Chapter 3 Chapter 5

- Chapter 4: Mountain -

 The following day the ten reached the gates of Mt. Alusia. The air was chilly for summer, and Keir realized how high they must have hiked up the wide, switchbacking road. Drawing his vest tighter, he gazed out over broad meadows and terraced hillsides. Brimulung farmers tended neatly planted rows while farther above, goatherds grazed on the tough mountain grass. Keir's heart jumped at the initial sight of them, accompanied by a sharp but brief pang of longing for his home.

 As they continued trodding up the road, Keir craned his neck to stare at Mt. Alusia. The jagged peak soared far taller than any other nearby, stretching so high that they had long since lost sight of it as they marched up one of the mountain's fir-covered shoulders. Streams trickled from the glacier-bound snowcap to form the Baas River, which cascaded down the mountain's western side until it plummeted thunderously over a high cliff near Mt. Alusia's base. From there it flowed alongside the great paved road issuing from the waterfall, finally splitting into the Aria River and another river named the Zon after about twenty miles.

 At the top of the road stood a small town unlike any he'd ever seen. Every building possessed its own architectural style. A few seemed sturdy but the majority looked hastily built as if their occupants didn't plan on staying long. A smattering of tents and lean-tos also littered the town and a surprising variety of races strutted along its narrow dirt roads. Most appeared to be men of distant southern lands yet there were also many Eleshen as well as a handful of other races of various hues, which he didn't recognize.

 Doimbur snarled. "Those foul-smellin' foreigners trade their goods an' luxuries for our gems an' ale. We don't let most of that stinkin' rabble into our Alusia. I myself refuse to have anythin' to do with 'em."

 Suddenly, voices roared excitedly. Two figures, a swarthy man and a Torg, rolled out of a tavern, fists pummeling. A crowd poured out onto the streets.

 "Look, da!" cried Dhorun excitedly. "A fight!"

 Doimbur snorted. "Drunk on our fine Alusian beer, no doubt. What a waste!"

 "Ahh, 'tis not a waste!" said Brabin brightly.

 "Aye, dear brother, 'tis not," agreed Brobin. "'Tis naught but an excellent show of appreciation for our superior mead!"

 "Quite so, my ever eloquent bub! For have not the great poets ever lamented the sad lack of such quality elsewhere in the world?"

 "Uhm," mumbled Keir as he noticed Doimbur and Dhorun glaring at the twins and balling their fists. "Shouldn't we be moving on?"

 "Yes," said Orudaza, "I think that would be wise, especially if we wish to arrive before the rush of traders leave Alusia."

 As they marched towards the gate, a sudden chill slithered along Keir's spine.

 Someone's watching me. And they sure aren't friendly.

 Glancing over his shoulder, it seemed the entire town was now brawling. Then he spied a pair of faces in an upper-story window staring at him, men in dark clothing and with no hair on their heads. Hurriedly, he turned, grabbing Black Muraga's arm.

 "What is it, boy?"

 "Look! Up there in that window!"'

 The knight squinted but the window was empty now. He glared at Keir

 "Quit wasting time. We've still got a long ways to go."

 "But I..." Black Muraga was already talking to Doimbur.

 Shaking his head, Keir thought, He doesn't believe me. But I know what I saw up there and they know who I am. If those priests can find me so quickly, can any fortress protect me?

 He loosened Onaonte as the company crossed a thick stone bridge that seemed to float on the water. The bridge spanned the broad pool at the waterfall's base, crossing at the point where the pool thinned once again into the Baas River. A score of soldiers kept watch over the crowded bridge on both sides, carefully eyeing the traders and Brimulung passing to and fro. Orudaza explained that the bridge was the first line of defense and that through a series of weights and pulleys, the Brimulung could swiftly sink the bridge to the river's bottom twenty-handspans below in case of attack.

