Players of the Game. Graeme Talboys K.

long as we get to eat this.’

      She saw his eyes flicker to the hilts of her own swords where they jutted in their familiar position above each shoulder.

      ‘I see you have as much confidence in their hospitality as me,’ he said in an undertone as he leaned forward for more bread.

      Settling opposite him, she began to load a platter with food, surveying her surroundings as casually as she could. It was a quiet meal after that. They both had the feeling, communicated through looks, that they were being watched, but neither of them could spot from where.

      As if in deliberate confirmation of their suspicions, the moment they pushed their plates away, Laila appeared and cleared the table. And the moment she had disappeared back inside, Tohmarz approached through an arched entrance, followed by a small elderly man in a simple white robe who might easily have been mistaken for a clerk or dockside tallyman were it not for the deference with which a chair was placed for him in the shade of a jasmine-laden bower.

      ‘Will you join me?’ he asked as he sat.

      Alltud and Jeniche had stood when he appeared. As they crossed the garden, Tohmarz set out two more chairs at a small table and Laila re-appeared with a tray of drinks.

      ‘I am Dahbeer.’ He lifted a delicate jug and poured a pale liquid into three glasses as they pulled back the chairs and settled themselves. ‘Lemonade. Always useful to have a drink to hand to cover those awkward silences between strangers.’ He smiled. ‘And you are Jeniche and Alltud,’ he added, nodding to each in turn.

      There was an awkward silence and all three lifted their glasses, sipping the sharp and refreshing drink.

      ‘It would seem that we are to be blessed with some proper sunshine this morning. Shadows on the ground for the first time in a week.’ Alltud and Jeniche exchanged a quick glance, both of them wondering where this was leading. ‘It has not been good for trade, especially in these difficult times. A city full of refugees from the south. Rumours of war. Travellers stuck. Employment difficult to find, particularly for strangers; especially those down on their luck.’

      ‘Or,’ said Alltud, remembering where he had seen that member of the Qasireu’s staff before, ‘those whose luck was lifted along with their purse.’

      ‘Tohmarz,’ called Dahbeer, raising his voice for the first time.

      Tohmarz appeared.

      ‘Please bring our guest’s “lost” property.’

      A few moments later, Tohmarz re-appeared and placed Alltud’s purse on the small table. Alltud left it where it was.

      ‘It is all there,’ said Dahbeer. ‘With a bonus for the inconvenience.’

      ‘You could have just asked,’ said Jeniche. ‘Sent Tohmarz with an offer of work. I assume that’s what is happening here.’

      ‘Do you play chess?’ Dahbeer asked.

      They both shook their heads.

      ‘I have been known to win the odd game of Fidchell,’ said Alltud.

      ‘Ah. Yes. I have read about it.’ An indolent wave of the hand was perhaps meant to indicate an extensive library somewhere within the palace. ‘A similar game. Strategy is important. Keeping your overall plan to yourself whilst testing your opponent, finding their strengths and weaknesses, protecting your king.’

      ‘And how is your game going?’ asked Jeniche.

      ‘Please, do not be annoyed. Consider it part of the interview process. Consider it evidence of how anxious I have been to persuade you here.’

      ‘For what?’

      ‘That is an interesting pair of swords you carry, young woman.’

      The Qasireu reached forward as if he intended to take one of them. Jeniche sat back and Alltud drew his own sword a few inches.

      ‘You would die if you unsheathed it,’ said Dahbeer calmly.

      ‘Then we would make that journey together,’ replied Alltud as calmly.

      Dahbeer was silent a moment, shrewd eyes assessing first Alltud and then Jeniche, the positions in which they had placed their chairs. He nodded slowly. ‘Just as I had been told. Fearless. Loyal.’

      ‘More of your interview?’ asked Jeniche, who drew one of her swords and laid it on the table before the old man had time to react.

      ‘And much quicker than my own people.’

      ‘You placed them in an awkward position. The archer on the roof behind us has the light in his eyes and, since Alltud moved his chair, runs the risk of putting an arrow straight through his intended target and into you.’ She sipped some lemonade. ‘Strategy,’ she added.

      With exaggerated care, Dahbeer picked up the Tunduri sword and spent some time admiring its workmanship. ‘A matched pair?’ he asked, returning it. ‘You have been to Tundur?’

      ‘Why are we here?’ asked Alltud.

      Dahbeer sighed and then smiled. ‘I have an extremely valuable item that must be moved to… a destination in the south.’

      ‘You seem to have an able household,’ said Jeniche. ‘The men we saw with Tohmarz looked capable of guarding something.’

      ‘Oh, they are. But everyone knows them to be my men. Besides, they have another task.’

      ‘A diversion?’ asked Alltud.

      ‘Exactly.’ He looked pleased. ‘I don’t want the people guarding my treasure to be too obviously of my household. That is why I have been recruiting—’

      ‘Mercenaries.’

      ‘Some people are uncomfortable with that term.’

      ‘And what is the going rate for a mercenary in your employ?’

      Dahbeer clapped his hands and Tohmarz appeared. He placed two heavy purses on the small table.

      ‘That,’ said Dahbeer, gesturing to the purses, ‘is half. The other half will be given to you when the item is delivered. All food and equipment will be supplied.’ He became brisk now, as if bored with the game.

      ‘And if we refuse?’ asked Jeniche.

      ‘You are free to do so.’

      She looked at Alltud. They both knew it was no answer. Alltud shrugged. He still wanted to go home, but he knew it would be easier if they weren’t being chased by Dahbeer’s men through the city streets, if they could choose a time of their own to slip away, so he picked up one of the new purses along with his own. He opened it and counted out a sum which he placed beside his glass.

      ‘What is that for?’ asked Dahbeer.

      ‘To pay the owner of the lodging house for our room there.’

      As Alltud answered, Jeniche counted out a sum from her purse.

      ‘And that?’

      ‘For the damage I caused in the laundry.’

      ‘But that has all been taken care of.’

      Jeniche and Alltud stood and returned to their rooms. They left the money on the table.

       Chapter Five

      ‘Who in their right mind tells his plans to strangers and then hires them to protect his treasure on a long journey?’

      Alltud shook his head slowly as he crossed the room to the main door. Satisfied the corridor was empty, he said: ‘No one. The whole thing stinks worse than a fish market at the end of a long, hot day. Unless…’

      ‘What?’