The Warrior's Tale Part 39

Not long ago - before Amalric tamed them - the Evocators would've put us to death - most horribly. They'd once falsely accused my brother, Halab, of heresy and slew him; so the Anteros have more reason than most to be wary. But the new breed of Evocators who reign must abide by the same laws as the rest of us. What could they do to the hero of Lycanth, the killer of Archons, besides publicly humiliate her? At least that's what I wanted to think. So my answer to Polillo was a shrug - who knows? Still, the dutiful reasoning of a good Orissan citizen nearly prevailed. What I ought to do, I thought, is to confront the Magistrates and and the Evocators tomorrow. I could show them proof things were not as they believed. There was the blood of Ismet and the other murdered Guardswomen for evidence. Some of us had even witnessed the demons who'd killed them. Yes, I thought, this is a fool's errand I'm on. the Evocators tomorrow. I could show them proof things were not as they believed. There was the blood of Ismet and the other murdered Guardswomen for evidence. Some of us had even witnessed the demons who'd killed them. Yes, I thought, this is a fool's errand I'm on.

It was then I saw the panther. She was crouched by the main gate, peering through the bars. She turned her head and looked at me, eyes glowing in a beam of moonlight that had escaped the shadows. I felt a tug, as if she were beckoning. Then she turned back, rose to her feet, and ghosted through the bars to disappear on the other side. From Polillo's lack of reaction, I knew she hadn't seen the big cat. I signalled to her and we slithered across the grounds to the gate. We knelt by it, checking for a guard, but once again we saw no one about. Then I spotted something clinging to one of the bars. Looking closer, I saw it was a tuft of black fur. It had the powerful odour of cat. I plucked it off and nearly tossed it away. But some instinct intervened and I put it in my pocket instead. Then I motioned to Polillo - it was time.

She boosted me to the top of the gate. As I balanced there, she leaped, grabbed the topmost crossbar and swung over to drop on the other side. Marvel at my friend's great strength steeled my confidence; I jumped and she caught me in her arms and set me sofdy down. I grinned at her - just like old times! She buried a laugh, thumped me on the back and together we slipped down the path to the palace.

Off to the side I saw the panther again. She was waiting beneath the arch of a small doorway partly hidden by the thick-columned trunk of a poplar. When I turned towards her she vanished inside. Polillo was as surprised as I was when we came to the arch and found it was nothing more than an empty frame. It was as if the carpenter had built the frame, then became so busy with other things he forgot to mount the door. We waited for a long time to make sure there was no one lurking for us inside. I probed forward with my senses, but found nothing magical to impede us. Polillo unlimbered her axe and I drew my sword. I nodded to her and we entered. As we went inside I had a mad thought - if they do catch us, we can always feign drunkenness. No one ever doubts a soldier when she says liquor made her do it.

We entered a long, dark corridor. Its walls were smooth and blank, made of some kind of black metal. As we cautiously made our way down it and saw the lack of doors or openings on either side, our tension grew, realizing there was no escape but the way we'd come.

The corridor emerged into an immense chamber, lit only by cold moonlight spilling in through the high windows. As one part of me sniffed for danger, another wondered how the roorn could be so dark, if from outside we'd seen light pouring through the windows. Then my head was spinning faster as I saw the chamber was entirely empty -not one bench, not one bit of decoration, not even a fireplace to stave off a winter's chill. The only other egress besides the one we stood in was far across the chamber. It gaped like a single dead eye. We slunk towards it, hugging the dark, metallic walls. As we pa.s.sed one of the windows, Polillo's hand suddenly gripped my shoulder hard. I stopped, bracing for an attack, or fast retreat, depending on what was the matter. She jabbed a finger at the window. I could see her eyes were wide with amazement, possibly even fear. I realized she wanted me to look outside. I couldn't - it was too high, coming just to Polillo's chin. She made a stirrup with her hands; I stepped into it and she lifted me up.

