Liuderis shrugged. "I am merely a simple soldier doing my duty. I do not understand these . . . ah . . . devices. Perhaps they will work as you say. But I could not take the . . . ah . . . responsibility for permitting them."
"Then you won't withdraw your order?"
"No. If you want permission, you will have to see the king."
"But, my dear sir, I can't spare the time to go running up to Ravenna—"
Another shrug. "All one to me, my good Martinus. I know my duty."
Padway tried guile. "You certainly do, it seems. If I were the king, I couldn't ask for a more faithful soldier."
"You flatterer!" But Liuderis grinned, pleased. "I regret that I cannot grant your little request."
"What's the latest war news?"
Liuderis frowned. "Not very—But then I should be careful what I say. You are a more dangerous person than you look, I am sure."
"You can trust me. I'm pro-Gothic."