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The Exotic Enchanter

L . S pr ag ue d e C am p

&

Christopher Stasheff

T hi s i s a w or k o f f ic ti on . A ll t he c ha ra ct er s a nd e ve nt s p or tr ay ed i n t hi s b oo k a re f ic ti on al , a nd a ny

r es em bl an ce t o r eal p eo pl e o r i ncid en ts i s p ur el y coi ncid en tal.

C op yr ig ht 1 99 5 b y L . S pr ag ue d e C am p & C hr is to ph er S ta sh ef f

A ll r ig ht s r es er ved, i nclu di ng t he r ig ht t o r ep ro du ce t hi s b oo k o r p or ti on s t hereof i n any f or m.

A B aen B oo ks O ri gi nal

Baen Publishing Enterprises

P . O. B o x1 4 0 3

Riverdale,N.Y.10471

I S B N: 0 - 6 71 - 8 76 6 6 - X

C ov er a rt b y R ut h S an de rs on

First printing, June 1995

Distributed by

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S IM ON & S CH US TE R

1230 Avenue of theAmericas

N ew Y or k. N .Y . 1 00 20

P ri nt ed i n t heUn it ed S tates o f A meri ca

A ls o b y L . S pr ag ue d e C am p & C hr is to ph er S ta sh ef f:

The Enchanter Reborn

Al so by L . S pr ag ue d e C am p:

Rivers of Time

The Fallible Fiend

T he I ncor po rat ed K ni gh t (with Catherine Crook de Camp)

T he U nd es i red P ri ncess & Th e E nchant ed B un ny (with David Drake)

T he C om pl ete C om pl eat E nchant er (w i t h F l et ch er P r a t t )

Also by Christopher Stasheff:

Dragons Eye

The Gods of W ar

W in g C om mand er : E nd R un (w it h W il li am R . F or st ch en)

CONTENTS

Excerpt

Synopsis

P ar t I :Enchanter Kiev

I

II

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III

IV

P ar t I I:S ir H ar ol d A nd T he H in du K in g

P ar t I I I:S ir H ar ol d O f Z od an ga

I

II

III

IV

V

P ar t I V:Harold Sheakspeare

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

Excerpt

The re Ar e Som e Thi ngs M en W er e Not M ea nt to Know. . .

T he P ol ov et s w ar ri or r an o ff t ow ar d t he r iv er , t ea ri ng o ff h is c lo th es a s h e r an .

H e w as n t t he o nl y o ne. P ol ov ts i s watt ed, p un ch ed and cl aw ed at th em selv es , m ak in g t heir r ag ged

c lo th es e ve n m or e s o. S om e d re w t he ir k ni ve s a nd s ta rt ed s la sh in g a t t he ir g ar me nt s o r e ve n s ta bb in g a t

t he ms el ve s, a lt ho ug h S he a n ot ed t ha t n on e o f t ho se s ee me d t o h it a v it al s po t.

I n w ha t m us t ha ve b ee n l es s t ha n f iv e m in ut es , t he c am p a re a w as c om pl et el y e mp ty o f l iv e, o r a t l ea st

con scio us , P ol ov ts i. A cou pl e l ay s tari ng at t he s ky , aft er s tabb in gt hems el ves o r p er haps k no ck in g

themselves silly falling off their horses.

By G od s H ol y M ot her, E go ro v A nd reiv ich! I go r exclaim ed . Th at w as l ik e s om et hi ng o ut o f a t al e.

W ha t di d t he y s ee ? T he re w as m or e t ha n a t ouc h of a we i n t he l oo k I go r g ave S he a, but a ls o mo re t ha n

a t ou ch o f com rades hi p.

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Ru ri k V as il ye vi ch a nd I ga ve t he m a g oo d l ook a t t he ir l ic e, Y ou r H ig hn es s. A h, d oe s Y ou r H ig hn es s

k no w w ha t a l ou se l oo ks l ik e?

Monsters, Igor said.

Shea nodded.Exactly. The Polovtsi sawthemselves covered with monsters, and panicked.

T he p ri nc e s l oo k w as n ow o ne o f c om pl et e a ma ze me nt . Nobogatyr in any ta le e ve r did a t hi ng l ike

that.

Synopsis

W IT H T HE S YL LO GI SM OB IL E A LL U NI VE RS ES A RE P OS SI BL E

W hen l ast s een , H ar ol d S hea, t he I ncom pl et e E nchant er, and R eed C hal mers , h is p ar tn er i n

i nt er di mens io nal d er ri ng -d o, h ad j us t m an ag ed t o escap e t he w rath o f A po ll o b ut a p ar ti ng s ho t f ro mthe god had sent their syllogismobile careening through the mythological universes.

T heir n ex t p oi nt o f con tact i s t he R us si a o f P ri nce I go r, f ro m w hence t he f ierce P ol ov ts i w ar ri or s p ur su e

t hem i nt o and t hr ou gh an A rabi an N ig ht mare. A nd w here-o h- wh er e i s t he w icked M al am br os o,

k id napp er o f C halm er s w if e t o s ay n ot hi ng o f t he d el icio us F lo ri mel h er self , o bj ect o f t heir o wn

pursuit? To shake their fierce pursuers, they leap again, this time into the universe of Edgar Rice

B ur ro ug hs , w he re t he y a re p ur su ed o n t ho at ba ck a cr os s t he d ea d d ry s ea b ot to ms b en ea th t he h ur tl in g

m oo ns o f B ar so om . N ex t p or t o f c al l: S ha ke sp ea re sThe Tempest , a bra ve ne w worl d wi th gobli ns i n it

from whence Shea and company well nigh instantly conceive an urgent desire to get far, far away.

F or tu nately , t he I ncom pl et e E nchant er s s pell s alw ay s s av e t he d ay , even i f n ot q ui te as t heir cas ter i nte nde d. . . .

Pa rt I :

EnchanterKiev

Roland J. Green

And

FriedaA.Murray

I

T he k al ei do sc op e o f c ol or ed d ot s h ad s lo we d t o a n o cc as io na l s wi rl o f g re en a nd p ur pl e o ne s. N ow t ha t

t he ir e ye s c ou ld f oc us a ga in, S ir R ee d Ch al me rs , P h. D. e tc ., e tc ., a nd S ir H ar ol d S he a, P h. D. t oo k a

g oo d l oo k a t t he c ou nt ry i n f ro nt o f t he m. I t w as v ir gi n f or es t, s om e w il lo w b ut m os tl y b ir ch a nd o ak , w it h

t he h in t o f y el lo w i n t he l eaves t hath er al ds aut um n. T he g ro un d cov er w as t hi ck b ru sh , w it h an o ccas io nal

wildflower.

T he re w as o nl y e no ug h w in d t o s ti r t he l ea ve s, b ut t he t em pe ra tu re s ai d aut um n e ve n m or e t ha n t he

y el lo w- ti ng ed l eaves. I t w as b ri sk eno ug h t o s ti mu late m in ds f og ged b y t heir t rans it io n f ro m t he w or ld o f

theAeneid .

Wel l n eed s om et hi ng h eavi er t han t hese t un ics and clo ak s, S hea r em ar ked, p ul li ng h is clo ak t ig ht and

h is t un ic d ow n. Th is i snot a Mediterranean climate.

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Ob vi ou sl y, m y b oy , C halm er s r ep li ed . Have y ou any s pecu lati on as t o w here w e m ig ht b e?

In a t em perate-zon e f or es t, S hea s ug gest ed . Th ey all l oo k ali ke t o m e, and t hey t ur n u p i n m yt ho lo gy

and l it er at ur e f ro m all o ver t he w or ld .

H e l oo ke d a ro un d, t ry in g t o w av e a wa y t he f li es t ha t s ou gh t t he b lo od o n h is c lo th es a nd h an ds . T he yhad left mythologicalCarthage shortly after attending a sacrifice, with no chance to wash.

T he y w er e i n a s or t o f c le ar in g, b ut o th er wi se S he a s aw n ot hi ng b ut f or es t i n a ll d ir ec ti on s. H e h ea rd

r us tl es and chi rp in gs , b ut excep t f or t he f li es and an o ccas io nal f lash o f w in gs , n o ani mal l if e w as v is ib le.

T he s ky wa s a pa le bl ue , a lmo st c loudl es s. By t he s un i t wa s s ome wha t pa st noo n. Fa r of f i n t he e as te rn

s ky Sh ea c oul d ma ke o ut w ha t m us t be a l ar ge bi rd, t he c ol ou r of a g aud y s uns et . No c lue s t he re .

T he l an d w as f ai rl y l ev el , b ut s lo pe d d ow nw ar d a t ri fl e t ow ar d t he s ou th . A s S he a w at ch ed , t he

previously motionless forest began to stir from that direction. Rabbits hopped, squirrels ran, and hec au gh t a g li mp se o f a f ox s li nki ng b y. A f ew m in ut es l at er t he y h ea rd s ho ut s a nd c ur se s; t he v oi ce s

sounded human.

Let s g et u nd er cov er , C halm er s s aid .

T hey cro uched b eh in d a w ai st -h ig h clu mp o f b us hes, t hi ck eno ug h t o s cr at ch s ki n, w hi ch o nl y

encou raged t he f li es . P resent ly t wo m en j og ged i nt o t he clear in g, b ot h car ry in g l on g s pear s w it h b ar bed

i r on h eads . T hey w or e w id e- s ki r ted, k nee-l eng th coat s, emb ro id er ed ar ou nd t he s l eeves and h em s,

baggy trousers, and calf-length boots. They had bushy beards, and wore large round fur caps.

T wo o th er s f ol lo we d, s im il ar ly a rm ed a nd d re ss ed . A ll a pp ea re d t o b e s ho rt o f b re at h. T he y a ls oa pp ea re d t o b e o f n or ma l p ro po rt io ns , n ot t he o ut si ze d h er oe s o f t heAeneid .

M or e c ri es a nd c ur se s, a nd a f ul l- gr ow n b ro wn b ea r, a t l ea st f iv e h un dr ed p ou nd s, l op ed i nt o t he

c le ar in g. I ts m uz zl e w as w et a nd i ts t em pe r o bv io us ly f ou l. T o S he a, w ho se h ea d w as a bo ut t wo f ee t

a bo ve t he g ro un d, i ts s ta in ed y el lo w c la ws l oo ke d a s l on g a s b ut ch er k ni ve s.

F ou r m or e m en f ol lo we d t he b ea r, a nd t hr ee o f t he m f lu ng t he ir s pe ar s. O ne g la nc ed o ff t he b ea r s

s ho ul de r. A s ec on d s tr uc k t he a ni ma ls s id e, b ut t he t hi rd , b ad ly a im ed , l an de d b es id e t he w at ch er s i n t he

t hi ck et , a l it tl e t oo c lo se t o S he a f or c om fo rt .

R em em beri ng h is l es so ns as A en eas s s pear -b earer, S hea s ei zed t he s ix -f oo t s haft . M ut teri ng :

Backw ar d, t ur n b ackw ar d. O s pear , i n t hy f li gh t,

S pe ed t o t hy t ar ge t a nd d im t he b ea rs l ig ht ,

He a im ed a ya rd f ro m a s pe ar le ss m an, a nd t hr ew .

T he s pe ar a rc ke d d ow n j us t c lo se e no ug h t o t he h un te r f or h im t o s na tc h a t i t, t he n s om er sa ul te d o n i ts

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point before he could grip it and hurled itself butt-first at the bear. It struck a skull-cracking blow to the

bears head,then dropped to the ground.

S ev en o f t he eig ht h un ters h as ti ly m ad e g es tu res o f avers io n, b ut t he eig ht h, t he l eader b y h is elabo rate

c oa t a nd h ig h e mb ro id er ed c ap , t hr us t h is s pe ar t hr ou gh t he b ea r s e ye . T he y a ll w ai te d a f ew m in ut es ,

but the bear stayed dead.

T he l ea de r g la nc ed a ro un d t he c le ar in g. Gr ee ti ng s a nd t ha nk s t o h e w ho h as h el pe d u s, h e s ai d i n a

s tr on g. reso nant v oi ce. I am I go r S vi at os lavi ch , P ri nce o f S ev er sk . P ray j oi n u s. Y ou h av e m y w or d t hat

y ou w il l n ot b e h ar med.

I n t he t hi ck et C halm er s l oo ked a l it tl e d ub io us .

Th ey k no w w e re h er e, a nd t he y c an a lw ay s p ro d u s o ut w it h t ho se s pe ar s, S he a r em in de d h im , a nd

rose.

At e ye l ev el , t he p ri nc e w as a g ood s ix f ee t t al l, w it h a s te m, nob le f ac e. App roa chi ng , She a s we pt ar es pect fu l b ow h e d cer tain ly h ad eno ug h p ract ice and C halm er s f ol lo wed.

I a m h on or ed t o h av e b ee n o f s er vi ce t o t he n ob le p ri nc e o f S ev er sk , S he a b eg an , t ry in g t o f ig ur e o ut

w he re a nd w he n S ev er sk m ig ht b e. S ev en s pe ar s a t h is b ac k d id n t h el p. Th is i s S ir R ee d C ha lm er s,

a nd I a m Si r H ar ol d Sh ea .

