The wilderness passed them with surprising speed. The Wolven Forest was a dark place of dense foliage and many gleaming eyes in darkness. They heard the sound of howling wolves, but nothing barred their way or sought to attack them. When Sahshir sensed them, the spirits did not even know they were there.

Tuor had cast a spell that helped them slip beneath the notice of spirits, or so he said. It involved several runes, which he meditated on now and then. But no one felt like talking, and they had one or two close run-ins with the woodsmen. They saw them dressed in gray and moving through the trees like shadows. But they should have noticed Tuor.

Even so, a shadow was growing on their minds. Isamu, in particular, was restless, often pacing this way and that in camp. Oresa spent her time knitting repairs to clothes, though Sahshir handled his own. Urus meditated while Cadas just sat on a stump and thought.

"Now, once we get the Heaven's Eye, how do we escape?" asked Isamu.

"An escape by land will be useless to us," said Tuor. "Fortunately, I've made arrangements with Adrianeth. He has contacts with certain cults in Seathorius, referred to by some as the Dark Nakmar. They worship the Demonic Archons rather than Baltoth of the Dreaming Goddess."

"And they are helping us?" asked Urus.

"Yes, a vessel is coming down even now," said Tuor. "Adrianeth has given me the meeting place, and once we get there, we will board it."

"What makes you think they won't take the Eye for themselves?" asked Isamu.

"Demons cannot abide the Heaven's Eye," said Tuor. "No doubt its very presence shall pain them. And they would be incapable of using it anyway. Moreover, the Demonic Archons stand to gain by the defeat of the Heir of Kings, do they not."

"Of course," said Isamu.

"Then they benefit from our presence," said Tuor. "Baltoth is a far more reasonable actor than a potential heir of Anoa the Bright."

"Demons are not reasonable," said Sahshir, liking this all less with every day. "Night is coming on."

"Good," said Tuor. "Then we'll rest when we get there. In the morning, we'll make our plans."

Sahshir, for his part, was altogether sick of this mission. He wanted to be back home, where he could make real changes. Tuor had grand designs, but Sahshir began to suspect they would not have much effect. He told himself that the possibility of being healed would be worth the risk.

Still, he now regarded this quest as a chore. Far less dangerous than his other missions. Dearly, he wanted to return home to Kalthak, speak with Narcissa, and mind his own home and affairs. If he could tend to his wounds, so be it.

It was almost anticlimactic when they finally came out of the forests and into sight of Gel Carn. The fortress seemed far more ordinary. Seeing the villages near it only detracted from the menace.

"At last," said Tuor. "Gel Carn."

"The fortress... it's different," said Oresa thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" asked Nagos.

"Before, it was dark and horrible," said Oresa, "but now it seems to have shifted to become a little more normal."

"That was part of the enchantment put on it by Gwendoven," said Tuor. "Gel Carn shifts in appearance based on the thoughts of the one who looks at it.

"However, the illusion fades as you gaze at it more."

They spent the night there, resting beneath the stars. It was cold here, far colder than Kalthak, paining Sahshir's body. He felt old and bitter and went to sleep as soon as possible.

The next morning, he approached Nagos and Oresa. "Nagos, Oresa, head down there and scout the place out. Take your time, look around, and learn about the place. Find where they keep the Eye if you can.

"We won't go down until you return."

"There's no need for that," said Tuor. "I know the aura it radiates and can lead us-"

Sahshir raised a hand for silence and looked to Nagos, who was stretching. "Hmm, sounds good to me. I don't mind looking around," said Nagos.

"Why am I going?" asked Oresa.

Sahshir had already had this discussion and didn't want to have it again. "Humor me."

And so they went off. No doubt, Nagos would find some way to use her as a prop in his approach. Isamu seemed a bit shaken, though. "Are you sure about sending Nagos down there?"

"Quite sure," said Sahshir. "He's the best at fast-talking, and since he's not Calishan, he'll be the least at risk if he is discovered."

"What if he betrays us?" asked Urus.

Sahshir looked at Urus, feeling insulted by the idea.

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"...It's a relevant question," said Urus.

"I won't even dignify that with a response," said Sahshir.

