‘That’s right, Zalbar, better keep a leash on your dog there. If you can’t stop
his yapping, I’ll do it for you.’
For a moment Zalbar thought he might have to restrain His friend, but Razkuli
had passed explosive rage. The swarthy Hell Hound glared at Tempus with a deep,
glowering hatred which Zalbar knew could not be dimmed now with reason or
threats. Grappling with his own anger, Zalbar turned, at last, to Tempus.
‘Will you be as arrogant when the prince asks you to explain your actions?’ he
demanded.
‘I won’t have to.’ Tempus grinned again. ‘Kitty-Cat will never call me to task
for anything. You got your way on the Street of Red Lanterns, but that was
before the prince fully comprehended my position here. He’d even reverse that
decision if he hadn’t taken a public stance on it.’
Zalbar was frozen by anger and frustration as he realized the truth of Tempus’s
words. ‘And just what is your position here?’
‘If you have to ask,’ Tempus laughed, ‘I can’t explain. But you must realize
that you can’t count on the prince to support your charges. Save yourselves a
lot of grief by accepting me as someone outside the law’s jurisdiction.’ He
rose, sheathed his sword and started to leave, but Zalbar blocked his path.
‘You may be right. You may indeed be above the law, but if there is a god – any
god – watching over us now, the time is not far off when your sword will miss
and we’ll be rid of you. Justice is a natural process. It can’t be swayed for
long by a prince’s whims.’
‘Don’t call upon the gods unless you’re ready to accept their interference.’