Its really it! I was almost sure it was lost. Despite what I had told Mogaba. You got no idea how guilty I felt. Although I did think I saw it that one time...Its really you? I looked at him closely. Having seen what illusions One-Eye and Goblin could conjure I was not quite ready to accept the evidence of my own eyes.

Its me. Really. Alive and in a mood to kick some ass. But thats not what Ive got on my mind right now. Wheres Lady?

Poor boy. Blade gave him the bad news. His paramour had left more than a week ago, headed north. They missed each other on the road.

Swan and Mather were impressed by the presence of the Prince, their supposed boss. Why was he out running around, anyway? I noticed Croaker had a hard stare for Sindhu, who had stayed behind when Lady left.

The Old Man snapped, Quit making love to that damned thing, Murgen. I need to catch up. Im way out of touch. Will somebody take this damned butt-cruncher?

A soldier grabbed his mounts reins.

Lets get out of the sun.

I want to hear your story, I said. While its fresh.

Going to put it into the Annals? You been keeping them up?

I tried. Only I had to leave them in the city. I did not like that, either. One-Eye could promise the moon about taking care of them but would he deliver?

Ill look forward to reading the Book of Murgen. If its any good youve got the job for life.

Swan said something about Lady planning to write a book of her own when she got time. Croaker flung a stone at a crow. It was the first of those birds I had spotted since the albino in the night. Maybe he brought it with him. I sketched some of what had been happening in Dejagore.

Guess it hasnt been fun for anybody. Seems Mogaba is the main problem. Better get right after him. How many people are still over there?

My guess is him and the Nar have a thousand to fifteen hundred men. I dont know how many people I have. Some come out every night but since I got elected prisoner here I cant keep track. Goblin and One-Eye and most of the Company are still over there. I hoped Uncle Doj and Thai Dei were using this distraction to get To Tan and Sahra and themselves on the road.

Why would they stay?

They dont want to leave. They say they want to wait till Lady gets all her powers back. They say something is out here waiting for them.

Powers back?

Its happening, Blade said.

Hunh. So what are they afraid of, Murgen?

Shapeshifters apprentice. That bitch from Juniper. She almost got One-Eye once already once... How come I believed the little rat now but had not when he had told me?