The day seemed to last forever, helped not one bit by a miserable breakfast of coffee brewed from scorched grounds and mealybread so old it had crystalized. Mika felt like taking the yarpick to the cook.

His mosquito bites itched miserably, and chafed by the saddle, his flanks were red and inflamed by evening. He dismounted with a groan, wondering what new horror the cook would produce for dinner. He had not seen so much as one rabbit all day.

He tossed the reins to a young nomad and asked him to take care of the horse. The resulting howl, seconds later, a.s.sured him that the horse had not mellowed. He lowered himself gently to the ground and groaned, content to let Hornsbuck and the others set up camp.

They had found no forest this evening and were camped on the open prairie with nothing to see for miles in any direction. It was a bleak and lonely place that promised nothing hopeful.

It seemed to Mika that he had no more than closed his eyes than someone was shaking him by the shoulder.

"Here, eat this," said a voice. "You'll feel better."

Mika opened his eyes and saw the Guildsman holding out a steaming mug. Mika sat up groggily and took the offering. The steam that rose from the surface of the mug smelled very good indeed.

"Rabbit stew," said the Guildsman. "I have a pouch, too. Mine contains a mixture of dried meat and vegetables. That way, no matter where I am, all I have to do is mix it with hot water and I have a meal. You might find such a pouch more useful than the one you possess."

"Perhaps," Mika said noncommittally, wondering what the man was up to and why he was being friendly.

"I had thought to keep you out of our hair until we reached Eru-Tovar," the Guildsman said in a straightforward manner. "You see, your reputation as a connoisseur of beautiful women is as well known as your skill with weapons. I did not think that I could risk your knowing about the princess."

Mika gave a start and met the Guildsman's level gaze. "So the messenger told the truth after all," he said. "I think you'd better tell me the whole story."

"Yes," said the Guildsman. "It's time. Come to the wagon with me. No, no, don't worry, Reckna.s.s won't harm you if you are with me. Besides, he has problems of his own at the moment."

Tam accompanied them to the wagon, the roof of which, Mika noticed, had been repaired. But Tam placed himself between Mika and the Guildsman and could not be dissuaded, growling whenever the man attempted to move closer to Mika.

"Quite an animal you have there," said the Guildsman. "Why don't you tell him that we're friends now, so he'll quit growling at me?"

"Wouldn't do any good," Mika said with a cold smile. "Tam makes up his own mind about people. I guess he just doesn't like you. Besides, I don't know that we are friends. It takes more than words to make it a fact."

The Guildsman looked at Mika with cold blue eyes and then nodded. "Just so," he said. "But sometimes friendships are born of need rather than the pa.s.sage of time. Please suspend your decision until you have heard my explanation."

Reaching the back of the wagon, the Guildsman unlaced the covering and climbed inside, ignoring the curious looks of drivers and nomads alike. Tam tried to follow, but there was not enough room in the tiny wagon and Mika told him to stay outside. Tam complied. Neither Mika nor the Guildsman noticed when Tam snapped angrily at a small black fly that soared past the entrance flap into the wagon and hovered attentively in the shadows.

The scene was almost identical to that of the previous night. The princess lay on the bed looking much the same as she had the night before. Her diaphanous gown outlined her magnificent form, luscious bosom, tiny waist, flared hips, and long flowing legs, accenting her bodily charms, yet cloaking the princess in silky folds.

Her hair was thick and l.u.s.trous. Mika yearned to push his hands, well, hand, through the lush ma.s.s and twine the tiny curls around his fingers.

He could almost feel her soft warm lips against his own.

His breath came in quick spurts as he gazed on her amazing beauty. Only at length did he realize that she was still asleep and did not appear to have wakened since he saw her last. She was unchanged.

The same could not be said for the giant, Reckna.s.s. He glared at Mika out of the tiny slit that was his left eye. His right eye was swollen completely shut and was puffed up to an enormous size. It was also an ugly mixture of black and purple, or at least Mika thought it was. It was hard to tell because of the layer of dried blood that had scabbed over the entire mess.

