theheadlessworkman'sback.

Insithryllax laughed again, which elicited a sharp look from the blackfiredrake.ButSalatislefttheshrine,confidentthatnomorebloodwouldbespilledthere,untilheordereditspilled.

32

3Ches,theYearoftheStaff(1366

DR)TheVillageofKurrsh

Shecouldn'tseethemanwiththescaronhisface,buthecouldhearhim.Itwasasifherodeinthecartbehindher,whisperinginherearthewholeway.

You have no idea what he's using this for, the ghost told her. You'rehelpinghim.Don'thelphim.Whatdoyouthinkisgoingtohappen?

Phyreahadno ideawhatwasgoing tohappen,but shedidn'tcare.Forthe past two days she'd had enough to concern herself just handling thecart.Shehadn'tspentmuchtimedrivingcartsafterall.

"Please," she whispered as she passed the first of the little cluster ofwaddleanddaubbuildingsthatcomprisedthevillageofKurrsh,"justshutup."

Sheclosedhereyesforabit, lettingthehorseleadher,asthemanwiththe scar on his face flooded her mind with a raw sense of righteousindignation.

"You'reafraidofhim,"shewhisperedwithasmile,andopenedhereyes.

Ican'tbeafraidofanythinganymore, themananswered.ButIcanseewhatyoucannotsee,andhearwhatyoucannothear.Iknowthathehasnofeelingsatall-notforyou,notforanyone.Hecaresonlyaboutthisholeintheground.He'smanipulatingyoutohelphimwhenyouknowyoushouldbe fightingagainsthim.Fightagainsthim,Phyrea.Turn thecartaround.TakeusbacktoBerrywildewherewebelong-whereweallbelong.

Phyreasighedandbroughtthecarttoastop.Fourchildrenwanderedby,looking at herwith unashamed curiosity.Her cartwas loadedwith plainburlapsacks.Theycouldn'tknowwhatthesackscontained,butwhateveritwas,itwasn'tveryinteresting,sotheykeptgoing,speakingtoeachotherin

low voices.They smiled, giggled even, as they passed. From theway theywalked and spoke, she could tell they were in no hurry, and they werehappy.

Don'tgointhere,themanwhispered.Ifyougointhere,Ican'thelpyou.

"Youdon'tappeartomewhenI'mwithhim,"shewhispered."Why?"

Theghostdidn'tanswer.

Phyrea climbeddownoff the cart, tiedup thehorse, andwent into thesquat littlebuilding.Shetookadeepbreath,savoringthesmellofaleandpipeweed.Though itwas awarmafternoon for so early in the spring-thesun was shining even-a fire crackled in the hearth. She saw them rightaway-the place wasn't that big-but she stood just inside the door andwatchedthemforamoment.

Theysatatatableinthemiddleoftheroom,surroundedbythefarmersand simple country folk of Kurrsh, and they blended right in. Even thedwarf didn't seemout of place.AndPhyrea, thedaughter of a senator, abitter,resentful,petulantcitygirl,feltnolessathome.

She smiled and walked to their table. The dwarf noticed her first andtappedtheothertwoontheirarms.WhenDevorastsawher,hesmiled,andPhyrea'sheartmeltedinherchest.Shemissedastep,almoststumbled,butslippedontothechairnexttohim.

"Iwasafraidyouweren'tcoming,"Hrothgarsaid.

Shenodded,hermouthdry,andlookedatDevorastwhenshesaid,"Ihadsometroublewiththecart.Ifeltlikeapeasantwoman."

Devorastsmiledagainandsaid,"Howdidyoulikeit?"

Shemade a show of sighing, and showed her teeth in a wide grin. "Itwasn'tsobad."

The thirdman lookedather inawayPhyreawasaccustomed tobeinglookedatbystrangemen.Hetriedhisbesttopretendhewasn'tlookingatherbody,scanninghercurves,sizingherup.Shecouldtellhismouthwas

dry,hisbreathingjustalittleshallow,hisheartmaybeevenracingabitinhischest.Shesmiledathim,andhelookeddownathismugofale.

"You'rethealchemist,"shesaid.

"Surero,"themananswered.

"Apleasure."

"Andyoubroughtwhatheneeds?"askedthedwarf.

Phyreanoddedandsaid,"Ihavefiftyfifty-poundsacks.Ihopethatwillbeenough."

Devorastandthedwarf lookedtoSurero,whoshruggedandsaid,"It'llgetusstarted,butthere'salotofearthtobemoved.I'llalwaysneedmore."

"Ihave toask,"shesaid."Whysaltpeter?Imean, I thoughtmyfathersoldittothearmyforsomereason,andIdon'tknowwhatelse-isitspreadoncropstomakethemgrowbetter…somethinglikethat?"

SureroglancedatDevorast,whoshrugged.Theyoungalchemisttookhislead fromDevorast, asdid thedwarf, andasalways,Devorast seemedonsomefundamentalleveloblivioustoit.

"Whatisit,anyway?"thedwarfasked.

"Horsemanure,"Sureroexplained,"mixedwithwoodashandstrawandlefttocompost."

"AtBerrywilde, it's kept under a kind of shed, like a lean-to," Phyreasaid.

"Theywater itwith…urine, too,don't they?"Sureroasked.He lookedembarrassedtosaytheword"urine"infrontofPhyrea,andthatmadehersmile."It'sformedintoapowder."

"Andthat'swhatIhaveinthesacks,"saidPhyrea.

"Imixthatwithotherelementstocreateapowderthat,whentouchedby

fire, explodes," Surero finished, making an expanding gesture with hishands.

"Isitdifficultforyoutogetthisforus?"Hrothgaraskedher.

Phyreastartedtoanswer,butdidn'tknowwhat tosay.Herfatherpaidno attention to what was a tiny fraction of what was produced atBerrywilde.Hewouldn'tnotice if she took it all.Shecouldordermoreofthestuffmade,evenorderanothershelterbuilt,andhewouldn'tknoworcare.Thepeoplestillworkingonthewinerywoulddoitifshetoldthemto.She couldhavemendeliver cart after cart of it toKurrshat least,whereDevorast'smen could haul it on to the canal site. It would be the easiestthing, but shewould have to spend time atBerrywilde.The ghosts spokemore freely there. Their forms of light were brighter, more substantialthere. And in the confines of the country estate, their wordsmademoresense,andweremoreconvincing.Sheneverwantedtogobackthereagain,butshehad,forhim.

She looked atDevorast, and he tipped his head,waiting for her to saysomething.Sheknewshemusthavelookedasthoughshehadsomethingtosay.

"So," she said, "aren't one of you big, strongmen going to buyme anale?"

33

21Tarsakh,theYearoftheStaff


Theyhadcutdowntrees,andarrangedthemoveraholethatthey'ddugintheground.Onemanstoodatopthecuttrees,pushingandpullingonalong,straightsaw.Afinewoodpowdercloudedtheairaroundhimandfellinto the pit like dirty snow. Svayyah had never seen that man before-hewasn'tthemanshe'dcometofind.

She'dcastcertainspellsonherself inpreparation,andhadcomea longwayacrossopen land.The latterwas something shedidn't like todo,butshediditbecauseofthemessagehe'dsenther.She'dgivenhimthemeansto contact her, but he'd never used it before. He'd told her that he'd lethimselfbe lurednorth,andwassurethatsomethingwasgoingtohappen.She'd found the small copse of trees that they'd been cutting down, andturningintolong,rectangularstripsofwoodusingthepit-saw,andshesawthreemen, including theoneon the topof thepit,butnoneof themwereIvarDevorast.ShehadthefeelingDevorastwasdowninthepit,sinceshecould see aman's hands rise above the lip of the holewhen the sawwaspulledup.

Sheslidoutfrombehindthetreeshe'dbeenhidingbehind,certainshe'dstartlethemenwhodidn'tknowher-oneormoreofthemmightevenhavebeentheassassinsDevorastfeared,oratleastsuspected-butshedidn'tcare.The other two men stood at the edge of the pit, stacking the freshly-cutlumber.Svayyahblinkedinthebrightdaylight,herthirdandfourtheyelidskeepinghereyesjustbarelydampenough.Burstsofbrighterlightburnedher eyes and made her have to close them entirely. Because of that shecouldn't quite see where the missiles had come from. There were twoscreams-loudanddesperate,andbothcutoffinwetgurgles-andthesoundsofthreebodiesfallingtotheground,andtheclatterofwoodtumblingontowood.

Whensheopenedhereyes,shesawthemenlayingaroundthehole.The

onewho'dbeenstandingatopthepit-sawrigwasontheground,andhewasonfire.Thebright lighthadbeenspheresofmoltenrock,burningorangeandmeltingeverythingtheytouched-includinghumanskinandbone.

Sheslitheredfastertowardthepit,andwasstill threenagalengthsfromit,whenshesawthethingemergefromathickerclumpoftrees.Herkindhadalwaysrailedagainstthecommonmistakeofcallingthethings"naga-like,"orevenconsideringthemaspeciesofthenaja'ssynsa.Whathadkilledthemenwiththeconjuredlavawasnonaga,butabanelar.Itsspike-lined,heavily scaledbodywasn'tunlikeanaga's. Its rigidpurpleback shone inthe sun, and its yellow-green underbelly glistened with slime. Around itsfrowning,paper-thinlipswrithedadozenlong,stringytentacles.Twoofthetentaclesbore gold rings, and itwore awide ribbonaround its neckheldclosedwith a shinyblackbrooch. Itspale green eyes squintedagainst thesunshine, and its heavy brows furrowed with a look that promisedmoreviolence.

Svayyahwhispered a short incantation-a cantrip, really-and followed itwithawhispered,"Devorast,ifthat'syou,I'mhere.It'sabanelar."

Thespellcarriedhervoicefromherlipstohisearwithoutreallycrossingtheinterveningspace.

Thecreaturejumped.Svayyahhadneverheardofabanelarbeingabletojumpthatfar,andtherewassomethingaboutitthatjustdidn'tlookright.She'dcastsimilarspellsherself,butcouldn'tknowifitwasaspellthethinghadcast,orifitwasaneffectofoneoftherings.Thecreaturelandedatopthepit-sawrig,sendingupacloudofsawdust.Thelogscreakedandpoppedunder itsweight. It slithered intoamorecomfortablepositionand lookeddownintothehole.

"Devorast,"ithissed."YouareDevorast?"

Even before the thing had finished speaking, Svayyah had twisted hertonguethroughanother,slightlymorecomplexcasting.Shedisappearedinmid-slitherand instantlypoppedback intoreality,butat theveryedgeofthehole.NotevenbotheringtoseeifitwasindeedDevorastinthesawpit,shecastanotherspellasquicklyasshecould.

Thebanelar,startledbyhersuddenappearance,whirledonherandhalf-

hissed,half-growled,thenstartedmutteringanincantationofitsown.

Svayyahfinishedfirst.

She drew from the Weave a blast of air-like the sudden rapids in anarrowstretchofriver-thatsmashedintothebanelarandsentitsprawlingoff thepit-sawrig. It landed ina tanglewithastill-smolderingcorpsebutwasrolledoffbythewindbeforeitwasburned.Itsincantationwasruinedbythesuddengustandthebruisingimpact.Itrolledalongthegroundwithanangryhiss.

Svayyah blinked again and shewas inside the pit. She foundherself incloserproximitytoIvarDevorastthanshe'deverbeen.Hewasstartledtoseeherappearoutofthethinair,butjustasquicklyrelieved.Inspiredbythe banelar itself, she gasped out a spell before he could speak, and helookedatherwithacuriousexpression.Sheletherfinedryscalesbrushupagainsthishot,sweat-dampenedskin,transferringthepowerofthespelltohim.

"Jump,"shetoldhim.

Heonlyhadtothinkaboutitforlessthanoneofhisslowheartbeats,thena knowing smile crossed his lips. He bent his knees deep and launchedhimself into the air. Her spell enhanced the movement and sent himshootingintotheblueskylikeaboltfromacrossbow.WhilehewasstillintheairSvayyahblinkedoutofthepitandbackuptothegroundattheedgeofthesideclosertowherethebanelarhadrolledoff.

Somethinghither-hard-themomentshematerialized.Shefelthersnake'sbodycomeofftheground,andallshecoulddowastense,trytoinhalewiththewindknockedoutofherworsethanshe'deverexperienced,andwatchthepit passbeneathher. Shehit the groundon the other side andas sherolledtoanundignifiedstopamongthetreestumpsandoneofthecorpsesofthewoodsmen,shesawDevorasthitthegroundandfarenobetterthanshe. Though she had been hit by something she could have sworn was aspectral ram, Devorast had simply failed to properly compensate for hisincreasedabilitytojump.

AsSvayyahfoundherbreathagainandforcedherselfupright,gaspinginhugelungfulsofthedryair,shewatchedDevorastjumpagain-andlandon

hisfeet.Hepulledawoodsman'saxefromatreestump,andjumpedagain.Hisjumpsufficedasacharge,takinghimstraightatthebanelar.

"Yournagacan'tsaveyou,human,"thebanelarshrieked.

Svayyahwincedatthewords,"yournaga,"andsearchedhermindforaspell.

Devorast took an aggressive swing with the axe, sending the banelarjumping several paces backward to avoid the axe head.Whatevermagicallowedittojumplikethatwasobviouslystillineffect.

Svayyahtriedtocastanotherspell,butcoughedinstead.Shepanted,butcouldn'tquitefindherregularbreathingrhythm.

Thebanelarhadnosuchdifficulties,andrattledoffwhatsoundedlikeaprayer.Devorastdrewbackhisaxe.Thebanelar's incantationcametoanend,andsodidDevorast'sabilitytomove.

Svayyah spit venom to the hard, unforgiving ground and realized thatDevorastwasfirmlyheldinplace.SvayyahhadsacrificedenoughforIvarDevorastandhiscanal thatshesimplycouldn'twatchDevorast fall to thepoisonedfangsofabanelar.

"Away with you, dista'ssara," Svayyah shouted at the banelar. "Thishumanismine.Youcanowemefortheotherthree."

ShecastaspellatthesametimethatsentboltsofsolidifiedWeaveenergyhurtling unerringly at the banelar. The thing didn't even look up. Themissilesracedthroughtheinterveningspace,turningalittleattheprecisemoment Svayyah assumed they'd bite into the banelar's greenishunderbelly-but veered into the brooch and disappeared into the blackdesign.Thebanelarstood,brusheditselfoff,andhissedsolouditstartedadullpainthrobbinginSvayyah'searsintimewithherracingheart.

Thebanelar,havingdefeatedhermissileswithoutactuallyhaving todoanything, leaped at her. The spell effect was still active, and the banelarcartwheeledover firstone thenasecondof thedeadbodies. ItbrushedsoclosetoDevorastthatthefinehairrightaroundhisforeheadrustledinthebreeze.Devorastfollowedthething'sprogresswithhiseyes,butotherwise

stoodstockstill.

Svayyah blinked and disappeared again so that the banelar landed inwhatwould have been the perfect offensive trap. Then she blinked againrightawaytomoveherselfoncemorebetweenthepitandthebanelar.

Thebanelarstumbledtoastop,andSvayyahdisappearedagain-

–only to findthat thebanelarmatchedherspell-for-spell.Sheappearedjust a little closer to the banelar. The creature uttered a word Svayyahrecognized-Draconicfor"horns"-andaram'sheadmadeofblue-whitemistchargedthroughtheairather.Readyforit,herspellstillactive,Svayyahblinkedoutofitswayandappearedadozenfeetofftoonesidetowatchitrushpasther,harmless,thendisappearintothethinair.

SvayyahglancedatDevorast,whostoodfrozeninplacestill,andsaidtothe banelar, "Are we supposed to be impressed with that? Holding thatape?You'reoutofyourdepth,banelar.Wewillnotbesoeasilystymied."

Thecreaturesneeredatherandsaid,"Iwaspaidtokillthemonkey,butyouI'lltakeforthemeat."

Then it started casting another spell, and so did Svayyah. Though thebanelar's spell had no visible effect, the naga conjured a trident shapedfrom shadowstuff in the air.The spectralweapondancedbeforeher, andshesmiledatthelookoffearthatflashedacrossthedista'ssara'seyes.

Sheblinkedcloser to the thing,whirled the tridentaroundher ina fullcircle, anticipated the banelar's dodge, then stabbed in low and angledupward.

Though it appeared insubstantial the trident was solid enough when ittouched the banelar. The creature jerked back and to the right, avoidingtwo of the three prongs, but the third dug a ragged furrow in its slimyunderbelly.

The banelar hissed in pain, but looked at her with strangely renewedconfidence,andcursedatherinwhatsoundedlikeOrcish.Svayyahignoredtheinsultandblinkedawaybeforeithadachancetobiteather.

Svayyahmaterialized at the edge of the hole, her snake's body foldingover the stackof lumber.Shewhipped the spectral tridentaroundherselfagainanddidn'thearthebanelarspeakthecommandwordforitsring.

"How many cuts will it-" she started, then the breath was once moredrivenfromherlungsbytheghostofaram.

Theforceoftheblowsenthersprawlinglikealimp,fallenvine,intothepit.Shescrapedagainstthedulledgeofthesawbladethatstillhungfromtherig.Ifshe'dhititataslightlydifferentanglethefallmighthavecuther-evenkilledher.

Svayyahwondered at thebanelar's freshly attuned senses. Sheknewofanynumberof spells thatmighthavehelped,andknew itmusthave castone. Itwas beginning to anticipate her blinks. It had sent the ramat herevenbeforeshe'dappearedatthepit'sedge.

Anditcanstilljump,shethought.

Sherattledoffthewordstoaspellasfastasshecouldandstillbesureitwouldwork,thenblinkedawaybeforeshehadachancetoseeitseffect.Butjust the thousandthofaheartbeatbefore shealteredher locationshe sawthebanelararcthroughtheair,comingrightdownatherintothepit.

Shewaswellawaywhenthelongsteelsawbladeshatteredintothousandsoftwisted,razor-sharpshards.

Svayyahbarkedoutalaughandtwistedherspectraltridentintheairinfrontofher.Assheexpected,thebanelarleapedfromthepit.Itwasalive,butbleedingfromdozensofcuts.

"Thatwillcostyou,"itthreatened.

"We have spent all we wish to already," Svayyah sneered. "Yourmiserableexistenceends."

While she spoke the banelar stuttered out a ragged-edged incantation,swayingintimewithit.Svayyahgatheredthedefensesshe'dcastonherselfclosetoher.Sheclosedhereyesandslitheredbackward.Thespellhitherinthe eyes, making them water. Her vision blurred. She struggled to keep

themopen,battledtoresistthemagicthatsoughttoblindher.

Not concentrating on any particular destination, she blinked away. Shearrived somewhere nearby, but was momentarily disoriented. She saw amovingshape,blurredandindistinct,butknewitwasthebanelar.

"Someone'smiserableexistenceendsnow,"thebanelarhissed."OfthatIcanassureyou."

Devorast,shethought.It'sgoingafterDevorast.

Sheheardthebanelar'svoicechantinginDraconic.Svayyahrecognizedthe words, even the cadence, and gasped. She blinked the last of the fogfromher eyes anddisappeared-once againknowingpreciselywhere she'dendup.

ThethinglungedatDevorast,whoseeyeswidened.Hewashelpless,andSvayyahcouldseefromwhatpartsofhisfacehecouldmovethathedidn'tlikeitanymorethanshewouldhave.

The naga appeared directly behind the banelar, her weapon made ofshadowstuffheld firm in theairaboveherhead.She stabbeddownhard,pushing the trident with the strength of her mind. It sank deep into theserpentcreature'spurplecarapace,butshewasn'tfastenough.

Devorastopenedhismouth,butcouldn'tscream.Thebanelarbitintohisshoulder so hard Svayyah heard its fangs scrape bone. The sizzling noisethataccompaniedthatsoundconfirmedSvayyah'sfears.

Svayyahtwistedthespectraltridentandpulledbackwithit,lettingitslippastherbodytodragthebanelaroffofDevorast.ThebanelarhadagriponDevorast'sshoulderfortheheartbeatorsoittooktodie,andthespellthatheldhimrigiddisappearedallatonce.Whenthebanelar'sfangscameout,Devorast fell tohisknees.Withjointsstiffandcreaking,heputapalmtothe wound, but hissed and pulled his hand away-burned by the alreadypotentvenom,madecausticbythebanelar'sspell.

Thevilecreatureslumpedtotheground,stillandlifeless,soSvayyahletthespectraltridentdisappear.

ShelookeddownatDevorast,wholayontheground,writhinginagony,his jaw stiff andhis eyes closed.Bright red fluidbubbledup through thepuncturesmadebythebanelar'sfangs,asthoughhisbloodboiled.

Svayyah spoke the words of a spell and turned her head north, in thedirectionofthehumans'keeponthebanksoftheNagaflow.Notidentifyingherself,butbeingsuretomentionDevorastbyname,shewhisperedonthewinds a message that would carry the half a dozen miles to the nearesthumanear.ShetoldthemthatDevorastwasgoingtodie,anddiesoon,andthatheneededtheirhelp.

"We will stay with you until your people arrive," the naga told him,thoughshewasn'tsurehecouldunderstandher.

Devorastwas breathing-panting even-so hewas still alive, but he'd lostconsciousness.Fortunate,Svayyahthought.

Knowing it would take time for the humans to cross the half a dozenmiles from the keep-hopefully with one of their priests-and able only tohopethatDevorastwouldstillbealivewhentheygotthere,Svayyahturnedher attention to the banelar. Sheused a spell to slip the rings off its still,limp tentacles, then stared at the brooch. It was a black triangle, its toprounded,thepointonthebottom.Inthecenterwasagolddiskoverlappedwith an ebony symbol-the letter Z from the human alphabet-emblazonedabove it.Shedidn't recognize themark,didn't think itwas the symbolofanygod,butknewithadtohavesomesignificance.Banelarsrarelyifeveracted on their own. They were servant creatures. The brooch was aprotectivedevice,onethatatehermagicmissiles,butitwasasortofbadge,too,thatclaimedthebanelarinthenameof-who?What?

Svayyah turned to the fitfully-sleeping Devorast and said, "I hope youlivelongenoughtofindoutwhosentthiswretch,andexactyourrevenge."Shesighedandstudiedthedyingman.Themusclesunderhissmoothskinquiveredwith strange tremors."Andnowperhapsyouwill start to carryweapons-oratleastathrice-bedamnedhealingpotionortwo."

34

22Tarsakh,theYearoftheStaff


Anyone who understood the difference between beautiful and prettycould see that the girlwas the latter.Her round face andbigbrown eyeswerepleasingtotheeye,butlackeddefinition.Herblackhairwascleanandcombed, but she didn't bother doing too muchmore with it. Her simplewhitesilkshiftrevealedenoughofherbodythatcustomersknewwhattheyweregetting;notenoughtoappearcrass.

"IfthereisanythingIcangetyouwhileyou-"shesaid.

"Nothing, thank you, girl,"Marek interrupted,waving her away. "Wearen'tcustomers.We'vecometoseetheladyofthehouse."

He could see the girl thinking, consideringher response, sizinghimup.SheglancedatSalatis,andMarekcouldtellsherecognizedhim.WhenhereyespassedInsithryllaxandsettledbackonMarek,theRedWizardcouldtellshe'dneverseeneitherofthembefore,andthatconcernedher.

"You can go, Cassiya," Nyla said. The girl couldn't help herself, shesighed in relief and scurried out. "I know she's not your type, MasterRymiit."

"Shemaybemine,"Salatiscutinwithacheerfulleer.

Anannoyedgrimacepassedquickly acrossNyla's face, then she smiledandturnedtoSalatisandsaid,"Icandobetterthanthatfortheransar."

SalatisdippedinashallowbowandwasabouttospeakwhenMareksaid,"Theransartoldmeyouhadsomethingtosaytome?"

Nyla sighed and sat in one of the deep-cushioned easy chairs scatteredaround the tastefully-decorated parlor. A fire roared in a fireplace bigenough to stand in, and the air smelled ofwood smoke and rose oil. The

woman put a hand to her forehead and traced around the edge of hereyepatchwiththetipofafinger.

MarekgesturedtoSalatistosit,andwonderedbriefly ifthemanwouldeverbeusedtohispositionenoughtobeoffendedwhenotherssatwhilehestood.

WhentheyhadsettledinMarekaskedNyla,"Whatcanwedoforyou?"

"Youknowmybusiness,"shesaid,glancingbetweenMarekandSalatis.

Theransaravoidedhergaze,butMareksaid,"It'sanoldprofession."

Nylamighthavewantedtolaugh,butdidn't.Shesaid,"Ihaveahandinotherthings,andIhavefriendswithinthecityandwithout."

"Doyourequireourassistance,Senator?"Salatisasked."No,"shesaid,andMarekdidn'tbelieveher."Butit'soccurredtomethatIcanhelpyou."

"I'mallears,"Salatisrepliedwiththatsameleer."Thiscanal,"shesaid.

The three men waited for her to go on, but instead she fingered hermissingeyeandappeareddeepinthought.

"Goon,please,"Marekprompted.Hebroughtaspelltomindandcastitwitha tapofhis toesandagesturehepassedoffas scratchingan itch. Itwasn'tthebestway,ortheeasiestway,tocastthespell,butitwasworthitnottorevealhimself."Telluswhat'sonyourmind.You'reamongfriends."

Evenbeforeshespoke,Marekheardhervoice inhishead.She thoughtandspokeatthesametime,hisspellrevealingherhiddenintentions.Mareklistenedtobothwithgreatinterest.

Tellthemonlywhattheyneedtoknow,shetoldherself.

"I understand you have reasons for notwantingDevorast to finish thecanal,"shesaid.

WhenMareknodded, she thought,TheBlackNetwork isangryenoughwithme.Keepitclose.

"Andyouhave to bewonderingwhy Iwould carewhen I'vemademyfortuneinflesh,andthatwon'tchange-canalornocanal,"shesaid.

"Butyouhavefriends,"Salatissaid,"andwouldliketokeepthem."

Sheglancedattheransar,nodded,andthought,You'renotthefriendIhadinmind,fool.

"Icanhelpyou,"shesaidtoMarek.

"Whathaveyoudone?"heasked,staringdeepintohereyes.

What does he know? she thought.Marek could feel the panic rising inher.Doesheknowaboutthebanelar?"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean,"shesaid. "Have you tried tohelpus already?"Marekasked."Youhaven't…paidavisittotheCormyrean,haveyou?"

He knows, she thought. By the Dark One's divine corpse, he knowseverything,

"Iwanttohelp,"shesaid,lookingMarekintheeye.

"Well," theransarbroke in,"I'msureyourserviceswillbeofvalue tothecity-state.ButIhaven'tquitemadeupmymindinregardstothecanalyet.Thereareargumentstobemadebothforandagainst."

Marek fought down the impulse to have Insithryllaxmelt Salatis in hisseat.Instead,heconcentratedonNyla'sthoughts.

/couldn'tkillhim,shetoldherself,buttheThayancould.

"I thinkweallwant the same things," theRedWizard said."And I'msure that all thosewe answer to…within the city"-he glanced at Salatis-"andwithout…willbehappyaslongastheresultisapositiveone."

ThanktheBlackHand'smemory,Nylathought.

Shesmiledandsaid,"IjustwantedyoutoknowthatIamyourfriend."

Marekreturnedhersmile.

35

2MiHul,theYearoftheStaff(1366

DR)TheNagaflowKeep

Willhewakesoon?"Hrothgarasked.

Surero shrugged in response, and the dwarf fought down the urge topunch the alchemist in the face. Instead, he sighed and looked down atDevorast.He lay inanarrowsoldier'sbed inaroomnear thevery topoftheimposingfortress.Theroomwascool,thespringaircomingthroughthepairofarrow loopswas fresh,and the sickroomstench thathe'dbeenhitwithwhenhe'dfirstrushedtoDevorast'sbedsidewasgone.

"OramIjustusedtoit?"hemutteredtohimself.

"Pardon?"Sureroasked,andHrothgarshruggedhimoff.

Thealchemistsatatadeskclutteredwithglasswareandironpots.Alittleoillampburnedunderaglassbowlinwhichastrangeyellowliquidboiled,sendingorange steam into theair that smelledofdeep earth-awelcomingsensationforthedwarf.

"Willhelive?"Hrothgarasked.

"Atendaywilltell,"Sureroanswered,andHrothgarcouldtellhewasnomoresatisfiedwiththatanswerthanthedwarfwas.

"Butit'sbeenlongerthanthatalready."

"Twelve days since the naga brought him here," Surero replied. "Andhe'sstillalive,whichisfortunateforhim.Thisthingthatbithim-thenagacalleditabanelar-didmorethanjustpoisonhim.Itsvenomhadanacidicqualitytoitthatburnedhim,andburnedhimbadly-deepinsidehisbloodvessels.Itintroducedafoulhumortohisessentialfluids."

"Everybodywants the son of a cowdead,"Hrothgar said. "And all he

wantsistodigahole."

"Digaholeandfillitwithwater,"Sureroreplied."AndchangethewaytrademovesacrosstheRealmsforcenturiestocome.Alotofpeoplehavekilledalotofotherpeopleforalotless."

The dwarf could only stand there, looking at his friend who appearedalreadymoredead thanalive, and shakehishead.Of course, Surerowasright.ThealchemisthadalsokeptDevorastalive,hispotionsandointmentsattacked the venom, neutralized the acid, and slowly started putting themanbacktogetheragainfromtheinsideout.

The door opened without a sound-Devorast had designed the hingeshimself,yearsbefore-andHrothgarturnedtoseePhyreastepintotheroom.Shewas pale. She didn't lookwell.When she sawDevorast laying on hisback,thebedclothespulleduptohischin,andthesicklybluishcasttohisskin,atearrolledfromhereye,andshetookadeepbreath.

"Therehasbeennochange,"Surerotoldher.

ShenoddedinresponseandmovedtostandnexttoHrothgar.Thedwarflooked up at her, and shemet his gaze and nodded, forcing a smile thatHrothgarwas reluctant to return. Surero stood and joined them.For thelongesttimethethreeofthemstoodthere,staringattheirfriend.

"I wasn't able…" Phyrea said at last. She shook her head, unable tofinish.

"It'sallright,"Surerosaid."IknowsomeoneinSaelmur."

Phyrea untied a small leather pouch from her belt and handed it toSurero. Hrothgar watched as the alchemist opened it, pulled out a silkhandkerchief,andunfoldedittorevealtwoshininggoldringsandabroochofebonyandgold.Oneringhadabluegemstoneexpertlycutintheshapeofaram'shead.Hrothgarhadmarveledattheworkmanshipthefirsttimehe'd seen it. It was masterful, even for the finest dwarf gemcutters. Thebroochbore themarkof theZhentarim,andthemere thoughtof itmadethe dwarf grimace, though he wasn't surprised that they'd made thatparticularenemy.

The naga had left the items, saying they belonged to Devorast, thoughHrothgarhadnever seenhimwearany sort of jewelry.Theyall assumedthey were worn by the would-be assassin. That they were imbued withmagicwasnoquestion,butSurerohadaskedPhyreatotakethembacktoInnarlith to findoutwhat, if anything, they coulddo, andhow theywereused.Alsoasthey'dexpected,hereffortshadbeenhinderedbynotwantingtobringthemtotheattentionofMarekRymiit.

"He'llneverwearthemanyway,"Hrothgarsaid.

"No, hewon't,will he?"Phyrea replied. "Hewon't defendhimself.Hewon'tarmhimself.Hewon'tevenrecognizethattherearepeoplewhowanthimdead.Hedoes-"

She stopped herself, and Hrothgar was relieved. He didn't feel up toslappingherface.

"He fights when he has to," the dwarf said. "The rest of the time, heworks."

36

8Marpenoth,theYearoftheStaff


EvenduringthetendaysthatDevorastlaywrithinginquietagony,thenslowly recovered, construction continued. At first many of the Innarlandiggers,woodcutters,andstonemasonshadwanderedbackandforthfromInnarlith,butworkhadbecomeincreasinglydifficulttofindinthecity,somosteventuallytookupresidenceatthesite.Wordspreadtoneighboringcities, andmen came fromas far asArrabar for the ransar's gold.Whenthosecoinsdiminishedovertime,increasinglyreplacedbyexcuses,ArrabarstartedtopaytheArrabarrans,SaelmurandNimpethsupportedtheirownpeople,andKingAzounsentgoldbythetradebar.

Theyhaddugformiles,atrenchfortyfeetdeepandthreehundredfeetwide.Partsofithadalreadybeenpavedonthebottomandsideswithstoneblocks.All along themile aftermile the site stretchedwere scaffolds andrigs of all description-structures Phyrea had never seen before. Many ofthemnoonehadeverseenbefore,allofthemdrawnfromthemindofoneman.

When she compared in hermind theparts of the canal that she'd seennearcompletionandthedrawingsinthestacksandstacksofparchmentinDevorast'slittlecabin,theywerenotmerelysimilar,butperfectlyidentical.

ItwouldbethegreatestmonumenttoonemanFaerunhadeverknown.

Phyreastumbledona looserock,andDevorasttookherhandtosteadyher.Hisfingerswereroughandwarm,hisgripstrongandreassuring.Sheshudderedatthefeelingofhishandinhers,especiallywhenhedidn'tletgo.Shecouldfeelhimsmilingather,butshedidn'tlookathim.

"Ican'tcomebackhereanymore,"shesaid.

"Whynot?"heasked,tooquickforhim.

Shewriggledherhandfreefromhisandfeltthecoldmetalofaringonhisfinger.

"Whatisthat?"sheaskedhim,thentookhishandtoexaminethering:athingoldbandtracedwitha lineofengravedrunes."Whendidyoustartwearingthis?"

Devorastshrugged,andpulledhishandaway.

"It'sbeenalmost sixmonths," she said."Whywouldyou start towearthatnow?Ifitwasanyonebutyou,I'dthinkyouwerewearingitforme."

Helookedatherwithoutspeaking,butsheknewwhathewasthinking.Hewasn'twearingitforher.

"Curious?"sheaskedhim."Isthatit?"

Hesmiledandstartedwalkingagain.Shedidn'tfollowhim.

"Ifyouhaddied,"shetoldhisback,"Imighthavekilledmyself."

Hestoppedandturned,thecoolautumnbreezepullinghislongredhairawayfromhissternface."Thatwouldhavebeenstupid."

Sheshookherhead,andtriednottostartcrying.

"Ilived,"hesaid,andturnedaroundagainbutdidn'twalkaway.

"Yes,youdid,"Phyreareplied."You lived,andyouwentrightbacktowork.Andhowmanytimessincethespringhavetheytriedtokillyou?"

"Iftheytrulywantedmedead,"Devorastsaid,"they'dhavekilledme."

"Thatdoesn'tmakesense."

"Ithinktheyhavesomethingelseinmindforme,"saidDevorast."Theythinktheycanfrightenme,intimidateme."

"Andwhen they finally realize they can't, if they haven't already, theywillkillyou,"shesaid."Andwhentheydo,Iwon'tkillmyself.Ican'tkillmyselfforyou."

