For Linscott, it would mean-the end of his career. For the loss of the protection of guild law while under his watch as a Director, the masons would doubtless expel him within a day. The unskilled would now work; Linscott would be an outcast.

Of course, the land's projects would, in the end, cost more. Unskilled workers were, after all, unskilled. A man who was expensive, but knew his job, in the end cost less, and the finished job was sound.

A Director lifted his hand, showing his informal, but for all practical purposes final, support for the new law. The others watched that hand go up, as if seeing an arrow fly to a man's chest to pierce his heart. Linscott was that man. None wanted to join his fate. One by one, the other Directors' hands began going up, until there were eleven.

Linscott gave Claudine a murderous look before he stalked out of the feast. Claudine's ashen face lowered.

Dalton started applauding the Directors. It jolted everyone out of the somber drama, and people began joining in; All those around Claudine began congratulating her, telling her what a wonderful thing she and her husband had done for the children of Anderith. Tongues began indignantly scolding the masons' selfish ways. Soon a line of people wanting to thank her formed to file past and add their names to those on the side of the Minister of Culture and the courage of his fairness.

Claudine shook their hands but managed only a pallid smile.

Director Linscott was not likely to ever again wish to listen to anything Claudine Winthrop had to say.

Stein glanced over, giving Dalton a cunning smile. Hildemara directed a self-satisfied smirk his way, and her husband clapped Dalton on the back.

When everyone had returned to their seats, the harpist poised her hands with fingers spread to pluck a cord, but the Sovereign again raised his hand. All eyes went to him as he began to speak.

"I believe we should take this opportunity, before the next course, to hear what the gentleman from afar has to say to us."

No doubt the Sovereign was having trouble staying awake and, before he fell asleep, wanted to hear Stein speak. The Minister stood to once again address the room.

"Good people, as you may know, a war is spreading. Each side has arguments as to why we should join with them. Anderith wants only peace. We have no desire to see our young men and women bleed in a foreign struggle. Our land is unique in being protected by the Dominie Dirtch, so we have no need to fear violence visiting us, but there are other considerations, not the least of which is trade with the world beyond our borders.

"We intend to hear what the Lord Rahl of D'Hara and Mother Confessor have to say. They are pledged to wed, as you have all no doubt heard from the diplomats returning from Aydindril. This will join D'Hara with the Midlands to create a formidable force. We await listening respectfully to their words.

"But tonight we are going to hear what the Imperial Order wishes us to know. The Emperor Jagang has sent a representative from the Old World beyond the Valley of the Lost, which has now for the first time in thousands of years been opened for passage." Bertrand held out a hand. "May I introduce the emperor's spokesman, Master Stein."

People applauded politely, but it trailed off as Stein rose up. He was an imposing, fearsome, and fascinating figure. He hooked his thumbs behind his empty weapon belt.

"We are engaged in a struggle for our future, much the same as the struggle you have just witnessed, only on a larger scale."

Stein picked up a small loaf of hard bread. His big hands squeezed until it broke apart. "We, the race of mankind, and that includes the good people of Anderith, are slowly being crushed. We are being held back. We are being suffocated. We are being denied our destiny, denied our future, denied life itself.

"Just as you have men without work because a self-interested guild held sway over the lives of others, denying them work and thus food for their children, magic holds sway over all of us."

A hum rose in the room as whispering spread. People were confused, and just a little worried. Magic was loathed by some, but respected by many.

"Magic decides for you your destiny," Stein went on. "Those with magic rule you, though you have not willingly consented to it. They have the power, and they keep you in their grip.

"Those with magic cast spells to harm those they resent. Those with magic bring harm to innocent people they fear, they dislike, they envy, and simply to keep the masses in check. Those with magic rule you, whether you like it or not. The mind of man could flourish, were it not for magic. "It is time regular folks decided what will be, without magic holding its shadow over those decisions, and your future."

Stein lifted his cape out to the side. "These are the scalps of the gifted. I killed each myself. I have prevented each of these witches from twisting the lives of normal people.

"People should fear the Creator, not some sorceress or wizard or witch. We should worship the Creator, none other."

Low murmurs of agreement began to stir.

"The Imperial Order will end magic in this world just as we ended the magic that kept the people of the New and Old World separated for thousands of years. The Order will prevail. Man will decide his own destiny.

"Even without our help fewer and fewer gifted are born all the time as even the Creator, with his nearly infinite patience, tires of their vile ways. The old religion of magic is dying out. The Creator Himself has thus given us a sign that the time has come for man to cast magic aside."

More rustles of agreement swept through the room.

"We do not wish to fight the people of Anderith. Nor do we wish to force you, against your will, to take up arms to join us. But we intend to destroy the forces of magic led by the bastard son of D'Hara. Any who join him will fall under our blade, just as those with magic"-he held out the cape- "fell under mine."

He slowly swept a finger before the crowd as he held his cape out with his other hand. "Just as I killed these gifted witches who came up against me, we will kill any who stand against us.

"We also have other means beyond the blade to end magic. Just as we brought down the magic separating us, we will bring an end to all magic. The time of man is upon us."

The Minister casually lifted a hand. "And what is it, then, if not the swords of our powerful army, the Order wishes from us?"

"Emperor Jagang gives his word that if you do not join with the forces fighting for those with magic, we will not attack you. All we wish is to trade with you, just as you trade with others."

"Well," the Minister said, playing the part of the skeptic for the benefit of the crowd, "we already have arrangements that commit a great deal of our commodities to the Midlands."

Stein smiled. "We offer double the highest price anyone else offers to pay."

The Sovereign lifted his hand, bringing even the whispering to a halt. "How much of the output of Anderith would you be interested in purchasing?"

Stein looked out over the crowd. "All of it. We are a huge force. You need not lift a blade to fight in the war, we will do the fighting, but if you sell us your goods, you will be safe and your land will become wealthy beyond your hopes and dreams."

The Sovereign stood, surveying the room. 'Thank you for the emperor's words, Master Stein. We will want to hear more.

"For now, your words have given us much to consider." He swept a hand before the people. "Let the feast resume."