At first, I didn't know what I was looking at. Then, terror bloomed as I saw what it wasn wasn V. The view should've been of Orissa sleeping peacefully under the watchful eye of the hilltop Palace of the Evocators. Instead, I saw a drear landscape. Across a desolate courtyard were tall, black iron gates. Swooping out from the window I was looking through were high black walls that climbed on either side to frighteningly familiar turrets. I nearly gagged as I realized where we were. This was V. The view should've been of Orissa sleeping peacefully under the watchful eye of the hilltop Palace of the Evocators. Instead, I saw a drear landscape. Across a desolate courtyard were tall, black iron gates. Swooping out from the window I was looking through were high black walls that climbed on either side to frighteningly familiar turrets. I nearly gagged as I realized where we were. This was not not the Palace of the Evocators-it was a faqade, a fake. In fact, we weren't even in Orissa. Instead, we were high on a nightmare mountain - inside the Archon's black iron castle. the Palace of the Evocators-it was a faqade, a fake. In fact, we weren't even in Orissa. Instead, we were high on a nightmare mountain - inside the Archon's black iron castle.

I dropped to the floor and sagged against the wall. Polillo was staring at me, wondering what was going on. I had no answer; and even if I had, I was too stunned to speak. Then I heard talons sc.r.a.pe and I jolted up to see the demon rus.h.i.+ng at us.

Polillo and I leaped apart. He howled at being denied an easy kill. He turned towards me, pivoting his ma.s.sive toad-like body as if he carried no weight at all. Polillo came at his back, but the demon lashed behind him with one of his huge, furred feet, catching her in the chest. The blow hurled her clear across the chamber where she slammed into a wall and slumped to the floor. But her attack gave me a breath of advantage and I ducked under his taloned blow and slashed at his belly. The blade bit deep and the demon screamed in pain. He leaped back before I could follow through, slas.h.i.+ng with his claws at the same time. One talon tip caught my sword with such force that it was ripped from my grasp. He came for me as I scrabbled for my blade. But he moved slowly, blood oozing from the deep wound I'd made. Even so, I was only just scooping up my sword when he came close enough to strike. I was off-balance and there was no chance to dodge. Still, I tried - twisting awkwardly away; knowing I hadn't a hope. Before the blow struck I heard a meaty thud and without even a gasp the demon crashed to the floor. I rose to see Polillo standing over him. Her axe was buried in the beast's skull. She put her foot on his body for leverage and drew it out, then used his fur to wipe the axehead.

She touched her chest where he'd kicked her and winced: Tm going to throtde the next woman who says she's jealous of my t.i.ts,' she said. 'All they do is get in the way.'

I laughed wildly, not caring how loud it echoed in the steel chamber. Polillo laughed back and we hugged each other. Then we drew apart.

'I do do love you, Polillo,' I giggled. love you, Polillo,' I giggled.

'Bet you say that to all the demon-whacking girls,' she giggled back. The laughter faded. 'He 'He knows we're here,' I said. 'Good,' Polillo answered, hefting her axe. 'Let's go find the b.a.s.t.a.r.d and kill him.' knows we're here,' I said. 'Good,' Polillo answered, hefting her axe. 'Let's go find the b.a.s.t.a.r.d and kill him.'

We walked boldly to the other entranceway, boots echoing loudly against the steel floors. The corridor it opened into was as long and dark as the other, but we whispered fire beads to life and held them high to light the way as we advanced. The corridor twisted in wide curves that carried us downward; and the deeper we went, the heavier came the strange machine-like throbbing. Several times I thought I'd glimpsed the shadow of the big cat moving around a bend. Then my sword hand began to burn and I looked at my palm and saw the twin-headed lion scar was swollen and livid with blood. We were getting close. We turned one more corner and I saw light ahead.

