Lyra: Caught In Crystal Part 10

aIam bringing them with us,a Kayl said grimly.

aTo the Twisted Tower?a aI have to,a Kayl snapped. aIf I leave them here, Iad spend the whole trip wondering whether they were all right. The Magicseekers could claim they had either of them, and Iad have no way of knowing whether it was true.a aThe protection of the Sisterhooda"a aGlyndon, the Circle of Silence is nasty and powerful and right now any one of their magicians can do more than the whole Sisterhood put together. Mark and Dara will be much safer traveling with you and Barthelmy. Why are you making so many objections?a aI wanted to make sure you had the answers thought out before you descended on the Sisterhood,a Glyndon said with a lopsided grin. aTheyare not going to like this, you know.a aI know. And the timingas bad, too; weall be trying to travel at the height of the storm season. Still, Iad rather be snowed in in Thurl Wood than murdered in Kith Alunel.a aDo you really think you can get the Sisterhood to move that fast?a Kayl smiled grimly. aIf they donat, the four of us will leave without them, and they can forget about their precious expedition for good.a aI see.a Glyndon studied her thoughtfully. aYouare right; thatall convince them, if anything will.a Kayl chuckled, then sobered. aGlyndona"watch the children while Iam gone.a aI will.a aThank you.a Kayl touched his cheek lightly, then swung her cloak around her shoulders and went out.

Kayl spent half the night at the Star Hall, arguing with the Mothers and Elder Mothers who were in charge of organizing the expedition. When she left at last, she was tired and hoa.r.s.e, but she had won. The expedition would leave Kith Alunel secretly, in two days.

By the following morning, Mark seemed almost his old self. He snapped at Dara when she tried to fuss over him, then tried to persuade Kayl that he needed extra honey on his porridge because of his scare the previous day. Kayl refused, pointing out that if head stayed by her as head been told, nothing would have happened. Secretly, she found his high spirits a decided relief.

The children were wildly delighted when they learned they would be going on the expedition after all, and they made extravagant promises of good behavior. Kayl took shameless advantage of the situation; it might, just possibly, make some of the trip to the Tower more bearable.

Two days later, the Sisterhoodas expedition left Kith Alunel, disguised as part of a group of merchant folk heading south with their profits from the Frost Fair.

INTERLUDE:.

Gadeironas Crystal

From that battle, Timlin and his companions emerged victorious. They stayed a day and a night in the dry and lifeless valley, studying the works left by the wizard of the Tower, and they learned much. And Timlin ri Astar was of them all the most knowledgeable, wherefore in later years he was called Timlin the Wise.

Then they destroyed many of those things that were of use only for evil, and those they could not destroy they sealed within the Twisted Tower. But the remainder of the wizardas possessions they bore away with them. And when they were at a safe distance, they divided the spoils among themselves. Nerewind the Minstrel took three feathers of the Firebird, and Philomel the Healer a vial of evensrud, and others bore away things equally rare and valuable.

Timlin himself took the great cube of crystal, in which things past and present and yet to come could be seen. He made a solemn compact with his friends that they might use the Crystal whenever they had need, and so they all concurred. And the Crystal came to be called Gadeironas Crystal, after the wizard who caused it to be made and then turned to evil in the Twisted Tower.

The appearance of Gadeironas Crystal was this: It was a great cube, perfect in every respect, and each edge was twice the length of a tall manas forearm. It was made of the clearest and purest crystal, in which no haze or bubble or distortion could be found. It required three strong men to move it, and if struck with a silver hammer it rang with a pure sound that could be heard for twelve miles in all directions.

And the nature of the Crystal was this: It commanded the past, present and future. For whenever a man stared into one of its surfaces for many minutes, the interior of the Crystal would grow cloudy, and then he would see what scenes the Crystal would show. More, if the watcher fixed his heart on some one thing, past or present, that too he would see pictured in the Crystal. And if one with power and the knowledge of certain spells recited them over the Crystal, it would show things possible in the future. But what other magic was used in its presence, the Crystal took unto itself, to bind forever.

