INTERESTING, Death commented. SO IT IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE ONE WHO HAS DISAPPEARED MIGHT REAPPEAR WITHIN THE CITY. The idea merited further consideration, but while Kit's disappearance worried him, it could not stay at the top of his priority list for long. After all, Death had come here for information about a very different subject.

But Timon brought up a point he hadn't considered. THE MAYOR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A REAL FORCE IN THE CITY, he said simply. I HAVE SEEN GOOD RULERS AND TRULY GREAT LEADERS, AND THIS MAYOR FALLS INTO NEITHER CATEGORY. I AM NOT CERTAIN IF HE IS AN EXCELLENT ACTOR OR A PAWN FOR A FORCE WE HAVE YET TO ENCOUNTER.