Tayan turned his gaze out the window. Looking back at her, he asked, "Amber, how did I get here? We must have traveled close to three hundred miles. No one stays unconscious that long."

"Iave been traveling a few days. Zit got me to Capetown. Once there, I got this coach to take us to Paladnia. I didn't take you out until today, when I was sure no one would be looking for you."

"Take me out?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

With a grin, she picked up the bag and shook it. "You were in here. We did it to keep anyone from knowing you were with me. Sending Odif to Elsanor would have been pointless if you were seen leaving Newburg."

His eyes went to the bag, fixing on it with hatred. The muscles in his jaw tightened. "Who put me in that?"

"It was the only way to get you away unseen," Amber repeated, giving him a puzzled look.

He shifted his glare to her. "Who?"

She drew herself up, braced for his anger. "Odif did, with my help.a She waited for him to yell, carry on or snatch the bag up and throw it out. The only thing he did was turn his head stiffly to stare out the window.

"It was the only way to get you out unseen," she sald for the third time.

He ignored her.

"This coach line will take us all the way to Zayton. It's a new company and the fare includes our rooms at night," she went on, trying to get a response.

"Do you know the Duke of Paladnia?" she asked a little louder.

"His name is Sir Stazor," he replied without looking at her.

"He is a knight? I didn't think knights ruled."

He finally glanced at her. "Paladnia means 'pure city' in the old tongue. Years ago it was a town full of slavers, cutthroats and thieves. We went in and cleaned it up, Stazor stayed with his knights and the people put him in charge. He prefers to be called a governor rather than a duke."

"Why is that?"

"As I understand it, he does not want to be known as royalty."

"Really? How long have you known him?"

Tayan kept looking out the window at scenery he had no interest in. "You are just making conversation."

Amber had to force her smile to stay in place. "I've been riding with no company for four days. It would be nice to talk."

"Let's talk about coaches heading west--I'm going back."

Her eyes went wide. "You can't do that!"

Glancing at her, he said, "I am going back. I didn't ask to be kidnapped, soZodiac will just have to find someone else to run his errands."

Amber's jaw tightened and her fingers curled around the edge of her seat. "Tayan, you are the only one who can gather support for him."

"You can do it. As you get to each city, just tell them you're there for Lord Zodiac. At the very least, you'll be seen by the nobles and rulers," he said in a flat tone.

It might have been the defeats they had suffered, her irritation from riding alone for the last three days or just being tired of his foul moods. Whatever the reason, shead had enough. She stomped down on his foot hard.

Letting out a startled yelp, he gaped at her. She scowled and pointed a stern finger at him.

"Stop it now! You know very well that Zodiac is counting on you! You are the only one who knows every head of state from Elrad to the Twin Kingdoms!" she yelled. "Tayan, I am sorry your wife died, I am sorry you got stuffed in this bag, I am sorry we killed innocent elven farmers, I am sorry you got accused of something you didn't do! What is done is done--we cannot change the past. What we can do...is do what is right! Quit feeling sorry for yourself and be the hero you are. Although I'm jealous as...anything of Odif, she was absolutely righta"a Just as suddenly as she had torn into him, she clapped her mouth shut, realizing she was saying more than she wanted to. Flopping back in her seat, she bit her lip and turned her face away from him.

aWhy are you jealous of Odif?" he asked quietly.

She tried to blink back a tear, but it fell from her eye to run down and wet one of the small depressions in her cheek. She slapped at it, only smearing it into another small pit. It took all her will to not jump from the coach and run away. Why should she be jealous of Odif just because the druid was so pretty and self-assured? So what if it had been Odif who made Tayan face his grief then held him as he cried on her shoulder. Why should she be jealous of someone who knew how to handle any situation? Even though Odif was much too brazen, Amber could not help wishing that at least one man would look at her like they did at Odif. When Odif arrived in a place, men craned their heads and put on big smiles as they gathered around her. When she arrived anywhere she was lucky if they didn't turn away and snicker as they poked at their cheeks.

She had tried to believe that the pits in her face were to teach her humility. As time went on, it was getting harder and harder not to believe she was being punished.

Sliding onto the seat beside her, Tayan got into her line of vision. Gazing at her softly, he asked again, "Why are you jealous of Odif?"

She tried to turn away from him. As she did, he grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her back. She slapped his hands away and managed to keep from crying as she snapped, "Don't you have something to be angry about?a Try as she might, she couldn't stop her lip from quivering.

Clasping her hand, he told her, "Odif has been around a few years longer than you. Twenty years from now, I'm sure you'll be the one commanding attention."

Amber suppressed a snort. The only place she would command attention was in a town of blind people. Maybe some day she might command respect like Mother Frieda did, but she would never turn heads. As a priestess of Leighna, that shouldn't matter to her, but it did. Desperate to turn the conversation away from herself, she asked, "Are you going to help Zodiac or not?"

