truly ready.'
'But I am ready, venerable sage,' Duncan said. 'There is no new ritual that I could master were I to wait even a fortnight more. Time would only be a burden.'
'Would it now, my acolyte? Then ponder the solution to the following proposition. A coven of ice demons appears from the black rocks in the valley below. They flash through the air to our very gates and, though the air shimmers and distorts as always, they slide through in a heartbeat. With convulsive power they begin to thunder our buildings down in mighty ruin. What defense do you propose?'
'Most surely my sage, I would make ready our supply of djinn bottles and lamps and instruct all at the level of acolyte or greater to fashion more as quickly as they are able.'
'A divergence of djinn bottles,' Beliac shouted. 'I said ice demons. The like that confines an imp or figenella would not secure the devils of which I speak. Such an answer is insufficient. What else could you suggest?'
Duncan was silent for a long moment before answering. 'Nothing more is in my learning, sage, but then I assert that no answer need be given. You propose what cannot come to pass, as if to ask how to move the stone of infinite weight. Except for a stray gremlin here and there, demons of power spark through our world no more. Common flame is insufficient to bridge the gap so that they can appear of their own volition. Contact with the demon world is mediated by fire. Without something exotic burning, the barrier is too great for the powerful to overcome. Small wonder that I do not recall an answer to such a problem in the recital of those who have preceded me.'
'You wriggle out of the proposition too easily, Duncan,' Beliac said. 'I seek to see how you respond when the answer is not in the recitals you have so carefully memorized. But there is some truth in what you say. There are few wizards of note in Procolon, and the ones to the south act most reclusive of late, though it is the time of year they usually stage the battle for the kings. But this year they have announced no such display. Perhaps they are too engrossed in what happens in the west with two barons themselves possessed.'
'Two? I have heard of Bandor and no other.'
'Another peer to his north was somehow seized as well, or so say the lesser sorcerers. Kelric has not confirmed it, but I wonder if his power has not slipped to such an extent that he refuses even to try.'
'But if there are indeed two, then the fair lady's problem is solved,' Duncan said. 'The demons will turn their puppets against one another in the same fashion as the wizards direct their slaves in the south. Either both will be destroyed or the devils will tire of their game and retire whence they came.'
'Such has not yet happened,' Beliac replied. 'The west of Procolon rises in coherent revolt as before, and with a unity of purpose they struggle against the queen who now besieges them. Indeed, Vendora has called throughout the kingdoms for a wizard brave enough to attempt an exorcism to come forward. Clearly she must defeat not only the discontents of the west but the devils which propel them as well.'
'Among the acolytes, we hear much talk from the south that the several kingdoms view Vendora's trouble as an opportunity,' Duncan said. 'If they were also to act now in concert, there is little resource left that she can call to her aid.'
'Perhaps only Arcadia across the sea or even the barbaric tribes to the north, if they could be convinced to fight,' Beliac agreed. 'All else is pressed into the struggle to the west. But such mundane happenings should not concern us. Our safeguards are good, despite what Lectonil will say. Which prince rules the valley and the townsmen does not matter. But enough of affairs outside our walls. Come now, what do you say to the problem?'
'I see I give you no direct satisfaction, O sage,' Duncan replied. 'But let me press on to another perhaps more practical reason to consider my petition now. The council stands sorely divided between those who support your august views and those who fawn behind Lectonil's robe. It is no secret among the acolytes how many issues of great import are laid aside to another day with seven votes yes and seven more nay. A fifteenth magician would bring great changes in the state of affairs in short time.'
Beliac paused for a moment and then spoke with care. 'And what would your persuasions be, were you indeed to get the privilege of the black, acolyte Duncan? Where do you stand on the issues that so dearly concern the council these days?'
'Why most assuredly with you, inspiring sage,' Duncan answered. 'I like not the constraints to which Lectonil wishes us bound. Many times have I heard you argue the need for expanding the number of acolytes, diversifying their skills, experimenting with new rituals and the rest. And on such a course I would see the Guild steered as well.'
'Yet the manner in which you approach the craft is more like that of Lectonil than mine,' Beliac said. 'He would much favor one who found comfort in memorizing what has gone before, rather than daring what is new. Why have you not approached him instead with your proposition?'
Duncan bit his lip and lowered his eyes. 'Please do not take offense, my sage,' he said, 'but in truth I did approach him with the same offer. 'I need no help from outside the council,' he snapped. 'A change of one vote and it will be over.' '
The acolyte paused, but when Beliac did not immediately reply, he rushed on. 'But my method of learning is a superficiality. I am at ease with your leanings as well as any other. When I have the robe of black, such things will little matter.'
'I see you have studied more than just the magician's craft, Duncan,' Beliac said. 'And I am much concerned about the issues of which you speak. The occurrence two weeks ago will be pivotal in the next council meeting. Lectonil will make sure of it. He will demand the ritual of presence be performed immediately. And since I am opposed to such waste on principle, I will resist him this time as well. But he will paint a dark picture of the threat to the Guild, the danger of so many uninitiated roaming at freedom within the palace grounds. Though he knows full well how safely we are protected, it will cause one or two of the more neutral to pause and consider it.'
Beliac stopped and touched his fingers to his lips. 'He has kept to his chambers since the incident,' he muttered. 'I would not doubt that somehow he put a neophyte up to the whole thing.'
He was silent for a moment, and then his eyes narrowed. 'Long ago, I visited his quarters. Topmost in the towers and the largest besides. Thick woven rugs, the newest sheets, and the freshest fruits in his bowl. And why should he have the lightest load of instruction and be the one to call our council to order? I am more the magician and it is only the accident of birth that he is older. If there is to be order in the Guild, then the trappings of senior master should belong to me. But enough of such discourse. I will ponder what you have said. It is not a decision given easily in a single evening.'
'As you wish, my sage,' Duncan said with sudden hope in his voice. 'I ask only that you consider my petition with care.'
Alodar watched the two men depart, Duncan skipping rapidly toward the hall of acolytes and Beliac, chin on chest, pacing slowly past to the magicians' quarters beyond.
Alodar looked down from the third story window onto the swatch of grass in front of the hall of administration. He smiled as he detected the bits of eggshell scattered about in the turf. On the carpet spread in the middle of his array Lectonil sat with his back erect, facing another magician in the same formal pose. Behind each, arms akimbo, stood four acolytes in a row. Looping around to enclose them all was a complete circle of initiates of both Guilds. To the side, objects of their craft peeked from a disarray of crates.
'Then it is concluded, Trodicar,' Lectonil said. 'The gong of shattering resonance and the well-tempered djinn bottles for the boots of varied prints and the amulet of blinding light. But the everlasting candles we will save for another time.'
'Oh, very well,' Lectonil's counterpart replied, starting to rise. 'By what means are the rituals to be exchanged?'
'By the usual method of the wax-sealed book, two copies, freshly illuminated.'
'When we dealt with Beliac, he gave us three,' Trodicar said. 'Two for the masters' immediate use and another for the library.'
'No wonder his research drains our treasury so,' Lectonil growled. 'Half of his gold must be consumed by extravagance. But I assumed you would request no less and am prepared to deal as generously as he. Mark you, an additional copy to replace one lost to the hazards of the trail will not be forthcoming.'
'It is fair enough.' Trodicar nodded and the conference suddenly broke into an informal activity of exchange and packing. In a few minutes, the group split into two and moved in opposite directions. Lectonil and his followers passed from Alodar's view into the hall entrance below. Shortly thereafter, Trodicar's retinue strung out into a
