‘I saw the glow – difficult to miss, old man. Best leave it, now, let it die down.’

‘What do you want, L’oric?’

‘I acknowledge your reluctance to speak of what you know. There is no value, after all, in gifting Bidithal or Febryl with such details. And so I shall not demand that you explain what you’ve sensed regarding this Master of the Deck. Instead, I offer an exchange, and all that we say will remain between the two of us. No-one else.’

‘Why should I trust you? You are hidden – even to Sha’ik. You give no reason as to why you are here. In her cadre, in this war.’

‘That alone should tell you I am not like the others,’ L’oric replied.

Heboric sneered. ‘That earns you less than you might think. There can be no exchange because there is nothing you can tell me that I would be interested in hearing. The schemes of Febryl? The man’s a fool. Bidithal’s perversions? One day a child will slip a knife between his ribs. Korbolo Dom and Kamist Reloe? They war against an empire that is far from dead. Nor will they be treated with honour when they are finally brought before the Empress. No, they are criminals, and for that their souls will burn for eternity. The Whirlwind? That goddess has my contempt, and that contempt does naught but grow. Thus, what could you possibly tell me, L’oric, that I would value?’

‘Only the one thing that might interest you, Heboric Light Touch. Just as this Master of the Deck interests me. I would not cheat you with the exchange. No, I would tell you all that I know of the Hand of Jade, rising from the otataral sands – the Hand that you have touched, that now haunts your dreams.’

‘How could you know these—’ He fell silent. The sweat on his brow was now cold.

‘And how,’ L’oric retorted, ‘can you sense so much from a mere description of the Master’s card? Let us not question these things, else we trap ourselves in a conversation that will outlive Raraku itself. So, Heboric, shall I begin?’

‘No. Not now. I am too weary for this. Tomorrow, L’oric’

‘Delay may prove ... disastrous.’ After a moment, the High Mage sighed. ‘Very well. I can see your exhaustion. Permit me, at least, to brew your tea for you.’

The gesture of kindness was unexpected, and Heboric lowered his head. ‘L’oric, promise me this – that when the final day comes, you be a long way from here.’

‘A difficult promise. Permit me to think on it. Now, where is the hen’bara?’

‘Hanging from a bag above the pot.’

‘Ah, of course.’