10th Day of Fireseek, 565 CY
Willip, Furyondy

Sir Dorbin whistled. "Quite a sight."

"Largest city in the kingdom, they say," Caroline said.

"It's not walled," Fee Hal noted.

Cygnus shrugged. "They've never needed them, or so I've been told."

A grim expression took root on the knight's face. "I'm envious. We need more of such peacefulness back home."

The party, now less than a half-mile from Willip, continued their trek. Although the packed dirt road now boasted reasonably smooth cobblestones, the sheer volume of traffic had negated any speed gain from the road. Most were farmers or merchants heading into the city, although they had already passed one caravan heading in the opposite direction. The smell of fish soaking in brine had been quite strong as it passed by.

The rising sun was directly behind the white stucco walls of the Baronial Residence, which being set on a slight hill, was visible from some distance out. Golden rays of sunshine spilled out to the left and right of the palace complex, the dust motes in the cold morning air lending the beams an almost solid stability and burnishing the building's red roof to a bronze luster. The sight seemed to beckon travelers into the city.

Wescene eyed the naked branches of the trees on either side of them. Planted every twenty yards or so, a row of oaks, elms and similar trees stood guard along the highway (which Cygnus told the others was called the Land Legs Road) starting from about their position and continuing into the city for as far as they could see. "I'll bet these trees are absolutely beautiful in the summer," she said wistfully.

Monsrek smiled. "True, but I like it even more so in the fall when they change colors."

Sitdale smiled. "I like them best in winter myself, after a snowfall." He gestured at the trees, painting a picture with his hands. "The whiteness frames each branch, each twig, in a unique design." The half-elf regarded his companions. "Each one, a work of art to vanish in the spring, never to be repeated."

"Spring is the best time, no question," Aiclesis opined. "The whole world, including the trees, comes to life again. "It's an absolute miracle."

Caroline turned to all of them, a wry expression on her face. "Do you all ever agree on anything?"

"Never!" a cacophony of voices shouted out, ending in a swell of laughter. As it died out, Unru's voice piped up with practiced timing.

"By the gods!" he exclaimed. "We just did!"

This set off another firestorm of laughter. Caroline turned to eye Cygnus, who was already looking at her. She knew the mage shared both her sentiments and her jealousy. The camaraderie of the Dorbin party, especially now that they were on the road to finding a way back home, was both heartwarming to witness, and a cruel reminder that things amongst themselves were not quite so rosy. Caroline bit her lip. Argo's question had been gnawing at her for two days now. Soon, they would be in the city, and she might not have the chance again. She took a deep breath and moved closer to Monsrek as they walked.

"Monsrek?" she asked as softly as she dared.

The cleric leaned in closer to her. "Yes, my child?"

"May I ask you a personal question?"

A broad smile spread across the priest's face as he placed his arm around the young woman's shoulder. "No, I'm not married, Caroline. But we'll have to keep this from your husband," he added conspiratorially, looking around him in mock concern.

Caroline forced a smile and shrugged just enough that Monsrek knew to remove his hand. A look of concern displaced the smile from his features. "Forgive me, Lady Bigfellow. I'm something of a dirty old man, if you hadn't guessed that by now." A shadow of the former smile flitted back. "What is it you wish to know?"

She swallowed hard. "Do any of you have any children?"

All trace of mirth vanished from Monsrek's face. He eyed Caroline sternly, occasionally shifting his gaze upwards, as if studying the seagulls wheeling about in the blue sky. Caroline hadn't expected her question to generate that kind of reaction. Now, she was embarrassed that she had asked it. She was about to tell the cleric to forget about it when he sighed and answered.

"One of us, Lady Bigfellow. One of us." He indicated behind them with a nod of his head, to answer the unspoken question in Caroline's eyes.

She nearly gasped. Flond trailed behind his party, walking alone as he almost always did. The wizard's brown hood hid his face from view, but he seemed to be studying the cobblestone streets intently as he walked. Even when he did raise his head briefly to look at something, no reaction shone in his eyes.

