‘Thanks all the same, neighbour,’ Sparhawk told the guard, ‘but I’d sort of like to surprise my wife. She’s young enough to still enjoy surprises.’

The guard grinned at him.

‘Get back inside the guard-house, neighbour,’ Sparhawk advised. ‘You’ll catch cold out here in the weather.’

He rode on into Cimmura. The rain was keeping almost everyone inside, and Faran’s steel-shod hooves echoed on the cobblestones of the nearly empty streets.

Sparhawk dismounted in the palace courtyard and handed Faran’s reins to a groom. ‘Be a little careful of the horse, neighbour,’ he cautioned the stableman. ‘He’s bad-tempered. Give him some hay and grain and rub him down, if you would please. He’s had a hard trip.’

‘I’ll see to it, Prince Sparhawk.’ There it was again. Sparhawk decided to have a word with his wife about it.

‘Faran,’ he said to his horse, ‘behave yourself.’

The big roan gave him a flat, unfriendly look.

‘It was a good ride,’ Sparhawk said, laying one hand on Faran’s powerfully muscled neck. ‘Get some rest.’ Then he turned and went up the stairs into the palace. ‘Where’s the queen?’ he asked one of the soldiers at the door.

‘In the council chamber, I believe, My Lord.’

‘Thank you.’ Sparhawk started down a long, candlelit corridor towards the council chamber.

The Tamul giantess Mirtai was emerging from the council chamber when he reached the door. ‘What took you so long?’ she asked, showing no particular sign of surprise.

‘Some things came up,’ he shrugged. ‘Is she in there?’

Mirtai nodded. ‘She’s with Lenda and the thieves. They’re talking about repairing streets.’ She paused. ‘Don’t greet her too enthusiastically, Sparhawk,’ she cautioned. ‘She’s with child.’

Sparhawk gave her a stunned look.

‘Wasn’t that sort of what you two had in mind on your wedding night?’ She paused again. ‘Whatever happened to that bandy-legged man who shaves his head?’

‘Kring? The Domi?’

‘What does “Domi” mean?’

‘Chief – sort of. He’s the leader of his people. He’s still alive and well as far as I know. The last time I saw him, he was working on a plan to lure the Zemochs into a trap so that he could slaughter them.’

Her eyes suddenly glowed warmly.

‘Why do you ask?’ he wanted to know.

‘No reason. Just curious.’

‘Oh. I see.’