"There is news of your prey." al-Malik entered the rooms in his house that he had given over to Leah and her companion. His voice cut through the noise of the great market that drifted in through the open windows, borne on the morning breeze.

Leah looked up from the bowl of spiced yoghurt that was her breakfast, and nodded to acknowledge al-Malik's presence. "What do you have to tell us?" she asked the merchant, then spooned another portion of yellow curds into the terracotta dish. al-Malik glanced between her and Hassan, who was sitting across the low table from Leah. "No," Leah said. "We may trust him. He will soon be ours."

al-Malik's expression softened, but there was still a wary look about him. "The wizard and the knight have left Tyre. They are heading eastwards, along the Damascus road. They should be with us in three days."

"Three days?" Leah's mind worked quickly, calculating the distance between the two cities and accounting for the rough terrain between them. "They are not walking nor travelling with a caravan, then?"

"No. They are riding: the knight upon a horse and the wizard upon an ass. They are travelling in disguise."

"The source of this information - you trust them?"

al-Malik nodded. "He is reliable, yes."

"Three days, then. We shall make our preparations." She started on her breakfast again, picking up a ripe fig from the dish in front of her and peeling it. "Make the way ready for them. They are not to be interfered with, but are to be steered towards us. Do you understand?"

"Of course." al-Malik inclined his head in a gesture of assent. His eyes flicked towards Hassan. "And the other matter?"

"We shall deal with it as soon as Master Sargon is strong enough."

"Today then. The sooner that this particular matter is concluded, the better."

"Of course. And may we now finish our breakfast?"

"Of course." al-Malik turned to leave the room.

Hassan gave Leah a curious look. "The other matter?" he asked. "What is that?"

Leah put a hand on his arm. "Hassan - I must apologise to you. I have played you false to bring you here, and now you must pay the price for my folly. Tell me sincerely - do you wish to live?"

"Live?" Hassan put down his bowl and stared at Leah. "You are jesting? Is my life in danger?" Leah reached under her shirt and pulled out her flame-handled dagger, placing it on the table between them. The strange, amber hint seemed to glow from within. Hassan's eyes were drawn to the patterns of light. "You are going to kill me?" he whispered.

"No." Leah laughed, but this time her laughter was dark and heavy. "I am not. But there are things that must be done now, and you may not survive them."

"I am not frightened of any man or of any sword," Hassan declared. He stood up and glared down at Leah. "If you were not a woman, then I would demand you retract that accusation."

Leah picked up her bowl and scooped a spoonful of yoghurt and fruit into her mouth. "I believe you, Hassan. But there is only man that you should fear."

"And who is that man?"

"You."

"Me?" Hassan stood for a moment, his brow furrowed in puzzled thought. "Why should I fear myself?"

"Sit," Leah commanded, and the handle of her dagger grew momentarily brighter. Hassan felt his legs move of their own accord, pulling back to the cushion beneath him. "You are a proud man. But you must bow before your new master - and you must do it willingly. If you do not .. ." She let her words fade into the hum of the market below them. Then she picked up Hassan's bowl and handed it to him. "Eat. You will need it today."

Silently, automatically, Hassan took the proffered bowl and continued his breakfast.