"He seems younger than Cygnus," Caroline said to Monsrek, in as close to a whisper as she could manage. "How many? How old are they? Is their mother still alive?"

"He sired a son at thirteen years of age." Monsrek nodded, seeing the astonishment in Caroline's face. "We know little about him or his mother, save that Flond has left them behind, and they are no longer a part of his life. It is- part of the reason why he is as he is. More than that, I cannot say. You could of course, ask him yourself-"

"I wouldn't."

Caroline turned towards the source of that remark and saw Fee Hal giving her an I tried it already look. Somewhat annoyed that the squire had been eavesdropping, she turned back to Monsrek, who was making an expansive gesture with his hands, encompassing his companions.

"This life my companions and I lead, Lady Bigfellow; the life you used to lead," the priest was again looking seriously at her, "is not suited for children. They cannot mix. It never turns out well, in my experience. Never." He tilted his head. "Have I answered your question, my dear?"

Trying to ignore the lump in her throat, Caroline nodded, smiled weakly and moved away

They were now entering the city proper. The throng of people passing by on all sides pushed the party closer together. "All right, Cygnus," Sir Dorbin's commanding voice rose above the din, "We need to find an inn where we'll stay until tomorrow. That'll be our base of operations. How well do you know your competition?" He smiled at the magic-user.

Cygnus looked around him, and pointed to one of the larger structures, coming up on their right. "The Willow Tree. Good as any, from what I've heard."

Dorbin nodded. "All right. Fee Hal, see to it." The youth nodded and moved on ahead, while the knight turned back to Cygnus. "Thank you again Cygnus, for taking our currency in trade. I know times are tight for you. We shall repay you as soon as possible."

The wizard shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Sir Dorbin. Save your coin for getting back home. I don't know if the church of Heironeous can help you, but even if they can, it's not going to come cheap."

"Cygnus has told us where the Elven Tribal House is located," Aiclesis told his leader. "Wescene, Sitdale and I will rendezvous back with you once we've learned what we can." The three of them began to move off.

"I don't think they'll be able to help you much!" Cygnus felt compelled to yell after them.

Aiclesis turned around and shrugged. "If not, our visit will be short! Besides," he shouted back, "I need to see some more handsome faces around here!" The elf smiled and walked quickly to catch up with his brethren.

Sir Dorbin looked around him. "We'll need to lodge the horses of course, and none of the inns that I see here have stables." He peered ahead and pointed to a building on the left, about a hundred yards ahead. "I see a number of horses down there. Is that a stable, Cygnus?"

"Yes, it is called Branstead's and they will do nicely. We have stayed there before."

Sir Dorbin turned around at the sound of that unique voice, a mixture of amazement and embarrassment evident on his face. "Forgive me Perlial. I should of course have asked for your opinion first."

White Lightning tossed her mane, a gesture that Caroline recognized as her equivalent of a laugh. "No offense taken, good sir. That look on your face was priceless, though." She and Perlial bobbed their heads up and down.

Unru grinned and jerked his thumb at the steeds. "I like these horses. They're good people."

"Hold up," Cygnus told the two steeds. "Let's get these saddlebags off you first." Perlial and White Lightning stopped and motioned for the two normal horses behind them to stop as well, which they did. Cygnus, Torlina and Flond began to remove the bags containing the dragon hide sections and other parts they had collected from Bellicose.

"Well," said Unru, moving off now. "See you later, people. Time to see the sights."

"Any chance you could tell me where you're going, Unru?" asked Sir Dorbin with just a touch of exasperation. "And could you make it the truth for once?"

"The truth?" asked Unru with a surprised look on his face. He then assumed a thoughtful pose. "All right then, my friend. The absolute, honest-to-gods truth." He turned around and started walking away again, calling over his shoulder.

