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a whole week of feastin'。 Which we're almost at the end of right now。 This aft'noon； in fact； every citizen who ain't too drunk's supposed to get together at the Great Amphitheater。 Cassini's gonna get some big honors。 Plus； he's probably gonna get to lead the next expedition。 Which they're settin' up right now。 And they're gonna go at it right； this time。 No little stuff； with just a coupla soldiers。 But a big force。 And I tell ya； nothin'll stand in our way。 Yessir； it's a proud time to be an Orissan。〃
Sudden urgency hammered at my temples。 〃We had better hurry to my father's house；〃 I said to Janos and Deoce。 They did not question me； but as we started away the old man called； 〃Who might you be； young lord？ Give me a name to toast when I cash your kind gift at the tavern。〃
I whirled back； the game playing done。 〃I am Amalric Emilie Antero。 At your service。〃
The old man looked at me； gaping。 Then he hooted。 〃Amalric Antero。 That's a good un。 But I wouldn't try it on anybody else； young lord。 Because the Far Kingdoms was his Finding。 'Cept； old Amalric never made it back。 He and the rest are deader'n fish stink。 Cassini seen 'em get it。〃
It was no surprise that Cassini had declared us dead。 He'd already tested his lies on Sergeant Maeen and Captain L'ur； and he'd had many weeks to rehearse before he arrived in Orissa。 On our own journey home； I'd agonized over my family's reaction to his grim news。 Worry had put wings on our feet。 Loyalty had also aided our speedy return； for L'ur had given Cassini's tale as little credence as Sergeant Maeen。 When Cassini showed up； he agreed to carry the Evocator to Redond…but no farther。 There the good captain had waited； keeping the bargain I'd struck on the Pepper Coast。
〃It didn't ring true the likes of Cassini would be the only one to make it；〃 he'd said。 〃I told him； I'll stick by young Antero； sir。 And Cap'n Greycloak。' Cassini didn't like it； but there weren't much he could do； seein' how he needed me to get him a berth on a fast ship to Orissa。〃
Now； as I rushed to my father's villa； all my hatred for Cassini came to a boil。 The hatred proved well…founded： I discovered my father lingering near death； and my sister； Rali； was in a torment when she saw me； fearing the shock of even good news would push him to the other side。 She went in to prepare him for my resurrection； and in a while she returned to lead me to his room。 I was shocked at the sight of him lying weak and ghastly in his bed。 His frame had shrunk to that of an old man's； and his flesh was waxen and hung loose from those frail bones。 But his eyes； set deep in that death mask； were alive with delight when he saw me。 〃Thank Te…Date； you are safe；〃 he gasped。 I was so overe； I flung myself to my knees and nearly wept。 〃Do not cry； Amalric；〃 my father forted。 〃An hour ago I felt the Dark Seeker's presence。 I was tempted to let him carry me away； instead； I drove him off。 But if I had not…〃 He put a shaky hand on my head。 〃…I would never know this happiness。〃
He coaxed me up and patted the bed beside him。 I saw color returning to those pale cheeks。 〃e； tell me your adventures； son；〃 he said。 〃Did you find the Far Kingdoms？〃
〃No；〃 I said。 〃But I saw the black…fisted mountains。 And I saw passage to the other side。〃
〃I knew it；〃 my father said。 〃All those years I dreamed。 Now I know those dreams were more than a fool's delight。〃
I sat with him for a short time； giving him a brief account of our adventures。 But of them all； he was most delighted by the news that I had returned with my future wife。 He gripped my hand。 〃No matter what lies ahead； Amalric；〃 he said； 〃treasure her above all things。 And you will die a happy man。〃 His grip relaxed； his eyes closed； and for a moment I feared he might have died。 But I saw the smile on his face and a gentle fluttering of his beard。 He was asleep。 I crept out of the room to join the others。
My sister was torn between fury at Cassini and joy at our safe return。 〃The bastard's stolen all the credit；〃 she was saying as I entered。 〃It is you who is the hero； Janos Greycloak。 You； and my brother。〃
〃The question；〃 Janos said； 〃is how to reply。 To tell the truth； I don't much care for the hero's mantle。 It is too heavy； gives more disfort than ease； and is too easily ripped away。〃
〃But they are preparing for the next expedition as we speak；〃 I said。 〃And it is a hero they want to lead it。 Right now； that hero is Cassini。〃
〃He's a liar；〃 Deoce said。 〃Challenge him for the harm his lies have done。 Then kill him。 This is how we women of Salcae would deal with such a man。〃
Rah' laughed； and it was a joy to hear again after all the time that had passed。 〃I like her； Amalric。 She's much too good for you。〃 Then； to Deoce； 〃We are not so different in Orissa； my dear Deoce。 However； Cassini is an Evocator。 You cannot challenge an Evocator to a duel。 An unpleasant death would be the smallest penalty you'd face。〃
Deoce made a face。 〃Now I know for certain men rule here；〃 she said。 〃No woman of character would allow such a law to stand。〃
Janos slammed down a heavy fist； rocking the table。 〃As should no man；〃 he said。 〃But it would be too easy to kill him； and then be cheated out of what I desire the most。 The Far Kingdoms will be mine； dammit。 And no other's。〃
〃Then let us confront him；〃 I said。 〃The people will gather soon to do him honor。 Let us go there and show them we not only live； but that it was no thanks to that lying coward who abandoned us and urged others to abandon us as well。〃
And that is what we did。 I convinced Rali and Deoce to guard the villa in case all did not go well。 I ordered horses saddled； and； still dressed in the rough clothing of our journey； we rode for the Great Amphitheater。 Now the streets were more crowded； and I realized that although the old fisherman hadn't believed me； he must have told others about the young fool claiming to be Amalric Antero。 People looked up to see the men riding past； and some of them recognized us。 〃Isn't that Greycloak？〃 I heard people ask。 〃And isn't that Lord Antero； himself； beside him？ It's true； then。 They are alive！〃
Someone called out； 〃Where are you bound； Captain Greycloak？〃
Janos shouted back； 〃We're off to confound a great liar。〃 His words and the news that our presence was no rumor spread； and a large crowd gathered in our wake； shouting encouragement and cursing Cassini for a liar。 Soon we came to the Great Amphitheater。 A strong guard rushed to bar our way； alerted by the noise of the crowd。 The captain of the guard raised his spear and shouted for us to stop。
〃How dare you say such a thing to a citizen of Orissa；〃 I shouted back。 But my protest wasn't necessary。 As soon as the man saw Janos； he lowered his spear in amazement 〃By Te…Date； it is Janos Greycloak；〃 he called。 〃Alive as the day his mother birthed him。〃 He strode up to Janos。 〃I knew no Evocator could have acplished such deeds。〃 To his men； 〃Didn't I say that； lads？ Didn't I say only a soldier could have done what he said he'd done？〃 The other soldiers cheered。 The guard captain clapped Janos on the leg。 〃Get in there； man；〃 he roared。 〃The Far Kingdoms are for all of us。 Soldier and citizen； and not for the dam