by Lyndon Hardy
The stembrain, he mused in misty incoherence-it was right even to the last conjecture, the slender chance that convinced him to take the risk. And she must have had deep feelings for him after all. For a mere subject, she would not have paid so much attention to the detail.
"And so Astron gambled that Nimbia would be able to construct a new realm for him in time to save his life," Kestrel explained to the wizards who had assembled in the presentation hall of the archimage. Over a dozen score were there, sitting in precise lines and following each of his words with frowning concentration. The archimage sat in the first row, with his consort Aeriel robed in the deep green of the ministry of Procolon at his side. Crowded about the periphery behind them, scribes busily squeaked their quills across thick parchments, mingling with emissaries from Arcadia across the sea and other masters of the five arts. The setting sun cast long shadows through the high windows, and serious-faced pages began to light the sconces that would continue the meeting far into the night.
Kestrel glanced at the demon next to him on the dais, shyly clasping the hillsovereign's hand, and smiled. Behind the four of them, the fire that had brought them back to the realm of men flickered silently. "If her feelings had not been sufficiently strong, she might not have succeeded," Kestrel said. "But, as you can see, Nimbia was able to create a safe haven out of the void just in the nick of time."
"Astron's mind was never besotted by my-my external attributes." Nimbia's hand squeezed the one she held. "He alone judged me for my inner worth. Once I realized that, I knew that the quest that I had pursued almost unknowingly for so long was finally over."
"Then with Palodad out of the way, it was a relatively simple matter for the hillsovereign and me to bring the demons in his lair under our control," Phoebe said. "We dispatched scores to all corners of the realm to announce the answer to the riddle and to explain that it was Elezar who had won the contest. All the other princes stopped their struggle against him and, with the prince of lightning djinns himself defeated, brought Gaspar's minions under control. Now they all defer to Elezar's leadership-in fear if nothing else, so close was there almost disaster for all."
"So the golden one is back in command and I am still his master." Alodar rose from his chair. "The realm of men is safe once again." Holding a scarlet ribbon that pierced a large circle of gold, he stepped onto the dais. He cleared his throat and placed the medallion about Phoebe's neck. "The council of councils is unanimous in their vote," the archimage said. "Wear the logo of flame proudly, wizard. You have been accepted by all, the equal of any man."
"Far more important, I have accepted myself." Phoebe shook her head. "Man, woman, demon, hillsovereign of the fey-none of the opinions of the others really matter. Once a person has accepted herself, then everything else will follow."
Alodar turned to Kestrel and held out his hand. "To one who is not a true student of the five magics, the councils cannot convey any largesse," the archimage said. "But somehow I suspect that the fame of the master of lightning djinns will keep your pockets filled, nevertheless."
Kestrel shook Alodar's hand and his smile broadened. "I have gained what no amount of gold could ever buy," he said. He put his arm about Phoebe and pulled her tight. "Trust in one's fellowmen-a sense of belonging-is worth far more than even a treasure from beyond the flame."
Kestrel looked at Astron. "Of course I must admit, demon, to having learned a few other things as well. Before our journey together, lead balloons and pin-hole glasses I never would have suspected. Your use of them illustrated a powerful discipline. It was because of examining the facts of the situation that I found the way to defeat Gaspar when my glib words were sure to fail."
"Logic and calculations are indeed powerful." Astron pulled his eyes away from Nimbia. "When the quest began, it was for such knowledge of things that I hungered. Yet now that I ponder, it was knowledge of self that I gained the most.
"No logical demon would have rushed toward the burning pollen grain when every impulse was to flee. Not even the mightiest djinn willingly would travel through the fire into nothingness and then pluck away the one apparent means to return. None would think that they could pull matter through into the void if it were difficult for them to transport it between universes that are known. Without a demonstration, who could know for sure that a creature of the fey would have feelings intense enough to form a new realm in time.
"It was not logic but the freedom of the stembrain that gave me the plan, as irrational as it was. Palodad never suspected until it was all too late. We have both learned, Kestrel, from each other, you of things in the realms about you, me of the emotions that slumbered within."
Astron stood up and tugged on Nimbia's hand. "But enough of analysis after the fact. We should return to the lair that you constructed for me. We must give the tiny realm more thought and soon, so that it will grow. Together we can mold it into whatever we desire."
"After a moment, Astron." Nimbia did not rise. She pulled on the demon's hand to have him resume his seat. "I first wish to hear more of the legends that humankind have about the realm of the fey."
"But we have pledged to one another." Astron wrinkled his nose. "According to the sagas, the wishes of one are to be the other's command and-and I desire to go."
"You do not quite have it right." Nimbia smiled. "It is my desire that is the wish, your part is the command."
"But-" The wrinkle in Astror's nose deepened.
"Astron, there are still many more riddles in your future." Kestrel laughed. "And I think that you will find that Gaspar's was just one of the easy ones."
Astron looked quickly at Kestrel, saw Phoebe smiling with the rest, and then turned back to Nimbia. His stembrain told him that the words of the woodcutter were all too true.
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