Ella again looked at Shani, but her friend's expression was inscrutable.

Ashnar and his men led the three travellers from the market district through several wide streets to an expansive square. In the centre of the square, a great marble statue of a man had been toppled down. Ella raised an inquiring eyebrow at Shani.

"High Lord Haptut Alwar," Shani said.

Jehral moaned and shifted in his saddle, Ella again reached out to steady him. "He needs help," Ella said, frowning at Ashnar.

"No!" Jehral said, although his words were obviously an effort. "I need to see the prince."

A square, red-brick building opened its gates onto the square. From somewhere within the brick walls, a tall tower rose high above to dominate the square and the rest of the town. A dozen Hazarans stood guard, casually leaning on their scimitars.

"It's the old barracks — the biggest building in Torlac," Ashnar said, almost apologetically, looking at Jehral.

White-faced, Jehral straightened in his saddle, looking at Ashnar but not replying.

As they pulled up outside the gates Ella looked down at the guards from the height of her horse. Her eyes widened as she recognised a Hazaran: one of Prince Ilathor's men, a thick-set warrior who had taken an instant disliking to her.

"Rashine," Ashnar said, "look who it is."

Rashine looked them over, his eyes catching on Jehral. "Jehral!" He then saw Ella and frowned, before returning to Jehral. "What are you doing here?"

Jehral smiled weakly. "Salute, Rashine. Take us to Prince Ilathor. Please."

Rashine looked at Ella and Shani, finally tilting his head at Ashnar, who nodded.

"Jehral of Tarn Teharan, I will leave you here," said Ashnar.

"Thank you, Ashnar of Tarn Bohta," Jehral said.

Ella looked on with consternation as Jehral kicked his feet out of the stirrups, slipping off the side of his horse and wincing as he hit the ground.

"This is madness, Jehral," Shani said.

"Come on," Jehral said.

"You heard him," Rashine growled. He prodded Ella in the back as he and three other guards formed a barrier around them. Ella glared at him.

Jehral, Ella, and Shani were led into the massive building. It was more functional than beautiful, with sharp angles and bare walls. Dark-skinned men walked by in small groups, heads clustered together and wicked scimitars at their sides, and the sound of crashing steel could be heard echoing through the stone.

They were taken up a wide set of stairs, and Ella's concern grew when she saw how slowly Jehral took each step. Rashine and the other warriors ignored Jehral's plight — the proud man who was the prince's right hand would never accept assistance.

A second, narrower staircase took them higher still, and soon even Ella was feeling exhausted. Finally the staircase opened onto a landing, where two more guards stood outside a heavy wooden door. Ella realised they must be at the top of the tower.