Five Portraits by Piers Anthony Page B

to see it, so it remains my concern. What is to happen to Xanth?”
    â€œIt will be invaded by an alternate reality that is slightly more advanced. Rather than suffer themselves to be displaced, the citizens will go for mutual destruction. Thus Xanth will end.”
    â€œIs this certain?” Astrid asked with a sinking sensation.
    â€œNo. There is an even chance it will survive, if the citizens pursue the appropriate course.”
    â€œThat’s a relief! But then what’s the bet about?”
    â€œWhether they will pursue that rather devious course and save Xanth, or allow it to end.”
    Astrid got a sick feeling. “And you are betting that Xanth will end. That’s why Kandy is upset.”
    â€œOf course. What is Xanth to me, other than a chance to win a Demon Point?”
    â€œWell, it will complicate our friendship if I die.”
    â€œThen I shall have to save you before Xanth ends. And Kandy.”
    â€œYou don’t care if everyone else dies?”
    â€œShould I?”
    Astrid signed. “I was forgetting you are a Demon. You lack human emotions.”
    â€œTrue.”
    â€œBut isn’t loneliness an emotion?”
    â€œIt must be, but it is not limited to humanity. It existed before humans came on the scene, and will exist after they depart the scene.”
    That was a good point. Astrid was beginning to see difficulties in this friendship. “At least that is separate from the question of our friendship. Let’s focus on the latter. I think we need advice from someone else, but I can’t think whom.” Then she reconsidered. “You mentioned Jumper Spider. An animal in human form, as I am. Married to a Demon. A mortal/Demon relationship. Maybe they could advise us.”
    â€œWe’ll ask them. Take my hand.”
    Astrid took her hand, and they sailed up off the moon and into the sky. In half a moment they were cruising past pretty planets, one with icy rings.
    â€œUm, is this the way to Jumper and Eris?” Astrid asked.
    â€œIt is the scenic route.”
    And to Demons there were no limits of ordinary physics. Maybe she would get used it it after a while.
    â€œUm, while we travel, there’s something else I would like to know.”
    â€œI will clarify it for you. What is it?”
    Astrid noted that the Demoness did not question her own ability to answer any question a mortal might have. That confidence was probably justified. “You are a capital D Demon. What is the distinction between that and small d demons, like demoness Metria?”
    â€œCapital Demons are virtually timeless spirits associated with natural forces who have existed almost since the universe began. Thus I associate with Antimatter, Xanth associates with Magic, Earth with Gravity, and so on. We also tend to have residences, but these are secondary. The fact that Xanth has a tiny bit of odd-shaped land and I have a galaxy means nothing; what counts is the unique associations. The universe would be incomplete without magic, gravity, antimatter, and the others, so we are eternal. Small demons, in contrast, are infinitesimal fragments associated with a particular Demon. Thus Metria is a figment of Demon Xanth’s imagination, crafted somewhat in his image but of no actual consequence.”
    â€œBut Metria is a character, just as I am, and she does things to make an impression on others. That’s not inconsequential to me.”
    â€œYou are a mortal,” Fornax reminded her gently. “Your perspective is severely limited. However, if you left the Land of Xanth you would exist as a harmless lizard. If Metria left, she would become a mere gust of wind and dissipate. That is part of the difference mortality makes. Metria has no real substance apart from the magic of the ambiance of Xanth, while you do. Magic affects you and makes you to a considerable extent what you are, but you would exist without it. She would not.”
    â€œMetria can be