“This is not a language I understand,” said the captain.

“No,” agreed the Hieros. “You are an outlander. It is the language of our heart, we who live in the Hundred. Very well. It is true that if we cut off the head of the snake, the body might die. The price Zubaidit names for her cooperation is not too high. I will consult with the other temples and we will choose a second candidate as well, someone suitable for spying. What about the council, Master Calon?”

“I think it’s a fool’s errand,” said Master Calon with a heavy sigh, “tried once before and ending in utter failure. But my voice was overruled. The council wishes to make contact with clan members in the north, restore alliances, and so on. Three have been chosen to go, well-connected sons and nephews, alas. That cub Eliar pushed and pushed.”

“The Ri Amarah wish to send one of their young men as part of the scouting group?” asked the Hieros. “To see what profits can be reaped?”

Kesh snorted. “In what way are they different than the rest of the merchants, then?”

The captain said, quietly, “The lives of the Ri Amarah are at risk, just as ours are.”

“The presence of a Ri Amarah man would give away the scouts immediately,” said Joss.

Calon raised his hands to signal a stop. “The cub’s father forbade it before I was forced to point out that a Silver would be spotted a mey away. The three men we’re sending are at least good fighters. However, anyone seeing the Qin soldiers will know them at once for out-landers.”

“They’ll pose as runaway slaves,” said the captain.

Kesh touched the raggedly healed scar beside his left eye.

The marshal said, “Will you tattoo them? That’s how debt slaves are marked here. The enemy will have heard tales about the outlanders who aided Olossi. They’ll be suspicious.”

“I’ll take Shai,” said Tohon, “for he looks nothing like the Qin. No one need know we are any relation. Anyway, Shai has family business up by this town called Horn. Captain?”

At first, the captain looked ready to refuse, but then his expression changed as he thought of something he did not share with the others. “Yes,” he said with narrowed eyes. “Shai might prove very valuable. But let me tell my wife that he’s to go.”

“We are agreed, then.” The Hieros clapped her hands. Her attendants helped her stand, although Kesh doubted she needed the aid. For such an old woman she was limber and vital, perfectly at ease. Before she stepped off the pavilion, she turned back. “So, Captain, what does your wife do now, while you sit in the councils of power?”

“She is not absent from the councils of power. Her skills are of a different constitution than mine. I would suppose that right now she is settling matters of land, title, and business.”

“Ah.” She acknowledged Master Calon and Marshal Joss with a nod and Bai with a critical stare that, strangely, softened her eyes. Kesh might as well not have existed, but at length she smiled at Tohon.