‘Can it be repaired?’ I asked.

‘Repaired!’ he scoffed, glaring at me. ‘You think you can repair–’

He must then have remembered my rank, for he hesitated, before smiling that odious smile.

‘I mean, my lord, that it is not possible to repair a building such as this. It is a living thing, and will not regenerate until it enters its growth phase in the spring. And it will not bloom again until next year.’

‘You think it will recover by then?’

‘Oh yes.’ He nodded. ‘Each year, without fail, there is blossom on the tree. I ensure it.’

There was pride in his voice, and renewed purpose.

‘I am pleased to know that,’ I said. ‘But if you will excuse me, I must return to my labours.’

‘Yes, you must show them,’ he muttered. ‘Show them all what those bastards have done to the governor’s home!’

As I departed, I told myself he was referring to the greenskins.

Flight Commander Gradeolous was waiting outside my room.

Though I had briefly interviewed the man I cannot say I was taken with him, and my pace slowed as I drew closer. Beyond the confines of his aircraft, he was a towering figure, broad enough that it must have been a struggle to squeeze into the cockpit of his fighter. He had clearly seen combat that night; his flight suit was stained by mud and worse, and carried the distinct aroma of promethium. But his face was scrubbed clean, hair swept back and smoothed into place, and his moustache waxed into dangerous-looking points.

He straightened as he saw me, stepping forward and extending a hand that enveloped my own.

‘Propagandist Simlex,’ he said with a broad grin. ‘I believe thanks are in order. They say you provided the warning that allowed us to repel the orks.’

‘I suppose.’ I shrugged. ‘Though it was more luck than skill.’

‘Still, you did your bit. That’s all any of us can do.’

‘True enough,’ I said, nodding. ‘Though I wonder what else I can do for you.’

‘Ha!’ He threw his head back as if my remark were the height of wit, then slapped my back with his free hand. The force propelled me forward, and I would have fallen on my face were he not still clasping my hand.

‘What can you do for me?’ he chuckled. ‘You, my diminutive friend, have already done so much. If you hadn’t provided advanced warning of the greenskin attack, who knows where we would be? My sources say Dolos is quite taken with you.’

‘Sources?’ I asked as he released his grip and casually strode into my room.

‘The servants,’ he said. ‘Honestly, it’s pathetic how desperate they are for acknowledgement. Buy them a couple of drinks and regale them with a few stories and they’ll tell you anything.’

As he spoke he surveyed the room. ‘This is nice. You must be a man of significant resources.’