LordEndithor'sincarcerationwasbrief.BythefollowingmorningLordCountNalorhad sufficientlydrawnupallduenotesofarrest,statementsofwitnesses,andlegal proposalstopresenttothehighcourtofciviljurisprudence.Whenthedocketwas officiallyopenedthatmorning,LordCourtNalorwasfirsttobegrantedhisappearance. Hisstatementwasbriefandsuccincttheninejudgesreviewedhispapersinthemost cursoryfashion.ItwasdeemedunnecessarytocallLordCountEndithorhimselfbefore thepodiumtomakeanystatementinhisowndefense.

Whenhisdaughter,Areel,arrivedatthecourtwithanoteofappealsignedbysome lowlybureaucrat'ssecretary,theninejudgesallowedherhersaybutNalordeftly parriedeverystatementshemade,discountedeveryflawandmiscarriageofjusticeshe perceivedinsoextraordinarilyswiftatrial.Shewasoverruled.Thejudgestooktheir voteinaunanimousdecision,allnineofthemshowedtheblackcard:deathforthe accused.Areelswoonedandhadtobeescortedhomebyhermanservants. Noticewassenttothepublicexecutionertopreparethepublicsquareforastate executionthatvery afternoon.Nalorhimself,inanuncommonabridgementoftheusualprocedure,made hiswaytotheroyalprisonannexedtothecourthouseandvisitedEndithortogivehim thewordhimself. "Putyouraffairsofthesoulinorder,myfriend,"Nalorhissed,standingbeforethebars ofEndithor'scell. "Thedecisionwasunanimous." Endithorliftedhishead,andfromthegrayshadowsofthecornerofhiscellhiswhite eyesburnedlikefunereallamps."Nodoubt,"hewhisperedghostily,"thedecisionwas unanimous,seeingthatallthosejudgesareindebtedtoyouinonewayoranother. Theyarenotfoolstheyfollowyourordersandarerewarded.ButI,too,didwhatyou saidandnowIamtobetorturedandslain." "Stillstickingtothatstory,eh?"Nalorchuckled,thoughtherewasnoneinthiscellblock notevenasleepingguardtohearhimprotestEndithor'saccusation. "Youknowitisthetruth.Igotothegodsaguiltlessman." "Notentirelyguiltless,"Nalorremindedhim."Youwereintheactofperforminga sorcerousceremony,youknow.Thehighgodsdonotlookkindlyuponamateurs attemptingtosomanipulatethem." Alongsilence.TheonlynoiseswerethedamphushofEndithor'sbreathandaslight clankingofhis chains.Then:"Iwillberevengeduponyou,Nalor.Knowthat." "Ithinknot.Youdiethisafternoon." "Myspiritwillfollowyouanddamnyou.Iwillberevengeduponyou." Nalorsmiledsceptically. "Youarefoul,Nalor.Butyourevilshallhaveitsownduereward,andtheHellsshall haveyou." "Nowyouspeaklikethosecrippledbeggarsinthestreets,whowhineforalmsand threatenthegulliblethatgoodgainsandevilfails."

"Whenyoudie,Nalorwhenyoubreatheyourlastrememberme.Igotothetorture,but mydeathwillbesweetandpainlesscomparedtoyourown.Iseeanawfuldoom awaitingyou,NalorIseethefiresoftheHellsreachingupwardforyoursoul" "Saveyourbreath,myfriend.Youwillneeditforyourscreams,laterthisafternoon." Withthat,Nalorturnedabruptlyandstrodebackdownthegloomycorridor. Endithorsankbackagainstthestone,chainsrattling.Hewasflushedhetrembled.He hadmadehispeacewiththegods,buthedidnotwanttodie.Overandoverhe whisperedtohimself,likealitany:"RememberwhatIsay,Nalor.TheHellswillbeyour reward.Whenyoudie,rememberme.Whenyoudie,youwillrememberme...." Nalorwasnotpresentatthecourtwhen,laterthatmorning,Areelreturnedwitha summons,thistimesignedbyherlocalmagistrate,demandingtoseeherfatherone lasttimebeforehewastakentobeexecuted.ButevenwithNalorabsent,theninedark judgesdidastheyknewthenoblemanwouldhavewished.TheydeniedAreelhervisit. "Youcannotdothis!"criedAreel,outraged."Itisagainstthelawyouaresupposedto uphold!Everyprisonerisallowedonevisitbyhiskinbeforehisexecution." Thejudgeshuddledtogetherandmurmuredforamomentthenthechiefofthem announced:"Thatisso,savefortwoinstances.Firstly,yourfatherisconvictedofa