Time came when the heroes who had taken the Twisted Tower separated and went their several ways. Timlin took Gadeironas Crystal into his home, and there he studied it. He learned much of its working and its power, and by its aid he was able to do much good. For the Crystal had greater power than the mere showing of visions, but of that he would not speak. From time to time one of his erstwhile companions would seek the Crystal, and Timlin honored his bargain with them. And so it was for many years.

Then a time of troubles came upon the land, and great strife. Timlin sought Gadeironas Crystal to discover the cause behind the conflict, for it seemed to him that it ran deeper than the petty quarrels that men claimed as reasons. And the Crystal showed him that the Shadow-born were preparing to make war upon the peoples of Lyra once more, as they had in his youth, and the strife that lay upon the land was but the beginning of their fell designs.

At this Timlin was sorely troubled, and again he sought Gadeironas Crystal, to learn what might be done. And the Crystal showed him many things, both good and ill. But Timlin saw that the Crystal itself would be the source of the greatest evil, if the Shadow-born turned its power to their own ends.

Timlin sought further to find a way of preventing such misfortune. He saw but one: to place Gadeironas Crystal once more in the tower where he had found it, for there alone the Shadow-born might not reach. He took counsel with those of his friends who remained, and all agreed that they should not chance the Crystalas falling into other hands. Therefore Timlin took the great Crystal and returned it to the bent and blackened Tower, lest the Evil Ones discover it and make use of its power. And he sealed the Tower with the power of the Crystal itself, so that no evil might go out of the Tower, and none might enter.

All this is as my grandfather, Timlin ri Astar, told me before his death in battle with the Shadow-born. I record these things in warning, that they may not be forgotten utterly, leaving none to watch and guard Gadeironas Crystal against the malice of the Shadow-born.

a"From the Diaries of Shandel ri Astar, circa 200 B.W.B.

PART III.

The Twisted Tower.

CHAPTER.

TWENTY-ONE.

Kayl sat in a corner of Riventonas only inn and tavern, cradling her almost empty mug of ale in both hands and watching her comrades morosely. Six members of the two Star Cl.u.s.ters occupied one end of a long table on the other side of the fire; they sat talking with a quiet companionability that excluded everyone else in the room. Kayl felt a twinge of tired envy whenever she looked at them. The three Elder Mothers, Javieri, Miracote, and Alessa, sat at the next table with two Mothers and three Elder Sisters. The Sisterhood of Stars seemed to think numbers alone would take the Twisted Tower.

aHere is your ale,a Corrana said. She sat down on the opposite side of the table and pushed one of the mugs she had been carrying toward Kayl. aHow you can drink it is more than I can understand.a aYou havenat tasted the wine yet,a Kayl replied, nodding at Corranaas drink. aItas worse.a Corrana raised an eyebrow. aIs that possible?a aTry it and see.a The Elder Sister took a cautious sip and made a face. aYou are right again. I should listen when you give your opinion of an innas provisioning.a aHere you are!a said a pleased voice from the end of the table. aMind if I join you?a Kayl turned. The speaker was Risper Aschar, the slim, dark-eyed healer for one of the two Star Cl.u.s.ters. She and Demma Jol, one of the warriors, were the only Sisters besides Javieri and Corrana who did not treat Kayl and Barthelmy with some degree of suspicion and hostility. Demma was clearly reserving judgment, but Risperas cautious curiosity had grown and changed during the journey into real friendship.

aGo ahead and sit down,a Kayl said, waving at the bench beside Corrana. aWhat are you drinking? The aleas bad, but the wineas worse.a Risper looked smug. aThe water isnat. Whereas Barthelmy?a aUpstairs, with Mark and Dara,a Kayl said, and took a large swallow of ale. During the past three and a half months, Barthelmy had gradually taken over the job of watching the children. Kayl had been disconcerted at first; then she realized that Barthelmy was using Mark and Dara as an excuse to stay away from her fellow Sisters as much as possible. Kayl understood and sympathizeda"as the only remaining effective magician in the Sisterhood, Barthelmyas position was equivocal, at besta"but she could not keep from occasionally resenting Barthelmyas actions.

