‘So it’s dead?’

She shook her head.

‘Things like that can’t die. It’s been cast back into the warp where it came from. It’s still out there… or in there… somewhere. Sorry.’

‘No wonder you recommend unburdening,’ he said. ‘I’m worrying what I will begin to say to the poor confessor I visit.’

He wandered up to the old man’s library. Eisenhorn was tossing books from the shelves into a pile on the floor.

‘We need to burn this place,’ he said. ‘The books, the bodies. Everything. I’ve briefed Macks on how to contain the situation. A cover story. An accident during fleet manoeuvres. Something to keep the governor satisfied. And the ordos off Macks’ back.’

‘They’ll come looking,’ said Drusher.

‘Without doubt, but eventually,’ said Eisenhorn. ‘And when they get here, they’ll find very little. And a lot of people who know zero.’

‘Is this the part where you reprimand me?’ asked Drusher. ‘Or, I don’t know, burn me along with the books?’

‘No, I wanted to thank you,’ said Eisenhorn.

‘Really?’

‘You did more than was asked,’ said Eisenhorn. ‘And your expertise was invaluable at several key points.’

‘Well, you asked for help.’

‘I believe I owe you passage off-world,’ said Eisenhorn. ‘That was the deal. You’re a clever man, Drusher, and a great deal of purpose still awaits you. A greater career you can accomplish. You should not stay here and waste the rest of your life on a backwater planet that you no longer love.’

‘I’ve found it has more to it than I first imagined,’ Drusher replied.

‘I can’t give you passage,’ said Eisenhorn. ‘Things are complicated and we must leave shortly. But there’s a bag on the chaise there. Take it, with my thanks.’

Drusher walked over to the old chaise, picked up the small leather kitbag and opened it.

‘Right,’ he said.

‘There is an alternative,’ said Eisenhorn. ‘Don’t take the bag. Come with us instead.’

‘With you?’

‘It will be more insane adventures, I’m afraid.’

‘Yes, but with you?’

‘I have very few friends,’ said Eisenhorn. ‘Probably none, in fact. And I can’t call on many people for help any more. I could use a clever man at my side. I’m running out of allies, and where I’m going…’

‘Sancour?’

‘Yes.’

‘The city of Queen Mab?’

‘Indeed.’

‘You want me to go with you?’

‘As I said, magos, I can count the people who now stand with me on the fingers of one hand. You are a specialist, an expert advisor, and you have shown your mettle.’

‘I thought you hated me for pulling you out of that cage,’ said Drusher.

‘I’ve had time to reflect,’ said Eisenhorn. ‘If you hadn’t, it would have ended badly.’

‘That’s what ending well looks like?’ asked Drusher.

‘Often.’

‘But you’re still going on,’ said Drusher, ‘to Queen Mab, on Sancour?’

‘Yes, magos.’