Ch. 4: There Be Dragons

Back to Arheled

             Bell   loved   being   back   here   on   the   lake. She   loved   summer. At   least,   when   it   was   like   this   she   did:   soft,   very   warm   but   not   too   hot   unless   you   sat   in   the   sun   all   day   like   Mom   was   trying. Bell   preferred   to   do   her   sunbathing   only   when   warming   up   after   playing   in   the   water   for   the   previous   few   hours. Forest   would   join   her   sometimes,   but   he   was   an   odd   sort,   not   really   much   on   swimming. He   preferred   to   lie   in   the   shade,   staring   up   into   the   trees,   or   up   in   the   trees,   perched   on   some   fantastically   high   limb   and   looking   absently   off   into   nothing. Bell   would   smile   and   shake   her   head   at   him. He   was   an   interesting   brother.

             She   tiptoed   up   behind   him   today,   barefoot   on   the   grass,   a   pail   of   water   in   her   hand. He   was   lying   on   his   stomach,   absorbed   in   something   in   front   of   him   that   she   couldn’t   see. A   grin   of   pure   mischief   on   her   face,   she   threw   the   water   at   him. Seeing   him   suddenly   all   wet   was   hilariously   funny,   especially   the   frozen,   stunned   look   on   his   face   as   he   got   up.

             “You   looked   like   such   a   perfect   target!”   howled   Bell.

             Forest   wasn’t   saying   anything. Bell   caught   another   glimpse   of   his   face:   and   the   laughter   choked   off   inside   her   like   a   switch. She’d   no   idea   he   had   such   frightening   eyes,   huge,   burning,   burning   into   hers. His   face   still   looked   frozen,   but   the   kind   that   usually   indicates   a   tremendous   anger.

             “You   wrecked   my   picture.”   he   said.

             It   was   a   very   quiet,   tight   voice,   but   it   was   so   deadly,   and   so   scary,   Bell   started   backing   up. He   was   holding   up   a   soggy   piece   of   paper,   on   which   among   puddles   of   swimming   color   could   be   made   out   a   strange   and   potent   scene,   now   lost.

             “I’m   sorry…I…I   didn’t   mean   to…”   she   stammered.

             “You   did   mean   to!”   Forest   roared. His   voice,   ever   since   he   turned   16   recently,   had   suddenly   been   getting   spasms   of   deepening. One   hit   now,   so   that   his   shout   came   out   like   a   bullhorn. That   was   quite   enough   for   Bell   and   she   ran,   screaming,   around   the   island,   Forest   charging   just   behind   her. She   dodged   through   the   pine   trees;   he   knew   them   better   than   she   did   and   cut   her   off. She   raced   around   the   huge   oak,   back   and   forth,   and   then   back   toward   the   house. Why   did   Mom   have   to   choose   now   to   go   over   to   the   neighbors’? Bell   rounded   the   house. Forest   was   close   behind. Really   scared   now,   Bell   jumped   off   the   seawall   and   into   the   lake.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             She   didn’t   swim   too   far   out. But   when   she   looked   back,   her   brother   was   standing   on   the   wall,   his   eyes   like   twin   candles. He   grabbed   a   small   rock   and   hurled   it   right   at   her. Bell   screamed   and   started   swimming   in   dead   earnest,   across   the   Narrows,   hoping   no   boats   were   coming. A   few   more   rocks   followed   the   first. One   struck   a   painful   blow   on   her   side,   but   she   was   nearly   at   Summer   Rock   by   that   time. When   she   could   touch   she   looked   back   at   the   island.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You’ll   be   sorry   when   Mom   gets   home!”   she   yelled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Her   brother   said   nothing. His   eyes   were   the   only   thing   alive   in   his   face.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bell   huddled   her   arms   around   her   shoulders   and   felt   miserable. What   was   so   important   about   that   stupid   drawing,   anyway? Was   he   going   to   stay   there   all   evening   to   stone   her   if   she   tried   swimming   back?

