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.It appeared that Abernathy's cynicismhad some foundation in fact after all.Ben's mind raced, sorting through arguments and discarding themjust as quickly.The River Master had obviously decided that he would not pledge to any King ofLandover, and it did not seem that there was anything that could make him change his mind.Yet Benknew that he must find a way.A light clicked on inside his head."What of the reason that you came to Landover in the first place,River Master? What of your work here?"The chiseled face regarded him thoughtfully."My work, High Lord?""Your work the work that brought all of your people out of the fairy world and into Landover.Whatof that? You left paradise and timeless, immortal life to cross into a world with time and death.Youaccepted that you would be human.You did that because you wanted to cleanse Landover, to make herearth, trees, mountains, and waters healthy and safe! I don't know why you made that choice, but youdid.Now you seem to be telling me that you have given up! You don't seem that sort of man to me.Areyou willing to sit back and let the whole valley turn sick and wither away into nothing just to prove apoint? Once the sickness spreads far enough and deep enough, how will you ever find the magic to driveit out!"The River Master stared at him wordlessly, a small frown appearing, a hint of doubt in his eyes.Ben charged quickly ahead."If you pledge to me, I will put an end to the pollution of the waterways andthe forests.I will stop the spread of the sickness not just here, in the lake country, but throughout thevalley.""A noble ambition.High Lord." The River Master seemed almost sad."How will you do that?""I will find a way.""How? You'lack even the small magic of the old King, the magic that gave him mastery over the Paladin.You wear the medallion I see it beneath your tunic but it is little more than a symbol of your office.High Lord, you are a King in name only.How can you do any of what you promise?"Ben took a deep breath.The words stung, but he was careful to keep the anger from his voice."I don'tknow.But I will find a way."The River Master was silent a moment, lost in thought.Then he nodded slowly.His words were slow Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmland carefully measured."Very well, High Lord.Nothing is lost by letting you try.You make a promise Iwill hold you to.Put an end to the pollution.Put a stop to the spreading of the sickness.Extract apromise from the others who inhabit this valley that they will work with us to preserve the land.Whenyou have done that, then I will give you my pledge."He extended his hand."A bargain, High Lord?"Ben gripped the hand firmly in his own."A bargain, River Master."They shook.The sound of the children's laughter rang softly in the distance.Ben sighed inwardly.Another conditional pledge extracted.He was a man building a house of cards.He gave the River Master his best courtroom smile."You wouldn't happen to know a way to keep thedragon out of the Greensward, would you?"ElderewThe River Master did not know a way to keep the dragon out of the Greensward.No one did, so far ashe knew.Nightshade might, he speculated as he guided Ben back through the grove of elm and into thepark with its children.The witch of the Deep Fell had magic more powerful than that of any othercreature in the valley although even Nightshade had never dared offer challenge to Strabo.In anycase, Nightshade would never agree to help him, even if she had the means to do so.She had alwayshated the Kings of Landover because they commanded the services of the Paladin, and the Paladin wasmore powerful than she.Times change, Ben thought dismally.There were the fairies, of course, the River Master added almost as an afterthought.The fairies hadalways been able to control the dragons.That was why the dragons had fled from or been driven out oftheir world and come over into the valley.But the fairies would not help Ben either.The fairies helped noone, unless it was their idea first.They stayed within the mists, hidden in their timeless, ageless world, andlived their own lives according to their own rules.Ben could not even go to them to ask their help.Noone ever went into the fairy world and came out again
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