Nagos was above suspicion.

They waited on the eaves of the forest, and Sahshir looked around them. The woods here had an earthy scent, and moss covered the ground. The trees rose high to create a ceiling of branches, and birds were chirping.

It was, actually, somewhat beautiful.

Eventually, Nagos returned with Oresa, speaking with her cheerfully as they neared. Oresa laughed at something they said as Nagos came back. "Well, we're here. Oresa was helpful. Though we had to stop to heal some sick people."

"What news, Nagos?" asked Sahshir.

Nagos drew out a scroll and handed it to Sahshir. "Well, I've got a map of the keep. It took a bit of doing to get in, but most of the guards are out somewhere, from the looks of things. Still, the Heaven's Eye is kept in the chapel here.

"Steward Benarus is gone, though; he's negotiating with some lords. A Lord Anias Cuhlhorn was killed. Now, Benarus is deciding who should inherit. A large part of the soldiers went with him, and many of them were gone for the wars anyway."

"Then we have timed our mission well," said Tuor, smiling.

"So, what's the plan now?" asked Isamu, looking at Tuor.

"Now?" asked Tuor. "We will wait for night. Then Isamu, you, Sahshir, and I will retrieve the Eye."

"What about us?" asked Cadas.

"You will each remain here and await us," said Tuor. "I know my way through the palace. More than us, it will be challenging to enter unseen.

"Stay hidden, and do not come after us.

"We'll meet you back here."

"What if you are discovered?" asked Urus.

"You'll know what to do by the shaking," said Tuor.

Alkela did not look up from polishing her mace. Feeling Sahshir's gaze on her, she glanced up, tossed the weapon into the air, and then caught it by the haft. Finally, she shrugged.

The day wore on, and Nagos made several other trips down to other places. Yet the silence, the lack of action, was eerie. Sahshir would have expected Elranor to have sent someone or something to oppose them.

Yet it was as though Elranor was letting them just walk in.

Had Elranor wholly overlooked them? Or was seizing the Heaven's Eye part of some greater scheme? Tuor, Isamu, and Sahshir stood by, and Sahshir wondered why he'd chosen Isamu. There was some angle or purpose at work here that Sahshir did not understand. There was a suspicion growing in his mind.

What was Tuor playing at?

Was he truly acting as the Disciple of Baltoth? Or was this his agenda? And if it was, was he working for Elranor? Or perhaps merely working with him. Sahshir could certainly see Tuor turning on Baltoth. His ideology did not prize loyalty. And Tuor was a potential Heir of Kings.

So was Sahshir.

But then, why this mission? What did he gain by it?

Night fell, and the three of them descended toward the walls. Coming to the walls, they saw a man patrolling. Sahshir hurled a rope and grapple and scaled up in moments. Even as the man turned around, Sahshir slashed with his ghost blade. The man fell, and Sahshir caught him before lowering him silently to the ground.

As the others came up, they made their way down the steps. "Don't take any lives without need. The more bodies we spill over the flagstones, the more difficult our task will become."

"Right, nice to know things are getting even more difficult," said Isamu.

Moving through the castle seemed almost empty—Tuor brought them through the halls. They were all white-walled and well-maintained, with fine tapestries. Several times, Sahshir saw libraries. Finally, they came into a chapel. There, on an altar, stood a rainbow stone. Many seats were set before it, and a statue of Elranor stood. The stone radiated a sort of warmth and sent forth a will. Sahshir reached out for it.

"It's beautiful," said Sahshir.

"Also a fake," said Tuor. "Pay it no mind; that gem is merely a vessel into which the Heaven's Eye flows its power. Elranor would not be fool enough to put it in an exposed place.

"The true gem lies in Anoa's secret vault.

"Arengeth, Pandora, and I sealed it there ourselves.

"Observe."

He moved over to the statue and felt the decorations on the wall. Pressing the designs, a door slid away beneath his hand. In they went, and beyond was a tunnel leading downward. Isamu had to duck to move through it. "So, we're going to face Orson soon, right?"

