“And the views of the rice and tea harvest are good here, too,” he said, with a nod. “All right, Anton, let’s stop the fencing. A visit by such a powerful member of the Russian Watch is a conspicuous event on our quiet little island. We would like to inquire what has brought you here—and with such a surprising companion.”

I didn’t reply immediately.

For some reason Arina and I had never discussed this situation at all, even though we realized that our arrival would not go unnoticed.

“This isn’t a business trip,” I said. “It’s a private visit.”

The elderly man nodded and looked at me, waiting.

“Certain events took place in Moscow . . . some time ago . . .” I went on cautiously.

“We know,” said the woman. But she didn’t clarify.

“Since I was personally involved in the events, I took what happened very much to heart,” I continued, finding myself constructing the phrase in an almost Asian style. “When the esteemed witch Arina and I met in London, I was informed by her that, as often happens, the same thing had already happened somewhere else . . . and that the highly esteemed Mr. Fan Wen-yan, who works in the Gugun Imperial Museum—the Gugun National Imperial Museum”—I corrected myself—“can cast some light on that old story . . .”

The Taiwanese exchanged glances.

“Your companion is wanted by the Inquisition and by your own Watch,” said Pasha. “Does that not perturb you?”

“As a Higher Other of the Night Watch I have the right to choose my own tactics and decide how to act,” I said cautiously. “And in addition, at the present moment her interests and my own coincide. And as for the Inquisition . . . unfortunately, I am not able to guarantee the detention of the Witch Arina. She is in possession of a Minoan Sphere and at any moment she can disappear to absolutely anywhere at all. Teleportation with the assistance of this artifact cannot be intercepted or traced,” I added, to make things perfectly clear.

“We are aware of that,” Pasha said, nodding. “We acknowledge your right to make this visit.”

“And your right to choose your own tactics,” added Lena.

“And to speak to Mr. Fan Wen-yan,” said Petya, putting in his own kopeck’s worth.

“But any unsanctioned use of magic against the Others and people of Taiwan will be punished with the full severity of the law,” Pasha continued.

“Even if you are provoked, in danger or only indirectly responsible,” Lena advised me.

“Mr. Fan Wen-yan will decide for himself whether or not to have dealings with you. You must not badger him,” added Petya.

All right, fair enough. Honesty had proved better than politics.