Lyra: Caught In Crystal Part 4

aWhat is it?a Jirod said. aItas like the falling sickness Banas girl has, but heas nota"a aHe is a Seer, of sorts,a Corrana said, and Jirod jumped. The sorceress smiled very slightly and went on. aI begin to agree with his opinions of it; it seems an uncomfortable talent.a aJirod, have you got any wine?a Kayl snapped. aNo? Water, then, please. As quickly as you can.a Jirod brought the water just as Glyndon gave the shuddering sigh that signaled the visionas end. Kayl handed Glyndon the mug and watched narrowly while he drank.

aThank you,a Glyndon said as he lowered the mug. aAnd my apologies, that you should have to deal with this twice. I am usually more careful.a aCareful?a Kayl said. aYou have some control of the visions?a aNo, but I can control where I am when they take me.a Glyndonas tone was bleak. aUntil recently.a aAnd do your visions usually come so close together?a aAgain, not until recently. But theyave always been capricious. Iad go months without aseeinga anything, then have three of these fits within a week.a aBut not two in one day,a Kayl said.

aNo.a aThen what you aseea is presumably of some importance,a Corrana said coolly. aTell us.a Kayl shot her a look of dislike. Glyndon shook his head. aThe same as before. Seven eagle-helmed soldiers smashing things at the inn, and Kayla We havenat escaped it yet.a aSeven Magicseekers,a Corrana said. aYet those who came today were but six.a aIslorran!a Kayl said. aHis villa is farther down that road, away from town. There must be another one staying with him.a aI donat think Prefect Islorran would help the Magicseekers,a Jirod said.

aWhy not?a Kayl said. aMindaria isnat part of the Estarren Alliance anymore; the Circle of Silence has come and gone as they pleased for the last five or ten years.a aYour Prefect would not be the first to bargain with them for support,a said Corrana.

aAnd it would explain why Utrilo Levoil was poking around my inn so determinedly two days ago.a aWhat?a Glyndon said. aYou didnat tell me anything about that.a Quickly, Kayl summarized Utriloas visit to the inn. aHe isnat usually so persistent, but if Islorran has a Magicseeker visiting him, Utrilo would be under a lot more pressure.a Jirod was staring at Kayl, and she realized suddenly that she had begun to pace. She stopped short, feeling foolish. Jirodas gaze did not waver. aKayl,a he said, acan I talk with you privately?a Kayl blinked, surprised by the suddenness of the request. aYes, if it wonat take too long. I donat think we have much time.a aI suspect you are right,a Corrana said. aPerhaps you should stay, and hold your conversation here.a aNo, lady,a Kayl said. aNot this time.a She held the sorceressa eyes until Corrana gave a little nod; then she looked at Jirod. aThe kitchen?a Jirod nodded abstractedly and rose. Kayl followed. He did not speak until the kitchen door was firmly shut behind them; then he said, aKayl, you donat have to do this.a aWhat do you mean? Jirod, I wonat let the children bea"a aI donat mean that! Of course youad never let them be hurt, and I can see why you think they might be if you stayed. But you donat have to go away with these wizards!a Kayl took a deep breath and let it out again slowly. aI donat see any reasonable alternatives,a she said carefully.

aYou could stay here, in my house,a Jirod said. aFor as long as you like.a Kayl could think of half a dozen insoluble problems with doing any such thing, but she was touched by the offer nonetheless. aAnd bring the Magicseekers down on you, too? I couldnat do that.a aBut youall leave Copeham for a strangeras story.a aGlyndon is an old friend, Jirod. I trust him, and Corrana as well. At least, to a point.a aTheyare wizards, Kayl,a Jirod said earnestly. aYou canat believe them.a aOh?a aWizards and witches are nothing but trouble for everyone. Look at the mess the Wizardas War left, and the trouble the Magicseekers have caused. You donat belong with them.a aMy husband was a Varnan wizard,a Kayl said in a tone that was as expressionless as she could make it.

Jirod stared at her. Then his face reddened and he looked away.

When she was sure he was not going to respond, Kayl said, aIs there anything else?a aI seem to keep saying the wrong thing,a Jirod said quietly. aIam sorry.a Kayl sighed, her anger evaporating. aI think I understand. Still, I have to leave Copeham. For my own sake, as well as the childrenas.a aBut you belong here,a Jirod said.

