Tak had expected the morning room to be open and sunlit, perhaps with open doorways leading out into gardens lovingly tended by leathery skinned gardeners, so he was unprepared for another large chamber completely closed off from the outside world. He could even see arched areas in the walls where windows had been bricked in, giving a claustrophobic, shut in feeling that he didn't like at all.

     As they entered, though, the guards remaining outside, Tak had to admit that the room was beautiful. Full of green growing things, the pleasant, humid smell of moist compost, and brilliantly lit by a single large glowing globe of marble high overhead, like the yellow sun. It was almost like being outdoors, but why go to all the effort when you could go outdoors for real? Did he really fear attack that much? Did he have enemies so powerful that all his armies couldn't defend him if he went outside? Maybe he did, he realised. All the great city states were ruled by wizard Kings, and they were all enemies of each other. Maybe they all shut themselves in as a precaution against assassination. Tak shuddered with horror. What a way to live!

     "Ah, this is better," said the King with a sigh of relief. "Away from the burdens of governance, even if only for a few minutes. Gal, you know where the drinks are."

     The red wizard nodded and crossed the room to where a small cabinet stood, almost hidden beneath the drooping flowerheads of a clump of orchids. He opened it and removed two glasses which he filled from a bottle of amber liquid. Returning, he handed one to Tak, who took it self consciously, almost painfully anxious not to commit a breach of etiquette. Did he drink now, or wait for the King to give him permission? Gal-Gowan was already drinking, though, so he raised the glass to his lips and took a cautious sip, his eyes on the King for any sign that he was doing something wrong.

     Khalkedon was merely wandering the wide aisles between rows of plants, though, admiring them from a distance. "Do you like my collection?" he asked.

     "It's wonderful," replied Tak, turning his head to look at the gloriously bright flowers. "I've never seen anything like them." Why were the aisles so wide, he wondered. And why was the King so careful not to get too close to the plants? And why wasn't he drinking? Deep inside him an alarm bell was ringing, but he ignored it. The King could do whatever he liked, that was what being King was all about. Who knew what offence he might cause if he started asking stupid questions. He took another sip of his drink and tried to calm himself down.

     "I didn't bring you here to discuss horticulture, of course" the King said, suddenly serious. "I brought you here to ask you something much more important."

     Tak's heart began hammering with fear and he suddenly felt very cold, as if he was standing among great blocks of ice. He had the sudden feeling that he was in great danger but he kept himself under control with an effort, assuming it was simple anxiety at being in the presence of such an important man. He stared at the golden mask, waiting for him to speak again.

     "My apprentice has no doubt told you that I have had many young wizards brought before me down through the years."

     Tak nodded dumbly.

     "It's true," the King added, "but never before have I met anyone with as much promise, as much potential, as you. You're something special, Tak Eweela. I knew it the moment I first saw you. I would have known it even if Gal hadn't already told me the same thing. You deserve more than to spend the rest of your life in a cold, empty castle. You would be wasted there. You deserve more. Tak, I want to offer you something I have only offered one other man, Gal-Gowan here. I want you to be my own apprentice."

     Tak almost fainted "Y-y-your own apprentice?" he stammered, his eyes wide and staring. He couldn't believe he'd heard it right.

     "My own apprentice," confirmed the King. "And Gal-Gowan's apprentice when he comes to succeed me. One day to be King yourself, perhaps. Well, young man, what do you say?"

     "I, I, I don't know," stammered Tak, totally at a loss. "I don't know. I'd have to think about it."

     "Think about it?" snapped the King, suddenly angry. "What's there to think about?"

     Tak recoiled with fear and the King reached out his hands apologetically. "Forgive me, my young friend. Of course, it's a lot to take in all at once, but I'm afraid I must have your answer at once. Much depends on it." Tak could only stare, however. "At once!" the King insisted. "I must have your answer now!"

     "What about Molos Gomm?" asked Tak. "We promised him I'd go back."

     "What do you care about old Gomm?" snapped Khalkedon. "He killed your family. Kept you as a slave. Used you for his pleasure. I would have thought you'd be glad to be rid of him."

     "I would," replied Tak, a sudden fire in his eyes. "I want to kill him!"

     The King stared in true amazement, then laughed with approval. "Well said, my boy! You shall kill him, I promise you! The promise of a King, lad! When you have learned enough and grown in your power, you shall return to Castle Nagra and you shall kill him! Is it a deal?"

     Tak hesitated a moment longer, then nodded. "Yes," he said, firmly decided. "I accept."

