Kelder glowered at herthis was not at all the reaction he had expected, but he was not about to back down now in front of Asha, after getting her hopes upand especially not with part of the prophecy at stake. It wouldnt hurt toask, he said. What harm could it do? You know that the caravan is here in town, we both saw it...

Asha suddenly became very attentive indeed, and Irith sighed.

Listen, she said, the whole thing is insane, but if youve just got to try it, take some time to think it over, all right? You dont want to be roaming the streets of Angarossa at night, and I'm not going to tell you how to get there from here. Lets just wait until morning, and if Ashas still here and you still want to try it, we can talk then.

All right, Kelder agreed. The idea of dashing out into the night was not very appealing, once he stopped to consider it, and this sounded like an excellent compromise.

But what do I dotonight? Asha wailed.

Kelder looked down at her, then across at Irith.

Iriths hair was gleaming golden in the lamplight; her white tunic had somehow managed to stay clean on the road, and that and her pale skin made her look like an island of light against the dark wood paneling behind her. He and she would be taking a room at the inn, of courseit would use up almost half of his remaining funds, he estimated, but that didnt seem important. He had been looking forward to sharing a room with her again.

The shapeshifter nodded slightly. Kelder sighed. There were, he now saw, some serious drawbacks to being a champion of the lost and forlorn.

You can stay with us tonight, he said, reluctantly.

Chapter Eight

There were times during the night when Kelder seriously considered trying to approach Irith, despite the little girl curled up beside the sleeping shapeshifter, but he resisted the temptation. He woke several times, as he was unaccustomed to sleeping on a wooden floor; there was only one bed, and Asha and Irith were sharing that. Each time he woke, he thought over the situation and stayed where he was.

It was easier after the candle had burned out, and he could no longer see the graceful curve of Iriths body on the bed.

When he awoke for the day, not particularly well rested, Irith was already up and dressed and gazing out the window. Asha was still asleep, curled into a tight little ball on the bed.

Judging by the light, it was an hour or more after dawnKelder felt vaguely guilty about sleeping so late, but since he had certainly not slept well, perhaps it balanced out.

Should we wake her? Irith asked in a whisper, gesturing toward the bed.

No, Kelder said. Let her sleep. The poor girl must have been exhausted. She should be safe at home, not out walking the highway.

Irith nodded agreement. Its awful about her brother, isnt it?

Kelder nodded in return. What about breakfast? he asked.

I havent done anything about it yet, she replied.

Ill go see whats to be had, then, Kelder suggested.

Do that, Irith agreed.

Kelder found his way downstairs. In the dining room a dozen people were eatingmost of them, he noticed, just finishing up. Larsi spotted Kelder as he looked around. Are you and the Flyer ready to eat, then? she asked. I suppose you worked up an appetite last night.

Kelder started to make a defensive answer mentioning Ashas presence, but thought better of it. After all, when they had taken the room they had said it was for two, not three, and an extra charge was not inconceivable.

Instead, he simply said, No, we didnt. Almost as an afterthought, he added, But wed like breakfast, anyway.

Well, youre in luck; the chickens were laying well today, and Ive got four eggs left. Theres salt ham, and pears, and plenty more. Eggs, ham, and tea for a copper round. Do you want a tray for your room, or will you eat down here?

Is there a charge for the tray? Kelder asked.

Larsi smiled. Well, now that you mention it, yes, she admitted, but its only two bits.

Well eat down here, then, he said. Ill be right back. He turned, and headed back to the room.

He knocked, in case one of the girls was using the chamberpot or otherwise in want of privacy, and then entered.

Asha was still curled up asleep; Irith was gone.

Puzzled, Kelder looked around, but she was indisputably not to be found anywhere in the little room. He stepped back out into the passageway, but there was no sign of her there, either, and he could see no exit save the stairs he had taken.

He had never gotten past the foot of those stairs; she could not have slipped past him unseen.

He stepped back in the room and looked around again, and this time noticed the open window.

They were on the inns upper floor, a good ten feet above the ground, and it was a very small window, but Irith had her magic. Kelder doubted he could squeeze through the opening himself, but Irith was thinner than he was, and once she was halfway out she could have grown wings easily enough.

He crossed the room and looked out.

The wall below the window was not sheer; there was a narrow ledge a foot or so down, but it was much too narrow for a person to stand on. From there to the ground the wall was smooth dressed stone.

The alley below was muddyapparently it had rained at some point in the nightbut there were no footprints.

If Irith had left by the window, she must have flown. He leaned out, so as to see past the overhanging eaves, and studied the sky. He could see no sign of her, but that meant little, given his limited area of view.

He shrugged and ducked back inside, whacking his head loudly on the frame. He swore.

Asha was still soundly asleep. He marvelled at her ability to slumber so long and so soundly.

Irith had said he should see about breakfast, so presumably she wouldnt be gone long. He sat down on the edge of the bed to wait.

Sitting and doing nothing, when one is recently awakened and hungry, is not much fun. Kelder looked around, bored, but there was nothing of any interest in the little room. At least, nothing except Asha. He studied her face as she lay sleeping.

She was a skinny little thing, and he realized suddenly that the big dark area on one cheek that he had taken for a smudge of dirt was a half-healed bruise.

He leaned over and looked her over more closely.

She was wearing only a cotton shift; he lifted the sheet and investigated.

Her arms bore bruises old and new; so did her legs, and, he saw with dismay, her throat. There were old scars on her legs, as wellsomething had done considerably worse than mere bruises once.

Kelder frowned, and pulled the sheet back in place.

Is something wrong? Irith asked.

Kelder started, and whirled.

She was standing by the window, looking just as if she had never left.

I didnt see you come in, he said. He hadnt heard wings, either, he realized.

You werent supposed to, she replied, smiling.

He smiled back, a little uneasily. Marriage to Irith would probably be full of surprises. Breakfast downstairs any time youre ready, he said.

Her smile vanished. Thank you, she said, but I think we might want to skip it.

Why? he asked, startled.

Because the caravan has already left, and I think theyre already out of sight of Angarossa Castle; at least,I couldnt see them anywhere, and the stablemaster at the caravanserai said they left over an hour ago.

How far did you look? Kelder asked.

She shrugged. I didnt go very high, she admitted. I didnt want to attract too much attention. But I cant see them from the roof of the inn.

Kelder frowned again. He looked down at Asha, up at Irith, past her at the window.

Forget it, he said. Well catch up with them eventually. She needs her rest, and I need breakfast.

All right, Irith said, with evident relief. I didnt really want to argue with them about somebodys head, anyway. She made a face at the thought.

Kelder noticed that she seemed to have concluded that they would be leaving the caravan alone, which was neither what he had said nor what he had intended, but he didnt bother to correct her.

All right, he said. Lets go eat. He saw Irith glance toward Asha, and added, Let her sleep.

Irith nodded, and the two of them walked downstairs, hand in hand.

As they ate, Kelder considered the signs of battering on Ashas body. Had Irith noticed them? Were the bandits responsible? If not, who was? Were those marks the reason she had left home, and why she would not speak of it?

What will happen to the bodies? he asked Irith.

She looked up from her egg. What? she asked.

The bodies of the banditsthe caravan just left them all lying there by the highway. What will happen to them?

Irith shrugged.I dont know, she said. I guess theyll just lie there.

Until they rot?

She shrugged again.

That wont make that stretch of highway very pleasant, Kelder pointed out.

Reluctantly, Irith answered, There are... well, you know, animals and stuff.

That was even worse. Shouldnt someone do something about them? Kelder asked.

Like who? Irith asked. I mean, if they have families somewhere and they find out, I guess they could do something, or maybe if King Caren decides its a good idea his soldiers could bury them or something.

What about Ashas brother? The idea of doing a good deed, of freeing the trapped soul, still appealed to Kelder.

Whatabout Ashas brother? Are you really going to try to do something about him? Kelder, the caravan isgone, they arent there, and I dont think they left her brothers head sitting on a table somewhere!

We can catch up with them, Kelder insisted. They dont move very fast.

And if we do that, whats going to be happening to therest of him? I mean,gross, Kelder!

Maybe we could go back and do something...

And then the caravan will get so far ahead well never catch it, and it isnt any of our businessanyway, Kelder, so just forget it, all right?

No, said an unsteady voice from behind.

Irith turned; Asha was standing on the stairs in her shift, listening to them.

Oh... Irith said.

Asha, dont worry, Kelder said quickly. Look, we can go back and build a cairn over your brothers body to keep it safe, and then we can go catch the caravan and get his head backtheyre headed for Shan, same as we are, so were bound to catch up with them somewhere. I mean, theres only the one Great Highway.

Build awhat? Irith asked.

A cairn. Like a box made of rocks, I mean. Isnt that called a cairn?

I dont know, Irith said, I never heard of anything like that. Do they do that in Shulara?

No, Kelder said, but I heard about it in an old story about an enchanted princess.

What kind of story? Irith asked suspiciously.

Just a story my grandmother told me, Kelder said.

It sounds weird to me, Irith replied dubiously.

We should do it, Asha said.

Kelder nodded agreement.

Irith looked from one to the other, and then announced, Youre both crazy, but all right, well do it.

Chapter Nine

Irith eyed the structure critically.

So I never built a cairn before, Kelder said defensively. I dont see you helping much.

I never evenheard of a cairn before, Irith said, tossing her hair, and I think the whole idea is stupid. I wish I still hadnt heard of one.

Asha staggered up holding another rock, one she could barely carry. Kelder quickly took it, then looked over the stone oval, trying to decide where to place it.

Are we just going to leave all Abdens friends lying here? Asha asked, as Kelder set the stone in place.

Kelder looked around at the mutilated corpses, wrinkling his nose at the sight and the stink, and then said, Yes.

Asha shrugged. All right, she said. I just thought Id ask.

Go find another stone, Kelder told her.

This is stupid, Irith said, sitting down cross-legged on the grass. And boring, too. How are you going to make it cover him without falling in and squashing him?

I thought I could make it arch over, Kelder said.

Irith grimaced.

