Electing to try the main gate because of the greater number of people who passed to and fro through it, Tanar turned to the right, passed along the full length of the barracks past a dozen men and approached the gate with Stellara at his side. They were almost through when a stupid looking Korsar soldier stopped them. “Who are you,” he demanded, “and what business takes you from the palace?” “We are sailors,” replied Tanar. “We are going to our ship.” “What were you doing in the palace?” demanded the man. “We took packages there from the captain of the ship to The Cid’s storeroom,” explained the Sarian. “I do not like the looks of you,” said the man. “I have never seen either one of you before.” “We have been away upon a long cruise,” replied Tanar. “Wait here until the captain of the gate returns,” said the man. “He will wish to question you.” The Sarian’s heart sank. “If we are late in returning to our ship, we shall be punished,” said he. “That is nothing to me,” replied the soldier. Stellara reached inside her cloak and beneath the man’s shorts that covered her own apparel and searched until she found a pouch that was attached to her girdle. From this she drew something which she slipped into Tanar’s hands. He understood immediately, and stepping close to the soldier he pressed two pieces of gold into the fellow’s palm. “It will go very hard with us if we are late,” he said. The man felt the cool gold within his palm. “Very well,” he said, gruffly, “go on about your business, and be quick about it.” Without waiting for a second invitation Tanar and Stellara merged with the crowd upon the Korsar street. Nor did either speak, and it is possible that Stellara did not even breathe until they had left the palace gate well behind. “And where now?” she asked at last. “We are going to sea,” replied the man. “In a Korsar ship?” she demanded. “In a Korsar boat,” he replied. “We are going fishing.” Along the banks of the river were moored many craft, but when Tanar saw how many men were on or around them he realized that the plan he had chosen, which contemplated stealing a fishing boat, most probably would end disastrously, and he explained his doubts to Stellara. “We could never do it,” she said. “Stealing a boat is considered the most heinous crime that one can commit in Korsar, and if the owner of a boat is not aboard it you may rest assured that some of his friends are watching it for him, even though there is little likelihood that anyone will attempt to steal it since the penalty is death.” Tanar shook his head. “Then we shall have to risk passing through the entire city of Korsar,” he said, “and going out into the open country without any reasonable excuse in the event that we are questioned.” “We might buy a boat,” suggested Stellara. “I have no money,” said Tanar.