But this was the most interesting thing to happen in many days, and Hakem Rafi was not about to let it pass without learning what it was about. “There can be no harm in talking to him,” he said, “as long as you remain ready to protect me in case of trouble.”
“I’m here to protect you as I swore upon my oath to do, O noble master.”
Thus assured, the thief leaned out the window and yelled to the figure below him, “I, Hakem Rafi, am master of this palace. What business brings you to trespass on my grounds?”
“I come on a matter of greatest urgency, O Hakem Rafi: the matter of Aeshma, chiefest of the daevas and satrap of the demons of the Pits of Torment.”
Hakem Rafi was immediately defensive. “What do you know of such things?”
“I know he is with you and that you make use of his power,” Aka
