able to relieve you of your addiction to traveler's dust?'
'Also,' Yeva broke in, 'if you claim your spells now flow from celestial objects, why did we find you with your hands wrapped around the petrified eye of the Eldest? Are you trying to suggest there is no connection whatever?'
'Honestly, that troubles me too,' Anusha said. 'I'm sorry to keep pressing you on this, but just what role did the Dreamheart play in your rejuvenation?' She ignored the invisible tide that surged all around her, willing herself to remain in place and focus on the warlock's words.
Japheth raised his hands, a placatory smile on his face. 'No need to apologize, it's a fair concern. I'd have the same. It's hard to explain to someone not versed in arcana, but mainly I needed a catalyst. Some arcane source of power I could use to unlock the spells I once enjoyed thanks to Neifion. The Dreamheart provided that. But to answer Yeva's earlier question: Yes. A tiny thread of connection has been forged between myself and the master of Xxiphu.'
Anusha retreated a step. The tide seemed to froth and bubble around her. She was surprised the others couldn't see and feel it.
'Japheth,' she said, 'I-'
'Listen!' he said. 'I did not give up my independence! I remain my own man. Yes, the Eldest served as the conduit for finding my new pact, but that's all. The Eldest doesn't even know I exist. Moreover… the tiny connection I do share will help me find your focus in the creature's mind.' He looked at Anusha, his face beseeching. 'Find it, and free you from all this. And perhaps Yeva too.'
So many battling impulses occupied Anusha, she couldn't honestly say how she felt. And the influence pulling at her wasn't making it any easier to think!
It horrified her that Japheth would bind himself to the very thing trying to consume her soul. But seeing him standing, clear eyed and in command of his body-and apparently flush once again with potent magic… she couldn't deny it fueled a tiny flame of hope.
'Anusha?' he asked, and held out his hand. 'Take me to the Eldest, and I will remove your focus from its mind.
But we must be quick. Each hour that passes, more and more of its scattered thoughts return to it. Soon the dreaming thing will rouse, and then it'll be too late.'
Anusha exclaimed in dismay, 'The tide has me again!'
Yeva leaped for Anusha and grasped her arm. But the mottled woman's own flesh began to steam, on the verge of falling into so many formless motes.
Japheth's eyes widened. He lunged, but his hands passed through her. Anusha felt herself being swept away, just as she had been on the balcony.
The warlock said, 'Not again!' and uttered a series of syllables, each one forming a pulse of blue light. The points of illumination spun themselves into a chain of light that snapped around her and Yeva.
The crashing blare of the undertow instantly quieted. Anusha imagined she felt the solid floor of the tunnel beneath her feet once more. Yeva's skin and clothing ceased their dissipation.
'That…' said Japheth, 'was close.'
The ephemeral cord of light faded away, but the psychic undercurrent remained bearable. However, it was not gone.
Anusha shuddered, then took a deep breath. The warlock couldn't have shown her any more clearly that he retained his mind. If he hadn't taken his new pact, she'd have been no more.
More than anything else, she just wanted to believe him. In the end, that moved her more than reason or odds.
She took his hand, imagining hers solid enough for him to hold. He said, 'I can only hold you back for a little while.'
'Then come,' Anusha said. 'Yeva and I found a route out of the nursery.'
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Year of the Secret (1396 DR) Xxiphu, Lower Capital
Raidon advanced down a rounded tunnel, Angul naked in one hand. His Cerulean Sign insulated his mind against the sword's overweening ego. Mostly.
Silvery grass filled the corridor, growing on the floor, the walls, and even the ceiling. It was like grass in shape only, the blades seemed slightly metallic. When a peculiar wind gusted down the corridor every few spans, the rustling blades made a sound like the ringing of thousands of tiny bells.
Seren and Thoster walked abreast a few feet behind the monk's lead. Four crew brought up the rear.
Thoster absentmindedly clutched at the amulet hanging over his coat.
Seren's fist was tight around her wand. Instead of the white sari and sandals she normally wore, the wizard was dressed in a heavy red robe and black boots.
Raidon had noted the wardrobe change, but made no comment.
When they came to an intersection, Raidon paused. He turned and said, 'Let's take a moment before we continue.'
'Sounds good,' said Thoster. The man requested a pack from one of the crew and opened it. He produced biscuits and watered wine and shared them around.
'Hey, Seren,' said the captain as everyone nibbled on their small repast, 'I was meaning to ask you before… what's with the red?'
Everyone turned to watch the wizard.
Seren said, 'My regular clothes are too light for trudging into who knows what we'll find in here. This old robe is much better suited for tunnel crawling.'
'Really? Because if I just ran into you on the street and didn't know any better, I'd think you were a Red Wizard.'
Raidon realized Thoster was right. She was accoutred just like one of that feared arcane order.
Seren frowned. 'Don't worry about it. I happen to like the color red.'
Thoster chuckled. 'Oh, that's rich.'
Seren said, 'Don't make me regret helping you earlier, Captain.'
Thoster raised a hand in surrender.
'Anyway' Seren said, 'I am a Red Wizard, even if Thay wants me dead and the others won't have me. I didn't choose to leave the fold, they left me! So… get used to it, Thoster. And you too, Raidon. I'm not going to hide who I am any longer.'
The captain said, 'Yeah, but a Red-'
Seren interrupted, 'Maybe you should consider following my lead, Captain.'
Thoster's face colored. He suddenly seemed very interested in his biscuit.
Raidon knew he was seeing the surface of some secret the wizard and the captain shared. And he supposed the wizard was suffering from some sort of personal trial, probably brought to a head by their run-in with the bounty hunter. He considered digging deeper to find out what it all portended. It bothered him that he wasn't more interested.
It is unimportant, sent Angul. Our quest takes precedence.
Raidon agreed. He swallowed the last of his small meal and stood, brushing his hands on his coat. 'Let's go.'
*****
The vegetation thickened as they moved deeper into Xxiphu, becoming denser and higher. Finally Raidon was wading through growth that reached his waist. Each step was something of a struggle.
It reminded him of a time, back before the Spellplague, when he'd taken little Ailyn out to the country to enjoy the day. How she'd loved running through the long grass in the meadow. She would get lost in it, but jump every so often just high enough-
'This route you've selected for us, my Shou friend,' said Thoster, 'puts me in mind of a three-legged cat on
