As polite as his tone was, the duke's words made the four eunuchs gasp in astonishment. Speaking to the Emperor without being spoken to first-monstrous! Blade sensed that now Duke Boros' and Tulu's lives as well as his own hung by a very thin and already frayed thread, one that the Emperor could snap for good with a word or a gesture.

The Emperor jerked his head up and down three times, in a grotesque parody of a gracious nod. «We shall hear your words, Lord of Kudai.»

«Your Magnificence is gracious beyond my poor deserts.»

«They are poor indeed. But speak, and we shall give you such attention as you may deserve.»

«This man is a stranger, true. He may or may not be telling the truth. But certainly while be has been within the borders of Saram he has done nothing against your peace, your honor, or any of your subjects. In fact, he did not kill my fighting men Tzimon and Dzhai when he could have done so. Thus he spared at least one good fighter for service against the Steppemen.»

The Emperor's eyebrows rose. «He spared a man he had defeated?»

«Yes, Your Magnificence.»

«It would seem then that this man who calls himself Prince Blade is quite mad. We are thus even more certain that he lies. If there were such a land as England, they certainly would not make madmen princes and send them to us.

«It does, however, seem to us that since he is a madman, he has small ability to do us harm. You say he is strong?»

«I have seldom seen a man so strong, Your Magnificence.»

«Good. Then it is our decree that this 'Prince Blade' be sent to the service of our galleys upon the Silver Sea. Let him use his strength there, and call himself a prince if he wishes. He will do us no injury by it.»

The Emperor pointed at Blade and the four eunuchs stepped forward to surround him and separate him from Duke Boros and Tulu. As they did so, the Emperor went on.