instinct kicked in and I mentally calculated the height and width of the
tower and the mass of the dome that rested upon it, and came to the
conclusion that it was stable, for while a swift movement caused it to
sway, it would take a prolonged and deliberate pendulum-like motion to
cause any real damage, and even the fiercest wind would not upset it,
for it would only blow in a single direction at a time, and only a
rocking motion must be feared.

Confident once more of my safety, I took the rolled piece of paper from
the folds of my clothing and opened it carefully. Inside was a note from
Bernibus, written in a legible cursive that flowed from an obviously
educated hand. It read as follows:


"My Dear Jehu, it is I, Bernibus, your friend and comrade, who writes to
you. Wagner and myself are soon to set off for Nunami for a council with
the Zards about the resolution of our conflict. It was decided in a
cease fire treaty twenty-some years ago that whomever first came upon
the kinsman redeemer was to have a council with the other side and the
ancient one to decide which course to take, since either course needs
the support of both the Zards and the Canitaurs to succeed. When you
first came among us, Wagner seemed to break the terms of the treaty and
keep you with us in an attempt carry out our plans independently of the
Zards, using an attack plan that had been held in readiness since the
treaty, to ensure a defense if things went wrong. When the Zards
attempted to capture us upon your arrival, Wagner declared the treaty
violated, and I assumed that it was to be entirely abandoned. I was
under this impression when I befriended you, and once our friendship had
strengthened, I had no fears for you, thinking as I did that new methods
were to be tried.