Kayl looked at him. She could feel the weight of the sword of the Sisterhood hanging at her side, and smell the faint, musty odor of the leathers she wore. She thought of the inn and her children; of the growing hunger for magic and the rising tide of resentment facing Bryn and other nonhumans outside the Estarren Alliance; of her husband Kevran and of Jirodas mistrust of magic; of all the ghosts that had begun stirring in her memories since Corranaas arrival at the inn.

aNo,a Kayl said slowly, after a long pause. aI donat belong here.a Jirodas face went very still. aYou mean that,a he said.

aYes,a Kayl said gently. aI do.a She waited a moment; when Jirod did not reply, she walked past him to the door, and back into the other room.

CHAPTER.

TEN.

The first thing Kayl heard when she entered the front room was Daraas voice saying, aWhat was he like?a Glyndon glanced up from whatever he had been discussing with the children, and saw Kayl. aIall tell you later,a he said.

Dara followed his glance and said, aAll right. Mother, Iam hungry.a Kayl did a mental change in step and said, aThere are vegetables and some cold stew in the basket. We should all have something; it may be awhile before we can stop again.a She heard Jirod come into the room behind her, but she did not turn. Instead, she went to the table and began helping Dara get out the food.

aWhat are we going to do now?a Mark asked.

aWeall be leaving Copeham as soon as weave eaten,a Kayl said briskly.

aI thought you didnat want to be seen!a Jirod objected. aShouldnat you wait until dark?a Kayl turned. aIf one of the Magicseekers is staying with Prefect Islorran, he probably knows everything Utrilo does about Copeham. Which means heall know who my friends are, and where Iad be likely to hide. When they get to the inn and find no one, theyall know where to start looking. Iad counted on them having to hunt a little.a aItas still raining!a aThen there will be fewer people around to see which way we go. Iam sorry, Jirod, but we have to leave. Quickly.a aPerhaps you should join us,a Corrana said. aThe Magicseekers will not be pleasant company, when they arrive.a aNo,a Jirod said. aThat is, Iad rather not, my lady. Begging your pardon.a aYouare sure, Jirod?a Kayl asked. Corrana was right; there was no telling what the Magicseekers might do if they thought Jirod could tell them where their prey had gone.

aIam sure.a His eyes met hers. aCopeham is my home. I belong here.a aI understand,a Kayl said. She sighed. aIf the Magicseekers leave anything worth having when theyare done at the inn, itas yours.a aIall take care of things for you,a Jirod said. aUntil you get back.a The stubborn set of his chin told Kayl there was no use in trying to convince him that she might not be coming back. aThank you,a she said. Another thought struck her, and she added, aIf you see Bryn, tell her we couldnat wait.a aIall tell her,a Jirod promised. He paused. aWhere will you be going?a aEast,a Kayl said without hesitation.

aEast? But I thoughta"a Jirod broke off and glanced at Corrana.

aI think my husbandas family will be just as capable of protecting the children as the Sisterhood would be,a Kayl said firmly. aAnd without asking a price in return.a aVarna is a long way. Are you surea"a aIam sure.a aVarna?a Mark said eagerly. aWeare going to Varna?a aFinish your stew, and weall see,a Kayl said.

aI am finished,a Mark said.

Dara was frowning in puzzlement. aMother, what you just saida"does that mean Father was a Varnan?a aIt does,a Kayl said. aIall explain later.a She was acc.u.mulating a considerable list of things to explain later, she thought uncomfortably, but there was no help for it.

aYes, I think itas time we left,a Glyndon said before Mark could voice any of the questions he was obviously bursting to ask.

Kayl nodded. Grumbling, Mark and Dara put the containers of stew back in the basket. Kayl checked to make sure that Mark had repacked his jar of stew properly. Rea.s.sured that the jar was not likely to tip over during the journey and soak everything in the basket, she bundled the children into their cloaks and handed them their bundles. She picked up her own package and adjusted the folds of her cloak to hide as much as possible of the sword she wore.

aIs everyone ready?a she said at last. aThen letas go.a Corrana rose and led the way. Mark and Dara followed. Glyndon rose, but hesitated, looking from Jirod to Kayl and back. Then he scowled and swept out of the house.

Kayl looked at Jirod. aGood-bye, my friend,a she said.

aGood-bye, Kayl.a The quiet words seemed to hang in the air until the door of Jirodas house closed behind her, cutting them off with a ruthless and unanswerable finality.

They walked eastward for most of the afternoon. Their progress was poorer than Kayl had hoped, for the steady rain had turned the road to a heavy mud that slid underfoot and clung like leaden weights to boots and sandals. Their cloaks quickly became sodden burdens, and the muddy hems slapped against their calves, cold and unpleasant. Kaylas only consolation was the hope that the rain would delay the heavily armed and armored Magicseekers even more.

