...And for that matter I didn't know the location of theirapartments, save for Merlin's, Brand's, Random and Vialle's, andMartin's--which Merlin sometimes visited. Random and Vialle's would behard to reach, with all the work that was going on. So I headed off inthe direction of Martin's rooms and slithered under the door when I gotthere. He had rock posters on most of his walls, as well as thespeakers for a magically powered CD player. He, alas, was absent, and Ihad no idea when he might return.
I went back out into the hall and slithered along it, listening fora familiar voice, checking under doors, into rooms. This went on forsome time before I heard Flora say, "Oh, bother!" from behind a door upthe hall. I headed in that direction. She was one of the ones privy tomy existence.
Her door was closed, but I was able to make my way beneath it into ahighly decorated sitting room. She seemed in the process of mending abroken fingernail with some sort of goo.
I crossed the room to her side, maintaining my invisibility, andwrapped myself about her right ankle.
Hello, I said. This is Frakir, Merlin's friend and stranglingcord. Can you help me?
Following a moment of silence, she said, "Frakir! What's happened?What do you need?"
I was inadvertently abandoned, I explained, while Merlin wasunder the influence of a peculiar spell. I need to get in touch withhim. I've realized something he may need to know. Also, I want to getback on his wrist.
"I'll give his Trump a try," she said, "though if he's in the CourtsI'll probably not be able to reach him."
I heard her open a drawer, and moments later I listened to her