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Forest,   I   said   I   was   sorry!”   she   shouted. “Can   I   come   back   over?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “No.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bell   snorted   and   dog-paddled   along   the   rock. She   could   have   some   fun   while   she   was   stuck   here,   she   guessed,   and   the   rocks   were   good   for   jumping   off. She   stopped,   surprised,   and   treaded   water. An   ancient   rowboat,   worn   and   mossy,   was   bobbing   gently   against   the   end   of   the   rock. Arheled   sat   in   it,   fishing.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Climb   in,   Bell.”   he   said. “You   look   a   little   flagged.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             She   took   his   hand   and   found   herself   being   slung   over   the   side   in   a   spray   of   water. She   sat   down   hard   on   a   seat   of   shrunken   dark   wood. Arheled   pushed   up   the   brim   of   his   straw   farmer’s   hat   and   looked   at   her.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Forest   was   chasing   me.”   she   complained. “And   he   threw   rocks.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Who   has   appointed   me   as   judge   over   you?”   he   said,   in   a   tone   of   cool   rebuke. “Or   are   you   perhaps   mistaking   me   for   your   parents?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Forest   won’t   let   me   back   over.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “That   is   his   matter,   not   mine.”   said   Arheled. “He   will   have   to   salvage   his   vision   and   recreate   it   on   a   new   frame,   but   it   will   never   be   as   potent   as   that   first   incarnation   of   it   was. Pictures   are   perilous   things,   Bell. A   book   conjures   up   entire   worlds   woven   with   words   of   power;   a   picture   is   an   eye   opening   into   a   world   yet   unknown. To   destroy   a   picture—to   close   that   eye   forever—is   an   evil   as   bitter   as   felling   a   forest   for   foolish   vain   reasons.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oh.”   whispered   Bell.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Yes,   I   dare   say   you’re   going   to   have   a   thorny   time   over   there   for   a   little   while. It   might   even   be   a   good   idea   to   have   Brooke   take   you   to   the   beach. She   needs   the   company. But   come. I   will   row   us   up   the   lake.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bell   glanced   over   at   Wintergreen   Island   as   they   sailed   slowly   by   it. Forest   walked   along   the   seawall,   glaring   with   smouldering   eyes   at   the   retreating boat. Bell   gave   a   timid   wave.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Never   tread   against   the   art   of   a   sub-creator.”   said   Arheled   somberly   as   he   bent   to   his   oars. “All   else   he   may   forgive,   but   never   an   injury   to   his   creations.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   mean…you   mean   he’ll   never   forgive   me?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “He   has   forgotten   how   he   grew   up   with   you,   as   through   the   malice   of   our   Foe   you   have   forgotten   him. To   him   you   are   a   friend   and   a   step-sister;   it’s   not   like   he   grew   up   with   you.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   never   knew   he   was   like   that. He’s   always   so   quiet.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Forest   is   deeper   than   you   know,   filled   with   secret   fire   and   with   strange   power,   and   his   eyes   see   true,   as   few others   can. But   when   he   is   angry…I   do   not   know   what   will   happen,   nor   how   long   it   may   last. It   may   never   die. It’s   possible,   with   him. Do   you   know   why   your   mother   finally   called   your   father?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Old   time’s   sake?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “It   was   Forest.”   said   Arheled. “He   forced   her   to. He   made   her   afraid   of   him.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “My   gosh. What   did   he   do   to   her?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “He   sat   in   judgement   over   her. He   refused   to   forgive   her   for   driving   off   Hunter   until   she   married   him.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “But   he   still   stayed   with   her.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “He   loved   her,   Bell. He   does   not   love   you,   not   yet;   he   hasn’t   known   you long   enough. He   only   likes   you. And   likings   can   be   quenched   like   that.”   He   snapped   his   fingers.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bell   began   to   cry. “I   always   wanted   a   brother,”   she   sobbed,   “and   now I’ve   lost   one!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arheled   spun   one   oar   suddenly   and   the   ancient   boat   skipped   sideways   around   a   large   motorboat   that   was   bearing   down   far   too   near   them. It   thundered   past. Bell   expected   the   wake   to   toss   them   up   and   down   or   even   capsize   them,   but   the   waves   seemed   to   steer   conveniently   around   the   old   rowboat. “Forest   puts   himself   into   that   which   he   makes.”   he   said. “Every   drawing   from   his   hand   is   a   fragment   of his   heart,   and   to   injure   it   is   to   injure   him. Even   I   cannot   compel   forgiveness.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   mean   he’ll   always   hate   me?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “There   is   one   way,”   Arheled   said   slowly,   as   if   thinking   it   out,   “one   way   to   make   him   forgive…”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   way?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Ah,   that’s   my   business,   little   Bell,   my   dilemma   to   ponder   and   my   law   to   worry   about. I   may   not   overwhelm   the   will…and   if   I,   as   you   would   say,   flex   too   much   muscle,   I   risk   that   law.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Are   you   a   god?”   Bell   piped   up. Arheled   gave   her   an   odd   look. “I   thought   you   were   a   Christian.