"I know those students," I said carefully. "They've done naught but save lives since I met them. One who knows them better has told me the full tale, that they had caught Ber—his eye, and he had his excuse to destroy four of them at the once. Magistra Erthik and Magister Caillin, found dead outside the students' door—but found there first by the students as they were leaving. They never touched the Magistri." He looked doubtful, and I added, "Given that they went on to save the life of my daughter, without even promise of payment, I'm naturally inclined to believe them."

"Mmm. That squares with what I'd heard," muttered Hygel. "Perhaps I might trust you after all." A ghost of a smile flitted across his mouth. "As far as I can throw you, at least. What do you know already of the place?"

"I need to know where he might keep her—where he keeps his prisoners. I've a fair idea of the layout, but I need to know how to pass if I'm found." A great coldness washed over my heart. "Hells' teeth. Are they all corrupt, there? Could he keep her openly imprisoned and none to question?'

"No," said Hygel instantly. "There are bad apples in any barrel, but there are fewer at the College than in most places. He'd have to keep her somewhere that none could happen by, and there's precious few spots like that. There is no dungeon, only the cells where—" Hygel swore. "Aye, that'll be it, it must be."

"Tell me."

"Detention cells, partly below ground level, where they keep the drunks who show up hurt and get rowdy once their wounds are seen to. Stone cells, with thick oaken doors and naught but tiny gratings in the outer wall to let in air and light. There are four of them but one has crumbled on itself—no no, long since, be at ease—so there are only three where she might be held. The gratings all open on to the central courtyard, just beyond the main gates: four gratings in a row, it's the third along from the right that's ruined. If she had cried out, a passing student might have heard her. If—"

Hygel sighed and swore quiedy. "If Rella ever hears I've let this out without extracting a price, I swear, she'll spit down my neck after she's taken my head off."

"If what, man?" I hissed.

"If her captor hasn't cast a silence on her. It's a demon spell. He's known to be fond of it. The victim can't be heard no matter how they shout. And those windows are too high up to reach from inside."

I knew as if I'd been there that she was held in that spell, else she'd have shouted the place down. My Lanen had never been one to suffer in silence.

"I'd been told of those cells. My informer said they'd not been used in years."

"Maybe. And maybe they have been but your informer knew nothing of it. I tell you, anything could have happened this last week."

"The central courtyard, you say?" I frowned at the table. "And All Comers is closed? Damn, I'd been counting on that as a way in."

"Shut tight and likely locked," said Hygel thoughtfully, stroking bis chin. "But now I think on it, there is a way in." A slow smile crossed his face. "Magister Rikard owes me quite a favour." Hygel sat back, as if he had come to a decision. "I do believe I'll collect on it. He can get you in as a new servant—seemingly there have been quite a few leaving the place of late." Hygel looked me over. "But not this very moment. You're dead to the world, man." He fished out a key from a pocket and handed it to me. 'Top of the stairs, second on the left. Two coppers for the room and I'll throw in supper. Get some sleep." I started to protest but he cut me off. "Don't be an idiot. You'll need all your wits about you, and Rikard comes here for his evening meal every day of the world. I'll introduce you tonight."

I took the key and stood up. Goddess aid me, I was swaying on my feet from weariness. Still—"If you have betrayed me, the Seventh Hell itself won't be deep enough to hide you," I growled.

"Strictly business," he replied, undaunted. "Your news is worth a fair bit to me, I'd not cheat you. No profit in it." He grinned. "And truth be told, Master, I wouldn't object to losing that particular neighbour myself. He's bad for business."

I nodded and staggered up the stairs, found the room, and fell across the bed. I had thought my anger would sustain me, but I was asleep before I landed.

Mother? Mother, where are you?

I woke, groggy, from my half dream, my wits scattered to the four winds, deeply unsure of time or place. Who was that calling for her mother? What did she mean, I wasn't there ... no, she wasn't... it wasn't me ...

I was slumped into a corner in a stone room. Why wasn't I in my bed? This was Hadronsstead, wasn't it? A flicker of thought told me Hadron was dead, I must be in the tent on the Dragon Isle—but that wasn't stone—the tiny Silent Service hut we—no, we all slept on the floor but it wasn't stone either—some strange inn?

Memory rushed back as I blinked and stood up. It wasn't easy, I was cold and stiff all over, and my wounds burned. Probably infected by the Rikti. I couldn't imagine how I had fallen asleep at all, but I suppose there is a price to be paid for the land of mad strength I'd had. I hoped Marik's every breath burned his throat.

Unfortunately, I now remembered only too well where I was, and what lay before me. Berys's dungeon. Hell blast and bugger it.

As best I could tell that first moment of waking, it was mid-afternoon, but I didn't have time to pay much attention as there were two of Beryss bloody huge guards looming over me. The larger of the two pulled me to my feet and closed my wrists in manacles, heavy iron bracelets with a short chain between the two. I noted, still groggy, that it was very peculiar to see this all happening but to hear nothing. It was desperately unreal, as if it were happening to someone else.

The larger of the bears attached a second length of chain to the first, then bolted my leash to a ring set in the stones of the wall. It allowed me very little movement, which presumably was the intention. What worried me was why they were taking this precaution now—and there he was, Berys, waiting in the open doorway with a smug grin on his face.

Suddenly I was very awake indeed. I threw my weight against the chain and succeeded only in battering my wrists. I soon gave it up, but my heart was thumping horribly in my chest. Goddess, this is it, he's going to sacrifice me right now, I thought desperately. Mother Shia, help me and my babes! I cried out in true-speech with all the strength I could muster. Nothing. It was like shouting into a pillow.

I tried to speak to Berys, but his spell was still in force and I made no sound. He seemed amused by my attempt, so much so that he raised one corner of his mouth in a disturbing smile and waved his right hand. 'Tou still haven't learned, have you? Feel free to exhaust yourself fighting iron chain. It amuses me."

"The only thing that would amuse me would be your violent death, sooner rather than later," I snarled, and was surprised to hear myself speak. Instantly I turned to the bear on my right. "He will break faith with you, you know. It's only a matter of time until he needs another sacrifice and you're the only one around," I said. The guard didn't even look at me.

"Just because I can hear you, don't assume anyone else can," said Berys smugly. "I'm really quite good at selective deafness. As you may have noticed."

But I had my voice back now, for a blessed moment. And at that instant, even Berys's voice was better than nothing. Though I expected nothing soon enough.

"Hello again," said a cheerful voice from the door, and there was Marik bearing a torch and smiling broadly. His hair was wet and he smelled as though he had just had a bath, the bastard. I felt like I hadn't bathed in a year. "Oh, dear, looks like the Rikti had fun playing with you," he said, grinning. It was quite repellent and I wished he'd stop, but he didn't.