The Diamond Throne

right over there,’ he said quietly, nodding his head towards the far side.
    Sephrenia drew her veil a bit tighter across her nose and mouth, and they moved through the crowd milling around in the middle of the square.
    Here and there along the walls of the buildings leaned hooded nomads in black robes, their eyes alert and filled with suspicion as they peered at every face that passed.
    ‘True believers,’ Sparhawk muttered sardonically, ‘ever alert for the sins of their neighbours.’
    ‘It’s always been that way, Sparhawk,’ she replied. ‘Self-righteousness is one of the most common – and least attractive – characteristics of man.’ They passed one of the watchers and entered the smelly shop.
    The apothecary was a chubby little man with an apprehensive expression on his face. ‘I don’t know if he’ll consent to see you,’ he said when they asked to speak with Doctor Tanjin. ‘He’s being watched, you know.’
    ‘Yes,’ Sparhawk said. ‘We saw several of the watchers outside. Please advise him that we’re here. My sister’s arm needs attention.’
    The nervous apothecary scurried through a curtained doorway at the back of the shop. A moment later, he came back. ‘I’m sorry,’ he apologized. ‘He said he’s not taking any new patients.’
    Sparhawk raised his voice. ‘How can a healer refuse to see an injured person? Does the oath they take mean so little to them here in Dabour? In Cippria, the physicians are more honourable My good friend, Doctor Voldi, would never refuse his aid to the sick or hurt.’
    It hung there for a moment, and then the curtains parted. The man who thrust his head out between them had a very large nose, a pendulous lower lip, jutting ears, and weak, watery eyes. He wore the white smock of a physician. ‘Did you say Voldi?’ he asked in a high-pitched, nasal voice ‘Do you know him?’
    ‘Of course,’ Sparhawk replied. ‘He’s a small man who’s going bald, and he dyes his hair. He has a very large opinion of himself.’
    ‘That’s Voldi, all right. Bring your sister back here and be quick. Don’t let anybody outside the shop see you.’
    Sparhawk took Sephrenia’s elbow and escorted her back through the curtains.
    ‘Did anyone see you come in?’ the big-nosed man asked nervously
    ‘Any number of them, I’d imagine’ Sparhawk shrugged. ‘They lined the walls of the square like a flock of vultures, trying to sniff out sin.’
    ‘It’s not safe to talk that way in Dabour, my friend,’ Tanjin warned.
    ‘Perhaps.’ Sparhawk looked around. The room was shabby and was piled high in the corners with open wooden boxes and stacks of books. A persistentbumblebee batted its head against the single dirty window, trying to get out. There was a low couch against one wall and several straight-backed wooden chairs and a table in the centre. ‘Shall we get down to business, Doctor Tanjin?’ he suggested.
    ‘All right,’ the physician said to Sephrenia, ‘sit here, and I’ll have a look at that arm.’
    ‘You may if it’s going to make you happy, Doctor,’ she replied, taking the chair and removing her arm from the sling. She pulled back the sleeve of her robe to reveal a surprisingly girlish arm.
    The doctor looked a bit hesitantly at Sparhawk. ‘You understand, of course, that I’m not being forward with your sister’s person, but I must examine her’
    ‘I understand the procedure, Doctor.’
    Tanjin took a deep breath and then bent Sephrenia’s wrist back and forth several times. Then he gently ran his fingers up her forearm and bent her elbow. He swallowed hard and probed at her upper arm. Then he moved her arm up and down with his fingers lightly touching her shoulder. His close-set eyes narrowed. ‘There’s nothing wrong with this arm,’ he accused.
    ‘How kind you are to say so,’ she murmured, removing her veil.
    ‘Madame!’ he said in a shocked voice ‘Cover yourself!’
    ‘Oh, do be serious, Doctor,’ she told him. ‘We’re not here to talk about arms and legs.’
    ‘You’re spies!’ he gasped.
    ‘In a manner of speaking, yes,’ she replied calmly ‘But even spies have reason to consult with physicians once in a while’
    ‘Leave at once,’ he ordered.
    ‘We’ve just got here,’ Sparhawk said, pushing back his hood. ‘Go ahead, sister dear,’ he said to Sephrenia. ‘Tell him why we’re here’
    ‘Tell me, Tanjin,’ she said, ‘does the word “Darestim” mean anything to you?’
    He started