Part 55 (2/2)

”I smell smoke.” Phoebe suddenly sat up out of her slump at Kestrel's side. ”There behind the tapestries, I am sure of it. Jelilac is starting a fire.”

There was a sudden whoosh of wind that billowed from behind the tapestries, straining them against the hooks that held them to the frame. Kestrel felt a sudden rush of heat and then the odor of rotten carrion, like that he had detected before.

”Camonel,” he said. ”Phoebe, can it be? It smells just like Camonel.” He shook his head, confused. ”But Milligan said that the aleators avoided fire at all costs because of the second tenet.”

Phoebe's answer was cut off by Jelilac's booming

349.

command. ”Now,” he shouted. ”Perform your best calculation, Myra, because no matter what the method, I am the one who will win.”

Myra gave the bar a mighty wrench to send it whirling about. Just as she did, a burst of yellow flame shot upward above the tapestries for everyone to see. In a sudden panic, Jelilac's retainers exploded out of the box, rus.h.i.+ng onto the casino floor. Two immediately stepped onto mines, and startled cries mingled with a spray of hurling limbs. The spectators in the stands astride the tunnel behind Jelilac's framework screamed in panic. Those in the rows nearest began climbing into the tiers above, trampling on those not fast enough to get out of their way.

”Mark,” Camonel's deep voice rumbled above the din. The djinn pushed aside the canvas and stepped next to the rotating spinner. ”It pa.s.sed vertical, master, just as I spoke.”

”Jelilac, what is this?” Myra backed away from the demon that towered over her. ”I saw this monster on the raft. You deal with the manipulator far more than have I.”

”You stoop to using calculation. Then do not be surprised if it is employed by others.” Jelilac followed the djinn into the open. A dark curl of smoke indicated that the fire that summoned Camonel still smouldered inside. ”I will be archon, woman,” he said. ”Soon it all will be decided.”

”Mark,” Camonel shouted again. ”I have timed the initial rate of rotation, master. You have said that that would be enough.”

Kestrel grabbed Phoebe by the arm, lifting her up to standing. They had another chance to bind Camonel to her will, and this time there would be no water to douse the flame inadvertently. He started to leap over the barrier and run to the demon, but then hesitated. He glanced at the craters and twisted bodies between his fortification and Jelilac's canvas box. Scowling, he pulled her back down to safety.

”There is too much risk of the mines,” he said. ”Phoebe, you must try to control him from here.”

”It is too far.” Phoebe shook her head. ”I have al-

350.

eady attempted the binding of his will, but the control of his master is too strong.”

”Eighty-three through ninety-two,” Camonel boomed for all to hear. ”One tenth of the numbers but that is the region in which the spinner will finally reside. My master has calculated it and there can be no doubt.”

”Calculation,” someone shouted in the stands. ”Not calculation! No!”

”Calculation,” another echoed with a groan. ”In the final battle, luck is pitted against calculation and skill.”

Kestrel saw a wave of agitation radiate out from those nearest Jelilac's box. The aleators in the stands were mere spectators no longer. Even those scrambling to safety slowed and turned back to watch. On the side of the casino farthest away from the action, a low murmur tinged with despair began to build and grow.

”But if luck loses to some other method, then what is the purpose, what is the meaning?” Myra shrieked above all the rest.

The moaning of the crowd increased. Kestrel saw an entire section clasp hands and begin swaying back and forth to the cadence of a chant: ”Calculation, calculation and skill.”

Kestrel felt a twinge in his stomach. The ground under his feet suddenly felt less firm. He glanced up at one of the large windows in the far wall and saw that apparently the fog had begun to move back onsh.o.r.e. A subtle vibration began tickling the soles of his feet and migrating up his legs into his spine. Obviously, the use of something other than luck in the confrontation of Jelilac and Myra was deeply disturbing to all those who watched. And somehow the mood was contagious, affecting everything about them as well.

”Something is happening.” Kestrel drew Phoebe close. Something, something-the thought suddenly hit him- something like two realms of symmetry starting to merge.

<script>