Telli and Setisia walked through the streets, arm in arm, content with their successes in passing the first hurdle on the way to an audience with the King. They laughed as they compared their experiences, each describing the reactions of the official as he had heard their unusual stories. Setisia was relieved that Telli had gained an interview, knowing that he thought often of Brakis and the other slaves he had befriended during his time in the Khrelling valley. When they reached Helli's house, they found that Rhyll had returned and was sitting with Tseochy on his lap, having his bright red hair pulled.

"How was it, supplicants?" he asked.

"We have appointments with a Lieutenant of the King in four days' time, both of us, and must find things to do 'til then. We thought Helli might like to come with us on a punt around the town with the children, if we can find the old 'Keller' from yesterday," said Setisia.

"A good idea, but I have a better one. Why not take your own boat, and you can experience sailing on a lake. The day is perfect for it as it is very hot in the city, but there is a good breeze blowing over the lake, which will both keep us cool and fill the sail. We can give this little hair-puller a close view of Tellui castle." Rhyll's idea was good, and the four agreed on it. He and Telli left to see a merchant about changing Telli's gold ore, while Helli made herself and her children ready. Rhyll negotiated a reasonable price, so Telli found himself with enough silver crowns to last him for some weeks in the city, and felt grateful to old Slomen for the generous estimate of the value of his hunting efforts during their partnership. They returned to the house by canal taxi, this being the easiest way to take Helli and her babes to the boat.

Sailing on Lake Tellui was what Setisia's little boat, of southern make, had originally been designed for, and the little vessel was a pleasure to handle on its calm waters. Once clear of the traffic by the port, Telli and Setisia left the handling of the boat to Rhyll, and took care of the two children, leaving Helli free to chat with the Mendai at the tiller. These two had been close friends since he had made the journey to her homeland in the far north some years before to attend her marriage ceremony. Rhyll steered a course across the lake towards Tellui, and his shipmates stood in the bows, each with an infant in their arms, looking ahead at the towers and turrets of the mad dwarf's creation.

As they neared the huge pillar of rock on which Tellui had been built, Rhyll steered the boat to its right, so the others could see how, although it was attached to the mountains behind, the top of the promontory was, in some sense, an island. Far above them a river flowed off the mountain range, forming a waterfall. Where the pillar of Tellui joined the range behind it, the waterfall was divided in two, falling to the lake on each side, meaning that the point of the rock was actually surrounded by water, the falls above and the lake below. The party on Setisia's boat could see the western half of the falls, tumbling a thousand feet into a whirlpool of white foam ahead of them, and sending out waves that rocked the little boat beneath them. Setisia waxed poetic, addressing Telli.

"Wanderer, you who have been fated to see so many of the great works of Setisia, surely you must count this amongst the finest." Telli laughed, saying that it was indeed a great spectacle, but that he hoped to show her one day the great water cavern he had seen in the caves of the Khrelling, which was perhaps an even greater wonder of the Goddess's art. He held little Tseochy up to see the falls, teaching her the word 'waterfall', which she repeated throughout the afternoon, adding it to her already impressive vocabulary.

Telli looked at the huge cliff above them and at the castle walls visible on top. He calculated how many flights it might take him to reach the top if he could find grips on the way up, thinking that it might require about fifty stages. He looked back down to see Setisia smiling at him, and she showed that she had read his thoughts, something she was becoming very good at. They were out of earshot of Rhyll and Helli.

"I do not want my favourite goblin dashed to death on hard rocks, or drowned in the waters of this lake, like the dwarf builder. You will enter Tellui only with the King's permission, and that is an order, slave."

The afternoon on the lake was a great success, Helli and Tseochy enjoying the treat, and thanking captain Setisia as they re-entered Kellmarsh port. Telli realised that at any time he and Setisia wanted a change from life in the city, they could use the boat in this way. He had seen tempting forests reaching the banks of the lake at some points, and they also had access to all the rivers that fed it, and to the continuation of the Great River, which flowed out of the lake to the east.

It was evening by the time the party reached Helli's home, Setisia and Telli taking it in turns to carry a tired Tseochy. Keoch was there, waiting for them, and had news for Setisia. He spoke at length after embracing his lovely wife and daughters.