Kelder frowned. I dont think its going to work, he admitted. He looked around, as if hoping to find inspiration.

All he saw was headless, decaying corpses, and an equal number of dead horses.

The horses, at any rate, mostly still had their heads attached.

Irith, too, looked around, wrinkling her nose. Ick, she said. I hate to say it, but what if you used some of the saddles to cover him, and then covered those with rocks? They look stiff enough to work.

Kelder considered the matter, then nodded.

That should work, he said. He headed for the nearest horse. I'm surprised nobodys taken the saddles yet.

Irith shrugged. Looting corpses isnt much fun, she said. Probably most people who pass this way have better things to do. Besides, they might be worried about getting cursed or something. But even with the smell, and curses or not, I bet you wont find any purses here any more.

Kelder looked up from the cinch-strap he was tugging at. Do you think there might really be any curses here? he asked.

Dont be silly, she said. Why would anyone curse us for trying to help a little girl give her brother a proper funeral?

Kelder had no answer for that; besides, he was discovering that pulling a thick leather strap out from under a dead horse, even a mangled one, takes a great deal of strength. Being a champion of the lost and forlorn wasnt much fun, so far. It didnt seem to impress his intended bride, either.

Um... he said, as he lost his grip and fell backward, could you give me a hand here?

Irith gave a loud sigh, then came to help.

Together, they freed the saddle; Kelder then carried it over and fitted it across his half-built cairn, like a barrel-vaulted roof.

It fit just fine, and looked strong enough to serve as a frame for a stone covering. He turned to Irith. Thank you for the help, and for the suggestion, he said.

She waved away his gratitude. I just didnt want to be stuck here all day while you were finding out how hard it is to build arches, she said.

Three hours later the job was done; Abdens headless remains were entombed in leather and stone. It had taken three saddles to cover the cadaver.

Youre sure its the right body? Kelder asked, looking around at the others, still lying scattered across the grassy verge.

Asha nodded.

Good, Kelder said, straightening up and rubbing the back of his waist. His back was stiff and sore. Then lets get going. He looked up at the sun. I doubt well catch the caravan today, but we can at least get started.

Irith shook her head. No, we cant, she said.

Kelder glared at her. Why the hell not? he demanded.

Because its more than four leagues from Angarossa Castle to the town of Sinodita, and there isnt a decent inn anywhere in that four leagues, Irith said. Weve taken more than half a day on this stupid job, andI dont want to be walking around here after dark.

Kelder looked up at the sun again, then back at Irith. Its not much more than an hour past noon, he said. How far is it to the Angarossan border?

Irith thought for a minute. About two leagues, I guess, she said.

Are there bandits all over Sinodita, too?

What do you mean? Irith asked, eying him warily.

I mean, is the king of Sinodita as crazy as King Caren of Angarossa, and letting bandits run wild there?

Queen, Irith told him. Sinodita has a queen. And no, shes perfectly sensible and there arent a lot of bandits.

Well, we can reach the border well before sunset, and we should be safe enough on the highway in Sinodita; I know it will be dark by the time we reach the town, but the greater moon should be up tonight, I think, and if its not we could stop somewhere until the lesser moon rises, or carry torches, or something. We dont have anything bandits would want, anyway. I say we go on.

Maybeyou dont have anything bandits would want, Kelder of Shulara, Irith said, putting her fists on her hips and glaring at him, butI dont care to risk getting raped!

Kelder glared back, rather wearily. She did have a point, he supposed, and he didnt want anyone bothering his destined brideeven if she didnt yet know anything about her destiny. Thenyou, Irith the Flyer, he said, can fly on ahead and meet us at the gate when we get to Sinodita.

There isnt any gate, Irith said. Its not walled.

Fine. Then you pick a place that a couple of fools like us can find, and well meet you there.

Irith continued glaring, and chewed her lower lip. Then she turned and called to Asha, who was waiting for them several paces up the road to the east, Do you want to walk another four or five leagues today?

No, Asha called back, but I will if I have to, to catch the caravan.

Irith frowned, looked back at Kelder, then threw up her hands in disgust.

Oh, I give up, she said. I just give up. You two are hopeless. I cant let that little girl walk that far, after shes spent the whole morning hauling those rocks around! Shes about ready to fall over right now! She pointed.

Kelder looked, and realized that Irith was right.

He had not considered that, but it was true. Asha was just a child, after all; she was not strong enough, really, for a journey like this. Kelder was about to surrender, to agree to stay another night in Angarossa, when Irith turned into a horse.

Kelder blinked; Asha stared, then grinned, then burst out laughing.

Irith had transformed herself instantaneously into a horse, a fine white mare, and she was just as remarkably beautiful as a horse as she had been in human form. Her mane was long and flowing, her tail came within an inch or two of the ground; she was long-legged and graceful, slim and splendid. Her white tunic had become a saddle blanket, recognizable by its blue and green embroidery; her other garments had vanished.

I didnt know you could do that! Kelder exclaimed. He wondered where the other garments had gone, and whether they would reappeared when she changed back.

The horse snorted, and gave him a withering glare. He had had no idea a horse was capable of such an expression.

Can you talk? he inquired.

The horse shook her head.

This is so Asha can ride? Kelder asked.

The equine Irith nodded.

Should we both ride?

Irith tried to kick him, but he dodged in time. He noticed that her hooves were not shod. That made sense; after all, she went barefoot in human form.

I guess not, huh?

She glared at him again.

Asha, he called, come here!

The girl approached, very hesitantly. Irith lowered her head for the girl to pet, but Asha shied away.

Come on, Kelder said. Its just Irith.

But shes... is she a horse? Asha asked, almost whispering.

She certainly looks like one, Kelder said.

I never rode a horse, Asha said, still standing back. Ive never even touched one.

Well, this isnt areal horse, Kelder said, reassuringly. Its just Irith enchanted to look like one.

That did not seem to reassure Asha very much, but she took another step toward the magical beast.

Kelder picked her up and lifted her carefully onto Iriths back. Lift your leg over... higher, dont kick her... There!

Asha settled uneasily into place.

Hold onto her mane, Kelder advised.

Asha did, but she was still not particularly steady.

I'm sure Irith will walk slowly at first, Kelder said, patting Ashas hand. And youll get used to it. Youll see.

Irith took a step; Asha, frightened, grabbed the mane more tightly. Kelder kept a steadying hand on Asha as the threesome started walking.

Maybe we should get a saddle, Kelder suggested, seeing how Asha swayed.

Irith turned her head and glared at him.

No?

She shook her head no.

I'm all right, Kelder, Asha said. Really!

All right, Kelder said, and walked on. Theres at least one good thing, Irith, he said, when they had gone a few steps farther. At least this way you dont need to worry about being raped.

She tried to kick him again, and Kelder had to dodge, then duck quickly back to catch Asha as she lost her balance.

Chapter Ten

Kelder had remembered correctly; the greater moon lit their way into the town of Sinodita. Even by the moons dull orange glow they had no trouble in following the highwayand no trouble in noticing the changing terrain.

The countryside had grown steadily and visibly flatter since they passed the Angarossa/Sinodita border, and the soil had grown drier and sandier. They no longer passed trees of any sort, and the farms on either side of the highway were far from prosperous. They seemed to raise nothing but goats and horses; the coarse, sparse grass would not feed cattle, and the sandy soil would not support crops.

Twice they past grazing stallions who looked up and whinnied at Irith.

Fortunately, there were solid fences between pasture and highway.

Irith plodded along, head down, ignoring everything, except when she turned to glare at Kelder.

Kelder did his best to ignore Iriths annoyance; his own feet were aching and swollen, and the thought of removing his boots was approaching obsession. To distract himself he concentrated on his conversation with Asha, who had pains of her own to try to forget, ones far more lasting than sore feet.

It was as the sun was setting, in a spectacular display of color, that Asha finally admitted why she had left home.

My father makesoushka, she explained. He has a still out in the barn, and he grows corn and makesoushka out of it. He sells some of itmaybe youve heard of him, Abden Ildrins son? Abden the Elder? Hes supposed to make the best in Amramion.

Kelder and Irith both shook their heads. Kelder resisted the temptation to comment that the best in Amramion wasnt saying much; one of his own neighbors, back in Shulara, had claimed to make the bestoushka in five kingdoms.

Asha shrugged. Well, he sells some, but he drinks an awful lot himself. She shuddered, and Irith tossed her mane in response.

Kelder just nodded.

Hes drunk most of the time, Asha said. Ever since our mother died. She was having another baby, and something went wrong, and she and the baby died.

AbdenI mean Abden the Younger, my brother; Dads Abden, too, of course, so my brother is Abden Abdens son. I mean he was. Anyway, Abden said that when our mother was alive our dad didnt drink anywhere near so much, but I dont really remember that. I was four when she died, and I dont remember her much.

I'm sorry, Kelder muttered.

Asha ignored him.

For a moment they continued in silence; then Kelder said, Your father beats you? His tone made it a question.

Asha asked, You saw the marks?

Yes, Kelder admitted.

Asha nodded. Yes, he beats me. He used to beat Abden, too, but finally Abden ran away. And that cheered me up a lot, you know? It meant I could get away eventually, too. So I did, I ran away to be with Abden, but then he got killed. She sniffled slightly, and Kelder realized for the first time that she was crying.

Dont worry, he said, as reassuringly as he could. You dont have to go back to your father.

I cant live by myself, she said, snuffling. I'm too young, and I dont know how.

Well find you someplace, he said.

He had absolutely no idea how he could carry out such a promise, but he intended to do it somehow.

After all, wasnt he a champion of the lost and forlorn? Maybe those yet unborn who were to honor him someday would be Ashas children.

Thank you, Asha said.

They plodded on together.

When they reached the town of Sinodita Kelder tugged at Iriths mane. She stopped and turned a questioning look toward him. He reached up and lifted Asha down; the little girl had been half-asleep, and woke up with a start.

Were here, he said, setting her on her feet.

Where? she asked, looking around.

