He stood stock-still, waiting. Kitrini had said he should allow Chay to speak first, though she had been uncertain whether the guldman would recognize her or treat her like a woman as invisible as any other. “Which would be a good sign?” he had asked, and she had given a hollow laugh. “I don’t know,” she had replied.

It seemed like a full minute that Chay Zanlan assessed them, his eyes flicking from one face to the other, but everything else about him immobile. Then he took three majestic steps across the room and enfolded Kitrini in a massive hug.

“Kit,” the guldman said, and then a spate of other words that Nolan could not recognize. Kit? That was how she was called here? With so many other things to think about, Nolan’s mind fastened on to that fact. Kit. He liked it. It suited her.

Chay Zanlan released her and addressed another comment to her in goldtongue. She answered in the same language, seeming entirely at ease, though Nolan sensed she was not. He continued to stand very quietly. Patience was the key here. That oblique speech. That indirect approach. He must remember to proceed as Kitrini had told him.

As Kit had told him.

Finally, after an interminable conversation in which Nolan had no part, Chay Zanlan gestured at his other guest and switched to bluetongue. He had a perfect command of the language, Nolan noted; someone had taught him well.

“So, Kit, I see you have traveled here in the company of a blueskin man,” the gulden leader said casually.

“Yes, he was most interested in making your acquaintance.”

“I am always curious to meet friends of my friend’s daughter.”

“I explained to him that you are a very busy man and do not have much time for idle talk.”

“That is true.”

“And he assured me he would not waste your time with insignificant matters.”

“That is good to hear. In your journey here, did he explain to you what weighty topics he wished to discuss with me?”

“No, he did not,” Kitrini said flatly.

Chay inclined his head. “That is well. A man should not debate such issues lightly with a woman.”

Kit was silent. Chay appeared to consider. Nolan thought his tension must send him shrieking across the room. He clenched his hands till the nails scarred the palms. “And yet, some women have valuable insights into the hearts of men. My wife, for instance, can often tell me what it is I am thinking even when I have not resolved my thoughts.”

Kit smiled faintly. “The lady Rell is wise in many ways.”

“And you yourself are a woman of uncommon intelligence. Your opinion at times has been most welcome to me.”

“I thank you for your respect.”