"Phyrea,Ineveraskedyouto-"

"Iknow,"shecutin."Ofcourseyouneveraskedthatofme.Youneveraskedanythingofme. I got you saltpeter frommy father's farm,butyoupaidmeforit.Youlovemewithyourbodybutnotwithyourheart-ifyoueven have a heart. You live for this hole in the ground, even if itmakesenemiesofthewholeofToril,andyoudon'tevenbotherfightingthem."

"Ifight-"

"For your life," she shouted. "When they attack you, you defendyourself.Iknowthat.Butyoudon'tfightthem,really.Youknowwhoitis.Youknowwho'sbehindallof it,butwillyougobacktothecityandfindhim?Willyouconfronthim?Willyouhaveitout-bedonewithitonceandforall?No,youwon't."

"Ihavenointerestin-"

"Damnit,Ivar,"shescreamedathim,"theyhaveaninterestinyou!"

Helookedatherandshrugged.ThegesturealmostmadePhyreadroptoherkneesandtearherhairoutinfrustration.Hereyesblurredwithtears.

"I know it's not cowardice," she told him, getting control of her voice."Butthenwhatisit?Iknowhowbeneathyoutheyare,but-"

Shetookadeepbreath.She'dsaiditallbefore,beentrappedbyhimtoomanytimesalready.She'dgivenherselftohim,andwhenshewaswithhim,the ghosts that haunted her fell silent.But then dayswould pass-tendays,months-andshewouldrealizeonceagainthathegaveherhisbody,buttoolittleelse-far,fartoolittleofhimself.

"Ivar,Ican't-"

Therewasaflashof light,brighteveninthemidafter-noonsun,andherushed at herwith his arms outstretched.Hemeant to embrace her, andPhyrea, startled, stepped back. His face was a stone mask-utterlyunreadable.Herinstinctstoldhertodefendherself,butherreflexesfailedher.Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherandsqueezed.Shegaspedwhentheylefttheground.

The sound that followed close after the flash of light was a dull butdeafeningthudthatstungherears.Shecouldn'ttellforsurebutitseemedas though theyhurtled through theair-easilyadozen feetoff theground-becauseDevorasthadjumped,buthowcouldthatbe?Itmusthavebeentheexplosionthatlaunchedthemintothesky,but-

Thering,shethought.

As they rotated in theair she sawamassiveorangeandyellow fireballstillexpanding,showeringtheplacewherethey'dbeenstandingonlyhalfaheartbeatbeforewithchunksof smokingrockasbigaroundasherhead.Menscreamed,andtheairhummedfromthesoundofthebigrockshittingtheground.

Theylandedhardenoughtomakehergrunt,butDevorastlandedonhisfeet and came to a stopwith his bodybetweenPhyrea and the explosion.Shepushedawayfromhimandsprawledontothegroundonherback.

Hedidn'tevenspareyouaglance,thevoiceofthesadwomanwhinedinherhead.

Phyreaclosedhereyes.

Idon'tblameyou, theoldwoman said-andPhyrea could seeherburn-scarred face in hermind's eye. /wouldn'twant to see him running awayfrommeagain,either,ifIwereyou.

Forgethim,themanwiththescaronhisfacesaid.

Phyrea opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder. Theman stoodamongthefallingpebblesthatraineddownonherlikewarm,dryhail.Thestonespassedrightthroughhim.

"Thisisthelasttime,"shepromisedtheghost.

Themanshookhishead,butPhyreaturnedawayfromhim,stood,andfollowedDevorast.Sheranthroughacontinuingrainofpebblesandspecksofwood, and vegetation that the fireball had thrown into the air. By thetimeshereachedtheedgeofthecraterandstoppedatDevorast'sside,therainofstoneshadstopped.Dustandsmokemadehercoughandstungher

eyes."Whoisshe?"aworkmanasked.

She saw Devorast shake his head. On the ground at his feet was themangled body of a girl.Devorast kneeled and turned her over.Her headrolledonabrokenneck,andherdeadeyesstaredupatthesky.

"Iknowher,"Phyreasaid,thencoughedagain.

Devorastturned,surprisedtofindherrightbehindhim.

"Iwenttofinishingschoolwithher,"sheexplained."Herfatherlosthisseat on the senateandkilledhimselfwhen thedebtswere called in. I losttrackofherwhensheandhermotherandsistersmovedoutoftheSecondQuarter."

"SheignitedSurero'ssmokepowdercasks,"Devorastsaid."Why?"

Phyrearubbedthegrit fromhereyeswiththebackofherhand."Whydoesanyonewanttokillyou?"

"What'shername?"theworkmanasked.

"Cassiya,"Phyreaanswered."IthinkhernamewasCassiya."

37

30Marpenoth,theYearoftheStaff

(1366DR)TheThayanEnclave,

Innarlith

"Ransar,"MarekRymiitsaidwithaflourish,"welcometoThayansoil."

Salatis's eyes narrowed at that, though he'd agreed to it already. Hesteppedinandpastedasmileonhisface.Ashelookedaroundattheglasscases filled with artifacts and unusual curios of the most exotic sort, heclaspedahandaroundapendantthathungfromaheavygoldchainaroundhisneck.

"Azuth…"Marekcommentedwithaliftofoneeyebrow."Really?"

Salatisclearedhisthroat,tookhishandawayfromtheholysymbol,andsaid,"TheHighOne'swisdomhasenteredmylifeoflate,yes."

Mareksmiledandsteppeddeeperintotheshowroom,makingwayfortheransar.Salatisfollowed,hisexpressionalternatingbetweenfear,confusion,andlongingashewentfromcasetocase.Hestoppedatone,theechoofhisfootstepspingingfromthemarblefloortothepoundedleadceiling.

"This…" Salatis said, looking down at a glass case that contained anornately-craftedbrasshorn."Whatisthis?"

"Ah,"Marekreplied."Youhaveagoodeye,Ransar.That isahornofblasting.""Ahornof…?"

"It'sawonderfullycraftedpiece, isn't it?"Mareksaid,steppingbehindthe ransar and laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Heavy, I suppose.Not…subtle…butbeautifulinitsownway."

"Whatdoesitdo?"

Mareklaughed,tookhishandawayfromSalatis'sshoulder,andsetitontheglass."There's someone Iknowof thatwouldverymuch like tohavethis,I'msure."

Salatisshookhishead.

Mareksighedandcontinued,"Peoplewhohearitsvoicearelaidlow-notkilled,mindyou,buttheydon'tlikeittoomuch.Ithasatendencytoloosensoil,aswell,andeven…digholes."

Salatisnoddedandletagrinspreadacrosshisface.

"Buthe'llneverhaveit,willhe?"Mareksaid.

"He's getting gold from the king of Cormyr, of all people," Salatisreplied. "If indeed youmean to offer these things for sale,what's to stophimfrombuyingit?"

"Me,"saidMarek.

"Well…" theransar started, then finally figuredout thatMarekwoulddecidewhoboughtwhat,when,andforwhatreason."AndyoursuperiorsinThayarecomfortablewiththat?Imean,whatifhecameherewith…fivethousandgoldpieces?"

"Well,firstoff,"Marekreplied,"he'dbeseventhousandshort."Hegavethe ransar a look that he hopedwould tell him the rest, and by Salatis'sresponse,itwasenough."IwondertowhatextentKingAzounbelieveshecanmeddleintheaffairsofanindependentcity-state."

Theransar'slipstightened,andhisfacepaled."Hevexesme."

"He wants that canal built," the Red Wizard said as he crossed toanother case.He looked down at theWand of theTenMages-a one-of-a-kindpiecetheremorefordisplaythananything.Onlyoneofthetenmageswho'dcollaboratedinitscreationcouldwieldit,andtheyhadallbeendeadfor six centuries. "He wants his merchants to trade directly withWaterdeep,Baldur'sGate,andsoon,withouttheircaravansbeingpickedapartbyZhentsandores."

"He'llpayaheftytolltoo,"theransarsaidtryingtomakehimselfbelieveit.

"Willhe?"Marekasked."Fortheuseofacanalhepaidtobuild?Andwillhepayyou,orwillhepaythenagas?"

Salatisfrownedandsaid,"It'sgottenoutofcontrol,hasn'tit?"

"Mydear,dearRansar,"saidMarekashemovedtoyetanothercase.Helookeddownat theweapon inside-a ghost touchhalfspear thatmadehimthinkofPhyrea."Thisisyourcitynow,andnothingtodowithitisoutsideyourcontrol.Atworst,allyouhavetodoisrelyonyourfriends,andyoudohavefriends.TherealmsoftheOldEmpires,Tethyr,theZhentarim,eventhe Emerald Enclave and my own homeland have made their opinionsknown.CormyrandArrabar,andevenpettycity-stateslikeRaven'sBluff,arenottobetakenlightly,tobesure,butneitherarethosealignedagainstit."

Salatis tookadeepbreathandsaid,"YouknowthatIknowthatIowemyascendancytoyou,MasterRymiit.YouknowthatIhaveagreedtothisenclaveofyours,agreed toyour three laws,agreed to…other things.ButthecanalwillbegoodforInnarlith.Itcanbe,anyway,andbyallaccountshe'llbeabletodoit.You'vetriedtokillhim,sohasNyla,andothersIdon'tevenknowof.I'vesentblackfiredrakesagainsthimmyself,butnothing.Ifyou tellmeImuststop thecanal frombeingbuilt Iwilldomybest todothat,butyoushouldbewarnedthatmybestmaynotbeentirelyuptothetask. There are other Realms involved now, all more powerful than ourhumblecity-state.Icould losemorethanjust thecanal,but thecity itself,shouldIpushtoohardinthewrongplaces."

ItwasMarek's turn to take adeepbreath. Salatis couldbarely lookathim.

"Well,then,"saidMarek,"let'sputitouttherethen,shallwe?"

"Pleasedo."

"Itwouldbenefitmetosell themeans to travel fromhere to theSeaofFallenStarsthroughtheuseofmagic,butitcouldalsobenefitmetofinishthe canal, also throughmagical means. The only reason the canal is still

beingdug is thatDevorastrefuses tobekilled.Butyou…allalongyou'vehad the power to stop itwithout killing him, or finish itwithout keepinghim.Sendtheforeignworkersaway.Despiteyourfears,evenAzounwon'tmarchtowaroverthisholeintheground,especiallyifhe'sreassuredthatitwillstillbebuilt.Hecankeepthetradebarsflowing,forallthat,buttome-withagenerousreturntomyesteemedpatron,ofcourse"-andhewinkedattheransar-"andnotthatarrogantbastard.Giveitup,Salatis,orgiveittome."

Salatismust have realized that hismouth had been hanging open in amostunflatteringway,andheclackedhislipstogether.

38

3Uktar,theYearoftheStaff


Civility

WillemKorvanstareddownatablanksheetofparchment.

"Beseated,honoredcolleagues,"Salatissaidfromthepodium.

Willem satwith the rest of the senators, keeping his eyes on the blankpage.

"I thank you all for allowing me to humble myself before you," theransarwenton,thegreetingthesameeverytime.

WithashakinghandWillemtookthequill fromitsstandanddippeditintohisinkwell.Hecouldtellfromboththesoundandthefeelofitthattheinkwasdry.

"Iwill not take up toomuch of your precious time this evening," saidSalatis, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Before I begin, I offer aprayertoMask,theLordofShadows."

While the senatechamberechoedwith themurmursof theoutragedorsurprisedmembers,Willemliftedthedryquilloutanddraggeditacrosstheparchment anyway. Only the faintest smudge of gray-black marred thesmoothsurface.

"It isyou,LordofShadows,thattellsusthetruthofwhatismostreal:thatwhichwecanhold inourhands, lock inourcoffers,orrulewith thestrength of our hands and hearts.We expect nothing from you,HonoredLord, but the truth of yourwords ofwarning.Youhave givenus all youshouldandallyoueverwill,andforthatwethankyou."

The senators grumbled in response.Willem pressed harder and tore a

small hole in the parchment sheet. "The city-state of Innarlith is inpossession…no, I apologize…I should say that the city-state of Innarlithwas in possession of a canal that will revolutionize trade in all Faerun.Promises were made by my predecessor and his agent, but were thosepromiseskept?"

Then Willem pressed harder still and scratched the surface of hisdesktop.

"This once promising endeavor became a drain on our precious butlimited resources, but still we believed. Still we sent our gold and ourworkersouttothemonster-hauntedfrontierandallofourgoldandsomeofourworkersdidn'tcomeback."

Handstill shaking-maybeshakingevenworse-Willemreplaced thequillandlaidahandflatonthesheetofparchment.Eventhereittrembled.

"Butatleastitwasours.Atleastitbelongedtothecity-stateofInnarlith.Butinthepastmonths,eventhathaschanged.Buthasitonlybeenoverthepast few months? Or was it the intention all along, of the late RansarOsorkon, to sell this city piecebypiece to ourneighbors?Whenweweretold that others would share in our fortunes, that was fine.We hold thecanal, but not the Vilhon Reach, not the Sword Coast-but we hold thecanal!"

Willemtriedtotakeadeepbreath,buthiccuppedinstead.

"Andnow,"Salatiswenton,"hereweare,monthson,andnotonlyourgoldisbeingusedtodigthishole,butArrabarrangold,goldfromCormyr,gold from Aglarond, from Sembia even, and points all up and down theSwordCoastfromAthkatlanorthtofarawayLuskan.Anarmyofmendigand saw and toil, and how many of them are Innarlan? How many areCormyrean?HowmanyArrabarran?AndifMask'swisdomhastaughtusanything, it's that all you are is what you hold in your hand, and whenArrabarranhandsholdoursoil,oursoilbecomesArrabarransoil."

Willem'svisionblurredalittle,andhestartedtoblinksothatthesceneinfrontofhimflickered-butwhatwas ithewas lookingat?Thenewransarbabblingaboutsomething.

"But then what can we expect from this man, this foreign man, IvarDevorast?"

That'sright,SalatiswasbabblingaboutIvarDevorast.

"He comes from Cormyr with his strange accent and high-handedmanners.Asarrogantashisking,hespits in the faceofeverymemberofthisesteemedbody,andeveryman,woman,andchildwhocalls Innarlithhome."

No matter where Willem went, how high he rose, or how manyconcessionshemade tohis patrons in the senate, the conversation alwayswenttoDevorast.

"ThisIvarDevorastbuildsnothingforthecity-stateofInnarlith.Sowhodoeshebuild for?Azoun?TheSimbul?Notme.Hashe evencomehere?Hasheevenpassedthroughourgates inmonths?Hehides inmykeepontheNagaflowwhenhisenemiesstrikeathim-andhehasattractedenemies,takemywordforthat-andhespendsthelivesofmysoldierstokeephimselfsafe,buthasheevenoncecomebeforethisbody?Weallknowthathehasnot.HasheevenoncecometothePalaceofManySpiresortheChamberofLawandCivilityh,evenjusttoreporttohispatronsonhisprogress?Icanassureyou,hehasnot."

EveryonealwayswantedtotalkaboutIvargodsbed-amnedDevorast.

"So,whodoesIvarDevorastworkfor?"

"Himself,"Willemwhispered,sosoftlyevenhecouldbarelyhearit.

"DoesheworkforKingAzoun?IknowIdon't.AndIknowyoudon't."

Willemsighedandhiccuppedagain.Heneededadrink.

"Senators," Salatis pronounced, his voice heavy with false drama, "Ihave come to you tonight to inform you that I have decided to call animmediate halt to allwork on the canal. I have ordered the forces of thecity-state, led by my own black firedrakes, to peacefully repatriate allforeign workers, and to seize all outstanding foreign gold, and I haveorderedthemtodothisimmediately."

Willemshookhisheadandalmostlaughedatthat.

"WhenIamcertainthatthingsarewellinhand-wellinInnarlanhands-Iwill allow work to recommence. Until that time, the Cormyrean IvarDevorastwillnolongerbewelcomehere."

Willemcringed.Heclosedhis eyesandquiveredashis facepinchedupandhisfingerscurledintofists.

"Senators,I thankyouforyourtime.Goodnight,andmaytheLordofShadowsblessthisbodyandthepeopleofthegreatcity-stateofInnarlith.PraisebetoMask."

A deafening round of applause made Willem cover his ears with hishands,untilherealizedthatMeykhatiwasclapping,soheclappedtoo.Andhe continued to clap as Salatis made his way slowly from the podium,clasping hands with a select group of senators-including Meykhati andNyla-alongtheway.

Fools,hethought.He'snotjustgoingtogoaway.

Willemcouldneverbethatlucky.

39

4Uktar,theYearoftheStaff(1366

DR)TheCanalSite

Tellhimwhoyouare,theoldmandemanded.

Angerflaredthroughher,andthroughclenchedteethshesaid,"Iamthedaughter ofSenator Inthelph, theMasterBuilder of Innarlith, and if youdon'ttaketwostepsbackfrommethisinstant,therewillbeconsequences."

Nicelydone,girl,theoldmanmurmured.Wellsaid.

Themanwhostoodbeforeherwiththewicked longaxeheld in frontofhischestseemedtostarerightthroughherwithhistoo-blackeyes,buthedidstepback.Withherbestworld-wearysigh,shesteppedaroundhimtothedoorofDevorast'slittlecabin.Beforeshecouldreachforthehandlethedooropened,andSurero steppedout.He lookedsurprised to seeher,butsmiledanyway."Ishehere?"sheasked.

Surero nodded and glanced back into the dim interior. Devorastappearedinthedoorwayandnoddedingreeting.

Phyreahadexpectedhimtobeangry,oratleastannoyed,andcertainlyoffendedthattheransar-oneoftheleastvisionarymenshe'devermet-hadshuthimdownentirelywithasingleproclamation.

Tellhim, said the littleboy.Phyreacouldseehim,onearmending inahandless stump, at the edgeofher vision.Tell himyou'rehappy it's overandthathe'sbeingsentaway.Callhimabadnameandtellhimtogotoabadplace.

Sheshookherheadandsaid,"It'swrongwhat'shappening."

No,saidtheghostoftheburnedoldwoman,it'sabouttime.

"Weknewitwouldhappeneventually,though,didn'twe?"Sureroasked.

Hiseyesdartedfromonetotheotherofthethreeblack-hairedguardswiththeir longaxes and blank, emotionless expressions. "Maybe not like this,though."

"Havetheyhurtanyone?"Phyreaasked.

They should, said themanwith the scaronhis face.She could seehimstandinginsidethecabin,nexttoDevorast.

Sureroshookhisheadandsteppedoutofthedoorway."Weshouldspeakinside."

Phyreasteppedin,nodding,hereyesgluedtotheshimmeringvioletformofthemanandthez-shapedscarthatmarredhisotherwisehandsomeface.She felt her breathing grow faster andmore shallow and did her best tocontrolit.Herpalmswentslickwithsweat.She'dneverseentheghostsandDevorast in the same place, had she?He used to-she thought-drive themaway.

"DamnitalltothebottomlessAbyss,Ivar,"shesaid,akeenedgeofnear-panic in her voice. "I told you this would happen. I knew this wouldhappen.IdreadedthisdaysomuchIdidmybesttomakeithappensoonerjusttobethroughwithitonceandforall,butnowthatit's-"

The look on Surero's face made her stop. She couldn't look at thealchemist. Insteadher eyes settled on the spirit-formof themanwith thescaronhisface.

It'soverforhimnow,theghostsaidwithoutmovinghislips.Leavehimbehindyou.Hewasdestroyingyouanyway.Heneverlovedyou.GobacktoBerrywilde.

Youbelongwithus,backatBerrywilde,thelittlegirlwhined.Shestood,aninchoffthewoodfloor,inthecornernexttoDevorast'slittlecot.

When she realized that Surero was trying to figure out what she waslookingat,sheclosedhereyesandshookherhead.

"Oh,godsoftheOuterPlanes,itisover,"shesaid,andpressedherhandstoherface.

"Itlooksthatway,"saidthealchemist,"fornow."

Devorast said nothing. Instead, he slid big sheets of parchment into aleatherportfoliowithhisusualcalm,slowdemeanor.

Takeushome,thelittlegirlbegged.

Thedooropened,andPhyreajumped,startledbythenoiseandthelight.

BythesoundofhisbootsonthewoodfloorPhyreawouldhaveguessedastonegianthadsteppedin,butsheknewbeforeturningaroundthatitwasjustHrothgar.

"Saytheword,Ivar,"thedwarfgrumbled,"andwe'llfight'em."

"Hrothgar-"Phyreastarted.

"No,"Devorastsaid.

Thethreeofthemwaitedforhimtosaymorebuthedidn't.

"Thisiswhy…"Phyreasaid.

She held her breath, trying to think. She felt as though her brain wassunkinheavy,clingingmud.

Don't bother, the old woman, who she couldn't see, told her. Just go,child.

"ThisiswhyI'vesaidthethingsI'vesaidaboutyou,"shesaid.Hrothgarstepped closer to her, but she kept her back to him and her eyes onDevorast."This iswhatI'vebeentellingyouall thistimewouldhappen.Itoldyoutheywouldtrytokillyou,andiftheycouldn'tkillyouthatthey'dfindsomeway,someexcusetotakethisawayfromyou."

"Waitamoment,there,"Surerosaid.

"Theycanchaseusofftoday,girl,"saidthedwarf,"butnotforever."

"Hrothgar's right," the alchemist concurred. "There's enough supportin-"

"Oh,shutup,Surero,"Phyreasnapped."There'senoughsupporttosendgold,men,andgoodwill,butnotenoughtogotowarover.Who'sgoingtosendfootmenheretofighttheransarforastripoflandthatisInnarlith'swhetheryoulikeitornot?Azoun?Willhegotowarforyourcanal,Ivar?"

Devorastdidn'tlookather.Hewentabouthispacking.

"Itoldyouthey'dtakeitawayandtheyhave,"Phyreasaid."ButIhopeyoudon'tthinktheworstisover."

"That'saboutenough,girl,"saidthedwarf.

No,themanmadeoflightsaid,getitoffyourchest,thentakeusallbacktoBerrywildewithyou.

"No," Phyrea went on, "the worst is when they send someone here tofinish it foryou.And it'llbeeithermyfatherorWillemKorvan,orboth,andwhatwillbecomeofallthisthen?Whatmesswilltheymakeofitinthenameoftheirtwo-copperransar?"

Devorastlookedather,andthelookonherfacemadegoosefleshrippleacrosstheundersidesofherarms.

Hehatesyounow,thelittlegirlsaid.

Yeah,saidthelittleboy,andthatmeansit'sallrighttohatehimback.

He's almost destroyed you, the old woman said. Phyrea could see hersittingonDevorast'scot.You'regettingawayjust in time.He'swantedtodestroy you all along-and not kill you, but destroy you-and there's adifference,believeme.

Phyrea shook her head, turned, brushed past the dwarf who stareddaggersather,andburstoutthedoorintosunlightthatmadehereyescloseallontheirown.Shehadtosquintandstumbleherwaybacktoherhorse.

Berrywilde,theoldwomanwhisperedinherear.

She shook her head and whispered back, "No, I want to go back toInnarlithfirst."

40

5Uktar,theYearoftheStaff(1366


Phyreahadnoideawhatmadeherstop,butwassurethatifshehadn't,she'dhavebeenkilled.

Shehadnoabilitytocastspells,hadneverbeentrainedintheArt,andhad no ring or wand to help her see magical auras, emanations, ordweomers.Allshehadwasinstinct,orluck,orwhateveritwasthattoldhertostop.Shetookadeepbreathandhelditasshedrewsoclosetothedoorhernosealmosttouchedthelacqueredwood.Thekeyholewasbig-asbigasthefirsttwpknucklesofherlittlefinger-andsetintoapolishedbrassplateabovethehandle.Shetriedtolookthroughthekeyholebutsawonlyblack.Either itdidn't goall theway through thedoor, or the roombeyondwasunlit.

Sheunfoldedherkit-asoftleatherfolioinwhichwerearrayedaseriesofpicksandotherfineimplements-butwasn'tsureifsheshouldevenbother.Pickingthe lockwouldsurelysetoffwhatevertrap itwasshe'dsensedonthedoor.

Whydon'tyoujustknock?thevoiceofthelittlegirlechoedinherhead.

Phyreaclosedhereyesandslowlyexhaled.

What is if? asked the sadwoman, her thin voice on the edge of panic.What'swrong?

Phyrealetherexhalebecomeareedyhiss.Thoughsheknewnoonecouldhear the voices but her, shewanted them to be quiet anyway-shewantedthemtoletherthink.

Is fire going to shoot out? asked the little girl. If fire shoots out itwillburnyourface,andyouwon'tbeprettyanymore.

Phyrea turned her head and saw the little girl standing behind her.Atfirstitappearedasthoughsheleanedagainstawall,butinfactshestoodsoclosetothewallthatherrightarmhaddisappearedintothewoodpaneling.Phyrea could see the outline of the shop's assortment of curios anddecorativepotterythroughthewispyvioletformofthespectralchild.

Thelittlegirlwhocouldwalkthroughwalls.

"Wouldyouhelpme?"Phyreaasked,pitchingherwhisperedwords solowtheybarelyregisteredinherownears.

The little girl looked her in the eyes, and Phyrea's blood ran cold.Somethingaboutthewaythegirllookedathermadeherwanttoscream.

Youdon't talk to us enough, the childwhisperedback, thoughher lipsonlymovedonce,partingjusttheslightestbit.Youshouldtalktousmore.Allweeverwantedwastobeyourfriend,andforyoutostaywithus.

Phyreahadtoforceherselftowhisper,"Helpme."

ThelittlegirlreachedouttotouchPhyrea'sface-butshehadbeenseveralstepsaway.Thelittlegirlhadmovedcloserallatonce,neverstepping,notactually moving across the intervening space. Phyrea recoiled, lurchingbackawayfromthosetranslucentfingertips,andbouncedherheadoffthedoor.Squatting,sheslidontoherbackside.

Thelittlegirllookedhurt,offended,thenshefadedaway.

Phyrea'sheadhurt,butworse,theblowhadmadeasound.Shestiffened,spun,androsetoherfeetinonemotion,andbroughtherhandtothehiltoftheshortswordinitsscabbardatherbelt.

"Who's there?"askedamuffledvoice from theother sideof theheavydoor.

DamnitalltotheNinebleedingHells,Phyreathought.

She'dwantedtosneakin.She'dplannedonwakingWenefirfromadeepsleep, unsettling him, starting offwith him unbalanced so that shewouldhavetheupperhand.Thatwasover.

"It'sme,"shesaid,hervoice lowbut loudenoughtocarry throughthedoor."It'sPhyrea."

Youdon'tneed to live like this anymore, thevoice of themanwith thescaronhisfacesaid.GobacktoBerrywilde.

"Thehellsdoyouwant?"thevoicebehindthedoorasked.

"Open the gods bedamned door, Wenefir," she demanded. "I need totalk."

"Haveyoucometokillme?"heasked."DidI sayIcametokillyou?""Yesorno."

Phyreatookadeepbreathandletitalloutatoncetosaytheword,"No."

Wenefirpaused,andPhyreagotthefeelinghehadsomewayofknowingwhetherornotshe'd told the truth.The lockclankedopen,andthehingesqueaked.

Revealedintheopendoorway,Wenefirlookedoldandtired,chubbyandsoft.Helookedherupanddownandfromthelookonhisfaceshecouldtellhethoughtshelookedbadtoo,butinwhatwayshewasn'tentirelysure.

"Ithoughtyouwereoutofthebusiness,"hesaid,liftinganeyebrow.

"Iam,"shesaid."Ididn'tcometofencesomething."

Hestoodthere,staringather,waiting,soshewenton.

"YouknowwhyI'mhere,"shesaid.

Wenefir sighed and said, "I don't have time for this, Phyrea. What'shappenedtoyou?"

She shook her head, almost as though shewere trying to shake off thelookhegaveher.

"I'vebeenhearingthethingsyou'vebeensayingabouttheyoungsenatorfromCormyr,sellinghimaroundtownlikesomepieceofpilferedjewelry,"

he said. "I've also heard that you've been spending time with the otherCormyrean,thecanalbuilder.Whichisit,Phyrea?WhichCormyreanareyouheretopleadfor?"

"I'mnotheretopleadforanyone,"shelied.Shewastheretodoexactlythat.

AndWenefirknewit.

"Youhavefriendsinthesenate,"shesaid.

"Sodoyou,"hereplied.

Phyreashookherhead.

"So,it'sthecanalbuilder,"Wenefirconcluded.

Idon'tlikehim,thelittlegirlwhispered.

Phyrearesistedtheurgetolookoverhershoulder.

Neither do I, said the ghost of the little boy. He doesn't have his manparts.

"Isthereanythingthatcanbedone?"sheasked.

"Why?"Wenefiraskedinreturn.

"Whatdoyou-?"

"Whatdo I care about a canal, or about theCormyreannobodywho'sbuildingit?"heasked.

"Icouldmakeitworthyourwhile,"sheventured,havingnoideahowshecould,really.

Helaughed.

"Afavorthen?"shetried."Apersonalfavor…foranoldfriend."

Hethoughtaboutitforamomentthensaid,"Youstealthingsandbring

themtome,andIgiveyougold.Whatmakesyouthink,allofasudden,thatIcanaffectthewhimsanddesiresofthesenate?"

"Iknowwhoyouworkfor,"shesaid,thoughshe'dneverwantedhimtoknowsheknewthat,buthedidn'tlooksurprised.

"I've never meant to keep that a secret," he said, though she didn'tbelievehim."Anyonewhomixesinyourfather'scircleswillhaveseenmewithhim."

"Istheresomethingthatcanbedone?"sheasked.

Wenefir offered a weak smile and said, "Do you care that much?Really?"

Shedidn'tanswer,butlookedhimintheeye.

"Nevercomehereagainlikethis,inthemiddleofthenight,"hewarnedher. "Had you tried to pick that lock youwould have been burned. Youmighthavebeenkilled."

Phyrea'sbreathcaughtinherthroat.Shelookedoverhershoulder,andtheghostof the littlegirlwasbehindher.Theglowingvioletchildsmiled.GoosefleshbrokeoutalongtheundersidesofPhyrea'sarms.

"Areyouwell?"Wenefirasked.

Phyreanodded.

"If I have anything to tell you,"he said even as he started to close thedoor,"I'llfindyou."

41

8Alturiak,theYearoftheShield


Civility

WillemKorvanwonderedhowlongithadbeen.

Howlonghaditbeensincehe'dsatinthesameroomasIvarDevorast?

Hisredhairaslongandstringy,hissimplepeasant'sclothesasunkempt,his eyesas coldandunintimidatedas ever,Devorast satquietly inahardladderbackchairinthemiddleofthesemicircularhearingchamber.OffintheeastwingoftheChamberofLawandCivility,itwasthelargestofthehearingrooms,it'sroundouterwalllinedwithtallwindowsofcobaltblueglass.With thedullwinter light coming in through theblue glassWillemthoughteveryonelookedsick-worsethanthat,theylookeddead.Hefeltasthoughhesatinaroomfullofghosts.

EvenDevorastlookedspectralandsick,andWillemhadneverseenhimlook like that. As the people who didn't know him-didn't know the leastthing about him-railed against himorheapedhimwithpraise he just satthere,showingnotevenatraceofinterest.

Willemsatinoneofarowofchairsbehindtheseniorsenatorswhohadcalled thehearingat therequestof theransar.At times,Meykhati'sbackblockedhisviewoftheassembly,buthecouldalwaysseeDevorast.

Having found out only the night before that he would be part of thehearing,Willemhadgoneoutandgottendrunk, thenhadgonehomeandgottenmoredrunk.Inthemorninghedrankalittlemore,anddrankonhiswaytothehearing.

"SenatorKorvan?"Salatissaid,hisvoicebooming,loudandangry.

Willemwinced.His throatwas tight and hismouth dry. Everyonewas

lookingathim.Hedidn'ttrytostand.

"I'veknown IvarDevorast,"Willem said, "for a long, long, long, long,long time.Avery long time longer thananyoneelsehere."Heclearedhisthroat and lookeddownat his hands,whichhekept onhis knees so theywouldn'tshakesomuch."That'showlongI'veknownhim."

"And?"theransarprompted,irritated,hisfaceturningred.

"And if that'swhathesaid thenthat'swhat…"Notsureatallwhathewastryingtosay,Willemstoppedtalking.

"Senator,"Meykhatiasked,"areyouquiteallright?"

Willemshookhisheadandreplied,"I'mfine."

"Withallduerespect," someoneWillemdidn'tknowsaid,"is thismanintoxicated?"

"Please,Ambassador,"Salatisscolded.Hestoodfromwherehesatatoparaiseddais-alwaysadais,Willemthought-andbangedagavelon the littledesk in front of him. The blue windows were behind him and the wholeroomhad the strangeeffectofa reverseamphitheater.The senatorswerearrayedinasemicirclewithvariouswitnessesseatedinstraightrowsontheothersideoftheroom,andDevorastseatedinthecenterasthoughhewereascrapofterritoryoverwhichtwoarmieshadgatheredtofight."WehavecertainrulesoforderherethatIhopeyouwillrespect."

Themanstood,bowedtotheransar,andsaid,"Andarethererulesthatconcernwhetherornotadrunkcantestifyinahearinglikethis?"

"Thisisn'tArrabar,AmbassadorVerhenden,"Salatisgrumbled."UntilIdecideotherwise,wewillhearSenatorKorvan."

"Verhenden," Willem said. "I've heard of you. Fael, right? FaelVerhenden, the ambassador fromArrabar.You're right, your excellency.You'reentirelyandcompletelyandcompletelyrightaboutthefactthatI'mcompletelydrunk."

Adisturbedmurmur rattled through the room, andWillem laughed at

them,thefools.

Salatiscalledthemeetingtoorderagain,andWillemsaid,"He'llbuilditif you let him, but he'll build it for himself. I can tell you that. Thisbastard… thisman doesn't care about Innarlith anymore than he caredaboutCormyr, and he sure asTymora flips a.coin doesn't give the southendofanorthboundrataboutthecityofstinkingArrabar."

"Ibegyourpardon,"theambassadorhuffed.

"That'senough,Willem!"Meykhatihissedathim.

Willemshookhisheadandclosedhiseyes.Theroomspun.Hecouldn'tfocusonanything,sohejustlistenedinstead.

"Ransar," Meykhati said, "please accept my apology for -SenatorKorvan, who has suffered some at the careless hands of Ivar Devorast,apparentlysincetheywerebothchildren."

Willem shook his head and asked in a loud voice, "Have I? I havesufferedhowathishands?Howdidhesufferme?How…?"

"This is telling, Ransar," Meykhati went on. "Here is Devorast'scountryman and friend, and under his influence, what has become of ayoung man with an outstanding career and by all accounts a fine,sophisticatedmind?"

