Marduk stood. That information is confidential. But if you wish to see the love of your life, you'd best accompany me. Lest the Dragon mistake you for Inanna attempting to fool him yet again.

An ultra-modern suiting station materialized in place of the Star Chamber. Suits hung in individual lots around the large circular quarters, where a central domed area shed a mauve light over a large round lounge. Here the sole occupant of the room sat in silent contemplation.

What's on your mind commander? As if I couldn't guess.

'My Lord Marduk?' Maelgwn raised himself to greet his superior. 'My apologies, but I had time to spare before the scheduled departure -'

I know your meditative habits, Dragon. But I did promise you a bit of extra incentive to see you on your way this time, did I not?

'My dear friend,' Maelgwn began to decline politely.

'Do try to understand, there is no substitute for Keridwen's chosen match for me. To offer me another in her stead is a fruitless exercise for all involved.'

Yes, you have made that painfully obvious. Marduk gestured towards the entrance, where Tory waited patiently to be acknowledged. So I brought you the closest thing I could find to your love in the flesh.

Sure that he would be dissatisfied with whatever semblance of Tory the Nefilim had conjured up to please him, Maelgwn turned in his seat to behold a splendid vision. 'What manner of illusion is this?' He smiled, enchanted.

No illusion, Dragon, she's the genuine article ... or rather part thereof.

Maelgwn's delight turned to dread as he turned to Marduk. 'Impossible. I expressly forbade Tory to seek me thus. She would never disregard my wishes so.'

Where does this fanciful recollection of my unquestioning obedience come from? Tory scoffed at his delusion. Certainly not from the circumstances under which we last parted, surely? Don't you know me better than to think I would obey any order without tangible evidence of the sender?

'But my messages via Cadfan and Rhun. Did you not get them?'

Such images can be falsified ... I'm sure. Tory glanced around at all the advanced technological expertise that this chamber alone had to offer. I might be speaking to a clone right now, for all I know. For I note that you converse with me in English, a language Maelgwn never really took to.

'Clones can be identified using etheric sight, for they have no subtle body. And as I have become far more proficient in the art of telepathy, every tongue is now a second language to me,' Maelgwn informed her, seemingly insulted by her inference. 'But the Nefilim can assume whatsoever form they choose, as we can, so how do I know that you are not another of Inanna's crafty schemes?'

Excuse I. Marduk felt he must intervene at this point. Maelgwn, I assure you, this is Lamamu. And though ignorance prevents her from knowing she can trust me, I expect a little more from you.

What is that supposed to mean? Tory wasn't about to let that accusation pass.

Demanding little creature, isn't she? Marduk baited the man who'd married her, completely delighted by her determination.

'You have no idea.' Maelgwn confirmed.

The unicorn ... Marduk gained Tory's attention, before she could scold her husband for agreeing with him, was handpicked by myself, from the stables of Horus, who is allied to my father.

As the ancients had believed the horse was sacred to Horus, especially those of the species that were white, Tory was inclined to believe him. It was also true that Horus had sided with Marduk and Enki, having been born into their side of the family. You've been watching me a long time then.

Longer than you might think. You're familiar with my aunt, Ninharsag ... though Maelgwn here calls her Keridwen.

Good Lord! She looked to Maelgwn, who nodded to confirm the statement.

So then ... Marduk assumed he now had the benefit of the doubt. I do solemnly swear to you both that you are indeed who you say you are. Thus rejoice, children! He placed a hand on Maelgwn's shoulder. No harm has been done. I guided Lamamu safely forth, and she is under my protection until she returns.

'But what if Inanna, or that incestuously jealous brother of hers, had intercepted instead?'

I had no choice but to let her come, Marduk confessed.

Inanna has been taunting Lamamu with visions of your capture. He hesitated to remind the commander of the ordeal for he knew he'd suffered much.

Maelgwn now understood why Tory had endeavoured to seek him out, and the realisation saddened him deeply.

The images just made the not knowing where you were, or how you fared, so much worse. Tory spoke up for herself, for the purpose of her visit was not to upset him.

But now I have seen that all goes well with you, I shall go, if that's what you wish.

'Tory,' he pleaded in protest, forestalling her retreat.

'I have willed you to me so often that this situation is probably more my fault than yours.'

As soon as the emotional outpouring started, Marduk made himself scarce.

'I do praise the Goddess that you defied me.'

Maelgwn approached her ghostly form that was even more lovely than he remembered. 'There have been moments during our separation when I would have faced the torture of Shamash and Inanna a thousand times over, for just an hour of your company.'

I know what you mean. And I deeply regret that I am not fully equipped to fulfil all your expectations at this time.

It was just like Tory to get a smile out of him in a moment of despair. 'That's something to look forward to then. And right now I must confess that you are a sight for sore eyes.'

