Slave of Sarma

Blade, who worked out with battle axe and mace and lance in London, where most men chose te

The cold dark eyes studied him. The thin mouth did not smile. "That is not possible. I take you to Sarmacid on the orders of the Queen. She is quite anxious to see you, for a reason you will know soon enough. And in Sarmacid you will be given a chance to show off your skill and strength. You are to fight in the games when Otto the Black comes to the city. If it were not for that, and her Majesty's wish, you would now be as dead as Moka

Blade glanced at the cowering Pelops. The little man shook his head at Blade. Blade winked again and stared back at Equebus.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Equebus took a narrow scroll of parchment from his pocket and began to read the chicken tracks that passed for writing in Sarma. Pelops had begun to teach Blade to read and write in Sarmaian, but they had not made much progress yet.

Equebus read the scroll in a formal voice of authority. The gist of it was that one Richard Blade, known to be a stranger cast ashore by storm, and now training as a battleman at Barracid, be brought to Sarmacid at once to be held for the pleasure of the Queen.

Equebus smiled at that phrase. Smiled and cast a sly glance at Blade in his chains on the floor. "There is more in that sentence than meets the eye," he said. "Which you will come to know for yourself."

Blade hardly heard him. Zeena had done her work well. Perhaps she had even begun to spread Blade's lie about his twin brother. It would help. Thousands of eyes were better than just two - he might find the Russian agent, his double, if the agent was in this particular Dimension X.

Equebus was still reading. "... said Blade to be handed over on presentation of this scroll by Moka

Blade allowed himself an evil grin, even though it hurt his bruised mouth. "That is not the way Moka

In the corner Pelops groaned and his chains jangled as he made the T sign. Blade smiled at him. "Stop worrying, little man. It's going to be all right. You heard the Captain - we're under the Queen's protection."

Equebus tossed the scroll away. "You are right, Blade. There was another plan. Before the rider brought this message in the Queen's own name. Until that time I had only received flag signals to find you. Which I did."

Blade had figured it out long ago. "So you cooked up a little scheme with Moka

Equebus stood up and kicked away the stool. His smile was superior. "Moka

Equebus clapped his hands. Armed men came into the hut to hustle Blade and Pelops away.

Blade pointed to the little man. "What of Pelops? He is servant to me, and also friend. I would have him well treated."

The Captain's shoulders moved in a contemptuous shrug. "I care nothing for servants and slaves, even school teachers. He will be well treated - as well treated as you are."

There was, Blade thought, something ominous about those last words.