"Have you ever said the word 'forgiveness' and actually meant it,Ambassador?"Willemasked,hiseyesstillclosed."IdrankwhenIknewIhadtocomeherebecauseheforgivesme.Ithinkheforgivesme.Ormaybehejustdoesn'tcare.Ithinkyouhavetocareaboutsomeonetoforgivehim,don'tyou?Carejustalittle?"

"I'msureyou'requiteright,"saidtheambassadorfromArrabar.

Salatisbangedhisgavelinresponse.

"I'mnotafraidofhim,"Willemsaid."I'mafraidofwhatIamcomparedtohim."

"Willem,"Meykhatibarked,"bestill."

"Lethimspeak,"amanwho'svoiceWillemdidn'trecognizecutin.

"Sitdown, alchemist,"Salatis all but screamed."You should still be inthedungeons,notoutmaking theseconcoctionsofyours thatareperhapsthemostdangerouspartofthisinsaneproject."

"WhatImakeisonlydangerouswhenit'susedbyassassinssentby-"

"SiZerace/"Salatis screamed. "I will have order, or I will clear theroom."

Therewas amoment of shifting chairs and scuff ling feet, andWillemchuckled.Hisstomachturned,andhisfaceflushed.

"We have heard from Warden Truesilver of Cormyr, AmbassadorVerhendenofArrabar,andMistressRanAiYuofShouLung,"theransarsaid."Theonlyotherpersonhere-theonlyonewhowasbornandraisedinInnarlith-whoseemsinclinedtosupportIvarDevorastisafailedalchemistandwould-beassassinwhoshouldbemarching this instant to thegallowsbutfortheforgivenessofMasterRymiit.Andthentherewasthetestimonywe'veheardfromourveryownsenatorsMeykhati,Nyla,andDjeserka;andMasterRymut'smantheesteemedwizardKurtsson.WhoamItobelieve?"

Willemrubbedhiseyesandopenedthem.HelookedatDevorast,andhisblurred vision made his old "friend" appear less hard, less intractable,softer.

"Answerme,Devorast,"Salatisdemanded.

"Believewhatyouwill,"Devorastreplied.HisvoicemadeWillem'sskincrawl.

Therewasalongsilencethatmadetheairintheroomseemtooheavytobreathe.Willem couldn't breathe, anyway. He scanned the room and hiseyesfellonthefaceofSenatorPristoleph.Besidehimstoodhisman,thesoftandeffeminateWenefir.WillemwastakenbythelookonPristoleph'sface,thecoldregardfocusedonDevorast.

"That'snoanswer,"theransarsaidtoDevorast.

Pristolephsmiledasthoughhedidn'tagreewithSalatis.

"Iwanttogetonwithmywork,"Devorastsaid."Willyouleavemealonetodothat?"

Theransarstaredhimdownforalongtimewhilemostofthepeopleintheroomsquirmedintheirseats.Devorastwaitedwithoutbarelytakingabreath…Pristoleph turned andwalked out of the room,Wenefir in tow.ThatmadeWillemsmile,buthedidn'tknowwhy.Thenhewasafraidhewasabouttovomit.

"No,"theransarsaid.

42



You looking for something, squire?" the awful woman said. She spokewithout ever closinghermouthall theway.Herbrightly-painted, swollenlipsnevermet."Oryoulookingforsomeone?"

Willem looked at her, and his head and stomach spun in oppositedirections.Hestaggered,hisfineleatherbootssplashinginthegreasyblackpuddlesofthedocksidestreet.TheairstankoftheLakeofSteamandthemildewthatslowlyateawayattheramshacklebuildingsaroundhim.

"Hadalittleofthegrape,havewe?"thewomansaid.Shelaughed,andthesoundmadehimsicker."Needahand?"

Willemshookhisheadandstaggeredagain.Shesteppedtowardhimandallhecoulddowaswatch.

When sheputherhandonhimhe foundhis last shredof strength.Hestoodupstraighterandwasabouttotellherinnouncertaintermsthatshewasmistakenifshethoughthewasthesortofmanwhomightbetakeninbyherandherkind,butwhenhe tried to speakhecouldn'tquitegethisnumblipstoformwords.

Her dirty hand with its chubby sausagelike fingers prodded him. Hisheadbegantoclear,andhesteppedawayfromherand lookedher in theface.ShesmiledwideenoughthatWillemcouldcounthermissingteeth.

"IfIain'tyourcupoftea,squire,justsayso,"shesaidwithasuggestiveleer.

Willemshookhishead,butthenhiseyesfoundherhand.Hesawalittlelengthofstringortwinedanglingfromherclosedfist-afistnotquiteclosedenough.Herhandcouldeasilyhavehiddenhiscoinpurse.

Hedrewhisdaggerandthewomanbackedawayfromhim.Thelookinhereyewasonepartfearandonepartresignation.

"You'vehadbladespulledonyoubefore,haven'tyou?"Willemasked.

Sheforcedasmileandsaid,"Noworries,squire.Noworriesatall."Hereyesdartedbackandforth,upanddownthelong,dark,emptystreet.Shecouldn'tkeep thedisappointment fromreading inhereyes.Theywereallalone."Justyoubeonyourway,andwe'llforgetthewholeth-"

Hecutherface-nottoodeep,justwiththeverytipoftheknife.

Shegasped."Don'tyoudare."

"Easy now," she whispered. She started to shake and backed awayfarther,untilherbackcametorestagainsttheroughplasterwallofsomedocksideestablishmentclosedforthenight."Easydoesit,squire."

"Don'tyoudare,"Willemrepeated.Thedrinkand theoutragemade ithardforhimtomovehistongue,sohisvoicesoundedalieninhisownears."Don'tyoudaretouchme."

She turned to run, andhekickedher feet out fromunderher. She fellsprawlingontoherfacewithagrunt.

"Don'tyoudaretryto takefromme,"hesaid, thenkickedherhard intheside.

Shesquealedandcoughed,awet,phlegmysound.

"Don'tyoudaretrytogetaway,"hegrowled,solowhewasn'tsureshe'dbeabletohearhim,buthedidn'tcare.

Shecrawledtotheendofadarkalley.Willemdidn'tunderstandwhyshethoughtshe'dbesaferinthere.Shedrewinabreathtoscream,sohekickedherhardagain,forcingtheairfromherlungs.

"Don'tyoudaretrytoscream."

Shereachedforsomethinginthefoldsofhergrimyweathercloak.Willem

watchedherfumbleouttheknife.Itwasjustanordinarykitchenknife,butWillemwonderedhowmanymenshe'dcastratedwithit.

"Don'tyoudarepullaknifeonme,"hesaid,andstompeddownonherhand.

Thebonesmadeacrinklingsound,andtheknifeslidafewinchesaway.Shegrunted-notaveryfemininesound.

"Youlousy,SecondQuartersonofa-"shesnarled.

Butshestoppedwhenhekickedherintheface.

"Don'tyoudare,"he said,kneelingdown in thedarkalleynext toher,"callmymotherabitch."

Sheshookherhead,whichsucceededonlyinrubbingherfaceinthemudandmuckonthealleyfloor.Hecutheronthebackoftheneckwhileshewasstilllucidenoughtofeelthepain,toknowwhatwashappeningtoher.

"Don'tyoudarelive,"hewhispered,thenhetookoffhiscloakandwenttoworkonher.

The whole time he was killing her, he thought about that day in thehearingroom.HadSalatisdone the same thing toDevorast?Had theyalldonethattohim?Hadtheykilledhim?Hadtheytakenhislifeinthatveryroom,onecutatatime?

Thewhoreatleasthadthedecencytodefendherself.She'dtriedtotalkherwayout of it. She'd tried to get away.She'd even tried to fightback.Devorasthaddonenoneofthosethings.

Afterwashingthebloodoffhishandsandface,heputhiscloakbackon,drawingittightaroundhisnecktohidethebloodthathadsoakedintohistunic.Hewipedthebloodfromhisdaggerandputitbackinthesheathathisbelt.Thesoundoffootstepsalertedhimtosomeone'sapproach,andhestood in the dark alley over the bloody corpse until she passed-anotherstreetwalker-then he darted into the shadow of another alley across thestreet.

Hewent straight to the tavernhe'dbeenonhisway towhenhewas sorudely distracted. The building leaned a bit to one side and contained apermanent haze of pipeweed and wood smoke, and the lasting stench ofstale beer and vomit.Over the past fewmonths it hadbecome one of hisfavoriteplaces.

Thesailorsanddockhandswhofrequentedtheplaceneverevenlookedathimtwice.Theyallmindedtheirownbusiness.

Hesatatatableinthecorner,inthedark,andthewomanwhoworkedthere-four hundred pounds if she was an ounce, and easily Willem'smother'sage-broughthima flagonofaleanda tincupwithsomekindofdistilledspirittheymadeoutback.Hedidn'thavetoaskforitanymore.

Heliftedthetincupandhelditouttotheemptychairacrossfromhim.

"Halina,mylove,"hewhisperedtotheshadows.

Hedownedthefieryliquidandgrimaced.Atearcametohiseye.

Wouldyoustillloveme,hethought,ifyouknewwhoIreallywas?

Heturnedthetincupoverandsetitdownonthetable.

WouldPhyrealoveme,heaskedhimself,ifsheknewwhoIreallywas?

43



Youmaywanttoshieldyoureyes,"Pristolephsaid.

He looked up at Wenefir with a relaxed smile, and his friend turnedaway, a hand over his eyes. Looking back at the fire, Pristoleph smiledwider and sighed. He concentrated on the flames that danced in the biground brazier. The copper bowl was ten feet around and dominated hisprivate chamber. The room was warmer than most humans would findcomfortable. Surrounding it was a collection of cushions made fromdifferentfabricsimportedfromalloverToril,fromShousilktoZakharanwooltosomethingcalled"cotton"fromdistantMaztica.Eachofthepillowscostmorethanhismotherhadmadeinayearofsellingherbody.Everyoneof themwasa symbolofhow farhe'd come.The room, sealedawaywithjusthim,andhismosttrustedcompanion,andthefire,wasasymboltoo.

Helethismindgoblank,banishingallworriesofpoliticsandambition,andlethisthoughtssurroundtheorangetonguesofflame.Hecouldfeeltheheatnotonlyonhisface,butinhismindaswell.

"Yes,"hewhispered,thenopenedhiseyes.

Theflamesburstintoabrilliantwhiteflarethatwouldhavetemporarilyblindedahuman.Pristoleph'seyesdrankthebrillianceinwithagreedalltheirown.

Helettheflameburnbrighterforamomentlongerthannormal,untilhenoticedthatWenefirhadbeguntosinktothefloor.Hecuthisconnectionwith the flames, and the light returned to its normal dull, warm orangeglow.

Wenefirshookhisheadandrubbedhiseyes,andsaid,

"Howcanyoustandthat,letaloneenjoyit?"

Pristoleph shruggedandreplied,"Mymotheralways toldme Ihadmyfather'seyes."

Theonlyotherlivingsoulwhoknewwhathemeantnodded,smiled,andsaid,"Well,nowthatyou'vegotten itoutofyoursystem, thereare thingsweshoulddiscuss."

Pristoleph nodded back and gestured to one of the floor cushions.Wenefir took a long time to lower himself to the floor, but soon found acomfortablepositiononalamb'swoolcushionfromAglarond.

"Firsttellme,"Pristolephasked,"howfarethecoffers?"

"You know full well that coin is pouring in from the docks,"Wenefirreplied.

"The Guild of Stevedores…" the genasi said with a grin. "And allbecauseofthatThayanpig'sridiculousspeeches."

"He may be a pig, but I hope he never hears you call him that."PristolephshruggedandWenefircontinued,"He'sbeenagoodally."

"Hehadhisownreasons for shuttingdown theharbor, I'msure," saidPristoleph."SomedayIhopetoknowpreciselywhattheywere.Butinthemeantime,I'llenjoythegoldthathisrabblerousinghasmadeforme."

"Forallintentsandpurposesyoucontroltheflowoftradeinandoutofthe city,"Wenefir said."That'squite a gift from someonenotnecessarilyknownforhisselflessgenerosity."

"Nooneistrulyselfless,"Pristolephremindedhisfriend.

"That'swhatImean.Idon'ttrusthim."

"And why would you?" Pristoleph replied. "I don't either, but then Idon'ttrustanyone,doI?Atanyrate,aslongashecanbecountedafriend,weavoidapowerfulenemy."

"It'snotlikeyoutoavoidenemies."

Thetwomenexchangedsmiles.

"You did not contribute to the hearing regarding the canal,"Wenefirsaid."Whynot?"

"Didyouexpectmeto?"

Wenefirwipedsweatfromhisbrow.Hewasn'tnervous-hehadnothingtobenervousabout-theroomwashot.

"The canalwill surely increase shipping traffic,whichwill increasemyincome from the docks," said Pristoleph. "I'm inclined to think that's agoodidea,butatthesametimeIunderstandwhyMarekRymiitisopposedtoit.Itmadesensetosimplystandmute."

"I wonder, though," Wenefir said, a thoughtful cast to his features."Which is themostdamagingaddition to the city-state of Innarlith? IvarDevorast'scanal,orMarekRymiit'senclave?"

Pristolephthoughtitoverforamomentthensaid,"Both,orneither.TheThayanthinkshecanpullcoinintoInnarlithbysendingpeopleandgoodstotheVilhonReachbymeansoftheWeave.TheCormyrean'sgoingtodothesamewithabigholeintheground.Aslongasthosegoodsmovethroughourdocks,well…"

"Andinordertosendthembymagicalmeans,doesRymiitevenneedourdocks?"

"Pointtaken,"Pristolephsaid,thethoughtstickinginhisheadlikeabur.

"TheThayanEnclavedraws coin forThay,"Wenefirwent on. "It fillstheir coffers, not ours, and puts a foreigner in a position of inestimablepower."

"Acogentargumentagainstit,"Pristolephreplied,"but…?"

"But,"Wenefir saidwithamischievous smile,"he's alreadydrivenouteveryothermage,ormadeapartnerofthem,andweneedmagictoofromtimetotime.Noteverythingisworthyofthespellsnecessarytodisappearitfromplacetoplace."

"There will still be ships," Pristoleph said, picking up the train ofthought,"and if theygo throughaportal to theVilhonora canal, eitherwaytheyloadandunloadhere."

"Andthereareothersourcesofmagicbesidesthe

Thayan,"Wenefir said.Hehad that look inhis eye thatPristolephhadbeenseeingmoreandmore,andlikinglessandless.

"YouknowhowIfeelaboutthat,"saidPristoleph.

"Cyric's network is growing stronger and stronger by the month,"Wenefir said. "I have made strong ties with many of the most powerfulpriests in the region. Show them that you're open to their help, and theycouldmakeyouransar."

"Like theRedWizardmadeSalatisransar?"Pristolephasked."Is thatwhatittakes?Asourceofdarkmagic?"

"Apparently, yes," Wenefir said. His voice had grown thinner andhigher,betrayinghisunfortunatedeformity."Inanyevent,itdoesn'thurt."

"Don'tbesosure."

"IamsureaboutCyric,"saidWenefir.

"It'snotthegodthatworriesme,"Pristolephreplied,"buthisservantsinFaerun.Still,anewallyisalwaysbetterthananewenemy."

"ThenI'llleaveitatthatfornow."

Pristolephsmiledandtossedaflaskofwarmwatertohissweatingfriend.

"Thankyou,"Wenefirsaid,andhedrankallthatwasleftintheflaskbutstillappearedthirsty.

"Thiscanal,"Pristolephsaid,changingthesubject inasunsubtleawaypossible,"willcausechaos, though.Eitherway-if theybuild itorabandonit-there will be confusion for some time. The city-state-the whole regionfromCalimshanup through theVilhonReach-will be off balance. If they

eventuallydecideagainontheformer,itwillbeveryoffbalance,andforaverylongtime."

"Andyou'rewonderinghowyoumightbenefit from the chaos?"askedWenefir.

"Ifyoucanfindawaytobenefit fromit,"Pristolephtoldhim,"it isn'tchaos."

44



Innarlith

It's all right, Kurtsson," Marek said, though he wasn't the least bitcertainthatwastrue."Thatwillbeallforthenight."

TheThayandidn'tlookatKurtsson,didn'twanttoexchangeanysortofnervous or knowing glance.He listened to the otherwizard stand, pause-hesitate-then finally leave. Marek had every reason to believe that theVaasanwouldbelisteninginonwhathappenednext-hehadanynumberofwaysofdoingthat-butitwouldn'tmatter.

"Goodevening,Wenefir,"Mareksaid.Hedidn'tbothertryingtosmile.Hedidn'tevenstand."It'slateforavisit."

"Notquitemiddark,"Wenefirreplied."Butmyapologiesjustthesame."

Marekputhishandsonthetableinfrontofhim,palmsflatdown.

"Everythingiswell,Ihope,"theRedWizardsaid."Thatremainstobeseen."

Marekclearedhisthroatandfinallymanagedtosmile.Asenseofreliefwashedoverhim,thoughhewasn'tsureexactlywhy.

"MayIofferyouadrink?"Marekasked,andWenefir shookhishead."Pleasesit."

"Ididn'tcomeheretokillyou,"Wenefirsaid.

"Ofcoursenot,"Marekreplied."IfanythingIsaidordidgaveyoutheimpressionthatthatthoughthadcrossedmymind,pleaseexcuseme."

"Iwillhaveabrandyafterall."

Marekdidn'thavetostandtoreachthebottleoraglass.Hekeptatrayathandwhenheworkedlate.Hepouredthedrink,andleaningforwardinhischair,handedittoWenefir.

"Please,sit,"hesaidagain.

Wenefirtookasipofthebrandy-averysmallsip.Maybehedidn'tevendrinkanyatallreally,butjusttouchedittohislips.Hesatonastool,hiswide,softbodyalmostseemedtodrape itselfaroundthe littleseat.Hesettheglassdownonthetable.

"That's pretty,"Wenefir said, nodding at the flamberge that sat on aswatchofblackvelvetinthemiddleofthetable.

"Isn't it?"Marekreplied,wonderingifthatcouldbewhatWenefirhadcomefor-butwhy?Thatsortofthingwasn'treallyhisstyle,orPristoleph's.

"Tellmeyoudidn'tmakeit,"saidWenefir.

"Oh,no,"Marekrepliedwithachuckle."No,thatone'sold-howoldI'mstilltryingtodetermine-butold.Itbelongstoafriend,truthbetold."

"Truthbetold-"Wenefirrepeated,awistful lookfurthersmoothinghisalreadysoft features."Itmustbeaverygoodfriend, toallowyoutoholdontosomethingofsuchobviousvalue."

"It'swhatIdo."

"It'senchanted?"

"Ofcourse,"Mareksaid."WhyelsewouldIhaveit?"

Wenefir shrugged, and a little smile crossed his face. They sat for amomentinsilence.

"Ihadaconversation, earlier this evening,"Wenefir saidat last,"withSenatorPristoleph."

"Ihopehe'swell."

Wenefir nodded and said, "He appreciates your help in regards to thesituationonthequayside,andelsewhere,andheunderstandsyourpositioninregardstothecanal."

"But…?"

Wenefir smiled, seemed relieved, and said, "Therewill be ships, eitherway."

"Eitherway?"Marekstalled,thoughhe'dsorteditouteasilyenough.

"He's prepared to align himself openly with whatever eventuality youhave inmindfor thecanal,"Wenefirsaid."Ofcourse, itwouldhelp ifheknewyourintentions."

"Eitherway…"Marekwhispered.

Wenefirsmiled,sodidMarek,andtheybothlaughed.

"Heisamanaftermyownheart,"saidMarek.

"I'msurehewouldbebothdelightedandhorrifiedtohearthat."

Marekclosedhismouth.Histonguefeltdryallofasudden.

"So?"Wenefirasked.

"Well,"Mareksaid, takingadeepbreath."Myfirst impulse is toclosethewholethingdown,butI'mnotsurethat'sentirelypossible."

"No?"

"There isanexpression, I think fromCormyr-or is itSembia?"Mareksaid."Theysay,'Thecatisoutofthebag.'"

"Meaning?"

"MeaningthattheideahasbeenexpressedthatacanalcouldbedugtoconnecttheSeaofFallenStarswiththewesternoceans.Morethanthatthe

ideahasbeenexpressedthatthislittlebitofemptylandtothenorthwestofInnarlith is thebestplacetodo it.Andit is thebestplace,youknow.I'veconsultedmaps."

"Haveyou?"

Marekletabreathhissoutofhisnoseandsaid,"Ihave."

"Soyou'lllethimfinishit?"

"Bane'sbloodycorpse,no,"Mareksaid."Nothim."

Wenefir tippedhis chinup, smileda littleagain, thennoddedand said,"Ah.You'llfinishityourself."

"Afterafashion,"Marekreplied."Iwillhaveitfinished,butIwon'tbeusingshovelsandsweatybacks."

"No?"

"Well,"theThayansaidwithawink,"ifyoucan'tbeatthem,profitfromthem."

"AnotherCormyreanexpression?"

"No,no,I'mquitesurethatone'sSembian."Theysharedanotherlaugh.

"Theremight comeaday,"Wenefir said, "thatSenatorPristolephwilldesireanupwardchangeinstation."

Marek felt his face flush. He forced a smile and said, "I was led tobelieve-"

"Calmyourself,MasterRymiit,"Wenefir interrupted. "Just somethingto keep in the back of your mind. For the nonce, let's say that SenatorPristoleph looks forward to the increase in shipping traffic the canalwillprovide,andhetrustsinyourabilitytobuildit,usingthemanywondrousmeansatyourdisposal."

MarekbentforwardalittleinabowasWenefirstood.

"Middark has come and gone, I should think," Wenefir said. "I willthankyouforyourhospitality,andbeonmyway."

Marek stood,bowedagain, andwatchedWenefir leave.When thedoorclosed,hesatagainandsighed.

The door opened a few moments later, and Kurtsson stepped into theroom.

"ShouldIbeconcerned?"theVaasanasked.

"Ofcourse,dear,"Mareksaid,thenpausedtodowntherestofWenefir'sbrandy."Awisemanisalwaysconcerned."

"ButifPristolephis-"

"Pristoleph,"Marekfinishedforhim,"isdoingwhatwealwaysknewhewould.Andwe'lleithersurvivehimornot."

45



"Youlookawful."

Willem, startled, gasped and stepped backward into a nightstand. Thetouch of something on his leg startled him again, then he jumped at thethoughtthatifheknockeditoveritwouldmakealoudnoise.Hehissedacursewhenhewhirledtocatchit.

"Graceful,"Phyreawhispered.

Willemwincedatbothhertoneandthepainthatseemedtodropontohishead from above.His eyes burned.He took a deep breath and closed hiseyes.Hecouldfeelherbehindhim,juststandingthere.Heheardsomethingdroptothefloorandturned.Thenightstandteeteredalittlebutsettledonits legs.Fromhisperipheralvisionhesawhercloak inapoolaroundherfeet.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"hewhispered.

"I-"shestarted,hervoiceboominginhisears.

Heshushedherandshestopped.Hisheadthrobbed.

"Youlookawful,"shewhispered.

"Yousaidthat,"hewhisperedback."Ibelieveyou."

Heturnedtofaceherbutrubbedhiseyes,tryingtogetsomefeelingbackintohisfacealongwithanythingbutsandpaperunderhiseyelids.Itwasn'tworking.

"Whyarewewhispering?"sheasked,whispering.

"I don't live alone," he replied, taking his hands from his eyes andblinkinginthedimcandlelightofhisbedchamber.

Phyrea worked at the laces of her leather bodice and said, "That'sright…yourmother."

Henoddedandasked,"Whatareyoudoinghere?"

Shedidn'tanswer,butcontinuedtounlacehertop.

"It'slate,isn'tit?"heasked,stillblinking.

"It'searly,"shereplied.

"Ithoughtyouhatedme,"hesaid.

Shedroppedthebodicetothefloorwithhercloak.ThesightofhertookWillem'sbreathaway.

"You'vebeendrinking,"shewhispered.

Heopenedhismouthand shookhishead,whichhurt. Sheunlacedherleatherbreeches,thenseemedtosuddenlyrealizeshewasstillwearingherboots.

"Youdon'tsmellgood,"shewhispered."Icansmellyoufromhere."

Shetookoffonebootandplaceditnexttohercloak.

"I'msorry,"hesaid.

"Youcertainlyare."

Shetookoffherotherboot.

"Whydidyoucomehere?"heaskedher.

"Well,"sherepliedassheslippedoutofherbreeches,"I'dhavethoughtthatwouldbeobviousbynow."

Sheworenothingunderneath.

"Idon'tunderstand,"headmitted.

Shestood there,naked, lookingathimwith suchanexpressionofuttercontemptthatWillemhadtolookawayfromher.

"Idon'tpleaseyou?"sheasked.

"You'rethemostbeautifulwomanI'veeverseen,"hesaid."You'rethemostbeautifulwomaninallofFaerun.""Thankyou."

"Youshouldgo,"hesaid."Youdon'thaveto-"

"What?"sheasked.

Hedidn'tknowwhattosay.

Phyreasmiledathimthewaypeoplesmileatotherpeople'smisbehavingchildren.ShesteppedoutoftheclothingatherfeetandcrossedtheroomtoWillem'sunmadebed.Sheslippedunderthecovers,butkickedthemaway,presumablysohecouldseeher.

"Idon'tfeelwell,"hesaid.

"Takeyourclothesoff."

He shook his head, but started to unbutton his shirt. His fingers werenumb,andhehadtrouble."Everyonewantsustomarry,"hesaid."Who'severyone?"

"Yourfather,"hetoldher,"MarekRymiit…otherpeople.""WellthenIguesswehadbettermarry,"shesaid."Eachother,"hesaid.

Alookcrossedherface-plainasday-thattoldhiminnouncertaintermsthat the very thought of that was a fate worse than death for her. Shecouldn'tbeartheveryideaofit.

"I'mtired,"hesaid,andtookoffhisshirt."You'redrunk."

Heshookhisheadagainandwincedat thedullagony."Notanymore,"hesaid.

"There'snoreasonforyoutofeelsorryforyourself,Willem."

"Isn'tthere?"

Herexpressionchangedagain.Shepitiedhim.Hehatedthat.

"I'llkillyou,"hesaid,"ifyoueverlookatmelikethatagain."

She took a short, shallow breath, and the look of pity disappeared,replacedinaninstantwithconfusion.

"Areyoutryingtoscareme?"sheasked.

Heslidoutofhistrousersandsaid,"No."

"Thenwhywouldyousaysomethinglikethat?"sheaskedashewalkedtothebed.

Hesatdownandsaid,"I'mtiredofpeoplenotthinkingmuchofme."

"Thenyoushoulddosomethingworthwhile."

Hereachedout to touchher face,andshe flinchedaway, sohedid too.Shesmiledinanapologeticwayhefoundconfusing.

"MayItouchyou?"heasked.

"I came here so you could touchme," she whispered. He touched herface.Herskinwassoft-notwarmbuthot.

"Whatdoyouwantfromme?"heasked.

"Do you need to know that, really?" she asked. He could feel her jawworkingunderthefleshofhercheek."Howlonghasitbeensinceyouaskedmyfatherformyhandinmarriage?"

Willem's facewenthot,andhe tried to stand,but sheheldhisarm.Hedidn'tstruggleagainstherweakgrip.

"Otherpeoplehavebeen straightforwardwithme,"he said."I'vebeentoldwhattodo,andwhattoexpectinreturn.Butitseemsasthoughevery

timeIdowhatI'msurepeoplewantme todo, theyreturn thatwithevergreatercontempt."

"You're not from here," she whispered. "Innarlith can be anunambiguousplace."

Heleanedintokissher,butnotalltheway.

"That'snottrueatall,"hewhispered.

She leaned in the rest of theway, and their lipsmet.Thekiss took thepain fromhishead, the stiffness fromhis joints.With thebriefest flickofhertongueshepulledback.

"Everyonewantsgold,"shewhispered.Hecould feelherbreathhotonhisfacewitheverysyllable."Theyallhavedifferentwaysof-"

Hekissedher, and their tonguesmet.Hepulledawaywhenhe thoughtforamomentthathemightpassout.

"-tryingtogetit,"shewenton,"butthat'sallanyoneherewants."

"That'strueeverywhere,"hesaid,movinghishandsfromherface,downherlongnecktohershoulder.Hetracedtheedgeofhershoulderbladewithafingerandsheputahandonhischest.

"Youwereaprettyboy,"shesaidasiftryingtoconvinceherselfthatthathadanysignificance.

"I'm no boy," he said, andmoved his hand down towrap around oneperfectbreast.

"No,"shewhispered,herfleshrespondingtohistouchevenifhervoicedidn't.

"Iwillloveyou,"hewhispered,"ifthat'swhatyouwant."

Sheshookherheadandreplied,"That'sthelastthingIwant."

Sheleanedinandletherlipsplayalongthesideofhisneck.Heclosedhis

eyes.

"Tellmewhatyouwant,"hesaid."No,"shereplied.

AtearcametoWillem'seye,andhewrappedhishandsaroundherneck,butdidn'tsqueeze.

"Areyougoingtokillme?"shewhispered."Areyougoingtostranglemeinyourbed,withyourmotherinthenextroom?"

Heclenchedhisjawclosedsotightlyhethoughthisteethmightshatter.

"If I thought for amoment you coulddo that," shebreathed. "Ineverwouldhavecome."

Hekepthishandsonherthroat,andtookadeep,steadyingbreath.

"If that'swhereyouwant to touchme,suityourself,"shesaid."Iwantyouinsideme,Willem."

He took his hands away from her throat. "That's a good boy," shewhispered.Halina,hethought.I'msorry.

46


(1367DR)TheSisterhoodof

Pastorals,Innarlith

MarekRymiit couldn't believe they'd allowedhim entry.He'd seen thebuildingfromadistanceafewtimes.Oneparttemple,onepartconvent,theSisterhoodofthePastoralsseemedcutfromglass.He'dneverseensomanywindows,oruninterruptedpanesofglassquitesoenormous.Hisoff-handcommenttothedouroldwomanwho'dshownhimin,thattheclericsandlay-worshiperswhocalledtheplacehome"shouldsurelythinktwicebeforethrowingstones,"wasutterlylostonher.

She took him to a hothouse of sorts whereHalina knelt on a flagstonefloor,diggingwithherhandsinapotofdirt.Dressedinasimplepeasant'ssmock,noshoesonherfeet,herhairatangledmasspinnedupoutofherface, she looked twice her true age. She didn't notice him standing there,lookingdownather,forwhatfeltlikeaterriblylongtime.Thedoursistershuffledoff,andMarekignoredherstern,warningglance.

"Hasyourdirtgoddessmadeyoudeaf,girl?"hesaid.

Halinawassostartled,shetippedthepotover,spillingdirt intoherlapandburyingthelittleplantthatsatonthefloorinfrontofher.

"Uncle?"shesaid,lookingupandblinking.

"Oneandthesame."

"Howdidyou…?"shemuttered,stillblinking.

"Ipresentedmyselfatthedoorandaskedforyou,"hesaid."Thatwillbethelasttime,Ishouldadd,thatIwillanswerapartialquestion.Youmaybesurprised to see me, but let us take that as a sign of your ownshortsightednessandmoveonfromtheshockandaweofitsothatwecan

speakincompletesentences."

Halinalookeddownatthefloorandsaid,"Ifyou'vecomeheretotakemeho-totakemetoyourhouse,I'mafraidIwillnotbegoingwithyou."

"I'lldonothingofthekind,"hesaid."Imadepromisestoyourmother,myyounger sister, that Iwould see toyourcareafterherdeath.Surely Ican'tallowyoutojustwanderoffwithoutexplanation."

"I'msorry,Uncle,"shemuttered,stillnotlookingathim.

Marek stepped back from her and let his attention drift to the manypottedplantsthatlinedtheglassroom.Hetouchedthepetalofalargeredflower.

"Ican'tsayI'veeverbeentothispartoftheThirdQuarterbefore,"hesaid."Itdoesn'tsmellasvilerighthereasitdoesintherestofthequarter."

TheSisterhoodofPastoralssatonlyonemajorthoroughfareeastof theGoldenRoad,barelymorethanastone'sthrowfromthenorthgate.Acrossthe street to the east was the impoverished and crime-ridden FourthQuarter.

"Thesisterhood isabeaconfor thepeoplewhocall thispartof thecityhome,"Halina recited. "It reminds themof the beauty of nature and thelovingembraceoftheGreatMother."

"Yes," Marek drawled, "I'm sure the beggars and drunkards of theFourthQuarteraredelightedtoaccepttheGreatMother'slovingembraceinlieuoffood."

"Please,"Halinawhispered, and her voice had a desperate sound to itthatgratedonMarek."Pleasedon'tsaythingslikethat.Notinhere."

The Red Wizards looked around and smiled. He was in Chauntea'stemple after all-enemy territory in some ways. He made a show ofshruggingandmovedtoanotherpottedplantthathepretendedtoexamine.

"If you intend to stayhere," saidMarek, "Iwill behappy tobe rid ofyou."

Halina letgoa long,hissingbreaththensaid,"I'mjust trying to leadagoodlife."

ThatperkedMarek's interest."Agood life?"heasked."Andwhat isagood life? Planting flowers in pots at the command of a pack of-" Hestoppedbeforesaying"naturewitches"aloud.Hewas,afterall,surroundedby naturewitches. "Well, there now. I've done itmyself. Perhaps there'ssomethingintheairherethatmakesitdifficultforonetofinishathought."

He smileddownather, andHalina lookedupathim.She returnedhissmile,butitwashalf-heartedatbest.Brushingthedirtfromhergown,shestoodandfacedhim.

"Idon'tknowwhatagoodlifeis,"shesaid.

"No?"

Sheshookherheadandtoldhim,"Maybeit'salifespentcryinglessthanIdo.Iwouldlikethatlife,goodorevil."

"Indeed,"Mareksaidwitha sneer."Crying,Halina, isnota legitimateformofexpression.It'sasignofweakness-ofalossofcontrol.YouknowIforbiditinmyhouse.Areyoutellingmeyou'vecriedundermyroof?"

She couldn't look at him anymore, but to her credit at least she didn'tbackaway.

"Everyday,"shewhispered.

"You're forgiven," he said, speaking quickly so as to keep her offbalance.

"No,"shesaid."No,I'mnot.I'msorry."

"DoyouthinkI'veledagoodlife?"heasked.

He waited for longer than he should have for her to answer and wasabouttogoonwhenshesaid,"No."

"Really?" he replied, glancing at her only briefly before returning his

attentiontotheplant.

"Idon'tknow.Idon'tknowifyou'veledagoodlife,orevenifI'veledagoodlife.IjustknowIwanttoleadagoodlife."

"ThatCormyreandidthingstoyou,didn'the?"

He could feel her vibrate from a distance, she squirmed so terribly.Marek resisted the urge to laugh, and insteadmade himself wait for heranswer.

"HedidnothingIdidn'twanthimtodo," shewhispered."Don'tmakemetalkaboutthat."