"I'll be somewhere, doing something..."

The knight glared at Monsrek and shook his head. "You know, it was your idea to bring him along."

The cleric smiled at his companion. "Yes, and you wouldn't have it any other way."

Torlina grinned at Cygnus as the three wizards finished hoisting the bags into their arms. "You know where the wizard's guild is located, Cygnus." she said. "Lead on."

The mage grimaced at Caroline and said, "My day of reckoning, I guess. I'll see you later." He then headed off down the street with Torlina and Flond bringing up the rear. Caroline, Dorbin, Monsrek and the horses resumed their course for the stables.

As they approached their destination, Monsrek looked ahead of them and an admiring expression came to his face as he pointed. "Well, well," he quipped to Sir Dorbin. "Even on another world, the choicest devotees of your god are drawn to your good looks, my friend. Better not tell Torlina!" The knight sighed heavily. Caroline, looking towards where Monsrek was pointing, could see a young woman maneuvering through the crowd towards them.

She wore the white and gold vestments of a priestess of Heironeous. She was smiling and trying to catch their attention. When she saw Monsrek pointing at her, the smile vanished from her face and she moved forward cautiously now. Caroline knew that in general, the clergy of the Summoner and of the Invincible One did not get along. The cleric had shoulder-length, dark brown hair, which she kept brushing back from her face. Her blue eyes scanned the party thoroughly as she approached, a look of consternation now appearing.

"Good day, Lady of Valor," Sir Dorbin said in his most respectful voice as he bowed to her. She fixed her eyes upon the knight and smiled.

"Blessings be upon you, good sir." She cleared her throat. "I am Jinella, of the Valorous Temple of Willip. Are you by chance sir, traveling with the wizard known as Cygnus? I thought I saw him walking with you, but," her voice trailed off as she again scanned the crowd, frowning now. "Perhaps I was mistaken."

"No," Caroline said, stepping forward now. "You just missed him. Cygnus has gone off to visit the Wizard's Guild. May I be of assistance? I am Caroline Bigfellow, a close friend of his."

The cleric's eyes widened. "Caroline Bigfellow? The wife of Argo?"

Caroline nodded.

Relief swept into the priestess' features. "Excellent! Thanks be to the Archpaladin I found you! I served at the trial which cleared your friends Elrohir and Aslan of the charges against them," she added, then assumed a formal looking demeanor.

A little too formal, Caroline thought. Was she trying to take the credit for that?

Jinella cleared her throat and continued.

"I have been commanded to tell you that the sentence of death upon the criminal Mendoleer was carried out as of two days ago. The blasphemer Talat has been moved to a more secure location pending her execution."

There was a silence. Caroline couldn't tell if Jinella had paused or had finished speaking. Something didn't sound right to her.

"Pardon, Jinella," she stated. "Commanded to tell us? Why would you not wish us to have that knowledge?"

To Caroline's surprise, the bright smile returned to Jinella's face.

"I have told you the news as commanded by my superiors. Now I shall tell you the news as I have heard it. Fortunately, I was given no particular instructions regarding that."

Monsrek gave a wry smile. "Are you sure you're serving the right deity, my lady?"

Jinella ignored him and continued. "Mendoleer was murdered in his cell two days ago. He had been in talks with the Baron's men about sparing his life in exchange for information. Talat has vanished without a trace. We have no idea if she is alive or dead."

Ever so faintly, Caroline could feel her heart begin to throb in her chest. Take it easy, she told herself. There are a thousand possible explanations.

Trying very hard to remain calm, she asked, "How do you know this?"

"There was another prisoner in that area of the dungeon that morning. There was no light, but he heard Mendoleer suddenly begin begging for mercy, and then some kind of roaring sound and terrible screams from the man. By the time the jailor came down with a torch, Mendoleer had been ripped limb from limb by some unknown creature, and the blasphemer was gone."