"And some other possible enemies, yes," said Tuor. "Knowing him-"

Then, they came out of the tunnel and into a huge circular room. At the center was an altar, and on it stood a stone, much like the one before. Yet it was difficult to gaze on, and Sahshir was forced to look away. Around him, he saw mirrors on every wall.

"It has been many years, Tuor," said a voice.

There was a flash, and an ordinary-looking man in a simple white tunic appeared before them. In one hand was a sword. Tuor drew his nunchucks. "...Davian, is it now?"

"That is the name I have been called for many generations, yes," said Davian with a shrug. "A common footman who is in many places at once. A humble servant with many responsibilities."

"I'm surprised you let us get this far unhalted," scoffed Tuor. "Or are you fighting against your orders?"

"Don't be absurd," said Davian. "It was not by Anoa's spellwork that I am bound to this place; I broke that long ago. No, I remain because my task is important and must be done.

"What of you, Tuor? I remember a boy with a true ambition to bring order and peace to a wartorn world?"

"That boy died long ago," said Tuor. "Step aside, or you will be destroyed."

Davian looked at his sword. "...I suppose I could. All of us have a duty we must fulfill. Each person has come into existence to fulfill a certain role in the name of a higher power. Orson was born to serve his King, but when he failed in that, he was destroyed.

"And the Heir of Kings...

"The Heir of Kings was meant to destroy Baltoth."

"You mean to oppose us, then?" guessed Tuor.

"Oppose?" asked Davian. "No.

"I'm going to kill you. Draw your swords. I shall not fight opponents who are not ready to defend themselves."

Sahshir and Isamu both complied, and they fanned out to approach. Tuor smiled. "You always were too honorable for your own good."

"Was I?" asked Davian. "I seem to recall that it was dishonor that destroyed me. Wickedness destroys a man, not virtues. As you shall learn!"

And then he was no longer Davian but Orson. His tunic became shining white armor, and his blades shone brilliantly. In a moment, his sword was coming toward Sahshir's throat. Bringing around his blade, Sahshir parried the strike, only to be driven back across the room. A wound nicked his hand, then his legs, and he fell to one knee.

Orson raised his sword for the final blow, but Isamu came from behind with a roar. Orson turned, parried Isamu's blow, and pushed him. Tuor came at him from behind with a flurry of blows. Yet Orson dodged and weaved even as he disarmed Isamu and stabbed him in the stomach. Drawing out the blade, he whirled, cut Tuor's nunchucks in half by the chain, and nearly took his head off.

Tuor backflipped away before drawing out kunai and hurling three. Orson caught them on his shield, even as Sahshir sprang into the air and plunged the Sword of Order down. However, Orson sidestepped and brought around his blade. Sahshir could twist mid-air to avoid losing his head, but Orson bashed him with his shield.

Sahshir was thrown back and hit the ground. Looking up, he saw Isamu rising up, looking a bit cautious. Orson stood ready, waiting for them to compose themselves.

"You fight with skill for one of your afflictions," mused Orson. "One more victim of Tuor, then?"

"Silence!" said Sahshir, fanning out.

Then, all three of them attacked at once. They came to Orson from three directions at the same time, but he stepped out of their reach. As they attacked, his blade and shield moved in a blur. Every strike they made failed so that Orson's armor seemed useless. And then he began to inflict small wounds on each of them.

This was ridiculous!

Then Sahshir saw the Heaven's Eye.

Blocking a strike from Orson, he sprang away toward the Heaven's Eye. Even as he did, however, Orson reappeared in front of him. Bringing around his sword, Sahshir caught it. Then he grabbed Orson's shoulder with his metal hand. Vaulting over him, Sahshir lost his grip on the Sword of Order as Orson twisted with one hand.

Dropping the blade, Sahshir whirled around with his metal hand. He caught Orson's blade as it came down. It cut deep into the steel, and Sahshir was pinned to the altar. Reaching out, Sahshir snatched the Heaven's Eye.

And then all was light.

Sahshir's pain was all gone, and he was falling through light. At last, he came face to face with a white figure with skin like freshly fallen snow. Sahshir knew him at once. "Elranor."

Elranor smiled. "Greetings to you, King Sahshir of Kalthak. I believe we have a great deal to discuss."

So Sahshir had been right. The only question was about what?