Into the Void

Or that I was disguised! he finished. That was the most telling point, Teldin thought. The arcane had sensed somehow that Estriss had shapechanged, but not him. Why not? Particularly if the cloak-and its powers-were created by T'k'Pek's own people? Shouldn't the creature be more attuned to the powers of his own race's artifacts?

He sighed and fingered the cloak's hem. The material was thin, almost weightless, but now the garment seemed to weigh down on him like a millstone around his neck. I should be free of this, he told himself.

At least his decision wasn't irrevocable. That was his one consolation. If he'd had the arcane remove the cloak-provided he could remove it-and handed it over, then found he'd been wrong, there would be nothing he could do. This way, he still had a chance to change his mind. He could always contact T'k'Pek-the arcane's eagerness to pay a king's ransom reassured him that he'd have little trouble setting up another meeting-and ask for the creature's help with the cloak. The blue-ski

Teldin forced himself to relax. He still had time.

Chapter Thirteen

Teldin spent the night aboard the Probe. The three gnomes were ashore-presumably still tracking down material for their invention-so he had the cabin to himself. At around midnight, Ria

They spent the rest of the night in each other's arms. Although he could tell from her ma

The next day dawned bright and su

The sun was beating down, but the breeze was sharp and cold on his cheeks. He filled his lungs with air, enjoying the feeling of muscles stretching. In the bright sunlight, the white-and-red city shone. Beautiful, he thought, I'll be sad if I have to leave here.

Aelfred and Estriss-the latter once again magically disguised-were on the forecastle deck. Ria

He smiled. One thing he'd always prided himself on was his ability to enjoy life. He had to admit, though, in contrast to Ria

"Good morning," he said, gri

"After a nice night, too, I warrant," Aelfred put in i

Teldin chuckled. Initially he'd felt a little uncomfortable about the first mate's somewhat… indelicate… humor, but now he was secure enough to accept it in the ma

Estriss was watching the byplay with little comprehension. He can travel with humans, Teldin thought. He can even take the face of a human, but he'll never really understand us. He took pity on his alien friend. "The auction's today, isn't it, Estriss?" he asked.

The disguised illithid seemed happy to get back to a topic he could grasp. Yes, he replied,in an hour or so. The tender has already been summoned to take us to shore. He paused. Would you like to join us? he asked, a little diffidently. You would be most welcome.

"I want to go," Ria

Teldin smiled, a little indulgently. Ria

"Sounds like an experience," he told his friends. "I'd love to come along."

*****

The Merchants' Rotunda was a large building just off a wide street similar to the Processional, near the docks. When he'd first heard the name, Teldin had pictured a building like a warehouse, filled with sacks of grain, and baskets and crates of other goods. Ria

The auction itself was taking place in the rotunda's central hall. This was a huge, circular room, a hundred feet or so in diameter. At its center, the hall was more than three stories tall. Ground level-the trading floor-was an expanse of polished marble, now covered with scores of wooden chairs moved in from who knew where. The floor above sported an open gallery, supported by fluted pillars, giving spectators a perfect view down onto the trading floor. Above that was a great domed roof, decorated with great murals that Ria