'We can only do our best.' Hoff sadly shook his head. 'And find one mark at a time.'

'I, for one, suggest we look to the nobles,' said Glokta. There were several grumbles of agreement.

'His Eminence makes a fine point.'

'A sharp curtailment of the powers of the Open Council,' said Halleck.

'Harsh taxes on those who did not provide material support in the recent war.'

'Excellent! Trim the nobles' sails. Damn parasites.'

'Sweeping reforms. Lands returned to the crown. Levies on inheritance.'

'On inheritance! An inspired notion!'

'The Lord Governors too must be brought into the fold.'

'Skald and Meed. Yes. They have long enjoyed too much independence.'

'Meed can hardly be blamed, his province is a wreck—'

'This is not a question of blame,' said Bayaz. No indeed, we all know where that lies. 'This is a question of control. Victory has given us the opportunity for reform.'

'We need to centralise!'

'Westport as well. Too long they have played us off against the Gurkish.'

'They need us now.'

'Perhaps we should extend the Inquisition to their city?' suggested Glokta.

'A foothold in Styria!'

'We must rebuild!' The First of the Magi thumped at the table with one meaty fist. 'Better and more glorious even than before. The statues in the Kingsway may have fallen, but they have left space for new ones.'

'A new era of prosperity,' said Halleck, eyes shining.

'A new era of power,' said Hoff, raising his goblet.

'A golden age?' Bayaz looked up the table at Glokta.

'An age of unity and opportunity for all!' said the king.

His offering fell somewhat flat. Eyes swivelled uncomfortably toward the king's end of the table. Quite as if he noisily farted, rather than spoke. 'Er… yes, your Majesty,' said Hoff. 'Opportunities.' For anyone lucky enough to sit on the Closed Council, that is.

'Perhaps heavier taxes on the merchant guilds?' proffered Halleck. 'As our last Arch Lector had in mind. The banks also. Such a move could produce vast incomes—'

'No,' said Bayaz, offhand. 'Not the guilds, not the banks. The free operation of those noble institutions provides wealth and security to all. The future of the nation lies in commerce.'

Halleck humbly inclined his head. With more than a hint of fear, do I detect? 'Of course, Lord Bayaz, you are right. I freely admit my mistake.'

The Magus moved smoothly on. 'Perhaps the banks would be willing to extend a loan to the crown, however.'