Avon Fantasy Reader No. 9 — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Kirwan’s eyebrows shot up. “So? Are not the Friyans content? Surely you do not expect trouble with your people?” 7 ; “No,” said Shira. “The people are content, except for one thing—the woods are becoming increasingly full of khalders, and—you know why we must keep them down.” | Kirwan nodded. Andrus of Ghuria, who had a tendency toward squeam- ishness, gulped a little, and looked unhappy, since the khalders, those pale fawn-colored animals that looked something like weasels, had habits that were better not thought of. _ “The only thing is,” said Kirwan, slowly, “That I have reason to believe I will need all my fighting men shortly. Why not ask Duke Edric for some of his forces?” All eyes turned toward Edric, who sat, fatly, in his chair, with a smug smile. “Sure,” he said, pleasantly, “I’ll let you have half of them. But—I need more land, an’ more influence. In fact, I think Kirwan ought to take over Thorvia, and I'll take Draco—and, of course, whatever goes with it.” The only one apparently unmoved in the middle of the resulting turmoil was Kirwan. “Quiet!” he said, loudly. And under the influence of his voice, they actually did quiet down. ? “I have been expecting this,” he said, unconcernedly. “But I am prepared for it. Edric—” he turned toward him suddenly. “Have you been down to the marsh lately?” The fat Duke of Thorvia stirred uneasily. “What’s that got to do with it?” he demanded. “Anyway, it’s your headache now—Draco has no marsh,” and he giggled. “And either I get Draco, and rule the whole bunch, or—you know.” “Know what?” demanded Fiero truculently. But Kirwan held up his hand.~ “He means he'll destroy Draconia by—well, exposing it to the light,” he said, indifferently; almost with amusement at his own joke. “But—Edric, have you noticed that the dark purple waterlilies have all withered?” A peculiar look came over Edric’s face. “What of it?” he asked, shrilly; “What's that got to do with it?” | Kirwan smiled. “Why, I would suggest that after we disband tonight, you go down to the swamp and—maybe you'll find out why it churns. It might not be mineral springs, you know; and it would be interesting to find out what else it could be—wouldn’t it?” Edric’s face looked ghastly. “I won’t! You can’t make me!” he cried. “I won't go near it!” : . “You have to sleep,” suggested Kirwan, still smiling. The others looked puzzled and frightened, but Edric looked dreadful. “I won’t sleep!” he screamed. “I won't sleep!” . When they broke up, he was still muttering it. At five o'clock in the morning, Kirwan sat up in bed. A look of anticipa- tion, a listening look, was on his face, making it strangely unpleasant. His 116 Connicloooks (©)