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Well,   of   course   I   didn’t   mean   a   false   god   because   those   were   all   demons,   but   isn’t   it   true   that   there   are   beings   that   aren’t   angels   but   were   mistaken   for   and   worshipped   as   God?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oh,   you   mean   Thor   and   Athene   and   Poseidon   and   such.”   he   said. “Well,   the   answer   is:   no. I   am   not. It   is   true   that   the   strange   beings   who   command   the   winds   and   weathers   have   at   times   been   worshipped. But   if   you   think   back   a   little   you   will   see   that   Man   is   quite   capable   of   making   any   gods   he   pleases. Or   the   contrary,   making   a   god   of   himself. Men   will   worship   anything,   even   themselves,   and   never   more   than   today.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   don’t   see   them   making   altars.”   said   Bell. The   shore   closed   in   around   them   as   Second   Narrows   came   to   meet   them. The   strange   splash   and   creak   of   Arheled’s   oars   and   the   sudden   stiff,   musky,   honest   smell   of   late   chestnut   blossom   gave   a   queer   keenness   to   the   summer   day.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oh,   the   Wiccans   do.”   he   answered. The   roar   of   a   large   engine   grew   louder   behind   them. “You   saw   their   altars   on   Temple   Fell. Not   very   nice   people   to   mix   with—at   least,   beyond   the   surface.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “My   teacher   says   at   least   they   live   in   harmony   with   the   earth.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Harmony   with   the   Earth.”   sighed   Arheled. “Man   never   lives   in   harmony   with   the   earth   until   he   returns   to   it. The   closer   to   the   rhythems   of   Nature   he   lives,   the   more   he   is   at   war   with   it. He   does   battle   with   every   weed   and   thorn;   every   skunk,   or   fox,   even   deer   and   mice   and   the   adorably   cute   flying   squirrels   become   his   mortal   foes. The   moment   a   man   decides   to   grow   crops   or   keep   livestock,   he   finds   himself   at   war   against   the   earth. It   is   the   artificial   people   who   buy   their   food   in   stores   and   work   in   buildings   who   are   at   harmony   with   Nature,   for   they   are   too   far   removed   from   her   to   be   considered   any   threat.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Behind   him   as   he   faced   her   a   white   prow   was   visible,   coming   straight   for   them. “Harmony   with   the   Earth   is   an   idle   slogan,   Bell,   mouthed   by   those   who   resent   the   dominion   Man   was   given   over   the   earth. Matter   is   in   rebellion   against   us;   we   must   fight   it   in   sheer   self-defense.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “But   you’re   not   human,   Arheled.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   walk   in   your   shape,”   he   answered,   “and   I   live   as   you   live,   when   I   have   business   here. And   so   unless   I   say   it   otherwise,   matter   rebels   against   me   as   well.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Music   was   growing   louder,   rising   even   above   the   roar   of   the   engine,   driving   powerful   music. The   white   prow   loomed   over   their   heads   like   a   cliff. It   was   about   to   run   them   down.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Arheled!”   Bell   screamed.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arheled   flicked   the   oars. Sideways   on   the   waves   danced   the   little   boat. With   a   flash   the   white   boat   appeared   in   front   of   it,   as   close   as   before,   about   to   run   them   down.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arheled   lifted   one   eyebrow. Then   he   swung   one   oar   with   a   single   whirling   motion,   and   a   ramp   of   solid   water   appeared   in   front   of   them. The   charging   boat   caromed   off   the   ramp,   deflected   to   one   side,   and   roared   past,   coming   to   a   swift   and   powerful   stop. It   had   only   one   occupant,   a   tall   striking   beauty   with   a   stringlike   black   bikini   and   black   sunglasses   against   her   golden   tanned   skin. Her   gold   hair   blew   about   her.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   thought   as   much.”   said   Arheled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   know   I   have   enough   power,   Arheled,   to   take   her   from   you.”   the   woman   said. “I   would   advise   you   to   head   off.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   are   nowhere   nearly   powerful   enough.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Ah,   but   unlike   you   I am   not   afraid   of   showing   off. I   am   not   restrained   by   fear   of   impressing   the   people   around   me. Thus   you   are   hampered…and   I   am   free.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Fire   burst   from   her   hands. Fire   burst   from   her   body. Her   suit   flew   up   in   pieces   as   she   flaunted   her   full   glory   in   Arheled’s   face. Seeing   it   had   absolutely   no   effect   on   him,   any   more   than   if   he   was   a   rock,   she   exploded. Fire   imploded   onto   the   boat,   suddenly   wallowing   and   swamped,   and   there   sat   a   long   green   dragon   with   red   wings.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   dragon   breathed. A   beam   of   light,   and   fire,   and   magic   mingled   as   one,   blasted   full   upon   the   lifted   hand   of   Arheled. Bell   ducked,   arms   over   her   head. When   she   looked   up,   Arheled   sat   unmoved,   the   beam   extinguishing   on   one   hand.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   dragon   paused   to   inhale. Like   a   flash   Arheled   was   gone. She   held   her   blast,   glancing   all   around,   growing   alarmed. Suddenly   a   blue   light   shone   from   underneath   her   boat. It   wobbled. The   dragon’s   eyes   rolled   down. Then   in   a   single   flash   the   boat   beneath   it   ceased   to   be.