Croaker noted a broad, stubby man behind Blade. He did not know the man but recognized personal power. This was someone important. And someone not thrilled to see the Liberator alive. He would bear watching.

Murgen. Stop making love to that thing. Fill me in on whats been happening. Ive been out of touch for weeks. Or months, if filtered truths were considered. Can somebody take this animal? So we can all go find some shade?

There was more confusion in the camp than might have been if Longshadow had materialized there. The return of a dead man always complicates things.

Without appearing to take particular note Croaker noticed that the short, wide man stayed close, pretending insignificance beside Blade, Swan, and Mather. He never spoke.

Murgen talked about his experiences since the disastrous battle. Blade told his tale. Swan tossed in a few dozen anecdotes of his own.

Shadowspinner himself, eh? Croaker asked.

Swan said, Thats the old boys head on the pole over yonder.

The field gets narrower.

Murgen said, Lets hear your story while its still news.

You going to put it in the Annals? You been keeping them up?

Embarrassed, the younger man nodded. Only I had to leave them in the city when I came out.

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

Swan said, Lady Was doing one of them things herself.

Everyone looked at him.

He wilted some. Well, what she really did was talk about writing one. When she got the time. I dont think she ever really put anything down. She just said how she had to keep some things straight in her head so she could get them down right. The obligation of history, she called it.

Let me think a minute, Croaker said. He picked up a stone, threw it at a crow. The bird squawked and fluttered a few feet but did not take the hint. It was Catchers, all right. She was back in circulation, free. Or in alliance with her captors.

After a while Croaker observed, We have a lot of catching up to do. But I suspect the critical business is to end this problem with Mogaba. How many men does he have left in there?

Maybe a thousand, fifteen hundred, Murgen guessed.

One-Eye and Goblin stayed when hes become their enemy?

They can protect themselves, Murgen said. They dont want to come out here. They think theres something waiting to get them. They want to sit tight till Lady gets her powers back.

Powers back? Is she? Nobody mentioned that. But he had suspected it for a long time.

She is, Blade said. Not as fast as shed like.

Nothing happens as fast as shed like. What are they afraid of, Murgen?