They trotted rapidly along the ways, their mail clanking. Erelong they were out of the deserted district and approaching the central forum. It seethed with people. All Valkarion seemed to be out tonight, moving slowly, aimlessly, under the compulsion of a nameless fear. The town buzzed with voices, low, secretive, and the shuffle of thousands of feet under the lamps and the bobbing torches. High over the muted tumult, blown on the harrying wind, chant and gong-beat came from the Temple. Alfric and Hildaborg pushed their way through the milling, murmuring tide. The unease, the rising wave of fear, was like a tangible force; the northerner's skin prickled with it. Eyes, thousands of eyes, shifting and staring out of pale faces--the city was full of eyes. He heard a voice as he came to the edge of the great plaza. Thrusting forward, the tall barbarian looked over the heads of the crowd. There was a rostrum, surrounded by a tight ring of Temple guards, and from atop it a robed priest was haranguing the throng. "--the Dynasty is dead, and the wrath of the Moons lies heavy over Valkarion. Woe to the world, for the heathen fiend, the scourge of Dannos, is loose! "Yet I bring hope--aye, from all-merciful Mother Amaris I bring cheer in this darkest hour. There is time, still time to seize the barbarian ere his power grows. There is still time, too, to seize and disown the half-caste witch Hildaborg. There is time to submit to the wise rule of the Temple, that the High Priest may intercede with All-father Dannos. Repent and be forgiven--destroy the evilworkers who brought this trouble on you, and the Mating of the Moons will yet bring forth a new birth of hope!" Alfric grew aware of the muttering about him--the commons of Valkarion, laborer, artisan, merchant, peasant, turning thought over and growling it to his neighbor. "--an ill choice, to see the city ruined or bow to the shavepates." "I am afraid. The Moons are high and bitter bright now, they are looking down on us. I am afraid." "'Twas Hildaborg who lowered the taxes. 'Twas Hildaborg, and not dotard Aureon or thieving Therokos, who whipped the army into shape and beat off the Savonnian invaders. What has the Temple ever done for us, save milk us for our tithes and frighten our babes with stories of godly wrath?" "Hush! The Moons are watching!" "Hildaborg is beautiful, she is like a goddess as she rides through the streets and smiles on us. Amaris herself is not more beautiful." "The Temple is holy." "The priests burned my brother for sorcery. He had one of the old books, that is all; he tried to build the machine it told of--and they burned him." "They have enough old books themselves. They sit on all the wisdom of the ancients, and none of us can so much as read." "The Fates are abroad tonight. I am afraid." "My son is in the Household. They're after his skin--he'll hang if he isn't dead already--unless--"