'The courier doves are housed in the forebuilding.' Kheda gestured towards its towers rising high in defence of the residence where swordsmen and archers maintained their unceasing watch.

'All the warriors in the domain will be cursed small use if that dragon turns up,' Dev said with faint malice.

Since there was nothing to say to that, Kheda led the way across the physic garden to a flight of stairs leading up to the fourth, glass-crowned tower of the forebuilding. 'The observatory's up here.'

Opening the door, he was startled to find a grey-haired servant looking back at him, equally surprised.

'My lord.' The man bowed, clutching a sizeable tome bound in brown leather to his dun tunic.

'Who might you be?' Kheda asked, once his heart had slowed a little.

'Tasu, my lord.' The man stayed bent low. 'The keeper of the books here.'

'Then show us what you've kept safe for Chazen,' Kheda invited briskly.

The two of them followed the old man up more stairs to a room taking up the whole width of the tower below the glass-walled observatory. It was shelved from floor to ceiling with books packed tight on all sides. A broad table of black wood polished by years of use stood in the middle of the room, reading slopes scattered haphazardly across it, stools pushed tidily beneath.

Kheda surveyed the shelves with pleasure. 'I'm delighted to see so much of the Chazen library intact. I was afraid the invaders would have burned the books to warm their naked arses.'

'They did, my lord, those that they found.' Tasu hid a smile with a wrinkled hand, ostensibly smoothing his grizzled beard. 'Which were copies or books of little value. When the beacons told us we were invaded, we had sufficient time to get the important books to the caves along with the bulk of the residence's treasures. We left some furnishings, mostly worn or discarded. We hoped they'd think they had taken a domain of little substance. We left enough food to see them on their way, not sufficient to encourage them to stay.' His smile faded. 'Then we sealed the caves with the bravest of the swordsmen inside, in case they should need to fight in last defence of Chazen's learning and wealth. We lost ourselves in the depths of the forest, those of us who were able to flee. The warriors and the slaves drew lots to see who should stay to hold the forebuilding to give us time to escape, so that whoever was attacking wouldn't just come hunting the rest of us.' He looked at Kheda, dark-brown eyes beseeching. 'We didn't know we were facing magic, not then. They died, my lord, at wizards' hands.'

'No one knew, not then,' Kheda told him firmly. 'And if you stayed, you risked a foul death or a worse captivity.'

'We thought we were safe when Redigal ships arrived with word that Daish Kheda was not dead as we'd heard but alive, and bringing the means to foil the wild magics. We were most relieved to hear you were claiming the domain since it was Chazen Saril who had died.' His voice faltered. 'Now a dragon has come. I'll tell you honestly, my lord, and you can have me flogged if you wish, but there are some asking if all our efforts have been worth the pains.'

'I'd never flog an honest man for asking a fair question,' Kheda assured him.

'How do we foil a dragon?' Tasu looked helplessly around at the bookshelves rather than risk Kheda's gaze.

'It seems the barbarians of the far north know how,'

Kheda said carefully. 'I've sent Chazen's fastest trireme to see if any northerly Aldabreshin domain holds some clue as to how we might kill the foul beast or at very least drive it out. While we wait, since it seems happy to devour the remaining invaders, I'm inclined to let it. If it moves againstChazen people, we'll do all we can to contain it while we wait for the means to defeat it more permanently.' He looked up at the plaster ceiling, which was studded with facsimiles of the shells of curious sea creatures for no readily apparent reason. 'While we wait, I'll study the earthly and the heavenly compasses and all the lore you can offer me, so we'll be able to pick the best of all possible times to attack it. I don't know if all that effort will be worth my pains or yours, but if I'm warlord of this domain, I must do all I can to save it or die in the attempt.'

Which will show me, one way or the other, whether I've been right to associate myself with magic to fight magic.

Kheda changed the subject briskly. 'Are you known to the courier-dove keepers?'

'Yes, my lord.' Tasu was too bemused to bow. 'I shall want all messages from the fleet keeping watch on the western isles brought up to the observatory.' Kheda crossed the room to a far stair leading up to the topmost level. 'Could you do that for me?'

'Yes, my lord.' The old man nodded obediently. 'Could you go and see if any news has arrived since this morning?' Kheda asked courteously.

'Of course, my lord.' Tasu made his way to the stairs and began a cautious descent.

Dev followed Kheda up to the glass-walled observatory. 'You're not needing those messages before sunset, then?'