T he p ri nce h es it ated, th en ask ed i n a t on e t hat con veyed m or e s us pi ci on t han cou rt esy , Ah , h av e y ou n o

patronymic?

An dr e- iv ich, S hea s ai d, t acki ng o n t he S lavi c s uf fi x at t he l as t m in ut e. A nd m y col leag ue i s Reed ,uh

My fathers name was William. said Chalmers.

Ru ri k V as il yevi ch ! A n am e o f g oo d o men! t he p ri nce s ai d. T he t hu mp s b eh in d t hem t ol d S hea t hat

s pe ar s w er e b ei ng g ro un de d. Ho w d o y ou c om e t o b e i n t he f or es t? I go r c on ti nu ed . Yo u h av e n ot t he

aspect of hunters.

We a re , um , s chol ar s, f rom t he W es t, C ha lme rs a ns we re d. I f ea rw e , a h, l os t o ur wa y, a nd w ou nd up

here.

What was your destination?

We w er e t ry in g t o r each t he S il k E mp ir e, S hea s ai d, t ak in g i ns pi rati on f ro m I go r s cap as C halm er s s

inventiveness wore out.

Was t here t ro ub le alo ng y ou rw ay , t hat y ou d id n ot g o s ou th , t oC on st an ti no pl e ? A ny m er ch an t cou ld

h av e t ol d y ou t ha t e as tb ou nd c ar av an s s ta rt f ro m t he re , n ot t he l an ds o f t he R us .

Mer ch an ts i n t he w es t ar e v er y s ecreti ve,Y ou r H ig hn es s. T hey t el l s o m an y f ab ul ou s t al es abo ut t he

la nds t o the e as t that our supe riors have s ent us to see k t he t ruth.

T he p ri nc e l oo ke d d ub io us . Yo u c ar ry n o b oo ks o r p ap er , h e s ai d.

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W it h a s ig h f or h is l ib rary i nO hi o , S hea b eg an a p ol it e p reci s o f t he d if fi cu lt ies o f car ry in g v al uabl e and

fragile objects through unsettled lands

Th er ef or e, Y ou r H ig hn es s, w e k eep t hem s af el y, and p ul l t hem o ut o nl y w hen n eces sary . G es tu ri ng , h e

recited:

Who ha th a boo k ha th f ri en ds a t h and ,

A nd g ol d a nd g ea r a t h is c om ma nd

A nd r ic h e st at es i f he bu t l ook,

A re he ld by hi m wh o ha th a book,

A l eat her- bo un d, g ol d- st amp ed edi t io n o f t heAlmanach de Gotha p op pe d o ut o f t hi n a ir . S he a g ra bb ed

f or i t, c au gh t i t w it h o ne h and j us t b ef or e i t h it t he g ro un d, a nd n ea rl y d ro ppe d i t f ro m t he w ei gh t.

C ar ef ul ly u si ng b ot h h an ds , h e p re se nt ed t he s to ut v ol um e t o P ri nc e I go r. T he p ri nc e l oo ke d, b ut d id n ot

touch.

Th e R us h on or l earn in g, E go ro v A nd reiv ich. an d I w ou ld k no w m or e o f y ou , and y ou rs , t he p ri nce

said. You and Rurik Vasilyevich will dine with me tonight.

We a re h on or ed t o b e y ou r g ue st s, C ha lm er s s ai d.

* * *

Le avi ng a ll but t wo of hi s m en to s kin the be ar and ha ul the me at, Pr inc e I gor le d the wa y out of t he

c le ar ing. O nc e ou t t he re wa s a s ugg es ti on o f a pa th t o t he s out h, ve ry e as y t o m is s.

Do yo u h av e a ny i de as a bou t w ho t he se p eo pl e a re ? Sh ea a sk ed , a s t he y t ra il ed t he r es t of t he pa rt y.

No ne , e xc ep t t ha t t he y a re S la vs . I c an no t r ec al l a ny m yt ho lo gy o r w or k o f l it er at ur e w it h t hi s

background, Chalmers frustration was evident.your small magics have worked well, so far.

Literally, I should say.

Wh at l ed y ou t o t ry t ho se i n pa rt ic ul ar ?

S he a c on si de re d. W it h t he s pe ar .it w as a l it tl e i ns ur an ce f or s om et hi ng I w as p re tt y s ur e I c ou ld d o. T he

book well, I had to do something. Prince Igor sounded pretty suspicious. We dont want to get

l ocked u p f or s pi es , o r s om et hi ng .

At l ea st w e k no w w e s ha ll h av e t o b e c ar ef ul i n o ur ph ra si ng he re . E ve n a w is h m ig ht p ro du ce

something inappropriate

Th at s n ot hi ng n ew , D oc . B ut I l l k ee p em s ma ll a nd p re ci se f or t he t im e b ei ng . H e l oo ke d a he ad ; t he

f or es t w as t hi nn in g o ut . Mayb e d in ner w il l t el l u s s om et hi ng abo ut t hi s p lace. T hen h e l oo ked at t he

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Almanach de Gotha , w hi ch he di dn t kn ow h ow t o r et ur n. We n ee d s ome s or t of r ef er enc e s pe ll ,

D oc, f or p laces l ik e t hi s.

Ill think about it, Chalmers said.

On t he e dge of t he f or es t t he y pa ss ed a r ou gh t wo wh ee le d c ar t t o wh ic h a s ha ggy p ony w as h it ch ed . A

peasant lounged nearby. Igor sent them back up the forest trail.

A ft er l ea vi ng t he t re es , I go r l ed t he p ar ty a lo ng a s ma ll r ive r t hr ou gh a l og ge d o ff s tr et ch , t he n u p a

s teep is h i ncli ne t o a w al led com po un d s et again st ano th er s tand o f f or es t. I ns id e w er e abo ut s ix o ne- st or y

l og h ut s, w it h t hatched o r s hi ng led r oo fs .

P ri nc e I go r e nt er ed t he l ar ge st o ft he se , H e c am e b ac k t o t he d oo rw ay j us t a s t he p sy ch ol og is ts ,

beginning to pant from the hike and the climb, reached it. The prince offered a flat basket to Chalmers. It

con tain ed t wo s mall l oaves o n a coars e l in en n ap ki n, and s om e l ar ge g ray n ug gets o n ano th er .

Br ead and s alt , D oc, S hea m ut ter ed .Can t r ef us e.

D r. C ha lm er s l oo ke d a nn oy ed , b ut b ow ed , t oo k a l oa f, d ip pe d i t i n t he s al t, a nd c he we d c ar ef ul ly .

T o j ud ge f ro m h is r ea ct io n i t w as d ry b ut e di bl e. S he a f ol lo we d s ui t.

En ter m y h ou se, I go r s ai d w it h a s li gh t b ow , m ov in g b ack f ro m t he t hr es ho ld . Al th ou gh p er haps y ou

w ou ld c ar e t o v is it t he b at hh ou se f ir st , h e a dd ed .

The psychologists accepted this evidence of civilization with exclamations of gratitude. A servant

a pp ea re d i n t he d oo rw ay , a nd l ed t he m t o o ne o f t he s ma ll er b ui ld in gs i n t he c om po un d.

A t t he d oo rw ay h e a sk ed f or t he ir c lo th es , s ay in g t ha t c le an o ne s w ou ld b e p ro vi de d. S tr ip pe d t o t hes ki n, t he t wo e nt er ed .

I ns id e t he s te am w as s o t hi ck t he y c ou ld s ca rc el y s ee e ac h o th er , a nd s o h ot t ha t S he a s s in us es , w hi ch

h ad b eh av ed w el l i n o th er u ni vers es , g av e h im a p ai nf ul r em in der o f t heir exi st en ce. A n i mp recati on f ro m

Chalmers clued Shea to hispartners whereabouts.

Th e R us si an b at h h as a l on g w ay t o g o, t he y ou ng er m an a gr ee d.

G ro pi ng a bo ut , t he y f ou nd b en ch es , a nd w oo de n t ra ys h ol di ng a g re as y s oa p a nd b un dl es o f r ee ds .

T hese p ri mi ti ve s ub st it ut es f or I vo ry and w as hclo th s act uall y g ot r id o f b lo od and d ir t.

T hey als o g ot r id o f ach es and p ai ns , and p ro du ced a w on derf ul f eeli ng o f l as si tu de. S hea f ou nd h im self

d ro ws in g o n a b en ch , u ns ur e h ow l on g h e d b een s it ti ng t here.

E ve nt ua ll y t he y h ea rd t he s er va nt a sk i f t he y w er e t o c om e o ut . W he n t he y a ns we re d y es , t he o th er d oo r

o f t he b at hh ou se o pe ne d. T he y e xi te d o nt o a n o pe n p or ch , w he re t wo l ar ge a nd w el l- ai me d b uc ke ts o f

c ol d w at er w er e s pl as he d o ve r e ac h o f t he m.

C ha lm er s y el pe d, b ut t he c ol d w at er h ad s ho ck ed a m em or y i nt o S he a s c on sc io us m in d.

Doc , S he a s ai d, I t hi nk I kn ow wh er e we a re .

C halm er s l oo ked o ut i nq ui ri ng ly f ro m t he coars e l in en t ow el w it h w hi ch h e w as d ry in g h im self , as S hea

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r ea ch ed i nt o t he p il e o f t ro us er s, s hi rt s, c oa ts , a nd l ow b oo ts t he s er va nt h ad b ro ug ht .

Rememb er t hat cockt ai l p ar ty f or t he n ew f acul ty l as t f al l?

C halm er s n od ded. A w ealt hy alu mn us w ho h ad n ev er o ut gr ow n an ado lescen t p as si on f or T ol st oy h ad

r ecen tl y end ow ed a chair o f R us si an l it er at ur e. T he n ew i ncum bent w as an emi gr e w ho s ai d h e h ad t au gh t

a t t he I mp er ia l A ca de my o f S t. P et er sb ur g. I t m ig ht e ve n h av e b ee n t ru e, a nd h e w as c er ta in ly t he l io n o f t he p ar t y.

Everyone was following the elephantine choreography prescribed for such occasions when Professor

Z er en sk y s p at h i nt er se ct ed t ha t o f V ac la v P ol ac ek , t he b ad b oy o f t he G ar ad en I ns ti tu te . P ol it e

introductions had degenerated into aka t z en j a m m er c on du ct ed i n R us si an , a nd a t o ne p oi nt P ol ac ek

s ta rt ed t o t ak e o ff h is j ac ke t. S he a e lb ow ed h im o ut o f d an ge r, a nd a ft er t hr ea te ni ng t o a ll ow h im n ot hi ng

but water until he cooled off, asked what the fuss was all about.

Th at ( Sl av ic e pi th et ) h ad t he g al l t o s ay t ha t B or od in w as a b et te r c om po se r t ha n S me ta na l ( Mo re

S lavi c t hat S hea d id n t r eall y w an t t o h av e t rans lated. )

S hea h ad l earn ed , f ro m o ccas io nal d eali ng s w it h col leag ues at N ot re D am e, n ev er t o arg ue w it h

n at io nali st f an at ics. H e s ug gest ed t hat t he R ub ber C zech s ol ace h im self b y s ti ck in g t o P il sn er and

boycotting the vodka.

I w il l! P ol ac ek s ai d, a nd s tu ck t o i t.

It s t oo b ad P ol ac ek i sn t h er e, S he a c on cl ud ed . Th is c ol d w at er w ou ld b e j us t t he t hi ng f or h im .

I d o n ot c on si de r t he t he or et ic al v ir tu es o f t he c ol d b at h t o b e d em on st ra te d i n p ra ct ic e, C ha lm er s

r ep li ed . As F lo ri me l i s n ot h er e, t he i mp ul se i t i s s up po se d t o q ue nc h d oe s n ot a ri se . I f s he w er e, t he rew oul d b e e ve n l es s ne ed f or one .

Ah , r ig ht , D oc. B ut t hi s B or od in charact er P ro fess or Z er en sk y i ns ul ted V ot sy w it h at t hat p ar ty w el l,

hi s l as t w or k w as a n op er a c al le dPrince Igor . H e d ie d b ef or e h e f in is he d i t.

Yo u m ea n w e re i n a n o pe ra ? C ha lm er s c ri ed , i n t he t on e o f s om eo ne w ho e xp ec ts t he o ve rt ur e t o

T r is t an u nd I s ol d e t o b egi n a ny s ec on d a nd w ho c an t e sc ape . An dits i nc om pl et e? A h a re w e

expected to finish it?

I h op e n ot , S he a s ai d, w it h a s hu dd er . An yw ay , s om eo ne e ls e d id , a ft er h is d ea th . B ut i t w as b as edo n l eg en ds o f e ar ly R us si an h er oe s, s o w e re p ro ba bl y i n t ho se .

howearly? Chalmers asked.

