by“But what as I going to do with it?” Frostflower eyed the sword that the Monarch of Cockaigne had insisted on giving her because, in the Land of Cockaigne, “all women of worship went armed.”
Thorn and Frostflower had set out to travel light this time, leaving Dathru’s cumbersome and no-longer-needed book at home with the dog Dowl in Windslope Retreat; and now the sorceress was re-encumbered. “Thorn,” she asked, “you are sure that you don’t want it?”
“A big, clumsy cowkiller like that?” The swordswoman shook her head. “Slicer’s more than good enough for me. Of course, all those gems in the hilt and sheath are nice… No, let’s find someplace where it’ll bring a high price. Shouldn’t be too hard, now that you can control Dathru’s Circle.”
The sorceress held the talisman and they reviewed
