"What did it say?"

"The Probe's mine," Aelfred stated. "I have title to the ship, and I'm her captain."

Teldin smiled at his friend's obvious satisfaction. "I thought you said you were getting tired of shipboard life," he pointed out.

"That was as first mate. As captain?" He shook his head.

"So," Teldin asked again, "where are you going?"

"I don't know yet," Aelfred said. "Out there somewhere. I haven't decided." The big man's expression sobered. "What about you?"

Teldin paused. What about me? he wondered. Where should I go now? He still had the cloak, but where should he take it? Who were "the creators?" Estriss had given him one answer; T'k'Pek, the arcane, had given him another. Both were dead now, and Teldin couldn't honestly say which one he believed, or whether he believed either one. The one thing he knew was that everybody-with the possible exception of the gnomes-was after the cloak.

He sighed. He was virtually back at the beginning. Bray-thing he knew about the cloak-everything he thought he knew about it-had come from Estriss. And how far did he trust Estriss's words now?

He remembered the words of Vallus Leafbower, when they'd met for the last time in the alleyways of Rauthaven. "The cloak is of elven creation," Vallus had said. "Take it to the elves of Evermeet. The imperial fleet can be your only safety." Mere weeks ago, Teldin probably would have believed those words. Trust had always been his nature. But now? No, blind trust was just a way toward death.

Teldin wasn't sure he trusted Vallus Leafbower any more than the others, but maybe he could learn more of the elves' imperial fleet. If he eventually did go to Evermeet, perhaps he'd see the aloof Vallus again and be able to ask him his part in the whole affair. Maybe he'd meet up with Horvath, Miggins, and Saliman again, he added. That would be pleasant.

Aelfred was still waiting for an answer to his question. "I'm coming with you," Teldin said quietly. "Away from here."

The first mate-No, Teldin corrected himself, the captain- smiled. "In that case, I have a proposition for you," he said. "I need a first mate, someone I can have confidence in during a scrap. That describes you, old son. Are you interested?"

Teldin sighed. "Why is it that everyone wants to put responsibilities on my shoulders?" he asked.

"Because they know you're capable of handling them," his friend said simply. Aelfred rose. "No need for you to decide now. I should see to my ship. I'll be back to check on you later." He left the cabin, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Teldin closed his eyes. There were too many questions, he told himself, too many unknowns. He'd have to deal with them eventually, but not now. For the moment, all he wanted to do was rest.

As he settled back onto the cot, the hammership cruised silently away from Toril, into the darkness of space.

Into the void.