Irith transformed back into her natural formor, Kelder corrected himself, at least herusual form, that of a beautiful teenaged girl. All her clothes seemed to be back where they belonged, and her hair was unmussed.

It had occurred to Kelder that he had no way of knowing whether it was her natural shape or not. He had never dealt with shapeshifters before; he wondered if there were established protocols about such things.

And if her natural form wasnt human, did he want to marry her?

Why did we stop here? Irith said.

Kelder blinked, puzzled. Because this is Sinodita, isnt it?

I thought wed go on to the Flying Carpet, Irith replied. Its up toward the other end of town.

Oh, said Kelder, thats an inn?

Irith nodded wearily. About the only decent one in this whole town, she said.

Oh, Kelder said again. I didnt know.

Maybe, he thought, looking at Iriths face in the dim moonlight, she wasnt really fifteen at all. Maybe she was an old hag who could transform herself into a girl again.

Did he want to marry an old hag?

Well, it is, Irith said.

Come on, then, he said.

I'm not turning back into a horse, Irith said, warningly.

Thats fine, Kelder said. Asha can walkcant you, Asha?

The girl nodded, and the three of them trudged onward.

A few minutes later Kelder rapped at the door of an inn; above his head a signboard creaked in the warm breeze that blew from the east. Kelder hadnt been able to make out the picture on the sign, but Irith assured him this was the right place.

Dinner was cold and greasy, and the only room left was a garret where Kelder was unable to stand upright without hitting his head on the tie-beams.

The innkeeper was apologetic. We werent expecting anyone so late, he said.

At least they werent completely full, Asha said sleepily, before toppling onto the down pillow the innkeeper had found to serve as her mattress.

That left Irith and Kelder sitting on the two straw ticks. Irith was massaging her legs; Kelder looked at her curiously.

Horses use their leg-muscles differently, she explained, glaring at him. I'm not used to walking so far in horse shape.

Oh, he said.

After a moment of awkward silence, he added, Thank you very much for carrying Asha.

Irith shrugged. It wasnt anything much, she said, rubbing her shins.

After another moment, Kelder asked, Can you turn intoanything?

Irith sat up and looked at him. What? she asked.

I mean, well, you turned into a horse, and I didnt know you could do that. I mean, I knew you could grow wings, and you said you were a shapeshiftercan you turn into anything you want?

You mean, could I turn into a dragon and burn you to a crisp? Irith asked, smiling at him in a way he didnt like at all.

He nodded.

No, she said, turning her attention back to her legs. I have seven shapes, and thats all, and a dragon isnt one of them.

Oh. That was a reliefif it was true. So you cant disguise yourself as someone else?

No. Why would I want to?

I dont know; I was just curious. He was not about to admit that he had suspected her of being an ancient crone.

Well, I cant.

Seven shapes?

She made a noise he took for agreement.

Well, a horse is one, Kelder said.

And this is another, she replied.

He considered, and asked, Wingsis that three?

She nodded.

Uh... what are the other four?

None of your business, thats what they are, she said, straightening up and then lying back. Go to sleep.

But... As her future husband, he felt that they certainlywere his business, but he didnt want to tell Irith about his plans for her, her prophesied role.

Shut up and go to sleep, Kelder. I'm too tired for this. She curled up on her bedding and closed her eyes.

There was another matter he had wanted to discuss with her, as well, and now he wished he had brought it up first. Mentioning it now seemed impolitic.

It would have to come up eventually, but he was too tired to worry about it; he would leave it until morning.

It wouldneed to be discussed then, though.

The matter was money; he didnt have any more, beyond a few copper bits. He had no way of paying the bill at the inn if it was anything like the last few.

Fortunately, given the accommodations, it would probably be somewhat less.

Life was becoming very complicated, even with the prophecy to guide him. Irith was clearly the one he was destined to wed, and she was as beautiful and cheerful as he could wish, but marrying a shapeshifter with a secret past was not altogether a reassuring prospect. Asha clearly provided him with someone lost and forlorn to champion, and freeing her brothers soul was obviously the way to be honored by the dead, but catching up to the caravan and getting Abdens head from it might not be all that simple.

Well, Zindré had never said that his life would beeasy.

And could he refuse his promised future if he wanted to? If it was all too much for him, could he just give up and go home?

Well, who was going to stop him?

And for that matter, maybe it was all coincidence after all; maybe Zindré was a fraud, in which case he was fooling himself, and going home would be the only sensible thing to do.

With a sigh, he leaned over and blew out the candle, then stretched out on his own ticking.

He thought he would be awake, thinking about money, and about Zindrés predictions, and about Irith, for hours.

He was wrong; within three minutes he was sound asleep.

Chapter Eleven

Thats all youve got? the innkeeper demanded.

Kelder nodded silently. Behind him, Irith muttered, Oh, gods, how utterly embarrassing! Kelder, I cantbelieve youre doing thisand in the Flying Carpet!

Asha had the good grace to keep her mouth shut, for which Kelder was grateful.

The innkeeper glared at the coins as if they were a direct personal affront.

Oh, come on, Kelder said. Its only three bits short, and I swear, its all weve got.

The proprietor let out a long, dramatic sigh. Oh, all right, he said, but I really shouldnt. Now, go on and get out of here, and dont you ever tell a soul I was so soft-hearted and stupid!

Thankyou, Kelder said, with a bow. May all the gods bless and guard you, sir!

Greatly relieved, he turned and hurried for the door, before the man could change his mind.

When they were safely out of the inn and on the streets of Sinodita, Kelder turned left. Irith corrected him, grabbing his arm and turning him around.

Thats west, she said. Were going east.

Kelder stood where he was and shook his head. No, we arent, he said. Or at least,I'm not.

Youre not? Asha asked, looking up at him.

No, he said. I'm going home, to Shulara.

Irith put her hands on her hips and snorted. A lock of hair fell across her face; she blew it out of her way, and glared at Kelder.

What about me? Asha asked timidly. What about Abden?

Kelder looked down at her. I'm sorry, he said, but I'm tired, and I dont have any more money, and I cant see what we can do, anyway. If we caught up to the caravan, what would we do? Why would they help us? And how long will it be before we catch them, anyway? Where will we eat and sleep?

I dont know, Asha whispered.

Neither do I, Kelder said. And thats why I'm going home. I can sleep on the grass by the roadside, and pick a little food from the fields, and that should last me long enough to get home to my familyif I turn back now. That probably meant giving up on Zindrés prophecy, but just now, tired even after a nights sleep and humiliated by his experience with the innkeeper, Kelder didnt care.

And maybe he could try again in a few years, become the champion of the lost and forlorn then. It was much easier to be a hero when one had money.

What aboutme, though? Asha asked. I cant go back to my family!

Kelder frowned. Dont you haveany relatives except your father? he asked.

Asha shook her head; a tear ran down one cheek.

Kelder of Shulara, Irith said, with her hands on her hips, if you think forone minute that I'm going to let you break your promise to that poor child, then youre a complete blithering idiot!We, both of us, are going on to Shan with her, and were going to find her brothers head and bring it back and build a proper pyre! And after that well find some place for her where shell be safe.

Andthen, if you want, you can creep back home to your stupid little farm in Shulara and let your mommy and daddy take care of youbut notuntil then! Do you hear me?

Kelder blinked. Irith, he said tiredly, I dont. Have. Any. More.Money.

Well, so what?

So I cant goanywhere.

Kelder, youre being stupid! What do you need money for? We arent just any bunch of travelers, you know; you arent in this alone. Youre with Irith the Flyer!

Kelder looked at her for a long moment, then asked, So what?

So,you silly ass, Irith replied, I'm a shapeshifter and a famous magician!

Everybody on the Great Highway knows me. I can get money any time I want!

You can?

Ofcourse I can! Do you think Ive lived all these years off people like you?

Kelder had not thought at all about how Irith supported herself; the question had simply never occurred to him. Now that it had been pointed out, he felt rather foolish.

Oh, he said.

He thought for a moment.

Asha was staring up at Irith now, and the expression on her face and in her eyes looked suspiciously like adoration. Kelder felt a twinge of envy; wasnt ithe who was supposed to be the honored champion?

I must be just as stupid as you said, he said. I dont see how you can get money any time you want.

Irith let out an exasperated hiss and turned away in disgust, then turned back to say, Iwork for it, silly! I can do things that nobody else can!

But how do you find work? Kelder asked.

She shrugged. I ask around. And if there isnt anything handy, I borrow moneypeople know I'm good for it.

Oh, Kelder said again. He hesitated, and then asked, Do you have any money now?

Ofcourse I do!

You do? Kelders weariness and confusion began to give way to annoyance. Youdo?

Yes, ofcourse! Irith repeated.

Then... Kelder stopped, calmed himself, and tried again. Then why... Again, he paused, but finally the entire thing burst out, unrestrained.

Then why in all the depths of Hell didnt you tell me that before I embarrassed us all in front of the innkeeper?he shouted.

Because you didnt ask! Irith shouted back.I didnt know you were out of money!

You didnt tell me! The first I knew of it was when you counted out your coins for Bardec!

Well, why didnt you say somethingthen? Kelder yelled back.

Because I was too embarrassed, thats why!

Kelder started to say something in reply, but no words came; his breath came out in a rush. He took another breath, but it, too, came out as wordless noise.

Are you really going back to Shulara? Asha asked.

Kelder looked down at her, and his anger dissipated.

I dont know, he said.

Its only two days from here to Shan, Irith said. At most; we could make it in less if we pushed.

Kelder looked at her, remembering the long walk from Shulara, and then looked down at Asha again.

No, he said, no, I guess I'm not going back to Shulara. Not yet, anyway. He turned back to Irith. Two days?

Less, really, she said. Its three and a half leagues to the Castle of Dhwerra, which is right on the edge of the desertafter that were out of the Small Kingdoms entirely. Theres nothing but the Great Eastern Desert from there to Shanits about another three and a half leagues. Seven in all. Most people make it two days because of the heat.

What heat? Kelder asked.

The heat of the desert, of course! But it isnt bad this time of year, really.

Seven leagues, Kelder said, considering.

