Two parts, this time. (Just 8k, too!)

-EDG

--

Gabriel was barely audible over the din of the restaurant - these people weren't being cruel, 
but they had no class at all - but Dominic could still make out her words, barely, as he pulled 
at a banana shake.  "I think this is going to work out," she said, smiling.  Dominic treasured 
that; it was rare that anybody smiled anymore, and it was nice to see Gabriel in a good mood.

"I'm sure I would have been notified if any difficulties had arisen," he replied, and took 
another gulp of the yellow concoction.  "In any event, at last count we're up by five, so I 
don't think anybody upstairs is going to complain much if the pace slows.  I know I won't."  
She looked quizzical.  "I'm sure you're starting to feel the backlash.  It's like a billion 
rubber bands suddenly snapped back into place - for every vacant Word.  Tethers all over the 
world are starting to feel the effects.  I understand that one of Saminga's actually exploded 
when his Forces dissolved."

Gabriel stifled a laugh.  "Where do you get your numbers, though?" she asked in a musical 
voice.  "Mine say three.  We have Vapula and Nybbas - I'm sorry, Siyachel - but I'm told that 
Hell has two new Princes as well."

Dominic's eyes widened.  "What two?" he asked, his voice hollow.

"We know about Mariel," replied Gabriel.  "The other... opposes me.  But I don't know how, 
yet."  She sighed, and took a great bite out of a complimentary breadstick.  "My information 
network is not as thorough as some."

Judgment nodded.  "I understand.  Don't worry.  My agents will get to the bottom of this."  He 
reached over and took Gabriel's hand.  "You won't be harmed, I swear it."

Gabriel smiled.  "I hope not."  She took a bill out of her pocket, dropped it on the table 
without looking at it.  "It's enough," she assured Dominic.  "Go on.  I know you have things to 
do."  He smiled gratefully and headed for the bathroom; a moment later, a gong sounded in 
Gabriel's ears and he was gone.

She leaned back, regarding the table before her.  Dominic's meal was fastidiously tidy; she 
could spy no indication, other than a light shine on the ceramic, that there had ever been 
lobster bisque in the bowl, and all of the bread crumbs had managed to land directly in his 
napkin, which was folded neatly by his place on the table.  Hers, by contrast, was a mess - but 
then, what could you expect from king crab?  She wiped a dot of vinegar from her sash and 
turned to stand when a tall man in a business suit she recognized stepped up to her chair.

"Long time, babe," said a deep, gravelly voice, and Gabriel knew instantly who it was without 
looking up.  "How's life treatin' ya?  Min' if I sit down?  No? Good.  Nice t'ing you have
goin' on with Eyes dere, huh?  Glad yer enjoyin' yerself."  His accent always thickened when he 
was upset by something.  "Look, I got somethin' I gotta say, an' den I'm gonna let you 'lone, 
okay?  I 'preciate that yer gett'n' back inna da fold, but ya coulda leas' tol' me.  Now I look 
like an idiot fer messin' wit' his Tedders, ya know?"

Gabriel reached over the table and lay her hand on Belial's.  "Bee... do you remember what love 
feels like?"

Belial coughed.  "Sure I do, babe.  An', God, I don' wanna soun' like a jerk, but you coulda 
picked someone better for yer sanity, y'know?"

Gabriel laughed and stood up.  "Thanks for your concern, Bee.  I'll be okay.  And you don't 
look like an idiot.  I have to run - take it easy?  Okay."

Belial tried to catch the breath caught in his throat before she left, but by the time he'd 
finished choking it was too late.  He slumped, dejected, into the seat.  "Someone like *me*," 
he muttered.

--

"This has all gone wrong," said one Djinn irritably.  "We lost Nybbas before I even knew who he 
was, and Vapula not a day later.  I let the Glutton do all the work, and when I try to help, he 
leaves for a week!"  She shook her head. "It's more than I can bear."

"More beer?" asked the other, hopefully, holding out a mug.

"What for?  Nothing helps," the first whined.  "For all I know he's been out in the Forest of 
Allusion for the last week, bribing Alaemon with He-knows-what to keep his location secret."

"Haven't you checked his Heart?"

The first Djinn glared at the second.  "I don't even know where he keeps the accursed thing.  
For all I know, it's hidden in the Forest too.  Look, Zapan, all I know is that Haagenti's gone 
missing for six days, which - I think - is longer than anyone's been gone without being dead.  
I don't like this one bit; Haagenti's the lynchpin that's holding everything together.  Well - 
him and my dagger.  Without *that*, we wouldn't be in the position we're in now."

Zapan frowned.  "Forgive me for being so bold, but wouldn't you have an attachment to the 
dagger?"

Mariel laughed bitterly.  "No!  Isn't it grand?  Haagenti told me he'd never be out of sight, 
so I didn't have to worry about it!  Idiot that I was.  Now I can't find him, I can't find the 
dagger, and the whole accursed plan is dying faster than Saminga!  I should have chosen a patsy 
that wouldn't run off."

From the door to the Leroy Brown came the sound of a man clearing his throat.  Both Djinn 
looked over at once, and nearly jumped; Haagenti stood in the doorway, arms folded, a grim look 
on his face.  "Patsy, eh?"

Mariel stared for a moment.  "Ha-ha-Haagenti!  What a pleasure it-"

"Hush, Mariel.  There is no need to explain.  In a game like this, everybody thinks they're 
playing everybody else.  Zapan, for instance, has this grand idea about the two of you being 
together, forever, the cold of your oblivion freezing anything that passes through those damned 
Gates."  He laughed.  "As if the two of you could wrest power from the Nemesis."

Zapan sneered.  "The Nemesis grows weaker by the day.  He does nothing but write in that book, 
taking no interest in the affairs of Hell.  What should he care if we freeze it over?"

Haagenti laughed.  "I should think that he would be rather displeased.  After all, this has 
been his home for uncounted years.  Why should he want it violated so?"

"Didn't you hear?"  Zapan was almost shouting.  "He isn't paying attention!  Too distracted by 
his precious book.  He'll never even know the difference."

Mariel could see Zapan's eyes changing.  "Steady, Zapan, this way is madness," she cooed.

"Never!"  The Prince of Ice took a deep breath.  "I am cool.  I am focused, not a madman, like 
some here.  I am a glacier.  A glacier that will roll over Hell, razing it, reforming it in our 
image!"

"You leave me no choice," murmured Haagenti, plucking Mariel's dagger from its sheath beneath 
his cloak.  "If you've chosen to oppose my order..."

Zapan's eyes widened.  "You wouldn't," he whispered.

Haagenti grinned nastily.  "And with a fresh application of the alkephage," he said, advancing.  
"Shall we dance?"

Zapan fell to the floor, cowering.  "No," he said.  "I will not challenge you."

"Offer me your allegiance."

"Yes."  Zapan was shaking.

"Offer me your life."

"I am yours to command, O Haagenti."

"Offer me everything."  Haagenti's eyes were dark with a fury beyond imagination.

"Anything I can give."

Haagenti whipped his head around, glaring at Mariel, his eyes boring into her soul.  "I want my 
brother back," he whispered, and turned, stalking out of the room.