‘That’s the important thing,’ the blond thief said. ‘You can fill us in on the details later.’ He looked at Ehlana’s radiant face. ‘Much later, I’d imagine,’ he added.

‘Stragen,’ Ehlana said firmly.

‘Yes, Your Majesty?’

‘Out.’ She pointed imperiously at the door.

‘Yes, ma’am.’

Sparhawk and his bride adjourned to the royal apartments shortly after that, accompanied only by Mirtai. Sparhawk was not really sure just how long the Tamul giantess intended to remain in attendance. He didn’t want to offend her, but –

Mirtai, however, was very business-like. She gave a number of crisp commands to the queen’s personal servants – commands having to do with hot baths, suppers, privacy and the like, and then, after everything in the royal apartment was to her satisfaction, she went to the door, drawing a large key from under her sword-belt. ‘Will that be all for tonight, Ehlana?’ she asked.

‘Yes, Mirtai,’ the queen replied, ‘and thank you so very much.’

Mirtai shrugged. ‘It’s what I’m supposed to do. Don’t forget what I told you, Sparhawk.’ She tapped the key firmly against the door. ‘I’ll let you out in the morning,’ she said. Then she went out and closed the door behind her. The sound of the key turning in the lock was very loud.

‘She’s such a bully,’ Ehlana laughed a bit helplessly. ‘She absolutely ignores me when I give her any orders.’

‘She’s good for you, love,’ Sparhawk smiled. ‘She helps you to keep your perspective.’

‘Go and bathe, Sparhawk,’ Ehlana commanded. ‘You smell all rusty. Then you can tell me about everything that happened. Oh, by the way, I’ll have my ring back now, if you don’t mind.’

He held out his hands. ‘Which one is it?’ he asked her. ‘I can’t for the life of me tell them apart.’

‘It’s this one, of course.’ She pointed at the ring on his left hand.

‘How do you know?’ he asked, removing the ring and slipping it on her finger.

‘Anyone can see that, Sparhawk.’

‘If you say so,’ he shrugged.