‘Yes, what of it?’

‘Then you’re going to get me a place there. Like you promised.’

‘Yes, Varg. Then I’m going to negotiate you a place there …’ She paused for effect. ‘On one condition.’

‘I thought training Priti for you was the condition!’

She waved away his protest. ‘It was, but you must also stop calling the Honoured Mother “Chand”, at least in my presence.’

A blush began to spread beneath his beard. ‘What’s wrong with that?’

‘Honestly? It makes her sound like some common object to be haggled over at a market stall. For example: I’ll take three bottles of honeywine and a bag of chand. You see?’

‘Piss off.’

She chuckled. ‘I’ll take that as a yes. Now, let’s hurry, I want to be in and out of Sorn long before the suns go down.’

Chandni stepped out of the Chrysalis Chamber into the courtyard, steeling herself against the sudden drop in temperature. Yadavendra’s hunters seemed more relaxed now that their High Lord was elsewhere, but no less dangerous.

‘Where is the Honoured Vessel?’ asked one, a man she had seen before but never been introduced to. He looked strong but in a way that intimidated rather than reassured. His hair was long, braided, and thrice-clipped to his back to prevent it moving during flight.

‘He is with our Gardener-smith, having his armour removed.’

‘And where are you going?’

Such impertinence! She narrowed her eyes just a fraction, to indicate displeasure without making a scene. ‘I am going to ensure that the Honoured Vessel is able to join our High Lord in suitable attire as swiftly as possible.’

‘Alright,’ said the hunter, gesturing for her to continue.

Chandni’s teeth ground with the force of her smile. ‘I will be back presently.’

How dare he! She thought, sweeping past them and across the courtyard. She did not need his permission and she certainly did not need his approval!

However the truth was more complicated. Chandni ran the castle and spoke for Lord Rochant in his absence. This meant that she was host and they were guests who should defer to her. However she was not Deathless, and the hunters served Yadavendra, who stood above all, including Lord Rochant. While acting under his authority, the hunters would feel free to speak and do as they pleased.

As they have just demonstrated, most likely for my benefit.

She did not think about what would happen if the hunters decided to enter the Chrysalis Chamber. Nor did she think about what would happen if Pik lost his nerve, or her Gardener-smith. These things were beyond her control. Instead she concentrated on maintaining a mask of calm and moving as fast as she could without appearing to hurry.

Somehow she would have to get Satyendra from his room and into the Chrysalis Chamber without Yadavendra’s hunters or anyone else recognizing him. And she would have to do it quickly.