A few miles past the last of the cultivated land that surrounded Copeham, Kayl called a halt. Mark and Dara searched in vain for a dry rock to sit on. Finally they gave up and stood huddled together under their cloaks, a picture of misery.

aIam cold,a Mark grumbled. aAnd this stupid cloak drips down my neck.a aIt would help if you wrapped it properly,a Kayl said as she adjusted the haphazard folds around Markas head. aThere. Try to keep it that way for a while.a aWhy canat one of them do something about all this rain?a Mark said, nodding toward Glyndon and Corrana. aAnd the mud and the cold?a aSuch as?a aTheyare wizards, arenat they? Canat they make it stop? Or at least keep us dry?a aNo,a Kayl said severely. aMagic isnat used so casually.a aWhy not?a Mark demanded.

aA good question,a Glyndon said. aAnd one that doesnat have a simple answer, Iam afraid. Partly, itas a respect for the power we use. You could chop onions with a sword, but itas usually easier to use a kitchen knife. Does that explain it?a Mark nodded and scowled. aWhatas the good of traveling with a wizard if you canat even be comfortable?a aVery little,a Glyndon said apologetically. He turned to Kayl and asked, aHow much farther is it to the next town?a aWe arenat going there,a Kayl said, scanning the rocky wastes on either side of the road. aWeare turning north.a aYou mean we arenat going to Varna?a Mark said. aBut I wanted to see all the wizards!a aThey donat look any different from other people,a Kayl said. aAnd we arenat making this trip to satisfy your curiosity.a Warned by Kaylas tone, Mark fell silent. Dara hunched her shoulders. aWell, where are we going, then?a she demanded crossly.

Kayl looked across at Corrana. aKith Alunel, I think,a she said.

The sorceress gave a satisfied smile. aI am glad you have seen the wisdom of such a course of action,a she said, half lowering her eyelids.

Kayl returned the smile grimly. aI have some property to return to the Sisterhood of Stars,a she said, and shifted her cloak to allow Corrana a brief glimpse of the hilt of her sword.

Momentarily, Corranaas face showed consternation; then her expression smoothed into its usual unreadable mask. aAs you will have it. You may yet change your mind when you have spoken with the Elder Mothers.a aPerhaps,a Kayl said noncommittally. She had no intention of returning to the Twisted Tower in the Windhome Mountains, whatever the Elder Mothers might say. Still, it couldnat hurt to listen to them, and they might have some other task she could do. After all, she would have to find some way of supporting herself and her children. The little h.o.a.rd of money in her belt-pouch would not last long. She looked at Glyndon. aWill you come with us, or have you other plans?a Glyndon shrugged. aI have no plans,a he said shortly. aKith Alunel is as good a destination for me as any.a Annoyed and a little hurt by Glyndonas abrupt manner, Kayl jerked her head toward the wet, rocky ground north of the road. aStart walking, then.a Glyndon blinked at her, then suddenly grinned. aAt your command,a he said, bowing, then lifted his staff and strode off. Kayl shook her head and followed.

They camped that night on the rocky waste. They were still too close to Copeham and the possibility of pursuit to risk a fire, so they constructed a makeshift tent from their wet, mud-splattered cloaks and huddled inside it. They spent a damp, muddy, miserable night. No one got very much sleep.

The second day of the journey was worse. Kayl was stiff from sleeping on the ground, and her muscles were sore from the unaccustomed walking. She forced herself to go through some of the stretching exercises her drillmasters had taught her so long before, and was appalled by how difficult they seemed. The children were tired, cross and hungry; cold stew did not noticeably improve their tempers. Dara sneezed twice while she was eating, and Kayl began worrying that the girl was catching a cold.

Glyndon looked positively haggard. Kayl suspected he had had another of his visions during the night, but he did not volunteer any information and she was unwilling to pry. Corrana was the only member of the group who bore any resemblance to her usual self. Even with her cloak muddied to the knees and her hair in snarls, she had an air of calm power that must command respect anywhere.

At least the rain had stopped. By midmorning, the summer sun had come out, and the little group could shed their cloaks. Walking became easier as the ground dried off, though the children continued to complain. Despite the better footing, the group still did not move as quickly as Kayl had hoped. She developed a habit of scanning the southern horizon whenever they paused to rest, but she saw no sign of pursuit.

