is so young,’ Anigel said, looking doubtful, ‘and his body is not strong.’
Kadiya’s expression was sardonic. ‘He survived being snatched by pirates and held captive by Orogastus. Even though he is a bit lacking in stature, he is robust enough. Do not overprotect the boy, Ani. We may not deny children the right to encounter and overcome great obstacles. Such can turn even a shy or petulant soul heroic.’
‘As I myself know full well,’ the Queen admitted, smiling. ‘What do you think, Hara?’
‘The idea has merit,’ said the Archimage, ‘provided that the lad is carefully supervised. Is not the retired stablemaster Ralabun his close friend? He is a responsible person, if not overly endowed with brains. Perhaps he could accompany Tolo.’
‘Let us put it to the boy himself,’ Kadiya suggested. ‘I would not take him, were he unwilling.’
‘Very well.’ Queen Anigel gave in with reluctance. ‘But if he accepts, you must promise to send him home before you venture beyond the Peninsula.’
‘He and Ralabun can catch a fast Engian cutter to Labornok from Mutavari,’ Kadiya said, ‘and with fair winds, reach Derorguila not too long after the arrival of the royal entourage. What say we speak to the boy right now?’
‘We may as well.’ The Queen beckoned to a page, telling him to summon Prince Tolivar to the high table.
Tolo’s mouth tightened as the message was given to him.
‘Now what trouble have you got yourself into?’ Princess Janeel inquired. ‘Have you filled too many wagons with boxes of your precious books?’
‘Perhaps,’ Crown Prince Nikalon suggested, ‘he decided to take so many that there was no room for his boots or underwear.’
That set the entire table of young people to laughing. Tolo flushed and lowered his head to hide his anger as he accompanied the page to the high table and bowed deeply.
‘How may I serve you, Great Queen and Mother?’ he inquired. All expression had now been banished from his features. He was a thin lad with fair hair and skin that was very pale, as though he spent too much time sequestered indoors.
‘Your Aunt Kadiya has a proposition to put to you,’ Anigel said.
The Lady of the Eyes explained in some detail, not minimizing the hardships of the expedition, for they would travel downstream when the Great Mutar was in flood, and the seas on his journey home from Var would doubtless be wracked by storms.
To Anigel’s surprise, Prince Tolivar’s listlessness dropped away like the husk of an emergent nas-beetle. His eyes shone with excitement and he exclaimed, ‘Oh, yes, Aunt Kadi! Take me and Ralabun with you! I promise to obey you in everything, and never complain or shirk my duties or vex you.’
‘Then it is settled,’ the Lady of the Eyes said, clapping the boy on the shoulder.
‘I only wish you would let me help in your quest against the Star Men,’ Tolivar said stoutly.
The three women laughed.
‘You are brave, but still too young,’ said the Archimage.
‘The world must be saved from Orogastus,’ the lad said in a low voice. ‘I have personal knowledge of his evil and treacherous ways. If necessary, I would give my life to destroy him.’
‘It will suffice if you serve your aunt faithfully,’ said the Queen. ‘Leave graver matters to those older and wiser.’
‘Yes, Mother.’ The Prince’s demeanour could not have been more respectful and docile. He bowed and took his leave from the great hall, saying he was eager to tell the exciting news to Ralabun.
‘Poor Tolo.’ Anigel’s concerned gaze followed her son. ‘He was so deeply affected by his time of captivity with Orogastus. He still feels guilty because he believed the sorcerer’s lies about becoming his heir and his apprentice in enchantment.’
‘He was too immature then to understand the enormity of his actions,’ the Archimage said kindly.
But the Queen shook her head. ‘He was eight years old, and capable of knowing evil. Again and again he has besought Antar and me to forgive him for repudiating us, and we have tried with all our hearts to reassure him. But his guilt remains un-assuaged. Kadi … be kind to him. Try to ease his troubled spirit.’
‘I will do what I can,’ said the Lady of the Eyes, ‘but I suspect Tolo’s healing will come only with time. And with some atoning action he himself must perform.’
‘The times are perilous,’ Haramis said with a sigh. ‘There will be dangers and challenges and opportunities for heroism sufficient for all of us, even the young Prince. Pray that we will measure up to them, Sisters. Pray with all your hearts and souls, for I cannot help but feel that some fresh disaster will confront us very soon.’
Long after the midnight hour he dared to unlock his iron strongbox, which he had refused to let the servants take away until the very moment of the caravan’s departure. He took out the smaller cloth bag, unwrapped the Three-Headed Monster, and held it in trembling hands. The silvery coronet shone in the light of the guttering candle on the bedside stand, shadows making the awful faces carved upon it seem almost alive.
Did he dare? Was there a chance of success if he did?
The unexpected great opportunity had come almost like a miracle, but it would not last long. He placed the coronet upon his head, took a deep breath, and strove to speak without faltering.
‘Three-Headed Monster,’ he whispered, ‘you belong to me! Answer me true: If I obtain the dead Three-Lobed Burning Eye from my Aunt Kadiya and place it in the star-box, will it bond to me?’
For a moment, nothing happened. Then a mysterious voice within his own head replied: Yes. If you press the coloured gems within the box in consecutive order, the Eye will cleave to you alone, slaying any other person who presumes to touch it without your permission.
‘Will the Eye obey my commands?’
It will, if the commands are pertinent.
Tolivar nearly shouted with elation. ‘Can – can you make me invisible so that I may enter my aunt’s room without her seeing me?’
The question is impertinent.
The Prince nearly burst into tears of frustration. Not again! Not now! ‘Make me invisible! I command you!’
The request is impertinent.
The talisman would sometimes obey his commands – especially when he asked it simple questions, or bade it give him Sight of some person or place far distant – but more often it spoke that maddening phrase of refusal. His attempts at sorcery, undertaken either in the hut out in the mire or in his other hiding place in the Derorguila ruins, had always been timid and hesitant and not often successful. Tolivar had good reason to be afraid of his talisman. Sometimes, for reasons unknown,