aGlyndon is with them,a Corrana said. Her voice still held a touch of reserve when she spoke of him, but an undercurrent of warmth seemed to be developing.

aIs he all right?a Risper asked.

aThis evening? I think so,a Kayl said. She did not bother to add that she was worried anyway; both Corrana and Risper knew that already.

aHis visions have been coming closer together, havenat they?a Risper persisted.

aYes, but it isnat just that. This whole trip has been very hard on him.a Kayl took another gulp of ale. Glyndon had endured the hostility of the Sisters with more patience than she had thought he possessed, but new lines had appeared around his eyes, and his smiles were increasingly rare. It hurt Kayl to see what was happening to him. She glared across the fire at the tables full of Sisters.

Risperas eyes followed Kaylas. aI could ask one of the Elder Mothers to say something to them about the way they treat him,a she offered.

aI have already discussed it with Elder Mother Javieri,a Corrana said, to Kaylas considerable surprise. aUnfortunately, there is little that can be done. They cannot be forced to like him.a aHe shouldnat have come,a Kayl said emphatically. aHeas been traveling alone for fifteen years, and heas used to being able to leave when people donat like him. Now heas stuck with nearly twenty people, three-quarters of whom dislike and distrust him just because heas a Varnan. He should have stayed in Kith Alunel.a aHe must want very badly to be free of those visions,a Risper said soberly.

aThatas not why heas here,a Kayl said without thinking.

Corrana and Risper both looked at her. aNo?a Corrana said, and her tone demanded an explanation.

Kayl sighed and set down her mug of ale. Shead had enough, if she was starting to make slips like that. aHe came because of me,a she said angrily, not really knowing whether she was angry with Corrana for making her say it, with Glyndon for doing it, or with herself for letting him. aI should have made him stay in Kith Alunel,a she muttered.

aI doubt that you could have done so,a Corrana said, and gave Kayl one of her small, secretive smiles. aFrom what I know of him, you are well matched in stubbornness.a aWe only have another two weeks or so before we get to the Tower,a Risper said. aThatas not long.a aFirst we have to find that scholar the Elder Mothers think is so important,a Kayl said. aWeave been waiting here nearly a week alreadya"a aFour days,a Risper corrected.

aa"and who knows how much longer itall take? And once we finish with the Tower, there will still be a four-month trip back to Kith Alunel.a aGlyndon doesnat have to go back to Kith Alunel with us when weare finished,a Risper pointed out.

aNo, he doesnat,a Kayl agreed. But he will, she thought. If I stay with the Sisters, heall stay, too. And I have to stay with them, at least for a while. What would I do with two children in the middle of the Windhome Mountains? Weall have to travel at least part of the way back to Kith Alunel with them, and if we fail at the Twisted Tower a second time the rest will take it out on Glyndon and Barthelmy.

aHere comes the innkeeper,a Risper said. aDo either of you want anything more?a aNo,a Corrana said, looking at the barely touched mug of wine in front of her. aOne was enough.a aNone here, either,a Kayl said. She leaned forward to let the innkeeper pa.s.s, and a s.n.a.t.c.h of conversation at a nearby table caught her attention.

aa"fur-faces,a a surly young man was saying. aSix of aem this time. And Barakas letting them camp next to the mill!a aBarak lets anyone camp there,a the innkeeper said as he turned to that table and set a cl.u.s.ter of mugs on it. aRuin my business, he would, if more travelers knew of it.a aBlast your business!a the young man said. aWhat about the demon-bred fur-faces? We ought to run them off, the way Dinstown does.a aWhy bother?a a lazy-looking youth asked. aTheyall be gone in the morning.a aThey should be gone now! Sneaking littlea"a aCalm down, Joss,a a gray-haired man said. aTheyare doing no harm.a aTheyare doing no good, either,a Joss replied, frowning into his ale.

