‘I represent the Sulien Council, demselle,’ he said with a nod of the head. ‘I have attempted to serve this order upon Dame Tradescar on several occasions and each time I have been turned away. You are my witness that she has taken the order and is now obliged to read it.’

‘Jolaine –’ Orial turned to the Antiquarian who had already torn the order open and was scanning the page, muttering venomously all the while about petty officials and bureaucrats.

‘So now you will let us in?’

The brawny man made as if to push the door wide open; Jolaine neatly jabbed him in the foot with her walking-stick. There was a smothered curse and the foot was hastily withdrawn, enabling her to slam the door shut in his face.

‘I am in the middle of important new researches,’ she shouted from behind the door. ‘I will not be disturbed.’

‘As you are disinclined to co-operate, Dame Tradescar, His Worship the Mayor wishes me to inform you that he has recently received an application from a gifted young scholar, a certain Dr Theophil Philemot from the University of Can Tabrien.’ The official took a step forward, as if confident Jolaine would admit him. ‘He also wishes me to remind you that you are deemed by the City Council to be well past the usual retirement age.’

Orial saw Jolaine’s shoulders sag; it seemed as if all the fight had suddenly leaked out of her.

‘Jolaine – there must be something I can do!’

The Antiquarian shook her head. Keep your counsel, her eyes implored Orial through the glass.

‘I’m so sorry, my dear. Our little outing will have to wait for another day.’

CHAPTER 12

Acir Korentan was no longer certain whether he was shadowing Amaru Khassian to spy on him – or to protect him.

Until that sun-gilded afternoon in the Parade Gardens, he had been steeling himself to bring his mission to a conclusion. He had planned one more meeting with the composer, a meeting at which he would convince him that the only course of action left to him was to return to Bel’Esstar. He would appeal to Khassian’s better nature, would talk of reconciliation and a new dawn.

And then Fiammis had thrown all his plans awry.

Was she acting on her own initiative? Or was there some more sinister reason for her appearance? Even in Enhirrë he had heard rumours… sudden, inexplicable deaths in Bel’Esstar of prominent people opposed to Ilsevir’s new regime. There was, of course, no proof that the deaths had been deliberately contrived… And there was no proof that Fiammis had not come to Sulien for her health.

Each day Acir had observed Khassian leave the Crescent house in company with the Magelonne girl. And each day he had followed them, only to lose them in the back streets of the city – or, more accurately, they lost him.