Keir woke with a start. He was lying on his back in the softest bed he'd ever felt amidst satin pillows of pink and pale blue and purple. Raising himself onto his elbows, he glanced about and found himself in a small, brightly-lit room. Late afternoon sun streamed through a wall-length estelgar window, forcing him to shield his eyes. He noticed then how fragrant the room smelled. As his eyes adjusted, he saw numerous flowering plants of all sizes and colors sitting in beautifully decorated vases and pots along trailion-paneled walls. Then he spotted his pack and sword next to the wall and his clothes folded neatly on a stool near the bed and realized for the first time that he was wearing only a long, thin, scarlet nightshirt.

Gazing out the window, he could see much of Magalia and its dual harbor far below. The Bel Sea twinkled beyond. To either side of the window, maybe a couple hundred handspans away, the slowly setting sun sparkled off the crystal and estelgar of nearby towers. Sitting up, he recalled his capture and realized that the priests had imprisoned him in one of the city's twelve crystal towers, though none of the clerics were in the room. He wondered where they might be hiding.

The door handle rattled and as the door opened, he frantically searched in vain for his sword or even a knife. But then a pair of familiar voices spoke.

"My dear brother, it seems our good friend and ally has returned from dreamland!"

"Why yes, my exalted sibling, it would appear that once again you have spoken correctly. Come, let us see how he fairs."

Keir sank back in the bed, relieved at the sight of the blue-skinned Brimulung. "Am I glad to see you two! I don't know how you found me but let's get out of here before any priests return!" He started to climb out of bed but the twins shoved him back and looked at each other, frowning.

"Brabin," said Brobin, "I think it would be best if the wizard was here, do you not agree?"

"Aye, and Black Muraga and Earec as well, so that each might tell the full and complete story. Very well, I shall fetch them while you keep our young friend company." Brabin bowed to Keir and left.

Brobin sat down on a chair by Keir's bed, casually adjusting the band on his black eyepatch and straightening the seven braids of his red beard. "You realize you gave us a bit of a fright, don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, by letting yourself get nicked by that poisoned arrow. You were delirious almost immediately. We barely got you to the healers here on the Emperor's Isle in time."

Keir gave Brobin a puzzled look. "But what about the priests that captured me?"

Brobin chuckled. "You thought us priests of The Voryaki? No wonder we had such a time with you! You put up quite a struggle until Bautista laid a sleep spell on you."

"Are you saying that the priests never captured me, that I thought you all were the priests?"

"Well, although my brother is not here to confirm what I have said, I do believe you have gathered the gist of it."

The door burst open and Brabin led in Bautista, Black Muraga, and Earec. After everyone had welcomed Keir back and had sat down on the bed's edge, Bautista outlined what had happened.

"You must first realize, Keir, that it has been a full week since you were struck by that arrow. And despite our efforts and those of the Eleshen healers, you nearly died." The wizard slapped his robe, reached in, and pulled out his favorite pipe.

"Mind if I have a few puffs?" The youth waved for him to go ahead.

"I think I'll join you," said Black Muraga, the twins also voicing agreement.

"You'd think our patient has merely been on vacation," said Earec indignantly. "I guess that leaves me to tell the story. "The others indicated he could go right ahead as they packed and lit their pipes.

"Very well then," he snorted, then turned to Keir. "After that arrow struck your shoulder, one of the twins hurled a dagger into the priest who fired it. The priest was hidden in a nearby tree and I still don't know how that knife struck him. It's the finest throw I've ever seen."

Brabin lay a hand on Brobin's shoulder. "I'm sure it was my most excellent brother who threw the knife."

"Your modesty amazes me," said Brobin, gesturing dramatically. "Let it be known that it was most surely my famed sibling who was the architect of that feat, not I."

Black Muraga growled. "You two will keep your mouths shut until Earec finishes or I'll make sure your storytelling days are over."

The twins rolled their eyes but remained silent as Earec continued.

"We tried helpin' you walk back to the docks but you were obviously in great pain as well as feverish from the poison. Bautista placed a sleep spell on you and from there we had to carry you.

"We arrived at the docks safely enough but even as we tried to find someone to ferry us to the Emperor's Isle, the priests struck again, this time killin' the boatman we were hagglin' with, so we were forced to take the dead boatman's barge in order to escape. Bautista used the orange orb on his staff to power the boat by stickin' it in the water. However, there were more priests in the harbor waitin' for us as well, but Bautista outmaneuvered 'em and we arrived here at the Emperor's Isle safely. The emperor has allowed us to stay so that you might be healed."