 The road continued beneath a wide rock overhang supported by massive, ornately carved pillars. It seemed to Keir that they would be forced to follow the road straight through the waterfall, but this proved otherwise, for as they passed beneath the overhang, both the waterfall's deafening roar and the permeating mist immediately lessened. Glancing quickly towards the waterfall, he saw that the water did not drip off the overhang as might be expected, but ran like rain cascading down a window. He jabbed his finger at the water, mouth agape as it struck something hard. The twins, who strode alongside him, both laughed.

 "A clever attempt," chuckled Brabin, "but I don't think he'll ever puncture estelgar that way."

 "No, my most brilliant brother, I don't think he will. Not when no one else has after all these centuries."

 "Uhm," said Keir as he ran a finger along the translucent wall, "what is estelgar?"

 The twins looked at each other. "Shall I?" Brobin asked, one hand gesturing towards himself.

 "O most certainly, my eloquent bub," said Brabin with a sweeping bow as one of the other Brimulung coughed overtly.

 "Uh, yes, well," Brobin stammered. "I suppose the lad does need an answer." He turned to Keir, looking up at him with his one good eye, then tapped the fingerwidth thick wall.

 "This is estelgar, or diamond-glass. The Eleshen of Magalia fashioned it many centuries ago, at the behest of Tiras the Conqueror, the ancient Eleshi emperor. The raw diamonds came from not only our own mines, but from the fabled mines of Quoque as well. And if that's not enough, the whole wall took nine years to complete."

 "Don't forget, dear brother, to mention how our incredible wall protects travelers from the waterfall's tremendous thunder and soaking mist."

 Doimbur growled threateningly. "And you're not gonna forget the headache you'll soon be feelin' if you don't start talkin' like normal Brimulung." Dhorun snarled behind his father.

 The other Brimulung rolled their eyes upwards. "Here we go again," groaned Khali.

 "Sirs, please," said Orudaza exasperatingly, like a father to his quarreling sons. "Let us save our brawling for the taverns, not in front of our guests." They grudgingly nodded and the group continued, following the road behind the waterfall and into Mt. Alusia itself, the estelgar protecting them until they were safely past.

 As they marched, Orudaza told Keir that the road continued for several miles, descending all the way to the mountain's heart, where the greatest of Nasaus' mines lay, the sacred Cavern of the Living Jewels. Hundreds of flameless golden lights brightened the broad boulevard so that only a few shadowy corners lurked alongside the smooth-cut walls. Everywhere Keir looked, traders and blue-skinned Brimulung haggled over the prices of the foreigners' wares at stalls scattered along the thoroughfare. It seemed as noisy as a pitched battle to his ears, and he winced often at the clamor.

 Yet Keir was bothered that something wasn't right, a recognition of a malevolent presence. He imagined esil-heads and black robes and top knots everywhere, and every stranger's eyes that he met seemed filled with hatred. Then he shook his head as if to clear it, realizing his fear was overcoming him.

 Soon they reached the second obstacle of defense, the towering First Wall. It rose five-manheights beneath the high vaulted cavern ceiling, the archway and half-open portcullis of its gates reminding Keir of the fangs of a wild hiyaka cat. A score of soldiers marched across the rampart or stood guard by the entrance, casting protective eyes over both crowd and gates.

 The press of traders and Brimulung was greatest along the wall, although soldiers kept a broad area in front of the gates clear. Orudaza informed Keir that this was as far as foreigners, especially traders, were normally allowed to go. The captain, however, had no problem obtaining passes for the two Lebecians.

 While they waited for Orudaza, Black Muraga tapped Keir's shoulder.

 "Boy, have you noticed all the servants of The Voryaki trying to pass as traders?"

 Keir swallowed hard. "You've seen them too?"

 "At least a half-dozen. But don't worry. They won't attack you here in the open."

 Keir shuddered at the implications of Black Muraga's statement. If the priests remain this tenacious, how long will I stay alive?

 Beyond the First Wall, the road began to spiral downwards at a steady but easy pace. Black pillars carved in the likenesses of ancient kings and heroes lined the walls. Keir sensed an eerie magic hanging about the obsidian statues and noticed that no one walked within twenty paces of them. Brabin said that his people believed the spirits of the Brimulung whose personages the statues resembled lived inside and, at times, the eyes were thought to be seen scanning the passersby.

