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’So it shouldn’t matter, then, if Darkness succuains accumulate, shift the tide, but not always in ways that redress the balance We are in an imbalance, Ganoes Paran, that approaches a threshold This hich has seemed eternal to us trapped within it, may come to an end What awaits us all, should that happen well, mortal, you have felt its breath, there in our wake’

’I need to speak with Rake’

’Then find hi, of course, he still carries the sword’

Easier said than done, it seems - ’Hold on -- what do youthe sword?’

’Just that, Ganoes Paran’

But ouldn’t he be? What in Hood’s na at, Draconus? This is Ano about, da in one of those bad fables with soical sword, well, then losing the weapon ht be possible But Anorunt froled in chains gone slack, lay a huge, deo I did not think…’ He came up to the black-skinned creature, reached down and -- to Paran’s astonishon,’ Draconus said, ’my old nemesis …’

’Who summoned me,’ the demon rumbled, ’to do battle with you?’

’Ever the same question, Byrys I do not know I have never known’

’Who summoneddead, no doubt’

’Who summoned …’

As Draconus and the demon draped across his shoulders continued their pointless conversation, Paran felt hie distones, far beneath the Finnest House

’Anoh House Dark …’ His eyes strained to see the rise of the i the endless sprawl of etched flagstones

But nothing ca a sudden chill in the pit of his stoh House Dark, seeking the place, the figure with his black sword trailing ethereal chains-

He had no co into his skull -- a flash-

-- then oblivion

He opened his eyes to dappled sunlight Water traced cool rivulets down his temples A shadow slipped over him, then a familiar, round face with small, sharp eyes