treasonablecrime,andacrimeagainstthestateoranyofitsofficersdisallowsanyof theusualleniencies.Secondly,novisitsareallowedduringthefinaltwentyfourhours precedingtheexecutionwearenowwithinthatperiod." "Thisismonstrous!"Areelprotested."Hewasarrestedonlylastnight,andsentenced thismorning.Hewillbedeadbeforeadayandanighthaveelapsedsincehisarrest.It ismockery!" "Silence!"Theforemostjudgestoodup,slappinghishandsonhispodium."Silence,or youwillbeescortedfromthishall!Iadviseyoutogetyourselfhomeandpraytothe godsforyourfather'sspirit.Heisawickedman,asorcerer,andwillneedyour interventionifheisnottobedamnedtotheeternalHells.Now,getyougone!Our businessispressing,andwehavealreadygiventoomuchtimeandattentiontothe offspringofatraitor." Endithor'sapartment,inthemostexclusivesectionofShadizar,overlookingthemain officesandbuildingsofgovernment,gaveAreelaclearviewofthemainsquarewhere theexecutionwastotakeplace.Shesataloneinahighchamber,atanopenwindow, watchingasthesentencewascarriedout. Publicbillshadbeenpostedallmorningbynoonthesquarewasbeginningtofillwith thethrongsofcurious,andthemerchants'stallsweredoingbetterthantheyhaddone allyear.Flagonsofwinewereliftedhigh,cheesesandcakesdevoured,songssung,

lutesandflutesplayed.Thepickpocketsofthecity,too,weremanagingmorebusiness inafewhoursthanmosthadgarneredfortheentirepasttwelvemonth.Theskiesbegan cloudingaroundnoonwithinthehouralightdrizzlebegantosprinkleuponthecity,but didnotintheleastaffectthegatheringcrowds. Areelshednotears.Shedidnotmourn,norwailheranguish.Shewasherfather's daughter,raisedtoendureallthingswithquietpride.Courtlifehadtaughtherfatherto maintainanoutwarddignityandastrongrelianceonone'sownselfandEndithorhad bequeathedthisoutlooktohisdaughter.Areelwasstoneshewassteel,andfire.Good andbadalikepassedbeforehercriticalattentiontogainonlyamuteacknolwedgement inherexpression.Fewthingsbroughthertodespair,fewerthingsstillliftedherto heightsofunrestrainedemotion.Thatsortofexistencewasforthosewhohadlittleto lose,littletogainAreelhadbeenraisedinaworldofwealthandpowerandintrigue, andshehadeverythingtoprotect,herselffirstofall. Asthehornstrumpetedoutside,announcingthebeginningoftheexecution,Areelset asidethebooksshehadbeenexamining:herfather'sdiariesandrecords.Theytoldher everything:Nalor'streacheryherfather'sfearofKus,themysteriousnoblemanwho eithercontrolledNalororwascontrolledbyhimthelonghistoryofNalor'sgradual attainmentofpowerincourt,andhiseviluseofthatpowerallofitwasintherecords herfatherhadkept.Thelastentryhadbeenrecordedyesterday,asdutifullyasallthe restinhisspideryZamoranscriptEndithorhadnotedhisintendedactofsorcery,his decisiontosacrificeLeraforthegoodofthecommunity,andhisbriefacknowledgement ofthegods,alongwithaprayerfortheirunderstandingofhisactions. Thetrumpetsblaredagain.Areelleaneduponthesill,lookeddownuponthedistant crowds.Agovernmentofficial,dressedinscarletandgold,rodethroughthethrongona whitesteed,thendismountedandclimbedthestepsofthetallstageerectedinthe middleofthesquare. Atthatmoment,someoneknockedonAreel'sdoor.Sheturned,angry."ItoldyouthatI wishedtobeleftalone!" "Pardon,mistress."Thevoicewasthatofoneofhermanservants."Itisimportant." "Moreimportantthanmyfather'sdeath?"shesnarled.But,acquiescing:"Enter!" Themanopenedthedoorandbowed.Hewasmiddleagedandworethetunicofa headservant."MayIspeak,mistress?"heasked. Areelnodded. "Mistress,Ithoughtyoushouldknowthatmanyoftheservantsofyourhouseholdhave leftthepremises.""Whatdoyoumean?" "Theyaregone.Onlysixremainthesteward,onestableboy,twoslaves,myself,and thegirl.""Lera?"