Caroline turned to eye the horses. They said nothing, but both looked back at her with sober eyes. She returned her gaze to the priestess. "Could you not use divine power to speak to Mendoleer's corpse?"

"I'll field that one," cut in Monsrek. He eyed Jinella. "The jaw- torn from the face?"

Jinella nodded, her lips pursed in a thin line. "The murderer knew what he, or it, was doing." She drew a deep breath. "If I may be so bold, Lady Bigfellow," she continued, somewhat haltingly.

Caroline raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Jinella could not hide her nervousness now. "Since this recent development, the Baron has asked the Church to take a more active role in the matter. My High Priest Lancoastes has said we must know more about Aslan and Elrohir, since they are apparently the physical doubles of the true criminals, one of whom may still be at large."

Caroline closed her eyes, but only for a moment, willing herself to stay focused.

"I have been instructed by Lancoastes to stay with you and the other owners of the Brass Dragon until I have collected as much information on the subject as may be obtained. Then I shall return to my Temple and report." Jinella continued, self-consciously brushing her hair back from her face again. "Of course, the full devotion of my faith shall be at your service in the meantime!" she added speedily and smiled again at Caroline.

Despite her overall dislike of the Invincible One, Caroline couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Jinella. Besides, she saw a way to turn this situation to their advantage. She smiled back at the priestess.

At last, she felt like she might be useful.

"Of course, the final decision in such a matter as this rests in the hands of Elrohir, our party leader. You may certainly accompany us back to the Brass Dragon when we leave for home tomorrow, and I will put in a good word for you with Elrohir. However," and here she glanced over at Sir Dorbin.

Jinella's eyes followed hers. "Yes?" she asked.

"Sir Dorbin urgently seeks an audience with your High Priest Lancoastes, on behalf of Monsrek here and seven other of their compatriots. If you could facilitate such a meeting, I know Elrohir would be highly pleased."

Jinella crossed her arms and glanced dryly back at Caroline. "I believe that could be arranged." She returned her gaze to Sir Dorbin. "In fact, I might be able to arrange a short audience with him right now if you wish, good Sir Dorbin."

Caroline noticed that Dorbin had hesitated slightly. He seemed to dislike the notion of trading favors to get things accomplished. No wonder he and Aslan get along so well, she thought ruefully to herself. She was about to give the knight a verbal nudge when he smiled and said, "I would be honored, Jinella of the Valorous One. Lead on." He glanced back at Monsrek.

The elder cleric grinned. "If you two don't mind, I'll accompany you two to this 'Temple Way' that Cygnus mentioned, and then head off on my own for a while. Caroline here and Cygnus have said they are not sure if there is a church of the Summoner here in Willip. If that's the case, I may have to do a little street preaching."

Jinella frowned. "I would not advise that, sir. The people of this kingdom favor law and order. Such rabble-rousing may well bring down an angry mob upon your head."

Monsrek smile grew even wider as he fell into step besides them. "Wouldn't be the first time."

"Wouldn't be the tenth time," Caroline heard Sir Dorbin grumble as the three of them walked out of earshot. She stared after them for a few moments, then spoke out loudly to no one in particular.

"That'll be fine. I'll just get the horses stabled then, shall I? Never fear, Caroline Bigfellow is here! The do-it-all woman…"

She shook her head and turned to eye the horses ruefully. "I suppose I could just stick the money in your mouths and send you off to the stables! You don't need me for anything really important either, do you?"

Both horses slowly moved up to Caroline, one on each side, so that their heads were next to hers. "We need you, Caroline," said White Lightning softly.

She regarded them with a smirk. "Yeah? For what?"

"Love." Perlial's voice, spoken as low as the horse could manage it, was husky and sweet with that odd accent. "Nothing is as important to us. The magic of a lich made us sentient, but the love of you, your family, and those who went before made us what we are."

"Every night, we give thanks to Odin for you," White Lightning added. "Never leave us- please."

