Then there was Lady Yadva, who in Satyendra’s opinion was by far the most dangerous. Yadavendra was the only one in the room that the monstrous Deathless deferred to, and then only to his face. Before he could ponder her further however, she was planting herself in front of him, and filling up his cup.

‘Drink,’ she said, clapping him on the arm. ‘You’ve a lifecycle’s pleasures to catch up on!’

‘That I have,’ he replied.

‘You’ve been missed. Father fair tore up the place when they took you.’ The beads in her hair clacked together as she shook her head. ‘Dark times. We’ve been holding our breaths all these years, waiting to see if you’d make it back.’ She met his eyes. ‘But I knew you would.’

‘Oh?’

Her finger prodded his chest. ‘You’re too damned clever to go out like that. I knew you’d have another vessel tucked away or some kind of plan. That’s what I’ve always liked about you, Rochant. You know which way the wind is blowing before the Birdkin do.’

‘I’m sure it has changed direction many times in my absence.’

‘Oh yes.’ She raised her cup. ‘To the future. May the winds be ever at your back.’

He copied her gesture, but sipped where she drank deeply. There was an energy to her that he found unnerving, and he was glad when she left.

Aside from the Sapphire, two Tanzanite Deathless were also in attendance, but they had been seated at the opposite end of the table, and he caught only glimpses of them. Only two things Satyendra saw for certain, that they were not being made particularly welcome, and that neither seemed excited by the food.

As each guest reached their limits, they came to pay their respects. Again, Satyendra was glad for Rochant’s reputation for being reserved, it meant he didn’t have to reach for much enthusiasm. The low level tension had proved to be exhausting and he was eager to spend some time alone.

However, when it was Yadavendra’s turn to leave, he beckoned for Satyendra to follow, a command dressed up as invitation. They walked together in silence, until the High Lord was ducking through the door into his chambers. He immediately strode to the opposite side of the room and leaned on the windowsill, while Satyendra waited by the door, keeping as much distance between them as possible.

‘The house was in good spirits tonight,’ said Yadavendra, ‘did you see their faces, old friend?’

‘Yes.’

‘Our people are pleased to see you return and they are pleased to see us whole again. Too often, house business stops one of us from attending a rebirth, or one of us is between lives. It is auspicious that tonight was different, a sign that things will change for the better. Yes! I feel it.’