The rumors were everywhere.  The monster race's barrier that had stood for a thousand years had fallen!   Travel to the outer world would finally be possible, with whole new countries to explore.

...and that many more chances that Zelgadiss might find a way to regain his human body.

Unafraid of the heights or of the night, he stood on the roof of the tallest building in the seaside city, looking out at the ocean and the strange, distant pillar of light that lit the forest of faintly creaking masts and yardarms in the harbour brighter than any moonlight.  No one knew what that pillar was, what had caused it, or what it foretold.

Zelgadiss had some guesses as to what had caused it, but the only sure thing he knew was that his best chance for finding a way to regain his body, not this... unnatural form of rock and wire... lay in the outer world that was now open to him.

A peace delegation to the countries of the outer world was to set sail tomorrow, and Zel intended to accompany them, even if he were forced to be stow away aboard one of the vessels.

Even if he couldn't sneak on board, he could find his own boat.  He could be patient.

Turning, Zelgadiss went to the stairs down from the roof, intending to return to the inn where he had taken a room for the night.