Caroline stared at them for a moment, and then gently hugged each horse around her neck. "Thank you," she whispered, tears filling her eyes. She wiped them clear and gestured to them. "Come on," she said. "Lead the others."

As they reached the stables, Caroline overheard White Lightning speaking to Perlial.

"Plus, she gives the best treats out of any of them."

Caroline smiled, but didn't turn around. She knew the horses spoke to each other in their own language. That comment had been meant for her to overhear.

Under his hood, Flond's voice carried a scowl. "No matter where you go, it's the same thing. With all the earth-shaking power at our command, we're not a very imaginative bunch of people, are we?"

Torlina shrugged. "I prefer to think that we found what works best and stuck with it."

Cygnus eyed the stone cylindrical tower that was the headquarters of the Willip Wizard's Guild. "It's not the building, it's the people in it that worry me."

"Too many wizards spoil the brew?" Flond managed to put a smirk on his face as he turned to eye Cygnus.

"Come on now, people!" Torlina, struggling with the saddlebag she was holding to her chest, looked in exasperation at her fellow mages. "Cygnus, you say you've never even met any of these people! How can you have such a sour opinion of them already? By Boccob's staff, you told me this kingdom is ruled by a paladin! Do you honestly think they'd allow some power-hungry monsters to open a guild in their largest city? What fault can you truthfully say you've found in these wizards?"

Flond shifted his own burden and grunted. "They have a lousy sense of fashion."

Cygnus frowned and followed Flond's eyes. A figure dressed in fire-red robes was coming out of the Guild and heading straight towards them at a brisk pace. He was of average height and packed a bit of a paunch. About ten years older than Cygnus, he had thinning brown hair that was screaming out for a comb. At least his smile seemed genuine, thought Cygnus, unlike Thormord's horrendous attempt at one.

The guild wizard pulled up in front of them, puffing a bit. "Greetings, fellow mages!" he called out heartily. "Welcome to the Willip Wizards Guild! My name is Zantac- have you come to sell goods?"

"Like you don't know?" Flond's voice cut through the space between them like an acidic knife. "Tell me you haven't been scrying on us since we entered the city, if not before." Cygnus winced and could see that Torlina was making a serious effort to control her temper now, and even he didn't feel like going off on this Zantac fellow. He's probably just the poor sucker who drew the short straw to see who would try to suck me into the Guild, Cygnus thought to himself.

For his part though, Zantac seemed unfazed. He reached forward and took the saddlebag from Torlina's arms, earning her immediate gratitude. He turned his smile on Flond. "Probably not, good sir. We spend most of our time scrying on each other!" He winked at Cygnus, who still didn't feel like returning his smile.

Zantac turned back towards the tower, motioning with his shoulders for the others to follow. "Come on, come on! I promise- it's not a house of horrors. That's back there," he turned and indicated down Land Legs Road with his head. "City Hall."

Despite himself, Cygnus had to grin just a little bit at that. He took a deep breath and followed Zantac, along with the others.

Zantac took a deep breath as the front door opened automatically for him. Oh boy, this is not going to be easy. Cygnus probably knows I'm going to lean on him, and that other sourpuss isn't making this any easier! I need to get Mr. Wizard From Another World away from the other two. I need... I need... Zantac looked around as the others entered behind him. "Hogeth! Come here! I need you!"

Cygnus, coming in behind Zantac, was surprised to see a half-orc clad in light silver robes stroll slowly over to Zantac and effortlessly take the saddlebag from him with one hand and then, at Zantac's signal, take Cygnus' burden from him with the other. Zantac smiled again as he gestured at the others who had now entered the building as well.

"Gentlemen, and Lady!" (Here he bowed to Torlina, who smiled back at him.) "May I present Hogeth Grayeye, first-tier wizard and our supervisor in charge of Appraisals and Sales!" Indicating Flond and Torlina, Zantac added, "If you two good people would follow Mr. Grayeye, he'll be able to help you out with all due speed."

