"When I was first trapped, I wondered how anyone could have known I was here. I'd already ruled out the idea that this was an old spell left over from the destruction of the city."

"Of course," Darkhorse rumbled. "I would have noticed it before this, coming here as often as I do! In fact-wait!" He sniffed the air, for the moment acting much like the animal whose form the eternal had long, long ago taken a fancy to. "I smell something familiar. . . ." Ice-blue orbs flared. "Shade! I smell Shade!"

"Or something like him," Cabe cut in. "Something Vraadish."

"No, this is Shade . . . but the trace is so very old." The shadow steed dug one hoof into the ground, gouging out miniature valleys. "I am reminded of another snare, different in practice but similar in bait. One that I almost stepped into but a day or so ago. . . ."

"A day or so?" The warlock recalled one of his previous destinations. Without preamble, he launched into his experience at that site, specifically the brief trace of magic that had reminded him also of the late, lamented Shade.

When he had concluded, Darkhorse dipped his head in an equine version of a nod. "That was the very same site! That trap was not nearly so well-planned!"

"So someone is trying to capture you."

"And, as I have already said, trapped you instead! I little like those who presume to complicate my existence, but when they also endanger my friends . . ." The ebony stallion pawed at the ground. His eyes gleamed. The magical forces that were Darkhorse pulsated. "Woe betide them, Cabe! They will find that I am not a very forgiving soul!"

The warlock was thankful that he was not the one responsible. The enemies of Darkhorse took on the role at their own risk. Darkhorse did not forget those who thought to play havoc with him or those he counted his companions. Thinking out loud, Cabe muttered, "I wonder who it could be?"

It was the wrong thing to say.

"Who, indeed?" The shadow steed's laugh was mirthless. "I could think of several. Certain drakes, for instance, or even once the monarch of a particular mountain kingdom. As I said, I do not forget!"

And Kyl wants him at the audience in Talak. . . . Had Gwen told the eternal of the dragon heir's request? If yes, did Darkhorse intend to be there? If no, how was Cabe to make the request now, with Darkhorse's suspicions roused? The shadow steed might view both sides at the audience as possible foes; it was clear from past conversations with Darkhorse that he did not trust the emperor-to-be. Kyl was offering an olive branch, but would the shadow steed see it instead as a blade?

"We should return to the Manor," he finally said, deciding that the change in scenery would only benefit him when he asked the question. Perhaps, with Gwendolyn there to aid him, Cabe could convince his old companion to make the journey to Talak.

"Yes, the Lady Bedlam will be doubly worried if we both do not return." Darkhorse shook his head, sending his mane flying wildly about. "No, I would not miss it for the world!"

"Miss what?"

The eternal chuckled darkly. "Why Talak, of course! Was that not what you sought me out for? To ask me if I would agree to Prince Kyl's little plot and appear at the audience between Melicard and himself?"

The startled mage grimaced. "I was afraid to ask if Gwen had said anything. I didn't know what you might say."

"Well, you may rest a.s.sured, friend Cabe, that I will not miss this little party. Not at all!" That said, the demon steed straightened. "Now, let us be off before the Lady of the Amber decides to go searching for you on her own!"

The image was enough to shake Cabe Bedlam at least momentarily from his ruminations. If there were other traps awaiting Darkhorse, then Gwen might be in danger if they delayed any longer. Then again, something would have to be done to a.s.sure that no one else fell prey to whatever traps, if any, remained.

As Darkhorse summoned up the power to transport the two of them back to the Manor, Cabe's thoughts returned to the shadow steed's earlier words. Darkhorse looked forward to the meeting between Kyl and Melicard, but not because of any hope for peace in the Dragonrealm. Old suspicions were rising to the forefront, suspicions regrettably based in fact. As well as he had gotten on with the king of Talak for the past few years, neither could forget their initial encounter. Did Darkhorse suspect Melicard of plotting anew? The disfigured ruler of the mountain kingdom could have many reasons for wishing to capture the eternal, including a strike against the new Dragon Emperor.

That he even thought of the possibility of subterfuge on the part of Melicard suddenly dismayed Cabe. It occurred to the warlock then that his companion was not the only one plagued by suspicions. Even he had begun to wonder.

The world faded away as the shadow steed's spell took hold. As emptiness briefly swirled around him, the sorcerer found himself wishing that his problems would disappear as easily.

IV.

DESPITE ALL, THE day at last came when it was time for the journey to Talak to commence. Putting together the caravan had proved a monumental task, but under the capable direction of Gwendolyn Bedlam, it was at last accomplished. There were more than a dozen wagons, all with the long-unseen banner of the Dragon Emperor fluttering above them, servants of both human and drake origin, and an honor guard large enough to fight a war.