'He won't take that long.' Kheda blinked in the sunlight pouring painfully bright through the twelve panes of glass. Each was engraved with a reminder of the nature of portents to be found in that reach of the earth and sky. The black wooden pillars separating each window bore carvings of the augury stars that progressed around the compass, inlaid with white ivory and bright gold. Vivid enamel depicted the heavenly jewels here and there; Sapphire, Emerald, Topaz, Ruby, Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl and Opal.

With the sun beating down on the black wooden roof above, it was stiflingly hot.

Dev went to look at the enamelled jewels. 'These positions must mark when this observatory was built.

We could work out when that was with a bit of thought and one of Saril's star circles.'

'I thought you said all Aldabreshih stargazing was just so much nonsense.' Kheda tried to shake off the oppressive sensation of the still, stuffy air. 'Open a window.'

Dev studied the catches for a moment, then threw open the little casements at the top of each window.

'All your guessing and gazing after portents is nonsense,' he corrected. 'Your measuring of the passing years is second to none for accuracy. So, are we hiding up here to avoid Janne Daish and, if so, for how long, because we still haven't had anything to eat and it's past noon.'

'You can eat after you've found something to use for your speaking spell and discovered how your friend's search for lore we can use against the dragon is going,' Kheda ordered. 'And quickly, before Tasu gets back.'

'What will you be doing when he gets back?' Dev started opening drawers in the twelve-sided table engraved to match the rest of the room.

'As I told Tasu, finding the best days for attacking the beast.' Kheda pulled up a stool and reached for one of the star circles in the centre. 'Casting the heavens for all the possible days when Risala could arrive. Calculating how long it'll take to reach the westernmost islands after that. Factoring in possible delay in finding the beast, and on account of the weather. The rains will be all but on us, if they haven't actually started.'

'A fat lot of use that will all be,' commented Dev as he took a brass base plate from a dismantled star circle out of a drawer and set a reed pen alight with a casual brush of a finger.

'Only if you can't come up with the means to defeat the dragon,' challenged Kheda as he concentrated on aligning the star circle. 'Where's this woman of yours now?' 'She'll blister your ears if you call her that when she gets here,' Dev said absently. 'And I don't just mean she's got a sharp tongue on her. Ah, there she is, asleep, isn't that sweet?' He chuckled.'Wake her.' Kheda looked up, hearing the door at the bottom of the stairs opening. 'As quick as you can.'

Crossing the intricate floor carvings, he hurried down the stairs to find Tasu standing with one hand pressed to his bony chest, catching his breath. Kheda forced approval rather than irritation into his voice.

'That was quick.'

'Yes, my lord.' Tasu took a deep breath and held out a handful of small silver cylinders. 'One of the lads ran up to the lofts for me, my lord.'

'Make sure he makes himself known to me.' Kheda unscrewed the tops of the message cylinders with deft fingers and pulled out the frail slips of paper. 'Let's read these in here.' He ushered the old man inexorably into the book-lined lower room.

'May I ask what news, my lord?' Tasu looked drawn and anxious.

'Good news,' Kheda said slowly, holding up the fine paper to read the tiny writing, 'from the Mist Dove, at least. They've only seen the dragon once in the last ten days and it was killing the invaders. Since then our warriors have been clearing the westernmost isles of the vermin without its interference.'

'Good news indeed, my lord,' the old man echoed.

Kheda looked around the book-lined walls. 'I want to be ready to deal with this beast if it shows its face around here, and when we can make a plan to kill it. Can you find me all the most recent records of portents that proved particularly significant for the domain? And anything from longer ago that you think might have some relevance to the days ahead. And there was a curious omen when we were out at the pearl reefs, an infant shark found alive inside its mother. Do you have any lore on sharks here?'

'I can look, my lord.' Tasu's eyes brightened.

'And could you do me one more service?' Kheda smiled. 'Could you go and find someone to take a message to Beyau, and to my lady Itrac. I've decided I'll take my lunch up here.'

'Very good, my lord,' said Tasu dutifully, turning to go back down the stairs.

Kheda reached out and took a book from a shelf, apparently absorbed in it as the old man departed. As soon as he heard the door at the bottom of the stairs close, he ran up to the observatory, taking two steps at a time.

I should just have time to find out what news Dev's got from this woman of his.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Are you sure you won't stay the night?' The woman stood in the doorway, wringing work-hardened hands.

