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something mat Az called a bogon. I did the only thing I could think of.
Everything came out right"
"Nevertheless... Your Master of Ghosts might have failed to notice
somediing."
Else told die story in detail. He was able to recall a lot because he knew
he would be questioned repeatedly. Gordimer, in particular, would be
interested in inimical supernatural manifestations around Sha-lug in the
field. Especially north of al-Qara.
Er-Rashal asked, "Why did you load your falcon with coins?"
"I can't figure mat out. I guess because I heard somewhere that night dungs
don't like silver. I do remember thinking that it wouldn 't really work."
"Yet you never showed a doubt to your men."
So er-Rashal had talked to Hagid. "A good leader doesn't betray his doubts
and doesn't become confused or flustered. He has to do something, even if it's
wrong. When I had the falcon loaded with coins and gravel I was sure it was
pointless. But it kept the men calm and occupied. That was die whole point at
the time.'
"You were lucky. Silver is a potent poison to some night things, but only a
few. Plain iron bothers more. You might consider taking along a sack of iron
pellets if you're on a mission where you think you might have that kind of
trouble."
"Now I'm wondering if there wasn't iron gravel in the stuff we put in the
cannon."
"How did the falcon itself perform?"
"Better than I expected. You finally found the right alloy, or the right
cooling process, or something. We couldn't find one flaw in the weapon
afterward, although we overcharged it"
The sorcerer indulged in a little preening. He had produced a portable
cannon that worked under combat conditions. No one had done that before.
"That's good news. I'll make more, now. I wish there was a
practical way to cast an iron tube." j
Else observed, "Logically, iron would be better than brass."
"Absolutely. And iron is almost immune to the Tyranny of the Night We're
hunting ways to get around the difficulties. It's all trial and error,
though."
"The firepowder needs improvement. It draws moisture. The damper it gets the
less power it has and the more noxious smoke it makes." Else exulted secretly.
He had diverted the thoughts of the smartest most dangerous man in the
Kaifate. "If it ignites at all."
If you got er-Rashal onto one of his obsessions and grunted in the right
places you were home free.
Else talked about firepowder weapons until the summons from Gordimer came.
Page 22
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ELSE WAS NOT AFRAID OF GORDIMER THE MAN. GORDIMER, THE grand marshal of the
Sha-lug, was another matter. Gordimer knew that. And was not pleased. Gordimer
preferred to be feared by everyone. Personally.
Else did not fear the man because he was pushing fifty. Else himself was a
hardened warrior in the prime of life.
When Else entered the presence with er-Rashal he accorded the warlord every
ounce of respect he was due. He would continue to do so, regardless. While the
marshal deserved that respect.
Gordimer the Lion was a tall, strong warrior risen so high he no longer
worked to maintain the marvelous attributes that had helped him become famous
when he was young. Else noted hints of fat and a sleepy droop of eye that
suggested excessive personal indulgence. Further, he noted the flash of a
female shape in gauze two steps slow in departing as he and the wizard
arrived. Almost certainly on purpose, as a reminder of Gordimer's power.
"Cut the crap," Gordimer told Else while Else was amidst an elaborate
ceremonial greeting. "You put him up to this, Rashal? Captain Tage, there's
nobody watching and I'm not the Kaif . Let's just talk, soldier to soldier."
Gordimer still had the vast mane of blond hair mat had given him his
nickname. His nature was suitably ferocious both toward his own enemies and
those of God.
Else told his tale simply. "Things just went too smoothly for too long.
Something like the bogon was bound to happen."
"Rashal. You invited yourself here. Explain that to me."
"A bogon is a shadow entity of great power, almost never seen anymore. It
would equate wim a count or baron or even a kaif in the mundane world. But
harder to kill." Er-Rashal betrayed a tiny sneer. The Kaif of al-Minphet,
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