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   dragon   plunged   into   the   water. Steam   smoked   up   like   a   volcano. Bell   leaned   over   the   side. The   water   of   the   Long   Lake   was   brown   and   darkish   blue,   and   very   deep,   and   flashing   about   in   it   like   two   great   fish   were   the   dragon,   all   glowing   green   and   red,   and   something   else   that   shone   like   a   blue   star,   darting   about   too   quickly   to   be seen   well.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Arheled.”   breathed   Bell.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Huge   waves   rose   and   crashed   about. The   Narrows   boiled   and   churned;   boiled   hot,   as   well,   for   every   wave   smoked,   and   huge   dirty   mists   were   rising   to   choke   off the   sun. Unrocked   by   wave   or   whirlpool   the   ancient   rowboat   floated,   as   hills   and   spouting   fountains   leaped   and   burst   around   her. She   heard   faintly   screams   and   the   roar   of   crashing   houses,   and   sirens   wailing   up   from   Winsted,   and   the   frantic   whistles   of   the   lifeguards   on   the   far   side   of   First   Bay.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Suddenly   Arheled   was   gone. The   woman’s   head   burst   above   the   surface,   gasping. Although   all   around   the   water   still   fumed   and   tossed,   the   waves   were   quelling   each   other. Though   the   Narrow’s   shores   were   only   a   couple   hundred   feet   away,   the   brown   fogs   shut   them   off   as   if   they   were   in   the   farthest   seas.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Quick! Give   me   your   hand!”   she   screamed. “I’m   cooking   alive   in   here!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bell   didn’t   move,   crouched   in   the   boat,   shrinking   as   far   back   as   she   could.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What’s   wrong   with   you,   girl? I’m   dying   in   here! You   have   to   help   me!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   don’t   help   dragons.”   said   Bell.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   woman’s   face   snarled. It   was   amazing   how   demonic   her   beauty   made   her   when   she   did. Then   she   was   gripping   the   stern   of   the   boat,   heaving   herself   up.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   boat   of   Arheled   began   to   move. With   a   suddenness   that   wrenched   the   dragon’s   hand   from   the   thwarts   it   shot   through   the   boiled   water   without   a   motor   at   a   speed   that   made   Bell   gasp.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   fogs   behind   them   burst   apart. Naked,   the   woman   rose   half   out   of   the   water,   and   from   where   her   bottom   should   have   been   a   dragon’s   tail   lashed,   propelling   her   with   fishlike   speed   in   pursuit. Flames   roared   in   her   hands. Faster   and   faster   raced   the   battered   old   boat,   zipping   around   capsized   vessels   and   stranded   swimmers   holding   to   wreckage. Out   of   the   fog   loomed   broken   docks   and   muddy   banks:   they   had   gone   too   far. The   boat   frantically   swerved   around   and   sped   back   in   a   great   loop.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Suddenly   the   woman   appeared   in   the   back. Bell   had   barely   time   to   draw   in   breath   for   a   scream,   when   the   woman’s   scorching   arms   were   around   her,   and   they   vanished   again.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie   Wendy   biked   up   the   Still   River   Turnpike,   not   in   any   particular   hurry. It   was   way   too   nice   out   for   that. He   loved   these   days   in   middle   summer,   when   the   air   was   pleasant   and   warm,   but   incredibly   luminous,   almost   lucid. It   was   as   if   the   sun   overhead   was   pouring   into   it,   filling   the   air   with   brilliance,   with   white   light   as   thick   as   unseen   water. Light   filled   the   valley,   the   trees,   the   road   under   him. Green   and   blue   and   grey   and   white   its’   colors   shone:   blue   sky,   with   marvelous   clouds   like   the   floors   of   ancient   ships,   green-white   woods   and   swamp   and   bushes,   white   fluttering   on   their   surface   and   drenching   the   trees,   grey   road   and   stones.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Funny   how   we   always   speak   and   think   of   the   Sun   as   yellow.”   he   said   aloud. Ronnie   often   talked   to   himself. “And   yet   if   it   ever   was   yellow,   that   is   long   ago   gone   from   it,   squeezed   out   like   a   crushed   orange. White   it   is   now.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   began   pedaling   up   Mountain   Rd   from   the   upper   Burrville   junction,   up   to   the   Lake. Pines   grew   thick,   and   here   and   there   houses   opened   up. He   climbed   for   a   long   way,   until   he   reached   the   downhill   to   the   shore   road   and   Highland   Lake. Turning   left   he   coasted   down   past   close-set   cabins   on   a   small   hill,   around   the   tip   of   a   ragged   cove   that   petered   into   swampy   isles   and   pools,   which   terminated   the   Lake on   the   south. A   patch   of   woods opened   on   the   right,   to   match   the   unbroken   woods   on   the   left:   part   of   Platt   Hill   State   Park,   public   land   which   probably   got   stolen   by   the   state   way   back   when. It   was   a   pleasant   little   place,   though,   a   wooded   point   of   rocky   coast   at   the   southernmost   tip   of   Third   Bay. Paths   ran   through   the   level   wood   to    beaches   of   shoal   or   sand,   or   open   bays   in   the   shore   where   fishermen   could   cast   off. At   the   tip   a   rocky   knoll   rose   maybe   forty   feet   high   under   the   oaks,   its’   sides   falling steeply   into   the   lake. On   the   north   it   faced   a   shallow   bay   full   of   deep   channels   among   great   sunken   round   rocks;   on   the   east,   a   level-floored   cove,   the   far   side   a   mass   of   docks   and   cottages.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   houses   down   this   end   had   been   damaged   severely,   but   not   enough   to   render   all   of   them   uninhabitable. Already   repairs   were   beginning. The   cabins   on   the   higher   ground   had   survived   intact. The   devastation   around   Sucker   Brook   lay   to   the   north,   around   a   shoulder   of   land,   though   the   bare   skull   of   Club   Island   was   dimly   visible. Life   on   the   lake   had   resumed   its’   regular   routines,   though   always   with   a   sort   of   subdued   feeling   as   though   in   perpetual   commemoration   of   the   disaster.