Orruck raised his obese head toward the ceiling, horizontal jaws gaping, and let out another bellow, more terrible than the first. Telepathic words hit almost like physical blows. Why should I trust you to succeed? The original gift should have sufficed! I have no desire to sponsor a losing cause!

Galloran held up a hand. My former strategy was flawed. This new plan is sound. Plus, we now have an Edomic adept on our side. Her powers will only grow.

If I let her live! Orruck expressed sharply. Show me your ability, Rachel. Turn my rock walls to steel. Take on a new form. Call forth lightning.

I only know a few phrases, Rachel apologized. I can summon heat. I can push objects. I can make suggestions to animals.

No doubt Maldor trembles with fear, Orruck conveyed scornfully. Protect yourself. The blubbery head disappeared under the water with a splash.

“Get ready to push,” Galloran murmured.

Before the ripples of the splash reached the island of slabs in the corner of the room, the head surfaced there and gripped a tombstone-size rock in its jaws. Tossing his head, Orruck flung the slab toward the canoe. Rachel shouted in Edomic and willed the projectile sideways. The slab did not change course dramatically, but she altered the trajectory enough that it missed the canoe by several yards.

Orruck hurled another slab. And another. Rachel shoved one down to make it fall a little short, then pushed up on the next so it went long. The fourth slab Orruck seized was the size of a mattress and required real effort for him to fling it. Rachel pushed it sideways with everything she had, and the hefty slab barely missed the canoe, drenching the occupants with the splash.

Impressive, for one so new to her power, Orruck conceded.

Galloran patted her on the arm.

I’m eager to improve, Rachel sent.

Very well, Orruck replied. Try a simple transmutation. Edomic words reached her mind. She understood that they ordered stone to change into glass. Orruck gripped a slab in his jaws no larger than a dinner tray.

Rachel focused on the slab, mustered her will, and demanded that the stone transform. The slab took on a slicker sheen and a smokier color. Whipping his head sideways, Orruck hurled the slab into a wall, where it shattered.

Excellent, Orruck enthused. You are curious why I cannot use Edomic if I can speak in silence and I still know the proper words.

Rachel had not deliberately transmitted the question, but the thought had crossed her mind.

An ingenious physiological modification wrought by Zokar, he shared. My will can’t focus in the manner necessary to issue Edomic mandates. If I try, I experience tremendous pain, together with a host of other distracting sensations. I have managed to work around the obstacle enough to preserve my identity, but even the simplest Edomic commands have become impossible to execute. Show me the spell you will use to jolt Maldor. Once again he shared an Edomic command.

“No,” Galloran said, mentally and verbally. “Lightning requires too much finesse.”

She has the strength.

“But not the control,” Galloran said. “Don’t do it, Rachel. If you mean to slay us, Orruck, do it outright. Without a rebellion to halt Maldor, see how fondly he remembers you after his will dominates this continent.”

Orruck glided toward the canoe, neck cutting through the water like a shark fin. Is that a threat? The telepathic words had become dangerously silky.

“It’s the reality of the situation,” Galloran said. “The three of us would make a meager meal for one so grand. But we could serve you well in harming a common enemy.”

Could you help me reach beyond my borders and strike down one who spurned me? Orruck scoffed. Is the orantium useless here in my treasure hoard? Will you see it employed to dethrone my archrival? Will you become instruments of my will, bringing me the vengeance I rightfully deserve? I have heard your arguments before, trickster. Do you expect to fool me again?

Galloran’s raspy voice held steady. “You have little to gain from our demise, but much to gain should you send us abroad. Even if we fail, you strike an unlikely blow against an enemy.”

I perceive that you are my enemy, Orruck answered. I perceive that if I do not comply with your demands, you mean to coerce me. You believe the key word you obtained is destined to destroy me. I can feel that hope behind your words, behind your thoughts. You as well as the girl. Did you come here to threaten me? Do you imagine that a paltry Edomic expression from my days as a groveling apprentice could possibly bother the monstrosity I have become?

“I imagine that your master knew his trade,” Galloran replied. “This can still end peacefully. Give us orantium. I presume you still have it? We will use it against Maldor.”

Please, Rachel added.

The head sank out of sight.

“Where’s he going?” Rachel whispered.

“Fetching globes,” Galloran murmured. “The negotiation is precarious. Stand ready.”

Rachel wrung water from her shirt, her nervous hands anxious to be active. Was Orruck really fetching globes? Or was he preparing to attack?

The head returned and hung over the island of slabs. The great jaws unfolded gently, spilling dozens of tinkling orantium globes onto the island. Several rolled into the water, clinking against the stone. Rachel tensed, half expecting the globes to detonate in his face.

I have more orantium than you could carry away, Orruck conveyed. This is a humble sample.

“I understood that you guarded an impressive supply,” Galloran said.

I set the terms here, Orruck insisted, leaving the island and coming closer to the canoe. How dare you consider threatening me? I should crush you for entertaining the possibility. Here are my conditions. Since I have lost faith in Galloran, Rachel, scorch my ceiling with lightning, and you will depart with my orantium.

Galloran and Dorsio, too? she verified.

Perhaps. Scorch the ceiling and we will negotiate. The Edomic command for lightning repeated in her mind.

Rachel looked to Galloran for guidance. She saw his face tense up before he drew his sword and lunged into her, tackling her out of the canoe. Dorsio dove the opposite way. As they hit the water, an enormous claw surged up from beneath the canoe, tossing the craft into the air. Rachel tried to tread water, and Galloran pushed her away with both legs, holding up his gleaming sword so that it impaled the claw as it swiped down and pushed him underwater.

Neck arching, fierce jaws gaping, Orruck snaked forward to swallow Rachel.

“Arimfexendrapuse,” she gasped, nasty water lapping into her mouth.

Orruck’s head rocked back, blubber fluttering wildly, his great mouth clamping shut. All of his eyes closed, and with a brilliant flare of searing light, he was reduced to a cloud of black ash. For an instant the ash held to his shape, a brief afterimage of his existence, and then the sooty particles began to disperse as they drifted downward.