Yadavendra’s Sky-legs halved the distance between them in a single bound. ‘Nothing to say, have you! I will not be meekly led away to slaughter. I am High Lord here and I will defend our sovereignty with force if need be.’

Facing an armoured Deathless when not similarly elevated was shocking. It made Pari appreciate what it must be like for the road-born witnessing a hunt. Yadavendra’s anger radiated outward like a physical force. It distressed her, and she dreaded to think what it was doing to Arkav. Her brother seemed rooted to the spot, his eyes wide, unable to do anything but drink in the vision before him.

Unwilling to allow the sapphire-bladed staff to get any closer and unable to retreat, Pari started talking, her mouth going into action before her brain. ‘As my brother said, it is not us making the demands. This is not a Tanzanite matter. It is one for all the houses. We are but messengers doing our sworn duty, as we hope you will.’

‘I see. Well, messenger, I will consider what has been said.’ He brought the base of his staff to rest on the floor with a bang. ‘You may go.’

‘We are keen to do so, High Lord of the Sapphire, but Lord Arkav and I are bound to stay until you acquiesce to accompany us to the Hall of Seven Doors. Though I would not presume to make a demand of you, a demand that binds all of us has been made nonetheless.’

‘You dare?’ hissed Yadavendra.

And just when she thought he was going to attack, Lord Vasin hurried between them. She did not envy him his position in the front line. ‘My High Lord, it is known that the road-born and sky-born serve the Deathless, and it is known that the Deathless serve their High Lords, who stand above all. But a High Lord must serve too, and are as bound by the traditions as any of us. They have to be. Even you must see this.’

‘Even I? You forget your place, Lord Vasin.’

‘If so, it is only because you have forgotten yours. Know that if you stand against the other houses, you do so alone.’

‘Hardly! I have House Sapphire at my back. For your past services I give you this one chance to stand aside. Do so now or be counted with the enemy.’

‘I am standing exactly where I should be. I only wish I had stood here sooner.’

‘For once,’ said Yadavendra, raising his glaive, ‘we are in agreement.’

Pari took in the scene. The High Lord towering over them, the other Sapphire Deathless seemingly as stunned as they were. Lady Yadva was the only one moving, though whether that was to her father’s or Vasin’s aid was unclear.