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‘Dressed?’ the prince asked, looking around

The First Eunuch’s eyes had widened ‘How far along, Merchant Buruk?’

‘The coins, First Eunuch And the wax’

‘Errant defend,’ Nifadas whispered ‘And this sword – he will not yield it?’

Seren shook her head ‘We don’t know, First Eunuch’

‘Describe the weapon, if you would, Acquitor’

‘Two-handed grip, but a thin blade Some kind of alloy, yet reluctant to fuse There is iron, and soated shards’

‘Origin? Can you discern anything from the style?’

‘Not much, First Eunuch The bell-hilt bears some resemblance to the draist technique used by the Meckros-’

‘The Meckros?’ Quillas asked ‘Those traders froh the pattern on that bell-hilt has been shaped to resemble links of chain’

Buruk faced her with a wry expression, ‘You’ve sharp eyes, Acquitor All I saas a sword’

‘I suggest,’ Nifadas said, ‘we retire to the merchant’s camp’

Quillas hissed, ‘You will s this insult, First Eunuch?’

‘There is no insult,’ Nifadas replied easily, striding past the prince to hook arms with a surprised Seren Pedac ‘Escort me, please, Acquitor’

‘Of course, First Eunuch’

The others had no choice but to trail after them

Nifadas walked quickly After a dozen or so paces, he asked in a quiet, conversational tone, ‘Was Hull Beddict witness to all this?’

‘No At least I don’t think so He’s been gone for some time’

‘But he will return’

‘Yes’

‘I have left theFinadd Gerun Eberict’

‘Gerun – oh’

‘Indeed Would it be, do you think, propitious that I send for him?’