‘Trusted friend of the governor? The thief Shadowspawn?’
Hanse caught himself about to say ‘Thief? Who, me, Governor?’ and stopped the
words. Kadakithis knew. Nor was he Moonflower or that melon-pedlar Irohunda, to
be taken in by Hanse’s cultivated (and seldom used) boyish act. But.. .friendf
It was a frightening word, to Shadowspawn from Downwind and the Maze.
‘Let’s try to be bigger than Ranke and Sanctuary. Let’s try, Hanse. I am
reaching out. Speaking plainly: Tempus declared war on Jubal – not on my orders
– and Jubal retaliated or tried to. You were there and you didn’t run. Tempus
lost a horse and gained a friend. You defended Tempus, helped him. More
Hawkmasks died. Are you in danger for that, from Jubal?’
‘Probably. I’ve been trying not to think about that.’
‘And me?’
‘The Empire’s governor in Sanctuary knows to go forth armed and with guards,
because he is governor,’ Hanse said, not so enigmatically.
‘Diplomatic, careful words again! – And Tempus?’
It was then that Hanse knew why he was here. ‘You … you think Jubal has
Tempus!’
The prince regarded him. ‘Hanse, some people don’t try to be particularly
likeable. Tempus seems to try not to be. I cannot imagine calling him friend.’
Kadakithis paused to be certain Hanse grasped his implication. ‘Still, I
represent the Empire. I govern for Ranke, subject to the Emperor. Tempus serves
and represents me, and Ranke. I do not have to love him, or like him. But! How
can I tolerate anyone’s taking action against any of my people?’ Kadakithis made
a two-handed gesture while Hanse thought: How strange that I think more of