Yadva paused. Satyendra lay insensate beneath her, his head a ripe piece of fruit between her hands, ready to be pulped.

‘Are you prepared to accept that I am stronger?’

It was a good question. Doing so would put Yadva in charge, no doubt doom his mother to final death, and lead to all kinds of personal misery. And for what? To save one life? The truth was he didn’t even like Satyendra. But to stand by and let him die like this was too much.

‘Will you promise to help House Ruby? And to never abandon our people?’

‘That depends. Do you agree to serve me as High Lord?’

He closed his eyes. I cannot win, but at least I can make House Sapphire do the right thing. He tried to speak but pride closed his throat. Why couldn’t he say the words? Was it because of his mother? Did he dare try and bargain for her life too?

‘I have reached a decision.’

It was Gada who spoke. He scooped up Yadavendra’s sapphire bladed staff and held it out to Yadva, who smiled and let go of Satyendra’s head with one hand to grasp it.

At the last second Gada pulled it back. Vasin wondered if he were just being petty but then he saw Gada had raised it to swing. The glaive connected with Yadva’s face with an almighty crack, breaking something, her nose at least, maybe her cheekbone, and she crashed to the floor. With a slight nod, Gada turned and held out the glaive. ‘I stand with Lord Rochant in support of my brother.’

‘You’d better not be about to do the same thing to me,’ said Vasin as he took it.

Gada gave him a weak smile and stepped well back as Yadva started to groan.

‘Then it is settled,’ said Umed. ‘I support you also, and recognize your authority above all others.’ He walked over to where Yadva lay. ‘That just leaves you. I implore you, end this ridiculous display and fall into line.’

‘But Uncle,’ she spluttered, sitting up to spit blood. ‘It should be me. You know it.’

‘Nonsense. You’d make a terrible High Lord. Strength has nothing to do with our current body’s condition, it has to do with the power to move others. Should Lord Gada rule because he knocked you down?’

‘No,’ she muttered, giving Gada a hate-filled look.

‘And should you rule because you knocked Lord Vasin down?’

‘Fine,’ she growled. ‘You’ve made your point. I give my support to Lord Vasin.’

Vasin held out a hand to her. ‘You mean it? We have to go forward together or not at all.’

She took it and hauled herself upright. ‘I swear it as child of the Sapphire Everlasting.’ Then, in a lower voice, she added: ‘At least you can hunt properly.’

‘Good. Now help me get Lord Rochant off the floor.’

‘Yes, my High Lord,’ she said.