The last had been most worrisome. Cabe understood that the drakes did not wish to arrive at the gates of the mountain kingdom without some show of their might, but the number of drake warriors accompanying the caravan was astounding. Most of them were soldiers of Lord Green, who journeyed with his future emperor, but a few were the grown hatchlings of drakes who had served Kyl's sire. There were two in particular who stayed close to the heir, a pair of golden warriors who had been brought to the Manor at the same time as the young princess. From the first they had seemed to understand their role as bodyguards, never a.s.suming that they were playmates. It had been amusing at first, watching adolescent warriors doing their best to protect their cousin, but watching them now, Cabe found them only imposing. He had never gotten to know Faras and Ssgayn despite attempts to do so; they did not feel their place was among royalty, which evidently included powerful mages. When with Kyl, who seemed to find them amusing, they were even more silent than Grath. Faras and Ssgayn resembled the elder drakes, but in the dark could have pa.s.sed for human. Anyone who had seen them fight, however, would not be able to make that mistake. The two fought as only drakes could, with both sword and fang.

Gazing at the army he was to join, Cabe Bedlam began to wish it had been possible after all for Kyl to simply materialize before Melicard and Erini. The caravan was as unwieldy a thing as he had ever ridden with. By themselves the heir's honor guard would have ridden in orderly enough fashion, but mixed with the wagons and servants, they only added to the tension and confusion. The humans in the caravan were on edge because of their lack of numbers, the drakes because they knew they headed for the domain of a ruler who had openly hunted their kind. The horses distrusted the roving eyes of their draconian counterparts, all flesh eaters, while the riding drakes had to strive to keep up with the better-trained, more intelligent steeds.

"Such a madhouse!"

The warlock gazed down at his wife, who had come up to the side of his own mount. "I hope we can reach Talak by the appointed time. This caravan is about ten times larger than I wanted."

"But as small as I could manage to make it, what with all of the 'requirements' I was given. I hope you're not angry about my staying behind, Cabe."

"With the Green Dragon and Darkhorse to accompany us, I doubt that there will be too much trouble. You'll meet us in Talak, anyway. I wish I had a reason for foregoing this trip."

"Yes . . ." The emerald-clad witch glanced surrept.i.tiously back at the Manor. Cabe, following her lead, caught sight of Valea, clad in her finest, gazing at the throng below from one of the upper windows. There was no doubt as to who it was she was searching for among the gathered drakes and humans. The warlock had to fight down fatherly fury.

"She's watched everything from every window," Gwendolyn continued, as much ill at ease with the situation as her husband. "I'm fairly certain that Kyl has seen her, but whether he has acknowledged her at all, I could not say."

"I don't know which would be worse," Cabe muttered. "I don't like him playing games with my daughter!"

"Well, this will be the longest that Kyl's been away from here. I could not let an opportunity like this pa.s.s by. Now would be the best time to talk to Valea and see if I can rid her of this nonsense."

Cabe's horse began to shift back and forth in growing impatience. The mage regained control over his animal. "I take back what I said. I don't envy you your task. I think I prefer trying to keep a caravan of anxious drakes and humans together. There are few creatures in the Dragonrealm as stubborn as our Valea! And such an intelligent girl, too."

"Yes, and unfortunately we both know where she gets it from, do we not?"

Expression innocent, the warlock asked, "Where?"

He was saved from Gwen's retort by the sudden appearance of Aurim. Their son was being left in charge of much of the Manor, which both pleased and frightened him. Cabe could read these emotions in the way Aurim acted. The younger Bedlam reminded Cabe of what he had been like at that age, not that that was difficult. Physically, there had not been much change in the elder Bedlam. Cabe looked only a few years older than he had been when first thrust into sorcery.

"Is there anything amiss, Aurim?" the young warlock's mother asked.

"Nothing, Mother. Just came to wish Father well."

"Don't forget that your mother will be departing in a few days." Cabe studied his son carefully. "Try to familiarize yourself with everything before that so that if you have any questions, she can answer them."

"I've only lived here my entire life, Father!"

"It's different when you have to manage this place," Gwen reminded her eldest. "We have an entire community here."

Aurim nodded, still a bit put out by what he thought was a lack of faith on his parents' part. Noting that, Cabe did his best to reconcile things. "I'm sure you'll do fine. We wouldn't leave you in charge if we didn't believe that."

