Quentin stood at the high parapet overlooking the tranquil forest. His

your absence."
 
"I am here now, and with you. I find my greatest happinett when I am
at your side."
 
"But you will leave again too soon, I fear. My father has a tad:
 
for you, and we will be separated again
 
"Do you know what it is
 
Bria shook her head.
 
"Then how do you know it will take me away from you so suddenly?"
 
"A woman knows...."
 
"Well, then, we will have to make each moment we are together so much
the sweeter." So saying, Quentin pulled her to him gently and kissed
her. She wound her arms around him and rested her head upon his
chest.
 
Quentin looked at the placid sky as its rosy red brightened to a golden
hue. The mighty ramparts of Askelon Castle gleamed like burnished
gold, magically transformed from their ordinary state of dull stone by
the dawn's subtle alchemy.
 
"Quentin " Her voice was small and frightened. "What is happening? I
am afraid, though I do not know why. The King holds his own counsel
and will see no one. And when I ask him about affairs in the realm, be
only smiles and pats my hand and tells me that a Princess should think
of only happy things and not concern herself with mundane matters.
 
"I am worried for him. Oh, Quentin, when you see him you will know he
is not well. He is pale and drawn. Some dark care sits heavily upon
his brow. My mother and I know not what to do."
 
"Calm yourself, Bria, my love. If there is anything I may do to ease
his mind, count on it that it shall be done. And if medicines have any
effect, Durwin will know it and will avail.
 
"And yet, I must confess that I am troubled, too. But by nothing so
easily explained would that it were. I would give a fortune to any who
could calm the turmoil I feel growing inside me.
 
"There is trouble, Bria. I feel it, though all about me appears
peaceful and serene. I start at shadows, and night gives no rest, it
is
 
I 389 I
 
as if the wind itself whispers an alarm to my ears, but no sound u
heard." :
 
Bria sighed deeply and clutched him tighter. "What is happening? What
will become of us, my darling?"
 
 
They held each other for awhile, and the new sun rose and filled the
sky with golden light.
 
"See how the sun banishes the darkness. So love will send our troubles
fleeing far from us I promise."
 
"Can love accomplish so much, do you think?" Bria said dreamily.
 
"It can do all things."
 
SIX
 
"GOOD THE TOO I say we should turn back. We have already come too far,
and it is past the time when we should have been in Askelon. The King
will be fearing our disappearance soon, if not already."
 
"But we have not seen what we came to see: the enemy, if there is one.
We would be remiss if we returned now. Our task is not completed."
 
Ronsard sat hunched in the saddle, one arm resting on the pommel, the
other bent around behind him as he pressed his hand into the small of
his back. "If I do not get off this horse soon, I may never walk
again."
 
"Since when have you become fond of walking? The Lord High Marshall of
the Realm should set a better example for his men,"
 
joked Theido, swiveling in his saddle to cast an eye upon the four
knights behind.
 
"My men know me for what I am," said Ronsard. "But I jet not when I
say that we should return at once. It is no light thing to keep a King
waiting."
 
"Nor is it meet lo bring him useless information the one would foil his
purpose as easily as the other." Theido turned hia horse and brought
himself close to Ronsard. "But I will tell you what we shall do, so
that I may hear the end of your complaining. We will send one of the
knights back with a message of what we barn discovered so far, and of
our intention of continuing until we are satisfied."
 
"Fair enough. Also relay that we will return at the earliest we may,
by the most expeditious means, with a full report."
 
"Agreed." Theido turned his sun-browned face toward the place where
the knights waited, resting their mounts before continuing on their
journey. Mart ranI Come up here." He signaled one of them.
 
The knight approached his leaders on foot and saluted. "Martran, you
are to ride to the King at once and deliver this message: we are
continuing on our mission and are sorry for the delay in returning to
him sooner. Tell him also that we will come hence as soon as we are
satisfied that we have obtained that which we seek, or have some better
report to give him. Do you understand?"
 
"Yes, my lord," replied the knight crisply.
 
"Repeat the message ordered Ronsard.
 
The knight repeated the message word for word with the same inflection
given the words as Ronsard himself had used. "Very well," said
Ronsard. "Be on your way. Stop for nothing and no one."
 
The knight saluted again and walked back to his horse. He mounted and
rode off at once, without looking back.
 
Now then," said Theido, snapping his reins impatiently, "let us go
forth."
 
Ronsard raised himself in his saddle and called to the remaining
knights. "Be mounted! Forward we go!"
 
/ 391 I
 
Since leaving Askelon they had ridden further and further south, first
to Hinsenby and then along the coast as it dipped toward the Suthland
region of Mensandor. They had passed through Persch and a host of
peasant villages unnamed on any map.
 
