"Most unkind," heagreed. "Now build a fire while I go to Medford's tent and fetch Ian'smask."
She flinched, her gaze goingto the sack. "Jane told me you were going to melt down the masks."
"Weare going to melt them down,apprentice."
"I don't think Ican—"
"It needs doing," heinterrupted. "And you can do anything if you put your mind to it."
"Tonight?"
"Tonight." He strodeaway from her. "Make the fire here on the bank. It will take most of thenight, and we don't want to disturb the others."
The fire was blazing brisklywhen he returned carrying the wooden box she recognized as the object Tamar hadbrought to Medford's camp. She avoided looking at it as she stirred the logsbeneath a huge black kettle. "I've already put the other masks in thekettle. I tried not to look at them, but I couldn't help it. You're right,Abdar was a monster."
"You could havewaited," he said gently. "I would have spared you that."
She repeated his words."It needed doing." She smiled shakily. "But I believe I'll letyou add Ian's to that perverse collection."
"No."
She felt as if he had struckher. "You would spare me these other monstrosities, but not the deepest cut?It's just like your heathen whimsy."
He held out the box."Open it."
"No!" She sat downby the fire and drew up her knees. "I will not look at it."
He opened the box himself."Do I have to take it out and hold it up before your face?"
"Why are you doingthis?" She kept her gaze fixed on the fire. "I do not deserve thisfrom you."
"You do not deserve toscourge yourself with memory for the rest of your life either." His voicesoftened. "Have I lost your trust entirely? This is not another betrayal,Margaret."
She looked at him inbewilderment. "What are you talking about? I never thought you betrayedme."
"Not even in yourheart?" He held out the box. "Prove it. Show me you trust me."
She swallowed. "Do notmake—" She stopped as she met his gaze. She whispered, "No mercy,Kartauk?"
He smiled. "No mercy,madam."
Her glance slowly,reluctantly, lowered to the mask in the box.
She inhaled sharply as shockrippled through her. "Dear God in heaven." She reached out andtentatively touched the golden lips of the mask. "He looks… "
"Joy," Kartauk saidsoftly. "He didn't let Pachtal and Abdar win. He beat them."
"But you said the poisonwas excruciating."
"I'm sure it was. But Idon't think he felt it. He looks as though he had just beheld a miracle."
"The light… " Shefelt the hard core of grief begin to melt within her. "I forgot about thelight."
"Never forget itagain." He paused. "Even if you have to keep this mask to remindyou."
She stared at the mask, andthen slowly shook her head. "I don't need anything Abdar sanctioned toremind me of Ian." She got to her feet and dropped the mask into thekettle with the others. Her eyes were shimmering with tears as she turned tohim with a tremulous smile. "Make something beautiful, Kartauk. Makesomething so beautiful it will shake the heavens and light the heart ofeveryone who sees it."
"A great challenge."He smiled back at her. "It's fortunate you've chosen an artist greatenough to meet it." He picked up the lid and placed it over the mouth ofthe kettle. "We'll have to keep the fire burning hotly all night tomaintain a melting temperature." He sat back down. "Naturally, as alowly apprentice it will be your duty to fetch sufficient wood for thetask."