As are you. She admired his spectacular form, his dark, silky hair and sweet smiling face. Lamentably, she lacked the density to touch him, but her hands remained paused close to his face in wanting.

The black suits suspended around the chamber were similar to the one Maelgwn wore. It resembled a wetsuit, rather than a spacesuit, and Tory found it most appealing the way the thick, smooth material moulded itself to her husband's athletic build. The symbol of the golden circle, the snake and the all-seeing eye was featured on the lefthand shoulder. All kinds of strange devices were strapped to a belt slung round his hips, metallic bands encompassed both his wrists, and a strange manner of weapon rested in a holster strapped to his thigh. His shin-high boots were crafted from a solid black metal compound, although his ease of movement indicated they were basically weightless. All in all, Maelgwn appeared every bit as handsome and virile as the day Tory had wed him.

'You are my Achilles heel, Tory. I cannot be got at, save for you.' Maelgwn backed up a little and broke the spell. 'Nothing is worth risking your soul for. If Inanna were to gain influence over you, the woman I know and love would be gone forever.'

Tory watched his joy fade to dread once again. He had never been a man who showed his fear, but he was scared now. What did Inanna do to instil such fear in you?

He was taken aback by the query. 'Has Inanna not shared with you all the details of my capture?' He'd assumed as much, from what Marduk had told him.

No. I believe all I perceived was the end result, Tory explained, finding his reaction rather puzzling.

'Oh!' He breathed a sigh of relief, though he wanted to cry out in praise to the Goddess. This piece of providence didn't mean that his foe wasn't saving the grisly details to use against him later, but it was liberating and uplifting to know that Tory didn't know the all of it.

I can't bear to think about what you went through, but I will not ask you to relive it to satisfy my morbid curiousity.

Just answer me this, Maelgwn. Was it in any way my fault?

Did I deliver you into the wrong hands?

Maelgwn was already shaking his head vigorously.

'No, 'twas my own damn fault. Inanna had stolen a prototype of -' he broke off mid-sentence to watch two of his crew enter the suiting room.

'Well, holy sub-space, Grandpa. Who's the lush?'

Tory recognised both these men. The one who'd made the derogatory comment about her, whom Maelgwn approached to reprimand with a thump, had once been Vortipor. Yet Tory very much doubted that it was the Protector of Dyfed who addressed her at present, for he had known her well.

'Cadwell, that is no way to speak about your Grandmother.' Maelgwn was pleased to have stunned both his comrades with the news.

Tory was amazed to discover this was her grandson, Cadwell, whom she'd not seen since he was a newborn babe. Cadwell, also Vortipor's grandson, had grown to be the perfect incarnation of the great Upsurger himself.

'This is my great-great-grandmother?!' The darker haired of the two stared at her, his jaw dropping.

She identified this character with Ray, Prince Bryce of Powys, and Shar Zadoc, the chief justice of Chailidocean. Then you must be Cadwallon. Tory became most delighted at her realisation.

He smiled, gratified that the legend was so eager to make his acquaintance. 'Yes, Nin, that I am.'

Wonderful! I've been wanting to know a few things about your son ... was he tutored by Taliesin, as you were?

The ghostly vision overwhelmed him with her forthright manner, and when he'd had a chance to take a breath, he replied, 'No, Nin. Such tuition would have been more than wasted on Cadwaladr - it would have been downright dangerous. Thankfully, he was born before the immortality gene in me became active, and thus perished at the battle of Brunanburh.'

Are you sure? she appealed. It didn't figure.

'Yes, Nin.' He found her plea confusing, and although he didn't mean to sound condescending, half his mouth curved to a smile. 'I think I should know when I was first killed. Taliesin knew this was the case, and after delivering me into the hands of the Nefilim, he departed Gwynedd for some other timezone to pursue the Goddess' work.'

I see.

She forced a smile, but it wasn't fooling Maelgwn.

'Is something amiss?'

Just as you have problems and a mission of your own to worry about, so do I. If you tell me your woes, I'll tell you mine? Tory bargained playfully, knowing full well Maelgwn wouldn't play ball.

'But we ...' Cadwallon glanced to his frustrated commander to include him in the equation, 'we worry about you, Nin. We would like to help if we can.'

But you have helped, Cadwallon, by ruling out a possibility. Perhaps I just concocted a whole silly scenario that wasn't really ever there?

Photographs of the elusive Chameleon were strewn across the diplomat's desk, along with other pictures of the Goddess and her kin taken at Miles Thurlow's funeral.

In the week since Doc had first made the Chameleon's acquaintance, he'd become completely obsessed with her - and was it any wonder? She had played him for the fool three times now. Her most recent stunt had nearly cost him the favour of the American president! And still he hadn't the slightest shred of evidence that pointed to her involvement. If it had been she who'd managed to wipe all the files from his hard-drive when it wasn't even in his PC, he could only admire her cunning. Or had she stolen them?

