Thraxas and the Ice Dragon - By Martin Scott Page 0,30

see the way Lasat objected to everything I said? The man hates me." The Sorceress frowns. "Why did you tell everyone I was protecting Arichdamis's new weapon like it was the most important thing in the world?"

"I had to come up with something to cover for you."

"I suppose so. But I'm going to look silly if this weapon doesn't work. Where is Arichdamis, anyway?'

"Examining the ruin of his cellars. Baron Girimos has a very hearty appetite. I tried to restrain him but it was practically impossible. Who was that General who seemed so interested in Makri?"

"General Hemistos. He's in charge of the infantry phalanxes."

"Hemistos? The young centurion who led the expedition over Gazgar Bridge?" I remember him now. He was decorated for his bravery, eighteen or so years ago. I didn't know he'd become a General. "Just goes to show, some countries reward their war heroes properly. If Turai was like that, I'd be a General too."

"Undoubtedly," says Lisutaris, and brushes her long brown hair back from her forehead. She stares at her silver and queenstone bracelet. A present from Kublinos, I believe.

"I apologise for my mistake with the thazis. I won't allow it to happen again."

Makri has finally got rid of the dragon, shooing it back to its nest in the trees. "General Hemistos wants to watch me fighting at the tournament," she says. "Was he really the most decorated centurion in the last war?"

"Maybe," I reply. "But you know these Samsarinans. They give out medals for anything."

"Where are the plans?" says Lisutaris, suddenly.

"What plans?"

"The plans for the crossbow and sighting device. You know, the important military secret I'm meant to be protecting."

"They're on the table."

"No they're not."

We all stare at the table. The plans are gone. I yell for Arichdamis. He pokes his head out of the window. He doesn't have them. The four of us engage on a frantic search of the vicinity. The blueprints are nowhere to be found. Arichdamis moans, and sits down heavily.

"How can they just disappear?" demands Makri.

I ask Lisutaris if she can perform some sort of quick searching spell. Unfortunately Lisutaris is no longer listening. Her bag of thazis is open on her lap. She swiftly rolls a huge stick, snaps her fingers to ignite it, then inhales deeply. I sit down next to her.

"Give me some of that," I say.

"Me too," says Makri. "We're really in trouble now."

Chapter Thirteen

Gloom descends over Arichdamis's house. It's hard to believe that someone stole the plans from right under our noses. Arichdamis is frantic, believing that enemy spies have made off with them. He's already imagining himself being executed for treason. Neither Lisutaris, Makri nor I believe that an enemy spy took the plans. It's far more likely that Lasat Axe of Gold was behind it.

"He'll do anything to discredit me," says Lisutaris.

"If Lasat did take them, what will he do with them?" wonders Makri.

"He'll produce them whenever he thinks it's most damaging," says Lisutaris. "Probably along with some fake story about an Orcish spy stealing them from me, and him heroically recovering them."

"We should have reported the theft when it happened!" says Arichdamis. "Now it looks like we're colluding with the enemy."

"We can't let anyone know. It will look too bad for Lisutaris."

Arichdamis has taken to pulling anxiously on his long grey beard. He goes away muttering about what a black day it was that he allowed Turanians into his house. Relations between us, previously cordial, have plummeted. Makri watches him go. "Now we've offended Arichdamis," she says, and sounds genuinely upset.

"If we're sure Lasat took the plans, shouldn't we be trying to get them back?" I suggest.

"Lasat will have them well hidden by now," says Lisutaris.

"So? You're more powerful than he is. Or you were till recently."

Lisutaris's eyes blaze. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean you don't have so much power when you're continually intoxicated by thazis."

"Don't lecture me on intoxication," cries Lisutaris.

"Why not? You haven't been thazis-free since you set foot in this place. No wonder Lasat got the better of you."

"You're being unfair!" says Makri. "After all, Lasat is a secret addict too. He takes dwa, remember? Probably he's even more intoxicated than Lisutaris, some of the time."

"I'm not intoxicated!" cries Lisutaris. "If I was, could I do this?"

The Sorceress whips out a vial of kuriya, a black liquid used for various magical purposes. For most Sorcerers, controlling it is a difficult art. Not so for Lisutaris. She pours the liquid into a saucer and snaps her fingers.

"I'll show you