Tomas said, “Do you suspect another Pantathian?”
Nakor said, “I don’t think so. Maybe, but it may also be a man, or a dark elf, or any other manner of creature. It may be a spirit in the body of one such as Fadawah. I just don’t know. But we must seek out this creature and destroy it.”
Pug said, “This sounds as if we must fly to the heart of the enemy and confront their leader.”
Nakor said, “Yes, and that is dangerous.”
Pug winced in memory of the trap the demon had laid for him, the one that in his arrogance he had overlooked, the trap that had almost cost Pug his life.
“Why don’t we just. . . I don’t know,” said Miranda, “just burn everything within a mile of Fadawah’s headquarters? That should end this creature, shouldn’t it?”
Pug said, “Probably not. Years ago I faced another of Nalar’s creatures, a mad magician named Sidi. A few of the older members of the temples know the story, for we strove to control the Tear of the Gods.”
Ryana said, “Tear of the Gods?”
Pug said, “It is a powerful artifact, used by the Ishapians to channel power from the controller gods.” He looked at Miranda. “You could burn this house down around Sidi and he would have been standing there laughing at you when the ashes cooled.”
“How did you destroy him?” asked Miranda.
Pug looked at his wife. “I didn’t.”
Miranda said, “Are you saying this person controlling Fadawah is this Sidi?”
“It could be. Or it could be one of Sidi’s servants, or another like him.”
Nakor said, “Nalar has many agents. Most do not know they serve the Mad God. They just do things because they feel the need.”
Tomas said, “What must we do?”
Pug said, “We lure this agent of Nalar into showing itself.”
“How?” asked Miranda.
Pug nodded. “Me. I have to be bait. Fadawah’s true master must know that at some point I will act. I have in the past. And we can assume there’s some sort of surprise waiting for me if I show up.”
Miranda said, “No! The last time I goaded you into acting prematurely, you almost got killed. Since then I think I’ve changed my mind about kicking down doors and walking into rooms. Let’s sneak around some first.”
Nakor said, “I’ve snuck around in the enemy’s camp, back when I went to Novindus with Calis and his friends, and I stood close to the Emerald Queen. I couldn’t tell who was running things. Pug is right. We must find a way to force this person or creature or spirit or whatever it is to reveal itself to us.”
Miranda said, “No! And I’m going to keep saying ‘no’ until you get it through your head.” She stood up. “I’ve snuck around behind the lines, too. Let Nakor and me do it one more time. We can go to where Greylock’s army is, and I know we can sneak into the camp. Let me get close to Fadawah and see what I can see. If we can’t find anything, I’ll agree to go in and let them throw everything at you. But I don’t want to risk it just yet. All right?” She touched his face.
“Your temper is going to get you killed,” he warned her.
“I can keep it under control when I have to.”
Pug looked at Nakor. “I want you to promise me you’ll tell her when it’s too dangerous and it’s time to come back here.” He looked at Miranda. “And I want you to promise you’ll listen to him, and when he says so, you’ll transport yourself back to this room.”
They both agreed. Pug said, “I don’t like this anymore than you like my idea.” He kissed Miranda and said, “It’s better if you go now, while it’s still dark over there.”
Miranda held out her hand. “Nakor, where do we want to go?”
“Last I heard, Greylock was somewhere south of Quester’s View.”
“I know a village on the coast. We’ll transport there, then we can fly up the coast.”
Ryana said, “I’m going to go sleep. Wake me when you have someone worth fighting.”
Nakor said, “A moment, please.” Pug and the others felt their memories shut off again, hiding knowledge of Nalar, and then the mystic barrier was lowered.
Tomas said, “Sleep well, friend.” The dragon in human form left the room.
Miranda took Nakor’s hand and they vanished from sight, leaving Pug and Tomas alone.
Tomas removed his golden helm and placed it on Pug’s desk. “Well, old friend, there’s not much for us to do but wait.”
Pug said, “I’m not very hungry, but we should eat.” He rose and led his friend out of the study, down the hall, and toward the kitchen.