Now they approached a rocky stretch ofcoastland which rose in sharp
cliffs at the brink of the sea.  This was where the Fiskill Mountains
spent themselves in their southernmost extremity. The crags marched
right down to the sea, and there the land dropped away as if it had
been divided by the chop of an axe. The sea lay crowded with jagged
teeth of immense rocks, some as big as islands, though they jutted
sharply out of the ocean's swell, bare and lifeless, uninhabited except
as roosts for myriads of squawking seabirds.
 
A narrow, treacherous track climbed upward through the cliffs and
entwined itself among the tors. Now it cut through a wall of rock so
narrow that a man's outstretched hands touched either side, and now it
swung out upon the sheer cliff face where one misstep would send horse
and rider hurtling down into the churning sea.
 
They halted.
 
"I suggest we stop here for the night. I would not like to trust that
trail by night; it is bad enough in the daylight."
 
"Very well," agreed Ronsard. "A fresh start at it in the morning would
not be disagreeable to me."
 
They removed themselves but a little away from the trail and set about
making camp for the night. As the sun slid down below the dark rim of
the sea, the birds fluttered to the roosting rocks and the evening
trembled with their noisy calls.
 
After a while the moon ascended and cast its pale light all around. The
tired men dozed and talked in hushed tones.
 
"Listen!" said Ronsard abruptly. All lapsed into silence and sifted
the soft sea breeze for sounds. The only sound to reach their ears was
the faraway roll of the waves crashing against the rocks and slapping
against the cliff walls.
 
Theido cast a wondering glance toward his old friend.
 
"Oh, I guess it was nothing," said Ronsard, but he still peered
intently into the night as if listening for the sound to repeat
itself.
 
In a moment he was on his feet, pacing uneasily about the camp, just
out oflhe circle of the firelight. Then he walked a short way along
the road and stood for a long time looking toward the cliff trail.
Theido watched him narrowly and was not surprised when the brawny
knight came hurrying back.
 
"What is it?"
 
"Someone is coming! Up there in the cliffs I am certain of it!"
 
He ordered his knights in a harsh whisper, "Put out the fire and take
the horses aside. Hide yourselves and watch me for a signal!"
 
In the space of five heartbeats the small camp was deserted, and no
sign remained that only a moment before five knights had been encamped
there.
 
Then Ronsard and Theido sat down to wait in the dark alongside the
road, hidden from view by a low-lying clump of hartstongue. Shortly
there could be heard the minute sounds of a group of people hurrying
along the path, desperately trying to pass unseen: the rattling echo of
a stone dislodged by a careless foot, the muffled creak of a wheel upon
the rock, a cough.
 
Then their murky shapes could be seen against the night sky as they
drew nearer. They were on foot, and there were smaller shadows among
the larger ones. They huddled together in a close knot, rather than
ranging themselves along the trail; they evidently feared separation
more than detection.
 
"It is no army," breathed Ronsard between clenched teeth. He let his
breath out slowly. "But now to find out who they are and why they risk
the cliffs in the night the very thing we declined to do."
 
"We had a choice; perhaps they felt they had none," replied
 
Theido.
 
Ronsard rose from his place and stepped near to the trail, just ahead
of the nocturnal travelers' leader. When the man approached close at
hand, Ronsard said in a loud, steady voice, "Halt, friend! In the name
of the Dragon King!"
 
A shriek and a stifled oath came from the main body of the group. But
the man stopped dead in his tracks and looked about him for the source
of the unexpected command. Ronsard stepped closer, and the moonlight
fell on his face. He smiled and held up his hands to show the
frightened travelers that he meant them no harm.
 
I 393 I
 
"Wh what do you w want?" the leader managed to stammer.
 
"I wish to speak with you that is all. I will not detain you long."
Ronsard still spoke in the same steady voice, loud enough for all to
hear.
 
"Who are you?"
 
"I am the Lord High Marshall of Mensandor," replied Ronsard- "Who are
you, and whither do you run by the light of the moon?"
 
"Oh, sir!" gasped the relieved man. "You do not jest?  You are really
a King's man?"
 
"At your service. Are you in trouble?"
 
At this all the people rushed forward and drew close around Ronsard as
if to seek the protection of his title, a welcome shield over their
heads. They all began to shout.
 
Theido crept from his hiding place and came to stand beside Ronsard,
who held up his hands and called for quiet. "I think I would better
hear the tale from only one mouth at a time. You are the leader of
this band." He pointed to the man he had addressed at first. "You
begin."
 
The man's face shone pale in the moonlight, but Theido got the
impression that it would be pale in bright daylight as well. Deep
lines of fear were drawn on the man's countenance. His eyes did not
hold steady, but shifted to the right and left and all around as if to
warn him of the imminent approach of an enemy.
 
"I ... we ..." The man's mouth worked like a pump, but words were slow
in coming.
 
