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You rotten little bitch, he thought finally. Ah, well, she wasn't really my type
anyway.
The sorcerer Gaunt raised his voice above the babble of conversation, and called for everyone's
attention. The noise quickly died away as they all turned to face him.
"My friends, dinner will soon be ready. If you would like to go up to your rooms and change, I will be
serving the first course in thirty minutes."
The guests moved unhurriedly out of the parlor and into the hall, talking cheerfully among themselves.
Gaunt disappeared after them, presumably to check on how the first course was coming along. Hawk
and Fisher were left alone in the great parlor.
"Change for dinner?" said Hawk.
"Of course," said Fisher. "We're among the Quality now."
"Makes a change," said Hawk dryly, and they both laughed.
"I'm getting rid of this cloak," said Fisher. "I don't care if we are representing the Guard; it's too damned
hot to wear a cloak."
She took it off and draped it carelessly over the nearest chair. Hawk grinned, and did the same. They
looked wistfully at the great table at the rear of the parlor, covered with a pristine white tablecloth and
gleaming plates and cutlery. There was even a massive candelabrum in the middle of the table, with all the
candles already lit.
"That looks nice," said Hawk.
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"Very nice," said Fisher. "I wonder if we're invited to dinner."
"I doubt it," said Hawk. "We probably get scraps and leftovers in the kitchen, afterwards. Unless
Blackstone decides he wants a food taster, and I think Gaunt would probably take that as an insult to his
culinary arts."
"Ah, well," said Fisher. "At least now we can sit down for a while. My feet are killing me."
"Right," said Hawk. "It's been a long day;"
They drew up chairs by the empty fireplace, dropped into them, and stretched out their legs. The chairs
were almost indecently comfortable and supportive. Hawk and Fisher sat in silence a while, almost
dozing. The unrelenting muggy heat weighed down on them, making sleep seem very tempting. The
minutes passed pleasantly and Hawk stretched lazily. And then Katherine Blackstone came hurrying into
the parlor, and Hawk sat up with a jolt as he saw the worry in her face.
"I'm sorry to trouble you," said Katherine hesitantly.
"Not at all," said Hawk. "That's what we're here for."
"It's my husband," said Katherine. "He went into our room to get changed while I paid a visit to the
bathroom. When I came back, the door to our room was locked from the inside. I knocked and called,
but there was no answer. I'm afraid he may have been taken ill or something."
Hawk and Fisher looked quickly at each other, and got to their feet.
"I think we'd better take a look," said Hawk. "Just in case. If you'd show us the way, please;"
Katherine Blackstone nodded quickly, and led them out of the parlor and into the hall. Hawk's hand
rested on the axe at his side. He had a bad feeling about this. Katherine hurried down the hall and up the
stairs at the far end, grabbing at the banister as though to pull herself along faster. Hawk and Fisher had
to push themselves to keep up with her. Katherine reached the top of the stairs first, and ran down the
landing to the third door on the left. She hammered on the door and rattled the doorknob, then looked
worriedly at Hawk.
"It's still locked. Captain. William! William, can you hear me?" There was no reply. Katherine stepped
back and looked desperately at Hawk. "Use your axe. Smash the lock. I'll take the responsibility."
Hawk frowned as he drew his axe. "Perhaps we should talk to Gaunt first;"
"I'm not waiting! William could be ill in there. Break the door down now. That's an order. Captain!"
Hawk nodded, and took a good grip on his axe. "Stand back, then, and give me some room."
"What the hell is going on here?" said Gaunt, from the top of the stairs. "Captain; put down your axe."
Hawk looked steadily at the sorcerer. "Councilor Blackstone doesn't answer our calls, and his door is
locked from the inside. Do you have a spare key?"
Gaunt came forward to join him. "No," he said slowly, "I've never needed any spares." He looked at the
closed door, and his mouth tightened. "William could be hurt. Smash the lock."
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Hawk nodded, and swung his axe at the brass lock, using all his strength. The blade sank deep into the
wood, and the keen edge bit into the brass. The heavy door shook violently in its frame, but didn't open.
Hawk jerked the blade free, and struck again. The axe sheared clean through the lock. Hawk smiled
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