Titans of Chaos

Then, on again. The Silvery Ship was once more in the waters of Earth, and our pursuit,streaming fans of spray rushing from them as they passed the speed of sound, came bearing downon us. But, at the moment, the ward was between them and us. They were still in the waters of theother place.

Vanity did something. I saw lines of energy fold and sway; the intersection of the two universesquivered. Beyond that, I was not sure what it was she did.

Vanity said, "When they cross, their powers will shut off. I just did to them what Echidna showedme how to do."

"Will it slow down their ships... ?"

"I cannot do that without slowing down this one. I can make the gunpowder forget how to burnwhen it crosses from one jurisdiction to the next."

"How?"

"It is all based on attention. I can feel something look us over when we cross the line. It issomething that makes objects act the way they are supposed to. The something gets confusedwhen you cross things from one jurisdiction to another. It does not know which laws to apply.

During that moment of confusion, I can make the decision for it."

"Jurisdiction... ?"

"Um. Dreamscapes? Universes? What do you call a set of laws of nature?"

"Continuum. Can't the Atlanteans do the same thing?"

"If they have a stone like this, I suppose. And they would have to get in the first shot. Watch me.

Did it work?"

"I can't tell. What am I looking for?"

"Are the bad guys using guns or casting spells?"

"No." I peered through the walls. I could see Colin and Quentin in the distance.

"Then it worked. Do you think they can beat us just with normal weapons?"

Guess what the answer to that one was.

Five minutes later, we were all up on deck. Victor dropped down out of the sky, his chain mailcrackling with ozone, and Quentin faded into view, twisting the gold ring on his finger. The stormwas behind us, slowly shrinking backwards over the horizon, and we were skimming along thewater surface under the moonlight.

Off our port and starboard stern, like arrows with fletch-ing made of white foam, came the blackships of the Atlanteans.

Colin said, "They are gaining, Leader. I suggest we let them catch up and we trash more ofthem." He was panting and shining with sweat and rainwater, happy as a player who has crushedan opposing team after a hard game. His eyes danced. He needed only a bottle of champagne topour over his head to make the picture complete.