Prologue     
     The sorcerer shrank back against the farthest wall of the room he called
his gallery.  Normally he entered it to revel in the beauty of its exhibits 
and gloat that he alone owned such exquisite and unique pieces.  Now all he 
felt was abject terror as his pursuer closed the distance between them.
     The intruder had paused on the threshold just long enough to take in the
gallery and its contents.  The room held fifty pedestals, a few bare but most 
supporting a white crystal statue.  Besides the material all the statues had 
several other things in common.  All were female nudes, all were beautiful and 
though the postures varied all looked terrified.  The swordsman's eyes 
hardened.  The sorcerer might call this a gallery but he thought of it by its 
true name.
     An abattoir.
     His gaze fixed on the black sword the sorcerer tried to bargain.  
     "Wait!  I can give you what I gave them!  Eternal youth and beauty.  No
fears about time weakening you, making you old and ugly!"
     Blood still dripped from the sword's tip, droplets sliding down the 
sword's rune-carved length from the shallow engravings where blood had pooled 
to mark its wielder's path.  To the sorcerer every drop struck the floor like 
a thunderclap.  The blood of sorcerers just like him!  His poor, unfortunate 
friends!  Well, his late acquaintances at any rate, fellow collectors who had 
accepted the invitation to view his unequalled display.  Slaughtered like 
commoners!  How could such a thing happen?  It violated natural order.  This 
was not the way the world was supposed to be!
     Things had been going so well.  It had been an excellent evening until 
this madman had broken into his home (for who but a madman would challenge a 
quartet of sorcerers?), sword somehow shielding him from death spells as it 
delivered its mundane but far more effective form of death.  Lord Medasa had 
seen his guests slain and tried to flee but the madman had followed, pursuing 
him to his trophy room.  Now the madman was advancing towards him.  Leaving a 
trail of sorcerer's blood in his wake.
     The warrior smiled faintly at his offer but there was no humour in it.  
     "I'll take my chances."  The smile vanished.  "Even now you have no 
concept of what you have done.  Not to them alone, to everyone who loved 
them.  Parents, siblings, lovers, children ... so much misery.  But the 
feelings of commoners never mattered to you and your kind."  He shook his 
head slightly.  "If it were in my power to make you feel their sorrow ... 
but it is not.  I could never hope to make you understand what you have done, 
all I can do is end it."  He suddenly realised the sorcerer's hands weren't 
scrabbling over the wall he was backed against in pure panic.  He was casting
a spell!  Swinging his sword back for the death stroke he moved forward.
      From behind him there came a howl as a gargoyle carved above the 
arching doorway opened both its wooden jaws and glowing red eyes.  Twin beams 
of ruby light burned through space to strike the swordsman in the back.  The
sorcerer began a laugh which choked off as the swordsman continued advancing
without slowing.  Impossible!  The sword deflected magics but he held it 
before him!  Why wasn't he dying?
     The warrior loomed before him, unstoppable and implacable.  In the 
last seconds of his life the sorcerer saw his answer in the merciless face
before him.
     "IT CAN'T BE!  YOU'RE ...!"     
     Blood sprayed over the walls and the sorcerer's head and body struck the 
marble floor an instant apart.  The red beams vanished and the light faded 
from the gargoyle's eyes leaving only dull glass.  Unconcerned the warrior 
knelt down and cleaned the worst of the blood off his sword with the 
sorcerer's cape.  Scrubbing the film of dried blood from the runes would take 
time and care but that could wait for now.  After searching the sorcerer's
body he straightened up and watched the statues surrounding him. 
     It was sound rather than sight that told the story.  The house should
have been still but there was a faint hiss like a breeze across a sand dune.  
He studied the nearest statue closely and saw thin streams of powdered crystal
falling from outstretched fingertips.  He wasn't really surprised, it had only
been a faint hope that the sorcerer's death would restore them.  But these
were really just preserved corpses with the souls of the dead bound to them.
At least they were freed from bondage and their bodies from being exhibits in
the sorcerer's macabre art display.  In a few hours nothing would remain but
piles of crystal dust.  So much for eternity, like all his ilk with their 
vile collections the spells didn't survive the death of their caster.  A
fact none of these scum would acknowledge.
     He tuned out the hiss and listened for the telltale crack of beams giving
way or walls crumbling into loose stone.  He heard nothing but the normal  
creaks and groans of a large manor house.  Good, as he had hoped this building
had been built with mundane labour unlike those architectural nightmares 
erected and maintained by magic.  There had been occasions when a rapid exit 
was required after killing a palace's builder.  Here there was no need to 
hurry.  
     He stood there awhile longer then shook himself and left the gallery.
Nothing remained that anyone could do for them and he had other concerns.  He 
strode back to the dining room listening for the sounds of anyone else.  
Nothing, the servants had wisely fled.  He was alone in the house. 
     Except for the dead.
     Three bodies were sprawled in the room.  An old man slumped over his
bouillabaisse, the wound in his back mirroring the slice through his chair's
back.  A woman who had looked in her late twenties but now appeared to be on 
the wrong side of middle aged slumped against a wall, sitting in a pool of 
blood.  Lastly a young man, not long out of his teens, lay in a doorway.   
At least most of him did, the forearm he had instinctively raised to try and
block the sword's downstroke had rolled under the table.  
     Two similarities linked the trio of corpses, the first and least 
important was all three wore once splendid attire now ruined by blood and 
sword thrusts.  That hadn't been a consideration, the other connection that
linked all four of his victims this night was the reason they had died.  On  
the faces of three fallen the same symbol appeared, the inverted triangle 
that marked them as sorcerers.  The warrior nodded to himself, as always it 
had been worth reconnoitring before striking.  Learning the sorcerer would be 
entertaining guests two days after his own arrival in the fearful town he had 
waited until tonight.  Four kills in a single night was so much more 
satisfying.  A good night's work indeed. 
     The warrior began methodically and without a qualm to search the bodies 
for valuables.  When he had begun his quest this had been harder but he had      
learned to be practical.  You can't live on good intentions and killing a 
sorcerer would only get you a free meal in the town they had oppressed.
Anywhere else they wanted cash.
     Besides he would hardly be alone in this.  Before too long the servants 
would creep back hoping their master was dead but ready to beg forgiveness
if he lived.  For which you couldn't blame them, what choice did commoners 
have but to serve the sorcerers?  Except die.
     So the servants would return.  When they were sure their master was 
dead there would be cheers, celebrations and this place would be looted until
only the bare walls remained.  And even those would probably be torn down for
building material later on.  So since everything would be taken anyway and
he was the one who had killed Lord Medasa why not take his share?
     After finishing with the dead he arose intending to check the sorcerer's
quarters.  The paintings lining the walls were worth a small fortune but he
ignored them.  He wasn't greedy, what he sought were things like coins, 
jewellery and gems.  Small but valuable and easy to transport.  He covered a 
lot of ground and couldn't afford dead weight.  As he started towards the
sorcerer's bedroom he caught his reflection in an ornate mirror.  He stared
at his image in the gilt frame and saw it grimace.  That explained Lord
Medasa's last words, shielding his back had brought its price.  He winced a 
little then sighed.  This was going to hurt.
     He extended the first two fingers on his left hand and looked at them.
They ignited and he grit his teeth.  Flame flickering around his fingers 
yet didn't burn them.  He stared a moment longer then raised the hand to his 
brow.  Though he tried to hold it back a muffled cry of agony echoed through 
the manor growing louder then abruptly fading into a moan of pain.  Biting 
back a sob the warrior got to his feet glad there was no one present to hear 
that.  It would have given his stoic image a definite battering.  His chore 
done the warrior got back to work.  

end of prologue

Sorcerer Hunters : Inherit the Wind
by Mark Latus

     Now that the breakfast rush was over Sorbet finally had to talk to the 
customer she had found so intriguing.  He made a welcome change from the
merchants and drovers who made up most of the inn's guests.  The former cheap
and the latter grabby.  This man was different, you could tell just by looking
at him.
     It wasn't just his clothes though those were also different.  Dark brown 
well worn walking buskins and trousers, a leather jerkin of a lighter brown 
sewn with interwoven metal rings (not as good as chainmail but lighter) open 
to reveal a faded gray shirt over the well muscled torso.  Not as well built
as the customer at the noisy table (the other unusual guests of this morning
whom she ignored as much as she dared to try and avoid the self proclaimed 
"messenger of love" with the unruly hair and the two very possessive 
girlfriends) but he lacked the obvious vanity and self absorption of the more 
muscular man.  In a scabbard slung over his back he carried a sword, the black 
hilt inset with small blue stones and engraved with fine lettering in some 
unknown language.  Both hilt and scabbard bore the look of long usage.
     He wasn't the only one wearing a sword.  That annoying guy at the noisy 
table also wore one.  Except it was a lot harder to imagine him using it, at 
least with any degree of success.  Like all the other blowhards who stayed at
the inn and boasted of their supposed prowess in bed and battle.  Not this 
man, he didn't brag and looked as she imagined a warrior should.
     He hadn't said much to her beyond asking the morning's menu but that had
been enough to fascinate her.  There was an intensity about him that drew her.    
Quiet but there was the sense of something lurking behind the calm exterior.
Didn't they say still waters ran deep?  She though she could see hidden   
depths in those piercing blue eyes.  His face was more striking than handsome
though she would have called him very good looking if not for the twisted scar 
tissue on his brow. If he only wore his thick auburn hair longer in front he 
could hide the gnarled skin of his forehead.
     "It does sort of draw the eye, doesn't it?"  
     Sorbet flushed as she realized both that he was talking to her and that
she was staring at his least attractive feature.  He sounded friendly enough
but all she could manage was an embarrassed nod.  Looking amused he brushed
his part forward to cover most of the signs of injury.
     "Usually I like to keep hair from my eyes.  Blinking at the wrong time
can be fatal.  Anyway is that any better?"
     "Uhm ... (what was she supposed to say?) ... yes."
     He nodded.  "Not the nicest sight I know.  But in my business scars are 
signs of experience and sometimes badges of honour.  If nothing else they
show you knew enough to avoid something that could have killed you."  He
shrugged, "I used to wear a bandanna over it but I decided why should I care 
if anyone else doesn't like it?"
     Perplexed she gestured at his hair and asked, "Then why did you just do 
that?"
     "Well you're much cuter than most girls who stare."  She also did a very
cute blush.  At a nearby table a young man with little instinct for personal 
survival growled about the ugly guy hitting on his girl, ignoring the 
murderous looks from the girl on either side of him.  The other two men at 
the table sighed and wondered how soon the inevitable beating would begin.
     Meanwhile Sorbet was hesitantly asking, "How did you ..." 
     He shrugged.  "If anyone ever tells you it's a bad idea to fight in a 
burning building and to get out before the roof caves in I'd advise you to 
listen.  But I don't want to bore you with exaggerated tales of my exploits." 
     "Oh that's all right."  Sorbet was already imagining a somewhat 
romanticised scene based on several novels she had read about dashing warriors
with a knack for rescuing damsels in distress in the nick of time.
     He shook his head, gesturing at the open window.  "Far too nice a day 
for dwelling on blood and battles.  Best to keep stories like that for long
dark nights."  He hid his amusement at her flush, after all it was a good 
sign.  Definitely a peaceful village, where sorcerers ruled you would find  
far less innocence.  "Perhaps you could answer a question?  Something I 
noticed on my way through town last night has been puzzling me."
     Sorbet nodded, "I know everything and everyone in town.  Ask me 
anything."  She was a bit surprised he had taken time to notice anything last 
night.  Her father had told her this morning about the stranger who had 
arrived late last night after she had gone to bed.  He had hired the watchman
to lead him to the inn by torchlight so there would have been little enough he 
could see in the darkened village.  Father had turned in himself though being
a light sleeper the light clanking of the door knocker had roused him before 
it could turn loud enough to wake the whole inn.  The warrior had taken a room
without bargaining the price down and paid extra to have a bath drawn so late
at night with nary a quibble.  Sorbet had slept through all this and not 
glimpsed the stranger until this morning.  The only thing that had awakened 
her last night was when she thought she heard someone at her door then a loud
crash and a series of regular but fading thuds.  Peeking out she had seen the
two sisters who had arrived earlier in the evening each grasping an ankle of 
the annoying guy as they hauled him down the corridor.  Neither seemed
concerned that his head was bumping against the corridor's floor.  Still 
badly concussed as he was it wasn't going to make much difference.  Sadly he 
had recovered fully and been pestering her every chance he got this morning
apparently ignoring how angry it made his girlfriends.  She knew some guys 
were very slow learners but he was just plain ridiculous.
     Putting the memory aside Sorbet waited for the question.
     "I passed through the village square on my way through and there's a 
big stone pillar set in the center.  I just caught a glimpse as we passed
but it looked like there was writing on it.  I should have asked my guide but
it was getting late and all I wanted was to get to an inn and rest.  So what
is it?  A local icon or shrine of some sort?  More importantly are visitors
supposed to make offerings of any sort?"
     Sorbet giggled.  "It's nothing like that, just a memorial to the Great
Tempest."
     "The what?"  For a moment Sorbet couldn't understand the question as she
wondered how anyone couldn't know the story.  Then realized that while she had
grown up hearing the story again and again there was no reason outsiders 
should have heard the tale."
     "It's there to commemorate the victims of the greatest disaster in Corum 
Village's history.  Eighteen years ago a tornado struck the village and 
killed almost half the people.  Their names are recorded on the obelisk so
that must be the writing you noticed."  Sorbet recalled a few more details,
"The stone was put there a few years after it happened after they finished
rebuilding.  It's supposed to represent the tornado's funnel, story was it 
was going to be sculpted into a cone shape but the council got scared it might 
snap off at the base or overbalance and crush someone so they left it as a
pillar and carved the names in."  She shrugged, "The only ceremony there is 
the day of remembrance and that's not for another two months." 
     "I see."  He seemed to brood for a moment then asked, "It doesn't seem 
to mean much to you."
     Sorbet shrugged again.  "It's a day off work.  I mean it was a tragedy 
and I'd have more aunts, uncles and cousins if it hadn't happened but it's 
hard to get really worked up about people I never met and something that 
happened before I was even born."  Sorbet suddenly regretted saying that last 
part, she had wanted him to think her older and more sophisticated.  Quickly 
she blurted, "I'm seventeen!"
     The warrior raised an eyebrow having pegged her at not quite sixteen.
Still he found the flirting entertaining so he didn't challenge her and just 
nodded.  "I'm twenty-six myself."  She looked visibly surprised having thought
him younger but rallied, not an insurmountable gulf by any means.  
     "You don't look it ... I mean you look more like twenty-one, twenty-two!
I don't mean you look older!"
     "Thank you, unless you're implying I look immature."  She began a frantic
denial and he raised a hand.  "Forgive me, a small jest on my part.  Might I
ask your name?"
     "Sorbet, Sorbet Savoury.  This is my father's inn."  She felt a little
silly saying that remembering the large, "Savoury's Inn" sign over the porch.
But he just nodded.
     "Well met Sorbet, my name is Kane."  She waited a moment but he gave no
other name.  How mysterious!  It made him even more fascinating and the next
thing he did say seemed appropriately enigmatic.
     "You seem to have a peaceful and prosperous village here.  There's rather
surprising."
     Sorbet blinked at the question.  "Why?"
     "I had heard there was a sorcerer in the vicinity."
     "Madame Granita?  Yes, she lives about three miles outside town ... is 
something wrong?"  He looked thunderstruck for a few moments then his calm 
exterior returned and all signs of distress were gone.
     "Sorry, haven't heard than name for a long time.  Took me by surprise."
     "You know her?"  Even more mysterious, the only people who knew the
Sorceress were the old folks who had been servants in the manor before she
discharged them.
     "I knew a girl by that name ..." Sorbet felt a pang of worry.  "Childhood
friend.  Haven't seen her in years.  But she wasn't a sorceress."  Sorbet
breathed a sign of relief.  Just nostalgia, not competition.  "Old business,
doesn't matter.  What does matter is you've got a local sorcerer and you
don't seem concerned."
     "Why should I be?"
     Kane paused to choose his words carefully.  "Usually it's bad luck to
have a sorcerer in the vicinity.  It doesn't look like she rules your village  
but does she tax it?"
     "No and she's never shown any interest in taking over the village."
     "Abduct or enslave people?"
     "No."
     "Have any villagers gone missing without a trace?"
     "None."
     "Any word on travellers vanishing?"
     "No."
     "Signs of demons or monsters roaming the countryside?"
     "Nary a one."
     "Has anyone had blackouts and not known where they were or what they were
doing during the lost time?"
     "Not unless they drink too much."
     "Anyone aged faster or slower than they should?"
     "Only in their own minds."
     Kane looked a little nonplussed.  "You're sure this Granita is really a
sorceress?"
     Sorbet nodded.  "Absolutely.  She comes into the village occasionally 
and trades for things like books, silk, meat and other stuff she can't grow."
     "Grow?"
     "She's got these beautiful gardens and huge greenhouses filled with 
beautiful flowers and fruit, some common stuff but mostly it's all these
exotic ones only she can grow."
     Kane looked thoughtful.  "Any side-effects to eating fruits grown by a
sorceress?"
     "None I've heard of and she's been trading with storekeepers since I was
a little girl."
     "And she actually trades?  She doesn't just take what she wants and give 
them spoiled plants in exchange."
     "No.  I've heard old Michael say he could pay twice as much as he does 
for her orchids and still make a tidy profit reselling them in the capital."
     Kane seemed puzzled.  "So you've seen her in the village and she's got
the sorcerer's mark."