"He seemed happier after he'd been with you," Marek said. And hewasn'tsimplytorturingher-thoughhewasdoingthat,too-itwassomethinghe'dactuallynoticed.WillemKorvanwasinlovewithher.

"Didhe?"sheasked."Icouldnevertell."

"Didhethrowyouout?"heasked."Isthatwhyyoucameheretodiginthedirt?"

"No,"shereplied,"hedidn'tthrowmeout."

"Buthedidn'tmarryyou."

Shesighedandshookherhead.

"Whatareyoudoinghere,really?"heasked,andlookedherintheeye.

Shemet his gaze for only a heartbeat before turning away and saying,"I'mhelpingpeople."

"How?"

"TheSisterhoodofPastorals teachespeoplehowto tend to the soilandharvest the bounty of the Great Mother. We teach people how to feedthemselves,andifwecan'tdothat,wefeedthem.Wehelppeopletolive."

"Do 'we'?" he asked. She seemed quick to include herself among

Chauntea's Pastorals. "You've only been here a few days, Halina. Howmanypeoplehaveyouhelped?"

"No one, yet, I suppose," she replied. "But if I stay, if I work hard, Icouldhelphundreds,maybethousands."Helaughed,butjustalittle.

"Youshouldn'tlaughatthat,"shesaid."That'snotfunnyhere."

"Theideathatbyplantingflowersinpotsyou'regoingtohelpthousandsof people is funny anywhere,Halina," he said, riskingChauntea'swrath."Butleavingthataside,areyoutellingmethataltruismaloneguidesyouractionsnow?Ifyoucan'tsatisfyoneeageryoungCormyrean,whynotfeedthemasses?"

"That'scrueltosayitlikethat."

"Isitcrueltosayit,orcrueltodoit?"

"Idon'tunderstand,"sheadmitted.

"No,"heteased."No,Iguessyouwouldn't."

"It'snot altruism thatbroughtme.here,"Halinaadmitted."Andno, Idon't think that I'm going to single-handedly feed thousands of starvingpeople."

"Thenwhatdoyouwant,girl?"hepushed."Sayit."

"Happiness."

"And what makes you think you deserve that which has eluded somany?"

"IsaidIwantit;Idon'tthinkIdeserveit,"shewhispered."Andthat'swhyI'mhere."

"Youdon'tknowwhyyou'rehere."

"I'mherebecausehewouldn'tmarryme,"shesaid.

"Andthat'swhatyouwanted?"heasked."That'swhatwouldgiveyou

thiselusive'happiness'?"

She nodded and sighed again. She sounded as tired as she looked-asbeaten.

"I'vetoldyoubefore,Halina,thatyourhappiness,yourneeds,areofnoconsequence," theRedWizard said."Youarenot somegoddess, or somelonecreatureinhabitingaplaneofherown.Youareayoungwomanwhoisapartoftwosocieties.Youareapartofthecommunityofthecity-stateofInnarlith,andyouarea citizenofThay.Those communities requireyourservice,notyourhappiness.Theyrequireyourobedience,notyouropinion.Theyrequirethatyoudoasyou'retold.Attimes,I'mafraid,theyrequirethatyoudon'trunofftosomeconventtowallowinself-pity,digginginthedirtwhileyoucryoveralostlove."

Atearrolleddownhercheek,andhegrimacedatthesightofit.

"Halina,"hesaid,"Iwantyouto listentomeverycarefullywhileItellyoupreciselyhowyouwillliveeverydayofyourmiserableexistencefromthis day forward.When I am finished, you will have the choice of doingwhatisrequiredofyouor-"

"Pardonme,"WillemKorvansaid.

Marekalmostgasped.

"MasterRymiit,"Willemsaid,"pleaseexcuseme,butmayIaskthatyoustepoutforamomentandallowyournieceandIamomenttospeakwitheachother?"

Rymiitwas less surprised to seeWillemKorvan standing there thanhewas by the youngman's appearance. If the homespun clothing and dirtyhands agedHalina,Willem appeared even older, and his clothingwas asfreshandcleanashishands.TheCormyrean'seyeshadsunkdeepintohisface,rimmedunderneathwithdarkbagsthatmadehimlookasthoughhe'dbeenpunchedinbotheyes.

"SenatorKorvan,"Mareksaidwithanover-wroughtbow.

HeglancedatHalina,whodidn'tnoticehim.ShestaredatWillemwith

hermouthhanging open and tears in her eyes.The young senator staredback,andappearedassurprisedbyherappearanceasshewasbyhis.

Marekwalkedoutof thegreenhouse,pastWillem.Whenhewasoutofearshothemutteredaquickincantationthatwouldallowhimtolisteninonthem.Hewalkedatabriskpace,underthewatchfuleyeofmorethanonepriestess,butwasnotpreventedfromsittingonalowstonebenchunderastrange sort of tree he'd never seen before, which grew in the centralrotundaofthesisterhood'sglasshouse.

"…awful,Willem,"Halinasaid.HervoicewascleartoMarek,thoughheknewnooneelsearoundhimcouldhearher."You'vebeendrinking.Haveyoubeendrinking?"

"Yes,"Willemreplied.

"Whyareyouhere?"sheasked.

"Why am I here?" Willem replied. "Why are you here? Youdisappeared. I couldn't find you. I had to call in favors before Iwas toldwhereyouwere."

"I'msorry,"shesaid."Ididn'tthinkyou'd-"

"Halina-"Willemgrunted.

Mareksighed.Itwasgoingtobealongconversationiftheybothinsistedonstoppingmidsentence,andhisspellwouldn'tlastforever.

"I cameherewhen I finally realized Ihadnowhere else to go,"Halinasaid.

Her voice sounded different to Marek, and it wasn't just the spell'soccasionaldistortion.ShespokedifferentlywithWillemthanshedidwithMarek.Shewasmorerelaxed.

"You're lookingatme," shewenton,"as thoughyoudon'tunderstandwhatImean."

"Idon't,"Willemadmitted."Ididn'tdriveyouaway,didI?"

"No,youdidn't,"sheagreed."Butyoudidn'ttakemein,–either."

"Lovedme?"shefinishedforhim.

"Yes,"hesaidwithmucheagerness.

Marek heard footsteps, a sound of some small disturbance, andHalinasaid,"No,pleasedon't."

More shuffling feet thenWillemreplied,"Youwon't letme touchyou?Haveyoutakensomevowofchastityhere?"

"Don'tbevulgar,"shescolded,andMarekliftedaneyebrowathertone."Iamnotapriestesshere.I'vecometohelp,andtothink,andthesistersasknothingmoreofme."

"Andthat'sit,then?"heasked.

"Willem,youjustsaidyou lovedme."TherewasapauseduringwhichWillemmighthavenodded."Lovedme.Pasttense."

"No, Halina," Willem whined. "I love you. I love you in the presenttense."

"Then why won't youmarryme?" she asked andMarek was relievedthatshe'dfinallycometothepoint.

"Iwill,"theCormyreanreplied.

"Why?"sheasked."Andwhen?"

"Halina," saidWillem, "Iwillmarry you now, this precisemoment, ifthat'swhatyouwish."

"Whatdoyouwish?"shepressedhim.

"I want you," he said. "I want you now, and forever. If I. have you,maybe Iwon't have to drink to keep from shaking. If I had you to comehometoattheendoftheday,Iwouldcomehome.IfIknewthatyoulovedmeandwouldlovemeforever,Iwouldneveragainki-"

Hestoppedshort,andMarekheldhisbreath.Washegoingtosay"kill"?

"Willem?"Halinasaid.

"Iloveyou,"hereplied."Iloveyouwithmywholeheart.I'monlyhappywhenI'mwithyou. I'mabetterman,withabrighter future. I smileonlywhenIamwithyou."

"Willem…"

"Forgiveme,"hesaid,hisvoicelowandquiet."Halina,pleaseforgivemeforeverythingI'vedoneandwilleverdo.Forgiveme,andloveme,andsaveme."

"Saveyou?"sheasked.

"Saveusboth,"hebegged.

"Andmyuncle?"sheasked.

Marek'searsperkedupatthat,ofcourse.

"What of him?" Willem answered, and his voice was so dismissive,Marek'sbloodalmostbegantoboil.

"Ifhedoesn'tapprove?"sheasked.

"Wedon'tneedhisapproval,"Willemsaid,thoughMarekthoughtquitedifferently."Iamasenator,andyouareagrownwoman.Wecandoasweplease."

"Attheriskofanallyaspowerfulandimportanttoyouasmyuncle?"

Ah,Marekthought,goodquestion,girl.

"Idon'tknowthatyouruncleisanallyofmineasitis,Halina,"Willemsaid-apointthatMarekfoundsurprisinglyperceptive."Heisfriendswithseveralofmyfriends,andmorethanoneofmypatrons.Idon'tthinkhe'llriskthoserelationshipstostopours."

Andthereyouareentirelywrong,mydearboy,Marekthought.ShouldI

decideto,Iwillgrindyouintogravel.

"Marrymetoday,"hesaid.

"Thatcan'tbepossible,Willem,"shereplied.

"Tomorrowthen."

Marek smiledagainatWillem's eagernessand thought,Somuchaboystill,thisone."Tomorrow,"shesaid."Yes?"

"Yes,Willem,"Halinareplied."Iloveyou,"hetoldher."Iloveyoutoo,"she said. Marek rolled his eyes. "Come with me now," Willem said. "Ican't,"repliedHalina."I'llneedtospeakwiththe'sisters."

"IfIcometomorrowtocollectyou…?"

"I'llbeready,"shesaid.

"Tomorrow,then,"hesaid.

"Tomorrow,mylove,"shereplied.

Thereweremoresoundsofshufflingfeet,thentheunmistakableechoofakiss,andMarekcutthespelloffwithascoffinggrunt.Thesounddrewthefurtherattentionofthesisters,andhesmiledandnoddedatafewofthembeforerisingandcrossingtothedooroutofthetempleofChauntea.Heleftlaughing.

47



Hecouldn'trememberbuyingmostof theclothes inhiscloset.Theyalllookedthesame,andnoneofthemlookedgood.Peopleoftencomplimentedhimonhistasteinclothing,onthecutandmaterial,andsoon,butlookingat thecontentsofhis closet,hecouldn'tbelieve that.Hedidn't lethimselfthink about what he'd spent-thousands of gold pieces-on those pointlessrags.

"Really,mydear,"hismothersaid."Whateverareyoudoing?"

Heignoredher.Hedidn'thavemuchtime,andaccommodationshadtobemade.

"Youcanatleastanswerme,"shepressed."Willem?"

Hestoodbackandlookedatthecloset.Itwasn'tquitehalfempty,butitwouldhavetodo.

"Just like that, then?" his mother went on. "And you refuse even todiscuss it?Wearen'ta familyanymore.Is that it?I'mno longerwelcomehere?Myopinionisofnoconsequencetoyou?Youhavenocareatallfor-"

"Please,Mother,"Willemfinallysaid.

"Did I raiseyou to interruptpeople?" sheasked,her eyebrowsarched,andtheeyesunderneaththemcoldandangry.

"I'msorry,Mother,"saidWillem,"butIamagrownman,andIhavetoaskyoutorespect-"

"Yourmother,"Phyreasaid.Willemjumped,hisheartskippingabeat,andThurenegasped."Youshouldrespectyourmother,Willemdear."

"Mygoodness,"Thurenegasped,ahandonherchest.

"Phyrea?"Willemasked."Whatareyoudoinghere?"

"Well,"Thurenecutin,"Iforoneamdelightedtoseeyou,Phyreadear.I'msureyou'llbeabletotalksomesenseintomylovesickson."

"Lovesick?"themasterbuilder'sdaughterteased,winkingatWillemandleaningagainstthedoorjamb."Dotell,Senator."

"It'sthatThayangirl,"Thurenesneered.

Phyrea glanced off to one side as though she'd heard a sound fromsomewheredownstairs.ThegesturemadethehaironthebackofWillem'sneckstandonend.

"Issomethingwrong?"heasked.

Phyrea tried to smile, and she shook her head, but still it appeared asthoughsheheardsomeonedownstairs.

"Issomeonewithyou?"askedWillem.

"No,"sheanswered,buthedidn'tbelieveher.Whenshesaid,"Ofcoursenot,"sheseemedsincere.

"Don'tbe silly,mydear,"hismother said.She seemedconfusedby thewhole exchange-and truth be told, so wasWillem. "Now, Phyrea, pleasehelpmeconvincemysonthathe'sopeninghishome,hislife,andhisfamily,tothewrongyoungwoman."

Phyrea smiled and said, "Willem, you're opening your home, your life,andyourfamily,tothewrongwoman."

Willemrubbedhiseyesandsighed.

"Besides,"Phyreaadded,"webothknowyou'regoingtomarryme."

Thurenegaspedagain,andWillem'sbloodrancold.

"Ineedtositdown,"hesaid,butdidn'tsitdown.

"Mystars!"hismotherexclaimed,againwithherhandonherchest.

"Halinaiswaiting…"Willemstarted.

"She'llgetoverit,"Phyreasaid,thenshelookedbackbehindheragainandsortofshookherhead.

"Someone'sdownthere,"saidWillem,crossingtothedoor.

Phyrea held out a hand to stop him, and they ended up in anuncomfortableembrace.

"Didyouhearsomething?"Thureneasked.

"Hello?"Willemcalleddownthestairs."Issomeonethere?"

Phyrea stood with her eyes closed and her head down while Willemlistened for a response, or any sound at all.Therewas nothing.WhenherelaxedPhyrea sighedandpressedherself intohim.Allhewantedwas toholdher, to touchher,andforamomenthe forgot thathismotherwasapaceandahalfbehindhim.

"Comewithme,"Phyreawhisperedinhisear,herbreathhotonthesideofhisface.

Shetookhimbythehandandstartedtoleadhimintothehallandtothestairs.

"ShouldIcomewithyou,mydear?"Thureneasked.

"No,"Phyreatoldher.

"Oh…" his mother breathed. "Well, I… I'll wait for you here, then.Willem?"

Willem couldn't look back at hismother.All he could seewas Phyrea.Herperfectbeautyeclipsedeverything.

"Don'tworry,MadamKorvan,"Phyreasaid."I'lltakehimfromhere."

Hismotherwasleftatthetopofthestairs,blusteringandconfused.

Phyrealedhimoutofhishouse.Acoachwaitedinthestreet,andsheallbut pushed him into it. Phyrea rapped on thewall of the coach, and thedriver whipped the horses out into traffic. Willem brushed his fingersthroughhishairandwassurprisedthatitwaswet.

"It'sraining,"hemuttered,nothavingnoticedbefore.

Phyreanoddedandleanedintowardhim.Herlipsmethis,andhedrankher in. Her hands were on the side of his face, and he put his on hershoulders.Whenhemoved themdown toherbreasts shedidn't flinch orpullaway.

Herlipscameawayfromhis,andshewhispered,"Youknewthiswouldhappen,Willem.Ithadto.Ithadtobeus,afterall."

Willem shookhisheadand tried to thinkofHalina,waiting forhimatthatawful temple,waiting forhimtocomeandgetherso that theycouldlivehappilyeverafter.Buthecouldn'tgetapictureofher to form inhismind, and the thought of her waiting, and waiting, and waiting for ahusbandwhowouldnevercomedidn'tmakehimfeelanythingatall.

She drew away from him, but gently, and took his hands in hers. Shesqueezedhishandsa little inacalming,reassuringway,andahisspassedherlipsasthoughshewasshushinghim,buthehadn'tmadeasound.

Willemsatstill, listening to thesoundof thecoach'swheelsclatteroverthecobblestones,andtherainpatteragainsttheroof.Alittlewispofsteamescaped his lips when he exhaled. It was chilly and damp-winter inInnarlith.OutsidethecoachtheSecondQuarterstreetswentbyinablur,notbecausetheyweremovingparticularlyfast,butbecauseWillem'seyesrefusedtofocusondistantobjects.Therainkeptmostofthepeopleoffthestreets, and thedullgrayairwas litby thewarmglowof candlelightandhearthfiresinthepassingwindows.

They'd gone south away from his house and at the end of the streetturnedlefttoheadeasttowardtheThirdQuarter.Hewantedtoaskwheretheyweregoing,buthelikedthequietbetter.

"IknowwhatI'mdoing,"Phyreawhisperedtoherself,thoughitsoundedasifshewastalkingtosomeoneelse.

Willemlookedather,butsheavoidedmakingeyecontactandsqueezedhishandsagain.

He hoped she was right. He hoped she knew what she was doing. Hecertainlydidn't.

Atthenextmajorthoroughfarethecoachturnedrighttoleadthembacksouth, along the very edge of the line between the Second and ThirdQuarters.

"Whyme?"heasked,notsurewherethequestioncamefrom,orwhyallofasuddenhewantedtotalk.Partofhimhopedshewouldn'tanswer.

"Myfatherwantsit,"shesaid,soundingunconvinced.

"Iloveyou,"hesaid.

Tohercreditshedidn'twince.Hefeltherhandsgrowwarmer,though,andbegintosweat.

Theyrodeinsilenceforawhile longer,andthecoachturnedrightontothe wide avenue of Ransar's Ride, what some people called SunsetBoulevardbecauseitlinedupalmostperfectlywiththeMidsummersunset.TheyheadedbackintotheheartoftheSecondQuarterandWillemnotedafewoftheshopswherehe'dboughttheclotheshe'dmovedfromhisclosettoaccommodate-

Phyrea.

He'dmade the space forPhyrea tomove inwithhim, so they couldbetogetherasmanandwife.

Theyturnedleftagain,nearthePeacockResplendent,headingsouthoncemore. ThoughWillem couldn't see out of the front of the coach he knewthattheChamberofLawandCivilitywasonlyafewblocksaheadofthem.Coulditbeshewastakinghimthere?Weddingceremonieshadbeenheldthere, according to common law. Phyrea's father would likely wish theblessing of Waukeen, but Phyrea might have talked him into a civilceremony.

Whenthecoachpassedbytheornateedificewithoutamoment'spause,hegrewonlymoreconfused.

"OfcourseIwon't,"Phyreawhispered,solowhecouldjustbarelyhearher.

He wanted to ask her who she was talking to, but he couldn't bringhimselftospeak.Hegentlysqueezedherhands,whichfeltslickwithsweat,andsatinsilenceasthecoachcontinuedsouth.Thewideavenuecurvedtothewest,leadingthemtotheFirstQuarterandthedocksbeyond,buttheyturned left at a fork in the road and were heading south again. They'dnearlycrossedtheentirelengthofthecityfromnorthtosouth.TheycouldhavebeenheadedtotheCascadeofCoins-thetempleofWaukeen-afterall.

He looked at Phyrea and his breath caught. Her beauty overwhelmedhim.Hetookahandawayfromhersandtouchedhercheek.Sheleanedintohistouchandfrowned.Shelookedsad-asifshemightevencry-thenshesmiled.

Thecoachpulledtoastop,thehorsesclompingtothesideofthestreet.

Willemlookedaround.Heknewtheneighborhood-notwell,butheknewit.Theyhadn'tcometotheCascadeofCoins.

"MasterRymiit's house?"he asked, recognizing the largemanorhomewithitswalledgrounds.

Phyreanodded,makingnomoveatfirsttoexitthecoach,andsaid,"Hewantspeopletocallitthe'ThayanEnclave'now.Idon'tknowwhy.Maybehethinkshe'ssomekindofambassadornow."

"Heis,Isuppose,"Willemreplied,"anambassadorofsorts."

Phyreasighed,andthecoachmanopenedthedoorandsteppedaside.Shestepped out onto the street not quite as if shewere beingmarched to thegallows, but close.Willem shared that feelingwhenhis boots touched thecobblestones.

MarekRymiitappearedat thegate,ahugegrinplasteredonhisroundface.Thetattoosonhisheadlookedevenstranger,uglierthannormalwith

the rain spattering off them. He waved them both toward the gate, andPhyreahesitatedforjustafractionofaheartbeat,soWillemdidtoo.Marekonlygrinnedwider.

WillemfollowedPhyreathroughthegate.HeavoidedlookingtheThayanin the eye.Marek looked at himwith undisguised lust thatmadeWillemsquirm.HewantedtoreachoutandholdPhyrea'shand,buthedidn't.Hewondered,though,astheywalkedacrosstherain-drenchedgroundstothemainhouse,whathewouldhavedoneifhehadtakenherhand.Wouldhehave pulled her back into the coach, away from there andwhatever wasgoingtohappen?Orwouldhejusthavefeltbetterknowingshewaspullinghimtowardthatunknown,unavoidablefate?

"Ah,"Mareksaidfrombehindhim,"younglove…"

Theywent into the house and paused, drippingwet.Marek stepped infront of them, and still smiling ear to ear, said, "Ah, what a wonderfulafternoon this is. Welcome to the Thayan Enclave, and let me say howpleasedIamthatyouhavechosenour-"

"Please,MasterRymiit,"Phyreainterrupted."Canwegetonwithit?"

Marekseemeddisappointed,butdidn'targue,hebowedandmotionedtoa velvet curtain the color or rich red wine. Without hesitating, Phyreasteppedthroughthecurtain.WillemlookedatMarek,wholeeredathim.Iffor no other reason than to get away from the Thayan, he followed herthroughthecurtain,andwhathesawintherestoppedhimcold.

A freezing cold sweat broke out on the back ofWillem's neck, and hestopped breathing. He looked around at what was once a comfortable,ordinarysittingroom.Butithadbeentransformedintowhatcouldonlybedescribedasatemple.Candlesburnedonvirtuallyeverysurface.Thewallsweredraped inblackvelvet.Anapothecary's cabinethadbeenmade intoan altar, and the floors were covered by canvas tarps. Behind the altarstoodamanWillemrecognized,butinhiscurrentstate,hecouldn'trecallthe man's name. He was as rotund asMarek, but softer, more femininesomehow,cladinahoodedblackrobeofsomehomespun,roughfabric.

Phyrea tookhishand,andWillem jumped.Marekgiggled frombehindthem.

"Stepforward,"themanintherobesaid.

Phyreadidasshewastold,draggingWillemforwardbythehand.

"Good afternoon, Wenefir," Phyrea said with a coy smile that didn'tsufficetocoverthedreadthatquiveredinhereyes.

Willemremembered:Pristoleph'sman."InthenameoftheDarkSun,Iblessthisunion,"Wenefirsaid."ForthegloryofthePrinceofLies,Ibindyou."Cyric,Willemthought.Cyric?

"WillemKorvan,"saidWenefir,"youmuststateyourintentions."

"Myin-?"

"Sayyouwanttomarrythegirl,"Marekexplained.

"Iwanttomarryher,"hesaidbeforehecouldthinkitthrough,thenheclosedhiseyes.

Hedidn'twanttoseetherestofit.HeheardPhyreatellWenefirthatshewantedtojoinherlifetohis.WhenWenefirgavehimametalcuphedrankfromitandtriedtopretendthatitwasn'tbloodhewasdrinking.WhentheCyricist tiedhiswrist toPhyrea'switha lengthofsilkcordWillemdidn'tpullaway.Whenhewastoldtorepeatonebitofdisconnectedmadnessafteranother,herepeatedit.Hedidallofit,saidallofit,withhiseyesclosed.

Finally,Wenefir cut their wrists loose and stepped very close, so closethatWillemcouldsmellhissourbreath.Still,Willemdidn'topenhiseyes.

"Youaremanandwife,now,"Wenefirsaid."Sealitwithakiss,ornot,asyouwish."

Willemheardfootstepsandopenedhiseyes.WenefirandMareklefttheroom.HelookeddownatPhyrea.Herwholebodyshook.He'dneverseenher so pale. She seemed on the verge of bursting, or shaking apart. Sheturnedonhimandlookedathimwiththewildeyesofapanickedanimal.

"Phyrea,"hesaid,andreachedoutforher.

"No,"sheshrieked,hervoiceloudandoutofcontrol.

Willemdidn'tknowwhattosay.Sheglancedathimonemoretime,thenran from the room.He followedher,but only sawherdisappear throughthedoor.Marek steppedupnext tohimandwrappedanarmaroundhisshoulders.Willemtriedtopullaway,buttheThayanheldontight.

"Mightnotbeaproperweddingnighttonight,myboy,"Mareksaidwithatoothygrin,"butshe'llbeback."

Willemblinked,fightingbackthetearsthatcametohiseyes.HelookeddownatMarek,whogrinnedathimasifheknewsomethingWillemdidn't.

But then thatwasalways thecasewithMarekRymiit.Healwaysknewmore thananyoneelse,andWillemalwaysknew less.AllWillemknewatthat moment was that he had betrayed Halina, betrayed his own spirit,perhaps,intakingpartinaceremonialvowtothemadgodCyric.AndhisonlyprizewasPhyrea,whohaddonewhatheshouldhavedonethesecondshe'dappearedinhisbedchamber:run.

HepushedawayfromthelaughingThayanandwalkedoutofthehouse,andhehadnoideawheretogo.

48



Phyrearanup the stairs toher flat,making for thedooras thoughshewerebeingchased.Andinaway,shewas.

Don't go in there, themanwith the scaronhis face insisted.She couldfeelhisangerbuilding.He'lldestroyyou.

Shestumbledandhadtostoptokeepfromfalling.Sheleanedagainstthewallanddidherbesttodryhereyeswiththepalmofherhand.

Please,pleaselistentous,Phyrea,thewomanwiththequiverinhervoicebegged. I don't understandwhat you're doing.Whywould you go to thisman,whohatesyou?Hewillkillyou,andifhekillsyouhereinthisstinkinghovel, you'll be destroyed.He reallywill destroy you.Don't lose yourself.Don'tmakemeloseyou.Jcan'tloseyou,Phyrea.Notyoutoo.

"Shutup,"shesaid."Justshutup."

Takeusback,andstaywithus,thelittlegirlmoaned./wanttogohome.

Phyreaclimbedthe last fewstairsandallbutfell throughthedoor intoherdismalflat.

Run!thelittleboyscreamedintohermindsoloudlyshecouldn'thelpbutclaspherhandsoverherears.

"What'swrong?"Devorastasked.

Shetookherhandsawayfromherearsandclosedthedoorbehindher.

We'retryingtohelpyou,themanwiththescarsaid.Phyreacouldfeelhissearingdisappointment.

"Phyrea?"

She leanedagainst thewall and tried towipe the tearsawayagain,butcouldn't.SheblinkedatDevorast,whostoodontheothersideoftheroom.Knowingshewasn'tgoingtoneedit,thatatleastforashorttimeshewouldhavetostaywithWillem,she'dtoldhimhecouldstaythere.Withthecanalsitedeserted,theworkersgonehome,hehadnowheretogo.

"Touchme,"shewhispered.Thenlouder:"Holdme."

Hewalkedtoher,andshemethiminthemiddleoftheroom,collapsingintohisarms.He startedoutholdingher,butwithina fewheartbeats,hewasholdingherup.

"What'shappened?"heasked.

"IgavemyselftoWillemKorvan,"shesobbed.

"Why?"heasked,andinonlythatonewordshecoulddetectnotraceofhowheactuallyfeltaboutwhatshe'dsaid.

"Becauseyouwouldn't letmegivemyself toyou,"shesaid.Hesteppedawayfromher,andshealmostfelltothefloor."Iloveyou."

"AndIloveyou,"hesaid.

Shecouldn'ttellwhathewasthinking,butshecouldtellhewasthinking."Tellme,"shepleaded.

He can't, the oldwoman toldher.He can't tell you,becausehedoesn'tknow.

Hecan'tgiveyouwhatyouwant,thesadwomanadded.

"There'snothingmoretotell,"hesaid."I'mhappierwhenyouarewithmethanwhenyouaren't.Idon'tknowwhatelseyouwantmetosay."

Shewenttohim,andhetookherinhisarmsagain.Shekissedhisneck.

"Whatdoyouwantfromme,LadyKorvan?"hesaid.

She steppedback and slappedhimacross the face so hard it stungherfingersandlefthernumbuptoherelbow.Aweltraisedonhischeek,andabrief flash of rage crossed his face, but in an instant he was back to hisnormalemotionlessmask.

Yousee?theoldwoman'svoicedechoedinherhead.Allyou'llevergetfromhimisapassingrage,thennothing.He'llgiveyounothing.

Andwecanofferyoueternity,themanwiththescarsaid.

"What's keeping you in Innarlith now?" she asked Devorast. Heshruggedandshookhishead."Can'twegoaway,then?Canwejustgetonashipandgo?TheShouwoman,yourfriend,ifshe'sinportcanshetakeusto Shou Lung? Can we go to Calimport or Marsember? Raven's Bluff,maybe,orevenWaterdeep?"

Shewenttothedoorandthrewitopen.

Go,themaninherheadtoldher,butnotwithhim.

"Walkthroughthisdoorwithme,"shesaid."Comeawaywithme,andwe'llneversmellthisrottencityagain."

Heshookhisheadandreplied,"I'vestartedsomethinghere."

"Andtheywon'tletyoufinishit."

Canwegohomereou›?thelittlegirlasked.

"YouknowI'llfinishitanyway,"hesaid,"eventually."

"Eventually?"Phyreaalmost screamed."Whatdoes thatmean? Ihavenoideawhatthatmeans.Eventually?"

"Whatofyourhusband?"heasked.

Shehadtolookawayfromhimforamomentandshesaid,"TotheNineHellswithhim.TotheAbysswithhim."

Damnitjustgo.'thelittleboyscreamedinherhead.

"Ifwecouldjustgo,wecouldbehappy,"shesaid.

Devorastshookhishead,andthegesturemadePhyreafeelasthoughshewasgoingtopassout.

"I'mexhausted,"shewhispered."I'mjustsotired."

Goback toBerrywilde, the sadwomanwhimpered.Goback there andrest,withus.We'llletyourest.

"Stayhere,"Devorastsaid."Sleepheretonight,andinthemorning,dowhateveryouwanttodo,andgowhereveryouwanttogo."

"Butnotwithyou."

Hedidn'tanswer,butsheshutthedooranyway.Hecannevergiveyouwhatyouwant,Phyrea,theoldwomantoldher.

"Iknow,"shewhispered,andstillshestayedthenight.

49



The office of the master builder had acquired a smell to it that madeWillem'sstomachturn.Thefirsttimehe'dbeenthere,he'dbeenimpressedwith itsopulence,drawntothepowerofthepositionthatcouldcommandsuch a space. In time, though, it had come to smell like decay, it hadwitheredliketheoldmanwhoinhabitedit.Thespaceitselfseemedtohaveshrunk.

"It's extraordinary," themaster builder said, shuffling through a hugestackofparchmentsheets."Withalittlework,thiscouldactuallybedone."

"Alittlework?"Willemcouldn'thelpbutsay.

The parchment sheets held Devorast's designs for the canal, seized bySalatis'smen.Willemdidn'tevenwanttolookatthem.Heknewwhatthepagescontained.AndheknewthatnoworkonthepartofInthelphcouldpossiblyimproveonthem.

Themasterbuildernoddedandpushedthesheetsaside.Hesighed,andhisteethbegantochatter,thoughtheroomwaswarm.Hestareddownatthefloor,atnothing.

"I'venews,"Willemsaid.

Themasterbuilderdidn'tseemtohaveheardhim.Hejuststareddown,histeethclicking."ItconcernsPhyrea,"saidWillem.

Inthelph looked up at that, the beginnings of a smile on his face. Heblinkedandrubbedhiseyeswithweakhands.

"SheandIhavebeenmarried,"Willemsaid."Itallhappenedveryfast.Ican'tbegintoapologizeforyournotbeingthere,nothavingtheopportunitytosendheroffwithaproperceremony,andsoon,but…"

Inthelphgrinnedfromeartoearandstoodonlegsthatseemedtocreakunderhismeagerweight.HesteppedtoWillem,reachedup,andputhisdryhandsoneithersideoftheyoungerman'sface.

"Myboy,"theoldmansaid."Mydear,dearson.Icouldnotpossiblybehappiertohearthisnews.ThisisthesortofthingFvebeenwaitingfor,yousee."

Willem tooka stepbackand Inthelph flinchedaway.A lookofpassingterror showed inhis eyes and something about that pettyweaknessmadeWillemangry.The angermust have showed onhis face because Inthelphsteppedevenfartheraway,movingintothecorneroftheroomlikeacagedanimal.

"Whathaveyoubeenwaitingfor?"Willemasked.

Inthelphswallowedandsaid,"Foryou."

"Forme?"

The master builder nodded and said, "You have no idea how much IworriedaboutPhyrea.She'smyonlychild,myonlyheir.Badenoughshewasagirl,butthensheinsistedonrejectingeverythingItriedtogiveher.Shewould steal things,break things…shehadnorespect forme, forherbetters,orforherself.Untilyoucamealong,thatis."

Willemshookhishead,speechlessathowwrongthemasterbuilderwas.

"I knewyouwere the one,Willem. I knewyouwouldbe the steadyinginfluencethatbothmydaughterandmycityneeded."

Willem closed his eyes, amazed at the master builder's upside downinterpretation of everything.Willemwasn't even a steadying influence onhimself.

"I'vefeltlikeafathertoyou,myboy,"Inthelphwenton."Ihopeyou'vefeltlikeasontome.Andnowthat'strueunderthelawandnotjustinthewayweseeeachother.Youaremysonnow."

Willemsighed,nolongercaringthatthemasterbuilderwouldmistakeit

as-what?Willembeingoverwhelmedbytheemotionof themoment?Howcouldamansooldbesocrushinglynaive?

"Iampreparedtostepaside,"Inthelphsaid."Iamold,andhaveworkedhardfortoomanyyears.Ihaveaninterestinwine,yousee,andwell…"

"MasterBuilder,I-"

Inthelph waved him off, smiled, and said, "Please don't refuse me,Willem, I won't knowwhat else to do. I can't bear the thought that youmightturnyourbackonmethewayPhyreahas.Iwantedyouinherlifetobringherbackintomine,notsothatshecouldtakeyouwithher."

Willem sighed again and cast about for a chair.He found one and sat,elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. He couldn't help thinking ofDevorastandhisperfect,calmself-assurance.AndWillemhadsurroundedhimself with just the opposite. Phyrea seemed to be an entirely differentperson every time he sawher.Themaster builderwas a scared, insecurefool.

MaybeIbelonginthisfamilyafterall,Willemthought.

50



Ofcourse,"hisfatmothersaid,"inCormyr, it'sallbutimpossibleforanyonetoriseabovehisstationthewaymyWillemhas.Tothink,he'sbeenhere only-oh, my stars, has it been nine years?-nine years, and he's amemberoftherulingbody."

Phyreasmiledandtippedherheadgraciouslytoonesidewhiletheghostoftheoldwomansaid,Andallhehadtodowassellhimselfonthecheaptoabunchofcrustyoldmenwho'veraisedhimlikeapig.

"Youmustbeveryproud,"Phyreasaid.

ThurenegrinnedsothatPhyreathoughtherheadwouldsplitintwoandeverythingaboveherupperlipwouldfall tothefloorbehindher.Sheputherteacupdownonthesaucerinfrontofherwithafaintclick.SomethingaboutthesoundmadePhyrea'sskincrawl.

