“Do not misunderstand me, Elgart,” said Bifalt roughly. “I am glad you were rescued.” He did not mention what his friend’s disappearance had cost him. “But you should not have needed to flee the city. Help me understand why Amandis and Flamora did not bring you to me when you were safe. I would have sent you to the el-Algreb at once. I would have honored any terms you chose to offer.”

Elgart grimaced awkwardly. “At once, Majesty? The devotees did not think so. They did not know what harm Makh might have done to me. They did not know how long his power would hold. And when they had stunned and drugged him, they could not allow him to awaken. If he did, he would summon every priest in the Church against them. In addition, they believed that your need for allies outweighed your desire to approve of their decisions. For Belleger’s sake, they left the city in haste, and in secret.”

Before long, a train of carts left the camp, following General Klamath. They would be needed to transport a thousand rifles from the storerooms among the foundations of the Fist. Later, they would be used to bring the crates of ammunition; but the bullets could wait. Simply having rifles in their hands would content Suti al-Suri and his horse-warriors, at least for a while.

“And there is this to consider,” continued Elgart. “Amandis and Flamora did not know how the el-Algreb would respond. Those people had already refused the library. They might refuse me as well. Even the offer of rifles might not sway them.

“Your plight then would have been cruel, Majesty. You would have lived and made your plans and fought on false hopes until I returned. The devotees considered your ignorance a lesser evil.”

King Bifalt suppressed an impulse to argue. He could not hold Elgart accountable for the reasoning of the devotees. Instead, he asked a harsher question.

“Do you know that Jaspid was on your trail? He might have caught up with you.” The sight of Jaspid’s injuries never left Bifalt. “But Lylin stopped him. She beat him almost to death. No one else could have survived her savagery.”

Shock twisted Elgart’s split visage. “I am sorry to hear it, Majesty.” He needed a moment to compose himself. “I did not know. Amandis said nothing. She told me only that she feared any delay.”

Fuming, the King looked away.

Below him, Set Ungabwey and the rearguard reached the camp at last. Spliner had taken eight strong riflemen to carry the fat man. Using the travois as a litter, they bore the caravan-master gently over the ridge and across the training-fields toward the physicians and the hospital. King Bifalt expected to see some sign that Master Ungabwey had died at last. But the frantic gestures of the carriers and physicians indicated that Set Ungabwey was still alive.