Вилорп

→"Oh my goodness, Gurd is sick. Help me get him to his room. Thraxas? What are you doing?"

→Dandelion appears on the scene. She gives a small cry when she sees Gurd lying on the floor.

→"Look after the tavern," gasps Gurd.

→"And you're sick as well," I say, and shake my head sadly. "Now I don't like anyone."

→Before I can reply, Gurd is sinking gently to the floor.

→"Is it hot in here?" he asks.

→Gurd grins, but his smile fades quite suddenly and he starts to look vague. He puts his hand to his forehead, then stares at his palm, which is damp with sweat.

→"I hope so. I tell you, Gurd, this city makes me sick. Apart from you, I hate every inhabitant."

→"Perhaps the Sorcerers will get sick," says Gurd.

→"It's an outrage," I say. "A man can't even call his room his own anymore. First it was invaded by sick people and now it's Sorcerers. I detest them all."

→Gurd pours me a beer. He hands it over with a sympathetic look.

→"Beer. Quickly. My rooms are full of Sorcerers."

→I give up in disgust. My own private space invaded by my enemies, and there's nothing to be done about it. Much as I'd like to sling every one of them out into the street, I can't. The weakest Sorcerer here still has more power than me. Unable to think of even a good line to leave on, I turn on my heel and depart. I'm seething, not least because Makri seems to be welcome at the meeting whereas I'm obviously not. I head straight downstairs to the bar. I need beer, and plenty of it. And I need it quickly. Gurd is standing behind the bar, a welcoming sight.

→"Sorry to be late," he booms, brushing past me. "Has the meeting started yet?"

→I'm about to raise several more objections when Glixius Dragon Killer suddenly appears.

→"We're Sorcerers," says Coranius. "We can cover our tracks."

→"Not much of a secret if every Sorcerer in Turai suddenly appears."

→"It remains a secret," says Coranius.

→"Isn't it meant to be a secret that she's here?" I ask.

→"Sorry Thraxas," says Lisutaris, who's still looking weak, but has managed to sit up in bed. She has her cloak draped round her shoulders, and looks rather regal.