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CHAPTER 2

      MANY DAYS travel to the south, a king was sitting on the ground with his back against a tree. It's true that he didn't look much like a king. He was wearing no crown, and his clothes were like any farmer's leather tunic and well-darned hose. But despite his appearance, the mind within him was a king's mind, and it was open, listening.

      "Hawk!" Sharp-edged, a silent voice called to him.

      Hawk's answer was cautious. "Cousin Dur?"

      "Who else? And I have news for you . . . about something you love."

      Hawk's answer was weary. "Yes. Your hostage." They'd already played this game out, he thought. He was not going to let Dur torment him with it again today. He started to break free, but before he could release his mind from Dur's hold, the demanding voice said, "There's a cage here beside my throne, Cousin. With a falcon in it. A peregrine."

      Hawk took a sharp breath. She was caught! Involuntarily his hand closed on the dry leaves beside him.

      Dur laughed, "I knew that would interest you." Then he went on in a sulky tone, "But she won't give me what she carries — when I tried to take it, she bit my finger. I've put a hood over her head to teach her manners."

      In a cage, Hawk thought, remembering how that falcon loved her freedom.

      He dared not think of what this capture meant for his enemy's other hostage. Dur had not mentioned her yet. But he would.

      "Advise me, Hawk. How long will I have to starve her before she gives it to me?" Dur was enjoying himself.

      Hawk remained silent, thinking. This could well be a lie. Because there was always a lie at the core of every thing Dur said. Certainly some part of it was a lie — but which part?

      Yet it was certain she had been caught — or killed. Otherwise Dur would not have thought even to mention her. Poor little falcon. Surely she was not dead.

      "Will you ransom her?" Hawk asked abruptly.

      "Oh, perhaps. What will you give?"

      What would tempt him, Hawk wondered. After all, Dur knew what the falcon was. Weighing the possibilities, he answered reluctantly, "Will you trade her for the Talisman?" Because of course she was worth even that.

      Laughter. "Try again. She carries it, and I have her!"

      "No, you said yourself she wouldn't give it up. But she'll let you take it . . . if I order her."

      The laughter increased: "What a fool you are. I'll have it from her alive or dead. And if she bites me again, I'll wring her neck."

      Then, after a pause, Dur said slowly, "But . . . there's one ransom I'd accept, if you're willing. It's you I want. of course. Will you bring me a Hawk for your falcon?"

      A deadly cold settled around the king. There were limits to his strength, and he knew it. Locked in Dur's dungeons, he would not be able to withstand that merciless will forever. He thought of darkness. And pain . . .

      "Afraid, Hawk? Are you remembering the last time we met? On the castle steps? When you fell at my feet — slipping in your own blood."

      "In those days, I still trusted you."

      "Yes. You gave me everything." Dur gloated, "And now I'm your master. How pleasant to think that you're afraid of me."

      "I'm not afraid of you."

      "I think you are. And you should be — because you live at my sufferance. Your little strength is like a soft pudding I can eat up whenever I choose."

      The king felt the metal edge of his cousin's power all around him, and the intensity of Dur's voice increased: "And that fear of yours will grow, Hawk, until it's too much for you. And then you'll crawl into my mouth, begging me to end it. So why not now, Cousin? Come, surrender to me. If you do, I'll set the falcon free."

      "No." Of course he lied. He always lied.

      "Oh, well, then I must be content with killing her."

      The waves of power around the king retreated, leaving in their wake a single, malicious whisper, "I'll let you listen while she dies."

      A few minutes later, the guard at King Hawk's door was given an abrupt command: "Longman, take this message to Prince Zex. It concerns the Lady Steel."

      He had to know what part of it was lies!

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