Whyareyouwastingyourtime?theman'svoicesaid.

He stood directly behindWillem's fat mother, staring down at her asthoughhewasabouttostrangleher.Phyrea,startledbytheghost'ssuddenappearance,almostdroppedherownteacup.Thehotbrownliquidsloshedoverthesideandburnedherhand,leavingitredandsore.

"Oh,my,"Thurenegasped.

"It'sallright,"Phyreasaid,andplacedhercuponherownsaucer.Shewipedthestill-hotteaoffherhandwithherotherpalm,ignoringthelinennapkinthatsatonherlap.ShesawThureneeyethemovement,andtheoldwoman'sgazelingeredonthehemofherdress,whichPhyreawassureshefoundtooshort-scandalouslyso."I'vehadworseinjuries."

"Ican't imagine,"theoldwomansaid,confused.Shedidn'tbelieveher.

"CanIgetyouanything?"

"Ofcoursenot,"Phyreaanswered.

Theghostcontinuedtostaredownather.Phyrealookedhimintheeye.Hesmiledbackather,hisfaceascoldasstoneShecouldseethepaintingonthe wall behind him: a badly-rendered portrait of Thurene herself. Theartistdidn'taddtheblotchyliverspotsandthewispypatchesofhairathertemplesthatmadeherlookmorelikeamanthanawoman.Hewaskindtoher chins as well. The translucent violet apparition glanced over hisshoulderatwhatPhyreawaslookingat,andhissmilebecameanannoyedscowl.

Thurene turned, stiff and slow, in her chair, also curious as to whatPhyreawas looking at. She didn't see the ghost standing behindher, andwhensheturnedbacktoPhyreashewassmiling.

"Willemcommissionedthat,ofcourse,"shesaid,brimmingwithprideinherson.

Phyreahadtoswallowthebilethatroseinherthroat.

"Andyou'requitecertainyou'rewell,"Thurenesaid.

"No," Phyrea replied, all falseness gone from her tone. "I'm not theslightestbitcertainofthat.I'mnot.YouknowwhatIusedtodo,beforeImetacertainman?"

Thurene shook her head, nervous, scared even, but drawn to Phyrea'sintensityasmuchasherwords.

Phyreapickedupaparingknifefromthesilverteatrayonthelowtablebetweenthem.Thurene'seyesfastenedtothelittlesilverbladeandfollowedit.WithherotherhandPhyrea liftedherskirt, showingevenmoreofonefirmthigh.SheknewthatThurenecouldseeatleastthefirstfewintherowof little scars, some still not entirely healed, that marked her otherwiseperfectskin.Sheheldthebladetoherthigh,butdidn'tcut,atleastnotrightaway.

"Oh,my,no,"Thurenebreathed,butPhyreacouldtellshereallywanted

hertodoit.Theoldwomanwantedtoseeit."Phyrea…"

Doit,theghostofthemansaid.

Phyrea looked up at him, ignoring hermother-in-law. She let her eyeslingeronthescaronhisface,thescarintheshapeofaZ.Hesneeredather.

"Youwantmeto,"shewhispered.

/wantyouto,yes,theghostsaid.

AtthesametimeThurenegasped,"Goodness,no!"

But if you cut, theman said, his lipsmoving but not in time with thewordsthatechoedinPhyrea'shead,keepcutting.Cutandcutandcutuntilyou'reonewithusatlast.

Butnothere,thevoiceoftheoldwomanintruded."Phyrea…"

Phyrealookedaroundthedull,dimly-litsittingroomfortheoldwoman,but the apparition was nowhere to be seen. All there was to see wasexpensive but unremarkable furniture, art that showed an utter lack oftaste, and all the little things that made the house more Thurene's thanWillem's.Itwasanoldwoman'shouse.

"Itmakesmefeelsomething,"Phyreasaid,turningbacktoThurene.

"Phyrea,please,I-"

Phyreapresseddownontheknifeandthehotwetnessof thebloodwasthefirstsensation,followedonlyafterThurene'sshockedgaspbythepain.

"Itisn'tbad,butithurts,"Phyreawhispered.

Yes,theghostofthemanwhispered,ithurts.

Phyreawatchedas themanfadedaway,drifting intonothingness likeawispofsteam.

"Foratleastthespaceofaheartbeat,"Phyreasaid,hereyesclosed,"allyouthinkaboutisthelittlestabofpainandnotthehorrible,bloatedbeast

of a woman that's sitting across from you, the pretty but frivolous manyou'vesoldyourself to likeawhore'swhore,and thesad,patheticruinofyourownlife."

SheopenedhereyesagainandlaughedinThurene'shorrifiedface.

"Wouldn'tyoupreferitbackinCormyr?"Phyreaasked.Sheheldupthepairingknifeandafewdropsofbloodclungtotheblade."Ifyouwentbackthere,youmightliveouttherestofyourlifelikeasowinapen,sparedtheslaughterbyafarmergonesentimental."

Thurene swallowed, which caused her chins to waggle in a ridiculousway.HerskinwassoheavilypowdereditwasimpossibleforPhyreatobesure,butitappearedasthoughshe'dgonepale.

"Willemdoesn'tknowIdothat tomyself,"Phyreasaidthen lickedherownbloodfromtheblade,reacheddown,andcutasliverofpear.Thurenegagged,ahandatherthroat,hereyeswide."Pear?"Phyreaoffered.

Sheheld the sliceofripe fruitout tohermother-in-law,whoshookherheadandshrankaway.

"You s-said," Thurene sputtered, "you said… you said that you didthat…beforeyoumetmyWill-"

"Isaidnothingofthekind,"Phyreainterrupted."It'snotyourpatheticsonwho'sverypresencemakesmefeelasthoughtheremaybesomehopeforourmiserable,porcineexistences."

Phyreaplaced thesliceofpearonher tongueandheld it inhermouth,suckingthejuicesfromituntilitsizzled.Withthetipofherfingershedrewupthe littlesmearofbloodthatoozedfromthecut,and licked itoffwiththetipofhertongue.Thurenegaggedagain,butPhyreaenjoyedthesaltytangofherownbloodasitmixedwiththetartsweetnessofthepear.Asshechewed, shepulled thehemofherdressdownuntil italmost touchedherknee.

"Phyrea,I-"Thurenestarted,butchokedtoastopwhenthedooropenedandWillemwalkedin.

Whatareyoudoinghere?thevoiceofthesadwomanmurmured.

Phyrealookedtothedoor,ignoringThurene'sstrugglestostandandherblustered, shrillgreetings.Thewomanstoodnext to thedoor,not sparingWillemaglanceashe stepped in.Madeofpaleviolet light, she lookedasthoughshewasabouttocry,thesameasalways.Therewassomethingbothcomfortingandterrifyingaboutthatparticularundeadcreature.

Phyreadidn'tstand,evenwhenWillemwalkedintotheroom.Helookedback and forth between his new bride and his mother with cripplinguncertainty. Phyrea imagined she could hear crickets chirping in the stillexpanse of emptiness inside his handsome head. He drew in a deep,shudderingbreathand slippedhis rain-soakedweathercloak fromaroundhisshoulders.

"Willem,mydear,"Thureneallbutscreamed.

"Really,Mother,"hesaid,"areyouall right?Whathaveyou twobeentalkingabout?"

HeeyedPhyreawithalookthatsurprisedher.Maybehewasn'tsostupidafterall.

"Oh,"Phyreasaid,hervoice light,almostgirlish,"we'vebeenhavingawonderfultime,justusgirls."

"Really…"Willemsaid,notbelievingher.He lookedathismotherandraisedaneyebrow.

"We've been having tea," Phyrea cut in before Thurene could speak."Wouldyoulikesome?"

"Everything is fine," Thurene said, but her face was pleading anddesperate.

"Or would you rather just turn in?" Phyrea asked, and had his fullattention.

PhyreastaredatWillem,keepinghiseyesawayfromhismother,butshecouldsenseThurenesagging,almostfallingtothefloor.

Willemswallowedandsaid,"I'dloveacupoftea,thankyou."

He handed hisweathercloak to hismother,who almost dropped it andlookedat it as though itwas somealiencreature froma foulouterplane.Phyreasmiledatbothofthemandturnedbacktothetray.Shepickedupthe knife, ignoredbothThurene's series of little gasps and the laugh thatechoed inherheadfromthemanwith thez-shapedscar,andcutanothersliceofpear.SheheldituptoWillem,whotookitoutofherhandwithoutasecond thought. She looked at Thurenewith fire in her eyes, and the oldwomanwas smart enough to swallowwhatever it was shewanted to say.Willematethesliceofpearwithasmile.

"I…"Thurenesaid,"I'mfeeling…tired."

"Mother?"Willemsaid,turningtolookather.

Thureneturnedhereyestothefloorandstartedforthestairs.

"I'll leave you alone," she muttered. "Good night." "Good night,Mother,"Willemcalledafterher."Sleepwell."

When he turned back to Phyrea, she patted the seat next to her andsmiled.

51

2Ches,theYearoftheShield(1367

DR)AboardtheRansar'sYacht,the

LakeofSteam

It had been some time sinceMarek Rymiit had been at sea. It wasn'texactlyhispreferredmethodof travel.Thedeckroseandfellat irregularintervals, but the motion was smooth, almost comforting, without anyviolentlurchestochallengethestomach.Thoughitwasn'tyetspring,theairwaswarmwithonlyalightwind.Thesmellofthelakehadnumbedhisnosesohehadn'tbeenabletosmellitsinceonlyalittlewhileafterthey'dshovedoff from Innarlith. The sail on the single mast fluttered above him. Hefoundthenoiseirritating.

"It isa lovelyday, isn't it,MasterRymiit?" theyoungwomanstandingnexttohimsaid.Heglancedatherandsmiled."Andtheransar'syachtismostimpressive,"sheadded.

"Well,"Mareksaidwithasigh,"onedoeshavetheresponsibilitytokeepupappearances."

"Of course," said the youngwoman."And Iwouldalso like to tell youagainhowdelightedIamto-"

"Please, Senator Aikiko,"Marek said with a wave of one hand. "Youmaynotwanttothankmeonceyou'veseenthisholeintheground."

The senator giggled in a way that some men might find alluring, butmadeMarek cringe.He sparedheranotherglance,noting the clothes shewore.She'ddressedforanexpedition,intantunicandtrousers.Thoughtheskywasagrayovercast,thesunlightdimanddiffuse,sheworeahatwithabrim. Overall she looked like a petty aristocrat on her way to amasquedressedupasalaborer.

"I can't wait, Master Rymiit," she said, her smile never wavering. "I

can'twait."

Shesmiled.Aikikowasaprettywoman,smallanddelicatewithfeaturesthat had a subtle hint of elf to them. Shemight have been a half-elf, butMarekknewshewasinfactentirelyhuman.Herfather,himselfasenatorbefore his untimely death a decade past at the hands of a bitter politicalrival,wasfromInnarlith,buthermotherwasKozakuran.

"Dotheothersknowwhywe'rehere?'sheasked.

Marekshruggedandshookhishead.Oneofthereasonshe'dthoughtofAikikowasasawaytogetridofher.She'dbecomeafixtureathisregularmeetings for the junior senators, and her voice and cloying mannerismsirritatedhim.

Kurtsson emerged from below, his pale skin and bored expressionsomehow reassuring.When he spottedMarek andAikiko he approachedwiththeminimumofgreetings.AnyfurtherconversationwascutshortbytheapproachofthelasttwoofMarek'sguests.

"Ah, Senators Djeserka andKorvan," saidMarek, "so good of you tojoinus."

Willem appeared sheepish, embarrassed, though he wasn't necessarilylate.Djeserka'slookwasasvacantasusual.

"Djeserka,"Mareksaid,"isittruethatyouonceapprenticedtothemanwhobuiltthisvessel?"

Djeserkaseemedsurprisedbythequestion,butgatheredhimselfquicklyandnodded.

Mareksmiled,stompedafootonthepolishedmahoganydeck,andsaid,"Fineworkmanship.Doyouknowitsname?"

"She,"Djeserkaanswered,"isHeartoftheHeavens."

Mareklaughedandsaid,"Astrangecustomthat,referringtoboatsandships as 'she' and 'her.' I'll never understandwhy that is."He looked atKurtssonandwinked."Weshouldstartcallingwands 'she.'"TheVaasan

chuckled."'She'sasgoodawandoffireasanycreatedintheworkshopsofforgottenSiluvanede.'"

Aikiko laughed along though Marek could tell she didn't reallyunderstand the joke.Willem looked out at the water with an unpleasantgrimace.Hedidn'tseemtoenjoybeingoutinthewater,orcoulditbethathedidn'tenjoythereason.Marekdidn'tcareeitherway.

"Well,"theRedWizardsaid,"ontothematterathand,yes?We'reonourwaytothesiteofthecanalthatwe'recertainwillonedaylinktheLakeof Steam and the Nagaflow and on and on, talk, talk, talk. It's anundertakingthatIarguedstrenuouslyagainstwhenitwasfirstpresentedtome. It's something that I felt would have a profoundly negative overalleffectonthecity-state."

Hepausedandsmiled.KurtssonatleastknewthatMarekhadnointerestin theoverall effect thatanythingbuthisowntrade inmagic itemsmighthave on the city-state, but the others seemed to accept his words wellenough.

Of the four of them, Willem looked the least interested. He appearedunwell, his skin was pale and deep, dark bags hung under his eyes.Somehowhewasnolesshandsome.Hiseyesdartedaround,neverfocusingon anything for long.Marek couldn't tell if hewas drunk, frightened, orboth.

"Thiswholethingwastheworkofoneman,"Marekcontinued."Forallintentsandpurposeshe'sarenegadefromCormyrwhocametoInnarlithwithselfishdesigns.Hehadhiswaywithourfinecity-stateforlongerthanheshouldhavebeenallowed,indulginginhisowndesireswithoutcareforthegreatergood."

Marek paused again, happy to see that Willem, Aikiko, and Djeserkaseemed to be caught up in his disingenuous oratory. Kurtsson was moreconcernedwithanerrantcuticle,butthenhewasthesmartestofthefour.

"I'mhappytosaythatastimewentonIchangedmyopinionofthecanalitself,"Mareksaid."I'mnowofthemindthatitwillbeacrucialpartofthefutureoftradenotonlyinthefaircity-stateofInnarlithbutthroughoutthecoastalregionsofFaerun.Whathaschangediswhowillbuildit,andhowit

willbebuilt."

Aikiko smiled and clapped her hands in front of her mouth like aschoolgirl.Kurtssonraisedadisapprovingeyebrowatthegesture.DjeserkastaredatMarekwithablankexpression,waitingpatientlytoheartherestofit.Willemgrewmoreandmoreupsetwitheachpassingbreath.

"You will build it," Marek said. "You four-not one man alone, but agroup of political-minded individuals who can bring different skills andvariousstrengthstotheendeavor.Thisistoobig,andtooimportantajobtobelefttoonemanandhiscostlyhubris."

HewatchedWillemsquirmatthat.

"Howitwillbedone,"theRedWizardwenton,"isthroughthecarefuland liberal use of the Art. Where once there was a small city of menemployedtosweatanddig,therewillstillbesomemen,butalongsidethemwill be workers of a less fragile nature. Where previously there wasemployed a dangerousmix of rare earth elements that but for Tymora'sgraciouswhimsywould surely have killed hundreds of innocent laborers,therewillbepredictable spells castbyresponsibleandexperiencedmagessupervisedbyKurtssonandsuppliedbytheThayanEnclave.".

Marekpausedone last time to takeabreathandgauge their reactions.Nothing had changed, Aikiko was still the happiest, Kurtsson the mostprepared and stoic, Djeserka the least intelligent, and Willem the mostterrified.

"Youwill finishthis,"Mareksaid,"bythecommandofRansarSalatis,and with the aid of the Thayan Enclave, for the good of the people ofInnarlith.Don'tbothertotellmeyouaccepttheresponsibility.Iknowyoudo."

He smiled, fended off Aikiko, who tried to embrace him, and watchedWillemruntotherailandvomitovertheside.

52

17Flamerule,theYearoftheShield

(1367DR)TheSisterhoodof

Pastorals,Innarlith

Warm today, isn't it?"Surero said to the girlwho ladled soup intohisbowl.

Sheglancedupathim,andhesmiledaswideandasbrightlyashecould.Theexpressioncaughthereye,butshedidn'treturnhissmile.

"Thankyou,Sister,"hesaid.

"I'm not a sister," she replied. She spoke with a thick accent that thealchemistcouldn'timmediatelyplace."Notapropersister,anyway."

"Youraccent,"hesaid."You'renotInnarlan."

She shifted her eyes as if ashamed, at least for a fleetingmoment, andsaid,"IamThayan."

"Havewemetbefore?"heasked,beforehe'deventhoughttosayit.Shedidn'treallylookfamiliar,buttherewassomethingabouther…

She shook her head, her blue eyes narrowed, and she seemed to try toplacehimbutcouldn't.

"My name is-" he started, but was interrupted by a nudge to hisshoulder.

Themanbehindhiminline,arough-lookingmiddle-agedsailorwithskinlikecenturies-oldleatherwasimpatientforhissoup.

The girl handedSurerohis bowl and said, "Please accept thiswith theprayersofthePastoralsthatyouwillfindyourwayundertheblessedeyes

oftheEarthMother."

He'dheardhersaypreciselythesamewordstothemeninlineinfrontofhim.

Surerotookthesoupandsaid,"MayIhaveonemore,formyfriend?"

"Aye,missy,"theoldsailorgrumbled,"andI'llbeneedin'adozenfermecrew."

Theoldmanbrokeoutingalesoftoothlesslaughter,andSurerolaughedalittlewithhim.Thegirlappearedembarrassed.

"I'msorry,"Surerosaid,"butitreallyis-"

She silencedhimwith awave of her hand andpoured anotherbowl ofsoupforhim.Whenshehandedittohimshesmiled.

"Thankyou,Si-"hestoppedhimself-"sorry."

"Halina,"shesaid."PleaseacceptthisforyourfriendwiththeprayersofthePastorals thathewill findhiswayundertheblessedeyesof theEarthMother."

"Halina,"hereplied,"thankyou."

"Aye," the old sailor cut in again, "thanks be to ye an' yers, and nowmaybetheresto'uscansupabit,eh?"

Surero shared another smile with the pretty Thayan girl, took the twobowlsofsoup,andmadewayfortherestofthehungrymen.Ashewalkedbacktothetablehetriedtoimaginethatshewaswatchinghimgo,butintruthhecouldn't feelhereyesonhim.Theexchangehad liftedhis spiritssome,andhewasstillsmilingwhenhesetthesoupbowlsdownonthetable.

"Thankyou,"DevorastsaidasSurerosat."Icouldhavegottenmyown."

"Thinknothingofit,"thealchemistreplied."IthoughtI'dspareyoutheblessing.Iknowhowyoufeelaboutgods,priests,andprayers."

"Whythesmile?"askedDevorast.

Sureroblinked.Though itwouldhavebeenaperfectlynormalquestionfrom just about anyone else in Faerun, from Devorast it made Surero'sheadspin.

"Whythesmile,heasksme,"Surerosaid."Allright,then,Ivar,itwasagirl."

Devorastbegantoeathissoup,givingnoindicationthathewaslisteningatall.

"Youknow,likepeople,onlyfemale?"Surerosaid.

"I'mfamiliarwiththespecies,"Devorastrepliedbetweenbites.

Surerowantedtolaugh,butitcaughtinhischest.Hetookadeepbreathasawaveofanguishwashedoverhim.Sweatbrokeoutinstrangeplacesonhisbody.Whenhelookeddownatthesoup,hisstomachquivered,andhecouldn'timagineeatingit.

"Thisisit,then,"hesaid.

Hepaused,hopingDevorastwouldsaysomething,buthedidn't.

Surerolookedaroundhimselfatrowuponrowofcrudetablesthathadbeen cobbled together, perhaps by the sisters themselves, from scraps ofsalvaged lumber. The tables were scattered with dented tin bowls andspoonsofonesortoranother.Themenwhosatatthetableswerethesame:dented,old,salvaged,scattered.

"Thefactthatthey'vebeatenmeiseasyenoughtobelieve,"Surerosaid."I expected it all along.But theydidn't reallybeatme, though,did they?WhowasI?AllIdidwasmixafewcommonelementstogethertohelpyoudigfaster.It'syouthey'vedefeated,andthatjust…Ireallydidn'tthinkitwaspossible."

"All you've talked about formonths is how 'they'will eventuallywin,"Devorastremindedhim.

"In the name of every god in the steamingAstral, Ivar, I didn't reallythink it would happen. Imean, honestly.MarekRymiit is dangerous-buthe's dangerous to people like me, not to people like you. And WillemKorvan?"

Devorastshruggedatthat.

"Ishouldthankyou,still,"Surerosaid."You'vebeenverykindtome,inyourownway. Iwon't forget thatyou've supportedmeall this timesincethe…sincewe cameback to the city. I cannever forget that. If I'malivetodayit'sbecauseofyou."

"WhydidtheThayanhaveyoureleased?"

Surero almost gasped, he was so startled by the question, but heanswered, "I have no idea. And don't think that question hasn't plaguedme."

"Hewouldhavedoneitforsomereason,"Devorastwenton."Youthinkyou've been beaten now, but what of then? He had you in the ransar'sdungeon.Allhehad todowas sayoneword in theChamberofLawandCivility,andtheywouldhavehangedyou."

Surerorubbedhiseyeswiththepalmsofhishands,heavedagreatsigh,andsaid,"No,theywouldhavebeheadedme."

"InCormyr,youwouldhavebeenhanged."

Surerolaughedandsaid,"Sixofone…"

Devorast went back to his soup, and Surero picked up his own spoon,thinkinghemightgiveitatry,buthejustdidn'twantit.

"I can't even feedmyself," thealchemist said,his voicequiet,hisheartheavy."Ihavenomeanstokeepmyselfalivebutthemercyofothers."

"Your smokepowder is unrivaled,"Devorast said. "I've never heard ofanythinglikeit."

"IwonderhowfarawayIwillhavetogobeforesomeonewillbewilling

toriskbuyingitfromme."

"MarekRymiit'spowerdoesn't extendbeyond this city,"Devorast toldhim.

"Soattheveryleasthe'sdrivenusout."

"Leaveifyouwantto,"Devorastsaid,thenpausedtofinishhissoup."Istillhaveworktodo."

"No,Ivar,it'sover.Thecanalistheirs."

"No,"Devorastsaid,andSureroalmostfelloutofhischair,drivenbackby the weight of Devorast's self-confidence. "That canal has never beenanyone'sbutmine,anditalwayswillbe."

53

29Eleint,theYearoftheBanner

(1368DR)TheNagaflow

Though the water in the wide river was muddy and brown, from athousand feet in the air, details were revealed. Insithryllax soared on awarmupdraft,hishugewingsunfurled.Thewarmair rushedalong theirsurface,andthegreatwyrmreveled inthesensationof flight. Ithadbeentoo longsincehe'dallowedhimself to truly fly-toomuchtimespent in theform of a human, contained in their claustrophobic buildings, or in thesharplydelineatedconfinesofMarekRymiit'spocketdimension.

He dipped down to avoid disappearing into a low cloud where hewouldn'tbeabletoseetheriverbelowhim.Hewouldbeeasiertoseefromtheground,butnoonewasexpectinghim,sotherewasagoodchancetheywouldn't be lookingup.Even then, therewas little anyone coulddo fromstillnearlyathousandfeet-nottoacreatureaspowerfulashe.

AsmuchasInsithryllaxenjoyedthefreedomoftheair,helongedforthethrillofthehuntaswell,anditwasthatlongingthatkepthisattentionontheriver.Hesawapromisingshape,butquicklyrealizeditwasn'tslitheringthewayitshould-itwasjustalog.Theoutlineofaboatrevealeditselffromunderhalfadozenfeetofwaterneartheeasternbank.Ithadbeenthereforatleastayear.

He beat his mighty wings once as the cloud passed overhead, and hegainedaltitude.He'dcomealmosttothenorthernendoftheriverwhereitwidenedintothelong,narrowlake,andsohetippedhisrightwingdowntomake a gentle turn in that direction. He kept his eyes on the river, andbeforehewasabletoturnallthewaybackaroundtothesouthhesawit.

Fromoverathousandfeetitjustlookedlikeasnake.Thethingslitheredthroughthewater,twistinganddippinginpursuitofsomethinghecouldn'tseefromsohighup-aschooloffish,mostlikely.

Thedragonmovedhiswingsinsubtlewaysandturnedinaseriesofever-

narrowing spirals. Flappinghiswings againwouldhave helpedhimalignhimselfintheairbetter,butitwouldhavemadealotofnoise-maybeevenenoughnoisetobeheardfromtheriverbelow.Toavoidthathecontinuedtosoar,changingtheshapeofhiswingstomoveintheair.

Whenhewasproperlyaligned,hislipscurledupintoagreattoothygrin.Eyesstillonhisprey,heangledhisheaddownat theswimmingcreature,thentuckedhiswingstohisside.Hefell,andfellfast.

The air whistled in his ears. His fifth eyelid slipped over his eyes toprotect them, but the transparentmembrane still allowed him to see. Hearrowedathistarget,comingatitfrombehind.Thecreaturedidn'tturntolookathim. Itcontinuedon itsway,notdivingdeeper,or trying toavoidtheenormousblackdragoninanyway.

Insithryllaxopenedhismouthandworkedupafullvolumeofacidintheglandsoneithersideofhislowerjaw,underhistongue.Itfeltasthoughhisfacewasswelling-anditwasanunpleasantsensation.Itmadehimwanttoemptytheacid,sprayitoverhispreyinadeadlyblackrain,butheresistedthetemptation.Fromsohighupandintothewater,theacidwouldbefarlesseffectivethanitwouldbewhenhewasclosertohisprey.

Hewasnearlytherewhenhecaughtmotionoutofthecornerofhiseye:anothernagaswimmingtowardtheonehedivedat.Thesecondofthetwosnake-creatures looked up and over at him. They didn't quite make eyecontact,butthenaga'seyeswidenedinsurprise-itsawhim.

ItwastoolateforInsithryllaxtochangedirection,sohesmashedintotheriverwaterwith a spectacular splash. The naga he should have bitten inhalf the secondafterhehit thewaterhadbeenwarnedby its companion,anditsquirmedoutoftheblackdragon'spath.

Insithryllax archedhis back so that hewas almost bent inhalf, andheswoopedthroughthecoldwater.Hebrokethesurfacewiththenaga-whichoneof the twohewasn't sure,butdidn'tmuchcare-onlya fewfeet to theside of him. He twisted his neck and bit, but the huge snake-creatureslitheredoutofharm'swayfast,andtheblackdragon'sjawscametogetheronnothingbutdirtyriverwater.

Though frustrated by the failure to make quick work of the naga,

Insithryllax drank in the smell of the river water, which was so like theswampbackinThaywherehe'dspentthefirstninety-sixyearsofhis life-beforeMarekRymiitfound,charmed,thenbefriendedhim.

Thedragon'snextinstinctwastofloodthewaterinfrontofhimwithhiscausticacid,buthestoppedhimself.Hehadtomakeitlookasthough-

Painflaredinhisside,andthedragonclawedoutwithbothleftlegs.Hetwistedhisgreatneckaroundandsawtheshimmeringafter-effectsofsomesortofWeaveenergysparkingalongtheebonscalesonhisleftside.

Movement from the corner of his eye, and he whipped his head at anapproaching naga. The thing growled out an incantation as it slitheredtowardhim,andagainsthisbetterjudgmentInsithryllax let loosehisacidbreath. A cloud of what looked like black smoke clouded the water androlledoverthenaga.Itswordssputteredtoahaltandturnedintoareedysquealasthecausticliquid,dilutedasitmayhavebeen,begantoeatatitsface.

Thefleshfellawayfromthenaga'sskull,and itseyesdissolved intothewater.Itslong,snake'sbodyspasmed,crampingandtwitchinginaghastlydeath-dancethatkickedupsootandfloatingdebris-includingstripsof thenaga'sownburnedfleshandbone.

Thoughthenagawasdead,inanefforttosalvageitforhisownpurposes,Insithryllax turned in thewaterandsliced the topquarterof the serpent-creature cleanoffwith one swordlike claw.Thebodydriftedon the rivercurrent,andthedragonstartedtoreachforit,butchangeddirectionagain-fast-when the second naga passed close enough to be seen in the murkywater.

"Whatdoyouwanthere,wyrm?"thenagaaskedinDraconic.

Insithryllaxfoundhervoicepleasingsomehow-maybeitwasjustbecauseshespokehisnativelanguage,andithadbeensolong…

Heturned,floating,stillsubmergedinthecold,murkywater.Hedrewinagreatlungfulandrelishedit.Ithadbeenalongtime,too,sincehe'dspentanytimeunderwater.

Facingthenaga,hebaredhisgreatfangsinasneer.Thenagatwitchedinthewater andbackedoff. Shebegan to rattle off a spell, and Insithryllaxsnapped at her, his long neck closing the distance between them with asinglepulseofcoiledmuscles.Thenagamanagedtoslitherbackwardinthewatersothatthedragon'sjawscametogetheronlyinchesfromher.

Shefinishedherspell,andthewaterpoundedagainstInsithryllax'sfacesoharditcurledhislipsoffhisteeth.Hehadtoslamallofhiseyelidsshut,andstillitfeltasthoughthewatermovedsofastitmightscoopthemfromhis skull. Water was forced up his nose, and he coughed out a spray ofbubbles-butthebubblesinstantlypopped.Thewaterpushedhisheadbackand to the side, and it took all of the great black wyrm's considerablestrengthtokeephisneckfromsnapping.

Heunfurledhiswingsinthewaterandbroughtthemdownandforwardonce,pushingashardashecould.

Though he didn't quite manage to counteract the fast-moving current,magicallygeneratedbythenaga,hedidlifthimselfupandoutofthefocusofitseffect.Hewasatleastabletoopenhiseyes.

Insithryllax'shead lay justa few inchesbeneaththesurface.Hetwistedhis head around first right then left, and saw the naga floating, her lipsmoving,hereyesburningathim.

He pulled together the energy for a spell of his own, feeling the powercoalesceinhisthroat.

Thenagafinishedherspellfirst,andsheshotupoutofthewaterlikeanarrow loosed fromabow. Insithryllaxhad only to lift his head above thewatertotraceherpath-straightup,trailingwaterbeneathherlikeawakeinthesky.

She arced over the surface of the river, slithering in the air as thoughstruggling with the sensation of flight. Insithryllax drew in a breath androared.

The spell he'd cast augmented the already deafening sound into aphysicalforce.Thenagacringedatthesoundanddippedintheair.Hertailsplashedinthewaterthenshecurvedbackupandaway,skillfullyavoiding

thehammerlikeeffectofhisenhancedroar.

Insithryllax's spell effect fadedasquickly as it hadmanifested, and thenaga slithered and twisted until she stood almost perpendicular to thesurface.Sheshotstraightupagain,thenturnedforthefarbank.

Insithryllax beat his wings once, generating great waves that crashedagainsttheriverbank,swampingthethickvegetation.

Hewatchedthenagafadefromsightassheflewawaybythepowerofaspell. The naga was smart enough, then, not to face him. But she was awitness. Insithryllax wondered if that would matter-and if it was worthchasingherdown.

With his version of a shrug the wyrm sank back into the water andfollowedhisnose to the three-quartersofadeadnagahe'd left floating inthe current.When he found the body he wrapped a huge, handlike clawaroundit,beathiswingsoverandoveragainuntiltheynotonlybrokethesurfacebuthadshedmostofthewaterthatclungtothem.Hetooktotheair, shook himself dry-or dry enough. His scales still glistened with riverwaterwhenhe turned south toward Innarlithcarrying thedeadnaga.Hecastaspellthatrenderedhiminvisiblesothepoorlittlepeopleofthatpettycity-state wouldn't come to a complete halt while they watched a dragonlandintheirmidst.

54

1Marpenotk,theYearoftheBanner


Marekwonderedatthefeelingoffamiliarity,beinginatemplewhereheknew he was unwelcome. Not that he was particularly unwelcome at theCascadeofCoins.Maybe itwas the location, in theThirdQuarteramongthetradesmenandworkshops____________________

"ItcouldbethatI'muncomfortablewithtemplesingeneral,"hesaid.

Pristoleph nodded, and Marek could detect at least a trace of sincerecamaraderie.Itwasastrangesensation.

"Ineverhadareligiousupbringing,"Marekwenton,"andalifeofstudyintheArthastaughtmenottorelyonthewhimsofgodsandgoddesses,buttoforcepowerfromtheeternalWeave."

"Careful,"Pristolephsaid,pausingtosipwinefromagleaminggoldcup,"thatkindoftalkmightattractthunderboltsinaplacelikethis."

Marekwinkedandsaid,"I'veriskedworse."

"Whycomethen?"

"It is the sort of social gathering one needs to attend," the Thayanreplied,"whetheronelikes itornot.I'dliketothinkI'mnottheonlyonehereunderfalsepretenses."

"Waukeen seems the type to forgive and forget," Pristoleph said. "Forthe right price, anyway." "You're circling him," the RedWizard risked."Excuseme?""Salatis."

Pristoleph smiled, and declined to answer directly. "So, who will youhonortonight?"Marekasked."Wenefir?"

"Marthoonisafestivalhonoringguards,"Pristolephsaid.

"Andisn'the-?"

"Wenefirismyfriend,"Pristolephcutin,hisgazecoolingrapidly.

"Ofcourse,"Marekrepliedwithacurtbow."Iapologize ifIsuggestedotherwise.Imeantonlythatit'swellknowninthecitythathe…looksafteryou."

"AsIlookafterhim."

"Ofcourse,"saidMarek."Isittruethattheyhaveadozenofthese?"

Pristolephnoddedandsaid,"Butnotallinhonorofguards.Andyou?"

"Ibegyourpardon?"

"Whoareyouheretohonor?"Pristolephasked."SurelynotSalatis."

"IsupposeonecouldsaythatI'mheretohonorguardsingeneral."

"A fine answer," said Pristoleph. "I wonder why you feel I'm circlinghim."

"The priests here are calling themselves 'Waukeenar,'"Marek said. "Icouldhavesworntheywere'Waukeenites.'"

"No, I think it'salwaysbeen 'Waukeenar,'but I couldbewrong," saidPristoleph. "Apparently I've been too busy circling the ransar to studychurchprotocol."

Mareksmiledandsaid,"We'reallverybusy,aren'twe?"

"It'salwaysgoodtohaveone'sdayfull."

"I wonder how much more full a ransar's day is," Marek said. "Ofcourse,shouldhefindhewasabletotrusthisfriends,acertainamountofpressurecouldbesetaside."

"Trust?"Pristolephasked."Really?"

