‘Would you like to step out of the way, Sephrenia?’ Sparhawk said, opening the front of his robe and shifting his sword hilt around slightly ‘Martel and I were having a little discussion the last time we saw each other. I think it’s time we continued it.’

Martel’s eyes narrowed, and he opened his own robe. Like Sparhawk, he also wore mail and a broadsword. ‘Excellent notion, Sparhawk,’ he said, his deep voice dropping to little more than a whisper

Sephrenia stepped between them. ‘Stop that, both of you,’ she commanded. ‘This isn’t the time or the place. We’re right in the middle of an army If you play this game here in Arasham’s tent, you’ll have half of Rendor in here with you before it’s over.’

Sparhawk felt a hot surge of disappointment, but he knew that she was right. Regretfully, he took his hand away from his sword hilt. ‘Sometime soon, however, Martel,’ he said in a dreadfully quiet voice

‘I’ll be happy to oblige you, dear brother,’ Martel replied with an ironic bow His eyes narrowed speculatively ‘What are you two doing here in Rendor?’ he asked. ‘I thought you were still in Cammoria.’

‘It’s a business trip.’

‘Ah, you’ve found out about the Darestim, I see I hate to tell you this, but you’re wasting your time. There’s no antidote. I checked that very carefully before I recommended it to a certain friend in Cimmura.’

‘You’re pressing your luck, Martel,’ Sparhawk told him ominously

‘I always have, brother mine. As they say, no risk, no profit. Ehlana will die, I’m afraid. Lycheas will succeed her, and Annias will become Archprelate. I expect to reap quite a handsome profit from that.’

‘Is that all you ever think about?’

‘What else is there?’ Martel shrugged. ‘Everything else is only an illusion. How’s Vanion been lately?’

‘He’s well,’ Sparhawk replied. ‘I’ll tell him you asked.’

‘That’s assuming that you live long enough to see him again. Your situation here is precarious, my old friend.’

‘So’s yours, Martel.’

‘I know, but I’m used to it. You’re weighted down with scruples and the like. I left all that behind a long time ago.’

‘Where’s your tame Damork, Martel?’ Sephrenia asked suddenly.

He looked only slightly surprised, and he recovered instantly ‘I really haven’t the slightest idea, little mother,’ he replied. ‘It comes to me without being summoned, so I never know when it’s going to turn up. Perhaps it returned to the place it came from. It has to do that every so often, you know.’

‘I’ve never been that curious about the creatures of the underworld.’

‘That could be a serious oversight.’

‘Perhaps.’

Arasham stirred on his cushions and opened his eyes. ‘Did I doze off?’ he asked.