Orbar grinned evilly. "A knife in the dark...." He let his voice trail off meaningly.
"You are a fool!" growled the new king. "Her uncle and his men would be at our gates within two moons. I dare not risk—"
He broke off as an under-priest came hurriedly from across the room and bowed before him.
"What is it, Baltor?"
"The three nobles of Ammad are here, asking that you see them."
Pryak sighed. Here were others he must treat with deference, lest his failure to do so cause international complications. He was beginning to understand that even an all-powerful monarch must recognize the importance of individuals other than himself. He felt vaguely distressed....
"Bring them to me, here," he said.
A moment later Jotan, Tamar and Javan approached the seated men and bent their heads in formal recognition.
"How may I, king of Sephar and Voice of the God, serve our noble visitors?" asked the arch-priest loftily.