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The dwarves led him into the mountain, but these were no caves They were tunnels ofuse of skylight and running water to add light and music to the interior Tiny trickles of fresh water fell in curtains along the passage, and sheets of cut crystal reflected splashes of light The entrance hallas taller than it was high Dwarves passed through it, often bearing la red carpets that lined the lowed faintly as its owner passed from door to door

"The rest of it is sound and well-tunneled, but the entrance hall was designed to impress visitors," Djer said "Have you ever seen the like? Ever iined that such could exist?"

"No," Auron said, and understood a little better Djer’s "honor of serving the Co pools filled with gold and white fish, and gardens of rock, crystal, and colorful fungus Fro bread Others smelled like draft animals, as there were horses deep within the catacombs to help the dwarves in their labor Whenever there wasn’t the sound of trickling water, they could hear the sound of ha faintly up ventilation shafts; the whole construct reminded Auron of the busy honeycombs he had raided

Finally they stepped into an alcove and went up a turning stair, then to a wider stair filling the end of an interior hall, larger than Auron’s egg cavern

"The Gathering Hall," Djer explained It’s dark now, but at celebrations, the laht like a still pool does the sun I saw it thus when I joined the Coroup," Sekyw said "Many of theer drive carts; they’ve opened up trade routes andabout, young dwarf"

"If you’re referring to Brorn of Gallahall and his cousin Mriorn, they’ve been in civilized country I’ve been a barbarians these years, in the by"

Sekyned "Serious dwarves nevera coray-bearded, glowering dwarves lining the walls

"The original ten Partners," Sekyw said, slowing his pace so the other two could look "They started the Diade at the top of the falls to the calmer waters here On their backs to start with--they had nobut a trail then Hard days: they had to face blighters, bears, forest wolves, robbers, evenerrr, dragons Now there are sixty Partners, though soon, the Chartered Corow feeble and die, sorows stronger with each generation"

There respectful silence reigned in the upper halls; the scroll-carrying dwarves wore slippers instead of boots

"How many Partners still live?" Auron asked

"Only two Old Vekay and his brother, Zedkay They’re both over six hundred, which is ancient for our people They occupy sinecures noheel theer Partners have the real power Speaking of which, I’es the Eastern Route from here"

"I had hoped for Byndon," Djer said

"Byndon’s out Vekay and Zedkay didn’t like it, but they’re only two, after all Eood dwarf to have on your side and a bad one to cross"

Sekyw led them to an antechamber, and Auron s leather folios waited on stools ringing the velvet-lined room Every pair of bored eyes in the room turned to Auron, who stretched himself on the floor The ability to rest with neck and tail extended, after his cras, gave hiht a prrum to his throat Auron s to associate with dwarves of commerce They seemed to travel in their oorld of peculiar contests and jealousies, but he preferred the purring?" a dwarf asked

"Forgive "

"It looks dangerous Shouldn’t it be collared?" another--a graybeard--said with the cantankerousness of a dwarf still bearing briefs at his age

Auron brought his head up "I wore a collar once, and I’ll never have one on again while there’s breath in h Dwarvish "I’d advise you not to, but feel free to try--"

"Enough said, young dragon," Sekyw broke in, glaring at the graybeard "We believe you Elbee, keep a bargainer’s tongue--he’s just another prospective e his services under contract"

Sekyw rang on a bell-rope and spoke in a page’s ear After the leather-padded door shut, the senior dwarf stood with hands clasped behind his back The door opened again after a moment

"Twenty-seven ticks," Sekyw said, so quietly that only Auron heard hi," Sekyw said more loudly, and Djer and Auron passed into the inner roo--and low--chairs, tables, and desks A dwarf in acrystal buttons stood at the back of the roolass of some kind filled one wide eye socket The dwarf squinted with the other eye