Neither Cabe nor Gwen added that they were also leaving Benjin Traske behind to keep a watchful eye on the young mage. That had proven to be a much more difficult decision than they had expected, for the scholar had apparently a.s.sumed that he would be riding with the caravan. While Cabe had been searching for Darkhorse, the huge man had even confronted the Lady Bedlam about it. It was, so Gwendolyn had said, the first time she had seen Benjin Traske come close to anger. Only when he had heard her out did he suddenly calm. The Bedlams had always understood the protective att.i.tude Traske had toward his charges, but they had never realized its extent until then. Knowing that Darkhorse and the Green Dragon were to accompany the heir to Talak had evidently helped much to ease the tutor's mind.

What would we have done without Benjin Traske all these years? Cabe pondered. It was chiefly because of the tutor that the first elements of the school of magic, located in Penacles, were finally coming together. The man was an exceptional organizer, and although he was not himself a mage of any strength, Traske understood the underlying theories about magic, especially after so many years with the Bedlams. His aid continued to prove invaluable. Cabe supposed that it was because teaching was teaching, no matter what the subject. A good scholar could turn his skills to almost any topic.

Gwen suddenly glanced past her husband. "Lord Green approaches. I think the caravan may be ready to leave."

"At last?" the warlock quipped. Aurim grinned. Cabe looked down at his golden-haired son. "We know you'll do fine, Aurim, but don't be afraid to ask your mother questions before she departs."

The younger sorcerer nodded.

Cabe Bedlam leaned down and kissed his wife for a long moment, which made Aurim grimace in embarra.s.sment. Cabe chuckled.

"I regret ssseparating a family," came the voice of the drake lord. "But we are ready to depart a.s.ss soon as you desire."

"Now is as good a time as any." The warlock sighed. "Where is His Majesty?"

"Hisss mount is being readied even as we ssspeak. The horses would not remain ssstill for him and so he has decided on a riding drake."

Cabe could not blame the horses for not wanting Kyl to ride them. When mounted, the dragon heir's heritage often rose to the forefront; Kyl put his animals through paces that wore even the hardy riding drakes ragged. Horses, although swifter and with more stamina, did not have the thick hides and dull stubbornness of the reptilian mounts.

"Have a safe journey," Aurim said.

Looking up, Cabe saw that his daughter had vanished from the window, yet there was no sign of her among those who had gathered to see the caravan off. He disliked leaving without saying goodbye to Valea, but if that was the way she was going to act, then so be it. The warlock hoped his wife would be able to talk some sense into their daughter, but Cabe doubted it. Valea was in the throes of first pa.s.sion, something that common sense and parental guidance had little sway over. He could only hope for the best.

"Friend Cabe, we had bessst be going."

He nodded, his eyes still lingering on the empty window. "The sooner the better."

"What about Darkhorse?" asked Aurim. "He's supposed to be going with you, isn't he?"

"It wa.s.ss agreed that the demon steed would meet usss en route," the Green Dragon hissed. There was a note of anxiety in his voice. "He ha.s.ss matters with which he must deal first."

Those matters concerned the traps the shadow steed's mysterious foe had set. Darkhorse had wanted to make certain that none still existed. He had also wanted an opportunity to search for any clue that might reveal the ident.i.ty of his enemy. The eternal had agreed to meet the caravan the second night out. Swift as Darkhorse was, it did not matter where the others would be on that evening; he would find them. Kyl had acquiesced with no argument. It seemed that he was more concerned that Darkhorse be with the caravan when they reached Talak, not before.

With some reluctance, the warlock had allowed Darkhorse to go alone. He knew that a Darkhorse forewarned was proof against most threats, but there was still the fear that one of the snares might prove too much even for the eternal. If the shadow steed did not appear on the decided evening, Cabe was going to search for him, dragon heir or no dragon heir.

Once more he bid farewell to Gwendolyn and Aurim. Valea had still not made an appearance and he doubted now that she would. I hope Gwen can do something about her. . . .

He rode alongside the Dragon King as they returned to the waiting caravan. Caught up in his own thoughts, a habit he seemed destined never to break, the warlock was surprised by a comment from his companion.

"The world isss never an easy place, friend Cabe," the drake hissed quietly. "a.s.ss much as we would like it to be so, it isss more probable that it will continue to plunge usss into one situation after another. We can only do what we feel isss bessst for all."

"Whatever that may be," Cabe agreed, amazed that the Dragon King should be so concerned and understanding. The master of the Dagora Forest was so very much unlike his counterparts, being almost human at times. Not for the first time was the weary spellcaster pleased to have the reptilian monarch for both ally and . . . yes . . . friend.

