‘And what will you dowhen you learn the truth?’ asked Llanlorian curiously.
‘Learning the truth isthe difficult part. I suspect that when I learn the truth I willknow what to do.’ replied Aquitain.
‘Very interesting!’said Llanlorian. ‘Let me invite you for dinner and you can tell memore.’
‘Thank you very muchbut I would prefer to continue on my way.’ replied Aquitainquickly.
‘Ah but that would bepointless. You see the gateway at both ends has just closed. Youmight as well stay with me until it opens again.’
‘You’re thegatekeeper, can’t you open them.’ asked Aquitain.
‘Curiously, sometimesI can’t. A long ago someone sabotaged the mechanism. It doesn’talways work properly and I’ve never been able to fix it.’
‘In that case I’d loveto stay for dinner.’ replied Aquitain not believing her but atleast he might have a meal before she locked him up.
She offered him herhand and they teleported.
They arrived in alarge room about fifteen paces long and seven wide that lookedremarkably similar to the room in which he has stayed atSnowbelle’s place. It was lit by yellow magic globes and hadtapestries of various ancient battles on the walls. At one end ofthe room there was a large dining table cluttered with all sorts ofodds and ends and a few chairs. At the opposite end there was alarge bookcase containing hundreds of books and a stack ofscrolls.
In the centre of oneof the longer walls was a magic log fire, which gave off no smoke.Facing the log fire was a large lounge long enough to seat half adozen people and on the lounge was a small grey and black stripedcat.
‘I knew you were amind wizard when you stepping into the gateway as I can see everytraveller’s spirit aura. You may think that it is unusual but youmust understand this is my domain. Nothing happens here, unless Iwill it to. As it turns out, it has been rather quiet here lately,so I have decided that you will be my guest for a while. Afterdinner, I will hear your story. What sort of food would youlike?’
‘Newman food on aplate would be lovely.’ replied Aquitain.
Llanlorian looked atthe table that was empty and a moment later it was covered indishes of food of all types. There were steaming bowls of soup,large platters stacked with hot roasted meats of several varieties.Steam rose off ceramic bowls stacked with tubers. There were cookedand uncooked fresh leafy vegetables and fruits of all seasons. Onone end of the table there were several bottles of fine wine, wineglasses, bowls, plates and golden cutlery.
‘Help yourself.’ shesaid.
Aquitain in gnome formwalked over to the table thoroughly believing that it had to be thebest illusion he had ever seen until he discovered that it wasreal. He took a gold plate and greedily filled it with bits ofeverything. Then sat down and ate. It was scrumptious, deliciousand every other superlative that he could think of, truly a banquetfor a king.
After stuffing himselfwith hot food he went back for the fruits and sweet dishesinterspersed with a couple of glasses of a beautiful fruity andfragrant wine.
‘You have a mightyimpressive kitchen.’ he said feeling a bit bloated.
‘It comes with thejob.’ she replied with a smile.
‘Now you will sit downhere with me and you will be judged.’
‘Er … what do youmean?’ asked Aquitain feeling a little apprehensive.
‘You will tell us yourstory. From as early as you can remember until now. Astaria willlisten and you will be judged. If you are found guilty of being anAgent of Chaos you will be destroyed. If you are innocent you willbe allowed to enter Moonmist or to return to Mudrun which ever youchoose.’
‘To ensure that youtell the truth I will wear an item which will detect lies.’ And sheattached a Third Eye of Truth to her forehead.
‘You may begin.’ shesaid.
Aquitain thought for afew moments chanted a mantra of calming then started from thebeginning. His job as he saw it was to convince Llanlorian that hedidn’t believe that he was an Agent of Chaos nor was the Time ofChaos immanent. He was going to try his best to make a believablecase for his own survival. He had no illusions about someone comingand saving him. He had to save himself.
He started with hisearliest memories and over the next several hours gave a succinctoutline of his life. He used every bit of guile and cunning andevery trick his Grandfather had taught him to present a crediblecase in his own defence. He even convinced himself that he was notan Agent of Chaos.
He did however fail tomention any instances, which might have incriminated his family indoubtful practices. He also thanked his grandfather for teachinghim to actively forget most of the incriminating evidence, whichmight otherwise have sealed his fate.
After he had finishedLlanlorian invited him the have another meal then she askedsearching questions for another two hours. She was particularlyinterested in his knowledge of magic theory and how and why magicessence interacted with materials like crystals.
He didn’t understandhow that could be relevant to him being an Agent of Chaos and beganto get the feeling that Llanlorian had a hidden agenda. His bestguess was the she wanted him to do something for her and wastesting his knowledge to see if he might be able to do it.
The cat sitting onLlanlorian’s lap during the story climbed off, stretched, walkedacross the lounge and sat on his lap and preened itself. He pattedit gently and he felt a little less anxious. Llanlorian’s eyesglazed over and she fell in some sort of trance.
He momentarily feltthat this was his chance to escape but where could he run in thisworld totally controlled by the person sitting close to him.Perhaps he could dominate her while she was not in full control ofher mind but then perhaps it was a trick to get him to act. In theend he just waited to see what would happen.
After an hour nodecision had been made so he went and helped himself to more foodand