Perhaps he'd failed to load the files properly, or the drive could have been faulty? They had, however, tested the cartridge since and experienced no difficulty in storing information.

But who was this beautiful blonde, blue-eyed enchantress? His enemy, the Goddess? He thought not.

For the Chameleon seemed to have an entirely different persona to that of the Dragon's concubine. Doc was well aware that physical traits could be altered at will by those of their kind, as he altered his appearance to suit his purpose and position. However, an individual's chemical make-up, the vibrations they gave off or their personal sonic per se, could not be disguised so easily.

Thus, the basic laws of physics and his gut agreed that he could never lust after his condemner with such fervour.

The one-time Queen of Gwynedd was not the lizard then. However, she had gone to great lengths at the funeral to keep him away from her daughter, Rhiannon.

Doc strongly suspected she was his mystery girl.

As her mother's daughter, Rhiannon was a guaranteed immortal. Finally, a woman who wouldn't age or die. Or be killed. He also considered the downside, in that he might grow tired of her at some distant point of eternity. There is much she could teach me before then. The problem was gaining her trust, and that might prove a little difficult since he'd killed her father .

This was a misunderstanding really. He had thought the Professor was immortal and was as surprised as the next person when Miles had croaked.

'Goddamn my ignorance.' He stood, sick to death of pondering the dilemma and finding no answers. Curse his forefathers and their wizards, for leaving him blind to their ways and powers.

Cadwaladr had taught himself telepathy, thought projection and simple hypnosis in order to manipulate the minds of others. But how could he hope to compete against an apprentice of the Great Mother herself?

Doc inhaled deeply to subdue this burst of anxiety, when all at once he became quite giddy.

Do not be disheartened, sub-creature. For having been spared from the occult ways of the Dragon's line you have not been party to their offences against the almighty.

Doc's dizziness forced him back into his seat as he shielded his eyes from the light of the being that manifested before him.

The compassion of the Great One has sent me to aid and guide you in the battle against the Serpent and his kin.

In the twelve centuries since his birth, Doc had never seen such a marvel. This was an angel of the Lord, to be sure.

The being shone with the intensity of the midday sun through his full-length robe of pure white, girded at the waist by a band of gold. Hair and skin as white as new-fallen snow, the messenger's eyes were like the flame of fire. A six-pointed star of gold, not unlike the Star of David, hung at his chest.

Doc, although he had once subscribed to the Christian faith, failed to see how the sum deeds of his life made him worthy of divine providence. 'I hate to sound blasphemous, but are you sure you have the right person ... don't you know who I am?'

Yes, Cadwaladr, we know you. We know your trials, your torments and your woes. But your anonymity and isolation has proven fortunate, as it has kept you shielded from your insubordinate forefathers until this, your era, the time of reckoning.

Deep down Doc had always suspected there was some kind of divine purpose behind his loneliness. Now, with divine power on his side, he would punish those who had sentenced him to live through the darkest ages mankind had ever known. His wrath upon the Goddess and her faithful would be absolute. 'But there is one amongst the Dragon's kin who I wish no harm to befall.'

We are mindful of your desires and the girl-child's soul may still be spared from eternal damnation, for we realise she knows no better. Your intervention and the truth can redeem her in the eyes of the Great One.

'What must I do?' Doc thrived on the knowledge that right was on his side, for he felt a certain purity and purpose that he'd never experienced before. 'How am I to convince her of the truth, when I myself am blind to it?'

First we cleanse your spirit to refine the talents that are your birthright and set you apart from your fellow man.

Only when you have achieved your full spiritual potential shall we establish your rule, so that you may hold influence over all nations and they may hear and know the way of the righteous.

'But the girl?' Doc entreated, wanting to know how he could bring his wish into reality.

One must learn to crawl before one can run, warrior.

At present your association would be like the blind leading the blind. Forget her for the moment, for she is an unnecessary distraction to your spiritual attainment. The will of the almighty must come before your own. Once you are well versed in his way and have earned his favour, your service and faith shall be rewarded.

Doc had never been the type to take anyone at their word, but surely the vow of God could be trusted. 'And you will help me in this?'

The angel smiled. 'I have been watching and guiding you since before you were born, Cadwaladr, for it is the will of the almighty that I lead you to greatness. So give praise for your deliverance from the Darkness, for I am the guardian you seek. Summon me at will from this day forth, and to the name, Utu, I shall answer.

The diplomat accepted the celestial herald's message as his destiny. 'Then give me your tuition, Utu ... and I shall make it my sole purpose to serve the will of God.'

Upon emerging from her dream journey, Tory was amazed to find she'd been returned to her abode at Watarrka.

Four days had elapsed since the ceremony, and Rhun had feared she was never coming back.

'That couldn't be right?' Tory moved to raise herself, but a heavy head dissuaded her. 'I wasn't gone but a few hours, surely?'