"Shehasremained.""Andtheothers?" Themanservantshrugged."Theymusthaveleftthismorning.Theirpersonalthingsare gonefromtheirquarters." Areelsneered."Didn'twanttoserveanylongerinthehouseofatraitor,eh?Whatabout therestofyou,Tirs?Areyougoingtorun,aswell?" Theman'sheadliftedwithpride."Weareyours.Theslavesmustremain,andsolong asyoupaytheremainderofusforourservices,wewillstayalso." "Verywell"Anothertrumpetblastsoundedfromoutside."Leavemenow,Tirs." "Verygood,mistress."Themanbowedandbackedout,shutthedoor. Areelreturnedtothewindowandwatchedthesquare.Theofficialonthestagewas makingsomelastannouncementabouttheexecutionofLordCountEndithorof Shadizar.Anotherseriesoftrumpetblasts,andthenthecrowdscheeredasahorseand cartmadeitswaythroughthesquarefromthedirectionoftheroyalprison.Endithor, boundwithchainshandandfoot,crouchedhuddledinthecartasmissilesthrownby themobsailedoverhim.Thehorseandcartpausedatthestepsoftheplatformtwo guardsunlatchedthecartanddraggedtheprisonerout.Rocks,vegetablesandclodsof mudstruckEndithorandhisguards,aswell.Atroopofsoldierssurroundedthestage andwardedbackthecrowds,andEndithorwaswalkedtothecenteroftheplatformand shownallaround,tothecitizensofShadizar. Morerocksandvegetablesflew.Mountedtroopspushedthecrowdsfartherback.Then, followingthepathofthehorseandcart,anescortfromthepalacebroughtthestate executionerintothesquare.Afteranotherannouncement,hewasledupthestairsa hugeman,nakedsaveforadarkloinclothstrappedbeneathhislargebellybymeansof awideleatherbelt,hisidentityhiddenbyablackhoodreachinghalfwaydownhischest andback.Inhislargehandshecarriedanumberofgrimlookingtoolsoftorture. Severalguardsmountedthestageafterhim.TheystrippedEndithornaked,attached longchainstothemanaclesathisankles,loopedthesechainstopulleyssetinthe gallowsofthestage.Roughlytheyhauledthedoomedmanup,crankingthechainswith awindlass.WhenfinallyEndithorwashangingupsidedownbyhisankles,hiswrists werefreedhisarmswerestretchedapartandattachedtolargestaplesinthestage. Thecrowdcheered.Thecitysoldierstroopeddownthestairsandtookuppositionswith theirfellowsbeforethestage,holdingbackthemob.Andthentheroyalexecutioner begantoapplyhistrade. Hewasmasteratitmasternotonlyatcreatingagonyinhisvictims,butalsoingauging theresponseofthecrowd.Withashowman'sinstinctstheanonymousexecutionerled themon,buildinguptheirinterest,drawingbloodorwrenchinglimbswithasubtle,slow buildupofsavageartfulness.ThescreamshedrewfromEndithorroseinpitchand durationexactlytocomplementtherising,gleefulexcitementofthepackedmob.

