Sult slapped the table with his white-gloved palm. 'Two months, Glokta! Two months! With every day that passed he looked more of a fool, and I looked more of a hero… we, that is,' he corrected himself, 'we looked like heroes, and all I had to do was smile! You could almost see them, each day, shuffling their chairs away from Marovia and down towards me! Last week they voted extra powers to the Inquisition. Nine votes to three. Nine to three! Next week we'll go further! How the hell did you manage it?' And he gazed at Glokta expectantly.

I sold myself to the bank that funded the Mercers, then used the proceeds to bribe the worlds least reliable mercenary. Then I murdered a defenceless emissary under flag of parley and tortured a serving girl until her body was mincemeat. Oh, and I let the biggest traitor of the lot go free. It was, without doubt, a heroic business. How did I manage it? 'Rising early,' he murmured.

Sult's eye flickered, and Glokta caught it. A trace of annoyance, perhaps? A trace of mistrust? But it was quickly extinguished. 'Rising early. Of course.' He raised his glass. 'The second greatest virtue. It comes just behind ruthlessness. I like your style, Glokta, I've always said so.'

Have you indeed? But Glokta humbly inclined his head.

'Practical Vitari's despatches were filled with admiration. I particularly enjoyed the way you dealt with the Gurkish emissary. That must have wiped the smile from the Emperor's face, if only for a moment, the arrogant swine.' So she kept her end of the bargain, then? Interesting. 'Yes, things proceed smoothly. Except for the damn peasants making a nuisance of themselves, and Angland of course. Shame about Ladisla.'

'About Ladisla?' asked Glokta, baffled.

Sult looked sour. 'You didn't hear? Another of High Justice Marovia's brilliant notions. He had it in mind to lift the Crown Prince's popularity by giving him a command in the North. Something out of the way, where he'd be in no danger and we could heap him with glory. It wasn't a bad scheme, really, except that out of the way became in the way, and he commanded himself straight into his grave.'

'His army with him?'