Tayan cracked a grin. "Like you said, I'm the only one who can do it. I know Sir Stazor will be no problem--his people live to fight evil. What might be a problem is King Gunther. The last time he and Alderlan were together it didn't end very well."

Scrubbing her palm over her cheek to wipe away the tear stuck there, she asked, "Nothing too bad, I hope."

Tayan shrugged. "Bad enough. From the start of the conference the atmosphere was heavy with tension. You could almost smell the bad feelings in the air. The best thing I can say about it is that no one drew swords."

"That doesn't sound very encouraging," she agreed. Lacing her fingers through his, she said, "I'm sure you'll find a way."

"We will find a way," he corrected. "Zodiac didn't want you to come just to keep me company. Both Duke Jordan and King Gunther are loyal worshipers. As a holy figure, you will force them to think seriously about it."

"Me?" she asked, genuinely surprised. "I've never been to a royal court!"

"First time for everything," he told her. "You can practice on Governor Stazor."

Amber shifted nervously in her seat. She was a commoner and knew nothing about how to deal with important people. Sure, she had been accepted by Lord Zodiac into the Company, and sitting next to her was one of the most influential men who ever lived. It was different with Tayan, though. He was more like a regular person. Except when he was forced to in Newburg, he never let on how important he was. It had never occurred to her that she might be one day be standing in front of dukes and kings by his side.

Seeing the concern in her face, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Stick close to me--you'll do fine."

She refrained from telling him sticking close was exactly what she had planned on doing. "So, tell me about Governor Stazor."

Tayan told her about the city of Paladnia, and how Stazor turned it into a safe place for its citizens to live. Whether it was the company after riding alone for days or the sound of his voice, Amber began to feel better. As he went on, their eyes never wavered from each other. The coach slowing to a stop didn't get their attention, nor did the conversations outside the coach until another voice entered their world.

"Excuse me for a moment?"

They both looked to see a young human knight holding the door to the coach open. His armor was so finely polished it had a mirror-like quality to it. His helmet was in the crook of his arm as he waited for them to notice him. Beyond him was a guardhouse of perfectly cut blocks of stone.

"I am Tayan Montara of Elrad, this is Sister Amber Tanner of Capetown."

The knight bowed deeply to Amber. "Welcome to Paladnia, Sister.a Looking at Tayan, he hesitated briefly then bowed. "Lord Tayan, it is a pleasure to meet you. The Governor speaks very highly of you. I am Sir Tartan--I will send a rider to inform Governor Stazor of your arrival."

"Send word I would like to see him as soon as possible."

"Yes, M'lord," Tartan said. Shutting the door, he waved to the driver then called out, "Marlen, ride to the palace. Inform the Governor that Lord Tayan Montara wishes to see him immediately."

The coach started up again, and Amber gazed out at the city. Paladnia had to be the cleanest metropolis she had ever seen. The buildings were colorful; both wood and stone were painted in bright colors. Whether they were passing houses or shops, nearly every window sported long planters full of flowers. There was no trash along the walks or alleys, and not one of the waste barrels located near each building was filled to overflowing. She also noticed there were no ragged people or beggars. Everything she saw indicated a perfect community. Even the air was much cleaner than other cities she had been in.

Shortly, the coach pulled up to the palace gates. The walls and guardhouse were bright white. Amber had to squint as another knight in polished armor came up to the coach and opened the door.

Stepping out, they were ushered through the courtyard by a pair of knights. They walked past a white fountain to see a priest with a ring of gray hair on the palace steps in front of the door.

One knight halted them. "Please wait here for a moment.a They stopped, and the priest held his holy symbol, the Cup of Odin, to his heart as he stared at them.

"It is nothing to be concerned about, we are required to do this with all our visitors," the knight told Amber.

By his action, Amber knew the priest was looking for an evil presence. It was insulting--she restrained the urge to do the same to him. "I suppose your priest would ask Odin himself to stand for such a test."

The knight grinned as he leaned closer to her. "He might."

That made her chuckle. The priest turned and went back inside without a word and came back out with two more knights. The tall blond one wearing chain mail over his clothes waved to them as the newcomers strode up to stand a few paces away.

"Greetings, Tayan!a Bowing to Amber, he said, "And to you, Sister."

"My name is Amber," she said, eyeing the priest, who was still watching Tayan. "Is there a problem?"

Sensing she was talking to him, the priest looked at her. "Sister, move away from Lord Tayan."

"Why?"

The priest started to say something else, and Stazor held his hand up. "Father Ross, do you detect something?"

"Yes," he said, furrowing his aged brow. "I don't understand it. Neither Sister Amber nor Lord Tayan has evil intent, but I feel Lord Tayan has protection from evil."

Frowning at him, Amber asked, "Isn't that good, to be protected from evil?"

Stazor also turned to the priest. There was a bit of stress in his voice as he said, "Please explain."

"Governor, Sister, when I say he has protection from evil, I mean that evil is doing the protecting. There is a presence around him that is blacker than anything I have ever sensed."

