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brought back and punished. He knew he could make himself invisible here in these gray spaces, so he did, running from the voice full speed over a gray and featureless plain, though by this time he was perfectly well aware that he was lying half-conscious in the abandoned fodder-barn. And then he saw Dyan in the gray spaces, only Dyan as a boy his own age. Somehow he dimly realized that, in this gray world where bodies did not come but only minds, every man appeared as he saw himself in his own mind, so of course Kennard looked well and young. Dyan was saying, / can't find him, Kennard, he is nowhere in the overworld, and Regis felt himself laughing inside and saying, I'm here but I don't have to let you see me here. Then Kennard and Dyan were standing close together, their hands joined, and he knew that together they were seeking him out. Their faces and figures disappeared, they were only eyes in the grayness, seeking, seeking. He knew he must leave the gray world or they would find him now. Where could he go? He didn't want to

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go back! He could see Danilo in the distance, then they were both back in the dark barracks room-that night!-and he was bending over his friend, touching him with aching solicitude. And then that terrible, strained whisper, the shock more mental than physical as he thrust him away: Come near me again, you filthy ombredin, and I'll break your neck . . .

But I was only trying to reach him, help him. Wasn't I? Wasn't I? And with a shuddering gasp Regis satup, fully awake at last, staring into the dim light that filtered through a broken roof-slate above him. Hewas shaking from head to foot and bis body ached as if he had been battered and beaten. He wascompletely conscious, though, and his mind was clear. At the far end of the barn the pony was stampingrestlessly. Slowly, Regis got to his feet, wondering how long he bad been there.

Far too long. The pony had eaten every scrap of the ample fodder and nosed the floor clear of chaff asfar as he could reach.

Regis went to the door and swung it open. It had stopped snowing long since. The sun was out, andmelted snow dripped in runnels from the roof. Regis was aware of a raging thirst, but like all lifelonghorsemen he thought first of his pony. He led the horse to the door and released him; after a moment thepony made off, deliberately, around the corner to the rear of the building, Regis followed, finding an oldwell there, covered against the snow, with a workable though creaky and leaking bucket assembly. Hewatered the pony and drank deeply, then, shivering, stripped off his clothes. He was grateful for theaustere discipline of Nevarsin, which made it possible for him to wash in the icy water of the well. Hisclothes smelled of sweat and sickness; he got fresh ones from his pack. Shivering, but feeling immenselybetter, he sat down on the well-side and chewed dried fruit Cold as he was, the ulterior of the buildingseemed to reek of his nightmares and echo with the voices he had heard in his delirium, if it had all beendelirium. What else could it have been?

Moving slowly until he knew he could rely on his body to do what he told it, he saddled the pony againand collected his belongings. He must be nearing the Aldaran lands now and there was no time to lose.

The snow had drenched the smell of forest fire and he was glad. He had not ridden more than an hour ortwo when he heard the sound of approaching horses and drew aside to let

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them pass. Instead they confronted him, blocking the road, demanding his name and business.

He said, "I am Regis-Rafael Hastur, and I am on my way to Castle Aldaran."

"And I," the leader, a big swarthy mountain man, said in a mincing voice that mocked Regis' careful casta accent, "am the Terran Legate from Port Chicago. Well, whoever you are, you'll go to Aldaran, and damn quick, too."

It had evidently been nearer than Regis believed; as they reached the top of the next hill he saw thecastle, and beyond it the city of Gear Donn and the white Terran buildings.

Now that he was actually within sight of Aldaran bis old fears returned. No man knew-or if they did itwas the best kept secret on Darkover-why Aldaran had been exiled from the Seven Domains.

They couldn't be that bad, Regis thought. Kennard had married into their kin. And if they were once ofthe Seven Domains, they too must be of the sacred lineage of Hastur and Cassilda. And why should a Hastur fear his kindred? He asked himself this as he rode through the great gates. Yet he was afraid.

Mountain men dressed in curiously cut leather cloaks took their horses. One of the guards led Regis intoa hall, where he talked at length with another guard, then finally said, "We'll take you to Lord Aldaran,but if you're not who you claim you are, you'd better plan on spending the rest of the day in the brig. Theold lord is ill, and none of us takes kindly to the notion of bothering him with an impostor!"

They conducted him through long stone corridors and along flights of stairs, pausing at last outside agreat door. From inside they could hear voices, one low and undistin-guishable, the other a harsh oldman's voice, protesting angrily:

"Zandru's hells! Kirian, at my age! As if I were a schoolboy-oh, very well, very well! But what you are doing is dangerous if it can have side effects like this, and I want to know more-a great deal more-before I let it go on!"

The guards exchanged glances over Regis* head; one of them knocked lightly and someone told them tocome in.

It was a large, high-arched stone chamber, gray with the outdoor light At the far end, a thin old man layin a raised bed, propped on many pillows. He glared at them in angry question. "What's this now? What'sthis?"

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"An intruder on the borders, Lord Aldaran, maybe a spy from the Domains."

"Why, he's just a boy," the old man said. "Come here, child." The guards thrust Regis forward, and the

old eyes focused, hawk-keen, on him. Then he smiled, an odd amused smile.

"Humph! No need to ask your name! If ever a man wore his lineage on his face! You might be Rafael's

son. I thought his heir was still in the schoolroom, though. Which one are you, then, some nedestro or old

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Danvan's bastard, maybe?"

Regis lifted his chin. "I am Regis-Rafael Hastur of Hastur!"

"Then in hell's name," said the old man testily, "what were you doing sneaking around the borders alone? Where is your escort? The heir of Hastur should have ridden up to the front gates, properly escorted, and asked to see me. I've never refused a welcome to anyone who comes here in peace! Do you think this is still a bandit fortress?"