"Iknowitcanbedifficulttoimagine,butlet'ssaythatifheshoulddecidethat a new aqueduct is required, say," Marek explained, "perhaps theransarwouldtrusthisclosestallies tomakesurethattherightpeopleareallowedtosuperviseitsconstruction."

"Speaking of construction," Pristoleph replied, his eyes roaming thespaceabovethem,"whatdoyoucallthis?"

Marekfollowedthesenator'seyesupthelengthofatallmarblecolumn.The column, and sevenmore just like it, supporteda triangular roof thatprotectedthewidefrontdoorsofthetemple.Thefestivitieshadspilledoutintothestreetinfrontofthebuilding,andthedoorshadbeenleftopenandunguarded-theguardswerebeinghonoredwithin,showeredwithgoldandsilvercoins,withlikesumsbeingthrownintoadeepwellthatservedasthecenterpieceofthetempleproper.

"Thatwouldbeaportico,"Marekreplied.

"Portico…"Pristolephrepeated,asthoughhe'dneverheardtheword."Isupposeit'simportanttohaveanentrancethatconveysasenseofpower."

"Indeed."

"WhySalatis?"thesenatorasked.

Marek blinked at the question, and took a step backward. Pristolephraised an eyebrow and stared at him,waiting for an answer. In order tosimplyhave something todowhilehe thought,Marek laughed.Pristolephsmiled,butdidn'tjoinhiminlaughing.

"It'sterribleinthere,isn'tit?"Marekasked."Allthecolors…itconfusestheeye."

Pristolephglancedthroughtheopendoorsatthegarishdecorations,rugswithintricatedesigns,everythinggildedandoverlydecorated.

"Ikeeptryingtofocusononething,"theThayansaid.

"I think if I canpaymost ofmyattention to one thing amongmany, Imightbeabletoputupwiththeconfusionaroundme."

"Butwhenthereissomuchdetail,"Pristolephsaid,"somanycolors,andall this embarrassment of riches, it can be difficult to choose one thingworthyofattention.Certainlyit'snotsomethingthatshouldbeselectedatrandom."

"I will admit, though with some reluctance," said Marek, "that I toooften act with some impetuosity. But then one always hopes he'll thinkthrougheverydecisionwithcare,buttimeandcircumstancesdon'talwaysallowthatluxury."

Pristolephsmiledandtippedhischindowninthetiniestbow.Hisbrightredhairmovedinawaythatseemedunnatural,asthoughithadalifeofitsown.Marekcouldn'tlookawayfromit.

"Perhaps,"theRedWizardsaid,hisvoicelowandcomingfromdeepinhisthroat,"alittleimpetuositymightdomewelltonight."

"Riskinga thunderbolt,"Pristoleph said, lookingMarek in theeyeandslowly, infinitesimally shaking his head, "Iwonderwhat you think of thepersistent rumor that the Merchant's Friend has actually fled herworshipers."

"I have heard that," Marek replied, forcing his face to mask hisdisappointment.

"Thatshewaskilled,orfledToril'ssphere,adecadeago?"

"DuringtheTimeofTroubles,"Mareksaid."Butthen,hereweare."

"Could the Waukeenar simply be putting up a brave front?" askedPristoleph.

"Everything is possible," Marek said, "but to answer that with anyaccuracyonewouldhavetoasktheverypeoplewhowouldbemostintentonkeepingthesecret."

"AndIsupposeitdoesn'tmatteranyway."

Abell rang, and one of the youngerWaukeenar called the faithful-andthose just visiting-into the temple's central hall for some formal rite or

another. Pristoleph gaveMarek a smile and started tomove off into thecrowd.TheThayan stoppedhimwithahandonhis shoulder.Thegenasiglanceddownatthetouchwithafacesosternitseemedcarvedfromstone.Marektookhishandawayandreached intoapocket.Pristolephwatchedhis everymove, andMarek had no doubt that the senatorwas ready foranything-includinganassassinationattempt.

Marekwithdrewapolishedsilverboxfromhispocket,twoinchesbysixinches, and hinged on one side. He offered the box to Pristoleph with ashallowbow.

"Whatisthis?"thesenatorasked.

"A gift," Marek replied. "Consider it a token of good will from theThayanEnclave."

Pristoleph took the silver box and lookedMarek in the eye.He'd beentakenoffguard,andMarekmadeanoteofthat.

"Pleasedon'ttrythemon,"MareksaidwhenPristolephopenedtheboxto reveal a pair of pince-nez spectacles with lenses of opaque magenta,"untilyouareinaprivateplace."

Pristoleph closed the box and smiled. Marek could see that he hadintriguedthegenasi,andworriedhimatleastalittle.

55


(1368DR)TheGoldenRoad

Insithryllax, in the formofahuman,steppedout into themiddleof theroadandcrossedhisarmsinfrontofhischest.Theriderpulledhishorsetoastopandregarded thedarkmanwithasoldier'scritical, suspiciouseye,butdidn'tdrawhissword.

"Letmeguess,"theridersaid."'Standanddeliver,'isit?"

Insithryllaxlaughed,hidinganincantationinthestutteringchuckle.Thepowergatheredinsidehim,tinglingfirstthetipsofhisfingers,thenmakinghisforearmsalmostsizzle.Thesensationmadehimstoplaughingandjustsmile.

"I am a rider in the service of the League of Lightning MercenaryCompanyandHouseWianarofArrabar," the soldier said."Think twice,bandit."

"Ah," the disguised dragon replied, "good. You're the ambassador'sescort."

The soldier's eyesnarrowed,andhis cheeks flushed. Insithryllax let thegatheredWeaveenergyloose,thrustinghisarmupandouttopointattherider.Thesoldiergotahandalmosttohisswordbeforetheblindingblue-white flash of lightning arced from the dragon's outstretched palm andslammedintohim.

Thesoldierjerkedforward,notback,inhissaddle.Thehorsescreamed,butthemanmadenosoundatall.Itwasifhescreamedinreverse.Helungsseized, drew in air, but kept it lodged in his collapsed chest. The skinstretchedtightovercrampingmuscles,andhiseyespoppedinhisskull.

Thewarhorsebucked,tryingtodislodgeitsrider.Theman'sarmorhadbegun to glow red from heat, and Insithryllax could smell the stench of

smolderinghorseflesh.Thelightningboltdisappeared,andfinallythehorsewas able to dislodge its rider. Insithryllax fought down the urge totransformintohis trueformandmakeamealof theanimal,andhe let itrunwestwarduptheGoldenRoadinablind,agonizedpanic.

Thesoldierlaymotionlessinthemiddleoftheroad,slowlybroilinginsidehisownarmor.

A bloodcurdling scream ripped through the air from the east, andInsithryllaxbrokeintoarun,castingaspellashewent.

"RememberwhatItoldyou,children,"hewhisperedintothewind,"noacid,andnosurvivors."

Heranhalfamiledownthemiddleoftheroad,uphillmostoftheway,and when he came to the hillcrest, he skidded to a stop, sending a littlesplashofstandingwaterintothestill,coolair.Rainbegantopatteronthemuddyroadaroundhim.Ablackshapepassedoverhisheadwithaflutterof leathery wings, but Insithryllax didn't flinch. He followed the blackfiredrake'sswoopingdive. Itwent foranotherof theriders,amanso liketheonehe'djustkilledtheycouldhavebeentwins.Theridergothisswordoutofhis scabbardbefore the f iredrake torehis faceoffas itpassed.Hescreamedandfellfromhismount.Anotherblackfiredrakeperchedonhimandstartedeatinghimwhilehedied.

His horse reared and shrieked, confused, until it was taken down by afiredrake's crocodilian fangs. As it went down, it kicked the side of thecarriage,poppingitupontwowheels.Thefiredrake,itsmouthstillonthehorse'sneck,pushedoutwithonewingandtippedthecarriagetherestofthe way over. The driver ran, heading perpendicular to the road anddownhill.

Insithryllax cast a spell as he walked toward the overturned carriage.When he was done, he sent five slivers of green light speeding after thefleeingdriver.Themissilestwistedaroundeachotherintheair,dippingupanddownas thoughavoidinga seriesof invisibleobstacles in theair,buttheyhittherunningmaninaclusterinthemiddleofhisback,anddroppedhim.Heslidinthemudforhalfadozenyardsonhisface,hisarmslimpathissides.

The rear outrider thundered up, a lance held firmly at his side. Hegrowled out a long, guttural battle cry thatmade Insithryllax laugh, butthenthedragon'sattentionwasdrawntothecarriage.Ahandappearedintheopenwindow,smearedwithblood.

A black firedrake roared, and Insithryllax broke into a run, castinganotherspellashedidso.Acracklingsizzlecut theair.Theapproachingriderletlooseashriekofagony,andbeforeInsithryllaxeventurnedtolookheknewthesourceofthesizzle.Thesmellhithimnext,andheredirectedthespellawayfromthecarriageandtohiserrantchild.

Thegustofwindknockedtheblackfiredrakeonitsfaceandcaughtinitswing.Theveinyblackmembraneballoonedup,andtheforceofthemagic-driven air twisted its wing back and up so hard the bones snapped liketwigs.

The firedrake shrieked in concert with the melting rider. The otherfiredrake turned on Insithryllaxwith an angry hiss, but backed offwhenthedragonmerelytippedhisheadtooneside.

He stood next to the carriage and muttered another spell, allowinghimselftheluxuryofusingthehumangestures.Theexercisegavethemantimetocrawlthroughthewindowandontotheside-whichhadbecomethetop-ofthecarriage.

Insithryllaxreachedup,grabbed themanaround thewrist,andpulled.Withayelpthemantumbledtothemudatthedragon'sfeet.

"What-?*themandemanded,strugglingtogettohisfeet."WhatinthenameofTorildoyouthinkyou'redoing?"Hegottohisfeet,butstaggered.Stepping back from Insithryllax, he steadied himself with a hand on thecarriage."HaveyouanyideawhoIam?"

"AmbassadorFaelVerhendenofArrabar,"Insithryllaxsaid.

Theambassador lookedupathim,blood tricklingdown the side ofhisface froma cut inhis scalp.He studied thedragon'sdark face as thoughtryingtoplacehimAblackfiredrakerearedupbehindInsithryllaxandthemanscreamedand fellbackagainst theundersideof thecarriage.Heputhisarmsuptofendthecreatureoff.

Insithryllax knelt down in front of the man and grabbed him by hisbloodyjacket.Drawinghimclose,helookedtheterrifiedambassadorintheeye.The spellhe'd castworkedon theman'smind,opening it likea sackintowhichthedragoncouldtosswhateverhepleased.HecouldseethespellworkinginthewayVerhenden'spupilsdilated.

"Itwasnagas," Insithryllax said."Youwerebesetbynagas.Yourmenmanagedtokillone,buttheyoverwhelmedyouwithspells."

Theambassadorquivered,whimperedalittle,andnodded.

Insithryllaxdrewthedaggeroutof thesheathat theambassador'sbelt.Hehelditupclosetotheman'sbulging,acceptingeyes.

"You fought as best you could, but were armed onlywith this dagger.Oneofthenagasusedsomekindofmagictotakeitfromyou.Itdancedintheairofitsownaccord"-Insithryllaxbouncedthedaggerupanddowninfrontofhisface-"thenitslityourthroat."

"Witha flickofhiswrist Insithryllaxdragged thesharpedgealong thesideoftheambassador'sthroat,pressing it indeep.Bloodpouredout, theArrabarrangaspedforairandmanagedonlytobegindrowninginhisownblood. Insithryllax watched him die then stood up, turned, and went tostand over the firedrake that still writhed in the mud with its wind-shatteredwingtwitchingatitsside.

"You,"hesaid."Itoldyounoacid."

The wounded firedrake cringed beneath him as Insithryllax shed hishuman guise. His body trembled then convulsed, and as the blackfiredrakeswatched,hegrewtomanytimeshishumansize.Finallyhestoodinhistrueform,hislong,lithebodyprotectedbyscalesthecoloroftheskyatmiddark.Hornscurvedforwardfromeachsideofhishead,andhiseyesblazedwithcrimsonlight.

Thewoundedfiredrakelookedaway.

Insithryllaxopenedhisenormousjawsoverthecrippledmonsterandbitit in half.With only a few bone-splintering chews, he swallowed the firstbite,thentooktherest.Thatdone,heatetheacid-burnedrider,armorand

all.

Whenhe'dswallowedthe lastbite,madebitterby theblack firedrake'sacid,heturnedontheotherfiredrake.

Thecreatureshrankbackfromhima littlebutstoodhisgroundbeforehisgiganticfather.

"You,"thegreatwyrmrumbled,"getthedeadnagaandleaveithere."

The black firedrake bowed and went off in the direction of the placewhereInsithryllaxhadhiddenthewaternaga'sremains.Helookedaroundatthecarnageandcheckedforanyothersignsofacid,oranyevidencethattheblackfiredrakesmighthavebeeninvolved,butsawnone.Evenif theybrought theambassadorback fromthedead,orquestionedhiscorpse,hewouldinsistthatitwaswaternagaswho'dkilledthemall.

56

23Marpenoth,theYearoftheBanner


Pristolephhelda little fire inhishand.Yellow-orange tongues of flamelappedatthechipofblackwoodatitsheart.Theheatfeltgoodagainsthispalm.Itwouldhavescorchedahuman,blisteredhim,butPristolephwasn'tquitehuman.Hestaredatthefire'sdance,keptsmallandcontainedbythepower of hiswill.Themovementmesmerizedhim, andhe let itmakehismindgoblank.

Outside thewindowof the tall turret inPristalTowers-his overly largemanorhome-thecityofInnarlithslept.Whenhestartedtothinkagain,hethoughtofthecity.Ithadstartedoutashisenemy.Thecitytriedtokillhimwhenhewasababy, andoverandoveragain throughhis childhood,buthe'dneverletit.Hebeatit,andbythetimehe'dseenhisthirtiethyear,thecitywashistodowithashepleased.He'dboughtaseatonthesenate,butkeptlargelytohisownwaysandhisowncircles.He'dneversought,orhadbeenparticularlyinterestedin,thePalaceofManySpires,preferringtoactatleastabitfromtheshadows,but…

"Butthingschange,"hewhisperedtohimself.

He closedhis palmaround the fire.The coal sizzled andpopped in hishand.Thefeelingmadehimsmile.

When it settled, he tossed it into the brazier with the other coals andsighed.Tired,herubbedhiseyesandthoughtofgoingtobed.Helookedatit,wideandcomfortable,andrichlyappointedinsilk,butithadnoappeal.

Pristolephconsideredgoingforawalk.Ithadbeenalongtimesincehe'ddonethat.For the longest timehewouldwanderthestreetsof theFourthQuarter,visitingtheavenuesasasenatorthatheusedtohauntasastreeturchin.Hewouldmarkthepassageoftimebythehousesthathadcollapsedorburned,theshantiesthathadbeenerected,thedeaddogsinthemidden.Buthehadn'tdonethatinalongtime.

He'dstoppedgoingtothedocksaswell.Sincehe'dstartedto"employ"undeaddockworkerssuppliedbyMarekRymiit,hehadtopretend,liketherestofthesenate,thathewasopposedtotheveryidea.Hehadtoblameiton the guild he'd helped create. He had to make sure that the workerswho'dplayed so easily intohis hands andMarek'swereblamed for theirownobsolescence.

Hedidn'tgotothedocksbecauseofthesmell,andbecauseitmadehimfeel tired tobe there.Hecouldn't tell anyone, evenWenefir,how tiredhefelt.Most of he time, he couldn't even tell himself.Thinking about it justmadehimmoretired.

Hiseyessettledonthelittlesilverbox.

Hetookadeepbreathandblinked.He'dforgottenaboutit,andthereitsatonthesidetablewherehe'dleftit,nexttoanoillamphehardlyeverlit.Pristolephreachedoutandpicked itup,opened it,andstareddownat itscontents.

Thespectaclesdidn'tmakeanysense.Thelenseswereopaque.Heknewthey were enchanted in some way-considering the source that was acertainty-but the Thayan had never said how. For all Pristoleph knew,they'dblindhim the secondheput themonhis nose.They'd eitherblindhim,orshowhimsomething.

HethoughtofadozenthingsthatMarekRymiitmightwanthimtosee,and that was in the first few heartbeats, before he let his imaginationwander. None of the possibilities particularly interested him, but still heliftedthepince-nezfromthebox,andturnedthemoverinhishand.

Hesighedagainandstood.Stillholdingthespectacles,hecrossedtohiswritingdesk,pulledasheetofparchmentfromadrawer,andwroteabriefnote:

"Wenefir, if the pince-nez have harmed me in any way, kill MarekRymiit."

He signed itwith a certain sigil thatwould prove toWenefir that he'dwrittenithimself.Hereplacedthequillandsatbackinhischair.

With a little shrug, he placed the pince-nez on his nose with his eyesclosed.Therewasnosensationofanythingoutoftheordinaryatfirst,andcertainlynopain.Afteramomenthefinallyopenedhiseyes.

Whenitappearedasthoughhe'dbeentransportedtoastrangeroomheclosedhiseyesandtookthepince-nezoffhisnose.Heblinkedhiseyesopenandwashappy,thoughnotentirelysurprisedtobeinhisownbedchamber.

Pristoleph lookeddown at the pince-nez again and thought aboutwhathe'd seen. It was another bedchamber, someone else's. He'd never beenthere before, butwhenhehad the spectacles on, itwas as thoughhewasactuallythere.

He put them on again, sat back, and studied his new surroundings inmoredetail.Heseemedtobesittingontheedgeofabed.Hisheadturned,buthedidn'tfeelthemusclesinhisneckworking,andhehadn'twantedtoturnhishead.Amanors.woman-hecouldn'ttellunderthedownandlinenbedclothes-slept in the bed. He could see the rise and fall of the figure'sbreathing.

His head turned again and his vision scanned over the room. It was acramped space, at least compared to what Pristoleph had grownaccustomed to, and decorated in what he found to be an overly garishfashion.

Hereachedoutwithhisrighthand,butcouldn'tseeit,evenwhenhewassureheheldhispalmascantfewinchesfromthetipofhisnose.

Amanstoodintheopendoorofthebedchamber,andPristolephhadtheuneasy sensation that they had made eye contact. Something was wrongwiththepince-nez,though.Themanappearedtransparent,asthoughmadeof deep violet light. He didn't seem to entirely belong in the scene, andPristolephrealizedmaybehewasn'tinthesceneatall,but-

Heflippedthepince-nezoffhisnose,stood,andwhippedhisheadfromsidetoside.He'dthoughtperhapsthemanwasinfactstandinginhisownbedchamber,andPristolephsawhimfilteredthroughthemagentalenses.

ButPristolephwasalone.

"Whose eyesam I seeing through,Marek,"Pristolephwhispered,"andwhy?"

Seekingtheanswerintheitemitself,heputtheglassesbackon.Hishosthad moved from the bed to sit in front of the dressing table. He saw awoman's delicate hand where he thought his own should be. She took asilverbrushfromthedressingtableandlookedupintoamirror.

Pristolephgasped.

Shewasbeautiful.

As she brushed her long, straight black hair, Pristoleph found that hecouldhardlybreathe.Hewatchedher, fixatedbyherdeepblue eyes thatweresosadandsotroubledandsofullofpromise.

Nowomanhadeverhadthateffectonhim.Nowomanhadeverstoppedhimcold.

Atearfell fromoneeyeandshelet it trickledownhersmooth,flawlesscheekwithoutwipingitaway.Hefeltuncomfortablewatchinghercry,butitwasasthoughhe'dfallenundertheinfluenceofsomespell-andperhapshehaddone just that,buthedidn'tcare.Henotonlycouldn't,butdidn'twanttolookaway.

Stilllookingdeeplyintoherowneyes,shepickedupalittlecuticleknifefromthedressingtableandranthesharpbladealongtheinsideofherarm.He couldn't feel any pain, but he could see herwince in themirror. Thelittlelineofredsatamongscarsandstill-healingcutsonthesamepatchofskin.

Whenshelookedatherselfinthemirroragain,shewassmiling.

Pristolephgrabbedthepince-nezoffhisfaceandthrewthemtothefloor.Hestood,nearlyfallingbackoverhischair,butstayedonhisfeet.

Thedooropened,andtheguardpostedoutsidestuckhisheadin,lookingaround.

"Senator?"hesaid,seeingnothingamiss.

"It'sallright,"Pristolephtoldhim,andwavedhimaway.

Theguardnoddedandclosedthedoor.

Withadeepbreath tocalmhimself,Pristolephkneltandpickedup thespectacles. One of the lenses had broken into tiny shards that were nolongermagenta,butordinaryclear,colorlessglass.

"Why?" he whispered, though the man he was asking-Marek Rymiit-couldn'thearhim."Whyshowmeher?"

Hours later, Pristoleph finally collapsed into bedwithout an answer tothatquestion.

57

24Marpenoth,theYearoftheBanner


Themeathadnotbeencookedatall.Willemstareddownatit,tryingtofinditinhimselftobedisgusted,buthecouldn'tquitemusterit.Hekepthishandsinhislap.

"Itoldyou,no,"Phyreawhispered.

Shesatat theotherendof thediningtable,andhadnoplacesetting infrontofher,justacrystaltallglassofredwinethatshewasn'tdrinking.Shelookedoffthroughthearcheddoorwaytothesittingroom,staringatemptyspace as though someone stood next to the sava board between the twowingbackleatherchairs.

"Ibegyourpardon?"heasked.Hisvoice,pitchednolouderthannormal,seemedtoboominthestill,heavyairofhisdiningroom.

Phyreashookherhead,stilllookingatnothing,thenturnedtowardhim.Her eyes blazed with what Willem could have sworn was fear-but whatcouldshepossiblyhavetobeafraidof?

"Wereyouspeakingtome?"heasked.

Inaninstantthefearturnedtocontempt,andshesaid,"No.Youaren'thungry?"

Heglanceddownattherawmeatandsaid,"No,thankyou.Areyousureyou don't want me to recall the cook, or perhaps you would feel morecomfortablehiringsomeoneelse-someoneofyourchoosing?"

"ItoldyouIdon'tlikepeoplebuzzingaroundme,"shesaid.

"Thentellhertostayinthekitchen."

"Imightwanttogointothekitchen,"Phyreareplied.Sheputahandonher wine glass but didn't pick it up. "I suppose youmiss themaids andcooks and little girls you can take to your bedwhenever you choose, butthingshavechanged,andit'stimeforyoutogrowup."

Willem blinked, both at the accusation, and at the sudden turns hertempertook.

"I never…" he started, but trailed off when he realized she wasn'tlistening, and wouldn't care either way. "It's good to be home," he liedinstead.

They'dbeenmarriedfortwentymonths,andinthattimeshe'dfiredhishousehold staff and scared hismother all theway back toCormyr.He'dspentfewerthanonenightintwentyathome,havingbeenoverwhelmedbytheprocessofrestartingDevorast'sprojectwiththeaidoftwopeopleevenless competent than himself. In most ways that mattered he and Phyreawere still strangers, butWillem remained unable to look at her withoutreeling at her perfect beauty.Even as tired as she looked, evenwhen shetwitchedandglancedawayatnothing, startledbysilence,Phyreawas themostbeautifulwomanintheworld.

"The fresh air agrees with you," she said. "You're a very handsomeman."

Henoddedinthanks,butcouldn'tkeepthesuspicionfromhiseyes.

"Eat your dinner, now, before it gets cold," she said. Phyrea, leering,glancedatthebloodyredmeatontheplateinfrontofhim."Beagoodboynow.Ifyoueatit,I'llletyoutouchme.I'lltakeyoutobed,butyouhavetoeatitall."

Helookeddownattherawmeatagain,andswallowed.Sheshushedhim,thoughhehadn't saidanything, then shewhispered,"Hewill.""Will I?"Willemaskedher."Iwasn'ttalkingtoyou."

Hepickeduphisknifeandfork,andshelaughedathim.

"Goon,now,"shesaid."I'llmakeitworthyourwhile."

Hecuta little squareoff the sideof themeatandheld itup.Blood theconsistencyofwaterrandownthetinesofhisforkanddrippedoffthemeatontohisplate.

Shelookedathimwithwideeyes,andheropenmouthwasturnedupinatraceofasmile.

"Iwillhavetoleaveagaintomorrow,"hesaid.

Sheshrugged.

"I'mnotentirelycertainwhenI'llbeback."Phyrealookedtoherleftandnodded to no one.Willem put the rawmeat in hismouth and started tochew.Itwasn'tbad.

58



Willemhadno ideawhat theman's namewas, but he assumedhewassomekindofforeman.Anyway,hewastheonewhotalkedtoWillemmostoften, toldhimwhatwashappeningandasked for things.Hewasa shortman, barely taller than a dwarf, but stocky and solid.He had a face likeworn leather and dull eyes the color ofmud.His greasy hairwas alwaysraggedandunkept,evenfallingout inpatches.Hisclotheswerespatteredwith holes and crustedwith driedmud.He smelled of sweat and freshly-turnedsoil.

"Pleasecomequickly,Senator,"the littlemansaid,hisvoiceshaking intime with his panic-stricken eyes. "Please… there's been a terribleaccident."

Willem sighed.He'd lost track of the number of terrible accidents thathadbefallentheworkerssincehe'dtakenovertheconstructionofthecanal.Men died, were injured, fell to disease, and simply walked home in suchnumbersitfranklyamazedhimthattherewasanyonelefttodigatall.

"Senator?"thelittlemanprompted.

Willemscowledathim,andhebackedawayafewsteps,butstillseemeddeterminedtohaveWillemfollowhim.Willemstoodandthemanstartedoff,apparentlyinthedirectionoftheaccident.Willemstretchedandlookedupintotheovercastsky.

"Atleastitisn'training,"hewhisperedtohimself,thenyawned.

"Senator?"thelittlemanasked.

"Oh,forthesakeofeverygodintheOuterPlanes,man,"Willemhuffed,"whatdoyouexpectmetodo?"

"Senator?"themanaskedwithalookofdisappointedconfusion.

"Honestly…"Willem went on. "What is it this time? Another trenchcollapse?Someonehackedhishandoffwithanaxe?Someoneblindedbyaflyingsplinter?DoIlooklikeapriesttoyou?"

"But,Senator,Ithought…"

Willemwaitedforhimtogoon,buthedidn't.Perhapsthegrubbylittlemanhadfinallyrealizedthathehadn'tthoughtanythingatall.Helookeddownatthegroundathisfeet,andWillemalmostfeltsorryforhim.

Willemsteppedoutoftheprotectionofhistent,andhisfootsankhalfaninchinthemud.Hesighedandlookeddownathisexpensiveboots,whichhadlongsincebeenruined.

"Damn this mud to the Barrens of Doom and Despair," he muttered."Aren'tyousickoftheconstantdamp?"

Theforemanshookhishead,confused,simple.

"Did someonedie?"askedWillem."Is thatwhat you're all in a flusterover?"

Theforemannodded.

Willemsighedandsaid,"Aretheyburied?"Theforemannoddedagain."Loosesoil,ormud?""Mud,"themanreplied.

"Mud…" Willem sighed. "Don't you hate mud? I hate mud. I knowpeopleusethatwordtoolightly,toooften,'hate.'ButIhatethismud.I'mtiredofbeingwetandcold.I'mtiredoflivingoutsidelikeanore.Thisisalife for savages, sitting in the rain, living in your own bathroom, forWaukeen'ssake."

"Yes,Senator,"theforemanagreed-orpretendedto.

Willemsawatraceofannoyancepassthroughtheman'sfeatures,andhefought down the impulse to draw his sword and gut the man where hestood.Thereweretoomanyothersaroundtoseeit,andevenSalatismight

considerthatoversteppinghisbounds.

"Whatcausedthesementobeburiedinthemud?"Willemasked."Wasitanaga?"

"Anaga?"

"Yes, fool, anaga.Youknow, the giant snake thingswithhuman facesthateatslow-wittedfoolslikeyoujusttospiteme.Wasitathrice-bedamnednaga,ornot?"

"No,Senator,"theforemanreplied."Imean…noonesawanynaga."

"Justbecauseyoucouldn'tseeit,doesn'tmeanitwasn'tthere,"Willemsaid."They'veturnedonus,youknow."

"They have killed men to the north, I hear," the foreman said. "Butthat'smilesaway,Senator."

"They traveled formiles inland tokill the ambassador fromArrabar,"Willemsaid.Hesteppedbackintohistentanddidhisbesttowipethemudfromhisboots,butallhedidwasmakethedryer,browngrassinsidealittlebitmuddier."Sowhathappened,then?"

"Itwas justamudslide,Senator.Onaccountofall therainwe'vebeenhaving."

"Really?"Willemasked,agrowl tohisvoice thatmighthavebeenduemoretothefactthatthecoldanddamphadsettledinhischestthanoutofanger. "Could it really have been on account of all the rain we've beenhaving?"

Theforeman,sheepish,lookeddownathisfeet.

"Howmany?"Willemasked.

"Senator?"

"Howmanymen,damnit?"

Theforemannoddedandsaid,"Fourteensouls.Tragic,ain'tit,Senator?Ahumantragedy,this."Willemrolledhiseyesandsighed."Senator?"

"Areyousure they'redead?"Willemasked."Well, they'vebeenundertherealongtime.""Haveyoustarteddiggingthemout?""IthinksomeofthemenwentatitwhileIranforyou,yes."

Willem rubbed his eyes and blinked, looking past the grubby foreman,anddownasteephilltotheedgeoftheenormoustrench.Mostofthelengthofitthathecouldseewasdeserted,notnearfinished.Menwalkedhereandthere, sometimes alongside ox carts with various tools and supplies. Hecouldn'tdrawa senseofurgencyoutof the scenenomatterhowhardhetried.

"There'ssoslimachancethatIwilllivetoseethisdone,it'simpossibletomeasurewiththemathematicsknowntome,"Willemsaid.

"Iwouldn'tknowanythingaboutthat,"theforemanreplied,eventhoughWillemhadn'taskedhimanything.

"Doyoulikeithere?"Willemaskedtheman.

"Yes,Senator,"theforemanlied.

"Arewepayingyou?"

"Yes,Senator."

"Whatfor?"

"Senator?"

Willem looked theman in the eye and said, "What arewe paying youfor?"

"To help build theGrandCanal," he said, andWillem could hear thecapitallettersinthelittleman'spridefulvoice.

"Whatdoyoumean'GrandCanal'?"Willemasked.

"That'swhatit'scalled,isn'tit?"

"No."

The foreman looked surprised, and remained confused. He blinked atWillem then glanced off in the direction of the day's terribly tragicmudslide.

"Noonehasnamedit,"Willemsaid."Stopcallingitthat.DidDevorastcallitthat?"

"I nevermet thatman, Senator," the foreman said. "I started after hewas…afterItookoverforthathelf-elfchap."

"Sotherearenowfourteenfewermenworking,"Willemsaid.

"Senator?"

"Getbacktoit,then,"Willemsaid.

"Yes, Senator," the foreman replied, disappointment plain on hisleatheryface."We'llhavethebodiesdugoutbynightfall."

"No,youwon't,"Willemsaid,andtheforemanhadthenerveto lookedsurprised, even offended. "I want you to continue with your day's tasks.Lighttorchestoworkpastnightfallifyouhaveto,butfinish.Thenyoucandigupyourdeadifyoulike."

Themanstaredathim,speechless.

"Wrapthebodies,butdon'tsendthembacktoInnarlith,"Willemsaid.

He'd nearly forgotten something Marek Rymiit had told him sometendaysbefore.

"Buttheirfamilies-"theforemanstarted.

"Leave that tome,"Willem said.His skin crawled, andhehad to lookawayfromtheforeman'sconfused,puppy-dogeyes."Onyourway,now."

59

6Uktar,theYearoftheBanner


Willem looked at the line of canvas bundles and frowned. Stainedwithdried mud, the dull, bone-colored material bore the muddy brownhandprintsofthemenwho'dwrappedthemandcarriedthemtotheopenstretchofgroundneartheshoreoftheLakeofSteam.Thesulfursmellofthe water drove away the ripe stench of the dead bodies in the canvasbundles.

The short, squat foreman stared atWillem as though awaiting orders.WhenWillemshooedhimawaywithawave, theman started to turnbuthesitated.

"Oh,whatisit?"Willemdemandedofhim,allpatiencefled.

"Shouldn'tIhaveafewmenready,Senator?"

"Whateverfor?"

"Toloadthebodiesontheboat?"

"Whatboat?"Willemasked.

The foreman inhaled,wasabout toanswer, then let thebreathout inagasp.Hestared,wide-eyed,atsomethingoverWillem'sshoulder.

Willemputahandtohisswordhiltandturnedasastrangesound-sortofamixtureofhissingandtinkling-flitteredfromtheairbehindhim.

MarekRymiitstood inthemuddygrassandblinkedupat thesky.Thesparse,scuddingraindampenedhisbaldheadandmadehimgrimace.Hisstrangetattoosglimmeredunderasheenofrainwater.

"MasterRymiit,"Willemsaid,takinghishandawayfromhissword.

Marektriedtoshakethewet fromhisvoluminousrobesandnodded inresponse.He took a couple of steps forward and finally glanced over thescene.

"Sendyourmanaway,"theThayancommanded.

Willem turned to the foreman, but the grubby little man was alreadywalkingawayatabriskpace,hisshortlegsbouncinghimdownalittlehill.Willemsmiledwhentheforemanlosthisfootingandslidtherestofthewaydownthehillonhisbackside.Whenhestood,coveredinwetmud,hebrokeintoarunanddisappearedamongagangofworkersloadinglumberontooxcarts.

"Difficultfindinggoodpeoplethesedays,isn'tit?"Mareksaid.

Willem turnedand traded smileswith theThayan,whogestured to thecanvasbundles.

Thetwoofthemsteppedclosertothelineofcorpses,andMareksaid,"Ido wish you'd put them in a tent or something. This incessant rain goesstraighttomyjoints."

"Iapologize,MasterRymiit,"Willemreplied,"butweusedallthecanvaswehadlefttowrapthebodies."

Mareksighedandsaid,"Well,thatwasunnecessary,wasn'tit?"

Willem looked over at thewizard,watched himwiggle his fingers as ifstretching them,warming themup for-what?He'd seenmusicians do thesamething.

"Themenweremorecomfortablewrappingtheminsomething,"Willemsaid,leavingoutthefactthathe'dorderedithimself.Hewasuncomfortablewithdeadbodiesjust layingout intheopen.Hewonderedwhythatcouldbe.Whatdidhecare,really?"Icanhavethem-"

"No, no,"Marek interrupted. "No, it's betterwedo it ourselves. If it'strue themen felt uncomfortable with the sight of their dead comrades, Isuppose they'll be even less comfortable with what's about to become ofthem.Ifwecompel themtohelp,youcouldhaveamutinyonyourhands

beforetheyhaveachancetothinktwice."

"Mutiny…?"

TheRedWizardlaughedandsaid,"Really,Willem,mydear,youdidn'texpectyourrabble to like that theirdeadcomradesarebeingputbacktoworkalongsidethem."

