Sparhawk took Sephrenia’s elbow and escorted her back through the curtains.

‘Did anyone see you come in?’ the big-nosed man asked nervously

‘Any number of them, I’d imagine’ Sparhawk shrugged. ‘They lined the walls of the square like a flock of vultures, trying to sniff out sin.’

‘It’s not safe to talk that way in Dabour, my friend,’ Tanjin warned.

‘Perhaps.’ Sparhawk looked around. The room was shabby and was piled high in the corners with open wooden boxes and stacks of books. A persistent bumblebee batted its head against the single dirty window, trying to get out. There was a low couch against one wall and several straight-backed wooden chairs and a table in the centre. ‘Shall we get down to business, Doctor Tanjin?’ he suggested.

‘All right,’ the physician said to Sephrenia, ‘sit here, and I’ll have a look at that arm.’

‘You may if it’s going to make you happy, Doctor,’ she replied, taking the chair and removing her arm from the sling. She pulled back the sleeve of her robe to reveal a surprisingly girlish arm.

The doctor looked a bit hesitantly at Sparhawk. ‘You understand, of course, that I’m not being forward with your sister’s person, but I must examine her’

‘I understand the procedure, Doctor.’

Tanjin took a deep breath and then bent Sephrenia’s wrist back and forth several times. Then he gently ran his fingers up her forearm and bent her elbow. He swallowed hard and probed at her upper arm. Then he moved her arm up and down with his fingers lightly touching her shoulder. His close-set eyes narrowed. ‘There’s nothing wrong with this arm,’ he accused.

‘How kind you are to say so,’ she murmured, removing her veil.

‘Madame!’ he said in a shocked voice ‘Cover yourself!’

‘Oh, do be serious, Doctor,’ she told him. ‘We’re not here to talk about arms and legs.’

‘You’re spies!’ he gasped.

‘In a manner of speaking, yes,’ she replied calmly ‘But even spies have reason to consult with physicians once in a while’

‘Leave at once,’ he ordered.

‘We’ve just got here,’ Sparhawk said, pushing back his hood. ‘Go ahead, sister dear,’ he said to Sephrenia. ‘Tell him why we’re here’

‘Tell me, Tanjin,’ she said, ‘does the word “Darestim” mean anything to you?’

He started guiltily and looked at the curtained doorway, backing away from her.

‘Don’t be modest, Doctor,’ Sparhawk told him. ‘Word’s been going about that you cured the king’s brother and several of his nephews after they’d been poisoned with Darestim.’

‘There’s no proof of that.’

‘I don’t need proof. I need a cure. A friend of ours has the same condition.’

‘There’s no antidote or cure for Darestim.’

‘Then how is it that the king’s brother still lives?’