‘He has something he wants to take care of there, and he’s always been a rash and foolhardy man. Was I right? Was it two days ago when he stopped?’

‘Exactly two days, My Lord. He’s riding hard, judging from the condition of his horses.’

‘Do you happen to remember which room was his?’

‘It’s the one the lady with your party’s staying in, My Lord.’

‘Thank you, neighbour,’ Sparhawk told him. ‘We certainly wouldn’t want our friend to get away from us.’

‘Your friend was nice enough, but I certainly didn’t care much for that big one who’s with him. Does he improve at all once you get to know him?’

‘Not noticeably, no. Thanks again, friend.’ Sparhawk went back upstairs and rapped on Sephrenia’s door.

‘Come in, Sparhawk,’ she replied.

‘I wish you wouldn’t do that,’ he said as he entered.

‘Do what?’

‘Call me by name before you’ve even seen me. Couldn’t you at least pretend that you don’t know who’s knocking at your door?’

She laughed.

‘Martel went through here two days ago, Sephrenia. He stayed in this very room. Could that in any way be useful to us?’

She thought about it a moment. ‘It may just be, Sparhawk. What sort of thing did you have in mind?’

‘I’d sort of like to find out what his plans are. He knows we’re right on his heels, and he’s likely to try to delay us. I’d like to get a few specifics on any traps he may be laying for us. Can you arrange to let me see him? Or hear him at least?’

She shook her head. ‘He’s too far away.’

‘Well, so much for that idea.’

‘Perhaps not.’ She thought for a moment. ‘I think that perhaps it’s time for you to get to know Bhelliom a little better, Sparhawk.’

‘Would you like to clarify that?’

‘There’s some sort of connection between Bhelliom and the Troll-Gods and the rings. Let’s investigate that.’

‘Why involve the Troll-Gods at all, Sephrenia? If there’s a way to use Bhelliom, why not just do that and leave the Troll-Gods out of it altogether?’

‘I’m not sure if Bhelliom would understand us, Sparhawk; and if it did, I’m not sure that we’d understand what it was doing to obey us.’

‘It collapsed that cave, didn’t it?’

‘That was very simple. This is a little more complicated. The Troll-Gods would be much easier to talk with, I think, and I want to find out just how closely Bhelliom’s linked to them if I can – and just how much you can control them by using Bhelliom.’

‘You want to experiment, in other words.’

‘You might put it that way, I suppose, but it might be safer to experiment now, when there’s nothing crucial at stake, than later, when our lives might hinge on the outcome. Lock the door, Sparhawk. Let’s not expose the others to this just yet.’

He crossed to the door and slid the iron bolt into place.

‘You’re not going to have time to think when you talk with the Troll-Gods, dear one, so get everything set in your mind before you start. You’re going to issue commands and nothing else. Don’t ask them questions, and don’t seek out explanations. Just tell them to do things and don’t worry about how they manage to obey. We want to see and hear the man who was in this room two sleeps ago. Just tell them to put his image –’ she looked around the room, then pointed at the hearth, ‘– in that fire there. Tell Bhelliom that you will talk with one of the Troll-Gods – probably Khwaj, the Troll-God of fire. He’s the most logical one to deal with flame and smoke.’ Sephrenia obviously knew a great deal more about the Troll-Gods than she had told them.

‘Khwaj,’ Sparhawk repeated. Then he had a sudden idea. ‘What’s the name of the Troll-God of eat?’ he asked her.

‘Ghnomb,’ she replied. ‘Why?’

‘It’s something I’m still working on. If I can put it together, I might try it and see if it works.’

‘Don’t extemporize, Sparhawk. You know how I feel about surprises. Take off your gauntlets, and remove Bhelliom from the pouch. Don’t let it out of your grasp, and be sure that the rings are touching it at all times. Do you still remember the Troll language?’

‘Yes. Ulath and I have been practising.’

‘Good. You can speak to Bhelliom in Elene, but you’ll have to speak to Khwaj in His own tongue. Tell me what you did today – in Troll.’

The words were halting at first, but after a few moments he became more fluent. The changeover from the Elene language to Troll involved a profound shift in his thinking. In their language itself lay some of the character of the Trolls. It was not a pleasant character, and it involved concepts entirely alien to the Elene mind – except at the deepest, most primitive level.

‘All right,’ she told him, ‘come to the fire, and let’s begin. Be like iron, Sparhawk. Don’t hesitate or explain anything. Just give commands.’

He nodded and removed his gauntlets. The two blood-red rings, one on each of his hands, glowed in the firelight. He reached inside his surcoat and took out the pouch. Then he and his tutor stood before the hearth and looked into the crackling flames. ‘Open the pouch,’ Sephrenia instructed.

He worked the knots free.

‘Now, take Bhelliom out. Order it to bring Khwaj to you. Then tell Khwaj what you want. You don’t have to be too explicit. Khwaj will understand your thoughts. Pray that you never understand His.’

He drew in a deep breath and set the pouch down on the hearth. ‘Here goes,’ he said. He pulled the pouch open and took the Bhelliom out. The Sapphire Rose was icy cold as he touched it. He lifted it, trying to keep his sense of awe at the sight of it far away from his mind. ‘Blue-Rose!’ he snapped, holding the jewel in both hands. ‘Bring the voice of Khwaj to me!’

He felt a strange shift in the jewel, and a single spot of bright red appeared deep within the azure petals. The Bhelliom suddenly grew hot in his hands.

‘Khwaj!’ Sparhawk barked in the language of Trolls, ‘I am Sparhawk-from-Elenia. I have the rings. Khwaj must do as I command.’

Bhelliom shuddered in his hand.

‘I seek Martel-from-Elenia,’ Sparhawk continued. ‘Martel-from-Elenia stayed in this place two sleeps ago. Khwaj will show Sparhawk-from-Elenia what he wishes to see in the fire. Khwaj will make it so Sparhawk-from-Elenia can hear what he wishes to hear. Khwaj will obey! Now!’