Cygnus was amazed, although he tried not to show it. He had never seen a half-orc wizard in his entire life. For his part, Hogeth, who had an inch or two of height on Cygnus, smiled shyly at all the newcomers. When Cygnus' gaze met Hogeth's steel-gray eyes, the half-orc evidently saw enough to detect the human's surprise. The half-orc's eyes dropped to the floor. "Follow me please," he mumbled to Torlina and Flond, who followed him out of sight down the circular hallway that apparently ran the perimeter of the building.

Torlina's voice came back, "Cygnus, if we don't see you later, we'll all meet up at the Willow Tree!"

"All right!" Cygnus responded, all the while kicking himself mentally. Damn it! He's probably all too-used to seeing that look. I thought I was above that sort of thing.

As if sensing his discomfort, Zantac sidled up to Cygnus. "He never wanted to be anything other than a wizard" he said, indicating with his eyes the hallway where Hogeth and the others had just gone down. "No one else would give him a chance."

That may be true, but it still sounds like a sales pitch, thought Cygnus as he let Zantac guide him around.

"Let me give you the copper tour," Zantac announced grandly.

The two of them were now on the tower's third floor. This entire floor was taken up by the Guild's meeting room. Zantac, making small talk, was explaining to Cygnus the numerous paintings that adorned the dark gray stone walls. Each one showed a famous wizard or magical tableau of Furyondy's past. It was actually interesting stuff, but Cygnus was too distracted to enjoy it. Zantac hadn't started on his pitch yet, but Cygnus knew he would, sooner or later. He knew he had to clear the air, so he turned to his fellow magic-user.

"Zantac."

Zantac turned to eye him. Cygnus could see in his face that he knew what was coming but made no sign.

Cygnus sighed. "Listen Zantac, I'll be honest with you. You seem like a really nice guy. A lot better than I expected from a Guild mage, to be frank. But I've never been part of a guild in my life, and I don't want to start now. I know there are benefits to joining, but there are responsibilities too, and I don't want to promise anything that I wouldn't be comfortable keeping. Now some guilds I've known have allowed for certain transactions between members and non-members. Procedures that allow- certain things?"

Zantac smiled. "Like training up?'

Cygnus nodded. "Yes. I need to, although don't tell anyone." He looked at the closed door to the meeting room behind him, then back at Zantac. "I'd like to do business with you and your people, Zantac. I would. I daresay there's a lot of things I could offer you that you'd find unique. But I won't join. What do say to that?"

Zantac blew air through his lips while studying the floor, then looked back at Cygnus. "Counter-offer, Cygnus. You're going to be heading back to the Brass Dragon tomorrow, aren't you?"

Cygnus crossed his arms across his chest and gave a wry look to the other mage. "You were scrying on us, weren't you?"

Zantac shrugged. "Of course." He wagged a finger at Cygnus. "Now if you'd been a member, you'd have been able to spot the sensor. Anyway, here's my offer. Let me come back with you to your inn. If I haven't convinced you by then that it'd be worth it to join up, " and here he took a deep breath, "I'll drop the issue, and see what I can do about getting you trained up. For full price, of course," he finished with an admonishing glare at Cygnus.

"Done." Cygnus put his arms around Zantac's shoulder. "Now, I'm starving. Where's the best place to eat around here?"

His peer smiled back at him. "Follow me."

As they rounded the hallway, heading back towards the stairs that led to the lower levels, the two wizards passed by a door to the meeting room that was still ajar. Cygnus pushed it open and looked inside. He whistled in admiration. "That's quite a conference room you've got there. And that carpet! It's-"

Zantac reached past Cygnus and pulled the door shut with a slam.

Cygnus eyed him curiously.

"Yeah," said Zantac, forcing a thin smile onto his face. "Yeah, it's- breathtaking."

I think I owe Martan an apology, he thought.

He was pretty sure he had seen it start to ripple.