“Jugard said that Nicholas used to work for Galloran,” Jason replied. “The problem is she thinks we’re kidding.” Slipping a hand into a pocket, he knocked again.

“Careful,” Rachel said. “She looked like she could beat you up.”

After a few bursts of knocking, Jason began to incessantly pound. When the door opened again, the woman held a sword. Behind her an older, smaller woman leveled a fancy crossbow at Jason.

“Walk away,” the broad-shouldered woman suggested. “Do not force us to use violence.”

Jason held up the ring Galloran had given him. “I am Jason, Lord of Caberton. The title came to me from Galloran. It seemed like you didn’t believe me.”

The smaller woman lowered her crossbow somewhat. The larger woman held out her free hand. “Let me examine the ring.”

“It stays on my finger,” Jason said, holding it up for her inspection. The last thing he needed was for the woman to take the ring and slam the door again.

The woman stepped forward and gazed at the ring. Jason twisted his hand so she could inspect different angles. Her interest shifted from the ring to Jason. He returned her stare. Despite her hard features she was not unattractive. The woman glanced up and down the alley. “Step inside.”

Jason and Rachel passed through the doorway. The large woman shut the door, fastening multiple locks.

The shorter woman spoke. “I’m Kayla. This is my daughter, Minna.”

“My sister, Rachel,” Jason said, gesturing.

“I cannot guarantee an interview with Nicholas,” Kayla said. “Do you mind waiting while I inquire?”

“Not a bit,” Jason said.

The bare room had three strong doors besides the entrance—one to the left, one to the right, and one straight back. Kayla went through the door opposite the entrance.

“Forgive my abruptness,” Minna said, the sword still in her hand. “Youngsters get dared to rap on our door, so when we answer, we normally find children running away. We make appointments for our business dealings. We have weathered numerous attempts to harm and disgrace Nicholas. These are uncertain times.”

“I understand,” Jason said. “We mean no harm.”

“Any mention of Galloran will likely bring harm,” Minna said uneasily.

Kayla returned. “Nicholas will see the two of you immediately.” Jason and Rachel followed Kayla. As Minna moved to accompany them, Kayla held up a hand. “You will not be needed.”

“We haven’t searched them,” Minna complained.

“Nicholas was explicit,” Kayla said.

“That doesn’t make him right,” Minna groused. Kayla led Jason and Rachel down a short hallway. She motioned toward the door at the end of the hall. “Right through there.”

Jason and Rachel passed Kayla and walked into a spacious room crowded with workbenches, tables, tools, plans, and diverse contraptions in various stages of development. A graying man hanging in a leather harness glided toward them, suspended from an overhead track that snaked around the room. The man had no legs.

Tugging a strap, the man stopped sliding a pace from Jason, his body swinging in the harness. “Let’s see the ring.”

Jason offered him the ring. The man accepted it and removed a jeweler’s loupe from a pouch in his harness. Staring through the lens, he studied the ring closely before handing it back. Apart from his lack of legs the man had a stout build. In fact, he looked vaguely familiar.

“Are you Nicholas?” Rachel asked.

“I am. And you claim to be called Jason and Rachel.” He fixed Jason with a shrewd gaze. “How did you really obtain this ring?”

“Directly from Galloran,” Jason said. “He personally named me Lord of Caberton.”

“When?”

“About a week ago.”

“Were you there?” Nicholas asked Rachel.

“Yes.”

“And you expect me to believe you? Where did this happen?”

“I’m not sure we have the right to tell you,” Jason said carefully.

Nicholas frowned. “What do you imposters want from me? If you came to kill me, there will be no more opportune moment to strike.”

“We’re not here to kill you,” Rachel said.

“Good,” Nicholas said, using his eyes to draw their attention to a strap he was holding. “One yank and I could pierce the two of you with a dozen arrows each.”

Jason looked around the room, but could not see any bows ready to fire.

“They’re concealed,” Nicholas said. “I’m not bluffing. If you’re not assassins, what are you?”

Jason decided to lay his cards on the table. “We’re Beyonders. We were told you can help us find a word that might destroy Maldor.”

Nicholas blanched. “How could you know about the Word? Who sent you?”

“Galloran,” Rachel said. “More accurately Jugard, a man Galloran sent us to speak with.”

Nicholas regarded them cautiously.

“You look a little like one of Galloran’s men,” Rachel said. “Brin the Gamester.”

Nicholas glowered. “If you mean Brin of Rosbury, you had best be speaking the truth.”

Jason now understood why Nicholas had appeared familiar. He did look like Brin.

“He never mentioned the name Rosbury,” Rachel said. “He called himself Brin the Gamester.”

“Brin was my youngest brother,” Nicholas replied. “Did Galloran give you anything else?”

Jason showed the poniard to Nicholas, who examined the weapon, peering closely at the blossom that could eject the blade. “This appears authentic. It bears one of Galloran’s seals, and it could certainly be the work of Brin.”

Rachel pulled out her crystal sphere.

“Orantium?” Nicholas spluttered. “You could have shown me that first! It is almost better evidence than the ring. And you know about the Word . . . You say you are Beyonders?”

“We came to your world about two weeks ago,” Jason said.

“Did Galloran bring you?” Nicholas inquired.

“No, but he knew the people who summoned us,” Rachel said. “A woman, Erinda, and some musicians, the Giddy Nine.”

“Already you pursue the Word?” Nicholas asked.

“The first place I went was the Repository of Learning,” Jason said. “I learned the first syllable from The Book of Salzared.”

“Have you discovered other syllables?” Nicholas asked.