She thought about it a moment. ‘It may just be, Sparhawk. What sort of thing did you have in mind?’

‘I’d sort of like to find out what his plans are. He knows we’re right on his heels, and he’s likely to try to delay us. I’d like to get a few specifics on any traps he may be laying for us. Can you arrange to let me see him? Or hear him at least?’

She shook her head. ‘He’s too far away.’

‘Well, so much for that idea.’

‘Perhaps not.’ She thought for a moment. ‘I think that perhaps it’s time for you to get to know Bhelliom a little better, Sparhawk.’

‘Would you like to clarify that?’

‘There’s some sort of connection between Bhelliom and the Troll-Gods and the rings. Let’s investigate that.’

‘Why involve the Troll-Gods at all, Sephrenia? If there’s a way to use Bhelliom, why not just do that and leave the Troll-Gods out of it altogether?’

‘I’m not sure if Bhelliom would understand us, Sparhawk; and if it did, I’m not sure that we’d understand what it was doing to obey us.’

‘It collapsed that cave, didn’t it?’

‘That was very simple. This is a little more complicated. The Troll-Gods would be much easier to talk with, I think, and I want to find out just how closely Bhelliom’s linked to them if I can – and just how much you can control them by using Bhelliom.’

‘You want to experiment, in other words.’

‘You might put it that way, I suppose, but it might be safer to experiment now, when there’s nothing crucial at stake, than later, when our lives might hinge on the outcome. Lock the door, Sparhawk. Let’s not expose the others to this just yet.’

He crossed to the door and slid the iron bolt into place.

‘You’re not going to have time to think when you talk with the Troll-Gods, dear one, so get everything set in your mind before you start. You’re going to issue commands and nothing else. Don’t ask them questions, and don’t seek out explanations. Just tell them to do things and don’t worry about how they manage to obey. We want to see and hear the man who was in this room two sleeps ago. Just tell them to put his image –’ she looked around the room, then pointed at the hearth, ‘– in that fire there. Tell Bhelliom that you will talk with one of the Troll-Gods – probably Khwaj, the Troll-God of fire. He’s the most logical one to deal with flame and smoke.’ Sephrenia obviously knew a great deal more about the Troll-Gods than she had told them.

‘Khwaj,’ Sparhawk repeated. Then he had a sudden idea. ‘What’s the name of the Troll-God of eat?’ he asked her.

‘Ghnomb,’ she replied. ‘Why?’