Bautista interrupted. "Emperor Assage has since been rounding up all priests of The Voryaki and their acolytes. He's holding them in a separate part of the city and will continue to do so for three more days, as long as he can by Magalian law, while you leave the city."

"But why doesn't he just send them back to Lebec, or better yet, kill them?" asked Keir.

"Those who attacked us have been returned, save for the one who slew the boatman. He was executed. But Assage will not risk war with Savonna by forcing out or killing all of the priests."

"The fool," Earec snarled.

"Yes, he has grown complacent during the past two centuries of peace but who can blame him? Still, he is ill prepared for the coming war with Savonna, which I unsuccessfully tried to show him was inevitable unless Keir becomes king and quickly. However, he is doing us a great favor by holding the priests long enough for you to escape."

Keir frowned. "You sound as if you aren't going with us."

The wizard nodded solemnly. "This is true. You and your companions will be leaving my region of authority when you leave Magalia." Everyone gasped, stunned that Bautista would not be continuing with them. Keir was especially worried, for he had questions about the White Magic's power that he feared might now go unanswered.

The wizard leaned forward. "Listen, for this must be your plan. Tomorrow you shall leave by ship for Cirresse, the major port city and capital of the Nifm nation of Camanssota. There you will be met by Lacona the Orange, tenth in the Grand Order, for Camanssota is in his region."

Earec furrowed his brow. "It would be much quicker to pass through Asharoken."

"No!" yelled Bautista, slamming a fist hard into a purple cushion. "I've told you that before! You must not travel through that forsaken land. It has grown much worse than when you last journeyed in the east. No longer may Eleshen and Brimulung travel safely and, now that the Akatan are in league with Savonna, it is highly probable that priests of The Voryaki walk freely through that land. No, it is to Cirresse you must now journey."

"Bautista," said Black Muraga, a frown creasing his face, "If we go the Cirresse, we'll have to pass the southern border of Lebec. Priests of The Voryaki will be everywhere! How can we possibly get through?"

"That is a good point." The wizard's eyes narrowed in concentration for a few moments. "Let us do this. I will arrange for passage by ship and have the captain make a wide arc through the Bel Sea, thus avoiding the Lebec coast. Earec, do you have any suggestions as to whom I should hire?"

The Eleshi nodded. "There are only a few captains who can successfully navigate the inner recesses of the Bel Sea. The best one I know who's in port is Pelias Cherini."

"Then that is who I will hire."

"But what about pirates?" Earec asked. "That's their territory."

Bautista shrugged his shoulders. "It is either the Akatan or the priests."

At that moment there was a knock on the door and an Eleshi warrior wearing a polished black iron breastplate, leather kilt and burnished plumed helm strode in. A sheathed broadsword dangled at his side.

"Emperor Assage wishes to speak with you, Bautista, and the young Lebecian also. Come."

The wizard turned to Keir. "Do you have the strength to join me, lad?"

Keir climbed out of the bed and stretched his wobbly legs. "I think so," he said and then promptly fell on his face as his legs collapsed. Embarrassed, he hurriedly tried to rise as the others chuckled and offered a hand but his foot caught the hem of his crimson nightshirt. The thin fabric ripped and his friends snickered at the sight of his bare bottom. He reached for his clothes but bumped the stool instead.

"Aargh!" he shouted, frustrated. Several hands grabbed him, helping him to stand as he teetered briefly, then regained his balance.

"Good," said Bautista. "Now put your clothes on so we can meet with the emperor."

Keir's stomach suddenly growled. "Uhm, what about food?"

The wizard reached inside his robe and pulled out a small loaf of bread. "Eat this while you dress. You can have more when we return. The rest of you stay here where we can find you." As soon as Keir finished dressing, he and Bautista followed the Eleshi warrior out.

Even after seeing the grandeur of Alusia, Keir was still awed by the opulence of the emperor's palace. The almost-overwhelming alien strangeness he remembered upon entering Magalia was greatly subdued here in the hallways. Marble floors reflected the bright sunlight shining through the outer walls of estelgar while pale trailion paneling covered the inner walls. Surreal paintings and tapestries depicting royal family members in bizarre yet beautiful settings decorated the hallways but, as in Alusia, Keir was not allowed to stop and examine the artwork.