Irith nodded. I could fly it in a couple of hours, she said.

And weve come how far since we met?

She shrugged. Oh, I dont know, she said. Maybe fifteen leagues?

Kelder thought for a moment longer, then asked, Do you really think we can do anything for Asha?

Irith pursed her lips. Well, she said, I dont know about anything really, you know, long-term, or anything, but it shouldnt be all that hard to get her brothers head back and build him a pyre.

Kelder mulled this over, and Irith added, Besides, dont you want to see Shan on the Desert? I mean, its a really interesting place. The marketthey call it the Bazaaris wonderful. They specialize in sorcery, or at least they used to.

Thatdid sound interestingone of the great cities he had been promised.

Really, the prophecy was still holding up just fine. His bride, the cause he was to champion, a great city to be seenit was all coming together, wasnt it?

He couldnt just give it all up and go back to being a boring old farmer, with no special destiny.

All right, he said, lets get going. Well all walk at first, and if you get too tired, Asha, we can stop, and maybe Irith can turn into a horse again...

Irith glared at him.

Kelder glared back.

Asha ignored them both and started walking, and a moment later they followed.

Chapter Twelve

The Castle of Dhwerra, unlike most of the castles along the Great Highway, was not actually very near the road. Instead it was built atop a huge mass of rock that thrust up from the sandy earth, half a mile or more to the northwest of the highways closest approach.

The highway was no longer heading east. From Amramion to Sinodita it had run east by northeast; from Sinodita it had run due east for three leagues; now, though, it curved around and ran due north.

In doing so it described a quarter-circle around the Castle of Dhwerra, and around the great stone promontory upon which the fortress was built. Along that arc were located a dozen or so inns, but no real town.

And at the end of the arc the road arrived at the top of a long, steep escarpment.

Kelder had grown up among mountainssmall ones, but mountainsand was not particularly bothered when land went up or down, but he had never seen anything quite like this particular feature of the landscape. The cliff seemed to extend endlessly in both directions, a dividing line across the world, as if something had long ago split the World in half and then put it back together without lining the pieces up properly. The higher portion, where he stood, was sandy, but still mostly green, and had various features of interestthe castle soaring up on his left, the inns behind him, the occasional bush.

The lower portion, at the foot of the slope, consisted of nothing but golden sand, shining so brightly in the midday sun that he could not look at it without squinting.

It was undoubtedly a vast plainanother phrase fulfilled, at least in part.

The Great Eastern Desert, Irith said. He turned, startled; a moment before she had been a horse, with Asha on her back. Now she stood on two feet again, instead of four, and Asha stood beside her.

But its north, Kelder said.

Irith glared at him. Dont be stupid, she said. The boundary isnt perfectly straight, silly! Theres a piece of the desert that sort of sticks out to the west, and Shans in the middle of it, and were on the south edge of it, here.

Oh, Kelder said, looking out over the gleaming sands again.

Far away, on the horizon, he thought he could see something glistening. He wondered if it were their destination, the fabulous city of Shan on the Desert.

Were they really going there? Was he really going to see someplace that exotic?

Vast plains, great cities, and beside him the bright and beautiful girl he intended to marryeven if the prophecy somehow didnt all come true in every word, he was already sincerely grateful to Zindré. Her words had at least given him the impetus to make this journey, and despite his sore feet and empty purse, that was something he wouldnt want to have missed.

Especially since meeting Irith had been a part of the journey.

How big is the piece that sticks out to the west? he asked. It must be pretty big if we cant see across it.

Irith shrugged. Oh, maybe ten leagues across, she said. Not all that big.

Ten leagues isnt big? Kelder threw her a startled glance.

Not compared to the whole thing, Irith replied. I mean, they dont call it theGreat Eastern Desert for a joke, Kelderitshuge. Covers one entire side of the World.

Whats on the other side?

Of theWorld? Irith stared at him as if he were quite thoroughly mad.

No, no, Kelder explained hastily, I mean the other side of the ten leagues!

She shrugged again. Empty grassland. Lots and lots of it.

He nodded. And Shans about three or four leagues from here?

About that, she agreed.

Kelder looked down the escarpment, down at the empty sands, and asked, How do we get there?

Walk, Irith said, pointing.

Kelder followed her finger, and discovered that the road did not vanish at the top of the cliff, as he had first thought; it turned a sharp angle to the right and wound its way slowly and torturously down the slope, to disappear into the sand at the bottom.

The sand blows onto the highway, but there are markers every half-mile or so, Irith explained. Its paved, really, but the sand covers it.

Kelder sighed and looked up. The sun was slightly past its zenith.

I guess we had better get going, he said.

Irith nodded. Asha, she said, turning to the girl, can you walk for awhile?

Its sort of steep along here, and its not good for horses, and besides, I'm getting tired of being a horse.

All right, Asha agreed. She immediately started walking on ahead, picking her way carefully down the rather abrupt drop that took the road over the edge of the escarpment and down the first five or six feet.

Kelder and Irith followed.

Is it uncomfortable, being a horse? Kelder asked, genuinely curious, as they made the turn and the road leveled out somewhat as it cut sideways across the face of the slope.

No, of course not, Irith answered. She giggled at the idea. Its sort of nice, being big and strong like that. But I get tired of not seeing any colors, and not being able to talk, and my fingers that arent there get stiff, sort of, from being hooves and being walked on.

Not seeing colors? Kelder asked, startled.

Thats right, Irith said with a nod. Horses dont see colors, just greys and black and white. Sort of like in the evening, when its mostly dark? Except that its not dark, there just isnt any color. She hesitated, then amended that to, At least, whenIm a horse,I dont see colors. I dont know about natural horses, really.

Oh, Kelder said.

A moment later he said, Could you ask them?

Ask who? Irith asked, startled.

Natural horses. Can you talk to them, when youre a horse?

No, silly! she said. Horses dont talk!

Not even amongst themselves? Kelder asked. I mean, I know they dont speak any of our languages, but dont they have languages of their own?

Irith giggled again.

Well, Kelder said defensively, they do in all the old stories.

Oh, Kelder, Irith said, those are juststories! Hardly any of them are true!

Well, how should I know that? he asked.

Because its foolish! Horses cant talk unless theyre magical, somehow. The gods taughtpeople to speak, not animals!

Kelder marched on half a dozen steps in silence, then said, What about the other things you can turn into?

What other things? Irith asked, not looking at him.

You said you could change into seven different shapes, he said. Can the others see color? Can they talk?

Well, it doesnt matter whether I have wings or not, Irith said, I'm stillme, and I can still see colors and still talk.

What about the others, though?

Irith sighed. Which others?

All four of them!

I cant talk in any of the others. I can see colors in two of them.

Which ones?

None of your business.

That effectively ended the conversation, and they trudged on down the escarpment in silence.

The silence continued for the entire descent, and well out onto the sands.

Kelder simply didnt have anything to say except questions that Irith didnt want to answer, Asha was concentrating on walking, and Iriths thoughts were her own.

It was finally broken when Asha wailed, This sand gets into everything! Irith, could you be a horse again?

No, Irith snapped. She marched on.

Here, Kelder said, you can ride on my shoulders for a little while, until you get the sand out from between your toes. He reached out his arms.

Asha looked up at him, considering, and then shook her head.

No, Kelder, but thank you all the same, she said. Ill walk. She turned and trudged onward, slogging through the drifting sand.

Kelder dropped his arms, then shrugged. Suit yourself, he said, a little annoyed. Was that any way for a person to treat her champion?

He marched on, frustrated and resentful. Fulfilling a prophecy wasnt turning out to be as much fun as he hoped.

He glanced over at Irith, at her flowing golden hair and the curves that showed through her garments as she walked.

On the other hand, he told himself, it did have its points.

He trudged on, thinking about the future.

Chapter Thirteen

They covered the last mile or so largely by the glow that spilled out over the walls of Shan on the Desert; the sun was down, the greater moon not yet up, and the lesser moon not enough to help.

Shan, though, blazed like a fire before them, lighting the sky orange.

Asha was staggering with exhaustion, and in the end she gave up and let Kelder carry her the last hundred yards, through the city gates and into the Bazaar.

They had not caught up with the caravan; Kelder had secretly hoped they would, but they had seen no sign of it.

He hoped that they hadnt passed it, perhaps safely tucked away at Dhwerra.

Itshould be waiting for them in Shan, Kelder told himself.

Once inside Asha stared about, wide-eyed, as Kelder lowered her to the ground.

They were in the central square of the Bazaar, and Kelder and Asha both looked about in wonder. Irith waited impatiently for them to get over their awe.

The Bazaar at Shan was unique among all the markets Kelder had ever seen in that it was built on two levelsat least two levels, perhaps more. The ordinary open market was surrounded, not by the usual taverns and inns and shops, but by a maze of galleries and arcades, alight with torches and lamps of a dozen varieties, with merchants of every description lining every side, displaying their wares to crowds of eager customers.

And atop the galleries and arcades, on their flat roofs, there were still more merchants, still more customers, to be reached by innumerable staircases.

Most of the upper level was unroofed, or covered only by tents and awnings, but in a few places the upper tier, too, was partially enclosed by more substantial structures. Kelder could not see, in the tangle of firelight and shadow, whether there were still more merchants up on a third level.

Where there were no permanent stalls there were blankets heaped with goods, or blankets covering momentarily-untended goods, or wagons or carts or other vehicles. Entire caravans had set up shop under the colonnades around the market square; some of them had obviously been there for quite some time.

Nor was the Bazaar simply a single square. Oh, there was a central square, and a larger one than Kelder had ever seen before, but the galleries and arcades, colonnades and courtyards, stairways and stalls all extended for blocks, to left and right and straight ahead, inward from the city walls. Kelder could see no end to the labyrinth of buyers and sellers and goods.

It seemed to him that the Bazaar must surely occupy the entire interior of the city wallsbut that was absurd.

Wasnt it?

I dont understand, he said. Where do they allcome from?

Where do all what come from? Irith asked, startled. That was not the question she had been expecting.

