Chapter five
Zena Iztar advises me in King Genod’s palaceI had been a seaman in the late eighteenth-century navy of England, Nelson’s navy, and an education does not come much harder than that. I had been a slave, whipped and beaten and slaving all the hours of the day. I had been a prince, living in luxury, a king, even, leading my ferocious warriors to victory.
Also, I had been a spy, acting a part to steal away secrets from a hostile nation.
As Gafard critically appraised the preparations made for my dress and appearance, and counseled me, sagely, on how to conduct myself during the audience, I reflected that I had had enough experience to pass off this coming ordeal without trouble.
But for all my protestations to myself, for all my newly won wisdom, for all my concern lest I had l
