One of the disciple’s toadies leaned forward and whispered at some length in Ulesim’s ear. The disciple’s expression grew less and less certain and finally even a bit frightened. ‘I will send for this cattle buyer you mentioned,’ he declared grudgingly ‘If he confirms your story, well and good; but if not, I will take you to holy Arasham himself for judgement.’

‘As the Lord Ulesim wishes,’ Sparhawk bowed. ‘If you would have your messenger tell Mirrelek that Mahkra is here with greetings from his little mother, I’m sure he’ll come here immediately and clear up this whole matter.’

‘You’d better hope so, Mahkra,’ the bearded disciple said threateningly. He turned to the toady who had whispered in his ear, ‘Go and fetch this Mirrelek. Repeat the message of this cowherd to him and tell him that I, Ulesim, favoured disciple of holy Arasham, command his presence immediately.’

‘At once, favoured one,’ the fellow replied and scurried from the tent. Ulesim glowered at Sparhawk for a moment, then he and his other sycophant left the tent.

‘You’ve still got your sword, Sparhawk,’ Kurik said. ‘Why didn’t you just let the air out of that windbag? I could have dealt with the other two.’

‘It wasn’t necessary’ Sparhawk shrugged. ‘I know Perraine well enough to know that by now he’s managed to make himself indispensable to Arasham. He’ll be here shortly and put Ulesim-favoured-disciple-of-holy-Arasham in his place.’

‘Aren’t you gambling, Sparhawk?’ Sephrenia asked. ‘What if Perraine doesn’t recognize the name Mahkra? As I recall, you were in Jiroch, and he’s been here in Dabour for years.’

‘He may not recognize the name I go by here in Rendor,’ Sparhawk replied, ‘but he can’t fail to recognize yours, little mother. It’s a very old password. The Pandions have been using it for years.’

She blinked. ‘I’m very flattered,’ she said, ‘but why didn’t someone tell me?’

Sparhawk turned to her in some surprise. ‘We all thought you knew.’

It was perhaps a quarter of an hour later when Ulesim escorted a lean, saturnine man in a striped robe into the tent. Ulesim’s manner was obsequious and his expression worried. This is the fellow I was telling you about, honoured Mirrelek,’ he fawned.

‘Ah, Mahkra,’ the lean man said, coming forward to take Sparhawk’s hand warmly in his own. ‘So good to see you again. What seems to be the trouble here?’

‘A slight misunderstanding is all, Mirrelek,’ Sparhawk replied, bowing slightly to his fellow Pandion.

‘Well, that’s all straightened out now’ Sir Perraine turned to the favoured disciple ‘Isn’t it, Ulesim?’

‘O-of course, honoured Mirrelek,’ Ulesim faltered, his face visibly pale now.

‘Whatever possessed you to detain my friends?’ Perraine’s tone was mild, but there was a slight edge to it.

‘I-I’m only trying to protect holy Arasham.’

‘Oh? And did he ask for your protection?’