weather broke on the morrow. He was weary, and could smell his own body. He wanted a wash. Then bed. Sleep. Dreams. It had been a long, long day.
'Well,' said Sarazin, 'I'll tell you this, I wouldn't pay much for your advice.'
You're not being asked to,' said Elkin. 'But-' He broke off. Peered into the dark, suddenly intent. Then said, in a loud voice: You! Yes, you! Come here!'
Someone came forward into the lamplight spilling from the library's open door. It was Benthorn.
What were you doing lurking around out there?' said Elkin.
'Just waiting for Sarazin,' said Benthorn. 'I didn't want to disturb you.' You waited all this time?' said Elkin. 'Why?' 'Oh, it's nothing, nothing, just a personal thing.' 'Come inside,' said Elkin. 'Sorry,' said Benthorn, 'but I don't have time.'
'All night to play shadows but not a moment to spare for me? Don't give me that nonsense. Inside!'
Reluctantly, Benthorn came into the library, bringing with him a pervasive smell of dung. Out in the streets his condition could pass without notice, since there were so many stinks and smells in Selzirk. But in enclosed spaces he was positively offensive.
'Did you know Benthorn was waiting for you?' said Elkin. 'No,' said Sarazin. 'So how did he know you were here?' said Elkin. Why, he
… I… I don't know…' 'Is he psychic?' said Elkin.
'My best beloved Benthorn?' said Sarazin, looking his half-brother in the face. Why, no, I don't think so.' Therefore what follows?'
'He… why… perhaps he was following me.' 'Perhaps? Of course! What do you want with Sean Sarazin, boy? Why were you following him? Speak!' Benthorn said:
'I haven't been following Sarazin, but I have been looking for him. I've been hunting for him all over Selzirk. At last I thought of the library here. A servant departing told me he was within. I did not care to disturb him, for my news is for his ears, not all ears.' 'Speak!' said Elkin. Benthorn was silent.
'I've had a long day,' said Sarazin. 'I'm tired, I want to go to bed. I've no time for plots, plans, conspiracies or revela- tions. If my best beloved Benthorn wishes to say something unfit for Elkin's ears them I'm in no mood to hear it.'
Whereupon Benthorn blurted out the truth. Tarkal had kidnapped Lod. Servants had seen Lod – dragged and unconscious – being bundled on to one of the baggage wagons which were going east to Chenameg with the embassy.
'He'll likely be killed!' said Sarazin in alarm. 'He told me often that Tarkal meant to kill him.'
'Now, now,' said Elkin, 'don't over-react. I've heard myself that King Lyra wants Lod back in Chenameg. This is a small city, you know. News travels. Doubtless Tarkal's used methods somewhat underhand simply to get the young scallyway to conform to his father's wishes. We've no proof that murder comes into it.'
'No proof!' said Sarazin. What then is proof? A corpse? Lod's been kidnapped! We must turn out the Watch!'
You cannot,' said Elkin. There is such a thing as diplomatic immunity. Have you never heard of that?'
'It gives no licence for kidnapping,' said Sarazin. We can still rescue Lod, even if we cannot prosecute Tarkal.'
We can do neither legally,' said Benthorn, 'for the law of Selzirk is specific. No person can move against an embassy on any provocation without prior written per- mission from the kingmaker.'
'But that's absurd!' cried Sarazin. 'My mother's gone to Androlmarphos. Tarkal goes east, she goes west – the thing's impossible.'
'By law, yes,' said Benthom. 'But there is another way. I've mustered some friends, good people who owe all manner of debts. We're ready to ride in pursuit. Do you join us?' 'Of course he won't!' said Elkin. But Sarazin said: They left at noon. Could we possibly catch them?'
'My informants say the embassy will have halted for the night at the village of Smork,' said Benthom. 'We can be there long before dawn. We can win Lod's freedom tonight. With swords.' 'Good,' said Sarazin, rising to leave. Then let's be gone.' Elkin caught hold of him.
'Are you both mad?' said Elkin. You're not going anywhere!' 'Are you threatening us?' said Sarazin.
