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

speak to you man to man."
 
Quentin smiled as a faint glimmer of recognition lit the priests
visage. "My heart tells me that I should know you, sir," said the High
Priest slowly- The old eyes searched the young man's features fora due
which might tell him who it was that addressed him. "But a name does
not come to my lips. Have we met then?"
 
Quentin moved closer and placed his hands on the priest's
 
I 377 I
 
rounded shoulders. "Is the life of a priest so busy that be has no
time for memories?"
 
"Memories do not walk the temple yards by night, nor do they confront
their bearers face to face."
 
"Then perhaps you will remember this." Quentin dug into the pouch at
his belt and produced a silver coin. He handed it to the priest.
 
"This is a temple coin. Then you must be ..."
 
"You gave me that coin yourself, Biorkis; many years ago."
 
"Quentin? Is this Quentin the acolyte?" the old man sputtered.
 
"Yes, I have returned to see you, my old friend for so I always
considered you."
 
"But how you have changed. You have grown up a fine man. You are well
as I can see. What brings you here tonight of all nights?"
 
The other priests looked upon this reunion in wonder. They gathered
close around to see who this returned stranger might be.
 
"Can we walk a little aside?" asked Quentin. "I have something to ask
you."
 
The two moved on, followed closely by Toli. The priests fell to
murmuring their amazement and talking among themselves.
 
"Your name has grown in the land," said Biorkis as they walked to a
rocky outcropping at the edge of the plateau.
 
"Oh? You hear tales up here, do you?"
 
"We hear what we wish to hear. The peasants bring us no end of
information. Some of it is useful. But you are known as the Prince
who saved the Dragon King and defeated the monstrous sorcerer,
Nimrood."
 
"It was not I who defeated Nimrood, but Toli here, my servant and
friend."
 
Biorkis bowed to Toli and indicated that they should all seat
themselves upon the rocks. "They also say that you are building a city
in the Wilderlands which rises by magic from the stones of the
earth."
 
"Again, that is not my doing. Dekra is my city only in that the
gracious Curatak have allowed me to join in their work of restoring it
to its former glory."
 
"This is what the people say, not I. As for myself, I surmise that the
truth of these stories is to be found at the heart like the stone of an
apricot. But I know from this that my former acolyte is doing well and
has risen in the esteem of his countrymen. But why should you seek me
out now? The temple doors have not been closed these many years."
 
"We come to ask your opinion of something we have seen." Quentin
turned toward the east and pointed out across the quiet, moon-filled
valley. "That star rising yonder. The Wolf Star. Has it not changed
in some way of late? Do the priests detect a waxing of its power?"
 
"So you have not forsaken your studies altogether. You still seek
signs in the night sky."
 
"No, I must admit that I no longer study the stars in their courses.
This event was pointed out to me by Toll, who remarked on it a few
nights ago."
 
"Well, your Toli is right. In fact, we have been following this star
with interest for many months. Tonight, as you nave seen, we were once
more examining the charts and seeking an answer to this wonder."
 
"Then you do not know what this sign portends?"
 
"Does one ever?" Biorkis laughed. "Why do you look so shocked?  A
priest may have doubts even the High Priest. Ah, but we have our
theories. Yes, many theories."
 
"That is what we have come to hear your theories. What do you think it
means?"
 
FOUR
 
DUR WING LONG brown robes swept along behind him as he rushed along the
darkened corridors ofAskelon Castle. Torches lit the way, sputtering
in the gusty air as Durwin hurriedly passed. Ahead of him he could see
a pair of doors which opened onto a patch of the night sky infused with
the moon's radiant beams.
 
He stepped across the threshold and onto the balcony, then paused.
There, a few paces from him, stood the slim figure of a woman; her dark
hair tumbled down in shimmering ringlets and curls and her face was
averted, revealing the shapely beauty other slender neck. She was
dressed in a loose-fitting gown of white held at her trim waist by a
long blue sash which trailed nearly to the ground.
 
"Your Majesty," said Durwin, softly announcing himself. **I am
here."
 
The woman turned and smiled.
 
"Good Durwin, thank you for coming so quickly."
 
"Bria ... I thought..."
 
"You thought I was the Queen, I know. But it was I who sent you the
summons."
 
"You look so much like your mother standing there with the moonlight in
your hair."
 
"I will accept that as a compliment, kind sir. For me there is none
higher. But you must be tired from your journey. I will not keep you,
but I must speak to you a little. Do sit down, please."
 
She raised her arm and indicated a stone bench a short space away.
Durwin took her arm and walked with her along the balcony. "The night
is beautiful, is it not?" he said.
 
"Yes... it is very." The young woman spoke as if she had just become
aware that it was night. The hermit could tell she had something on
her mind which disturbed her.
 
