“Good. Now listen carefully. It’s very important that we tell Thero and the others about Rhazat, what she is, and describe her place here, and that your magic doesn’t work. And you need to remember this, too: Rhazat talked about an ancestor of mine, the Hierophant Nhandi. Rhazat said that it was Nhandi who trapped her here. And—this is very important, Mika—” There was no help for it, in case only the boy got out. “Rhazat is really a dyrmagnos.”

“A what?”

“It’s a kind of very bad necromancer. Thero will know. She doesn’t have any mirrors because they show her true appearance. Lady Zella isn’t as she appears, either, if you see her again. She has a dra’gorgos in her, controlling her.”

“I liked her!” Mika whispered.

“So did I. Let’s see, what else?” Klia thought carefully. “Rhazat kills by kissing her victims, she may have prisoners here in dungeons under the tower, and she can’t touch gold, which may be why she didn’t take our amulets. This town is called Zikara.”

“Can we help the prisoners and take them with us?”

“The stairway is hidden. I couldn’t find it. Right now it’s very important to get word out to Thero.”

Mika gave her a considering look. “You think one of us might not get out, don’t you?”

Klia nodded; Thero had chosen his apprentice wisely. “I’m a general, Mika, and a good general always tries to think of all the things that might happen so she can prepare for them. That’s all I’m doing. We’re going to get out together if we can, thanks to you. But if you have a chance to get out without me, go. Do you understand? That’s an order.”

“But—”

“It’s all right. She won’t kill me. She needs me to help her get out. Tell me what we know, what I just told you.”

“The town is Zikara and Rhazat isn’t a queen, she’s a dyrmagnos. Mirrors show what she really looks like. She can’t touch gold. She kills with a kiss. Magic doesn’t work here. She won’t kill you, because she needs you.” He paused, brow furrowed. “And you were pulled in somehow, instead of coming by yourself.”

“Good! Now remember this: Rhazat took me to a cave in the hills behind this tower that looks like the oracle’s cave. There is a golden seal on the wall, set with a black opal. It’s what’s keeping her imprisoned here. Tell him that first, before anything else.”

“I will. But I don’t want to go if you can’t come with me. I don’t want to leave you here!”