Whiskeyjack wasted little time. ‘Captain, I need to speak with your soldiers. Commander Dujek wishes to do the same with you. Perhaps we can all gather afterwards, if you’re so inclined.’

The heightened propriety of Whiskeyjack’s words put Paran’s nerves on edge. He simply nodded in reply, then, as the bearded second-in-command marched off with Mallet, Quick Ben and Spindle following, the captain fixed his attention on Dujek.

The veteran studied Paran’s face for a moment, then sighed. ‘We’ve received news from the empire, Captain.’

‘How, sir?’

Dujek shrugged. ‘Nothing direct, of course, but our sources are reliable. Laseen’s cull of the nobility proved ... efficient.’ He hesitated, then said, ‘The Empress has a new Adjunct. . .’

Paran slowly nodded. There was nothing surprising in that. Lorn was dead. The position needed to be filled. ‘Have you news of my family, sir?’

‘Your sister Tavore salvaged what she could, lad. The Paran holdings in Unta, the outlying estates ... most of the trade agreements. Even so ... your father passed away, and, a short while later, your mother elected ... to join him on the other side of Hood’s Gate. I am sorry, Ganoes ...’

Yes, she would do that, wouldn’t she? Sorry? Aye, as am I. ‘Thank you, sir. To be honest, I’m less shocked by that news than you might think.’

‘There’s more, I’m afraid. Your, uh, outlawry left your House exposed. I don’t think your sister saw much in the way of options. The cull promised to be savage. Clearly, Tavore had been planning things for some time. She well knew what was coming. noble-born children were being . . . raped. Then murdered. The order to have every noble-born child under marrying age slain was never made official, perhaps indeed Laseen was unaware of what was going on—’

‘I beg you sir, if Felisin is dead, tell me so and leave out the details.’

Dujek shook his head. ‘No, she was spared that, Captain. That is what I am trying to tell you.’

‘And what did Tavore sell to achieve that ... sir?’

‘Even as the new Adjunct, Tavore’s powers were limited. She could not be seen to reveal any particular . . . favouritism – or so I choose to read her intentions...’

Paran closed his eyes. Adjunct Tavore. Well, sister, you knew your own ambition. ‘Felisin?’

‘The Otataral Mines, Captain. Not a life sentence, you can be sure of that. Once the fires cool in Unta, she will no doubt be quietly retrieved—’

‘Only if Tavore judges it to be without risk to her reputation—’

Dujek’s eyes widened. ‘Her rep—’