I d un no . A l on g t im e b ef or e P et er t he G re at m ad e t he R us si an s s ha ve t he ir b ea rd s, a ny wa y.

Pe te r t he G re at a cc om pl is he d a g re at d ea l m or e t ha n t ha t, m y b oy . H e f ou nd ed t he R us si an n av y,

reorganized the military and civil administrations, and established the Imperial capital ofSt. Petersburg .

Well, itsneither Imperial, the capital, nor St.Petersburg anymore.

T he f oo tclo th s p ro vi ded w it h t he b oo ts w er e p uzzl in g t o m en accus to med t o s ocks .

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Uh , D oc , S he a s ai d, s tr ug gl in g w it h h is , ab ou t F lo ri me l. D o y ou t hi nk s he s . . . h er e? T he ir

d ep ar tu re f ro m t he w or ld o f t heAeniad h ad b ee n m ad e i n h as te a nd d is or de r, t ha nk s t o a v en ge fu l g od .

C ha lme rs f ac e w as a lmos t a s s te rn a s I gor s h is ve rs ion of the s ti ff uppe r l ip. If s he i sn t . . . wa s a ll

h e s ai d.

S he a l ac ed u p h is s ec on d b oo t, t he n r os e a nd c la pp ed C ha lm er s o n t he s ho ul de r. Le t s s ta rt l oo ki ng . I f n ot hi ng els e, w e can j oi n u p w it h o ne o f t ho se m er ch an ts I go r m en ti on ed . M eanw hi le, w e ve eat en h is

bread and salt, so lets see what else he has to offer.

Ready, Doc?

Quite, my boy, Chalmers replied, steadily enough.

* * *

T he s er vant l ed t hem b ack t o t he m ai n b ui ld in g. S hea r ecog ni zed t he b ig , b eehi ve-s haped s to ve i n t hecor ner ; acco rd in g t oNational Geographic , i t wa s s ti ll us ed in t he Rus si a of his own da y. The be nc he s

a nd t abl es we re of f ine ly pl ane d w ood, a nd t he re w as a n i co n o n t he e as t wa ll .

T he b ui ld in g w as w el l chi nk ed and h ad o nl y o ne w in do w. T ho ug h w ar m, b y H ar ol d S hea s s tand ar ds i t

w an ted a g oo d air in g.

D inn er wa s s mok ed v en is on , mo re of t he c oa rs e b re ad , a nd pl en ty o f m ea d, k va ss , a nd we ak a le . Th e

c up s a nd b ow ls w er e f in el y f in is he d w oo d, a nd s te el k ni ve s w er e p ro vi de d. S he a h ad t as te d w or se

m ea d, but t hi s wa s m uc h t oo s we et f or h is t as te s o he on ly s ipp ed.

W hi le t he y w er e e at in g, t he h un ts me n t ra il ed i n, b y w ay o f t he b at hh ou se . E ac h b ow ed t o t he i co n a ndt he p ri nce b ef or e s it ti ng d ow n. T wo j oi ned t he p sy ch ol og is ts at I go r s t ab le; t hey w er e i nt ro du ced as

Oleg Nikolaivich and Mikhail Sergeivich.

A pp ar en tl y i t w as c on si de re d b ad m an ne rs t o s pe ak w it h o ne s m ou th f ul l, b ut w or se m an ne rs t o h av e

an emp ty cup . T he r oo m b ecam e l ou d w it h t he s ou nd s o f cheer fu l d ru nk en ness , t he s cu rr yi ng f eet o f

s er vant s and t he s tu mb li ng o nes o f m en s eeki ng t he p ri vy .

I go r, a nd M ik ha il , a nd O le g a ft er t he y s at d ow n, w at ch ed t he t wo v is it or s c lo se ly . A s S he a a nd

C halm er s d id n ot hi ng m or e alarm in g t han eat , t he atm os ph er e at t he t ab le s oo n r el ax ed .

A ft er t he e dg e w as o ff , I go r a sk ed a n um be r o f s hr ew d q ue st io ns a bo ut t he ir o ri gi ns . S he a l ef t t he

a ns we rs t o C ha lm er s, w ho s ai d q ui te h on es tl y t ha t t he y w er e a dv en tu re rs w ho h ad s ee n m an y a s tr an ge

land.

I nd eed ,Y ou r H ig hn es s, w e h av e s een t he h ip po gr if f, r id den a f ly in g car pet, and d ru nk t he w in e o f t he

god s! M ay I t el l y ou a bou t ?

An ot hercu p, and y ou w il l h av e b at tl ed s or cerer s and t am ed w er ew ol ves, I go r i nt er r up ted. Do ub tl es s

you a ls o s aw t he f ire bi rd, a nd the Ya ga i n he r hut, whil e you we re in the f or es t. B ut t el l me by w ha t

r oa d di d you e nt er t he l ands of t he R us ? D id y ou c ome f rom Ga li ch, or by wa y of P ol ot sk?

Ah , w e c am e t he l on g w ay r ou nd , Y ou r H ig hn es s. W e w er e t ry in g t o a vo id t ro ub le .

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Wi se of you. But t hi s i s n ot t ro ubl e; you ha ve ye t t o me et t ha t. Now , t o ge t t o t he f or es t, you mu st h ave

passed Velikaya Klyucheva. How fared the harvest there?

Real ly , I am n ot a f ar mer, Y ou r H ig hn es s. I cou ld s ee n ot hi ng w ro ng .

Well , t hen, h av e y ou s een any b ur ned o r aband on ed v il lages?

No,Your Highness.

Any men mounted on small, shaggy ponies, riding without stirrups and often without saddles? They

w ou ld b e w ea ri ng r ag ge d c oa ts a nd t ro us er s, c ap s a nd b oo ts .a nd m an y l ay er s o f f il th . T he ir w ea po ns

w ou ld b e l on g k ni ves and cur ved b ow s.

Th ey s ou nd l ik e f ol k o ne w ou ld n ot car e t o m eet. Band it s?

Polovtsi.You saw none?

No,Your Highness.

Di d y ou e ve n p as s b y a ny o f t he ir c am ps it es ? T he y a re h ar d t o o ve rl oo k, f or o ne c an s me ll t he m t hr ee

days ride downwind.

I a m s ur e w e p as se d n ot hi ng o f t he k in d, Y ou r H ig hn es s.

Hi pp og ri ff s a nd f ly in g c ar pe ts y ou h av e s ee n, b ut n ot t he s co ur ge o f t he s te pp es ! A nd y ou c al l

yo ur se lv es s cho la rs ! Y ou d id n ot ne ed t o c om e s o f ar j us t t olearn ne w t al es t o s pi n f or y ou r s up pe r! S o

perhaps

A t t hi s p oi nt , t o t heps ycho lo gi st s r el ief , s om eo ne s tr uck u p agusla , a n i ns tr um en t t ha t l oo ke d l ik e a n ea r

a nc es to r o f t he b al al ai ka . T he n h e s ta rt ed a s on g t ha t h ad e ve ry on e l if ti ng t he ir c up s.

A s m or e of t he m en j oi ne d i n t he ne wc ome rs we re a bl e t o he ar t ha t i t w as a l is ti ng o f he roe s; a t e ve ry

n am e a c up w as d ra in ed . I go r a nd t he r es t d ra nk t o S vi at os la v o f K ie v, Y ar os la v t he W is e, M st is la v t he

B rave, ano th er S vi at os lav o f K iev, V sevo lo d o f S uzdal, and Y ar os lav o f G al ich. B ut w hen a cer tain O leg

wa s n am ed, I gor l ooke d mor os e, a nd hi s c up l os t i ts r hyt hm . N or di d he dr in k a ga in , a nd t he s ong

f al tered as o th er s f ol lo wed t he p ri nce. T he p layer end ed w it h a r oari ng p aen t oV ladi mi r t he G reat ,t hen

c al le d f or t he s in ge rs d ue . No f ew c up s we re s et be for e hi m.

I go r m ut tered cur ses again st ano th er l is t, s tart in g w it h B or is and O leg. Th ey w il l d o any th in g f or s il ver,

he gr owl ed. And yo u, who ha ve c ome s o f ar , a nd s ee n s o l it tl e, t el l m e a re you f or hi re a ls o?

S he a c ou ld n t t el l i f t he y w er e b ei ng i ns ul te d o r r ec ru it ed . We a re p le dg ed t o r et ur n t o o ur o wn l an ds i f

we li ve , but on a j our ne y s uc h a s t hi s, i t i s no di sgr ac e t o e ar n s om e e xt ra s il ve r.

F ur th er ami nadv er si on s w er e i nt er ru pt ed b y a s er vant w ho h as ti ly p as sed t he p ri nce s t ab le o n h is w ay

t o t he d oo r. Yo ur H ig hn es s , t he p ri nces s p er s on al g uard i s h er e!

T he s ou nd o f h oo fb ea ts a nd j in gl in g h ar ne ss n ow p en et ra te d t he n oi sy r oo m. I go r w ok e u p a nd s o d id

H ar ol d s c ur io si ty . H e h ad s ee n a p ri nc es s o r t wo i n h is t ra ve ls , a nd w on de re d h ow t hi s o ne w ou ld

measure up.

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W hen E up hr os in ia Y ar os lavn a ent er ed t he r oo m, all h eads t ur ned i n h er d ir ecti on . E very m an g ot t o h is

f ee t a nd b ow ed a s s he s al ut ed t he i co n. I go r l ef t t he t ab le a nd e mb ra ce d h er w ar ml y.

S he a nd h er e sc or t w or e t he b oo ts , t ro us er s, a nd c oa ts o f h un te rs ; t he e sc or t c ar ri ed l on gs wo rd s a nd

s hi el ds i ns te ad o f s pe ar s, a nd w or e m ai l. A ll h ad g ri m f ac es .

Th e P ol ov ts i att acked Y ur i t he R ed s est at e at N izhn i C hari ns k t wo d ay s ago , s he ann ou nced . Th eyw er e r eb ui ld in g t he p al is ad e aft er i t b ur ned l as t m on th , and w er e cau gh t com pl et el y o ff g uard .

F ro m t he c ur se s t ha t r en t t he a ir , t he p sy ch ol og is ts d re w t wo c on cl us io ns : t he P ol ov ts i h ad r ai de d a

sa fe l oc at io n, a nd t he y h ad n o b us in es s k no wi ng t ha t t he p al is ad e w as d ow n. S ur e e no ug h, t he w or d

sp ies cam e u p.

Yu ri s s on B or is r od e t o S ev er sk t o r ep or t, t he p ri nc es s c on ti nu ed . Th e r ai de rs t oo k t he e nt ir e

h ou seho ld ,i ncludi ng t hat y ou ng w om an w ho i s n ei th er R us n or P ol ov et s n or G reek n or any th in g els e w e

h av e b ee n a bl e t o d is co ve r.

Chalmers face suddenly matched Euphrosinias for grimness. Is she a small woman, Your Highness?

H is v oi ce d id n t b reak .Go od -l oo ki ng , v er y f ai r s ki n and b ro wn h ai r?

It s eems t hat y ou k no w h er , E up hr os in ia r ep li ed . Wh at i s h er n am e?

ladyFlorimel, Your Highness.

So i s s he na me d.

Wh at ? C hal mers v oi ce d id b reak.

Ca n s he t he y b e r an so me d o r r es cu ed ? S he a a sk ed , n ot in g t ha t m an y f ar f ro m f ri en dl y l oo ks

w er e n ow a im ed t he ir w ay .

Pe rh ap s, t he p ri nc e s ai d. Wh at i s s he t o y ou ?

Sh e i s S ir R eed s w if e, Y ou r H ig hn es s.

S he a d id n t n ot ic e a ny w ar mi ng o f t he a tm os ph er e, b ut I go r s ud de nl y g av e a b ar k o f l au gh te r.

So t ha t i s w hy y ou s ai d s o l it tl e! Re po rt s t o y ou r s up er io rs . Pi g s wi ll ! Yo u re t ryi ng t o f ind he r! Buth ow d id y ou w ha t h ap pe ne d?

Sh e w as s to len b y a p ow er fu l enemy , Y ou r H ig hn es s.

He m us t h av e b ee n. Y ou d on t l oo k i t, b ut I m t hi nk in g y ou a rebogatyri yourselves. He grinned.

Perh ap s y ou r eall y h av e s een h ip po gr if fs and t he r es t o f i t.

Re ga rd le ss , w e n ow h av e a c om mo n f oe . W e m us t r es cu e y ou r w if e a nd Y ur i s f am il y b ef or e t he y g o

t o t he K ra sn i P od ok s la ve m ar ke t. H e f il le d h is c up w it h a n u ns te ad y b ut p ra ct ic ed h an d a nd r os e o n s ti ll

more unsteady legs.

By O ur Lo rd wh o s ave d us , Hi s Mo th er wh o bor e Hi m, t he Sa int s who f ol lowe d Hi m, t he hon or of

Se ve rs k, a nd my own hon or a s i ts p ri nc e, I s we ar t ha t I wi ll d o a ll t ha t m ay be n ee de d, ye a unt o hol di ng

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m y o wn l if e as n au gh t, u nt il t he L ad y F lo ri mel i s r es cu ed f ro m h er cap ti vi ty amo ng t he P ol ov ts i.