They saw no one the day after, either, and Kayl began to relax. They stopped early that evening, and Glyndon set snares to supplement their dwindling supply of food. His efforts garnered a partridge and a brace of rabbits, and they dined royally around a small fire.

On their fourth day of walking, they reached the North Road, and two days after that they came to the town of Yanderwood. They slept warm and dry at an inn whose sign bore a wolfas head. Next day, Corrana hired an ox-drawn wagon, and they continued their journey in considerably more comfort. Within a week, they were out of Mindaria altogether.

Kayl continued to do her sword drills every morning, no matter how stiff and sore she felt. Gradually her muscles hardened and her skill began to return. Both Mark and Dara showed considerable interest in the process, and after some thought Kayl inst.i.tuted a daily lesson in swordcraft and fighting skills.

Corrana remained a source of uneasiness. The womanas att.i.tude did not change; if anything, she grew more aloof and more cryptic as the journey continued. She took to studying Kayl and her children with an unfathomable expression that made Kayl increasingly irritable.

Glyndon, too, was a source of concern. His visions continued to come close together, sometimes with daily frequency, though as they left Copeham farther behind, the more nightmarish sights seemed to grow fewer. Even the pleasant visions took their toll, however. Once Kayl found him staring at the horizon, his expression bleak.

aAnother bad one?a she asked.

aNo,a he said, and his mouth twisted. aTo the contrary. The problem is, it wasnat true.a aNot true?a aI can tell, sometimes, whether a vision is true or not,a Glyndon said without looking at her. His hand clenched. aThis one wasnat.a aI see.a Kayl was silent for a moment. aGlyndon, you told me youad managed to avoid some of the unpleasant visions. Have you ever tried to make some of the better ones actually happen?a aWhat?a Glyndonas head jerked around to face her.

aHave you ever tried to make one of the good visions happen?a Kayl repeated.

aNo,a Glyndon said slowly. aNo, I havenat.a He sounded as if he was not sure whether to be afraid or pleased. aI wouldnat know where to start.a aThink about it,a Kayl said, and left him.

But though Glyndon seemed more cheerful after that conversation, the visions continued without respite. He grew thinner and more worn-looking as the journey progressed. By the time they were halfway to Kith Alunel, it was clear to Kayl that if something were not done to slow or stop the visions, Glyndon would waste away completely. She even went so far as to question Corrana privately, but the sorceress could only suggest a consultation with the Elder Mothers of the Sisterhood. Glyndonas visions were totally outside her experience.

As they drew nearer to Kith Alunel, their progress became more rapid. As soon as they were within the borders of the Estarren Alliance, Corrana began wearing her silver robes openly. The roads improved steadily as well, from the muddy tracks around Copeham to rutted gravel to the wide, paved roadways that were the pride of the Alliance.

Six months after leaving Copeham, they entered Kith Alunel.

INTERLUDE:.

Kith Alunel.

Kith Alunel is possibly the oldest city of Lyra. It is known to have been founded prior to the Wars of Binding; more than that is impossible to establish with any accuracy. Local tradition has it that the city was settled some four hundred years prior to the beginning of the war, and specifically some thirty years prior to the settling of Rathane. It is impossible to tell whether there is any truth to this tradition; besides, the people of Kith Alunel claim to have done or invented practically everything earlier than Rathane. All that is certain is that Kith Alunel and Rathane are the only existing human cities which date from a time prior to the Wars of Binding.

The so-called Dark Times, followed by the Wars of Binding, are the main reason for the dearth of information regarding times prior to the wars. The Shadow-born, who ruled much of Lyra during the Dark Times, made a concerted effort to destroy both knowledge and magical ability. Kith Alunel was a major target of this effort.

Fortunately, the inhabitants of Kith Alunel and its environs exhibited considerable creativity in hiding and preserving their heritage. Books and other doc.u.ments were buried beneath the cornerstones of new buildings, walled into specially-constructed niches, even sealed with pitch and hidden in barrels of wine. The ninth Baroness Kyel-Semrud, to preserve the Kyel-Semrudas ancestral home of Castle Ravensrest, is supposed to have built an exact duplicate of the castle, complete with copies of family heirlooms, and somehow tricked the Shadow-born into destroying the duplicate instead of their intended target. Though this seems unlikely, Castle Ravensrest is undeniably ancient and extraordinarily well preserved.

Not all the ruses were as successful as the Baronessa legendary trick. Some caches of books and magical equipment were discovered and destroyed; some were so well hidden that they were forgotten and lost. Enough survived, however, to make Kith Alunel a major source of knowledge and culture following the end of the Wars of Binding, and this undoubtedly contributed to the cityas preeminence in the centuries that followed.

