* * *
Xandor had often imagined how Trisden looked. He’d heard of Lord Bhir’s castle, the tallest building in not only the nation-state of Manwor, but the entire world of Pharas. It loomed over the city at a height greater than he’d imagined. When no one was watching, Xandor loosened the drawstring on Willem’s pouch. “The place is fantastic, Jenna,” Xandor said. “I wish you were here.”
But the mouse didn’t raise its head. It didn’t move at all. Xandor lifted the creature from the pouch, cupping it in his palm. It had been sleeping ever since they’d left Vagar. It didn’t smell dead, though it didn’t appear to be breathing either. Its eyes were closed every time Xandor checked on it. Perhaps its condition was a side effect of the pouch’s magic.
Xandor didn’t see how Jenna could view the castle when the mouse wouldn’t even open its eyes. He wondered if something was wrong with the familiar. “Jenna, if you can hear me, please have your pet look at me. I think something’s wrong with it.”
The mouse didn’t stir.
Footsteps sounded close behind. Xandor slipped Willem back into the pouch.
“There you are,” said Ursula. “I found Tradesman Usher’s caravan. It’s the only one headed from here to Omensound in the next three Slides and it leaves tomorrow morning. I went ahead and signed you up for guard duty. There were several others waiting in line behind me and I was afraid you’d be left out.”
“Yes, all right,” Xandor said. He was too worried about Willem to argue and he did need the ride. He hoped Willem’s condition didn’t mean that something was wrong with Jenna.