make a duplicate record of everything that was stored in the files.

Cadillac had learned to fiy with consummate skill because his brain

circuits now contained the same sensory data that had enabled Steve to

perform so well at the Academy. And when presenting Steve with the

'remains' of the three Skyhawks, the clan had taken care to conceal the

wing fabric from Steve's own craft. Although split in several places

and scorched at one wing tip, the panels were otherwise virtually

intact. The M'Calls had also held back an undamaged motor and

propeller. Unknown to Steve and his masters within the Federation, the

Plainfolk now possessed, through Cadillac, the knowledge to build and

fly a craft similar to BlueBird.

It was a task Mr Snow had secretly agreed to undertake on behalf of the

mysterious iron masters of Beth-Lem. They had asked him to deliver a

cloud-warrior and an undamaged arrowhead. In the event they would get

neither, but Cadillac's newly acquired flying skill and a reconstructed

craft would serve their purpose just as well. And in return, the iron

masters - whose promises were always honoured would furnish the M'Calls

with new and powerful long, sharp iron...

When they halted for the night, and while Cadillac slept, Mr Snow

stared thoughtfully at the glowing embers of the fire and considered

how the cloud-warrior's departure might be achieved. Steve had had the

means and the opportunity to escape for nearly a month, but, so far,

nothing had happened. After pondering the problem at length, Mr Snow

turned to the Sky Voices. With their help he understood that Steve's

inertia was not due to his fear of Clearwater's powers as a summoner

but because of his unrequited desire for her. It was the other,

sweeter, kind of death he longed to suffer by her hand. Allowing them

to come together might, paradoxically, be the best way of securing his

departure. It would be a minor betrayal of his young protdg, and was

totally contrary to the wishes of the clan elders, but if this was the

will of Talisman, then so be it.

Without disturbing the other sleeping warriors, Mr Snow woke a young

Bear called Death-Wish and told him to return immediately to the

settlement. A non-stop run of three hundred miles - a day and a half's

running. He was to bring twelve hands of warriors to meet them on the

eastern edge of the D'Vine turf. He was also to take, in the utmost

secrecy, a gift to Clearwater. Opening the bag slung round his waist,

Mr Snow handed Death-Wish a small pouch closed at the neck by a

draw-string tied in a sealed knot around a knuckle bone. Mr Snow did

not disclose its contents to his fleet-footed messenger but inside was

a thin, standard-issue chain necklace and dog tag bearing Steve's name

and number, and a dozen threads of Dream Cap. The next morning, when

Cadillac discovered Death-Wish's departure, Mr Snow explained he had

been sent to fetch reinforcements to cover their crossing of the D'Vine

turf. Cadillac accepted this without question. He had no knowledge of

Mr Snow's secret plan of action but he was now aware, through his

reading of the stone, of Steve's future desire to possess Clearwater.

He had already sensed they were drawn to each other but had not

challenged either of them to deny it. His indecision on the subject

was due to Mr Snow. Ever since Steve's 'confession', the old wordsmith

had used his formidable powers to cloud Cadillac's perception in the

same way he had fudged Commander Hartmann's thought processes prior to

the attack on the wagon-train.

Unfortunately, Mr Snow had not been able to beam out the same stealthy

static while Cadillac searched the stone.

As a result, the young wordsmith had been shaken by the unexpected

intensity of feeling that accompanied the images of Steve and

Clearwater. From his other delvings into the cloudowarrior's mind

Cadillac knew that his own friendship with him was based on genuine

feelings; feelings which were in constant conflict with the dark,

treacherous side of Steve's nature. Up to now, he had viewed Steve's

dilemma sympathetically but the revelation of the full extent of his

future relationship with Clearwater had a galvanising effect on his

psyche. When he emerged from his trance-state, Cadillac's mind was

stripped of its previous mental lethargy, and despite the renewed

jamming operation by Mr Snow, remained sharp and clear.

Up to that moment, Cadillac had firmly believed in predestination and

the unquestioning acceptance of the will of Talisman. But now, pride,

jealousy, a sense of outrage and betrayal, made him a driven man. He

felt a rebellious urge to do something; to be in control; to impose his

will through some simple, yet decisive, act that would change the

course of