The Ring of Winter

The walls of the triangular chamber were made of stained glass, and even though the sun had gone down hours ago, light poured through the windows in boldly slanting rays. A mosaic covered the floor, depicting the entire city of Mezro. As on the main door to the temple, tiny figures moved on the mosaic, going about their business beneath the feet of the counselors. In the center of the room, where the mosaic temple stood, King Osaw sat in a huge throne. He was alone in the cavernous room.

The king regarded the negus, Sanda, and Artus with hooded eyes as they kneeled before him and told of the attack on the Batiri village. When they described how they had escaped back to Mezro, however, he covered his withered face with his hands. 'Kaverin Ebonhand is coming to Mezro,' the king said. 'He will lead the Batiri here and bring our city down around us.'

'Impossible,' Kwalu snapped. 'The wall hides the city. Even if he wanted to, Kaverin could not find us.'

'Why do you think the silver-skinned one let you return here, untouched?' Osaw asked. He turned clear eyes to Artus. 'This Kaverin is a clever man. If, as you have told me, he seeks immortality, he will raze the city to find the secret of the barae. Lord Rayburton must have told him how he has lived so long.'

Sanda leaped to her feet. 'Father wouldn't reveal our secrets, even if Kaverin tortured him.'

'There is no disgrace if he did, Alisanda,' the king replied, motioning for her to sit. 'Your father is a wise man, but he feels pain like anyone.' He looked distractedly at the mosaic. 'Right now, I miss his counsel greatly.'

Tapping his wax club on the floor impatiently, Kwalu said, 'There is no danger to Mezro. Even if this scoundrel finds the city, he won't be able to pass through the wall.'

King Osaw smiled, a mixture of warmth and patronizing acceptance for his son. 'As always, Negus Kwalu, your courage makes you believe yourself invincible. You will find that no wall can stand against every foe.'

Finally Artus spoke up. 'When they were captured, both Byrt and Lord Rayburton wore the earrings that neutralize the wall. Kaverin or Skuld will certainly figure out how they work, given time.'

'Then we must prepare for war,' the king concluded. 'Kwalu, you must bring the citizens together to stand against the Batiri.' The negus nodded his agreement, and Osaw turned to Artus. 'You, Master Cimber, must go as my messenger to Mainu, the bara who controls the river that borders the city to the south and west. Tell her Mezro has need of her and explain the threat. If she can promise to hold the Olung River against the Batiri, we can focus our defenses to the north and east.'

Artus touched his forehead to the floor, then stood. 'Of course, Great King. I shall go at once.'

'Sleep first,' Osaw said. 'But only until dawn. You must not appear ragged to the bara of the river. She loves pomp and ceremony more than anything in this world.'

Sanda stood, too. 'I will go into the jungle and search for one of Ubtao's Children, a beast that will be worthy of fighting for the city.'

'Take a dozen warriors with you, Alisanda, and do not go far,' the king commanded. 'You will be needed to defend the city.'

Osaw stood, ending the audience. Artus and the others left the king pacing across the mosaic, hands clenched behind his back.

In the entry hall, Sanda offered an abrupt farewell. 'Wish me luck.' That said, she headed for the door.

'Wait!' Artus shouted. He rushed down the hall to her side. 'I wish I were going with you.'

Sanda looked deeply into Artus's eyes, then suddenly dropped her gaze to the floor. 'Remember what I said about spending time with mortals. That applies to you, too, Artus.'

In silence Artus watched Sanda leave. When the explorer turned around, he found Kwalu watching him. The negus had a mask of casual disinterest on his face, but the odd look in his eyes told another story. 'She would not be so blunt if she did not care for you,' he said simply, then turned back to the archway. 'I am going to a meditation chamber I'll meet you here at dawn.'

'For what?' Artus asked.

'I will school you in the etiquette of Mainu's court,' the negus offered over his shoulder.

