"You couldn't have changed his mind, Elidath. No one could. Sleet couldn't, Deliamber couldn't, Carabella couldn't—"

"Not even Carabella?"

"Not even Carabella," said Tunigorn.

Elidath's despair deepened. He fought it fiercely, refusing to let himself be overwhelmed by fear and doubt. After a time he said, "Nevertheless, Valentine will listen to me, and I'll be able to sway him. Of that much I'm certain."

"I think you deceive yourself, old friend," Tunigorn said sadly.

"Why did you summon me, then, for a task you thought was impossible?"

"When I summoned you," Tunigorn said, "I had no idea what Valentine had in mind. I knew only that he was in an agitated state and was considering some rash and strange course of action. It seemed to me that if you were with him on the processional you might be able to calm him and divert him from whatever he planned. By the time he let us know his intentions, and made us see that nothing could swerve him from them, you were long since on your way west. Your journey has been wasted, and I have only my regrets to offer you."

"I'll go to him, all the same."

"You'll accomplish nothing, I'm afraid."

Elidath shrugged. "I've followed him this far: how can I abandon the quest now? Maybe there's some way I can bring him to his senses after all. You say you're planning to set out after him tomorrow?"

"At midday, yes. As soon as I've dealt with the last of the dispatches and decrees that I stayed behind to handle."

Elidath leaned forward eagerly. "Take them with you. We need to go tonight!"

"That wouldn't be wise. You told me yourself that your voyage had exhausted you, and I see the weariness in your face. Rest here in Piliplok this evening, eat well, sleep well, dream well, and tomorrow—"

"No!" Elidath cried. "Tonight, Tunigorn! Every hour we waste here brings him that much closer to Shapeshifter territory! Can't you see the risks?" He stared coolly at Tunigorn. "I'll leave without you, if I have to."

"I would not permit that."

Elidath lifted his eyebrows. "Is my travel subject to your permission, then?"

"You know what I'm saying. I can't let you head off into nowhere by yourself."

"Then come with me tonight."

"Wait only until tomorrow?"

"No!"

Tunigorn closed his eyes a moment. After a time he said quietly, "All right. So be it. Tonight."

Elidath nodded. "We'll hire a small, fast vessel, and with luck we'll overtake him before he gets to Ni-moya."

Tunigorn said bleakly, "He isn't traveling toward Ni-moya, Elidath."

"I don't understand. The only way from here to Ilirivoyne that I know is up the river past Ni-moya to Verf, is it not, and southward from Verf to Piurifayne Gate."

"I only wish he had gone that way."

"Why, what other route is there?" Elidath asked, surprised.

"None that makes any sense. But he devised it himself: southward into Gihorna, and then across the Steiche into Metamorph country."