Pug said, ‘You paint three difficult alternatives.’
‘I will tell you this. Pug,’ said the Goddess. ‘Your position in our universe is unique. Macros unlocked your potential as a baby, before leaving you where you would be found. He ensured that your Tsurani training would be modified, so that you would return to the Greater Magic of Midkemia, and he saw to it that you survived the Riftwar. Because of the sorcerer’s interference over the centuries, you play a role far more critical than your birth would have predicted. You stand poised to shake pillars upon which gods rest. This cannot go unnoticed.
‘But in doing this, he also created other situations, ones you know nothing of. And as a result you must eventually pay the price for his meddling. And at the end of your life, that price will be terrible.’
Pug didn’t hesitate. ‘You leave me no choice. A terrible foe stands on the brink of destroying everything I love. I must live.’
‘Then I will help you live. You will know things, and you must act.’ She placed her hand upon his face, covering his eyes.
Suddenly Pug felt the void around him tear, and a great pain shot through his body.
He sat up, a dry scream ripping from his throat.
Nakor held him. ‘Drink this.’
A bitter brew of herbs touched his lips, and Pug drank deeply. He blinked and found his entire body throbbed with pain. Nakor said, ‘This will lessen your suffering.’
Pug focused his mind and the pain subsided. ‘I can deal with pain,’ he said, and his voice was a stranger’s. ‘Help me to my feet.’
Sho Pi, Calis, Calin, and Aglaranna stood nearby as the magician got to legs shaky with weakness. A robe was brought, and Pug said, ‘I seem to be the worse for wear.’
‘You will heal,’ said Nakor. ‘A good healing priest can even rid you of the scars.’ He touched the magician’s cheek. Though it seems you’re managing well enough on your own. Someday we must talk about your abilities.’
Pug smiled and his face hurt. ‘Sometimes I think the same of you.’
Nakor also smiled. ‘We came to take a last look at you before saying farewell.’
‘Good. Where were you going?’
Calis said, ‘Nakor and I are bound for Crydee. Anthony has one of the old Tsurani transport orbs, and we are going to use that to get to Krondor.’
Pug said, ‘Let me rest this day and tomorrow we’ll all three go straight to Krondor.’
He glanced around. ‘How long since I was injured?’
‘Two months,’ said Nakor.
‘What’s the date?’
‘Two days past Banapis,’ said Calis.
‘Then the Emerald Queen’s fleet . . . ?’
‘At the Straits of Darkness,’ answered the Elf Queen’s younger son. ‘Anthony gave me a viewing lens made from air, and we watched.’
Pug said, ‘Miranda? Macros?’ He glanced at the group. ‘Tomas?’
‘When you were injured they went to look for answers under the Ratn’gari Mountains,’ said Calis. ‘Will you join them?’
Pug said, ‘I don’t think so. You and I need to go somewhere else.’
‘Krondor?’
‘First, then we must go to Sethanon.’
Calis said, ‘I have much to do before I set foot in Sethanon.’
‘No,’ said Pug. ‘You must go with me to Sethanon.’
‘How do you know?’ asked Calis.
Pug said, ‘I have no answer. I just know this to be true.’ Looking at the Elf Queen, he bowed. ‘Lady, when your husband returns, please let him know that is where we will be.’
Aglaranna nodded. ‘First you must eat and rest. You’ve been kept alive by magic arts and your body is not strong.’
‘A fact I am painfully aware of,’ said Pug, as his eyes rolled up and he collapsed into Nakor’s arms.
Consciousness returned slowly, but at last Pug awoke, finding Sho Pi sitting watch with him. ‘How long?’
‘Another day, a night, and most of this day.’
Pug sat up. His skin itched and his muscles protested, but he found that while still weak, he no longer felt unable to function. He rose unsteadily and looked around. He ran his hand over his chin and felt the stubble of beard returning. He had been moved to a small room, carved from within the bole of a huge oak, and found, stepping beyond a heavy curtain, that it opened into the private garden of the Queen and Tomas. Aglaranna sat with her two sons, in calm discussion.
Calin said, ‘Welcome.’
Pug sat down slowly, allowing Sho Pi to hold his elbow. ‘My thanks for all you’ve done,’ said Pug.
‘We only aid those who are fighting to preserve this,’ said the Queen, motioning with her hand to indicate all of Elvandar.
‘A bit more than that,’ said Nakor, entering the glade. ‘The entire world.’
The Elf Queen said, ‘For the eledhel, Elvandar is the world.’
Nakor sat down next to Pug and regarded him. ‘You’ll live.’
‘Thank you. I needed the reassurance,’ said Pug dryly.
Nakor laughed. ‘When do we leave for Krondor?’