aSome might say the same about you,a a brown-haired woman said. She was solidly built, with an air of competence about her. aWhat about that axle of Sishas?a This was apparently an old joke; the entire table burst out laughing, and the conversation turned to various foolish or embarra.s.sing things the drinkers remembered each otheras having done.

aKayl?a Risper said. aWhat is it? Iave said your name three times.a aI just overheard something that bothers me.a Kayl frowned at her mug for a moment, then stood. aIam going for a walk; Iall be back in a few minutes.a Risper and Corrana nodded. aDo you want some company?a Risper asked.

aThanks, but no,a Kayl said with a smile. aYou can stay here and finish my ale.a Risper looked at Kaylas mug with a dubious expression and shook her head. Kayl laughed; then, wrapping her cloak around herself, she slipped out of the tavern.

Outside she paused. They had crossed a creek on the way into town, but she had not noticed a mill. It would be in the other direction, then, upstream and toward the east. She started forward at a brisk walk.

The night was clear and smelled of melting snow. Kayl could see down the road to the end of the village and the fields beyond. The dark silhouettes of the Windhome Mountains loomed behind them on the eastern horizon, blocking out great swaths of stars. Kayl shivered, glad that Elewyth had risen high enough to be well above the mountains. The silver-green moon was nearly full, and provided more than enough light for Kayl to see her way. Kaldarin, the smaller, reddish moon, had not yet cleared the peaks.

As she walked, Kayl kicked at dirt-covered chunks of snow, sending them whirling into the darkness or occasionally splattering them wetly in all directions. She had almost given away too much in the inn, talking about Glyndon as she had. Her suspicions about the nature of Glyndonas affection for her had hardened into certainty, and now she did not know what to do. It would be easier if Glyndon were like Jirod: someone she simply trusted and cared for as a friend. But her feelings for Glyndon were more than that; how much more she did not want even to think about yet, much less to discuss with Corrana and Risper.

The sound of the water pouring over the millwheel brought Kayl out of her reverie, and a few more minutes brought her within sight of the mill itself. It was a small, square building made of stone. Beside it the water wheel turned slowly and endlessly, gleaming in the moonlight. Kayl circled the mill warily, but the wet snow around it had been trampled into a muddy sea. She saw no sign of any camp. She was about to return to the tavern and forget the whim that had called her out into the darkness, when a voice behind her said, aExcuse me; are you looking for something?a The voice had the characteristic piping timbre of a Wyrdas. Kayl turned without haste. A small figure stood a few paces away in the shelter of a small clump of trees, barely visible as a darker, more solid shadow among the shadows.

aI believe I have found what I was looking for,a Kayl said. Other Wyrds would be watching from the bushes. She let her arms hang loosely at her sides, carefully empty of threat.

aSo.a The Wyrdas tone was courteous, but it held no warmth. aWhy have you come looking for us?a aI overheard some of the villagers talking in the tavern. They spoke of six Wyrds from the south, pa.s.sing through this village. One man was in favor of driving you off as the people of Dinstown do.a aAnd you came to warn us of this plan?a The Wyrdas skepticism was evident.

Kayl shook her head. aIt was mostly ale talking. Dinstown, however, is north and a little west of here; it would make a logical next stop for a group such as yours. I thought you might find it useful to know their att.i.tude.a aThank you for your warning,a the Wyrd said with cool politeness. aBut you will, I hope, pardon us if we remain wary. Who are you, that you would help Wyrds?a aI am a traveler, like yourselves,a Kayl said. aAnd I have a friend among your people in Mindaria. My name isa"a aKayl! By the Tree, what are you doing here?a aBryn?a Kayl whirled, peering incredulously into the darkness.

aOver here.a Kayl saw a small figure approaching rapidly from the far corner of the mill. In another moment, she could make out the familiar features of Copehamas carpenter. aIt really is you. What are you doing here, of all places?a aI asked you first,a Bryn said, grinning fiercely.

