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Western Heartlands were changed once again, this time to conform to Cormyrean writing and pronunciation." The mage pointed to the final line of writing on the parchment. "This is the Cormyrean version of the name 'Calen Calendir.'"

Mari read the words, then looked at the mage. "Caledan Caldorien?" she whispered.

Morhion's chill blue gaze locked on her own. "The very same."

"But that means that Caledan is a direct descendant of Talek Talembar!" Estah exclaimed.

Mari spoke, half in a daze. "And a descendant of the Shadowking as well. Of course! It all makes sense now. That's why Caledan's shadow magic had the power to defeat the Shadowking. It came from the Shadowking himself!"

"It must be so," Morhion replied grimly. "The same magic that flowed in the veins of Verraketh flows in Caledan's."

Mari grappled for understanding. "But if that's true, why didn't any of Caledan's other ancestors become shadowkings?"

"I believe I know the answer to that," Morhion explained. "Talek Talembar had many descendants, and all possessed the shadow magic, though many to only a slight degree. In them, the power of the shadow magic was diffused. None inherited enough of the magic to undergo the dark metamorphosis. Then Ravendas's Lord Steward, Snake-who in truth served the Shadowking- summoned a shadevar, one of thirteen ancient beings of mayhem banished from the world by Azuth the High One. The shadevar's orders were to hunt down and slay all in the Realms who possessed the shadow magic. This it did before we destroyed it."

"Save for Caledan and Kellen," Mari said in amazement.

"Yes. And in them, the shadow magic is concentrated as never before. I think that is why Caledan's transformation seems to be progressing so quickly, while Verraketh's took centuries."

A terrible thought occurred to her. "Then will… will Kellen become a shadowking, too?"

Morhion shook his head. "I do not know. However, I suspect there can be but one Shadowking at a time. For now, let us concern ourselves with Caledan." He rolled up the parchment and replaced it in his belt. "Oh, there is one more thing that I learned. The Shadowstar has the power to halt Caledan's metamorphosis… or complete it."

Mari pondered the implications. "You think Caledan is searching for the Shadowstar, don't you?"

He nodded in affirmation. "Long ago, the Shadowstar was buried in the crypt of the Shadowking beneath Iriaebor, but at some point it was stolen by a tomb robber. I have discovered that it is presently in the possession of a mysterious personage known only as Stiletto."

A thought struck Mari. "You couldn't possibly have read that in the Mal'eb'dala, Morhion. Where did you learn about this Stiletto?"

For the first time in this grim conversation, Mari saw a troubled look cross Morhion's impassive visage. "I dare not reveal my source," the mage said coolly. "Suffice it to say that I know, and leave it at that."

Mari did not press the point. Regardless of how Morhion had come by the knowledge, the important thing was that the Shadowstar had the power to save Caledan. The three agreed that they had to find the medallion before Caledan did.

"Do you have any idea who this Stiletto person is, Morhion?" Estah asked. "Or where we could find him?"

Morhion regained his composure. "I am afraid that knowledge has eluded even me."

Mari tapped a cheek thoughtfully. "Stiletto… Too bad Ferret isn't around to lend a hand."

Ferret had once been a member of the Fellowship of the Dreaming Dragon. The weasely thief had helped the others escape the crypt of the Shadowking as it crumbled, while he himself was lost in the destruction. Despite his wily and greedy exterior, Mari had met few in her life as truly selfless as the thief Ferret. She wished he were here now, but it was a vain thought.

Morhion offered a suggestion. "We do need to find someone like Ferret, someone who deals in information and who casts a wide enough net that he may have heard of this Stiletto."

A crooked smile curled about Mari's lips. "On second thought,