The merchants, Kelder said, with a wave of his hand. Look at them all! Where do they live? And where did all these peoplebuying things come from? We didnt see that many on the road, certainly. And were in the middle of the desert, and I dont see any farmers here with their cropswhat do they all eat? Where do they get all those things theyre selling?

Oh, dont you know? Irith replied, startled. She giggled. Really, Kelder, sometimes it seems like you dont knowanything!

Slightly resentful, but too awed and curious to worry about it, Kelder asked, What do you mean?

Imean, its all done by magic, of course! We arent in the Small Kingdoms any more, you knowthey take their magic seriously here.

What sort of magic? he asked, eyeing her cautiously. Magic, after all, was something she knew far more about than he didand while he wanted to know more, he had a fair appreciation of how dangerous it could be. In fact, the thought of unfamiliar and perhaps hostile magic made him distinctly uneasy, especially after what had happened to those bandits back in Angarossa.

Oh, I guess wizardry, mostly, these days, Irith said, but a lot of sorcery, tooit used to bemostly sorcery, but these days sorcerers arent what they used to be...

What are you talking about? Kelder demanded. What do sorcerers have to do with all this?

Irith put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

I amtalking, she said, aboutthis place about Shan on the Desert!

Kelder glared back, waiting for her to continue. Somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered that she had told him that the Bazaar specialized in sorcery, but he was in no mood to admit it.

She threw up her hands in disgust.

Aah! Dont you knowanything about Shan? she shouted.

No, Kelder answered, I dont. Except that its at the end of the Great Highway and is supposed to be the best place in the World to buy certain things. He glanced around at the Bazaar and added, Which I can believe.

All right, then, Irith said, Ill explain. She took a deep breath, and began, Shan isnt part of the Small Kingdomsit wasnt part of Old Ethshar. What itis, is the last bit of the old Eastern Command, that fought under General Terrek in the Great War. You know about that?

A little, Kelder said. I mean, of course I know about thewar, and Ive heard of General Terrek, I think. He got killed by a demon, didnt he?

Irith nodded. A whole bunch of demons, actually. His whole command got wiped out, pretty muchall the demons of Hell got loose at once and went running all over the east, blasting everything. Thats where the Great Eastern Desert came fromit wasnt desert before that.

Oh, Kelder said, thinking about the vast, empty wasteland that surrounded Shan, and trying to imagine what could have caused it. By comparison, the demons who wiped out the bandits looked pretty trivial.

That reminded him of the caravan they had come to find; he glanced around, but recognized none of the wagons in sight.

A few did have heads on pikes, as it happened, but none of them were recent.

Two were actually just skulls, rather than heads, and the others were approaching a similar state.

Irith continued, Right, the demons did all that, and they were going to go on and destroy everything else, but the gods themselves came down from Heaven and fought the demons and defeated them.

Kelder nodded, partly listening and partly still looking for the caravan; that part, about the gods coming and stopping the demons, he had heard before.

But it was too late for General Terrek, of course, and all of his peopleexcept for Shan. She made a sweeping gesture, taking in the entire Bazaar. See, this was Terreks main supply depot, and he had all his magicians here at the time, and they had all their protective spells up and everything, and they were able to hold the demons off until the gods came and rescued them.

Oh, Kelder said again, still looking around.

Anyway, Irith continued, after the war ended, there were all these people here, magicians and supply clerks and quartermasters and people like that, and they had all these supplies intended for General Terreks army, but the army was gone, so they just kept all the stuff themselves, and started selling it.

Kelder nodded, turning his whole attention back to Irith. The whole thing made sense, so far, except for one little detail.

That was more than two hundred years ago, though, he said. They must have sold it all off long ago!

Well, ofcourse they did, silly! Irith agreed. But they bought other stuff, or made it, and theyre all still buying and selling. And since this was the biggest cache of magical supplies in the entire World for so long, its still where magicians come to buy and sell, a lot of the time. Not just magicians, either. And the people here make things, toothey make glass here better than anywhere else, better even than Ethshar of the Sands. There are miners who bring in jewels from the desert to sell here, too. Lets see... She paused to think.

Kelder waited.

Well, glass, she said, I said that. And sorcerers stuff, and supplies for wizards except you can get most of those in Ethshar just as well now, and medicines, I thinksome of themand perfumes, they make wonderful perfumes here, and there are dyesall kinds of stuff. She shrugged. It used to be nicer, actually. Business has dropped off a lot since I first came here.

They must be expensive, Kelder said. I mean, its a long way to come, all the way out here. He remembered another unexplained detail, and asked, So where did all the buyers come from, anyway? We didnt see anywhere near this many people on the way...

Its the off season, Irith said. Itsmuch more crowded than this sometimes!

Kelder looked about at what must have been several hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people.

A lot of people dont come by the highway, Irith continued. The wizards fly, or use some other kind of magic to get here. People from all over the eastern Small Kingdoms come overland to Dhwerra and get the highway from there, and they would all have gotten here hours ago, so we wouldnt have seen them on the road. And there are other ways, magical ways, I thinkIve heard stories about tunnels under the desert.

Oh, Kelder said. But what do they all eat? Where do they stay?

Oh, there are places to stay, Irith said. Inns for the customers, tenements for the natives. And they get their food by magic, mostly.

While this discussion had been taking place, Asha had rather blearily wandered over toward a nearby merchants stall.

Oooh! she exclaimed, distracting Kelder and Irith. Look!

The two looked.

Asha had lifted the velvet cover from a glass sculpture of a dragon; the creature sparkled vivid gold in the yellow lamp-light. Its jaws were open in silent rage, crystal fangs glittering; it stood crouching on three taloned feet, the fourth raised to strike, claws outstretched. Its tail wound gracefully to a needle-sharp point, and its wings, like sheets of ice, swept up and back, ready to bear it instantly aloft.

Kelder found himself drawn to it.

Irith looked, but called, Its getting late, and I'm really hungry; can we get some dinner now? And find somewhere to sleep?

Kelder and Asha stared at the glass dragon.

Kelder? Irith called. Come on, lets get something to eat!

Kelder reluctantly tore himself away. Did you see this thing, Irith? he called.

She shrugged. Not that one, she said, but Ive seen others. Ive been here before, Kelder, lots of times. You can make lots of nice things out of glass.

Nice things seemed a rather inadequate description, to Kelderhe thought the dragon was quite spectacular. He didnt argue, though.

He did hesitate.

It will still be there after we eat, Irith pointed out, and Kelder tore himself away.

Come on, Asha, he called. Lets get dinner.

The little girl hesitated, as Kelder had. He reached out and took her hand and led her away.

Following Iriths lead they headed out of the square to the northwest, pushing their way through the wall of traders under the first ring of columns.

Once they had pierced that veil, Kelder suddenly saw what Irith had meant about the off season and a decline in business.

The arcades and merchants stalls still continued as far as Kelder could make out, but now he could see that many of them were empty. Some of the merchants who were there were sitting alone and ignored, without a patron in sight.

And many of them did not look at all prosperous; Kelder could see men and women who were dirty and unkempt and tired. Some were slouched against pillars, or curled up on the ground asleep, not even pretending to look for customers any more. All this had been hidden by the crowd in the central square.

It struck him as odd that so many people should be clustered there, rather than spread more evenly throughout the market; he said as much to Irith.

She shrugged. Well, the galleries around the square are where those new caravans areprobably a lot of the people doing the buying are really the merchants from these other places. She waved a hand at the largely-vacant inner arcades.

I didnt see the... Kelder began, and then he stopped.

He had been about to say that the caravan they had followed should be there somewhere, if new caravans were what attracted customers, but before he could finish the sentence he spotted something.

Far off to the right, to the northeast of the market, he could see a face impossibly high up, almost brushing against the stone arch overhead, torchlight from below lighting it unpleasantly. And it wasonly a face, with no body below.

He blinked, and realized that he was looking at a head on a pikea fairly fresh head. That presumably meant that the caravan they wanted was right there; in fact, the head he was looking at might well be Abdens. Ashas brother.

He chewed on his lower lip for a second or two, considering.

His stomach growled, deciding him; he wouldnt point the caravan out just yet.

Being Ashas champion could wait a little.

You didnt see what? Irith asked.

Nothing, he lied. Do you know someplace good to get something to eat?

Of course, she said. This way.

She pointed ahead, down a colonnade lined with crates and barrels. A table a few paces away displayed tall green bottleswine, Kelder assumed. At least some of the barrels were presumably full of spirits, as wellthis particular arcade would seem to specialize in strong drink. He glanced down at Asha, remembering what she had said about her father.

She was staring ahead rather fixedly, not at the bottles or barrels, but at a man who lay sprawled against a pillar.

Kelder grimaced, and looked ahead.

That first drunk was not the last; others were sitting or lying here and there along the arcade. In fact, there were about as many drunks as there were vintners.

Annoyed, Kelder wondered why the merchants didnt shoo these sorry specimens away. He quickly reconsidered, however, when he realized that there were no sober customers in sightwhy should the sellers chase away the only people who were actually buying, at the moment?

He sighed. The World was not the pleasant place he would have wished for, had he been offered the job of creating it.

Come on, Irith said, taking his hand.

Asha had been holding the other hand, so Kelder found himself being dragged along as the central link in a three-part chain. Irith pulled vigorouslyshe must be very hungry indeed, he thought. Asha was too tired to move as quickly as Irith wanted, and was slowed further by shying away from an old man who lay mumbling in their path. She whimpered.

Irith turned at the sound, and the drunk looked blearily upward at the trio.

Irith!

Kelder looked down in astonishment.

The drunk was staring at Iriths face. He dropped the empty bottle he had held clutched in one hand and reached up toward her.

Irith, he said, youve come back!

Chapter Fourteen

Irith stared down at the weathered face, the red nose, the bloodshot eyes, the dirty, ragged beard, and the matted hair. She dropped Kelders hand and stepped back.

Eeeew, she said.

Irith, itsme, the drunk said, scrabbling against the paving stones as he tried to get his feet under him.

Asha dropped Kelders other hand and backed away.

