"All right, Drim," Caledan said, taking a deep breath-'Take me to Lord Cutter."

The heavy, iron-banded door shut behind Caledan, and he heard the sound of a lock turning. The two Zhentarim warriors outside the portal had taken his sword. There was nothing to do now except to wait for Ravendas.

The chamber he found himself in was circular, about twenty paces across. The dark stone floor was strewn with silvery furs, and the walls hung with richly woven tapestries. The furniture was ornate and expensive-looking. A fire burned brightly in the great archway of a marble fireplace. There were windows facing to the south and west, but it was a good distance to the courtyard below. Jumping would be a desperate option indeed.

Suddenly Caledan heard the faint sound of music. It was coming from near the fire, the sweet, rich voice of a lute. The melody was none Caledan recognized, but it was both lovely and sorrowful, filled with a sense of longing.

Curious, he walked slowly toward the source of the music. It was a boy, sitting in a large armchair that had concealed him from Caledan's immediate view. The boy was small-no more than eight or nine, Caledan guessed-his feet dangling several inches above the floor. His smooth hair was raven-dark, his skin as pale as snow. His green eyes were widely spaced, bordered by dark lashes, and his cheeks were lightly touched by blooms of pink from the heat of the fire.

The boy strummed the lacquered lute with small, perfect hands, gazing absently into the fire. Caledan simply stood there, entranced, listening to the music. Finally the song ended on a long, wistful note, and the boy's hands fell from he instrument. "Hello," he said in a pure, sweet voice, though he barely lifted his gaze from the fire.

"Hello," Caledan stammered, a bit startled by the calmness of the boy's tone.

"You've come to see my mother, haven't you?" he said gazing up at Caledan. Behind his visor a look of shock passed over Caledan's face. My mother?

"You didn't know she had a son, did you?" the boy said.

"No, I didn't," Caledan replied truthfully enough.

The boy shrugged. "Most people don't. I think she keeps me a secret."

Fascinated, Caledan knelt by the boy's chair. "Why does she keep you a secret?" he asked, his voice gentle.

The boy smiled, yet it was a melancholy expression, making his face seem wise beyond his years. "You don't know my mother terribly well, do you? Everything is a secret to her."

Caledan shook his head. There was something peculiar about this boy, but something compelling as well. He could only guess how terrible it must be to grow up under Raven-das's care.

The boy's eyes shone. "She'll break me when she's done with me, you know. That's what she does with everybody, once she's used them. She'll break you, too, as soon as you finish whatever it is she wants you to do. I've seen her do it to others."

Caledan shuddered. "It doesn't have to be that way, you know," he said. "You don't have to do what she wishes. She can't break you, not if you're strong."

For a brief moment a light glimmered in the boy's eyes like a flicker of hope. Then it vanished. "I used to dream of things like that," he said abjectly. "I don't dream anymore."

Before Caledan could say anything more, he heard the lock of the door turning. Quickly he stepped away from the boy. The chamber door opened, and Ravendas steppe" through. Caledan felt a hot wave of hatred rush through his body but forced himself to stand firm.

She was dressed in a gown of crimson and gold, hues accented by her red lips and shimmering hair. She was isitely beautiful, like a too-perfect rose which, upon closer inspection, reveals a rotting, loathsome center within its petals.

Ravendas stepped blithely into the room. "I see you received my summons, Captain Breldurn," she purred in a voice as thick and cloying as honey. "You may greet me," she said imperiously.

Though he was unsure what the proper greeting was, Caledan dared not hesitate. He strode to her and knelt as she presented her hand. He bent his head over her proffered hand and raised his visor just enough for a kiss. He hesitated a scant second. This is the hand that strangled Kera, he thought. He clenched his jaw, swallowing bile. He pressed his lips against the smooth skin of her hand. He stood then, letting the visor fall back into place.

She smiled, displaying her perfect white teeth. "You're a bashful one, Captain Breldurn," she crooned. "I find that charming in a man. But then, innocence can grow tiresome after a time. We shall cure you of this soon enough."

She glanced toward the chair where the boy sat, silently watching. "Leave us, Kellen," she said coldly. "Find Snake and practice your music for him."

"Yes, Mother," the boy said. He picked up his lute and walked to a side door, turning the knob with a small hand. He cast one backward glance at Caledan, then stepped through the portal. Caledan made a silent oath to himself then. If it was at all possible, he was going to rescue that child from Ravendas.

"Come with me, my shy soldier," Ravendas said with a sultry laugh. She took his hand and led him to a divan covered with snowy white furs. She sat down, the crimson silk of her dress spilling bloodlike over the white fur. She leaned forward to fill two crystal glasses with ruby-colored wine from a decanter resting on a black lacquered table.

For a heartbeat, time seemed to cease for Caledan. He realized this was the moment he had been wailing for the last seven years. This was the perfect chance to exact h' vengeance upon Ravendas. As she leaned forward her graceful neck was extended like a swan's, and the large vein that ran in her throat stood out clearly against her pa]_e skin. The guards at the door had taken his sword, but the boots he wore were still his own. Inside the right boot was a small throwing knife. In less than the time required to take a single breath, he could produce the knife and slit Ravendas's throat.

He knew there would be little chance of escaping. Even if Ravendas died without a sound-something he could not count on-there was no way to slip by the guards outside the door. They would know something was awry, and his life would be forfeit.

But did that matter? All he had lived for these last seven years was revenge against Ravendas. Once he had revenge, his life would mean nothing to him. His hand inched its way down his leg, toward the hidden knife. You will be avenged, Kera, he vowed to himself for the final time. His fingers brushed the hilt of the knife.

Suddenly his hand froze.

After a moment he sighed, his hand dropping away from the concealed knife. Ravendas turned and handed him a goblet of the deep red wine. The moment for vengeance had passed.

Why didn't you kill her? a part of his mind screamed at him, but he pushed the question aside. He knew the answer.

Ravendas's death was exactly what Snake wanted.

He forced himself to remember that Snake was the greater danger now, not Ravendas. Perhaps he should use this opportunity to warn her. If anyone had the power to defeat Snake, it was she. At least he had to try.

Forgive me, Kera, he whispered inwardly.

"Come, Breldurn, speak a toast to me," Ravendas said in a lilting voice, lifting her glass.

I can't believe I'm going to do this, Caledan snarled to himself. This must be the Harper's bad influence on me.

"To you, Ravendas," he said as he lifted his goblet, the words dripping like poison from his tongue.

He flipped up his visor.

Shock flickered in her azure gaze for only a second. Then a dangerous smile coiled about her red lips.

"It has been some time, Caledan Caldorien," she said, her voice as cold as steel. Swiftly, before he could react, she snaked out a hand and reached deftly inside his right boot. She drew out the small knife concealed there.