A faint movement caught Sparhawk’s eye, and he saw Sephrenia move her arm as if only shaking back her sleeve. Instantly he knew what she had been doing all along.

‘Hire, my son?’ Arasham beamed at him. ‘Let there be no talk of hiring. I have a splendid boat at my disposal. You will take it, and with my blessing. I will send armed men with you and a regiment – no, a legion – to patrol the banks of the river to make sure you reach Jiroch safely.’

‘It shall be as you command, Most Holy,’ Sparhawk said. He looked across the tent at Martel with a beatific smile. ‘Is it not amazing, dear brother,’ he said. ‘Truly such wisdom and generosity can only come from God.’

‘Yes,’ Martel replied darkly, ‘I’m sure of it.’

‘I must make haste, holy Arasham,’ Sparhawk rushed on, rising to his feet. ‘We left our horses and belongings in the care of a servant in a house on the outskirts of town. My sister and I will retrieve them at once and return within the hour.’

‘As you see fit, my son,’ Arasham said eagerly, ‘and I will instruct my disciples to have the boat and the soldiers made ready for your journey downriver.’

‘Let me show you the way out of the compound, dear brother,’ Martel said from between clenched teeth.

‘Gladly, dear brother,’ Sparhawk said. ‘Your company, as always, fills my heart with joy.’

‘Return directly, Martel,’ Arasham instructed. ‘We must discuss this wondrous turn of fortune and offer thanks to God for His grace in providing it.’

‘Yes, Most Holy,’ Martel said, bowing. ‘I shall come back immediately’

‘Within the hour, Sparhawk,’ Arasham said.

‘Within the hour, Most Holy,’ Sparhawk agreed with a deep bow ‘Come along then, Martel,’ he said, once again smacking his hand down on the renegade’s shoulder.

‘Of course.’ Martel winced, once again shrinking from Sparhawk’s comradely blow.

Once they were outside the pavilion, Martel turned on Sparhawk, his face white with fury ‘Just what do you think you’re doing?’ he demanded.

‘Testy today, aren’t we, old boy?” Sparhawk said mildly

‘What are you up to, Sparhawk?’ Martel snarled, looking around to be sure that no one in the crowd of hovering disciples could hear him.

‘I’ve just spiked your wheel, Martel,’ Sparhawk replied. ‘Arasham will sit here until he petrifies unless someone brings him that secret word. I can almost guarantee you that the Church Knights will be in Chyrellos when the time comes to elect the new Archprelate, because there won’t be anything going on in Rendor to drag them away’

‘Very clever, Sparhawk.’

‘I’m glad you liked it’

‘This is one more debt you owe me,’ Martel grated.

‘Feel free to call them in at any time, dear brother,’ Sparhawk said. ‘I’ll be more than happy to accommodate you.’ He took Sephrenia by the elbow and led her away