     "Yes but she never lingers.  She doesn't like crowds so she slips in and 
out of town when it's quiet.  I think she arranges her visits with the 
storekeepers beforehand."  Looking conspiratorial she lowered her voice and told 
him, "But I know she's got the mark, I've seen her up close." 
     "Really?"
     Was there a hint of skepticism there?  Sorbet kept going, "I snuck into her
garden once."
     "Interesting.  Please proceed."  Happy to have intrigued him Sorbet did
her best to comply.
     "It was quite a while back, I was about eight years old at the time.  Me   
and some other kids had sort of told each other that we weren't scared of the
sorceress ..."  Kane interrupted.
     "People are scared of her?"
     "Not really, it was more like our parents told us not to bother her.  
They weren't and aren't scared of her but everyone figures that if she likes 
being alone then it's best not to bother her.  Just to be on the safe side.  
But to kids that meant they were scared of her.  So we got to talking about 
how we weren't scared of her and everyone tried to sound braver than everyone 
else so that before we knew what were doing we had all vowed to sneak into 
Madame Granita's garden and steal a flower.  So five of us wound up lurking 
in the woods that surrounded her manor, all of us terrified and praying 
someone else would back out first so the rest of us could call them a coward 
and head home.  But because we all waited for one of the others to crack
nobody dared budge so all of us wound up sneaking together from the trees 
into her garden."
     "It's a beautiful place, even the grass is thick and lush.  Beds of 
flowers everywhere, so many blooms.  Trees of all sorts, some with fruit, 
some with pretty blossom set around the house.  I was trying to seem in 
control so I said, 'Guess she hasn't seen us so let's grab one each and go
quick!'  Then this voice behind me said, 'Just what are you planning to grab?'
We turn around and sure enough Madame Granita's looking at us.'"
     Sorbet recalled the face in more detail.  "I thought she was old at the
time but looking back I don't think she was even twenty.  She looked a bit 
stern but not really menacing.  Actually I think she was mainly curious why
we were there.  Of course at the time we all screamed and tried to run away.
I fell over and skinned my knee and panicked.  I guess I carried on like I'd
just broken it.  Not that any of my friends stuck around to try and carry me 
off.  So I was howling like my leg was falling off and sure she was about to 
do something terrible to me.  Then I realised my knee had stopped hurting and
I actually looked at what she was doing.  She had plucked a leaf off a plant
with blue flowers and was holding it against my knee.  She said it would act
as an analgesic (I found out what that meant afterwards) temporarily but we 
needed to take care of it properly.  So she told me to wait there and went 
back in the house.  Of course I didn't dare move.  Anyway she was back a few
minutes later just as the pain was coming back carrying a basket of supplies.  
She cleaned off my knee, smeared this poultice on it and bandaged over it
and said it would be stiff for a while but it wouldn't hurt and would heal
without a sign by tomorrow.  Then she wiped off my face, I'd been crying quite
a bit, and asked me why I was there.  I told her about wanting to steal a 
flower and how I was very sorry and the others made me do it and promised 
never to bother her again.  She just shook her head and asked if I liked 
roses.  I didn't know what to say but I told her yes.  So she got up and 
snapped a white rose off this bush.  I think she did some magic then because 
I saw a couple of thorns fall off the stem.  Then she tucked it in my hair and 
said it suited me.  I thanked her and she told me I'd better hobble home and 
tell everyone I was okay.  So I limped off, I guess I was overacting, as I 
was walking normally once I was out of sight."
     "I imagine your parents were relieved to see you."
     "I'll say.  My friends had been telling everyone lurid stories about 
monsters grabbing me.  I was kind of annoyed about them abandoning me so I
kicked a few shins and gave Fatty Cobbler a black eye.  So the crisis was 
over and things went back to normal ... oh yes, one more thing.  When my 
parents heard the flower was one of Madame Granita's they got nervous.  They'd 
have liked to throw it out but it's not a good idea to ill-treat sorcerer's 
gifts so they let me wear it."
     "Did it do anything?"
     "It stayed fresh for a week which was good for a cut flower without water
but then it began to shrivel so I pressed it and put it away.  I suppose I've
still got it, or whatever's left of it somewhere."
     Kane shook his head.  "You're a lot more fortunate than many who trespass
on sorcerers."
     "I guess so from the stories I've heard of other sorcerers.  But I 
sometimes wonder if there's anything to those.  I mean Madame Granita's a
sorceress and she never causes any harm.  I think she's a bit lonely maybe
because she's the only one of her kind around here."
     "Be thankful one sorcerer is all you've got."  Kane seemed to be mulling
something over.  "While she's harmless now that could change if she gets in 
a really bad mood.  In my experience there's only one kind of good sorcerer."
Sorbet waited but he didn't explain.  Instead he concluded, "I'd recommend 
your village council hire the Sorcerer Hunters and rid yourselves of a 
potential problem further down the road."
     "Sorcerer Hunters?"
     "A group of a half dozen or so specialist who solve sorcerer created
problems.  They work for the Stela Church and go anyplace that will hire 
them.  From all the stories I've heard they're very effective.  Haven't failed
once."
     "Oh."  A thought occurred to Sorbet.  "Are you one of these Sorcerer
Hunters?"
     He laughed.  "Nothing so fancy.  I'm just a wandering mercenary looking
for work and I picked the wrong village."
     "What's wrong with it?"
     "Nothing, that's the problem.  Corum village is peaceful and prosperous.
Good for you but bad for me as no one's looking to hire bodyguards or 
soldiers so I'll have to move on."
     "Already!"  She sounded dismayed.
     "Not for a few days yet, I could use a bit of peace and quiet."  He 
glanced out the window estimating the time of day.  Time marched on and he 
had things to do.  "Much as I've enjoyed talking to you I do have a few things
to get done, could I have my bill please."
     Sorbet blinked then realised she was clutching the slate to her.  "Oh,
of course!"  He barely glanced at the chalk written figures.
     "That seems fair."  He handed her a silver and Sorbet thanked him.
     "It will take a moment to get your change."  True as she guessed her
father would have to open the strongbox.  He shook his head.
     "Don't bother, just buy yourself something nice with whatever's left."
     Her jaw dropped and she managed to, "Thank you, sir." 
     "Kane."
     "Thank you, Kane."
     "Enjoy it."  He rose and started towards the door then paused and asked, 
"Do you work during the evenings as well."
     "Yes."
     "Well, perhaps I will see you tonight.  Good day."  With that he departed
leaving Sorbet waving at his retreating back.  You could practically see the
little hearts in her eyes.
     They disappeared as she heard the noisy guy yelling her name in a overly
familiar fashion.  Sighing she turned and realised the fivesome had all 
finished eating.  Good they wanted to pay their bill and leave, that would
make things a lot quieter.  She asked them to please wait a minute and went 
to erase the slate and work out their bill with the abacus so she would get
it right.  She recalled their orders and began adding it all up mentally.
     While most of his attention was fixed on the waitress's backside Carrot
Glaces retained enough brain cells to pick up on the dangerous way Chocolate 
said, "Darling!"
     "What?  Look you heard her, there's no sorcerer problems around here and
no one's hired us so why did we even come here?  So what else is there to do
but eavesdrop and watch girls?"
     "So why watch her when you can watch me, darling?"  Chocolate leaned over
and wrapped herself around Carrot.  Her sister did her usual embarrassed 
"Akk!" at seeing her sister do something she didn't dare in public.  Gato  
snorted at the familiar sight and answered the question though he knew 
Carrot wasn't listening.
     "We're here because Dotta told us Big Mama wanted us to come to this
village."
     Marron stirred, "Still my brother actually has a point for a change.  We
do not seem to be needed and Mama's instructions were rather vague."
     Gato sighed, "Great, that probably means we're supposed to learn hang 
around here until something rotten catches us by surprise to teach us some 
sort of moral lesson." 
     Marron nodded, "That is possible.  Is that what you meant, brother?" 
     Carrot's answer was about what he expected, "Why is such a cute girl
interested in an ugly old swordsman instead of a dashing young hero like me."
As always he missed the fires that started dancing in the eyes of both 
sisters.  Marron sighed and waited for the inevitable stupid line that would
set them off.
     Sorbet returned with the slate, "Here's your bill ..."  She was rather
surprised when Carrot surged from his seat to clasp her hands,
     "Your beauty is too great to waste on an swordsman who reeks of blood
and death when Carrot Glaces messenger of love stands before you ..."
     The crash shook the inn.  Looking at the twitching figure Sorbet wondered
where the girl with the glasses could have hidden a mallet that size.  Perhaps
beneath her voluminous red cape but that couldn't explain where her more 
sluttishly dressed sister had concealed that spiked mace.  Effortless holding 
their heavy weapons in one hand each seized one of Carrot's shoulders with the  
other and dragged him away with a quick, "Excuse us."  Marron sighed but was  
far from surprised.  It was almost as though this sort of thing happened 
according to a schedule.  Regular as clockwork.  Marron glanced at Gato hoping 
he wasn't about to go into one of his fits of narcissistic macho bodybuilder 
posing.  For a change luck was with him. Gato was leaning back in his chair 
with his eyes closed.  His friend snorted with disgust.
     "A pack of idiots."
     Marron thoughtfully murmured, "Maybe not." That was surprising enough to 
get Gato to frown.  
     "What makes you say that?"
     "Because now we're stuck with the bill."
     Gato's eyes snapped open and he saw the slate Sorbet was proffering.  
His face paled as he glanced down at his money belt.  
     "Uh Marron, can you ...."
     Marron sighed again. "Yes."
     "Thanks, I owe you."
     Marron made a quick check of the bill wondering (as he often did) if he
was the only reliable member of the team in anything that didn't involve 
fighting sorcerers.  His usual answer to himself was probably ... as long as 
he didn't drink as having zero tolerance for alcohol had caused a few problems
in the past.  The bill added up fine, he make a quick calculation of expenses
and looked through his money pouch.  He selected a silver piece and told the
waitress apologetically, "I'm afraid I'll need change."  Not that there would
be much for a group of five with several heavy eaters.  
     "Yes sir."  Sorbet was able to do that herself with so little to return.
Marron left a copper on the table as a tip and swept the meagre few left into
his pouch.  Thankfully the floor was heavy oak beams and hadn't buckled when
Tira and Chocolate pounded Carrot.  Staying anyplace other than outdoors could
get expensive with those three around.  All those repair bills added up.
     Flanked by Gato he left the inn to find the others.  Maybe they could 
work out what they were supposed to do if Dotta didn't show up with additional 
instructions.  He had a hunch they had already received a clue.  But if it 
connected to the apparently benevolent (or at least non-malevolent) sorceress 
the waitress had been talking about or the man she had been talking to he had 
no idea.  He suspected there was much more to the swordsman than met the eye.  
He had definitely sensed some sort of enchantment about his sword but it was 
vague and might be nothing more than a minor magic to strengthen the blade or 
hone its sharpness.  Whatever was going on around here Marron suspected it was 
going to be complicated.  Which meant it was up to him to work it out.  While 
he had complete faith in his friends and his brother's combat skills you could 
hardly call them deep thinkers.
     Sorbet watched the beautiful if somewhat effeminate man depart with his
muscular companion and wondered if she was reading too much into that.  Then
shrugged, what did it matter?  No business of hers and she had work to do.  As
she gathered up the empty dishes for washing she wondered if she would see
Kane tonight.  She hoped she would.  He must have a lot of stories to tell 
and she wanted to hear them.  Then perhaps ... giggling to herself and 
flushing she carried on with her chores.  Looking out from the kitchen her 
mother sighed and shook her head.  This could mean trouble.  Hopefully that
mercenary would move on soon, having no reason to stay in the village too 
long.
     Kane wasn't too far away.  He had returned to the square to find it 
full of market stalls.  He had stopped at one and was studying the displayed
produce with some bewilderment.  
    "Fresh pineapple so far north?"
    The chubby faced man behind the counter nodded happily, "Straight from the
renowned hot houses of Madame Granita."  He named a somewhat usurious price
Kane was sure he would never ask of a local.  Kane studied the fruit but 
couldn't detect any sign of magical taint.  It appeared to be exactly as 
advertised.  He put it down with seeming regret.
    "Too much for one man to eat and it would spoil before I got to eat more
than half.  I'll just take a couple of apples."  The stall keeper was 
disappointed and overcharged as best he could on the apples.  Kane paid 
without haggling.  Why not?  It wasn't as though it was his money or he ever 
had any shortage of funds.  Not yet, not with the pickings so thick. 
     Kane stopped at another stall to buy a loaf of bread and a wedge of 
cheese.  He already had a full waterskin so that took care of lunch.  
From a pouch on his belt he unfolded a thin sack and dumped his purchases
inside.  Slinging it over his back he set off to the west where the forest 
rose to follow the curve of a hill.  He had a lot of walking to do today and 
wanted to cover all the ground well before dark.
     Marron watched him depart sure he had a destination in mind and wondering
what it was.  From what he had picked up the sorceress lived to the south of
the village.  So where was he going?  Kane had implied he would be back 
tonight and carried minimal provisions.  Where was there around here he could 
hope to get to and back here before dusk?  A puzzle but was it of any 
significance?  Behind him he heard Chocolate trying to shake Carrot back to
consciousness while Tira worriedly asked her sister if perhaps they had 
overdone it. 
     It took Kane two hours to reach the hilltop and some searching to find
what he sought.  It was so overgrown he thought perhaps he was in the wrong
place.  But a few minutes searching revealed the ivy covered remains of a
wall.  He followed the line of the wall and found blocks of stone covered by
undergrowth but nowhere as much as there should be if it had crumbled under 
the elements.  Stripped of everything useable once word filtered back to the
village that the master and mistress would not be returning from the war.
How long had that taken?  The war had concluded thirteen years ago, how long
had it taken to learn the tyrants wouldn't be coming back?  Judging by the 
young trees that grew where carefully maintained lawn had been perhaps ten 
years ago.  A decade after they had departed to join the war.  Twenty years 
... time enough for a new generation to grow up who didn't know what it meant 
to be under a sorcerer's thumb.  Except there still seemed to be a sorcerer 
near Corum village and both her name and dwelling troubled him.  Old ghosts
were rising to complicate matters.  It had seemed so simple when he heard 
Corum had a sorcerer.  As he was nearby why not return and deal with them. 
Except it couldn't be who he thought.  It made no sense!
     At length he got to his feet and began the trek to the alleged sorcerer's
manor.  Time to find some answers.  He just hoped he could live with them.  
     Later as he neared the manor he could glimpse through the trees he was 
still mulling things over.  He had been recalling both Sorbet's story and 
some old memories and been unable to reconcile the two.  But something had  
occurred to him.  The fruit in the market bore no trace of magic, Sorbet
never actually witnessed the alleged sorceress casting a spell.  He had no
idea how long a cut rose could last but were there chemicals that could 
extent their bloom?  All he really knew was this "Madame Granita" knew herbal 
lore and chose to live apart from others.  That just made her a scholar and a 
hermit.  Eccentric but hardly a sorceress.  Surely that was the answer in
which case ...  
     Surely.  Yet Sorbet said her forehead bore the sorcerer caste mark.  How 
to explain that?  A tattoo perhaps to make others believe her a sorceress so 
they would respect her privacy?  Possible yet if felt very unlikely.  He was 
aware just how much he was reaching but the rationalizations kept coming.
Kane slowed his pace then halted.   After a few moments he cautiously advanced 
to stop just short of threads of energy that would be invisible to most 
people.  Ward spells encircled the grounds and whoever had set them was no 
amateur.  Still why place them here?  Most sorcerers were too arrogant to set 
alarms but those who did put them farther from their dwellings to give them 
time to prepare a defence.  While well constructed these would serve little 
purpose other than warding off animals and warning if children or other minor 
intruders had entered the gardens.
     He studied the manor and the grounds surrounding them.  The manor looked
well maintained if not ornate.  Joining to it were a series of interconnected
greenhouses, humidity fogging the glass but leaving silhouettes of tropical
palms and other hot climate trees easily identifiable.  As Sorbet had said
the grounds were beautiful.  Lush grass broken by flowerbeds and trees 
arranged in eye pleasing patterns ... He suddenly realized he had somehow
overlooked the woman working at one of the flowerbeds.  Her back to him she 
hadn't noticed him and kept searching for weeds.  Strong, capable fingers 
delicately moving fragile stems out of the her way without damage as she 
worked.  Her clothes were plain and utilitarian, sandals, faded blue blouse 
and dungarees.  Long blonde hair tied back out of the way with a red ribbon 
she worked away humming an old tune under her breath.  Kane strained to hear, 
it sounded familiar.  He took an involuntary step forward, forgetting years
of training as he stepped into the wardlines.  He was cursing himself as a
fool as she stopped humming and stood up, her movements showing curiosity  
rather than hostility.  She turned to face him showing green eyes in a heart
shaped face.  Eyes that met his and widened in shock.  Above them the sign
that marked her as a sorceress seemed to glow as it caught the sunlight.
     It was as though the distance that divided had melted away and each could
see every detail of the other's face.  For a timeless moment they stood there
transfixed.  But all moments pass and Kane turned and fled, shifting from the 
path he had followed to the manor.  He drew his sword partially from the 
scabbard and fixed it in place.  An old trick, it would disrupt any attempt
to locate him magically while not hampering his flight by having to carry a
drawn sword.  His woodcraft would let him evade more mundane pursuit and he
turned all his attention to moving with the sounds of the forest.  He spared 
none for why he was fleeing and had he been asked would not have been able to
answer.
