Chapter eighteen
The Queen’s Kaidur“Not so well, Chaadur,” said Cheldur Adria. “Not so well, by Kaidun!”
“Then it is opportune I have come back—”
“More fool you!”
“Mayhap, Cleitar, mayhap. But there is a task set to my hands.”
We walked toward the local drinking den. Cleitar Adria, because of his position, could ease me back, saying in explanation that my absence had been caused by illness. There was, in these latter days of the Jikhorkdun, a certain laxness which worked to my advantage. The needleman was rubbish, as we all knew, and a word or two in the right direction settled that. There was no difficulty in getting myself into the Arena. The problems started when I began to lay out the plan of action.
“But you work for the queen, Chaadur!”
I knew this was going to be tricky. Clei
