10/12 He reasoned that that, too, might be construed into a strict interpretation of the terms of Alwa's promise! He consented to collect his army. He even paid it something on account of arrears of wages and served out rations. But, to the disgust of the priests who asked nothing better than dissension between the brothers, he jumped at the idea of uniting with Jaimihr to defeat Alwa's men. He knew--just as the priests feared--that once he could trick and defeat Jaimihr he could treat the troublesome priests as cavalierly as he chose. |