'Every time I've seen her.'
'I want her moved to better accommodation,' Bradan said. 'I want a clean dungeon at least, with fresh straw and daily food and fresh water.' Bradan knew the jailer would have no power to release Melcorka. 'Can you do that?'
'I could, but why should I?' The jailer sized Bradan up with a single look and shrugged. 'You have no authority over me. You're a slave, while she's just a foreign prisoner. Either she'll die soon, or my Lord Bhim will order her executed.'
'Will Lord Bhim order her to kiss the elephant's foot?' Bradan asked.
'No!' The jailer shook his head as if that idea was amusing. 'She's not important enough for a public execution.' He indicated the heavy club at his belt. 'I'll come in and finish her off.'
Bradan shuddered. The thought of his Melcor