T he n h e f el l f or wa rd o n t he t ab le a nd b eg an t o s no re . C ha lm er s l oo ke d s tr ic ke n, b ut t he o th er R us a t t he

t ab le , a ft er he ar ing t he s no re s, pa id no h ee d t o t he f al le n pr in ce . S he a t oo k a c los e l ook a nd a s tr ong s ni ff

Just drunk, he reassured his colleague.

Euphrosinia Yaroslavnas handsome face looked thoughtfully at Reed Chalmers hopeful one. Yous ho ul d k no w, s he s ai d. th at by b ot h t he l aw s a nd c us to ms o f t he R us , n o m an m ay b e h el d t o a ny th in g

he promises while drunk.

Sh ea t ho ug ht t ha t s po ke w el l f or t he g oo d s ens e of t he R us , b ut w as n t a bou t t o s ay s o, Wha t s ays t he

l aw ? h e ask ed , cov er in g f or C halm er s.

If t wo m en , b ot h b ei ng d ru nk c om e t o a n a gr ee me nt , a nd a ft er , w he n t he y h av e b ot h s le pt t he ir

d ru nk en ness o ff , o ne o f t hem i s n ot s at is fi ed w it h t he agr eement , i t s hall b e v oi d. H er f lu en t q uo tati on

g av e S he a s om e n ot io n o f h ow o ft en i t w as c it ed . By c us to m, n o v ow , c on tr ac t, o r p ro mi se i s v al id

u nl ess all p ar ti es are s ob er .

Th er e i s r ea so n t o g o a ft er t he m, C ha lm er s s ai d, h is v oi ce s ho wi ng t ha t h e d b ou nc ed b ac k, f or t he

m om en t. Fo lk o f t he R us w er e c ap tu re d t oo .

T he p ri nces s s hr ug ged h er elegant s ho ul ders . S he cou ld n t h ol da cand le t o B el p heb e w ere t hat l ad y

present, Shea decided, but she definitely held the eye on her own. There are boyars of princely houses

i n t he t en ts o f t he P ol ov ts i a t t hi s m om en t. Y ur i w as amuzh , ye s, but a bor de r l or d.

S he l oo ke d d ir ec tl y a t t he m; h er w or ds m ig ht g ive p ai n, b ut s he d id n t t ur n a wa y f rom h er vi ct im s, Don e

i s d on e. F or n ow , i t i s m or e i mp or ta nt t o p re ve nt f ur th er r ai ds . T he P ol ov ts i s ho ul d n ot h av e b ee n a bl e t o

s t ri ke t hi s clo se t o S ev er s k.

I n an academi c s ett in g, D r. S hea m ig ht h av e app reci at ed h er realpolitik . S he s ho we d m or e l og ic t ha n

most political commentators in the twentieth-centuryU.S. But thinking of Belphebe had triggered a gut

r ea ct ion: if s he we re i n a me ss , pol it ic s c oul d t ake a ba th unt il s he wa s out of i t. And Re ed Cha lm er s

w ou ld b ac k h im up .

E rg o, s in ce F lo ri me l i s i n a m es s, p ol it ic s c an t ak e t ha t s am e b at h, a nd I w il l b ac k R ee d. QE D.

Time for my realpolitik, Your Highness.

S he a s g ut h ad a ls o g en er at ed a n i ns pi ra ti on . H e l oo ke d i n t he k in dl in g b ox ( th e p ri nc e s t ab le w as c lo se

t o t he s to ve ). G oo d, i t h el d u np ee le d w il lo w b ra nc he s a s w el l a s b ir ch ba rk . N ow t o u nr uf fl e t he p ri nc es s

feathers . . .

If I m ay , Y ou r H ig hn es s, I w ou ld l ik e t o r et ur n H is H ig hn es s h os pi tali ty b y g iv in g h im a h eali ng d raug ht .

H e ne eds t o b e a bl e t o r ide t om or ro w, n o m at te r w he re h e g oe s.

I w il l w at ch y ou p re pa re i t, a nd yo u w il l d ri nk i t yo ur se lf be for e yo u gi ve h im a ny o f i t.

S he a h ad no p ro bl em w it h t ha t, a lt hou gh h e w is he d t he s am ova r w as n t s ti ll a f ew c en tur ie s i n t he f ut ur e.

Pl ea se a sk yo ur s er va nt t o b oi l wa te r i n a c le an pot .

W hi le t ha t w as b ei ng p re pa re d, S he a s tr ip pe d t he b ar k f ro m t he w il lo w b ra nc he s, a nd c ut a bo ut t wo

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dozen small pieces.

What are you doing? Chalmers murmured.

Us in g y ou r s yn th es is s pell t o m ak e asp ir in , D oc. M ar k t hese, p leas e; t he f or mu la i s C 9H 8O 4.

Ch al me rs pe rke d up a nd s et t o w or k wi th hi s kn if e, w hi le S he a s hr ed de d t he r es t o f t he b ar k. T he R usw er e q ui et , b ut S he a k ne w t ha t i f t hi s d id n t w or k, t he t ro ub le I go r h ad m en ti on ed w ou ld c om e, w it h a

vengeance.

A s er va nt , h is h an ds m uf fl ed i n r aw hi de , b ro ug ht i n a p ot o f w at er , S he a i nd ic at ed w he re i t s ho ul d go o n

t he t abl e, a f ai r d is ta nc e f ro m I go r. Th en he a rr ang ed t he m ar ke d pi ec es o f ba rk a ro un d i t, a nd dr op pe d

the re st of the bar k into the pot.

F in al ly , h e a nd C ha lm er s s to od o n e it he r s id e o f t he p ot , S he a r ec it in g, t he o ld er m an g es tu ri ng .

Wh en I c on si de r h ow m y l if e i s s pe nt ,

T he t im e i ll -u sed, t he w ealt h I f li ng ask an ce

O n f leet in g f ol li es t un ed t o m y o wn b en t.

O r j oi ned w it h o th er s, d an ce d el us i on s d an ce;

O Wi ll ow ! E mb le m o f t he s ou l s o wn t ea rs ,

O we ep w it h m e, a -p ent i n mi ne own s na re ,

Y et h ea li ng br in g l es t p re y t o m ine o wn f ea rs ,

I f al l i nt o the pi t of bl ac k de spa ir .

A lt ho ug h t hy l eaves o ur d rear y t ru th s b es peak ,

T hy b ar k, n ow s hr ed de d, s ba lm t o m ak e u s w ho le ,

This bitter draught gives strength, unlike the sweet

T as te o f t he m ea d, t o w hi ch o ur s tr en gt h p ay s t ol l.

C om e, p ri nce o f d ru gs ! T hy p ow er s u nl eas h, r es t or e

T o all w ho dr in k, s ob ri ety o nce m or e.

T he a tm os ph er e i n t he l od ge w as a ny th in g b ut s al ub ri ou s, b ut t he s pe ar s r em ai ne d s ta ck ed a nd t he

s wo rd s s he at he d. S he a c he ck ed t he p ot ; t he b ar k h ad s te ep ed . H e w ip ed h is c up a nd d ip pe d s om e o ut .

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Y eech !! I t t as ted v il e, b ut w ar med h is s to mach v er y n icel y. I n a f ew m in ut es h e f el t h is i ncip ient

s to ma ch ac he g o a wa y. H is h ea d f el t c le ar er t ha n e ve r.

H e h el d o ut t he cup t o t he p ri ncess . T he d raug ht , Y ou r H ig hn es s.

A ll h ea ds t ur ne d t o h er a ga in . S he d id n t h es it at e. Gi ve h im t he d ra ug ht , s he o rd er ed . If h e i s h ar me d,

y ou w il l b ot h b e f lo gg ed a nd y ou r e ye s b ur nt o ut w it h h ot i ro ns b ef or e y ou l os e y ou r h ea ds .

S he g es tu red, and M ik hail S er geiv ich r ai sed t he p ri nce.

Sh ea w as r el ie ve d t o s ee t ha t h e w as n ot u nc on sc iou s, j us t a sl ee p. He pu t t he c up t o I go r s l ip s; t he

prince swallowed by reflex. By the time it was empty he had opened his eyes.

Ga aa ah ! w as h is f ir st s ou nd , a nd Wa te r! h is f ir st w or d. T he w at er w as h as ti ly b ro ug ht , a nd t he h an ds

w hi ch h ad t ig ht en ed o n s wo rd hi lt s r el ax ed a t ri fl e, b ut d id n ot m ov e. I go r d ow ne d a p it ch er a nd p ar t o f a

s econ d ,t hen l o ok ed ar ou n d, co ld s o ber .

T he h an ds f el l away f ro m t he s wo rd hi lt s. T he p ri nces s s tared.

Di d y ou p repare t hi s d raug ht ? I go r ask ed t he p sy ch ol og is ts .

Yes,Your Highness.

It t as tes l ik e r ot ten m ar es mi lk . Y oubogatyri h av e s to mach s o f i ro n. H e s mi led b ro ad ly . Mi ne i s o nl y

tha t of a prince, but I owe you a boon. Ask what you wil l.

On ly t hat m y w if e b e r es cu ed ,Y ou r H ig hn es s, C halm er s s ai d, b ef or e t he p ri nces s cou ld r eco ver.

I go r r ep eated h is p revi ou s v ow , n ot as l ou dl y b ut w it h m or e d ig ni ty , as w el l as s ev er al emb el li sh ment s.

B y t he t im e h e h ad f in is hed, h al f t he r oo m w as cheer in g.

T he p ri nc e w as a ls o b eg in ni ng t o f in d c om pa ny i n s ob ri et y. T hr ee o r f ou r o f t he m en c am e u p t o t he

t ab le a nd d ip pe d t he ir c up s, a nd m an y a r es pe ct fu l, e ve n a we d, l oo k w as a im ed a t t he s tr an ge rs .

P ri nc es s E up hr os in ia g av e t he m a r es pe ct fu l no d, the n t ur ne d t o t he p ri nc e. Le t u s g o t o b ed , m y l or d

The mo rn in g i s w is er t ha n t he e ve ni ng , a nd t he re w il l b e m uc h t o d o.

I go r o ff er ed h is a rm . Gl ad ly , m y l ad y, h e s ai d, w it h m or e t ha n a s ug ge st io n o f a l ee r. H e e sc or te d h er out.

II

T wo d ay s l at er , H ar ol d S he a a nd R ee d C ha lm er s w er e r id in g w it h P ri nc e I go r s p ar ty e as tw ar d t o t he

D on c ou nt ry . I t w as a f in e d ay f or r id in g, c le ar a ndn ei th er t oo h ot n or t oo c ol d. T he t ra il s, t he o cc as io na l

w id e t ra il t ha t d es er ve d t o b e c al le d a ro a d, a nd t he s tr et ch es o f g ra ss la nd t he y f re qu en tl y h ad t o c ro ss

w er e all f ir m b en eath t he h or ses h oo ves.

Ju st as w el l w e re t id in g n ow . O leg N ik ol ai vi ch r em ar ked. In ano th er m on th , t wo at t he m os t, t hi s w il l

all b e m ud .

S he a p ar ap hr as ed a n o ld d es cr ip ti on o f a s wa mp . T oo t hi n t o r id e o n, t oo t hi ck t o r ow t hr ou gh .

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Oleg Nikolaivich grinned.

S hea f ou nd t he h ig h- cant led s ad dl e com fo rt ab le eno ug h, and w as g ratefu l t o b e i n a d im en si on t hat h ad

i nv en te d s ti rr up s. T he R us w er e c le ar ly e qu ip pe d t o p re ss h om e a c ha rg e w it h l an ce o r s wo rd , a s w el l a s

f ig ht f ro m a d is ta nc e w it h a t hr ee -f oo t bow . S om e of t he m a ls o c ar ri ed ba tt le -a xe s: Sh ea ha d ye t t o s ee a

mace.

Th ey a ll wo re ma il s hi rt s, o f v ar yi ng l en gt hs , s om e r ing m ai l a nd s om e m ad e of me ta l di sc s s ewn t o

l eath er b acki ng , o r s tr ip s o f m et al and l eat her w ov en t og et her. T heir h el mets w er e i ro n, o pen- f aced , and

pointed, with mail attachments to protect neck and throat. Their shields were kite-shaped, and the whole

eff ect r em in ded S hea s om ew hat o f t he B ay eu x T ap es tr y.

E xcep t t hat n o s el f- resp ecti ng N or man k ni gh t ever u sed a b ow . T he R us m ig ht h av e equ al ly g rand

n ot io ns o f h on or , b ut t ha t d id n t k ee p t he m f ro m r id in g o ut e qu ip pe d t o p ay h or se a rc he rs b ac k i n t he ir

own coin.

