CHAPTER IV


FLIGHT FROM OSTRACIS


	"Terzan?" Vaco said pensively and gazed at her with Eugene's eyes.  Except for 
his voice and those eyes, Vaco came into the house a complete stranger.  Bearded, with 
his hair dyed black, his skin bronzed to a deep brown, a worm of a scar tinted artificially 
blue wriggling along his left cheek, his eyebrows augmented with implants which bristled 
along their previous elegance like thorny weeds invading a royal road, Eugene proclaimed 
himself as Vaco, void of a past, empty of a soul, dispossessed, liberated.  Somewhere in a 
dark alley, in a grafter's shabby workshop he murdered the entity, Eugene Trevarthen.  

	"Are you happy?" Eirini enquired sadly.

	"Happy?" Vaco growled. "It depends from which side you see it.  Happy maybe 
never, but content, yes."  

	"If you say so, Eu--, forgive me, Vaco," she twittered nervously as she looked 
upon this new savage creation.  "You must allow me some time to get used to your, h'm, 
new image.  It is simply astounding."

	"It is the work of a genius!"  Vaco grinned and said energetically: "Let's get 
down to business because we have to come up with a plan before darkness falls."

	"Vaco," Eirini said in a soft, determined voice, "before we go any further, let us 
make it clear between us that what happened is behind us, it is finished.  Everything is 
forgiven, and forgotten."

	"Eirini, we will always remain friends, never forget that."

	"And I thank you for that."  Eirini gazed at the hazel eyes from which the grafter 
had not been able to wholly expunge lingering traces of nobility, "I am very glad to see 
you looking so well, Vaco.  Now to business, you know about Leoynar?"

	"I knew they brought a newly caught spy into the dudgeons, but until you told me 
who he really was I would never have known his true identity."

	"What about Terzan?"

	"Yes, vainglorious Terzan!  An upstart fellow of the upper echelons of Zeroborn 
Paganism, an absolute pest but I'd say true to his faith.  I can't see him as a turncoat.  
You know, Eirini, this purported plan of his to spring Leoynar out of prison may stand us 
in good stead."  

	"Have they done anything like this before?  Why, as a Pagan, don't you know 
anything about it?" 

	"Well, you see, my girl," Vaco said hesitantly, scratching his beard, "you only 
have to look around you to understand why, if they have plans like this, they'll keep it as 
a deadly secret by any means.  Knowing him, I think it is impossible for Terzan to betray 
his brethren.  He is a fanatic and he actually believes in what he is doing!  But there will 
be others, you can count on it, subversive elements, agents and the like."  

	He puckered his brow anxiously.  "We don't have much time debating all pros 
and cons of this situation.  The opportunity is there, we have to take it and all consequent 
risks as they present themselves.  Living by the moment is our motto on the streets.  And 
if it is true that they intend to put Leoynar on a ship to Vespar, then this is also a 
marvellous opportunity for you to leave this hellhole, tonight." 

	"I have to inform you there will be others coming with me, since I have given my 
word not to leave them behind.  And there is no ground for debate on this issue."

	"If you say so."  Vaco sighed heavily. "I'll speak to Terzan, and I'll have to look 
up Shagg to see about that wagon of his."

	Eirini exclaimed open-eyed:  "You know Shagg?"

	"Well yes, is he also one of your acquaintances?  What a remarkable coincidence!  
We use Shagg sometimes to run errands.  He has a superb talent of slipping in and out 
tight corners, and the law has not been able to catch up with him.  Wily and resourceful, 
that fellow is!"

	"Why hasn't he told me about this?" Eirini said.

	"There you go again!" Vaco rebuked. "If he were to tell every mother's son of 
what he has really been doing, there wouldn't be much of him left, would there?  Eirini, 
please keep in mind that time is very short, it is tonight or never.  Be prepared at any 
moment.  As to Terzan, I'll go and twist his arm and try to make him see reason."

	Having said thus, Vaco stamped out through the door.  Maykin and Old Moose 
reentered from Swill Yard where they had been waiting since Vaco had insisted on a 
private conversation, and as they sat down at the table Eirini told them what had 
transpired.  

	The prospect of going to Vespar made Maykin's eyes shine with exhilaration and 
she wanted to know what they should bring along.  

	"Nothing," was Old Moose's advice, "except the clothes on your back."  He 
wrinkled his brow and an expression of great sobriety and resignation settled on his aged 
face.  

