wrong. Somebody might find signs of invasion back in the temple; the gods alone
knew what lurked in this realm … Yes, Jamie’s judgement might prove mistaken,
but it was the best he could have made.
Servitors appeared, and recoiled from naked steel. And then, and then –
Through a doorway strode Danlis. She led by the hand, or dragged, a half
hysterical Rosanda. Both were decently attired and neither looked abused, but
pallor in cheeks and smudges under eyes bespoke what they must have suffered.
Cappen came nigh dropping his spear. ‘Beloved!’ he cried. ‘Are you hale?’
‘We’ve not been ill-treated in the flesh, aside from the snatching itself,’ she
answered efficiently. ‘The threats, should Hazroah not get his way, have been
cruel. Can we leave now?’
‘Aye, the soonest, the best,’ Jamie growled. ‘Lead them on ahead, Cappen.’ His
sword covered the rear. On his way out, he retrieved the spear he had left.
They started back over the garden paths. Danlis and Cappen between them must
help Rosanda along. That woman’s plump prettiness was lost in tears, moans,
whimpers, and occasional screams. He paid scant attention. His gaze kept seeking
the clear profile of his darling. When her grey eyes turned towards him, his
heart became a lyre.
She parted her lips. He waited for her to ask in dazzlement, ‘How did you ever
do this, you unbelievable, wonderful men?’
‘What have we ahead of us?’ she wanted to know.
Well, it was an intelligent query. Cappen swallowed disappointment and sketched
the immediate past. Now, he said, they’d return via the gate to the dome and