clenched teeth.
‘Our fortunate, merciful and benevolent ruler, the much-praised, great Governor of Bushtabhar, Sean Murphy, invites the honourable colonel to dinner this evening at the governor’s palace.’ The words barely passed the halfling’s lips.
‘We still have a lot of work ahead of us today, and then some rest after the journey,’ replied Darius. ‘We’ll be busy over the next few days, so it’s hard to say when we’ll be able to accept such a generous invitation.’ Bleist managed to hold back a more scathing remark. ‘Nevertheless, please thank the governor and assure him we shall meet.’ Earl smiled faintly and turned on his heel towards the other end of the corridor. As he walked away, he could still hear a faint argument behind him. Oh, how good it is that someone else will deal with that buffoon.
Darius hadn’t got very far before stopping at the nearest junction of corridors, out of the chamberlain’s sight. He breathed heavily and glanced at the Guards who were following him step for step. Perhaps it was for the best that he couldn’t quite make out their faces at that moment. He merely shook his head and leaned against the cool wall.
‘Colonel, please forgive me for interrupting.’ Lieutenant Al-Satar emerged from behind the bend with a somewhat grim expression. ‘I think it will take your deputy quite some time yet to get rid of Burtch. That halfling can be a terrible nuisance.’ The garrison commander seemed to want to apologise, but in truth he didn’t really have anything to apologise for. ‘Allow me to be your guide, and someone else will escort the corporal. Please, come along.’ A slight, though this time genuine, smile appeared on his face.
Bleist had no objection, so he accepted the offer, and within moments they were climbing the narrow steps of the tower that jutted out furthest towards the lake, or so the lieutenant’s explanations suggested. All the while, they passed massive doors leading to the lower floors, until finally, at the top of the stairs, they found the bedroom that had been prepared earlier.
