He first made sure that the door was properly closed behind him, then made a gesture in the air to activate his Tabernacle link. In response, a bubble of light appeared before him, and within it Gabrielle saw a ragged-looking man aged probably in his late twenties, who was crouching on a dusty floor somewhere with his back pressed against a wooden post. His dark eyes were full of defeat, while a patch of hair on one side of his head was still growing out again where the faith chip had been extracted from his skull. His face was barely illuminated by a single lamp hanging from a piece of twisted wire, but the torn remnants of his Demarchy insignia were visible on one dust-specked shoulder.

Cassanass son was, as Gabrielle knew, a member of the same elite guard that Karl commanded. He had been officially missing in action for some months now.

Believe me, Karl said to the old woman, hes in just about the safest place he could be right now.

Gabrielle wondered what in the world he meant by that, but it didnt seem like the right moment to ask questions.

I dont believe you, said Cassanas, but her voice sounded full of defeat. How do I know this isnt just a fake recording?

If you prefer Karl took a step closer to her you can watch his execution in real time, right now if you dont get the hell out of here and leave us alone.

The last shreds of defiance fled Cassanass expression, her fingers busily working at the buttons of her robe as if she wanted to tear it off.

Please, she said, her eyes full of despair, at least let me speak to him just the once.

Despite herself and despite the long hatred she had built up towards Cassanas over the years Gabrielle nonetheless felt an unexpected stab of pity for the old woman in her anguish. There were times when Karl could appear immensely cruel and heartless, as if in reality he was someone quite different from the gentle and passionate lover she had come to know.

Here, said Karl, extending the bunched knuckles of one hand towards Cassanas before flinging the fingers wide, thus sending a small, glowing icon from his hand to hers. The icon hovered in front of Cassanas, then vanished when she reached out to it.

Thats everything you need in order to talk to your son via a secure link, said Karl. Youll have two minutes to speak with him. But tell no one about this, and make certain your conversation is private or I will make absolutely sure that he takes a very long time to die.

Gabrielle watched the old woman bow her head obediently, with what seemed like supreme effort, before stepping out of the bedchamber and closing the door behind her with a loud thud.