the Federation annexed Callahom and began occupation of Tyr-
sis. The forest that now blankets the old People’s Park, where
the Sword of Shannara was housed, grew up virtually overnight.
The new park and bridge came about just as quickly. I asked the
old ones of the city some years ago what they remembered, and
this is what I learned. The Sword didn’t actually disappear from
its vault; it was the vault that disappeared into the forest. People
forget, especially when they’re being told something else. Al-
most everyone believes there was only one People’s Park and
one Bridge of Sendic-the ones they see. The Sword of Shan-
nara, if it ever existed, simply disappeared.”
Par was looking at her in disbelief. “The forest, the bridge,
and the park changed overnight?”
She nodded. “Just so.”
“But.. . ?”
“Magic, lad,” Padishar Creel whispered in answer to his
unfinished question.
They walked on a bit, nearing the brightly colored cloth that
contained the remains of their picnic. The children were back,
nibbling contentedly at the cakes.
“The Federation doesn’t use magic,” Par argued, still con-
fused. “They have outlawed it.”
“Outlawed its use by others, yes,” the big man acknowl-
edged. “Perhaps the better to use it themselves? Or to allow
someone else to use it? Or something” He emphasized the last
syllable.
Par looked over sharply. “Shadowen, you mean?”
Neither Padishar nor Damson said anything. Par’s mind spun.
The Federation and the Shadowen in league somehow, joined
for purposes none of them understood-was that possible?
“I have wondered about the fate of the Sword of Shannara
for a long time,” Padishar mused, stopping just out of earshot
of the waiting children. “It is a part of the history of my family
as well. It always seemed strange to me that it should have
vanished so completely. It was embedded in marble and locked
in a vault for two hundred years. How could it simply disappear?
What happened to the vault that contained it? Was it all some-
how spirited away?” He glanced at Par. “Damson spent a long
time finding out the answer. Only a few remembered the truth
of how the disappearance came about. They’re all dead now-
but they left their story to me.”
His smile was wolfish. “Now I have an excuse to discover
whether that story is true. Is the Sword of Shannara down there
in that ravine? You and I shall discover the answer. Resurrection
of the magic of the Elven house of Shannara, young Ohmsford-
the key, perhaps, to the freedom of the Four Lands. We must
know.”
Damson Rhee shook her titian head. “You are far too eager,
Padishar, to throw your life away. And the lives of others like
this boy. I will never understand.”
She moved away from them to gather up the children. Par
didn’t care much for being called a boy by a girl who looked
younger still.
“Watch out for that one, Par Ohmsford,” the outlaw chief
murmured.
“She doesn’t have much faith in our chances,” Par observed.
“Ah, she worries without cause! We have the strength of
seven of us to withstand whatever might guard the Pit. And
there’s magic as well, we have your wishsong and the High-
lander’s blade. Enough said.”
He studied the sky. “It will be dark soon, lad.” He put his
arm about the Valeman companionably and moved them for-
ward to join Damson Rhee and the children. “When it is,” he
whispered, “we’ll have a look for ourselves at what’s become
of the Sword of Shannara.”
XIX
As Padishar Creel’s makeshift family reached the edge ‘.
of the park and prepared to step out onto the Tyrsian
Way, Damson Rhee turned to the outlaw chief and;
said, “The sentries who patrol the wall make a change at mid
night in front of the Federation Gatehouse. I can arrange for
small disturbance that will distract them long enough for you to
slip into the Pit-if you are determined on this. Be certain to
go in at the west end.”
Then she reached up and plucked a silver coin from behind
Par’s ear and gave it to him. The coin bore her likeness. “For