FirstcameascourgingnothingdrasticconcentratingonLordEndithor'sfaceand genitals.Then,smallcutsweremadeuponhisface,hishandsandsolesofhisfeet, followedbydeepercutsdownhissides,frontandback.Thiswasfollowedupbyhot pincers,appliedhereandthereformaximumpain.Morescourgingensued,thistime withbarbedleather,afterwhichsaltsandburningspiceswererubbedintothewounds. Then,returningtothewhitehotpincers,theexecutionercommencedthejointbyjoint dismembermentoftoesandfingers.Andfinally,seriousworkuponthefacebeganslow andcarefulgougingandcuttingthatdisfiguredandblindedwithoutaffectingthevocal regions.Countlessscreamsofpainrosetothedrizzlingskies,togetherwiththemob's wildlyenthusiasticcheers. Areelwatchedtothelastwatchedmutely,withfiercehatredboilingwithinher.Shefelt thehategrowingsilently,likeanotherself,assabersandsawsrippedmusclesfrom Endithor'slegsandarmsandback,asthescalpwasrippedfromhisskull,asfinallyhis bellywasslashed,hislimbsdismembered,hisheadcutfreeandmountedonapole. Thatsuchatrocitiescouldbedidnotamazeher,foralongwithallmembersofherclass andraceshehadwitnessedsuchviolentexecutionsmanytimes.Itwasnoworsethan whatmostcriminalscondemnedtodeathwentthrough. Butthistime,itwasherfather!Thoughshewitnesseditstoicallyenough,fromoutward appearances,thiswastheexecutionofherfatherandhewasinnocent.Innocent! Whilethecourtwhichhadcondemnedhimwentfree.WhileNalor,themanwhoowned andcontrolledthatcourt,wentunhamperedalonghisway,concoctingnewcrimes, doingashepleased. Whentheexecutionwasover,Areelclosedtheshuttersofherwindowandsatthere throughoutthelong,grayafternoon,relivingtheagoniesinhermindasanincentiveto herownalreadyformingplansofrevenge.Thatherownlifewasindangershedidnot doubt.HowlongwouldNalorallowher,Endithor'sdaughter,tolive,whensheprovided aconstantthreattohim? ButNalor,sheknew,wouldnotactimmediately.Thatwouldarousesuspicion.Andso shewouldhavetimetoformherownplanofretribution. Yethermindformednocertaincourseofaction,creatednorealscheduleuntil,latethat evening,shereturnedtoherroomandperusedherfather'sdiariesandjournals. Forthefirsttime,sheopenedmanystrangeoldbooksandscrollsshehadnot suspectedhehadowned.ThenAreelwasquietlystunned.For,whateverherfather's motivationorgoal,thesebooksprovedwithoutadoubtthathehadindeedpracticed sorcery.

Areelbegantoreadthebooks,andherplanformed.TofightNaloronhisownground withlawyers,withlegalmaneuversandothersuchmundanedeviceswouldonlyinvite certaindefeat. Buttobattlehimwithsorcery? Aye,shewouldfighthimwithpotionsandspells,withinfluencesandevilsbeyondhis ownpale,earthlyimitationofevil!Shewouldcarryonherfather'sunfinishedwork.She wouldutterlydestroyNalor,bodyandspirit,bymeansofsuchthingsasonlydamned anddesperatesoulsresortto. Hereyesblazedwithfierceexcitement."Ishall!"shecriedaloud."Ihavenoothertrue choice!" Therewaslittletimeshemustactswiftlyshemustemploytoolsofwhoseefficacy therecouldbenodoubtwhatsoever. "Sorcery!"shemuttered. Sorcery,todestroythemanwhohaddestroyedherfather. Shelookedtoherfather'sbooks,litafewextraoillampsagainsttheencroaching darknessofherroom,andappliedherselfagaintotheancientgrimoires. Atthesamemoment,notfaraway,LordCountNaloratealatesupperinasmallprivate chamberofhisapartment.Asingleluteplayerprovidedaccompaniment,strumminga sadtuneaboutpartedlovers.Halfwaythroughthesong,aslavejangledabelland enteredtheroom.Nalorlookedup. "LordKus,master." Nalornodded.Theservantsidestepped,somewhatnervously,andKusentered. Hewasatall,thinfacedman,strikinglypale,dressedinmutedpurplesandgolds.His dark,unblinkingeyessuggestedatouchofsinisterhumor.Withoutawordhetookhis placeinachairoppositeNalor'stheservantwhohadannouncedhimfollowedina momentwithasilvertraycontainingonlyastopperedflaskandagoldengoblet.When theservantbowedlowandexited,KusunderNalor'swatchfuleyeunstopperedthe flaskandpouredhimselfacupofdarkliquidthatwastooredandthicktobewine. NalorsquirmedslightlyandavertedhisfaceasKusraisedthegoblettohislipsand sippedfromit.Kussmiled,wipedhislipswithanapkin. "Itdistressesyoutoseemedrinkthat?""Itdistressesme,yes." Kuslaughed,athroatygrowl."Why?Inyourownway,you'recertainlyasmuchablood suckerasI.Surviveonabattlefieldsometime,likeIdid,andliveonhumanbloodand fleshforyouronlysustenancewhileyourbodyrepairsitself.You'lllearntodrinkblood."