"I think I may have found out who your fat merchant is, although you would have to see him for us to be sure. There is a Kellmarsh merchant who fits your description, down to the point of a taste for embroidered white gloves, something some of his ilk affect as a symbol that they do not need to soil their hands with real work. But there are certainly others up and down the Kingdom who would also fit. One thing about this fellow, though, is that he certainly has a reason to harbour a grudge against the King, and to wish for the removal of certain laws enforced by the monarch and the Duke of Kellmarsh. He is the brother of a very, very rich merchant, a man I had heard of before making my enquiries today. This older brother is even fatter than the man you saw in Bhuin, reputed to be so obese that he cannot walk without the support of two strong servants. He is a recluse, and is said to stay always within the walls of his mansion. Several years ago, he was convicted by the King's court for the capture, enslavement and abuse of young girls from remote forest tribes, those peoples who do not speak Allenth and live a life separate from the rest of the Kingdom. These girls were taken to serve the lusts of men without scruples. Many of the victims were much younger than you are, princess, and in the opinion of many, the man was treated too leniently. He was held for only two years in the Duke's dungeons, after he had been made to pay the cost of the return of these girls to their tribes, and considerable sums of gold in compensation to their peoples. It is men wishing to be free to conduct businesses such as these who dislike the order Beranis brings to the Kingdom."

"What is this man's name?" asked Rhyll.

"Sestakis is the slaver, known as 'the slug' to those who do not like him, and there are many of these. Have you heard of him?"

"No, I do not think so, but I go to see some Mendai tonight, and shall certainly find someone who knows something. What of the brother?"

"Fostak is his name, fat Fostak, of course, and he lives with his brother, and goes about doing his business, as the other has not been seen out since he returned home after his spell as the Duke's guest. How did you two fare in your petitioning of the King?" Setisia told what they had achieved, and the Treoch congratulated them, saying that he was particularly impressed that Telli had managed to tell his strange story in such a way as not to be considered a crazed beggar, and get thrown straight out onto the streets by the guards. He then said that he would take Setisia and Telli in his canoe to show them the villain Sestakis's house. Rhyll said that he would join them.

Keoch's house, like many in Kellmarsh, had a door opening to a street on one side and another onto a canal from the other. He kept a canoe moored here, and they set off for the wealthy suburb that was home to 'the slug'. Reaching it shortly before the last light of day faded, they paddled up and down in front of a large mansion, its towers visible behind a wall more than twenty feet high. Keoch had pointed out landmarks on the way, so that the others could find the place themselves if they wished to.

"There will be an opening onto a street from the other side," he said, as they passed a huge double door in the wall by the canal. "The way to find out if the younger brother is Setisia's man would be for her to watch the gates, as he must enter and leave most days on business if he is in town at this moment. You must be sure that you are not noticed, dear, if you do this, and must not do it on your own." He turned the canoe and set off back in the direction of the city centre.

As they passed the canal entrance to the house next to Sestakis's, that of another large walled mansion, two men were coming down the steps before it towards a waiting punt with a boatman standing in its stern. Telli heard Setisia's sharp intake of breath, and felt her hand on his shoulder. He saw that the men on the steps were dressed in blood-red robes, and had their heads shaved, leaving only a crest of hair in the centre. When they were out of earshot, he asked:

"Was one of them your evil priest?"

"No, I saw their faces clearly, and I would know his immediately. But can it be chance that we see them so near to the house of the merchant we suspect? I must find out if this Fostak is the man I saw in Bhuin. If so, I must find out who is the owner of the neighbouring house." Rhyll had heard this exchange, and said that it should be easy to find out who was the owner of such a large property.

"Do you three wish to join me in a Mendai eating place tonight," he asked. Keoch declined the offer, wishing to be with his family, but offered to drop the others off at the tavern before going home, and passed Rhyll a latchkey to his house, so they could return when they wished.

The tavern was lively, as Telli and Setisia had come to expect of any place where the Mendai congregated. Rhyll led them to a table where an elderly man sat on his own.

"Papa Abhyll, this is Tellimakis, and this is 'Princess' Setisia, of whom you have heard much." Rhyll introduced his companions to the Mendai elder, an important man in his own clan, the Dullai, who greeted them with a broad smile and an invitation to be seated at his table.

"So, this is Barhyll 'flute man's' granddaughter, and beautiful enough to merit the name of a Goddess you are, my dear. I used to play music with your grandfather, and you seldom hear such a master of the flute, I can tell you. It may interest you to know that the man with the purple shirt seated over there is his grandson. Would you like to meet your cousin?" He pointed to a table some distance away, where two men and two women were seated. Setisia kept her customary calm, but Telli knew she must be excited at her first chance to meet a close relative of her father's.

