Qanju motioned for me to continue.

"If I find those steps, I will follow them," I finished.

"Ah! But what if you do not, Lucius?"

"I will remain with my friend Muslak until I do, if he will allow it."

Muslak said, "I will."

"Will you inform us, if you intend to leave? Bid us goodbye?"

I nodded. "Yes. Certainly."

"That is well. You know where you are, Lucius-that is your name, by the way-and why you are here, because you read your scroll while you waited to speak with the satrap. You will have forgotten tomorrow, unless you read your scroll again."

Myt-ser'eu looked surprised, but I agreed.

"This girl, and your friend, have reminded you of these and other important matters from time to time, serving as the memory you lack. I join their company, and join it gladly. Yes, my dear?"

It was Myt-ser'eu. "I don't think that name you used is in Latro's scroll, Most Noble Qanju."

Smiling, Qanju nodded. "I learned it by occult arts, my dear. Do you believe that?"

Myt-ser'eu bobbed her head, looking frightened. "If you say it, Most Noble Qanju."

"I do not. I merely wished to learn whether you would believe it. The satrap had been given a name for your patron. He confided that name to me. Hearing it, it was no great riddle to unravel the accent of a Crimson Man. It's all quite simple, my dear, as most tricks are."

There was a moment of silence before Neht-nefret asked, "Then you aren't really a seer?"

"Oh, but I am, my dear." Qanju's dark eyes twinkled. "My tribe is the Magi, and we are quite famous for it. Unlike the pretenders to our art, however, we do not lie about it. Do you wish your fortune told?"

Slowly Neht-nefret nodded.

"Then I will do it," Qanju said, "but not now. We will have many idle hours on the captain's ship. There should be ample opportunity."