"Well, I do notliterally animate Zozobra," Paul added quickly with an uneasy glance at Broom. "I

merely use magic to work the effigy as a giant marionette. In no sense is Zozobra ever actually alive. The

effigy only appears to writhe as it burns."

"Well, I do notliterally animate Zozobra," Paul added quickly with an uneasy glance at Broom. "I

merely use magic to work the effigy as a giant marionette. In no sense is Zozobra ever actually alive. The

effigy only appears to writhe as it burns."

"Nobody asked you," Wyrdrune said.

"Well,fine. Since nobody's interested in my opinion, I'll just go and clean the kitchen, as that appears to

be my role in life . . ."

"Broom, this is not our house . . ." said Wyrdrune. "We're guests here."

"All the more reason to show our appreciation by helping with the dishes," Broom said.

"It really isn't necessary, Broom," said Paul. "Please don't trouble yourself."

"Nu? So while everybody else is busy solving grisly murders, I wash a couple glasses, sweep a little,

what's to trouble? You keep a neat house, Professor, but it needs a woman's touch. A man your age,

living alone, it's no good, you know. You should find yourself a nice girl and get married."

"Broom. . ." said Wyrdrune.

"All right, all right, so I'll shut up, already. Far be it from me to give advice . . . as if anybody ever listens

. . ."

Paul smiled as Broom swept off toward the kitchen. "That's the most astonishing creature I've ever

seen," he said to Wyrdrune. "A truly impressive piece of conjuring. How did you do it?"

"I wish I knew," said Wyrdrune sourly. "Then maybe I could come up with a spell to make the damned

thing shut up."

"Tell us more about this festival," said Kira.

"Well, it officially begins with the burning of Zozobra on Friday night," Paul said, "and then there will be

fireworks, followed by a parade to the plaza, where there will be booths serving food and selling crafts.

There is a children's parade on Saturday, and in the afternoon a reenactment of Don Diego's triumphant

entry into Santa Fe in 1692. There is a grand ball in the evening and on Sunday the hysterical/ historical

parade, with floats and costumes and other foolishness, and a Mass that evening in the cathedral,

followed by a candlelight procession to the Cross of the Martyrs, where the Franciscan priests were

killed during the Pueblo Revolt. The festival is the highlight of the year. People come from miles around to

. . ."

His voice trailed off as he saw the expressions on their faces. And then it dawned on him. "Oh, Lord."

"So the city will be crowded with people, celebrating all day and all night for three days," said

Wyrdrune. "And somewhere in the middle of it all will be a necromancer."