     At Granita's manor the sorceress shook off her paralysis and walked 
hesitantly to where the warrior had stood.  She stood on the edge of the 
grounds and peered into the shadow of the forest.  She didn't see anything nor
did she really expect to but even so she could not resist softly calling out
a name she had not spoken aloud in over ten years.
     "Kulfi?"
     Only the whisper of the breeze answered her.  She stood there for a time
then abruptly turned and marched back into her home.  Time to visit the 
village and that meant a change of clothes.
     The height of the afternoon had passed, lunch was over and with no more 
meals served until evening all the inn's guests had either departed or were 
about their own business.  Giving the family a chance to finish the day's 
cleaning then relax until evening.  Sorbet was sweeping the inn's common room, 
the main door to bring in as much fresh air as possible, when she saw the 
sorceress wandering through town.  Admittedly she couldn't actually see 
anything of the woman but those clothes were instantly recognisable.  Who else
wore an almost all concealing robe of white silk which never got dirty?  As
she had on other occasions Sorbet mused that Madame Granita's clothes 
reflected her self imposed isolation.  Unless she raised her arms the sleeves
kept her hands hidden while the hood shaded her face.  Unless you were looking
directly at her you would make out no details of her features.  Which limited  
it to the merchants she dealt with since, while she did no harm, all 
considered it wise to avoid staring at her.  Just in case she took it as 
rudeness and why risk a sorceress's ire unnecessarily?
     At least that was the opinion of the older villagers, Sorbet and most of 
the younger generation considered the elders idiots for thinking like that.
Madame Granita was harmless ... okay so they wouldn't stare her in the face 
or go talk to her but that was from respecting her privacy not because they 
were scared of her.  Same reason they kept away from her home.  Pure courtesy,
not a hint of fear involved.  Honest.
     So Sorbet told herself as she watched the sorceress without drawing 
attention to herself as she wondered at a new puzzle.  Usually the sorceress
was trailed by hovering baskets full of produce but today there was nothing. 
Sorbet had never seen the sorceress enter the village other than on business
so there was a mystery here.  Except the mystery was forgotten and her grip
on the broom tightened as the sorceress turned to face her.  Sorbet knew she
wasn't scared Madame Granita so she couldn't understand why she felt 
butterflies in her stomach as the sorceress approached.
     As she wandered the village it occurred to Granita she had no real idea
where to look.  It wasn't like she knew anyone in town these days.  It had 
been over ten years since she dismissed her parents' servants and they had all
gone on to other things.  Few of them had any affection for her or had served
without fear.  The only one who had genuinely liked her, old Profiterole, was 
deep in senility and in the care of her family.  She had never been able to  
discharge her cook and childhood nanny and had let the old woman stay on until
(though she never would admit it) she wasn't fit to work anymore.  Profy (as
Granita had called her for as long as she could remember) hadn't wanted to go
and it had taken the best efforts of Granita and Profy's family to get her to 
move out of the manor and return to the village.  She had insisted she had to
stay and take care of the "young miss".  Her family had been delighted to
have her away from the sorceress though perhaps even more overjoyed by the  
sizeable retirement gift Granita had made from the dwindling horde left by her 
parents.  If they had spent it wisely they might well still be supporting 
themselves with it.  Granita remembered Profy had never bothered about the
money and worried about her being alone.  Her parting words had been advice
for Granita to stop sitting here waiting for that boy to come back.  To go 
find him herself or at least find somebody to share her life.  Good advice 
perhaps if that had been the only reason for her isolation.  But close as they
had been even Profy didn't know the whole story.  In all the world only one
person did, the one she searched for.  A boy last time she saw him but a man
by now.    
     If that had been him today.  Sixteen years was a long time, why did she
feel so sure that was Kulfi?  A brief glimpse and she was convinced he had
returned.  The more she thought about it the less sense she made.  Could it
be nothing more than a chance resemblance?  Some random wanderer who decided
to risk a look at Corum village's elusive sorceress and panicked when he saw
her?  Wasn't it possible this whole thing was nothing more than that?  As she   
mused she walked on hoping for inspiration to strike.  Something caught the
corner of her eye and she turned to find herself opposite the village's only
inn.  Of course!  Where else would a traveller stay?  Luck was with her and 
there was a maid standing in the doorway.  The girl looked vaguely familiar,
perhaps she had tried sneaking into her garden as a child.  It occurred to 
Granita that she enjoyed those visits more than she admitted.  Solitude got 
very monotonous.  Shaking off her introspection she strode over hoping the 
girl could provide a few answers.
     Fighting butterflies and trying unsuccessfully not to look nervous Sorbet
watched the sorceress approach.  The older woman stopped before and seemed
to be searching for the right words.  She looked a little embarrassed.  
    "Ah, excuse me but ... have you seen him?"
    She raised a sleeve and a hand emerged holding what looked like a glass 
ball.  Though a finer glass than Sorbet had ever seen, it could almost be a 
soap bubble.  Within the ball floated a small bust of a young boy.  Sorbet 
looked at it and shook her head almost immediately. 
     "I am sorry but I have never seen him before in my life."
     Granita felt a little foolish.  "I should have mentioned this is an old
picture.  Today he would be as old as I am."  Without even looking again
Sorbet shook her head.
     "He has never stayed here or even passed through the village."
     "How do you know that?  You barely even looked at it!"  
     Sorbet spoke respectfully while indicating a feature of the image, 
careful that her finger didn't touch the glass.
     "Madame Granita, if another sorcerer had visited the village everyone
would still be talking about it."
     The words rang true and Granita felt like a fool.  Still she soldiered
on.  "Please look again and ignore the mark.  Have you seen anyone who looks
like this."
     Sorbet looked again to humour the sorceress though her eyes were 
automatically drawn to the mark below the auburn hair ...  Sorbet blinked and
began to really look at the picture.  The eyes were a match and there were 
some similarities to the face but it had to be a coincidence.  Granita saw 
the recognition in Sorbet's face and drew closer in her eagerness.  Sorbet
involuntarily stepped backwards, still clutching her broom.  Granita advanced
eagerly.
     "You do know him!"
     Taken aback Sorbet backed away again.
     "No, there's no other sorcerers around here."
     "But you've seen someone who looks like him?"
     Sorbet protested, "We have a guest who looks a little like him but he's 
a travelling warrior looking for work.  A swordsman, not a sorcerer!" 
     "But he looks like this boy."
     "A bit.  But only a bit!
     "What is his name?  It's Kulfi, isn't it?"
     "No, Kane!  Kane the mercenary!"
     Granita stopped advancing and felt puzzled.  "Kane?"  The name was odd
yet vaguely familiar.  She had seen it before somewhere ... had she read it
during her studies?  That seemed right but where ...?  Her musings were
abruptly interrupted by an unexpected source.
     "Sorbet, why not stop working and join me for tea.  But first introduce
me too your friend, she's cute!"  The annoying guy was back, he was about the
last person Sorbet would want to see at the best of times.  Which this 
definitely wasn't.  He pushed past Sorbet to get a closer look at Granita and
his smile widened.  He had to have seen she was a sorceress but he showed no 
signs of worry.  Just lust covered with a very thin veneer of charm.
     "You must be the mysterious Madame Granita everyone talks about.  No one 
told me the sorceress was such a babe!"  He suddenly clasped her hands and
switched to a deeper, more serious voice.  "Do not fear, I will make sure the 
other do not harm you.  I cannot believe such a beautiful woman could be evil 
but I am bound by our rules to check you are kind and loving.  We must find a 
quiet and intimate place where you can prove your warm heart, soft body, 
supple thighs, big ..."  The veneer flaked away as he got more and more 
excited.  Sorbet could see the sorceress's expression change.  It reminded her 
of her older sister's when that drunk pawed her last winter.  Just before her 
kick rendered him incapable of carrying out any of his plans and perhaps ever
fathering children.  Sorbet felt the sudden desire to be in another village.  
Better yet another country!
     Somewhat out of practice with social behaviour it took Granita a moment 
to understand what the stranger was babbling about.  Once she did she was far
from amused.  Her late mother had supposedly been skilled in turning those who 
offended her into frogs.  For the first time in her life Granita regretted 
never learning that spell.  Retaining her self control with some difficulty
she pulled free and icily hissed, "Excuse me".  Carrot was moving forward to 
throw his arms around her when there was a flare of light and the swirl of 
coloured smoke around the sorceress.  Carrot grabbed the smoke and looked
bemused.  The smoke dissipated almost instantly revealing nothing in the 
circle of his arms.  For a moment he looked lost.  Then his brain snapped 
back on track as the hormones in his bloodstream shut down the rational part 
of his mind that wondered how a woman could both reject him and vanish like 
that.  Instead his mind defaulted back to standard operating procedure. 
     "Maybe she's evil after all.  Well never mind that right now, how about
that tea, Sorbet?"
     "DARLING!"
     "CARROT!"
     The fires of lust were suddenly dampened by an attack of fear.  Knowing
he would regret it Carrot looked behind him.  Both Chocolate and Tira stood
in the doorway looking very unhappy.  Which was a definite understatement. 
     Carrot frantically wished that he vanish like his sorceress babe 
(preferably to reappear in her bedroom) but nothing happened.  He wasn't that 
surprised, he never got any lucky breaks.
     Relieved, though surprised just how scared the annoying guy was, Sorbet
blinked as the more brazen sister pulled a funny looking black hat out of 
nowhere.  The other reached a hand up to her glasses.  Yelling with terror
the creep dashed past her and dived through an open window.  The tension  
seemed to thicken then the quiet sister said, "Not just yet" and lowered her
hand.  The other nodded and answered, "Never show your cards too soon" then
put the hat away ... somewhere.  Both bowed slightly saying, "Excuse us",
turned and left.  Leaving Sorbet to wonder what was going on.  She caught the
gleam of something shiny on the floor and saw the glass ball Madame Granita 
had dropped when he grabbed her hands catching the sunlight.  Curious Sorbet 
reached out to pick it up.  As she did she saw it was now empty.  Then it 
popped like a soap bubble as her fingers touched it.  Not even any dust left.
    Sorbet leaned her broom against a table, pulled out a chair and sat down.
She had no idea what was going on but this had to be the most confusing day
of her life.  Maybe if she put it all together it would make sense.  What she
didn't know was that it was a hopeless task.  She would never put the whole 
picture together.  Not because she wasn't smart enough but simply because she 
lacked several key facts.  Things the sorceress knew that she didn't, still
even having all the facts was no guarantee of finding an answer.
     Granita reappeared in the anteroom of her home, shrugged off her shoes 
and headed for her room.  It was a long walk to the village especially with 
the old road becoming overgrown and she didn't own a horse.  But if you knew
how there were faster methods of travel available.  Entering the room she hung 
up her "village visiting" robe leaving her wearing a light green dress that
reached to her ankles.  Glancing at her reflection she wondered when she had 
become so conservative.  Growing up she had been a real tomboy, getting her 
into a dress was nigh impossible.  As she looked she wondered why she was 
wondering this.  What did it matter, who was there to see her?  Yet she took 
a moment to riffle through her closets looking for clothes with a more daring 
cut.
     Shaking off the odd mood Granita headed for the library.  She had a 
puzzle to solve.  She spent many of her evenings in here but instead of
going to the shelves that held the well thumbed horticulture and gardening
texts or the racks of poetry and novels she headed for the older section.
The magic books, both theory and practice of magic.  Her parents legacy that 
had taught her how to use her innate abilities.  A task they had not lived to 
handle personally.
     She didn't look at them much, she had learned to do what she needed and
wasn't interested in studying further purely to increase either her knowledge 
of magic or her personal power.  Locating the text she wanted she pulled it 
free and noted that the spells that kept her house clean didn't dust the 
books.  An oversight on her part.  She blew the dust off, almost immediately 
a tiny whirlwind sprang from a corner of the room.  Anyone looking closely
would have seen it originate from the geometric symbol on a small plaque set
just above floor level.  The dust devil sucked in the dust then disappeared
with a pop taking its cargo with it.  Granita made a mental note to renew the 
plaque, its power was definitely fading.  She took a moment to ponder why so
many sorcerers used servants when magic was both more efficient and tireless.
Then answered her own question as she had many times before.  It was a drain 
on their resources, very minor but sorcerers could be a stingy lot.  But the
real reason was so many liked lording it over people.  Making them do menial
duties was about the most minor way they expressed contempt for commoners.
     Granita shook her head, nothing she could do about that.  All she could
control was her own behaviour.  She bothered nobody and nobody bothered her.
Which had been fine for years but of late she had become aware of a growing 
ennui.  It wasn't enough anymore but what was the alternative?  Commoners
could never be at ease around sorcerers and other sorcerers wouldn't approve 
of her lifestyle.  Which rather limited the options.  It had long time since 
she had a friend and he was long gone.  Except maybe he was back.  Maybe.
Granita laid Alorri-Zrokros, "Book of the Elders" on the reading desk (too big
and unwieldy to use one of the comfy chairs) and sat down.  She opened it to 
the K's and found the name she sought.  She began to read.
     "Kane: Central figure in the Wagnerian legend cycle (qv)  Supposedly 
one of the first men created by the nameless god who populated the Earth with 
humanity.  According to Wagnerian mythology humans were originally created 
solely to praise and glorify their senile creator but Kane would not accept 
this destiny.  Instigated the first rebellion in the infant mankind Kane lead 
men to divide into those who followed and those who rejected their god's 
worship.  The first war began with Kane killing his brother Abel, the 
favourite of their god.  After that bloodshed became common with Kane in the 
forefront of every battle.  With most of his worshippers dead the god withdrew 
from the Earth but not before taking vengeance on Kane.  Kane was cursed with 
partial immortality, vulnerable only to acts of violence, so that the strife 
he had introduced to mankind would one day claim him.  Until then he must 
endure as the only unchanging thing in a world of ceaseless change.  Forever 
apart from his fellow men.  A mark was placed on Kane so all who looked in 
his eyes would know him for a killer.  For his part Kane vowed to destroy his 
former diety and, according to later apocryphal accounts, eventually succeeded 
in his goal.  If Kane represents a real historical figure or is a merger of 
several creation myths has yet to be resolved by scholars."
     Granita closed the book with a frown and pondered what she had read.  
The name was unusual and far from common.  The only people likely to know it
would be scholars and why would they choose to name a child after a mythical 
brotherslayer alleged to be the first killer to walk the Earth?  It made no 
sense.  Of more import was Kane really Kulfi?  The girl had seen a resemblance
but had been adamant that he wasn't a sorcerer.  Was it simply a coincidence?
Some similarity of features but nothing more than that?  Perhaps and yet she
wasn't convinced.  She felt she was missing something, something important 
that gnawed at her.
     Granita focused on the face she had glimpsed.  Something had looked  
wrong but what?  She calmed herself, the harder she concentrated the less
likely she was to find her answer.  The trick was to look without looking.
One of her meditation techniques might serve.  She closed her eyes, focused
on her own heartbeat and let herself drift.  The outside world faded and
became irrelevant.  Nothing mattered except her breathing.  It slowed as
calm descended, in, out, slower, calmer.  On the fringes of thought images 
flickered as her subconscious made connections.  At length one image grew
stronger and drifted towards her.  She didn't reach for it, just let in come 
closer.  Nothing mattered, all things in their time ... Then the image 
registered and her eyes flicked open as calm vanished!  It was a moment 
before she could think of anything but Kane's forehead, the scar right where 
Kulfi's mark would have been.
     Coincidence?  That seemed even flimsier now.  But if Kane was really 
Kulfi why become a swordsman?  Wasn't it guilt at shedding blood that drove 
him to leave all those years ago?  It made no sense.  A new thought intruded.
Was it possible Kane did not know he was Kulfi?  That the scar marked an 
injury that cost him his memory.  Or, more disturbingly, that the scar was
caused by Kulfi when he induced amnesia.  To escape the guilt he couldn't  
bear any longer.  Whatever the explanation she doubted it was all a 
coincidence.  Kane was, or at least had been Kulfi.  When he saw her this 
afternoon old buried memories emerged and scared him away.  It all seemed
plausible yet something still troubled her.  The name he bore; Kane, the
accursed one.  What if he already knew who he was and what he had done?  That   
the name reflected what he thought of himself.  It couldn't be and yet wasn't
she still bearing the burden of all those years ago.  Hadn't it shaped her own
life?  Without it would she have grown up just like her parents?  Arrogant and
treating the villagers like a flock of sheep to serve her.  Fleeced or 
slaughtered at her whim?  It all made horrible sense.  Granita shuddered.  
     Resolve filled her.  If he was still suffering then she had to help him.
Perhaps he could help her in turn.  Perhaps this wasn't so terrible, perhaps 
this was just what both of them needed.  Her thoughts became more positive,
he would be back soon.  She felt sure of that.  When he did ... she dashed
to the nearest mirror and scowled.  Her hair needed work, so did her wardrobe.
Okay first things first.  A nice long bath while she worked out the best way
to handle this.  How should she greet him?  As the tomboy she had been, the
quiet woman she had become or should she emulate the more vivacious heroines
in her favourite novels?  She would have to think carefully about this.  As
she went to draw a bath Granita's step was lighter than it had been in years.
Kulfi had kept their childhood pledge and come back to her.  Everything was 
going to be fine.
     By chance rather than intention Kane had stopped to rest in a pleasant 
spot.  The small hill gave him enough elevation to make out the roofs of the
village over the forest and the farms that stretched out beyond it.  A 
pleasant pastoral scene for anyone in the mood to appreciate it.  Which Kane
wasn't.  The only thing he cared about was that he didn't recognise this spot.
So if Granita checked their childhood haunts she wouldn't find him.
