She was shocked anew when the image in the sphere spoke to her in return.
'Greetings, Mari Al'maren.'
Mari's mind raced. She had heard rumors that, among the Harpers, there were one or two mages capable of sending messages over vast distances. However, the power required for a feat like this was immeasurable. Messages were relayed in this manner in only the direst of circumstances. Slowly, Mari rose from the chair, her muscles stiff from sitting all night.
'How may I serve the Harpers, Master Thantarth?' Her tone was formal. She had spoken face-to-face with Belhuar Thantarth only once before, when she had first joined the Harpers. He was the Master of Twilight Hall, the western stronghold of the Harpers, located in the city of Berdusk. His duties kept him too preoccupied with great affairs to deal directly with all the Harpers under him. Orders from Thantarth were usually relayed by the high- ranking Harpers who served as his assistants. Thantarth was reputed to be a stern but benevolent man who was not afraid to anger others in pursuit of what he believed was right.
'I have a new task for you, Al'maren,' said the image of Thantarth in the glowing sphere. His deep voice reverberated in the still air of the common room. 'And I will tell you now that it will be the most difficult mission you have ever undertaken.'
Mari's heart skipped wildly in her chest. 'On my oath as a Harper, I will do my best, Master Thantarth.'
Thantarth nodded somberly. 'That is well, Al'maren, for this task will require all your strength, and far more.' His steely eyes seemed to search her heart, piercing it as they scanned for something. 'I have dire news, Mari. We have reason to believe that Caledan Caldorien is undergoing a terrible transformation-the same transformation that, a thousand years ago, resulted in the creation of the magical creature of darkness known as the Shadowking.'
Despite her years of training, Mari could not conceal the anguish on her face. She had not thought the Harpers would come to this realization themselves. Yet why shouldn't they? There was little that surpassed the reach or understanding of the Harpers.
'I see you have reached the same conclusion,' Thantarth said grimly.
'Just last night,' Mari answered hoarsely.
'After Caledan's disappearance and the happenings in Corm Orp, there can be no other explanation,' the Master
Harper said.
Mari gathered her will. 'What is to be my mission, Master Thantarth?'
It took him a long moment to speak. When he did, there was no longer a hint of sorrow in his voice. Cold authority spoke. 'You know Caledan better than any in the Harpers, Al'maren. That is why I am giving this task to you. Your mission is to track Caledan Caldorien. And when you find him, your orders are'-Thantarth hesitated only a fraction of a heartbeat-'to destroy him.'
It was as if someone had yanked the ground out from beneath Mari's feet. She managed to grab the edge of a table and hold on. and only by this means did she manage to keep her footing. Finally she gasped a single word.
'What?'
'You heard my orders, Al'maren.' Thantarth's voice was cold, hard stone.
She shook her head dully. Gradually, anger flared to life inside her. She welcomed it, letting the fire burn away the vast sickness in her gut. Slowly she straightened, locking gazes with the image of Thantarth in the shining sphere. 'With all due respect, Master Thantarth,
I cannot believe what I have just heard,' she said incredulously. 'Caledan is one of the greatest Harpers alive. Perhaps the greatest. And you would simply have him disposed of like some broken tool that is no longer needed?'
'I am well aware of Caldorien's accomplishments as a Harper, Al'maren,' Thantarth thundered angrily. 'I hardly need a mere journeyman to instruct me. It is tragic that a hero of Caldorien's caliber must be destroyed. But the Harpers cannot allow the evil of a shadowking to be loosed upon the world once more. We have no choice. Caledan Caldorien must die. And you have been chosen to perform the deed.'
Thantarth would not be swayed. Mari's rage melted into numbness. 'I… can't do it.'
'I know of your feelings for Caldorien. Al'maren. I do not envy your position. However, you must put your feelings aside in favor of the oath you swore to the Harpers.'
She shook her head in disbelief. 'You don't know what you're asking of me. I can't… I can't destroy the man I… I…'
Thantarth's booming voice shook the timbers of the inn. 'You are wrong, Al'maren. You will do it, because I command you to do so. Your vow to the Harpers stands above all. You have no choice!'
That was his mistake. Mari realized she did have a choice. A thrill of fear coursed through her as she thought about what she must do, but it was quickly replaced by cool calm. She raised a hand to the silver moon- and-harp pin on her green jacket-the badge of the Harpers. When she spoke, her voice was steady.
'If as a Harper I must obey you, Thantarth, then this day I am a Harper no longer.'
She tore the silver badge from her jacket.
Thantarth's expression was livid. 'You cannot do this, Mari Al'maren!'
'It's too late. I already have.'
His voice became a growl. 'Do you understand what this means, Al'maren? You will be branded a renegade. Every Harper will have the right to hunt you down and slay you. And by all the gods, they will be obliged to do it!'
'I know,' she said sadly. 'I know.'
Within the glowing sphere. Thantarth shook a fist at her, his face crimson. 'Stop this foolishness now, Al'maren. Stop it, or I swear you will-'
Mari did not wait to hear what awful fate he intended for her. In one swift motion, she picked up the chair and hurled it at the shimmering sphere. There was a brilliant flash and a sound like shattering glass as the orb burst into a thousand azure shards. Mari shut her eyes against the blinding glare. When she dared open them again, the magical sphere was gone. All that was left of the chair were a few charred sticks of wood scattered on the floor. They looked like nothing so much as burnt bones.
I never believed it would come to this, Mari thought with a mixture of apprehension and peculiar exultation. I never believed that I, Mari Al'maren, would become a renegade Harper.
Yet that was exactly what she was now. A renegade, a fugitive, and an outlaw. The full realization of what she had done crashed down upon her, and she slumped down into a chair. She had just given up everything she had ever fought for, everything she had ever believed in. But she could not destroy Caledan, and she would not let anyone else destroy him. There had to be a way to stop Caledan's dark metamorphosis. I promised you, Kera. I told him good-bye, but I will be damned to the Abyss if I'll turn my back on him.
'Are they going to kill my father. Mari?'
She had forgotten Kellen. He stood beside her chair, his green eyes overly large in his pale face. He had overheard everything.
'No, Kellen,' she said quietly. 'No one will hurt your father. We won't let that happen.'
He nodded gravely, then threw his arms around her neck. She returned his hug fiercely. At last she pushed him gently away and stood up. There was no time to waste.
When Morhion arrived at the Dreaming Dragon an hour later, he found her packing her saddlebags. He raised a single golden eyebrow. 'Going somewhere, Mari?'
She firmly buckled the last leather strap and dusted off her hands. 'You might say that.'
'Haven't you forgotten something?' He eyed the small rip on the collar of her green jacket meaningfully.
'No,' she replied crisply. 'I haven't.'
Interest flickered in Morhion's icy eyes. 'I see.'
They sat at one of the common room's long trestle tables. Estah brought hot tea, brown bread, and honey for their breakfast. The halfling innkeeper eyed Mari curiously. She had heard the commotion in the common room this morning, but Mari had not yet had the courage to tell Estah about her disturbing conversation with Belhuar Thantarth. There was no more putting it off. By the time she finished, Estah's usually gentle expression had been replaced by one of flinty outrage.
