"Sorcery?" Saliman was genuinely astounded.
"Aye," Jubal nodded grimly. "As I said, I have little taste for the option, butit's still an option nonetheless . . . and perhaps better than death ormaiming."
"Perhaps," the aide said with a grimace. "Very well, I'm off to follow yourinstructions."
"Saliman," the slaver called him back. "Another instruction: when you speak toBalus-trus don't reveal our hiding place. Tell him I'm somewhere else-in thecharnel houses. I trust him no more than you do."
* * *Jubal bolted awake out of his half-slumber, his dagger once again at the ready.That sound- nearby and drawing closer. Pulling himself along the floor towardthe doorway the slaver wondered, for the first time, just whose hovel Salimanhad hid him in. He had assumed it was abandoned-but perhaps the rightful ownerwas returning. With great care he poked his head out the bottom corner of thedoorway and beheld-
Goats.
A sizable herd meandered toward the hut, but though they caught the exgladiator's attention, they did not hold it. Two men walked side-by-side behindthe animals. One was easily recognized as Saliman. The other's head came barelyto Saliman's shoulder and he walked with a rolling, bouncy gait.
Jubal's eyes narrowed with suspicion and puzzlement. Whatever Saliman's reasonfor revealing their hideaway to a goat-herd it had better be a good one. Theslaver's mood had not been improved by the time the men reached the doorway. Ifanything it had darkened as two goats strayed ahead of the rest of the herd andmade his unwilling acquaintance.
"Jubal," Saliman declared, hardly noticing the goats that had already enteredthe hovel. "I want you to meet-"
"A goat-herd?" the slave spat out. "Have you lost your mind?"