Regis felt stung, all the more because he knew the old man was right. "My Lord, I felt there might bewarfare of which I had been told nothing. If there is peace between us, what have you done with mysworn man?"

"/, young Hastur? I know of no man of yours. Who?"

"My paxman and my friend, Danilo Syrtis. He was taken by armed men, in the hills near his home, men

bearing your ensign, my lord."

Aldaran's face narrowed in a frown. He glanced at the tall thin man in Terran clothing who stood nearthe head of the bed. He said, "Bob, do you know anything at all about this matter? You usually knowwhat Beltran's up to. What's be been doing while I've been lying here sick?"

The man raised his head and looked at Regis. He said, **Danilo Syrtis is here and unharmed, young Hastur. Beltran's men only exceeded their orders; they were told to invite him here with all courtesy. Andwe were told he had no reason to love the Comyn; how should we know he was your sworn man?" Regis felt unspoken contempt, And why should -we give a damn? But Kadarin's words were rigidlypolite. "He is unharmed, an honored guest."

"I'll have a word with Beltran," Kermiac of Aldaran said. "This isn't the first time his enthusiasm has carried him away. I'm sorry, young Hastur, I didn't know we had anyone of yours here. Kadarin, take him to his friend."

So it was as simple as that? Regis felt vague disquiet Kad-

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arin said, "There's no need for such haste. Lew Alton talked to the Syrtis boy for hours last night, I'm sure he knows now that he's not a prisoner. Lord Regis, would you like to speak with your kinsman?"

"Is Lew still here? Yes, I would like to see him."

Kermiac looked at Regis' travel-stained garments. He said, "But this is a long journey alone for a boy.

You are exhausted. Let us take you to a guest chamber, offer you some refreshment-a meal, a bath-"

Both of them sounded almost unendurably attractive, but Regis shook his head. 'Truly, I need nothingnow. I am deeply concerned about my friend."

"As you wish, then, lad." He held out a withered old hand, seeming to have trouble moving as he wished.

"Damned if I'm going to call a boy your age lord anything! That's half what's wrong with our world!"

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Regis bent over it as he would have done over his grandfather's. "If I have misjudged you, Lord Aldaran,

I implore your pardon. Let anxiety for my paxman be my excuse."

"Humph," Aldaran said again, "it seems to me that we of Aldaran owe you some apology as well, my

boy. Bob, send Beltran to me-at once!"

"Uncle, he is very much occupied with-"

"I don't give a damn what he's occupied with, bring himi And fast!" He released Regis' hand, saying, "I'll

see you again soon, lad. You are my guest, remain here in peace, be welcome."

Dismissed and ushered out of Aldaran's presence, Kadarin striding through the halls at his side, Regis feltmore confused than ever. What was going on here? What had Lew Alton to do with this? It was warm inthe hallway and he wished he had taken off bis riding-cloak; he felt suddenly very tired and hungry. Hehad not had a hot meal, or slept in a bed, for more days than he could reckon, and during his sickness hehad completely lost count.

Kadarin turned into a small room, saying, "I think Lew is here with Beltran." Regis blinked inastonishment, seeing, in the first moment, only the blazing fire, the floor inlaid with the mosaic of whitebirds! Fantasies spun in his mind. Danilo was not here, as in bis dream, but Lew was standing near thefire, his back to Regis. He was looking down at a woman who had a small harp across her knees. Shewas playing and singing. Regis had heard the song at Nevarsin; it was immeasurably old, and had a dozennames and a dozen tunes:

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How came this blood, on your right hand,

Brother, tell me, tell me. It is the blood of an old gray wolf Who lurked behind a tree.

The song broke off in mid-chord; Lew turned, and looked at Regis in amazement.

"Regis!" he said, coming quickly toward the door. "What are you doing here?" He held out his arms to embrace him, then, seeing him clearly, took nun by the shoulders, almost holding his upright. He said savagely, "If this is any more of Beltran's-"

Regis drew himself upright. He wanted to let himself collapse into Lew's arms, lean on him, break downwith fatigue and long drawn out fear-but not before these strangers. "I came here in search of Danilo; Javanne saw in her crystal that he had been taken by men of Aldaran. Had you any hand in this?"

"God forbid," said Lew. "What do you think I am? It was a mistake, I assure you, only a mistake. Come and sit down, Regis. You look tired and ill. Bob, if he's been mishandled, I'll have someone's head for it!"

"No, no," said Kadarin. "Lord Kermiac welcomed him as his own guest, and sent him to you right

away."

Regis let Lew lead him to the bench by the fire. The woman touched the harp again, in soft chords. Another woman, this one very young, with long straight red hair and a pretty, remote face, came andtook his cloak, looking at him with bold eyes, straight at him. No girl in the Domains would look at himlike that! He had an uncomfortable feeling that she knew what he was thinking and was greatly amused

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by it Lew said the women's names but Regis was in no condition to pay attention. He was introduced to Beltran of Aldaran, too, who almost immediately left the room. Regis wished they would all go away. Lew sat beside him, saying, "How came you to ride this long road alone, Regis? Only for Danilo's sake?"

"I am sworn to him, we are bredin" Regis said faintly, "He is truly unharmed, not a prisoner?"

"He is housed in luxury, an honored guest. You shall see him as soon as you like."

"But I do not understand all this, Lew. You came on a mission from Comyn, yet I find you here

entangled in their affairs. What is this all about?" As soon as their hands

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touched they had fallen into rapport, and Regis found himself wondering, Has Lew turned traitor to Comyn'! In answer Lew said quietly, "I am no traitor. But I have come to believe that perhaps service to Comyn and service to Darkover are not quite the same thing."

The woman had begun the song again, softly.

No wolf would prowl at this hour of the day,

Brother, tell me, tell me! It is the blood of my own brothers twain Who sat at the drink with me.