what became of them, do you think, Magus?'
'You have seen the crocodiles in the lake? You have observed their gigantic size?'
'Yes,' said That, in the same small voice.
'I believe that answers your question.'
That was silent for a while, then asked, 'Would you risk that fate, Magus?'
'It is the only way I will come close to her. I must be able to look upon her person, not upon one of her manifestations. Then she might unwittingly give me my chance. She might underestimate me and lower her guard.'
'What happens to my people if you fail?'
'You must all flee from Jarri. If you remain, it will mean certain death for you.'
'Death will be preferable to a lifetime of slavery,' said That, with his customary gravity. 'So, you are determined to return to the Cloud Gardens?'
'Yes. I must go back into the witch's den.'
'How will you achieve it?'
'By order of the Supreme Council. I believe that Eos will command them to send me to her. She hungers for my soul.'
A they descended the last slopes of the mountain they saw a larger group of horsemen coming towards them. When the two parties .were separated by less than a few hundred paces one of the strange riders spurred forward at a canter. As he drew closer, Meren exclaimed, 'It is Onka.'
'Your new eye serves you as well as the old one,' Taita remarked, and he looked upon the approaching horseman with the Inner Eye. Onka's aura was aflame, seething like the cauldron of an active volcano.
'The captain is angry,' said Taita.
'I have given him good reason,' admitted That. 'You and I will be unable to speak to each other in private again. However, if you need to send a message to me, you can do so through Bilto, the magistrate of Mutangi. He is one of us. But now we have the company of Captain Onka.'
Onka reined in just ahead of them, forcing them to a halt. 'Colonel That, I am grateful to you for taking over my duties.' He did not salute his superior, and his sarcasm came close to insubordination.
'I see you are fully recovered from your indisposition,' That replied.
'The Supreme Council are less grateful to you than I am. You exceeded your orders in taking over the escort of the magus.'
'I shall be happy to answer to Lord Aquer.'
'You may be required to do so. In the meantime he has ordered you to place the Magus, Taita of Gallala, in my charge. You are also to hand Dr Hannah's report to me. I shall take it to him. You are then further ordered to guide these other travellers to the Cloud Gardens without delay.' He indicated the group following him. 'Once you have delivered them to Dr Hannah you are to return at once.' That took the papyrus scroll of Hannah's report from his pouch and gave it to Onka. They saluted each other stiffly. That nodded a chilly farewell to Taita and Meren, then rode off down the path to take his place at the head of the second column and retrace his tracks up the mountain.
At last Onka turned to Taita. 'Greetings, revered Magus. Hail, Colonel Cambyses. I see that the operation on your eye was successful. My felicitations.
I have been ordered to take you to your quarters at Mutangi. You are to wait there until sent for by the Supreme Council. Their summons
should not be more than a few days in coming.' Onka's aura was still blazing with anger. He kicked his horse into trot and they rode on down the mountain.) Neither That nor Onka acknowledged each other as the two parties passed, one ascending, the other descending the mountain. Taita, too, ignored Colonel That but looked instead at the members of the party he was leading up to the Cloud Gardens. There were six troopers in full uniform, three in the van and the other three in the rear. Between them rode five young women, all comely and all with child. They smiled at Meren and Taita as they passed, but none spoke.
They were still half a league from Mutangi when a small figure on a large grey colt burst out of the woods and tore across the green fields towards them, her long blonde hair streaming out behind her like a banner in the wind.
'Here comes trouble, and as usual she is in good voice,' laughed Meren.
Even at this distance they could hear Fenn squealing with excitement.
'That is a sight to warm the heart,' Taita said, his gaze fond and tender.
Fenn reined in beside him and launched herself across the gap. 'Catch me!' she cried breathlessly.
Taita was almost taken unawares by the onslaught, but he recovered his balance and she locked both arms round his neck, pressing her cheek to his.
'You are getting too big for those tricks. You could have injured us both,' Taita protested, but held her as tightly as she was hugging him.
'I thought you would never come back. I have been so bored.'
'You have had all the village children for company,' Taita pointed out mildly.
'They are children and therefore childish.' Still clinging to Taita, she looked across at Meren. 'I missed you too, good Meren. You will be amazed at how Hilto has taught me to shoot. We shall have an archery contest, you and I, for an enormous prize—' She broke off and stared at him with astonishment. 'Your eye!' she cried. 'They have mended your eye! You look so handsome again.'
'And you are bigger and even more beautiful than you were when last I saw you,' Meren replied.
