Shizala looked at me apologetically. "I am sorry, Michael Kane—but I had better speak to the Bradhinak. Will you excuse me? You will find food in the hall."

I bowed. "Of course. I hope to see you again later."

She gave me a quick, half-nervous smile and then she was tripping up the steps after Bradhinak.

Some diplomatic problem, I guessed, since the prince was evidently an emissary of some kind and was here on diplomatic business as well as a friendly visit.

Perhaps Karnala's strength had been sapped in the battle and the following expedition which had lost them their king. Perhaps they were forced to rely on stronger allies while they built up their strength again—and perhaps Mishim Tep was one of these allies. All this speculation seemed likely— and much of it was subsequently proved correct.

I entered the great hall. A kind off buffet meal had been laid out on the table by servants. Cold meat, fruit, the inevitable basu, sweetmeats and so forth. I sampled a little of everything and found almost all of it to my liking. I exchanged small talk with some of the men and women around the table. They were evidently very curious about me but too polite to ask too many direct questions— which I did not feel in any mood to answer at that moment.

As I munched on a particularly tasty piece of meat wrapped in a green, lettuce-like leaf, I suddenly heard an odd sound. I was not sure what it was, but I listened carefully so that I should hear it again if it came.

The courtiers had fallen silent and were also listening.

Then the sound came again.

A muffled cry.

The courtiers looked at one another in apparent consternation but made no move towards the source of the cry.

It came a third time and now I was sure I recognized the voice.

It was Shizala's!

Although there were guards at intervals around the hall, none of them moved and no orders were given to go to Shizala's assistance.

Desperately, I looked round at the courtiers. "That is your Bradhinaka's voice—why don't you help her? Where is she?"

One of the courtiers looked very disturbed and pointed to a door leading off the hall. "She is there—we cannot help her unless she summons us. It is a very delicate matter involving the Bradhinak Telem Fas Ogdai..."

"You mean he is causing her pain! I will not allow it. I thought you were people of character—but you just stand here ..."

"I told you—the situation is delicate. We feel very deeply ... But etiquette ..."

"To hell with etiquette," I said in English. "This is no time for niceties—Shizala may be in danger."

And with that I strode towards the door he had pointed to. It was not locked and I flung it open.