"It is all right; you are safe for the time. I have soldiers with me,
and we will defend you at need." Ronsard raised his arm in signal and
his knights came forward to stand along the trail, their hands upon the
hilts of their long swords.
 
Their presence seemed to frighten the man rather than calm him.
 
"Come, you may speak freely," said Theido in a gentle voice.
 
"We are from Dom," the leader managed to squeak out at length. "We
have left our homes and carry all our belongings with us. We are going
to the High Temple." He paused, gulped air and plunged ahead. "We
know not where else to go."
 
"It is a strange pilgrimage you make, friend," observed Ronsard. "Why
do you leave your homes and flee by night?"
 
"Have you not heard? They are coming ... a terrible host, terrible.
They have landed at Halidom, and they are coming. Why, we are fleeing
for our lives to the protection of Ariel! Only the god can save us
now."
 
"Who is coming? Have you seen anyone?"
 
The man looked at Ronsard wide-eyed with disbelief. "Do you not know?
How is this possible? The whole land is in turmoil! We are fleeing
for our lives!"
 
The people began to shout again, each pouring out his heart, beseeching
the King's men to help them escape. Ronsard and Theido listened and
drew aside to confer. "Something has frightened these people, that
much is clear. Though what remains a mystery. I can make no sense out
of it." Ronsard scratched his jaw.
 
Theido called the leader over to where they stood. "Good sir, have you
seen someone? This enemy you flee from? Do you know from whence he
comes?"
 
The man hesitated. "Well ... we have seen no one. But we dared not
wait. Two days ago, men of HaUdom in the Suthlands came to Dom, and
they told us of terrible things which had happened there. A mighty
enemy has risen up and drives all before him. Their city was burned,
and the streets ran with the blood of their children and women. Those
that would save their lives fled to the hills. So we flee while we
still may."
 
"This enemy did you hear a name?"
 
"It is too terrible to say!" The man threw his hands heavenward in
supplication.
 
"Terrible it may be, but we will hear it. Tell what you know,"
commanded Ronsard. His authoritative tone seemed to have a calming
effect upon the frightened peasant.
 
He looked from one to the other of them and said, his voice now a
strained whisper, "It is Nin the Destroyer!"
 
SEVEN
 
THEIDO LOOKED blankly at Ronsard and then back at the frightened
peasant- The man's eyes glittered wide and round in the moonlight. He
had scarcely dared utter his enemy's name, and his tongue had frozen in
his mouth. But as appalling as the name was to the peasant enough at
least to inspire a whole village to flight at the very sound of it the
name meant nothing to Theido or Ronsard.
 
"I have never heard this name," said Theido. Ronsard shook his head
and looked hard at the peasant.
 
"Is there another name by which this enemy may be known? We know
nothing of this Nin or his armies."
 
"No there is no other name I know."
 
"Halidom was destroyed? These men that came to Dom, they saw it
destroyed?"
 
"Yes, so they said. Some of them had lost everything home and family,
possessions everything."
 
Theido turned to Ronsard. "There is where we will find our answer at
Halidom."
 
"So it would seem. We will go there and see what may be seen. The
King will want to know in any case." He turned back to the leader of
the fleeing people. "This Nin you speak of he was moving toward Dom,
you say? How did you know if you did not see him?"
 
"The men of Halidom told us. The enemy ranges the whole countryside.
No place is safe from him. That is why we go to the High Temple at
Narramoor to ask the god to protect us."
 
"There may be a safer place than even the temple," said
 
Theido. "I have lands at Eriott which need the work of many hands. Go
there and present yourself to my steward, called Toffin. Tell him his
master sends you to him that he may give you shelter and food and land
to work. And give him this." Theido drew a small round token from the
pouch at his belt: a clay tile baked hard with his signet pressed into
it.
 
The peasant stared at the signet tile and then at Theido. He seemed as
much dismayed by it as by Nin himself. "Are we to be sold into slavery
because we have no place to go? We have left our homes to become serfs
of the King's men?" He had spoken loudly, and there came a murmur from
the rest of the group standing a little way off.
 
"My offer," explained Theido, "is honorable. You may take it or no. I
do not withdraw it. I keep no serfs; all who work my lands are free
and enjoy the fruits of their labors in equal share. If you doubt my
words, go there and see for yourselves. In any case you are free to
leave or stay once you have seen. No one compels you to do as I bid.
 
"Only know this: if you stay' you will be required to do your share and
to work the land that is given you. If you do not, your place will be
given to another who will."
 
The man looked at the token in Theido's hand. He reached out for it
hesitantly, casting a sideways glance to the others in his band.
 
"We, too, are honorable, though we are but men of low birth." He
snatched the tile out of Theido's hand. "We will go to your lands at
Eriott and inquire of your steward; we will see how he receives us. If
he bears the good will of his master, you will find us busy in your
fields when you return from your duties." He bowed stiffly from the
waist and turned to go. He paused and turned again. "If it be as you

say, you have our thanks, my lord."

