Page 192 of Dragon Slayer

Val tossed him a look, not daring to speak for fear of what he’d say.

Mehmet shrugged, the movement exaggerated thanks to the quick pace of his horse. “I can be generous.”

Val faced forward, and said nothing.

Back at camp, he waited until he’d taken his evening meal, and blood, and refused a second invitation to join the sultan in sampling his fresh prizes. When he was alone, he posted Arslan as watch, and went dream-walking into the city.

Emperor Constantine stared morosely into a cup of wine.

Val approached his chair slowly, the only sound the crackle of the fire; the flames provided the only light, leaping long across the floor, bathing Constantine’s feet, and the Turkish rug, and casting strange shadows. Still, the emperor didn’t startle when Val said, “Where’s George?”

Constantine heaved a hard sigh and drained his cup. “George is with his wife and children. I sent him away. He was fretting over me.”

“Oh.” Val hesitated. “Should I go?”

“No.” He lifted his head, finally, and offered a tired smile. “I would be grateful of your company.”

Val moved to sit on the edge of the table, near the emperor’s elbow. “You’ve heard about what happened today, I take it.”

“You did say that he would try to provoke me.”

“He wants to draw you out into battle. Beyond the safety of the walls.” He pressed a warning into his words.

Constantine shook his head. “That sort of blustering is a young man’s folly.” Another smile, this one miserable. “I don’t know if we can hold out against him forever. I won’t pretend such confidence. But he’ll have to come over or through these walls to take Constantinople from me. This I promise.”

“Good.” Val knew a moment’s fleeting relief. At this point, he would take such small boons as favors.

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