tive answers. First he must
learn what had happened to the missing nobleman. If his death could be
verified--and, of course, Heglar's as well--there was a way to make the
information open to the public. That done, and Vokal would be free to
move up in rank to a place second only to Jaltor himself--as well as
being able to marry Rhoa and recover his thousand tals.

A great deal of careful thought must go into his next move. And so Vokal
left the palace and returned to his home, where, in the quiet of his
private apartment, he would be able to concentrate on these pressing
problems.

* * * * *

When the long hour of public audience was over, Jaltor returned to his
quarters. His step was quick and purposeful and his dark eyes were
alight with an inner excitement.

At the entrance to his apartment, the guard on duty there leaped to
attention at his approach. To him Jaltor snapped, "Find Curzad at once
and inform him I wish to see him immediately."

The guard saluted and went swiftly off along the corridor.

A clay jug of wine, cooling in a low basin of water on one of the tables
of polished wood, caught the monarch's eye. Not bothering to use one of
the several goblets standing nearby, Jaltor swung the jug to his lips
and took a long, satisfying draught on the contents, wiped his lips on
the back of a muscular forearm and began to pace the floor.

A light knock sounded at the door and Curzad, as iron-faced and reserved
as ever, came into the room. He was in the act of closing the door
behind him when Jaltor said, "Wait. Send the guard out there away. I
don't want our conversation overheard, even by the most trustworthy of
your men."

Curzad obeyed, then closed the door and came into the room, standing
there stiff-backed, waiting further orders.

Jaltor jerked a thumb at a chair. "Sit down, my friend, and help
yourself to the wine."

The captain of the palace guards let himself gingerly down into the
luxurious depths of soft upholstery and reached for the wine jug and a
goblet. Most of Ammad's noblemen would have lifted outraged eyebrows at
such familiarity between the world's most powerful monarch and a mere
warrior. But Curzad and Jaltor had fought side by side in many a battle
and through many a campaign, and each honored and respected the other.

The tall broad-shouldered king dropped into a chair across from Curzad
and took up jug and goblet. "Tell me, Curzad, how fares the no