I signalled a halt. In a few moments there would be no time to think. The odds on our side were laughably poor - only sword, axe and muscle against the Archon's magic. And I had no Gamelan beside me with his vast experience of tricks, and trunk of sorcerous powders and vials. In fact, I had no magical implements of any kind. Then I remembered Gamelan saying that Janos Greycloak had disdained such things. He said they only helped you focus your thoughts and energies. Well, good good for Greycloak, I thought. Good for that back-stabbing, friend-cheating son of a poxed wh.o.r.e. And as I cursed him, and cursed our foul luck, and cursed myself as well for my schoolgirl magical skills, the image of the panther popped into my head. I remembered the fur I'd put in my pocket. for Greycloak, I thought. Good for that back-stabbing, friend-cheating son of a poxed wh.o.r.e. And as I cursed him, and cursed our foul luck, and cursed myself as well for my schoolgirl magical skills, the image of the panther popped into my head. I remembered the fur I'd put in my pocket.

Polillo must've thought I'd gone insane as I grabbed it out and knelt to the floor, muttering to myself as thoughts swirled about in my brain like litter before a windstorm. Then I had it - prayed I had it - and pressed the fur against my scarred palm.

Daughter of darkness -Swift night slayer -Hunt with me, now; Hunt the two-head beast, Who waits in his lair; Hunt his black wizard master, Wherever he may flee!

My palm burned hotter, so hot I almost cried out. I opened my hand and saw the fur and the scar had vanished. But my palm still stung and I reflexively licked it to soothe the pain. In an instant, the pain was gone. I rose, my mind clearer than it's ever been. It was as if I'd drunk from a magical spring of clarity. I started towards the light again, strong and confident.

I hadn't gone half a dozen steps when sorcery smashed into me like a wave lifting out of an uneasy sea. But I held my ground against the buffeting and struck back with all my will. The wave retreated, but I knew it was coming again and in my mind I built a sea wall and this time when it roared down on me again, it burst against that wall. I laughed crazily and turned to urge Polillo to follow me, to rage with me against the Archon.

But she just stood there, her face a mask of pain. She croaked at me: 'Rali, I-' Another wave of pain gripped her, cutting off the rest. As I went to help she suddenly stiffened, rising to her full height. Now, instead of pain, hate mottled her features. She opened her mouth and the Archon's voice burst from her lips: 'Now, you shall die, Antero!'

Polillo swung her axe at me with all her incredible strength. I fell back. The axe whiskered past and clanged into the metal wall. Such was the force of her blow that it left a huge ragged hole in the steel as she dragged her axe back to swing again.

'Polillo, don't!' I screamed, although I knew it wasn't Polillo who was attacking me.

I backflipped as the axe came cras.h.i.+ng down again, this time splitting the floor. As I came up, I saw an opening as she raised that mighty weapon. Even in Polillo's hands, an axe is a clumsier weapon than a sword. And I was faster, much faster. I only had to leap inside her guard and run her through. All my training and experience screamed at me to strike. But I could not, would not kill my warrior sister. I'd rather die myself. And I almost did as she swung. I ducked under the axe and scrambled away. Polillo followed me down the corridor, cursing me in the Archon's booming voice, striking at me whenever I was in reach. The metal corridor resounded with the death-dealing music of her axe.

Another opening presented itself and this time I did jump forward, s.h.i.+fting my sword into my other hand. I hammered at her with my fist, putting all the force I could muster into the punch. But Polillo's ribs were like cabled steel and I nearly broke my wrist. She laughed, but it was the Archon's booming laughter. She lifted me by the back of my neck effortlessly, as if I had no substance at all. I struck out again, not at my friend, but at the laughter, at the Archon. I felt bone crack under my knuckles and that mouth - Polillo's lovely mouth - became a b.l.o.o.d.y maw. She spit blood and broken teeth at me. She shook me like a pig killing a snake and I was helpless against her berserk rage. Then she flung me away and I was sailing through the air, twisting, desperately fighting to land on my feet. But my sword - which I had in a death grip - got in my way and I fell heavily on my knees.

