Ogier spoke first, introducing Blade, and then stood back. Thane stared at Blade, still not rising, and if there was no overt disrespect in his tone and mien, neither was there respect. Blade was secretly amused, and not displeased. He did not want a serf. And it was evident that Thane could draw the line just short of insolence.

«So you are the babe grown to a man so soon, eh? I have been wanting to see with my own eyes, for one must be a fool to believe these Zirnians. But now I see and I must believe. But how, I ask? I would give a lot to know the trick.»

Blade smiled. «So said the High Priest Casta.»

Thane scowled and smashed at the table with a huge fist. «Do not speak to me of that black corpse. It sickens me to think of him. But he is a brain-picker for all that-I admit it. He is always after my secrets. Not that I tell him. I lie to him. Not that he believes me. Aha, what games we play, the crow and me!»

Blade sat down and poured himself a cup of wine. Ogier looked on, arms crossed on his barrel chest, and refused drink. «One of us must stay sober,» he commented dourly. «This is not a time for drinking, Blade. It is a time for thought and preparation.»

Blade grinned and winked at Thane. «I know, Ogier. I will have but the one cup. And why am I here, if not for thought and preparation?» Thane drank off his wine and splashed his cup full again. «You speak like a warrior, Blade, and you look like a warrior. Are you one?»

«I am,» said Blade mildly. «As time will prove. And it is of war that I came here to speak, Thane.»

Thane belched. «You want something of me, then? I thought so. What is it?»

«I plan to invade the Hitts. I need an engineer. I will make you a Captain and you will have full authority in your field, also a full share of loot and treasure.»

Thane shook his head. «I am well enough here. Anyway, the work is not finished yet. Now that the old man is dead I would like to finish it quickly, even though he will never see it.»

«I could command you,» said Blade softly, «but I will not. An unwilling man gives poor service. But hear me out. There is no great hurry to finish the block. The Izmir will sleep as peacefully. Whereas I would take the Hitts off balance and strike as swiftly as possible after my preparations are made. I plan to build a pontoon over the narrow water so I will not have to depend on boats or wind.»

Thane began to laugh. He spilled wine into his chest hair and daubed at it and roared. «A pontoon? A bridge? Aha-ho-ho-it has been tried, Blade. It failed. The Hitts swam out and cut it in the middle and those Zirnians who did not drown were slaughtered when they reached land. Ho-ho-ho- A pontoon! You will have to do better than that.»

Blade glanced at Ogier. The Captain nodded. «It is so. Some half-dozen years ago. The last time the Izmir tried to tame the Hitts.»

Thane drank wine and roared on, slapping a leg like an oak limb. «You may be a warrior, Blade, but you are no general. You do not interest me. You have no ideas. You will never beat the Hitts.»

«I will beat the Hitts.» Blade was calm. «I said to hear me out. I plan to build two pontoons-one with much bustle and show above the water. The other pontoon-the one we will use-will be built at a distance from the first and it will be a foot below the water. It will be built at night and in secrecy. But it will be difficult, such a task, and very likely beyond your powers, Thane. I will find another man. Thank you for the wine. Come, Ogier, it is time we rode back and-«

Thane was staring at Blade. The big blond man smiled and slapped at the table, sending a pool of wine splashing.

«Two pontoons, eh? One as a feint, a decoy, and the other under the surface? By the gods-I never thought of that. It might work. But you are right-it will be a hard task.»

«Probably impossible,» agreed Blade. «Forget it, Thane. I dreamed. I doubt that it can be done. Not even by you. So-«

Thane regarded Blade for a moment with a scowl. Then he laughed and filled his cup again. «I know your method, Blade, and how you seek to lure me. I am not fooled, not taken in. But it can be done. It is a challenge and I will undertake it-as soon as I am sober.»

«When will that be?»

Thane waved his wine cup. «In a day or so. I am in mourning for the Izmir.»

Blade smiled. «That is as good an excuse as any.»

«Yes. When the time comes I will build your two pontoons for you. But there will be a price.»

«Name it, Thane.»

The Hitt put his elbows on the table and leaned over it. His breath came wine-laden to Blade.

Thane leered. «Has Ogier told you of why I fled my own country?»

«Not I,» said Ogier. «How could I? You never told me.»

Thane looked puzzled for a moment and scratched at his yellow mane. «I didn't? No, I suppose not. I was too busy trying to save my head. Well, no matter-here is the truth of it. There was a woman. Her name was Trosa and she was wife to Galligantus, chief Captain to Loth Bloodax. But she was my woman first and loved me and I her, but when Galligantus asked for her she was given. I had no say. Loth Bloodax rules the Hitts. I offered to fight for her, but Bloodax would not permit it, the truth being, of course, that he knew I would slay Galligantus and he would be out a Captain. Oh, Galligantus is a great warrior and a fine Captain, I give him that, but I would have slain him just the same. I was in love and would have found the skill and strength in that love. But Bloodax refused to sanction the duel. So I had to let Trosa go. But I did not give her up, if you take my meaning?»

Blade and Ogier exchanged glances. Blade nodded. «I take your meaning, Thane. The story is somewhat familiar.»

«Ah? Mayhap, but not to me. Anyway I did not give up my Trosa. Whenever Galligantus was away, I was in her bed. Somehow it was sweeter so.»

Ogier laughed harshly. «And you were caught?»

Thane nodded and reached for the wine again. There were tears in his eyes now and he spilled wine as he drank.

«Aye, I was caught. Among the Hitts the punishment for adultery is to be torn apart by horses. I was made to watch the death of my Trosa. She was put naked into a public place and beaten to death with clubs.»

There was a pause. Thane swilled wine. «That night I escaped and swam over the narrow water …. As far as I know, Galligantus still lives. Promise me his head, Blade, and I will build your pontoons for you. And anything else that needs building.»

«You have it,» said Blade. «If we can come by it. But why Galligantus and not this Loth Bloodax? You say that Bloodax is the ruler of the Hitts-surely his word was the last?»

«No.» Thane shook his head, then lowered it to the table, cushioned on his thick arms. «No. Bloodax left it up to Galligantus. His was the last word. He could have spared her. He did not. He struck the first blow.»

Thane began to weep. Ogier signed to Blade and they left the hut. «We had best hurry,» said Ogier. «It will be dark before we get back to the palace. You will, of course, move into the Izmir's palace now?»

Blade had not thought of it, but he nodded assent. He had no real power in Zir yet, but a display of the trappings would do no harm. He drew away and rode alone, thinking hard. Events were rushing on and he must meet them and be ready. And tonight, when the palace was quiet, he must use the crystal, must get in touch with the computer. Diamonds. Mountains of diamonds.