“Never mind. I take your point.” But Balastro didn’t look or soundhappy about taking it. “I remind you, though, your Excellency, that you werenot allied to any of those kingdoms at the time.”

“As I have told you before, we are your allies, we are yourcobelligerents against Unkerlant, but we are not your servants or your slaves,”Hajjaj replied. “If you try to treat us as if we were, we shall have to see howlong we can remain your allies.”

“If you bring in spies and enemies, we shall have to see whetherwe want you for allies,” Balastro said. “Remember how many dragons you havefrom us, and how many behemoths; remember how our dragonfliers help ward yourskies. If you want to face Unkerlant on your own ...” He shrugged.

Would Mezentio make good on such a threat? He might, and Hajjajknew it; the Zuwayzi foreign minister dared not underestimate the hatred theKing of Algarve had for Kaunians. “How long ago were you begging us for morehelp here in the north?” Hajjaj asked. “Not very, as I recall.”

“We didn’t get much of it, as I recall.” Balastro leaned forwardagain, this time with keen interest. “Might we get more, in exchange forlooking the other way at certain things you do?”

Algarvians were good at looking the other way when there werethings they didn’t want to see. Hajjaj usually found that trait dismaying. Nowhe might be able to use it to Zuwayza’s advantage. “That could be a bargain, orthe start of one,” he said, hoping to escape this dilemma with honor after all.

Skarnu’s world had shrunk to the farm where he lived with Merkelaand Raunu, the hamlet of Pavilosta, and the roads between those places. He’dhad little reason and less chance to go far astray since washing up on thefarm, one more piece of flotsam tossed adrift as Valmiera foundered.