The Hidden City

of Panem-Doa.’
    ‘The queen is coming to Panem-Doa,’ Ogerajin suddenly sang in a wheezy voice to the tune of an old nursery song, ‘the queen is coming to Panem-Doa.’ Then he began to cackle in a highpitched laugh.
    A look of sudden chagrin crossed Valash’s face. ‘Calm yourself, Master Ogerajin,’ He said, giving Stragen and Talen a worried look.
    ‘The queen is coming to Panem-Doe riding in a carriage,’ Ogerajin sang in his cracked voice.
    ‘Don’t pay any attention to him,’ Valash said rather too quickly. ‘He’s only babbling.’
    ‘His mind really is slipping, isn’t it?’ Stragen noted.
    ‘Six white horses and silver wheels—’ Ogerajin sang on.
    ‘Have you ever heard such gibberish?’ Valash asked with a weak laugh.
    ‘Our presence must be disturbing him,’ Stragen said. ‘Does he generally drift off to sleep later in the evening?’
    ‘Usually.’
    ‘Good. From now on, Reldin and I’ll come by after midnight when he’s asleep.’
    ‘I’d appreciate it, Vymer.’ Valash looked at them, his face still worried. ‘He wasn’t always like this, you know. It’s the disease.’
    ‘I’m sure of it. He’s probably not even aware of what he’s saying.’
    ‘Exactly, exactly. He’s completely out of his head. Why don’t you two just forget his crazy singing?’ Valash snatched his purse from his belt and dug out several coins. ‘Here. Come by again after he’s gone to sleep.’
    The two thieves bowed and quietly left.
    ‘Nervous, wasn’t he?’ Talen said as they went back down the sbairs.
    ‘You noticed. He even forgot himself and opened his purse.’
    They reached the bottom of the stairs. ‘Where to!’ Talen asked.
    ‘No place for the moment. Keep this to yourself, Talen.’
    ‘Keep what?’
    But Stragen was already speaking in sonorous Styric, weaving his fingers intricately in the air in front of him. Talen stared as Stragen opened his hands palm up and made a sort of tossing gesture rather like a man releasing a pigeon. His eyes became distant, and his lips moved silently for a time Then he smiled. ‘Surprised her,’ he said. ‘Let’s go.’
    ‘What’s going on here?’ Talen demanded.
    ‘I passed the things we just discovered along to Aphrael,’ Stragen shrugged.
    ‘When did you learn Styric magic?’
    ‘It’s not really all that difficult, Talen,’ Stragen grinned. ‘I’ve seen Sparhawk do it often enough, and I do speak Styric, after all. The gestures were a little tricky, but Aphrael gave me some instructions. I’ll do it better next time.’
    ‘How did you know it would work?’
    ‘I didn’t. I thought it was time I gave it a try, though. Aphrael’s very pleased with me.’
    ‘You do know that you just volunteered to serve her, don’t you? I know that much about her. You’re her slave now, Stragen. She’s got you.’
    ‘Oh, well.’ Stragen shrugged. ‘I suppose a man could do worse. Aphrael’s a thief herself, so I’m sure we’ll get along.’ He squared his shoulders. ‘Shall we go?’ he suggested.

Chapter 18
    ‘You’re absolutely certain?’ Sparhawk eagerly asked the Child Goddess.
    ‘Kalten is,’ she replied. ‘He was walking past the building, and Alcan started to sing. He’d recognize her voice, wouldn’t he?’
    Sparhawk nodded. ‘She could raise him from the dead by singing to him. How fast can you get me to Natayos?’
    ‘Let’s take the others to Dirgis first. I want to fill Xanetia and Sephrenia in on what’s been happening.’
    ‘I already know about all that. I need to get to Natayos, Aphrael.’
    ‘All in good time, Sparhawk. It’s not going to take us all that long to get to Dirgis, and the others might have some useful ideas.’
    ‘Aphrael—’ he began to protest.
    ‘We’ll do it my way, Sparhawk,’ she told him firmly. ‘It won’t hke all that long, and it might give you enough time to get your temper under control. The others are waiting in the room with the map on the wall. Let’s get them and go to Dirgis.’
    There was one brief argument before they started. ‘I have no need of a horse,’ Betuana insisted, tightening the lace on one of her half-boots.
    Aphrael sighed. ‘Please do it my way, Betuana,’ she said.
    ‘I can run faster than a horse. Why burden myself with—’
    ‘Because you know how far it is from here to Dirgis, and the horse doesn’t. It’s easier for me that way. Please, Betuana, just for me.’ The Child Goddess looked appealingly at the armored Atan