	"Listen, my dears," he began in a serious voice which immediately made them 
turn their eyes upon him with apprehension.  "I am not a young man, I am old and sick.  
Old Moose has already seen too much of the evil around him that he thinks the time has 
come to let go, to let fate take its course.  Eirini, don't argue, when I say I will be your 
stumbling stone in your path of flight from Ostracis and Maykin, don't cry when I insist 
that I stay behind.  You still have so many years ahead of you but as for me, I have only 
days, months perhaps but certainly not years.  Grant me this wish, and leave me to my 
fate and I will happily wait for the end, thinking that you are both safe and sound far 
away in Vespar."  

	Eirini took his gnarled and shivering hands.  "As you say, so shall it be.  I thank 
you for your good heart, Old Moose, for your generosity and your grace. I shall never 
forget you." 

	"Nor I you, and you, Maykin.  You will both be in my heart, always, to the end."  

	They sat around in silence.  After a while Maykin stood up from the table with the 
excuse to prepare some food before they went on their journey.  No chatter came from 
her and her face glistened with tears.  After long moments of brooding Eirini ventured 
the question:  "How well do you know Shagg?"  

	Old Moose blinked his eyes in uncertainty.  "We used to study in the same 
collegiate and pursued our interests together for some time.  Then when the state further 
restricted the scope of scientific studies, he went south and we lost sight of each other.  
Over the years there were sporadic scraps of news coming in that sometimes he made it 
big and other times he had a brush with the law, but I didn't really know how he was 
until he showed up on our doorstep with the marshalls and bounty hunters hard on his 
heels." 

	'How well can you trust him', she wanted to ask, but how well could you trust 
anybody else here?  They lapsed into silence once more.  The tension was building up as 
the thin strips of daylight along the tattered walls and ceiling slowly dimmed and 
shadows started creeping across the floor.  With the screams of the curfew sirens came 
the sound of running steps outside the door and Vaco burst in.  

	"Everything is arranged!" he panted. "It took a bit of leaning on but I have made 
a deal with Terzan.  Are you ready?  We have to leave this place very shortly."

	"Then it is time to say goodbye," Old Moose said resolutely.  He embraced first 
Maykin, then Eirini.  Holding her tight and pulling her into a corner, he whispered in her 
ear: "Take good care of Maykin for me, my love.  Several months ago, on the night of 
your arrival when the stars were shining so brightly as if they were exploding, this Frame, 
this forbidden and stolen artefact that I kept hidden all these long years suddenly came to 
life."  From under his shirt he took out a flat square object that he thrust into her hands.  
Seeing her surprised recognition of the object, Old Moose nodded knowingly with a 
smile. "The farther I took the Frame the stronger it glowed until Maykin and I found 
ourselves outside the city, and I saw a streak like lightning flash through the sky, the like 
of which I have never seen before. And then we came upon you, as if you had fallen from 
the heavens.

	"I will carry your secret to the grave but tell me truthfully if I have presumed 
right: you came, not from across the Atlantic Main, but from space above the sky?"

	Eirini kissed his forehead gently.  "You are right in your presumption, dear friend, 
but my world is so utterly different, I cannot describe it in simple words."

	"No need, child, Old Moose has seen enough and know it must be a good world 
and you will give some of its goodness to Maykin.  She is a Seedling, a spark of hope for 
humanity, that I have kept safe from being butchered.  My wish is that she will grow up 
more like you than anybody else.  Here, take the Frame with you because you know what 
it is." 

	Breathing a promise in his ear, Eirini took her farewell from the old man.  With a 
last sob and a final kiss Maykin tore herself away from her mentor and protector.  Alone, 
Old Moose shuffled back to the table and lighting the candle wick he sat down on a 
chair, waiting for the nights, and days, to pass.  

* * *

	"Keep close together," Vaco warned.  All three were wearing black cloaks with 
hoods which allowed them to blend into the night like raindrops in a lake of blackness. 
There were anxious moments of waiting in corners and shrinking away into shadows from 
each approaching step.  The streets were deserted but tension was high in the air.  
Intermittently Vaco glanced up at the clouded sky as if he was expecting some sort of a 
signal.  A sharp whistle caught his attention.  

	Grabbing Eirini's hand he rushed to the opposite side of a street.  From a bend in 
an intersection another hooded figure emerged from the darkness and flashed a sign with 
his fingers.  Vaco made a similar movement with his and the figure beckoned.  Eirini and 
Maykin followed him closely and they came upon a covered cart in a narrow cul-de-sac. 

	"Get in, quick!" came the smooth voice of Terzan, "only two?"

