There was no sign of Khyber.

 « Cross the bridge, Pen,” the Druid repeated, not unkindly. «Don’t make this any harder on yourself.»

 « I think I should stay where I am,” Pen answered.

  The Druid nodded, as if understanding him perfectly. «Well, you can do that, if you choose. I’ve read the warning on the stone, and 1 know better than to try to come across after you.» He paused. «Tell me. If the danger is real, how did you manage to get over there without being harmed?»

  Pen said nothing.

 « What are you doing here, anyway? Trying to help your aunt? Did you think you might find her here?»

  Pen stared back at him silently.

 « We have your friends. All of them. You can see for yourself. We have your parents, as well, locked away at Paranor.» His voice was patient, calm. «It doesn’t do you any good to stay over there when those you care about are all over here. You can’t help them by refusing to face up to your responsibilities.»

  My responsibilities, Pen repeated silently. What would this man know of his responsibilities? Why would he even care, save that he thought he could stop Pen from carrying them out?

  A second Druid appeared beside the first, coming out of the darkness and into the light. This one was slender and small, a ferret–faced Gnome of particularly cunning looks, his eyes shifting swiftly from the first Druid to Pen and then back again. He muttered something, and the first Druid gave him a quick, angry look.

 « How do I know you aren’t lying about my parents?» Pen asked suddenly, it wasn’t the first time he had heard the claim. He still didn’t want to believe it.

  The first Druid turned back to him. «Well, you don’t. I can tell you that they were flying in a ship called Swift Sure when we brought them into the Keep. They helped us find you. Your father was worried about the disappearance of his sister, but more worried about you. That is how we found you, Pen.»