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He prodded Rincewind in the ribs.
‘You’re a wizard,’ he said. ‘Tell me what it does.’
‘How do you know I’m a wizard?’ said Rincewind desperately.
‘It’s written on your hat,’ said the vizier.
‘Ah.’
‘And you were on the boat with it. My men saw you.’
‘The Seriph employs slavers?’ snapped Conina. ‘That doesn’t sound very simple!’
‘Oh, I employ the slavers. I am the vizier, after all,’ said Abrim. ‘It is rather expected of me.’
He gazed thoughtfully at the girl, and then nodded at a couple of the guards.
‘The current Seriph is rather literary in his views,’ he said. ‘I, on the other hand, am not. Take her to the seraglio, although,’ he rolled his eyes and gave an irritable sigh, ‘I’m sure the only fate that awaits her there is boredom, and possibly a sore throat.’
He turned to Rincewind.
‘Don’t say anything,’ he said. ‘Don’t move your hands. Don’t try any sudden feats of magic. I am protected by strange and powerful amulets.’
‘Now just hold on a minute-’ Rincewind began, and Conina said, ‘All right. I’ve always wondered what a harem looked like.’
Rincewind’s mouth went on opening and shutting, but no sounds came out. Finally he managed, ‘Have you?’
She waggled an eyebrow at him. It was probably a signal of some sort. Rincewind felt he ought to have understood it, but peculiar passions were stirring in the depths of his being. They weren’t actually going to make him brave, but they were making him angry. Speeded up, the dialogue behind his eyes was going something like this:
Ugh.
Who’s that?
Your conscience. I feel terrible. Look, they’re marching her off to the harem.
Rather her than me, thought Rincewind, but without much conviction.
Do something!
There’s too many guards! They’ll kill me!
So they’ll kill you, it’s not the end of the world.
It will be for me, thought Rincewind grimly.
But just think how good you’ll feel in your next life -
Look, just shut up, will I? I’ve had just about enough of me.
Abrim stepped across to Rincewind and looked at him curiously.
‘Who are you talking to?’ he said.
‘I warn you,’ said Rincewind, between clenched teeth, ‘I have this magical box on legs which is absolutely merciless with attackers, one word from me and-’
‘I’m impressed,’ said Abrim. ‘Is it invisible?’
Rincewind risked a look behind him.
