I returned to my chamber and Shizala to hers. There I found arranged a variety of accoutrements and clothing. In a short while Damad arrived to show me how I must wear all this.
There was a harness made of finely beaten links of gold and silver, studded with gems, and a sword that also shone with jewels, with a matching dagger.
There was a thick cloak of dark blue lined with rich scarlet. The cloak was decorated with delicate embroidery in yellow and green thread depicting, symbolically, scenes from the history pf the Karnala.
There were also a pair of sandals of soft, shiny black leather that laced up to just below the knee.
Soon I was dressed in all this and Damad stepped back admiring me.
'You make a fine sight,' he said. 'I am proud to have you as a brother.'
There was no such term as "brother-in-law" in the Martian vocabulary. When one married into a family one automatically became of the same status as a blood relative;. I would become Camak's son and Damad's brother - their brothers and cousins would become mine. It seemed strange that, by this logic, Shizala would not only become my wife but also my sister and my niece! But that was the custom of Mars and I would accept it.
Darnad led me to the throne room where a few chosen courtiers awaited us. The throne room was not unlike that at the Jewelled City, though simpler and less pretentious. On the dais stood the Bradhi Camak in splendid robes of black fur, a circlet on his head.
Like most of the important customs of Southern Mars, the ceremony was short and yet impressive.
Camak announced that we were to be married and we affirmed that it was our wish and the wish of no-one else that this should be. He then asked if there was any objection to this marriage. There was none.
Camak concluded: 'Then let it be that my daughter Shizala, the Bradhinaka, and my son, Michael Kane of Negalu, be wed when it should please them after the period of ten days from this.'
And so I became engaged to that wonderful girl.
There was nothing for it but to prepare for the worst. On a balcony in a tower of the palace we looked down at the square beneath as our pitifully depleted army began to assemble.
I had divested myself of the ceremonial robes and was now clad in a simple warrior's harness, with a workman-like sword and one of the somewhat inaccurate, air-powered pistols of the Karnala. Over my shoulders was draped a cloak of dark green cloth.
I might remark, too, that I was beginning to let my hair grow longer, in the fashion of the Southern Martians. Though this custom is frowned on in our society to some extent, short hair on Mars is conspicuous and one is inclined to be questioned about it. Thus, to conduct myself as much as possible like my hosts - whom no-one could call unmanly! -I was allowing my hair to flow! It was kept from my eyes, also in the Southern Martian manner, by means; of a simple metal circlet. Mine was of gold and had been a betrothal gift from Shizala. I stood now with my arm around her as we looked into the square.
As chief Pukan-Nara of Kamala's warriors, Damad was in the square, but Carnak was with us on the balcony.
'Have you been able to judge the strength of Mishim Tep?' Camak asked me.
'I have,' I replied. To some extent, at least. They must outnumber you five or six to one!'
'Our strongest ally turned against us! This will mean the destruction of the South as we know it,' Shizala said wearily. 'For centuries the balance of power has been held by what we choose to call the "benevolent nations," Mishim Tep and Karnala chief among them. This war will weaken us to such an extent that the South will become prey to all kinds of enemies.'
'Doubtless that is exactly what Horguhl is hoping,' I pointed out. 'In the anarchy that must follow this war -and it cannot matter to her who wins it - she will gain the power she lusts for. She failed in her attempt to smash us by use of the Argzoon - now she tries this. She does not give up easily.'
'She is a strange woman,' Shizala said. 'I spent much time in her company - forcibly, of course, since I was her prisoner. Sometimes she appears so innocent and bewildered, at other tunes she is a monster! And that weird power of hers - that ability to make others do what she chooses - it is inhuman.'
'It is not inhuman,' I said, 'since many must have a similar power, though not so well developed. It is the use to which she puts it that is perverted!'
'She seems to blame all Southern nations for some crime committed against her,’ Shlzala said. 'Why is that?’
'Who can explain the motives of a sick mind?' I said. 'She is insane - and if insanity were easily explained by logic, then perhaps there would be no insanity!'
'This plan of yours,' said Shizala with a slight shudder. "The one to kill her. How do you plan to make the attempt?'
'It is so distasteful to me,' I said, 'that I have not thought much about it. First we must wait until the main army of Mishim Tep is on the march. I do not think that Horguhl will risk her own life by riding with the army. She will remain behind. I would only - only kill her, of course, in the last resort - that is, if I could find no other way of convincing the Bradhi that she lies. Or, better still, forcing her to admit that she has not told the truth!'
'And when the anny is on the march - what then?'
'I will enter Mishim Tep in secret.'
'How?'
'I will travel most of the distance by airship, then stain my skin roughly the same colour as the men of Mishim Tep entering the city as a mercenary. I believe there are bands ol mercenaries who seek employment in Mishim Tep.'
'They are the Jelusa - cousins to the men of Mishim Tep.’
'Then I shall become a Jelusa.'
'And what then?'
'Ask to speak with Horguhl alone, telling her I have secrets...'
'She will recognise you!'
'Is it not a custom amongst the Jelusa mercenaries to mask themselves so that none shall know who has been hired?'
'It is.’
'Then I shall be masked.'
