"Is he really Morpheus?" asked Blood.

"Yes," said Makepeace. "Though that part of his life is over now."

"I've actually seen Morpheus," said Blood. "And I've lived to tell the tale.

wonder how many people can say that? Still, it's a tale I'd probably be

better

off not telling. I'll have to fudge up some sort of fantasy for the

superintendent. The truth might be a bit tough to explain." He looked at

Billy

and grinned. "Especially the part about how a two-thousand-year-old

thirteen-year-old saved the day with a bit of acrobatics and a flick knife,

of

all things. No one would believe it."

"Hell, I don't believe it," Merlin said "Next time you pull a stunt like

that,

young man, I'll kick your arse up between your ears."

"I think that would be a bit too acrobatic, even for me," said Billy with a

grin.

The grin disappeared instantly, to be replaced by a scowl as Merlin muttered

"You know what I damn well mean! It was foolhardy and reckless."

"'Ey, it worked, din't it? So bugger off!"

"What did you say?"

"You 'eard me, old man, I said bugger off!"

"Why... why, you miserable, misbegotten little toad, I ought to—"

Blood burst out laughing, and the rest of them all followed suit as Billy

scowled at them. Nobody could tell if it was Merlin or Billy doing the

scowling.

Maybe it was both of them.

"I can see," said Wyrdrune, "that this is going to be the start of a

beautiful

relationship."