“When you are ready, I will take you where it pleases you.”

Naja looked back over her shoulder at Merritt and Magda. “This is remarkable.”

Magda folded her arms. “That’s one way to put it.”

Magda held no favor with the sliph. Not only had the sliph often taken Baraccus away, she took him away as she cooed to him and made gentle promises that he would be pleased.

Baraccus had told Magda that it was just the nature of the sliph, that it didn’t mean anything, and that in any event, there was nothing that could be done about it. Magda still hadn’t liked the manner in which the perfect quicksilver face had spoken so intimately to her husband. Of course, the sliph talked to everyone that way. Baraccus was right, it was her nature. That didn’t make Magda feel any better about it.

The sliph had even talked to Magda the same way when Magda had needed to travel. She wasn’t gifted, as was required, but Baraccus had instilled in Magda some bit of magic that enabled her to travel. Traveling was at once a wildly exhilarating and a terrifying sensation. She hoped never to have to experience it again.

Naja withdrew her hand and stepped away from the well. “No, you don’t understand. What is remarkable is that this creature has been altered in a similar way to the half people. Her soul has been fragmented.”

Quinn swept his sandy blond hair back. “Half people? What are half people? What are you talking about?”

Merritt held a hand up. “Listen, Quinn, we have problems.”

Quinn’s features took on a serious cast. “So then you’ve heard the rumors that Prosecutor Lothain is going to be named First Wizard? Is that the trouble you mean.”

“That’s not the problem I was referring to,” Merritt said.

“And it’s not a rumor,” Magda told him. “It’s true.”

Quinn’s serious expression turned worried. “Is it really going to happen tomorrow, as some say?”

“Tomorrow? I haven’t heard that part of it,” Magda said. “What have you heard?”

“There’s a lot of rush planning going on. Something big is in the works for tomorrow afternoon in the council chambers. I don’t know what, but it only makes sense that it would be the naming of the new First Wizard.” As he gestured to Naja, his eyes again took on that discerning look that Magda knew so well. “Now, what’s this about half people? What are half people?”

Before Naja could speak, Merritt did. “Quinn, we don’t have time to explain it at the moment. Right now I need you to listen and do something for me.”

Quinn shrugged. “Sure, Merritt, you know I will. Just tell me what you need and consider it done.”