Fear drove me to my feet. I'd landed facing the light at the end of the corridor. I could hear her coming after me so I sprinted forward, running as fast I could. But rage made her faster and I knew she was almost on me. Any second and my back would be split by her axe. Then I was out of the corridor, nearly blinded by bright light. Just ahead, a rail blocked my way. I dropped to the floor and heard Polillo grunt in surprise. Then she was falling over me and I heard her slam against the rail.

My head came up and I heard her scream. This time, it wasn't Archon's voice, but Polillo's; my Polillo, screaming in fear. She plunged over the railing and I heard her shout: 'Rali!' The shout was cut off. And the only sound I could hear was a great machine, churning, churning, just beyond the rail. I groaned up, limped to it and looked down.

Polillo's body lay broken across a huge toothed gearwheel, part of a monstrous mechanism.

Suspended below her was Orissa!

It was night and I could see the full moon hanging over the city as she slept. I could see the Hall of Magistrates, and the big public square with all the statues of our heroes. There was the Great Amphitheatre, with its many rows of stone seats cascading down to the floor of the arena. Beyond were the docks and the river flowing quiedy to the sea. Then I saw the whole scene was slowly revolving and I jolted back, realizing I was looking at an immense simulacrum of the city. An image in miniature, revolving, floating over a strange machine that looked like a metal grist-wheel turned flat and driven by those huge, mes.h.i.+ng gears.

As I goggled at the strange device it dawned on me that this was the doom machine we'd feared so long. The Archon had finally gained power enough to build it, and when Gamelan had foiled him in the last battle, the Lycanthian sorcerer had transported me inside it. Everything from the Orissan s.h.i.+p that had picked us up after the battle, to the lifeless parade that had greeted us on our arrival was nothing more than an elaborate spell.

Then I noted all the imperfections in the image he'd made of Orissa. Buildings were missing, streets dead-ended where they shouldn't, and everything outside the city's walls was a blank. Well, not all. I could see the road leading to Amalric's villa, with woods and brush sketched about it. As I looked, I realized the Archon's unfamiliarity with my city had resulted in more than just physical imperfections. He'd made Jinnah a Chief Magistrate because that was the enemy he knew - the commander who fought him, however badly, at Lycanth. He also didn't know Malaren was my friend, which was why the automaton who posed as Malaren behaved so oddly. And, finally, there was the greatest oddity of all - the love of my family. He wouldn't have known how Porcemus and the others truly felt about me. Among the Anteros who live, it is Amalric alone who loves me, and I him. I flushed in shame for the weakness that let those creatures take me in. I'd wanted my family's acceptance so much, I never questioned if their display of affection was false.

Gears suddenly shrieked in protest and the machine jerked to a halt as Polillo's broken body caught in the huge teeth.

I felt a presence and looked up, s.h.i.+elding my eyes against the bright light glaring down from the vaulted iron ceiling. I was standing on a catwalk that circled the edge of the yawning pit that held the Archon's doom machine. On the other side of that pit, an open door beckoned. I moved towards it and my boot b.u.mped against something. I looked at my feet and saw Polillo's axe. I sheathed my sword and picked it up. It was heavy, but as I s.h.i.+fted my grip, my fingers curled into the grooves worn by Polillo's fist. I felt the axe lighten until it was no more a burden to me than it was to my friend.

I whispered to it: 'Avenge us, sister.' 'Avenge us, sister.'

I circled to the door and when I came to it I didn't hesitate, but strode into the room. The Archon was waiting.

He was standing by a window and I could see from the bleak view that we were in the iron castle's main turret. His eyes glowed and his lips made a rictus grin through his beard, exposing his long yellow teeth. But this time there was no laughter; there was no curse; there was no obscene mocking of my s.e.x; no pointing with a twisted finger and shouting, 'Begone!' I should've been frightened, I should've cowered before this mighty sorcerer. Instead, I let my eyes sweep past him, feeling bold, strong. The turret room was a black wizard's clutter of skulls, demon talons, bottled human parts, and small stone figurines of creatures in pain. It was hot and smelled of sewage and rotting things. There was sinuous motion beside me, but I didn't leap back with alarm. I knew what it was and I looked calmly down to find the panther crouched next to me. She hissed at the Archon.

