She laughed. "Julia has already used your 'reconciliation' to try toturn Jurt against you. I watched. I know. She stirs his jealousy with hintsthat she still cares more for you than for him. What she really wants is youremoved, along with the seven in the running with you--and the others whostand ready. She would be queen in Chaos."
"She's no match for Dara," I said.
"Ever since she defeated Jasra, she's had a high opinion of herself. Ithas not occurred to her that Jasra had grown lazy and lost by a trick, notby a matter of power. She would rather believe her own strength greater thanit is. And that is her weakness. She would be reunited with you to put youoff-guard as well as to turn your brother against you once again."
"I am forewarned, and I thank you--though there are really only sixothers in the running for the Throne. I was number one, but a half dozenpretenders have recently turned up. You said seven. There's one I don't knowabout?"
"There is the hidden one," she said. "I do not know his name to tellyou, though I know you saw him in Suhuy's pool. I know his appearance,Chaotic and human. I know that even Mandor considers him a worthy antagonistwhen it comes to scheming. Conversely, I believe Mandor is the main reasonhe removed himself to our realm. He fears Mandor."
"He inhabits the mirrorworld?"
"Yes, though he is not yet aware of our existence there. He found it bya near-impossible accident, but he simply thinks he has made a marvelousdiscovery--a secret way to go nearly anywhere, to see nearly anythingwithout detection. Our people have avoided his awareness, using curves hecannot perceive let alone turn. It has made him considerably more formidable