Pah…commoners, traders.” Ergus made a disparaging gesture.Traders with money, Ergus. Money they put at the disposition of young Tanahkos,” Lmachdan said in a dry tone. “Money that turns into soldiers. Soldiers who are used to...

The inimitable stories of Tong-King never have any real ending, and this one, being in his most elevated style, has even less end than most of them. But the whole narrative is permeated with the...