I scratched behind her ears and looked up at our enemy. 'It's over,' I said.

Hefting the axe, I stepped forward, the panther moving with me. The Archon made a motion and the air s.h.i.+mmered in front of us; and I came up against an invisible wall. But its surface was yielding and I pushed at it with a spell of my own. It yielded more, then stiffened as the Archon intensified his magic. But I knew it was only a matter of time before it gave.

'Whose demon are you?' he rasped.

I was surprised. 'Demon? I'm no demon.'

'You are to me? me? he said. 'You are the b.i.t.c.h ferret who destroyed my kingdom. You killed my brother and you've hunted me, no matter where I fled.' he said. 'You are the b.i.t.c.h ferret who destroyed my kingdom. You killed my brother and you've hunted me, no matter where I fled.'

From his dark view, I suppose he was right. I pushed harder against the wall, felt it shudder. The panther snarled in pleasure. A little more time and I'd be through.

The Archon laughed, his confidence returning. 'I'm not done yet, Antero,' he said. 'You know you are weak against my powers. It's only a trick of your blood that gives you Talent. A seed carried forward by your mother, who turned her back on our art. There can be no greatness in such magic'

It was my turn to laugh. 'Then why do you fear me?' I said. 'How was such a poor weak thing able to foil you?'

'The only mistake I made was when I cursed you,' the Archon said. 'You were about to slay me and I thought the curse would be my only revenge. But as I died I saw another way and escaped into this world. But that d.a.m.ned curse has kept you chained to me. Kept me from winning the greatest dream any wizard could have - the power of the G.o.ds themselves.'

I sneered at him. 'You think you you could be a G.o.d?' could be a G.o.d?'

'I am one now, now, b.i.t.c.h ferret,' the Archon said. 'My battles with you have only made me stronger. I ate your misery. I drank the blood of your dead. And I consumed my slain allies, as well. You would have been wiser to turn back, Antero. You should have heeded the fear I struck in your dreams. You have made me suffer, it is true. But I've made you suffer more. I've killed all your soldiers. I've slain all your friends. I turned the last friend you shall ever have against you. And as she died, I sipped her fear; I nearly grew drunk on her betrayal.' b.i.t.c.h ferret,' the Archon said. 'My battles with you have only made me stronger. I ate your misery. I drank the blood of your dead. And I consumed my slain allies, as well. You would have been wiser to turn back, Antero. You should have heeded the fear I struck in your dreams. You have made me suffer, it is true. But I've made you suffer more. I've killed all your soldiers. I've slain all your friends. I turned the last friend you shall ever have against you. And as she died, I sipped her fear; I nearly grew drunk on her betrayal.'

'She didn't betray me, sorcerer,' 1 1 said. 'You possessed her. It was you, not Polillo, who tried to kill me.' said. 'You possessed her. It was you, not Polillo, who tried to kill me.'

The Archon's laughter mocked me. 'A hair's difference,' he said. 'Is it enough to really comfort you?'

Actually, it did. Polillo was no Greycloak, who turned on my brother. She'd been loyal to the end. I grinned at him and he could see the truth in that grin. He frowned. It hurt him, not to be of hurt to me. The panther growled as I probed the Archon's defences, but this time he fought harder, forcing us to retreat a few steps before I managed equilibrium.

The Archon took strength from this. 'I admit you have distressed me, b.i.t.c.h ferret,' he said. 'I've pondered long on what ft is about the Anteros that gives me such trouble. That some force is behind your family - especially you -1 do not question. That panther, I have no doubt, is his emissary. How else could you have succeeded so long? How else could you have lived? But know this, Rali Antero - whose mother was Emilie. Know that whoever champions you, does it for his purpose, and his purpose alone. He cannot keep you safe much longer. do not question. That panther, I have no doubt, is his emissary. How else could you have succeeded so long? How else could you have lived? But know this, Rali Antero - whose mother was Emilie. Know that whoever champions you, does it for his purpose, and his purpose alone. He cannot keep you safe much longer.