He glanced ahead and saw both Kyl and Grath mounted and waiting. Grath eyed them with curiosity. The emperor-to-be, on the other hand, wore an expression of regal indifference. Cabe, looking past the mask the dragon heir wore, could read the impatience in Kyl's eyes. Yes, both the journey and the audience held the promise of being . . . interesting.

Thoughts of the meeting in Talak mingled with worry for Darkhorse, concern for Valea, and a thousand lesser problems.

The world is never an easy place, the Dragon King had said.

That, the warlock amended, was an understatement.

VALEA LEANED AGAINST a pillar, trying to keep herself from watching the caravan as it slowly began to depart the Manor grounds. She belatedly realized that she had forgotten to say farewell to her father, but the mistake seemed minimal compared to her other loss.

He will come back from this journey, but soon he will be leaving for the final time! the young witch thought, a lump growing in her throat. Soon, Kyl would be sitting on the throne of the Dragon Emperor and Valea would be a fading memory to him. On the one hand, she knew that what she dreamed was foolish, but it was impossible not to imagine what life would be like if circ.u.mstances would only permit her to be Kyl's queen. She knew her own feelings for the young drake and was certain that his were of a similar vein. Did he not make excuses to touch her hand or arm whenever possible? Did Kyl not also show her special attention whenever they were together, no matter who else was there?

Out in the yard below, the caravan continued to move. By this time, she knew that it was already too late to see Kyl one last time. Determined to prove himself, he had chosen to ride at the head of the column. It was a brave thing to do. There were men, even drakes, who wanted his life simply because of what he was.

"You are missing the departure, Lady Bedlam."

Valea gasped. Benjin Traske was standing only a few feet behind her, yet she had heard nothing.

"I apologize if I startled you, my dear."

"I was just . . . just thinking."

Traske's brow rose. "It must have been important for you to miss saying farewell to your father. The proper thing to have done would have been to see him off."

From anyone else, even her mother, the young sorceress might not have taken the reprimand. Valea felt she was old enough to do what she desired, even if she knew that it might be wrong. Yet the scholar had a way of speaking to her that made her feel once more like a first-year pupil. Bowing her head, the redheaded sorceress returned, "He will not be gone long. Only a few days."

"Do you speak of your father, or the young drake?"

Her head snapped back up and she started to protest.

Traske raised a ma.s.sive hand. "Do not seek to convince me otherwise, Lady Valea. I have watched you grow up. I have learned everything about you. About everyone here. I know for how long this . . . yearning . . . of yours has been going on."

The young woman colored.

Oblivious to her embarra.s.sment, the scholar went on. "I was brought here by the lord of Dagora to act as teacher to both the heirs to the Dragon Emperor and to you and your brother. I have made that my life for the past many years, Lady Valea, and so you must believe me when I say that I could not perform this task for so long without becoming aware of each of your needs and dreams." He sighed. "In truth, you are all family to me, even your somewhat arrogant paramour."

"He's not-"

"He will need that arrogance, my lady, so I do not fault him for it, believe me. Kyl has become what he has become because of the great mission before him. There are certain things that he in his role must be able to do. I like to think that I have prepared him for many of those things." Traske's expression abruptly softened. "Although even I would have to admit that I was not thinking he might be so drawn to one not of his own kind."

His last statement drew Valea away from the pillar. Her eyes filled with hope. "Do you mean-I mean-does he-?"

"Very much so, I would say."

Without warning, she reached out and hugged the elder man. Benjin Traske stood motionless, evidently stunned by her outburst. Only when Valea finally released him did he react, and that was simply to blink.

"Did he actually say anything?" Valea asked breathlessly.

"He . . . he has said nothing outright." Traske visibly collected himself. "But what he has . . . inferred has been plain enough for me to understand."

Still reeling with joy, Valea whirled about and rushed to the window. She leaned outside and peered at the caravan. More than half of it had already vanished beyond her field of vision. The young sorceress leaned out even further, trying to get a better view of the vanguard.

St.u.r.dy hands pulled her back inside. "My lady! It would be a tragedy indeed if you fell to your death!"

She smoothed her dress, shaken both by his attempt to rescue her and by the fact that he was correct about the danger. Her control of her skills was not as sure as that of her parents. If her mother's teachings were to be believed, it would not be the first time a mage had died through simple, physical carelessness. With power came the need for caution.

"Thank you, Master Traske," she finally muttered.

"I see that I have underestimated the extent of your . . . love."