'That may take some explaining.' Glokta winced at a cramp in his leg and forced it out straight under the table. 'May I speak entirely honestly with you, your Worship?'

Marovia stroked thoughtfully at his beard. 'The truth is a very rare and valuable commodity. I am astonished that a man of your experience would simply give it away. Especially to someone on the other side of the fence, so to speak.'

'I was once told that a man lost in the desert must take such water as he is offered, regardless of the source.'

'Lost, are you? Speak honestly, then, Superior, and we will see if I can spare something from my canteen.'

Hardly a promise of succour, but the best I might have hoped for from a man so recently a bitter enemy. And so… my confession. Glokta turned over the memories of the last couple of years in his mind. And a filthy, a shameful, an ugly set they are. Where to begin? 'It is some time ago, now, that I began to examine irregularities in the business of the Honourable Guild of Mercers.'

'I well remember the unfortunate affair.'

'During my investigations I discovered that the Mercers were financed by a bank. A very wealthy and powerful bank. Valint and Balk.'

Glokta watched carefully for a reaction, but Marovia's eyes did not so much as flicker. 'I am aware of the existence of such an institution.'

'I suspected that they were implicated in the Mercers' crimes. Magister Kault told me as much before his unfortunate demise. But his Eminence did not wish me to investigate further. Too many complications at a complicated time.' Glokta's left eye twitched and he felt it beginning to run. 'My apologies,' he muttered as he wiped it with a finger. 'Shortly afterwards I was dispatched to Dagoska, to take charge of the defence of the city.'

'Your particular diligence in that matter was a source of some discomfort to me.' Marovia worked his mouth sourly. 'My congratulations. You did an extraordinary job.'

'I cannot entirely take the credit. The task the Arch Lector had given me was impossible. Dagoska was riddled with treason and surrounded by the Gurkish.'

Marovia snorted. 'One sympathises.'

'If only anyone had sympathised then, but they were busy here, trying to get the better of each other, as they always are. Dagoska's defences were in a state entirely inadequate for the task. I could not strengthen them without money—'

'His Eminence was not forthcoming.'

'His Eminence would not part with a single mark. But an unlikely benefactor stepped forward in my time of need.'

'A rich uncle? What a happy chance.'