 Shortly, Keir felt a slight draft. "What's ahead?" he asked. "A large cavern or hall?"

 "Close but not quite," answered Khali. "It is neither a hall nor a cavern but the first of the seven towns which form Alusia. Ahead of you is Glimsia, the Town of the Warriors, where the twins live. Doimbur and Dhorun's town is the one following Glimsia. It is named Frorsia, the Town of the Hunters. Then comes Namsia of the Farmers, Goimsia of the Merchants, Korsia of the Crafters and finally my family's town, Brorsia of the Delvers."

 "Where does Captain Orudaza live?"

 "In the final town, Alusia, the City of the King, may his beard grow ever longer."

 Black Muraga nodded thoughtfully. "How old is this place?"

 Brabin smiled proudly. "Nearly four thousand years. At least that's when our ancestors first discovered a small cavern behind the great waterfall. By the Year 3132, there were so many Brimulung living here and the diggings so extensive that the elders in Cathiz, our mother country, decided to create a new nation."

 "Then Nasaus has been a nation for more than three thousand years, hasn't it?"

 "Well, sort of," admitted Brobin. "Although my dear brother did say that we became a nation then, he failed to mention that we've only been called 'Nasaus' since the Year 4667, when Epistrophos the Great, son of Tiras the Conqueror, subdued us. It was he who named us 'Nasaus,' for that is an Eleshi word, although its meaning escapes me at the moment."

 "Impressive, sweet brother. It means impressive."

 "Thank you so very much, my overkind bub." The twins chuckled.

 "Anyhow," continued Brobin, "the true Brimulung name is Cathoagha, which means 'Cavern of Great Wonders.'" Pointing in front of them, he sighed, "Ahh, but look! Here is our town, the town of mighty, brave and courageous warriors such as we."

 Keir scanned the sturdy-looking rock wall, which crossed the road from one side to the other and rose more than halfway to the high ceiling. Slits for archers appeared in a regular pattern all along the wall. Two Brimulung warriors with braided beards marched back and forth on the parapet, lances over their shoulders. Two more soldiers guarded a single heavy wooden gate.

 "Are all your towns guarded so heavily?" asked Keir as they strode past the soldiers.

 "Aye," said Brabin. "And Alusia itself has five gates, which are staggered so as to give enemies a thoroughly tough time of entering, if they even managed to get that far. In fact, a legion of warriors cast their eyes over those gates."

 "Tough it would be, my distinguished bub," agreed Brobin cheerfully, pounding an arm on Brabin's back.

 "How right you are, my valiant brother."

 "That's it you two," growled Doimbur. "Either shut up or I'll knock your heads together." Then in a much kinder tone, he leaned towards Keir and said, "The secret, lad, is to never let those two start talkin' like that or you'll never get 'em to be quiet. Now, once when they began talkin' like that durin' the war, it nearly cost us our lives, not to mention many rare an' precious gems. In fact, we--"

 "Dear cousin Doimbur," chided Orudaza, raising a hand, "Must I remind you stories like that are meant to be saved for an inn, a fireplace and some good brew?" Turning to Keir, he said, "Son, Doimbur can tell stories longer and with less breath than the twins can nauseate us with their 'brotherly talk.'" All but the scowling Doimbur laughed, whose face burned angrily instead.

 "Now Doimbur," consoled Orudaza, "Don't take everything so seriously. I am truly looking forward to more of your stories when the time and place are right. But this is neither the time nor the place."

 "Hear, hear," guffawed Thali and he had to duck one of the hunter's wild punches as the others laughed. Doimbur glared at them for a moment but was soon chortling with the others.

 As they passed through Glimsia, Keir noticed that all the buildings had only fronts and surmised that the rest of the village must lie behind the rock walls.

 "How come--" he began.

 "Because," Orudaza interrupted, "when the only way in is through the front door, unwanted visitors can be kept out much easier. However, there are connecting tunnels so that friends might have easier access."

