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and someone had to take it to safety. And don't blame Yazour for taking the chance to escape. Outnumbered as we
were, it was the only thing to do. But are Eliizar and Bohan all right?" Aurian knew this was the real core of Nereni's
anguish, and waited anxiously for her reply.
"They put Eliizar in the dungeon, with Bohan," Nereni said shakily. "He was wounded, but they would not let me go to
him." She shuddered. "They threw me down, intending rape, but the Prince stopped them. He knew I would kill myself,
for shame, and he wants me alive, to take care of you. That is why his guards dare not harm me. Some Winged Folk
flew away with Anvar, and "
"What did you say?" The cup shattered on the hearth, splashing liafa into the hissing flames. Aurian grasped Nereni's
arms, until the older woman gasped with pain. "Winged Folk took Anvar? Do you know where?"
"Aurian ..." Nereni cried out in protest, but the Mage did not loosen her grip.
"Where did they take him, Nereni?"
"I'm not sure," Nereni whimpered. "They spoke in the tongue of the Winged Folk but I heard them mention Aerillia.
Then they put Anvar in a net and flew off with him. Aurian, you're hurting me!" She burst into tears.
"Nereni, I'm sorry!" Aurian gathered the weeping woman into her arms. "You've been so brave I don't know what I
would have done without you. But I'm so afraid for Anvar, and I didn't know where they had taken him."
"I know," Nereni sniffed. "I feel the same about Eliizar, wounded and locked up in that terrible place. If only they would
let me see him!"
"Don't worry we'll work on it," Aurian comforted her friend. "If Miathan would leave Harihn alone sometimes ..." She
paused, wondering how to explain that the Prince was not what he seemed. "You see," she began, "Harihn is not.."
"Himself?" Nereni brightened a little at Aurian's look of surprise. "I know," she went on. "Why do you think my folk
have such a fear of sorcery? Tales of possession are common in our legends. When he saved me from his men, Harihn
seemed himself then his face changed beyond recognition, and another, evil soul looked out from his eyes." The
tremor of her voice betrayed her calm manner. "Has the Prince sold his soul to a demon?"
Aurian shook her head. "I told about the Archmage Miathan, who turned his power to evil. Well, he's in league with
Blacktalon, but he is also using the Prince's body. Miathan couldn't achieve such possession without Harihn's
consent, so I suspect he offered the Prince his father's throne. An ally in the south would benefit his own plans for
conquest. But Harihn has no idea of the depth of Miathan's deceit. He is only a puppet now, dancing to the
Archmage's every whim. I've no sympathy for Harihn it serves him right but your people will suffer, as we all will, if
we can't find a way out of this."
"But how can we?" Nereni cried. "He holds Eliizar and Bohan captive, and he will kill them if we try to escape!"
"I don't know," Aurian admitted. "That is, I don't know yet. He's holding Anvar hostage too, but thanks to you, I have
an idea of his whereabouts now. Don't worry, Nereni. If we don't panic, we'll think of something."
While she comforted her friend, Aurian was analyzing the situation, as Forral had taught her. Her plight was desperate.
She was helpless until her powers returned with the birth of her child but would she have time to act before Miathan
killed the babe? And if there was no way to free Anvar, so far away in Aerillia, how could she move against the
Archmage? Aurian's head began to ache. She was bruised, shocked, and utterly bereft, afraid to the core of her
being yet still she pushed herself to stay calm, to think, to plan. It was vital that she come up with a plan.
"Aurian!" The voice in the Mage's mind was tinged with desperation, as though its sender had been trying to gain her
attention for some time. Joy shot through Aurian, so intense that it brought a lump to her throat. Shia! I'd forgotten
about you!"
"So I noticed," Shia said dryly. "I've been trying to penetrate that mess you call your thoughts for ages!"
"But I told you to get out of here!" Aurian protested.
"I'm well hidden and if anyone should find me, may their gods help them!" Her voice grew soft with worry.
"Aurian how could I leave without knowing what had happened to you?"
Briefly, the Mage told Shia what had happened. Shia spat when she heard of Raven's treachery and subsequent
betrayal. "Little fool! I never trusted her! Not for nothing have the Winged Folk been our bitterest enemies for an age
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