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scavenger of the air. He rose when he saw us, lifting his hands so his flowing red robe winged
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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 companions 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.
"Come 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 companions, 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. This time it was more tolerable,
powerful stuff that stoked fires in the belly and smoke in the mind. I vowed caution.
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"Tell me, Lord Mortacious," Janos said, "how is it you know of such lowly travelers as ourselves?"
Mortacious chuckled, fingering the black scarf at his neck. "Lowly? I think not. As for my knowledge of
you, it is no great trick for a wizard. As ruler of this realm, which many evil men envy, such knowledge is
a necessity."
Janos suddenly relaxed; he drank his wine and loudly smacked his lips in pleasure. "To be perfectly
frank, my lord, when your men first approached we feared our intentions had been mistook. For we
come to these parts by accident, not design. Our purposes are entirely peaceful."
"So you say," Mortacious murmured. "But there is a bloody trail behind you that might indicate
otherwise."
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"If they had let us pass," Janos said, "they would have lived. The barbed remark hooked amusement
rather than anger. Mor-tacious smiled. "Exactly, dear Greycloak. Ignorance can be fatal." He topped our
glasses. "When I learned of your approach, I was seized with curiosity. I had to meet the men who so
ardently sought the Far Kingdoms."
Except for the conversation between Janos and Mortacious, the room was silent. His men made listless
motions of eating and drinking; they did not talk with one another, or look this way and that Down the
long table our own friends whispered amongst themselves and shifted restlessly. But I saw they'd had the
good sense to help themselves to some joints of meat and bread and were devouring them as if it were
their last meal, a thought not far from my own mind as I looked at my still empty platter.
Mortacious caught my look and fussed. "Forgive me, dear sirs, for forgetting your needs. Come, let me
assist you in finding a tasty morsel or two."
He carved a thick slab of steaming meat for me, another for Janos, and put them on our plates with
much ceremony. A most delicious odor arose to greet my senses and beg me to sup. I cut a long slice
and lifted it eagerly to my lips. I paused, confused, as I heard Mortacious give a malicious snigger.
Suddenly, the tempting strip became a hissing, wriggling viper; venom dripped from its fangs, searing the
table.
"Why, Amalric Antero, you are a greedy beggar," Janos said, voice light as a young boy's. "You're
always snatching up the best cut. Here-aUow me at least one bite!" He plucked the snake away with a
flourish. "A little undercooked, perhaps," he said. His other hand, fingers arched in a spell-making curve,
brushed by the viper's jutting fangs. The snake became a strip of innocent meat again. He popped it into
his mouth and washed it down with a glass of wine. "Quite tasty," he said, and cupped a hand in front of
his mouth to hide a polite belch.
Mortacious' face turned grim. He plucked at the neck scarf, irritated at Janos' skillful display. But my
friend wasn't done. "Why, what manner of dish is that before you, Lord Mortacious?" he cried in mock
surprise. He snapped his fingers at the heavy gold plate before our host Mortacious reared back as the
plate became a great golden scorpion, its tail hard arched, sting glistening with venom as deadly as that
viper's.
"Come here, my pretty," Janos cooed, and the scorpion sped across the table at a frightening speed and
ran up his sleeve. It whipped its sting hi anger as he gave it a pat, then became a
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small, squeaky mouse with soft white fur and a tender pink nose. Janos set it down, saying, "Can't make
up its mind, poor thing." Mortacious hissed and pointed a long, bony finger at the mouse. It gave a sharp
squeak and burst into flame; in a moment the mouse had been turned to golden ash. The wizard swept up
the ash, then let it sprinkle back down on the table. The particles swirled and then formed back into a
plate. I saw that its edge, perfect before, was chipped, but Mortacious was so proud of this final
turnabout, he didn't notice. The wizard adjusted the scarf and displayed a wide grin; his teeth made twin
groves of yellow gnarled trees. He clearly believed he'd bested Janos.
Janos dipped his head, allowing the victory; but as he made that motion of humility, he slipped his hand
into his pocket and quickly out again. "I fear I have no appropriate return," he said with a sheepish smile.
Lord Mortacious reared back and laughed. His breath washed over me; it smelled of the foul smoke
outside. "We have had games enough, my friends. Now let us eat and drink our fill. For this promises to
be a most enjoyable visit." He clapped his hands together; in delight, I supposed, for the mood among his
men shifted abruptly. They began to move about, chatting with one another in idle table gossip. I noticed,
however, that when they ate it was only a nibble, as if they had supped before our arrival. Here and there
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