"Thank you for your kind words, Papa, and for the work I hear you have been doing to find an enemy of mine," she said. "Yes, I would be most interested to meet a member of my grandfathers family." The old man called out loudly.

"Sabhytt, Sabhytt, come here. You neglect your family, young scoundrel. Come over, and stop ignoring your cousin." The man had turned his head on hearing his name, and stood up, stooping under each ceiling beam as he came towards them. Telli was surprised to see that Setisia's cousin was a giant, standing head and shoulders over all around him. As he reached their table, he recognised Rhyll in the gloom and, as both were Dullai, clearly took Papa Abhyll's words as referring to him.

"Rhyll 'fiddler' is it not? Why, it must be two years since we last arm wrestled in Thanet City. Are you still so easily beaten?" The two men embraced, and Rhyll said to his young companions that this was one man that he did not wrestle for silver, as it would be a quick road to poverty.

"But tell me, Sabhytt, Papa here says you are a grandson of Barhyll 'flute', is this true?"

"Indeed, he was my mother's father." Sabhytt pulled up a stool, and sat down, noticing Setisia for the first time. "Do I have to congratulate you on having a pretty daughter, or on finding a beautiful young wife, fiddler," he said, reminding Telli of Mother Raidy's question, and bringing a cackle of laughter from old Abhyll.

"Not his family, or mine, other than that she is Dullai, but yours, you great lump. Setisia is the cousin I was speaking of, whom you have so neglected, just when she could perhaps use such a gorilla at her side. She is your mother's youngest brother's daughter."

"Uncle Darhyll? He married an Allenthy from the upper Bhuin, but died without children, I was told." Sabhytt frowned in puzzlement, and Setisia spoke.

"I was born some months after my father's death, and grew up with my mother's people. I met few Mendai until recently, and Rhyll was the first Dullai I had ever come across, so the people of my father were not aware of my existence, it seems." Sabhytt was speechless for a minute, and then held out his hand to take hers, and bending low on his stool, kissed it.

"Well, welcome to the family, little beauty, and forgive me if I am a little lost for words."

When Sabhytt had recovered from his shock, it transpired that a number of Setisia's close family were alive and well, although none were in Kellmarsh at that moment. He himself had only arrived two days before, and had not yet heard of the search for his uncle's murderer. Abyhll had been about to approach his table, and give them Grenwald's description, when Rhyll's party had arrived. Sabhytt listened carefully to Setisia, Abhyll and Rhyll. As Setisia's story unfolded, Telli realised that she had gained an ally who could well be even more determined to search out Grenwald than Rhyll. He was less than thirty years old, but had fond memories of his uncle Darhyll from childhood. The family had assumed his murderers to be amongst those hung by the King's men when they had deposed the tyrant, and in a sense this was true. But it was Grenwald who was responsible for the existence of the gang, although he did not do his own dirty work, and Sabhytt, like Rhyll, clearly thought that he should be punished. He was prepared to rid the world of one who had so damaged his family with his own hands.

Telli watched Sabhytt with interest. His nature was clearly amiable and fun loving, even to Mendai standards, and this showed in spite of the seriousness of the subject under discussion. His hair was a very light orange colour, almost white at the ends, and he wore a full beard. Had it not been for the permanent smile wrinkles at the corners of the green eyes, his great size and wild mane of hair might have made him seem intimidating. Like most big men, and this giant was the biggest Telli had ever seen, Sabhytt could appear slow. However, it soon became apparent to the astute youngster that this was far from being the case. Sabhytt questioned the others about Grenwald, and then summarised their information like this.

"We are looking for a sick little man who will leave a trail to be followed both because of his looks, and by his actions, such as the attack on the child in Rislet. Some hide in the Kingdom by fleeing to the cover of wild country, but I guess that your man cannot do his own work to survive, and likes his comforts, so would not choose to stay in the wilds for long. Then, the best places to stay unnoticed are the large cities, and the largest by far of these is Kellmarsh. There may be an obvious connection between him and the fat pervert whose house you have just come from, don't you think, fiddler. Both have a taste for girls who cannot protest against cruel treatment. I think my clever new cousin has come across something that needs investigating, and I think there are men involved whose heads should roll, and whose necks I might like to break with my own hands, and would feel no shame in doing so."

"I have some Treoch friends who will help in finding out about the fat man," said Rhyll.

