salutes and passwords with the imperial troops, and formed up in the centre of
the courtyard. Attended by two armed orderlies. Commander Nizharu formally
recognized his successor and took station at his side for the governor’s
inspection. As soon as it was over, the departing troops would retire by squads
” and march away with flying colours-Less than ten minutes later, amid a ripple
of applause at the precision drill of the Hell Hounds, the prince was leaving
the parade ground arm-in-arm with Nizharu. The latter was being posted back to
the capital, but five of his comrades were to establish a bodyguard of local
soldiers for the governor, trained to imperial standards.
So rumour said. Rumour had been known to lie.
With some care arid ingenuity, Melilot had smiled and shoved his way to the
front of the crowd, and as the two approached and all were bowing, he said very
loudly and clearly, ‘Why, commander! What good luck! Now is my chance to return
the scroll you dropped yesterday morning!’
Nizharu had raised his visor because of the heat. It could clearly be seen that
his face grew pasty-pale. ‘I I know nothing of any scroll!’ he barked as soon
as he could gather his wits.
‘No? Oh, in that case, if it isn’t yours, I’m sure the prince will accept it
from me with a view to tracing its rightful owner!’
Fat though he was, Melilot could act briskly when he must. He whipped the scroll
from under his robe and thrust it into Jarveena’s eager hand. A heartbeat later,
she was on her bended knee before the prince, gazing up into his handsome,