The city of Gondabad had long outgrown its walls, sprawling into the surrounding countryside in an array of slum housing and the more impressive dwellings of merchants. Pi-dogs barked at irregular intervals.
With her head covered and a green and red sari extending to her ankles, Mary walked a few steps behind Jack as he walked boldly toward one of the city"s side gates. As a warrior, he adopted a swagger, snarling at anybody who tried to speak to him and spitting betel-nut juice at infrequent intervals. Only when he approached the gate did Jack realise how difficult it might be to get into the city.
Three guards lounged at the gates, two wearing the uniform of Bengal Army sepoys and the third sporting a spiked helmet and a breastplate. The sepoys stepped forward, Brown Bess muskets exten
