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〃Savages is right；〃 Lione put in。 〃P'raps y' din't see； but there was squads of them； goin' right a'ter th' soldiers； workin' wi' long daggers t' make sure none a th' wounded might want doctorin'。 Movin' from one t' another； like they'd been dutied off for th' job。〃
〃Soldiers loot；〃 Maeen said。
〃They weren't lootin'；〃 Lione said stubbornly。 〃Just killin'。〃
〃The end of a feud；〃 I suggested。
〃Or maybe；〃 Janos said darkly； 〃these Disputed Lands are well and truly named； if the only victory which counts is that of the worm。〃
〃At any rate；〃 I said； trying to put as cheery a note on the day as I could； 〃now we know why the Far Kingdoms have not sent out emissaries or traders； if they must travel through lands ruled by butchers like those。〃
Men brightened at this。
〃And now we are reaching some form of civilization； barbaric though it appears；〃 I went on。 〃The mouth of this river； and the Far Kingdoms themselves； must be very close。〃 I was； of course； guessing at this last。
But a day and a half later； we did find civilization。 Or rather； civilization found us。 Four long war galleys swept out from an inlet。 I counted twenty oars on each side of the green craft； and on their foredecks stood armed men。 The prow of each craft had two ballistae mounted； and they were aiming directly at our canoes。 We were well and truly trapped。 A spade…bearded man wearing armor and helmet hailed us。
〃Wele； travelers；〃 he shouted。 〃Wele； guests。〃 His smile was not only mirthless； but quite unweling as well。
CHAPTER TWENTY…ONE
The Wizard of Souls
IT WAS A city like no other： all sound muted； all color unnaturally bright。 The dwellings were of pale stone； with only small black holes for doors to mar their faceless features。 Red streamers； en…trailing down from green…lacquered posts； lined both sides of the eerie avenue。
Our 〃hosts〃 had refused to answer any questions as we sailed to the city's port。 In fact； they made no ment of any kind and looked away when we addressed them； as if we did not exist。 At the port we were handed over to a troop of waiting soldiers； manded by a dark…visaged captain。 Our weapons and other belongings were put on a cart； which followed as they marched us down the city's main thoroughfare。 We led the small parade； twenty anxious panions of the road knotted together for strength of spirit。 The soldiers flanked around； herding us to our fates。 Our new hosts were as silent as the others； except for the drum of their boot steps； dull clank of armor； and the prickles at our necks； you would not have known they were present。
There were few people about； and those men and women we saw moved with no apparent purpose； or stood motionless as stones； staring as we went past There was no logic to their costumes： some wore rough mon togas； others white silk of the rich； mixed in were men in partial soldier's harness； farmers dressed for the field； and beggars in rags。 A child looked at me as we went by。 I smiled and she smiled back； my stomach gave a wrench； for this innocent had no nose。 I began to notice that many others were maimed in some way： an arm missing； or wooden blocks for feet。
I heard Maeen whisper； 〃There goes an unlucky lot。〃
Janos leaned close and said； low； 〃When we reach our destination； follow my lead。〃
The avenue curved； then ran arrow straight for a tall； blocky building with a huge red chimney on its crown。 The chimney belched sparks and black smoke； and a nauseating odor greased the air。 As we came closer； I realized the building was larger than I thought。 Another lumped in front of it： a structure curved like a hive and with a circular door。 A man stepped out of the entrance。 He wore a fine red tunic with a small； black badge of authority on his breast。 He lifted a hand in greeting； the hand was thumbless and pebbled with finger stumps。
He spoke in a voice accustomed to mand。 〃Good day； gentle wayfarers。 My master bids you wele and kindly offers his renowned hospitality。〃
〃Thank you；〃 Janos said。 〃And who might your kind master be？〃
〃Why； his name is known to all；〃 our greeter replied。 〃It is Lord Mortacious。 Ruler of this city； and all the lands of Gomalalee。〃
〃Forgive our ignorance； gentle sir；〃 Janos said。 〃But we hail from a land so distant； not even your exalted master's name has reached our shores。 It will be our honor that we shall be the first to speak it to the multitudes when we return safely to our hearths。〃
The man replied； 〃It will be your joy； then； to meet him for the first time。 e。 My master awaits at table。〃
We followed： nineteen silent men； praying for all the gods to aid Janos' wit。 I heard the hiss of the great chimney overhead and smelled the foul smoke。 Our guide led us to the banquet hall and flung wide the doors。 The room was long and narrow and lighted so brightly my eyes were pained。 The only decoration was more of those obscene red streamers mounted on the high walls。 From one end of the room to the other ran a heavy blackwood banquet table。 The table was heaped with many dishes to tempt the palate： roasts of a variety of flesh； platters of whole baked fish； mounds of rich； dark breads； and large crystal decanters of heavy crystal； filled with a red wine so heady its sweet odor filled the room。 The food was heaped upon great platters of gold。 Forty men sat at this table； and near the entrance there were places set for eighteen more。
At the head of the table； in a green； throne…backed chair； sat a man with the features of a fierce scavenger of the air。 He rose when he saw us； lifting his hands so his flowing red robe winged out like that great desert bird。 It could be no other than the man who had issued the invitation…Lord Mortacious。 He spoke first to his panions of the table。 〃Gentlemen。 We have the honor to host distinguished guests this day。〃 There were murmurs all around： dark or joyous； I could not tell。 〃Gentlemen； may I introduce you to Sir Janos Greycloak of Orissa。〃 Janos flinched。 I felt my own features twitch in stung surprise。 I covered； as did Janos。 〃I believe the man beside him…he of the glorious red hair…is Lord Antero。 Also of Orissa。〃 I bowed low； manner calm； mind swirling with fearful questions： How did he know us？ What was his purpose？
〃We are the ones to be honored； Lord Mortacious；〃 Janos said I echoed his response。 Behind me I heard one of our men cough nervously and Sergeant Maeen's harsh whisper of warning。
Mortacious adjusted the scarf about his neck； it was made of costly black silk。 He smiled a smile of lordly benevolence； but his eyes were so smoky and burning with deadliness； I knew him to be a wizard。
〃e sup with us； please；〃 he said； indicating empty seats of honor on either side of his dining throne。 〃Your men will find places set for them as well by the door。〃 Janos and I walked forward。 Behind us； our small party sat where they had been directed。 With each step that we took away from our panions； I felt the line of safety stretch thin。 Mortacious was most gracious as we took our seats。 He fussed with our place settings and poured us each a glass of wine。 I murmured thanks and sipped。 The wine was so sweet； I nearly gagged； but out of politeness； I forced myself to sip again。