8. Muso's Message - Page 2

occurred to me, but mostly thinking of Duare. I also thought much on my strange encounter with the Toganja Zerka. I couldn't quite convince myself that her interest in me was wholly friendly, yet I really had no reason to doubt it; except, perhaps, that she seemed a woman of mystery. It is possible that I doubted her sincerity because of my own deceitfulness; yet what else could I have done. I was in an enemy city, where, if the truth about me were even suspected, I should have received short shrift. As I could not tell the truth, I had to lie; and while I was lying, I might as well make a good job of it, I reasoned. I was sure that I had completely deceived her. Had she also deceived me? I knew the city was full of spies. What better way to entice a stranger into unwary admissions than through a beautiful woman--it is as old as espionage itself.

The possibility that Duare's father, Mintep, might be a prisoner here gave me the most concern and resolved me to remain until I had definitely established the truth or falsity of my suspicions. The reference to Spehon, made by Horjan's companion, that linked closely with the leader of Zanism the name of the man to whom I bore a message from Muso was also good for considerable conjecture. I was frankly apprehensive that all was not as it should be. There was a way to discover, perhaps. I took the leather envelope containing Muso's message from my pocket pouch, broke the seals, and opened it. This is what I read:

Muso, the Jong,
Addresses Spehon at Amlot.
May success attend your ventures and old age never overtake you.
Muso dispatches this message to Spehon by Carson of Venus, who cannot read Amtorian.
If Sanara were to fall into the hands of Mephis, this unfortunate civil war would be ended.
That would be well if Muso were to be jong of Korva after the fall of Sanara.
If Mephis wishes all this to happen, let three blue rockets be shot into the air before the main gate of Sanara on three successive nights.
On the fourth night let a strong force approach the main gate secretly, with stronger reserves held nearby; then Muso will cause the main gates to be thrown open for the purpose of permitting a sortie. But there will be no sortie. The troops of Mephis may then enter the city in force. Muso will surrender, and the bloodshed may cease.
Muso will make a good jong, conferring always with Mephis.
The Zanis shall be rewarded.
It would be regrettable, but best, if Carson of Venus were destroyed in Amlot.
May success be yours. Muso
Jong

I turned a little cold at the thought of how near I had been to delivering that message without reading it. I hadn't realized that I had been carrying my death warrant around on me as innocently as a babe in the woods. I looked around for some means of destroying it, and found a fireplace in one corner of the room. That would answer the purpose nicely. I walked to it, carrying the