‘Sparhawk,’ Martel said wearily, ‘I’m about to capture the richest city in the world. Have you any idea of how much loot’s available inside the walls of Chyrellos? My troops joined me eagerly – for no pay at all – just for the chance to browse around in there.’

‘I hope they’re ready for a protracted siege, then.’

‘It’s not going to take me all that long to get inside, Sparhawk. Annias will open the gates for me.’

‘Annias doesn’t have enough votes in the Hierocracy to do that.’

‘I rather imagine that my presence here will alter the vote somewhat.’

‘Would you like to settle this right here and now? Just you and me?’ Sparhawk offered.

‘Why should I do that when I’ve already got the advantage, old boy?’

‘All right. Try to get into Chyrellos then, and maybe we can find one of those alleys you’re so fond of.’

‘I yearn for the day, dear brother,’ Martel smiled. ‘Well, Vanion, has your tame ape here wheedled enough answers out of me to suit you yet, or should I go on?’

‘Let’s go back,’ Vanion said abruptly to Sparhawk.

‘Always a pleasure talking with you, Lord Vanion,’ Martel called mockingly after them.

‘Do you really think Bhelliom might possibly bring him back from the grave?’ Vanion asked Sparhawk as they rode back towards the city. ‘I wouldn’t mind killing him a time or two myself.’

‘We can ask Sephrenia, I suppose.’

They gathered once again in the red-draped study of Sir Nashan, the portly Pandion who was in charge of the chapterhouse here. The chapterhouse, unlike those of the other orders, was just inside the walls of the ancient inner city, the original Chyrellos. Each of the Preceptors gave a report on one of the gates of the city. None of the reports was particularly encouraging. Abriel, as senior Preceptor, rose to his feet. ‘What do we think, gentlemen?’ he said. ‘Is there any possible way we can hold the entire city?’

‘Absolutely out of the question, Abriel,’ Komier said bluntly. ‘Those gates wouldn’t keep out a herd of sheep, and even counting the church soldiers, we don’t have enough men to hold off the kind of force gathering out there.’

‘You’re raising a very unpleasant notion, Komier,’ Darellon said.

‘I know, but I don’t see very many options, do you?’

‘Not really.’

‘I’m sorry, My Lords,’ Sir Nashan said deferentially, ‘but I don’t quite follow what you’ve got in mind.’

‘We’ll have to pull back to the walls of the inner city, Nashan,’ Vanion told him.

‘And abandon the rest?’ Nashan exclaimed. ‘My Lords, we’re talking about the largest – and richest city in the world!’