aShe claims she is here to warn us of an unfriendly town ahead,a said the Wyrd who had first addressed Kayl.

aThen thatas why she came. Donat act like a Rathani bureaucrat, Shav,a Bryn said. Shav subsided, muttering. Bryn looked at Kayl. aAnything else you want to tell him?a aIave covered the main point,a Kayl replied.

aThen letas go somewhere and talk.a aNot the camp,a Shav said quickly.

aAll right, if you insist,a Bryn said, sounding irritated. aWeall be by the mill steps, if you want us for anything. This way, Kayl.a Kayl nodded a farewell to Shav and followed Bryn. The steps proved to be stone, still cold with winter frost, but Kayl said nothing as she seated herself. The alternatives were a Wyrd tent, with the suspicious Shav probably hovering in the background, or the village tavern, half-full of the Sisterhood. At least the air smelled faintly of the coming spring, despite its chill.

aHow are Mark and Dara?a Bryn asked. aAnd what does bring you out here? Jirod said you were headed for Varna.a aI told him that in case the Magicseekers questioned him,a Kayl said. aWe went north instead, to Kith Alunel.a Bryn frowned and started to say something, then stopped and asked, aWhy were you so sure the Magicseekers were interested in you?a Kayl sighed. aFifteen years ago, I belonged to the Sisterhood of Stars.a Bryn nodded, but she seemed unsurprised. Kayl peered at her, trying to read some expression through the darkness and the fur. aYou knew?a she said finally.

aIt was pretty clear that something odd was going on,a Bryn said dryly. aFirst that black-haired woman turning out to be a Silver Sister, then you and your household bolting like that. And when Utrilo Levoil turned out to be a Magicseekera"a aWhat?a Brynas pointed teeth gleamed in the moonlight as she grinned. aUtrilo Levoil was the leader of that group of Magicseekers who came through Copeham.a aI donat believe it! That fat, pompous windbag?a aYou didnat see him in armor, snapping orders.a aPrefect Islorran must have sent him along to guide the Magicseekers, thatas all.a aAnd they just happened to have a spare set of scaled lorica and an eagle helmet with them, which just happened to fit Levoil as if theyad been made for him. And all of the Magicseekers were perfectly willing to take orders from Islorranas secretary. Including orders to march east, double-time, to catch up with you.a aIa"a Kayl shook her head. She could not picture Utrilo Levoil, Islorranas oily secretary, as any kind of leader, much less a leader of Magicseekers. On the other hand, Bryn seemed very sure. And Glyndon had seen seven eagle-helms, not sixa. aYou stayed in Copeham for a while, then?a aAbout another week. Alden was out looking for rocks, to carve something for Xaya, and he saw Utrilo and the rest of them coming back. He watched long enough to be sure you werenat with them, then slipped away to warn us. We left before they arrived in Copeham.a aI can hardly blame you,a Kayl said with mock seriousness.

Bryn grinned again. aI would hope not. Weave been on the road since then, with one batch of travelers or another. We met Shav and his sisters about three months ago. He said he knew of a settlement out in this direction, so we thought wead try. Iam beginning to suspect he hasnat the slightest idea where heas going, though.a aI thought you were planning to head north.a aWeare a lot farther north than we were when we started, arenat we? And two adults and a child canat just take off into the wilderness alone. So we keep following rumors, like this rabbit-chase of Shavas, hoping to hear word of somewhere really safe.a aI hope you find it,a Kayl said. She hesitated. aHow was Jirod? And the inn?a Bryn was silent for a moment; then she said, aIam afraid the Magicseekers burned your inn. Iam sorry; I know how much that place meant to you.a aItas all right.a Kayl was surprised to find that her only reaction to the news was a distant sorrow; she had more than half expected the news. aI never really believed Iad be able to go back. What about Jirod?a aHeasa recovering.a Kayl felt as if someone had dealt her a blow in the stomach. aHe is? Present tense?a aWeave had news since we left. The Magicseekers beat him senseless the first time they came through, after they found out youad disappeared. When they came back, Zia hid him and told them head died. Levoil didnat think Zia was capable of lying to him, so he didnat even look for Jirod. He had his men burn the inn, and then they left.a aI see.a Kayl was silent for a moment, then angrily struck her fist against her thigh. aI told Jirod he should come with us! Why wouldnat he listen?a aIf youare feeling guilty, just say so,a Bryn advised calmly.

