They sat on horseback as the column continued its steady progress toward Ghazni, with the fertile Logar valley around and the sun already clear of the horizon. The heat rose with the dust, and the men marched silently except for the rhythmic thump of boots.
“I gave my word,” Jack said.
“You are putting Paythan honour before your duty,” Burridge pointed out.
“Pashtun honour is similar to British honour in this respect,” Jack said. “I gave my word to give hospitality to the first person to ask for it.”
“That Timuri fellow used you,” Burridge said. “He knew that woman, Zufash, needed help.”
“That could be true,” Jack agreed, “but Armaghan also saved my life. I owe him a debt.”
“I wonder what he gets out of this,” Burridge said, “or is that woman spying for Zamar Khan and Ayub Khan?”
Ja
