As he advanced like a sleepwalker, his boots sinking into the sand, he was shocked back to wakefulness at the sight of the one who appeared before him.
It appeared to be himself.
He shook his head, then, "Oh, it's you, soul," he said.
His soul nodded.
"There was no need for you to destroy that inn," it said, "for soon the seas will be unchained and mighty waves will wash the land. It would have been one of the first things destroyed."
"You are incorrect," said Jack, yawning. "There was reason: it did my heart good.-How is it that you know of the seas' coming behavior?"
"I am never far from you. I was with you atop Mount Panicus, when you spoke with mighty Morningstar. I descended with you into the bowels of the world. When you smashed the Great Machine, I stood at your side. I returned with you. I accompanied you to this place."
"Why?"
"You know what it is that I want."
"... And you have had my answer on numerous occasions."
"You know that this time it is different. Jack. By your actions, you are stripping yourself of most of your powers-perhaps all of them. You have possibly destroyed all your lives, save for the present one. You need me now. You know that you do."
Jack stared at the ocean and the stars darting like luminous insects.
"Possibly," he said. "But not yet."
"Look to the east. Jack. Look to the east."
Jack raised his eyes, turned his head.
"That is the inn, burning," he said.
"Then you will not see us united?"
"Not now. But neither will I drive you away. Let us return now to Shadow Guard."
"Very well."
Then the ground shook with its most terrific tremor thus far, and Jack swayed where he stood.
When the land grew still once again, he drew his blade and began to trace a pattern in the sand.
He began to pronounce the spell. As he was nearing its completion, he was dashed from his feet by a great wave which covered him over completely. He felt himself flung upon higher ground, and his lungs burned for air. He tried to follow it even farther, knowing what would happen next.
Lights darted before his eyes as he dug at the sand and pushed forward. He made some progress in this fashion before the waters began to recede.
He fought their pull, clawing at the sand, making sculling motions with his hands, kicking out with his feet, trying to crawl ...
... And then he was free.
He lay with half his face in the cold, wet grit, his fingernails broken, his boots filled with water.
"Jack! This way! Hurry!"
It was his soul calling.
He lay there, gasping, unable to move.
"You must come, Jack! Or accept me now! There will be another wave shortly!"
Jack groaned. He tried to rise, failed.
Then from the inn, whose flames cast a pale, ruddy glow along the beach, there came a crash as the roof and one wall collapsed.
There was some blockage of the light now, and shadows danced about him.
Almost weeping, he drew strength from them each time they fell upon him.
"You must hurry, Jack! It's turned! It's coming!"
He rose to his knees, then pushed himself to his feet. He staggered forward.
He reached higher ground and continued inland. He saw his soul waiting up ahead and moved toward it.
Behind him, there came the rising sound of the waters now.
He did not look back.
Finally, he heard the wave break and he felt the spray. Only the spray.
He grinned weakly at his soul.
"You see? I did not require your services, after all," he said.
"You will soon, though," said his soul, smiling back.
Jack felt at his belt for his dagger, but the ocean had taken it from him, along with his cloak. His sword, which had been in his hand when the wave struck, had gone the same way.
"So the sea has robbed the thief." He chuckled. "It makes things more difficult."
He dropped to his knees and, wincing because of the broken nail, retraced the pattern he had drawn on the beach, using his forefinger.
Then, without rising, he spoke the spell.
He knelt in his great hall in Shadow Guard, and torches and enormous tapers flickered all about. For a long while, he did not move, and let the shadows bathe him. Then he stood and leaned against the wall.
"What now?" his soul asked him. "Will you cleanse yourself and sleep a long while?"
Jack moved his head.
"No," he replied. "I would not risk missing the time of my greatest triumph-or failure, as the case may be. I will bide here a moment, then fetch strong drugs to keep me alert, to give me strength."
He then moved to the cabinet where he kept his drugs, unlocked it by uttering the spell of the door, and prepared himself a draft. As he did so, he noticed that his hands shook. Before drinking the orange liquid, he had to spit several times to clear his mouth of sand.
Then he closed the cabinet and proceeded to the nearest bench.
"You have not slept in a long while-and you took similar drugs on your way to the Great Machine."
"I believe I am even more aware of this than you," said Jack.
"The strain on you will be considerable."
Jack did not reply. After a time, there came a tremor. Still, he said nothing.
"It's taking longer to affect you this time, isn't it?"
"Shut up!" said Jack.
Then he rose to his feet and raised his voice.
"Stab! Damn it! Where are you? I've come home!"
After a brief while, the dark one entered almost scurrying.
"Lord! You've returned! We did not know..."
"Now you do. Bring me a bath, fresh clothing, a new blade and food-lots of it! I'm starving! Shake your ass!"
"Yes, sir!"
And Stab was gone.
"Do you feel insecure, that you need a blade about you in your own redoubt, Jack?"
He turned and smiled.
"These are special times, soul. If you've stayed as near to me as you say you have, you know that I did not ordinarily go in such fashion within these walls. Why do you seek to irritate me?"
"It is a soul's privilege-you might even say, duty-to occasionally do so."
"Then find a better time to exercise your privilege."
"But now is the perfect time. Jack-the most appropriate which has occurred so far. Do you fear that if you lose your powers your subjects may rise up against you?"
"Shut up!"
"You know, of course, that they call you Jack of Evil."
Jack smiled once again.
"No," he said. "It will not work. I will not allow you to anger me, to trick me into something foolish.-Yes, I am aware of the title they have given me, although few have ever said it to my face, and none of these a second time. Do you not realize, however, that were any one of my subjects to occupy my position, he would soon come to bear a similar title?"
"Yes, I do realize this. It is because they lack souls."
"I will not argue with you," said Jack. "Though I would like to know why it is no one ever comments on your presence?"
"I am only visible to you, and then only when I wish to be."
"Excellent!" said Jack. "Why don't you become invisible to me now, too, and leave me to my bath and my meal?"
"Sorry. I am not quite ready."
Jack shrugged and turned his back.
After a time, his tub was brought in and filled with water. Some of it was spilled by a world shudder so violent that it sent a jagged crack like black lightning across one wall. Two
candles toppled and were broken. A ceiling stone fell in a nearby chamber, harming no one.
Before he had fully undressed, a fresh blade was brought to him. He paused to test it, then nodded.
Before he had entered the tub, fresh garments were laid beside him on a bench.
Before he had finished bathing, a table was set nearby.
By the time he had dried himself, dressed and picked up his blade, the food was upon the table and his place was set.