wearing. They stared at the travelers with large, dark eyes with no pupils. 

“Not you again,” sighed Bartholomew contemptuously. “Give it a break, reptile. Once again, you are detaining us against our will, and the Queen will object.”

“Shut up, ben Harun,” said the soldier. “You know who wants to see you. He has every right – you and ba’at Lama are trespassing in his land, and so is this small, ugly human. But what makes you think we are holding you against your will? The Vizier is so hospitable! He just wants you to pay a social visit before you go to your precious Queen. Have a nice meal.”

“We don’t want to see him,” said Bartholomew. “You can tell your renegade Vizier that we are in a hurry and uninterested in...

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