Eliza did not answer. I wasn't certain she had even heard, but then she nodded, once, slowly.

"The Almin go with you," Mosiah said.

"And with you," said Scylla, and she clapped him in bois^er-ous good humor on the shoulder. "Ready?" We might have been going to a carnival, for her ebullient spirits.

Eliza's face glimmered pale in the darkness. It seemed as if I were sitting beside a ghost. She stretched out her hand, to touch either Scylla or Mosiah, but she hesitated, then rested her hand on the back of the front seat.

"Did my father do the right thing?" she asked, and my heart ached for the agony in her voice. "All those people dying ... I never realized ... I need to know."

Mosiah turned his face away. He stared out the front of the car window, toward the city that had become a tomb.

Scylla's grin vanished. Her expression somber, she rested her hand on Eliza's, and the touch that had been so brash was now gentle.

"How can we ever know, Eliza? Toss a pebble in the lake. The ripples spread out far beyond the entry point, continue long after the pebble sinks to the bottom. Each and every action we take, from the smallest to the largest, has ramifications that we will never see. We can only do what we believe is best and right at the time. Your father did that, Eliza. Given the circ.u.mstances, he made the best decision-perhaps the only decision-he could."

Eliza was not speaking only of her father. She was speaking for herself. In returning the sword to the Technomancers, was she she making the right decision? Would the ripples from her action fade into the placid smoothness of time's lake or build into a crushing tidal wave? making the right decision? Would the ripples from her action fade into the placid smoothness of time's lake or build into a crushing tidal wave?

Eliza drew in a deep breath. She had made her decision.

"I am ready," she said. She drew the blanket over the Darksword.

We opened the doors of the air car and climbed out, all except Mosiah, who hunkered down in the front seat. We left the Darksword on the floor in the back.

Scylla had brought with her a pair of infrared binoculars. With these, she scanned the strange forest, a forest which had remained inside boundaries that were supposedly no longer there. Ahead of us was the East Road Gate-at least that's what I a.s.sumed it was. An invisible gate in an invisible wall is not easy to find.

"No one," Scylla said, lowering the binoculars.

"I feel as as if someone if someone was was watching me," said Eliza, shivering, though the night wind was warm. watching me," said Eliza, shivering, though the night wind was warm.

"Yes," Scylla agreed. "So do I." She kept her gaze forward, shifting, seeking, searching.

"What do we do?" Eliza demanded. Her voice cracked. The strain was starting to wear her down. "Why is no one here?"

"Patience," counseled Scylla. "This is their game. We have to play by their rules. Remember-we must see for ourselves that the hostages are alive and well. Look inside the gate. Do you see anything?"

I recalled what I had read. In the past, anyone who entered the gate was immediately transformed into the likeness of one of the inmates of the Zoo-a daunting possibility. For if the Kan-Hanar, Kan-Hanar, the gatekeepers, discovered that you had been erroneously admitted, you might become a permanent resident of the Zoo. the gatekeepers, discovered that you had been erroneously admitted, you might become a permanent resident of the Zoo.

This edict maintained the integrity of the Zoo. The sight of fat tradesmen tramping through the hunting grounds of the fierce centaurs would spoil the effect. To say nothing of the fact that the centaurs-who were not illusion, but very real-might decide to feast on a fat tradesman. And so the tradesmen were transformed into images of centaurs and thus-if they kept to the path- pa.s.sed through the Zoo swiftly and safely.

Of course, the elite magi who either lived in Zith-el or had business there entered that city by way of the Corridors, and so did not have to go through the demeaning process of entering the gate. This experience was reserved for peasants, students, peddlers, field magi, and the lower ranks of the catalysts.

"I see nothing inside the gate," Eliza said. "Nothing at all. That's very strange. It's as if there were a huge hole cut out of the forest."

I nodded, to indicate that my view was the same.

"And yet the magic is supposed to be gone," Scylla murmured.

"Not according to your your theory," I signed. theory," I signed.

I have no idea whether she understood me or not, it being difficult to read sign language in near darkness.

"Are we . . , are we supposed to meet them inside there?" Eliza asked, daunted at the prospect of entering the dark maw which gaped before us.

"No," said Scylla rea.s.suringly. "They said to meet outside outside the East Road Gate. If the Technomancers are in Zith-el, my guess is that they found some means of entering that did not involve pa.s.sing through the Zoo." the East Road Gate. If the Technomancers are in Zith-el, my guess is that they found some means of entering that did not involve pa.s.sing through the Zoo."

I could well believe that the Technomancers would be reluctant to enter. Standing before the gate was like standing in the mouth of a cave, feeling the chill air that comes from deep underground touch your skin with clammy fingers. A strange smell emanated from the Zoo, drifting only occasionally to the nostrils, then vanishing. It was the smell of living things, of excrement and rotten food, mingled with the odor of verdure and loam, and, underneath it, decay.

