calm and quiet, as if willing to wait. He sensed it lurking near the center of his consciousness. Then it prodded him, gently, with hints and inducements, to initiate a train of thought about a fellow kirin, one very close to him, a traveling companion who possessed critical knowledge.

    Recognizing its purpose, the magician fought the insidious invader. Avoiding any thoughts of Talli, realizing this was what the fiend coveted and was awaiting, he labored against the unyielding thing’s will and found himself locked in a deadly confrontation. He resisted all the urges and impulses from the monster to reveal anything about his companion, and in fact led the creature into memories and emotional sensations about other friends and acquaintances.

    The intruder wasn’t fooled and...

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