Kayl started to snap at Bryn, then caught herself. aYouare right,a she said finally. aI do feel guilty.a aHow much of what happened with the Silver Sister and the Magicseekers and Levoil could you actually have done anything about?a aIa"a Kayl stopped and, reluctantly, smiled. aNone of it, I suppose, not really. I still feel as if I should have tried, though.a Bryn muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like aHumans!a then said, aItas too late now. Still, I certainly wouldnat mind if you explained what it was all about.a She gave Kayl a sidelong look.

aIall tell you what I can,a Kayl said, abut some of it is still Sisterhood business.a Bryn nodded, and Kayl launched into an edited account of her travels and the reasons behind them. She did not mention the decline of the Sisterhoodas magical abilities and she was deliberately vague about the Twisted Tower and the exact purpose of the current expedition.

Bryn listened closely, her nose twitching occasionally as it did when she was concentrating hard on something. aSo you got caught in the middle of a fight between the Sisterhood and the Circle of Silence over something that happened fifteen years ago,a Bryn said thoughtfully when Kayl finished.

aMore or less,a Kayl said. aThereas no way Corrana and the Magicseekers could have shown up so close together by coincidence, and the Magicseekers didnat seem to be following her. Although if Utrilo Levoil was one of themaa Kayl frowned.

aThen he probably had suspicions about you even before Corrana arrived,a Bryn said. aAnd whatever is going on is important enough to him to keep him tied to a small village, pretending to be a pompous idiot of a secretary, for nearly a month.a aI hadnat thought of it that way, but youare right,a Kayl said slowly. aIad a.s.sumed that they followed Corrana, but if Levoil was one of them, thatas impossible.a Bryn gave Kayl a sober look. aThey wonat have given up, you know.a aI know. I just have to hope that they wonat cross the borders of the Alliance, or at least that theyall be severely limited inside it.a Kayl knew it was a forlorn hope; they were nearing the eastern boundary of the Estarren Alliance, and the authority of the Senate was already running thin. The Windhome Mountains, four daysa journey away, were only nominally under the control of the Alliance. Kayl was sure that the Magicseekers would not think twice about defying the Senateas order of exile there. aYou havenat seen any sign of them, or heard any rumors, have you?a aNot exactly.a aWhat does that mean?a aIt means Iam not sure. We ran across some very odd merchants about a week agoa"surly and standoffish, no wagons or packs of goods, and all of them with horses. We kept out of their way.a aA week ago,a Kayl said, frowning. aWhere was this?a aA little south and west of here. Not quite a weekas travel; we lost some time because of a broken wheel on one of the carts.a Less than a week away, and they had horses. Kaylas frown deepened. At least they hadnat actually crossed the expeditionas trail; if they were Magicseekers, they might not know how close they were to their prey. aIall have to tell the Elder Mothers about this. Would you be willing to talk to them?a Brynas ears twitched forward. aIf theyare willing to talk to me.a aThe Sisterhood doesnat think Wyrds or Shee or Neira are automatically suspicious,a Kayl said, stung by the injustice of the a.s.sumption.

aThatas not what I meant. Your Sisterhood has a lot of information; Iad like to trade.a aTheyare not my Sisterhood,a Kayl muttered.

Bryn ignored the comment. aI want to know if theyave heard anything of a Wyrd settlement in the north.a aI think I can promise you theyall tell you if they know anything about it,a Kayl said. aBut what if they havenat?a aEven thatas information, of a sort. Iall meet you outside the tavern in an hour; will that be enough time for you to arrange things with these Elder Mothers?a aIt should be. Thanks, Bryn.a Kayl rose and stamped her feet. Then, with a nod of farewell, she started back toward the tavern.

