from Adon's hand to engulf the novice's head. For a moment, her features seemed to soften and the hideous lumps began to recede. Then, just as Adon was certain of his victory, a gray shadow started to creep back over Corene's face. As the lumps began to rise again, Corene backed away, breaking contact with Adon. ”Stop, before it affects you too!“ Adon closed his hand and hung his head. ”It won't work until Mystra can hear our prayers,“ he said. 'The duke's curse makes his magic stronger than any I can cast while cut off from Our Lady.” “The only true faith that exists in this village is that which Lord Gorgias places in himself, and it's clear that you're not powerful enough to overcome that on your own,” Sarafina said. “You must honor your promise and leave.” Adon did not answer for several moments. Finally he said, “Perhaps you're the one who will have to honor her promise, Sarafina.” The innkeeper's daughter frowned. “What do you mean?” Adon turned to Corene. “I assume you've studied the spell of true sight recently?” “Of course, but-” “Good,” Adon said. He looked back to Sarafina and smiled. “I hope there's a mirror in your father's inn.” * * * * * As it turned out, Sarafina had an ideal mirror. It was just large enough to cover Adon's forearm like a small buckler, yet small enough to support with one hand. Holding it as though it were a shield, the patriarch stood before the oaken gates of Castle Gorgias, his mace held firmly before him. At his side stood Sarafina, her veil fluttering in the warm breeze. Behind them, waiting at the edge of the cobblestone street, were Corene and Myron. The innkeeper did not approve of Adon's plan, but, at his daughter's insistence, had reluctantly agreed to go along. Broka's pocked face appeared in the window of the gatehouse. “You still have time to leave, cleric,” be cried, peering at the blazing sun. “It's not quite highsun.” “I've come to challenge your ugly master for Sarafina's hand,” Adon called. “If he's not too much of a coward, he might win himself a wife this day.” Broka raised a brow at Sarafina. “Is this so?”
“It is,” she answered. “If Lord Gorgias wins this combat, my father will offer my hand to him.” She had barely finished speaking before the castle gates crashed open. Lord Gorgias scuttled into the street and glanced at the mirror on Aden's arm. “Do you really think that will protect you?” he snickered. “You can't hit what you can't see,” the cleric answered. He angled the mirror so that it reflected the sun's brilliant rays into his opponent's eyes and rushed forward. Sarafina fled to her father's side. “This will be a short combat,” the duke promised, his fingers already working to cast a spell. He pointed at the patriarch, his deep voice growling his spell. When his gaze fell on the mirror's silvery surface, though, he stumbled over the syllables of his incantation. Taking advantage of his enemy's blunder, Adon lashed out at Lord Gorgias. The blow struck him in the head, knocking him senseless. It also made the duke's spell misfire; a black beam shot into the wall of the gatehouse. Amid the clatter of broken stones and crumbling masonry, Broka's death scream rang out as the tower collapsed around him. Adon thrust his shield toward Lord Gorgias's face. 'Take a good look, hideous duke,“ he said. ”This is your true self-inside and out!“ The duke turned away. ”That's not me!“ he growled, lashing out. ”It's an illusion!“ Adon ducked, then moved around to keep the mirror in front of Lord Gorgias. ”You're the one who has been casting illusions, but you've fooled yourself and no one else!“ Lord Gorgias snapped a foot out, catching Adon in the ribs. The cleric stumbled several steps backward before finally falling to the ground. He clutched the mirror to his chest and struggled to draw a breath. The duke pointed in Sarafina's direction. 'Tonight, you sleep in my bed!” he said, his tusks gnashing in fury. Adon leaped to his feet and moved forward warily. “The only enchantment on this mirror is a spell of true sight,” Adon said, thrusting the silvered glass toward Lord Gorgias's