Dragon Mage by Andre Norton

Author:Andre Norton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

17

Ibinghal’s Disruption

Ekurzakir stood before the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, face glowing with pride. He’d presented the items on the shopping list, which made Arshaka smile. Ekurzakir had not seen Arshaka smile in many days, and so he decided to reveal the rest of his information, rather than save it—to make his employer supremely pleased.

“There are people in this city, Hand of Nebuchadnezzar, who deal in rumors and secrets.”

Arshaka nodded as he sniffed the special ink. “And they gave some of their secrets to you.” It was not a question.

“Yes, Hand.”

Arshaka looked up and waited. He did not press Ekurzakir. His expression admitted that Ekurzakir had something promising to disclose and would relish the telling.

“The girl traveled to a village north of here, a place of farmers and shepherds.”

“Ibinghal?”

“Yes. I do not know if she is still there, but I have assembled a dozen guards to accompany me. If she is hiding in Ibinghal, we will take her and bring her back to the city. If she is not there, we will discover where she is.”

Arshaka was obviously pleased and disturbed by the news.

“While I want this girl, Ekurzakir, I wanted as few as possible involved in her capture. One dozen guards … I would have chosen three or four of my closest men. Still, my men have come up empty-handed so far.” King Nebuchadnezzar would be away for weeks, and had left Babylon in Arshaka’s more than capable hands. On his return, the king might learn nothing of the girl, and certainly nothing of Arshaka’s plan. “Until it is too late.”

“Your pardon, Hand of Nebuchadnezzar?”

“Nothing, Ekurzakir. You brighten my day with this information.”

Ekurzakir did not try to hide his smile.

“I was going to keep this information to myself for a time,” he admitted. “I wished to come by the girl and bring her here to surprise you.”

“Surprises are not always good.” Arshaka’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. “Better that you told me. Better that you keep no secrets, Ekurzakir.”

“Yes, Hand of Nebuchadnezzar. By your will, I go to lead the men to the village of Ibinghal.”

“You have my leave,” Arshaka said. He reached out and clamped his hand on Ekurzakir’s shoulder, applying a little pressure, which could be taken either as friendship or a warning. Arshaka meant it as both. “Hurry, and be successful.”

Ekurzakir rushed from Arshaka’s apartments, wishing he’d not told the Hand of the girl’s possible whereabouts. If for some reason he was not successful, things would not go well for him.

“Then I simply must be successful,” he said to himself, racing through the streets and down the Processional Way, where the dozen were gathered. He had a horse waiting for him, and was quickly on it and through the tunnel that led out of Babylon. He prayed to Ishtar, Marduk, and Shamash as he went. “Please let me succeed. My prosperity is tied to the Hand of Nebuchadnezzar.”

He pushed the guards to a brutal march, his mind churning with the possibilities of his reward. He recalled the crone Sarazel’s words of his riches and power to come, and he drew that notion into his heart.

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