 They stopped in Glimsia long enough for Ghali to buy some dried fruit in a nearby shop and for Orudaza to send a messenger to the king announcing their arrival.

 As they waited for the two to return, Keir observed the town's bare, spartan look. Nudging Black Muraga, he asked, "You've been here before, haven't you?" The knight nodded. "Do you know if all Alusia is, well, so drab?"

 Black Muraga raised a hand to his chin and stroked his long mustache thoughtfully. "As I remember, each town reflects the spirit of its inhabitants. Thus this seems to reflect the battle-toughened spirit of warriors."

 Doimbur stepped in, grabbing Keir's elbow. "I couldn't help overhear your question, lad. As Black Muraga told ya, each town does reflect the spirit of those who built an' maintain it. That's why Glimsia seems so dull, for it's warriors who live 'ere. I promise you'll find Frorsia much more attractive an' excitin'."

 Keir was sure Doimbur would've given him Frorsia's entire history given the chance. At that moment, however, the twins, their arms around each other’s shoulders, joined them.

 "My most exalted brother and I," announced Brabin, "have decided that we will not tarry here in Glimsia at the house of our father, the honorable Hrogin, but will instead accompany our praiseworthy rescuers to the palace of our mighty King Glorbain, may his glorious beard grow ever longer. Congratulations." Brabin reached across and grabbed Black Muraga's hand while Brobin pumped Keir's hand furiously.

 Fortunately for the men, Orudaza and Ghali returned. With the aid of Doimbur and Dhorun, Orudaza separated the twins momentarily, long enough to save the men from Brabin and Brobin's hearty handshakes. Keir massaged his aching arm while Black Muraga mumbled something about his 'poor swordarm.' Keir briefly glimpsed a Brimuli riding a pony swiftly through the far gate, apparently on his way to deliver Orudaza's message to the king.

 On their way once more, they hungrily munched on Ghali's dried fruit. The road descended more rapidly now, its spiral trend continuing. As they walked, Orudaza explained that each town was directly beneath the previous one, at least one hundred manheights of earth separating each, although as they went deeper, greater distance was required. He also told Keir that between one to two miles of road connected each town.

 Keir only half-listened, however, as he struggled with his paranoia.

 The immediate danger's passed. I'm safe here. But they're still out there, waiting for me. Or will they find a way in to kill me when I'm alone? No, since we passed the first wall, there've been no other humans. What are they going to do then?

 They reached Frorsia a short while later, Keir's questions and fears still festering. Frorsia was as beautiful as Doimbur had promised. Rubies and other precious gems adorned the rocks, their grace sparkling in the flameless light. Large diamonds set in the cavern ceiling far above twinkled like stars while a silver fountain shimmered in the center of the town's square. The mysterious golden lights were much dimmer here, giving the town the sensation of twilight.

 Thali said the lights, or 'kolbalamps' as he called them, were turned down low to welcome the hunters home from a hard day's work. It gave them a feeling of completion, knowing they could head to the inn for a quick brew before home and dinner with their families.

 Here Doimbur, Dhorun and the sons of Gralin took their leave, surprising Keir by giving both men crushing hugs as they said quick farewells (quick for Brimulung, Black Muraga later told him). The three brothers were to join Doimbur's family for dinner that night. All five, however, promised to see the two men again before they left. Soon Keir was marching deeper into the mountain, along with Black Muraga, Orudaza and the twins.

 As they descended, Keir's curiosity finally got the better of him. Turning to Orudaza, he pointed to one of the golden kolbalamps.

 "Those lights amaze me, the way they glow without the aid of any flame. How is that possible?"

 Orudaza smiled, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Kolbalight is the light of gems from the sacred Cavern of the Living Jewels. What you see are the protective coverings. Inside that metal base and estelgar globe is a living jewel, in this case a topaz for the light is golden."

 Leading them to the nearest kolbalamp Orudaza said, "In other parts of Alusia you will notice kolbalamps of different colors, such as red when a ruby is used or violet when there is an amethyst inside. The topaz, however, is the brightest and most common. We harvest them especially for their light."