There are ways of handling this old man if he's a danger to us,' said Benthorn.
In the company of youths so reckless and ruthless,' said Elkin, 'I feel like a man environed with dragons. Yet speak I must, regardless of fear. To rush off blindly-'
This has nothing to do with you!' said Sarazin, giving way to his anger. 'Stay out of it, or you'll get hurt. Badly!'
No sooner had he spoken than his body began to grow heavy. He could not see properly. Mists of darkness veiled his eyes, as if the world had become a dream. A millstone was crushing his chest. In panic he kicked and flailed. But his limbs refused him obedience. Then, slowly, the darkness cleared. 'How do you feel?' said Elkin.
'I don't know,' said Sarazin, surprised to find himself on the floor. He got up, slowly. 'I had – I had some kind of turn. I almost felt as if I was going to pass out.'
You did,' said Elkin. You were unconscious long enough for me to have boiled an egg, had I been so inclined.'
The epilepsy!' said Benthorn, in dread. That's what it is! The epilepsy!' T)on't look so scared,' said Elkin. If he did have a touch of the epilepsy, that's nothing to worry about. It's not contagious.' 'But it is!' said Benthorn. 'Fearfully so!'
Benthorn, like most people in Selzirk, believed the epilepsy to be a disease akin to that which sets mad dogs on the growl in the streets with jaws foaming. But Elkin knew better, and managed to assuage Benthorn's fears. Slightly.
'I hope it wasn't the epilepsy,' said Sarazin, not one jot reassured himself. Seeking a more favourable verdict, he said: 'Perhaps it was a stroke. Or a heart attack.'
'You're too young for strokes or heart attacks,' said Elkin. Maybe it's just something you ate. I wouldn't bother about it. Off you go!'
Then – for Sarazin, at least – the world dimmed again. And when it cleared he found himself leaning against the wall. Legs weak, ears ringing, chest tight.
'Perhaps I'd better sit down for a bit,' said Sarazin, for he was trembling, his heart was tottering, and there was sweat cold on his brow. He was afraid he was truly having a heart attack. It no longer seemed so preferable to epilepsy. 'On your bike!' said Elkin.
Or, to quote him in the Galish he used: 'Sam tarn jertotham.' Meaning, literally, 'ride quick this stolen camel'. 'Where's Benthorn?' said Sarazin. Your brother's waiting for you out in the street.'
'How did he get out there? He was standing here just a moment ago. Did I – did I pass out again?'
You did,' said Elkin. If you have another such turn it may be the death of you, particularly if you're riding a horse at the time. But that's your problem, not mine.'
With that, Elkin showed Sarazin out to the street, where Benthorn was indeed waiting. 'Are you all right?' said Benthorn. 'I think so,' said Sarazin. Then let's be going,' said his brother.
And off they went. Sarazin, though unsteady on his feet, durst not complain, lest complaint be taken as proof positive of cowardice.
At Farfalla's palace, half a dozen of Benthorn's friends were waiting, already armed, saddled up and ready to go. It was dark, and Sarazin was introduced to none of them. Yet one betrayed himself by his voice. Qid! Yes, Qid, the man of the Watch who had earlier tried to tangle Sarazin in conspiracy.
A horse was brought for Sarazin and he mounted up. Then they were challenged by a voice from the dark: What's going on here?'
At first, Sarazin thought the voice belonged to Bizzie's husband, Hof-Gof. Then, startled, realised it was Fox who was speaking. Already, Benthorn was explaining. About Tarkal, Lod, Smork. Fox heard him out, then said: You can't do this! It's lunacy! Sarazin! Where are you?' 'Here,' said Sarazin. 'Get off that horse!' said Fox.
'I ride for my friend and my honour,' said Sarazin. 'I'll not be turned from this venture.'
Then Fox tried to use force, but some of Benthorn's men overpowered him before he could grapple with Sarazin. What shall we do with him?' said Qid. TCill him,' said Benthorn, curtly. 'No!' cried Sarazin.
He spoke without thought. Fox was a peasant, true, a breeder of bastards, a political madman and a fool to boot. But Fox was still his father.
