But as the evening went on, he dared to hope he might make it. While Yadavendra was in his armour – a fact studiously ignored by all present – and the close proximity was making Satyendra’s face itch so much he kept his hands full to stave off the desire to scratch, it also kept the other Deathless at a distance. In fact, he suspected they were up to something. There seemed to be a social gap left between them and their High Lord. And me.

He spent most of his time wondering whether he should mention this to Yadavendra or slip over to their side and ask if he could join.

The other thing in his favour was Rochant’s reputation of being economical with his speech. While this meant he was occasionally bored senseless by the drunken gabbling of others, it minimized the need to reply and risk giving himself away.

Several songs were sung in Rochant’s honour, and the courses were broken up with entertainments: jugglers, dancers and Story-singers. While these went on, he took the opportunity to study the other Deathless in attendance, hoping for insights.

The easiest to watch was Lord Umed Sapphire, the High Lord’s elder brother. He’d settled into his seat early, and not moved from it since. The gold tattoo curling around his neck attested to one of his brutal deaths in the Wild, and his now cautious nature. Though Umed’s current body was well-worn and comfortably into its seventh decade, he delighted them all by getting up to dance. And over the course of the evening, Satyendra noticed that everyone of importance made sure to steal a few moments with him.

He rarely hunts now but retains his popularity. I must learn his secret if I am to survive.

When he looked at Lord Gada Sapphire, he found the other man already watching him. The two of them exchanged a respectful nod, but Satyendra did not like it one bit. There is little trust in those eyes and no warmth in that smile. It is like looking at myself with all the guile stripped away.

Gada’s brother, Lord Vasin, seemed subdued, his mind elsewhere. Despite this, there were many attempts to draw him into discussions. The man was clearly popular, both in and out of the house, though it was hard to see why. In fact, Satyendra was disappointed. After hearing so much about the great hunter of House Sapphire, who had, among other things, faced down the Scuttling Corpseman and rescued him from the Wild as a baby, he had expected more. They call him a hero though I think Mother played a much bigger part in my survival. Funny how she gets so little credit. Her part in Vasin’s legend is forgotten as swiftly as my own is in Rochant’s.