	"The old man decided not to come," Vaco grunted.  

	"Swell," Terzan said, "the less we have to carry the better."

	The hood had slipped off Eirini's head in her haste and she felt the young Pagan's 
eyes dwell on her with keen contemplation.  "I don't blame you, Brother Vaco," he said, 
chuckling. "Ostracis doesn't deserve such prettiness, she is better off elsewhere. 

	"Stay quiet, and make absolutely no noise!" he instructed them both sternly.  "We 
still have to wait for the signal before we can move out."  

	Another dark figure stirred on the box of the cart, holding the reins of the two 
horses prepared in his hands, who turned out to be Shagg.  A third horse was led out 
from a dark corner of the cul-de-sac and Vaco climbed expertly into the saddle as if he 
had done nothing else in his whole life.  Leaning over to the back of the wagon he softly 
called to Eirini. 

	"Promise me," he said, "that when you meet Leoynar don't tell him about me until 
you are safely away on the sea."

	"I will do as you ask."  After a short pause she said:  "I think you'd better take 
this rephar and the stylet."

	"Eirini?"

	"You will need them more than I do."

	She could not see Vaco's face under his hood but sensed he must be observing her 
intently with a variety of emotions.  "Eirini, keep the stylet but I'll take the rephar.  Guns 
are hard to come by here.  Here, an exchange, take my dagger."  He handed her one of a 
pair of daggers strapped at this belt.  Afterwards no further words were spoken.  They 
waited and watched, long moments of nerve-racking suspense that seemed like hours 
stretching unbearably into eternity.  Then, like a bolt of lightning a flare shot up into the 
sky and exploded in a myriad of sparks.

	"The signal, Brother Terzan!" Vaco yelled from the entrance of the alleyway. 

	"Wait for a few minutes more for the crowd to assemble before the dudgeons!" 
Terzan yelled back, and once more moments of nervous tension crept by like the ticking 
of the final seconds into the end of the world.  Finally Terzan made a broad sweep 
downwards with his hand and with a shout to the horses the wagon roared into the open 
street. 

	The two occupants in the back of the wagon were unable to see much of the 
direction they were taking.  They were jostled side to side by the seemingly numerous 
twists and turns and almost deafened by the thunderous speed of the horses.  Their hearts 
were thumping in their chests as the wagon stopped with a terrible jolt.  A tumult of 
shouts and shots came from the nearby streets and against the din of the approaching riot, 
they heard Terzan whistling like a lark in the night and his calling extracted a frenzy of 
running footsteps. 

	"Two?" Shagg's voice piped in the darkness.  

	"I forgot to tell you," Terzan answered with a gloating voice, "the prisoner 
absolutely insisted that we take the old cook along.  What is the difference anyway, we 
just swap one old geezer for another.  Quick, quick, into the wagon!  Hurry!"

	"Merciful heavens," Shagg's voice hissed in surprise, "I know that fossil of a 
human being anywhere, old Martin Balwin!  I did not expect this, Brother Terzan!"

	The commotion of the riot was rising in crescendo and ignoring Shagg, Terzan 
barked to the back:  "Everything all right in there?  Hold tight, keep your heads down.  
Okay, Shagg, give the horses hell.  Let it rip!

	"Are you coming along, Brother Vaco?" 

	Through the melee of distant turmoil and the helter-skelter of the horses' crushing 
speed came Vaco's muffled voice:  "Just as far as the city gates."  

	In the wagon's interior Eirini slipped off the hood of her cloak with trembling 
fingers. taking in with wide eyes the new arrivals, particularly the one whose azure on 
smoke blue eyes were still trying to visualize objects in the darkness.  

	"Lar Leoynar," she spoke in a trembling voice, "I am Eirini Vrillenar."

	With a start Leoynar swung in the direction of her voice.  "Eirini! Are you here 
with us too, this is too good to be true!"

	He could not see her face distinctly but when she spoke again he knew by the 
peculiar nuances of her voice that it was true, that they had been brought together 
through some twist of fate which had yet to take them all to safety. 

	"Yes, I am here with you," she said in a tremulous voice. "We will make the 
journey together."  She found his hand and grasped it like a dear object, lost and found 
again.   

	Meanwhile the wagon rumbled on.  At one moment it seemed that the din of the 
rioters was closing in, then at the next that it faded into the distance.  There was a burst 
of white fire, a crackling of splintering wood and the impact momentarily threatened to 
rock the cart off its wheels, but with another heave and crash it stabilized and continued 
to whip along the road.  