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie   changed   in   the   trees. He   was   here   for   one   reason,   primarily:   the   steep   shore   was   fringed   with   large   blueberry   bushes,   the   twisted   reddish   stems   and   dense   mats   of   short   close   twigs   leaning   far   out   over   the   water. Accordingly   the   only   way   to   harvest   them   was   to   wade,   often   chest-deep,   among   the   sunken   rocks. Ronnie   put   on   some   old   shoes—last   year   he’d   gotten   a   cut   from   broken   glass   here—and   floundered   in. The   water   felt   warm   and   gorgeous. He    noticed   a   couple   of   boats   were   moored   in   the   bay,   rocking   while   their   owners   took   a   plunge   or   lay   around   on   deck. The   closer   one   was   large   and   ritzy,   but   it   seemed   to   have   only   one   occupant,   a   striking   young   woman   of   Ronnie’s   age   in   a   black   string   bikini. It   made   her   look   flagrant   and   immodest   and   attractive   beyond   measure. Ronnie   with   a   start   focused   his   attention   on   the   first   berry   bush.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             It   was   old   but   quite   fruitful,   the   stems   making   a   weird   contorted   zigzag   as   they   reached   out   like   splayed   hands. Last   year   the   berries   had   been   tiny,   but   all   the   rain   had   swollen   them   to   the   size   of   peas. The   great   waves   had   torn   at   their   roots,   but   the   bushes   were   old   and   powerful   and   made   it   through   more   or   less   unscathed. Ronnie   floundered   about,   slipping   on   the   submerged   rocks   and   trying   to   bend   down   the   higher   branches. It   was   only   when   he   heard   the   rich   ringing   laughter   of   a   woman   that   he   realized   how   comical   he   must   look. A   glance   showed   him   the   gold-haired   beauty   on   the   yacht   was   leaning   on   the   nearest   railing   and   laughing   as   she   watched. He   gave   a   wry   grin.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   on   earth   are   you   doing?”   she   called   over.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Picking   blueberries,”   Ronnie   retorted,   “And   putting   on   a   one-man   comedy.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             She   laughed   even   harder. “I   can   barely   hear   you.”   she   said,   coming   down   the   steps   to   the   stern. “Oh,   heck,   I’m   all   hot   anyway.”   and   she   plunged   in. Her   hair   looked   a   lot   darker   when   wet. A   few   strong   strokes   carried   her   to   a boulder   a   few   yards   offshore,   and   she   mounted   onto   it   in   a   smooth   movement like   a   mermaid. Her   suit   scarcely   restrained   her   firm   generous   breasts,   and   Ronnie   thought   he’d   never   seen   a   woman   so   beautiful. She   had   a   stately,   rather   laid-back   face,   with   startling,   brilliant   eyes,   a   pale   burning   blue,   like   Brooke’s   but   brighter. She   never   looked   him   in   the   eye,   however,   so   it   was   difficult   to   tell. Looking   at   him   she   smiled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Now   I’m   wet.”   she   said. “Ooh,   this   water   is   lovely. What   were   you   saying?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   said   I   was   picking   blueberries. And   putting   on   a   one-man   show.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             She   threw   back   her   head   and   laughed. “It   was   a   good   one.”   she   said. “I’ve   never   seen   anyone   do   that   before. Picking,   I   mean. Is   it   hard?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Not   exactly. I   simply   have   to   bend   down   all   these   high   branches   while   trying   not   to   spill   anything.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Can   I   help?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie   looked   at   this   gorgeous   woman   and   felt   a   little   dizzy. “Sure.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             It was   a   fun   experience. The   woman—who   called   herself   Cam,   after   some   giggling—was   careless   and   brash   but   enjoyable,   as   well   of   course   as   being   very   appealing. Ronnie   felt   attracted   to   her   as   he   seldom   had   been. They   laughed   as   they   waded   waist-deep   picking   the   dark-blue   berries,   waves   chuckling   the   warm   water   about   them. Once   or   twice   he   splashed   her,   for   the   heck   of   it   and   to   see   the   beads   of   water   on   her   skin.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             She   invited   him   on   board   her   boat,   so   they   swam   out   to   it   and   Cam   got   on   first. Ronnie   thought   he   had   never   seen   a   sight   as   lovely   as   her   gleaming   golden   back   rising   from   the   water,   naked   save   for   a   black   line   across   it. She   reached   down   her   hand   to   help   him   up,   and   although   he   needed   no   help   he   took   it   anyway.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   lake   vanished.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             An   iron,   appalling   cold   smote   him. He   choked,   and   tried   to   breathe,   but   the   air   itself   seemed   to   freeze   in   his   lungs. A   great   chamber   lay   below   him,   lit   by   a   strange   white-blue   pillar   of   frozen   light. Black   against   it   stood   seven   tall   pillars   like   impossibly long   thrones   and   in   the   thick   blueish   mist   that   drifted   and   eddied   about   the   floor   lay   something   huge   and   complicated   and   coiled,   a   scaley   blue   and   purple   like   the   berries   they   had   picked.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Cam   was   still   holding   his   hand. She   turned   around   and showed   him   her   naked   eyes. Blue,   startling,   huge   and   compelling.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Dragon’s   eyes.