The Story:
Gedry's Story

"Gedry, what are you doing here?" Kauria dared to ask. "I thought you went to Carul!"

"I was wondering the same thing about you," he answered, quickly untieing her hands. "For a second- I almost thought you were Torrel!"

She merely nodded, but glanced about the room as he worked. It was actually more of a small hall; tapestries adorned the otherwise plain walls while a large laden table rested at one end. Torchlight provided the only real lumination in the hall, casting an eerie glow on the wall. She no longer sensed the Dark Presence. He finished freeing her hands,

"I was told he was here," she said, flexing her wrists.

Gedry nodded. "And I was told he was coming."

"Then it's just us?"

"I suppose so. I've searched this room over several times. No one's here."

She sighed. "I don't suppose you found a way out?"

"If I did, I certainly wouldn't be here still." Her friend smiled, squeezing her hand slightly. "But then who'd've been here to greet you, eh?"

He motioned to the far end of the room, where a table sat. "They at least had the courtesy to give us a few chairs. You look tired."

Kauria gratefully took a seat, but a feeling of uneasiness still hung about her. The former spy sat close by, still holding her hand, an anchor of reassuarance. "Why aren't you in Carul?" she asked him again after several moments.

He shook his head. "I arrived at Farlin, but I couldn't find you, so I waited. Then came the order to stop all border traffic. I tried to slip away, but I was picked up and brought to Crowns, thrown in this hall, and told to wait for the Emperor."

"Do you know exactly where we are?"

"I think we're in the Old Palace," he answered after a moment's thought, "from the days when Ajir was in its prime. But they were closed off years ago, before the New Rule. I was privilaged to such information as a spy."

Kauria glanced up suddenly. "You were? Were you told... the ancient legends?"

"Ancient legends?" Gedry was surprised. "You found out about them? How?"

For the first time, Gedry noticed the pendant aroun her neck.

Eyes wide, Gedry studied the it. "That's.... the Star Pendant? You're the one?" He blinked, then recovered composure. "And here I was thinking it was just a case of Torrel wanting to make an example of us...how long have you had it?"

"Just before I was brought here," Kauria answered. She quickly told him about her experience. Gedry listened carefully.

"So you have met him," Gedry said at the end.

"Met who?" Kauria asked.

"Emperor Torrel, that is," he replied, then recognized the blank look on her face. "Oh, sorry, dear one. I forgot you didn't know about the Emperor. I thought you knew, after what you just told me, I thought you understood..."

Kauria frowned. "I don't understand what you're talking about."

Gedry leaned forward, imparting a secret. "I'm talking about," he confided softly, "the true nature of the Emperor."

How long he had been there, Rhillan didn't know, but he knew it had to been at least midnight when he heard Lady Mira's voice. He immediately jumped up from the stone floor and ran to the door.

"Lady Mira?" he hissed.

"Rhillan? Is that you in there?"

"Who else?" he replied. "Can you get me out?"

"I can try, but it's going to take a while. Where are the guards?"

"You have ten minutes between each time they walk by. I counted. They just passed by about a minue ago."

Miraussa snorted. "I don't care how long it takes them, I just need to know where they are."

Rhillan frowned on his side of the door, although Mira couldn't see him. "I think they're stationed down the left corridor, if you stand with your back to my door."

"Good." Rhillan heard her slip away from his door and wondered what she was doing. He didn't have to wonder, when five minutes later she returned and he heard the jingle of keys.

"You didn't I was going to spend hours picking your lock, too?" she asked as she unlocked the door. "Mine was hard enough!"

He grinned at her. "That's why you're in charge, my Lady. Do you know where they took Kauria?"

She shook her head. "No. I was hoping you would be able to tell me."

"How did you find me, then?"

She shrugged. "I followed the drudge who brings that porridge to all the new prisoners. I think it's the only meal you get during your stay here. I made note of your cell and followed her a bit more, but she just headed back to the kitchens. Did you find the Pendant?" she asked more urgently. Rhillan nodded.

Miraussa bit her lip. "If Torrel has her. . .The Pendant has a spell so it can't be forcibly removed until after she's dead, if legend's correct. And I don't think Kauria would give it up willingly."

"I don't think she's dead yet, Mira," Rhillan assured her.

"You don't?"

"No," Rhillan shook his head. "If they wanted her dead, they could have done it in the Frozen Forest. But Cor said they had a special plans." He grimaced. "Plus, he said they'd let her live long enough to see us die." Mirauss made a sound very much like a another snort. "Besides," he added hopefully, "you can sense her somewhere in the dungeons, can't you?"

Miraussa shook her head. "That's just the point, Rhillan," she said. "I can't sense her." She sighed grimly. "Anywhere."

"What do you mean, you can't sense her anywhere?" Rhillan was upset. "She's got to be somewhere, and you were able to sense her all the way to Crowns."

Miraussa shook her head. "I can't sense her... it's like... well, it's like she's..." She stopped, not wanting to say the words.

"Like she's dead?" Rhillan demanded. Yet again Kauria had disappeared!

Mira nervously looked up and down the hall. Or if she's a Dark Star, she thought, but didn't say it aloud. "We'd better leave, Rhillan. This isn't a safe place to talk."

"It's as safe as any. You took care of the guards."

"But we can't protect ourselves here. And if Kauria is alive, as you think, we'd better start searching for her."