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Zaitabor took a step towards the frail old figure, half-raising an arm as if to strike.

'My lord is of course quite correct,' said the man hurriedly. ' "Unusual" was the word I was looking for. Each Grand Knight must seek to rule with diligence and in his own manner. Please forgive the words of an old man whose only wish is that he serve you well.'

'I am sure you will,' said Zaitabor with a cold benevolence. He moved over to the throne that rose from the table's end, and ran an appreciative hand over the ornate patterning. 'Your caution would be well advised, however, if you were to suggest that we should not let the people know of Himesor's demise just yet. h is not in our interest to further mythologize the so-called Menagerie of Ukkazaal.'

'Despite the monsters?' asked one of the administrators, rubbing his hands nervously.

'There are strange creatures in caves all over our world.

The fate of this misguided expedition does not provide evidence of the Menagerie's existence. Far from it. I shall question the knight myself later to establish the truth of the matter. In any case, the scientist called the Doctor has been punished for his trust in science. Higher be praised!'

There was a loud rap at the door and a moment later a knight strode in. 'Forgive me, Commander, but Defrabax has just delivered a letter to the guards at the gatehouse.'

'What did that damned charlatan want?'

'He did not specify, sir. The letter is addressed to Grand Knight Himesor.'

'Who is dead. Give the letter to me.'

The knight handed the letter to Zaitabor who snapped the seal and unfolded the letter. 'He must have been disturbed by our latest intrusion,' he muttered. He started to read the parchment, and then looked up and examined the faces of his advisers, who were watching him with interest. 'I shall keep no secrets from my learned friends. The mage's letter reads as follows:

' "Sir —

' "When first I was informed of your plans to sanction limited scientific experimentation I was overjoyed. My views on Kuabris suppression and manipulation are well known, and I shall not go into them again here.

' "As your decision seemed at least in part motivated by the poverty of our people, I had hoped that we would soon see the benefits and freedoms being felt by the poorest in our city. The importance of our provision of heat and light to those who have most to gain from it cannot be underestimated.

' "In fact, as I survey our city, I see only that the rich men are now richer. The poor have become increasingly desperate, taunted by phantoms of the quality of life that they could have had.

' "Curse this constant drizzling downpour and curse you, Grand Knight! Your immutable interest in my homunculus, despite the diversion in the shape of the creatures from the sewers, has forced me now to write to you with an ultimatum.

' "Below this city of ours is an older and yet infinitely more advanced dwelling place. My homunculus has informed me that there are power sources down there the like of which you cannot imagine. They could supply all of our city's needs. The technology of our ancient forefathers will allow us to put an end to disease and misery. All our people must reap the benefits of what is down there.

' "I have it within my power to destroy the Furnace. This is not an action I will undertake lightly, but surely you can appreciate the results of this: the people will not allow what little light of science they have to be taken from them.

' "Sanction increased scientific experimentation and let us benefit from the old city! If you do not do this immediately, I will have no option but to destroy the Furnace, and the people will be driven to revolt.

' "Change the ways of Kuabris, or the knights will be swept aside!" '

Zaitabor read the letter again, silently, his face dark with anger. 'Damn that magician!' he cried, flinging the parchment across the room. 'Does he think that science has the answers? Does he really believe the placid folk of the city to be on the verge of