Aelfred's strong voice cut through the background muttering. "Five hundred gold pieces."

So that's how they're playing it, Teldin thought. The big warrior would actually be placing the bids, under Estriss's silent instructions. A good system.

"I have five hundred gold pieces," the auctioneer echoed. "Do I hear six?"

Teldin glanced over his shoulder at the arcane. T'k'Pek stood motionless and silent at the back of the crowd. The giant's expression seemed a little bemused.

If Teldin was expecting the next bid to come from the arcane, he was surprised. An affluent-looking merchant in the front row gestured negligently. "Five hundred and fifty," he announced.

Aelfred responded immediately. "Six hundred gold pieces."

The murmurs started again. Six hundred gold pieces was already much too high a price to pay for a sword, particularly one of an impractical design. All around Teldin, people were speculating on why this particular weapon was worth so much… and whether that puzzle was related to the blue-skinned giant's presence.

"Six hundred gold pieces," said the auctioneer. "Do I hear seven… ?"

"Seven thousand gold pieces." The arcane's reedlike voice echoed through the suddenly silent rotunda.

The auctioneer swallowed again, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down his scrawny throat. "Milord," he began uncertainly, "the bidding is at seven hundred…"

"Seven thousand gold pieces," T'k'Pek said again. The creature's voice was as emotionless as the wind.

The marble-floored room rang with startled conversation. Seven thousand gold pieces? When seven hundred was already a ridiculous price to pay for such an item?

The auctioneer was finding this heavy going. He used his brass gavel to rap for silence. It took several tries before he could still the uproar. "The bid," he said, "is seven… thousand… gold pieces. Do I hear seven thousand five hundred?"

Estriss and Aelfred were in consultation. Naturally, Teldin could hear only Aelfred's voice. After a few moments, the big warrior nodded agreement. "Seven and five," he said clearly.

"Ten thousand gold pieces."

Once more, heads turned, almost quickly enough to dislocate vertebrae, and the noise level reached new heights. If the arcane was even aware of the stupefaction he had caused, he gave no sign. His face was expressionless, and his gaze was fixed unwaveringly on the sword displayed on the stage.

The man sitting on Teldin's left snorted in disgust. His plump cheeks were suffused with color; in fact, he looked almost apoplectic. "… just doesn't understand the concept of an auction," he was gurgling in outrage.

Teldin looked back toward Aelfred and Estriss. There was no conversation now. The first mate was looking at his captain, waiting for his next instruction. Estriss was gazing unseeingly forward. Even magically disguised, the creature's face showed the distress it must be feeling.

"The bid is ten thousand gold pieces," said the auctioneer. "Do I hear another bid? I have ten thousand. Final bid?" He looked directly at Aelfred. "Milord?"

Aelfred glanced once more at Estriss… then shook his head firmly.

"Final bid, ten thousand gold pieces," the auctioneer repeated. "And sold!' He brought down his gavel with a conclusive crack. "Sold to the, er… the gentleman, er…"

Participants and spectators roared their consternation once more. Serenely, totally untouched by the tumult surrounding him, the arcane glided to the stage, where he handed over a small square of parchment to one of the attendants. Another attendant handed over the bizarre sword, which the giant concealed within the folds of his flowing garment. Then he turned his back on the auction and made a silent department.

Teldin glanced to his right. Estriss was halfway to his feet, apparently intending to pursue the arcane, for whatever reason. Only Aelfred's hand on the creature's arm restrained him. Teldin could imagine what the illithid must be feeling, and he had to grin. He knew what one of Aelfred's "gentle, restraining grips" felt like. The mind flayer wouldn't be going anywhere. Estriss recognized the reality of that, too. Grudgingly, he sat down again.

Rianna was looking at Teldin, her eyebrow raised in question. "Poor Estriss," he told her. "That sword was the major reason for coming here."

"Why's it so important?" she whispered back. "Ten thousand gold pieces?"

"Something to do with his life work," Teldin explained. "I'll tell you about it later."

With the arcane's departure, the suction returned to at least a semblance of normalcy. The next item-another old portrait-was displayed and bidding commenced in an orderly manner. With the blue-skinned giant gone, it was obvious that nobody really expected any further fireworks. In fact, in the minutes after T'k'Pek's departure, more than a few spectators and participants quietly left the hall. Probably, in contrast to the short but very sharp bidding war, the rest of the auction was seeming intolerably dull.

Estriss had settled down a little. The loss of the weapon had hit him hard, that was obvious, but he was still confident that other pieces of interest would come up for bid before the auction ended.

Bidding on the portrait quickly settled into a contest between two affluent gentlemen in the front row… who obviously hated each other. Already, pride and a refusal to let the other "win" had forced the price up into the low hundreds of gold pieces, and there was no indication the contest would slow soon. Even though the outcome was irrelevant to him- or maybe because of that fact-Teldin was enjoying the acrimonious struggle.

Without warning, he felt a light touch on his shoulder. He turned quickly.

Barrab, the arcane's human representative, was standing behind him. The large man's cherubic smile was back in place. "Milord Brewer," Barrab whispered. "My employer, T'k'Pek, would like to meet with you again. Now, if that's convenient."

Both Rianna and Aelfred had heard Barrab. The big warrior shook his head subtly.

Teldin hesitated. He knew that Aelfred didn't trust Barrab-and, to tell the truth, he didn't trust the man himself-but maybe the arcane had some new information, something to help him make the decision that still weighed on his mind. He couldn't dismiss that possibility.

"It's very important, milord Brewer," Barrab whispered. "My employer says to tell you specifically that something new has come to light, something you should know immediately. Will you meet with T'k'Pek?"

Aelfred and Rianna were still listening, and even Estriss was paying attention. Teldin glanced at his friends. "Give me a moment," he whispered to Barrab. "I have to talk with my… assistants."

Barrab nodded and withdrew, but not far. At least he was out of earshot if Teldin kept his voice down.

"Don't do it," Aelfred whispered sharply as soon as Barrab had stepped away. "If you want to talk to the arcane again, set up an official meeting."

"You don't trust Barrab," Teldin said.

"Less than I trust T'k'Pek, and that's saying something." Aelfred was silent for a moment. "I don't like this," he whispered finally. There was urgency in his eyes.

He was right, Teldin thought. But… "It could be important," Teldin answered. "I think I have to go."

Aelfred cursed under his breath. "All right, if you have to." He started to stand. "I'll come with you."

No. For the first time, Estriss joined the conversation. The creature's mental "voice" was sharp. No, he said again. Aelfred, you must stay, to bid for me on the items I want.

The first mate hesitated. Teldin could see the conflict on his face. Even though it was Aelfred who really commanded the Probe, Estriss was still his superior officer. The illithid hadn't given an order, but Teldin knew that was next. Then the warrior would have to decide whether it was an order he could obey.