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The six heroes blinked up at the bright open sky, with ribbons of white cloud scudding past serenely high above-and then lost sight of those clouds as the Serpent surged up into the sky, huge and dark and terrible, towering higher than the mountains.

Eyes glittering like black flame, it roared its exultation to all Darsar- and then turned its great head and looked right down at them.

No, down at the ruined throne, seat of the king who'd bound it for so long. With a thunderous hiss of rage that seemed almost a sob, it spread huge jaws-and its vast head came hurtling down, fangs agleam.

Hawkril Anharu swallowed twice as he took a stance, his face white-and stood ready to meet the Great Serpent, warsword upraised. "For Aglirta," he whispered. "I have only one life to give, creature… take it, if you can." He bared his teeth and added in a snarl, "If…you… can."

Fangs descended, long and deadly, maw so large and dark between…

* * *

"So you see," Tonthan "Goldcloak" said smoothly, raising his goblet to the Elmernan as the wizard accepted a goblet of his own from a servant's tray, "this could be a great opportunity for us all. The richest realm of all-if restored to peace, of course, and held free of burnt and trampled crops and barns, slaughter, and spending on hireswords and battle-steel for, say, three growing seasons-and a whole barony of it to be yours, to rule as you see fit."

A ring flashed momentarily on Mranrax Arandor's hand. Ah, seeking for spell-taints on the wine, no doubt, though Sirl poisoners preferred more subtle-and inexpensive-herbal ways, as the wizard raised his glass and his bushy white eyebrows together.

His dark eyes were suddenly very direct and penetrating. "And how would the good folk of Aglirta view a wizard as baron? Would I have to worry about every bed-servant coming in to greet me with my late-night wine in one hand and a dagger ready in the other?"

Tonthan shrugged. "Mages have not been well regarded in the past, for two reasons: they have 'experimented' on unwilling, captive folk-pretty local lasses in particular, if you take my meaning-and most of them have come to Aglirta as the hired scourges of this or that baron, and have served in such capacities all too well. If you show promise of gentle character rather than cruel arrogance, and show no signs of the warlike whims of recent barons, you'll escape such opinion."

Arandor of Elmerna smiled so blandly that his expression betrayed nothing of his mood or thoughts, and asked, "And what of the Ieiremborans? How will they feel if a fell and mighty archwizard suddenly joins their conspiracy?"

Tonthan shrugged again. He was getting quite good at it. "They want Kelgrael and Blackgult dead, and a king of their choosing on the throne. They need our coins to fund armies enough for the bid, and are in no position to dictate who holds every last barony and terseptry. If they think to do so, or come ashore to occupy such positions themselves, you will serve as a salutary surprise."

Arandor raised his eyebrows again. "What? A tight rein on ambition? What a strange role for a wizard."

The Elmernan's voice was wry, but Tonthan had not made more coins in Sirlptar than many wealthy trading families amass in three generations by being a fool or less than keenly perceptive. "A capable wizard might well come to dominate two or even three baronies," he said carefully, "or, even better, rise to advise a figurehead king-but a wizard who conquered barony after barony, even through others, or who sought to warm the River Throne personally, would remind Aglirtans of the tyrant-mages of their past, and…"

"Steps would be taken?"

"Indeed-steps involving the Lady of Jewels and Dwaerindim, I fear."

Mranrax Arandor could not keep his features as expressionless as stone after all. "Ah, yes, the Dwaer. I must adm-"

Deafening sound smote their ears, and the room rocked. Darkness flashed outside the windows, tinkling glass fell, and someone screamed.

A thunderclap