and the guard shivered, wondering if he had checked all the doors as closely as he should have.

Silki stood still in the corridor, fearing to move. Then she brushed her doubts away, and skipped down the walkway, confident that K's teachings had been perfect.

K. Silki could think of little else, than the Magus, the Master Magician who had so touched her, to whom she felt bound by something beyond this world.

She was speaking strange languages! She knew things that she didn't before. And this was the most important thing... her head no longer hurt when she tried to think. In fact she knew that somehow she was smarter now... as though the corner of a veil had been lifted ever so slightly from her eyes.

Perhaps this was always meant to be, she thought. Maybe the fog that has clouded my thinking has been my protection. She would ask K about it.

Entering the oda, Silki tiptoed about, watching the young women as they slept.

She scooped up all of the silken materials and piled them in a large basket, placing it outside in the hallway. The bits of finery would be needed later.

She couldn't resist a bit of mischief though. Proof that she was truly unseen. Wandering to each couch, she picked up a sandal from each girl, then tied them to the great candelabra in the center of the room.

Giggling, she beat on the little brass gong used to call them to their rooms and watched in amusement as they gaped at the sight of their shoes swinging from the ceiling.