“My summons hence is hourly expected. I am already of the Brotherhood. Seest thou the sign manual given by Akaza?”
He held up his hand while Orondo inspected the ring.
“Runners were dispatched down the coast to communicate with the balsas coming in from Atlantis, but no answer was possible before my departure.”
“Alcamayn desires speech with the Servitor Yermah,” announced a tamane, answering a command to enter.
“Direct him here,” said Yermah. “Thou hast not seen him since coming?” he asked Orondo.
When the two men had exchanged greetings, Alcamayn refused to disturb the conference.
“My only office was to bring tidings from the far north. Cezardis of the Mazamas is here, more dead than alive from hardships unparalleled, and begs thou wilt give him leave to remain in Tlamco.”
“Willingly. But how fares his countrymen?”
“They are sore oppressed by the elements, especially by ice and snow, and there is only a handful of them left. The land of Ian is forever separated from this continent. An arm of the sea lies between them.”
“Setos, come in! Thou art most welcome,” said Orondo, catching a glimpse of him through the open doorway.