'And when - if your attempt succeeds - you are alone with her?'
'I will try to kidnap her and get her to write out the truth. Then I will imprison her and take the statement to the Bradhi of Mishim Tep. If he still refuses to accept the truth I will show it to his nobles. I am sure they will see it, not being directly under her spell . . . ' My voice tailed off as I saw Shizala's expression.
'It is a daring plan,' she said - 'but it is almost bound to fail, my love.'
‘It is the only plan I have,’ I said, 'the only one with the slimmest hope of succeeding.'
She frowned. 'I remember Telera Fas Ogdai once telling me of an almost forgotten object which they have at Mih-Sa-Voh, m their treasure house. It is a shield with a polished surface that transfixes anyone who gazes into it.'
I was interested in the tale, since it seemed to have affinities with our own tale of Perseus and the Gorgon -and, perhaps, since our race is descended from that of Mars, that was the origin of our legend. 'Go on,' I told my betrothed.
'Well, this shield has another property. Anyone who looks into it is forced to speak the truth. It is something to do with the mesmeric effect of the surface. I do not know the scientific explanation, but it was probably designed by the Sheev or the Yaksha, and their science was far ahead of my knowledge.'
'And mine, too,' I said.
'I think it is only a legend - an amusing story Telem Fas Ogdai told to while away an hour.'
'It sounds unlikely,' I agreed - then dismissed the thought from my mind. I could not afford to waste time on speculation.
Shizala sighed.
'Are we never to know peace, Michael Kane?' she said. 'Has some other power decided that a love so rich as ours may not be enjoyed in tranquiliity? Why must we continually be parted?'
'If I am successful, perhaps we shall have a chance to spend long years together in peace,' I said comfortingly.
Again she sighed and looked into my eyes. 'Do you think that is hkely?'
'It is worth striving for,' I said simply.
The next day we s
tood again on the balcony!
'The army of Mishim Tep must be on the move by now,' she said, 'and marching towards Karnala. It will take many days before they reach us.'
'That gives me so much longer to do what I must,' I said. I knew she was hinting that we could spend a few more days together, but I could not afford to risk anything going wrong - must give myself as much margin of time as possible.
‘I suppose so,' she said.
I kissed her then, holding her close.
Later, looking down again into the square, I watched the tiny force that only recently had to fight off a far larger force of Argzoon blue giants, making their preparations.
It had been decided to meet the army of Mishim Tep on a battlefield rather than wait for it to lay siege to the city. If possible the city, and its women and children, would be preserved. The army of Mishim Tep were not barbarians and once they defeated the army of the Kamala they would not make any further reprisals for any supposed insults and treachery we.of Vamal had subjected them to.
Seeing the army making ready, I decided to waste no more time and to leave that very night for the Jewelled City.
I bid farewell to Camak and Damad. I said goodbye to Shizala.
I also said a silent goodbye to that lovely city as the waning sun stained its marble red as blood.
And then, the brief period of peace over, I was heading back towards Mih-Sa-Voh.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Assassin's Mask
I STOOD at the gates of the Jewelled City and answered the challenge of the guard.
'What do you want within? Know you not that Mishim Tep js in a state of war?'
'That is why I come, my friend. Can't you see that I am of the Jelusa?'
In my mask of thin, filigree silver covering my whole face, my blood-red cloak and my sword carried in a sheath - a strange custom on Mars - I looked a perfect mercenary of the Jelusa. Or so I thought. Now that the guard gave me a careful appraisal I was not so sure.
Then he seemed satisfied.
'You may enter,' he said. After a moment's delay the gates swung back and I strode through jauntily, a pack slung over my back.
The guard came down from the wall and confronted me.
'You have no dahara.' he said. 'Why is that?'
'It went lame on the journey here.'
He accepted this and pointed up the street through the evening gloom.
'You will find the rest in the House of the Blue Dagger,' he said.
'The rest? The rest of whom?'
'Why, the rest of your companions, of course. Were you not with the party?'
I did not dare risk denying this, so I went in some trepidation up to the House of the Blue Dagger - a lodging house and tavern - and entered. Seated inside were several Jelusa mercenaries in masks of bronze, silver and gold, some of them modelled in the shapes of alien faces, some studded with tiny jewels.
Since they did not acknowledge me, I did not acknowledge them.
I asked the tavern keeper if there was a room available but he shrugged. 'Your fellows have them all. Would you share a room with one?’
I shook my head. ‘No matter. I'll find another tavern. Can you recommend one?'
'You could try the House of the Hanging Argzoon in the next street'
I thanked him and left. It was very dark now and I had difficulty finding my way through the streets. Street lifting seemed non-existent, even in the most civilised Martian cities.
I lost my way and never did find the tavern with the somewhat bloodthirsty name. As I quested around for another tavern I began to sense that I was being followed.
I half turned my head, trying to see out of the comer of my eye if there was anyone behind me, but the mask obscured my view - and I did not want to risk removing it.
I continued to walk on and then took a narrow side street, little more than an alley, and flattened myself in a doorway.
Sure enough, a figure passed me somewhat hurriedly. I stepped from my hiding place, drawing my sword.
