Part 41 (1/2)

The two scouts looked at each other. At last they shook their heads together, like two puppets with the same master.

”It is not forbidden.”

”Then I ask you, in the name of the master's victory, to take me to him.”

Yet another long silence followed. This time it ended without words.

The two scouts grunted and together turned away eastward, beckoning Yakoub to follow.

Khezal pushed himself back from the table and began to pace up and down the chamber. Outside, the villagers camped in Fort Zheman had begun to lose their fear and find their tongues. Women quarreled over a place in the line for water, children shrieked in delight or wailed for their parents, dogs barked and howled.

”Thank the G.o.ds we were able to keep what livestock they brought outside,” Khezal said. He strode to the window and slammed the shutter.

”They may not survive the coming of the de-the Transformed. But this is a fort I have to defend, not the Royal Menagerie!

”I'll have to send them on to Haruk when I've called in all the outpost garrisons. There won't be room and we'd be courting fevers and fluxes.

The G.o.ds have spared us that, so far.”

”What does Mughra Khan say to all this?” Illyana asked. ”Not that I complain, you understand. You are a gift from the G.o.ds, compared to Captain Shamil.”

Khezal's face twisted. ”I have looked into Shamil's letters. He was so deep in the toils of those who plot with Lord Houma, the G.o.ds themselves could not have pulled him out! Hie Transformed gave him a more honorable end than he deserved.

”As for Mughra Khan, anything he says will be said after I have done what I know is needed. I have sent the messengers to the outposts this very afternoon. A messenger to Mughra Khan will follow tomorrow.”

Conan laughed. ”I'd wager you'll one day command an army, Khezal. If not, then Turan's wasting a good man.”

”I could do with less praise and more weapons fit to stand against magic,” Khezal said. ”But the Powder of Zayan will be better than nothing. How long will Lady Illyana need, to make enough of it?”

”I will need two days, to enspell sufficient bowls for mixing the Powder,” Illyana said. ”Once the bowls are fit, I must then mix the first bowlful and test it. If that proves fit, I can leave matters in other hands for a month or more. I would urge Maryam, the niece of Ivram, as the best hands.”

”So you cast the spells on the cooking pots, not on the food?” Khezal said.

”Well put. The spell of the Powder is little-known, otherwise we would have much less peril from evil magic. Also, to place it upon the bowls will call less heavily upon the Jewel.”

”What if it doesn't play at all?” Conan put in. The four in the chamber had no secrets, including the self-will of the Jewels.

”Then Fort Zheman must trust to the valor of its men under the leaders.h.i.+p of Captain Khezal,” Raihna said.

”Remember what I said about less praise and more weapons?” Khezal shrugged. ”How long do you need after the Powder is done, before you march into the mountains?”

”A day for the Jewel to regain its strength, another day for gathering mounts and supplies,” Illyana said.

”Tell me what you will need and I will see about gathering it now,”

Khezal said. ”The faster you move, the better your chances of catching Eremius before he returns to his stronghold. If that makes any difference in this kind of war?”

”It does. Thank you, Captain.”

”I'm also sending ten picked veterans with you. Yes, I know the smaller the party, the less chance of discovery. Once you reach the mountains, you can order them to stay behind. But Eremius's scouts, bandits, starving villagers, wild animals-you need guarding against all of these.”

”We do?” Conan growled.

”You do, and more of it than even a Cimmerian can offer,” Khezal said.