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anyone who brandishes a weapon. I think it’s happened twice over the past three centuries… anyway, technically I don’t think we’re supposed to be here. I’m surprised they haven’t kicked us out already!”
    The warrior took one last good look at the place, taking note of the layout and distances in the space. There were only two possible exits: one via each staircase. The heirs would be in relative safety… assuming the Züu weren’t prepared to sacrifice themselves just to get to them, which he doubted they were.
    “I’ve seen enough. Let’s get out of here before we’re noticed. A few more things to check out in the neighborhood, and then let’s head back.”

     
    It was the first time in his memory that Yan had lied to Léti. It left a bitter taste in his mouth that even the joy from Corenn’s recent revelations couldn’t sweeten. Luckily, this betrayal wasonly temporary. The Mother had made him promise to keep their discussion secret until she told him otherwise. Yan imagined she would grant him that permission only after he successfully passed the “test.”
    He ate lunch with his companions, and then slipped away as soon as his manners would allow. Now, he was in the middle of the Lorelien forest, staring at a Kaulien coin, its former gleam dimmed and darkened by the years. Laying flat on his stomach, hands to his temples, he concentrated as hard as he could.
    This morning’s attempt hadn’t lasted long. Corenn gave him some advice, and decided that it was time to go back. This was a test he had to face alone. He could end up devoting several dékades to the task before succeeding. Maybe even several moons. Years, even.
    Yan couldn’t imagine he would spend
that
much time staring at the coin. If Corenn had successfully managed the trick, it was because it was possible. Strange, certainly. Difficult, probably, but not insurmountable. As she had told him, the key was to believe.
    Only, he didn’t know where to start. Apart from fixing the coin with a stare that he hoped would make it fall over, he had no idea what to do. Having no other idea, he let his eyes focus on the coin for several centidays.
    After a while, a new feeling seized Yan. He felt silly, which could be expected given that anyone who saw what he was trying to do now would think him crazy, but he quickly pushed the thought away. Corenn had warned him that he would have these feelings; it was normal. Anyone who didn’t have these doubts would be the one who was truly crazy.
    He refocused his attention on the metal disk. He already knew its every detail and could pick it out among hundreds of others. A third of the coin was well worn and had two nicks along the edge. He wondered if knowing such details could help him,or if they were just ruining his concentration. He once again realized that he didn’t even know
how to
begin. How did magic work?
    Corenn had told him that it was like a muscle of the mind, a muscle he had never used that would be difficult to awaken. Yan would be content just knowing where he could find this “muscle.” She kept talking about Will, but the idea was still vague and strange. Yan wanted the coin to fall.
He wanted it to right now!
    The three-queen coin didn’t budge, with its worn pattern and rough edges. It stood proud and defiant. He cursed its creation, and shook his fists at it, mumbling all sorts of nonsense. Then he stood up, picked up the hated object, and headed back. He had wasted almost a deciday of his life staring at this piece of metal for nothing. It was a complete failure.
    He would go at it again as soon as possible.

     
    Yan came into the stable just as Raji was leaving. The little man was in a vile mood. He had waited for Rey and Grigán much longer than the two men had told him he would have to wait. Yan simply gave him a polite nod, preferring to let the smuggler ignore him.
    His companions were already deep in discussion when he joined them. They were all sitting around