'Know that I only need to accomplish your death to mount the G.o.d's throne I have all but won. When you die, so will Orissa. The machine is set and needs only your blood to oil its works to complete its purpose. With Orissa's fall, the Far Kingdoms will be next. Soon all the known world will be mine. And with that temporal power, the worlds I have entered escaping death will fall before me as well.'

I was only half-listening to his mad babble. As he spoke I remembered Gamelan's musings, built on Greycloak's theorems. 'Magic consumes power, Rali,' Gamelan had said. 'Just as a mill-wheel needs an ox to turn it. And the ox needs grain to feed it. And the grain needs seed, which consumes the power of the sun to grow. And only the G.o.ds know what fires the sun. But even its power may not be endless. And the more that is drawn from it, the less may be its heat.'

If this was true, I thought, it'd explain why the Archon stood before me in a weaker, mortal form, instead of an almighty spectre in the sky. All his force was being used to contain the odd reality - if that was what it could be called - we stood in. From this turret room to the iron castle itself to the false Orissa that waited to be ground up by the doom machine. And the machine itself must be greedily devouring the most power of all.

I stroked the panther and she purred most fearfully. 'What happens, sorcerer,' I said, 'when my sister and I finally burst through your wall? You know it's going to happen. You know you're weakening, while we're getting stronger.'

The panther snarled and the Archon's eyes flickered. I hoped it was fear.

I raised up the axe. 'Do you dare face me in that form, sorcerer?' I said.

I swung the axe with all my strength. There was a sound like a potter's furnace exploding. The s.h.i.+mmer of the wall glowed white hot, then vanished. I stepped forward, the panther at my side.

'To kill me,' I said, 'you must destroy all else.'

I knew by the fire dying in his eyes what I'd said was true. Hate unfroze him and he reared up and the air crackled with magic. I threw the axe. It hit him square in the chest - biting through and carrying him back. He slammed against the wall. He should have been dead then. Or, I should say, dead again - for I slew him once before. But he struggled up, the axe hanging from the wound. I drew my sword to finish him off, but before I could, red smoke poured from his body. It boiled up until it filled the room to the high ceiling. And out of that smoke reared the transformed Archon.

The two-headed lion roared at me; twin jaws gnas.h.i.+ng teeth as long as spears. But the roar was answered in kind by the panther. She leaped for the beast and sunk her teeth into its forepaw. The lion heads shrieked pain and anger. The beast hurled the panther from it, but as she cat-twisted in the air, she grew in size and by the time she landed and came up again, her head was as high as mine. With a final enraged howl, the beast that was the Archon burst through the walls of the turret, spread wings and flew away.

The castle shuddered. Molten iron began to run down the walls. Then the entire edifice - castle, machine, simulacrum, and all -began to crumble around and under me. The panther screamed, jolting me out of my shock. Somehow I knew what I had to do. As the floor collapsed, I jumped for her, grabbing great fistfuls of fur. I felt her leap and we were soaring through the gaping hole the Archon had made.

Instead of falling, she soared up and up. I twisted until I was on her back, riding her through the night skies. I looked beneath me and saw the iron castle explode in flame and fury. Then I looked ahead and far away I saw the red wings of the fleeing Archon.

The panther moved faster, then faster still, until all was a blur of wind stinging my eyes. I clutched her tighter, felt myself blend with those great, rolling muscles. Then those sleek muscles were mine, and the sharp heavy claws as well. The panther's heart was my heart, and my nerves were afire with quick cat hate, and my mind hungered for the stalk and the kill. I was that panther now, and I howled in joy at all the strength and hate inside me as I pursued the Archon. I leaped from cloud to cloud, disdainful of all winged things, which must be my meat if I commanded it.

