"Has she come up the Pass?"

His brother laughed. "No, neither she nor a coach and four."

"I have heard the contrary," said Athelstan.

"Heard what, exactly?"

"She's up the Pass ahead of me."

"She hasn't passed Ali Masjid!" said his brother, and Athelstan nodded.

"Are the Turks in the show yet?" asked Charles.

"Not yet. But I know they're expected in."

"You bet they're expected in!" The younger man grinned from ear
to ear. "They're working both tides under to prepare the tribes
for it. They flatter themselves they can set alight a holy war
that will put Timour Ilang to shame. You should hear my jezailchies
talk at night when they think I'm not listening!"

"The jezailchies'll stand though," said Athelstan.

"Stake my life on it!" said his brother. "They'll stick to the
last man!"

"I can't tell you," said Athelstan, "why we're not attacking brother
Turk before he's ready. I imagine Whitehall has its hands full. But
it's likely enough that the Turk will throw in his lot with the