Willemtookadeepbreathandsaid,"Ihadn'tthoughtaboutit."

Truthbetold,Willemdidn'tactuallycare.Whenhethoughtaboutit,hecouldn'thelpfeelingasthoughtherewasatime,longago,whenthethoughtofemployingzombies,ofhavingahandinthedesecrationofthedead,whenanysortofahintoftheuseofslavelabor,wouldhaveturnedhisstomach.Wherehe'dcomefrom,inCormyr,itsimplywasn'tdone.

"I'mnotinCormyranymore,"hesaidaloud,thoughhehadn'tintendedtospeak.

Mareklaughedagainandsaid,"You'vebeenoutinthecoldandwettoolong, my boy. Or is it your young bride who's causing you to talk toyourself?Theysaythatafteratime,marriedcouplesbegintoresembleoneanother."

Willemshookhishead.

"Pardon?" the wizard prompted, and Willem winced at his irritatedmien.

"Shallweunwrapthem?"Willemasked.

Notwaitingforananswer,hesquattednexttooneofthebundles,drewhisdagger,andcutthetwinethathelditclosed.Marekstoodwatchinghimas he pulled back the heavy,wetmaterial to reveal the still features of ayoungmanbarely out of his teens.Though themenhadwashedhis face,mudstillcloggedhisnostrilsandcrustedinhiseyelashes,holdinghiseyelidsclosed."Sad,isn'tit?"Mareksaid.

Willem didn't look up at him. He could hear the sarcasm in the RedWizard'svoice.Willemthoughtthat ifheturnedandsawthatMarekwas

smiling,hemightbecomeoffended,andhejustdidn'thavetheenergyforthat.

"Youlooktired,"thewizardsaid."Youshouldgetbacktothecitymoreoften."

"I'mneededhere,"Willemlied.

"Ofcourseyouare,"Mareksaid,playingalong.

Willem went to the next bundle, and the next, asMarek Rymiit stoodwatching in silence. By the time he had removed the canvas from allfourteenofthemen,hewassoakingwetandcoveredwithmud.Thesmellofthedeadbodiesmixedwith the lake's stenchmadehimgag several timeswhileheworked.Afterthefirstone,hestoppedlookingattheirfaces.

Whenhewasdone,hestoodandbrushedthemudoffhishandsasbesthecould.

"Comehere,Willem,"Mareksaid.

Willemwalkedoyer to theThayan,whostoodwithhishand inavelvetsack he must have produced from a pocket while the senator was busyunwrappingthecorpses.

"Take these," theRedWizard said, pulling from the sackahandful oflittleblackstones,"andplacetwo ineachof theirmouths."Henoddedatthe bodies, and Willem took the stones. He shifted them in his cuppedhands."Onyx,"Marekexplained."Twoineachmouth."

Willem turned to go, butMarek reached out and grabbed him by theforearm.Willem flinched at his cold, clammy touch, and almost droppedthe gemstones. Before he could speak,Marek's other hand came up, andWillemdidn'tquitehavetimetoregisterthedaggerbeforethebladebit-nottoodeeply-intothefleshofbothhiswrists.

Willemhissedandagainalmostdroppedthegems,but

Marek let fall the dagger and held both his hands over Willem's,squeezing them together. PainmadeWillem's breath catch in his throat,

and he could feel the hot blood mixing with the scudding precipitation,whichwascoldenoughtohelpsoothe thepain.Marekstareddownathishands and began to babble in a language that madeWillem's ears ring.Willem started to shake, and though he could breathe again, he couldn'tspeak.

Marekletgoofhimallatonce,andWillemsteppedaway.

"Don'tdropthem,myboy,"Mareksaid.

"Whaton-whatareyou…?"Willemblustered.

Marekglanceddown,andWillemfollowedhisgazetohisownhands.Thecutsonhiswristshadalreadyhealed, thepainhadbeenreplacedwithanuneasynettling,andtheblackgemstonesweretracedwithdelicatesliversofdeepcrimson-bloodred.

"My apologies,Willem,"Marek said. "Itworks better somehow if youdon'tknowit'scoming."

Willemgotthedistinctimpressionthatwasalie."Whatworksbetter?"

"Placethestonesinthecorpses'mouthsnow,"saidtheThayan."Twoineachmouth."

Willemhesitated.

"I've infused them with your blood," Marek explained, though itappearedtotirehimtohavetodoso."Whentheyanimate,theywilllooktoyouforinstruction,notme."

AchillranthroughWillem'sbody,andhiskneeswentweak.Heblinked,butgatheredhimselfquickly.Hewasn'tsurehe-

"Goon,now,"Mareksaid,irritated."I'dliketoreturntothewarmthofmyhearthfirebeforedark,ifyoudon'tmind."

Willem turned and squatted next to the first corpse. Though it wasn'teasy,heshiftedallof the little stones tohis lefthand.Aftera fewtrieshefinally figured out how to hold the stones with one hand and force the

corpse'smouth openwith his right.He dropped two of the blood-infusedonyxchipsintothedeadman'smouthandpusheditclosed.

"Goodboy,"Mareksaid.

Willemgrimacedatthat,butmovedontothenextbody,andsoondownthelineofdeadworkers.Whenhewasfinishedhestood,andalmostfelltothe ground when his head spun. His head felt heavy and his eyesightdimmed.Blinking,breathingdeeply,hebegantofeelnormalagainafteramoment.

"Youshouldeatbetter,"theThayantoldhimwithawink.

Willemshookhisheadandsteppedawayfromthebodies.

Marekbeganchantingmeaninglesswordsandwavinghishandsinfrontofhim.Hisfacewassetanddetermined,coldandinhuman,andthoughhemight have looked or sounded ridiculous if it was indeed meaninglessgibberishandwavingabout,Willemknewtherewasnothingrandomaboutit.Willem'shairbegantostandonend,andheitchedhisscalp.Heshiveredandhadtoclenchhisteethtogethertokeepthemfromchattering.

Oneofthebodies-moved.

Willem stepped back, almost skipped in themud, and drew in a sharpbreath.

Asecondcorpsetwitched,andthearmofathirdreacheduptotheskythen fell back down.Within a fewheartbeats all fourteen of them jerkedwheretheylayontheirbacks.

BileroseinWillem'sthroat,andhechokeditback.

One of the deadmen rolled over onto all fours.Mud dripped from itsnose, and it opened itsmouthwide, its dead lips falling away from teethcakedwith driedmud. The two stones fell out of itsmouth and splashedonto thewet ground.The thing, itsmouth still open, staggered to its feet.Stillclothedinitssimplehomespunpeasant'sblouseandbreeches,atfirstitlookedalmostnormal.But thepale,graycastof its skinand itsyellowed,jaundicedeyesbetrayedit.Itsarmshunglimpatitsside,anditstaggered.

Whenitsboot-anditonlyworeone,theotherwaslikelystillburiedinthemud where it had died-stepped on the onyx chips,Willem heard a quietcrumbling sound. When it moved its foot again the two gemstones weregone,replacedwithablackpowder.

Two or three at a time, the other corpses awakened, rolled over, andexpelled the gemstones. They stood, shifting on uncertain feet, staringblankly inwhatever direction they happened to be facingwhen they firststood.

Marekapproachedthem,andthecreaturesdidn'tseemtonoticehimatall.Hebentandretrievedoneofthestones.HecametoWillemandhelditouttohim.Willemtookthegemstoneinhishandbeforeherealizedithadjustbeenspatoutbyazombie.Thethoughtmadehimflinchandsqueezethestone,whichcrumbledtoblackdustinhishand.

"It's like a piece of charcoal,"Willem said, brushing the dust fromhishand.

"More than twenty-five gold pieces each," Marek said. "Worry not,though,I'llbilltheransar."

Willemlookedattheblackdustthatstillcoatedhisfingertips.Therewasno trace of red. His stomach turned at the thought that his blood hadsomehowbeeningestedbythosehideousabominations.

"They're all yours, my boy," the Thayan told him. "Keep yourcommands simple. They're not quite as quick-witted as theywere in life,thoughbythelookofthesepeasantsandthenatureoftheworktheywerecontenttodo,Idoubtitwasalongwaydownforanyofthem."

Willemnodded,butavoidedlookingatthezombies.

"Really,Willem,"Mareksaid,puttingahandonhis shoulder,"whysosqueamish?They'rebetterworkersnowbyhalf.Alltheylackistheabilitytounderstandhowlittletheymatterintheworld.Thinkofitthatway,andit'sreallyablessingforthem."

Willem couldn't look at the Thayan's leering smile. And the wizard'shandlingeredtoolongonhisshoulder.

"Letmeknowwhenyouhaveanotherfiveandtenofthem,"saidMarek,"andI'llcomeback,orsendKurtsson,tomakemoreforyou.Intime,you'llhavemoreundeadthanlivingworkers,toilingawayatallhourswithoutadrop todrinkor abite to eat, oblivious to theweather, and so on.You'llwanttowearsomethingoveryourmouthandnoseinthesummermonths,believeme, but I'mguessing thatwas truewhen they still breathed, eh?"Willemnoddedandshookhisheadat thesametime.Thezombieshadallturnedtolookathim,awaitinghiscommand.

60


(1368DR)PristalTowers,Innarlith

I don't remember the last time I was in the Fourth Quarter," Phyreasaid,swallowingthebreathlessawethatthreatenedtooverwhelmher.

Her host smiled graciously, but she hardly took notice. The opulencearoundhermadeherlegsshake.

"If you have any questions about anything you see," said Pristoleph,"pleasedon'thesitatetoask."

Askhimwhyhelivesinsuchluxury,surroundedbystarvationandwant,theoldwomansaid.

Phyrea shookherheadat the apparition, checkingout of the corner ofhereyetoseeifhehadnoticed.Ifhehad,hewastoomuchofagentlemantocomment.

"It'snotthe…"shestarted."Youhaveimpeccabletaste."

He looked at her-really looked at her, in away that only onemanhadbefore.

Getoutofhere,themanwiththescaronhisfacesaid.Thisoneisnottobetrifledwith.

"It'squitesomethingthatwehaven'tmetbefore,"Pristolephsaid.

Phyreastoppedataburledwoodsidetabletoadmireateasetthatlookedto have been cast from platinum traced with gold and accented withdiamonds.Shecouldn'thavebeguntoguessatitsvalue.

Do you like that? the little girl asked. Phyrea looked over at her. Shestoodontheothersideofthehallnexttoanidenticalsidetable.Shehadher

hand on a cup from a similar tea set, but onemade of themost delicateporcelain.Isitbetterthanthisone?

Phyreadidn'trespond.Shetriednottorespondtotheghostswhenpeoplewere able to hear her, but she desperatelywanted to tell the little girl tostop.

Theghostpickeduptheteacup.

Phyreagasped.

"Issomethingwrong?"Pristolephasked.

Theteacupshatteredonthefloor.Thelittlegirlsmiledandfadedaway.

"What-?"thesenatorsaid,crossingthehallinafewlongstrides."Howdidthathappen?"

Phyreadidn'tfollowhim.Shecouldn'tmove.

Well,themanwiththescaronhisfacesaid-shesawhimstandingatthefoot of thewide, sweeping stairs, that's -never happened before.Howdidshelearntodothat?

Phyreashookherheadandclosedhereyes.

"Wasthatyou?"hesaid.

"What?"Phyreagasped."No."

Itwasme,thelittlegirlsaidintohermind.

"Istheresomeonewithyou?"Pristolephasked.

"What?"Phyreamuttered."No."

"ThemanwiththescarintheshapeoftheletterZ?"thesenatorasked.

PhyreastaredacrossthehallatPristolephandwhenheapproachedhershebackedaway,fendinghimoffwithherhands.Hestoppedafewpacesfromher.Shelookedaroundherselfbutcouldn'tseeanyoftheapparitions.

Noneofthemspoketoher.

"Howdoyouknowabouthim?"sheasked,notsureshewantedtoheartheanswer.

"The pince-nez," he replied. She squinted at him, and he explained,"Spectacles…lensesthatyouwearoveryoureyes.MarekRymiitgavethemtome.WhenIputthemonIcouldseethroughyoureyes-itwasasthoughIwere you.That'swhen I saw you for the first time, eighteen days ago, inyourownmirror."

"Andyousaw…him?"

"It lookedasthoughhewasthere,butnotentirely.ItwasasthoughhewassomehowaddedontowhatIwasseeing.""Madeofpurple light,"shewhispered,andhenodded."Doyouseehimnow?"heasked.Sheshookherhead."Doyouseehimoften?"

"Most of the time," she replied. "They appear to me everywhere, anytimetheywish,exceptwhenIwaswith-"

Shealmostchokedonhisname.Theghostsweregone,then,justliketheyusedtostayawaywhenshewaswithDevorast.

"Usedto,"shewhispered.

"Whatdidyousay?"Pristolephasked."Areyoutalkingtohimnow?"

"No,"shesaid,andfeltthealmostforgottensensationofasmileonherface.

Hesmiledbackather,andforthefirsttimeshenoticedhishair,redlikeDevorast's, but different-not human, somehow. It appeared to move asthoughblownbyawindfrombelow.

"Why did he give you those lenses?" she asked. "Why would MarekRymiitwantyoutoseethroughmyeyes?Whywouldhearrangeforustomeettonight?"

Pristolephsaid,"HearrangedthismeetingbecauseIaskedhimto.Asfor

thepince-nez,Ihavenoidea,butI'mhappythathedid."

Phyreasmiled,still,evenwhenshebegantocry.

61


(1368DR)PristalTowers,Innarlith

Even theplace settingwas intimidating.Willemplacedhishandon thehandleoftheforkwithoutpickingitup,andranhisfingertipovertherowof tiny ruby berries that accented the engraving of twisting vines. Heblinkedat a sparkling rainbow thatbeamed froma crystaldecanter.Theempty plate before himwasmade of amaterial he couldn't identifywithany certainty. It appeared to be ivory, but somehow hewn from a singlepiece.Itcouldn'tbe,andhewasafraidtoask.

Phyreasatacrossfromhimandashardasitwastotearhiseyesfromthemagnificentopulencearoundhim,hecouldn'tkeephimselffromlookingather.He'dneverseenherlookmorebeautiful,andforthethousandthtimeat least hewondered if shewere trulyhumanat all, andnot someAstralbeing,somecreatureoftheouterheavens.ButasshelistenedtoPristoleph'sperfunctorysmalltalk,therewassomethingelseabouther,somethinghe'dnever seen in her before. She seemed almost at peace, and peace wassomethinghe'dstoppedtryingtoimagineforher.

Tmcurious,Senator,"Pristolephsaid."Howgoesyourcanal?"

Willembristledandhadtoclearhisthroatbeforehecouldanswer,"It'sanhonortobeaskedtoworkonsomethingsomonumental,butofcourseit'stheransar'scanal,notmine."

He feltPhyrea'sburning stare then,butwouldn't lookather.Heknewwhatshewasabouttosay-ormaybeshewouldleaveitunsaid:ItwasIvarDevorast'scanal.

"I'dgoyouonemore,Willem-ifImaycallyouWillem?"saidPristoleph.

There was no sense that any other answer but "yes" would ever beacceptable.Itwastheseniorsenator'swayofinforminghimthathenceforthhewouldcallWillembyhisfirstname.Willemnoddedwithouthesitation.

"I'd say the canal belongs to the people of the city-state of Innarlith,"Pristolephwenton.

"IfnotallthepeopleofFaerun,"Phyreacutin.

Willem's skin crawled, and he looked at everything but Pristoleph andPhyrea.

"All the people of Toril, even," Pristoleph said with a heaviness to hisvoice that brought out the beginnings of a simmering rage in Willem,thoughhedidn'tunderstandinanyconcretetermswhyhewouldfeelthatway."Itwillsparkarevolutionintrade."

Willemnoddedandclearedhisthroatagain.

"Don'tyouthinkso,Willem?"Phyreaprompted.

She seemed legitimately interested inwhathehad to say, and itwas sounexpected,allhecoulddowasclearhisthroatagain.

"Areyouquiteallright?"Pristolephasked.

"Yes," Willem said around a deep breath. "I'm fine, thank you. It'sjust… difficult for me, sometimes, to remember what it's like to sit at apropertableandhaveaproperconversationwithproperpeople."

"Conditionsatthecanalsiteareratherprimitive,"Phyreaexplained.

"Icanimagine,"saidPristoleph.

"I'mnotsureyoucould,Senator,"Willemsaid,plungingforwarddespitehisbestintentions."It'sawful.Thecold,therain,themud…themudgetseverywhere.It'salloveryouinthespaceofthefirstafternoon.Noneofyourclothes are ever dry. Fires providewarmth-everything.You live your lifearoundanopenfirelikeores-worse,goblins.It'snotalifefitforhumanstolive."

"I'msuretherearehumanslivinginworseconditions,"Pristolephsaid.

"Ican'timagine,"Willemreplied.

There was a short silence that commandedWillem's attention. Almostagainsthiswill,heturnedtofacetheseniorsenator,whosehairseemedtodancemorequickly,asthoughagitated.

"I don't have to imagine," Pristoleph said, and his eyes allowed noargument."Ihavebut toremember.Yousee, Iwasborn to thestreetsoftheFourthQuarter.FromthedayIcouldwalkIstartedtofighttosurvive.I hadno family to speak of, and inparts of this city, onedoesn't have toactuallydoanythingtoattractenemies."

Willemnodded,hisneck stiff, and sweatbegan topoolunderhisarms.Hewanteda sipofwaterbutwasafraid topickup thegoblet for fearofrevealinghowbadlyhishandswereshaking.Hekepthishandsinhislap.

"Itwas a difficult life," Pristolephwent on, "but notwithout rewards.Growingupthatway,beingthatsortofachild,mademethemanthatIamtoday."

Willemnoddedagainandglancedaround the cavernousdining room-aspace so large Willem's entire house could easily have been constructedinsideit.PartofhimwantedtoaskPristolephifhewas,infact,therichestmaninInnarlith,butthenhedidn'thaveto.Hewassittinginalltheproofofthatanyonewouldeverneed.

ButthenWillemwondered:Wouldn'thebemoreimportantthanheis?Wouldn't he be ransar, if that were true? Instead he seemed to be thesenatorthateveryonedeferredtowhentheyhadto,butrarelyevenspokewith.His appearances at social affairs both private and publicwere rareoccurrences.

"Iamamanwhodoesn'ttrusteasily,Willem,"Pristolephcontinued."Ikeep my own counsel, and I do what I think is best. Often, that is alsowhat'sbestforInnarlith.Rarerstill,it'swhat'sbestforotherpeople."

"Weshouldalwaysconsiderothers,"Willemmuttered.Hisfaceflushed,andheclearedhisthroatagain,feelinglikeachildspeakingoutofturn.

Pristolephlaughed-laughedathim-andtheblooddrainedfromWillem'sface.

"Whereverpossible,yes, I supposeso," thestrangemanwith fieryhairreplied."Butnotalways,andsoherewecometothereasonIaskedyouandyourlovelyyoungbridetojoinmefordinner."

"I'lladmit,Senator,"Willemsaid,"thatI'vebeencurious…"

"ThreedaysagoImetPhyrea for the first time,"Pristolephsaid."Forthe first time in person, at least"-the two of them traded a conspiratorialsmile that almost made Willem whimper in fear-"and very quicklyafterwardIdecidedtomakehermywife."

Willemblinked,chokedbacktheimpulsetochuckle,andshookhishead.

"Mydeepestapologies,SenatorPristoleph,"hesaid,"butforamomentIthoughtyousaid…"

ThelookonPhyrea'sfacemadeitimpossibleforhimtocontinue.

"Youwill step away," Pristoleph said. "Phyrea and Iwill leave on themorrowforalongseajourney.Whenwereturn,wewillbewed."

"But…"Willemblustered."Butthat's…"

HelookedtoPhyrea,whosmiledathiminafreakishlymaternalwaythatmadeWillem'sskincrawlanew.

"Youwillgobacktothecanal,"Pristolephwenton."Gobackandfinishit.Makeanameforyourself.FromwhatIunderstandyoudon'tdeserveit,but Phyrea has asked-by the Nine Hells, she's demanded-that you beallowed to finish it. Itwillbeyourmonument,yourgreatestachievement,andPhyreawillbemine."

Phyreasmiledandlookeddown.

Willem'sjawopenedandclosed,butnowordscameout.

"You can, of course, choose tobedifficult,"Pristoleph said, andagain,Willem'sattentionwasdraggedkickingandscreamingtotheman'seyes.AsparkblazedinthemthatWillemdidn'tthinkmatchedthecandlelight,asthoughhiseyeswerelitfromwithin."Willyoubedifficultaboutthis?"

Willemswallowed,mesmerizedbythestrangeman,andwellawareoftheotherworldlywoman thathadattractedhis attention.Willemdidn't thinkeither of themwere human, certainly not human like hewas, not flawed,afraid,incompetent,and-

"Willem?''Phyreaasked.

"Iwon'tbe,"hesaid.Itwassodifficulttogetthewordsouthepracticallybarked."Iwon'tstandinanyone'sway."

"Very well, then," Pristoleph said, his voice as light and as casual asthough they'd just come to agreement to get together later for a game ofsava,notthathe'djustappropriatedaman'swife."Let'seat,shallwe?"

Willemsatthroughthemealdesperatelytryingnottothrowup.

62



Fifteen more dead men awoke, choked out a dusty black coal, andstaggeredtotheirfeet.

"I'mbeginning to think,"Willem saidwith a sigh, "that for every oneyoubringbackfromthedead,twoorthreelivingworkersfleebacktothecity."

Marek Rymiit chuckled and said, "Let them go. We've madearrangements to collect bodies from the Fourth Quarter mass graves, sothey'llcomebackfromthecityinduecourseanyway."

Willemshudderedatthethoughtof it.Herubbedhiswristswherehe'dbeen cut and healed again. His body shook, his nose ran, and his headthrobbed.Hewonderedifhehadanymorebloodtolose.

"Ihatethewinterhere,"hemuttered."It'ssocold.Everydayit'ssodarkandcold."

"Butisn'titcolderinCormyr?"Marekasked."It'slikelysnowingthere,no?"

Willemshookhishead,butreplied,"Yes,Isupposeitis.Still,thisdamp-notdampbutincessantsoakingrain-sucksthewarmthfromyourbody.It'skillingme.Itsabsolutelykillingme."

"This?" said Kurtsson, who'd finish creating a handful of zombieshimself."Thisiswarm.It'swarmhere."

"Ah,"Marek saidwith a jovial laugh, "theVaasan perspective. Surelyevenyoucantakeheartinthat,Willem."

"No,Ican't,"saidWillem.

"Really,myboy,"Mareksaid,"perhapsyouneedtospendmorethananightortwowiththatlovelywifeofyours.I'vebeenencouragingyoutogetbacktothecitymoreoftenandforlongerstretches."

"My lovely wife isn't there," Willem said, surprised that Marek, whoalwaysseemedtoknoweverything,didn'tknowthat."She'sgoneoffwithanotherman."

Kurtsson laughed at him, andWillem spun on theVaasan,which onlymadehimlaughharder.

"Kurtsson,"Marek said in a stern tone, "perhaps you could be of usewithspellsforthecause?"

TheVaasanwizardquietedabit,butdidn'tstoplaughing.Hewanderedoff into the work camp, playfully passing between shambling rows ofundeadworkers.Willemwatchedhimgo,notkeentoseethelookonMarekRymiit'sface,onewayoranother.

"Ihavetoadmit thatI'mabitdisappointedyou'reonlynowtellingmethis,"theThayansaid."Iknew,ofcourse,butIwashopingthatbynowI'dgainedyourconfidence."

Willemchokedbackasobandwipedsnotfromhisnoseontothebackofhissleeve.Hisclotheswereruinedfromthewetandmudanyway,sowhatwasthedifference?

"Doyouknowwherethey'vegone?"Marekasked.

"Do you?"Willem shot back-too fast, too forcefully-and fear that he'doffendedtheThayanactuallystaggeredhim."Myapologies,MasterRymiit.I'mnotmyself."

"I should say you aren't," theRedWizard replied, his voice devoid ofanger."Youlookterrible-worseeverytime

I see you. You're not wearing that item I provided you." "It stoppedworking.""Icanfindyouan-"

"I'mdyingouthere,"Willemsaid."Thisthingiskillingme."

"Thatwasnoone's intent,Willem. If you'dprefer to comeback to thecity,noonewillfaultyou."

"Butwebothknowthattheywill,"Willemsaid."Theywillfaultme,theywillblameme, theywill shunme, theywillpunishme,andas sureas themudandrainwillkillme,theywilljustasfast."

"People will speak and act on your behalf," Marek promised withoutsincerity.

Willemgaspedoutsomethinglikeanexhaustedlaughandsaid,"I'msuretheywill.Maybeoneof theother senior senatorswilldecide tomove intomyhouse.Meykhati,maybe?OrwhatifSalatiscovetsmyeyes?He'llhavethemdugfrommyscreamingskullaseasilyasPristolephtookmy-"

Willemstopped.His throatclosedoveranymorewords.Tearsstreameddowntomixwiththerainonhisface.

"You've put yourself in the dragon's lair,my boy,"Marek said. "Thislittlecityontheedgeoftheworldhasitsownrules,andchiefamongthoserulesisthestrongsurvive.Goldiswhattheyallcovet,goldandthepoweritbrings. You've gone after power, Willem, and I'm surprised to find younaiveenoughtobelievethattherewouldbenoconsequences."

"Thisplacehasnohonor,"Willemsaid.

ThatmadeMareklaugh,andlaughlongandloud.

When the Thayan finally got hold of himself he said, "Please,Willem.ThesameistrueinyourpreciousCormyr,asitisinmyownbelovedThay.Thethingis,yousee,thatasthesonofaboardinghousewife,yousimplyweren'tpreparedforit."

Willemshookhishead,thoughheknewthatMarekspokethetruth.

"So,whatnow,then?"theThayanasked.

"Iwillstayhereanddiedesecratingthedreamofabetterman,"Willemsaid.

"My,Willem,youdohaveasenseofthedramaticattimes.I'llgrantyouthat."

"Look at them," Willem said, ignoring the wizard's last comment. "Iknowyoucreatedthem,buthaveyoureallyeverlookedatthem?"

"Thezombies,youmean."

"Thewalkingdead,"Willemreplied,"yes.Don'tyousometimeswishyoucouldbelikethat?""No,"Mareksaid."No,Idon't."

"Theyhaven'tacareintheworld,"Willemwenton."Theyaren'thappy,buttheyaren'tunhappy,either,anddoyouknowwhy?"

"Becausewhatlittlebrainstheyhadinthefirstplacearerapidlyrottingintheirskulls?"

"No,"Willem replied. "Imean, yes, of course, but no. They're neitherhappy nor unhappy because they don't seek happiness. They don't knowwhathappinessis-oratleasttheydon'timaginetheymightsomedayknowwhat happiness is. They exist, and that's enough for them. They do asthey're told, and are left to do it. They aren't teased with gold, comfort,women,power…Nooneleadsthemon.

"Perhaps the cold anddamphave gotten to your thinkingworse that Ithought,my boy,"Marek said. "Healthymen do not envy the undead-atleastnotthissortofshambling,mindlesswalkingcorpse.Italmostsoundsasthoughyou'dliketobeone."

"PerhapsIwould,"saidWillem.

"Well," the Red Wizard replied, his voice dense and full of meaning,"thatcouldbearranged."

WillemlookedattheThayanandalmostscreamedatthelookhesawintheman'seyes.

Buthedidn'tscream.Instead,heshookhisheadandexcusedhimself.Hewalkedbacktohistent,leavingthe

Thayantodisappear, sendinghimselfback toInnarlithbymeansofhisownmagic.

Inhistent,Willemsatonhiscanvaschair,openedanewbottleofbrandy,anddrankit.

Allofit.

63

22Nightal,theYearoftheBanner

(1368DR)TheShiningSea,Seventy

MilesNorthofLushpool

Theyhadbeenat sea for twenty-ninedays, and inall that timePhyreahad not heard a single word uttered by anyone who wasn't physicallypresent-and alive. She spoke almost exclusivelywithPristoleph.The crewwent about their duties, rarely if ever seen from the sections of the shipreservedforsheandthevessel'smaster.She'donlyeverbeenononeshipshethoughtwasnearlyamatchtoPristoleph'simpressiveDetermined,andthatwasthestrangeshipthatDevorasthadmadeforthewomanfromShouLung.

They were impressive because they were unlike anything she'd seenbefore, and were reflections of the geniuses behind them, but that waswhereanycomparisonended.

Determinedwas one of the biggest ship's she'd ever seen, and she wasdedicated to only one purpose: the recreation of her master. Friends ofPhyrea's father owned sailboats and yachts of all sorts, but none of themapproachedDeterminedinsheersizeandluxury.ItwasasthoughawingofPristalTowers,gildedappointmentsandall,hadbeensetafloat.

Phyreaclimbedthestairstothesundeck,ashadbecomeherhabitafteralightlunchinthesalonwithPristoleph.Highabovethemaindeck,thesundeckwashiddenfromthesightofthecrew.ThoughopentothetropicalsunandfragrantbreezesoftheShiningSea,itwasentirelyprivate.

Her favoritechaisehadalreadybeenturnedto face thesunbyabutlersherarelysaw,butwho'seffectshefeltthroughouttheday-everyday.Shedroppedhersilkrobetothedeckplanksandstretched,naked,basking inthewarmthof the sun.Shebrushedahandslowlydownher flat stomachandcouldalreadyfeelthesunheatingherskin.She'dtakenonadeep,rich

color,andwhenshelookedatherselfinthemirror,shecouldn'tbelievethechange.Gonewerethebagsunderhereyes,thehaunted,farawaylook,theexhausted,defeateddroopofhershoulders.

Sheheardfootstepsclimbingthestairsandwassoconfident that itwasPristoleph that she didn't cover herself, or even turn around. She sat,stretching,onthepaddedchaiseandclosedhereyes,tippingherfaceuptothewarmsun.Sheimaginedshecouldfeeltheperfectbluesky,unmarredbyeventhetiniestwispofacloud,soakingintoherporestonourishherinawaynofoodevercould.

"YouarethemostbeautifulwomanonthefaceofToril,"Pristolephsaid.

Hesatinadeckchairnexttoher,andshelookedathimandsmiled.

"Thankyou,"shesaid.

Theyhadrepeatedthesamewordseverydayforthepasttwenty,andithadbecomeanotherinaparadeofsimplecomforts.

"Arewereallyonourwayback?"sheasked.

"We'llbeatharborinInnarlithassoonasthreeorfourdaysfromnow."

Phyreasighed.

"Areyoudisappointed?"Pristolephasked.

"No,"shereplied."Iknewthateventuallywewouldhavetogohome.Allthislastmonth,though,I'vewonderedwhyI'vetraveledsolittleinmylife.Myfather'scoincouldhavecarriedmetoWaterdeepandbackahundredtimes,butIneverreallywentanyfartherthanourcountryestate."

She took a deep breath and sighed. She didn't want to think aboutBerrywilde,andtheghostssheseemedtohavefinallyleftbehind.

"I takeDeterminedout at least onemonth in every twelve,"Pristolephsaid,thoughhe'dtoldherthesamemanytimesbefore."Itneverceasestoamazemewhat getting away from the city can do forme, especially thistimeofyearwhentherain,thedarkclouds,aresooppressive."

"Oppressive…"sherepeated,carefullyconsideringtheword."Itis.Itisoppressive.Iwonderifpeoplethere…ifpeoplewouldbebetter,wouldtreateach other better, if the sun shined more often, and the Lake of SteamsmelledlikethisseaandnotthestinkinginnardsoftheUnderdark."

"YouknowwhatIthinkaboutthat,"hereplied."Peoplearepeople,andtheweathermightmakeyoutired,oraffectyourmood,butultimatelywhatailsInnarlithgoesdeeperthantoomanyrainydays."

"Butpeopletherehateeachother,"shesaid."Iknow.I'moneofthem.I'vedonehatefulthings,overandover-thingstodegrademyselfandothers.Here, under this perfect sky, I can't imagine what made me such amisanthrope."

"Everyone is an altruist on a tropical afternoon," he said. "When youhaveto fight forapieceofapie thatcanonlybecut intosomanypieces,youdowhathastobedone."

Shesighedandsaid,"IwishI'dstoppedatwhatIhadtodo,sometimes."

Heshruggedthatoff,butstillshecouldtellhethoughtaboutit.

"Still,Ican'thelpthinkingpeoplewouldbebettertoeachotheriftheyallhadamonthlikethiseveryyear,"Phyreathoughtaloud.

"I have a month like this every year," Pristoleph said, "and I'm anunconscionablebastard."

Phyrealaughed,andPristolephjoinedher.Shekeptlaughinguntiltearsstreamedfromhereyes.Eventuallytheybothtookdeepbreaths,andfinallysat,smiling,insilenceforawhile.

"Well,"Phyreasaidatlast,"I'lltrytooverlookthatsideofyou."

"That'sthebestanymancanaskfromawoman,"Pristolephreplied."Isit?"

"No,"heansweredwithoutpause."Thebestamancanaskis love-truelove,ifthereissuchathing.""Thereis,"shewhispered.

"And if I thought you felt that way aboutme I wouldn't be a bastardanymore."

"Oh," she joked, "I doubt that one thing has anything to do with theother."

She did love him, but not the same way she loved Ivar Devorast. ToPhyrea,Pristolephandshewerelikeoldfriendswhohadn'tseeneachotherin twenty years, but who fit back into a familiar, comforting groove thesecondthey'dreacquainted.

"Whenwereturn,"shesaid."I'llbringmythingsandstaywithyou?"

"Ofcourse,"hesaid.

"Ican'timaginelivinginsuchabeautifulplace,surroundedbyallthat…beauty."

"Your father is no pauper, Phyrea," he reminded her. "Of course not,but…"

"It's important, I think, to surround yourself with the best ofeverything."

"Why?"sheasked."Toimpress?"

"No,"hereplied."Toremindmethattheworksofmanaresuperiortotheworksofnature."

Phyreasmiledatthatandnodded.

"Doyouhearthat?"heasked.

Shelistened,butallshecouldhearwasthecrackandpopofthewindinthesails,thecreakoftherigging,andthegentlesoundoftheshallowwavesagainstthehull-thesoundsofthesea.

"Doyou?"Pristolephaskedagain.

Sheshookherhead.

"Thewhisperofwaves…"hesaid.

Phyreanoddedandwasabouttoaskhimwhathemeant,butinsteadshelistenedagain.Shecouldhearit,butonlybecauseshedidn'thearthevoicestellingher todo things,askingher tomurderherself.Shewonderedwhatelseshe'dmissedundertheweightofthosevoices.

"Ido,"shesaid,wipingatearfromhereyewithonefinger.

"Whatdoesitsaytoyou?"

"Nothingatall,"shesaid,"andthat's finewithme. I'dratherhear thewaveswhisperofnothing,thansufferthroughtheliesoflight."