     It might as well have been desolate wasteland for all he cared about the
scenery.  His gaze was turned firmly inward though it wasn't any more pleasing 
to contemplate.  He leaned against a century old oak tree scowling.  The 
remains of his lunch lay scattered around though.  Meagre pickings for the 
ants and birds even though he had felt no appetite.  But the purely mechanical
task of eating had occupied his mind and kept him from thinking about other
things.  But the distraction was gone and he had no way to avoid thinking
about it.
     Why had he come back here?  Because he had heard the village had a  
sorcerer and thought Granita long gone.  She had always said she couldn't see 
why her parents hung around such a dump like Corum village when there was a 
whole wide world to explore.  Soon as she grew up she was getting as far away 
as possible.  She had been serious and he had believed her.  By now she was
supposed to be a thousand miles away either living a wild life or settled 
down with a rich husband and a lot of snooty kids.  Even if he had expected
to find her here the idea that she was the sorceress had never crossed his
mind.  For a moment he almost smiled.  Granita always had messed up his best
laid plans.  The trace of amusement vanished.  There was nothing to laugh
about.  He had a real problem and no idea what he was supposed to do about 
it.
      Kane bent forward so he could draw his sword then leaned back against
the tree.  Idly he raised it, holding it so the blade shaded his eyes from the 
sun's glare.  Most swords would glint in the sunlight but not this one.  Not 
his black bladed creation.  He lowered the sword and shifted position so he 
wasn't looking towards the sun.  It took him a moment to drive the sword into 
the ground before him, aiming to strike soil rather than the extensive roots 
that surrounded him.  Hilt upright the sword stood before him.  There it was,
his masterwork.  In many ways a part of him.  Since the day he forged it
everything had been clear.  He had a purpose and he knew exactly what he was 
doing.  Years ago he had begun his mission and never looked back.  Never a 
doubt in his mind, not once had he hesitated in his course.
     Until today.
     For the first time in years he didn't know what to do next.  It had all
been so simple.  Obvious.  Clear-cut.  Not now, not since he recognised the 
sorceress.  Now nothing made sense anymore.  What was he supposed to do?  He
had no idea and there was no one to resolve this for him.  He was alone and
for the first time that truly bothered him.  He stared at the sword hoping
to see an answer in it.  But while it was many things at base it was just
dumb metal.  It could no more answer him than a rock could.  Even if it had
been somehow aware wasn't it his creation?  All it could do would be share 
his confusion.  And rage.  He didn't know what to do and that made him very 
angry.
     His frustration was still with him that evening as he sat in the only
tavern in the village.  After emerging from the forest as evening darkened 
the sky he had made his way to the "Hoe and Plough".  He hadn't returned to
the inn yet, he had no appetite and was not in the mood for company.  He
wasn't really expecting drinking to solve any problems but it was the
traditional response when confronted with two rotten alternatives and he had
no better ideas.  Besides if he drank enough he could at least delay thinking 
about this until tomorrow.  But he knew this was no answer and simply dodging 
the question wouldn't solve anything.  Which only increased his frustration.
     The tavern was full of craftsmen and farmers shaking off the strains of
another wearying day.  Despite which no one crowded Kane, it was as though
there was an invisible wall surrounding him.  But even if you were blind you
could sense the sullen anger and desire to be alone radiating from him.  None
of the men in the tavern considered themselves either cowards or weaklings.
But it was a long way from there to bothering an intensely brooding stranger
of unknown temper wearing a large sword which he looked like he knew how to
use.  Instead they respected his wish for solitude and kept clear of his 
booth, getting out of the way when he crossed to the bar to get a fresh ale. 
Neither Kane nor the patrons expected anyone to bother him.  So when the 
other stranger entered and sat down across from him without waiting for an
invitation everyone was taken aback.
     Kane resolved to ignore the intruder and hope he would get the unspoken
message that he didn't want company.
     "Hey, old man!"
     No such luck.  Kane looked up to glare at the newcomer in hopes he would
get the idea and leave.  But this clown seemed immune to all forms of 
subtlety.  Time to be more direct.
     "I am in no mood for conversation and prefer to drink alone.  I advise
you to leave while I am still acting civilized."
     "Uh huh.  So you're Kane, right?  Name's Carrot Glaces, the messenger of
love."
     Kane blinked in surprise.  Carrot's complete lack of survival instinct 
and bizarre declaration actually managed to penetrate his anger filled 
brooding introspection.  "The what?!"
     "Messenger of love!  I bring the gospel of romance to enliven the empty 
lives of women pining for true love!"  
     Kane stared at him for a moment then laughed for the first time since 
he saw the sorceress.  The instant when his carefully ordered life began 
collapsing.
     "What's so funny?"
     "I saw you in the market this morning going after every unattached woman
in sight.  From the way you were getting kicked around I'd say there's a lot
of atheists around here."
     "Just some minor misunderstandings ..."
     "More like they understood far too well."  Kane recalled the scene again
and remembered another detail.  "Any woman not scared off by your approach 
took off after those two girls showed up to hammer you." 
     Carrot glowered.  "It was all Chocolate and Tira's fault!  With them
following me how can I be expected to make time with any girls?"
     Perhaps Kane simply welcomed a diversion from his own problems but he 
found this distraction oddly intriguing.
     "Those two aren't related to you are they?  In fact now that I think 
about it they were acting more like jealous girlfriends." 
     Carrot nodded gloomily.  "There's a difference of opinion.  They say 
they're my girlfriends, I say they aren't but nobody listens to me.  Back 
when we were kids they decided I was the one for both of them and they
won't take no for an answer!"
     "I'm missing something here.  Do they fight over you all the time?"
     "Not exactly ... compete over who's going to get me first but they never
come to blows.  Too much sisterly love for any real sibling rivalry."
     "So you've already got two girls wild over you, one openly sensual, one
shy and cute and that's not enough?  Many men would think they'd died and gone  
to heaven with a problem like that."  Kane was surprised to see Carrot 
shudder violently.
     "If you really knew them you wouldn't think like that.  You never know 
when Tira's going to take off her glasses or Chocolate's going to put on the 
hat!  Okay maybe nine times out of ten I can guess what'll set them off but
it could happen anytime.  It's always possible, lurking just under the surface
so you can never be sure when they're going to erupt!"  Kane tried to make 
some sense of this and failed utterly.
     "You just lost me."
     "Never mind, you'd have to see it to believe me.  Just take my word for  
it they're dangerous!"  Something seemed to occur to him.  "Dangerous to me
but I'll bet you could handle them.  How about it.  I'll trade Chocolate and
Carrot for Sorbet.  Two for one, that's a good deal."  Kane looked blank.
     "Who?  Oh yes, the maid at the inn."
     "How could you forget her?  She's really cute!"
     "I've had some more important things on my mind."
     "More important than girls?  No such thing!"  
     Kane's expression darkened but Carrot looked so sincere he managed a
cynical laugh.  "No, maybe for you that's all that matters in life.  But I've
got other concerns."
     "Whatever they are you shouldn't leave Sorbet in the lurch like that.  
The way she's acting she was waiting for you to come back to the inn tonight."
A new thought struck.  "Well, if you don't want her can I have her?"
     "She's not mine to give away.  If you can convince her to fall for you
then more power to you."
     Carrot nodded.  "That's something I wanted to talk to you about."  He
glanced around looking for eavesdroppers but the rest of the customers were 
still keeping their distance, afraid that Carrot might yet say something to 
make Kane turn violent.  Satisfied Carrot lowered his voice and leaned in 
closer.
     "Man to man, I have to know.  How did you get Sorbet to fall for you
so quickly?  I've done everything I can think of and she avoids me every 
chance she gets.  I'm not that bad looking, hell I look better than an old
guy like you with an ugly scar.  So what am I doing wrong?"
     Kane didn't exactly consider twenty-six old but decided to answer anyway.
"Simple, I come across as a mysterious soft spoken stranger with an intriguing
past she can both romanticise and fanaticise about.  You come across as a 
hormone driven idiot who expected her to leap into bed with him the moment you 
met."
     "..."
     Ignoring Carrot's nonplussed look Kane continued, "It's probably too late
to get anywhere with her.  Short of somehow convincing her there's much more 
to you than meets the eye I'd say you had your chance and blew it.  In future
work on looking serious for more than five minutes at a time."
     Carrot snorted.  "Hey, I'm intriguing!  I'm a Sorcerer Hunter and that's
a lot fancier than some mouldy old mercenary!"
     Kane just looked at him for a moment.  Then sighed and shook his head.
"The first trick to being a successful liar is to pick something that's at
least vaguely conceivable."
     "What is that supposed to mean?"
     "It means you could maybe pass yourself as the guy who mucks out the
Sorcerer Hunters stables or carries their baggage but convincing anyone that
you're some kind of elite warrior ..."  Kane shook his head again.  "Finding
a girl naive enough to believe that would be a real struggle."
     Carrot looked offended.
     "I am a Sorcerer Hunter!  I've got a secret talent!"
     "What exactly?"
     "Uh ... that's a secret.  Besides we're supposed to be undercover in
this village while we figure out our mission."
     Kane chuckled briefly.  "That act needs a lot of work."
     Carrot glared and started to get up.  Then seemed to remember something 
and sat down again.  "Oh yeah, I was supposed to find out something."  Once
again he looked conspiratorial and looked around before asking, "Is your sword 
enchanted?"
     Had Kane been listening intently he might have heard a quiet voice 
outside a nearby open window saying, "Brother, you idiot!"  Instead he studied
Carrot then nodded.  Carrot grinned, so much for Marron saying he wasn't smart
enough to find anything out.  Time for phase two of his master plan.
     "What does it do?"
     Kane ostentatiously looked around, everyone else in the tavern suddenly 
found their own conversations extremely fascinating.  Then leaning close to 
Carrot whispered, "It's a secret."
     "WHAT?"
     "It's a secret.  I don't feel like telling everyone in here its powers.
It is never a good idea to reveal the ace up your sleeve.  The only reason 
I admitted the sword carries any magic is because it's easy to divine that 
much."  To himself he added, "Ideally it shouldn't even be possible to tell  
that much but the insulation on the scabbard was impossible to mask.  At 
least it serves to mislead anyone who can sense it." 
     Carrot tried a new tactic.  "What's its name?  Magical swords usually
have names, right?"  Kane considered a moment then answered, the name meant
nothing to anyone else and could serve as another mask.
     "Stormbringer."
     "Stormbringer?"
     "Stormbringer."
     "Stormbringer, Stormbringer ..."  Carrot looked thoughtful, or at least 
as much as he could get about anything that didn't involve girls.  At length
he shook his head.  "Never heard of it."
     Kane smiled faintly.  "No reason you should have."  Carrot seemed a bit
offended by his casualness.
     "What's that supposed to mean?  For all you know I've got an 
encyclopaedic knowledge of magical ... stuff."
     "Do you?"
     "No, but you didn't know that!"
     "True but this isn't a name anyone else is likely to have heard.  
Stormbringer isn't some famous magical sword that's been revered for centuries
and shows up in a dozen legends.  It's just the name I gave my sword when I
... acquired it."
     "WHAT?"
     Ignoring the volume Kane answered, "I was still a teenager when the sword
became mine, younger than you are now.  So it seemed appropriate to give it a
name because everyone knew magical swords have names."  Kane shrugged, "I was
young, if I'd got it today I wouldn't have bothered.  At base this is just the
tool of my trade and how many craftsmen bother naming their tools?"
     He said it lightly but his mood darkened again.  The sword, everything
always came back to the sword.  Wasn't it the focus of his entire life?
First learning to forge it then to wield it in the long years since.  Wasn't
it the cause of his dilemma?  He had a pledge to fulfill but ...  
     The last traces of humour fled Kane's features.  He rose swiftly, 
startling his inept interrogator, and growled, "I need some air."  He stalked 
out through the sudden silence of the tavern.  The door slammed behind him
and the babble of conversation began to cautiously resume.
     Kane stalked through the darkened village, no destination in mind, in a
vain effort to turn his thoughts from his pledge of years earlier.  No, from
both pledges he had made.  Two oaths he had sworn sincerely but which now  
were in conflict.  Honour, duty, friendship and loneliness whirled through his 
mind.  Which was the more important?  Which should he fulfill? 
     It suddenly struck him that he was walking though the darkness of an
unfamiliar village without a mis-step.  The village wasn't big enough that it
could afford street lighting by either torch or magic.  Candles flickered in
a few windows but they were few and far between.  Even with the starlight of
a cloudless sky his step shouldn't be so firm.  Kane stifled a sigh, he had
invoked night sight without a thought.  An error he had not made in years.
Usually he was far more careful about acting normal.  But then, this was far 
from a usual situation.
     His step seemed firm so he hadn't drunk enough to have much effect, if
any.  Which meant whatever he decided there was nothing to stop him fulfilling
his choice.  Damn it all!  He glanced around seeking diversion.  To his left 
he saw a glow of light and the murmur of voices.  That had to be the inn but
he was in no mood to go there.  Sorbet might distract him but he feared she 
would serve more as a reminder of Granita and the decision that must be made.
     A new thought intruded.  Why not simply leave?  Just go and come back in
ten or twenty years.  By then things might have resolved themselves and he 
would be free of this burden.  The idea seemed more attractive the more he 
thought about it.  Why not?  Who would ever know apart from him?  
     Perhaps he would have taken that option had he not entered the village
square.  Or perhaps he had been unconsciously heading there all along.  He
would never know for his gaze fixed upon the bulk of the monument.  He 
stepped closer, enhanced vision picking out the names carved into the pillar.
He ran a hand over them feeling the shape of the letters.  Seventy-seven
souls, almost half of a village that had numbered one hundred and sixty-two
before the twister tore through its midst.  He didn't know how long he stood 
there but the light from the inn had darkened by the time he stepped away.  At
last he had an answer to his question, the answer was responsibility.  If
he turned away once then what would stop him doing it a second time?  Or a
third?  Or a tenth or a hundredth time?  Sometimes there were no alternatives.
He had always said his path was stern and uncompromising but he had not truly
understood what that meant until tonight.  There were no options, no turning
back.  Not without making his life a mockery and his quest an exercise in 
futility.  He knew what he had to do.  However painful it might be he had a 
duty to fulfill.  His decision firming with every step he began the walk to 
the sorceress's house.
     Granita felt restless, still that was no surprise as she had been feeling
that way all night.  She put aside the book she had brought to kill time 
(though she had been unable to concentrate on the words) and rose to her feet. 
Once more she began pacing as she wondered yet again if waiting for Kulfi to
return was a bad idea.  He had never been an especially punctual kid, it 
might take him days to work up the nerve to return.  Maybe she should have 
gone to the village to hunt for him.  Maybe but she had lived alone for so 
long that she got edgy around crowds.  So searching the inn for him would be 
a bad idea.  She was already ill at ease enough at the thought of meeting him
without compounding her problems.  
     The sound of her footsteps seemed so much louder that usual.  Funny the
mansion seemed so much emptier than usual.  She paused by a mirror and studied 
her reflection, wondering if the modest blue dress trimmed with white lace was
the right choice.  Then shook her head at the idea.  Why was it so hard to 
forget those romantic daydreams?  This wasn't going to be some storybook 
reunion of long lost lovers.  They had been childhood friends, nothing more.
They hadn't had a chance to see if anything more would develop.  Besides why
should he have followed her path?  For all she knew he had a wife and half a
dozen kids waiting for him to return from whatever he was doing.  Getting
too carried away by her imagination was foolish ... what was that?
     Granita frowned in puzzlement, uncertain if she had felt the wards 
sense something or not.  It took a moment to fashion a dozen will-o-the-wisps 
and send them off to search the grounds.  They were back in moments having 
found nothing.  The flicker in the wards had just been her own imagination,
nothing human to be found and the wardlines repelled animals who would damage 
the grounds.  She was the victim of an overactive imagination combined with a 
minor fluctuation.  Or at least she had been but now she felt someone passing 
through the wards on their way to the door.  
      Kane had been nearby for some time.  On arrival he had stood on the 
other side of the wards and stood there studying the house.  At length he 
managed to steel himself and walked through the wards.  Stealth wasn't 
appropriate, not here.  He strode to the door and reached for the bellpull.  
Then hesitated and tried the door handle.  It turned easily, neither locked 
nor latched.  He stood there a moment longer then opened the door and stepped 
inside.  He wasn't too surprised to see Granita was waiting for him.
     She stood at the other end of the well lighted hallway, next to a high
backed chair and a table holding a book, several bottles and a pair of 
glasses.  That didn't make this any easier.  He knew he should do what he had
vowed to and leave, that speaking to her would simply make it harder.  He knew 
all that but he couldn't face that.  There were things he had to know, no
matter what the cost.  Part of him knew he was looking for a loophole but he
ignored it.
     She had changed from the tomboy he remembered.  Pretty rather than 
beautiful but still recognisable.  Though these days there would be no way
anyone could mistake her for a boy.  As he studied her she studied him, he
wondered how he compared to the kid she had known.  Probably unfavourably,  
he looked harsher and much more weathered than that long gone child.  She
obviously had no idea if she should keep her distance, come forth to greet him 
or rush forward to embrace him.  Hopefully she would stay where she was, 
he prayed she would.  Or this would be so much harder.  
     Granita was the first to speak.  "Kulfi?"
     Her visitor shook his scarred head.  "Kulfi has been gone a very long 
time.  My name is Kane."  Well he knew who he was at least.  
     "An odd choice."