I caught him first on a mountain top. Fire and lightning flared from the mouths of the beast. But my panther reflexes let me slip easily past those threats and as I closed he fled again. I was just on his heels now; but a great black hole yawned in the sky and the beast shot through it. I followed - knowing I was leaving this world for another, but my panther's heart didn't fear, my panther's brain didn't care - and I found my panther self charging across a great field of ice.

It was translucent blue and shot with thick pink veins. My claws scythed out, gripping the ice and I scrambled across it, screaming my panther war cry at the lion beast just ahead. I didn't have to think that neither of us could take to the air in this place, I just knew it; accepted it as the law that governed creatures such as ourselves.

Then the world s.h.i.+fted again and I was in another place. A place of fire and thick smoke. I charged blindly ahead, my paws skittering and scorching on the hot path, my lungs searing in the heat. It must have been just as h.e.l.lish for the Archon, because the fiery world suddenly dissolved around me ... and I found myself in a narrow ravine.

Poisonous snakes littered the path by the hundred and they struck at me - a dozen at a time - but I bounded over them; leaping from boulder to great boulder. The ravine, whose walls soared high on either side, twisted like those snakes towards a huge rock face. Far above, sitting on that clifftop, was an emerald-domed palace with columns of gold, which gleamed in the moonlight.

The twin-headed lion was trying to scramble up the rock face to the palace; somehow I knew if he reached it, all would be lost. But the rock was rotten shale; crumbling under his powerful claws.

I screamed and my hunter's cry froze him. The beast turned to confront me. He grew larger and larger and then he transformed into the shape of the Archon again. But this Archon was twenty feet high or more and he had immense lion claws and huge yellow teeth. He howled a challenge that echoed all along the ravine. I leaped up at him; felt those claws close on me and pierce my flesh.

I slashed at him, and bit through his beard; felt his hot, soft throat beneath; and I clamped my strong jaws shut. The blood I l.u.s.ted for pulsed out. The claws fell away. The Archon collapsed; I didn't loosen my death grip, but only shook and shook until the blood ceased to flow and his heart was still.

I let loose, and lifted up my head. I was standing on the Archon's corpse. I saw a small, dark wisp rise from his chest and knew it was what was left of his soul. I slapped it down with my paw like a mouse and crushed it. The Archon was no more.

My scream of victory resounded from the very moon.

Then Archon, palace, ravine and moon vanished and I was no longer a panther, but only Rali, an all-too-mortal woman and soldier.

I was lying on a deck of a s.h.i.+p, bleeding from many wounds. It was my my s.h.i.+p. And the corpses of my Guardswomen were piled around. Just to one side was Gamelan's body. Next to him was Polillo's. I struggled up and looked out across the rolling seas. s.h.i.+p. And the corpses of my Guardswomen were piled around. Just to one side was Gamelan's body. Next to him was Polillo's. I struggled up and looked out across the rolling seas.

I knew I'd never left that deck - except as a spirit. We'd fought a battle here. And continued the fight in the ethers; where it was finally won. I knelt down on one knee and prayed thanks to Maranonia for gifting her daughters with n.o.ble deaths.

I looked at my palm. The lion scar was gone forever.

Then I wept. I wept for Polillo, I wept for Gamelan and Corais and Ismet and all the others. I also wept for me. I still lived and I knew the guilt of being among the living would not be easy to bear.

Twenty-Six.

The Cry of the Gull I.