"I would not have troubled you, but I could think of no better help
than to have you here. Theido is gone, and Ronsard with him."
 
"It is nothing, my Lady. I am only too glad to know that this old
hermit may still be of some use to those who dwell in Castle Askelon. I
would have come sooner if I had known your courier had quite a time
finding me. I was in the forest gathering herbs and tending to the
illness of a peasant's wife nearby."
 
"I knew you would come as soon as you could. I " the Princess broke
off, unable to say what she felt in her heart.
 
Durwin waited and then said, "What is the matter, Bria? You may speak
freely. I am your friend."
 
"Oh, Durwin!" Her hands trembled, and her head sank. She buried her
face in her hands, and he thought she would cry. But she drew a deep
breath and raised her face to the moon, clear-eyed. In that moment the
young woman reminded him more than ever of another woman who bore an
immense inner strength in times of great distress Queen Alinea.
 
"It is the King,*' said Bria at last. "Oh, Durwin, I am very worried.
He is not like himself. I think he is very ill, but he will see none
of his doctors. He laughs at any suggestion I make regarding his
health. My mother is worried, too. But she can do nothing either. And
there is something else."
 
Durwin waited patiently.
 
"I do not know what it is trouble, I think. Somewhere." She turned
and fixed the hermit with a smile which, though it graced her mouth,
did not light her eyes as it normally would. "Quentin is coming."
 
"Yes, I know, in a few weeks. We are all going to celebrate
Midsummer's Day together."
 
"No he is coming now. Eskevar sent for him. Even knowing that he
would come for Midsummer, the King sent a special courier to bring him.
That is how I know there is something wrong."
 
"It could just be that he wishes to see him the sooner just a whim,
that's all."
 
/ 381 I
 
Bria smiled again. "Thank you for that, but you know the Dragon King
as well as I do. He does nothing on a whim. He has some reason for
wanting him here- But what it is I cannot guess."
 
"Then we will wait and see. When will Quentin be here?"
 
"If he left upon receiving the summons, I believe he would be here day
after tomorrow the day after that at the latest."
 
"Good. That is not so long to wait you will see. In the meantime I
will try to discover what ails the King in body or in spirit. Anything
that may be done, I will do. Worry no more on it, my Lady."
 
"Thank you, fair friend. You will not tell them that I sent for
you?"
 
"No, if you would rather not. I will just say that I grew weary of my
books and medicines and desired the warmth of fellowship with my
friends. I came early to the celebration, that is all."
 
"I feel better already knowing you are here."
 
"I am content. Though I imagine you would rather a certain younger man
stood here right now."
 
Bria smiled, and this time the light sparkled in her deep green eyes"
Oh I'll not deny it. But I am content to wait. It does cheer me
somewhat to know that he comes the sooner."
 
They talked some more and then rose; Bria bade Durwin a good night.
Durwin escorted her to the door back into the castle and then turned to
stroll along the balcony alone.
 
He leaned his arms on the parapet and looked into the gardens below. In
the moonlight he saw a solitary figure pacing among the beds of ruby
roses, now indigo in the moonlight. He could not see who this person
might be, but it was clear from the altered gait that the walker had
fallen prey to a melancholy mood. He hunched forward and crossed his
arms on his chest, stopped and started continually.
 
Durwin looked on, and then the figure seemed to sense that he was being
watched. He stopped and drew himself up and turned to look quickly
into the balcony. Durwin drew away, but he had seen what he had
already guessed. In the moment the face swung around, the moonlight
illumined it and Durwin knew that it was Eskevar, the Dragon King.
 
The Warlords ofNia
 
Biorkis' long white braided beard, the symbol of his office, glowed
like a bright waterfall frozen in the moonlight. His wrinkled face,
though still as round and plump as ever, looked itself a smaller moon
returning its reflected light to a larger parent. He gazed long into
the sky and then said, "It may be something, or it may not. The
heavens are filled with signs and wonders, and not all of them have to
do with men."
 
"If you thought that, would you be standing out in the night
stargazing?"
 
"No, likely not. But this is a most peculiar phenomenon one does not
see such a sign but once in a lifetime, perhaps not even then. To
chart its progress would be of value aside from any meaning we might
derive from its study."
 
"You evade my question, Biorkis. Why? Certainly the star is there for
all to see and make what they will of it."
 
An expression of great weariness appeared on the face of the High
Priest as he turned to regard Quentin. "To the best of my knowledge
this star is an evil sign."
 
He had spoken simply and softly. But the effect produced within
Quentin chilled his blood, he fancied the air had grown suddenly
colder.
 
Quentin sought to lighten the remark. "Omens are always either good or
bad, depending upon the reader."
 
"Ah, but the greater the sign, the greater the consequence. And this
is a great sign indeed. Surpassingly great."
 
