Josiri fell silent. The wary look and the hastened tread told him plenty. Something was badly wrong, and Brass knew it.

By the time they reached the intricate wrought-iron gates of Abbeyfields, the further thinning of the crowds and the increasing prevalence of constabulary tabards allowed him to put a name to circumstance. Curfew. Not yet begun, but soon. Apparently he’d brought at least part of the Southshires with him.

Four guards watched the main gate. Brass made a lumbering beeline for the woman who shared his sergeant’s stars. After brief conversation, Josiri was beckoned through into the gardens. At the mansion door Brass hauled hard on the bell-pull. Shortly after, the door creaked open to reveal a rotund, grey-clad servant whose harried expression spoke to labours interrupted.

“Yes?”

“The Duke of Eskavord to see Lord Reveque.” Out of nowhere, Brass possessed a crispness of voice and manner that had earlier been lacking.

The servant’s brow furrowed. Josiri felt disbelieving eyes boring into him. Jack o’ Fellhallow and an entourage of thornmaidens would have been only a fraction less surprising a houseguest – and he’d have managed better garb than Viktor’s borrowed clothes.

At last, the fellow nodded. “Very well. If you’ll wait inside, your grace?”

“You’ll have to forgive me. This is a lot to take in.”

Malachi topped off both glasses and returned the decanter to the dresser. He handed one glass to Josiri Trelan – it seemed odd to think of him as Josiri Akadra, even given the explanation for why he should do so – and reclaimed a seat at Lilyana’s side. Her glass remained untouched.

Josiri nodded his thanks. “Easier to hear it than to live it.”

“You’re certain the Hadari won’t return?”

“Kai Saran is wounded, his army broken. The Hadari are no longer a threat.” His tone darkened. “They never were. Not the one I should have heeded.”

Malachi nodded. “I wish I could say that Ebigail and Makrov’s arrangement came as any surprise. But Viktor arrested? And by Rosa? Time was, she’d be first to defend him.”

It at least explained why she’d moved out that morning. Was she protecting him, or avoiding confrontation? The former would have been very much in character.

“People change,” said Lily. “Rosa’s been through a great deal. She may not be the person you knew any longer. Or perhaps Viktor never truly was.”

Malachi scowled away a flash of irritation. “I can’t believe that. I won’t. They’re my friends. The world’s gone mad.”

“The world was always mad,” said Josiri, his tone edged with steel. “I don’t blame you for not noticing. It’s easier to look away than to fight.”

Malachi flinched. “Josiri . . .”