As he stepped down from his Sky-legs and into a robe, his knees buckled and only the quick reactions of the staff saved him from a fall. They put him back on his feet without a word while he silently berated himself. This will get back to Yadavendra. Damn it! I cannot afford to show weakness now.

It was understandable though. Without the support of his sapphire armour, he felt keenly aware of his unbroken flight from House Ruby to Sorn, and then from there to the castle. And that journey came off the back of the hunt! When did I last sleep?

He allowed himself to be guided to his usual room, grateful for the practised hands that moved him up stairs, down corridors, and into bed.

The next he knew, a servant was singing for entry.

He blinked sleepily, then sat up as the smell of smoking Nightweed and cooked meats tickled his nose. Not for the first time, it struck him that Rochant’s staff really were excellent.

After he’d inhaled a little too much of the Nightweed and devoured most of the food, he noticed the servant had remained in the room. ‘Yes?’

‘Are you up to receiving visitors, my lord?’

‘Not really.’

‘Ah.’ The servant’s face fell.

Vasin’s quickly mirrored it. ‘Let me guess. My brother, Lord Gada, is already on his way here to speak to me.’

‘Just so, my lord.’

I feel as if I have lived through this moment a thousand times and it never gets any less tedious. ‘As you can see, I am hardly in a state to receive anyone. Tell my beloved brother I will send for him when I am ready, and recommend that he try some of the yellow Birdkin flesh while he waits, it really is excellent.’

The servant’s face fell yet further. ‘At once, my lord.’

Yes, he thought, I’ve fallen for Gada’s tricks in the past, but no longer. I will not allow myself to be rushed and caught off guard again, nor will I dance to his beat when I can make him dance to mine. He may be my elder brother, but I have to stop thinking of him that way if I am to be a credible candidate for High Lord.

Despite this sentiment, he found it hard to be relaxed as servants prepared him for the day. They brushed his long hair, scented his body and then wrapped it in silk. Though his own people would have been better, they also did a credible job of painting his face, and daubing it in gold.

When he signalled for them to fetch Gada, he felt a flurry of nerves in his stomach. This is worse than the morning of a hunt.