I reached the grove an hour before sunset, entered, looked around. Just like last time, the cream of Taglian society had come out to rubberneck. Ram and a red rumel man named Abda, of Vehdna background, were my bodyguards. I did not know Abda. He was with me because Narayan said he was good.

They had spruced up. Ram cleaned up nicely when you held a knife to his kidneys. Bathed, hair and beard trimmed, in new clothes, he cut a handsome figure. But Abda did not improve much. He was a shifty-eyed little villain who looked like a villain no matter what.

I wished I had brought a Gunni bodyguard, too, to make a symbolic statement. You cant think of everything when youre rushed.

The Prahbrindrah rose as I strode up to him. He smiled. You found me. I was concerned. I wasnt specific about where wed meet.

It seemed logical Id find you where we met before.

He eyed Ram and Abda. He had come alone. A measure of his confidence in his peoples reverence? Misplaced confidence, maybe.

Make yourself comfortable, he invited. Ive tried to order things I think youll like. He glanced at Ram and Abda again, perplexed. He did not know what to do about them.

I said, Last time I was here somebody tried to kill Croaker. Forget them. I trust their discretion. I had no idea whether I could trust Abda or not. Didnt seem smart to make a point of it, though.

Servitors started with refreshments and appetizers. From the state of the grove you could not tell Taglios was a nation threatened with extinction.

You look radiant this evening.

I dont feel it. I feel worn out.

You should relax more. Take life easier.

Have the Shadowmasters decided to take a holiday?

He sampled something that looked like shrimp. Where had shrimp come from, here? Well, the sea was not that far away.

Which sparked a germ of an idea. I set it aside for later examination.

The prince swallowed, dabbed his lips with a napkin. You seem determined to make my life difficult.

Oh?

You roar ahead like the whirlwind, giving no one time to think. You rush headlong. Everyone else has to concentrate on keeping their balance.

I smiled. If I give anyone time to do anything but run along behind me Ill be up to my ears in grief. None of you seem to understand the magnitude of your enemy. You all have your priorities inverted. Everybody wants to dance around and get the angle on everybody else. Meantime, the Shadowmasters are planning to exterminate all of you.

He nibbled and pretended to think. Youre right. But people are human. Nobody here has ever had to think in terms of external enemies. Or really deadly enemies.

The Shadowmasters count on that, too.

No doubt.

A new course arrived, more substantial. Some kind of bird. I was surprised. The princes background was Gunni. The Gunni were determined vegetarians.