The Hidden City

glared in sullen theological discontent at the mudwalled city of Cynestra and at the disgustingly young and well-conditioned person coming toward him. Bergsten believed in an orderly world, and violations of order made him nervous.
    She was very tall and she had golden skin and night-dark hair, she was also extremely pretty and superbly muscled. She emerged from the main gate of Cynestra under a flag of truce, running easily out to meet them. She stopped some distance to their front, and Bergsten, Sir Heldin, Daiya, and Neran, their Tamul translator, rode forward to confer with her. She spoke at some length with Neran.
    ‘Keep your eyes where they belong, Heldin,’ Bergsten muttered.
    ‘I was just—’
    ‘I know what you were doing. Stop it.’ Bergsten paused. ‘I wonder why they sent a woman.’
    Neran, a slender Tamul who had been sent along by Ambassador Fontan, returned. ‘She’s Atana Maris,’ he told them. ‘Commander of the Atan garrison here in Cynestra.’
    ‘A woman?’ Bergsten was startled.
    ‘It’s not uncommon among the Atans, your Grace. She’s been expecting us. Foreign Minister Oscagne sent word that we were coming.’
    ‘What’s the situation in the city?’ Heldin asked.
    ‘King Jaluah’s been quietly dribbling troops into Cynestra for the past month or so,’ Neran replied. ‘Atana Maris has a thousand Atans in her garrison, and the Cynesgans have been trying to restrict their movements. She’s been growing impatient with all of that. She probably would have moved against the royal palace a week ago, but Oscagne instructed her to wait until we arrived.’
    ‘How did she get out of the city?’ Heldin rumbled.
    ‘I didn’t ask her, Sir Heldin. I didn’t want to insult her.
    ‘What I meant was, didn’t they try to stop her?’
    ‘They’re dead if they did.’
    ‘But she’s a woman!’ Bergsten objected.
    ‘You’re not really familiar with the Atans, are you, your Reverence?’ Daiya asked.
    ‘I’ve heard of them, friend Daiya. The stories all seem wildly exaggerated to me.’
    ‘No, your Reverence, they aren’t,’ Daiya said firmly. ‘I know of this girl’s reputation. She’s the youngest garrison commander in the entire Atan army, and she didn’t get to where she is by being sweet and ladylike. From what I’ve heard, she’s an absolute savage.’
    ‘But she’s so pretty,’ Heldin protested.
    ‘Sir Heldin,’ Neran said firmly to him, ‘while you’re admiring her, pay particular attention to the development of her arms and shoulders. She’s as strong as a bull, and if you offend her in any way at all, she’ll tear you to pieces. She almost killed Itagne, or so the rumor has it.’
    ‘The Foreign Minister’s brother?’ Bergsten asked.
    Neran nodded. ‘He was here on a mission, and he decided to place the city under martial law. He needed Atana Maris’ help with that, so he seduced her. Her response was enthusiastic—but very muscular. Be very careful around her, gentlemen. She’s almost as dangerous to have as a friend as an enemy. She asked me to give you your instructions.’
    ‘Instructions?’ Bergsten erupted. ‘I don’t take orders from women!’
    ‘Your Grace,’ Neran said, ‘Cynestra’s technically still under martial law, and that puts Atana Maris in charge. She’s been ordered to deliver the city to you, but she’s instructed you to wait outside the walls until she’s crushed all the resistance. She wants to present the city to you as a gift—all neat and tidy. Please don’t spoil it for her. Smile at her, thank her politely, and wait right here until she’s finished cleaning the streets. After she’s got all the bodies stacked in neat piles, she’ll invite you in and turn the city over to you—along with King Jaluah’s head, more than likely. I know that the situation seems unnatural to you, but for God’s sake don’t do a thing to offend her. She’ll go to war with you just as quickly as with anybody else.’
    ‘But she’s so pretty,’ Heldin objected again.
    Berit and Khalad dismounted and led their horses down to the edge of the oasis to water them. In theory, they might have reached Vigayo this soon. ‘Can you tell if he’s here?’ Khalad muttered.
    Berit shook his head. ‘I think that means that he’s not a Styric. We’ll just have to wait for him to come to us.’ He looked around at the few white-walled houses shaded by low palm trees. ‘Is there any kind of inn here?’
    ‘Not very likely. I