Part 34 (1/2)

Edsel closed his eyes and tried to see. He saw himself standing there, with his eves shut. Startled, he opened his eyes, and for a moment suffered a double image. Then the view of himself faded, and his vision was normal again.

”I was seeing through your eyes!” he said to Grey.

”Yes. The magic sends to you. Then you can tell Com Pewter, especially when there is anything alarming.”

”I don't like to ask this question.” Edsel said. ”But I think I must. Suppose you die?”

Grey smiled ”That is unlikely in Xanth, because of my magic, and Robota of course can't die, though she could be destroyed. But it is possible in Mundania. and I admit I am nervous about that aspect of our journey. If it happens, your awareness will go blank. Then I regret that it will fall to you to advise the others.”

”Advise me.” Tristan said. ”I will advise the others.”

”I hope that doesn't happen,” Edsel said. ”This is becoming much more serious than I expected.”

”We believe that the mission can be safely accomplished,” Tristan said. ”In any event, there is no personal risk to the two of you. It would not be ethical to subject you to that.”'

”Yet you are subjecting Xanth to the risk of serious change.”

Grey gave him a straight look. ”Not if you are sufficiently vigilant.”

Edsel shut up. He would do his best, though he sincerely hoped that nothing went wrong. His knees felt a bit weak.

Com Pewter's screen lighted. DO IT Grey nodded ”Perhaps I should carry you, at this stage, Robota.”

”Yes.”

Grey picked up the golem and tucked her into a s.h.i.+rt pocket. He turned to the exit tunnel. He took several steps, then paused, turning hack. ”If I discover a problem I don't believe we can handle, I will signal you, like this.” He lifted his two hands in a gesture as of prayer. ”That will mean to send help.”

”If we see that, we'll tell Tristan.” Edsel agreed. ”But I sincerely hope it's not necessary.”

”I hope so too.” Tristan said. ”Because I am the one who will have to go there, and I do not feel competent, as a troll.”

”I know the feeling, as a Mundane,” Edsel said.

Grey turned again and walked on out of the cave.

Edsel, suddenly uncertain about the connection, closed his eyes and concentrated. He saw a light, growing, and realized that it was at the end of the tunnel. It was the opening, as Grey approached it. Then daylight was around him. ”The connection is working,” he said, relieved, as he opened his eyes.

”I know.” Pia said.

Edsel closed his eyes again - and found his vision sailing up into the sky. He stumbled, almost falling, until someone steadied him. It was Breanna. ”Something's wrong,” he said.

”For sure. I hope you're not sick.”

”Perhaps you are seeing the invisible giant picking them up for transport,” Tristan said.

Oh. Edsel felt foolish. ”Yes. I forgot about the giant.”

”Perhaps it would be easier if you retired to your office and sat down.” Tristan suggested.

Edsel was feeling giddy. ”Yes. Grey's images and mine don't mesh perfectly. It's like motion sickness.” He walked to his den and took his chair. Pia did the same with hers.

Now Breanna talked to Tristan. ”It's going to he a long wait. How about some solitaire?”

”Perhaps we can connect with Terian and Com Pa.s.sion,” Tristan said, sounding pleased.

Edsel tuned them out and closed his eyes again. Now he saw the Land of Xanth coursing by below. It was a patchwork of jungle, lake, and field. He realized that the legs of the giant must be between him and the land, but they were completely invisible, so it was like low level flying. Soon they approached the boundary at the northwest region, what in Mundania was called the Florida panhandle.

The land came up. Grey was being set down. He turned and waved, probably to the departing giant. Maybe the giant waved back.

Grey turned to look at the nearby sea. It was changing color from blueish to greenish. Then, suddenly. Grey ran west, away from Xanth. Mundane foliage surrounded him.

”Are you ail right. Robota?” Grey inquired, patting his pocket.

”I'm fading.” she answered. ”But I will not lose my magic entirely. Keep me near your ear so I can translate for you.”

Grey walked on. The scenery did not look like Florida. Edsel opened his eyes ”Are they in the right place? I don't recognize the landscape.”

Tristan looked up from his card game. ”They are in the land you call Italy, circa 1885, if I have your numbers correct.”

”1885'” Pia exclaimed, opening her eyes. ”You mean, like a century ago?”

”Perhaps I can clarity this.” Justin said. ”In terms of the Xanth time they are visiting, it is about seventy-five years, when the Evil Magician Trent first transformed me into a tree for trying to oppose him. But when he was thereafter exiled, he emerged in Mundania of southern Europe near the end of the nineteenth century, your time. He returned to Xanth twenty years later, and became King. Grey is following his route, as it is easier to do that than to establish a new temporal route.”

”Clear as mud.” Pia said.

”There is no fixed connection between Xanth and Mundania.” Tristan said. ”A person can step from Xanth into any time of Mundania. and return into any time of Xanth, if he knows how. Thus that is merely a stepping stone.”

”From Xanth now to Italy then,” Edsel said. ”From Italy then to Xanth then. Only not exactly the same then.”

”That's close enough,” Pia said, rolling her eyes.

Edsel closed his eyes and tuned in again. So did Pia.

Grey approached a settlement by the sea. He spoke gibberish to a native. The native responded. ”Robota is speaking for him. in his voice,” Pia reported. ”He is holding her up near his face so it's not obvious. It's Italian. He-she's asking for the road to France.”

”You can understand Italian?” Edsel asked, amazed.

”No. I can understand Robota. She understands Italian.”

Grey negotiated to get a horse to ride, and set off. Mountains loomed ahead. ”But this may take days!” Edsel protested.

”For him. yes,” Tristan said. ”But when he returns here, he will do so within a day of his time of departure, so you will not be unduly delayed.”

”But how can I follow days, in hours?”

”You fast-forward past the dull stuff.” Breanna said.

”This is weird.” Pia said.

”Ain't magic wonderful,” Breanna said. laughing.