They bade each other farewell outside the Upper Gate. A bitter wind was blowing from the Odra, chilling them to the marrow. Reynevan pulled a fur collar up around his ears.

“Come with us,” said Scharley, reining in his black horse. “Just come with us. I understand what’s still keeping you here. I feel guilty, laddie. My conscience is pricking me. I shouldn’t be leaving you.”

“I’ll be in Rapotín soon,” Reynevan lied. “Any day now. Meanwhile, send my good wishes to Mistress Blažena. And my regards to Marketa, Samson. Hug her from me.”

“Naturally,” said the giant, smiling sadly. “Naturally. We’ll be waiting for you, Reinmar. Meanwhile, farewell and—”

“Yes?”

“Don’t let them manipulate you. Don’t let them use you.”

“They didn’t invite me to the counsel,” said Sigismund Korybut calmly, but it was clear that inside he was boiling over with anger.

“They didn’t invite me,” he repeated. “And not a man in the Polish deputation even sent me his respects. As though I wasn’t even there! As though they didn’t know about me! I am their monarch’s nephew, dammit! I am a duke!”

“M’lord Your Grace,” said Reynevan. He cleared his throat and then began to deliver the prepared speech that Bedřich of Strážnice had given him.

“Please understand the sensitivity of the situation. King Jagiełło has announced to the entire Christian world that you are in Bohemia without his knowledge or involvement and contrary to his wishes. In Poland you are excommunicate and outlawed. Does it surprise you that the official Polish mission wants nothing to do with you? It would be grist to Sigismund’s mill, a fresh pretext for Teutonic libels. They would once again declare that Jagiełło supports the Hussites, actively and with arms. For you know, Your Grace, that you are a thorn in Sigismund’s side, you and your knights. He knows what power you wield and is simply afraid of you.”

A broad smile lit up Sigismund Korybut’s face. For a moment, it appeared that pride would split it in two. Reynevan continued the lesson he had learned by heart.

“Though you weren’t invited to the counsel, you can be certain you were discussed. I am returning from Silesia, from a mission, so I know that all the plans—and they are great plans—are based on your strength, Duke. Those plans are fully cognisant of your contributions, they won’t be forgotten, but will be rewarded.”