"I'm not sure. They could have left early this morning, but I think not."

"Where are they staying?"

"Ah—there you have it, if you seek the prisoners. The Argzoon warriors seem to be of high rank. They are guests of our city's noble Bradhi."

"Your Bradhi-not Chinod Sai?"

"Yes. He has now chosen to call himself the Bradhi Chinod Sai. Narlet is becoming respectable, eh? He is one of your peers now, Bradhinak Darnad—not so?"

"The scoundrel. He gives himself airs."

"Perhaps," said old Belet Vor musingly, "but I seem to remember that many of the established nations in these parts had origins similar to ours."

Darnad laughed shortly. "You have me there, Belet Vor—but that's for posterity. I know Chinod Sai for a blood-thirsty slayer of women and children."

"You do him an injustice." Belet Vor grinned. "He has killed at least one youth in a fair fight."

Darnad turned to me, speaking seriously. "If these Argzoon have Chinod Sai's protection, then we will have greater difficulty getting Shizala—and this other woman—out of their power. We are in a bad position."

"I have a suggestion, if you will hear it," Belet Vor insinuated.

"I'll listen to anything reasonable," said Darnad.

"Well—I would say that the Argzoon and their ladies are guesting in the special chambers set aside for sudden visitors of some standing."

"What of it?" I said, a trifle tersely.

"Those chambers are conveniently placed on the ground floor. They have large windows. Perhaps you could help your friends without—er—actually disturbing our royal Bradhi?"

I frowned. "But aren't they guarded?"

"Oh, there are guards surrounding the great Bradhi's palace at intervals. He fears, possibly, that there may be robbers in these parts—such little faith does he have in his subjects."

"How would we enter the guest rooms without the guards seeing us?" I rubbed my chin.

"You would have to dispose of them—they are very alert. After all, some of the best thieves of the Crimson Plain have tried to help themselves to Chinod Sai's booty from time to time. A few have even succeeded. Most have helped decorate the city walls—or at least their heads have."

"But how could we silence the guards easily?"

"That," said Belet Vor with a wink, "is where I can help you. Excuse me." He got up and hobbled from the room.

"I think he's a likeable old bandit, don't you?" Darnad said when Belet Vor had left.

I nodded. "But he puts himself in danger, surely, by helping us. If we are successful this Chinod Sai's men are bound to suspect that he had a hand in it."