Yadavendra let out a sigh, and sagged a little, his enthusiasm flipping into plaintiveness. ‘While you were gone I did everything you asked of me. Even Sorn. They begged us for help, you know? Raised tributes, made sacrifices … I stood by and let them be taken.’ He lifted his head to gaze out of the window. ‘The others don’t understand. How could they? Do you think I could tell them now?’

I have no idea, thought Satyendra. ‘A High Lord does not need to explain himself. Do so and they will think you weak. It will only invite more questions.’

Yadavendra nodded sadly. ‘As always you speak the truth. Ah, but it is hard. My daughter hates me, and the others think I have gone mad. But you, old friend, you know the truth, don’t you?’

‘Yes, my High Lord.’ Even as he was replying, Satyendra’s mind worked furiously. Sorn’s destruction was by Rochant’s design? But why? It was his own settlement. If he’d wished to punish the people there were a thousand ways he could have done so. Ahh, but all of them would have involved taking responsibility. Somehow, he had the High Lord carry out his dirty work for him.

Yadavendra’s shudder of relief was emphasized by the great crystal wings. ‘That simple words can bring such pleasure. Know that I never doubted your brilliance, but, as the years went by I found it harder to hold onto. You were right, of course, my sister was poison, and I’ve seen how that poison seeped into the house, corrupting everything. It’s easy to burn things away, but to rejuvenate them is beyond me. How to make things right again? That is the question driving everything I’ve tried to do since becoming High Lord. It’s all I want, you know. To make things right.’

Satyendra fought to keep the sneer from his face. He’s trying to convince me of this rot and he’s not even convincing himself.

‘And I began to worry. It was you who warned me that Nidra’s soul was so evil, so warped by her compact with demons, so vile, that her Godpiece itself was corrupted. But what about Samarku Un-Sapphire’s Godpiece? Could that not also have been corrupted?’ He spun round, pointing his glaive directly at Satyendra’s chest. ‘I gave his Godpiece to you!’

He wanted to flee but forced himself to be still, to stay calm. Rochant would stay calm. ‘You are wise to be vigilant, my High Lord. We must be most careful who we trust. Had I not come directly from the Bringers of Endless Order, I would advise you to test me as thoroughly as you must test the others. But you were there. You saw with your own eyes that I am no abomination.’

Yadavendra was nodding now. ‘Yes, that is true.’