The man's nose, or what used to be his nose, was also rather unpleasant to look at, flattened and smeared as it was over his cheeks and mashed upper lip.

Reckna.s.s flexed his ma.s.sive fists and clenched his thick fingers spasmodically. Unfortunately, there was absolutely nothing wrong with his hands.

Mika suddenly changed his mind about wanting to see the princess again and began to edge backward.

"No, Reckna.s.s. It's all right," the Guildsman said, enunciating both clearly and slowly while facing the giant. "The wolfman is our friend now. He wants to help the princess. You are not to hurt him. Sit down."

Breathing harshly and making unpleasant wet sounds through his damaged lips, the giant hesitated for another minute, then sat down heavily as he was bid, though he never took his gaze, impaired as it was, off Mika.

"I'm afraid you have to forgive Reckna.s.s if he seems to be taking this a bit personally. You see, if anything happens to the princess, he's a dead man."

"What a pity," said Mika as he started to sit on the edge of the bed next to the princess's delectable thigh. A guttural growl of warning changed his mind.

"Here, sit down on this chest," said the Guilds-man, eyeing Reckna.s.s. "It's safer." And seating himself on an immense chest on the other side of the giant, next to the princess's head, he spared her a long lingering glance before he began to talk.

"I'd like to introduce you to Princess Julia," he said in a soft tone as he ran his hand lightly over the princess's hair. "I'd like to, but I can't, for as you can see, she's asleep. She's been that way for the last four moons." He sighed heavily, and Mika could see the pain in the man's eyes as he gathered himself and continued.

"The princess is the only child of the King and late Queen of Dramidja, an island princ.i.p.ality in the Dramidj Ocean, many sea leagues distant from Yecha.

"Dramidja is a rich and powerful island, the port of call for ships of all nations. Our boat builders, navigators, and sailors are famous over all the seas. Our island is also the only known source for a rare gem known as dramadine.

"Dramadine is a crystalline formation that reflects both blue and green and has the unusual ability to heighten one's powers and abilities. In the case of a normal human it would mean that he could see better, jump farther, walk longer, hit harder, run more swiftly. . . ."

"I get the idea," said Mika staring at the fly that now hung suspended above them on the cowhide ceiling. It was a most unusual fly, he was thinking, before he was distracted . . .

"So you can see that, in the wrong hands, the crystal could be extremely dangerous," the Guildsman continued earnestly.

"The king and his forebears have always been most cautious in the use of the few gems that exist, keeping them hidden away from the temptation of man and forbidding their mining.

"There was great hope for a male son to carry on the royal line, but in this, the king and queen were disappointed, blessed as they were with only the one daughter.

"It was further hoped that the princess would marry well and continue the line and the protection of the gems with her husband. But that has not happened." It seemed to Mika that there was tremendous loss and regret in the man's voice.

"Why not?" asked Mika, looking at the exquisite beauty lying beside him. "I should have imagined that she would have her pick of thousands. She's very beautiful."

"True," sighed the Guildsman. "But she's also very headstrong. The princess has found no one she chooses to marry."

"What do you mean, 'chooses?' " asked Mika. "In a matter this important, you simply tell the wench what she must do and see to it that it happens!"

The Guildsman looked at him with wry amus.e.m.e.nt, and it seemed to Mika that the giant's shoulders actually heaved with silent laughter.

"One does not 'tell' Princess Julia anything," said the Guildsman as though he were proud of his princess's willfulness.

"But that is not the point. One morning, the princess's maid attempted to waken her and could not do so. She summoned the royal doctor and he examined her and proclaimed that he could find nothing wrong with her.

"Eventually, he realized that it must be a spell and sent for the royal magic-user. He agreed with the doctor's diagnosis, but was unable to remove the spell.

