Blade gave him a cold glance. He liked Ogier, but had not deemed him so loquacious and opinionated. Best, he thought, to give the man an understanding of affairs here and now.

«I am not an impostor,» Blade said. «I have done what I have done. You saw it. I grew from a babe to a man in thirty days.»

«Yes. I saw it.» Ogier passed a meaty hand over his face and did not look at Blade. «I saw it. I must believe it. I acknowledge you witch or wizard, Blade, and I respect that and will serve you as faithfully as ever I served the Izmir. But all the same I do not think your miracles will work against the Hitts. But that is up to you-you are Blade, the heir and prince to the Izmir. I am but a Captain who obeys.»

Blade pointed a meat knife at him and smiled. «Remember that, Captain, and we shall do well. I command here. Never forget it.»

Ogier raised a goblet of wine. «I shall not. I serve you, Blade.»

The moment of tension passed. Blade shifted the conversation to a topic he knew was dear to any soldier's heart.

«There is something I want you to do for me tonight, Ogier, and in return I will do something for you and your men. It concerns women. Are you interested?»

Ogier wiped his mouth with a hand and grinned. «Women? Of course I am interested. Tell me more of this, Blade.»

«I have a harem,» said Blade, «in which I am not much interested at the moment.»

Ogier stared. «That alone makes you more than mere man. I wish I had a harem. I would be interested.»

«There is a woman named Valli in the Izmir's harem,» Blade explained. «I want you to find her and bring her to this palace tonight. You may tell the old man if you wish-or I will. I do not think he will mind when matters are explained to him.»