     "Not to me."  There was an awkward silence before Kane spoke again.  "I
suppose I should have known you were a sorceress.  Why else would my parents 
have let us be friends?  But it still makes no sense to me.  I wasn't the
most observant child and you used to have that pageboy haircut that stopped
just short of your eyes.  But we used to play some pretty rough and tumble 
games so I must have seen your forehead lots of times.  Why don't I remember
your mark?"
     "For the same reason you never saw me work any magic.  In my bloodline
while the boys are born with the mark the girls have just the faint outline.
Mine was fainter than most.  It doesn't become distinct until we reach 
womanhood.  My menses began when I was thirteen which was when my powers 
kicked in.  By then you had been gone almost three years."
     He nodded as the light dawned.  "I had heard that's how it happens 
for some female sorcerers.  They can only learn magic theory while their 
brothers have powers from the start.  But when the power arrives it is greater
than their brothers and more focused from their years of study."  
     "I wouldn't know.  I was an only child and my parents weren't around to 
teach me how to use my powers.  I had to teach myself the art from their 
books."
     "Oh."  Kane tried to think of something else to say.  "As I say I had 
heard of this before but I had never seen it."
    "Yes you had."
    Kane gave an embarrassed laugh.  "I suppose I had."   He held his ground,
Granita began to casually move closer while keeping the conversation rooted
in their shared past.
     "I suppose you've figured out that our parents intended us to marry?"
     Kane twitched.  "That ... never occurred to me but it's obvious now you 
mention it.  But there's so much I don't understand.  Why did they bring us
here in the first place and why didn't they ever mention the arrangement." 
     "To answer the second part we barely saw our parents except by 
projection and they didn't exactly spend a lot of time on us and our feelings.
Our job was joining our families and bloodlines so the next generation would 
be stronger.  If we actually liked each other or not was irrelevant.  We were 
going to be married, that was inevitable.  So why bother telling us about it 
until we were old enough to make it official?"
     "That sounds like my parents from what little I remember about them.  But
how do you know all this?"
     She shrugged.  "I read all their papers years ago.  Which is how I know
the answer to the rest of your other question.  The reason our parents set
up house in such a small, out of the way village is because Corum is a small
village a thousand miles from anywhere.  They figured the war would never
reach here so once they had bullied the locals into submission they could 
leave their progeny here in safety while they headed off to the war." She  
gave a half laugh.  "They were right about that much, the war never reached 
here so we were safe.  Of course they didn't figure they had backed the 
losing side or that none of them would survive to collect us."  She stopped  
her slow advance and looked up at a portrait on the wall.  A man and a woman
in their thirties, both bearing the sorcerer's mark.  "News travels slow.
The war ended thirteen years ago but it took another two for word to reach
Corum that the masters weren't coming back.  By then I had my own powers so
things continued much as they always had around here.  Except I was getting
increasingly uncomfortable with being waited on hand and foot so I started
reducing the staff.  Over at your parents place the servants were still 
maintaining the house in case you ever came back.  It seemed like a waste so 
I told them to forget it and go find something useful to do.  They didn't, 
not right away but people were starting to accept me as the only sorcerer in
Corum.  Over time your family's servants drifted away, getting bolder and 
walking off with more and more stuff went they left.  Eventually the place 
began falling apart without repairs or anyone to reinforce the structural 
spells and the roof caved in.  After that happened everyone decided you were 
never coming back and started dismantling what was left whenever they needed 
finished stone for building."  A new thought intruded.  "Uh, you don't hold 
that against them?"
     "No, I was never planning on living there again."
     "Good ... but if you're not looking for your legacy why did you come 
back?  I was hoping you remembered our pledge but the more I look at you the
less I believe that.  You've got some reason for being here but it's not to 
fulfill some childhood promise."
     He didn't answer directly.  "I didn't expect you to still be here.  You
always said you were going to travel.  Instead you've been here sitting here
playing gardener the past sixteen years!?"  He sounded oddly outraged for
some reason.  Granita laughed again.
     "What makes you think I never left?"  She waved an arm to indicate the
grounds surrounding them.  "Do you think I just made all that appear by 
magic?"
     "Well, no.  I didn't feel anything from them."
     "Right.  So I had to get the seeds somewhere and Corum's not exactly a
horticultural showplace."
     "So how ...?"
     "Transport magic.  I found I've got a talent for it.  That's my 
speciality.  I've done a lot of travelling over the years."  She sighed.  "But
I always end up coming back here to my secure little niche.  Guess I'm not as
adventurous as I thought.  But my encounters with outsiders aren't to my 
liking.  Commoners are scared of me on sight while other sorcerers ..."  She
shook her head.  "You wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen!"  She
frowned, again taking in his battleworn visage.  "Strike that, I imagine 
you've seen plenty in your travels."
     "Yes."
     For a single word it carried plenty of weight.  Momentarily thrown off
her stride Granita resumed, "So wherever I go I always wind up back here
sooner or later.  Usually sooner.  People have a more comfortable attitude 
around here.  I don't bother them and they aren't too worried about me.  This 
is probably as peaceful as it can get between sorcerers and commoners."
     He nodded slowly.  "I believe you're right.  He took a step back and 
gestured at a window.  "It's a beautiful garden.  You don't use magic to
maintain it?"
     She demurred, "Well I keep the grass cut by magic, a variant on my 
dusting spells and I've got a number of magics to cure root-rot and other
plant diseases.  But I generally try to keep magic out of the garden, elbow
grease works better in the long run.  Use magic to wipe out weeds and you 
find out just how many flowers are close enough to them to shrivel up too.
Accelerate plant growth and next time it sprouts it's deformed, the wrong 
colour or bearing weird looking fruit.  Same with seeds boosted to grow by  
spells.  Short term solutions and I've learned by trial and error to take the
long view."  He was still keeping his distance which made no sense.  Okay so
he might not feel any romantic impulses but each of them had been the only 
friend the other had growing up.  Why was he so standoffish?  What had 
happened to him since he walked away from his home sixteen years ago?  She had 
to find out.
     "So what of you, Kul ... Kane?  Now you know my life story what about
yours?  What have you been doing since you left Corum?"
     He didn't answer directly.  Instead he drew his sword from its sheath 
and balancing it by tip and hilt held it out for her inspection.  The black 
metal seemed to drink in the light but she could just make out that it was 
covered with runes she could not read.  But even without seeing the magical
marks she could feel the sword's power from here.  It was obviously enchanted  
and yet felt strangely wrong.  Not cursed or radiating evil they way some
legendary demon swords were said to but it felt like ... like nothing she 
could really describe.  The closest she could come was the feeling that 
something unspecified was missing.  Before she could gather her thoughts he
spoke at last.
     "My early adventures would be of no interest to you and are irrelevant 
to me.  My life did not truly begin anew until I forged Stormbringer."
     Granita tried unsuccessfully to understand what he was trying to say.
"You ... learned to become a blacksmith?  To make magic swords?"
     "No, this is the only one I made.  I learned to make the sword I would
need ... and to use it."
     "But that makes no sense!  Mercenaries don't have to create their own
weapons, they buy them!  Even if making enchanted swords is a lost art there's
plenty around if you search for them and that has to be a damn sight easier 
than learning to make your own.  Especially for someone like you!  Why would 
you go to all the trouble of making your own?  Incidentally that name is in 
very poor taste!"  Granita realized she was getting frustrated.  Why couldn't 
he just tell her what this was all about?  Instead he just nodded and kept
dancing around the subject.
     "As a rule you would be right but this is an exception.  The mission I
had set myself required a very special sword and since all of its kind are
hard to detect I had to make my own."  Granita took a deep breath before she 
said something she would regret.  Don't explode, just ask the question.
     "So what is this mission that's kept you on the road for sixteen years?
Do you realize I didn't have a clue if you were alive or dead?  We still get
a monthly mail delivery, how hard could it have been to send a letter!"
     He hesitated before answering.  "I ... I am sorry to have concerned you
but I felt a clean break with the past was for the best.  I wasn't Kulfi
anymore and I wasn't coming back.  I really thought you'd forget him and move
on."
     "Idiot!"    
     "What?!"
     "I called you an idiot.  'Clean break with the past', indeed!  You 
haven't got over it anymore than I have.  That's why you left and why you've
become whatever it is you're not telling me!  It's pretty bloody obvious that 
it shaped your life the same as mine.  I was there too, did you really think 
I'd just forget it?"  
     He looked a bit taken aback at her outburst.  "You were just a witness!
The responsibility ..."
     "It was an accident.  Neither of us guessed what would happen and in case
you've forgotten that whole mess was triggered by you trying to show off to
me!  So any responsibility isn't all yours!"  She threw up her hands in   
frustration.  "Boys!  Men!  You're all hopeless!  Now stop messing around and
tell me what the big damned secret is!  What have you been doing all these
years and why did you need a magic sword?"  She hadn't got this worked up in  
years, Kulfi always had managed to bring our both her best and worst.  An
unpleasant idea struck her.  "Gods!  You haven't really become some sort of
wandering mercenary spilling blood for money?"
     "No, I use the guise but only for camouflage.  I have a purpose and I 
have always been true to it."
     Finally she was going to get some answers.  "So what's the big secret?
If you're not a mercenary then what are you really?"
     "A sorcerer killer."
     It took a few moments for the words to penetrate.
     "WHAT?!"
     "I hunt and kill sorcerers."
     "WHAT?!"
     "I don't see how I can make it any clearer.  I find sorcerers and I
kill them."
     Granita tried to gather her scattered wits.  Fragments of stories she had
heard on her travels came back to her.  "You ... you joined the Stela 
Church?"
     He shook his head.  "No, originally I intended to but their methods are
inadequate."
     "I ... I heard their teams never fail to complete assignments."
     "True but they wait for emissaries to seek them out and won't operate
unless they think action warranted.  They don't see that making exceptions
means they will never end the sorcerer problem.  Generation after generation
it will go on forever.  Unless the sorcerer bloodlines are severed there will
never be peace!"  The outburst ended and he looked resigned.  "I am sorry."  
With that he held the sword ready in his right hand and advanced towards her
with unnerving silence.
     "Kulfi?  Kane?  Stop that, you're scaring me.  This is a joke, right?
Right?  Say something dammit!"  He didn't say a word.  A single tear tracked
down his cheek but he didn't slow.  Granita decided not to wait around to
find out if he was serious and invoked her power intending to put a few miles
between them.
     The world seemed to go mad and the sorceress dropped in a fit of vertigo
induced shock.  Kane wasn't surprised, Stormbringer's influence had disrupted
any hope of transport magics working in their vicinity.  For the first time
he wished the sword wasn't quite so effective.  He looked down at the huddled 
figure who looked near insensible.  Kinder this way, she wouldn't see death 
coming.  Looking down upon the twitching woman Kane very uncharacteristically 
uttered a quick prayer for her soul.  Something he had never felt tempted to 
do before and was perhaps the last delaying tactic.  But he had a duty to 
perform and duty was uncompromising.  He steeled himself and raised the sword 
to strike.  At which point two of the windows exploded and two figures 
rocketed through to land with catlike grace.
     Instinctively Kane wheeled to face them as the main door slammed open 
and three more intruders entered more conventionally.  Kane recognised 
Carrot easily enough and remembered seeing the other two at Savoury Inn that
morning.  Which could mean the two women who had entered so dramatically were
the pair that had completed the fivesome that morning.  But if so they had
made a drastic change in their attire.  While the men still wore the same
clothes, none of which was too outre, the women's wardrobe was something
else.  You rarely saw women dressed like that and carrying whips, at least 
not outside some of the more specialized houses of ill-repute.  Kane forced  
himself to ignore the distracting clothes (or lack thereof) and focus on their
arrival.  The speed and strength they had demonstrated by their entrance was
practically superhuman and that was just the surface.  He could feel the 
power they emanated from over here.  Not to mention the waves the other two 
were giving off.  None of the five bore sorcerer's marks but four of them 
radiated a form of magical energy he had never sensed before.  The sole 
exception was Carrot who swaggered forward and gave a shit eating grin. 
     "Told you I was a Sorcerer Hunter, old man."
     With that the puzzle finally made sense.  Almost, Carrot's lack of  
power was a puzzle but everything else fell into place.  Non sorcerers with 
magic who had just broken into a sorcerer's house.  Kane felt a sudden wave 
of relief.  As long as the job was done it didn't matter who did it.  Truth
was he was eager to relinquish this kill.  He stepped away from groggy Granita
and gestured towards her.
     "So you did.  But I'm not about to dispute your passage.  She's yours."
It was at this point that things stopped making sense again.  
     Carrot suddenly developed a look of pure lust and started towards the
sorceress.  Before he could take more than a couple of steps the big guy
clamped a hand on his shoulder.  Carrot tried to pull free but the other 
man's arm didn't even twitch.  "That's not what he meant, balls-for-brains."
The longhaired man nodded in agreement.  "Gato is right, brother.  He thinks
we're here to kill her."
     "Who'd waste a babe like her?"  That earned him earned very hostile looks
from both women and fear replaced ardour.
     Kane was surprised enough to demand, "Then what are you doing here?"
     The woman in white and orange answered, "To stop you before you make a
big mistake.  She's done nothing wrong so why are you after her?"  She 
looked and sounded both angry and outraged.  By contrast her sister's voice
and gaze were cold as ice.
     "She has waited for your return these many long years and this is how
you greet her?  For those who betray a women's love there can be no 
forgiveness!"
     Glad to see her wrath focused on someone else for a change Carrot piped 
up with, "Chocolate's not kidding about that."  She turned back to face him  
and he began to sweat again.  It was a relief when Kane spoke up and regained
her attention.
     "We were childhood friends not long lost lovers and I'm not doing this
because I want to.  But sometimes there are no alternatives.  Granita has to
die!"
     Tira answered for all of them.  "Over my dead body."  Kane studied them 
and shook his head.  It made absolutely no sense to him.
     "The Sorcerer Hunters are willing to fight me to protect a sorcerer?"
     The man with the long black hair smiled faintly and stepped forward to 
answer.  "It does seem a contradiction but we only punish those sorcerers
who abuse their powers.  Those who do not are as deserving of our protection 
as any commoner."
     Kane snorted. "Ever meet a non-malicious sorcerer before?"
     "Once or twice.  I will agree that the majority abuse their powers but 
..."
     "But nothing.  Power corrupts, that is a truth of human nature.  If you
are born with powers that make you superior to the common man why should you
ever not regard it as your birthright to prey on them?"
     "A good argument for teaching them that abusing their powers will bring
retribution."
     Kane didn't look impressed.  "A short term solution, that's why I never
joined the Stela Church.  You might scare this generation of sorcerers into
submission but the next generation will simply repeat their crimes."
     "Then our successors will deal with them."
     "And in the meantime how many will suffer at the hands of sorcerers who
need not?  You don't prevent evil, you avenge it.  Which doesn't do a damned
bit of good to the dead and the grieving."  The other man nodded.
     "I see.  So you would destroy them all, exterminate the whole sorcerer 
race because you don't believe there can ever be peace between them and the
commoners."
     "That is not a belief, that is the only way to protect the commoners
from the sorcerers."
     "Then we stand in opposition for I will not let you kill this woman 
because her unconceived children or hypothetical grandchildren might turn to 
evil."
     "I don't want to fight you, we're on the same side.  But I can't leave
here without doing what I must.  I am Kane and that is my destiny."  
     Kane studied the other man, waiting for him to make the inevitable reply.  
Looking resigned but resolute his opponent declared, "I am Marron Glaces and I
say we are not on the same side.  We protect the innocent and avenge the
wronged.  Sheath your sword and depart or we are enemies."  Even as he said 
it Marron knew what the answer would be.  Kane shook his head slightly and
looked weary.  But he still declared, "Then we are enemies and I shall learn
how strong you really are.  Defend yourselves!"
     Chocolate smiled coldly and stepped forward whip at the ready, her sister
moved to back her up.  "Wait!"  Chocolate stopped and Marron pushed past her.
"Kane is misguided rather than evil so I will try to stop him without 
bloodshed."  Kane stood his ground as he watched Marron produce a handful of
ofuda.  Now was this a real attack or just a distraction to let the other 
three flank him?  Three?  Kane realized he had lost track of Carrot, his 
attention fixed on the dangerous foursome.  The lecherous loser was currently
creeping along the wall trying to get behind him.  Question was if it was an
attempt to strike from his blind side or he was just trying to glomp the 
semiconscious Granita who was groaning as she awoke with a splitting headache.
Then Marron attacked and Kane stopped worrying about his brother.  
     "Spirits of fire attend me!"
     Rings of fire circled around Marron in response to his call.  So much for
the distraction theory.  Marron flung the ofuda towards him and they flew
like darts instead of paper cards.  The paper ignited in midair becoming pure
fire and shifted into the form of birds.  Beating flaming wings the firebirds
slowed their rush and shifted course to encircle Kane with their blazing wake.
Surrounded by fire the sorcerer killer seemed trapped and the fight over. But 
appearances deceive.
     Before Marron could call on Kane to surrender or his brother make some 
remark about how he wasn't so tough after all, Kane moved.  Holding his sword 
one handed but handling it as if it were as light as an epee he struck.  The
sword slashed rapidly into the fire rings around him cutting the firebirds in 
half.  Each time it did there was a pop and a firebird would vanish, replaced 
by pieces of an ofuda.  The bits of paper were still falling as Kane tore  
forward before he could lose the element of surprise.
