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Mithadan nodded. "Then we will wear our swords to dinner, whether it be a breach of etiquette or no," he answered. "Our guards have allowed us to wear our swords in the market, probably wise considering the nature of the place. We shall do so again tonight and if our host requires us to leave them at the door, so be it! The knives which Rama brought us we shall wear in our belts or stow in packs which we shall also bring... to carry money, papers and trade goods of course."
"Very good," replied Airefalas. "But what trade goods would we carry?"
Mithadan pulled his pack from a dresser and rummaged through it briefly. He withdrew a small lether case and opened it. Inside, nestled in folds of leather were several bright gemstones. He pulled out a second case and tossed it to Airefalas. "I bought these in the market a week ago," he said. "If questioned, we can claim that Korpulfr expressed an interest in them."
Airefalas nodded and stowed the packet in his own bag. The two packed light changes of clothes and sheafs of papers, together with pens and ink. Rama's knives were hidden in the bottom of the packs. Into pockets in their capes went more knives. Finally, when all was ready, they sat with their swords and sharpened and oiled the blades. The steel flashed and glowed in the sunlight which filtered through the windows.
When no more could be done, Mithadan arranged the rooms. "It must look as if we mean to return," he explained. Then both men attempted to rest, for it would be a long night, though sleep evaded them. At last, they rose and prepared for the dinner, choosing well-made but simpler clothes than they had worn at Falasmir's reception. Finally, as the sun began to set, they prepared their head cloths and went to the door. Behind them, the light of the setting sun which entered the windows was oddly red and the curtains were rustled by a rising wind.
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