Page 27 (1/2)

INQUISITOR: Well

CONTESSA: Then you know too that it is everywhere overhung s, so that all the chambers and corridors that abut on it ure of a man, tall and clean-limbed, wide of shoulder and slender of waist

INQUISITOR: There are ht But in a little tiure appeared in another- and another Then I appealed to the soldiers who carried ht me mad and would not, but the party they sent to take that h the s, and appeared to sway

INQUISITOR: And you believe this man you saw to be the man who struck you?

CONTESSA: Worse I fear it was not he, though it resembled him Besides, he would be kind to me, I am sure, if only I treated his ht, ho are the winter-killed stalks of , find ourselves somore we do not know

INQUISITOR: That may be so, but you will not find hi in the witch-woh some are worse than others

He exits and returns leading MESCHIANE by a chain

INQUISITOR: It is alleged against you that you so charn the Autarch that they betrayed their oath and turned their weapons upon their coe candle at one side of his desk) I now most solemnly adjure you to confess this sin, and if you have so sinned, what power aided you to accoht you to call upon that power

MESCHIANE: The soldiers only saw I meant no harm, and were afraid for me I -

FAMILIAR: Silence!

INQUISITOR: No weight is given to the protestations of the accused unless they are made under duress My familiar will prepare you

FAMILIAR seizes MESCHIANE and straps her into one of the contrivances

CONTESSA: With so little ti this Are you a friend to the nakedto seek him, and I will tell him what has become of you

MESCHIANE: Oh, do! I hope that he will come before it is too late

CONTESSA: And I hope he will accept me, in your stead No doubt both hopes are equally forlorn, and we shall soon be sisters in despair

Exit the CONTESSA

INQUISITOR: I go too, to speak to those that were her rescuers Prepare the subject, for I shall return shortly

FAMILIAR: There is another, Inquisitor Of similar crimes, but less, perhaps, in potency

INQUISITOR: Why did you not tellher in

FAMILIAR exits and returns leading JAHI The INQUISITOR searches a the papers on his desk

INQUISITOR: It is alleged against you that you so charn the Autarch that they betrayed their oath and turned their weapons upon their comrades and their officers I now most solemnly adjure you to confess this sin, and if you have so sinned, what power aided you to accoht you to call upon that power

JAHI: (Proudly) I have done all you accuse me of and more than you know The power I dare not naht me? Who teaches a child to call upon her father?

FAMILIAR: Her mother?

INQUISITOR: I would not know Prepare her I shall return soon

Exit the INQUISITOR

MESCHIANE: They fought for you too? How sad that soJAHI in a contrivance on the other side of the desk) He had your paper again I'll point his error out to him diplomatically, you may be sure - when he comes back

JAHI: You charmed the soldiers? Then charm this fool, and free us

MESCHIANE: I have no chant of power, and I charmed but seven of fifty

Enter NOD, bound, driven by FIRST SOLDIER with a pike

FAMILIAR: What's this?

FIRST SOLDIER: Why, such a prisoner as you've never had before He's killed a hundred h for hiether, but I'll contrive so

NOD: I a born of the clay, of Mother Gea, whose pets are the beasts If your doo

JAHI: We're not hing) We can see you're not I wasn't in doubt for a moment

MESCHIANE: She's no wo the last fetter on NOD) She won't Believe me, the time of tricks is over

FIRST SOLDIER: You'll have soone

He reaches for JAHI, who spits like a cat

FIRST SOLDIER: I don't suppose you'd be a good fellow and turn your back for ato torture MESCHIANE) If I were such a good fellow as that, I'd find h But if you wait here untilbeside her as you wish

FIRST SOLDIER hesitates, then realizes what is meant, and hurries out

NOD: That woman will be the mother of my son-in-law Do not har a yawn) I've been up all night, and though the spirit is as willing as ever, this flesh is ready for rest Can't you hurry with her and get to ) There is no rest here

JAHI: So? Well, it's not quite as hoain, and when she moves a hand to cover her mouth, the shackle falls away

MESCHIANE: You have to hold her - don't you understand? The soil has no part in her, so iron has no power over her

FAMILIAR: (Still looking at MESCHIANE, who) She is held, never fear

MESCHIANE: Giant! Can you free yourself? The world depends on it!

NOD: strains at his bonds, but cannot break the out of her shackles) Yes! It is I who answer, because in the world of reality I aer than any of you (She walks around the desk and leans over the FAMILIAR'S shoulder) How interesting! Crude, but interesting

The FAMILIAR turns and gapes at her, and she flees, laughing He runs clumsily after her, and a mo) She's gone

NOD: Yes Free

MESCHIANE: Free to pursue Meschia and ruin everything, as she did before

FAMILIAR: You don't realize what this means My master will return soon, and I am a dead man

NOD: The world is dead So she has told you

MESCHIANE: Torturer, you have one chance yet - listen to iant as well

FAMILIAR: And he will kill me and release you I will consider it At least it will be a quick death

MESCHIANE: He hates Jahi, and though he isn't clever he knows her ways, and he is very strong What's more, I can tell you an oath that he will never break Give him the key to his shackles, then stand by me with your sword at my neck Make hiain

The FAMILIAR hesitates

MESCHIANE: You've nothing to lose Your master doesn't even know he's supposed to be here But if she's gone when he returns