His eyes closed and he pressed his head back against the post, loosening the iron at his throat just slightly.

"Nectar and ambrosia," he said. "Thank you, boy." He put the ale down and picked up the mutton, took small, worrying bites.

Finally Hywel said, "You called me by magic. No one else could hear.... Why?"

The man paused, sighed, wiped his hands and lips. "I thought you were... someone else. Someone who could help."

"You thought I was a wizard?"

"I called to the talent…it spent me before I heard the answer.

Hard to work with a boot in your ribs." He reached for the bread, nibbled.

"I'm not a wizard," Hywel said.

"No. I'm sorry. But I am glad you brought me this supper."

They sat for a little while like that, the wizard eating slowly, Hywel crouched, watching him. To Hywel it seemed the man wanted to make his supper last all night. He said, "You thought I was a wizard."

"I believe I explained that," the man said patiently. "Isn't it late for you to be awake still?"

"Dafydd doesn't care, long as the fire doesn't go out. You said it was somebody else you called. But I heard you. You called me."

The man swallowed, licked his damaged lips. "I called to the talent. The power. It... radiates, like the light from a candle. I felt it, and answered back. That's all."

"Then I am a wizard," Hywel said, breathless, triumphant.

The man shook his head, rattling iron. "Magus latens... no. Someday you could be, if you were taught. But now..." There was a noise within his throat that might have been a laugh. "Now you're catalyzed. And I did it, now that I would not do it."

Hywel said "Could you teach me?"

Again the choked laugh. "Why do you think I'm in chains, boy? I'd be dead now if they didn't fear my death-curse so, and my tongue and eyes aren't sure through tomorrow. Go to bed, boy."

Hywel put his foot against one of the cartwheels chained to the wizard's feet. He pushed. The chain shifted; in a moment it would be taut.