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Their   wills   strove   for   a   moment,   dragon-spell   against   Ronnie’s   power   to   reveal;   and   then   she   looked   away,   smiling. “You   are   good.”   she   said,   half-admiringly. “Let   me   see—how   are   we   going   to   do   this,   I   wonder? I   could   just   put   you   to   sleep—or   I   could   seduce   you,   but   I   think   you’re   a   little   too   strong   a   Catholic   to   succumb   easily   to   that   method.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I’m   flattered,”   said   Ronnie,   trying   to   breathe   slowly. “What   is   this   place?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Cold   getting   you   down,   is   it.”   she   said. “Well,   if   I   leave   you   here   long   enough   we   should   have   some   very   interesting   results. Let   me   get   you   some   company,   just   to   be   absolutely   sure.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Then   the   dragon   Cam   vanished   from   the   chamber.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             She   was   back   in   about   ten   minutes,   somewhat   out   of   breath,   and   holding   fast   a   young   girl   with   curly   yellow   hair   in   a   green   and   blue   one-piece. Bell.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “That   was   a   little   harder   than   I   expected.”   she   panted. Only   then   did   Ronnie   notice   that   she   now   wore   nothing   at   all. “The   old   man   can   put   up   quite   a   fight,   even   with   his   Rules   binding   him. So   convenient,   really,   when   good   men   tie   themselves   up   for   us. Why,   Ron   honey,   you   seem   a   little   cold.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie,   whose   entire   body   was   shaking,   could   not   even   think   sufficiently   to   answer. His   mind   was   consumed   by   cold. The   core   of   his   being   was   wrapped   around   his   struggling   flesh.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Who   are   you?”   Bell   screamed.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Camilla   changed. Her   shapely backside   elongated   into   a   sinuous   tail. Her   torso   stretched,   swallowing   her   breasts,   and   she   reeled   and   fell   onto   the   floor,   and   her   face   stretched   and   distorted,   and   her   golden   skin   became   scaley   and   green,   and   there   crouched   a   great   green   and   red   dragon,   with   sarcastic   and   slightly   feminine   features,   smiling   at   the   shivering   pair.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “When   any   of   the   Children   of   the   Road   are   in   danger,   they   will   find   themselves   together.”   Camilla’s   voice,   like   her   old   and   yet   larger   and   somehow   more   scorching,   echoed   in   the   frozen   room. “Or   so   it   is   said. And   as   the   cold   in   here   will   prove   fatal   to   you   in   another   ten   minutes,   let   us   hope,   for   your   sakes,   it   is   true.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie,   curled   into   a   tight   ball,   barely   heard   her. His   bathing   suit   was   solid   ice. Ice   coated   his   formerly   wet   skin,   which   in   places   was   becoming   an   awful   purplish   blue. He   shook   no   longer. A   great   numbness   and   weariness   crept   inwards   upon   him.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             There   was   a   slight   thump   and   Brooke   stumbled   forward   on   the   icy   surface. She   was   wearing   shorts   and   a   dirty   shirt,   for   Mom   had   been   after   her   to   weed   the   garden   and   she’d   finally   surrendered. Then   another   thump,   and   Travel   Lane   was   there,   in   a   sitting   position   (she’d   been   reading),   falling   over   with   a   crash. Then   Forest,   and   last   of   all   Lara,   who   alone   showed   no   sign   of   being   affected   by   the   cold.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “So   good   to   see   you   all   here.”   the   dragon   said. A   twitch   of   her   claw   chained   Travel   in   place   with   a   spell. “No,   honey,   you’re   not   taking   them   anywhere. And   you,   Lara,   before   you   make   yourself   the   Cold,   consider   the   state   of   your   friends. Ronnie   there   is   at   the   point   of   death. The   others   will   follow   soon. Nor   can   you   save   them   until   you   do   what   I   ask.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   do   you   want?”   said   Lara.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Release   the   Father   of   the   Dragons.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   cannot.”   said   Lara.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   dragon   stared   at   her   for   a   moment,   considering. Then   she   glanced   at   the   others,   teleporting   them   to   the   far   side   of   the   chamber,   where   Lara   could   not   help   them.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “No,   really,   I   can’t.”   said   Lara   quickly. “I   don’t   know   what   I   did. I   don’t   know   how   I   did   it.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   can   see   that,   honey.”   sighed   the   dragon. “But   the   problem   is,   you’re   going   to   have   to. It   may   be   a   matter   of   instinct. Think. And   think   quickly,   because   I   will   not   allow   you   to   thaw   your   friends   until   you   do.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             With   a   flash   Lara   went   blue   and   ice   all   over. Her   eyes   gleamed   like   diamonds. “I   put   this   chamber   under   the   Road. I   do   not   know   how   to   send   it   back.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Then   remove   the   cold.”   said   the   dragon. “You   are   it   and   it   is   you. It   will   listen.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Lara   was   gleaming   all   over   now,   a   queer   sparkling   light   coming   from   her   skin   and   eyes. There   was   a   hiss   as   the   deathly   mist   and   iron   cold   vanished   from   the   air,   and   from   the   chamber,   and   from the   bodies   of   all   within   it.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Well   done,   little   Star.”   the   dragon   said,   a   mocking   light   in   her   eyes. “He   will   take   some   time   to   thaw   out,   but   I’m   sure   he   will   be   grateful.