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the third?”
    Beccaroon detected the rumble of voices coming into this wing of the palace. “Paladin and Verrin Schope are coming. Fenworth too. Perhaps they will have answers.”
    Librettowit frowned as he peered down the hall. “Mumbling. I can’t make out what they’re talking about.”
    “Awk!” exclaimed Beccaroon. “They know of the foreign soldiers in the woods to the west of Ragar.”
    Librettowit’s scowl deepened. “Some of the crew put together by the evil wizard Runan? I thought Paladin sent them all home.”
    “No, these men wear no uniform.”
    “Then why do you say soldiers?”
    Beccaroon gestured with his wingtip. “The way they advance through the terrain indicates special training. They move with stealth and assurance. I’d say they are a strike force, meant to sabotage our peace in some manner or weaken our defenses before a full army appears.”
    “How do you know all this? Have you studied warcraft?”
    “Yes, at university. And you?”
    The librarian glanced toward the hall where his wizard friend walked with Verrin Schope and Paladin. Distracted, Librettowit mumbled,“Fenworth’s library contains many books on military history, statistics, and strategy.”
    The trio of men entered the main hall.
    Verrin Schope broke off his conversation with Paladin and spoke to those already assembled around the defiled art display. “We have unpleasant news.” He stopped beside the king. “King Yellat, Chiril has a new enemy, one pouring into the country by way of the coastline northeast of here and the mountains.”
    “This is a threat from outside our borders?” The king swept a scorching gaze over the company around him. “Who dares assault us? We’ve been at peace for centuries, and now our safety is challenged twice in such a short time? Who? Who is behind this new threat?”
    Paladin put up his hand to stop the angry flow of words. “Our information is sketchy, but three kimens have delivered an account of boats landing under cover of night along the rough shore below the port of Terenia and unusual activity in the Mordack Mountains. Kimen spies heard the men speak of weakening our defenses by striking barracks and weapon strongholds. King Odidoddex was mentioned.”
    King Yellat glared at Paladin. “I thank you for the report on rumors that have already reached me.” He turned to stare at the two empty places where Verrin Schope’s statues should have been standing. “Does the theft of these powerful statues have something to do with the invasion?”
    Verrin Schope went to stand beside his father-in-law. “They were not stolen, your majesty. I instructed the kimens to escort all three statues out of the city and out of the reach of our enemy. It would not do to have such an effective instrument of transportation fall into the wrong hands.”
    “One of the statues remains.”
    Wizard Fenworth cleared his throat. “I can explain that.” He patted his robes until he found the pocket he wanted. He reached in, hisarm disappearing up to his elbow, and pulled out a dark shape. “I beg your pardon,” he said to the disheveled figure as it stretched and grew lighter.
    Fenworth turned to the others. “This fine young woman came to me last night, woke me from a sound sleep, and told me of some urgent business. I’m afraid I stuffed her in a hollow and went back to sleep. I do recall her saying something about the statue, prudent flight, and averting disaster.”
    The pouting kimen brushed her hands over her clothing as it shone with a red hue. “I told him to hurry, and he says to me, ‘Morning is soon enough.’ Next thing I know, I’m trapped in a dark place where things keep bumping into me.”
    Fenworth tilted his head. “What things?”
    “How am I to know? I told you it was dark, and in that despicable place my lights wouldn’t work.”
    “It’s just that I am missing some belongings. Mislaid, you know. Like you were. I fear I’d completely forgotten about your visit. Or