     Marron's mind was reeling, what had happened?  How could a mere magic
sword beat his ofuda especially one lacking overwhelming power?  The fire 
spirits hadn't been overcome, they had just quit the earth plane without 
banishment.  Just before Kane reached him Marron had a flash of insight.  Of
course the sword was ... almost upon him!  Marron belatedly raised a ofuda 
but it was too late for that.  If Kane hadn't used his free hand it could well  
have ended then and there for Marron Glaces
     Kane's fist punched viciously in Marron's stomach.  Involuntarily 
doubling over and gasping with pain Marron had no defence as Kane slammed an
elbow into his neck.  Marron hit the floor hard and consciousness fled.  Kane
shifted his attention to the other three as they all shouted, "Marron!"  From
behind him he heard Carrot say, "Brother!"
     "He is merely unconscious and will recover though he'll have a miserable 
time once he wake up."
     "Oh good, nothing to worry about.  Hello again, I'm Carrot ..."  Ignoring 
Granita's groggy demand to Carrot as to what was going on Kane concentrated on 
the other three.  It was an understatement to say they did not look happy.  
The big man cracked his knuckles and both women raised their whips.  An 
unusual choice for weapons but not one to take lightly.  The one in orange's 
looked to be of traditional thickness while the woman named Chocolate carried 
one no thicker than hair.  Light glinted off the line she held between her 
hands as though it was metallic.  Unbelievably fine and flexible wire?  
Whatever it was made of she looked more than ready to use it. 
     "That was a very big mistake.  Marron was the gentlest member of the 
group and the only one who could stop you without hurting you.  Our methods
are more extreme."
     "You don't look like that bothers you."
     "Quite right.  Let's go!"  
     The whip slashed towards him but Kane had already moved.  He wasn't too
surprised to see it cut a thin gouge in the wall.  Before the whip could
retract he swung towards it, dodging the second whip in midair and it parted
as if it was no more than hair.  Amazed though she was Chocolate snapped the  
shortened whip back towards her for another strike.  He shouldn't have been 
able to cut it so easily!  She could regrow it to its full length but that
would take time she didn't have right now.  She would just have to make do.
She called, "Watch out Tira ..." a bit late and somewhat redundantly.  Her
sister was already staring at a shortened whip in disbelief.
     Meanwhile Kane was occupied with Gato who moved surprisingly fast for 
one of his bulk.  He dodged the other man's fist expecting him to break his
knuckles on the floor.  Instead the marble cracked and Gato showed no sign of
pain.  At least not before the flat of the sword slammed into his back.  Kane
jumped back to avoid Gato's kick and held the sword ready.  His opponent 
rose and turned to face him.  There was a trickle of blood on his chin which
he ignored and a smile on his face.
     "You're supposed to use the blade.  You won't get another shot like 
that."
     "If this was an ordinary fight you'd already be dead but you're not 
sorcerers.  Last chance to walk away."  
     "Funny I was going to say the same thing."
     "No less than I expected."  They were both smiling now.  The aura of 
machismo seemed to fill the room and nothing besides their fight seemed to
matter.  At least until the moment was abruptly broken by the whistle of 
whips cutting through the air.  Kane dodged hastily but didn't manage to 
shorten either of them this time.  Gato was a bit incensed, you didn't get 
many moments like that in this business and he had wanted to savour it.
     "Hey, don't interfere in a fight between men!"
     Chocolate looked disgusted while Tira shook her head.  "Enough of the
macho posturing.  Stopping Kane out is the responsibility of all of us.  AND 
THAT INCLUDES YOU, CARROT!"  Carrot looked up from his clumsy attempted 
seduction of the sorceress and gulped audibly.
     While Kane noted the flaws in the Hunters teamwork he didn't see how he
could use them.  The three who were after him were bad enough and not to be
taken lightly.  It wasn't easy to dodge those whips and they were coiling 
them faster than he could counterattack.  Add in their speed and agility and  
they were shifting position and attack angle fast.  If he kept his eyes on 
them then Gato would take his head off.  All this on top of cramped quarters
for a fight and his lack of a desire to kill them meant he had problems.  If
he didn't do something fast he would be beaten.  He had a counterattack but
it wasn't something he relished doing.  But there seemed to be no alternative.
The sword wasn't enough and the enclosed space would help his strike.  Taking
as much attention as he dared off his opponents he gathered the power.
     Gato nodded as he saw Kane switch to a purely defensive style.  Good, 
they were wearing him down.  Perhaps he could end this by making it a one on
one fight, a real duel between men.  The girls wouldn't like it but they 
didn't understand manhood.  Hardly surprising as they seemed to think Carrot 
qualified as a real man.  What did they see in him anyway?
     Right now the sisters spared little attention for Carrot.  Apart from 
noting his definite lack of success with the sorceress and planning his
subsequent punishment.  Kane had abandoned the offense and was waiting for 
them to come to him.  Which had made them pause as they suspected a trick.
Around them the hall was a wreck.  Cracked floor, cratered walls, severed
support pillars and deep gouges everywhere.  If they didn't end this soon they 
could bring the whole place down on their heads.  Then two very unexpected
things happened and they stopped worrying about structural integrity.
     In one smooth move Kane sheathed his sword leaving them all nonplussed.
Was he surrendering?  Gato felt disappointed as Kane raised both hands in the
air.  Then he slammed them down and the air screamed in response.  The 
impossible wind came from nowhere and tore outwards from Kane.  The three 
began moving but they had been caught by surprise and it was already too late. 
The wind slammed them into the walls and held them, crushing them into the 
masonry.  Kane's face contorted with strain as his fingers gouged into the
floor.  Then at last the wind died and Kane arose from his crouch.  No longer
pinned the three Sorcerer Hunters crashed to the floor and didn't move.  
Ignoring Carrot's frantic calls to his friends Kane unsheathed the sword
again and stalked towards Granita.  On his forehead his sorcerer's mark
blazed like the fire he would use to sear it off later.  But right now he
had a murder to complete.  It was the first time he hadn't considered it an   
execution but he didn't let the thought slow him.
     Carrot turned to face him, exposing the slap mark on cheek, drew his own 
sword and waited with an easy confidence that would have amazed those who
knew him.  Kane studied him and didn't like what he saw.  Carrot's stance was
poor and he gave no indications of power but he was a member of the Sorcerer
Hunters so he had to have some talent.  Something hidden that Kane couldn't 
detect.  But what?  There were no indications of magic but was he able to mask 
it completely?  Or was he the master of some school of fighting that mimicked 
mere adequacy to throw opponents off-guard?  Kane hesitated as he tried to 
puzzle it out.  He couldn't delay too long or the others would recover and he 
had just thrown away his hidden card.  Still perhaps he could buy time.
     "Get out of my way!"
     "Sorry.  If I do that then there's one less babe in the world and no
messenger of love can stand by and let that happen."
     "Do you even know how to use that sword?" 
     "You'll have to find out for yourself, Sorcerer."  Behind Carrot Granita 
was desperately weaving a spell, a ball of light forming between her hands.  
It didn't feel like combat magic so it was either defensive or transport.  
Whichever it was Stormbringer would handle it.  Oblivious to this Carrot 
continued, "So that's what all this is about.  You want to wipe out all the
other sorcerers to get rid of all your competition."
     "Nothing so obvious.  I am sincere when I say I am going to wipe out all
the sorcerers.  We can discuss this later but I don't have time right now."
     "The only way to her is through me."
     "So be it."  Kane moved his sword into a striking position wondering 
why Carrot wasn't trying to guard himself.  Belatedly his opponent got into
a second rate guard position and waited for his attack.  Yet all the time he
kept smiling.  What did he know that Kane didn't?
     The reason for Carrot's overconfidence was a conversation he had with his
brother on the way here.  When Marron had confirmed that Stormbringer was 
definitely an enchanted sword Carrot had decided his worries were over.  As 
he had put it.  "Look Marron, if the sword's magic then I've got nothing to
worry about.  If he hits me with it I'll change and the transformation will
heal my injury.  Then I just have to step on him!"  His good humour had taken
a blow when Marron quietly informed him that becoming the Zoanthrope would
mean Tira and Chocolate would have to subdue him.  But with them out cold 
he could change back on his own to find a grateful sorceress eager to thank
him for saving her life.  Carrot was so caught up in his vision that he didn't
remember Marron being worried that he couldn't define what kind of enchantment
the sword carried.  He should have.
     Across the hall Marron struggled back to consciousness in time to see his
brother about to get himself killed.  Fighting the crippling pain in his 
stomach and the dull ache from his neck he struggled to his knees and tried
to gulp in enough air to yell.
     "BROTHER, NO!  IT'S A BANE SWORD!"
     Startled Carrot saw his brother fall back to the floor.  "A what?"
     Somehow Marron managed to gasp, "A bane sword isn't enchanted.  It 
disrupts magic!" before collapsing back into unconsciousness.  Carrot started 
to call to him when Marron's meaning penetrated.  Disrupts magic?  If it hit 
him he wouldn't change, it would be just like a plain old sword slicing into
him.  He gulped and began to sweat.
     Kane saw Carrot's confidence evaporate and smiled.  Carrot must have 
some technique to turn magic back on its caster.  So he had assumed he could
use Stormbringer's own power against Kane and believed himself invincible. 
An illusion had been rather rudely shattered.  Panicked Carrot made a 
desperate charge at Kane.  It was child's play to sidestep Carrot's rush and 
crack the flat of the blade against his skull.  Carrot hit the ground, his 
nose making a popping noise on impact and Kane stepped forward to finish
things.  But Carrot had delayed Kane long enough for Granita to complete her
spell.  She knew casting magic on Kane wouldn't work while he held that 
sword but a more generally applied spell might work.  Uttering the words of
power she slammed the sphere into the floor and felt its influence surround 
them.  Around Kane, Granita and the injured Sorcerer Hunters the hallway 
vanished as a vision of what had been overwrote the present.
      The boy and the girl both looked about eight years old.  Her hair was
cut short and she was dressed much like the boy in pants and a short sleeved
shirt but she was easily recognisable as Granita.  The boy's face lacked 
Kane's harshness and the triangular mark was prominent on his forehead but  
it was definitely him.  A breeze rippled the grass around them as the pair
trudged up the gentle slope of a hillside with their burden.  The kite bore 
the patchwork look of amateur construction but showed no obvious flaws beyond 
its size.  It was big, a blue and red delta wing shape with a length about
equal to their height.  Anyone who knew aerodynamics could have told them that
the lift it would need with its weight was extreme and several servants had
tried to tell them that.  But children always get suspicious when adults tell 
them something impossible so they had set out to prove them wrong.
     They stopped on the summit of the hill under the blue sky.  It was 
another beautiful summer day.  Far away the latest final battle between light
and darkness raged but it didn't touch Corum village or any of its neighbours.
Though the war would rage for another five years it would never touch this
place.  In fact the village was prospering, a prosperity aided by the fact
that the sorcerers who ruled over it had departed to join the war leaving 
their children to be raised by the servants.  Occasionally they would visit
by astral projection to ensure their progeny was safe but they showed little 
interest in the children themselves.  Not surprisingly this had lead their 
offspring to form closer ties with the servants who cared for them than their
distant parents.  This would have inevitably meant conflict with their parents  
had tragedy not intervened first.
     It started innocuously enough, the girl throwing the kite into the air 
while the boy charged downhill hauling the string behind him.  It always 
ended the same way with the kite striking the earth and bouncing.  Here its 
sturdy construction was an advantage as it didn't bend or tear.  Then the boy 
would climb back up the hill, refuse the girl's offer to trade places and try
again.  At last, breathless and exhausted the boy agreed and the girl took 
over and the same pattern repeated itself.  From sheer stubbornness the girl
didn't quit until she had tried as many failed runs as the boy.  Then she 
wearily climbed back one last time and flopped down by her friend.
     They lay there a time watching the few clouds drift lazily by.  At length 
the young Granita said, "There's just not enough wind today."  She was also 
wondering if the kite was too big but that would mean the adults were right 
and she would rather not admit that even if it were true.  Especially if it
was true.  She didn't see Kulfi nod but she heard the agreement in his voice.
     "Yeah, we need more than this measly little breeze.  A nice strong wind!"
     Gloomily Granita answered, "Probably won't be a decent wind until Fall
and that's months away.  Months and months ... maybe we should make some 
smaller ... other kites."
     "We don't have to wait.  I can make wind."
     "Kulfi!"
     Mortally embarrassed he stammered, "That's not what I meant!  I can do
weather magic ...!"  He saw her grin and realized he'd been had.  "Why you
...!"  A bit of roughhousing followed until both kids got tired of it. 
Clothes torn and grass stained they got up to dust themselves off.  Kulfi
looked at the blue sky and wondered if he was biting off more than he could
chew but he wasn't about to back down.
     "I meant what I said, I can whip up a decent wind if I want to."
     "Really?"  Granita looked impressed and Kulfi got that smug and cocky 
look all boys get when they've succeeded in making girls appreciate them.  If
he had ever heard the old adage about pride going before a fall it was 
forgotten.
     "Of course.  Sorcerers can do anything."  With that he looked to the 
sky again and concentrated.  Everything seemed to shift, for an instant all he 
saw chaos, then the world reappeared but the sky was full of threads.  It was
as though a giant spiderweb had been spun over the world connecting everything
together.  He concentrated again and the spiderweb became a rainbow of colour  
as individual threads changed colour.  Good, now he could find the ones he 
needed.  At least he hoped so.  Weather magic wasn't easy but the trick was  
to tug on the right strings and knot the strands you needed together.  When 
you did that the pattern shifted and you got the weather you wanted.  At least
in theory, he had never done anything this big before.  Making a black cloud 
start raining early was the most he had done so far.  But his parents had 
instilled in him the idea that a sorcerer could do anything he chose.  All it
needed was the will to triumph.  In his mind's eye he began tugging on the
green threads, from the way they flowed those must represent the wind. Some 
resisted but gave, others slipped out of his grip sending the web shaking
and shifting so he had to grab new threads then frantically knot them 
together.  Soon he held a messy looking bundle of linked threads, it didn't   
quite seem right but it should do the job.  Taking a deep breath he pulled 
the knot towards him and snapped his sight back to the mundane world.  
     The first thing he saw was Granita studying him with some confusion.
Then he saw his hands grasping at something invisible and realized he must
have pantomimed everything he did magically.  He made up a quick and somewhat
lame story about having to do "mystic passes" (a phrase he had read somewhere) 
and was glad she didn't call him on it.  Hoping for the best he waved 
dramatically at the rustling grass and waited for the breeze to increase.  His 
grin began to slip as the wind dropped.  It turned into outright dismay when 
the breeze stopped blowing.
     As the air became still Granita began to giggle.  "Do you practise 
spell casting in front of a mirror?"  Kulfi started to scowl then gave a
rueful grin.  "It is kinda the opposite of what I said I'd do isn't it?.
Wonder what went wrong?"
     "Could you go back and do the same thing backwards?"
     "Naw, things shift around so I'd have to do something new."  After a
momentary hesitation he added, "'Sides I don't have much magic left, I used
more power than I intended."
     "Oh well, so much for kite flying.  Might as well start trekking it 
back."
     He agreed so they picked up the kite and started downhill towards the hut 
they had built about halfway between the two mansions.  Their supposedly 
secret clubhouse, which naturally all their servants knew about and had 
clandestinely reinforced and waterproofed.  They chatted as they went about 
many things, one of the chief topics being how still it was and how long 
before the wind resumed.  Kulfi had to admit he didn't know but that he could 
hardly make permanent changes so things should return to normal soon.  A few 
more hours and it would all be over.
     He was right though not in the way he expected.  Perhaps he should have 
taken seeing weather patterns as a spiderweb as a portent.  He should have
known that tugging on a web was unwise, if a fly did it something big and  
terrible rushed down to engulf and consume it.  But the analogy never occurred
to him.  At least not until it was far, far too late.
     They had stored the kite and were hiking back to Kulfi's house for a 
snack when they heard the roar of the wind.  A funny sounding roar they had
never heard before.  Granita saw it first and shouted to Kulfi but the noise
increased as the wind whipped everything and blotted them out.  It didn't 
matter, by then he had seen the funnel joining earth to sky.  They crouched 
down and clung to each other in fright as the twister roared past.  Then as 
suddenly as it had come it was gone.  They were starting to shake in relief
when Kulfi saw the tornado hadn't disappeared.  It had just moved on, straight
into the village.
     The scene shifted abruptly.  Both children wearing fine clothing
accompanied by sombre servants in black walked through the wreaked village.
Many of the buildings had been levelled down to the foundations, nowhere had
escaped damage.  Villagers muttered as they passed, not from suspicion they
had caused the storm but from resentment at the lords of the manors brats 
intruding on their mourning.  Forcing them to look respectful when they had
their hands full coping with merely living day to day among the wreckage. 
Some of them derived some satisfaction from the shock on the children's faces.
Maybe they would convince their damned parents to forgo the tithe until they
had rebuilt Corum.  The village square was the worst, a few rough coffins   
but most bodies were wrapped in whatever cloth could be pressed into service
as a winding sheet.  Kulfi just stared glassy-eyed for an hour until his 
servants gently led him home.  Granita reached out to him but stopped for 
fear of revealing the truth.  It would remain a secret between them from that
moment on. 
     The scene shifted again.  Both children looked older, physically about 
ten but they gave the impression of greater age.  Kulfi wore a pack on his 
back and was dressed for travelling, durable clothes and thick soled walking 
boots.  Granita wore much the same as she had on the hillside though it was 
freshly washed.  They stood in the hallway where Kane would fight the Sorcerer 
Hunters sixteen years later.
     "You're really going?"  Kulfi nodded.  
     "The servants know they can't stop me and I think I've learned enough to
get by.  There won't be many who will challenge a sorcerer and those who do
..." He shivered a little but went on, "We both know I can kill commoners."