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “But   I   am   not.”   said   Lara   Midwinter. Her   rather   blank,   plain   face   was   alight   with   a   glare   that   gave   her   a   strange   unearthly   beauty. The   starlight   sparkled   from   her   flesh   and   flamed   from   her   eyes. “Where   are   my   friends?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Upon   the   Thrones,   where   you   will   join   them.”   the   dragon   smiled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Instantly   a   beam   of   light   shot   out   of   Lara’s   eyes,   cold   light,   light   and   cold   mingled. The   dragon,   startled,   met   it   with   a   blast   of   flame. The   cold   ate   the   blast,   beating   it   down   and   advancing   up   it’s   path   in   a   second,   until   it   struck   the   dragon’s   eyes.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   dragon   screamed,   clapping   one   paw   over   its’   face,   or   what   it   could   reach   thereof. Travel   and   the   others   suddenly   appeared   before   them.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Hello, Mother.”   Travel   said   through   her   teeth. “You   didn’t   strap   us   in   very   well. I   have   been   learning   how   to   Travel.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   dragon   whirled   one   claw. Magic   crackled   in   the   air. But   it   struck   too   late. Even   as   the   spell   was   cast,   the   chamber   vanished   around   them.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             A   road   of   ancient   stones   of   mildewed   marble   lay   before   them   under   a   cold   rain   that   did   not   wet   them,   though   the   ruined   carvings   dripped   from   the   rails   of trellised   stone   on   either   side. Everything   around   was a   shapeless   grey   wetness. The   sound   of   faint   sad   singing   drifted   by   as   on   the   wind,   mingling   with   the   sad   stony   patter   of   the   rain   on   unseen   rocks.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   the…?”   the   dragon   exclaimed.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   had   better   undo   that   spell   you   cast   on   her,”   said   Ronnie   grimly,   “or   all   of   us   will   be   stuck   here   for   an   eternity. I   doubt   your   teleporting   powers   can   extricate   us   from   the   bowels   of   the   Road   itself.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Defeat   glared   in   the   dragon’s   eyes. “Fine.”   she   snapped   and   twitched   one   claw. Travel   sat   up,   gasping. The   eerie   landscape   vanished,   replaced   by   a   wood   of   tall   oaks,   under   bright   warm   sunlight. It   was   hot,   almost   stuffy   beneath   the   trees. The   warm   green   of   the   world   they   knew   was   so   cheering   to   the   Children   that   they   all   relaxed   and   laughed.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   don’t   see,”   Camilla   hissed,   “what   is   so   funny.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             They   all   spun around. In   her   pain   she   had   been   unable   to   retain   her   grip   on   dragon’s   shape,   and   she   was   rapidly   shrinking   into   human   form. Still   naked   she   sprawled   on   the   grass,   one   hand   clenched   over   her   eyes. She   removed   it   slowly,   blinking   painfully   at   them,   a   baleful   stoniness   in   her   stare.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Mother.”   said   Travel   Lane. “Get   up. Shapeshift   yourself   some   clothes. Stop   embarrassing   yourself.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Honey,”   sighed   Camilla   Lane,   “I’m   not   your   mother   any   longer. I   haven’t   been   your   mother   for   seven   years. I   think   I   told   you   that   before.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Like   a   flash   she   transformed   back   to   dragon-shape. “I   am   dragon   now!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             With   a   cry   water   erupted   out   of   Brooke,   full   into   the   dragon’s   mouth. It   went   up   in   steam   as   a   fire-blast   slowly   forced   it   back. Then   a   beam   of   cold   light   came   from   Lara   even   as   Travel   began   teleporting   the   fire   of   her   mother   in   another   direction. The   dragon   reeled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Quite   impressive.”   said   Mrs. Lane,   teleporting   to   a   distance. “But   I   have   other   powers   besides   fire.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             She   vanished. Fire   blasted   at   them   from   behind. They   staggered,   screaming   with   pain. Mrs. Lane   appeared   among   them,   her   tail   lashing. Lara   hit   a   stone   and   slumped   to   the   ground. Brooke   was   thrown   through   the   air   and   lay   still. Travel   lay   whimpering   on   the   ground,   blood   on   her   shirt.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “It   looks   like   you   two   are   the   last   ones   left.”   said   Mrs. Lane,   advancing   upon   them.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   am   afraid   so,”   said   Arheled,   stepping   out   of   the   shadows.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Well,   well,   look   who’s   here.”   the   dragon   smiled. “But   if   you   think   a   light-show   is   going   to   drive   me   away,   you   have   another   thought   coming. I   caught   Bell   despite   your   best   efforts. You   are   bound,   old   man,   bound   by   your   own   rules. You   cannot   manifest   the   power   that   is   needed   to   overcome   me.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Then   I   shall   deprive   you   of   yours.”   said Arheled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oh   really? Will   you   call   down   the   Road,   perhaps? Or   work   a   little   exorcism   to   take   away   my   magic? You   are   no   priest. Don’t   make   me   laugh,   Arheled. Threaten   all   you   want,   in   front   of   mortals   you   are   helpless.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   ground   began   to   creak   underneath   them. The   sun   went   out   as   mighty   clouds   began   to   gather   from   seemingly   nowhere,   and   the   forest   grew   dark. Still   Arheled   could   be   seen,   his   form   slowly   growing,   rising,   taller   and   more   fair    and   terrible   than   they   had   ever   seen   him. Light   began   to   break   from   him.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Children   of   the   Road,    cover   your   eyes!