The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell Page A

with very little power, it will shield its wearer from detection by magic. The hiding spell is like a hiding charm, only it covers an area. You put this rock outside that area, and I’ll be able to scry for it—to see it in my crystal, or in water if I wish. And, though this is more delicate and might take several days depending on the distance, I can locate it. Planting the stone may take some work. If she captures you, she’ll put a hiding spell on you. I’m hoping you can drop it outside her spells, but close enough to her lair to enable me to find it.”
    “What’s so special about this rock that you can find it?”
    Master Lazur smiled. “It comes from the Otherworld.”
    He laughed at Tobin’s expression.
    “I thought the Otherworld was a myth!”
    “Oh, no, it exists. Priests have always been able to open small gates to it. Remember the story of St. Agna’s escape?” He ran a finger down the spine of one of the leatherbound books beside the desk, and Tobin realized they must be his personal spell books.
    “Have you seen it?” asked Tobin, fascinated.
    “Yes. It’s a beautiful place, in a strange sort of way. We once considered trying to send the barbarians there—which should tell you how desperate our situation is.” The smile flashed again, conspiratorial, inviting. “Only a handful of priests can make a gate big enough for a man to pass through. Those who simply step through and return are unharmed. So we tried some experiments with convicted criminals, but…Never mind. What’s important is that this rock is the only one of its kind in this world. I’ll be able to find it.”
    Tobin thought that whatever had happened to the criminals was important, too, at least to them. A ruthless man, this priest.
    “Suppose she kills me instead of capturing me?”
    “Then I’m hoping she’ll either take the rock with her, or leave your body close enough to her lair for me to locate it. I can’t claim this isn’t dangerous. But I can give you something that might help.” He rose, took a box from a lower shelf, and set it on the desk. “Open it.”
    Tobin did. It looked like a loose-woven shawl. “A net?”
    “Of a sort. This is magic, of a very special kind—it’s drawn to magical power and absorbs it. If you can wrap this net around the sorceress, she’ll be completely unable to work magic for as long as it clings to her.”
    “What happens if it falls off?”
    “It won’t fall off. I told you, it’s attracted to magic. She might be able to peel it off, but it won’t be easy.”
    The priest noted Tobin’s skeptical expression. “Watch.” He reached into the chest. As soon as his hand neared the net, tendrils of string stirred, rose toward his fingers, and wrapped around them. Master Lazur shivered and pulled his hand away, and a fold of the net followed it. He closed the lid firmly on the fabric and pulled his hand free. As soon as he was out of range, the strings went limp. The priest rubbed his hand as if it was cold. “You’ll have to close it,” he said.
    Tobin tucked the net back into the small chest and fastened the latch. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
    “Such things are made only for the capture or holding of sorcerers. One of the reasons I’m giving it to you is that I’m not…comfortable traveling with it in my luggage.”
    “I might be able to use this, if I could find her.”
    “My guess is that she’ll find you. Or her goblins will. Which reminds me.” He reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a small iron medallion on a chain.
    “What’s that?”
    “A charm that repels goblins. They won’t be able to get within ten feet of it. It might make it possible for you to reach her, and if you can get that net on her, you’ve won. Most sorcerers just sit down and shake when you take away their power.”
    “If I bring down their leader, what will the goblins do?”
    “If they were human, they’d probably thank you. But goblins are completely