“But yes, san,” said Urfenger, turning those white crescents of eyes upon the Lohvian sorcerer. “It touches us deeply. We must assist the emperor.”
“If they are Shanks or devils from Menaham, we must hunt them all down!” roared Loriman.
I said: “A Vallian air fleet has been hunting these Shanks. If a message can be got to them...”
“That is beyond my powers,” said Urfenger.
Loriman, Lady Lara and I looked at Mergondon.
He said: “I do nothing without the authority of the sana.”
“But—” I began.
“Queyd-arn-tung!”[5]
“Hursey,” rapped out Loriman. “Carry this news to the Sana Csitra. Hurry!”
“At once, pantor.”
So, there we all waited like patients outside a dentist’s door until the great sorceress made her entrance.
She had changed into a gown of crimson and gold, all glitter and slid
