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ings in flight was a hard thing to mistake。 It was surprising to see a monkbird up here in the highlands； far from its usual habitat。
The creature's flight path was curving in a circle around the zenith； as if it were deliberately observing the ruined temple and the three people who were inside it。
Barbara had scrambled up atop one of the ruined walls； to get a better view downslope。 〃Some men are ing up the canyon；〃 she announced。 〃Six of them； I think。〃
Ben and Mark got into position to see for themselves。 On the trail that ascended from the main road； two mounted men led four who moved on foot。 Some of them at least were heavily armed。
〃Following our wagon tracks？〃
〃No … maybe not … see the rider's drawn sword？ I think he's using it for guidance。〃
〃Coinspinner； then！〃
〃It could be Wayfinder。〃
As they watched； the monkbird left off circling and flew down to the approaching procession。 It landed on the shoulder of the man walking in the rear； and presumably it could be reporting what it had seen。
Barbara hopped down from the wall。 〃What do we do？ We can't retreat uphill with the wagon。〃
Ben spat。 〃I don't feel like just giving them a team and wagon。 Six aren't that many； even assuming that they do mean harm。〃 So the three； with good rocks at their back and some advantage in high ground； stood to face those who were approaching。
The leader of the six； he who rode holding a drawn sword in front of him； drew up his mount when he saw the three of them waiting。 He was a small man with a large mustache。 His gestures at once suggested an imperious manner。 And； certainly； it was one of the Twelve Swords that he gripped； though it was impossible to see at the moment which white symbol marked its hilt。
The second rider was a tall； graybearded man … a wizard； thought Mark； if he had ever seen one。 Four more men came tagging along on foot； none of them looking particularly impressive。
When the leader drew up his riding beast some twenty meters or so away； Ben … in response to that brandished Sword … let the wrapping fall free from Dragonslicer。 Mark had an arrow already nocked； and Barbara had drawn the sling from her belt and slipped a smooth stone into it from her small pouch。 Now she was holding the weapon in expert readiness； letting the weight of the stone swing gently on the thongs。
The armed men in the other group began to draw their weapons also； but without any great appearance of eagerness。 He who was so obviously a wizard； however； was frowning and shaking his head。 〃Peace！〃 he cried out； in a huge voice； and held up an open palm toward each side。
Ben made no move to put down Dragonslicer； nor Mark to lower his bow。 Having weapons out and ready was probably the best move that non…magicians could make to ward off spells。
〃Oh； aye； I'll have peace； if I can。〃 The voice of the mustached man was easily loud enough for those confronting him to hear； as he replied to the wizard。 Then； when Ben brandished his own Sword again； the man rounded on him and added 〃But peace or war； I'll have my treasure。 Unless it's Shieldbreaker that you're mishandling there so awkwardly； young man； I'll be able to take it from you if I try。〃
Mark chose to answer that。 〃And if that's Coinspinner in your dainty hand； you'd better know that it belongs to me； and that I mean to have it back。 If it's Townsaver； the same。 That's mine by inheritance。〃
The rider controlled his mount。 〃Ha； we've met an owner of two Swords； by Hades！ Neither of which he happens to have with him at the moment； unfortunately。。。 since you appear to be so well … versed in the lore of Swords； I'll tell you that I hold Wayfinder here。 It's guided me to this place； and now I must determine why。〃 Again the rider had to struggle briefly with his high…spirited mount。 He added then： 〃I am the Baron Doon； and this at my right hand the wizard Indosuaros。 And who are you？〃
〃Mark；〃 said Mark； touching his chest with his free right hand。 Then he gestured to his side： 〃Ben； and Barbara。〃
〃Ha； a notable economy of names。 And a lack of pretension in the way of titles。 But why not？〃 And now the mustached one heeded his wizard； who had jockeyed his own mount； a pale loadbeast trained for riding； closer to speak to him in a low voice。
After a short whispered conference； the man who had called himself Baron Doon looked up again。 〃So。 What you have there is Dragonslicer。 Doubtless the very implement I need； to break the second sealing。〃 He spoke like a man making his private plans aloud。
There was a moment of ominous silence。 Then Ben said in a calm voice： 〃Why； I have heard of a dragon…sealing； in a song。 An old song； about treasure； where the sealings are numbered up to seven。〃
The Baron … Mark was beginning to believe that he might be such； for he looked proud enough to be a king … the Baron studied calmly the three who faced him。 〃It may be；〃 Doon said at last； 〃that I will have use in my enterprise for some of you； as well as for that Sword。 We had better talk。〃
Barbara spoke up； as bold as he。 〃Use for us in what enterprise？ And at what rates of pay？〃
The Baron looked at her appreciatively for a moment。 Then he said： 〃I mean to have Benambra's Gold。 You say that you know the old song； then you may know as well that it is more than a song； much more than a story。 It's real； and those I choose to help me are going to share in it generously。〃
There was a silence； broken only by the wind feeling its way down the pass to mourn in the stones of the ruined temple。 And now the wind brought with it the faint voices of the distant pilgrims； chanting to Ardneh as they drew slowly closer。
Mark exchanged glances with Ben。 Then he called to Doon： 〃We might be willing to join you。 We'll have to hear more； first。〃
And Ben； to Doon： 〃Whether we agree or not； this is my Sword； and it stays with me。〃
The Baron called back to them： 〃I want to consult Wayfinder on which of you； if any； I ought to enlist。 You'll pardon me if I e nearer to you with it drawn。〃
And Barbara： 〃As long as you'll pardon us for holding our own weapons ready。〃
Doon now rode slowly forward； while the rest of his group stayed where they were。 At a distance of no more than three or four meters he halted again； and now he pointed with the blade in his hand at Mark； Ben； and Barbara in turn。 Mark could see the tip quivering； lightly and rapidly； when it was aimed at himself and at Ben。 But it remained steady； he thought； when Doon leveled it at Barbara。
Doon told the two young men： 〃Your young piece there is not going to e with us。 Can you trust your lives to her ability to hold her tongue？〃
And Ben again： 〃Speak of the lady gently； or you might get Dragonslicer where you don't want it。〃
Doon raised an eyebrow； a signal more elegant by far than his attire。 〃Your pardon； I'm sure； your ladyship。 I meant only that I decline to invite you to take part in this enterprise。 And I most strongly advise that you say nothing to anyone about it。〃
She flared back at him fearlessly； 〃It's well that you decline to invite me；