The Stranger's Magic: The Labyrinths of Echo: Book Three by Max Frei Page B

instance.”
    The boss moved from words to action and gave me a light push in the butt with his knee. He really got carried away.

    We went out to the porch and sat down on the stairs next to the wiseman, who had begun to get bored.
    “Have you found what you were looking for?” he said.
    “Some of it,” said Juffin. “Now it’s your turn to help us.”
    “With great pleasure,” said Katshak, smiling as though Juffin were about to treat him to some candy.
    “We must locate one of your patients here as soon as possible,” said Juffin, and fell silent, looking for the right words. “You shouldn’t feel any pangs of conscience
about it: the man we’re looking for isn’t really mad. He’s just a very talented malingerer. The best malingerer I know. Okay, that takes care of that. Moving right along . . .
First, he’s been here for quite a while, at least eighty years, but he arrived before the Code Epoch. Last time I saw him was shortly before the Code of Krember was established. Three days
before that, to be precise. Second, he’s a fairly old man. He’s always looked older than me, for as long as I’ve known him. Very tall, big but not obese. He could have easily
changed his appearance but not his stature. Also, he’s blind in his left eye.”
    “Oh, but this is old Kotto Halis you’re talking about!” said the wiseman. “We only have one patient who’s blind in his left eye. But he couldn’t have done
anything. If only I could tell you how strong the smell of his madness is! Besides, the old man has never regained consciousness, no matter how many Crystals of Memory we give him.”
    “Yes, just as I suspected. In a ‘conscious state,’ he’d have nothing whatsoever to do here. Take us to him. The sooner the better.”
    “Let’s go then.” Katshak stood up. He looked stunned. “His room is in the building next to this, among the same poor hopeless cases you’ve just seen.”

    Moments later, we were going up the stairs of another one-story building. Sir Juffin Hully had gained such speed that the wiseman and I were clear outsiders in the race. I took it the boss was
rushing to give his old friend a bear hug.
    This time, Sir Slobat Katshak entered the building with us and walked us to the farthest room in the right wing of the hallway. Juffin stormed into the dark chamber and froze so abruptly that I
crashed into his back at a fast clip. The boss withstood the shock and didn’t move an inch.
    “Blast it,” he said. “I knew it.”
    “Knew what?” I said. And then I saw it. The bed was empty. On its soft surface, dead center, was a single dent. The shape of the dent suggested that the occupant had lain there
completely still and then disappeared. Vanished. If he had gotten up from it in the usual manner, there would have been other dents. The material used for floor coverings in bedrooms here in Echo
readily takes the shape of the body but is reluctant to return to its original shape. That takes some time—at least a few hours.
    “So he did it!” said Juffin, his voice betraying sincere admiration. “He slipped into Xumgat completely—lock, stock, and barrel—and it’s not easy for people
like him. Slobat, my dear boy, I have bad news for you. You should immediately check how many new dead bodies you have in your Refuge. If I had to guess, I’d say it would be at least a dozen.
For his last journey, Gugimagon would have to grab all their strength, without leaving anything to them. Still, I’m surprised he’s managed to pull this off!”
    “If you say so, I must immediately begin the inspection,” said the wiseman. “Will you manage without me, gentlemen?”
    “Yes. Moreover, we’re leaving. Thank you for your help, Slobat.

If someone dares berate you for all the trouble that happened during your shift, please do not hesitate to send me a call. I will be more than willing to give your superiors a lengthy lecture
that will undoubtedly restore your reputation. After