‘Is it polite, friend,' I said, 'to follow a man about in this way?'
He tumed with a gasp, his own hand reaching for his shield.
Moonlight flashed on something and I realised he was wearing a Jelusa mask.
'What's this?' I said, speaking as jauntily as possible. ‘Do you seek to rob a comrade?'
The voice that issued from the mask was cool now. The man did not bother to draw his sword.
'It is against the code of the Jelusa to do any such thing,' he said.
'Then what do you want of me?'
‘A peep behind the mask, friend.’
'That, too, is against our code,' I pointed out.
'I do not know what your code is, friend, but I know the code of the Jelusa well enough. Do you?'
Evidently I had made some mistake and this man had noticed it. Perhaps there was some secret sign that Jelusa exchanged without apparently seeming to acknowledge one another.
It appeared that I would have to kill this man if he threatened to reveal my secret. Too much was at stake to risk his giving me away and thus mining my whole plan
'Draw you sword,' I told him grimly.
He laughed.
'Draw!'
‘So I was right,' he said. 'You are masquerading as a Jelusa.'
'Just so. Now draw your sword!'
'Why?'
'Because,' I said, 'I cannot let you betray my secret -I must try to silence you.'
'Did I say I was going to tell anyone what I know?'
'You are a Jelusa. You know that I am not, that I only pretend to be.'
Again he laughed. 'But the Jelusa might be flattered that you should wish to be one of them. There is nothing in our code that says we must betray a man or kill him simply because he pretends to be one of us.'
'Then why were you following me?'
'Curiosity. I thought you were a thief. Are you?'
'No.'
'A pity. You see - as you might know - the Jelusa Guild of the Masked is not only a guild of mercenaries and assassins, but of thieves also. It had struck me, my friend, that you might be here on the same errand as myself.'
'What is that?'
'To rob the treasure vaults of the palace. After all, there are so few guards that it is an ideal opportunity. They are supposed to be impossible to rob, you know.'
'I am no thief.'
'Then why do you lurk behind a Jelusa mask?'
'My own business.'
'You are a spy for the Kamala.'
Since I was not a spy, I shook my head.
'This is very mysterious,' said the Jelusa in his mocking voice.
Something occurred to me then. 'How do you plan to enter the palace?' I asked him.
'Ah, so you have the same object as me, after all!'
'I told you, I am no thief - but I would enter the palace without the necessity of approaching the guards.'
'What is it then? Assassination?'
I shuddered. There was no point in lying - as a very last possibility, I was prepared to kill Horguhl if it would stop the two great nations from destroying one another.
'So that is it,' the Jelusa murmured.
'It is not what you think. I am not a paid killer.’
'An idealist! By the moons, I beg your pardon -I must be on my way. An idealist!' The Jelusa gave a mocking bow and pretended to try to hurry past me.
'A realist,' I said. 'I am here to try to stop the war which is imminent'
'An idealist. Wars come and go - why try to stop them?'
'That is scarcely an objective judgement coming from one who makes his living from war,' I said. 'But I'm tired of this. Will you swear silence about me, or will you draw your sword?'
'In the circumstances, I will keep silent,' said the masked man, his golden, jewelled mask suddenly flashing as a ray of moonlight caught it. 'Though I have a suggestion. I promise I will pry no more into your object for entering the palace - and I think my proposal will be to our mutual advantage.' r />
'What is it?'
'That we help each other to gain entrance to the palace, then we go our different ways - you to the - er - victim, me to the treasure house.'
It was true that I could do with an ally, though whether this cynical thief was exactly the ally I would have chosen I did not know.
I thought over his suggestion.
Then I nodded.
'Very well,' 1 said. 'Since you are probably more experienced in these matters than I, I will do as you say. What is your plan?'
'Back to the House of the Blue Dagger,' he said, 'and the privacy of my room. Some wine, some rest - and some talk.'
Somewhat reluctantly, I followed him back through the maze of streets, marvelling at his sense of direction. Perhaps this thief would be more than useful, after all.
The thief did not remove his mask when we reached his room, though I removed mine. He cocked his head on one side. His mask was moulded to resemble a strange bird and gave him a grotesquely comical appearance.
'My Guild-name is Toxo,' he said.
‘My name –‘ I hesitated. ‘My name is Michael Kane.’
‘A very strange name. Yes, I have heard it, as you suspected.'
'What do you think of the name?'
'I think it very strange, as I said. If you mean what have I heard and what do I think of that - well, what is the truth? I tell you, my friend, I believe nothing and everything. I am not a good Guild-member - others who had given you the sign and received no recognition would have been angrier than I.'
'What is the sign?'
Casually, with his right thumb, he traced a small cross on his mask.
'I did not notice,' I admitted.
'That sign is necessary when all wear masks,' he said. ‘I should not have told you that, either. Many have tried to pose as Jelusa. It is the best disguise there is.'
'Did anyone else notice?' I asked.
‘I told them you had given me the sign but that you might need help finding a tavern. That was my excuse for following you.'
'You are something of a renegade,' I said.
'Nonsense - I simply live how I can. I do not believe in these stuffy guilds and the like.'