Tayan glanced nervously at them. "What is it?"

Ross shook his head. "I do not know. All I know is that it is strong."

"Are you sure?" Stazor asked, looking quite puzzled.

"What is around him is very powerful--it is like he is being protected straight from the pit by the devil himself," Father Ross stated.

"Ridiculous!" Amber spat. "Tayan is not evil! He has had a rough time and feels guilt, that must be what you have sensed."

The priest eyed her sternly. "Step back and see for yourself, Sister."

Flustered, Amber did so. "Fine! I'll show you.a Pressing the talisman of her Goddessto her chest, she concentrated hard on Tayan. As she did, she saw what she expected to see. A light glow was around him, the presence of goodness. She thought then that a cloud was passing overhead, for beyond the light around Tayan it suddenly grew dark. Shifting her gaze off him for an instant, she saw the day was as sunny as it had been. Glancing at the sky, she saw no clouds. When she looked at Tayan, the darkness was still there. It did not touch him, but surrounded him just beyond the light.

Her mouth hung open; the talisman dropped from her hand to bounce at the end of its chain. f "It can't be," she whimpered. "It's all around him!"

"Yes, a powerful evil force is watching him. If someone were to attack him, it would manifest itself," Father Ross explained. "I feel this strongly."

Tayan shifted nervously in place. "Maybe I should go. Amber can tell you what I came to discuss."

"Wait," Stazor said quickly. "We know your heart is good. If you are being plagued by evil, we must help you be free of it.a Turning to one of their escort knights, he said, "Show Sister Amber to the sanctuary. I will be along shortly."

The knight beside Amber hooked his arm for her to hold. She didnat want to leave now--this was serious. Looking pleadingly at Tayan she said, aI should stay with you.a He gave her one of his gentle smiles. aGo with them, Sister, Iall be fine.a She wanted to plant her feet and stay put. Still, she hooked her arm under the knightas and let him lead her away. The darkness that surrounded Tayan filled her mind. How were they going to defeat it?

Stazor walked with Tayan toward the large guest building. Glancing around, he waited until they were out of earshot of the others before he asked, "What brings you, my friend?"

Tayan took a deep breath. "There is trouble in Newburg. Zodiac has told me he is going after the source of evil, but he didn't tell me where it is. At the moment, there is an army led by black knights surrounding Newburg, and in the town the elves and druids are ready to draw swords against each other."

"It sounds grim," Stazor observed. "What can we do?"

"When Zodiac is ready, he wants as many men as we can gather to attack. I do not yet know when that will be."

Stazor considered that for a moment. "He is being cautious. I understand why he has sent you to gather arms. What I do not understand is why evil is protecting you. I would think it would try to destroy you, to keep you from your mission."

"So would I." Tayan shrugged. As they came to the double doorway of the guest quarters, he mused, "Maybe it can't stop me. If it knew I was coming here, it might be trying to discredit me."

"That is a possibility," Stazor agreed. "There also is the chance that it wants you to finish your mission so it knows who its enemies are. There are many who only pay lip service to the gods. They are satisfied to sit in church and worship, but when it comes down to eliminating evil, they let others act."

Tayan could have made many remarks about that statement. Most people didn't want to become involved unless it was their home in danger. They didn't go looking for trouble or to get killed.

"I take it you'll help?" he asked.

"I can spare two companies at the moment. If there is time to prepare, I will have more. Lord Zodiac didn't say where or when, correct?a Tayan shook his head, so he continued. "Then I will start preparing today. Who else are you to visit?"

"Duke Jordan and the elf nobles in Tolina then King Gunther in Zayton, of course.a Pausing a second, he added, "Possibly Krundle afterwards. I heard rumors of a fighting machine one of their generals is working on."

With a chuckle, Stazor said, "Oh, yes! General Cooper's infamous steel wagons.a Waving a hand to dismiss the subject, he said, "Last I heard he had managed to seriously burn his best smiths. I wouldn't look to him--he might get you killed trying to help you."

Tayan couldn't help but grin. "What are these wagons?"

Smiling broadly as if telling a joke, Stazor said, "He has this crazy idea that boiling water can drive wagons instead of horses. As I understand it, he spent much of his duke's gold to build two wagons made of steel that didn't have a hitch. He tried to make them go with their own power, and both of them blew up. Three of his men died from scalding. Believe me, Tayan, you don't want any part of him."

Although Stazor made it sound impossible, Tayan had to wonder about the idea. Without horses that could be wounded or killed, an armored wagon could be turned into a mobile fortress. If this Cooper managed to get them working, they would be a formidable weapon.

Getting back to his problem, he asked, "Is there something you can do to find out what is watching me?"

Clapping a hand on his shoulder, Stazor told him, "We will do what we can. The good news is that you are in no danger for the time being."

A servant came out, dressed in a gold jacket over his white uniform. Flagging him down, Stazor told him, "Jubar, this is Lord Tayan Montara. Show him to one of the guestrooms, please."