 Orudaza touched the lamp with a thick forefinger. "The globe is made of a thin sheet of estelgar while the bottom is a metal tray in which the jewel sits. The tray is filled with water from the Etiolaste Pool and in it the jewel is placed, for without the water, no living jewel can survive outside the sacred Cavern."

 "What's this?" Keir lightly touched a small prong protruding from the top of the metal tray where it connected to the estelgar globe.

 The old Brimuli reached up and gently removed Keir's hand from the prong. "By sliding that back and forth, one can adjust the amount of light, for it moves a metal lid over the top of the jewel."

 He pushed the prong all the way to the left and indeed, the light dimmed and went out. He opened the lid and the golden kolbalamp glowed brightly once more. Then he let Keir try it. The youth turned the kolbalamp off and on a few times, peering in to look at the fascinating gem. It pulsed slowly and rhythmically like a heartbeat, but its undulation was so gentle that the pulse was barely palpable without looking directly at the jewel.

 Finally, Black Muraga growled, "Let's not play all day, boy. It's time we get going."

*****

 Shortly after they passed through the fourth town, Keir spotted several Brimulung seated on scaffolding next to the tunnel's rock walls. The youth could not see what they were doing, for their dust-covered bodies blocked his view, but their hands gleamed with an intense white light. A couple of other Brimulung stood to one side, examining a large sheet of some very thin metal.

 Then he noticed intricate, ornate carvings covering the walls beyond the scaffolding. Observing the workers more closely, he realized that they were carving the wall with their bare hands. Startled, Keir looked at his hands and remembered the sudden flash of power he'd experienced when facing Pranzik. Could that be the White Magic? he wondered.

 "It seems, Captain Orudaza," commented Black Muraga, "that your crafters have progressed a long ways since I was last here." He gestured towards the scaffolding. "If I remember right, they had yet to reach the fifth town."

 The twins laughed, as did Orudaza. Brabin said, chuckling, "Black Muraga, it is good to hear you say that, is it not dear brother?"

 "Aye," agreed Brobin, "for all that is ever said is that the carving goes much too slow."

 Brabin spread his arms in mock despair. "Oh, but what the perspective of a score of years might do for all our complaining people," he moaned. Keir glanced at Black Muraga, perplexed.

 "You see, boy," said the knight, "These relief carvings tell the history of Nasaus. All the famous deeds, great battles, and mighty heroes are here. The work began sometime ago, commissioned by King Glorbain--"

 "--May his beard grow ever longer," murmured Brobin.

 "I believe it started at the city of Alusia itself and has progressed steadily upwards ever since, although I'm not sure how long that's been."

 "Eighty-three years come this fall," said Orudaza, "and six years of preparatory work before that. It is doubtful either the king or I will live to see it completed."

 "That's amazing, Captain Orudaza, but how do they do it?" said Keir. "I mean, are they using the White Magic?"

 The Brimuli turned and looked closely at Keir for a few moments before responding. "Yes they are. Why do you ask?"

 "Well, do all your people know magic? Do you have wizards?"

 "Ahh, I understand your question, I think. I sometimes forget the strange way you humans think. Let me try to explain so that you will understand our beliefs." They walked in silence for a few moments before Orudaza spoke again.

 "You must understand that we Brimulung believe that the Creator gave each of us, in varying degrees and no matter what race, the potential for magic. Those that use it for the purpose the Lord Evesthar gave it, that is what you would call 'The White Magic'."

 "Then what causes the magic that Pranzik uses?"

 "You mean that which you call the Black Magic? That is what we call the Twisted Magic, the magic that is used only for selfish gain." He directed them back to the scaffolding.

 "See this?" He pointed to the crafters, their hands glowing whitely as they shaped the solid rock as if it were soft clay. "No user of the Twisted Magic can do this, for it can only corrupt and destroy. The True Magic creates and protects. So we have taken our most promising 'wizards', as you would call them, and teach them to be crafters and delvers or whatever skill they seek. Of course, few reach the level of these crafters."

