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CHAPTER 15

      THEY HAD reached a region of small farms with orchards just coming into flower. The nights were warmer now and the air smelled of spring. A farm woman in an ox-cart went by them without a word, and Steel glanced inquiringly at Itok. He nodded. "She doesn't see us. And what she can't see, she can't report to others."

      Later, a group of soldiers went marching across a distant field, and not one so much as glanced in their direction. After that, Zex announced that they would travel by day and follow the well-trodden paths.

      Their order of travel had fallen into a pattern: Zex and Steel went first, then Ember and Hasty. Ware and Hearth followed, and Itok came last, leading the sullen pony that pulled the painted cart.

      Ware noticed that none of the others evinced any curiosity about the cart. They saw it, sometimes they used the utensils that hung from it, but they never seemed to wonder what was inside. He guessed that Itok was influencing them in much the same way that he was hiding their presence from the soldiers. Certainly, none of them suspected Ess-Issa's existence. Even for Ware, her memory remained curiously elusive, so perhaps he was not wholly immune to the Ezzeman's powers.

      Early in the third day, they reached the river, and by midmorning the town of Canal Port was visible in the distance. Zex increased his pace, but as they neared the town, Itok began lagging farther and farther behind.

      Ware paused to wait for him, and as the Ezzeman drew near, Ware noticed how sallow he looked in the flat, hot light. "He's old," Ware thought. "He's kept up with us gamely, but his age is telling on him."

      "Tired?" he asked aloud in a friendly tone.

      Itok paused to adjust the straps on pony's neck. He rubbed its soft nose, and the beast bared its teeth at him. "Yes, I'm weary," he said at last, "We're going to have to circle around this town."

      "But we can't do that," Ware said. "Canal Port is where the barges take on passengers."

      "Even so," the Ezzeman answered. "There are too many people there. I can't control them all."

      Ware stared at him in dismay. "Then how can we get downriver." And after a moment's hesitation he added, "Couldn't . . . can't we ask someone else to help us?"

      The Ezzeman, who had gone back to adjusting the pony's harness, became unnaturally still. "What do you mean?"

      Ware gestured toward the wagon, "Well . . . maybe She could help — Ess-Issa."

      Itok started violently and turned on Ware with sudden fury. "How dare you speak her name."

      "But —"

      "Help you?" he snarled. "The Serpent's Daughter is higher than a hundred of your petty, mortal kings and you expect her to concern herself with savages like you. She, who serves only the Great Serpent!"

      Dumbfounded at the old man's ferocity, Ware mumbled, "I'm sorry, Itok. It's just that we need . . ."

      "As to your insignificant needs," Itok interrupted furiously, "Do you think I'm the one who's protecting you? No. The Serpent's Daughter works through me — like a burning hand thrust into a smoldering glove."

      As he said this, Itok was like one transfigured, almost visibly alight with the power he described. Then, with a shudder, he continued in an entirely different tone: "And now my strength is failing. Although it's my life's work — and my honor — to serve her . . . I'm becoming too weak to endure the flame."

      Before Ware could answer, he added sharply, "The others are coming; don't speak of this before them."

      Hearth had walked back with Ember and Hasty to see what was causing the delay. "Why did you stop?" she asked.

      "We can't go any closer to the town," Itok answered shortly. "If we do, I can't hide you from your enemies."

      "But Steel is —" Hearth gasped. Then she turned quickly to Hasty. "Go get her. Bring her back at once!"

      As the boy ran off, Hearth turned to the Ezzeman. "Are we safe here?"

      "Safe enough at this distance," Itok answered wearily.

      A few minutes later Hasty came panting back with Zex and Steel. Zex was in a rage. "You protect us well — until we need it. What good is that kind of protection!"

      "I've shielded you more than you know." Itok snapped.

      "Have you? I wonder. If you're so clever, how did we stumble on you in the first place," Zex said furiously. "Maybe you've just been biding your time — leading us on, so you can turn us over to the king's men!"