We stood waiting for perhaps fifteen minutes, our uneasiness growing. If the Technomancers meant to unnerve us, they succeeded, at least with Eliza and myself. I'm not sure what it would have taken to unnerve Scylla, who stood beside us, arms folded across her chest, a slight smile on her lips.

Eliza shivered again. I offered to go back to the car for her wrap, but Scylla stopped me.

"Look!" she said softly, and pointed.

A figure was moving toward us, on our side of the invisible wall. It did not walk, but glided over the ground. It was alone and was, by its dress, a woman. Eliza gasped and clasped her hands.

"Mother!" she whispered.

The figure was Gwendolyn, coming toward us, drifting over the ground. I recalled then that she was one of the magi, that she could float where the mundane were forced to walk. But I also recalled that I had not once seen her use her magic when we were at her home. Perhaps that was out of respect for Joram.

Gwen floated toward us, her gaze focused lovingly on her daughter.

"Mother?" Eliza repeated, perplexed, hopeful, afraid.

Gwendolyn dropped gracefully to the ground and held out her arms. "My child," she said in choked tones. "How frightened you must have been!"

Eliza held back. "Mother, why are you you here? Did you escape them? Where is Papa?" here? Did you escape them? Where is Papa?"

Gwendolyn took a step toward her daughter. "Are you all right, love?" Reaching out, she took one of Eliza's hands.

Eliza flinched, but then, seeing her mother's worried, loving face so near, she seemed to melt.

"I'm fine, Mother. Only so worried about you and Papa! I heard he was hurt. How is he?"

"Eliza, have you brought the Darksword?" Gwendolyn asked, smoothing her daughter's black curls.

"Yes," said Eliza. "But Papa! Is he well? And Father Saryon? Is he all right?"

"Of course, child. I would not have come to you otherwise," Gwendolyn replied, with a rea.s.suring smile. "Your father is angry with you for taking the Darksword, but if you return it, he will forgive you."

"Mother, I'm frightened for Papa. I saw the blood! And they killed the sheep. All the sheep are dead, Mother!"

"You know how hot-tempered your father is." Gwen sighed. "He was caught off guard when the Technomancers entered our house. Their leader admits that they acted rashly and he has apologized. Your father suffered a slight injury. Nothing serious. His greatest hurt lies with you, Eliza. He believes you have betrayed him!"

"I didn't mean to betray him," Eliza said, her voice quavering. "I thought if I gave them the sword, they would go away and leave us alone and we could be happy again! That's all I meant to do."

"I understand, daughter, and so will your father. Come and tell him this yourself. My pet!" Gwendolyn extended her hand. "We have so little time! Give me the Darksword and our family will be reunited."

I looked at Scylla, wondering if she would remind Eliza of the admonition to see for herself that the hostages were alive and well. Not that I didn't trust Gwendolyn, but the thought came to me that perhaps she was acting under duress.

Eliza gave a deep sigh, as if she were throwing off a heavy burden. "Yes, Mother. I will give you the Darksword."

Turning, she walked back to the car. Gwendolyn remained standing near the wall. Her fond gaze never left her daughter.

I thought Scylla would make some protest, but she kept silent. It was Eliza's decision to make, after all.

Returning to the car, she opened the back door and bent down to pick up the sword. I think Mosiah tried arguing with her, but-if so-their conversation was brief. Eliza slammed the door irritably and started to walk back to us. She carried with her the Darksword, both hands clasped around the hilt, the sword's blade pointed down.

Mosiah climbed out of the car, following after her, moving swiftly, silently.

Eliza had her back turned to him. She was facing her mother. She did not see him or hear him and Gwendolyn had eyes only for her daughter. Mosiah, in his black robes, was difficult to distinguish in the half-light. I saw him because I had been expecting him to do something like this. I had no doubt at all in my mind that he had deceived us, that he was going to try to take the Darksword by force. Scylla saw him, but she only stood, watching, that same slight smile on her lips.

Well, she had as good as admitted that she was attracted to him. But what about her pledge to Eliza? I could trust neither of these two apparently. Perhaps they were in league with each other.

It was up to me.

If I could have, I would have shouted a warning to Eliza. I could not, however, and so, with an inarticulate cry, I pointed toward Mosiah.

At the strange sound of my cry, Eliza looked at me, alarmed and startled.

I pointed again, frantically.

She was just starting to turn when Mosiah reached her. He grabbed hold of the Darksword.

Taken by surprise, she tried valiantly to keep hold of the weapon, but Mosiah was strong and wrested it from her with ease. Then, to my intense astonishment, he turned and, with all his strength, flung the Darksword as far from him as he could manage. He flung it directly into the gate.

The sword disappeared as if it had become one with the darkness.

Gwendolyn reached out to seize hold of Eliza.

Mosiah barreled into the woman, knocking her heavily to the ground.

Eliza screamed, a scream that ended in a strangled gasp.