     "Splendid!" Tak was surprised to see Gal-Gowan relaxing visibly. He must have been all tensed up, waiting for his reply. Tak guessed, correctly, that the King had charged his apprentice with seeing that their guest came to the correct decision. What would have happened to him if I'd said no? he wondered. It didn't occur to him at the time to wonder what would have happened to Tak himself if he'd said no. In fact, he would not have left the palace alive.

     Gal-Gowan refreshed Tak's drink for a celebratory toast, but still the King drank nothing. "There's just one small formality we have to go through before you can be properly introduced into your new position," he said. He reached into a pocket of his robes and produced a large, blue crystal. Tak gasped in amazement. It was a sapphire, pure and flawless and the size of a blackbird's egg.

     Tak had seen sapphires before in Molos Gomm's laboratory, as well as many other gemstones of all shapes and colours. They were used in certain high level spells, which made the casting of those spells a very expensive undertaking. None of Molos Gomm's gems was the size of this one, though. He wouldn't have believed that such a large jewel existed!

     The King handed it to Gal-Gowan, each of them extending their arms as it was handed across as if they didn't want to get too close to each other, and Tak was astonished to see the red wizard's hand turn blue with cold, as if he'd been handling ice for hours. It was almost as if the cold in the air was being emitted by the King himself! Maybe that was why he was careful not to approach any of the plants too closely, why the aisles were so wide... No, that was ridiculous! He dismissed the idea angrily.

     Gal-Gowan held the gemstone out to Tak, and the younger wizard took it with a trembling hand. It was icy cold, but warming a little as it absorbed heat from the wizards' hands. He stared into its depths, fascinated by its beauty. He'd never seen such a shade of blue except in his own eyes in a mirror. Had the eyes of his sister and mother been that bright? He was dismayed to realise that he couldn't remember.

     Gal-Gowan interrupted his reverie by clearing his throat impatiently. Tak looked up in alarm, and followed his gaze to the King, who was watching with some amusement. "I must now cast a spell on you," Khalkedon said. "A mere formality, and it will take only a minute..."

     "What kind of spell?" asked Tak, forgetting himself in his sudden fear. In his experience, no spell cast on him had ever been to his advantage. Was this to be another hypnosis spell, to make him a helpless slave, as he'd been to Molos Gomm? He dismissed the fear immediately and begged forgiveness for his outburst, realising that either of the other two wizards could have enslaved him with spells any time they wanted. In fact, however, his fears were closer to the mark than he realised.

     "It is only natural you should be a little apprehensive," the King replied. "There is no need for alarm, however. The spell will enhance your ability to learn and grow. Gal-Gowan here has received this spell, as has his own apprentice, Barl Hobson, and both have benefited enormously from it. Is that not so, Gal?"

     "Very much so," agreed the red wizard. "My life hasn't been the same since."

     "However," continued the King, "the spell does require that you submit to it completely. The slightest trace of resistance in your mind and the spell will fail. Do you understand?"

     Tak nodded, making himself believe it. "Will it hurt?" he asked apprehensively.

     "There may be a little discomfort," replied the King, "but it will soon pass, and then you will be a different man. Are you ready?"

     Tak nodded again, trying not to think that he was being rushed into something without being given enough time to think about it. The King is a busy man, he told himself. He can't waste time hanging around while a foolish young man dithers around. This is a King's boon! I should leap at it! "I'm ready," he said therefore, looking up at the golden mask.

     "Very good," said Khalkedon, reaching into another pocket for another stone; an ugly looking chunk of black obsidian. "Remember, you must empty your mind of all resistance. Allow the spell to enter of your own free will."

     Tak nodded and held himself ready, willing all the tension from his body. "I'm ready," he repeated.

     The King nodded and began to speak. As he did so, the chunk of obsidian in his hand began to glow with a cold, white light, and a blue fire lit up the sapphire. Tak felt something entering his head and felt a powerful urge to shut it out. He sensed that he could have done so quite easily, but the King had warned him not to and he trembled as he imagined his rage if he disobeyed. Besides, this would help him. The King had said so.

     He let down his defences, therefore, and let it in. Immediately, his body shook as a spasm of pain shot through him. The intruding energies were attaching themselves to something inside him as if by thousands of little sharp hooks. This wasn't right! This wasn't supposed to happen! He fought against it, but it was too late and he was helpless to resist as the intruding energies welded themselves immovably in place, made themselves a permanent part of him. It was connected with the sapphire in some way, he sensed, and he saw without surprise that the gemstone was now glowing as brightly as a star. He tried to let it go, to drop it to the floor, but his fingers refused to obey him, as did his legs when he tried to retreat. Terror took possession of him and he screamed aloud, but the only result was a loud, booming laugh from Gal-Gowan, delighted that the annoying deception had had its desired result. Now the young fool would learn what it really meant to serve a wizard King!