Quentin raised his eyes to the eastern sky and regarded the star
carefully. It was bright, yes, but there were other stars nearly as
bright. He looked back at Biorkis with a questioning glance.
 
"It has only begun to show itself," said the High Priest in answer to
the look. "With every passing night it grows brighter, and so does the
evil it portends."
 
"What is the nature of this evil? Can you tell?"
 
"Evil is evil, you know that. What does it matter? The suffering will
be great in any case. Flood, famine, pestilence, war all are the same,
all destroy in their turn."
 
"Well said. Your words are true. But men may do much to prepare
against an evil time, if they but know its source."
 
"Here is where our theories guide us. Some say that the star
 
I 383 I
 
will grow and grow until it fills the sky, blotting out the sun and
moon and stars. Then it will touch the earth and drive all living
things insane before consuming them with fire.
 
"Others say that each nation has a star and that this Wolf Star
represents a fierce and brutal nation which rises against other nations
and seeks to extinguish them with its power.
 
"Still others regard this as the beginning of the end of mankind on the
earth. This star is the token ofNin, the destroyer god who brings his
armies down to make war on the nations of the earth."
 
"And you, Biorkis, what do you say?"
 
"I believe all are right. Some part of every guess will be shown in
the truth."
 
"When may that truth be evident?"
 
"Who can- say? Much that is foretold does not come to pass. Our best
divinations are only the mumblings of blind men." Biorkis turned his
face away. "Nothing is certain," he said softly. "Nothing is
certain."
 
Quentin stood, went to the old priest and placed a hand on his
shoulder. "Old man, come with us. You have lived long enough to see
the gods for what they are. Let us show you a god worthy of your
devotion, the Most High, Lord of All. In him you will find the peace
you seek. You told me once that you sought a brighter light."
 
Biorkis looked at him wearily. "You remember that?"
 
"Yes, and more. I remember you were my only friend in the temple. Come
with us now and let us show you the light you have been seeking for so
long."
 
Biorkis sighed, and it seemed as if all the earth groaned with a great
exhaustion. "I am old too old to change. Yes, these eyes have
searched for the truth, but it has been denied them. I know the
hollowness of serving these petty gods, but I am High Priest. I cannot
go with you now. Maybe once I could have turned away as Durwin did, as
you have but not now. It is too late for me."
 
Quentin looked sadly down on his old friend. "I am sorry."
 
Toli had risen and was moving away. Quentin turned and looked back at
Biorkis who still remained perched upon a rock, looking out into the
peaceful valley. "It is not too late. You have only to turn aside and
he will meet you. The decision is yours."
 
Quentin and Toli walked down the sinuous trail side by side without
speaking. When they reached the meadow and the dimly glowing embers of
their fire Quentin said, "You knew the star to be an evil sign, didn't
you?" Yes. I considered it so."
 
"But you suggested we go to the temple. Why?"* "I wanted to hear what
other learned men might say. For all thdr spiritual uncertainties, the
priests are still men of great knowledge."
 
"And did Biorkis confirm your worst fears
 
"Biorkis spoke what may be, not what will be. Only the God Most High
can say what win be. His hand is ever outstretched to those who serve
him
 
"Well, if Biorkis is right in his speculations, then we will have need
of that strong hand before long, I fear
 
FIVE
 
THE EARTH moves through stages, epochs. The ancient legends tell of
previous earth ages four at least. We are living in the fifth age of
man. Each age runs its allotted course and then gives birth to a new
age." Durwin spread his bands out on the table. Quentin, his chin in
his hands, stared at the holy hermit in rapt attention. Around them in
Durwin's chambers, candles flickered and filled the room with a hazy
yellow glow.
 
"These ages may run a thousand years or ten thousand. Of course, there
is no way to tell how long it may last, but the ancients believed that
before the end of each age the world is thrown into turmoil. Great
migrations of people commence; great wars are fought as nation rises
against nation; the heavens are filled with signs and wonders. Then
comes the deluge: all the earth is flooded,
 
/ 385 I
 
or covered with ice. Then fire burns the earth and erases all signs of
the preceding age. It is a time of chaos and darkness, great
cataclysms and death. But out of it comes a new age, both finer and
higher than the one before."
 
As Durwin spoke, an eerie sense of dreadful fascination crept over
Quentin. He shrugged it off and asked, "But must the earth be
destroyed completely for a new age to be born?" ! Durwin mused on
this question, but before he could open his | mouth to speak, Toli
answered, "Among my people there are many I stories of the times before
this one. It is said that the Jher came into I being in the third age,
when the world was still very young and men I talked with the animals
and lived in peace with one another. I "These stories are very old;
they have been with us longer than the art of our oldest storytellers
to remember. But it is said that the destruction of the world may be
averted by some great deed though what it is that may be done is not
known.
 
