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Hominids If there were but six left in all the Red Mountains, they’d soon shave it down to three by fighting, and tould make the third their slave

"Come with me," AuRon said "Come to my island You could live out your life in peace"

"The peace of an exile? I can’t It’s hard to explain, but if , it’s as though some part of them hasn’t been beaten More so, I have to keep near, be a threat, or I fear it will be the end of Hieba, orat Hieba’s narow up, snared in all this, thanks to no crime but her love of this man "How can you be so sure they still live? Have you had word?"

Naf picked a sizable hunk of htfully with his toadlike tongue AuRon could never e And the Queen--she’s too keen a calculator of chances If oods to be negotiated in a final bargain"

AuRon tailvented enough air-volu his friend "Horsey for the interruption

"Can I suggest that you stay with me? I could use a pair of eyes in the clouds Better still, bring your family here, and aid me in s as long as the Dairussians call theht be able to get my lands back Then Ghioz would have a true ene down the Queen herself"

"I’s of immortality"

"It’s the same hickory-dickory her priests spout I think she uses doubles If one is killed, another takes her place, and the Queen shows herself only to her most trusted courtiers in the safest of circumstances She ht and shape who imitate her voice You met her, saw the masks?"

"Yes"

"Once I thought only that she was hideous Men are too easily swayed by appearances of woons"

"We appreciate beauty in our on chooses for other reasons"

"Well, now I think it aids her use of doubles"

"How do you know?" AuRon asked

Naf looked thoughtful "Because I killed her In her own bedroom I stole in, said I’d been summoned The Queen has odd appetites I fashioned a weapon from a bone hairbrush I felt her heart flutter its last under my palm, but when I took off the maskOh, if ht it best not to press him for further details

"Just as well I didn’t collect my ransom from her, I think"

Naf returned from his memories "How’s that?"

"I’d hoped to return tocoin"

"Then you won’t stay?"

"I will always call you my friend But I can’t hurl s to think of"

"I think of mine even as I draw my sword," Naf said

AuRon could not find a reply

"Well, I’d be a poor friend if I sent you back empty--errr, handed I have a few coins A very few You’re welcoirl approached, tall and a little aard in her movements She had rich red hair braided out of the way of her duties

"This is hter of a on-box"