S he a h im se lf w or e o nl y a h el me t a nd a k ne e- le ng th m ai l s hi rt . H ed b uc kl ed o n h is b as ke t- hi ke d s ab er

a nd b or ro we d a d ag ge r, b ut r ef us ed a s hi el d.

I a m a cc us to me d t o f ig ht in g w it ho ut o ne , h e s ai d, a nd h is s ta tu s a s abogatyr r os e. S o h ad C ha lm er s ;

he wor e a s hor te r ma il s hi rt a nd a he lm et , but c ar ri ed onl y a da gge r.

T he y w er e n ot a ct ua ll y h ea de d f or t he P ol ov ts ic am p no p ri nc e o f t he R us w ou ld d o t ha t u nl es s h e

l ed a f ul l w ar p ar ty . I t w ou ld b e p ru de nt , P ri nc es s E up hr os in ia r em in de d I go r, t o s ee i f t he c ap ti ve s c ou ld

be ransomed. So a negotiating party of forty men was headed for a neutral spot on the west bank of the

Don, where the Polovtsi occasionally did some legitimate trading.

Th ey s ta ye d i n t he s ha dow of t he t re es a s l ong a s t he y c oul d, a nd I go r d ep loy ed s cou ts a c oup le o f

h ou rs r id e a he ad . H e f ea re d t re ac he ry , i t s ee me d.

So me o f t he b oy ar s and even t he p ri nces h av e f ou gh t w it h t he P ol ov ts i, h e exp lain ed . Yo u s el do m

k no w w ho s t ur ned h is coat u nt il t hey att ack.

S he a w is he d h e k ne w m or e o f t hi s c on ti nu um . H e v ag ue ly r ec al le d t ha t i n t he o pe ra , P ri nc e I go r h ad

been a Polovets captive.

Wh at i s w or se , I go r c on ti nu ed , is t he w ay t he R us f ig ht e ac h o th er . I f w e p ut o ur j oi nt s tr en gt h a ga in stt he P ol ov ts i w e cou ld cru sh t hem. B y S ai nt V ladi mi r! M y g rand fath er O leg S vi at os lavi ch , cur se h is n am e,

f ou ght a ga in st t he l as t G re at P ri nc e o f K ie v. N ow I m us t n eg ot ia te n ew a ll ia nc es e ac h t im e I f ac e p er il ,

i ns te ad o f be in g s ur e o f s up po rt f ro m a ll t he p ri nc es o f t he R us .

If t he P ol ov ts i a re s uc h b ad n ei ghb or s, S he a a ske d, wh y w il l a ny o f t he R us de al w it h t he m?

They want Polovtsi slaves, Igor said shortly.

S he a a nd C ha lm er s d is cu ss ed t hi s l at er i n t he d ay .

It s ou nd s as I f t he R us n ev er l earn ed abo ut h an gi ng t og et her o r h an gi ng s ep ar at el y, S hea s ai d.

Th ey d id n t, C halm er s r ep li ed . Ru ss iawas n ev er u ni ted u nt il t he G rand D uk es o f M os co w t oo k a

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h an d. T hat s w hy t hey s ty led t hems el ves t he Czar o f all t heRu ss ias . P lu ral.

Bu t n o o ne s m en ti on ed Mo sc ow , D oc . D oe s i t e ve n e xi st h er e?

I d on t k no w. B ut I m p re tt y s ur e a bo ut t he s la ve s.

Russias always been huge, Harold. Until the railroad and telegraph were invented,Its eastern frontierwas just like our wes t dangerous , but a pla ce to r un away and not be found if you didnt want to be.

To p revent t he f ar mers , t he p easant s, f ro m d oi ng j us t t hat, Ru ss ia s tu ck w it h s er fd om a l ot l on ger t han

m os t cou nt ri es . I t w as n t o ff iciall y end ed u nt il t he r ei gn o f C zar A lexand er I I, w el lI nt o t he n in et eent h

century.

Ye ah , b ut w ha t d oe s t ha t h av e t o d o w it h P ol ov ts i s la ve s?

It s ou nd s a s I f t he se bo ya rs a nd pr inc es a re t ry in g t o e ns ur e a l abo r s upp ly, a nd a re not t oo s cr upu lou s

abo ut i t s s ou rce.

T here w as s il en ce, as b ot h m en r em em bered t hat t he s up pl y i nclu ded F lo ri mel.

T he y j ou rn eye d f or n ea rl y t en d ay s, s le ep in g i n t he ir c lo ak s a nd e xi st in g f or t he m os t p ar t o n s mo ke d

m ea t a nd j ou rn eyb re ad . T he y m ad e f ir es a nd di d s om e h un ti ng w hi le i n t he s he lt er o f t he f or es t, bu t o nc e

on t he s te ppe , t he d ry gr as s a nd t he c ha nc e o f be in g s ee n ma de f or c ol d m ea ts a nd ni ght s.

S hea o ccas io nall y v is it ed h is f am il y i nS t. L ou is b y w ay o fC hi cago , and h e w as all t oo f am il iar w it h t he

h yp no ti zi ng s am en es s o f R ou te 6 6. M il e aft er i nt er ch an geab le m il e o f f ield and s ky m ad e t he t ri p s eem

l ik e t hr ee t ho us an d m il es , n ot t hr ee h un dr ed . H e w as t ru ly g ratefu l f or t he s uccess io n o f t ow ns and

c ou nt ry c ro ss ro ad s, w hi ch p ro ve d h e w as n ot j us t s it ti ng i n t he s am e s po t, a nd c ou ld e ve n m us te r u ps om e g rati tu de f or t he f ar m m achi nery amb li ng alo ng . H av in g t o w at ch f or t ract or s d id f ocus h is att en ti on .

I h op e n o o ne e ve r b ui ld s o ne o f t ho se G er ma n a ut o- ba hn s d ow n h er e, h e r em em be re d t hi nk in g. N o

o ne c ou ld s ta y a wa ke l on g e no ug h t o r ea ch St L ou is .

On ce ou t of t he f or es t, t he j our ne y t o t he Do n w as Ro ut e 66 c ube d a nd s qu ar ed . T he gr as s wa s t ur ni ng

pale as autumn came on, but was dotted with wildflowers. Sky and grass, grass and sky the

o cc as ion al r us tl e o f r ab bi t i n t he g ra ss o r o ut li ne o f b ir d a ga in st t he s ky d id n ot hi ng t o d is tu rb t he ir e te rn al

immensity.

I m g la d I m n ot s co ut in g, S he a t ol d C ha lm er s a s t he y m ad e c am p o ne n ig ht . I d h av e t o s pe nd s o

much time on antihypnotic techniques that Id never spot anything.

As the s un r os e on t he t ent h da y, t he y s aw t he gl int of t he Don i n t he di sta nc e. The wi nd ble w f rom t he

e as t, a nd t he O hi oa ns d is co ve re d t ha t I go r h ad b ee n r ig ht a bo ut o ne t hi ng . Y ou c ou ld s me ll a P ol ov ts i

c am p along way downwind.

T he p ri nc e r ai se d t he t ra de -t ru ce b an ne r, a y el lo w t ru mp et o n a f ie ld t ha t m us t h av e b ee n i nt en de d t o b e

whi te ,the n s lo we d t he p ac e o f t he a dv an ce t o a n a mb le . E as in g i nt o t he s me ll m ad e i t n o e as ie r t o g et

u se d t o.

Anything in your repertoire for this, Doc?Shea asked.

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Un fo rt un at el y, t hi s s ti nk i nt er feres w it h o nes l og ical f acul ti es . M or eo ver, I s us pect t hat s in ce t he o do r

h as e nt ir el y n at ur al c au se s, t he o nl y w ay t o o ve rc om e i t w ou ld b e t o p la nt a p os th yp no ti c l ov e o f

cleanliness in every Polovets.

A bo ut t hr ee h ou rs a ft er s un ri se S he a s en se d t ha t h is m ou nt w as w al ki ng o n s of te r g ro un d, a nd h e b eg an

t o h ea r t he c ry o f m ar sh bi rd s, By t he t im e t he y s to pp ed f or n oo n r at io ns , t he y c ou ld a ll s ee w he re s ta nd s

of br us h a nd t al l g ra ss br ok e t he s te ppe a nd ma rk ed t he b an ks of t he D on . T he a ir ha d gr ow n m or eh um id as t hey m ad e t heir w ay eas t, b ut t he i ncreas ed m oi st ur e d id n ot hi ng t o b lu nt t he s mell .

T ha t a ft er no on , S he a g ot h is f ir st l oo k a t t he r iv er . T he D on w as b ro ad a nd p la ci d, s ee mi ng ly u nt ou ch ed

by humans. It was totally unlike theMississippi atSt. Louis , fringed with piers, spanned by bridges loaded

w it h t rain s, car ry in g s qu ad ro ns o f b ar ges and t ow bo at s .But this river can still flood , S hea r emi nd ed

himself,though it looks to be at low water now . T he p sy ch ol og is t h ad d on e h is s hare o f s an db ag gi ng

before leavingSt. Louis .

T hey f in al ly amb led i nt o t he P ol ov et s cam p abo ut t wo h ou rs b ef or e s un set. A t t hat p ar ti cu lar s po t t he

D on c ur ve d i nt o a m in ia tu re b ay , w hi ch m ad e i t e as ie r t o w at er h or se s. T he re w er e n o p er ma ne nts tr uctu res, b ut t he g rass w as cru sh ed , and t he g ro un d d im pl ed h er e and t here w it h f ir ep it s.

Some thirty Polovtsi were waiting, mostly mounted. They looked remarkably similar, all with dark

s ha gg y h ai r a nd m ou st ac he s. T he ir r id in g c oa ts a nd b re ec he s w er e s im il ar t o t ho se o f t he R us , a nd t ho se

w ho d id n t w ea r t he c ap s I go r h ad d es cr ib ed w or e l on g p oi nt ed h oo ds t ha t t ie d u nd er t he c hi n.

P ol ov et s s ad dl es , w hen t hey w er e u sed, w er e l eath er p ad s d an gl in g r ag ged s ti rr up s o f t he s am e m at er ial.

F ew o f t he r id er s w or email, a ll a ll t he y c ar ri ed b es id es b ow s a nd q ui ve rs w as e it he r l on g k ni ve s o r s ho rt

swords.

L oo ki ng a t t he P ol ov ts i, S he a r ea li ze d t he v ar ie ty o f p hy si ca l a pp ea ra nc e a mo ng t he R us . T he re w as abushy though well-groomed beard on every chin, but their hair ranged from dark to blond and they

s how ed a w ide r an ge o f h ei gh ts a nd b ui ld s. T hi s m igh t l ook n or ma l t o a n A me ri ca n, b ut n ot t o a t ri ba l

people.

M ul ti pl y t hi s l ot , t he p sy ch ol og is t t ho ug ht , and y ou u nd er st an d w hat s tart s t he l eg en ds abo ut enemi es

w he re t wo s pr ing u p f or e ve ry o ne s la in .

T he P ol ov et s l ea de r, w ho w or e a r id in g c oa t s ti ff w it h e no ug h d ir t t o b e h al f- de ce nt a rm or , a nd l ot s o f

t ar ni sh ed g ol d a nd s il ve r j ew el ry , r od e o ut o n a s ha gg y s te pp e p on y. B es id e h im o n a no th er p on y r od e a

f ig ur e, r ec og ni za bl e i n s pi te o f h is d ir ty r ob e, t ha t t he O hi oa ns h op ed t he y d s ee n t he l as t o f a d im en si onor t wo a go.

R ecog ni zi ng M al am br os o w as all t hey h ad t im e f or , b ecau se t he P ol ov et s chi ef tain h ai led t hem.

Wh at b ri ng s t he n ob le p ri nc e o f S ev er sk t o m y t en ts ? h e s ai d.

T o S he a s s ur pr is e, I go r k ep t h is t em pe r. It s ee ms , c hi ef ta in , t ha t s om e o f m y g oo ds f ou nd t he ir w ay t o

your tents.

S uavi ty w as n ot t hech iefs s tr on g p oi nt . Dare y ou claim any th in g o f m in e, y ou s el f- geld ed eun uch o f a

Rus? Your tongueWill be next!

I go r i gn or ed t hi s. Th os e w ho s teal r at her t han f ig ht in g f or t heir b oo ty are b an di ts , n ot w ar ri or s, Th os e

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w ho l ea d b an di ts a re n ot c hi ef s. Ca n on e be s ur e t he y a re e ve n wa rr io rs ?

As k t he s pi ri ts o f y ou r d ea d a bo ut t he P ol ov ts i, o h p ri nc e o f w in dy w or ds ! W ar ri or s a nd f re e m en a re

w e a ll , a nd w e s ta nd b y e ac h o th er a ga in st a ll e ne mi es .

So? We ll , i f o ne s na ke c an s pe ak f or a ll , t he n I ne ed n ot l ook f or a p ar ti cul ar t hi ef . I m ay d ema nd t he

r et ur n o f m y g oo ds f ro m any .

