I studied one tub, noted that small bubbles kept rising at the end where the workers added the fluid. At the far end, well below the surface, were dozens of short rods caked with a silvery white substance. On the floor of the tub were several handleless glass cups. Using ceramic tools a gloved worker moved a cup under a rod, scraped stuff off into the cup. Once that settled he used wooden tongs to lift the cup from the tub. He carried it with considerable care but, nevertheless, managed to stumble.

The stuff off the rod blazed fiercely when exposed to the air.

I had to get back to my flesh. I had to eat. Soon enough I would have to pack because real soon all of us would be headed south. The wars next stage was gathering momentum.

91

91

Otto and Hagop were back, after innumerable frustrating delays on the last river leg, which should have been the easiest part of their journey. They were concealed in the same Shadar waterfront warehouse that I had used to hold the captives from the Grove of Doom. One-Eye collected me from my quarters. He and I and my brown shadow headed for the river. The Old Man beat us there. He could drop everything when he really wanted. You all right, Murgen?

Im handling it.

Hes spending too much time with Smoke, One-Eye said. That dont sound healthy. Would you look at these guys? He meant Otto and Hagop, though the others of their expedition were confined to the warehouse, too, and were not enthusiastic about being kept away from their families. It had been almost three years.

Neither Otto nor Hagop looked much different. I told Hagop, Id almost given up on you guys. We shook hands. I shook with Otto, too. I thought your luck finally ran out.

We came close, Murgen. We used up a lot.

So, the Old Man said. What took so long?

Actually, there aint that much to tell. Hagop looked at Croaker oddly, as though to make sure he was talking to the real Old Man. Croaker was in his Shadar disguise. We went, we did what we could, we came back. Like a fourteen-thousand-mile round trip was routine? In the Company we do not brag about the big stuff. We didnt do a lot of sightseeing.

While Hagop talked Otto made a circuit of the doors and windows. He asked, We need to worry about spies?

This is Taglios, Croaker replied. By which he meant that everyone is always watching everyone else, looking for an edge.

We figured you guys would have then all squared away by now.

Thats a lot of squaring. Shadowlander spies, yeah, they arent a problem. Lady and Goblin and One-Eye took care of them.

I said, We still have the priesthoods.

And weve had a little Deceiver trouble lately.

Something in my face warned Hagop against pursuing that. Not now. How goes the war, then?