The old man had a habit of stroking his great nose with a finer. He did so now, staring at Blade. Then he laughed.

«You give cold comfort, Blade. But perhaps even that is for the best-if I were young again I would likely be at your throat. And certainly I would not share my harem with you. So be it. As a young man and an old, dying man, we can get along. And I have a strong will-I shall use it to stay alive until I have seen certain things come to pass. Now, about the conquest of the Hitts. .»

Later the Izmir departed and Blade was left alone in his palace, as he had known he must be eventually. Ogier remained, and his dozen men, and Blade saw to their posting. He and Ogier supped together. They washed in scented water and sat at a great table and were served by soft-footed servants. Ogier, a rough man better suited to barracks than palaces, was still proud and somewhat vain, and tried hard to conceal his awe of Blade.

Blade sought to put the Captain at his ease. They talked for a time about the Hitts, the savages who lived over the narrow water, and the Captain was not very hopeful.

«The Izmir talks much of subduing them,» he said, «but I have been fighting Hitts all my life and I do not think it can be done. They never surrender and they are better soldiers than the Zirnians. The narrow water protects them and their country is a nightmare of rocks, ravines, crags and mountains. Wheeled vehicles are useless and it is difficult to deploy troops. They do not give battle in the ordinary manner, but resort to one ambush after another. My advice to you, Blade, though it may be treason, is to coddle the old man with promises until he dies-which should not be long-and stay away from the Hitts.»

Ogier gnawed a bone thoughtfully. «You could pretend to make invasion preparations, of course. The Army is in sore state and badly needs work and discipline. Do all this, and let it be seen and known, and you can only profit by it. You might even worry the Hitts a little. But do not venture beyond the narrow water. It would only mean defeat and give Casta a chance to gloat and point you out as a failure and an imposter.»