 "But don't you have any wizards who just do magic?" asked Keir.

 "Hmpf! What a waste. Your human and Eleshen wizards do nothing for anyone except to meddle."

 "What about Bautista?"

 Orudaza smiled. "You have corrected me. But we appreciate Bautista for his wisdom, not for his magic. Most of his order, while powerful, just get in the way because they think they are wiser than the rest of the world. Bautista, however, he tries to understand and to help." He waved his hand. "But come. We have dawdled enough. Would you care to look at the caverns more closely as we walk?"

 Keir nodded eagerly and for most of the remainder of the trek he walked silently near the wall, enjoying the beauty of the bas relief and marvelling at what could be done with the White Magic, or the True Magic, as Orudaza called it.

 They did not stop again until they reached the actual city of Alusia, save for a brief rest in the fifth city. The massive mile-long cavern, which was lit not only by topaz jewels, but also by living rubies, awed Keir, creating an orangish glow. At the far end was the city of Alusia itself while sprawling in front of them was a long, wide plain. Then, to Keir's utter amazement, he realized that the plain seemed to have been plowed, and that there appeared to be crops growing!

 The youth turned to Orudaza, his jaw dropping in amazement. "How?" was all he could ask.

 The old Brimuli smiled proudly. "Your eyes do not deceive you, lad. The plain you see is truly a farm, a farm which produces much of our food." He swept an arm grandly while the pleasing smell of the farmland tickled Keir's nose with delight, making him yearn for the simple days before his family had joined the Revolution.

 "Come," said Orudaza. "I will explain it to you as we walk." The Brimuli yanked on Keir's sleeve, leading him back down the road, which now ran along the cavern's left side.

 "That red soil is rich with nutrients not found anywhere else in the world. It is irrigated by a system of underground canals built by our engineers a thousand years ago. You see, shortly after we overthrew our Torg masters of the Ytrekan Empire in the Year 5445, we faced a great famine. So we called upon the Wizards of the Grand Order to give us aid. Emlaus the Mighty, then the Wearer of the Diamond Robe--"

 Black Muraga interrupted. "You mean the same wizard who compiled the Holy Books of Emlaus?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

 Orudaza nodded. "The very same. He himself came, for he also wished to see the sacred Cavern of the Living Jewels.

 "After visiting the Cavern, he explored a long abandoned mine shaft. In it he discovered a large pool which he named the Etiolaste, or "Life-Giver" in the Eleshi tongue. He blessed the pool, endowing it with what we call the Life Magic and what Bautista would call the Green Magic. So, as long as we worship Evesthar as the Most High God, the Etiolaste Pool will produce all the nutrients necessary to grow plants in any soil that might be irrigated by its waters. He also promised, using his True Magic to do so, that the pool will never dry up."

 "Is that the same pool the water for the kolbalamps comes from?" asked Keir.

 The old Brimuli nodded. "It took our engineers and miners forty years to delve the canals which carry the water to this plain, but since then not one of our people has been in want of food. No matter how we've grown, there's always been plenty."

 "Captain Orudaza," asked Keir, his face blushing as he posed a question he feared he should be able to answer himself, "What do you mean, the Life Magic, or the Green Magic, or whatever?"

 Black Muraga rested a hand on Keir's shoulder. "Haven't you read the Holy Books of Emlaus?" the knight asked incredulously, his forehead creasing.

 Keir bowed his head, embarrassed. "I'm afraid I was a little negligent in my studies, sir," he muttered ashamedly.

 The knight frowned. "That will have to be remedied, boy, especially if you are a true follower of the Most High."

 He nodded solemnly. The knight's right, he thought. The Holy Books of Emlaus would teach me why I worship Evesthar as the Most High God. I keep saying I'm going to, of course, but I always thought I could wait until the Revolution was over. Father and my brothers were always reading to me from the Holy Books. But now only Jarik's alive, and I might not ever see him again. And to be serving the Most High on this quest without really knowing why I follow Him... Keir shook his head apprehensively.

