Never mind about me, said Rapas; I have other ideas
in my head. He still stood staring into that other room.
From your looks, Id take you to be a fighting man
by profession, hesuggested.
Ah, but master, interrupted Rapas, have I not
always served you welland faithfully? Yes, I replied, but I have been absent from
the city for years.
Isaw him groping with his hands at one side of the
door, and presentlyhe stepped back and waited.
In his present role, he was obviously a person of
importance. It had come following his statement that he hadother plans. It seems
rather a weird idea, I said, but I can see nothing sohorrible about it.
He looked verysour, and he did not say good-bye to
me as he left the room. It was almost asthough what he had said had sobered
him.
He also aids inthe kidnaping of new
victims.
Glancing at some of these, Idiscovered that they
were all scientific works. I wish you luck, he said, but I think that the best
youwill get will be a sword through your heart.
Theyconsisted of a living room, two small bedrooms,
and a bath.
It is your job; certainly no manneeds two
assassins.
Do not be afraid, I said; tell me something
ofyourself.
Close the door, she whispered, her voice tense with
suppressedemotion. Then you may select me if you still wish to do so.
I was frightened, and I hid, she replied. He also
is an inventor, and he has employed an agent of theassassins guild to make away with
me. This is anearlier work, I believe, and not quite so authoritative. While he is
away,you will remain here as my bodyguard. Hestopped suddenly and gave me a quick,
suspicious look.
I recently read his Theoretical Mechanics. I will
hunt out this Ur Jan and see what Ican learn.
Quietyourself, I said; tell me what all this means.
Those who learn too much of his inventions die. I was frightened, and I hid, she
replied.
I cannot explain this feeling that I occasionally
have. We waited in silence then for perhaps two or three minutes. You are prepared
to enter my service at once? When he left the room, I was to accompany
him.
He is considered an excellent one, Fal Sivas
assured me.
I am sorry, I told him; go and recover your weapon.
Rapas stepped forward to engage me, a confident smile upon his lips.