	"Well done, Brother Vaco!" Terzan shouted jubilantly. "They didn't even see 
what was coming to them!"

	From the crunching of the wheels and the bumping of the wagon the occupants 
knew they were racing along a dirt road in the open country.  Leoynar again gave a start 
when Vaco's voice came bellowing from the side of the wagon: "Brother Terzan, I think 
we are being followed!"

	"Steady, Shagg," came Terzan's command, "hold your speed."  From the box he 
clambered inside and to the back of the cart. 

	"How long before we reach the coast?" Eirini asked. 

	"Half an hour at the most.  Vaco, where are they? I see nothing!" 

	"There were little clouds of dust, like riders coming."

	"From where, from the city?"

	"No, I think not, from outside the city." 

	"What is going on here?" Terzan grumbled.  "The plan was to keep all the 
marshalls busy on the streets.  Keep a good lookout, I appreciate it, Vaco. And what is 
that tiny new weapon that you have?"

	"Here, take it!" Jostling shoulders with Terzan Eirini held out to Vaco on his 
foaming horse an object which twinkled in colourful agitation. "I improvised it from the 
metaphraser.  It will work more or less like a multilyzer. You will be able to trace with it 
movements in the dark."

	"Eirini, you are a genius!"

	Afterwards the voices quietened into silence, save for the rambling of the wheels 
and the panting of the horses.  Scattered clouds were sailing down from the coast and the 
moon threw a sulphureous shine over a grim landscape of treeless fields stretching away 
from the road to a blackish roll of distant hills.  In the moonlight trickling through the 
open back of the cart the passengers were able to distinguish more from one another.  

	The strain on Eirini's pale face and Leoynar's haggardness from a sleepless night 
told to each other their part in Ostracis history which they longed to forget.  A simple 
smile, a press of the hand gave enough comfort and understanding than a stream of 
explanations.  This was hardly the case with Maykin who wanted to know more, and 
Martin who wanted to know whether his eyes and ears were deceiving him: was that 
really Shagg out there on the box?  

	"It is really me, old boy," Shagg cheerfully reassured, "back from the dead, as are 
you, I see.  What miraculous coincidence, what wonderful luck!"  

	Leoynar turned his attention to Maykin with a warm smile: "And this is the little 
girl who with such resourcefulness and courage brought me a message of hope.  There 
aren't words enough to express my gratitude."

	"Sir," Maykin said eagerly, tumbling over her words nervously, "for you, I will do 
it again and again."

	Leoynar laughed. "Let's hope not!"

	Maykin had brought some biscuits and candies in her pockets.  Most of the 
biscuits had crumbled during the rough ride but she distributed them around anyway and 
she gave Leoynar a handful of candies.  The remaining time passed with the wagon 
continuing the flight without problems.   Finally, the horses slowed down and the wheels 
ground to a lumbering halt.  

	Terzan jumped to the ground hissing urgently:  "Get out, make haste!  Vaco, you 
still there?" 

	A rider loomed up from the misty darkness but kept himself distant and Terzan 
instructed his passengers:  "We will have to make it further on foot.  Behind those sand 
dunes, you'll see the coastline.  Make for it as fast as you can." 

	He abruptly turned to Eirini: "You look like someone who has a lot of sense.  
You've heard my whistle before, haven't you?  Out on the beach you will hear a similar 
signal and then you give a return sign with this torch like this.  Got it?"

	Eirini nodded.  "What about you?"

	"I'll join you later. Go now, girlie, you're in charge."

	After a short look at the rider who held himself back on the strip of road, she 
gathered her group and pushed them up a path snaking through the sandy slopes.  Before 
long, the dark band of the sea fitfully glittered before their eyes under moonlight partially 
hidden by a rising fog.  As they stood on the shingle of a narrow beach the sharp 
whistling of a night bird vibrated across the rolling waters.  

	In the thickening fog Eirini made three circular movements with her stylet instead 
of Terzan's torch.  She nearly dropped it when a sudden fracas of shouts and bursts of 
gunfire drowned out the rush of the sea and shattered the peacefulness of the beach.  Old 
Martin fell on his knees clutching his head, wailing: "The warders, the warders.  They've 
come to take us back!"

	Eirini pulled out her dagger and slapped the stylet in Leoynar's hand.  She was 
quivering with wrath.  "Defend yourself, my Lar!" To the death!"  She rushed back into 
the shadows of the dunes.  

	"Eirini!," Leoynar shouted.  "Come back!"