      Ware answered angrily, "He's hidden us from soldiers we saw with our own eyes — more soldiers than we could have fought."

      Zex snarled back, "How do you know how many soldiers I can fight."

      "Stop quarreling," Steel ordered sharply. She turned to Itok, who was leaning heavily against the pony's side. "You've helped us travel unnoticed for three days, and we're deeply grateful . . . why do you desert us now?"

      The old man looked up. "My Lady, I'll do anything I can for you, but —" He hesitated. "Let's sit down, and I'll try to explain."

      With a nod, Steel led them to the side of the road, where they sat down in the shade of an ancient tree. Ember and the restless Hasty perched on a fence-rail nearby.

      "Most people are so intent on their own business that they hardly notice what's going on around them," Itok said seriously. "And even in a large crowd, this self-absorption of theirs helps me protect you. But Lady — there's something out there besides townfolk and soldiers. A powerful mind is seeking you, and the farther south we travel, the closer we come to it. I've deflected it again and again, but it's greater than anything I've ever met in your country, and every time I turn it aside, the effort exhausts me. And I have only so much strength." His voice sank to a whisper "Lady, if we go closer to this town, I could fail you."

      Steel turned so pale that she looked almost gray. "I've felt it, in spite of your protection." Ware could sense her uneasiness as she added, "Do you know who he is?"

      The king of your country, I think.

      She nodded. "I have information that could help King Hawk retake the kingdom, and for that reason, the Usurper will do anything to stop me. But Itok — you've touched his mind; you know what he is! Even if it cost us all our lives — it would be worth it, if the Usurper could be deposed and Hawk could be king again. That's why you have to keep helping us. You must!"

      The Ezzeman answered stubbornly, wearily, "My Lady, I can only help you as long as life is in me."

      "But surely we can find a way to reach King Hawk without getting killed in the process," Hearth said in a matter-of-fact voice. "If we can't get a barge at Canal Port, there are other ways to travel. Can't we make it on foot?"

      Steel, still brooding over her own thoughts, answered vaguely, "I don't know. It's a hard journey, and the Usurper will be hounding us all the way."

      "All right then," Ware said, trying to follow Hearth's practical lead, "Maybe we can catch a barge without going into Canal Port — suppose we just go downriver and hail one from the bank."

      "No chance." Zex cried. "The bargemen only take on passengers at regular ports, and they'd never stop for us. We'll have to enter the town at night and take a barge by force."

      "S-sneak up on 'em," Hasty agreed delightedly.

      Steel shook her head. "There are too few of us."

      A hoarse voice said, "Ahhh . . . I have an idea . . ." They had almost forgotten Ember. Now, as they all turned to look at him, his ruddy face blushed pink.

      "Th' soldiers are lookin' for Steel — and men to impress, but not for women . . ." he said slowly. "If Hearth went and bought passage, once on the barge he and I could get them to stop downriver and pick up the rest of us."

      Hearth said delightedly, "Of course, Ember. I can do that! That's the answer." .

      "Send the old woman to town alone?" Zex asked, frowning.

      "Absolutely not," Ware cried. "I won't let Aunt Hearth go into danger while I hang back and hide."

      "Ahhh . . ." Ember spoke and they all turned to him again. "Y'know, Ware, the Pressers don't take dummies. I'll be with her, to make sure she's all right." Affection and loyalty were pouring out of the deaf youth like light from a lamp. He positively glowed at the thought of being able to protect Hearth.

      Ware looked helplessly from one to the other. The plan would be accepted whole. He knew it as if he had looked into the future and seen it done. Even so, he continued to struggle: "I'll go instead of Ember. I could act as if I was deaf, and who would know?"

      Hearth touched his arm. "We'll be all right, my dear." Her eyes met his, and the message they sent was clear as if she'd spoken aloud: 'Let Ember prove his loyalty.' Hearth's eyes said to Ware. 'You don't need to prove anything, either to me or to yourself. So be generous and let him be the one to go.'

      And of course, Ware had to agree. He was never able to argue Hearth out of anything she wanted. She was too strong for him.

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