The slenderness of the tower forced them to climb down several flights of stairs until they finally reached an open door in the estelgar wall. The guard led them onto one of the white marble bridges Keir had spotted upon first entering Magalia. Glancing up, he noticed with awe that there was not even a seam in the clear outer walls. The evening sun still sparkled brightly enough off the crystal to force him to shield his eyes. Then he saw other towers and the arched skybridges connecting them. The sight reminded him of a dew-covered spider web caught in a ray of morning sunlight.

And I'm the insect trapped in the middle of the web, he thought. Then the dizzying sense of the unnatural shapes, and the great height of the bridge, assaulted him, this time more strongly as nausea swept through his stomach.

"Keep moving," the warrior growled and Keir's attention snapped back to the skybridge in front of him.

The narrow bridge, barely wide enough for two people to pass, crossed over a distant courtyard to what appeared to be the Isle's central tower. Keir clutched the rail tightly as he trod the marble, his blond hair flapping in the chill, stiff wind. Ahead of him Bautista clamped one hand to his wide-brimmed brown hat in an effort to keep it on his head.

They were across quickly, the mage frisking his robe to make sure he'd not lost anything before continuing. They clambered up so many flights of stairs that when they at last arrived before a pair of heavy mahogany doors, out of breath and legs aching, Keir was sure they'd reached the tower's zenith. The dark wood of the doors was a stark contrast to the trailion which seemed to dominate the towers.

Keir breathed a weary sigh of relief as he spotted benches along the narthex walls. His hope of any rest, however, dissolved as the doors swung open silently at their approach. A dry dusty smell like old snakeskins drifted out. Inside was a large, dim, windowless chamber lit by a quartet of sconces, two on the walls to either side, and a silver candelabrum, its long, slender tapers recently lit. The candelabrum rested on the center of a long, well-polished oak table surrounded by a score of empty, tall-backed chairs standing on thick red carpet in the middle of the room.

A strong sense of oppression and sorrow invaded him as he and the short wizard reached the threshold. The guard signaled them to halt while he approached Emperor Assage, who sat impatiently tapping his fingers at the table's far end. He was dressed entirely in black, from his silk shirt to the satin cape hung on the back of his chair. The few wrinkles creasing his temples and the gray streaks through his golden hair and trim mustache gave him the appearance of middle age. Slanted amber eyes appraised the two men as coolly as he would a bothersome insect, even while the warrior bent and whispered softly in the emperor's ear. Assage nodded at whatever the guard said, who then turned and waved them in.

Keir met the staring eyes of Assage as they entered. Immediately his spine froze as the icy chill radiating from those golden eyes arrested his, eyes that seemed made of the precious metal itself and not living flesh. Several seconds passed before he could break away from the gaze, and when he did, his brow was damp with perspiration.

As the guard ushered them to padded chairs on either side of the emperor, Keir noted that although Assage appeared quite tall, he was so slight that he looked as if he might snap like a twig if touched. His skin, also, was so pale as to be nearly translucent. The guard left, the doors closing behind him without a sound. With the evening sunlight shut out, the chamber was as silent and dark as a tomb.

The emperor stared intently at Keir for several minutes longer. The youth nervously twiddled his thumbs, no longer able to maintain contact with those icy eyes for more than brief moments. He felt strange, as if something was picking at the shell of his soul, trying to find a weak spot to crawl in through.

Abruptly, the picking sensation ended and Assage turned to Bautista, his voice quiet, yet with a hard, cold edge.

"Thou spake truthfully, Carnelian Wizard. Verily, this is the Heir of Lebec, the Chosen One of Evesthar. Therefore we say unto thee, we will indeed support his claim to the throne when he returns."

Bautista leaned forward on his elbow. "I thank you, your most august majesty. But have you considered my earlier request?"

"We have. Thou mayst have the support of three thousands of my warriors, should we deem it necessary."

Keir sat back, aghast. "Is that all? Why..."

A gentle touch on his arm quieted him. Bautista said, "Your majesty, surely you can spare more. You know how much evil support Savonna has gained."

Assage's eyes flared angrily, red flecks amidst the silver. "We have but thy word, mage. Where is thine evidence, other than the word of the traitorous captain who travels with you? Therefore we shall send but fifteen hundreds when the time comes. Now both of you, begone! Thou must leave tomorrow, lest we rescind all aid. This audience is at an end." The emperor clapped his hands and the doors opened as four Eleshen warriors strode in.