 
"I do not ask for thanks, but only that you will do as we have agreed.
That shall be to me more than gratitude itself."
 
The man bowed again and went to where his people waited to learn the
outcome of the interview just concluded. Words were exchanged quickly;
there were mumbled whispers all around, and suddenly the band was on
its way again, but bolder this time and changed in mood. Several of
the refugees waved their thanks to
 
/ 397 /
 
Theido as they passed, and all talked excitedly together as they moved
hurriedly away down the trail.
 
"Well, you have done your fellows a fine service this night. I hope
you will not have cause to regret your kindness," said Ronsard when
they had gone.
 
"One never regrets a kindness, my friend. But I have no doubt that I
have gained as much as they in the bargain'
 
"How so?"
 
"Good land needs the plowman*s hand to bring it to life and a husband
to care for it. If I did not have men to work my fields, they would
soon become barren and worthless. These men do me great service by
helping me care for my lands. Rightly managed, there is more than
enough for everyone."
 
"Well, I hope we may see your trust proved true. But why not? The
realm has known nothing but peace these many years and we are at peace
still."
 
"I wonder," replied Theido, "I wonder."
 
Quentin hastened along wide corridors lined with rich tapestries toward
the Dragon King's apartments. Upon rising, he had been summoned to
meet with the King in his private council chambers, and had dressed in
fresh garments a new runic and trousers of forest green and a short
summer cloak of blue, edged in green and gold. The finely embroidered
cloak, fastened with a broach of gold at his shoulder, fluttered out
behind him as he swept along.
 
Just as he stepped up to the door which opened onto Eskevar's
apartments, the door swung inward and Oswald, the Queen's chamberlain,
emerged. "Sir, if you would but come aside with me, my Lady would have
a word with you."
 
Oswald smiled his request, but his gray eyes insisted; so Quentin
nodded his assent and followed the chamberlain. They withdrew to a
room just across the corridor from the King's chambers. Oswald knocked
upon the door and stepped in. "Quentin is here. Your Majesty."
 
Quentin stepped into the room behind the chamberlain and saw Queen
Alinea sitting on a bench in the center of the room with her hands
folded in her lap. Her eyes were bent toward the floor, but her look
was faraway, and Quentin saw lines of worry creasing her noble brow.
 
When he had entered, the Queen sat up and her face was suddenly
transformed by a beautiful smile. Instantly the dim chamber seemed
filled with light. She rose as he came to her and held out her arms to
embrace him. Quentin hugged her and brushed her pale cheek with his
Ups, she kissed both of his.
 
"Quentin, you have come! Oh, I am so glad you arc here. Your journey
was not unpleasant, I trust? It is good to have you back. The months
seem long when you are away." She gripped his hand in both others and
led him to the bench. "Please, sit with me but a little." To
Quentin's glance she answered, **I know the King is waiting, but it is
important. I would have a word with you before you enter his
presence."
 
Her sparkling green eyes, deep and serene as forest pools, searched his
for a moment, as if deciding whether the hearer would be strong enough
to bear the words she had to say. "Quentin," she said softly, "the
King is very ill."
 
"So I have learned from Bria." He blushed. "We met this morning when
I arrived. She told me of her concern for his health."
 
"But I think even Bria does not guess how tar he has fallen. She is
devoted to her father and loves him with all her heart, but she does
not know him as I do. Something consumes him before my eyes; it gnaws
at him from within, stealing his strength and sapping away his
spirit."
 
Again in answer to Quentin's look, she continued, "Do not wonder at
what I tell you, you will see for yourself soon enough. He has greatly
changed since last you saw him. It is all I can do to keep from
weeping in his presence." She appeared to be on the verge of tears at
that very moment.
 
"My Queen, I am your servant. Say the word and I will do whatever you
require."
 
"Only this. Take no unusual notice of him when you go in to him; be to
him as normally. Do not let on that you believe him ill, or that I
have told you anything of his condition
 
"I promise it. But is there nothing else I may do?"
 
"No." She patted his hand. "I know that you would if you
 
/ 399 I
 
could. But I have sent for Durwin and have placed a heavy charge on
him. It may take all of his healing powers to restore the King if be

is not now beyond them."

 
"I will pray to the Most High that Durwin's cures may have effect."
 
"That is my course, as well," smiled the Queen, and again the room
seemed lighter, for a dark cloud had passed over Quentin's heart as
they talked. He rose more encouraged. "Go to him now, my son. And
remember what I told you."
 
"I will, my Lady. You need not fear
 
Quentin quietly left the room, and when he had stepped back into the
corridor he found Oswald waiting for him. The chamberlain led him back
to the King's chambers, knocked, then admitted him.