Alurna nodded. "I shall leave that up to you. You are known to the guards there; find one you can trust and enlist his aid. Promise him much, but tell him no more than is necessary."
Meltor got to his feet. His face had resumed its habitual lack of expression.
"Your orders shall be carried out, daughter of Urim," he said flatly. "I will report to you, here, when I have finished."
The door closed behind him.
CHAPTER VIII
Abduction
The humid heat of early afternoon hung in shimmering waves over Sephar's walls and buildings of stone. Except for an occasional perspiring warrior or slave, hurrying on some urgent mission, the broad avenues were quite deserted.
In a palace wing containing the female slave quarters, Dylara and Nada were together. The daughter of Majok lay stretched at full length on her bed, hands locked beneath her head, drowsily watching a patch of sunlight near the ceiling. Nada nodded sleepily on a low stool near the bed.
Dylara yawned audibly to break the silence. She rolled over and touched the older woman on one arm.