At breakfast that morning, the entire hall was in an uproar. The rumor that the Captain of Centre Flight had gotten drunk last night was spreading like wildfire.

When Xanth trudged into the room, all conversation ceased. He walked to his table and plopped down next to Rook. Whispered conversations resumed all around him.

"Xanth," whispered Rook urgently, "as soon as you've eaten, go upstairs and spruce yourself up. You look like a zombie. I'm not supposed to tell you, but the Freeglade Council is going to summon you in half an hour. It doesn't look good, old friend."

Xanth nodded, but only one thing really interested him. "Where's Magda?" he asked. Neither she nor Noah were eating this morning.

"She's…ah…dress shopping with Noah…" said Rook cautiously.

Xanth swore and banged his fist against the table. Grabbing a hunk of bread, he strode up to his room to prepare himself.

When the servant came to summon Xanth to the Council he was ready. Wearing his best robes, he strode grimly into the meeting room. The other members of the Council were there. Rook gave him a half-hearted smile and Felix waved surreptitiously.

"Xanth Filatine," said Judge Loge, "You are accused of drunkness, injury to Freegladers, and damage of personal property last night. How do you plead?"

"Guilty to all three," replied Xanth stoically.

"The punishment for these crimes is immediate demotion. As you have pleaded guilty, you are now demoted to librarian knight in Centre Flight."

Xanth bowed his head and left the room slowly.

He was sitting against the wall next to the door when Rook found him three hours later. Xanth's eyes were closed but he wasn't sleeping. His body was shaking, but there were no tears leaking from beneath his eyelids.

"Xanth," said Rook softly, "you can't stay here all day. Come on, why don't we go out for a walk by the lake."

Xanth opened his eyes and looked at Rook. "What do I have left to live for," he whispered.

Rook was shocked. "Xanth Filatine, I forbid you to talk like that! You have me, Tweezel, Cowlquape, Felix…lots of people still care about you! Magda does too, don't let her fool you. We had a long talk last night and you know that she's still your friend. Why don't we go find her, I'm sure she'd make you feel loads better."

Xanth allowed himself to be pulled to his feet and followed Rook outside. The sun was shining and the air was clear. The day was lovely, and it was hard to believe that anything could go wrong.

They found Magda and Noah sitting on the banks of the lake, deep in conversation. Rook, sensing Xanth's building anger, called out to Noah, inviting him to join him for a drink at the Bloadoak Tavern. Noah didn't go happily, but when Rook pressured him, he gave in.

This left Magda and Xanth alone, staring out over the water.

"I've been demoted," said Xanth finally.

"Yes, I heard," replied Magda, "but I don't understand why you went and got drunk last night at all. I thought we were all having a good time."

"You really don't know why I was depressed and angry last night?" asked Xanth, looking into her eyes. Magda shook her head, maintaining his gaze. "I was sad and angry because…Magda, I wanted to take you to the Spring Nights Ball. I was asking you when Noah cut me off. Don't you understand, Magda, I…"

Magda cut him off suddenly by putting a finger to his lips. "No, don't say it. I've waited for so long to hear you say that…I can't bear it. Xanth, I can't love you right now because Noah and I…we're thinking of getting engaged."

"But you hardly know him!" exclaimed Xanth, "How can you even think of getting married to him!"

"No, Xanth, I knew him in Undertown. We were good friends, but I hadn't seen him since then."

"Do you really love him, Magda?"

She hesitated for a split second before answering. "Yes. Yes, I do love him."

"Thank you. That's all I needed to hear. I wish that all this tenderness and love was for me, but I understand now that we'll never be more than friends. Good-bye Magda. I'll see you around."

The sadness in Xanth's eyes was reflected in the look Magda shot at his retreating back.

Xanth walked slowly and sadly to the skycraft corrals. Grabbing his big travel pack, Xanth untied the Ratbird and climbed slowly onto it. There was a ringing in his ears and his heart was broken. He mournfully sailed up and out of the Freeglades and towards the south. If he returned, he promised himself he'd find someone who he could love and who would love him back. For now, he was leaving the Freeglades.