(continuing from former post)

and a general scoundrel, which are considered pre-requisites for the position."

Tirseng spooned tea into the strainer and poured boiling water through it. He looked at Bierce and said "you are quite open in your opinions. Do you not fear your opinions may endanger you?" and he nodded at the sleeping sherpa. Bierce gave the sherpa a slight kick, eliciting a sharp snore and a low murmur from the wrapped figure."They sleep like bears hibernate," said Bierce," besides, to cruelly twist a Shakespearian phrase, whoever steals my life from me steals trash. I've outlived my usefulness, you know." Bierce took a cup of tea from Tirseng, sipped, and continued.

"These people deserve better than Monotek, though. This was a very magical place, you see. He came and saw it as an opportunity for power, and he used every nasty skill in his arsenal to take it. I don't necessarily object to using nasty skills, but these people are like children and had no defense,. no concept even of what this Monotek was up to. He was shooting fish in a barrel." Tirseng frowned "fish?" Bierce drained his tea and said "another savory American expression. He found it easy to do what ever he wanted, I mean.He killed the old Prince, if you didn't know. At least Mallory intercedes for the people, and seems to have some leverage with this Monotek."

Tirseng glanced away from Bierce, and said, simply, "Mallory is gone, Ambrose. He has disappeared, or was killed." He turned his eyes back to Bierce. A tear, or perhaps a small droplet of the condensed mist, trickled down Bierce's cheek. "He was your friend," said Tirseng. Bierce clenched his jaw and said "he was an idealist and a fool. I have no friends. Only enemies and those I ignore. It is just that..it is difficult to find anyone who is...well versed on a number of subjects as ..was...George." Bierce put his cup gently down."Was he searched for?" he said. Tirseng merely shook his head and said "he's gone."