Just before Kwalu disappeared under the arch, Artus said, 'Where are you going? I didn't see any door leading out of the audience chamber.'

'There is only one door inside the temple.' Kwalu pointed at the darkened archway. 'It takes you anywhere you wish to go, to any of the thousand rooms Ubtao built for his followers.'

After the negus had gone, Lugg trundled out from behind a pillar to sniff at the archway. 'If we have to wait 'ere till morning, I wonder if this thing leads to any kitchens 'ereabouts?'

Artus stared at the empty pedestals, wondering which of them was reserved for Sanda. 'I think I'll just go to get some rest,' he said.

At the door to the plaza the explorer paused. He'd never find his way back to his quarters alone, not through that maze of alleys. Besides, it wasn't really fair to leave the wombat on his own. 'Why don't you come with me, Lugg. I know a park that has some interesting shrubbery, if you've a taste for that sort of thing.'

The meeting with Mainu that morning was brief and extremely formal. It was also held underwater, at the bottom of the murky Olung River.

As King Osaw had told Artus, the Olung bordered Mezro to the west and south, curving gently through three of the city's quarters. In many places the mystic defensive wall ran parallel to the river, in others right on top of it. The animals that made their home in or around the muddy water didn't seem to notice. Hippos wallowed near the shore, watching kingfishers dive for minnows and other small fish. Turtles and crocodiles basked in the sun, rolling languidly into the water if anyone got too close. They sent ripples across the round leaves of water lilies as they submerged.

Such was the domain of Mainu. From a sumptuous court at the bottom of the river, she ruled the Olung for ten miles to either side of the city. The bara was undoubtedly the strangest Artus had met, and how he came to be in her presence proved stranger still.

Just after dawn, Artus had set off from the Temple of Ubtao. Lugg shied away from trudging to the river on such a sunny day; like goblins, wombats preferred to travel by night. At the riverbank, the explorer called out a ritual greeting and, dressed in his tunic, boots, and pants, waded into the water. After two or three steps, the bottom fell away. Artus plunged into the tepid river, gasping in a mouthful of muddy water as he sank.

After the panic subsided, he found himself breathing the stuff. Artus was used to it now, though the river had the same grimy quality as the air around the metalcrafters' market in Suzail. The oddest thing was coughing, which he did frequently. With each hack, he sent a jet of bubbles swirling around his head.

Artus was trying his best to muffle just such a coughing jag when Mainu finally responded to his plea for aid on behalf of King Osaw.

Artus Cimber of Cormyr, she said, her voice flowing across his mind like the river's gentle current, we are greatly saddened by this news. As we are loyal subjects of Ubtao and of King Osaw, negus negusti, we will do everything we can to help defend Mezro.

Mainu paused, her long hair floating around her like a veil of seaweed. She was a thing of the Olung, of that there could be no mistake. Her face and her body were nothing more than a more profound darkness within the murk of the river. She swayed and rocked with the current, held in place by long, thin fingers that gripped the throne with fierce strength. Only her eyes seemed out of place-bright and glowing like the sun.

The bara turned those golden eyes on Artus, who kneeled before her turtle-shell throne. We thank you for delivering this message, Master Cimber, and express our hope you will aid Mezro against the Batiri. If you do, we will afford you the honors due a warrior of Ubtao. The creatures of the Olung will bow to your wishes, and the waters of my river will do you no harm.

Artus kowtowed, touching his forehead to the carpet of flowing green leaves. The kind offer sent a wave of relief over him; the soldiers flanking Mainu's throne were as awe-inspiring as any he had ever seen. A strange mix of human and lobster, the guards were girded in black shells, very much like a knight's most impressive plate armor.

Their hands were massive claws, and their tiny eyes extended upon long stalks. You honor me with your kindness, great mistress of the Olung, Artus replied, just as Kwalu had coached him.

At a slight flick of Mainu's chin, the lobster-men moved forward to escort Artus back to the shore. The