Gamina's eyes widened as her face took on an expectant look. She sat up and her head came around to face the door, and an instant later Pug and Dominic entered. Both looked weary, but there was no sign of the sorrow Kulgan and the others had feared.

Before the question could be asked, Pug said, "He still lives, though he was deeply afflicted." He noticed Gamina in Kulgan's lap, looking as if that physical contact were somehow vital to her. "Are you better?" Pug asked. She ventured a slight smile and a nod.

Some communication pa.s.sed between them and Pug said, "I think he will recover. Katala will stay at his side. Brother Dominic has proved a great help, for he is versed in healing arts. But Rogen is very old, Gamina, and if he doesn't recover, you must understand and be strong."

Gamina's eyes rimmed with moisture, but she nodded slightly. Pug came over and drew up a chair, as did the monk. Pug seemed to notice the addition of Meecham for the first time and they greeted each other. A quick introduction to Dominic was made, and then Pug said, "Gamina, you could be a big help to us. Are you willing?"

How?

"There has never been an occurrence like today's to my knowledge. I must know what made you so afraid for Rogen." There was something in Pug's manner that revealed deep concern. He masked it well, so as not to distress the child, but it still wasn't completely hidden.

Gamina looked frightened. She shook her head and something pa.s.sed between the little girl and Pug. Pug said, "Whatever it was, it could make the difference in Rogen's living. Something we do not understand is involved in this; we should know about it."

Gamina bit her lower lip slightly. Gardan was struck by the fact the girl was showing considerable bravery. From what little he had heard of the girl's lot, it had been a terrible one. To grow up in a world where people were always suspicious and hostile, and those thoughts were always heard, must have kept the child on the edge of madness. For her to trust these men at all bordered on the heroic. Rogen's kindness and love must have been endless to counterbalance the pain this child had known. Gardan thought that if any man deserved the occasionally bestowed t.i.tle of "saint" the temples used for their heroes and martyrs, then it was Rogen.

More conversation pa.s.sed between Pug and Gamina, all silent. Finally Pug said, "Speak so we might all hear. All these men are your friends, child, and they will need to hear your story to stop Rogen and others from being hurt again."

Gamina nodded. I was with Rogen I was with Rogen.

"What do you mean?" asked Pug.

When he used his second sight, I went with him.

"How were you able?" said Kulgan.

Sometimes when someone thinks things, or sees things, I can see or hear what they do. It's hard when they aren't thinking at me. I can do it best with Rogen. I could see what he saw, in my mind.

Kulgan pushed the child slightly away so he might better look at her. "Do you mean to say you can see Rogen's visions?" The girl nodded. "What about dreams?"

Sometimes.

Kulgan hugged her tightly. "Oh, what a fine child you are! Two miracles in one day! Thank you, wonderful child!"

Gamina smiled, the first happy expression any of them had seen. Pug threw him a questioning look, and Kulgan said, "Your son can speak to animals." Pugs jaw dropped, and the stout magician continued, "But that is not important for the moment. Gamina, what did Rogen see that hurt him so badly?"

Gamina began to tremble and Kulgan held her closely. It was had. He saw a city burning and people being hurt by bad creatures. It was had. He saw a city burning and people being hurt by bad creatures.

Pug said, "Do you know the city? Is it some place you and Rogen have seen?"

Gamina shook her head, her big eyes seemingly as round as saucers. No. It was just a city No. It was just a city.

"What else?" asked Pug gently.

The girl shivered. He saw something . . . a man? He saw something . . . a man? There was a strong feeling of confusion, as if she was dealing with concepts she could not fully comprehend. There was a strong feeling of confusion, as if she was dealing with concepts she could not fully comprehend. The man? saw Rogen. The man? saw Rogen.

Dominic said softly, "How could something in a seeing sense the seer? A vision is a prophetic look at what might happen. What sort of thing could sense a magic witness across the barriers of time and probability?"

Pug nodded. "Gamina, what did this 'man' do to Rogen?"

It? He? reached out and hurt him. He? said some words.