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Such   authority   was in   his   voice they   instinctively   obeyed,   even   Lara   and   Brooke   in   their   pain.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             What   then   happened   none   could   ever   say. A   blinding   blue   light   was   all   around,   squeezing   past   their   fingers   and   making   their   hands   transparent   of   flesh. They   felt   pressure   as   if   the   air   was   being   sucked   from   their   lungs. They   fell,   groveling   into   the   dirt   to   escape   the   alienness   of   the   power   that   was   around   them,   that   crushed   breath   and   soul   with   its’   unlikeness,   its’   strength,   its’   utter   alien   nature. Trees   around   them   fell   with   terrifying   slowness,   shattered   by   the   sheer   power   that   was   radiating   from   the   being   they   knew   as   Arheled,   revealed   in   his   majesty. A   huge   hand   of   blue   flame   gripped   the   lashing   serpent,   inexorably   lifting   it   into   the   air. Blue   power   burst   from   the   hand. Blue   fire   burnt   the   dragon   from   her   like   ash,   until   he   cast   her,   naked   and   smoking,   in   human   form   upon   the   ground.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   are   free   now,   Camilla   Lane.”   said   Arheled. “Put   this   on.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Carefully   the   Children   of   the   Road   took   away   their   hands   from   their   eyes   and   got   up   from   the   leaves. They   stood   in   a   glade   of   bright   hot   sun. Trees   had   been   plowed   up   by   the   roots   and   shivered   as   if   by   a   bomb:   but   a   blue   bomb. Bark   and   wood   was   seared   a   charcoal   that   instead   of   black   was   deep   pure   turquoise. The   Man   in   Brown   stood   in   the   middle,   holding   out   a   beautiful   gown   of   shimmering   chestnut.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   are   not   a   dragon   now.”   he   said   “Come.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Kill   me.”   said   Mrs. Lane.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “No.”   said   Arheled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   say   I’m   free.”   she   spat. “No   dragon   is   ever   free. Even   when   we   die,”   her   voice   fell   to   a   whisper,   “he   can   call   us   back. Didn’t   you   know, no   dragon really   dies? He   can   find   us,   even   when   we   cast   him   off;   he   is   our   Father,   we   can   never   be   free   of   him.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             She   gripped his   knees. “If   you   want   me   to   be   free   of   him,   then   kill   me! Kill   me   now   while   I   am   repentant,   and   my   soul   will   have   a   chance   to   escape   him. But   if   I   live,   and   my   Father   calls,   no   power   will   keep   me   from   obeying.”   She   began   to   weep,   harshly,   bitterly.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             A   great   dreary   pity   filled   Arheled’s   stern   face. “If   that   is   what   you   truly   want,   Camilla   Lane,   then   I   grant   you   your   wish.”   Placing   one   hand   on   her   head,   he   made   on   her   the   Sign   of   the   Cross. “Be   at   peace.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             For   a   moment,   on   her   exposed   legs   a   queer   blue-purple   stain   could   be   seen,   spreading   up   the   smooth   flesh. Then   the   chestnut-brown   gown   appeared   upon   her,   rich   and   satiny,   draping   her   with   a   beauty   and   a   glory   far   greater   than   she   had   wielded   even   with   dragon-glamour. She   sat   up,   a   ravaged   peace   on   her   statuesque   face.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Travel   came   over,   cautiously,   looking   into   her   eyes. “Mother?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   eyes   of   Camilla   Lane   were   no   longer   a   dragon’s   eyes,   but   a   soft   watery   blue,   sad   and   tired. “Darling.”   she   said   brokenly. “I’m   so   sorry.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Mother!”   cried   Travel,   gripping   her   in   a   fierce   embrace.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Goodbye,   my   little   girl.”   said   Mrs. Lane,   returning   the   embrace,   but   with   difficulty,   as   if   her   arms   could   barely   move.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Goodbye? But   why,   mother? I   just   found   you   again…”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   am   dying,   Travel.”   whispered   Mrs. Lane,   her   arms   limp,   leaning   upon   her   daughter. “I   asked   for   this. Seven   years   of   slavery. At   last   it   is   gone.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Mother…”   sobbed   Travel.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   loved   you,   Travel.”   breathed   Mrs. Lane. “Goodbye…”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Her   body   sagged   heavily   upon   her   daughter. Travel   lifted   her   up. There   was   no   life   in   the   half-closed   eyes. A   great   peace   and   relief   filled   her   dead   face. Blue   light   was   playing   about   her   now,   and   even   as   Travel   frantically   felt   her   heart,   she   crumbled   into   blue   ash,   and   blew   away   upon   the   wind.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “May   she   rest   in   peace.”   said   Arheled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You—you   just    killed    her? Just   like   that?!”   shouted   Travel. “She   was   my   mother! I   lost   her   for   seven   years! And   you   took   her!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “It   was   her   wish.”   said   Arheled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “And   just   who   gives   you   the   right   to—“

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Blue   light   flashed   for   an   instant   in   the   eyes   of   Arheled,   and   the   terrible   memory   of   his   tremendous   majesty   made   her   suddenly   fall   silent. “She   was   a   witch,   and   worse   than   witch.”   he   said   sternly. “Much   of   what   she   did,   though   she   did   it   enslaved,   she   did   it   willing. I   burnt   her   mind   free,   and   she   repented. The   fate   I   gave   her   was   merciful.”

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