Madwand: The Sequel to Changeling by Zelazny Roger

Author:Zelazny, Roger [Zelazny, Roger]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 0743475267
Publisher: IBOOKS
Published: 2014-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

XI.

Pol was awakened by the light shining upon his face. He tossed his head several times to avoid it, then sat suddenly upright, eyes opened.

The door of his cell stood wide.

Had someone come for him, then met with some momentary distraction? He listened. There were no sounds from the corridor.

Cautiously, he rose to his feet. He crossed the cell to the place where he had stood earlier, conjuring ineffectively, eyes throbbing.

Some illusion? To torment him?

He extended his hand beyond the doorframe, touched the door. It moved slightly. At that moment, he felt the essence of mocking laughter, soundless. It was as if something vaguely sinister were amused at his puzzlement, his trepidation—something inhabiting a level of reality which did not coincide with his own. He stood frozen, waiting, but it did not occur again.

Finally, he moved forward, passing out into the corridor. It was deserted.

What now? he thought. Should he set out upon the route along which he had followed Larick? Should he strike out and explore elsewhere within the castle? Or should he head back to the courtyard, take one of the flying beasts and flee?

The latter course struck him as the most sensible: Flee, hide and wait for the return of his powers. Then he could go back to Rondoval, rouse his bestial minions and come back here as he had come to Anvil Mountain—to tear the place apart. It made better sense than remaining, powerless and outnumbered, in the citadel of an enemy.

He turned in the direction of the courtyard with the cages. Then he stood still.

His way was barred by a sheet of pale flame.

“And so my choice is not really a choice,” he said softly.

Is it ever? came the familiar, ironic notes in his head.

“I guess that remains to be seen.”

Like most things, came the reply, accompanied by slightly conciliatory sensations.

“I’ve never been able to figure out whether you’re an enemy or an ally.”

We are agents. We aided you once.

“And the next time...?”

Why should you have any reason to doubt those who have helped you in the past?

“Because I came away with the feeling that I’d been pushed into something.”

I would say, rather, that we pulled you out.

“That is a debatable point. But you say that you are agents. Agents of what?”

Change.

“Much is encompassed by that word. Could you be more specific?”

Two of the forces at work upon this world are science and magic. At times they are opposed to one another. We are on the side of the magic.

“This place hardly seems a stronghold of technology.”

It is not. There is no direct confrontation involved here.

“God damn you! Getting a straight answer out of you is like milking a wildcat! Why can’t you just tell me, what is involved?”

The truth is such a sacred thing that we guard it well.

“I believe that you want my cooperation.”

That is why we are assisting you again.

Pol tried shifting to the second seeing. This time it seemed to work smoothly. With it, he detected the outline of a human

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