Katala entered the room, and the child looked up at her expectantly. Katala said, "He's fallen into a deep, normal sleep. I think he will recover now." She came up behind the chair Kulgan sat in and leaned on the back; she reached down and cupped Gamina's chin. "You should be getting to bed, child."

Pug said, "A little longer." Katala sensed her husband was concerned with something vital and nodded agreement. He said, "Just before he fainted, Rogen used a word. It is important for me to know where he heard that word. I think he heard the thing, the bad man, in the vision use the word. I need to know what Rogen heard the bad man say. Can you remember the words, Gamina?"

She laid her head down on Kulgan's chest and nodded only slightly, obviously afraid to remember them. Pug spoke in rea.s.suring tones. "Would you tell them to us?"

No. But I can show you.

"How?" asked Pug.

I can show you what Rogen saw, she answered. I just can.

"All of us?" asked Kulgan. She nodded. The tiny girl sat up in Kulgan's lap and took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. Then she closed her eyes and took them all into a dark place.

Black clouds raced overhead, angry on the bitter wind. Storms threatened the city. Ma.s.sive gates lay shattered, for engines of war had worked their destruction on wood and iron. Everywhere fires burned out of control as a city died. Creatures and men savaged those found hiding in cellars and attics, and blood pooled in the gutters of the streets. In the central market a mound of bodies had been piled nearly twenty feet high. Atop the corpses rested a platform of dark wood, upon which a throne had been placed. A moredhel of striking appearance sat on the throne, surveying the chaos his servants had visited upon the city. At his side stood a figure draped all in black robes, deep hood and large sleeves hiding every physical clue as to what manner of creature it was.

But the attention of Pug and the others was drawn to something beyond the pair, a presence of darkness, some strange unseen thing that could be felt. Lurking in the background, it was the true source of power behind the two upon the platform. The black-robed creature pointed at something, and a green-scaled hand could be seen. Somehow, the presence behind the two made contact, made itself known to the onlookers. It knew it was being observed, and its response was one of anger and disdain. It reached out with alien powers and spoke, carrying to those in the room a message of grey despair.

All in the room shook themselves from the girl's vision. Dominic, Kulgan, Gardan, and Meecham appeared disturbed, chilled by the menace in what the girl had showed them, though it could only be a shadow of the firsthand experience.

But Kasumi, Katala, and Pug were rocked. When the child had finished, tears streaked down Katala's face and Kasumi had lost his usual Tsurani mask, his face ashen and drawn. Pug appeared hardest hit of all as he sat back heavily on the floor. He lowered his head, withdrawing inside himself for a moment.

Kulgan looked about in alarm. Gamina seemed more distressed by the reaction than by recalling the image. Katala sensed the child's distress and picked her up from Kulgan's lap, hugging her closely. Dominic said, "What is it?"

Pug looked up and, more than anything, appeared suddenly fatigued, as if the weight of two worlds once again was his to bear. Finally he spoke, slowly. "When Rogen was at last freed of the pain, the last words he spoke were "the Darkness, the Darkness." That is what he saw behind those two figures. The Darkness Rogen saw spoke these words: Intruder, whoever you are, wherever you are, know my power is coming. My servant prepares the way. Tremble, for I come. As was in the past, so shall be in the future, now and forever. Taste my power." He, it, must have somehow reached out and touched Rogen then, causing the terror, the pain."

Kulgan said, "How can this be?"

Softly, hoa.r.s.ely, Pug spoke. "I do not know, old friend. But now a new dimension is added to the mystery of who seeks Arutha's death and what lies behind all the black arts being thrown at him and his allies."

Pug buried his face in his hands a moment, then looked around the room. Gamina clung to Katala, and all eyes were upon Pug.

Dominic said, "But there is something else." He looked at Kasumi and Katala. "What is that tongue? I heard it as well as you, as I heard Rogen's foreign words, but know it not at all."

It was Kasumi who said, "The words were . . . ancient, a language used in the temples. I could only understand a little. But the words were Tsurani."

FOURTEEN - Elvandar

The forest was silent.

