Sourcery

'The captain says they'll probably go back to Al Khali,' he heard Conina say. 'There's a place where the criminal element hang out, and we can soon-’

'I don't see why we have to do anything,' said Rincewind. 'The hat wanted to keep out the way of the University, and I shouldn't think those slavers ever drop in there for a quick sherry.'

'You'll let them run off with it?' said Conina, in genuine astonishment.

'Well, someone's got to do it. The way I see it, why me?'

'But you said it's the symbol of wizardry! What wizards all aspire to! You can't just let it go like that!'

'You watch me.' Rincewind sat back. He felt oddly surprised. He was making a decision. It was his. It belonged to him. Noone was forcing him to make it. Sometimes it seemed that his entire life consisted of getting into trouble because of what other people wanted, but this time he'd made a decision and that was that. He'd get off the boat at Al Khali and find some way of going home. Someone else could save the world, and he wished them luck. He'd made a decision.

His brow furrowed. Why didn't he feel happy about it?

Because it's the wrong bloody decision, you idiot.

Right, he thought, I've had enough voices in my head. Out.

But I belong here.

You mean you're me?

Your conscience.

Oh.

You can't let the hat be destroyed. It's the symbol ...

... all right, I know ...

... the symbol of magic under the Lore. Magic under the control of mankind. You don't want to go back to those dark Ians ...

... What? ...

Ians ...

Do I mean aeons?

Right. Aeons. Go back aeons to the time when raw magic ruled. The whole framework of reality trembled daily. It was pretty terrible, I can tell me.

How do I know?

Racial memory.

Gosh. Have I got one of those?

Well. A part of one.

Yes, all right, but why me?

In your soul you know you are a true wizard. The word 'Wizard' is engraved on your heart.

'Yes, but the trouble is I keep meeting people who might try to find out,' said Rincewind miserably.

'What did you say?' said Conina.

Rincewind stared at the smudge on the horizon and sighed.