In a dungeon beneath an impossible keep, on a world unknown to them until the day before, created by beings also unknown to them, the two elven brothers stood motionless, crippled by having no idea of what they should do next.

CHAPTER 10

DEMON LORE

Jim groaned.

The festivities had lasted far too late for him to be welcoming the dawn, yet Pug, Magnus, and Amirantha had come into his room at first light, pulled aside the draperies, and insisted he awake.

“Water,” Jim croaked.

Amirantha picked up an earthen pitcher on the night table next to the huge bed Jim occupied and filled an earthen mug with water. He handed it to the noble who took it and drank. Then Magnus noticed a large lump moving in the bed next to Jim. Magnus poked his father with his elbow and pointed, and Amirantha followed the gesture.

“Ah,” said Pug. “We will wait in the antechamber until you get composed.”

“Thank you,” Jim said, his voice still gravelly from the previous night’s debauchery.

Once outside they retired to a divan against the wall and sat. Pug said, “I should have thought of bringing a powder for this sort of thing.”

“Which?” asked Magnus.

Lowering his voice, Pug said, “Years ago, before I met your mother, I had occasionally indulged in a little too much wine. A healing priest from the Order of Killian had this powder that one mixes with water to banish the effects of too much drink the night before—very effective. And, it turned out, easy to make. No magic involved; just the right mix of herbs and tree bark—”

The door opened and a very attractive young woman slipped out quietly. With a very slight smile she barely nodded at the three men and hurried across the room, to the hall door. She was dark of hair and eyes and wore the garb of a servant, though she was barefoot at the moment.

“Wonder where she left her boots?” asked Amirantha. “Wonder if she remembers where she left her boots?” he amended as he laughed.

Magnus seemed less than amused. “We have some serious work here for the next few days,” he said.

Amirantha put his hand on the white-haired magician’s shoulder and said, “You sound disapproving. If Jim wishes to go through the day with his head pounding and stomach turning, that’s his prerogative. We had a good night’s rest and once we’ve eaten, we’ll be off to do our work. The state of his health isn’t a matter for concern today, is it?”

Magnus shook his head and said, “Sorry. I worry too much.”