Large branches ancient beyond memory, arched high overhead, blocking out most of the day's sunlight, the surrounding environment revealed a soft green glow devoid of direct shadows and full of deep recesses of dimly perceived paths, winding away.

They had been in the elven forests for over two hours, since midmorning, and as yet had seen no sign of an elf. Martin had thought they would be intercepted shortly after crossing the river Crydee.

Baru spurred his horse forward and pulled even with Martin and Arutha. "I think we are being watched," said the Hadati.

Martin said, "For some minutes now. I only caught a glimpse a while ago."

"If the elves are watching, why don't they come forward?" asked Jimmy.

Martin said, "It may not be elves who watch us. We will not be completely free from care until we are within the bounds of Elvandar. Keep alert."

For several minutes they rode, then even the chirping birds ceased their noise. The forest seemed to be holding its breath. Martin and Arutha pushed their mounts through narrow paths, barely wide enough for a man afoot. Suddenly the silence was broken by a raucous hooting, punctuated by shrieks. A stone came hurling past Baru's head and a storm of rocks, twigs, and sticks followed. Dozens of small hairy figures jumped from behind trees and brush, howling furiously while pelting the riders with missiles.

Arutha charged forward, fighting to keep his mount under control, as did the others. He steered through the trees while ducking under branches. As he moved toward four or five child-sized creatures, they shrieked in terror and leaped away in different directions. Arutha singled out one and rode up behind it. The creature found itself blocked by a deadfall, a jumbled ma.s.s of fallen trees, heavy brush, and a large rock. It turned to face the Prince.

Arutha had his sword drawn and reined in, ready to strike. Then all anger flowed out of him at the sight before him. The creature made no effort to attack, but instead backed as far as possible into the tangle, an expression of pure terror on its face.

It was a very manlike face, with large, soft brown eyes. A short but human nose was set above a wide mouth. The creature's lips were drawn back in a mock snarl, showing an impressive arrangement of teeth, but the eyes were wide with fear and large tears flowed down its hairy cheeks. Otherwise it looked like a small ape or large monkey.

A loud racket erupted around Arutha and the creature as more of the small man-things surrounded them. They howled fiercely, pounding on the ground with savage fury, but Arutha saw it was all show; there was no real threat in their actions. Several feigned attacks, but ran shrieking in terror if Arutha turned to face them.

The others came riding up behind, and the little creature Arutha had trapped cried piteously. Baru pulled up alongside the Prince and said, "As soon as you charged, these others fled after you."

The riders could see that the gathered creatures were abandoning their mock fury and their expressions were now concerned. They chattered to one another in what sounded like words.

Arutha put away his sword. "We will not hurt you."

As if they understood, the creatures quieted. The one who was trapped watched guardedly.

Jimmy said, "What are they?"

Martin said, "I don't know. Man and boy I've hunted these woods and I've never seen their like."

"They are gwali, Martin Longbow."

The riders turned in their saddles and were greeted by the sight of a company of five elves. One of the creatures raced to stand before the elves. He pointed an indicating finger toward the riders. In a singsong voice he said, "Calin, mans come. Hurt Ralala. Make stop hurt her."

Martin left his horse. "Well met, Calin!" He and the elf embraced, and the other elves greeted him in turn. Then Martin led them to where his companions waited and said, "Calin, you remember my brother."

"Greetings, Prince of Krondor."

"Greetings, Elf Prince." He cast a sidelong glance at the surrounding gwali. "You save us from being overwhelmed."

Calin smiled. "I doubt it. You look a capable company." He came up to Arutha. "It has been a while since we last spoke. What brings you to our forests, Arutha, and with so strange an entourage? Where are your guardsmen and banners?"

"That is a long tale, Calin, and one I wish to share with your mother and Tomas."

Calin agreed. To an elf patience was a way of life.

With the tension broken, the gwali cornered by Arutha broke and ran to join the others of her kind, who stood around watching. Several examined her, grooming her hairy hide, patting her rea.s.suringly after her ordeal. Satisfied she was unharmed, they quieted down and watched the elves and humans. Martin said, "Calin, what are these creatures?"