Many of the cities and countries along the eastern sh.o.r.e of the Melyranne Sea owe their existence, directly or indirectly, to Kith Alunel. The cities of Toltan and Morsedd were colonies of Kith Alunel, begun in 109 a.w.b. and 274 a.w.b. respectively. Mindaria was settled by dissidents in 248. Later, Kith Alunel was the prime mover in persuading the Senate of the Estarren Alliance to rename the Seaguard Mountains as the Mountains of Morravik and cede them to the Shanhar (an elite military band whose name was later corrupted into aCilhara).

Possibly the most notable achievement of Kith Alunel was the Estarren Alliance, the loose federation of nation-states and independent cities which dominated the lands east of the Melyranne Sea for nearly eight hundred years. Though the Alliance was conceived to facilitate trade, it grew into a power capable of everything from building roads to fighting the wizards of Varna to a standstill. Even the bickering which followed the Wizardas War of 1003-1026 a.w.b. did not result in open ruptures within the Alliance for nearly two centuries, and the core of the Alliance remained a power to reckon with well into the 1300s.

With the break-up of the Estarren Alliance, Kith Alunelas ascendancy began to fade. The center of political power pa.s.sed on, first to Imach Thyssel, later to Ciaron. Curiously, this change in their supposed position has never appeared to bother the citizens of Kith Alunel in the slightest, and the city shows no sign of losing its vitality. To the contrary, innovations of all kinds continue to have their origins in Kith Alunel.

a"Kith Alunel: Legend and Reality by Najid Sar, Archivist of the Temple of the Third Moon, 2942 A.W.B. (From the library of Duke Dindran of Minathlan.).

PART II.

Sisterhood of Stars.

CHAPTER.

ELEVEN.

Kith Alunel appeared to have changed very little in the years since Kayl had last been there. The street inside the city gates was wide, and lined with buildings made of sun-baked brick. Brightly painted signs hung above the shop doors, depicting the merchandise for sale within.

The weather was mild for early winter, and despite the frosting of yesterdayas snow on the roofs the street was crowded. Many of the shops had their shutters open. Tantalizing aromas drifted out of the many little hot-pastry places, tempting tired and hungry travelers to purchase fresh meat-pies and hot, spiced wine. Scattered among the food vendors were potters and gla.s.smakers, leatherworkers and basket weavers, smiths and herbalists, jewelers and winesellers, all with exotic wares to beguile and bewilder the newly arrived.

Kayl breathed in the familiar aroma and smiled. The first time she had come to Kith Alunel, shead spent every quarter-copper Mother Dalessi had given her within three blocks of the city gates. If she hadnat had the hall of the Sisterhood to go to, shead have spent the night sleeping on the street.

She was not wearing the sword of the Sisterhood now, and she had made a wool traveling garment to wear instead of her leathers. This garment tied around each of her legs. Sword and leathers formed the bulk of the bundle she had tied to her back; the baskets had fallen apart long ago.

aMother! Look at that!a Mark said, pointing at a shop with a tray of weapons on display.

aWeapon shops arenat unusual in Kith Alunel, dear,a Kayl said. aIf youare interested, we can look at some of them tomorrow.a aAlmost nothing is unusual in Kith Alunel,a Glyndon put in. aIf you want to buy something, go down to the gates. If you donat see it, wait awhile; someone will turn up with it before the day is over.a aWell, I want to buy dinner,a Dara muttered, pulling her cloak more tightly around her. aThat smell makes me hungry.a aMe, too,a Mark said more loudly. aMother, can we get something to eat?a He looked longingly at a small hot-pastry shop.

Kayl did a quick mental calculation. There was very little of her carefully h.o.a.rded money left; still, the children deserved some sort of treat to celebrate their arrival. aI think we can manage it, Mark. Where do you want to stop?a aThat one,a Dara said, pointing.

aI would prefer that we continue on to the Star Hall,a Corranaas cool voice broke in. aThere will be time for this later.a aMother, you promised!a Mark said.

