“I fear your Sparrow is proving as dangerous to your precious balance as ever he did to our League,” Seklos said. “Well, what did you expect when you Summoned someone so powerful?”
“We did not agree to the Summoning,” the other said testily. “That was Patrius’s idea and he did not share it with the Council. And as for danger, he went on fiercely, “he is a greater danger than you know. With his outlandish magic he upsets the very balance of the World. Mortals attract attention from those who have ignored us ere now. They are likely to act against us, Council and League both.”
Seklos nodded, saying nothing.
“There is still time. He can be stopped before matters come to a head, but to do it I must have your magic behind me.”
Seklos laughed. “You propose to become an initiate of the Dark League?”
The blue-robed one gestured angrily. “Do not mock me, wizard. And understand this. We are mortal enemies, you and I. Under other circumstances I would crush you as I would kill a poisonous serpent.”
Seklos smiled unpleasantly and cocked his head, but he did not interrupt.
“But,” the first man went on, “the Sparrow is a threat to every human magic user in the World. For this once and on this one matter I suggest that we have common cause and propose that we act in concert to rid ourselves of this menace.”
“You put the matter succinctly,” said the black robe. “Let us therefore consider the destruction of this Sparrow.”
“No!”
The other cocked an eyebrow. “Does our new alliance flounder so soon?”
“The Sparrow is to be neutralized, not destroyed.”
“Why not?”
“Two reasons. First, I forbid it.” Seklos smiled again, but the blue robe ignored him. “Second, if you had a modicum of mother wit you would know his death is your destruction. Kill the Sparrow, harm one hair of him, and every wizard in the North will descend upon you. They will grub you out of your burrows and exterminate you all.”
“And doubtless in the inquiry your part in the business would be discovered.”
“Doubtless,” the blue robe agreed, making a brushing motion as if to shoo off an annoying insect. “No, we cannot kill him. But if he were to disappear there would be many to mourn aloud him and few to lament his passing in private.”
“And you suggest . . . ?”
“A Great Summoning to send the Sparrow back where he belongs. Him and his alien magics.”
“Such a thing would not be easy to do.”
“It would take a number of wizards, but it would not be impossible.”
“Patrius did it alone.”
“I am not as great a magician as Patrius,” the northerner said with dignity. “Nor do I wish to end as he did.” He remembered how the Dark League had cut the mighty wizard down as he performed unaided the Great Summoning which brought the Sparrow to this world. “This requires more than I can accomplish alone and the others on the Council who feel as I do will not act.”
“And you think we will?”
The northerner shrugged. “You have more reason and less to lose. It cannot be pleasant to be reduced to lording it over field mice and birds.”
Seklos’ eyes glittered and the other knew his shaft had gone home.
“We can do nothing while he remains in the Capital,” Seklos said at last. “He must be brought to us.”
“He can he maneuvered out of the Capital.”
“He must be brought to—a place. It would be best if it were done while he treads the Wizard’s Way. Then it is a matter of a simple spell.”
The blue robe shrugged. Any wizard of the Mighty could be counted on to use that magical means for transport for any journey of over a few leagues.
“How long would it take you to be ready? The next full moon is on . . .”
“I did not say I would do it,” Seklos cut him off. “I said we would consider it.” He nodded toward the sign hanging in the air, now a deep violet fading to black. “The sigil darkens. Our meeting is at an end.” He turned and walked toward the opposite edge of the clearing. Wordlessly the Shadow Warrior followed, moving crabwise to keep his enemy always in sight.