Listen, old man... Kelder began.

Irith, the drunk called, ignoring him, dont you remember me? With one hand on the pillar, he got to his knees. His foul breath reached Kelders nostrils.

Rememberyou? I never saw you before in my life! Irith replied angrily.

Yes, you did, he insisted. Its been years, the gods know, too many years, but you knew me, all right, dont you remember? He made it to his feet, panting, his hand still on the pillar. Dont you know me?

He stared at her blank face, no flicker of recognition showing, and suddenly shouted at her,Dont you know me?

No!Irith screamed back.I never saw you before!

Listen, old man, you leave her... Kelder began, trying to push between Irith and the drunk. He was uncomfortably aware that the confrontation was attracting attention; several of the wine merchants were staring, and assorted other people were turning to see what the disturbance was about.

The old man, with strength truly astonishing in one so decrepit, shoved Kelder rudely aside and took a step toward Irith.

She shrank back, and her wings appeared suddenly. She stretched them, as if to take flight, to escape this loathsome apparition, but the tips brushed against the arcades vaulted ceiling. She glanced up, startled, at the prisoning stone, then looked around, panicky, at the people, staring at her from all sides, watching her intently. Her wings vanished.

Get away from me! she cried. Everybody get away!

Kelder, recovering from his surprise, thrust himself at the old drunk, arms outstretched, and knocked him off-balance.

Irith! the drunk cried. Irith!

Irith turned and ran, down the shadowy arcade, her white tunic flashing brightly as she passed each lamp, then fading into the next patch of darkness.

Follow her! Kelder barked to Asha. Tired as she was, the girl obeyed, scampering after the fleeing shapeshifter, while Kelder pushed the drunk up against the pillar.

Irith! the drunk called again, looking after her, paying no attention to Kelder.

Listen, Kelder began.

The drunk burst into tears. No, he wailed, I cant lose you again! Irith, come back! He tried to shove Kelder aside.

Damnit! Kelder said, as he stumbled back against a stack of crates. He grabbed at the drunks tunic, and pulled the old man down with him.

Let me go! the old man bellowed, trying to tear loose. Let me go after her!

No,Kelder shouted back, holding on tight.

Sobbing, the drunk swung a fist at his face; Kelder dodged easily.

The drunk swung again, and this time Kelder had to loose his hold in order to avoid the blow. Cursing, he dodged. The drunk stumbled to his feet and began staggering in the direction Irith had gone.

Kelder sprang up and charged after him, tackling him from behind and knocking him heavily to the stone pavement.

The drunks words had become incoherent babbling by this point, but his actions were clear enough; he was trying to get up, get away from Kelder, and continue his pursuit of Irith. Gritting his teeth, Kelder hauled off and punched him squarely in the nose.

The old mans head snapped back against a heavy cask, making a sound like a slammed doora very solid door. Blood trickled from his nose, and he slid to the ground, dazed.

Kelders knuckles stung from the impact, and he was very worried indeed lest he had killed the old manhed heard somewhere that drunks had brittle bones.

This particular drunk was made of sterner stuff than that, for he didnt so much as lose consciousness completely. He did lie stunned for a moment, but then shook his head, trying to gather his muddled wits.

By that time Kelder was back on his feet, and the instant he was sure that the old man had not been killed or crippled he spun on his heel and sprinted after his companions.

A moment later the drunk was out of sight, and Kelder was as good as lost in the mercantile maze of columns and courtyards. He slowed to a stop and called quietly, Irith?

Ashas voice answered him.

This way, Kelder!

Following the sound, he made his way through another fifty yards or so of market and into an alleyhe had finally left the Bazaar and entered the city proper. He found Asha crouched in the mouth of the alley, watching in all directions at once.

Are you all right? he asked her.

She nodded.

Wheres Irith?

Asha jerked a thumb in the direction of the alleys gloomy depths. Hesitantly, Kelder crept into the darkness.

Irith? he called.

A cat meowed, somewhere ahead.

Something touched Kelder on the back, and he started, then realized it was just Asha, following him.

She said theres a tavern down the far end of this alley that she likes, Asha whispered.

Kelder nodded an acknowledgement. Irith? he called again.

Here, she answered, stepping out of the darkest shadows ahead. Kelder could still only see a dim outline, but he was sure it was Irith. Is he gone?

Hes back there somewhere, Kelder said. Um... I hit him.

Good!

Kelder was surprised at the heat in Iriths response. Where are we? he asked.

Horsebone Alley, it used to be called, Irith said. I havent been here in years. Theres a real nice tavern around the corner at the far end, called the Crystal Skullthats where were going.

The Crystal Skull? Kelder asked, glancing back at Asha and seeing only a small, dark shape.

Irith nodded, then realized that that was probably not visible. Yes, she said.

The owner had this big chunk of quartz that looked sort of like a skull. He kept it on the mantel.

Oh, Kelder replied. That sounded harmless enough. In general he didnt like the idea of patronizing businesses with morbid names, but in this case he decided to trust Iriths judgment. Holding Ashas hand he followed the dim outline of the shapeshifter down the alley and around the corner.

No torch, Irith remarked, startled, when they were out of Horsebone Alley and into a broader but equally unlit thoroughfare. The shadows here were not as deep or threatening; the faint glow of the lesser moon and the stars poured down, and some of the light of the marketplace slopped over the rooftops and into the street. She pointed to an unlit doorway. Over there, she said, leading the way.

Kelder followed, an uncomfortable, uneasy feeling stirring in his belly.

The doorway was broad and deep; above it an iron bracket projected straight out from the rough stone, with empty rings where a signboard had once hung. To either side of the doorway were black iron sconces, also empty; there were no signs of torch or ash, and even the smokestains on the wall appeared to be weathered, rather than fresh. It was plain to Kelder that this place was not open for business, but Irith ignored the signs and marched straight into the gloom of the entryway.

Kelder followed, and found her standing in the open archway.

At first he thought the door was open, but then he realized that there was no door. Nor, looking through the opening, was there any roof; the same faint illumination that filled the street filled the buildings interior, as well.

Dusty chunks of stone and wood lay strewn about, colorless in the dim light.

Its gone, Irith said, in a tone of dull surprise.

Kelder stepped up beside her and glanced about.

It certainly is, he agreed.

What happened to it? Asha asked curiously.

How shouldI know? Irith snapped, turning angrily on her young companion.

Asha cowered back against the wall of the entry, and Kelder thrust a restraining hand between the two.

Shes just a kid, he said.

I wasnt going to touch her! Irith protested.

Asha burst out crying, sliding down the wall until she sat sprawled on the ground.

Kelder and Irith looked at one another.

Now what? Kelder asked.

Idont know, Irith replied.

We cant eat here, Kelder said, waving his arm at the dusty ruins. Its been gone for years, by the look of it.

That statement was simple truth, but something about it bothered him.

Well, I haventbeen in Shan for years, Irith said. I usually turn around at Dhwerra when I travel the highwayif I even get that far. Sometimes I turn back at the Angarossa border.

Do you know of any other good taverns or inns here? Kelder asked. Ones that might still be in business?

No, Irith replied, I havent come anywhere but here inages.

Well, where did you go before you found this place? Kelder asked, in his most reasonable tone.

One thats been gone even longer, Irith retorted.

Kelder sighed and looked around.

Well, he said, well just have to find someplace new, then. Come on.

Irith peered apprehensively at the street. What about that old man? she asked.

What about him? Kelder asked.

What if he finds me?

Kelder considered that.

Two things suddenly fell into place in his thoughts.

When had Irith last been here? He looked into the ruin; it had not been abandoned yesterday, or the day before.

It looked as if it had been abandoned for yearsand a good many years. If Kelder had been asked to guess, hed have said ten or fifteen; he could believe as little as five, but less than that...

Irith was only fifteen. More than three years ago and she wouldnt even have been wearing a skirt yetso to speak, since she was wearing breeches, in defiance of tradition. She wouldnt have been welcome in a tavern unescorted.

How could she have come to the Crystal Skull? And the way she spoke of it, she had been in here more than once.

That was one thing.

And the other...

How did that old man know who you were? Kelder asked.

What do you mean? Irith asked, uneasily.

I mean, Kelder said, he called you by name. He said he didnt want to lose youagain he definitely said again. When did he lose you before?

He didnt, Irith said uncomfortably. Hes crazy, or lying, or something.

But how did he know your name?

He probably heard one of you two say it, she suggested, and maybe he got me mixed up with some other Irith. I mean, its not an unusual name, you know. She made a face that was almost a sneer. Its about thesecond most common name in the World, isnt it,Kelder?

Kelder did not rise to the bait; he was used to jokes about his name, and he knew perfectly well that it was the most ordinary name in the World.

And Irith was quite right, her own name was also very popular, probably the most commonly used feminine namethough nowhere near as widespread as Kelder, and maybe not up with some of the other masculine names. Hed heard plenty of jokes and stories that used Kelder and Irith as names for a boring peasant couple, and wasnt bothered by them.

Youre sure you didnt know him, when you were little? Kelder asked.

Of course I'm sure! Irith snapped. Ick,him?

I mean, hes not your father, or your old master, or an uncle or something?

Kelder, ofcourse not! Dont be stupid. My fathers dead, and I dont have any uncles any more, and hes not my old master, hes just a creepy old man whos got me mixed up with someone else. She turned away, and muttered, I mean, hesgot to be.

When you came here before, were you alone? I mean, why were you in this tavern? You must have just been a little girl.

No, Kelder, dont be silly, it wasntthat long ago!

But...

Hai,she said, just drop it, all right? Let it go.

Reluctantly, Kelder let it go. All right, then, he said, lets go find somewhere to eat, and to sleep. And in the morning we can see...

In the morning, Irith interrupted, we can getout of here!

Out of where? Kelder asked, startled.

Out ofShan, of course! We can head back to somewherecivilized, not all these drearyruins and olddrunks and things!

Asha stopped crying and stared up at Irith.

Kelder hesitated.

What about my brother? Asha asked.

Oh,forget about your brother! Irith snapped. I want to get away from this awful place and that nasty old man!

