Cramoisy straightened up. ‘Time you were out of here.’

‘They’ll never agree to that.’

‘Get those rags off.’ After so many days languishing in self-pity, the Diva seemed suddenly charged with vitality.

‘What do you mean?’ Khassian looked baffled.

‘You heard me. Now don’t tell me you’re going to make a fuss!’ Cramoisy lifted the heavy perruque off his head and placed it on Khassian, tucking in escaping curls of dark hair. ‘There. Not a bad fit. It hides the ear-tag rather neatly, don’t you think?’

‘Cram, what is all this? What’ve you done to your own hair? You’ve dyed it brown?’

‘Autumn Bronze, please – not brown. Orial, watch the door. Don’t turn around until I tell you.’ Cramoisy had begun to unbutton his embroidered top-coat, to untie the lacy jabot. ‘Strip off, Amar. She’s not going to peep. Are you, Orial?’

‘Exchange clothes? With you?’

‘You’re going on a journey. To Sulien. Here – let me.’

‘Just exactly what do you think you’re doing?’

‘Samira, Act Four. Remember?’

‘Cram, this isn’t an opera. This is real.’

‘I know.’ Cramoisy glared at him. ‘So stop wasting time and put on my clothes.’

‘I can’t.’

‘What? Do you mean you’re going to stop me giving the greatest performance of my career?’

‘I won’t. I won’t let you do it. They’ll kill you.’

‘And how long will you last if you stay here?’

‘I can’t go and leave the other Sanctuarees behind.’

‘What nonsense! How can you help the others whilst you’re in here? Outside you can organise an escape far more effectively.’

Orial sensed Khassian hesitate.

‘Now for Mhir’s sake, give me that apology for a garment and stop delaying.’

‘You’ll have to help me.’

Orial heard the capitulation in his voice. But she also heard footsteps in the corridor outside.

‘Someone’s coming!’ she cried, starting up. Only a few minutes had elapsed. Had they been betrayed?

The door opened – and Acir Korentan came in, closing the door instantly behind him. Orial saw that his face was taut, his eyes troubled.

‘Oh, Captain,’ cried Cramoisy in tones of extravagant relief, ‘what a scare you gave us.’

‘There’s no time,’ he said. ‘You must go now.’

‘He’ll do, won’t he, Captain?’ Cramoisy said, stepping back to assess Khassian’s transformation. ‘Though I have to say he’s nowhere near as devastating as me.’

‘Cram—’ began Khassian.

‘Go!’ Cramoisy gave him a push towards the door.

‘Take care,’ Orial whispered, pressing Cramoisy’s hand in her own.

‘My greatest performance,’ he said.

Without the elaborate wig, fashionable clothes and exaggerated maquillage, the Diva seemed to have dwindled to a shade of his ebullient self.

Captain Korentan ushered Orial and Khassian out into the passageway and locked Cramoisy in the interview chamber.

At the entrance to the passageway, two Guerriors stood on guard.