T he g oods of o ur f oe s a re our s t o p lunde r a t w il l. But a s y ou h ave c ome unde r t he t ruc e ba nne r, I wi ll

n ot r ef us e o ut ri gh t. Y ou a sk m e t o p ut m ys el f t o s om e t ro ub le , a nd f or t ha t t ro ub le I w an t t wi ce e ig ht y

grivnas .

Than twice the blood price of my bailiff!Twentygrivnas f or t he r et ur n, ali ve and u ni nj ur ed , o f all t he

captives taken at Nizhni Cherinsk.

Yo u a sk f or t he o ne s f ro m a p ar ti cu la r r ai d? W e a re w ar ri or s, n ot s cr ib es w ho s it a bo ut s cr ib bl in g l is ts !

Onl y a f ool woul d e xpec t us t o t el l one lot f rom a not he r? You a sk of me a l ong j ourne y, ma ny s lave sc om e i n e ac h d ay , a nd t he da y w e me et t he tr ad er s a pp ro ac he s.

A G re ek t ra de r w oul d p ay o ne h un dr ed, f or wh at y ou a sk . Y ou s ay t he R us a re b et te r t ha n t he G re ek s.

S o p ay m e t wi ce s ix ty .

Fo rt y, yo u s on of a s he -a ss .

F ro m I go r s s li gh tl y r el ax ed s eat and w an deri ng att en ti on amo ng m en o n b ot h s id es , S hea g at hered t hat

t he t wo l ea de rs e xpe ct ed t o be a t i t f or a w hi le . The f ig ur e a t t he c hi ef ta in s s id e ba ck ed hi s hor se a nd

d is mo un ted, as i f t o r el ievehimself . T he p sy ch ol og is ts d rew o ff a l it tl e, f or p ri vacy .

At l ea st w e k no w w he re h e i s, D oc , S he a s ai d. C ha lm er s t ho ug ht s a pp ea re d t o b e i ne xp re ss ib le , b ut

deadly.

F lo ri mel s abd ucto r, t he w izard M al am br os o, d is ap pear ed i nt o a cl um p o f b ru sh . W hen h e h ad n ot

c om e o ut a ft er t he n ex t t hr ee e xc ha ng es b et we en t he p ri nc e a nd t he c hi ef ta in , S he a d ec id ed t o f ol lo w.

Wh at i f h e s s et ti ng a t ra p? C ha lm er s a sk ed .

He can t t rap u s w it ho ut t rapp in g all t he R us . I f t hat cos ts t he chi ef tain a p ro fi tabl e d eal, t he chi ef tain w il l

be angry. He doesnt look like like somebody I would want mad at me, and Malabrosos not an idiot.

C ha lm er s l oo ke d m ol li fi ed . S he a t ur ne d h is h or se a nd u rg ed i t t o a w al k, t ow ar d t he c lu mp . On e f or a ll

a nd a ll f or o ne , D oc ! h e c al le d b ac k o ve r h is s ho ul de r.

M an eu ve ri ng t he h or se b et we en t an gl es o f t al l g ra ss , S he a f el t a s en sa ti on , a s i f h e w er e e nt er in g a n

i nv is ib le t en t. E very th in g s eemed q ui et . H e g rasp ed t he h il t o f h is s wo rd and l oo ked aro un d.

M al am br os o w as t we nt y f ee t a wa y, p ac in g r es tl es sl y. S he a s aw t ha t s om e o f t he d ir t o n t he w iz ar d s

s ki n w as m ob il e, and h as ti ly b acked h is h or se.

I k ne w y ou d b e c om in g s o I p ut u p a s ee -t he -e xp ec te d s pe ll , M al am br os o s ai d. Al l a ny on e o n e it he r

s id e w il l s ee i s t hi s clu mp . H e s ho ok h is h ead v ig or ou sl y. Th at i ro n b at hr ob e y ou r e w eari ng d oes n ot

become you.

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Th at c oo ti e s ar k d oe sn t d o m uc h f or y ou , S he a r ep li ed , r el ea si ng h is g ri p o n t he h il t. Wh at a re y ou

d oi ng i n s uc h c om pa ny ? C om e t o t hi nk o f i t, h ow di d y ou ge t h er e i n t he f ir st p la ce ?

M al am br os o g av e t he g rand fath er o f all s ig hs , b ut con ti nu ed p acin g. Yo u r em em ber F rest on s , ah,

unfortunate demise?

I d o, S he a s ai d.

F rest on w as a d em on w ho , t ri ck ed b y R eed C halm er s i nt o com mi tt in g g oo d s uf fered t he u lt im at e

penalty. The demon wasnt the only one who suffered; Chalmers and Shea, Florimel, and Malambroso

w er e f lu ng s ep ar at el y f ro m a w or ld i n w hi ch D on Q ui xo tewas i ts g reat es t k ni gh t and n ot a m ad man s

d el us io n, t o t ha t o f t heAeneid .

W el l, I w ou nd u p i nT ro y als o, and s hi pp ed o ut w it h a chi ef n am ed A gamemn on . I j um ped s hi p i nE gy pt

with a bunch of the loot: I figured it was a good place to hole up.

S hea r eg rett ed t hat M al am br os o h ad n ot con ti nu ed t oM ycenae w it h A gamemn on . I f h e h ad ,

C ly temn es tr a m ig ht h av e d is po sed o f h im p er manent ly . A ccor di ng t o t he G reek l eg en ds , s hed m ad e a

pretty thorough sweep of her latehusbands cronies.

Malambroso smirked. Then I bargained with Hermes the Lightfingered. Ten percent of everything I

t oo k i n e xc ha ng e f or ne ws of v is it or s f ro m o th er c ont in ua . I b ar ga in ed h im do wn t o f iv e w he n I h int ed

t ha t t he y m ig ht b e t he a dv an ce p ar ty f or n ew g od s.

Bu t y ou c an t d ep en d o n t ho se O ly mp ia ns . B y t he t im e I f ou nd o ut w ha t y ou d b ee n u p t o y ou d

alr eady l ef t, alt ho ug h H er mes d id d ro p m e o ff i n t he s am e u ni vers e.

I w ou nd u p o n t he e dg e o f t he s te pp e, a nd s ta rt ed l oo ki ng f or F lo ri me l. I f ou nd h er a t Y ur i D im it ri vc h s

e st at e, b ut I c ou ld n t a ff or d t o h av e h er r ec og ni ze m e. S he w as e st ab li sh ed e no ug h t o h av e m e

i mp ri so ned. A nd I d id n t, ah, w an t t o t ry amn es ia s pell s b ef or e p ract icin g w it h t he m ag ic o f t hi s w or ld .

Yo u d on t s ee m t o h av e l ea rn ed m uc h, S he a s ai d, i nc re as in g h is d is ta nc e a s t he w iz ar d t oo k a s te p

forward.

Magi c amo ng t he R us i s com pl icat ed , M al am br os o r ep li ed . Many o f t hem are s tr on gl y p io us , w hi ch

can cau se s pell s t o h av e, u m, u ni nt en ded r es ul ts . T hi ng s are eas ier amo ng t hese P ol ov ts i. T heir o ld

c us to ms a nd t ab oo s a re b re ak in g d ow n, t ha nk s t o t he w ea lt h g ai ne d f ro m r ai di ng s et tl ed a re as a ndproviding slaves for the trade. They want spells for spying and battle-luck, things like that.

Wh y d id n t y ou j us t g ra b F lo ri me l a nd r un ? S he a a sk ed . Or a re y ou a s la ve , t oo ?

No , no. I a m t he c hi ef ta in s c ouns el or , a nd e xp ec te d t o a tt end hi m a t a ll t ime s. Af te r I w as , e r,

c ap tu re d, a nd h ap pe ne d t o m en ti on t he , e r, b ur ne d p al is ad e, I a m c on si de re d t o b ri ng g oo d l uc k.

We re y ou t he re w he n s he w as c ap tu re d?

Of c ou rs e. I ha d s ome i de a of r unni ng of f wi th he r dur ing t he r ai d, but I had not the n worke d out a s pel l

f or l ea vi ng t hi s w or ld . N or ha ve I b ee n a bl e t o pe rs ua de t he c hi ef t o gi ve he r t o m e. T he se pe opl e a re

q ui te m er cenary ; t hey i ns is t o n cas h d ow n.

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Ah, has s he bee n hurt i n any wa y?

No , n o. T he chi ef tain , at l east , u nd er st an ds t he m ar ket v al ue o f u nd am ag ed m er ch an di se. T he cap ti ves

ar e gua rded by e unuc hs . And I have not bee n a ble to get he r away. She a nd t he ot he r women ge t

t og et he r a nd t ak e t ur ns c al li ng o n t he s ai nt s t o k ee p t he m s af e. M al am br os o l oo ke d s ou r. Be si de s, s he

has developed much skill in biting.kicking , and screaming.

Sh ea wo nd er ed j us t ho w h e h ad f ou nd t ha t ou t.

Wh y are y ou t el li ng m e all t hi s?

Becaus e F lo ri mel h as a m os t u nf or tu nate h ab it o f l oy al ty .S he w on t d eser t t ho se s he con s id er s h er

c om ra de s. A nd o nc e s he s s ol d d o yo u kn ow h ow ha rd i t i s t o r es cu e a s la ve a ro und h er e? No wh er e

t o r un , n ow her e t o h id e, and every bo dy s o s ol icit ou s o f every on e els es p ro pert y r ig ht s .

Ye ah , t he se b as ta rd s s ur e a re .

Well, they are among themselves, and confound it! (althoughthat wasnt exactly what Malambroso

said).

T he w izar d s lapp ed h im self i n a s en si ti ve s po t, and t he t en t eff ect d is ap pear ed . S hea cou ld h ear n or mal

background noises again, and the bargaining had risen to bellowing. With a last glance at Malambroso,

w ho d ef in it el y h ad a nt s, i f n ot s om et hi ng b ig ge r, i n h is p an ts , S he a r od e b ac k t o t he R us .

I go r s m en h ad p ul le d t he ir h el ms l ow o ve r t he ir e ye s, s o t ha t m ig ht h ave b ee n t he o nl y r ea so n t he y

s eemed t o l oo k s us pi cio us l y at S hea.

M in us t he i nf es tati on , C halm er s w as as u neas y as h is enemy . Th is l oo ks m or e l ik e a chall en ge t han atrade, he whispered.

O r a t r ap , S hea n ot ed. Ev er yo ne w ho h ad b een r id in g w it h b ow s u ns tr un g h ad n ow s tart ed s tr in gi ng

t he m. T ho se w ho se b ow s w er e a lr ea dy s tr un g s ee me d t o b e d is pl ay in g g re at i nt er es t i n t he n um be r o f

arrowsIn their quivers.

A l ou sy s on o f a m an gy s he-g oat ,am I ? t he chi ef tain b el lo wed. I ll s ho w y ou , y ou d un g- wean ed

boars get of a Rus!

S he a b ra ce d f or a n a rr ow i n h is m ai l o r i n h im , b ut n ot hi ng h ap pe ne d y et . I ns te ad t he c hi ef ta ins ho ut ed s om et hi ng l ou d b ut w or dl es s. A ll t he P ol ov ts i w ho h ad n t m ou nt ed n ow d id s o. T he o nes alr eady

m ou nt ed s tart ed s hi ft in g o ut ward , t o t he f lank s. T he P ol ov ts i w ou ld b e s tr et ch ed t hi n, b ut t hey w ou ld b e

a bl e t o h it t he B us w it h a rc he ry f ro m t hr ee s id es , a nd d is pe rs e r ap id ly i f t he R us c ha rg ed i n a ny o f t he

three directions.

T he p sy ch ol og is t l oo ked b eh in d h im . T he R us als o k new w hat t hey w er e d oi ng . S ev er al b ow sh ot s away,

t he s co ut s w ho d l ed t he w ay t ow ar d t he c am p a nd t he n s to pp ed w er e s pr ea di ng o ut . T he y w oul d b e

a bl e t o c ov er t he r et re at .

E xc ep t t ha t I go r d id n t l oo k l ik e a m an p la nn in g t o r et re at . L an ce s w er e c om in g o ut o f t he ir s li ng s a nd

t he f ad in g d ay li gh t s park ed r ud dy f ir e f ro m s teel p oi nt s. I f t he R us cou ld g et t o clo se q uart er s w it ho ut

l os in g t oo m an y m en t o archery , t heir arm or and l on ger r each w ou ld g iv e t hem an adv an tage. T he

P ol ov ts i w er e g oi ng t o h av e t o f ig ht t heir w ay o ff t hi s b at tl ef ield .

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S he a s cr at ch ed h is s un bu rn ed n os e. H e w as g oi ng t o h av e t o f ig ht h is w ay i nt o t he r an ks o f t he P ol ov ts i,

o r l os e h is u se fu l r ep ut at io n a s abogatyr . He wis hed for a he lmet with a nasal to keep his nose from

leading the way.

