Cecelia asked, “What does she say to you, Roswell?”
Roswell smiled, “Her name is Exeter. She keeps thanking me and asks about Mayard’s return. Maybe you should hold her, Mayard.”
p-Mayard hesitated and glanced toward Rhiann. Rhiann shrugged. Mayard’s doppelganger reached out to Longbeard, reluctantly gripped the dark red hilt, and accepted the beautiful longsword. A pleasant voice appeared in the depth of his thoughts, “I sense no ill will toward the others in your shapeless heart, doppelganger. You have no enemies in this place, but your comrades think you are Mayard Klarje. Their attitudes will likely change when they learn the truth. Have you harmed Mayard Klarje?”
p-Mayard was at a loss as to how to communicate with the sword. Was spoken word required or was the entire affair telepathic? He concentrated and thought silently, “If you know your stuff, you’ll realize the old sorcerer stands beside me in the guise of his great nephew Rhiann. Uh… you aren’t going to sell us out, are you? I really don’t want to cross these Gnomes! Gnomes aren’t fond of deception!”
The sword’s voice answered, “I’m committed to Mayard Klarje and never question his reasoning. But I’d really like to hear what he has to say about you! You are not a warrior. I serve a warrior best.”
The doppelganger wryly thought, “I can be a warrior.”
The sword said, “Perhaps Rhiann … uh, Mayard should hold me, false Mayard.”
p-Mayard said aloud, “Rhiann, the workmanship is second to none. Why don’t you hold the weapon?”
The pseudo-sorcerer extended the longsword and Rhiann awkwardly accepted the heavy blade and gripped the hilt.
Exeter said, “Young Rhiann Klarje, nice to make your acquaintance. You have no enemies in this place. That includes your shapeless friend, the Shapechanger in Mayard Klarje-clothing. He very oddly is devoted to you, though he thinks you are your Uncle Mayard. One of Mayard’s most unusual maneuvers, I must say. The Gnomes Longbeard and Cecelia and dwarfish Sword master Roswell truly believe he is Mayard and you are Rhiann. So Mayard indeed remained at the Hanging Gardens in your guise. How was he feeling?”
benjamintowe 