     She looked like she was going to protest but it was an argument they had 
been through too many times already.  Instead she shook her head.  "You never 
could take care of yourself.  I guess I'll have to come along.  What a pain 
you are!  Now I'm going to have to pack, say goodbye to Profy ..."  Kulfi cut
her off.
     "You're not coming.  I'm going alone.  I did it and I'm responsible.  All
those people ... I have to make amends somehow but I don't know how.  Not yet  
but I'll wander until I find an answer, however long it takes.  I have to do
this, I can't stay here anymore.  Every time I look at the village I feel sick.
But if you're along it'll be like an adventure not a quest and before long, 
soon as we're away from here, we'll be having fun and forget about Corum.  I 
can't do that, I owe them too much to just forget about it."
     The argument began but he wouldn't be swayed.  At last she gave up and
asked him, "Will you promise to come back someday."
     "Yes, one day I'll be back."
     "Let's swear it!"  With that she held out her pinky finger and waited.
Kulfi hesitated then nodded and they linked their fingers and swore that they
would meet again whatever it took.  For a moment they looked their age, a pair
of kids making a childhood promise instead of the grave youngsters they had
become.  Then the moment ended and they again looked older than they should.
Kulfi made his goodbye then turned and marched off, he did not look back.
Granita stood in the doorway watching him go and continued to stare long after
he was gone from sight.  She dabbed away the odd tear but refused to let
herself cry.  Instead she kept murmuring, "He'll be back.  Someday he'll be
back", over and over like a mantra.
     The vision abruptly blurred as what had been gave way to what was, after
a fashion.  The Kane who had returned stood upon a pile of bodies, whole and
parts in the middle of a pool of blood.  Blood flowed into the pool from the 
wounds all the bodies bore staining all the clothing red.  Bodies had been 
piled together with no regard for order, a vast tangle of limbs, trunks and
torsos numbering perhaps a hundred corpses.  Every face that could be seen 
bore the sorcerer's triangle.  Kane's face was twisted with fury as he raised
his arms to the heavens and bellowed, "NOT ENOUGH!"
     Abruptly everything went red and they were somewhere else again.  A cave
illuminated by torches in the wall.  Perhaps a place of refuge once but no
longer.  An older Kane stood holding a globe of blue and green that he 
studied intently.  There was some white in his hair and lines in his face but 
he still looked like a vigourous man.  In his early fifties perhaps.  On a 
rough table spattered with blood the sheathed Stormbringer rested.  Near the
foot of the table lay the body of a young women, scarcely more than a 
teenager, her face bearing the sign that had marked her for death.  Nearby 
stood a crib which sat utterly still and silent.  
     Kane lowered the globe and smiled for the first time in ages.  "Only one
left, one last sorcerer to go."  He looked younger, as though some intolerable
burden was finally removed from his shoulders.  He stood there a moment then
shook his head.  "No sense delaying."  With that he unsheathed Stormbringer
and the globe became empty then cracked and shattered.  He didn't spare it a 
glance.  Instead he reversed his sword so the hilt rested on the ground then 
shifted it until it wedged against a rise in the uneven floor.  Nodding to 
himself he knelt down and rested Stormbringer's point just under his ribcage.  
That done he reached down to grasp and steady the hilt.  He nodded with 
definite satisfaction and seemed about to say something.  Then smiled once 
more and looked downward, his lips moved briefly perhaps saying a name.  
Suddenly, shockingly, he thrust himself forward!  Gasping with pain as the 
sword cut into him.  On his brow the sign reappeared amongst all the scar 
tissue once more as power crackled then died under the bane sword's influence.  
Biting back a scream he drove it in deeper pushing forward with failing 
strength.  Abruptly his hands fell away from the blade and his eyes became 
sightless.  Kulfi, the last sorcerer, hung impaled from his blade.  Then the 
sword's tip emerged from his back and the body toppled as it slid down the 
blade.  The scene held for a moment then a slash appeared through the air 
itself.  There was a sound like breaking glass and the vision was gone.  The 
hallway returned and Kane stood before Granita brandishing Stormbringer.  He 
raised it in salute.
     "Impressive.  Past sight combined with divination and too widely spread
for Stormbringer to disrupt immediately.  First time I've seen that trick."
     Granita had managed to haul herself upright but leaned heavily against
the wall.  "Is that all it means to you?  Didn't you watch it?  A bloody empty 
life and a lonely, pointless death.  That's all your path will bring you."
     "Bloody, yes.  Pointless, no.  With our kind gone the commoners will have   
a chance to build a new way of life, free from sorcerous oppression.  I know
they could easily turn on another and become their own oppressors but at least 
they will have had a chance.  Not like today when Sorcerers and commoners are 
like wolves and sheep.  Except wolves don't kill except to eat and never for 
the sheer pleasure of it.  Sorcerers glut themselves and torment commoners for 
sport simply because they can.  Power corrupts, why learn to control your 
whims when there's no shortage of prey available?"
     "Idiot!"  Granita swayed a bit but stood upright as anger overcame the
weakness the spell had induced.  "If that was true we'd be like that and we
aren't.  I live like a hermit bothering no-one and you're driven by guilt to
make amends for what you did to Corum.  If sorcerers are heartless why would
we give a damn that you raised a tornado?  If you even did because the power
that would take was more than you could have had."
     "Weather magic is a very complicated business.  I learned more of it so I 
could control my powers and not err again.  Everything connects to everything 
else, any change echoes through the whole web.  That day the potentiality for
a hurricane existed but the chance of it forming was remote.  Until I meddled 
with winds and provided the trigger.  Like kicking out the key stone that
unleashes an avalanche.  An accident, a tragic unintended accident."  For a
moment grief seemed to break through the stern mask.  But his resolve returned
and his eyes hardened.  "That's what being a sorcerer means, even if we intend
no harm it's so easy to have accidents because of our whims.  How is the world
a better place for our presence?"
     Granita couldn't answer that, she was trying to fight off blind panic.
He seriously intended to kill her!  She finally believed that.  She couldn't
run, couldn't fight and from the vision he had already killed intentionally
many times before.  Desperately she tried to reason with him, "It's a hopeless
task.  Sorcerers are being born all across Spooner, you'll never wipe them
all out so why fight a futile battle?  Join the Sorcerer Hunters in destroying 
the ones who abuse their power and you can make a difference!"
     "The abusers are the majority as we both know, with you as one of the few
exceptions.  But my course is not hopeless as there are limits to the number 
of kind and none remain where I have been.  All I have to do is kill sorcerers    
faster than they can breed and I am doing that.  I estimate it will take 
another thirty years to complete the task but I can do it if I have the  
resolve.  That's why fate brought me hear!"
     "What in the hells are you talking about!  I'm no threat and unlikely to
ever have kids.  How is killing me going to make a difference?"
     "To the world it won't but to me ...  Granita until today I have never 
killed any sorcerer who didn't richly deserve it but I know that won't last.
As my quest continues I'll meet sorcerers of all ages and attitudes.  Some 
will be children too young to have done anything yet, some will be innocent 
babies who have no thought of good or evil.  I've asked myself how I can face
killing them and been unable to answer.  Yet I know I can't make exceptions as
they'll grow up evil and have their own children if I let them go.  You're
the answer."  His eyes bore into her and the sorceress stepped, cracking her
head against the unyielding wall.
     Granita tried to say something but terror was paralysing her.  Kulfi, no
not Kulfi but Kane, stepped closer.  "You do no harm, live in peace and have 
no heir.  You were the only friend I had in my youth, the only real friend I
ever had and, to the extent that children can love one another, I loved you. 
I still do and I want nothing more than to leave now and never come back."  
He raised the sword, "But if I can kill you, then I can kill anyone."  Granita
tried to scream but fear had rendered her voiceless.
     "Anyone ever tell you you're seriously demented?"  The voice startled 
both of them, they were so caught up in their personal drama that they had 
forgotten anyone else was present.  Kane turned, letting her see past him to 
the sight of Carrot struggling to his feet.  Around the room the other 
Sorcerer Hunters stirred but were in no condition to interfere.  Not yet but 
all too soon they would be an obstacle again.  He had to finish this and 
depart before they could follow.
     Carrot gave a thumbs up salute to Granita and started imagining how 
grateful she'd been once he saved her.  Then shook it off as he didn't need 
the distraction on top of a broken nose and a ringing in his ears.  He still
held his sword but was realistic enough to know he'd just make a fool of 
himself challenging Kane.  But if he didn't do something fast Kane would just
chop her up and walk out.  A terrible waste.  He tried to think ... breasts,
thighs ... no, not about women generally but how to save this one.  Forget
reason, if she couldn't talk him out of it then he had no chance.  Have her 
flash him so he'd see what he was missing?  No, a real fanatic wouldn't care.  
Get him to zap me?  Nope, too clever too make that mistake and doesn't need 
to when he can take me out without magic.  Carrot tried his best to think of
something but nothing came to mind.  What a time to fold under deadline 
pressure!  Kane studied him a moment longer, gave an amused, "hrmp" and 
started to turn his back.  Sure he could handle anything Carrot tried.
     It was the "hrmp" that did it.  Getting dismissed so casually made 
Carrot's blood boil.  The last straw to make his irritation with the older 
man and his bleak philosophy explode into action.   Carrot yelled and threw 
his sword with surprising force.   Kane spun around and batted it halfway
across the room but Carrot was already moving.  With the speed that he 
normally reserved for girl chasing Carrot slid past Kane and flattened himself 
against Granita facing Kane.  Making himself a barrier between her and the 
wall instead of turning around to fondle her.  For the first time all 
evening he looked neither arrogant, scared or horny.  Kane was momentarily   
taken aback by the determination in that face.  Momentarily.
     "Get out of the way."
     Carrot didn't answer the demand with a smart remark.  Instead with equal 
resolve he said simply, "Not a chance.  I said only way you get to her is
through me."
     In a glacial voice Kane asked, "I came here ready to kill someone I care
about.  You, I neither know nor like.  If I can kill her do you think I'd
hesitate a moment before killing you?"
     Carrot should have gulped nervously and crept out of the way.  Except he
didn't, just grinned and shook his head before cheerfully replying, "Nope, 
I'll bet you could chop up a dozen guys like me before breakfast without 
spoiling your appetite.  Only problem here is I'm a Sorcerer Hunter and the
others would take it kind of hard.  Tira and Chocolate figure no one else is 
allowed to hurt me, Marron's got this thing about looking out for your brother
and I owe Gato money.  So if you kill me you'll have to get rid of them or
they'll come looking for you.  Which wouldn't be too hard right now with
everyone basically defenceless ..."
     From his prone position Gato managed to groan, "Don't give him ideas, you
idiot!" but Carrot ignored him.
     "Thing is that's not really your style is it?  You just said all you've
killed so far are sorcerers who had it coming instead of everyone who got in
your way.  Still maybe you are crazy enough to chop us all up.  Problem is we 
aren't freelance.  We work for the Stela church and Big Mama's going to be 
unhappy if she has to recruit new Sorcerer Hunters.  Not to mention if she
lets you get away with it them nobody's going to take her seriously.  Gonna
be hard to save the world from the sorcerers if you're spending the rest of 
your life dodging the Haz Knights."
     His tone was light but Kane could sense the steel behind the banter.  He
cursed silently, he had underestimated his opponent.  Fooled by the surface,
he should have known the Sorcerer Hunters would not have included anyone who
was at base a lecherous coward, no matter how powerful.  Carrot seemed to 
sense this and continued, "Besides you don't really want to kill her so this
makes a great excuse to just walk away.  So go and get back to chopping up 
bad guys.  We don't mind the competition, heck it means less work for us and 
Mama can really lay on the chores so I'll have more time for picking up 
girls."  For a change neither Tira nor Chocolate yelled at him, which was all 
they were capable of doing until they had a little longer to recover.  Instead
Tira said simply, "Carrot" while Chocolate shook her head and muttered, 
"Idiot" but without any real force behind it.
      Silence fell and the threesome stood as though frozen in place, Granita 
cowering, Kane poised to kill and Carrot blocking him.  The tableau seemed to
endure for hours but in reality it was only moments.  Then in one fluid motion
Kane sheathed Stormbringer and turned his back on Carrot.  Without a word he  
began to stalk away but he had only gone a few steps when he seemed to 
shimmer and vanish into thin air.  Carrot held his place while his eyes darted
around the room then finally let out the breath he had been holding and 
slumped to the ground in front of Granita.  Wiping the sweat off his brow he 
looked up at the sorceress (wishing her dress was a bit shorter though it was
still a nice view) and gave a sigh of relief.
     "Whoosh, that was close.  You know I really thought he was going to chop
us both."
     Granita managed to find her voice, "But you didn't move anyway."
     "Never let a babe go to waste, that's the Carrot Glaces philosophy.  Well
now that I've saved your life how about a date?"  This time Tira and Chocolate
squawked a lot louder but Carrot ignored them.  Looking down at him Granita
realised he was absolutely serious.  Carrot's indomitable lust was suddenly
the funniest thing she had ever seen and for the first time all evening she
felt like laughing.  Carrot looked completely nonplussed as she began to
chuckle and stared up at her with hurt puppy dog eyes.  Granita was still
laughing as Kane reappeared in front of her, drew his sword in one smooth
movement and swung a blow that would take her head off.  What followed was too
fast for thought, only action.
     Swifter that Kane had believed possible Carrot was on his feet and 
blocking the sword.  Not that Kane could have stopped the strike even if he
had time to react.  Granita's laugh was beginning to turn to a scream as 
Tira started to yell a useless warning.  Chocolate neither spoke nor thought,
simply moved.  She surged upright and her whip cracked, tearing through the 
air with unbelievable speed.  It struck the wall to her side, the tip bouncing 
in a way it shouldn't be able to and struck the ceiling.  Ricocheting from 
above it screamed downward to strike the wall half a man height above Granita's 
head.  Angling downwards the remaining length of the wire whip impossibly
arrowed forward to take Kane in the dead center of the sorcerer's mark he so
loathed.  His hand splayed open reflexively and inertia tore the sword free.
It bit into the wall, burying half its length, barely a finger's length from 
Carrot's neck.
     Time seemed to stop.  Kane froze as immobile as if he had taken root,
Granita's scream died unborn, Carrot's eyes were locked on the quivering
sword and Chocolate and her whip stood poised as still as a sculpture.  Then
Chocolate's abused body cried enough and she collapsed.  As she did her whip 
regained its flexibility and obeyed the call of gravity.  With a small wet 
slurp the inch or so that had penetrated Kane's skull pulled free leaving no 
sign of penetration save a small red dot in the exact center of the triangle.
Kane stood a moment longer then dropped bonelessly, like a puppet with its
strings cut.  Carrot hesitated a moment then stepped over Kane's body on his 
to Chocolate's side.
     From where she was slumped Tira called frantically to her sister and  
tried to summon the strength to crawl over.  Resting Chocolate's head on his 
lap Carrot checked her pulse and felt a surge of relief.  Her eyes opened
and looked up at the man leaning over her and murmured, "I wanted to die in 
your arms, darling."
     "Don't talk like that, you're not dying."
     "Close enough so don't spoil the moment."  With surprising strength for
a woman supposedly on the verge of death she reached up and grabbed the back
of his neck, forcing his face closer to hers.  As their lips met an outraged
Tira shouted, "No fair taking advantage like that, sis!"  Gato managed a
grunt of amusement and Marron shook his head.  "Seems everything's back to 
normal."  Then he frowned and looked over to the sorceress.  
     Granita had rolled Kane onto his back.  No, this wasn't Kane.  The 
underlying tension was gone, his features relaxed.  This was the man she had 
hoped to see.  This was Kulfi's face.  Tears rolled down her cheeks as she
cursed fate and silently asked why it had been this way.  If he couldn't put
aside his quest why couldn't he just have left.  Why did it have to end this
way.  The cold rational part of her mind told her it was foolish to cry for a 
man who had just tried to murder her but she ignored it.  Poor Kulfi, the 
victim of his own self hatred.  She clasped one of the limp hands to feel the 
grip growing cold and tried to remember a prayer that might be appropriate.
     Except his flesh wasn't cooling.  She blinked and looked closer to see
his chest moving.  He was breathing!  Unthinking she exclaimed, "He's alive!"
and all heads turned her way.  Chocolate released Carrot and muttered, "No
way!".  Carrot squirmed free and made for his own sword.  Grabbing it he
crossed back to Granita who still knelt by the body muttering, "Great, back
to square one!  Get away from him."   Before Granita could comply (assuming
she would have) Kane's eyes opened.  He didn't surge into action, instead
he just lay there looking puzzled.  His gaze looked unfocused and somehow
vacant.  It slid over Carrot without recognition and after staring at the 
ceiling slid over to Granita.  He looked at her for the longest time, 
confusion evident in his face.  At last, as the Sorcerer Hunters struggled to
their feet,  he asked, "Grana?"  Doing that much seemed to take an effort.
Hearing her childhood nickname for the first time since the day he left
Granita didn't know what to do.  At length she nodded and Kulfi grinned and
clapped his hands, delighted to have got it right.  
     Looking down on him, having recently joined the small group gathered
around Kane, Marron murmured, "It could be fortune guided Chocolate's whip
and Kane has ceased to be a threat."
    Turning to the new voice Kane looked puzzled again and asked, "Are you
a man or a woman?" without a hint of irony or anything other a childlike
curiosity and disregard for social conventions.  Marron answered he was a
man without a hint of annoyance or condensation while his brother tried to
work out what was going on here.