 Looking up, he noticed that they were rapidly approaching Alusia. Across the width of the gigantic cavern rose five stone curtain walls, each higher than the previous one, the outer wall as tall as seven men and the innermost wall, or the "King's Wall" as Orudaza named it, rising an additional two manheights. Orudaza explained that the thick, sturdy oak gates were staggered and that each wall was wide enough for six Brimulung to walk abreast. Upon reaching the outer wall, they finally left the road, which continued on down until it arrived at the Cavern of the Living Jewels.

 After passing through the first gate, Keir noticed that open markets and warriors' barracks stood between the first two walls. Here the Brimulung were tightly packed, a jostling throng, and he wrinkled his nose at the odor. He'd never seen so many people at one time and was quickly gawking at the Brimulung as much as they stared at him.

 Between the second and third walls rose the homes of the nozhu and zhor castes. Shops and stores filled the gap amidst the third and fourth walls while the zhorah and zhorun castes lived between the last two walls. From behind the final wall glowed the king's palace, where sapphire and amethyst kolbalight danced off the many gems of the high cavern ceiling, revealing long stalactites.

 As they reached the last wall, guards informed them that Orudaza's messenger had allowed King Glorbain to be well prepared for the men. In fact, there would be a great feast in their honor the following day. But for now, the travelers were to be escorted to their rooms so that they might bathe, rest and dress in clean, fresh attire.

 Here Orudaza bade them a pleasant sleep. His home was close to the gates and he would spend that night with his family.

 For Brabin and Brobin, it was a short saunter through the cool palace halls to the guestroom where they were to stay. Keir and Black Muraga, however, had to walk quite a ways before they arrived at the rooms built especially for humans. Keir often fell behind while admiring a never-ending array of beautiful artwork, and had to run to keep up and not get lost in the long twisting hallways.

 As they finally entered their room, two tailors marched in to measure them. The men were told complete suits would be ready by the time of tomorrow's feast, if not sooner.

 They bathed in a room across the hall. Keir had never experienced a bath like this before and so relished every moment, soaking long after Black Muraga had dried and returned to the room. The baths were actually three luxurious pools of heated mineral water; the first was for cleansing, the second for rinsing and the third for soaking. Keir stretched to the fullest the time allowed him in each bath by the attendant.

 Finally, he climbed out. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stepped out into the hallway.

 As the door closed, he heard footsteps creeping nearby. He glanced over both shoulders but the corridor was empty and still.

 Someone's watching me, he thought. Someone who wants me dead.

 He scurried to his room. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he fumbled with the door handle.

 Why won't it open?

 Whoever was after him was creeping closer and closer. I sure wish I had Onaonte and its White Magic.

 Then the door opened and Keir stumbled into the room to be greeted by the delicious smell of freshly broiled venison, vegetables and a thick dark brew greeted Keir. Black Muraga waited impatiently for him.

 "What's the matter, boy?"

  Keir pointed at the open door. "Something's out there! I could feel it!"

 Exasperated, Black Muraga rose and strode to the hallway. "Come here, boy." Keir followed the knight.

 "Now, is anybody out here besides us?"

 Keir shook his head. Not only was there no one out there, but the sense of someone watching him was gone.

 "Good," said the knight. "Let's go back in and you get dressed so we can eat."

*****

 A short time later, Keir sat on a thick bear rug, back against a soft gray sofa and legs stretched out comfortably while Black Muraga reclined on another couch, one leg crossed over the other as he puffed on a pipe he'd borrowed from one of the twins. A single topaz kolbalamp gently illuminated the room. Keir stared at his toes wiggling in the dark brown fur. Now that they were truly alone for the first time, awkwardness grabbed his stomach.

 This man's exploits are legendary, he thought. Why, I've heard tales about his deeds at every inn I've been to and songs by every minstrel who's passed though. I might as well be alone with Evesthar himself!

 "Anything wrong, boy?" Keir's head shot up, startled, as Black Muraga shattered his solitude and the knight's dark eyes caught his.