"Treoch? We could not have better help for this kind of thing," Sabhytt said. "I was going back east in a few days, but now shall stay until this thing is sorted. I hope to get acquainted with my charming new relative at the same time, and perhaps she will be good enough to introduce me to her young friend, who sits silently at her side and watches me with his sharp black eyes?" He put out a hand bigger than Telli's foot for him to shake as Setisia gave his name. "If you like the company of mad gypsies, young man, then you will like mine, for they say that few come madder. Now, Papa, let us eat and drink, and I shall pay for all as I am in a state of great happiness, having just experienced a surprise enlargement to my beloved family." He asked all at the table what they would like to eat and drink, then got up to find the landlord, and to excuse himself to the people with whom he had been sitting.

Papa Abhyll and Rhyll explained to Setisia that her cousin was well known amongst the Mendai because of his great size, and a personality to match it.

"I have only met him four or five times over the years," said Rhyll, "and had no idea he was your cousin. Papa here knows just about all Dullai in the Kingdom, their relations to one other, and to other Mendai. Your cousin has the reputation of a man of great heart, as well as for the performance of impossible feats of strength when he is in his cups. It is sure that he wishes to save me the trouble of killing your Grenwald."

"He may look a great oaf, my dear, but he has a quicker mind than he likes to pretend," said Abhyll, confirming Telli's impression.

"Yes, he has an exceptional mind, and I like this most unusual of cousins," said Setisia, drawing a sharp look from the old man, but only smiles from her crewmates, now accustomed to such confident judgements. "Let's try to forget my enemies for a while, so we can enjoy making each other's acquaintance."

Sabhytt returned with a large tray and placed the orders of each person before them.

"Good cousin, am I right in guessing that, as you have spent your childhood so sadly deprived of the company of the world's most charming people, you cannot speak Mendai?"

Sabhytt spoke after emptying a glass of beer in one long draught. Setisia managed to reply haltingly in the language, saying that she was learning from Rhyll, and the three men clapped in appreciation of the effort. Rhyll said that Telli was learning also, and the other two Mendai drank to his health and long life, Papa Abhyll saying that he had only ever met a handful of Allenthys who had mastered the tongue, and this had only been because they had married into the clans.

"But it would be worth it for you," he added, "for you would have thousands of friends around the Kingdom. As they can see that you are not of the blood, all would take your interest and effort as a great compliment, that is sure."

"Certainly true." Rhyll agreed. "I can manage the tongue of the Treochim quite well, and when I went north to my friend Keoch's wedding, I was treated like a prince, and stayed three weeks longer than I had intended. Everyone wished to meet the Mendai who could play their Treoch songs on the fiddle, and sing them as well. They even offered me a house if I would stay longer."

Sabhytt had also journeyed to the far north, and Rhyll soon realised he was in the company of another Mendai who admired the Treoch culture. He was as well travelled as Rhyll, and amused the others by describing the various ways he had made a living, ways only open to a giant. He had once been paid nearly double the rate as an oarsman, as the boat's captain could employ one man less on the side on which he was rowing. He had also been a fair ground wrestler and a stage performer, specialising in the roles of giants and Gods.

"The job I can get with ease, at any time and in any place, is that of guardsman. Every Lord and wealthy merchant in the country who can afford it wishes to have giants in their personal guard, but I find this work tedious, so have never stayed long in one position. I was in the King's guard once for three months, for which time it was interesting, but then felt the urge to travel, so I made my excuses to the captain and left."

"Have you met Beranis then, cousin?" Setisia was immediately interested.

"I was detailed to the guard of Princess Lephelia, a true Goddess in nature as well as name, as you are, my cousin. So I never spoke with the King, although I saw him many times."

"You spoke with Lephelia?"

"Oh yes, often, as she found me most amusing. I would have better been described as court jester than as bodyguard. I played my flute for her, and when I left, she gave me this." He pulled out a beautifully made silver flute set with precious stones from his vest, and held it up to the candlelight for them to see. "A pretty little plaything, is it not?"

Rhyll let out a whistle as he took the instrument from Sabhytt and examined it closely.

"She must have liked you! Setisia, your cousin could buy your little boat three or four times over with this."

"I would never part with it. Who else do you know who can boast such a gift from one who will be the next ruler of the Kingdom. This will stay with the family when I die. Part of the treasure of the Dullai, eh, Papa Abhyll, those great hoards you elders keep secret from us."

