“Aye. You told them to drain the pool, and at the bottom they’d find the beasts that were bringing the King’s fort down. Dragons, you said, red and white.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands. “I remember something now . . . something I saw. Yes, that must be it . . . I did see something under the water, probably just a rock, dragon-shaped . . . And I remember starting to say something to the King about draining the pool . . . But I didn’t tell them to drain it, I was saying ‘Even if you drained the pool, it wouldn’t help you.’ At least, that’s what I started to say.” I dropped my hands and looked up. “You mean they’re actually draining the place, thinking some water-beast is there underneath, rocking the foundations?”

“That’s what you told them, Berric says.”

“Berric’s a poet, he’s dressing it up.”

“Maybe. But they’re out there at it now, and the pumps have been working full blast for hours. The King’s there, waiting for you.”

I sat silent. He threw me a doubtful look, then took the tray out, and came back with towels and a silver basin of steaming water. While I washed he busied himself over a chest at the far side of the room, lifting clothes from it and shaking out the folds, while he talked over his shoulder. “You don’t look worried. If they do drain that pool to the bottom, and there’s nothing there—”

“There will be something there. Don’t ask me what, I don’t know, but if I said so . . . It’s true, you know. The things I see this way are true. I have the Sight!”

His brows shot up. “You think you’re telling me news? Haven’t you scared the toe-nails off me a score of times with what you say and the things you see that no one else can see?”

“You used to be scared of me, didn’t you, Cadal?”

“In a way. But I’m not scared now, and I’ve no intention of being scared. Someone’s got to look after the devil himself, as long as he wears clothes and needs food and drink. Now if you’re done, young master, we’ll see if these things fit you that the King sent for you.”

“The King sent them?”

“Aye. Looks like the sort of stuff they think a magician ought to wear.”

I went over to look. “Not long white robes with stars and moons on them, and a staff with curled snakes? Oh, really, Cadal—”

“Well, your own stuff’s ruined, you’ve got to wear something. Come on, you’ll look kind of fancy in these, and it seems to me you ought to try and impress them, the spot you’re in.”