Without appearing to look up, she registered a tiny nod from Melilot. She was toagree with him.

But -

What in the world? Only a tremendous self-control prevented her from lettingfall the document. Merely glancing at it made her dizzy, as though her eyes werecrossing against her will. For a second she had seemed to read it clearly, and aheartbeat later ...

She took a firm grip on herself. 'I believe this to be Yenized, as yoususpected, sir,' she declared.

'Believe?' Aye-Gophlan rasped. 'But Melilot swore you could read it instantly!'

'Modern Yenized I can, captain,' Jarveena amplified. 'I recognize this as a highand courtly style, as difficult for a person like myself as Imperial Rankenewould be for a herdsman accustomed to sleeping with the swine.' It was alwayspolitic to imply one's own inferiority when talking to someone like this.'Luckily, thanks to my master's extensive library, I've gained a wider knowledgeof the subject in recent weeks; and with the help of some of the books he keepsI would expect to get at least its gist.'

'How long would it take?' Aye-Gophlan demanded.

'Oh, one might safely say two or three days,' Melilot interpolated in a tonethat brooked no contradiction. 'Given that it's so unusual an assignment, therewould naturally be no charge except on production of a satisfactory rendering.'

Jarveena almost dropped the scroll a second time. Never in living memory hadMelilot accepted a commission without taking at least half his fee in advance.There must be something quite exceptional about this sheet of paper -

And of course there was. It dawned on her that moment, and she had to struggleto prevent her teeth from chattering.

'Wait here,' the fat man said, struggling to his feet. 'I shall return when I'veescorted the captain out.'

The moment the door closed she threw the scroll down on the table next to the