Pledge thy word--take thy missionary people--and Jaimihr must oppose thee and me combined." "Should Jaimihr ride after me, what then ?" "If he takes many with him, he must leave his camp unguarded, or only weakly guarded.

Then I would act.

If he goes with few, how can he take thy castle ?" "Then I have your protection against Jaimihr, and the missionaries, against my promise to support you on the throne ?" "My word on it." "And mine." Howrah rose, stepped forward to the dais edge, and held his hand out.
"Nay!" swore Alwa, recoiling.

"My word is given.

I take no Hindoo's hand!" Howrah glared for a moment, but thought better of the hot retort that rose to his lips.