“I was wondering about that,” said China. “Is there any particular reason you chose to go to Doctor Synecdoche over the medical team here at the High Sanctuary?”

“I didn’t choose anything. I didn’t even know she’d opened her own clinic. That was all Fletcher. I think he just brought us to her on instinct.”

“I see,” said China. “Yes. I’m sure that was it.” She sat back, allowing herself a smile. “How are you, Valkyrie? It’s been far too long.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“You seem hesitant. Is something wrong?”

“Your chair,” said Valkyrie. “From down here, it looks a lot like a throne.”

“Is there anything wrong with that?”

Valkyrie shrugged. “I don’t know. Sitting in a throne all day might make it easy to forget that you’re an elected official and not, you know … a queen. Or an empress.”

China observed her, then stood and came down the steps, her bodyguards accompanying her. “There. Is that better?”

“Much,” said Valkyrie.

China got to the bottom, and embraced Valkyrie. “It’s good to see you again,” she said softly.

“It’s good to be here,” Valkyrie lied.

China stepped back. “The reports I’ve been hearing on what happened … they lack certain details, such as why on earth you went to the Narrows without Cleaver support. Obviously, as Arbiters, you have the authority to go where you like. But I have to ask, in light of what happened … was that wise?”

“In hindsight,” said Valkyrie, “no.”

China hooked her arm through Valkyrie’s and started walking. The bodyguards stayed behind them. “Who was it? Who attacked you?”

“I don’t know all of them,” Valkyrie said. “A man named Lethe. Another named Richard Melior. A Teleporter named Nero.”

“And you think they’re connected to this anti-Sanctuary?” China asked. “Oh, yes, Skulduggery told me all about his suspicions. I wasn’t sold on the idea, I have to admit. An organisation working behind the scenes for centuries without us knowing about it? It seemed preposterous.” She sighed. “It doesn’t seem so preposterous any more.”

“I’m assuming the Cleavers found no trace of them when they arrived?”

“None at all,” said China. “The City Guards conducted a thorough search of the area – I’m afraid we have no idea where this Melior man may have gone.”

“Why did Skulduggery quit?”

China frowned. “I’m sorry?”

“Being City Guard Commander. Why did he quit?”

“It was always going to be temporary,” said China. “I knew that when he took the job. Skulduggery wants to be out there, in the thick of the action. Being the Commander meant he was stuck behind a desk for most of his time here. He got it up and running, though, which is what I needed him for. When he left, there were no hard feelings.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes. Why, did he say any different?”

“He didn’t say anything. Which made me wonder.”