He nodded gravely. «There is some truth in that. And I am willing to meet your priest. When and where?»

She stood up and came close to him. A faint fragrance of flowers came from her and her skin was like milk. He sought for blemishes in that face and found none. Her brow was high, the nose straight and fine with flaring nostrils, her mouth firm and full and moist. Blade felt a renewed stirring in his loins and invoked his will. This woman was dangerous to him in some manner which, at the moment, he did not fully understand. But dangerous she was.

Hirga did not preen for him, did not simper or invite. She stood close and watched him and waited, offering herself with her eyes, and when she saw that he would not succumb she laughed and moved toward the arras and the window.

«Tomorrow when the sun is at the highest. Do you know the Plain of Pyramids?»

Blade nodded. «I have glimpsed them. Nothing more.» He had caught an occasional glance at the great level stretch of land to the south of the palace, dotted with white marble pyramids built as monuments to past rulers of Zir.

«You have seen the unfinished block that the Izmir builds for himself?»

He nodded again. «Once I saw it. I have had little time to explore Zir.»

The old man had explained to Blade: «All the others built small pyramids to themselves. I shall build a square, a stone block that towers to the sky and will cover many cubits. There will be a maze so cunningly wrought that, when I am buried, none will be able to find me and dishonor my bones.»

He thought of this now and smiled. Vanity. Hirga mistook his smile and said, «You need not fear. Casta does not plot treachery. The truth is that he fears you a little, as do I, and he wishes only to talk and come to terms.»

«I will not come alone,» said Blade. «But I will come-to the unfinished monument?»

«Yes. The priests' quarters are there, in the lower half of the structure, and it is there that Casta had been staying this past month while you-«