[Mithadan]

Mithadan offered her a glass of wine and a chair and waited as she relaxed for a moment. Then he relayed the news about Fosco and the decision which he and Piosenniel had reached. Bird's face turned bright red, and Mithadan, recalling another form which the shapeshifter could take, stepped back nervously.

"Are you insane?" exploded Bird. "No, I suppose that you are just the same fool that I've known all along. You can't leave Pio now! I won't have any part of this!"

"Fine," answered the Man calmly. "Then I'll go by myself." He made as if to stand but was halted by Bird. She placed a hand on his shoulder and looked into his eyes.

"You're serious," she said.

"You remember Fosco, don't you?" he responded.

"Aye," snapped Bird. "A brat if I've ever seen one."

"And when you were a child you were...what?" he queried.

She sighed and gritted her teeth. "All right," she said. "When do we leave?"

Mithadan handed her a bag and headed for the door...