"Thatwasalongtimeago." "Ibecameveryusedtoit."Kusraisedthegobletoncemore.Nalorcouldnotwatchhim hesetdownhisfork,reachedforhisowngoblet,thenmovedhishandaway.Heturned tohismusicianandcommandedhimtoplaysomethingcheerier.Then,facingKus again,hecommented: "Itwasdonetoday.""Endithor?" "Yes.Wearrestedhimlastnight.Thejudgesposednoproblemwhatever,andhewas executedthisafternoon.Thecrowdlovedit." "Nodoubt."Kussmiled,adarkgleaminhiseye."Thenwearesafe.Nooneelse suspects." "I'mnotsosure,"saidNalor."I'mworriedabouthisdaughter." "Oh?Andwhatdoessheknow?" "Nothing,I'msure.Butshehatesme.Shefoughtmeincourttoday,andIknowthatshe returnedlatertotrytoseetheoldman.I'mcertainshewon'tletthematterrest." Kusshrugged."Itisnotofpressingimportance.""No,no.Butintime,I'dliketoseeher removed.Justtoinsureourownsafety." Kussmiledslowly."Good,myfriend.Good.Lethersitforawhileandthen,whenthe timecomes"Heraisedhisgoblettohislipsoncemore. Nalorshudderedinvoluntarily,lookedKusintheeyes.Theyweremalignanteyes. Quicklyhelookedawayandtoyedwithhisfood,andignoredhiswinegoblet.... TheDragonSeedTaverntonightwasinrobustgoodhealth,swarmingwithpatronswho laughedandtalkedandspentmoney,relivingagainandagainallthefinedetailsofLord CountEndithor'sexecution.StoutObis,theproprietor,stoodbehindhiscounterand watchedhisservinggirlshurrywiththeirordersandsmiledandsmiled.Goldandsilver jangledeverywhere. "Itwasagoodshow!"commentedonerogue,sittingwithcompanionsatashadowed table."Theexecutionertookhistimeputonagooddisplay."Headjustedtheheadband whichcoveredthelossofoneeye,thensippedhisbeer. "Andagoodthing,too,thathetookhistime,"pipeduparatfacedthiefnexttohim,"for itgavemethemoretimetotakemypickings,byBel!"Hepulledouthispurse,which wasoverflowing,andorderedmorecupsaround. Acrossfromthemsataburly,hairybelliedroguewhoseheadwasnestledcomfortably betweenthelargebreastsofthewenchstandingbehindhim."Ifindithardtobelieve,"

hecommented,"thatEndithorwasasguiltyofthosecrimesastheproclamationstated. Now,I'maseasonedman,byAnu!experiencedinthewaysoftheworld.Icansense therottensmellofviceandintrigueastheforestanimalssensehuntersontheirtrail! Endithorwasonlyaminornoble.Myhunchisthathestumbledontosomebody'ssecret, andthatthechargesweretrumpeduptomakeanexampleofhim. Hegottooclosetothebonesinsomebody'sboudoir!"Theoneeyedmanfrownedand nodded."Aye,'tisverypossible.Thedifferencebetweenthoseuppercrustdogsandus, simplyput,isthatthey'renothonestabouttheirdishonesty." "Whathastheworldcometo,"wonderedtheratfacedmanaloud,"whenthereare morethievesinpublicofficethanthereareonthecitystreets?" Theburlyrogueguffawedatthatandslappedthetablecupsdancedandbeerspilled overtheirrims.Heslurpeddownthelastofhisown,thenreacheduptosqueezetheleft breastofhiswench."Getussomemore,Viona,"hegrowled,handingherapocketfulof coppers. Asthegirlpassedthroughthecrowdedtavern,shecouldhearateverytablesimilar conversations.LordEndithor'sexecutionwasthenewsofthehour,andeveryonehad anopinion. Butattheoppositesideofthebar,gamesweregoingon.Heretheplayersweremuch moreintentinrackinguptheirpointsthaninrelivingtheday'spastexcitement.Asmall knotofpeople,thosewhohadfallenoutofthecompetition,surroundedthefinaltwo players:ablondhairedmaninCorinthianarmorandatall,redhairedwomanwearinga sleevelesstunicofchainmail.Themanjustoneofthemanyoutlanderswhohadfound ahomeinShadizar'sportoflostsoulsgaveaneyetohisopponentandsteppedupto theline.Thewoman,smirking,stoodbackandborrowedasipfromawinecupbehind her,thenwatchedquietly. TheblondCorinthiantookhistime,liftinghisknifeandholdingitpoisedhandleinthe air,concentratingonthebull'seyepaintedonthewallseveralpacesbeforehim.The innumerablecracksanddentspatternedontheringshetried,inhisconcentration,io congealintoapaththatwouldleadhisknifestraighttothecenter.Hetookinabreath, helditthen,withasurejerkofhiswrist,flipthrewtheknife.Itspunandstruck,straight inthecenterofthebull'seye. "Welldone,Sendes!"laughedoneofhiscompanions,slappinghimontheback."Ten points!You'vewon!" "Notyet,"counteredanother."IfSonjamakesthebull'seye,she'sgothimbythree points."