Sabhytt winked at Setisia as he said this. The Mendai paid a levy to their elders in the same way that other citizens paid taxes to the Lord of their region, who in turn paid taxes to the King. Papa Abhyll reacted in mock anger, saying that the Dullai coffers were always empty as the clan was full of wandering vagrants such as the two before him, who were less than generous in their donations to the communal cause. Both younger men passed him a silver piece, laughing as he ranted. Ryhll explained that the Mendai contributed to their scattered and wandering communities as and when they could afford to. The elders would pass some on to the King, so the clans were in a sense like fiefdoms, but with no fixed territory. In return, they had had the protection and support of the monarchs for their unusual lifestyle ever since the elders had first made an agreement with Tellimakis the First. The benefits were mutual, and the King had a network of loyal supporters spread all over the Kingdom if he treated the Mendai well. Sabhytt claimed, only half jokingly, that the Mendai were rich.

"The clan Mellai bought a huge mansion of fifty rooms here in Kellmarsh about sixty years ago, and they still have it. The story goes that the proud merchant next door died of apoplexy when he learned that his new neighbours were gypsies. The clan Rollai then bought his house for cheap, other merchants being reluctant to live next to the Mellai. We joke that the Mendai will soon have the whole street." The giant guffawed loudly at this, Telli and Setisia laughing with him. Setisia had just turned the conversation back to Princess Lephelia, when a man interrupted her with a message for old Abhyll.

The messenger excused himself to the others, and took the old man to one side, whispering to him for a moment, then passing him a scroll of parchment. When Abhyll returned to the table, and had read the written message, he asked Setisia if she knew her letters well, and when she nodded, passed her the parchment. Telli sensed that the search for her conspirators was going well, that this letter must be something to add to the results that Keoch's information had already brought them that evening.

"Rhyll, the alert you were so good as to send out from Rislet has worked well. Grenwald boarded a slow and comfortable passenger boat at Jarrit town two days ago, and if he does not get off on the way, will probably arrive in Kellmarsh tomorrow. The Mendai net catches its fish, I see, good Papa." Setisia got up and hugged the Dullai elder as she finished speaking. Sabhytt spoke, addressing Rhyll.

"There are fine taverns round the port are there not, fiddler? May I ask you to join me tomorrow for a pleasant day of drinking wine, and watching the boats come in?"

"Most certainly, and I believe my brother has a day free, and may join us. Setisia, what plans do you have for tomorrow?"

"Until I got this news, I was going to persuade my loyal slave, Tellimakis, to join me in a vigil outside the fat merchant's house early in the morning, to see if his brother is the man I saw in Bhuin. Now I have two villains to watch for, and don't know where to be." As the others considered this, Telli made his first contribution to the discussion.

"Only you can say if this Fostak is your man, but we could probably all identify Grenwald from your description if the boat he travels on is known. We could follow your plan in the morning, and join the others at the port later on. There is a good chance that the boat will not come to the port too early, and we might see both men in this way. I think Grenwald is important to us, not because the madman is in any way central to this conspiracy, which seems doubtful, but because he can surely be arrested and questioned. I know little of the workings of the Kingdom, but is he not the only one to be wanted for known crimes? And could he not then be persuaded to tell what he knows of the plot against the King?"

"You may not know much of the Kingdom, foreigner, but you are learning fast," said Rhyll. "I do not know if we can have Grenwald arrested by officials. Setisia could certainly ask the King's lieutenant to do so in four days' time when she sees him, on the basis that he is wanted in Bhuin by command of its Lord. I was thinking more of taking him somewhere quiet, and asking him a few questions ourselves in such a pleasant way that he cannot refuse to answer."

"I must admit, I had the same sort of thing in mind," said Sabhytt. "I do not know why, but people usually answer my questions when I insist on it." Papa Abhyll chuckled at this, but warned the younger men not to get in trouble with the King's men. He said he would have his own watchers on the port as well the next day, and described the passenger boat they were expecting.

Setisia's idea of forgetting the conspiracy as she got to know her cousin had been forgotten with the arrival of the messenger. Mhyfait arrived at the tavern, and joined the group, receiving the news of Grenwald's imminent arrival from Abhyll. He entered a quick discussion, in Mendai, with his brother and Sabhytt, before the latter turned to Setisia and Telli to apologise for their use of the language, and to ask them where they were staying. Finding that his cousin had safe lodgings in good company, he said that he would see them tomorrow in the port, as he must now see someone whom he must inform of his change of plans for the next few days. He lifted Setisia off her stool, and kissed her on the forehead, promising to look after her in any way she asked, as if he was the father she had lost. Then, wishing a good night to all present, he left, ducking his head under the beams, and calling out goodnight to others he knew in the tavern. The others left soon after, as all knew they had important work to do in the morning.