     It was a bright sunny day and the tall man whose auburn hair was held 
down by the bandage wrapped around his forehead worked away diligently.  The 
simple and repetitive task of picking apples didn't seem to bore him.  In fact 
he seemed completely focused on the job.  Each apple was gently grasped the 
same way and plucked from the tree with the same twist then brought closer
for a careful inspection.  He didn't seem content with each merely looking at
them, he also sniffed each one all over before adding it to his basket.  If
he was aware of the three women watching him he gave no sign and continued
working with mechanical precision.
     Quietly Granita said, "This seems to be the only way he can work.  Set
him a job and he'll do it without complaint or any other thought and as it
goes smoothly he can handle it.  But if anything unexpected crops up he can't
visualize how to solve it but he can't leave it alone either.  He has to find 
someone to solve it for him immediately."
     Tira wasn't quite sure what to say.  "Does he remember anything before
his injury?"  Granita didn't answer immediately, instead she nodded at the 
scene before them.  Marron had wandered over and just said good morning to 
Kulfi.  Something in Marron's greeting reminded Kulfi of a song he had heard 
in a tavern years ago and he began singing bits of it while insisting Marron 
remember the title.  Given Marron's problems with alcohol he didn't frequent 
taverns so he didn't know any drinking songs but Kulfi didn't seem to 
comprehend Marron's attempts to explain this.  Instead he kept singing away
making up sounds where he didn't know the words.
     Watching this unfold Granita answered Tira with, "I don't think he's
lost any of his memories.  He still knows everything he did, he just can't
relate to it.  To him they're like stories he's heard instead of things he's 
done."  She fell silent for a moment.  "He seems happy most of the time and
in a sense this is what he wanted.  He wanted to be free of the past and he
is now.  No more guilt driving him on ..."  
     She trailed off and Tira said, "If he could have got over it ...!"  She  
shut up as the sorceress turned to face her.
     "Accident or not he killed seventy-seven innocent people.  How was he 
supposed to get over that?  He couldn't ... any more that I could."  The 
sorceress lowered her head and there was the glimmer of tears on her cheek.  
Tira reached out a hand but Granita batted it away.  Wiping her eyes she 
looked up to confront Chocolate.  Gesturing at Kulfi she demanded, "One thing 
I didn't ask yet.  Did you do this deliberately."
     Without flinching Chocolate answered, "No, I didn't think, just reacted
but I was trying to kill him.  If my whip hadn't been shortened in the fight
it would have punched through the back of his skull doing terminal damage on 
the way.
     Granita seemed to shrink.  "Yes, of course.  All you were doing was 
protecting the man you love.  What else could you do?"
     Chocolate looked a little embarrassed at the sorceress's humility so Tira
took the initiative.  "Kulfi's like a child again ..."  That remark seemed
to revive Granita and she shook her head.
     "No, it's a mistake to think like that.  He's not a child.  Even if he
didn't have a man's memories he has a man's body and he can't escape its
influence."  Granita sighed, "He's not a child, but he's not a man either."
She looked back at Kulfi to see Marron had managed to extricate himself and
had departed looking for Gato.  "His mind makes associations that make sense
to him and him alone, keeps telling me trivia about things I've never heard of
nor care about, makes up jokes that aren't funny to anyone else and laughs 
like there's no tomorrow.  On top of all that he still has his powers and can 
invoke them without meaning to,  That's worse than when he was a child, the
chances of him causing another tragedy unintentionally have increased a
hundredfold!  He can't function in society anymore and has no place there
anyway!"
     There was a brief silence then Chocolate said, "You're appointing 
yourself his keeper, aren't you?"
     Granita gave a sad smile.  "There's not a lot of people willing to take  
care of a brain damaged sorcerer.  Looks like I'm the unanimous choice.  I
think I can contain his powers and keeping him out here should spare 
everyone a lot of trouble.  Besides I don't fit either so I guess we're made
for each other."
     Tira began, "We could see if Mama ..."
     She shook her head.  "No, this is my responsibility.  Call it penance
for my part in the Great Tempest."  She looked back at Kulfi who had happily
resumed work and wiped her eyes.  "Not quite the way I dreamed of our reunion
but it will have to do."  Tira started to say something but Granita saw Carrot
emerge from the mansion after oversleeping and took her leave.  "Excuse me,
there is something else I have to do."
     "Morning!"
     Carrot seemed to be his usual, irrepressible self again which Granita
found strangely preferable to the serious Carrot.  So much easier to 
disregard.  Granita answered, "Actually it's afternoon but close enough.  I
wanted to have a few words with you."
     "By all means, I'm always ready to talk to beautiful women."
     Granita didn't respond to the line.  "First I just wanted to thank you
again for your bravery yesterday.  You saved my life and I'm grateful."
     "My pleasure, not that I need any excuse to get close to such a great 
body.  If you're really grateful ..."
     Granita cut him off hurriedly, "I believe it's traditional to reward a
hero.  I'm not exactly rich except in property but you might find this more
useful than money."  She held out the wrapped bundle though with that shape
there was only one thing it could be.  Carrot didn't take it from her hands,
just shook his head.  Granita tried again.  "Don't you want it?  A bane sword
would be very useful to a Sorcerer Hunter."
     "Not to this one, my talent depends on getting hit by magic so it's the 
last thing I need.  None of the others will want it either, Marron and Gato
don't use weapons and the girls prefer to stick to their whips."  He picked up
Stormbringer for a moment then shook his head.  "Besides a blade is supposed
to have its maker's spirit and this one reeks of self hate and guilt.  Not
something I'd want to carry with me.  Stick it in the cellar, maybe you'll 
find a use for it someday."
     "Carrot ..."  Granita once again looked at him with respect which didn't
go unnoticed by Tira and Chocolate but they didn't object.  They felt proud of 
him too.
     Of course it couldn't last.  Serious Carrot retreated and regular Carrot 
resurfaced.  "Now if you really want to reward me there's a better way to  
do that."  As he began describing what he had in mind the sorceress's face got
more and more scarlet.  Fortunately a rescue was not long in coming. 
     While Carrot had still been serious Tira had looked to Kulfi then back 
to Granita and asked her sister, "Do you think this counts as a happy ending 
or a sad one?"
     Chocolate shook her head.  "I don't know, we've never seen a situation
quite like this before.  I don't know what to call it."
     Thoughtfully Tira remarked, "Maybe it's not an ending.  More of a new
beginning."
     "Maybe.  But I know what to call that."  Tira looked back to see Carrot's
attempt to gain an amorous reward and nodded.
     "That's all too familiar."  She drew her mallet.  "Shall we?"  Her sister
produced her mace.
     "After you."
     Caught up in a haze of lust Carrot didn't notice hear them approaching
or notice the shadows falling on him.  It wasn't until he saw Granita step
back hastily that he felt a sudden sense of impending doom.  Knowing he would
regret it he turned around.
     "Darling!"
     "Carrot!"
     Since they hadn't transformed or struck without warning Carrot figured
he had a chance.  He tried to bargain."
     "Wait!  I'm a hero today!"
     Politely Tira said, "Thank you, Carrot."
     Her sister was a bit more direct.  "You saved the day yesterday.  That's
why we're only going to break half as many bones as usual."
     "AIIIEEE!"
     Carrot was still recovering when the Sorcerer Hunters took their leave
of Granita.  They didn't leave empty handed, the sorceress insisted on 
reprovisioning them and everyone had agreed that they could use a change from
dried trail rations and as much fresh food as they could carry was welcome.
Carrot didn't agree with the others unanimous decision that as he was the 
hero the reward was his so he could carry it.  However Tira and Chocolate had  
reasoned with him.  If he carried it the hat stayed off, the glasses stayed 
on and they wouldn't punish him for his most recent attempt to seduce the
sorceress.  So, bent almost double by the weight of his pack, Carrot trudged 
down the road without joining the others in waving goodbye.  That would have
been tempting fate as he was almost certain to say the wrong thing to Granita
and suffer for it.  Watching for roots and ruts on the poorly maintained road
he walked on muttering that a hero shouldn't be treated like this.
     Behind them Granita and Kulfi waved goodbye, the man continuing long 
after they were gone from sight.  At length she told him, "That's enough", and
he stopped and smiled at her.
     "I liked them."
     "Yes, yes they made quite a difference to both of us."  He nodded and 
kept grinning but obviously didn't quite understand.  She sighed and said, 
"Let's get some dinner.  I'm only used to cooking for one so this is going to
take some getting used to."  He nodded and ambled after her like a faithful
dog.
     Halfway across Spooner Continent at a shrine known as the Stela Church a
winged woman and a giantess watched the pair of sorcerers return to the 
manor within a projection of the far away scene.  Looking less than angelic in 
a dress that left little to the imagination the winged woman asked, "Big Mama, 
since Granita was never a threat why did you send to Corum?  Was it just to 
save her life?"
     She shook her head.  "Nothing quite so noble, Dotta.  Their task is a
difficult one and oftentimes they see little but evil.  It would be easy to
become hardened and all sorcerers as heirs to the same darkness.  But we 
exist to protect the innocent, no matter what their origins.  Now they have 
seen the face of fanaticism and are warned against it.  They will not step
onto Kane's path.  Not after this."
     Dotta nodded.  "Poor Kulfi.  He was sort of a victim of a sorcerer too.
Except the sorcerer was himself."
     Mama looked thoughtful.  As though to herself she remarked, "Redemption
is a harder path than most realize.  Anyone can say they are sorry but to
truly forgive oneself for your sins is near impossible.  We hold them in our
hearts as if we treasure them, unable to acknowledge them because we tell
ourselves wrong though it was necessity guided our hand and we would do it
again if we had to.  But though we say that in our minds in our hearts we 
are ashamed and dare not seek forgiveness from others when we cannot grant it
to ourselves."
     Dotta stared at the church matriarch.  "Mama ...?!"
     Big Mama seemed did snap back to reality and made light of her 
introspection.  "I seem to be in a philosophical mood today, take any of
my pronouncements with a grain of salt.  Well time to find some more work
for my Sorcerer Hunters.  They always get into trouble when they're idle."
    Dotta agreed in her usual perky manner and showed no signs of doubt.  But
inside she wondered what Mama was musing about.  She was a holy woman, what
could she possibly have done to feel guilty about?
     Mama was not the only one watching the scene from a distance.  Far away,
atop a spire of rock in a storm wracked wasteland an impassive face watched
the two head sized globes that floated before him.  In one the Sorcerer 
Hunters trudged off towards their next quest but his gaze was fixed on the 
second.  Inside it Granita and Kulfi entered the mansion, closing the door 
behind them.
     He reached out to the globe which hung in the air as though fixed in 
place, ignoring the wind which whipped his cape.  Lightning struck both him 
and the spire but he didn't even notice.  Instead he touched the globe and
gave a faint sigh.  A pity about Kane, he had possessed definite potential.
Certainly his most apt pupil, he had embraced his teachings with a fervour.  
Absolutely committed to his master's philosophy that the world must be freed 
from the corruption of the past or repeat the same tragic history over and 
over again forever.  Renouncing his old name Kane had vowed to destroy the 
sorcerers whose kind would lock the world in the same pattern of evil and 
suffering until the end of time.
     To honour his pupil's dedication he had taught him to forge a bane sword
and sent him upon his mission.  It would make little difference once his own
plans came to fruition but he was impressed with the youth's zeal.  Kane had
done his best to destroy the past's grip on the future through fire and blood.
Hacking away at the ancient hand of tradition, sorcery and status quo that 
gripped the Spooner Continent.  All of which made his own fate peculiarly 
ironic.  Through blood and battle he had lost his own past.  An odd thought 
and one Zahatorte meditated on as he studied the image of his former student. 
     At length he shrugged and dispelled the image.  After all you couldn't  
make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, nor could you destroy the past
without losing a few pawns.  Kane was gone but in truth he had never been more 
than a diversion.  His real tools filled the other globe.  
     Unaware of his scrutiny the Sorcerer Hunters continued on their way with 
the usual petty bickering, repressed and unrepressed romantic sentiments and 
the occasional burst of violence.  Not much to look at from a distance, not 
unless you knew better.  Zahatorte knew, much, much better.
     One of them was the key he needed, his means to achieve his greatest
dream.  The one who would break the Earth asunder on heaven's anvil so he 
could forge a new world free from the evil of the old.  He did not know which
of them it was yet but soon he would.  His day was coming, the day of 
judgement.  Just a little longer and it would begin.  The beginning of  
the end.
     Elsewhere, bent under by the weight of his burden, Carrot abruptly 
shivered and straightened up to study the sky.  He suddenly wondered if the
name of Kane's sword had been prophetic instead of merely biographical.  For
some reason he had the uncanny feeling that very soon a storm was coming.  He  
didn't know why but the idea made him very scared.  He didn't know how he knew
this or why he was so scared but he was certain a terrible storm was on the 
way.  
     Then the odd feeling passed and he shrugged.  He was with his friends and 
when all was said and done he could always count on them to bail him out when 
things went wrong.  They'd been though a lot together and always endured.  
Annoying as the others were long as they all stuck together they could endure 
anything.
     He was sure of it.     

End.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afterword 
     So why am I writing Sorcerer Hunters instead of Bubblegum Crisis and 
how did I miss the obvious title of "The Mark of Kane"?  The answer to both 
questions is the same, "APArition".  But as that doesn't make much sense a 
little explanation is in order.  Here in Halifax Regional Municipality there's
a fifteen member Amateur Press Association of which I'm a contributing member.
Standard APA practice, everyone makes fifteen copies of their submission, one
of the artists does a cover and fifteen copies of APArition are produced.  The  
majority of members are artist/writers but as my art skills are minimal I do
text only material.  For a while now I've been recycling fanfics into the APA
which seems unfair as everyone else is producing original work for it so I've
been meaning to get back to doing all new material.  I joined APArition doing
a mecha opera which I abandoned because elder gods vs gundam style mechs just 
wasn't working.  Don't bother asking about that one getting posted as there 
are incompatible system problems.  
     As to how this relates to this story I was going through story ideas
looking for something I could use when I remembered an idea I'd had for a
Sorcerer Hunters story.  With a little work it could be a straight non-anime
fantasy story but I was reluctant to give up the SH idea.  So I compromised 
and did two versions.  "The Mark of Kain" is the APA version.  The names are
different as I didn't use the SH food influence pattern and without the 
Hunters or any analogs to them things swing off in a different direction 
about halfway through leading to a very different ending.  That story will 
have a sequel I'll be calling "The Final Solution".  Unlike this story which 
is a one shot.  While I have plans for another Sorcerer Hunters fic neither 
Kane nor Granita will reappear.  Not exactly a happy ending but quite a few 
anime episodes ended like that.  For those of you who were sorry Carrot never
got the chance to transform that was never a given.  It wasn't until the third
TV episode that we got to see his power.  But he'll get a chance to change in  
my next Sorcerer Hunters fic after he hits on the wrong girl yet again.  This 
time the demi-human daughter of a very powerful vampire.  Watch for "Yonda 
Lies Da Castle Of My Fadda" hopefully sometime before next year.
     About the title; I was going to call this version "Reap the Whirlwind"
but I'm using that as a chapter title in a BGC fic and I don't like to get too
repetitive.  Though Kane does have a certain similarity to Daniel Dumas as
they share the same attitude.  What can I say except that all writers have
recurring themes and I have a definite distrust for those with grand visions 
of salvation.  It leads to the terrorist mentality for those willing to die 
for a cause are even more willing to kill for it.  Enough preaching though it 
might be appropriate given the title's biblical origins.  From Proverbs 11:29, 
"He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind".
     About the story; I considered just having Kane lose his memory but 
decided that was a bit too pat.  I have to agree with Harlan Ellison's 
assessment of "Regarding Henry".  Namely the message that being shot in the 
head makes you a better person is ridiculous.  Concerning Kulfi's behaviour 
after his injury it's based on somebody I know who suffered tramatic head 
injury in a car crash.
     On to credits.  Sorcerer Hunters was created by Akahori Satoru.  This 
story is based on the anime version of Sorcerer Hunters and I used the Newtype 
fansub version of the names.  I'm aware Dotta is sometimes rendered Daughter, 
Gato as Gateau and so on but I wanted to be consistent so I picked the version 
I was most familiar with.  ADVision has the rights to the series so it'll be 
interesting to see how they render the names.  I'm assuming they'll release it 
as Sorcerer Hunters rather than Bakuretsu Hunters but I could be wrong.
     The original characters were named after food with the exception of 
Kulfi's alias which I'll explain in a moment.  Sorbet and Granita are both 
flavoured ices while Kulfi is an Indian form of ice cream.  The alias Kane, 
Alorri-Zrokros & his "Book of the Elders" and the version of the Cain and Abel 
story I used derived from Karl Edward Wagner's dark fantasy hero Kane.  
Actually while Kane was many things he was never really what you'd call a 
hero.  Kane claimed to have killed God in "At First Just Ghostly"  which, far 
as I know, was Wagner's last Kane story, set in 1990's London just after the 
Harmonic Convergence.  In a tip of the hat to Michael Moorcock I gave Kane's 
sword the same name as Elric's cursed one.  Though here Stormbringer has 
another meaning.  The village name derived from another of Moorcock's 
incarnations of the Eternal Champion.  Almost forgot, the name of the sorcerer 
in the prologue wasn't based on food but rather mythology.  Madasa derived 
from Medusa.
      I'll eventually post the APA version of the story to my page once all 
the parts have been seen by the APA members.  So perhaps by July given our 
publication schedule.  Anyway having fulfilled my commitment to the APA for
the next few months it's back to anime and my BGC fanfic.

Mark Latus
April 27 1998

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