"Tilgal, the Star Maker's son, is said to have saved the world in the
second age by hitching his horses to his father's chariot and carrying
offMorhesh, the Great Evil One, after wounding him with a spear made of
a single shaft of light. He threw Morhesh into the (Pit of the Night,
and Morhesn's star was extinguished so the earth | did not burn."
 
\ Durwin nodded readily. "So it is! As I was about to say, it is
believed that not every age must end in calamity. The destruction may
be lessened or turned aside completely usually by some act of heroism,
some supreme sacrifice or the coming of a mighty leader to lead mankind
into the new age."
 
"Do you believe this?" Quentin asked. "I believe that what has
happened in the past beyond men's remembering did happen. Those who
witnessed it explained it as well as they could with the words and
ideas they had available to them. Certainly, much remains unexplained;
but it seems strange that each race has somewhere in its past memories
of this sort."
 
Quentin leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table and clasped
his hands. "I meant, do you believe that the star in the sky betokens
the end of the age?"
 
Durwin pulled on his chin and scratched his Jaw. He looked at
 
Quentin with quick, black eyes and smiled suddenly. "I believe a new
age is coming, yes. Such as the world has never known. A time of
mighty upheaval and change. And I believe change does not take place
without struggle, without pain. So it is'
 
"It all seems very grim to me," admitted Quentin. "You should not
think of the pain involved," responded Toli. "Think instead of the
greater glory of the new age."
 
Toli and Quentin had ridden from Nan-amoor to Durwin's cottage in
Pelgrin Forest. They made good time and arrived late in the afternoon,
just as the sun slipped into the treetops.
 
"Durwin is not here," said Toli as they approached the cottage. They
looked around before Quentin went inside. He returned without a clue
to where the hermit might be.
 
"He may be away only for a short while, perhaps tending someone nearby.
Maybe he will return by nightfall, but I think not. His cloak is gone
and his pouch, though his bag of medicines is inside."
 
They had then decided to ride through the night and reached Askelon's
mighty gates as the moon set in the west. Not wishing to disturb the
servants or awaken the King and Queen, they went instead to the
chambers kept for Durwin when he was in residence at the castle. There,
to their surprise and pleasure, they found the hermit slumped in his
chair with a scroll rolled up on his lap. He was sound asleep and
snoring.
 
Upon their entrance, despite their attempts to be quiet, Durwin
awakened and greeted them warmly. "You have ridden all night! You are
hungry, I will fetch you some food from the kitchen."
 
He hurried away with a candle in his hand, while Quentin and Toll
pulled off their cloaks, dipped their hands in the basin and attempted
to wash away their fatigue. They then settled themselves, exhausted,
into chairs and dozed until Durwin returned with bread and cheese and
fruit he had niched from the pantry.
 
"Here, sit at this table and eat while I tell you what I have been
doing since last we met." Durwin told them of his studies and his
healing work among the peasants, and at last Quentin told him about
their audience with Biorkis and their discussion about the star which
nightly grew brighter.
 
/ 387 I
 
They had talked long and late. At last they rose from the table and
turned to curl themselves in their chairs to sleep. Just then a barely
audible knock sounded on Durwin's door. Quentin said, "Durwin, you
have a visitor, I believe. Do you entertain so late at night?"
 
"I, as you well know, did not expect a single person in my chambers
tonight and I find not one, but two. So now I entertain any
possibility! Open the door and let them in, please."
 
Quentin stepped to the door and opened it. He was not prepared for the
greeting he received.
 
"Quentin, my love. You are here!" Instantly Quentin's arms were
thrown wide as he swept up a young woman in a long white woolen robe
and buried his face in her hair.
 
"Bria! I did not know how much I missed you until this moment."
 
The two lovers clung in a long embrace, breaking off suddenly when they
remembered that they were not alone. Quentin set his lady back upon
her slippered feet and drew her into the room. Durwin and Toli smiled
as they looked on.
 
"What brings you to this hermit's chambers so late at night?" Quentin
asked in mock challange.
 
"Why, I was passing without and I fancied I heard voices. I fancied
one of them was yours, my love."
 
"Ah! Your Ups utter the answer my ears long to hear. But come, I have
much to tell you. Much has happened since I was with you last."
 
"Not here you don't!" replied Durwin. "In a very short time this
chamber will ring with the snores of the sleeping! You two doves must
take your cooing elsewhere." He beamed happily as he shooed them out
the door.
 
Quentin and Bria walked hand in hand along the darkened passageway and
out onto the same balcony the Princess and Durwin had occupied only a
night before.
 
As Quentin opened the balcony door, the faint light of a glowing sky
met his eyes. Dawn's crimson fingers stretched into the sky in the
east, though the sun lingered below the far horizon and one or two
stars could still be seen above.
 
"I have missed you, my darling' lighed Bria. "My heart baa mourned