9. I Become a Zani - Page 2

Amtorians, he was a handsome man; but his mouth was a shade too cruel and his eyes a little too shifty for perfection. Mantar and I each said "Maltu Mephis" and saluted; Spehon said "Maltu Mephis! Greetings, Mantar. What brings you here?" He barked the words like a human terrier.

"Maltu Mephis! This is Vodo," announced Mantar. "I bring him to you at the suggestion of the Toganja Zerka, his good friend. She recommends him for a commission in the Guard."

"But he is not even a Zani," expostulated Spehon.

"He is not even from Anlap," said Mantar, "but he wishes to be a Zani and serve Our Beloved Mephis."

"From what country do you come?" demanded Spehon.

"From Vodaro," I replied.

"Have you any Atorian blood in your veins?"

"Had I, I should have been killed in Vodaro," I cried.

"And why?" he asked.

"And why? may I ask, Spehon, do you kill Atorians?" I demanded.

"Naturally, because they have large ears," he replied. "We must keep the blood of Korvans pure."

"You have answered your own question, Spehon," I told him. "We Vodaroans are very proud of our pure blood; so we, too, kill the Atorians because they have large ears."

"Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Will you swear to love, honor, and obey Our Beloved Mephis, give your life for him, if necessary, and hold him and the Zani Party above all else?"

"I swear!" I said, but I had my fingers crossed; then we all saluted and said, "Maltu Mephis!"

"You are now a Zani," he announced. He saluted me, and said, "Maltu Mephis!"

"Maltu Mephis!" I said, and saluted him.

"I appoint you a tokordogan," said Spehon, saluting, "Maltu Mephis!"

"Maltu Mephis!" I replied, and saluted. A tokordogan is somewhat similar to a lieutenant. A kordogan is comparable to a sergeant and as the prefix to means either high or over, my title might be translated as oversergeant.

"You will be responsible for Vodo's training," Spehon told Mantar; then we all Maltu Mephised and saluted.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I quitted the office of Spehon. Evidently he had not received the message as yet. I still had a little lease on life.

Mantar now took me to the officers' quarters adjoining the barracks of the Zani Guard, which are situated close to the palace; and here a barber gave me an approved Zani haircut, after which I went with Mantar to be outfitted with the regulation uniform and weapons of a tokordogan of the Zani Guard.

On the way back from the outfitters I heard a great commotion ahead of us on the broad avenue along which we were walking.