‘I build boats to cross the ocean and bring food from all the corners of the earth so that your people do not die of hunger in the cities. I make telegraphs and telephones and engines of all sorts. I build aeroplanes and automobiles. I print books and build theaters and photograph moving pictures, and make all kinds of toys. Can your animals X-ray you when you are sick and broken? Without me you would live by killing and in fear of being killed, eating roots and raw flesh in the jungle.’ As the Sorcerer talked, a black cloud rose behind the mountain that frowned over the fallen city, rain began to fall gently, and a rainbow arched across the sky. Was it a sign from Gæa? Raphael stood a long time in thought, so long that Cassandra stirred uneasily. ‘If,’ said the boy at last, ‘you will give me your word not to build another city of mechanicos, and if you will not kill the animals or injure my people, I will let you live.’ When the eagles heard this, they screamed angrily, and rising, disappeared into the black cloud which had formed overhead in the shape of a woman. Only Empyrean, Chief of All the Eagles in the Sky, remained. He stood silent with bowed head. ‘Well,’ said the Sorcerer, ‘in that case there is no further need for talk. I accept your terms. Good-bye, Cassandra.’ And without another word or glance the Sorcerer turned and walked away. Raphael and Cassandra said nothing, but stood hand in hand and watched his great figure until it was lost among the ruins. The boy was relieved to see him go, but felt downcast and depressed. Why, he did not know. ‘It is time I took you all home,’ said Empyrean from behind them. The children jumped. ‘Where are the others?’ asked Raphael, who noticed for the first time that the eagles had gone. ‘The war is over, and they have flown away,’ answered the eagle sadly. ‘What more could they do?’ An almost overwhelming wave of affection for Empyrean surged over Raphael. The war was over, Cassie had been saved. ‘Hurry,’ said Empyrean. ‘Both of you climb on my back. It will be night soon.’ Raphael looked up. The sun was setting, angry and red over the mountains in the west, and night was closing in. ‘Come on,’ said Raphael to his sister, and helped her to scramble onto the eagle’s back. When they were seated between the great wings, night was already on them, and stars appeared in the curtain of the sky. The eagle leapt into the air, and soon they were flying rapidly through the darkness. I never knew night to come so fast, thought Raphael. Moving through the night air made him yawn. He felt very sleepy. No one spoke. There was only the vague feeling of moving through space.