Molin was to acquire better lodgings. The Prince was late – no doubt he’d got
lost.
‘My Lord Molin?’ a cheerful voice called from the antechamber. ‘My Lord Molin?
Are you here?’
‘I am, my Prince.’
Molin gestured to the mute who poured two goblets of fruit tea as the Prince
entered the room.
‘My Lord Molin, your messenger said you wished to see me urgently on matters
concerning Vashanka? This must be true, isn’t it, or you wouldn’t have called me
all the way out here. Where are we? No matter. Are there problems with the
temple again? I’ve told Zaibar to see to it that the conscripts perform their
duties…’
‘No, my Prince, there are no new problems with the temple, and I have turned all
those matters over to the Hounds, as you suggested. We are, by the way, in the
outer wall of your palace -just upwind of the gallows. You can see them through
the window – if you’d like.’
The Prince preferred to sip his tea.
‘My purpose in summoning you, my Prince, has to do with the upcoming
commemoration of the Ten-Slaying to take place at the new-moon. I wished certain
privacy and discretion which, frankly, is not available in your own quarters.’
If the Prince was offended by Molin’s insinuations he did not reveal it. ‘Do I
have special duties then?’ he asked eagerly.
Molin, sensing the lad’s excitement, pressed his case all the harder. ‘Extremely
special ones, my Prince; ones not even your distinguished late Father, the
Emperor, was honoured to perform. As you are no doubt aware, Vashanka
mayHisnamebe-praised – has concerned Himself rather personally in the affairs of