there was little sign of humanity in that wilderness。 We passed close to a few hamlets； their ragged settlers watched us pass without smiles； without gestures。 Our soldiers grew rapidly tired of shouting ribaldry at the few nubile women we saw； for the bawdiness was treated as if it had never occurred。
〃All the people；〃 Janos observed； 〃have the same look as some of the poorer folk in the hills near where I grew up。 They see any man with a sword； no matter how tightly it's sheathed； as 'then enemy'。 You may recollect what I said once before；〃 he continued； lifting his voice to Cassini； who was walking not far from us； 〃about what war is like on this side of the Narrow Seas？ The look in those people's eyes says more than I can about their lives。〃
Cassini shrugged。 〃The strong have always battened on the weak； and always shall。 Nature and the gods dictate； man follows。〃
After a time； we saw no more inhabited villages。 Once or twice Janos identified an overgrown weedy patch of secondary growth as where a village； or a farm estate； might have stood years earlier。 The climate was a bit warmer than Orissa； perhaps； and it rained more frequently。 But the rain drifted softly； like a mist； and came as wele relief to the heat of the day。 We held to an easterly direction； by pass and； from time to time； the sorcerous 〃map〃 Cassini had fashioned from the Watcher's tailisman。 Even though it showed but peaks and occasional features of the landscape； it was still valuable； and we were able to keep our journey on its proper course。
There were many things of interest to me； and it was not just because I was with the first civilized men…civilized Orissan men； I should say…to see this land； but also because this is when I really began to view things through the eyes of my own people。 Although honesty directs me to admit that as a merchant's son； I also saw much gold being heaped into the Antero vaults。 Here there was a fish whose delicate white flesh could be smoked。 There was a fruit of glowing green/purple； whose taste exploded in your mouth。 A minor spell against decay and corruption； and those could bee the latest savory in Orissa。 A seed that was as fiery as any dried and ground pepper any of us had tasted。
After a march of five days； the worst problem we had encountered was a persistent fit of sneezing that seemed to set upon all of us just at dusk。 We were traveling as if strolling through a park…a park set aside for our private enjoyment。 Then； after about a week more； things began to change。 I was walking beside Cassini and thinking idly of how easy the way had been for the past hour； as our route wound over low hills； following a series of shallow ravines。 He halted； abruptly； and Sergeant Maeen； walking just behind us； had to double…step to avoid running into him。 Cassini paid no mind； his eyes were blank and staring 。。。 looking far into nothingness。 I pulled Cassini out of the line of march and beckoned for Janos； who quickly was beside us。 I feared our Evocator had bee suddenly sorcelled in an unknown manner。 But such was not the case； for Cassini soon brought himself back to full awareness； he peered around； realizing that the entire party had stopped and was looking at him。
〃This land；〃 he said； without preamble； 〃was as the Shaman of the Shore People said。 I felt the souls of thousands of people； some who lived on these hills； some who traveled this way； traveled on this very road whose ruins we are pacing。〃 I nodded； involuntarily； realizing why our path had been so easy。 Of course we were on a long…forgotten； ruined road。 〃In that vale just beyond；〃 Cassini said； 〃which you cannot see from here； there was a famous inn 。。。 at a crossroads。 Many stayed there。 It was a happy place。〃
〃What happened？〃 Janos asked。
〃Death；〃 Cassini said。 〃Death and blood。 So much blood； for so many years； that those who lived fled； fled or gave up their spirits in hopelessness。〃
〃Who brought the death？ Where did it e from？ What was it？ Steel 。。。 or sorcery？〃
〃I think 。。。 both；〃 Cassini said slowly。 〃Sorcery is what I feel most strongly； echoing from these hills。 Who brought it？ I do not know。 Where did it e from？ I do not know that； either。〃
Then he returned fully to normal。 〃Enough；〃 he said。 〃I do not do Seeings as if I were some witch putting unwashed peasants to awe at a Planting Time fest。 You。 Soldier。 Bring me some wine。 And check the ties on my boot when you return。 I fear I am developing a blister。〃 Cassini was a cold man； even for an Evocator。
An hour later one of the asses brayed and reared； his pack spilling across the ground。 The pack was small； but quite heavy； since it contained the thick canvas bag with half of our gold。 The pack thudded to the ground and ripped； coins rolling away into the greensward。 Maeen shouted at the animal's master； but he shook his head…vowing he'd done nothing to spook the creature…and pointing out that he had been nowhere near the animal when the pack fell。 The other Shore People chimed in that he was telling the truth。
〃Then you are doubly to blame；〃 Maeen roared。 〃For you tied your hitches so poorly this morning when you packed the animal that the rope must have worn and broken。 You are doubly an ass； and your animal should be leading you； rather than the opposite。〃 The Shore Man stammered that the rope must have been old； but Maeen would have none of that。
I walked to where the pack and its cargo were scattered and picked up the rope。 It was quite new 。。。 L'ur had taken it from the wreck of the Kittiwake to make up our pack frames。 I examined the end of the rope： it had been cut； cut cleanly； in fact； as if a very strong man with a very big； very sharp knife； had slashed it。 I took the rope to Janos； who also showed it to Cassini。 Janos told Sergeant Maeen that was enough。 Have the ass repacked and continue the march。 None of us said anything； but our thoughts were clear。 I was remembering that tiny golden scythe that Janos had secured back in Lycanth； which now rode in his pack。 I knew it could be used not only in the cutting and preparation of magical herbs and such； but to work spells from afar。 Certainly there were other golden scythes like it； and wizards to wield them。 I thought again of the Choosing in Lycanth； and how close that creature had e to me。 Then I thought of the Archons tempest； that thought made me look back over my shoulder； and although I saw nothing to warrant it； I shivered。
Minor annoyances increased as we traveled： we were attacked by swarms of black mites whose bites stung like fire； an increase in minor accidents made it seem that all of us were suddenly in the throes of boyhood gangliness； and at dusk； the mysterious fits of sneezing returned。
The problems came to the fore the night we found the ruins。 A low pass had made it easier for us to follow close along the river。 The river suddenly shallowed and spread out for two spearcasts over visible shoals。 It did not seem logical； since I could see in the distance that the river returned to its normal； gently flowing character。 As a child of a river city； I thought I knew what I might find； and sharpened my gaze。 I surmised that aeons ago this river had been channeled。 I called for a halt while I wandered through the brush looking for more evidence。 Without much trouble； I found what I was looking for： the river 〃banks〃 were carefully mortared stone walls； and those walls were nearly thirty feet apart。 Janos was beside me； evidently puzzling at the U…shaped construct
〃Built by man；〃 he said。 〃But for what end？〃
〃A set of locks；〃 I explained。 〃At each end there would have been wooden gates…allowing a boat to enter and either rise up； or be lowered to a new level to continue its course。 Over there〃… and I pointed to the shallows…〃would most likely have been the overrun when the locks were not in use。 When it was abandoned； time would have passed； and the river； impatient with its bonds； would have burst through the overrun to find a new bed。〃
All of us were silent； imagining these locks filled with boats laden with trade goods； waiting for passage along the river。 The width of the lock showed that the country had once been fully as prosperous as Cassini's vision had told us。
Janos