Wait a minute... Kelder began.

You promised!Asha shrieked.

I did not!

You did!

Hai!Kelder shouted. Quiet down, both of you!

The girls subsided, glaring angrily at each other. Kelder sighed. This was all getting very complicated; he hadnt expected his promised wife to have a mysterious past and troublesome moods, nor had he expected championing the lost and forlorn to be as tricky as it seemed determined to be. Listen, he said, we did promise her, Irith, but as soon as we get Abdens head off that pike, we can get out of here.

Well, how long isthat going to take?

Not long, Kelder insisted. I mean, I saw the caravan, back there, I thinkit should be easy enough.

How? Irith demanded. Its up on a pike, out of reach, and they arent going to get it down for us.

You can fly, cant you? Kelder replied. Asha and I can make a distraction of some kind, so no one will be looking, and you can fly over there and snatch the head right off the pike, and no one will even see you, in the dark.

You mean tonight? Irith asked. Now?

Kelder opened his mouth, and then closed it again. His stomach growled.

Maybetonight, he said, after we eat.

Chapter Fifteen

Maybe we shouldnt try it tonight, Kelder said, chewing on the steak. The meat here required considerable gnawingnot, as Irith had pointed out, like the food at the Crystal Skull.

We should have found someplace better, she had said.

There may notbe any place better any more, Kelder had replied, and I'm hungry.

And now they were in Big Bredons Tavern, gnawing on meat that had probably come from some caravans superannuated draft animal. Little Asha was having trouble staying awake, her head constantly on the verge of falling forward into her fried potatoes.

Why not? Irith asked.

Kelder pointed his fork at Asha.

I'm all right! Asha protested. I'm just tired.

We all are, Kelder agreed. So maybe we should just rest, and worry about it tomorrow night.

Asha frowned, blinking. What if the caravan leaves again?

Oh, it wont do that, Kelder said, not quite as confidently as he would have liked. I'm sure theyll be staying in Shan for several days yet. Right, Irith?

Idont know, Irith said, jabbing her fork viciously at her potatoes.

Kelder glared at her resentfully. Well, anyway, he said, I think were all too tired tonight. Wed probably mess up somehow. Tomorrow night should be fine.

Idont want to stay in Shan all day, Irith said, resentfully. This place has really gone downhill since I was here, you know that? Its a dump, nowruins everywhere, half the arcades deserted...

Youre just mad about the Crystal Skull, Kelder said.

Yes, well, so what? Irith snapped. What difference does it make why I dont like it here? I dont like it here; I want to go.

Were not going anywhere until we at leasttry to get Abdens head back, Kelder told her.

Fine, then lets just get itover with, shall we? Irith dropped her fork and turned to Asha, then stopped and giggled.

Kelder turned to see why Irith was laughing, and found Asha sound asleep, her cheek resting on the oily potato slices. He smiled, then carefully lifted her head from her plate and transferred it to a folded napkin on the table.

All right, Irith said, before Kelder could say anything, we get some sleep.

But we dont need to wait allday why dont we get up really, really early, maybe two hours before dawn, and... and do it then? And then we can still get out of town before anyone from the caravan wakes up, and theyll probably be too busy doing business to come after us right away even if they notice its gone and figure out where we went.

Kelder considered that for a moment, wishing he werent quite so exhausted himself; his fatigue made thinking difficult.

All right, he said at last. That will give us about four hours sleep, I guess, which is better than nothing.

Irith smiled at him, her first real smile since that morning. Oh, good! The smile vanished. Its going to be really yucky, you know, pulling that head off that pike.

Kelder grimaced. I guess so, he said. You have to do it, though; youre the only one who can fly.

I know. She sighed. Lets go get some sleep.

They went and got some sleep. They had to carry Asha to the room Irith had rented, Kelder taking her under the arms, Irith taking her feet.

It was only at the very last moment, the candle already extinguished, that Kelder realized they were not going to wake up until midday without outside help. He staggered back downstairs and promised the night watchman six bits in copper if he got them up on schedule.

The watchman agreed.

Kelder did not even remember returning to his bed; the next thing he knew was that someone was shaking him, none too gently, and someone with beery breath and a strange accent was telling him, in Traders Tongue, to wake up.

He was too tired to think in Traders Tongue at first, and in Shularan he advised whoever it was to go immediately to Hell, and to speak Shularan on the way.

The shaker said, in Ethsharitic this time, that he spoke no Quorulian. This completely inappropriate response brought Kelder awake, as he tried to figure it out.

He sat up, blinking, and recognized the night watchman.

Its not Quorulian, Kelder said. Its Shularan.

I dont speak that, either, the watchman said in Traders Tongue, shrugging.

Right, Kelder said. Thank you for waking me.

Eight bits, the watchman said, holding out a palm.

Six, Kelder said, when my friends are awake and weve checked the time.

The Shanese shrugged again. Six, he agreed. I wait.

Kelder glared at him for a moment, then reached over and shook Irith awake.

Five minutes later the three of them were making their way, rather blearily, through the streets of Shan. The watchman, richer by six bits of Iriths money, was back in his regular post at the inn.

So I just fly up and take the head off the pike, and then we go, right? Irith asked, stumbling over an empty bottle and narrowly avoiding whacking her head against a stone pillar.

Kelder nodded. Thats right, he said.

And what are you two going to be doing?

Standing watch, I guess, Kelder replied. Then he corrected himself, No, theyve probably got guards. Well be distracting the guards.

Oh, Irith said. All right.

There! Asha said, pointing. There it is!

Shh! Kelder and Irith both hushed her.

She looked up at them, startled, but said no more.

Do you see any guards? Kelder asked.

Irith shook her head. They must be there, though. She sighed. Tell me again why I'm doing this.

Because, Kelder told her, you promised Asha.

Irith looked unconvinced.

Because I asked you to, Kelder suggested.

Irith sighed again, nodded, and spread wings that had not been there an instant before. She flapped them once.

Kelder started to shush her, then caught himself.

Just testing, she said. Theyre a little stiff; I havent flown much these last few days.

He nodded. Look, he said, well meet you at the city gate, all right?

Fine. Her wings stretched gracefully upward, flapped, and she rose toward the night sky.

Below her, the youth and the child watched for a moment. Then Kelder shook himself out of his momentary daze and said, Come on. Asha followed obediently as he crept toward the caravan, moving as silently as he could and trying to keep to the shadows as much as possible.

The wagons were in a line along one side of an arcade that was significantly higher and wider than most, and open on both sides. Torches were mounted on each vehicle, but most had burned out, and those that remained were little more than stubs. What little light they cast mingled with the orange glow of the greater moon, and with light spilling over from the central square, but even so, the arcade was shadowy and dim, the caravans bright colors reduced to scarcely more than flame-yellow and shadow-gray.

Most of the wagons were closed, their shutters latched and doors barred, awnings and banners furled and stowed. Steps and benches were folded away, brakes set, wheels blocked. The draft animals and outriders mounts had all been unhitched and taken elsewhere for stabling, the yokes and traces and other gear all neatly tucked out of sight. Each one had a pike held to one corner by iron loops, and atop each pike was a bandits head.

At first glance, Kelder saw nothing moving but the flickering shadows. Then something yawned loudly.

Kelder felt Asha tugging at the back of his tunic, but he ignored it as he looked for the source of the sound.

He found it; a big, burly man in a dark tunic and kilt was leaning against a pillar, whittling. A sword hung from his belt, and a long spear stood within easy reach, propped against a stone upright. There could be no doubt whatsoever that he was standing guard.

The knife he was carving with glinted in the torchlight for a moment, and a curl of wood-shaving spiraled to the pavement. He was awake, but not exactly intent on his job.

The mere fact of his presence, and wakefulness, was enough to make the whole job more worrisome, though. Damn, Kelder muttered to himself.

Kelder! Asha whispered urgently.

He turned, finger to lips, and hissed, What is it?

Wheres Abden?

Kelder looked at her blankly for a moment.

I mean, wheres Abdenshead?

Annoyed, Kelder turned to point. The heads right...

He stopped.

Slowly, he turned back to Asha.

I dont know, he said. What does... what did your brother look like?

I dont know, Asha said.

That one, Kelder said, pointing to the nearest pike, is that him?

No, Asha said, thats KelderI mean, the other Kelder, Kelder the Lesser, they called him.

Well, I knew it wasnt me, Kelder snarled sarcastically. What about the others?

Which one is he?

Asha took a minute to peer up at those heads that were visible from where they stood. I dont see Abden, she said at last.

The head wasnot right there, Kelder realized.

Damn! he said again.

Chapter Sixteen

Now, how many headsare there? Kelder asked himself, as he scanned the skies for Irith. Nobodys about to take a severed head inside his wagon at night, not if hes sleeping therethat would be too creepy, justasking to be haunted. He glanced down at Asha, hoping for some useful suggestion, but all he saw was that she was on the verge of tears. He quickly turned his gaze upward again.

No one would take one inside, he said, still addressing himself, so theyre all out here on the wagons, and its just a matter of finding the right one, right?

Asha made a muffled noise of agreement.

Kelder frowned. It was just a matter of finding the right one, but Asha was the only one who could do that, since she was the only one who knew her brothers face.

Irith must have realized this by nowso where was she? Why hadnt she come back for further instructions? All he could see was a small bird, silhouetted against the lesser moon as it climbed the eastern sky.

He shrugged, and looked down at Asha. Well have to sneak up as close as we can, and see if we can find the right... uh... the right pike.Then well tell Irith which one it is...

There was a sudden flapping of wings, and Irith was descending, a few feet away.

Kelder, she said angrily, I dont know which head!

We just thought of that, Kelder agreed.

So what do we do?

Can you carry Asha when you fly? Then she could point it out.

Irith looked the girl over, considering, then shook her head. No, she said.

Not a chance.

Kelder had expected that. All right, then, he said. We sneak Asha up as close as we can on foot, and let her look until she finds the right one.

Maybe Irith could get all of them? Asha suggested. Then we could go back and burnall the bodies...