aHush, Mark,a Kayl said, and turned to face Corrana. aI told the children they could have a treat, and I am going to give it to them,a Kayl said simply. aComing?a Corrana looked at her for a moment, then nodded. Kayl led the way into the pastry shop. She was more than usually thoughtful as she watched Mark and Dara make their choices. Corrana had been relatively quiet during the early weeks of their journey, but the nearer they had come to Kith Alunel, the more she had behaved as though she was in charge of the little party. Kayl did not want to encourage the Sisterhood of Stars to adopt a similar att.i.tude. While Corrana was watching the children with ill-concealed disapproval, Kayl slipped around to Glyndonas side and said softly, aGlyndon, do you have any money?a aQuite a bit, actually,a he replied, though he looked a little surprised that she would ask. aI was lucky in that last dice game.a aWould you slip away and get rooms for us at one of the inns before we get to the Star Hall?a Glyndon raised an eyebrow. aBefore youave even had a chance to talk to them?a aI want to keep my choices open,a Kayl said. aWill you do it?a aOf course.a He swept her a bow. aUntil later.a He turned and was gone, leaving Kayl glaring after him in irritation. aSlip away,a shead said, not make a production of his exit!

aAnd where is your Varnan friend off to?a Corrana said from behind her.

Kayl shrugged. aHe has business of his own in Kith Alunel. Heall catch up with us later.a aIf he must.a Corranaas voice held the slight edge that it always did when she spoke of Glyndon. aShall we continue on our way?a aNot until Mark has finished his meat-pie. Unless, of course, you want to make apologies to all the people heall b.u.mp into while he tries to walk and look and eat, all at the same time.a Corrana lifted one eyebrow and smiled slightly. aI withdraw my suggestion,a the sorceress said. aPurely out of sympathy for your sonas prospective victims, you understand.a Kayl grinned and bit into her meat-pie. Six months on the road seemed to have given Corrana a somewhat better understanding of both Mark and Dara; Kayl could only wish the woman had achieved as much sympathy for Glyndon, or for Kayl herself.

They finished their meal and went back out into the crowd. Mark and Dara stared wide-eyed at everything and everyone they pa.s.sed, from bell-covered jugglers to armor-clad guards and wool-wrapped merchants. As a result their progress was slow. Several times they saw litters pa.s.s along the center of the street, draped with fine woolens and silks and borne on the shoulders of muscular men and women with expressionless faces. When the first of the litters went by, Dara studied the bearers, then asked, aMother, are they slaves? I thought Kith Alunel didnat let people have slaves!a aNo, theyare not slaves,a Kayl told her. aTheyare paid for their work. Paid very well, as I remember, which is why only the wealthy or n.o.bility ride in litters.a aWhy do they look soa soaa aSo grim? Itas part of their training. Itas considered improper for a litter-bearer to express an opinion of his employeras actions while heas carrying, and even a smile is deemed an expression of opinion.a Mark looked after the retreating litter and wrinkled his nose. aThatas weird,a he said emphatically.

Kayl laughed. aThe people who do it donat think so.a aWell, buta"a Mark broke off, staring at something behind Kayl, and his eyes widened.

Kayl turned. A tall, platinum-haired Shee was pa.s.sing a few paces away, his green eyes narrowed into slanting slits in contemplation of whatever business drew him on.

aA Shee!a Mark breathed.

aWhere?a Dara craned her neck in an effort to catch a glimpse for herself. aWhy didnat you say something sooner?a aI said as soon as I saw him!a Mark said defensively.

aYou did not!a aThatas enough,a Kayl said. aThereas no reason for you to start quarreling over the first Shee you see. There are plenty of Shee in Kith Alunel; itas not like Mindaria.a Dara brightened and began scanning the crowd, looking for another of the nonhumans. Not to be outdone, Mark joined her. Their efforts were quickly rewarded, this time with the sight of a Shee woman bargaining in the door of an herbalistas shop. Mark and Dara were immensely pleased with themselves, but the incident left Kayl wondering uneasily just why it was that they had seen only two Shee since entering the city. Surely there should be more, or was her memory playing tricks on her?

Kayl began her own surrept.i.tious study of the crowd. What she saw did nothing to soothe her; she counted only four Shee in two blocks. Wyrds were more numerous, but there had been a Wyrd settlement near Kith Alunel for centuries. She saw no Neira at all.

At the top of a hill the street widened into a square. The middle of the square was occupied by a wide, shallow pool, now thinly crusted with ice and a dusting of snow. On Kaylas right was the colonnaded front of a theater, with a granite dome, probably a school, beside it. To the left, sixteen shallow steps, flanked by carved pillars, led up to the triple-arch doorway of a huge building. Above the door, three warriors in bas-relief held off seven nightmarish-looking creatures, while behind them a man and woman with their arms full of scrolls escaped.

aWhatas that?a Mark asked, awed.