DON'T REMEMBER much about what happened next. It was a long, hard journey home. I think I hungered. I may have suffered from cold and heat I couldn't say. Somehow I jury-rigged a sail and went on, still to the east, still towards our home. Somehow I must have lashed the tiller. Somehow the winds were kind, and didn't rip the sail from the mast. Somehow the seas held their hands. Perhaps the G.o.ds saw an end to their jest, and realized there was no more of me to make sport of. much about what happened next. It was a long, hard journey home. I think I hungered. I may have suffered from cold and heat I couldn't say. Somehow I jury-rigged a sail and went on, still to the east, still towards our home. Somehow I must have lashed the tiller. Somehow the winds were kind, and didn't rip the sail from the mast. Somehow the seas held their hands. Perhaps the G.o.ds saw an end to their jest, and realized there was no more of me to make sport of.

Finally one day I saw a s.h.i.+p and it was an Orissan s.h.i.+p - a merchantman from Amalric's fleet. This time it was no trick and the captain who greeted me appeared in awe when he learned who I was and what I had done.

Once home, I got a hero's welcome, as you well know. And it was honest and warm and I was filled to overflowing with joy. The people of Orissa mobbed me and carried me through the streets to the Great Amphitheatre where my praises were sung, and honours heaped on me; and afterwards the wine flowed freely in all the homes and taverns in a proper Orissan celebration.

Amalric welcomed me with a hug I thought would crush my ribs. Omyere kissed me and we both cried for being so happy. Porcemus and my brothers were delightfully cold and distant. I treasured the constancy of their dislike almost as much as I valued Amalric's love.

I was even more delighted to learn Jinnah had never enjoyed any of the honours the Archon envisioned in his false Orissa. When he'd returned from Lycanth, he'd been d.a.m.ned by the Magistrates and Evocators for his misdeeds in the siege, and for sending me after the Archon's fleet with such a puny, rag-tag force. He'd been stripped of all rank - condemned even by his family - and banished from the city and all its provinces. When last heard of he'd been kidnapped by slavers and was pulling an oar on a leaky barge that plies the pirate-infested waters offjeypur.

While I was gone a vigil was kept for the whole two years, and many were the prayers and sacrifices for our safe and victorious return. Before I came home a great earthquake shook Orissa, with its centre seemingly the hill on which the Palace of the Evocators stood. Fortunately, damage and loss of life were slight. The Evocators have traced that great quake to the time when I fought the Archon in the ethers as a panther.

As for that holy beast itself, I've never seen her again - except in troubled dreams.

My love life could be full, if I wanted. Many women have sought to share my days and nights. As the Princess Xia predicted, Tries came running to me as soon as I got back. She hadn't married, of course, but swore she'd kept her love alive all that time. She said it was all a silly misunderstanding and sometimes I think I might even agree. But other times - well, let's just say I've chosen to remain unattached and chaste for a time.

You ask what will I do next? What does it matter? The book is done, the tale is told and that should be the end of it.

Oh, very well, Scribe. I'll tell you as best I can.

A week ago, Amalric invited me to his villa. We had a lovely time, sipping wine and gossiping while Omyere entertained us on her lyre. The garden was its old, comfortable ramble of overgrown paths slipping by sweet-smelling flowers and fruiting trees. My brother and I strolled through it, taking the wine with us, and found a comfortable seat next to the fountain near my mother's simple stone shrine.

Amalric asked me the same question you just posed - what was I going to do next?

I laughed. 'I thought you just wanted me for my company, Brother dear,' I said. 'But now I see you've joined the throng hounding me. No one ever gives a soldier peace when she returns home. She must get busy right away, carve out a life for herself. Te-Date forbid, she might become an idler.' I raised my goblet. 'Right now, all I want is more of this. With a little sun and song as well. What's wrong with that?'

Amalric took my hint and refilled the goblet. Then he said: 'They're re-forming the Maranon Guard, you know.' I sighed. 'So that's it! Listen - the Magistrates have already been i i .1.

beseeching me to command the new guard. And I've rejected them as politely as possible.'

Amalric blessed me with that boyish grin of his. 'So they've told me,' he said. 'And they asked me to apply a little pressure to get you to change your mind.'

I shook my head. 'Tell them you pleaded mightily,' I said, 'but I failed to see reason. And the answer is still no.'