	He was temporarily distracted by the noise of oars splashing through water.  From 
the fog now hanging like a pall of grey smoke over the sea a rowboat emerged plied by a 
man whose skin was as dark as the surrounding night and whose eyes gleamed like 
sapphires on a black velvet cloth. 

	"Ahoy there!" the man greeted. "My name is Charl.  I did not expect such a large 
party!  Are you having a spot of trouble?" 

	"I am not sure," Leoynar replied.  Resolutely he turned and frantically scrambled 
up the path where coming upon a cleft in the dunes he was just in time to see how Eirini 
was approaching two figures that were stumbling towards her, one half supporting the 
other.  A third figure loomed up from the darkness cutting off her path.  Leoynar 
thumbed the stylet, spearing out a stream of light at the approaching assailant.  The man 
uttered a howl, covering his eyes, staggering backwards and Eirini with a quick, savage 
thrust threw the dagger at him.  One of the two figures dropped the other, ran forward 
and sliced through the attacker a lance of white brilliance.  

	Eirini quickly approached the other figure who had collapsed.  Terzan lay gasping 
on the sand, clasping his right trouser leg which was oozing thickly.  "This is not 
supposed to happen," he said, snarling with pain, "Nobody else should have known our 
point of rendezvous!"

	"Are you all right?" Eirini asked.  Her lips felt dry and cold.  

	"He got a bullet through the leg," came Vaco's voice remotely. "It went clean 
through the flesh, nothing serious, I hope."

	Bewilderedly Leoynar opened his mouth to say something when the tenor voice 
of the oarsman sounded near his shoulder: "Brother Terzan, what happened?"

	"Charl, you came in the nick of time!  Apparently a few marshalls got the nerve to 
trail us from the city." 

	"Are there any of them still around?"

	"No," Vaco answered, still hovering distantly. "We succeeded in flushing and 
wiping them out, thanks to my little gadget here, but you can never be too sure whether 
there are more coming." 

	"Then," Charl decided, "we must make great haste but you have a problem here.  I 
didn't expect to accommodate such a large party and my boat is too small.  I'll have to 
make two rounds to ferry you two as well to my ship and in this fog there will be little 
time.  I was fortunate enough to have seen your signal light at all!  "

	"No, Charl," Terzan said, tiredly leaning his head against the slope of a dune, "go 
ahead.  Take the others but leave us. We will be able to take care of ourselves, won't we 
Vaco?  And we will cover your backs." 

	"In that case," Charl said, "listen to me.  If the area is getting too hot for you two, 
then you must leave at all costs.  Further down the headland another ship is anchored in 
the cover of a creek and her master will be able to take you on, but you must cite to her 
this code so she'll know I have sent you:  

	'The Duck and Dolphin is ugly as hell 
	but Stephanola will ply the Main 
	always as sound as a bell'

Okay, brothers?  Good luck to you!"

	"And the best of luck to you, Brother Charl!"

	"Vaco," Eirini pleaded to the dark figure still holding himself back in the 
shadows. 

	"Go now, Eirini, go.  This is what I want to do."

	"But," Leoynar hesitated and Eirini grabbed his hand, her nails feverishly scraping 
his skin.  "Come quickly, please, there isn't much time," she implored, and Charl 
energetically placed two hands on Leoynar's back and propelled him forward.  

	"That voice!" Leoynar burst out as he was pushed and pulled across the beach. "I 
thought I recognized it.  By the stars, Eugene!"

	"No, Leoynar, no," Eirini entreated urgently, "let him be.  His life is his own 
now."  

	They waded through the rushing waves to climb into the already crowded little 
boat and with one mighty pull of the oars she surged forward to return to the mother ship 
which waited for them hidden in the fog further up on the sea.  

* * *

	The passengers became assured of the passing of danger when Charl began to sing 
a nocturnal ballad in a fine and stirring voice.  The haunting melody flowed and swelled 
across the rippling sea like echoes of long forgotten songs when the world was in 
harmony and music was an art.  

	Reclining on deck with hands pillowing his head, looking at the white stars 
winking through the mist, Leoynar listened to Charl's song, which soothed the troubles of 
his heart.  With a rustle Eirini sat down at his side.  He propped himself up on an elbow 
and looked at her with a smile on his restful face.  The ordeal of his capture and the 
terrible nights in the dudgeons of Ostracis seemed already ages ago.  He realized the debt 
he owed to the courage of this slim and delicate girl and did not wish to press further into 
the tangles of Eugene's chosen life.  