While Keir and Bautista left, the youth glanced back at the emperor. Assage still fumed, glaring at him. Keir wondered how anyone could be so cold. After they left the chamber, he turned to Bautista and whispered, "Why is the emperor--"

The wizard hushed him, then pulled the youth's head down close and hissed, "Do not speak of such things in these halls. Wait until we reach your room."

Keir shrugged his shoulders, remaining silent until they arrived at his room and closed the door. The others were all still there, waiting. Bautista quickly filled them in on what had happened, the others cursing and shaking their heads as they listened.

As he finished, Black Muraga slammed his fist onto the bed. "What is wrong with him? Those same armies that ally themselves with Savonna will also seek to destroy Magalia, especially Asharoken. Everyone knows how little Akatan care for Eleshen. The emperor must be blind not to see what is happening."

"That's exactly the problem," said Earec sadly. "Assage is blind; blinded by grief. You see, Ianthen, his only son and heir, left many years ago to search out the mythical land of Urdalan where the secrets of the Red Magic might be found. But there has been no news of Ianthen for five years and Assage believes him dead and so mourns him.

"During the past two years, however, political dissenters have disappeared and the rumors of brutal murders and beatings by Assage's warriors have increased dramatically. Yet no real evidence has turned up and the courts have rejected nearly every case. Still, the emperor's name is often mentioned in the same breath as these rumors. In fact, nearly a dozen assassination plots have been uncovered in the past year."

Bautista nodded grimly. "Things do indeed seem touchy. I hope that for Assage's sake, Keir is able to return from his quest within three or four months, or else I fear there will be no emperor."

The others gasped in surprise, including Earec. "Why is that?" he asked.

"The Magalian generals need something to occupy themselves with besides politics. And from my sources here in the palace I have learned that things do not bode well for Assage."

Before the wizard could say anything more, there was a sharp rap on the door. A half-dozen guards marched in bearing silver trays of cold meat slabs, fruit and red wine in crystal goblets. One of the guards explained that they were now officially confined to their quarters until the morning and escorted the others to their rooms.

Keir fumed as he ate his dinner, bitter that Emperor Assage would be so unwilling to help, yet at the same time worried that things could be worse if and when he returned. I can believe that Evesthar has chosen me to slay Teivos and maybe even become king. Even the emperor saw that. But what will things be like if I don't make it back within three months? Will there be any help then? And how can anyone allow themselves to be so hardened by grief that they withhold aid from their allies? King Glorbain certainly had no reserves about aiding me. Why not Assage? He shivered despite the room's warmth.

He finished his dinner, leaving the tray on the floor by his bed, and strode to the window, goblet in hand. Though he could not see it, he knew the sun was slowly setting behind him. Few stars shone as yet in the purple eastern sky above the Bel Sea for the pink glow of the western sky still spread out above Magalia's broad harbor. The golden lights of the city far below could be seen, however, more and more lights twinkling into view as the sun set. This time there was no accompanying dizziness.

How can I escape this place and return home? he wondered. Yet even as he began planning, he knew Bautista would never allow him to turn back, let alone Black Muraga and the others. And now Earec has sworn as well to see this quest through to the end, with or without me.

Sighing, he realized it was too late to back out now. If I do that, I'll lose not only my friends, but the Revolution as well. We'll never succeed so long as Teivos is alive. And I'm the one with the sword made to kill the great Voryaki.

Keir strode to where Onaonte leaned up against the wall, pulling the Sword of the White Death from its scabbard. He absently ran his finger across the steel, tracing the intricate rainbow-colored lines of the White Magic. If I fail the Revolution, I will fail Father. It was Father's dying request that I accept the tasks Bautista gave me. And not just Bautista. Those tasks came from the Most High. If I run away from him, what good am I? He turned and kicked the bed angrily.

Looking down, he spotted part of the Holy Book poking out of his pack. Setting down his sword, he reached for the tattered manuscript, opening it in the middle to the Book of Ten Wisdoms and began reading.

The sky was dark when he set the Holy Book down and rose to stare down at Magalia once more. At least I think I know what to do now. The White Magic is the answer. But I must learn how to control it first, and if I'm right, Bautista is certainly not the one to teach me that. But does that mean that he was wrong in the first place and that Jarik is the chosen of Evesthar? No, Assage said that I am the Heir of Lebec. I just hope I'm right.

He pulled the drape shut, turned from the window, and crossed the room to his bed. For a long time he wrestled with the questions he'd thought about as he undressed and crawled beneath the satin sheets but finally he drifted off to dreams of winged lizards, black mists and white cages.