CHAPTER.

TWENTY-TWO.

When Kayl arrived, the tavern was in an uproar. Fifteen or twenty of the townspeople stood in angry clumps in front of the door, muttering among themselves and glaring toward the center of the room. Corranaas voice rose in icy anger from that direction, ordering someone back. Kayl tried to peer over or between the heads that blocked her view. She caught a glimpse of Elder Mother Alessaas shining hair, and the members of the Star Cl.u.s.ters, but she still could not tell what was going on. She pressed her lips together and began to shoulder her way forward.

aDemon-cursed Varnan,a she heard someone say beside her. Kayl went cold. If something had happened to Glyndona. It wasnat like Glyndon to be careless; how had these people guessed he was Varnan?

aTraveling with a whole harem, bold as anything,a someone else said loudly. Kayl pushed herself between the last of the villagers and stopped.

The women of the two Star Cl.u.s.ters stood in a defensive half-circle, facing the villagers. None of them had drawn weapons, and all of them looked unhappy. Elder Mother Alessa was standing to Kaylas left, just behind Risper, talking to the Star Cl.u.s.ter in a voice too low for Kayl to hear. Elder Mother Miracote stood near the other end of the string of star-sisters, studying the townsfolk through narrowed eyes.

Behind the Star Cl.u.s.ters, the remainder of the Sisterhoodas expedition stood or sat in three clumps. The first consisted of Corrana and the two Mothers, talking in soothing tones to the indignant tavern-keeper. Kaylas opinion of the man, which had not been high to begin with, dropped sharply; he should be out here trying to talk the townsfolk out of starting a fight. Two Elder Sisters stood at the nearer end of one of the tables, watching the villagers. Glyndon sat at the other end of the table, white and shaking. Barthelmy and Elder Mother Javieri stood beside him, concern written across both their faces, while Mark and Dara hovered protectively a little way away. Kayl needed only the briefest glance to be certain that Glyndon had had another of his visions. She wanted to go to him, but dealing with the villagers could not wait. She hoped fleetingly that Mark and Dara would have time enough to run if things got ugly.

aYou, there,a she said to a burly man in her best drill-masteras voice. aWhatas troubling these people?a She waved at the glowering townsfolk.

aWhat?a The man looked confused, then suspicious. aWhoas asking?a aI am. Well?a aThat manas a Varnan,a the man said accusingly. An angry murmur from the people behind him bolstered his courage, and he added, aAnd weare going to get him!a aReally?a Kayl said. She pitched her voice with care, trying to achieve a tone of mild curiosity that would still carry to the rear of the room. aAnd Iad heard this was such a friendly town. What are you going to do with him when you have him?a aPut him in the stocks,a shouted someone.

aTar and sawdust,a yelled another.

aHang him!a There were uneasy murmurs among the crowd at that; evidently hanging was more than most of the villagers were ready to stomach. Kayl felt a touch of relief; they hadnat really gotten worked up yet. aSounds like a lot of effort,a Kayl commented. aWhatas he done? Turned the ale bad?a A stocky, brown-haired woman laughed. aIf he tried that with Pensharas ale, no one would notice!a she called.

Kayl recognized her as the same woman who had earlier sidetracked the angry young manas diatribe against Wyrds. aIn that case, Iad hang the brewer, not the wizard,a Kayl said.

She saw a few smiles among the crowd; their initial fear was beginning to fade.

aHeas a Varnan,a someone shouted from the back, but the voice was not as angry as the earlier ones had been.

aThe brewer?a Kayl said.

There was a scattering of chuckles. aThatas why the aleas so bad!a the stocky woman said.

aDonat you bad-talk my business, Thela!a the tavern-keeper shouted from across the room. aI serve good ale.a aGood for what?a said a skinny youth.