	"I have seen your father and he is very well."

	Eirini asked suddenly, and intensely:  "You came together with Trajan, did you?"

	Leoynar straightened up and absentmindedly rubbed his forehead.  "Yes, Trajan 
and I journeyed together, in the company of Nagus and Superpre Deyron." Seeing the 
flare of astonishment in her eyes, he moodily shook his head.  "It is a long story, Eirini, a 
story that ended for me on the outskirts of Penari.  I don't know where they are now and 
what has happened to them."

	Eirini eyes filled with tears, and she bit her lips in an attempt to control herself.  
Gently he took her in his arms and cradled her head comfortingly against his chest.  

	"Hush, my Dama, go and have a good cry.  Empty your heart of your sorrow.  I 
saw how Trajan was hurting when he lost you in Casteltheyne and I know how you must 
feel.  I fear there is nothing I can do or say now to make you feel better, but we will find 
them.  We will find Trajan and the others.  That is a promise."

	"It is so good to have found you, Leoynar," she said in a small voice, leaning her 
head on his shoulder.  "I feel better already."

	They remained together on deck throughout the night, Eirini falling asleep on 
Leoynar's lap, until dawn was breaking in violet arches over the horizon.  By that time the 
ship was sailing the high seas on a smooth current, and the weather slightly warmed as 
she cruised the waves further southwards.  

	The voyage from the northeastern coast of Magni-Xandia to Vespar took roughly 
two and a half days.  A storm blew on the second night which persisted until the 
following morning, a 'sprightly breeze' as Charl named it.  Nearly all of the travellers 
sought the warmer and drier spaces of the cabins or canteen save for Leoynar who 
endured the rolling and pitching of the ship on the bridge.  

	"The wind is blowing us in the right direction,"  Charl advised him cheerfully. 
"We will probably arrive in Vespar no later than early evening."  

	"Where are we going to land?"  

	"Brother Shagg has expressed the wish to go to Okrane, the capital of Vespar.  
The ship will drop anchor at an appointed meeting-place on a deserted seashore which is 
about a day's travelling from Okrane."  

	"Forgive my ignorance," Leoynar said, "but why do we have to go ashore on that 
particular place?"

	While effortlessly navigating the ship's helm, Charl explained: "As a precaution, 
citizen.  Ships carrying fugitives from Magni-Xandia cannot enter the ports of Vespar, 
especially if their final destination is Okrane.  Queen Fleuridi's Royal Counsel himself has 
issued the directive that everyone coming out from Magni-Xandia, and maybe now that 
Magni-Xandia has conquered nearly all of the Southern Belt of States, anyone coming 
from there as well, has to be screened and tested for reliability.  Don't worry, citizen, it is 
only a formality, and since you are among the very few who have managed to escape the 
clutches of Ostracis, I would not be surprised if the grand old man has come out himself 
to preside on the welcoming committee."  

      The strong winds progressively abated as they approached midday and in the 
early hours of the afternoon the wash of the waves gradually receded to soft ripples.  The 
sun was hanging low when the hairline coast of Vespar was sighted.  

	A dazzling sunset pulsated across the western rim and dappled the sea with red-
golden glimmers when the ship dropped anchor in a wide inlet facing a sprawling beach.  
A large retinue of important looking people, attired in smart uniforms and rich satin suits 
that caught the waning sunrays in a burst of colours, had already gathered there and 
waited respectfully without moving as the rowboat slowly made it to the shore.  

	A couple of men were on hand to pull and shove the prow of the boat onto the 
sand.  Charl quickly disembarked to greet and bow low to an official who had stepped 
forward from the waiting group.  Bearing a curly beard, as fluffy and white as snow, and 
eyes sharp as daggers, he exuded dignity and command even though he only came to half 
of Charl's height.  

	Leoynar, who had trailed closely behind Charl, pushed to the front with great 
amazement.  "I know you!" he burst out, "how can I forget you, and your little people, 
who have shared with us moments of such grave peril in the underground fortress of Hern 
Byrull and protected us from the enemy in complete disregard of their own well-being.  
But do you remember me?"  

	"Of course I do!" said the official who seized his hands with great emotion and 
shook them warmly. "How can Dego Kolmarin ever forget the brave and beautiful people 
he met while he was in captivity.  Every face and name of yours is engraved in my 
memory.  Well met, Leoynar, well met indeed!  And well done for having escaped the 
horrors of Ostracis and made the voyage safely!  As Royal Counsel I welcome you to 
Okrane and Vespar!"