Sendessteppedback,retrievedhisbeerfromhistableandswallowedalongdraft.He eyedthewomancalledSonja,whostillstoodwitharmscrossedoverherbreasts, smilingjudiciously. "Well?"Sendesaskedher. Sonjatiltedherhead,scratchedherhair."That'sprettygoodthrowing,Sendes.The bestyou'vedonetonight.Idon'tknowifIcanbeatthat." "Oh,beasportaboutit!"oneofSendes'friendscalled. "Yes,beasportaboutit,"Sendesurgedher."Atleasttakeyourlastthrow." "Idon'tknow,"Sonjasaid."Shallwejustcallitadraw?" Onlookerslaughed. "No,no,no,"Sendesreplied,veryserious."Now,I'vehadaslowstartwhenyouwere wayahead.Youcan'tjustthrowawaythegame,nowthatI'monthevergeofwinning. Beasport.Takeyourlastthrow,andI'llchargeyouonlyonecupofbeerforlosing. How'sthat?" Sonjashrugged,glancedatthebull'seye."ButhowcanItryforthebull'seyewhen yourknifeisintheway?"sheprotested. "Oh,verywell,"Sendesacquiesced."I'llremoveit." Hemadeastepinthatdirection,butacompanionheldhimback."No,no,no,no!Rules isrules!Theknifestayswhereitstuck."Helooked,scowling,atSonja. Sonjashookherhead."Verywell.IguessI'lljusttakemylastthrowandletthatbethe endofit.""That'sasport."Sendessmiled,sippingagainfromhiscup. Shewaslitheandgracefulasshemovedforward,withallthesmoothcoordinationofa junglecat.Herhairfellindeepscarletwavesdownherback.Dressedasshewasin mailarmor,shehadseemedanaffronttomanyaproudmaleinthetavernthatnight andnomatterhowmuchshehaddrunkwiththem,orhowwellshehadthrown,many hadlookeduponitasapresumption,orsomesortofrudejest.Awomaninwarrior's armor,drinkingandthrowingkniveswithmen!Well,she'dlaughedanddrunkandjested andthrownallnight,andhadevenhadsomeluck,butnowshewasfinallygoingto haveherbottleuncorkedwhenSendeswonthebull'seyecontest. Shemovedwithsucheaseandlithenessthatshetookhersmallaudiencebysurprise. Therewasnopause,nodisplayofhistrionics.Inonefluidmovementshehadleaned forward,pulledherknifefromitssheathatherwaist,steppedtothelineandpivoted.

Theweaponflashedinablurwoodsplinteredandmetalsangbeforeanyonetherehad expectedtheknifetoreachthewall. Sonjasmiledandglancedaround.Sendes,astonished,droppedhiscup. "DamnmetotheHells!"calledoutoneofhisfriends. Herknifehaddrivenhomesquarelyinthebull'seye,cuttingstraightthroughSendes'. ThewoodenhandleoftheCorinthian'sweaponwassplitintwonomeanfeat,foritwas ofhardwoodimportedfromKushandthemetalbladewasscarreddeeplywhere Sonja'shadslidalongsideit. Sendesrantothewall,pulledoutSonja'sknifeandstaredathisownruinedweapon. "Impossible,"hebreathed.Sonjawalkeduptohim,smiling."Havethatback?"Numbly, Sendeslethertaketheknife.Shesheathedit.Sendesshookhishead."Impossible,"he breathedagain. "I'llletyoupassonthebeer,"saidSonja,grinningathim."Ithinkyou'regoingtoneed yourmoneytobuyanewknife." Silenceastoundedsilenceandthen,inaburst,wildcheers,guffaws,whistles.Sendes' mencrowdedforwardtoclapSonjaonthebackandofferherdrinks. Theysatattheirtableandlaughed.WhenSendescameover,Sonjaapologized."Itried totellyou,"shepurred."Ididn'treallythinkitwouldhappenquitethatway." "Likehell,"Sendesgrowled. "Oh,cheerup!"urgedoneofhisfriends."Itwasworththatdamnedknifetoseeathrow likethat!"TurningtoSonja:"Wheredidyoueverlearntodoit?It'sremarkable!" Sonjagesturednegatingly."Iwearmyarmorforapurpose,"shesaid."Iamafree sword,aswordswomandon'tyouthinkitwiseforonewhowearsweaponstoknow howtousethem?I'veledmanylives"Shestoppedspeaking,thensaidnomore feeling,perhaps,thatshehadsaidtoomuchalready. GlancingatSendes,sheseemedabouttomakeanothercommenttohimbutsawthat Sendeswasstaringpasther,lookingtowardthecenterofthetavern.Assheandthe othersatthetableturned,too,follow inghisgaze,Sonjabecameawareofagrowingsilenceintheroom. Inthecenterofthetavernwasayoungwomantall,darkhaired,dressedinextremely fineclothesandsportingjewelriesthatmarkedherasnocommoninhabitantofthisside oftown.YetSonjagottheimpressionthatmanyofthepeopleinthetaverndid,indeed, knowher.CertainlySendesappearedto.Hewentsofarastostandupandholdouta hand,indicatingtotheyoungwomanthatsheshouldcometothetable.Sheadvanced.

