As expected, half a dozen heads whipped around to look, and Pilos took careful note of which ones they were. Not only that, but the translucent hanging hiding the Singer’s cronies visibly rippled and an urgent whispered conversation began behind its screen. The Singer wasn’t here yet, and Pilos could guess who sat in splendour back there and suddenly had so much to say.

He didn’t so much as blink as he lowered himself to his knees on the cushion at the back of the council, though the fierce pull of his wound brought a surge of nausea to his throat. He pressed his forehead to the ground and then sat back on his heels, breathing slowly.

‘Our great Singer will not be in attendance today,’ came a low, melodious voice from behind the hanging. Enet’s head, complete with the Great Octave’s enormous and elaborate headdress perched precariously atop it, appeared around its edge and deliberately she drew the curtain back, then settled onto her heels again. Her snakelike eyes bored into Pilos’s and he stared back without emotion.

‘The holy lord leaves the day’s matters to his council and his … closest advisers.’ There was little doubt she meant herself and the others of the Singer’s favourites clustered behind her. They all wore identical, sanctimonious smiles. Pilos breathed.

‘Are you quite well, Spear?’ Enet said suddenly with such fake solicitude that his mouth crimped as though he’d eaten something bitter. Again, all eyes turned to him.

‘Quite well, Great Octave,’ Pilos said casually. ‘I had a matter to place before the Singer. I will petition to see him later, in private, if it is his will.’ Enet’s eyes narrowed in calculation and Pilos allowed a small smile to touch his face. ‘I have had … interesting discussions recently. There is something on which I would like the Singer’s wisdom.’

‘If the holy lord has left today’s business to his council, then there is no reason why you cannot share this information with us,’ Councillor Yana said, and Pilos inclined his head at the old warrior. Yana could smell danger from a stick away and again he was allying himself with the High Feather, this time openly against Enet. Pilos’s respect for him grew.

The pain yammered for him to denounce her, to reveal to the entire council what she’d done, the words that had spilt from her assassin’s own mouth to condemn her. Pilos breathed and was silent, and Yana’s face showed his understanding.