It was no dream, then?
No more than the other. The village has been crushed by your father's armies. The Valdane is testing his strength, Kai-lid.
Xanthar, we have no time to linger. We have to lead these four to the sla-mori and get them to the Ice-reach.
I have an idea. As Kai-lid watched, the owl launched himself from the tree and soared off over Darken Wood. Within moments, he was lost to sight.
"What were you two discussing?" Tanis asked quietly from his post. "Kitiara told me of your telepathy."
Kai-lid answered slowly. "I think Xanthar is going to search for the ettin."
Tanis nodded, although his eyes seemed doubtful. "You believe we should still continue to try to capture it, then? Even though it seems to have been sent by this evil mage, Janusz?"
She hesitated. This half-elf appeared to be a decent sort; perhaps she could be more honest with him. Perhaps Tanis would volunteer to come to the aid of thousands of people who, she felt sure, would die at the hands of her father if the Valdane were not defeated. Kai-lid opened her mouth hesitantly.
But Caven Mackid broke in. "We should capture the damned ettin, go back to Haven immediately, and get our reward, Tanis. Let the lady fight her own battles." He gestured rudely toward Kai-lid. "I don't understand why Dreena's maid is involved in this ettin business, anyway." He clearly had not slept at all. His voice was snappish and his eyes shadowed.
"I agree with Caven," Kitiara said, renewing the debate. "Slay the ettin. That's what we set out to do."
"And then?" Kai-lid asked.
"Then?" Kitiara repeated.
'Then you can go home safely with your fifteen steel while the Valdane destroys everything in his path to power," Kai-lid said bitterly.
"So you say, mage. I'm not convinced." The swords-woman stretched elaborately. "Anyway, it's not my problem. I don't work for the Valdane anymore."
Caven nodded. "That's two votes in favor of fifteen steel," he said pointedly.
Kitiara nodded, but Tanis looked unconvinced. He gazed at Kai-lid. "I think you're holding something back, mage," he said softly. "I- only wish I knew what it is. Why should we trust you, Lida Tenaka?"
Kai-lid started to say something, then turned away.
* * * * *
"Big chicken!" Res shouted. He rose first, hoisting Lacua's side upright. "Food! Food!"
The ettin's left head protested. "Not chicken, stupid. Too big. Maybe goose."
"But supper?"
"Yes."
Xanthar sighed from his perch high above the ettin. "I am a giant owl, you dunderpated chuckleheads."
The two heads looked at each other. "Chicken talk?" They turned suspicious faces toward Xanthar. "Dunder—What say?"
"It's a great compliment," Xanthar said, deadpan. "Trust me."
"Ah," Lacua said, nodding. "A compliment."
"Supper use big words," Res observed.
"I have information for you," Xanthar said.
"Inform—" Lacua stumbled over the word.
Xanthar amended himself. "I have a fact for you."
"Ah!"
"About Kitiara Uth Matar."
"Who?" Res muttered.
Lacua poked him. "Lady soldier, stupid," the left head said. Then, to Xanthar, "Say fact now."
"She's about to leave Darken Wood."
Res protested. "Can't. Must follow Res-Lacua to Fever Mountain. Master said—"
"Quiet!" Lacua slammed Res over the head with his club. Res rubbed his pate and sulked.
"They will not follow you any longer, ettin," the owl said smoothly, twisting his head back to preen a wing feather with a doting beak. "They are going to leave." He pulled his head upright, watching the worried-looking monster.
"Good. Res go home, too," the right head caroled.
"No!" Lacua interrupted. "Must get lady soldier."
"You could kidnap her now," the owl suggested.
The ettin looked up again. "Kidnap?"
"Capture."
"Capture! Res know capture!" The right head grinned. Lacua looked thoughtful, then repeated, "Capture now."
"I brought you an important fact," Xanthar said. "Don't you think I deserve some sort of favor as a reward?"
Twin looks of suspicion fell over the ettin's countenances. "Favor? What favor?"
"You must not injure anyone. Take Kitiara, the lady soldier, the two men, and the boy if you wish." Xanthar stared at the ettin until Res-Lacua's feet shuffled uneasily. "But not the other woman."
A crafty smile came over Lacua's face. "What if Res-Lacua not give this favor to giant chicken?"
Xanthar narrowed his eyes at him. "Then I'll take my fact back."
"Wait! No! Need fact!"
"Well, then . . ."
"Not hurt nobody. Not, not, not. Capture lady soldier, men guys. Yes, yes. Keep fact now?" Lacua stopped for a deep breath.
"Yes," Xanthar replied. "Keep fact."
The giant owl flew away.
As soon as Xanthar was out of sight, Lacua exclaimed and clapped his hand to his chest. He drew out the Talking Stone. "Master talk?"
The voice came from the small, flat rock, filling the forest around the ettin. The eyes of the undead, which hovered around the monster as they did around the travelers, drew back as the leaves of the twisted trees quivered with the vibrations. The voice sounded weary. "Do as the owl says. Attack Kitiara and the others."
"Yes," both heads whispered.
"As soon as possible."
"Yes."
"Take them to Fever Mountain."
They nodded.
There was a pause, as though the voice were pondering. "As for the other woman . . ."
"Master?"
"Capture her, too. I'm curious about her."
"What about nice favor?"
"Forget the favor. We have the fact."
"Ah. Capture."
Janusz made the ettin repeat the instructions three more times. "Any questions?" he finally asked.
"No supper here. Rotten woods empty. Res-Lacua don't like dead food. Hungry."
Janusz decided to be generous with the ettin. "Slay one of the others if you like. Just don't hurt the two women. Bring them to me."
"Eat?"
"Fine."
* * * * *
Kai-lid. I have told the ettin where we are. The ettin will kidnap them.
Xanthar! What have you done?
These four will debate forever while innocents die. I've merely speeded up the process. Don't worry; you will be safe. The ettin promised. But it appears I was right, Kai-lid. They will be taken to Fever Mountain, and from there to the sla-mori, in the valley just south of the mountain.
And?
When the ettin captures them, we will follow and make sure they find the sla-mori. Once in the Ice-reach, they will fight the Valdane. What other choice will they have? If the magic of Darken