AsSonjastared,measuringthewomanupanddown,themansittingnexttoheratthe tableaburlymanwithabig,hairybellyspillingoutoverhisswordbeltleanedforward andwhisperedinSonja'sear:"Endithor'sdaughter." Sonja'sbrowsraised. "Areel,"Sendesgreetedthewoman.Hepushedbackhischairandreachedtogetone forherfromaneighboringtable. ButAreelheldupahand."Iwouldliketospeakwithyoualone,Sendes,ifImight." Thoseatthetabletookthehint.Theyallstoodup,quaffedthelastoftheircups, straightenedbeltsandswordsandbadegoodnighttoSendes.Oneortwo,perhapson morefamiliartermswithAreel,offeredherexpressionsofcondolenceonherfather's death.Sheacceptedthesewithaproudlyraisedchin. Sonjawasthelasttogo.Shelingered,watchingSendes,watchingAreel.Areelproud, aloof,withdeepblackeyesfullofintelligenceandpurposelentSonjaaslowgaze.Both womenstaredatoneanotherforwhatseemedalongmoment,butnowordwasspoken betweenthem. Sonjawalkedoff."Goodnighttoyou,Sendes.""Goodnight,RedSonja." "We'llthrowagain,sometime." "Yes,allright.Yes."HeseemedabitflusteredhesmilednervouslyatSonja,then steppedbehindAreeltopulloutachairforher. Sonjawalkedaway,pesteredwiththoughts.AsshecrossedthetavernoneofSendes' companions,theburlyone,gesturedtoher."Haveanothercupwithus?" "No,Ithinknot.It'sgettinglate." "Haveyousomeimportantengagement?""No." "Sitamoment." Curious,Sonjacompliedasshesatdown,sheshotanotherglancebackatSendesand Areel,whowerehuddledattheirshadowedtablepayingnoattentiontoanyoneelse. "YoujustmetSendestonight,didyounot?"askedtheburlyman. "Yes.Whatofit?"saidSonja,perplexed. Themanshrugged."It'sstrange."Helookedbackatthetable."Idon'tlikeit."

Sonjaasked:"Isn'tthatthedaughterofthenoblemanwhowaskilledtoday?" "Aye...." "What'sshedoingwithSendes?" Theman'sdarkeyeslookedintohers."They'veknowneachotherforatime.Sendes neversaidso,butIthinktheywerelovers,once.Heservedasaguardatthepalacefor atime.Ithinkthat'swheretheymet.""What'ssinisterinthat?" "Nothing.Butnowhe'semployedbyCountNalor.""SowhoisNalor?"askedSonja. Agrimsmile,skewed."Onlythemostpowerfulmaninthecity.He'saruthlessbastard controlsallthepoliticsandallthepoliticians.Sendesdoesn'tlikehim,but hepayswellforgoodprivatesoldiers,andIdon'tthinkSendescouldmakebetter moneyanywhereelse."Sonjawasbecomingimpatient."Sowhatdoesitallmatter?" "Toyou,maybeitdoesn't.Iguessyou'renotinvolved,exceptthatyouknowSendes. ButwithEndithorexecuted....Yousee,hewasacouncillor,andNalorisacouncillor. ForEndithortohavebeenkilledinpublic,Nalorwouldhavehadtoarresthimandsign allthepapers.Idon'tknowallthedetailsbutknowingwhatIdoaboutNalor,I'dbeta goldpinthatAreelsuspectssomethingfunnyisgoingon.AndsincesheknowsSendes, andsinceSendesworksforNalor...."Hedroppedopenhandsonthetable. "Youmaybelettingyourimaginationrunawaywithyou,"Sonjatoldhim. "Ihopeso.IlikeSendes.Idon'tgettoseehimthatoftenIpassthroughShadizaronlya fewtimesayear.I'mwiththecaravanthatpulledinthismorningI'mleavingtomorrow morning.HopefullyI'llseeSendesalivewhenIreturn.Ilookforwardtohiscompany whenI'mhere,andIdon'twantanythingtohappentohim." Sonjastoodup."He'llbeallright.Hecantakecareofhimself.You'rejustworried becauseit'slateandyou'retired." "Ihopeyou'reright,RedSonja." "Takecare"Shelaughed."I'veforgottenyourname.Toomanynamesandfacesfor onenight,inthisplace." "BearGut."Heextendedhishand. "That'sright."Shesmiledathimbig,hairybelly,sohisfriendscalledhimBearGut. "Goodnight,BearGut.""Goodnight,Sonja." Theyshookhands,andSonjawalkedonthroughthetavern.Atthedoor,goingout,she tookalastglance

