“That answers your question,” the Duke said.
“But – suppose one never – finds one’s other half?”
“Then you have to make do with second best.”
“No, no!” Valora cried. “That would be wrong – and spoil everything.”
The Duke sat back in his chair to look at her.
“Now I have given you a new quest,” he said. “Instead of seeking knowledge, you must seek the man who the Gods chose for you a million years ago. Perhaps you have been travelling towards each other and one day you will meet. Then you will never be lonely or afraid again.”
As he spoke, the Duke was astonished at his own words, which had come into his head involuntarily as if from some outside source.
He thought they were a part of the enchantment that had been his ever since he had started on this mad journey – first because he h