"The king was frantic, of course, and gave the man a dramadine to heighten his powers so that he might try again. But the man was mysteriously killed and the crystal was found ground to powder beneath his foot."

"Sounds as though another magic-user wanted the crystal and put the spell on the princess, hoping that a dramadine would be used," mused Mika.

"Exactly," said the Guildsman. "That was my conclusion, as well. Fortunately, our magic-user was able to destroy the gem before it was taken from him." Interpreting Mika's c.o.c.ked eyebrow correctly, he bowed low and said, "Hary Mubarik, head of Dramidja security."

"You're no Guildsman. I should have known," said Mika.

"I have served in that capacity before," said Hary. "But I have served the king for many years longer and I would settle this business, for Julia is dear to his heart and I fear it may kill him."

And dear to your heart, as well, I wager, Mika thought to himself.

"So, if that's the story, why are we on the way to Eru-Tovar with the princess hidden away in a wagon like a sack of grain?" asked Mika.

"After the magic-user was killed, the king let it be known that we were in need of someone to take his place," continued Hary. "All manner of people showed up: wizards, warlocks, magic-users, magicians, healers, herbalists, shamans, and even an illusionist. Some of them were good, but most were frauds, and none were able to remove the spell which was the test that the king put to them.

"One day a message came, a scroll to be exact. It took form out of thin air, appeared right before the king's eyes on top of his breakfast plate. The scroll unrolled itself and a voice read aloud. It said that the man the king sought could be found in Eru-Tovar and commanded the king to send his daughter there and the spell would be lifted. Once the message was delivered, the scroll disappeared back into the air."

"And the price of this cure?" asked Mika.

"All the dramadine crystals that are known to exist."

"Didn't want much, did he?" noted Mika with a low whistle. "Where are they?"

"Not here," answered Hary. "The king is not such a fool that he would send his two greatest treasures, his daughter and the crystals.

"Julia is going alone except for Reckna.s.s, the driver, Cob, who is one of my best men-and myself, of course."

"Then you're a fool," said Mika. "What's to prevent this mage in Eru-Tovar from turning you both into pigs on the spot and then sending another message saying, 'I have your daughter now. Send the jewels, or else.' And then keeping them both?"

"That is a very real possibility," admitted Hary. "But Reckna.s.s and I have learned more than a few tricks in our years. We will see to it that such a thing does not happen," Hary said with a small smile. And something in his tone of voice told Mika that perhaps they would succeed.

The fly buzzed angrily in front of Hary's face as though disliking his words. Hary grabbed at the fly, but the insect evaded him easily and lighted on a strut, high out of reach, to feast on a dried spatter of Reckna.s.s's blood. Then they made the mistake of paying it no further mind.

"How does Jumbo here, fit into the story?" asked Mika intently.

"Reckna.s.s was Julia's personal guard," said Hary. "He was there the night the mage was killed. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to tell us what happened, as his memory and speech were erased by whomever fought the battle. The king has threatened to remove Reckna.s.s's heart as well, if he fails. So you see, he has great motivation to succeed."

"How do you propose to find this magic-user?" asked Mika. "You can't just stand in the center of Eru-Tovar and say, 'Yoo-hoo, we're here.' "

"I suspect that he already knows we're coming," said Hary. "I think that's what the attack at the river was all about as well as your encounter with the old man.

"You missed the real crux of the battle. Before you and your clan arrived, the kobolds attacked in full strength. The main thrust was aimed directly at this wagon. Only by cl.u.s.tering all of our forces around it were we able to beat them off. Then you arrived and the battle turned.

"It was my thought that whoever hopes to seize the jewels, thought to obtain them then. We were certainly more accessible once we were off the island.

"As to whether or not they would have taken Julia, I don't know. I can only guess. And worry." And once more, the man gazed at the princess with love in his eyes. He reached out a hand to stroke her hair, but a warning growl from the giant stopped him.

