t explosion through the senses。 What impressed me was the manner of serving。 At no time did a servitor appear； but whenever Raveline lifted the cover from a dish； a different course would be exposed。 I heard no sound of pistons or hydraulic mechanisms from below； so I presumed the platter change was done magically。 Similarly； our plates were always kept fresh and clean。 I would eat all I desired of a particular dish； look away or laugh at a bit of Raveline's wit； and somehow sensing my satiety； the plate would be clean and bare。 I wondered if Raveline preferred to dine in this manner at all times； with never a smiling servant or maid to be seen or a beaming cook to pliment and reward。 It seemed sterile； but I thought it would prevent anything discussed over a meal from being fodder for the city's gossips。
I do not recall what subjects we chatted about； but they had nothing to do with anything bearing on trade； Orissa； or even our presence in Raveline's kingdoms。 Most of his talk concerned various court intrigues； the details stopping just short of being salacious。 We also talked of the arts and music of Vacaan。 As he spoke； I realized he knew of my love for Omerye； and that he was telling me； most subtly； she should now be considered as much a hostage to fortune as Janos； myself； or any of my men。 Do not think I became angry； or even felt threatened…Raveline merely ensured I was aware there was now one more factor in the equation for me。
When we finished； he led me into another room。 There were couches arranged about the room； and when I sank into one of them； it weled me as softly as a lover's arms。 Another drink table was next to us； and both Prince Raveline and I sipped a fruit liqueur。 The couches were in a semicircle around a tall； highly polished mirror that hung from a stand as if it were a gong。 I knew the glass was sorcerous and wondered what Raveline intended to show me。 Before sitting； he touched the surface of the mirror； and it sprang to life。 I was looking at a small party of men walking beside a river。 I was observing my own Finding as we marched through the fertile； abandoned valley above the Pepper Coast。 The perspective must have been from one of the Watchers。
〃You were not jesting about having observed my entire career；〃 I managed。
And Raveline replied； 〃Each time you've entered our lands； or those lands bordering them； our Watchers have been there。 I will confess； however； that your recent expedition was mounted in a most clever manner。 You were not seen…although seeing is not the correct word…until you had crossed the pass beyond Wahumwa and entered the frontiers of Gomalalee。〃
He motioned； and a new image swam up on the mirror。 Now I was looking at Orissa； as if seen from an invisible tower a thousand feet tall； in the center of the city。 A great wave of homesickness swept across me； doubly strong as I realized the image before me was Orissa at this very moment。 It would have been just before dawn； I observed； but there were still lights showing。 I could make out the Street of the Gods； the citadel of the Magistrates； and the palace of the Evocators。 I tried to locate my own home； without showing such interest to the prince。
〃As I said； I take more interest in the west than most of my people；〃 Raveline said。 〃Which is one reason； after a certain period of what I shall politely call skepticism about you and Janos Greycloak and your intentions； I became your most fervent supporter。 I have realized Vacaan must look in new directions in the future 。。。 beginning with Orissa and Lycanth。〃
〃What form；〃 I asked carefully； 〃do you think Vacaan's interest should take？〃
Raveline sipped at his drink。 〃I am not sure I care； nor am I sure I am able； to answer your question in the fullest detail。 Suffice it to repeat that； if certain imbalances within the court were corrected； in a short time there would be a much closer relationship with Orissa。〃 His expression hardened； as did his tone。 〃This is an opportunity I shall not allow Vacaan to miss。 We must； and shall； seize the moment。 That is why I requested your pany this evening。 I propose to throw the full weight of my power behind a plan to open the doors to the west。〃 His voice became calm once more。 〃When this is acplished； I shall require representation…personal representation…in your lands。 I offer such a position to you； Lord Antero。〃
〃As a merchant？〃 I asked。 〃I was told you have nothing but scorn for the mechanics of business。〃
〃I would not express my feelings for those who predicate their lives around profit that impolitely； although I personally have always preferred another sort of coinage。 But the answer is no。 Your trade is secondary to your title； your obvious vision； and the respect you are given in Orissa。 I want a man whom I can trust； a man who will sit in the highest councils in your 。。。 palace of Magistrates。 You would speak with my voice in Orissa and； it is not inconceivable； Lycanth as well。〃
I could not allow Raveline to read my expression； so I stood and paced away from him。 It was obvious to me what the prince thought Vacaan's interest ultimately would grow to bee a conquest。 I would never preside over the destruction of my homeland； least of all as some wizard's toady。 As quickly as the thought struck； I forced it away； not sure if the spells swirling around me could include mind reading。 Now knowing Raveline's intent； I had to choose my thoughts； words； and actions with exactitude。 Not just because it appeared I was one step from opening the gateway to the Far Kingdoms； but also because rejecting Raveline's offer out of hand might mean I would find out just where the disappeared ones went。
I sought and found a ploy and turned back to the prince。 〃I am honored；〃 I said。 〃But； frankly； my ambitions have never been quite that lofty； assuming I understand your offer 。。。 and I think I do。〃
〃Those who reach； grasp；〃 he said。 〃Someone in Orissa will fulfill this function for me。 Why should it not be you？〃 So Rave…line's plans were far advanced； and my co…option would not be the scheme's linchpin。
〃Someone？〃 I suggested。 〃Why not my friend； Janos Greycloak？〃
〃I have several reasons。 The first and least important is I doubt your people would accept a half…breed as even their de facto ruler。 I shall add that sort of foolish intransigence can be dealt with。 You have passed several times through a great wasteland on your journeys。 That land； as I am sure Janos' divinations have told you； was once green and storied。 But its people stood against Vacaan。 That was aeons gone； in the days of the Old Ones； or so the legend says。 But to this day there is nothing but barren ground and sharp flints； and thus it shall serve as an example to others until time itself es to an end！〃
Raveline lowered his voice。 〃The second reason is because Sir Greycloak has ambitions and plans of his own； ambitions that fit most fortably with my own desires。 Greycloak has impressed me immensely。 He wishes to learn all。。。 to know everything that has been thought since the earth itself hatched sorcery。 Where else can he learn such wisdom； but here in Irayas？ I propose to enter him into my household services； given； of course； your willingness to release him from whatever oaths he swore to you。 As he progresses 。。。 as he learns 。。。 he will not only win honors far beyond those Orissa has grudged him； but I plan to give him real power； power only just less than what I myself wield。 I have heard my brother the king refer to me as his hellhound。 Such is the role I propose for Janos； soon to be Baron Greycloak。 He shall be my hellhound！〃
I drained my glass； began to refill it； then deliberately looked about the bottles until I found a brandy decanter。 I wished to appear as if I might be sealing a potential bargain。 I poured my glass half…full and turned back to Raveline。
'This is all most new； Your Highness。 I assume you do not require an answer this moment。〃
〃I had hoped for one；〃 Raveline said； and a scowl touched his face。
〃Forgive me； but I cannot give it； Your Grace。 I have spent long years striving to reach your kingdoms； all of which was spent in the pany of a partner。 I must confer with him。 And； I should add； that Janos owes me no