backatSendesandAreel.Something,someuneasinessshecouldnotdefine,prickled herconsciousness.Thenshewentout. Thenightwaswarmbutnotmuggy.Fromnearandfarcamethesoundsofribaldryand carousing,forShadizarcametolifeafterdaylighthadfledandremainedlivelytillits return.AsSonjawalkedbrisklytoherapartmentquartersseveralblocksaway,shewas alertbutnotoverlyconcernedforherownsafety.ShadizartheWicked,thougha crossroadsforallthethieves,murderers,pimps,roguesandrenegadesoftheworld, hadyetitsownsenseofprotocol.Varietywassocommon,crimeandretributionso frequent,andvicesounnoticedthatthefigureofaredhairedswordswomanmakingher waydownthestreets,passingbeneaththetorchesandoillampsofvarious establishments,didnotprovoketheattentionitmighthaveinotherplaces. Besides,RedSonjaknewhowtodefendherselfandherbestdefense,sheknew,was herownnaturalwalk,sureandconfident,plushermailshirtandthelongswordthat swungatherhip.InShadizar,aseverywhereelse,thestrongpreyedupontheweak, andSonjaknewthecityaswellassheknewherself.Onlythemostdrunken,mador desperatewoulddareriskdeathordisfigurementtogainthefewcoinsalonesword bearermightbepresumedtocarry. ThesafestroutetoSonja'sroominghousewasaroundthefartherblockandonestreet over,wherethemainavenuesweresomewhatlitwithlampsandtorches,andwhere latecomersstillpassedbyorloitered.Butthequickestroutewasthroughthealleyjust aheadofher.Itwasashortpassage,whollyunlit,throughthegarbageandclutter betweentwotall,oldbrickbuildings.Withouthesitation,secondthoughtsorprecautions (saveforareflexiverighthandonherswordpommel),Sonjaswungdownthealley. Sheheardsqueaksandscamperingsaheadofherratsinthegarbage.Afewpairsof yellowandredeyesslidlowtotheground,movingawaybeforeheradvance.Asmall breezetrappedbythealleyflutteredonscrapsofpaperthedistantlightofoillamps glintednowandthenonbrokenpiecesofglass. Halfwaydownonthealley,Sonjaheardanothernoiseabriefcoughoralowwhisper. Sheneitherhastenednorslowedherpace,butinstinctivelyherfingersgrippedher sheathedswordmoretightly.Hereyescastaboutshelistenedformorenoisebetween thesoundsofherownfootfallsonthelitter. Anothernoiseslight,butthereandamovementofashadow.Aye,beforeher,and behindher.Sonja'snostrilsflaredshesmiledslightlyintenseanticipation.Ifthey whoevertheymightbetriedtoattackherforherpurse,chanceswerethatherown pursewouldbeheavierfollowingtheencounter. Shetookabreath,slowedherpacejustalittleandthenthevoicesrangout. "We'vegother!"frominfront."Gether!"frombehind. "Hurry!Now!"fromthefrontagain,onlyadifferentvoice.

And:"Ather,Chost!"asecondvoicefrombehind.Sonjasnarledasshadowsleapedat her.Shethrewherselfbackagainstthewallofthealleyandherswordhissedfromits sheathlikearearingcobra,flashinganarcofcaughttorchlightinthecenterofthe darkness.