"You have kept your body well." Serafi's voice burned in his brain like poison. "You are older than I would like, yet you are strong, and handsome of face. I think that, with a body such as yours, I could seek out and enjoy all the sensations I desire…"

At last, Morhion managed to wrest himself from the ghostly embrace, lurching from the chair. Gasping for breath, he spun around to stare at the spectral knight. "I don't understand," he choked. But even as he spoke the words, he knew he was lying—that he did understand and had already made his choice.

Serafi's sinister voice echoed all around him. "I would live again, Morhion. And I require your body to do so. I will give to you the knowledge you need to save Caledan. I will grant you the time you need to pursue him and his metamorphosis. But, when the quest is over, my payment will be due." The spirit's eyes burned into Morhion. "And your body will become mine."

"What… what then will become of my spirit?" Morhion managed to gasp.

Serafi waved a translucent hand, as if this were a matter of no importance. "You will be dead, Morhion. Nothing more, nothing less. Simply dead." Drifting through the chair, the spectral knight approached. "Tell me your answer, mage. Do you accept my bargain?"

Terror clenched Morhion's heart. He could not do this. Even he, who had sacrificed so much in his life for what he believed was the larger good. Or could he? Once before, he had destroyed his friendship with Caledan in order to save Caledan's life. Now that friendship had grown anew, stronger than ever. Once again, was there anything he would not do for Caledan's sake? All at once, the terror melted from Morhion's chest. A strange peace descended on him. As if in a dream, he heard himself speak the words.

"I accept."

Six

The sending from Master Harper Belhuar Thantarth came to Mari in the shadowless hour before dawn.

She had not slept. Kellen lay curled inside a patchwork quilt before the common room's fieldstone hearth, sleeping the untroubled sleep of a child. Mari sighed, longing for such innocence. However, she was no child.

A crackling sound shattered the still air. Mari jerked her head up, gripping the arms of her chair with white-knuckled hands. A shining azure sphere hovered in midair before her. White-hot tendrils snaked around the sphere, sizzling and popping brightly. The acrid stench of lightning filled her lungs. Abruptly an image appeared in the center of the glowing orb—the face of a man. His eyes were kind, but his graying beard and hard expression lent a sternness to his visage. Mari took in a sharp breath.

"Master Thantarth!" she exclaimed.

She was shocked anew when the image in the sphere spoke to her in return.

"Greetings, Mari Al'maren."

Mari's mind raced. She had heard rumors that, among the Harpers, there were one or two mages capable of sending messages over vast distances. However, the power required for a feat like this was immeasurable. Messages were relayed in this manner in only the direst of circumstances. Slowly, Mari rose from the chair, her muscles stiff from sitting all night.

"How may I serve the Harpers, Master Thantarth?" Her tone was formal. She had spoken face-to-face with Belhuar Thantarth only once before, when she had first joined the Harpers. He was the Master of Twilight Hall, the western stronghold of the Harpers, located in the city of Berdusk. His duties kept him too preoccupied with great affairs to deal directly with all the Harpers under him. Orders from Thantarth were usually relayed by the high-ranking Harpers who served as his assistants. Thantarth was reputed to be a stern but benevolent man who was not afraid to anger others in pursuit of what he believed was right.

"I have a new task for you, Al'maren," said the image of Thantarth in the glowing sphere. His deep voice reverberated in the still air of the common room. "And I will tell you now that it will be the most difficult mission you have ever undertaken."

Mari's heart skipped wildly in her chest. "On my oath as a Harper, I will do my best, Master Thantarth."

Thantarth nodded somberly. "That is well, Al'maren, for this task will require all your strength, and far more." His steely eyes seemed to search her heart, piercing it as they scanned for something. "I have dire news, Mari. We have reason to believe that Caledan Caldorien is undergoing a terrible transformation—the same transformation that, a thousand years ago, resulted in the creation of the magical creature of darkness known as the Shadowking."

Despite her years of training, Mari could not conceal the anguish on her face. She had not thought the Harpers would come to this realization themselves. Yet why shouldn't they? There was little that surpassed the reach or understanding of the Harpers.

"I see you have reached the same conclusion," Thantarth said grimly.

"Just last night," Mari answered hoarsely.

"After Caledan's disappearance and the happenings in Corm Orp, there can be no other explanation," the Master

Harper said.

Mari gathered her will. "What is to be my mission, Master Thantarth?"

It took him a long moment to speak. When he did, there was no longer a hint of sorrow in his voice. Cold authority spoke. "You know Caledan better than any in the Harpers, Al'maren. That is why I am giving this task to you. Your mission is to track Caledan Caldorien. And when you find him, your orders are"—Thantarth hesitated only a fraction of a heartbeat—"to destroy him."

It was as if someone had yanked the ground out from beneath Mari's feet. She managed to grab the edge of a table and hold on. and only by this means did she manage to keep her footing. Finally she gasped a single word.

"What?"

"You heard my orders, Al'maren." Thantarth's voice was cold, hard stone.

She shook her head dully. Gradually, anger flared to life inside her. She welcomed it, letting the fire burn away the vast sickness in her gut. Slowly she straightened, locking gazes with the image of Thantarth in the shining sphere. "With all due respect, Master Thantarth,

I cannot believe what I have just heard," she said incredulously. "Caledan is one of the greatest Harpers alive. Perhaps the greatest. And you would simply have him disposed of like some broken tool that is no longer needed?"

"I am well aware of Caldorien's accomplishments as a Harper, Al'maren," Thantarth thundered angrily. "I hardly need a mere journeyman to instruct me. It is tragic that a hero of Caldorien's caliber must be destroyed. But the Harpers cannot allow the evil of a shadowking to be loosed upon the world once more. We have no choice. Caledan Caldorien must die. And you have been chosen to perform the deed."

Thantarth would not be swayed. Mari's rage melted into numbness. "I… can't do it."

"I know of your feelings for Caldorien. Al'maren. I do not envy your position. However, you must put your feelings aside in favor of the oath you swore to the Harpers."

She shook her head in disbelief. "You don't know what you're asking of me. I can't… I can't destroy the man I… I…"

Thantarth's booming voice shook the timbers of the inn. "You are wrong, Al'maren. You will do it, because I command you to do so. Your vow to the Harpers stands above all. You have no choice!"

That was his mistake. Mari realized she did have a choice. A thrill of fear coursed through her as she thought about what she must do, but it was quickly replaced by cool calm. She raised a hand to the silver moon-and-harp pin on her green jacket—the badge of the Harpers. When she spoke, her voice was steady.

"If as a Harper I must obey you, Thantarth, then this day I am a Harper no longer."

She tore the silver badge from her jacket.

Thantarth's expression was livid. "You cannot do this, Mari Al'maren!"

"It's too late. I already have."