Faith of the Fallen

"And even if I were to die in a final flame of service to the Lord Rahl, those arrows will let fly without me needing to give any signal."

Zedd harrumphed, lowering his finger, but inwardly he smiled. Here he was, First Wizard, and if he weren't entering a friendly camp, he would have been bested in this game of banter by a simple soldier.

Or maybe not.

"In the first place, Sergeant, I am, as I said, a wizard, and so I knew of the archers and have already dealt with the threat by spelling their arrows so they will fly no truer and with no more deadly effect than wet dishrags. I have nothing to fear from them. In the second place, even if I'm lying-which is precisely what you are considering at this very moment-you have made a mistake by telling me of the threat, which enables me, as a wizard of great repute, to now use my magic to nullify it."

A slow smile came to the man's face. "Why, that's remarkable." He scratched his head. He looked to his partner and then back to Zedd. "You're right, that was exactly what I was thinking: that you could be lying about knowing the archers were back there in the dark."

"You see there, young man? You're not so smart after all."

"You're right, sir, I'm not. Here I was, so busy talking to you and being so intimidated by your wizardly powers and all, that I plumb forgot to tell you about what else was out there in the dark, watching you. ."-the soldier's brow lowered-"and it would be a mite more trouble than any simple arrows, I dare say.

Zedd scowled down at the man. "Now see here-"

"Why don't you do as I ask and come down here in the light, where I can see you better, and answer some of our questions'?"

With a sigh of resignation, Zedd dismounted. He gave Spider a reassuring pat on her neck. Spider, a chestnut-colored mare, had a leggy black splotch on her creamy rump, from which she had acquired her name.

Young, strong, and possessing an agreeably spirited nature, she made a pleasant traveling companion. The two of them had been through a great deal together. `

Zedd stepped into the intimate circle of light from the watch fire. He turned his a hand up and brought a white-hot flame to life just above the flesh of his palm. The two soldiers' eyes widened. Zedd scowled.

"But, I have my own fire, if you need to see better. Does this help you see things better, Sergeant?"

"Uh. . why, yes it does, sir," the man stammered.

"Yes, it does indeed," a woman said as she stepped into the light. "Why didn't you simply use your Han and give a display of your craft in the first place?" She motioned into the darkness, as if signaling for others to stand down. She turned back with a smile that was no more than courteous.

"Welcome, wizard."

Zedd bowed from the waist. "Zeddicus Zu'1 Zorander, First Wizard, at your j service. .?"

"Sister Philippa, Wizard Zorander. I am aid to the Prelate."

She gestured and the sergeant took the reins from Zedd's hand to lead the horse away. Zedd clapped the man on the back to let him know there were no hard feelings, and then gave a similar pat to Spider to let her know it was all right to go with the men.

"Treat her especially well, Sergeant. Spider is a friend."

The sergeant saluted by tapping his fist to his heart. "She'll be treated as a friend, sir."

After the soldiers had led Spider away, Zedd said, "The Prelate? Which one?"

The narrow-jawed Sister clasped her hands together. "Prelate Verna, of course."

"Oh, yes, of course. Prelate Verna."

The Sisters of the Light didn't know Ann was still alive. At least, she had been alive when Zedd last saw her, several months past. Ann had written in her journey book, telling Verna that she was alive, but also asking her to keep that information x private for the time being. Zedd had been hoping that perhaps Ann had turned up at 1 the D'Haran army camp, with her Sisters of the Light. He was sorry to learn she hadn't. It boded ill for her.

Zedd held no favor with the Sisters of the Light-a lifetime of disapproval was not easily forgottenbut he had come to respect Ann as a woman of self-discipline and resolve, even if he took a dim view of some of her convictions and past objectives. He knew that, at the least, he and Ann shared many important values. He didn't know about the rest of the Sisters, though.

Sister Philippa appeared middle-aged, but with Sisters that meant little. She might have lived at the Palace of the Prophets for only a year, or for centuries. With dark eyes and high cheekbones she was an exotic-looking woman. As in the Midlands, there were places in the Old World where the people had unique physical characteristics. Sister Philippa moved the way high-minded women tended to move, like a swan taken to human form.

"How may I be of service, Wizard Zorander?"

"Zedd will do. Is this Prelate of yours awake?"

"She is. This way, Zedd, if you please."

He fell in behind the woman as she glided off toward the dark shapes of tents. "Got anything to eat around here?"

She looked back over her shoulder. "This late?"