Gwendolyn vanished. Mosiah wrestled with a being clad in short white robes, white boots, white gloves, and a smiling skull mask beneath a white hood.

"An Interrogator!" Scylla sucked in her breath.

"Run!" Mosiah cried, pinning the white-robed person to the ground. "More will be coming!"

Indeed, we could see the silver shimmer of the D'karn-darah D'karn-darah surround us as they sprang up from the tall gra.s.s and surged toward us. surround us as they sprang up from the tall gra.s.s and surged toward us.

"Run where?" Scylla demanded.

The D'karn-darah D'karn-darah stood between us and the air car. They were bearing down on us. Mosiah slammed the head of the Interrogator into the ground. The skull mask lolled to one side, lay quiet. Mosiah leapt to his feet and made a scrambling dash toward us. stood between us and the air car. They were bearing down on us. Mosiah slammed the head of the Interrogator into the ground. The skull mask lolled to one side, lay quiet. Mosiah leapt to his feet and made a scrambling dash toward us.

"The gate!" he gasped. "Run for it!"

The D'karn-darah D'karn-darah had formed a semicircle and were closing in on us, though not very fast. It almost looked as if they were herding us toward the gate, which was now the only retreat open to us. had formed a semicircle and were closing in on us, though not very fast. It almost looked as if they were herding us toward the gate, which was now the only retreat open to us.

Eliza stood numb with shock, staring at the hideous being that had taken the form of her mother. I caught hold of her hand, pulled her away, nearly dragged her off her feet. Scylla took hold of her from the other side.

"Your Majesty, we must get you safely away from these evil men," Scylla said firmly. "This way! Through the gate!"

Eliza nodded and started to run, but she stumbled over her long skirts. Scylla and I helped her up and propelled her toward the gate. By now, Mosiah had joined us. We were within a foot or two of the gate, about to enter, when he gave a loud cry and held out his arms, blocking our way. He pointed to what looked like a silver coin, shining on the ground.

"Look out! It's a stasis mine! Go around! Don't step on it!"

Glancing back, I saw the D'karn-darah D'karn-darah increase their speed. increase their speed.

They had been expecting the stasis mine to stop us. Seeing it had failed, they started to close in. But we had already reached the gate.

What made me think that, once inside the gate, we would be safe from our pursuers? For all I knew, they would come in after us. The most we could hope for was to lose them in the forest's darkness, but they were so close behind that this hope seemed a forlorn one.

Of course, I now know what drew me forward. A good thing I did not know then, I would never have believed it. As it was, I had no chance to believe or disbelieve. I entered the Eastroad Gate, entered the city of Zith-el , and I knew immediately that Scylla's theory was right.

Magic was very much alive on Thimhallan.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

Magic is the substance and essence of Life-that is the philosophy of this land and all who dwell here. Life and magic are one and the same. They are inseparable and indistinguishable.

DARKSWORD ADVENTURES.

I did not recall losing consciousness, yet it seemed to me that I awoke from sleep. Then came a frightening sensation of being compressed, the air squeezed from my lungs, as if some force were trying to flatten me. That sensation ended almost before I was fully aware of it. All I could see around me was a dreamlike shimmer of color. I could hear only indistinct sounds. did not recall losing consciousness, yet it seemed to me that I awoke from sleep. Then came a frightening sensation of being compressed, the air squeezed from my lungs, as if some force were trying to flatten me. That sensation ended almost before I was fully aware of it. All I could see around me was a dreamlike shimmer of color. I could hear only indistinct sounds.

I experienced a sickening feeling of falling, as when one dreams of falling. The fall was gentle, however, and I hit the ground running, fearful of pursuit. I almost immediately tripped over the hem of a long robe.

I tumbled forward and landed painfully on my hands and knees, sc.r.a.ping my knees against the cloth of the robes and cutting my right hand on an exposed tree root.

The fall left me shaken. My entrance through the gate left me more shaken still. I sat back on my heels, drew a shivering breath, and looked around. My first thought was of Eliza: was she safe? My second thought was in question marks and exclamation points: what in the Almin's name had happened to me?!

My blue jeans and sweater were gone. In their place, I was wearing a long robe, made of cloth that was white in color. The cloth was velvet, and very fine, soft and smooth. Though well made, the robe was plain, devoid of any decoration save for a red band of trim around the hem of the sleeves, and the skirt, which reached to my ankles.

Feeling an unusual coolness on my head, I lifted my hand to discover that my long hair was gone, cut short, and tonsured! Gingerly, and with a certain amount of horror, I felt the smooth round bald spot on the top of my head, where my hair had been shaved, and now grew in a ring that framed my face and just barely covered my ears.

The magic of the gate must have done this, I realized confusedly, yet the information I had just read on Zith-el indicated that the gate would change us into creatures of the Zoo. I had never read that the people of Zith-el kept catalysts in their Zoo, yet that is most certainly what I was dressed as-a catalyst in Thimhallan.

A catalyst in a Thimhallan which no longer existed!