'No.' Velindre made sure her rope-tied bundle of blanket and food was comfortable on her shoulder.

'Thank you all the same,' she added as a stiff afterthought.

'There's scant daylight left and what with the promise of rain yonder, this is no time to be setting out,' the woman persisted. 'You could wait till tomorrow, go out with a full day ahead of you. I'm sure some of the men would go with you.' She waved vaguely down the hill.

'Thank you, but I don't need your solicitude or their help.' Velindre curbed her irritation. 'Didn't you understand what I meant when I said I was a mage of Hadrumal?' The woman stood reluctantly aside and Velindre stepped out on to the muddy track that cut through a scatter of skulking huts. The village had been built from the mismatched plunder of rockfalls judging by the irregularity of the walls beneath the snow-caked wooden-shingled roofs. Most were single- or double-roomed dwellings, few boasting even an attempt at a garden or yard. The only sizeable building was down where the track widened to a trampled expanse that even the most optimistic would hesitaie to call a village square. It was twice the width of any other building and steam rose from a wing extending behind it to shelter a brew house.

Velindre realised too late that looking at the rough-hewn tavern had been a mistake. The handful of dour- faced men lounging against the wall had been covertly watching the women emerge from the hut. Two pushed themselves upright with alacrity and began walking up the lane, the rest trailing behind, faces alight with curiosity.

'Thank you for your hospitality.' Velindre nodded to the woman. She turned to go, gathering her heavy fur cloak around her. 'I think the horse is more than adequate recompense.'

'Are you sure you don't need him?' The woman struggled with her unwillingness to reject such a gift. 'Thisis hard country for travelling on foot and with you a lady from the south-'

'A mage from the south,' Velindre corrected her. 'No, take the horse and welcome. I'd be casting him loose otherwise. All I ask is that you look after him; he's been a good beast to me.'

The woman detained her with an insistent hand. 'Shouldn't I keep him till you come back this way? I'll give you a bed again and welcome.'

'I shan't be coming back this way,' Velindre assured her brusquely. 'Good day to you.'

'I wouldn't want you to come back and not find us,' the woman continued, as if Velindre hadn't spoken.

'See, with a horse, me and the children, we'll make for the lowlands when the thaw comes, go back to my own family' The children in question, three of them and none taller than their mother's apron strings, peered around the doorframe, blue eyes wide.

'The animal is yours. Make whatever use of him you want.' Pulling her arm away, Velindre began walking up the track, cursing under her breath as she stumbled on frozen ruts. Solid boots thudded on the ice-hardened earth behind her and she tensed, clasping her double-gloved hands together beneath the all-concealing fur cloak.

'Taking a walk, mistress mage?' One of the village men hurried to draw level with her. He had the short, stocky build and fair complexion of the mountains, with a heavy leather coat further padding his bulk.

Velindre ignored him, increasing her pace.

'What was your business with the Widow Pinder?' A second man came up on her other side. He was taller than the first, with the dark, curly hair and olive skin of southern Tormalin blood incongruous with the snow and ice all around.

Velindre kept walking, face expressionless. She fixed her eyes on the fir forest ahead, dark above the leafless skeletons of the lower slopes.

'Widow Pinder's eldest, she was telling my Sonille that you're some wizard woman,' a voice from behind taunted.

Sniggers told Velindre that the remaining three idlers from the tavern were trailing a handful of paces behind her unwanted escort.

'Go on, then, show us some magic,' mocked the man with the Tormalin blood.

'Magic's not welcome round here.' The stocky man scowled at her. 'Is that where you're headed?' He pointed up past the ridge of hills sheltering the little village, towards a forbidding range of high peaks.

Clouds were gathered just beyond, dark grey and ominous in an otherwise clear blue sky. Higher up, white clouds were spread by the winds into feathery streaks. The grey clouds weren't moving.

'He asked you a question, lady!' The Tormalin man darted forward to plant himself solidly in Velindre's path, hands on his hips.

Velindre made to step round him. A second stocky man with muddy brown hair appeared from behind to block her way. With the fair-haired man on her other side and the two remaining loafers behind her, she was effectively surrounded.

'Haven't you got anything better to do with your time?' she asked with faint derision. 'Let me pass. My business is none of yours.'

'You tell us what it is and we'll decide that,' the fair-haired man said boldly.

