"Very well then. If no one else will help you, I'll come along," said a disgruntled voice, and to my astonishment I realised it was Alikirikh who had spoken. I did not know her overwell, but I knew her history. She was among the older of us. Her mate Lirh had been a good, kind soul, but he had gone to the Winds soon after the last of his younglings was born. She had turned bitter at bis passing and for many a hundred winters now had kept her own counsel and company, seeing only her children and shunning the rest of us. She was the last creature I would have thought would volunteer for such a task, but I was in no position to argue.

"Blessings upon thee, Alikirikh. Of your kindness, my friends, prepare yourselves now, for we must go to Verfaren to collect the Gedri and be on our way as swiftly as may be." Turning to the others, I said, "As for the rest of you, O my people, and ye Dhrenagan, ye Restored, whose presence is such balm to our hearts, rest well and recover yourselves. I would beg you all to have patience with the Gedri, should you have dealings with them while we are gone, for they are intensely curious and will almost certainly seek you out. Remember of your courtesy that, here and now, however foolish it may seem, we are legends in this place. Most of those who see us are likely to be terrified first and angry after. Try to think of them as younglings, and remember that we are new-arrived in their land. I will see you all when I return."

I let Varien know who was coming. "Alikirikh? Shikrar, are you certain?"

"I am as surprised as you, my friend," I said. "Perhaps our voyage here has reminded her that the world is full of new experiences, and that there are many kinds of good in the world."

We snatched some food, for it was now long past midday, then joined Vilkas, Aral and Will, Jamie and Rella, and my mother Maran. Jamie, Rella, and the Healers were all desperate to get away, to get to Berys as swiftly as possible to stop him. I could understand it but I can't say I was convinced.

My heart misgave me ferociously. Only by the grace of the Lady, Jamie, and Shikrar was I alive at all. I could not forget that Berys had said I was the most precious thing in the world to him when he learned of my mingled blood. I couldn't help but feel that the most sensible thing for me to do was to stay as far away from him as humanly possible. I took Varien aside for a moment and put it to him.

"I cannot argue with you, dearling," he said solemnly, "and I would not place you in danger for all the world. Perhaps we could remain with the Kantri until the others return?"

"What, you mean rest?" I teased. 'Together? In safety? Surely not." I grinned at him. "If this were a proper bard's tale we'd be going along with the others, intent on revenge to the exclusion of everything else, including good sense."

He laughed. "Ha! Let us confound the ballad-makers, then, and take our ease." He kissed me lightly. "We have surely deserved it. Very well. Let us go and tell our comrades of our decision."

They were all assembled in the shelter of the one corner of the College that still stood: there was at least a portion of roof to keep off the rain that threatened, and there was room enough for Salera and Shikrar, though Idai, Gyrentikh, and Alikirikh had to wait outwith the crumbling walls. Tolmas the stonemason and several dozen others from the town were there as well, to hear what Rikard might say about their future, that for so many years had depended on the College of Mages. The assembled Gedri—I shook myself— people stared at Shikrar in astonishment, and at Salera in disbelief.

Rikard took a deep breath and began. "There are two chief matters before us," he said. "First and most obviously, I have much to tell you of the destruction of the College and our hopes

to rebuild, but that will have to wait, for there are those here who must leave as soon as may be." He nodded to us. "There is news that will be hard to hear, but hear it we must. Ignorance would be lolly. Pray you, hearken to Mistress Rella."

"Those of you who were around earlier saw what happened, with the Healers Donal and Rathen," said Rella, and speaking quickly, she told them of the demon-haunted Healers. Over the shocked swearing she continued. "We know beyond doubt that Magister Berys, he who was Archimage, has been the source of their temptation and the one who must bear the blame for this obscenity." She drew a deep breath. "What this means is that you cannot trust any Healer, apart from Rikard and those students whom you see before you, not to be the victim of demonic possession." Now that brought a hiss of indrawn breath. "Berys has taken even that fundamental surety away. Those who serve the House of Gundar are almost certainly tainted. For the rest, we cannot tell, but the dangers are too great to take chances. The best we can do is to recommend that you only trust Healers who wear a Ladystar in contact with their skin. The demons cannot bear the touch of that symbol of Her power."

"We cannot live thus for long, surely!" cried Tolmas, the others echoing his words. "And even if we are so fortunate as to have Rikard and the others, what may be done for those who live elsewhere?' His brow was deeply furrowed. "My sisters son dwells in Elimar, and bis young lad is not well. What is he to do? How will he know who to trust? And how shall we deal with any of the tainted ones who approach us?" He lowered his voice. "Surely we need not kill them?"

"We leave this very hour to seek out Berys and destroy him," said Jamie stoudy. "The death of the demon-master breaks the spell. They will be free."

"Aye, well, if you manage it, all well and good," countered Tolmas. "But the Archimage as was, he's a powerful man. He may not be so easy to kill, and in the meantime how are we to protect ourselves? Demons walking in the shapes of men. Shia preserve us," he muttered.

"We will keep watch, day and night," replied Rikard heavily. He opened the top of his clasped robe to reveal the new Ladystar that hung above his heart from a silver chain. "It will take more than one of us to restrain them, so we will move in groups of three. We are very few, alas, and I fear..."

"Magister," said Salera, raising her voice only enough to be heard clearly. "I hight Salera, of the Aialakantri. My people and I have spoken of this, and we believe there is a better solution."

Those who had not heard Salera before stared, slack-jawed, at this impossibility. Surely that was one of the little dragons, speaking!

"There are not full five hands of the true Healers who yet live," she continued. "If one or two of you are able to subdue these crea-tures, rather than three, it would leave more free to watch and ward, perhaps to go abroad in the world to seek them out if that is needed; I have found"—here she paused to concentrate—"three hands of my fellow Aiala who have said they will assist. If we work together, surely we all will benefit."

Rikard's eyes were nearly as wide as those of the townsfolk and he obviously could not speak, so I did.

"Salera, you are most generous, and I know the Healers appreciate your offer. Are you certain that this is best for you?" I added in truespeech, for Varien had told me that she could hear it, "Dear Salera, this is a great work and a great danger you undertake. What so moves you to generosity towards the Gedri? It will be hard, and not all will accept you for the reasoning creatures that you are. If you seek to do this as a kindness to my people, for my sake and Varien's, know that it is not necessary."

"I know that well, Lady Lanen/Mother" she replied, her mindvoice calm and clear. "It is because they do not yet know us that it must be done. For our own protection, the sooner we are able to assist the Gedri, to speak with them for longer than a brief moment, the sooner will they come to see us for who we now are." I could hear the determination in her thoughts. "There is also an undeniable pleasure in knowing that we will be working against our life-enemies. Fear not, Lady/Mother. This is not misplaced gratitude. I have spoken with my people at some length, and it has been decided."