the Staff of Bellandor? Is the might of the Vhurd-aq equal to that task?"
"The Vhurd-aq has never been put to such a test," Belloc answered solemnly, "so no precedent exists by which I may give answer to your question. That said, I do not believe that I can defeat Him. The Demon King is an ancient being of an ancient, undying magic, akin to a force of nature. My friends . . . such an undertaking is beyond any ordinary mortal. And do not let my wizard's robes and periapts deceive you! Underneath it all, I am and remain a very ordinary mortal being. A wizard may be adept in the magical arts, but he himself is not a magical being. Unless," he added pointedly, "that wizard violates the strictures of Life Itself, as Morlock has done, and used his arts for evil, even upon himself!"
When the rain finally abated, Dorain and Lily took advantage of the break in the weather by seeking each other out to spend some time alone together. They went straightaway to the gardens at the top of the tower, found a spot, and sat quietly for a time, enjoying the view. The sky seemed high and bright today, clear and bright blue, dotted with white puffs of cloud. The air was still cool and damp, with a gravid fore- and aftertaste of rain. They sat atop a terraced balcony on the