H el l, h e w is hed ( as h e h ad d on e at o th er t im es ) t hat h e d g iv en u p s yl lo gi sm ob il in g acr os s t he con ti nu a

a ft er h e d m ar ri ed B el ph eb e! H e w an te d t o s ee h er . H e w an te d t o s ee t he ir c hi ld , o th er c hi ld re n, the ir grandchildren.

N ot t o m en ti on t hat an all -o ut f ig ht n ow w ou ld p ro babl y end any chances o f r es cu in g F lo ri mel. H e cou ld

s ee w ha t t ha t t ho ug ht w as d oi ng t o C ha lm er s; t he o ld er m an s f ac e w as e ve n g ri mm er t ha n b ef or e.

S he a l oo ke d a t h is c ol le ag ue . Do c, m ak e y ou r p as se s!

Shea hastily began reciting:

O wo ul d s om e p ow er t he gi ft ie g ie t he m

T o s ee t he ms el ve s a s o th er s s ee t he m!

From manya hurtful notion free them!

T he t ru th m ak e k no wn ;

T he s ig ht o v er mi n car ri ed w i t hem

T o t he m b e s ho wn !

A P ol ov et s b ow ma n, s tr et ch ed t o t he l im it , s ig ht ed a lo ng h is a rm . I t m ig ht h av e j us t b ee n S he a s

i magi nati on , b ut h e s eemed t o b e aim in g at I go r.

T he n t he ma n s ee me d t o t ur n t o s tone , e xc ept fo r hi s e ye s, whi ch gr ew v er y w id e. A m ome nt l at er , h e

r ea ni ma te d h im se lf a nd l et o ut t he s cr ea m o f a b an sh ee w it h a m ig ra in e h ea da ch e.

T he s cr ea m w as o nl y t he f ir st o f m an y, n ot t o m en ti on s ho ut s a nd c ur se s. A ll t he P ol ovt si g re w

bug-eyed, and some of them leaped from their horses to roll frantically on the ground. One of them rolled

i nt o a c am pf ir e a nd ou t t he ot he r s id e, j um pi ng up w it h h is c lo th es o n f ir e.

H e t hr ew h im self d ow n again , r ol led u nt il t he f lames w er e o ut ,t hen r an o ff t ow ar d t he r iv er , t eari ng o ff h is

c lot he s a s h e r an.

H e w as n t t he o nl y o ne. P ol ov ts i s watt ed, p un ch ed and cl aw ed at th em selv es , m ak in g t heir r ag ged

c lo th es e ve n m or e s o. S om e d re w t he ir k ni ve s a nd s ta rt ed s la sh in g a t t he ir g ar me nt s o r e ve n s ta bb in g a t

t he ms el ve s, a lt ho ug h S he a n ot ed t ha t n on e o f t ho se s ee me d t o h it a v it al s po t.

H ar dl y a ny of t he Pol ovt si pa id a ny a tt ent ion t o t he ir hor se s, a nd i t woul d ha ve b ee n a wa st e o f t ime t o

d o s o. T heir r id er s app ar en tl y g oi ng m ad h ad t ho ro ug hl y s po ok ed all t he p on ies, and t hey w er e r un ni ng

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o ff as f as t as t he P ol ov ts i t hems el ves. S om e o f t he p on ies t hr ew t heir u ncar in g r id er s o ff ; o th er s d id n t

bother with that courtesy and ran away with them.

S he a t oo k a f ir m g ri p on h is o wn m ou nt s r ei ns , t hr us t h is o wn f ee t e ve n m or e f ir ml y i nt o t he s ti rr up s, a nd

t ri ed n ot t o l au gh .

I n w ha t m us t ha ve b ee n l es s t ha n f iv e m in ut es , t he c am p a re a w as c om pl et el y e mp ty o f l iv e, o r a t l ea stcon scio us , P ol ov ts i. A cou pl e l ay s tari ng at t he s ky , aft er s tabb in gt hems el ves o r p er haps k no ck in g

themselves silly falling off their horses.

T he c hi ef ta in a nd a ll t he r es t o f h is b an d w er e e it he r h ea di ng t ow ar d t he r iv er o r a lr ea dy i n i t. S he a s aw

h ea ds b ob bi ng a ro un d a nd c lo ud s o f s pr ay a s P ol ov ts i w ar ri or s t ri ed t o s cr ub t he ms el ve s c le an o f w ha t

t he y d s ee n. S om e o f t he h or se s h ad r un c le ar o ut o f s ig ht ; o th er s w er e w in de d a nd q ui et ly g ra zi ng

w ai ti ng f or t heir r id er s t o r et ur n.

S ee in g a ll t he P ol ov ts i o ut o f b ow sh ot , S he a d is mo un te d a nd w al ke d o ve r t o t he s pr aw le d r ea rg ua nd .

Neither of them seemed to be bleeding, and both were breathing regularly. He did not stay long; even ac ou pl e o f P ol ov ts i w er e r ip e e no ug h t o f or ce a h as ty r et re at .

A t t hi s p oi nt S he a r ea li ze d t ha t h e a nd C ha lm er s w er e a lo ne i n t he c am p. T he R us h ad g al lo pe d a wa y

f rom t he D on a s f as t a s t he P ol ov ts i h ad d as he d t owa rd i t. N one of t he m s ee me d t o ha ve f al le n o ff , but

q ui te a f ew h ad d is mo un ted, and w er e h ol di ng r ei ns w it h o ne h an d w hi le b us il y cro ss in g t hems el ves w it h

t he o th er .

S he a l et o ut a l ong g us ty s ig h o f r el ie f, a t ha vi ng c ha ng ed t he pr on ou n i n t he a da pt at ion o f B ur ns f ro m

us t o th em . O th er wi se h e m ig ht h ave r ou te d t he R us a s w el l, w hi ch I go r w ou ld n ot h ave a pp re ci at ed .

I go r h ad n ot d is mo un te d, a nd n ow h e r od e b ac k, a cc om pa ni ed b y M ik ha il S er ge iv ic h a nd t wo o r t hr eeo th er s. A ll , S he a n ot ed , w er e k ee pi ng t he ir h an ds v er y c lo se t o t he ir s wo rd h il ts , e xc ep t f or o ne w ho h ad

a bow i n one hand and an arrow i n the other.

By G od s H ol y M ot her, E go ro v A nd reiv ich! I go r exclaim ed . Th at w as l ik e s om et hi ng o ut o f a t al e.

W ha t d id t he y s ee ? T he re w as m or e t ha n a t ouc h of a we i n t he l oo k I go r ga ve Sh ea .but a ls o mor e t ha n

a t ou ch o f com rades hi p.

Ru ri k V as il ye vi ch a nd I ga ve t he m a g oo d l ook a t t he ir l ic e, Y ou r H ig hn es s. A h, d oe s Y ou r H ig hn es s

k no w w ha t a l ou se l oo ks l ik e?

P ri nce I go r s elo qu en t l oo k t ol d t he p sy ch ol og is t h e d m ad e a m aj or b lu nd er .

Um , w el l, i n t he S il k E mp ir e t he y m ak e, u h, c rys ta ls , a nd t he se c ry st al s l et u s s ee t hi ng s l ik e b ug s, o r

f la ws i n J ew els , t ha t a re t oo s ma ll to s ee wi th j us t our e ye s.

If you l ooke d a t a l ous e t hr ou gh o ne of t he se c rys ta ls , you d s ee t ha t i t ha s a s ma ll he ad a nd hug e

s to ma ch , t hr ee p ai rs o f l eg s, l ar ge j aw s, a nd e ac h o f i ts e ye s i s m ad e o f m il li on s o f o th er e ye s.

Monsters, Igor said.

Shea nodded.Exactly. The Polovtsi sawthemselves covered with monsters, and panicked.

T he p ri nc e s l oo k w as n ow o ne o f c om pl et e a ma ze me nt . Nobogatyr in any ta le e ve r did a t hi ng l ike

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that.

One o th er t hi ng, Y ou r H igh ne ss .T he P ol ov ts i h av e a s or ce re r w it h t he m. H e m ay s en d m or e a ft er u s

than arrows.

Sh ea w as r el ie ve d t o s ee I gor s hi ft b ac k t o t he p ra ct ic al . H e r os e i n h is s ti rr ups a nd c al le d t o t he

t ru mp et ers and b an ner- bearers t o s i gn al t he r all y, t hen b ecko ned S hea and C hal mer s.

I gor s m en r al li ed a ro und t he ba nn er , e xc ep t f or t he s co ut s, wh o r od e ou t a t on ce t o o pe n t he d is ta nc e

between themselves and the main body. Igor also set out a rearguard in case some of the Polovtsi

r eg ai ned t heir w it s and cou rage.

S he a o ff er ed t o j oi n t he r ea rg ua rd i n c as e t he p ur su it t oo k m ag ic al f or m. I go r t ha nk ed h im a ll o ve r a ga in

a nd a cc ep te d t he o ff er .

A s t he y r od e i nt o t he f ad in g l ig ht , S he a w is he d t hi s d im en si on h ad a b oo km ak er t o t ak e h is b et t ha t t he

bathhouse was now as sacred as the church in the eyes of a good many men of the Rus. He could havem ad e a p il e.

* * *

T he y r od e n ig ht a nd d ay u nt il t he y w er e a ll a wa y f ro m t he D on , a nd e ve n a ft er t ha t s et d ou bl e g ua rd s

a ro un d e ac h e nc am pm en t T he t wo p sy ch ol og is ts a gr ee d t ha t o ne o f t he m s ho ul d h e a wa ke a t a ll t im es ,

alt ho ug h S hea d id n t car e f or C halm er s r em ar k:

I c an h ar dl y s le ep a ny wa y, s o w hy s ho ul dn t I k ee p w at ch ?

T he r et ur n t ri p s ee me d t o t ak e e ve n l on ge r t ha n t he t ri p o ut , w it ho ut h op e o f F lo ri me l s q ui ck r ec ov er yt o s pu r t hem alo ng . O ne n ig ht C halm er s com ment ed t hat every th in g s eemed t o t ak e l on ger, cos t m or e,

and s mell w or se i n t hi s C on ti nu um t han i n any o f t he o th er s t hey d v is it ed .

I ve b een t hi nk in g abo ut t hat, S hea r ep li ed , Rememb er w hat y ou s ai d abo ut t he p ecul iari ti es i n t he

w or ld o f t heAeneid ?

Th er e w er e a g reat m an y s uch, C halm er s s ai d. W hi ch o nes w er e y ou t hi nk in g o f i n p ar ti cu lar?

Al l o f t hem, and y ou r exp lanati on , S hea s ai d. Ho mer l iv ed f ou r h un dr ed y ears aft er t he T ro jan W ar ,

and V ir gi l l iv ed eig ht h un dr ed y ears aft er H om er , b es id es b ei ng a R om an w it h a p ol it ical axe t o g ri nd .

So?

Sup po se wh at ev er B or od in us ed f or h is o pe ra a n o ld R us si an e pi c, I s upp os e w as w ri tt en b y

o ne o f I go r s c on te mp or ar ie s. M ay be o ne o f h is n ob le s, i t w ou ld b e f av or ab le t o I go r, b ut i t m ig ht l ea ve

in a lot of the de ta il s.

Su ch as l ice and s mell s and t ak in g f or ev er t o l et any wh er e?C hal mers s napp ed . I s up po se t hat cou ld

be an explanation. It is hardly an excuse.

S he a d ec id ed t ha t C ha lm er s w as i n n o m oo d f or a ca de mi c a na ly si s, a nd t ur ne d a wa y t o t ak e t he f ir st

watch.

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* * *

B y t he e ve ni ng o f t he t hi rd d ay , C ha lm er s w as f ee li ng m or e r ec on ci le d t o t he r ea li sm o f I go r s w or ld a nd

t he abs en ce o f F lo ri mel.

Di d t ha t c hi ef h ave a ny i nt en ti on of n eg ot ia ti ng a t a ll ? h e a sk ed I gor a s t he y m ad e c am p.

Th ey s ti ll r es pe ct t he t ru ce b an ne r, t ho ug h n ot a s m uc h a s t he y u se d t o, t he p ri nc e r ep li ed .

Th e w izar d s ai d t hat t heir r ul es , even amo ng t hems el ves, are b reak in g d ow n, S hea add ed .

Igor f rowned, and Shea ga ve a thought to one of the virt ues of being a He ro wha t would be a

g ri ma ce o n a n o rd in ar y m an w as a n e ar ne st , n ob le e xp re ss io n o n t he p ri nc e s f ac e. I w ou ld n t m in d

s ee in g t he m f ig ht a mo ng t he ms el ve s, b ut i f t he y n o l ong er k ee p t ra de -t ruc e . . . C ur se t he m f or t he D ev il s

o wn s pawn and fo ol s as w el l!

Tr ade l aw h ol ds t ha t no on e m ay be a tt ac ke d a t a ne ut ra l t ra de si te , o r f or t hr ee d ay s j ou rn ey b ef or e o r a ft er . I n t he l an ds of t he Ru s, of c our se , t he pr in ce s p uni sh t he ft , t hr ee d ays or n o t hr ee da ys . B ut t ra de

l aw h ol ds e ve n f or t he s te pp e, o r h as u nt il n ow .

