Читать книгу Sinbad: Rogue of Mars - John Garavaglia - Страница 47

to join me. With you by my side, the Azurians will believe that their gods favor me and act accordingly.

“So what is it to be, Sinbad? Join me and have your every wish be a command, or refuse me and die in the arena?”

“What you are planning to do is a blasphemy to your gods,” answered Sinbad. “I will take my chances in the arena.”

Akhdar gave his prisoner a dissatisfied look. He signaled his guards to seize Sinbad. The green brawny sentinels hoisted the Earthman to his feet with brute force.

“I knew you were going to say that,” said Akhdar, looking at Sinbad contemptuously. “Still, the offer stands. At least until your next battle, or until you cease to entertain me.”

The guards removed Sinbad from Akhdar’s royal court and he was on his way back to his dingy old cell. Before they could begin their trek, a young attractive Thulian woman stopped the guards.

“Move aside, girl,” said the guard impatiently. “We have a prisoner to escort.”

“A thousand pardons, sir,” pleaded the girl. “I am Kori, handmaiden to Princess Aella. I have come on her behalf to grant the outlander a private audience with her.” Then she handed the guards a sealed envelope with the Dadgar family crest embossed on the seal. “I believe you will find everything is in order.”

The guard took the envelope and studied the seal. The Dadgar family crest was very hard to duplicate, making it impossible for any forgery. Then he opened the envelope and read the letter. He came to the conclusion that the letter is indeed authentic and it did come from the princess.

“Very well,” said the guard, “we shall take the outlander to the baths.”

“There will be no need for that, sir,” said the girl. “We can take it from here.”

Behind her there were the rest of Aella’s handmaidens. Their eyes were lowered on the floor and they covered their mouths to hide their giggles.

JOHN GARAVAGLIA

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