She realized that both Kelder and Irith were glaring at her, and her voice faded away.

No, Irith said. Just one.

All right, Asha said. Ill go look. But I cant go alone.

Of course not, Kelder agreed.

Irith glanced over at the wagons, the patchwork of light and shadow, the big man scraping away bits of wood with his knife.

You two go ahead, she said. Ill wait here.

Kelder started to agree, then paused. Irith was the one who had to know just where the head was, after all. But it wasnt worth the argument. All right, he said. Come on, Asha.

Together, the two crept closer.

There were a dozen wagons; the guard stood beside the seventh in line, by Kelders quick count, and they had approached near the ninth. This way, he hissed, beckoning Asha toward the front of the column.

After all, there were more wagons in that direction, even if it was farther to go.

The head on the eighth wagon was facing the opposite direction, but Asha shook her own head no; the hair was wrong.

The next faced them, but again, Asha indicated that it was not the one they wanted. They were both tiptoeing now; if the guard happened to look up from his whittling, and if he werent blinded by the tangle of shadows and torchlight, he would be looking right at them.

The head on the sixth wagon was facing away, and Asha was not completely sure, but didnt think it looked like Abden.

Kelder was beginning to think they should have turned the other way and checked the tail end first when Asha made a strangled noise.

Thats it, she said, pointing. Thats Abden.

The fifth wagon was green trimmed with gold, and the Ethsharitic runes on the side said something about someone named Doran of someplaceShip-something, safe place for ships, something like that; Kelder did not bother to puzzle the whole thing out. It was obviously the name of some Ethsharitic merchant. The pike at the front corner displayed the head of a young man, and Kelder thought there might be some resemblance to Asha, but he wasnt sure he wasnt just imagining it.

All right, he whispered. Lets go back and tell Irith.

Asha nodded, turned, and began to scamper back.

Her bare feet slapped on the paving stones. Kelder started after her, and had taken perhaps three long steps when something registered.

He turned, and saw that the guard had lowered his knife and carving and was peering out into the gloom, following the sound of Ashas footsteps.

Kelder decided that he didnt want to be seen just yet. He fell back into a nearby shadow, under the overhang of a two-story shopfront.

Irith? Asha called. Where are you?

Kelder hissed to himself with exasperation.

Irith? Asha called again, more loudly.

She was standing, Kelder thought, at about the spot where they had separated, plainly visible in the light of the two moons. The guard was watching her intently now.

Whats more, another guard, whom they had not previously seen, had heard the sound and was peering between the wagons from the other side of the caravan.

This one was tall and thin, with a black beard that needed trimmingit straggled messily down onto his chest.

There was no sign of Irith.

A cat meowed nearby, and Kelder turned for an instant, looking for the animal, but didnt see it. He turned quickly back to Asha.

Kelder! a breathy voice said behind him, quietly.

He started, and turned to find Irith standing there, finger to her lips.

How did you... he began.

Which one? Irith whispered hoarsely.

Which what? For a moment he thought she was asking something about the two guards, and he tried to figure out what she wanted to know.

Whichwagon, stupid?

Oh, Kelder said, collecting his wits. The green one, right there. He pointed.

Irith nodded, and spread wings that had not been there an instant before. You go distract them, she said.

Then she launched herself fluttering upward.

Kelder blinked and looked up, watching her ascent.

Irith? Asha wailed. Kelder?

Kelder frowned; the best distraction was probably the simplest, he decided. He stepped out of the shadows. Over here, he called. He trotted toward the little girl, who was standing alone in the street, on the verge of panic.

The first guard had stepped away from the pillar and tucked his carving under his belt. Now he slid his knife into its sheath and picked up the spear. The other guard was between two of the wagons now, facing away, scanning the little plaza on that side of the arcade.

Kelder tried hard not to be seen looking at either of them as he came up to Asha and said, a little more loudly than necessary, Here I am, Indra.

Indra was the first girls name he could think of, other than Asha or Irith.

Kelder! She spotted him, and dashed toward him, arms out.

At least that was one advantage of having the most common name in the World, he thought; nobody was ever going to track him down by using it.

He met Asha halfway and picked her up in a big embrace, then spun her aroundwhich gave him a chance to look at the nearer guard without seeming to.

The man was standing, watching the two of them. He was not looking at the green and gold wagon. Kelder forced himself not to look at it, either. He lowered Asha to the pavement, and then glanced casually at the guard.

That individual was now looking either way along the row of wagons. He might, Kelder thought, have guessed that this little scene was being played out to distract him.

At least, that was why Kelder was doing it; Asha had apparently lost track of what she was supposed to be doing, and acting on impulse. In her excitement over finding Abdens head she had completely forgotten everything else about the plan. That was fine, really; she was doing an excellent job of being a distraction, and probably acting far more naturally than she would have if she had remembered.

They did not, however, want the guard to realize he was being deliberately decoyed.

The other guard, Kelder noticed with a twinge of concern, was not in sight at the moment.

Spear in one hand, his other hand on the hilt of his sword, the visible guard was peering into the darkness.

Looking for something? Kelder called.

Startled, the guard turned to look at him silently for a second, and then shook his head. He said nothing.

Ive lost my wife, Kelder said, pressing on. The girls sister. Shes tall, with black hair, wearing a green tunic and a brown skirthave you seen her? He tried very hard to ignore Ashas expression of surprise as she heard him tell such lies.

The guard shook his head again.

Youre sure? Kelder insisted.

Havent seen anybody, the man said, in a surprisingly high-pitched voice.

Except you two.

Well, if you do... Kelder began.

Excuse me, the guard said, interrupting, Ive got rounds to make. He began walking along the line of wagons, stooping every so often to peer under them, occasionally poking his spear into the shadows. He called something Kelder didnt catch, and was answered by a deeper voice from the other side.

Kelder was very relieved indeed to see that the near-side guard had started out toward the back of the line, rather than the front. He hoped the other one had, as well.

Well, if you see her, Kelder shouted after them, tell her well meet her at the inn. Then he turned away, taking Asha by the hand and pulling her along.

Kelder, Asha said, starting to protest.

He jerked viciously at her wrist, and she followed without further objection.

He led her quickly around a building, into an alley and out of the guards sight. Then he stopped, held a finger to his lips, and peered cautiously back around the corner.

What is it? Asha asked.

Kelder waved a hand at her, and she fell silent.

The heavier guard had reached the last wagon; the one with the sloppy beard met him there, and the two exchanged a few wordsKelder could just barely hear their voices, and could not make out any at all of what was said.

Above the arcade, orange moonlight shone briefly on a fluttering white wing, and a shadowy shape rose toward the heavens, something vaguely round cradled in one arm.

Kelder smiled.

All right, he told Asha, now we go around the block and run for the gate, as fast as we can. Irith has the head.

Youre sure? Asha looked up at him doubtfully.

Just go, Kelder said, giving her a shove.

He was destined to be Ashas champion, but that didnt mean he had to like her, and just now, tired and frightened as he was, he did not think much of her at all.

Chapter Seventeen

To Kelder the double moonlight on the desert sand looked somehow unnatural. It was brighter than moonlight had any right to be, even when both moons were full and at zenithand in fact, that wasnt the case. The moons were both past zenith, the lesser descending quickly toward the western horizon, the greater still high overhead, and neither was fullthe lesser was close, but the greater was only about three-quarters. The familiar rosy glow of the moons combined with the gold of the sands to make an odd, burnt-orange color that Kelder didnt like at all. Are you sure we shouldnt wait for sunrise? he asked.

Comeon, Irith said, lets getout of here!

Asha said nothing, but she obviously agreed with Irith; she was tugging at Kelders sleeve. Reluctantly, he came.

I can see why youre in a hurry, Asha, he said. You want to set your brothers soul free. But I dont know whyyoure rushing so much, Irith.

She glanced back over her shoulder; the city wall gleamed ruddily in the moonslight, and the open gates were a tangle of torchlight and shadow. She thought she saw something moving, and wasnt sure if it was just a flickering shadow, or really someone there.

Lets just say I dont much care for Shan on the Desert any more, the Flyer replied.

Is it because that inn was gone? Asha asked.

No, Irith answered.

Its that old drunk, isnt it? Kelder said. Or at least thats part of it. But I dont see why he has you so upset.

Its not him, either, Irith said, with another glance behind.

Kelder looked at her, then turned his gaze to his feet and trudged onward through the cool orange sands.

She was lying, he was sure. Itwas the drunk.

They had gone no more than a league when the lesser moon set; the greater moon was working its way toward the horizon, as well. Color faded from their surroundings, and Kelder began to worry.

Are we still on the highway? he asked.

For several seconds, no one answered. Then Irith said, I dont know. I cant see that well.

They stumbled on for a moment longer, and then Kelder remarked, Well, if were not, at least the caravaners wont find us.

Those demons could, Irith replied.

Asha started crying quietly.

You would have to say that, Kelder muttered, not really meaning Irith to hear.

Oh, shut up, Irith said.

Were going to wander around in circles until we die! Asha wailed.

No, we arent, Irith snapped.

Kelder took it upon himself to expand on this. Were all right, Asha, he said.

Really. We know were going south because the greater moon is on our right, see? And look, off to the left. He pointed. Theres light on the horizon, thats the sun coming because its almost dawn, so thats east. So even if we lose the highway, well reach that big cliff eventually, and then we can find the road again.

Oh, Asha said, struggling to stifle her tears. A moment later, when they were under control, she whined, I'm tired.

We all are, Kelder said.

Then why dont we rest?

Kelder halted in his tracks with the intention of making some biting retort, and then stopped. Youre right, he said. Why dont we? They probably arent going to come after us. Even if they realize weve left the city, why should they go to all that trouble? They have plenty of heads. So whats the hurry? He sat down on the cool sand. I'm tired, too, and I'm going to sit here and rest until the sun comes up and we can see what were doing.

Asha smiled, and plopped down beside him.

Irith had proceeded a dozen paces farther, but now she stopped, as well, and turned back to look at the others. Here? she said. Out in the middle of the desert?