‘What’s the world coming to?’

‘They call it progress, my friend,’ Sparhawk said wryly.

‘The world would be a better place if we hanged all the scientists and engineers, Sir Sparhawk.’

And the lawyers too.’

‘Oh yes, definitely the lawyers. Everybody wants to hang all the lawyers.’ Delada’s eyes narrowed. ‘Why are all of you being so secretive around me, Sparhawk?’ he demanded irritably. In Delada’s case all the cliches about red-haired people seemed to apply.

‘We have to protect your strict neutrality, Delada. You’re going to see something – and we hope hear something – that’s very important. Later on, you’re going to be called on to give testimony about it. There are going to be people who’ll try very hard to throw doubts on your testimony.’

‘They’d better not,’ the colonel said hotly.

Sparhawk smiled. ‘Anyway, if you don’t know anything at all in advance about what you’re going to see and hear, nobody will be able to raise any question at all about your impartiality.’

‘I’m not stupid, Sparhawk, and I have got eyes. This has to do with the election hasn’t it?’

‘Just about everything in Chyrellos has to do with the election now, Delada – except maybe that siege out there.’

‘And I wouldn’t wager any significant amounts of money that the siege isn’t involved too.’

‘That’s one of those areas we aren’t supposed to talk about, Colonel.’

‘Ah-ha!’ Delada said triumphantly. ‘Just as I thought!’

Sparhawk looked out over the wall. The important thing was to be able to prove beyond doubt the collusion between Martel and Annias. Sparhawk was a bit apprehensive about that. If the conversation between the Primate of Cimmura and the renegade Pandion did not reveal Martel’s identity, all Delada would be able to report to the Hierocracy would be a highly suspicious conversation between Annias and an unnamed stranger. Emban, Dolmant and Ortzel, however, had been adamant. Delada was absolutely not to be supplied with any information which could contaminate his testimony. Sparhawk was particularly disappointed in Patriarch Emban on that score. The fat Churchman was devious and deceitful on every other count. Why should he suddenly become ethical on this one crucial point?

‘It’s starting, Sparhawk,’ Kalten called from the torchlit wall. ‘The Rendors are coming out to clear away our obstructions.’