Gondabad rose from the shimmering heat like a ship appearing over the horizon. For a while, the fort seemed to float by itself with the haze hiding the houses below, and then, one by one, minarets and temples appeared. The city itself was last, with the homes of the people barely seen and gold mohur trees eye-catching bright, as the coppersmith birds clattered relentlessly.
"There we are again," O"Neill said as they halted. "Gondabad."
Jack nodded. "I hope Elliot is safe." He pushed aside the thought of Mary. He knew she was used to the company of soldiers, but he didn"t like to think of her surrounded by the desperate men of the 113th.
"Lieutenant Elliot is a fine officer, sir," O"Neill said. "He"ll take care of your men." He hesitated for only a second. "Miss Lambert will be safe as w