Do es t ha t m ea n, Y ou r H ig hn es s, t ha t i f w e f in d F lo ri me l . . . ? R ee d s v oi ce f al te re d, ifwe fi nd

F lo ri me l f or s al e t ha t w e c ou ld n t c ha ll en ge i t t he re , o r f or t hr ee d ay s a ft er ?

In t he l an ds t it he R us y ou c ou ld , I go r r ep li ed w it h a t ou ch o f p ri de . No o ne m ay b e e ns la ve d a mo ng

u s e xc ep t a cc or di ng t o t he p ro vi si on s o f t he l aw , a nd b ef or e w it ne ss es . A nd t he w is e m an w il l r eg is te r h is

s laves, w heth er R us o r f or ei gn , w it h t he chi li ar ch s clerk , s o t hat i f t hey f lee, o r are s to len, t heir o wn er sh ip

w il l n ot b e i n q uest io n.

Bu t t ho se w ho b uy s la ve s o n t he s te pp e, b y t ra de tr uc e, d o n ot q ue st io n t he ir o ri gi ns . A nd i f t he y g o t o

t he c hi li ar ch s c le rk a nd s ay , I b ou gh t t hi s s la ve o n t he s te pp e .t he c le rk h as t o a cc ep t i t. I f i t t ur ns o ut

t ha t t he s la ve be lon ge d t o s om eone e ls e, or wa s no t a s la ve a t a ll , w el l und er t he l aw, P ol ovt si r ai ds a re

t re at ed a s f ir e a nd s hi pw re ck a n at ur al l os s.

I c an s ee r oo m f or a ll k in ds o f c or ru pt io n, S he a m ut te re d.

I have seen it, Egorov Andreivich.

Bu t h ow d o w e g et m y w if e b ac k? C ha lm er s p ur su ed .

I c ou ld s ee a bo ut h av in g h er p ur ch as ed b y o ne o f m y a ge nt s, I go r r ep li ed . Th at s ri sk y, y ou n ev er

k no w h ow t he b id di ng w il l g o. A c ou nt er ra id w ou ld b e r is ky t oo , w it h t ha t s or ce re r a mo ng t he s te pp e

t ri be s. T he on ly m an I c ou ld c ou nt o n w ou ld b e m y b ro th er V se vo lo d, b ut w e m ig ht b e e no ug h i f w e c an

c at ch t he m b ef or e t he y r ea ch t he t ru ce a re a.

T he p sy ch ol og is ts cou ld s ee t hat I go r w as n ow t he w ar ri or -p ri nce, con si deri ng o pt io ns . T hey s aid n o

m or e, n or , a s he wa lke d of f t o hi s ow n c am pf ir e, di d he .

III

H ar ol d S he a s ip pe d c au ti ou sl y f ro m t he s il ve r g ob le t i n h is h an d. T he m ea d i n i t w as s tr on g a nd s we et .

A lr eady h e f ou nd h im self u nabl e t o f ocus o n t he f ri eze o f O lg a sr ev en ge, t hat m ar ked t he p oi nt w her e t he

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w al ls o f t hi s c ha mb er a rc he d u p t o f or m i ts d om e.

T he i ns id e o f t he d om e w as p ai nt ed g ol d, and t he aft er no on s un li gh t g il ded i t f ur th er . H ow m an y m or e

s ips be fo re i t w as t oo br ig ht t o l oo k a t?

H is c om pa ni on s a t t he t ab le w er e a ls o h ar d t o s ee b ut n ot b ec au se o f w ha t h e d b ee n d ri nk in g. D es pi te

t he l on g e mb ro id er ed r ob e o f f in e g re en w oo l t ha t R ee d C ha lm er s w or e, a nd t he b ri gh te r s il ks a ndbrocades that clad the Rus, they were all lost against the paint and gilding of the walls. Bright reds, blues,

and g reen s p at tern ed w it h g ol d t he p ri nce, p ri nces s, and M ik hail S er geiv ich f it r ig ht i n.

Vs evo lo d w il l r ide , I go r s ai d. Th e b ar ds do n t c al l h im a f ie rc e a ur oc hs j us t t o f la tt er h im . H e

ma int ai ns a f ul l ba nd a tKu rs k , s o t he y c an s ta rt a t on ce .

Th e p ri nc e y ou r b ro th er n ee ds t o g et h is h ar ve st i n, a s d o y ou , E up hr os in ia p oi nt ed o ut .

Wh o n ee ds w ar ri or s f or t ha t? W e c ou ld b e o ve r t he D on a nd b ac k b ef or e t hr es hi ng i s o ve r!

And w ho wi ll c ol le ct yo ur t axe s i f y ou r m en a re o ve r t he D on ? B es ide s, i f t he r ai ns c om e e ar ly, y ou l l

d o w el l t o r et ur n b ef or e b ut ch er in g i s o ver.

Hm . . . C an t he t wo o f y ou c on tr ol t he w ea th er , E go ro v A nd re iv ic h?

Im afraid not, Your Highness.

Someone needs to keep an eye on young Sviatoslav Borisovich, Mikhail Sergeivich commented.

He s b ee n t al ki ng t oo l oud ly a nd t oo l ong , o f l at e.

Th e a mb it io ns o f t he y ou ng , I go r s ai d. Bo ri s V se vo lo do vi ch , G od r es t h is s ou l, i s a y ea r d ea d. W it ht he o ld s tall io n g on e, t he y ou ng o ne i s k icki ng u p h is h eels .

Un le ss G od b ri ng s S vi at os la v t o a b et te r m in d, h e ll b e i n y ou r c ou rt b ef or e a no th er y ea r s o ut ,

Mikhail Sergeivich replied.

Perh ap s I s ho ul d r eq ui re h is s er vi ces o n t hi s exp ed it io n.

Wo ul d y ou t ru st h im at y ou r b ack? B ot h E up hr os in ia and M ik hail S er geiv ich s eemed t o s peak at o nce.

Ah, well . . .

An d w ha t i s t ha t s or ce re r l ik el y t o d o? M ik ha il a sk ed .

Pr ob ab ly s et a t ra p w it h a n i ll us io n s pe ll , C ha lm er s a ns we re d. He l l b e a ch in g f or t he c ha nc e t o p ay

u s b ack .

So w il l t hat chi ef , E up hr os on ia s ai d. Wi ll h e even k eep t rade-t ru ce?

T he t al k t ur ne d t o b oy ar s a nd p ri nc es w il li ng a nd a bl e t o r id e. T he re w as n o q ue st io n t ha t t he P ol ov ts i

h ad n um be rs o n t he ir s id e, a nd i t w as o bv io us t ha t t he r ai d o n N iz hn i C ha ri ns k h ad s ha ke n m an y o f t he

Rus.

Th e r ai d m ay h av e b ee n f or tu it ou s b ut n o o ne w an ts t o r id e a ga in st a s or ce re r, E up hr os on ia

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concluded.

The y w il l i f I o rd er t he m, a nd I w il l i f I m us t, I go r g ro wl ed . I ha ve s wo rn t o f re e t ho se c ap ti ve s.

They will ride more willingly after harvest, the princess said.

T he m ee ti ng b ro ke u p s ho rt ly a ft er wa rd . C ha lm er s a nd S he t oo k a t ur n i n t he p al ac e y ar d t o s tr et ch t he ir l eg s t he n r et ur ne d t o t he ir r oo m. Th e l as t t hi ng I e xp ec te d h er e w as a B oa rd o f D ir ec to rs m ee ti ng , S he a

grous ed. I f I had ta ke n a fe w more si ps I would have s worn I wa s bac k a t Gar aden.

C halm er s d id n ot r es po nd and S hea l oo ked clo sely at h is col leag ue. T hey d s ur vi ved s om e n as ty s po ts

i n v ar io us d im en si on s, b ut t hi s w as t he f ir st t im e S he a h ad s ee n R ee d C ha lm er s s o c lo se t o t he b re ak in g

point.

My wife. . . i s aslave , a nd I c an t c ut t he b as ta rd s t hr oa ts ! S he a c oul d h ea r t he t ea rs , b ut t he y d id n t

quite show.

Re ed , S he a s ai d, a nd t he n n o m or e f or a w hi le . W he n C ha lm er s s ee me d m or e i n c om ma nd o f h im se lf ,

Shea continued.

Ig or s d oi ng t he b es t h e c an , b ut w e s ho ul dn t d ep en d o n h im . T he re s m ag ic i n t hi s u ni ve rs e s o w ha t

c an we do wi th i t?

T he y t ri ed t o r ec al l v er se s o n f re ed om a nd e ma nc ip at io n, b ut t he ir h ar ve st w as m ea ge r. S la ve ry w as a ls o

a p ar t o f t hi s u ni ve rs e, s o t he y d ou bt ed t he e ff ec ti ve ne ss o f a ny s pe ll b as ed o n i ts i mm or al it y. T he f ew

s pi ri tu al s t hat S hea r em em bered emp hasi zed f reed om i n t he n ex t w or ld .

I don t t hi nk i t w oul d be a ny us e t ry ing t o f re ez e t he Don s o s he c oul d wa lk a cr os s i t, e ve n i f we c oul dg et t here, S hea con cl ud ed , l oo ki ng o ut at t he s un set. Mayb e m y s ub co ns ci ou s w il l t ri gg er s om et hi ng

t oni ght . Th e m or ni ng i s w is er t ha n t he e ve ni ng, e ve n i f t he Ru s do s ay i t a ll t he t im e. Co mi ng t o di nne r,

Doc?

No t t on ig ht . I r eall y h av e n o app et it e.

Ph ys ic ia n, he al t hys el f, S he a t ho ug ht a s h e t oo k a no th er l oo k a t C ha lm er s, b ut h e s ee me d s af e t o l ea ve

for an hour or so.

T he O hi oan w as n ot t hat ent hu si as ti c abo ut K ievan coo ki ng , w hi ch , l ik e t hat i n t heFairie Queen ,emp hasi zed elabo rate, h ig hl y s pi ced d is hes. ( A s tu rg eo n s tu ff ed w it h a car p s tu ff ed w it h a m ul let s tu ff ed

w it h a t ro ut s tu ff ed w it h s om et hi ng S hea cou ld n t i dent if y s tu ff ed w it h an egg s tu ff ed w it h a p ea w as o ne

m ai n d is h h e r em em be re d w it ho ut p le as ur e. ) B ut h e w is he d t o k ee p o n t he g oo d s id e o f t he P at ri ar ch ,

w ho se p ro fess io n n at ur al ly r eq ui red h im t o d ep lo re t he p resence o f s or cerers i n t he p ri nce s d om ai n.

So Shea put on hi s be st r obe a nd a se emly mi en, a nd we nt down to his pla ce at a t able nea r the

princes. Shea was surprised when the Patriarch sat down with him, instead of taking his seat at the high

table.

May G od s mi le o n y ou and y ou r h ou se i n all t heir l aw fu l u nd er taki ng s, t he P at ri ar ch m ur mu red.

May w e alw ay s d es er ve H is f av or , S hea r ep li ed , w on deri ng w here t hi s w as l eadi ng .

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A s d in ne r p ro gr es se d, i t t ur ne d o ut t ha t t he P at ri ar ch , w ho w as n ea r S he a s o wn a ge , w an te d t o h ea r

abo ut h is t ravels . T he p sy ch ol og is t edi ted t hese a b it , t hi nk in g t hat h e d b et ter n ot adm it t o encou nt er in g

d em on s and l iv in g t o t el l abo ut i t.

I a lw ay s l ove d t al es , s o I b ad ge re d m y f at he r i nt o h av in g m e t au ght t o r ea d, t he P at ri ar ch s ai d w is tf ul ly .

Natu rall y, h e t ho ug ht I h ad a d es ir e f or t he r el ig io us l if e.

Be in g a bl e t o r ea d l et s a m an p ur su e a ll k in ds of w is do m, S he a s ai d, h op in g h e c ou ld n t go w ro ng w it h

that response.

Or u nw is do m, t he P at ri ar ch r ep li ed . O ri gi nal v ocat io n o r n ot h e w as a chu rchm an n ow .

T he P at ri ar ch l ef t r ig ht aft er d in ner and s o d id S hea. Reed C halm er s w as d ozin g i n t heir chamb er and

S hea w en t q ui et ly t o b ed h im self .

* * *

C halm er s and S hea s pent t he n ex t f ew d ay s t hi nk in g u p p ot en ti al s pell s and w is hi ng t here w er e s om e

wa y t o t es t a f ew of t he m. Af te r w ha t M al am br os o ha d s ai d a bou t t he p ie ty of t he R us , t he y w oul d no t

h av e c ar ed t o t es t m an y i n t he s ha do w o f t he b as il ic a, e ve n i f t he P at ri ar ch h ad b ee n f ri en dl ie r. C ha lm er s

avo id ed com pany , and s el do m l ef t t heir chamb er . S hea d id n ot