"You say you have seen this old man twice," said Hary. "Please tell me about it. Everything you can remember. Please, for her sake."

Studying the man, Mika found that he almost liked him. Gone was the irritating manner that had so annoyed him throughout the trip. Deciding, he told him all he knew.

". . . so I don't think he's too powerful," concluded Mika, after the story was told. "Even though he froze me and Tam solid as logs. He's maybe fourth level, fifth at most. My father was far more advanced than that.

"All you need to do is find yourself a higher level mage when you reach Eru-Tovar. It'll cost you a few grushnicks, but I a.s.sume the king can afford them.

"This fellow is probably just some little n.o.body, who's tired of being ignored," Mika elaborated, enjoying the look on Hary's face as he leaned forward, listening intently.

"He heard about the jewels and decided he'd try for them. Make something of himself-a name to be remembered before he died. He looked pretty old to me. I'll bet that Princess Julia and her magic jewels are his last chance."

"What you say makes sense," agreed Hary. "But there is one aspect of this whole business that you have not considered."

"What's that?" asked Mika with a frown.

"Any spell, as you know, must be renewed from time to time, if it is to remain active. That is why the man is hovering about, d.o.g.g.i.ng our trail. He must do so if he is to keep the sleep spell in force.

"He doesn't care if we reach Eru-Tovar or not. He wants us out here on the prairie by ourselves. All he wants is to get inside the wagon and steal the gems that he thinks are hidden here. Since we've prevented him from doing that, all he's been able to do is keep renewing the spell on Julia!"

Mika brushed away the fly that chose that moment to buzz between them.

"Possibly," admitted Mika. "But may I remind you that this mage does not actually have to be close to Julia to extend the spell. It can be done from a distance."

"Not all that distant!" gloated Hary. "He must be within a certain radius and he must be in human form, for if he is in another guise, say that of an animal, he would not be able to apply the spell.

"Now, here is what I propose. We will travel back to the Bubbling Springs as fast as we are able and use that as our base, since it provides water, shelter, and firewood.

"We can ride the perimeter and make certain that the fellow does not get through! Then, once the spell is broken, we can return to Dramidja.

"Oh, it will take some extra precautions, but I am certain that it can be done. You see, these drivers are not really drivers, but men from my command."

The fly buzzed loudly, the rapid fluttering of its wings vibrating against the cowhide covering and resonating throughout the small interior of the wagon.

"I'm not sure we can keep the fellow away from her," Mika said slowly. "But it's a plan. A place to start and better than anything I can think of at the moment." And all the while he was thinking of ways to rid himself of Hary, Reckna.s.s, and the drivers, not to mention the mysterious old man, before Julia was taken back to her island kingdom. He was quite certain that once she wakened he would find favor in her eyes.

"Then we have your promise of cooperation?" asked Hary. "You understand what is at stake here? Julia is beyond your paltry triflings. She is no common plaything. Come, man, say that you will help us."

"You have my promise," said Mika. But he did not say what it was that he promised.

Chapter 11.

THEY CAME AT DAWN, out of the east with the rising sun. Mika had been asleep, camped underneath the princess's wagon, much to the disgust of the driver, the man named Cob, when Tam began to growl and paw at his arm. Mika was so totally tuned to Tam, that he knew, even in the depths of sleep that this was no casual warning. Something was very wrong.

He opened his eyes, instantly alert, and reached for his sword, only half cognizant of the fact that his wing had finally turned back into an arm.

Tam was standing above him, head up, ears twitching forward, ruff fully extended, staring into the rising sun. He whined shrilly with each exhalation.

Mika rolled swiftly to his feet, snaking out from under the confining wagon. All around him, wolves, some twenty of them, were standing in postures identical to Tam's. Some, more highly strung than others, were yipping nervously and wheeling in small circles as though anxious to run.

All of the nomads, too, were on their feet, buckling on their weapons, straining to see what had so alarmed their animals.