Modred frowned and was about to say something in response,

when the phone rang. He picked it up.

“Yes?” He listened a moment. “Yes, I recognize your voice… Yes,

it has been a long time. I’m well, thank you. Yourself?… Yes, of

course, this line is safe… Oh, I see. No, I’m retired now and I

don’t… Who?… That’s what I thought you said. But why me?

Surely they have enough people of their own who are quite

capable… What?”

His entire manner suddenly changed.

“Are you absolutely certain?… What details can you give me?”

He listened intently for a few minutes, then said, “I see… Yes…

Yes. No, that changes things… Yes. Tell him that out of respect for

his position and his reputation, I’m coming out of retirement. That

will put him in the position of having to be extremely obliging…

Yes, a man like that could be very useful… The usual

arrangements, yes. Only in this case, you remember the fee I

charged for the last contract that you brokered?… Yes, that one.

Triple it… Yes, that’s right, I said triple it. He can certainly afford

it. It should impress him with the significance of this contract and

my professional standing. ” He chuckled. “Yes, that’s what I think,

too. It’s important to establish these things right away when

dealing with such people… Yes, quite… I’ll be leaving first thing in

the morning. And tell him that—no, on second thought, I’ll tell him

myself when I get there… Yes, I’ll let you know… Yes, right. I’ll be

in touch.”

He hung up the phone. Before he could say anything, Wyrdrune

spoke.

“Was that what I think it was?”

Modred smiled. “Morpheus has just come out of retirement.”

“Good God! You can’t be serious!” said Merlin.

“Oh, but I am, ” said Modred with a smile. “I’ve just accepted a

contract. An extremely lucrative one, I might add.”

“Are you out of your mind?” said Merlin.

“It isn’t what you think, ” said Modred. “That is, I have accepted

a contract. Only the circumstances are somewhat unique. It’s a