Calin laughed, his pale blue eyes crinkling at the corners. He stood as tall as Arutha but was even more slender than the rangy Prince. "As I have said, they are called gwali. This rascal is named Apalla." He patted the head of the one who had spoken to him. "He is something of a leader among them, though I doubt they really entertain the concept. It may be he is simply more talkative than the others." Looking at the rest of Arutha's company, he said, "Who are these with you?"

Arutha made introductions and Calin said, "You are welcome to Elvandar."

"What is a gwali?" asked Roald.

Calin said, "These are, and that is the best answer I can give. They have lived with us before, though this is their first visit in a generation. They are simple folk, without guile. They are shy and tend to avoid strangers. When afraid, they will run unless they are cornered, then they will feign attack. But don't be misled by those ample teeth; they re for tough nuts and insect carapaces." He turned his attention to Apalla. "Why did you try to scare these men?"

The gwali jumped up and down excitedly. "Powula make little gwali." He grinned. "She don't move. We afraid mans hurt Powula and little gwali."

"They are protective of their young," said Calin in understanding. "Had you actually tried to hurt Powula and the baby, they would have risked attacking you. Had there been no birthing, you never would have seen them." He said to Apalla, "It is all right. These men are friends. They will not hurt Powula or her baby."

Hearing this, the other gwali came pouring out from the protecting trees and began examining the strangers with open curiosity. They tugged at the riders' clothing, which was quite different from the green tunics and brown trousers the elves wore. Arutha suffered the examination for only a minute, then said, "We should get to your mother's court soon, Calin. If your friends are finished?"

"Please," said Jimmy, his nose wrinkling as he pushed away a gwali who hung from a branch next to him. "Don't they ever bathe?"

"Unfortunately, no," answered Calin. He said to the gwali, "That's enough, we must go." The gwali accepted the instruction with good grace and quickly vanished among the trees, except Apalla, who seemed more a.s.sertive than the rest. "They will continue that sort of thing all day if you allow them to, but they don't mind when you shoo them off. Come." He told Apalla, "We go to Elvandar. Tend to Powula. Come when you will."

The gwali grinned and nodded vigorously, then scampered off after his brethren. In a moment there was no hint that a gwali existed within miles.

Calin waited until Martin and Arutha had remounted. "We are only a half days travel to Elvandar." He and the other elves began their run through the forest. Except for Martin, the riders were surprised at the pace the elves set. It was not taxing for the mounts, but for a human runner to keep it up for a half day would be close to impossible.

After a short while Arutha drew even with Calin, who loped along at an easy pace. "Where did those creatures come from?"

Calin shouted, "No one knows, Arutha. They're a comic lot. They come from some place to the north, perhaps beyond the great mountains. They will show up, stay a season or two, then vanish. We sometimes call them the little wood ghosts. Even our trackers can't follow them after they depart. It's been nearly fifty years since their last visit, and two hundred since the one before that." Calin breathed easily as he ran in long, fluid strides.

"How fares Tomas?" asked Martin.

'The Prince Consort fares well."

"What of the child?"

"He is well. He is a fit, handsome child, though he may prove somewhat different. His heritage is . . . unique."

"And the Queen?"

"Motherhood agrees with her," answered her elder son with a smile.

They fell into silence, for Arutha found it difficult to continue the conversation while negotiating the trees, even if Calin did not. Swiftly through the forest they traveled, each pa.s.sing minute bringing them closer to Elvandar and hopes fulfilled . . . or hopes dashed.

The journey was soon completed. One moment they were traveling through heavy forest, then they entered a large clearing. This was the first glimpse any of them, save Martin, had had of Elvandar.

Giant trees of many colors rose high above the surrounding forest. In the afternoon light the topmost leaves seemed ablaze with color where golden sunlight struck them. Even from this distance, figures could be seen along the high paths spanning the gaps between boles. Several of the giant trees were unique to this place, their leaves a dazzling silver, gold, or even white. As the day's shadows deepened, they could be seen to have a faint glow of their own. It was never truly dark in Elvandar.

As they crossed the clearing, Arutha could hear die astonished comments of his companions.