“See you later.”

“I doubt it. May you prosper in your quest. Safe journey.”

“Thanks, Malar. Safe . . . moss eating.”

CHAPTER 17

JASHER

Here she comes,” Ferrin announced, rising to his feet and brushing dirt from his pants.

Jason looked up and saw a tiny figure scrambling down the rock pile toward the lake. Relief replaced anxiety. He had felt horrible when Rachel had tumbled at the end of her run, and then as he’d watched her motionless form on the rocky shore of the remote island. Finally she had arisen, disappearing into a cleft in the rocks. He and Ferrin had moved over to the side of the lake opposite the cleft Rachel had entered, but hours had dragged past without sight of her. Jason had begun to lose hope she would ever emerge.

When Rachel reached the lake, she started jogging across. The heat in the air distorted her miniature form.

“She’s coming right at us,” Jason said. “Should we go try to help her? Maybe carry her?”

“We might do more harm than good,” Ferrin said. “One clumsy move and we all sink into the lake together. Hopefully, Rachel has recovered enough from her other run to make it back unaided.”

Jason watched Rachel intently, determined to rush to her aid if she started to falter. She kept a solid pace, and he gradually relaxed as she drew nearer to the shore. Her clothes and hair were drenched, her face was flushed, and she squinted with exertion, but her strides remained firm as she jogged off the lake and slumped to her knees, coughing violently.

“Are you all right?” Jason asked. “What can I do?”

“Just give me a second,” she gasped, rising and walking with her hands laced behind her head.

“You are amazing,” Ferrin said. “Did you find what you were looking for?”

“No,” she replied, still panting. “We had bad information. I found nothing. Just an abandoned cave.”

The displacer paused. “Why choose this moment to start lying to me?”

Rachel glared at him. “Because I just found out you’ve been lying to us.”

An awkward silence followed. Ferrin scratched his nose. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you are spying on us for Maldor,” she accused.

“What?” Jason exclaimed.

Rachel turned to Jason. “I learned on the island that Maldor uses displacers as his spies. They all work for him.”

“Did I ever claim not to be a spy?” Ferrin said calmly.

“Are you blaming us?” Rachel ranted. “Were we supposed to ask? Where we come from, when you make new friends, it’s implied they won’t spy on you on behalf of your greatest enemy.”

“The Beyond sounds wonderful,” Ferrin said, his tone guarded.

“Wait, so it’s true?” Jason asked in disbelief. He felt like he had been sucker punched.

“How much do you know about us?” Rachel asked.

Ferrin shrugged. “More than you’ve told me. I know you come from the Beyond. I know you’ve consorted with Galloran. I know you’re on a quest to find the Word that can destroy Maldor. And I’m sure you just acquired part of it on that island.”

“You know about the Word?” Jason asked.

“Not many do,” Ferrin replied, “even among Maldor’s inner circle. Naturally, none of us know details.”

“You’ve been a liar from the start,” Rachel spat.

Ferrin shook his head. “Actually, I’ve mostly been genuine.”

Rachel scowled. “You said you had been robbed when we found you at the crossroads.”

“Yes. That was a lie. I told a few lies to gain your trust.”

Jason balled his hands into fists. “You betrayed us.” He wanted to punch Ferrin in the face. “No wonder everyone hates displacers. We were just too stupid to find out why.”

Ferrin frowned and raised a finger. “I have aided and protected you. My presence has prevented numerous conscriptors and manglers from falling upon you. I have come along as an observer, not an enemy. I truly enjoy your company and think very highly of you.”

Ferrin sounded hurt. Jason rolled his eyes. This was unbelievable. “So what now?”

“Come with me,” Ferrin said. “I will take both of you to Maldor. You’re good people. Maldor appreciates good people. If you pledge yourselves to him, he will likely grant you comfortable positions of considerable power. I will vouch for you. You could make worthwhile lives for yourselves.”

“And if we won’t come?” Rachel said, picking up her cloak and wrapping it around her shoulders.

Ferrin lifted his hands, palms outward. “I know you’re reaching for your orantium, Rachel. I searched your things while you two slept. There will be no need for violence. Should you refuse my help, I will leave. I would never harm either of you. It is part of my role as an observer. I began my association with you knowing I was free to be your true friend. Maldor prefers it that way to help ensure more accurate intelligence. He is fascinated with the character of his enemies, and is always looking to turn the best of them into allies. At my discretion I can even help you, and I did, like when those men tried to attack you and we ended up in jail. I will never be asked to spill your blood, nor would I if ordered. I sincerely like and respect both of you. But once I am gone, you will lack my protection, and there are many enemies on your trail. Brave and resourceful as you are, you will not get far.”

“Why don’t you really help us?” Jason asked. “Abandon Maldor. With your help we might piece together the rest of the Word.”

Ferrin laughed. “I would never change sides. I could pretend to switch sides, and keep spying, if you want. Life is far from ideal serving Maldor, but it’s infinitely better than opposing him. I honestly am your friend and wish you no harm, but my first allegiance is to my duty.”

Jason frowned. “This is insane.”

“It is extremely sane,” Ferrin assured him. “Displacers learned long ago what it meant to be on the losing side. The races Eldrin sired, the Amar Kabal and the drinlings, inherited homelands, while the races of Zokar became wandering fugitives, despised and hunted. Last time the displacers fought for the wrong wizard. This time we stand with the only wizard. Do not delude yourself. Maldor will prevail. His real struggle ended years ago. Now he’s just mopping up.”

“Not if we get the Word,” Rachel said.

Ferrin laughed again. “You have no chance of finishing the Word! Maldor has monitored you this entire time. When I became your observer, I had details of everywhere you had been. When he wants to capture you, he will. If you send me away, his forces will probably swoop in immediately. You can’t imagine the resources he could bring against you. Pray he does not send a lurker.”