'We don't want no more wizards setting up home hereabouts,' growled one of the pair behind her.

'You've seen a wizard hereabouts?' Velindre turned around, surprising a flare of panic in the thin-faced speaker's eyes.

'That's a wizard's work, isn't it?' He waved a shaky hand at the distant leaden cloudscape before hastily snatching it back. 'There's valleys up there no one's got near in years.'

'Everyone knows it's magic keeping us out.' The Tormalin man scowled. 'Even if the wizard hides himself away up there.'

'Find themselves caught up in tangles of plants knotting themselves, people do,' the brown-haired man insisted, 'or get turned around so often they find themselves back where they started.''Life's hard up here.' The thin man's companion added his voice to the debate. The scars on his face attested to "his words. 'We work hard for our furs and our tin and it's share and share alike. We don't close off the land with magic and hoard it all for ourselves.'

With the slope of the track added to her already greater height, Velindre looked down on him with undisguised disdain. 'I assure you, I have no interest in furs or tin.'

'What's in those valleys?' The fair-haired man stepped closer, his shoulder nudging her arm, belligerence curdling his face. 'Come to share the spoils with that wizard, have you?'

'Is it gold?' the brown-haired man asked hopefully.

'Magic or not, you must need some help. We could lend a hand.'

'As long as we're fairly paid,' warned the fair-haired man.

an.

'Let's say whoever's up in those hills wants your help.' The Tormalin man laid a heavy hand on Velindre's shoulder. 'Then he can pay us for your passage through our territory, can't he?'

'You've never actually seen a wizard, have you?' Velindre looked the Tormalin man in the eye before glancing at his hand, amused. 'Not this mysterious mage you say lives beneath those clouds nor any real wizard.'

'What's that to you?' The brown-haired man looked uncertainly at the man with the scars, who glanced uneasily at his hatchet-faced friend.

'Seen plenty of fools up from the south who think it's easy pickings up here.' The fair-haired man tried to seize her other arm through the thick fur of her cloak.

Velindre flung her hands wide. A burst of blue light blew the five men away with a brutal gust of magical wind. The fair-haired man fell backwards, landing hard to sprawl gasping, arms waving feebly as the breath was knocked clean out of him. The Tormalin man tumbled sideways, ending up in a crouch like a whipped cur, clutching at a tuft of frosted grass, his jaw slack with inarticulate astonishment. Taken entirely by surprise and with the downward slope treacherous behind him, the brown-haired man fell in a tangled heap with the one with the scars. Only the hatchet-faced man kept his feet. He stumbled backwards down the track, hands raised in feeble denial, his head turned aside and eyes screwed tight shut, too scared to want to see what might be coming next.

'I told you my business was none of yours.' Entirely composed, Velindre stood, her hands held wide, dark fur cloak and golden hair streaming behind her as if she stood in the teeth of a winter gale. Not a twig stirred on the winter-stricken trees on either side of the track. 'I take it you'll believe me now when I tell you plainly that you have no hope of detaining me.'

She thrust a hand forward and a ribbon of sapphire light hobbled the hatchet-faced man. 'Whereas I can make your lives very unpleasant if you have any notion of following me.' With a snap of her fingers, she called down a bolt of lightning from the clear blue sky. It struck the rowan she pointed to with one long, pale finger and the tree burst into crackling white flames.

Movement down the hill caught her eye and Velindre realised that almost the entire meagre population of the village was watching from doorways or around the corners of their ragged-edged huts. T will know if you try following me,' she continued with precise menace, 'just as I will know if anyone decides to offer the Widow Pinder any trouble for giving me a bed for the night. I recommend you bold heroes make that plain to your neighbours.'

With a wave of her hand, she snuffed the flames consuming the rowan. The only sound was the faint patter of the tree's few remaining leaves and berries falling to the ground. Velindre gestured discreetly towards the tree and a charred branch broke away with a tearing crash. As the shaken men all jumped, startled, and looked at it, Velindre wrapped herself in a swathe of dazzling cerulean light and vanished.

The cowering men rubbed their eyes, blinking painfully as they stared gaping at the place where she'd been. Smiling unseen, the magewoman retreated slowly up the hill. It had been some while since she had worked invisibility around herself, she realised with faint amusement. Who would have thought an apprentice's trick like blinding someone with magelight would prove so useful? Drawing the air close inaround her, she deftly bound water and fire into the spell to cloak herself entirely from view.