Archwizard (AW) to Kargaz: "Let you out for good behaviour, have they? Not that you could get up to much mischief locked in there." (to his girlfriend:) "This happy-go-lucky jailbird, my dear, is the Red Wizard; the black sheep of the clan, so to speak. The local girls all adore him." (to Kargaz:) "Well, the haircut improves matters, Kargaz; makes you look a lot less like some out-of-place-and-time eternally wandering English Cavalier. Flowing locks have been out of fashion for quite some time, you know. So all you need to do now is stop wearing that damn pointy hat – leave that for the kiddies and their Hallowe’en amusements. You have missed quite a lot while on your ‘holiday’ – Silvanu -" K: "I heard a rumour about some antique artefact she wanted –" AW: "Don’t interrupt and you might learn something for a change. Always too much to say for yourself, Kargaz; I’ve only got two ears, you know, and at times you waffle on filling both of them! To continue; Silvanu not only wanted a so-called “Key of Time”, she sent two mechanoids to search for it – and they found it – I have no idea how." K: "And was it of any use?" AW: "All I know is that she has vanished. As for the Key, it’s either been taken away, or destroyed – my own mechanoids reported signs of a fairly massive explosion and a great deal of damage." K: "What about her pet, Varashil?" AW: "It is here. The mechanoids found it wandering about in a daze and fetched it to me." K: "Mm. Maybe Silvanu’s been kidnapped? Did you check for traces of strangers?" AW: "No. I haven’t been there. I happen to be very busy here, Kargaz, not like some I could name, happily drifting along through life and achieving damn all. I’ve sent the Blue Wizard to investigate further." (There is a knock on the door.) "Come in." (The Blue Wizard enters.) "Anything to report, Percival?" BW: "Yes, my Lord. Many strange marks, on what remains of the floor of her cave, suggest creatures with clawed feet were there. I have since scanned the memories of Varashil and they include images of beings unknown to me. I have sketched them for you; here." (Hands drawings to AW.) AW: (Examines drawings and frowns.) "Yes. Beings from out of the deep past and the darkness of time. So. I must find a way to contact them and bring Silvanu back." K: "If you ask me –" AW: "Well, I’m not asking you. Maybe they’ll take you in exchange for her and I’ll get much less hassle from the authorities and no more bills from the police. They’re now entitled to charge me rent for your ‘room’ when you’re on ‘holiday’. Right. Leave it to me. You and Percival can clear off." (to the maid): "Alice! Quit gawping at Kargaz and take that silly hat away. Go and donate it to a charity shop."