Alfric's eyes traveled down to the two bodies sprawled on the street. Suddenly he laughed, a harsh metallic bark. "Why, in the very lair of the foe!" he said. "As good citizens, it behooves us to join the hunt for the outlaws. Here is suitable clothing for us."
She nodded, and fell at once to stripping the corpses. Alfric looked narrowly at the prisoner. "If you betray us—" he murmured.
"I won't—by the Moons, I swear I won't—"
"Indeed you won't," said Alfric, and lifted sword to cut him down.
Hildaborg sprang up and grabbed his arm. "That's a barbarous trick," she exclaimed angrily. "You need only bind and gag him, and hide him in one of these ruins."
"Why worry about the life of a guardsman?" he asked contemptuously.
Her dark head lifted in pride. "I am Empress of the guardsmen too," she said.
"As you like," shrugged Alfric.
The captive turned a face of utter worship to the woman. "You must secure me," he said, his voice shaking. "But when I am released, my body and soul are yours forever, my lady."