64



I just can't understandwhy it is that youhateme so,Phyrea,"Willemsaid."WhathaveIdonetomakeyouseemewithsuchcontempt?"

Phyreadidn'twant to answerhim.Sheopenedadrawer in thebureauand shifted through the scant few pieces of clothing she'd left before shewentawaywithPristoleph.

"Thereisn'treallyanythinghereIwantanymore,"shesaid.

"Soyou'regoingtoleaveit?"heasked."WhatamIgoingtodowithit?"

Shebitherlip,cuttingoffthesarcastic,hurtfulreplythatcametomind.Instead, shescoopedupthe laceundergarmentsandstuffed theminto thebagshehadopenonthebed.

"Icanhave therestsent toyou, ifyoucan'tstandtobehere,"hesaid,"orifyoudon'twanttogothroughthem.Icanimaginehowawfulthislittlehovelmustseemtoyounow."

"Yourhouseisfine,Willem,"shesaid."That'snotit."

"Thenwhat is 'it'?"he pressed. "You ranmymother back toCormyranddismissedmystaff.Iwasn'tevenheremostofthetime,soifyoufoundmypresencesodistasteful,atleastyoudidn'thavetosuffermemuch."

"Is that the lifeyouwanted?"sheaskedhim, thoughwhenallwassaidanddone shedidn't care tohearhis answer. Itdidn'tmatter."Wereyoureallycontentwithsimplyavoidingmydistaste?"

He exhaled-not really a sigh-and leaned against the wall of hisbedchamber.

Phyreapickedup thebagandwalkedpasthim, tense anduncertain ofwhathemightdo,buthedidnothingtostopher.Shesteppedintothehall,leavinghimsilently leaningon thewall in theroombehindher.The littlegirlstoodatthetopofthestairs,hereyebrowsdrawnintoaVthattwistedhereyesintosmolderingpinpoints.Herpurple-blacklipspulledawayfromher teeth,whichwereneedle fangs that glistenedwithavile light of theirown.

Phyreascreamedanddroppedherbag.Sherecoiledbacksofastandsooutofcontrolshenearlyfell.

"No,"shewhispered.

You left us, the little girl's voice shrieked in Phyrea's head. You wentawayandyouleftus,youbitch.

"No,"Phyreawhimpered,horrifiedbyhowweakherownvoicesounded.

Weknewyouwouldcomeback,themanwiththescarsaid.

Phyreaclosedhereyessoshecouldn'tseehim.

"What happened?"Willem asked. He'd come out of the bedchamber."Phyrea?"

Sheshookherheadandpushedhimaway,butnothard.Hestoppedanddidn'ttrytocomeanycloser.

"What'swrongwithyou?"heasked.

Tellhim, themandemanded.Tellhimwe'rehere.Tellhimwe'vebeenwaitinghereforallthistime.

Wehavebeen,thelittleboysaid.

"No,Willem…"Phyreagasped.

We'vestoodoverhimwhilehetriedtosleepbutcouldn't,theoldwomansaid.

Wewatchedhimdrownhissorrowsindrink,thesadwomantoldher.

"Letmego,"shesaid.

Go,yes,thelittlegirlsaid.GobacktoBerrywilde.

"I'mnotstoppingyou,"Willemsaid.

Phyreaopenedher eyes and stormed forward, grabbingherbagas shepassed it.Shewentpastaviolet-glowing formthat shedidn't lookat.Sheran down the stairs, leavingWillem behind, but the ghosts followed her.Theytormentedheroutintothestreet.Thelittlegirlsatacrossfromherinthecoachandsneeredather.

"Home,MissPhyrea?"thedriver-Pristoleph'sdriver-asked.

Shealmostsaidyes,butatthelastminuteshesaid,"TheGreenPhoenix.IntheThirdQuarter."

Thecoachjerkedtoastart,andPhyreaclosedhereyesandclaspedherhandsoverherears.Thoughshecouldn'tseethem,theyneverspoketoherthroughherearsanyway, so shesuffered,occasionally sobbing,with theirincessantbarrageofthreatsanddemandsuntilthecoachfinallypulledupinfrontofthesprawlingbrickbuildingthathousedtheGreenPhoenix.

"ShallIaccompanyyou,Miss?"thedriver,whoPhyreaknewwasalsoamore-than-capable fighter armedwithmagic and hismaster's protection,asked.

Withoutstoppingorlookingbehindher,shesaid,"I'llbefine.No."

Sheburstintothecommonroomofthedark,smoke-filledtavernandallbutrantothebar.

"Orerus,"shedemanded,slappingherpalmonthebar."Whereishe?"

Theskinnyoldwomanbehindthebarblinkedather.

"iVbtt;/"Phyreascreamed."Where?"

Theoldwomanpointedtoacurtaineddoorwaybehindherandsteppedaside.

Phyrea leaped the bar and tore though the curtain. She ignored thepowerful aroma of the brewing vats, and the screaming tirade of theincorporealgirl.

"Surero,"shewhispered,wipingtearsfromhereyesandabandoningthealchemist'sassumedname."Whereareyou?"

"Phyrea?"hecalledfromthebackofthelargeroom.

Pristolephhadhelpedherkeep trackofhim,and she'dbeen surprised,but delighted to hear that he had taken a position as brewmaster for theGreen Phoenix-an honorable enough use for his peculiar skills-under thenameOrerus,Sureroreversed.

Hesteppedoutfrombehindoneofthebigcopperkettlesandgreetedherwithasmilethatquicklyfadedtoascowlofconcern.

"Howdidyoufindme?"heasked."What'shappened?""Doyouknowwhereheis?"Phyreaasked."Yes,"Sureroreplied,nothavingtoaskwhoshemeantby"he."

Phyrea felt her knees give, and she lowered herself to the dirty floor,ignoringthestickyresidueofthealevatsthatcoatedeverysurface.

"Gods,"Surerowhispered."What'shappenedtoyou?"

Shetookadeepbreathandlaughedalittlewhileshecried.

Killhim,themanwiththescarsaid.He'lldeliveryoubacktoDevorastifyoudon'tkillhimnow.Youknowthatmanwilldestroyyou.

"Ijustneedtoknowthathe'salive,andthatyouknowwhereheis-thatsomeoneknowswhereheis,"shesaid."Idon'tknowwhy.I'llneverseehimagain,butIhadtoknowthat."

Goodgirl,theoldwomanwhisperedintoherreelingmind.Neverseehimagain.

"Phyrea,"Surerosaid,"whatisit?"

Shestruggledtoherfeetandsaid,"Whereishe?"

"Ormpetarr."

Shenoddedandmoutheda"thankyou,"thenturnedtoleave.

"Phyrea?"hecalledafterher,butshedidn'tstop,turn,oranswer.

65



Innarlith

You'vedisappointedsomanypeople,Willem,"MarekRymiitsaid.

Willemsquirmedinhisseat,andMarekhadtoforcehimselfnottogrin.When he really looked at Willem, it was easier not to smile. He lookedworse.Hiseyeshadsunkintohisfaceandwererimmedwithdarkcircles.Histeethwereyellow,andhislipsdryandcracked.

"Yourealizethat,don'tyou?"hepressed.

Willemsighedandatearrolleddownfromhisrighteye.

"I do, yes,"Willem said. "Is that why I'm here?Did you send formebecauseyouwantedtotellmeI'vedisappointedyou?"

"Amongotherthings,yes."

Willem'sheaddroopedonhisshoulders,andhelookedatthefloor.

"Areyouhavingworkdone?"Willemasked,hisvoicedullandfaraway.

"Oh,"repliedtheThayan,"thecanvas…no."

Willem nodded as though the answer he'd gotten could have beenanything but unsatisfying. Marek had had the floor covered with thickcanvas,andmostofthefurniturehadbeenmovedouttoo.Itdidappearasthoughhewashavingtheroompainted.

"CanIofferyouadrink?"Marekasked.

Willem lookedupathimwithwide,wet eyes, likea lostpuppy.Marek

hadneverhadapuppy, thoughhehadoccasionallyusedthemtopracticespellson,andtotestpotions,butthatwasbackhomeinThay.

"I'lltakethatasa'yes,'"saidMarek.

He poured brandy from a crystal decanter and handed the glass toWillem,whotookitinagripsoweakMarekgrimacedatthepossibilityhemight drop it and spill it. He glanced down at the decanter-he hadn'tpreparedmuch,buttherewasstillenoughleftincaseWillemdroppedthefirstone.

"Youaren'thavingone?"Willemasked.

Marekshookhisheadandwatchedtheyoungermandownthebrandyinoneswallow,grimacingagainsttheburnofit.

"Tellme you at least tried to stop them,Willem," said theThayan. "Iwant to hear from you that you did everything you could to keep her-tokeepherawayfromhim."

Willem shook his head, refusing to look Marek in the eye. The RedWizard had a sudden impulse to kick him hard in the chin, to force hismiserablefaceup.

"You just let another man walk into your home and leave with yourwife?"Mareksaid.

"No,"Willemmuttered."No,wewenttohishouse,andIleftherthere."

"That's pathetic," Marek said. "That's quite simply the most patheticthingI'veeverheard."

Hepickedup the crystal decanter andpouredmore of thebrandy intoWillem'sglass.Theyoungmansatthere,slumpeddown,andstaredattheumberliquid.

"Speak,Willem,"Marekdemanded."Explainyourself."

"What's there to explain?" Willem asked, then swallowed half thebrandyinhisglass.Hecoughed,notbotheringtoputahanduptocoverhis

mouth."WhatcouldIhavedone?"

Marek smiled down atWillem and said, "What could you have done?Hmm…letmethink.Tobeginwith,youcouldhavepoisonedhisdrink."

Willem shookhis head. Spittle dropped in a long, stringy line fromhislowerlip.Heputtheglasstohismouthanddranksome,butpouredtherestofthebrandyonthefloor.

"Youcouldhaverenderedhimhelpless,"Marekwenton."Andoncehewas unable to move, the poison making his muscles go rigid andunresponsive,youcouldhavedoneanythingyouwantedtohim.Hewouldhavebeenentirelyunderyourpower,yourstodowithasyouwished."

Willem slumped forwardand fell onto the floorwithout changing fromthehunched,sittingpositionhewasin.Hisheadbouncedandscrapedalongthecanvastarp.

"Iexpectedsomuchfromyou,"Mareksaid.

Willem looked up at him, blinked, his eyes confused at first. His lipstwitched,buthecouldn'tspeak.

Marektookadeep,rattlingbreathandsmiled.Hisfaceflushed,andhisheartbegantorace.

"Oh,"hebreathed."Oh,Willem.Thatmustbeawful-terrible.Icanonlyimagine____________________"

Willemblinkedathimagainand fearreplaced theconfusion inawavethatmadehispupilsdilate.

Marek,reluctanttoturnaway,steppedbacktoasidetableandopenedalong, hingedwoodenbox. Insidewas the swordPhyreahadbrought him.Thewavybladeglimmeredinthecandlelight.Marekbithisbottomlipandheldhisbreathasheliftedtheflambergeoutofthevelvet-linedboxwithallthereverencetheexquisiteweapondeserved.

WhenhewentbacktolookdownatWillem,theswordinhishandwiththebladetippeddownuntil italmosttouchedthefloor,Marekthoughthe

sawWillem shake his head.But the poisonwouldn't allow him even thatscant gesture. Marek thought perhaps he sensed so strongly Willem'spowerful desire to make at least that tiny, futile gesture that he simplyimaginedthemovement.Willem'seyespleadedformercy.

Marek dropped to his knee, one creaking, popping joint at a time.Hisgenerously-proportionedbodywasunaccustomedtosittingonthefloorandwhenhisfullweightsettledontohisknees,theyburnedinresponse.

HelookedWillemintheeyes,andwithhisfreehandhebrushedthehairfromtheyoungerman'sforehead.

"PrettyWillem,"hewhisperedinamockingrenditionofwhathethought"soothing"mightsoundlike."Everythingwillbeallright.Youwantedthis,didn'tyou?Youtoldmeyoudid.Youtoldmeyouenvied them.Yousaidyouwantedtobeoneofthem."

Marek shiftedhisweight tohover closer and closer overWillem's face.Theyoungerman'smouthhungopen,andthetipofhistongueprotrudedjustthetiniestfractionofaninch

"Willem,my dear, dear, sweet boy,"Marekwhispered, "please believemethatifIthoughttherewasanywaytoavoidthis____________________"

Willem's eyes widened as Marek moved closer still, then the Thayancouldn't see his eyes anymore. His lips met Willem's and closed aroundthem. The tip of his tongue darted in, and thoughWillemwas unable toreturnthekiss,atleasthecouldn'tbackaway.Thepoisonmadehimappeardead-stiffandunresponsive-butWillemwasstillverymuchalive,warmandbreathing.

Marek took his lips away from Willem's and punctured the helplessCormyrean'sskinwiththetipofthesword.

Only his eyes responded at first. Marek knew that Willem could feelevery inch of the f lamberge's cruel bladewinding itsway ever so slowlyfromjusttotherightofhisbellybutton,upunderhisribs.ThenWillem'sbreaths started to come faster, and evermore shallow.Marek guided theblade to the middle of Willem's chest in hope of avoiding either lung.Willempanted-arapidsuccessionofgaspsthatwerealmostallexhale,and

noinhale.Tearsstreamedfromhistwitchingeyes.

Marek shushed him and pressed harderwith the sword. It took all hisstrengthandskilltoslidethelongbladeintoWillem'sfast-beatingheart.Hecouldfeelthefirmresistanceofthethickmuscle,andthebladejerkedinhisgripintimewithitsbeating.

Whenitfinallydidpiercehisheart,bloodpouredfreelydownthelengthof thebladeandoozedout of thewound inhis stomach.His eyesbulged,andforamomentMarekthoughttheymightpop.Insteadtheyrelaxed,buttheydidn'tclose.Heletgooftheswordhilt,leavingtheflambergesheathedinWillem'sbody.

Marek let out a long, slow breath in time with Willem Korvan's lastexhale.Hesmileddownintothefaceofthedeadmanandsmiled.

"Shhh,"hehissed."That'sagoodboy."

66


(1368DR)TheTempleofthe

DelicateChaos,Innarlith

Marek stepped out of the dimension door onto a rough flagstone floorthatshiftedunderhisweight.Hestaggered,hishandsouttohissides,andalmostfell.Thestonebobbedonsomethingthatmighthavebeenwater,butwas too thick.Theeffectwas the sameas floating,but themovementwasslower.

As thespell effectdissipatedbehindhimhiseyesbegan toadjust to thedim light fromtorches set in ironsconceson the tiledwalls.The tileshadapparentlybeensalvagedfromwherevertilescouldbesalvagedfrom.Fewwerethesamesize,andalmostnoneofthemwereofmatchingcolors.Theeffectmighthavebeenpleasinghadtheybeenarrangedwiththecareandvisionofanartist,butitwasnomosaic,justarandomjumbleofshapesandcolors.

Mareksteppedtoanotherflagstone,ridingtheslowundulationunderhisfeet, growing more secure with the uncertain footing. The flagstones didindeed float in some thick, gelatinousmedium.Marek swallowed to settlehis stomach.His first few steps haddisturbedmany of the stones aroundhimsothatthefloorroseandfellinwavesthroughoutthechamber.

Theroom itselfwasacircle thatMarek judged tobeahundred feet indiameter. The torches were not set at even intervals around thecircumference so there were bright spots, and places where the shadowsweredeepasnight.Hegotthedistinctfeelingthatsomething-morethanonesomething-watched him from the shadows, so he quickly ran through aspell.

Blinking, he refocused his eyes, and a bluish cast descended over theroom.Theshadowswerepeeledbackwhenhesethisattentiononthem,and

indeed strange creatures thatmighthavebeen insects or lizards staredathim, following his every move with twitching antennae, darting forkedtongues,andbulgingcompoundeyes.

Another spell, and blue-green fire flickered over his body, covering hisrobes in a glowing sheen thatwould give the creatures a painful surpriseshouldtheychoosetoattempttodohimharm.

"Thatwon'tbenecessary,"Wenefirsaidfrombehindhim.

Marekknewbetterthantotrytoturnaroundtoofastontheundulatingfloor,soinsteadhetookhistime,plantinghisfeetwithcare.

"Well,bettersafethanbreakfast,"Mareksaid,stalling.

Wenefirlaughedalittleandstoodwithhishandsclaspedinfrontofhim.Heworebreechesofbillowingpurplesilkbutwasnakedfromthewaistup.Foldsofhairlessfatdroopedoffhim,andMarekwasremindedofwhyhesorarelywentshirtlesshimself.Hissmilewascautious,suspicious,andsettoturnattheslightestprovocation.

"Iwassurprisedtoseeyoustep intothisplacesoeasily,"Wenefirsaid."Welldone,MasterRymiit."

"I can show you how to ward against dimensional intrusion," Marekreplied.

"Foraprice,ofcourse?"

"I'm sure we can come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement," saidMarek.

"Andyet I'msure thatyouhadaverydifferentpurpose inmindwhenyou made the decision to invade the sanctity of Cyric's holy shrine thismorning."

Marekdippedintoasdeepabowashisgirthandthefloatingfloorwouldallowhim,andsaid,"Indeed,mygoodfriend.Isupposeitwouldbesafetoconsiderthisasocialcall."

"Thisisnotasalon,MasterRymiit,butaholyplace,"saidWenefir,butMarekcouldtellthemanwascurioustohearwhathe'dcometosay.

"ThenIwilldispensewithfurthernicetiesandbringustothemeatoftheissue,"theThayansaid."Yourmas-excuseme…yourfriendPristolephhasmadeaverybaddecisionof lateandI'vecome in thehopes thatbetweenthetwoofuswecaneithershowhimtheerrorofhisways,orattheveryleastmitigatethedamagehisimpetuositymightcause."

"Whateverdoyoumean?"

"Thegirl,"Mareksaid,andleftitatthat.

Wenefirworehisthoughtsclearlyonhisface.Marekdidn'tneedaspelltoseethattheCyricistwasnofriendofPhyrea's.Mareksmiled, tryingtodefusetheexpressionwithasmuchsympathyaspossible.Ifhehadguessedright about howWenefir would feel about Pristoleph's sudden and acuteobsessionwithInnarlith'smostbeautifulprize,therestwouldbeeasy.

Remembering where he was, and that Wenefir was likely capable ofmind-intrudingmagicgiftedhimbyhismadgod,Marektried tokeephissurfacethoughtsclear.

"It's amatter of the heart,"Wenefir said, though his eyes pleaded forargument."Ican't imaginewhatwemightbeabletodotomakehimfeeldifferently."

"All that in due course," saidMarek. "For now, though, canwe agreethattherelationshipisanunhealthyone?"

"Perhaps,butI'dbecurioustohearyourreasonsforthinkingso."

Marek nodded and replied, "She is married to another senator. Youknowthatwellenough,havingperformedtheceremonyyourself."

"Cyricsmilesuponthosewhochangetheirminds,"Wenefirsaid,almostshowinghisdisappointmentoverthatbitofscripture."Nomarriageinhisnameisoughtbuttemporary."

"Be that as it may, among the city's social circles it will be frowned

upon."

Wenefir nodded, happy enough to concede the point. "Has there beentalk?"heasked.

"Oh, there'salwaystalk,"saidMarek."Haditsimplybeenamatterofdivorceandremarriagetongueswouldwagamongthewivesandservants,butultimatelythecity-statewouldhavegoneonaboutitsbusiness,butthat,I'mafraid,isnottheworstofit."

"Oh?"

"There'sthematterofSenatorWillemKorvan,"Mareksaid.

Wenefir raised an eyebrow and asked, "What of him? He's beendrinking,butdon'tweall?Iunderstandhe'sbeenmostlyaway,atthecanalsite.Ican'timaginehe'dbestupidenoughtopubliclyresistPristoleph."

"Oh, and he isn't," Marek assured him. "In fact he's done just theopposite. Instead of crying on the shoulders of his fellow senators andmakingastickysocialsituationanyworse,he'sdisappeared."

"I'msorry?"

"He's gone, and no one knows where," Marek said, though he knewpreciselywhereWillemKorvan-orwhatwasleftofhim-was.

"A young senator on the rise like that, with influential friends…"Wenefirthoughtaloud.

"Why, even if he was humiliated by Pristoleph's appropriation of hischeekyyoungbride,"Mareksaid,leading

Wenefir inadisturbingdirection,"whywouldarisingstar likeWillemsimplywalkawayfromallhe'sworkedsohardtobuild?Insomewayshe'stheheirapparenttoInnarlith."

"IcanassureyouthatneitherPristolephnormyselfhadanythingtodowithhisdisappearance,"Wenefirsaid."Iwastoldthathehadacquiesced-surrendered,asitwere,ofhisownfreewill."

"Such as a boy like Willem has free will, yes," Marek said. "PleasebelievemethatIdidnotcomeheretomakethataccusation."

"So you believe he's gone to ground?" Wenefir asked, dire thoughtsclouding his eyes. "Is he holed up somewhere planning some reprisal, orgatheringalliesagainstPristoleph?"

"AndPristoleph,"Mareksaid,"likeallofus,hasenemiestospare."

Wenefir nodded, and his eyes played over the shadows along one unlitsection of the curved wall.Marek followed his gaze and saw the strangecreature there take a tentative step forward, looking to Wenefir forinstructions.TheCyricistheldupahand-asubtlegesture-andthecreatureslinkedbackintothedeeperdarkness.

"Hewasoneofyourboys,"Wenefirsaid."Whathashetoldyou?"

Marekbrushed aside the implication thatweighed heavily inWenefir'seyesandsaid,"Ihavenotheardfromhim,norseenhim,indays.Butthereis more to consider than Willem Korvan. There's the master builder.Phyrea is his daughter, after all, and he fought for the marriage withWillem.Andheisn'tnecessarilycountedamongPristoleph'sallies.Andthemasterbuilderhastheearoftheransar."

"Andyouhave themindof theransar,"Wenefirretorted."WhathaveyoutoldSalatistothink?""Youoverestimateme."

"No,Marek,Idon'tthinkIdo,"Wenefirsaid."Youwererighttocometome.Thisrelationshiphasimplications,andthoseimplicationswillhavetobemorecarefullyconsidered."

"Carefully considered," Marek suggested, "by someone with a clearerview,unfilteredbylove,lust,andsoon."

Wenefir's eyeswent cold, anda tickleof fearplayedalong the edgesofMarek'sconsciousness.

"I'llshowyouthewayout,"Wenefirsaid.

Turnoneachother,Marekthoughtashefollowedthesoft,strangeman

toahiddendoor.Turnoneachotheroveragirl.

Hetriednottolaughasheclimbedthespiralstairsthatwouldtakehimahundredfeetuptothestreet.

67


(1368DR)TheCityofOrmpetarr

Please,please,can'tyouletusgohome?thelittlegirlbegged.Don'tlookathim.

Hehasreplacedyou,saidtheoldwoman.He'sreplacedyouinhisheart.Thereareotherwomen.Hedidn'twaitforyou.

Surelyyoudidn'texpecthimtowaitforyou,saidthemanwiththescaronhisface.

Heshouldhave,theyoungerwomansobbed.Whydidn'the?

Phyrea stood at the foot of the skeletal pier that stretched out into thecalmexpanseoftheNagawater.Theghostoftheoldwomanstoodinfrontof her, and most of what she saw of the pier was filtered through herinsubstantial violet form. Phyrea hugged herself and shivered. Even herheavywoolweathercloakdidn'tkeepthechillawayfromherbones.Whenshecaughttheghostlywoman'seyesheshiveredworse.Thespirit'sfreezinggazecutherlikeadagger,andherheadached.

"Hewon'tkillme,"Phyreawhispered.

Yes,hewill,thelittlegirlreplied."Youwill,"shewhispered.

Thewoman sneered at her, her eyes flickering orange. Phyrea put herhandsoverhereyes.Theoldwoman'sshriekrattledherskull,andbeneathhertheplanksshuddered.

"Goaway,"shewhispered,andopenedhereyes.

Theoldwomanwasgone,andbeforeherstoodIvarDevorast.

Phyreatookastepbackward.

"Ican'tgoaway,"hesaid."Ihaveworktodo."

Heworethesamesimpletunicandbreecheshealwayswore,andthoughitwascold,hedidn'thaveanysortofcloakorcoat.Heheldacarpenter'shammerinonehand,looseandcomfortableathisside.

"Notyou,"shesaid,shakingherhead.

Phyrea expected one of the ghosts to say something, but they remainedsilent.Shelookedaroundbutcouldn'tseeanyofthem.Shesmiled.

"You'renotsurprisedtoseeme,"shesaid.

He shook his head, but said nothing.His red hair whipped around hisfaceinthesteadywind.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"sheasked.

"Helpingtobuildapier,"hesaid.

"Butwhy?"sheasked.

"Theywanttostartbuildingships,"hereplied.

Shewaitedforhimtosaymore-thensmiled.Ithadbeenalongtimesinceshe'dhadtodothat,towaitforhimtosaymore.Shecouldn'tbelievehowmuchshe'dmissedit.

"Willyoubuildships,then?"sheasked.

"I'llbuildthepier,"hetoldher.

"Andyouwon'tthinkofthecanal?"

"Ithinkofthecanaleveryday,"hesaid,andadarknessdescendedoverhisfacethatmadePhyreashiver.

"Willyoucomeback?"

Hejustlookedather.Hedidn'tshrugornodorshakehishead.

"IhavesomethingIwantedtotellyou,"shesaid.Hewaitedforhertogoon,andthatmadehersmileagain.

"I'mgoingtobemarriedagain,"shesaid.

"Again?"heasked.

"IleftWillemoveramonthago."

"Whydidyoufeelyouhadtotellmethat?"

"Idon'tknow,"shesaid."No,yesIdo.Ihadtogiveyouachancetostopme."

"Ifyoudon'twanttomarrythisman,"hesaid,"thendon't.Ifyouwanttobeherewithme,thenstay."

"And there's nothing you want to say to influence me one way or theother?"

He stood thereand staredatheragain, and she sobbedand laughedatthesametime.

"Youjustcan't…"shestarted."Can'tyoujusttellmeifyouwantmeornot?"

Heshookhishead,andPhyreathoughthelookedsad,butwasn'tsure.

"Ishouldn'thavecomehere,"sheadmitted.

"No,youshouldn'thave,"hesaid,"ifyoudon'tknowwhatyouwant."

She sighed and looked down. Her hair flew around her face, and shehookeditbehindherear.Someoftheothermenwhowereworkingonthepierwalkedpast them.They lookedather, glancedatDevorast,butkeptgoing.

"IdoknowwhatIwant,"shesaid,hereyesdartingatthepassingmen."IdidknowwhatIwant.Iwantedyou.Iwantedyoutoloveme.Iwantedyoutoprotect…"

Shecouldn'tkeeptalking,butdidn'tcry.Devorastdidn'tsayanything.

"Iwantedtogiveyouthechancetofightforme,"shetoldhim.

Heshookhishead.

"Iknow,"shesaid,wipingatearfromhereye.Thewindcaughtherhairagainandmadeherblink."MaybeIcametotellyouthatIfoundsomeonelike you-so like you-in ways I thought were impossible. And he lovesmeenoughtotakemeawayfromsomeoneelse."

"Didyoucometosaygood-bye?"heasked.

"I'llneversaythattoyou,Ivar.''

Helookedoverhisshoulderattheskeletalpier.

"I'mkeepingyoufromyourwork,"shesaid,andturnedtogo.

"Stay,"hesaid.

Shestopped,waitingformore,buthedidn'tsayanything.

"Why?"sheasked.

"Forallthereasonsthatbroughtyouhereinthefirstplace,"hesaid.

Phyrea shook her head and replied, "No. I won't stay here to be alaborer's wife. But if you take me back to Innarlith and reclaim what'syours,I'dbehappytobeacanalbuilder'sslave."

Theboardsunderher feetrattledand the soundof thehammerhittingthemmadeherjump.

"Damnit,Phyrea,"hesaid."Idon'twantaslave."

Shesighed,didn'tturnaround,andsaid,"Ican'tbeanythingforyoubutaslave.Ican'tdoanythingforyoubutsurrendermyself,bodyandsoul.Ifyouwon'ttakethatfromme,there'sanothermanwhowill."

"Gotohimthen,"hesaid.

Tears fell from her eyes, but she refused to let him see her sob. Shewalkedaway,leavinghimstandingtherewatchinghergo.

68


(1368DR)TheLandofOneHundred

andThirteen

Iiightning flashedacross thesharplydelineatedskiesofMarekRymiit'sprivatedimension.Nothunderfollowed,andnorainfell.

Hetookadeepbreathandenjoyedthepuresilenceofthechamberhighatop the tall tower that had finally been completed for him. Its twisted,needle-likearchitecturehadcometohiminadream-adreamofthefutureofThaythatapartofhimhopedhewouldneversee.

Onthe floor in frontofhimlay themotionless formofWillemKorvan.Thebodywasstiffwithrigormortis,andheldstraightbythe long-bladedflambergestillsheathedinhimfromhisstomachtothebaseofhisneck.

Mareksighedatthesightofthehandsomefacemadeuglyindeath.Notonlywashismouthtwistedintoagrimace, lipspulledbackfromyellowedteethandgumsturningblack,buthischeekshadsunkinsofartheyalmostappearedtohavebeentuckedupunderhischeekbones.

He turned to the side table against the inside wall and tapped thehardwoodtopinfrontofeachoftheitemsthathadbeenlaidoutthere.Atinyscrapofrawmeat-he'daskedforittobehumanflesh,thoughitdidn'tnecessarilyhavetobe-layonafineporcelainplateasbigaroundasMarek'shand.Onan identicalplatenext to itwasa shardofbone, jaggedononeend,androundedontheother.Itlookedlikeafingerbone.Onasquareofredvelvetsatalooseblackonyx,gemhe'dpaidthreehundredgoldpiecesfor.Aclaypotfilledwithbrackishwatersatnexttoanotherthatcontainedahandfulofdarkbrownsoil tracedwithgraydustthathadbeenscoopedbyMarek'sownhandfromafreshly-turnedgrave.Thelastitemwasaglassvial,corkedandsealedwithwax.

Hepickedup thevial firstandheld itup tooneof thewhaleoil lamps

thatlittheroom.Insidethevialwasacloveofgarlicthathe'dstolenfromarivalwizard.Thatwizardhadwritten, in a delicate andminute hand, anoddlittlepoemonthetinyclove.ItwaswritteninDraconicandheldpowerthatMarekhadwaitedmorethanfouryearstobringtobear.

"Idon'tthinkhereallyknewexactlywhatitwoulddo,"Mareksaidinaquiet,calmvoice,directedatthedeadbodyofWillemKorvan."Thadat…"He spoke the deadwizard's namewith venomous contempt. "They neverknowwhattheyhaveuntilItakeitfromthem."

HelookeddownatWillemandthoughtaboutthat.

"Youneverknewwhatyouhad,"hesaid.

Marekfrownedanddrewa fingernailaroundthewaxseal,breaking it.Hepulledoutthecorkandplaceditonthetable,thentippedthevialsothegarlicclovedroppedontohispalm.

"You'll thankmeforthis later,myboy,"Marekwhispered, thenhebitthecloveinhalfandswallowedwhatwasinhismouthwithoutchewingit.Thelittlenuggetofgarlicwouldstayinhisstomach,lodgedtheretosoakitspowerintohimforyears,evendecades."Andthisoneisforyou."

Marek sank to oneknee, enduring thepain inhiship and ignoring thepoppingofhisjoints.HedroppedtheremaininghalfofthegarliccloveintoWillem'sopenmouth.Withadeepbreath,heclimbedbacktohisfeet.

"Whatnext?"hebreathed.

Inanswertohisownquestion,Marekpickeduptheonyxgemandturnedback to thecorpse.Onceagainhe struggleddown tooneknee.Hehad toforce the stone into Willem's mouth, sliding it up under his teeth andforcingitpasthisbloated,drytongue.

"Aspecialstone,foraspecialboy,"theThayanwhispered.

He looked up at the table and sighed, smiling.He should have had theblack firedrake-the runthe'dkept forhimself as apersonal servant-placethematerialcomponentsonthefloornexttothebody,sohewouldn'thavetokeepkneelingandstanding.

He stood, and retrieved the two bowls. Kneeling again, he dipped twofingersintothegravedirtanddrewashortlineonWillem'sbarechest.Hewentbackformoredirt,thenmoreandmoreashedrewvilesigilsacrossthe corpse's pale flesh.When hewas done, he poured thewater over thedustysymbols.Thewatersoakedintothegravedirt,addingjustthetouchof chaos necessary to bend the evil runes into their most potentconfiguration.

Marekstoodand lookeddownat thebody-itwas justright.Everythingwasperfect.

He began one of two simultaneous spells, the incantations wrappedtogetherinawaythattestedevenhisexperiencedtongue.Hepausedonlyaslongasittooktoswallowthesliverofrawmeat.Hisfingerstracedintricatepatternsintheair,theshardofbonepressedagainsthisleftpalmwithhismiddlefinger.Whenthebonedissolvedintodust,hedroppedbothhandstohissides.

Stillchantingtheinterwovennecromancies,Marekbentatthewaistandwrappedahandaroundthehiltoftheflamberge.Withoneswiftmotion,hepulled it free. The precisemoment that the tip of the blade leftWillem'scold flesh, his body jerked and his bulging, vacant eyes rolled around intheirsockets.

Still holding the extraordinary sword, Marek stepped back, and letWillem-or to be more precise, the creature thatWillem had become-rollontoitsbellyandvomitoutthedesiccatedblackgemstone.

"Stand,thrall,"Marekordered.

Thecreaturestruggledtoitsfeet,itswholebodyshaking.Itlookeddownat itself, nakedandpale, the lightning that flashed in thewindowplayingovertheswordwoundthatnolongerbled.Marekcouldsee itseyesfocus,andadimbeginningofsentiencereturnedtoitsgaze.

"That's right,"Marek said, letting a wide grin spread across his face."You'renozombietobemadetodigandclawatmud,myboy."

The creature looked at its creator, its smoldering eyes running up thewavylengthofthebladeandstoppingonMarek'sgrinningface.

"Yes," the Thayan said, taking a step closer to the hunched, nakedundeadwretch."Youknowme.Youknowyourmaster."

Recognitionfloodedintothecreature'seyesallatonce,tobereplacedamomentlaterwithimpotentrage,thenadesperaterealizationofwhathadbecomeofit.

"Goodmorning,myboy,"MarekRymiitsaid,thenhestartedtolaugh.

Thecreaturegrunted,itslipsstillpulledawayfromitsteethinaterriblegrimace. It lifted its sunken face, skin stretched tight and so pale it wasalmostgreen,uptotheceiling,tothelightningoutside.

Mareklaughed.

ThethingthathadoncebeenWillemKorvanscreamed.

Marekdidn'tstoplaughing,andhiscreationdidn'tstopscreaming,foraverylongtime.

TobeconcludedinScreamofStoneJune2007

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Lies of Light: The Watercourse Trilogy

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