King did not answer.
“Dost understand?”
King murmured something unintelligible.
“Otherwise, I and my men will storm Khinjan, and she and thou shall go down into Earth's Drink lashed together!”
King shuddered, not because he felt afraid, but because some instinct told him to make the mullah think him afraid. He was far too interested to be fearful.
“Ye shall both be tortured before the plunge into the river! She shall be tortured in the Cavern of Earth's Drink before the men!”
King shuddered again, this time without an effort. He could imagine the thousands watching grimly while the flayer used his knife.
“I have men in Khinjan! I have as many as she! On the day I march there will be a revolt within. She would better agree to terms!”
King lay looking at him, like a prisoner on the rack undergoing examination. He did not answer.
“Write thou a letter. Since she loves thee, state thine own case to her. Tell her that I hold thee hostage, and that Khinjan is mine already for a little fighting. In a month she can not pick out my men from among her own. Her position is undermined. Tell her that. Tell her that if she obeys she shall have India and be queen. If she disobeys, she shall die in the Cavern of Earth's Drink!”