'A repeat of that performance will probably never be possible, alas. I seem to have used up all my friends and most of my enemies in that one throw.'

'And regrettably the Gurkish army can no longer be with us.'

'Busy elsewhere, I understand.' He watched her cross to the table, look out of the window towards the street, the daylight glowing through her dark air, down the edge of her cheek.

'I trust that you are well?' she asked.

'Busier even than the Gurkish. A great deal to do. How is your brother? I have been meaning to visit him, but…' But I doubt even I could stand the stink of my own hypocrisy if I did. I cause pain. The easing of it is a foreign tongue to me.

Ardee looked at her feet. 'He is always sick now. Every time I visit he is thinner. One of his teeth fell out while I was with him.' She shrugged her shoulders. 'It just came out while he was trying to eat. He nearly choked on it. But what can I do? What can anyone?'

'I am truly sorry to hear it.' But it changes nothing. 'I am sure that you are a great help to him.' I am sure that there can be no help for him. 'And how are you?'

'Better than most, I suppose.' She gave a long sigh, shook herself and tried to smile. 'Will you take some wine?'

'No, but don't let me stop you.' I know you never have.

But she only held the bottle for a moment, then set it down again. 'I have been trying to drink less, lately.'

'I have always felt that you should.' He took a slow step towards her. 'You feel sick, then, in the mornings?'

She looked sharply sideways, then swallowed, the thin muscles standing out from her neck. 'You know?'

'I am the Arch Lector,' he said as he came closer. 'I am supposed to know everything.'

Her shoulders sagged, her head dropped, she leaned forwards, both hands on the edge of the table. Glokta could see her eyelids fluttering, from the side. Blinking back the tears. For all of her anger, and her cleverness, shejust as much in need of saving as anyone could be. But there is no one to come to the rescue. There is only me.

'I suppose I made quite a mess of things, just as my brother said I would. Just as you said I would. You must be disappointed.'