 "Uh, no, not really." Keir averted his eyes downward momentarily, then looked up again with more courage. "Well, yes, there is something bothering me." He halted, trying to find the right words. The knight took a long draw on his pipe, watching Keir intently.

 "Why did you really come with me to Alusia? In fact, how come you didn't show much resistance to the idea?"

 Black Muraga leaned back and tried to blow a few smoke rings but failed miserably. "Need more practice, I guess," he muttered, watching as the smoke dissipated. Still looking towards the ceiling, he said, "Like I told you yesterday, I didn't have any choice, really. As soon as Pranzik fled, I knew I'd become a fugitive like you." He looked at Keir and drew a short puff. "And when you said Bautista was involved, I decided to see if this was more than just some desperate rebel ploy."

 Keir's muscles tensed. "What do you mean by that?"

 The knight leaned forward. "There've been rumors, which Pranzik affirmed to me indirectly while we were searching for you. Rumors that your father is dead, that supernatural forces are involved, and that you seek the impossible."

 Keir gulped. "The impossible?"

 "Yes. Rumor has it that the rebels have become so desperate that you've been sent to slay Teivos."

 "We're not desperate!"

 He paled, realizing he'd just affirmed the knight's statement. Angry that Black Muraga had so easily gotten him to reveal his quest, the youth straightened and said defiantly, "I'm on a mission for Evesthar himself! In fact, Bautista gave me a sword made especially to slay that blasphemous Voryaki." Keir reached over and grabbed his scabbard, yanking Onaonte out. The blade shimmered gently, soft rainbows flickering in the kolbalight.

 Black Muraga's eyes widened. "Your sword is more beautiful than any I've ever seen! May I?" he asked, reaching out slowly.

 Keir hesitated, then nervously acquiesced. "Careful. There's White Magic in it."

 Black Muraga gingerly fingered Onaonte, running his palm lightly along the keen edge. "It's--it's incredible," he stammered softly, holding it close to the kolbalight and carefully scrutinizing every detail of the blade. "I can feel the White Magic coursing through it." Slowly, almost reluctantly, he handed it back. "I've never felt such power or seen such an exquisitely crafted sword. For Bautista to give you a blade like this can only mean that you are truly chosen by the Most High."

 The knight leaned back and sucked a long draw on his pipe. After a few more puffs, the knight said, "Boy, I think I may join you on this quest. Of course, that will have to wait until I've confirmed all this with Bautista."

 Keir gasped at Black Muraga's statement. "But, but..." was all he could muster.

 Jabbing his pipe at Keir, Black Muraga growled, "Listen close, boy. I am not offering you a choice. You need my help if you're ever going to make it to the Isle of The Voryaki. There is too much at stake and one magic sword, no matter how wonderful it is, isn't going to save our country. Someone has to make sure you get there and back and that someone is going to be me. This is the opportunity to overthrow Savonna I've been waiting for."

 Black Muraga’s seeming arrogance flabbergasted Keir.

 Well, the man is a legend, he thought, and even if only half of the stories about him are true, he's no doubt earned the right to make such claims. But arrogant or not, I'm not about to turn down an offer like this.

 With a firm determination, he met Black Muraga's gaze to thank him when he noticed shadows of pain on the knight's face.

 "Are you okay?" he asked.

 "I--I was thinking of my family."

 "Your family?" The tales Keir had heard never mentioned such about the hero.

 Black Muraga beamed, the first time Keir had seen him do so. "I met Alera, my wife, during her fifteenth winter and we married soon after." A few tears filled his eyes. "My son Borig was born a year later. He's had twenty-two winters now, and my daughter Kalia nineteen, a little older than you I guess. Two others died as infants." He sniffed as he blinked the tears away. "Will you shut off the kolbalamp?" he said abruptly. "I'm going to sleep," and promptly laid down, taking time only to set his pipe on the tiled floor.

 Keir rose and slid the prong, shutting off the golden light. As he lay down on the other couch, he thought about how much like his father Black Muraga seemed.

 They're both tough, straightforward, honest. Black Muraga lets me know exactly where he stands. I like that.