Bradan did not want to ask what happened to the men Dhraji rejected. He remained silent. For one moment, he contemplated rushing forward and pushing her out of the window to her death. That would be suicide; that would not help Melcorka.
Dhraji placed both hands on the window ledge. 'I would like you to last a while, perhaps two weeks, three, maybe even longer.' She swung her legs from side to side. 'Do you like me, Bradan?'
'You don't have to ask,' Bradan said.
'I do have to ask.' Dhraji slid off her perch. 'You should hate me for what I have done to you and Melcorka.'
Bradan held her eyes as he smiled. 'There are compensations.' He tried to sound casual. 'Is Melcorka still alive?'
Standing at the window so that the light silhouetted her, Dhraji shrugged. 'I believe she is. I will ask my question a second time; I do not ask things thrice. Do you like me, Bradan?'
'More than like,' Bradan said.
'I wonder.' Dhraji remained where she was, with Bradan unable to see her face against the bright sky, or discern her expression. 'I wonder if you do, or if you are lying to me.'
'I could prove it if you like,' Bradan said brightly. 'I can think of a way.'
'No.' Dhraji stepped away and walked around the room, so Bradan had to turn to look at her. 'That is lust. Men can lust after anything that even hints of a female.' She stopped and put both hands on Bradan's shoulders. 'You should hate me, Bradan and you probably do hate me.' Her laugh broke the mood. 'Even if you do, there is nothing you can alter. Come with me, Bradan. I want you. No! Wait!' Dhraji changed her mind and held up a hand. 'Look down below.'
A column of Thiruzha warriors marched across the square, faces to the front and each carrying a long spear, a circular shield and a slightly curved sword.
'We don't have much time.' Dhraji was smiling again. 'What do you think of my soldiers, Bradan? How do they compare to your warriors from the West?'
'Your fighting men seem very skilled,' Bradan said. 'However, I have not seen them fight real soldiers so I cannot compare them with the men from Alba.'
Dhraji's smile broadened. 'Our men are as good as any warrior the Chola Empire can produce, and the Chola soldiers are the best in the world.'
'Are they that good?'
'The Chola Empire is expanding and will continue to expand.' Dhraji led him out of the room and into her bedchamber, with the leopard following, its paws noiseless on the thick carpet. 'It controls the southern half of the Bharata Khandan peninsula and half the island of Ceylon, while Chola fleets are continually probing south into the ocean and east toward China.'
Bradan did not admit that he had never heard of the Chola Empire until the last few days. He watched as Dhraji poured them both a drink of some clear liquid. She handed a silver cup to him and drank from a golden goblet, set around with pearls.
'Drink, Bradan. It will increase your lust. We don't have much time for dalliance.'
'I don't need this when I am with you,' Bradan said.
Dhraji smiled to him across the rim. 'How much can I trust you, I wonder?' She shifted slightly, deliberately allowing her legs to rub against his. 'How much, Bradan?'
'As much as you wish,' Bradan said.
Dhraji sipped again, rubbing her foot the length of Bradan's leg. 'I wonder.'
'You have no need to fear me.' Bradan spoke only the truth.
As she put down her goblet, Dhraji altered her smile to something far more serious. 'I do not understand you, Bradan. You are unlike any man I have ever met before.'
Bradan said nothing.
'You are not a warrior, you are not a priest. You are not a farmer, or a landowner, or a dancer, or a bard. What are you, Bradan?'
'I am a wanderer,' Bradan said. 'I seek knowledge.'
'Why?'
'To find out why we are here.' Bradan said. 'I seek knowledge to find out why people exist in this world and to see strange things and different cultures.'
Dhraji seemed amused. 'Have you found out yet, why we are here?'
'No, my Lady.'
'Then I shall tell you.' Dhraji scratched the head of the leopard, which lay purring at her feet. 'People are here for my pleasure and entertainment.' She flicked her head forward, so stray strands of hair shaded her eyes. 'What do you think of that, Bradan?'
'As long as you are happy, my Lady, I have no objections.'
'Do you plan to kill me while I sleep?' Dhraji pushed the leopard away.
'I have no plans to kill you or anybody else.'
Dhraji shook her head slowly. 'I believe you, Bradan. Except for priests, I have never met a man who was less violent than you. I have no reason to be afraid at all.' She looked up sharply as somebody knocked at the door. 'Who is there?'
The female guard was tall and capable-looking. Her eyes flicked to Bradan and away again. 'The border patrol reports a body of Chola cavalry outside Rajgana pass.'
'What sort of cavalry? Who are they?' It was the first time Bradan had seen Dhraji even slightly agitated.
'Seventeenth Troop,' the guard said. 'They've moved closer to the pass since our raid.'
'Who leads them?' Dhraji seemed to have forgotten that Bradan was present.
'We don't know his name,' the guard said. 'He was a young officer with no reputation.'
Dhraji visibly relaxed. 'All right. Who brought the news?'
'The captain of the roving patrol, Highness.'
'Wait here. I will speak to this captain.' Dhraji hurried from the chamber, still holding the goblet in her hand. The leopard followed, its tail swishing slowly from side to side.
The guard took up position inside
