Slave of Sarma

Blade was puzzled. What was the man getting at?

He crossed his arms on his chest and met Moka

"You have come a long dusty way, Moka

Moka

Blade waited patiently. He was curious - and alert. They were alone on the vast plain. Moka

Moka

Moka

Blade barely kept the sneer from his voice. He did not really want to push the man too far at this time. His own position was not a strong one.

So he muted it. "I trust no man. Say what you must and leave me alone."

Moka

"I come here that we may speak in secret, Blade. There is a man called Equebus. You know of him?"

Blade's puzzlement increased. Equebus, the Captain of the Slave Patrol? The same who had made the pass at Zeena on the beach and been lashed with a riding crop for his pains? What had Equebus to do with him?

He nodded. "I know of the man. What matter?"

Moka

Blade smiled coldly. "So? In my land a man is known by his enemies."

Moka

"He comes a little late for that," said Blade. And could have kicked himself. It was a mistake.

Moka

Blade waited. He was still puzzled as to Moka

Suddenly the other man went into a gale of rough laughter. He slapped his hairy thigh with the whip. "Equebus is not going to like this when he knows - unless he already knows, or guesses, which is possible. But it still changes nothing, Blade. Equebus wants you dead. Last night he promised me money and promotion if I would see to it."

Blade retreated another step. Moka

Blade said: "Are you, Moka

The Captain frowned. He narrowed his eyes in thought. He half drew the sword, then thrust it back into the scabbard with a clang.

"I am tempted," he said at last. "Vastly tempted, Blade. I have no love for you. But if you are really married to Zeena it makes a difference. Are you?"

Having already made the mistake, Blade decided to gain what he could from it. He nodded. "Yes. I did not lie. By your Sarmaian law we are married."

"Hah!" Moka

Blade nodded curtly. "In part. But I am to be a battleman and fight under Zeena's sponsorship. That is no trick. There will be no begging off. I must earn my way." He did not add that only by so doing would he achieve status and freedom enough to continue the search for his double.

Moka

"A man must choose the wi

Blade smiled and nodded. "If possible. It is not always so easy to know."

Moka

Blade made a mock bow. "I thank you, Moka

The sarcasm was wasted on the Captain. He waved a huge hand. "It is really nothing. But there is a slight problem - I have taken money from Equebus and made him certain promises. But one does not have to honor promises, or return money, to a dead man. You must kill him, Blade. This very night. It will be easy. I have arranged everything."

Blade nodded. "I would have bet on that."

Moka

"I make no promises," said Blade. "But I will listen. Tell me the details of this plan of yours."

Moka

Blade joined him, still wary and keeping his distance. Moka

A faint smile quirked Blade's mouth. "You are an honest rogue, Moka

Moka

"Equebus," explained the Captain. "He is signaling from the black lake, where he and his men are waiting. He will be wanting to know how his plans go."

Blade said nothing. He must take Moka

"It is a simple plan," Moka

"Me?"

"Of course. At least you will be accused of it. I have already paid my spies, with Equebus' money, to swear that it is true - that you are the ring leader. Equebus and his slave patrol will be waiting nearby. You will be taken, the uprising will fail, and you will be executed immediately. It is a good plan, yes?"

Blade agreed. "It was. Until you told me."

"Yes," said Moka

Blade thought a moment. "One thing I do not understand, Moka

Moka

Simple. Blade supposed it was. Zeena, when she arrived in Sarmacid, would find her mother the Queen in full possession of the facts. Possibly mixed with a few lies and some gossip. Well, Zeena would just have to handle it as best she could.

Flags. Poles. A primitive form of communication - and so effective. Blade felt a little stu

He felt uneasy. Matters were begi

"Of course," said Koka