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.It was the first time theyhad set eyes on the enemy. Anaxantis, prince of Ximerion, governor of the NorthernMarches. Well, prince of the Ximerionians, what is your offer? Don t be shy.Contrary to what you may have heard, we Mukthars are merciful. You are surrounded, my prince.One sign of me and you andyour friends are dead. You might learn something then, watching how Mukthars die, Timishi said calmly. Are you certain you can afford to lose at least athird of your men, probably half? Frankly, no.Can you afford to die? Timishi shrugged, at the same time grinning broadly. All things come to an end eventually, Ximerionian.So must ourexistence one day.Today is as good a day as any.Don t expect thatour lives will come cheap, however.Perchance we will continue this Bonds of Fear 297conversation in Murokthil. Why not live? You have fought bravely.You have done all youcould.There is no shame in surrender in the face of overwhelmingodds. Not for Ximerionians maybe.There is for Mukthars. Anaxantis smiled. What if I were to invite you to follow me.As my guests? Myhonored guests? Hemarchidas couldn t believe his ears.Was he going to invitethese barbarians? Anaxantis, no, he said, exasperated. Timishi, don t believe him.He s but a Ximerionian liar.They reknown the whole world through for their treachery.Don t fall in histrap, Rodomesh hissed.He glared at Hemarchidas, who returned the compliment withan angry stare of his own.Timishi seemed to hesitate. No surrender? he asked. No surrender, Anaxantis answered evenly. We keep our weapons, of course, Timishi probed. Of course, because you will promise to only use them in self-defense. Hemarchidas shifted uneasily in his saddle. And to defend our hosts, when necessary. The Cheridonian looked at the sky, as if help against this follycould come from there. You will not try to terminate your stay with us in a one sided 298 Andrew Ashlingmanner? Anaxantis continued. You will treat us with respect? As I said, you will be treated as honored guests. Timishi looked deep in Anaxantis s eyes. On behalf of myself and my men, I accept your hospitality.The bonds between host and guest are sacred to us, Mukthars. Heturned around to his men. You heard me: sacred. Then he lookedat Rodomesh. Sacred, he repeated once more. You will not shamemy given word. Rodomesh averted his eyes downwards under his prince s stare. No, Timishi, you know I won t, he said meekly.Anaxantis turned around to his men, to Hemarchidas s horrorexposing his back to the Mukthars. Hemarchidas, Iftang, I expect you to extend the utmost courtesyto our guests. Both men looked at each other.For a moment it looked as ifHemarchidas was going to say something, but then he thought betterof it.They both nodded.Anaxantis mounted Myrmos. Where are your horses, he asked Timishi. Or did you come onfoot? They were grazing peacefully when that one came and for noreason at all fell down upon us, Rodomesh bit at Hemarchidas. They startled and ran away.Who could blame them? They saw hisugly face. You call being shot at with at least a dozen arrows nothing at all,you little fu Bonds of Fear 299 Hemarchidas, Anaxantis interrupted him with raised voice. The utmost courtesy, he added in a softer voice. Please. Yes, of course, Anaxantis.Sorry, I forgot, he grumbled.Anaxantis sighed.Then he smiled and extended his hand toTimishi. Please, ride with me, he offered.He had meant for Timishi to sit behind him, but the Mukthar,using his arm as support, jumped upon Myrmos and landed in thesaddle before him.It was only in the nick of time that Anaxantisleaned back to make room for Timishi s right leg which would havehit him in the face.Timishi looked back and grinned while shrugging by way of anapology. No offense, but I d rather look at the landscape than at yourback. But it s all right for me to have to stare at yours, Anaxantismuttered, leaning sideways, so as to be able to see where they weregoing.Hemarchidas looked at Rodomesh and pondered if he shouldmake the same offer.One look at the Mukthar s face told him heneedn t bother.Rodomesh preferred walking beside his prince, hissword in its scabbard, but his hand on the pommel.While they returned to the camp, Anaxantis tried to engageTimishi in conversation. I know you can t tell me anything, and I don t want to press you,prince, but I wondered You can call me Timishi, the Mukthar said
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