They came to the gates. Sleepy guards identified them and opened the lesser postern door. The palace grounds were empty, silent. The Ceda paused and stared up at the hazy stars overhead.
Brys said nothing. He waited, standing at the old man’s side, seeing the night sky reflected in the twin lenses in front of Kuru Qan’s eyes. Wondering what the Ceda was thinking.
Tehol Beddict smiled as she threaded her way through the crowd towards him. ‘Chief Investigator Rucket, I am delighted to see you again.’
‘No you’re not,’ she replied. ‘You’re just trying to put me on the defensive.’
‘How does my delight make you defensive?’
‘Because I get suspicious, that’s why. You’re not fooling me, with those absurd trousers and that idiotic insect on your shoulder.’
Tehol looked down in surprise. ‘Ezgara! I thought I left you on the roof.’
‘You’ve named him Ezgara? He doesn’t look a thing like our king. Oh, maybe if our king had two heads, then I might see the resemblance, but as it stands, that’s a stupid name.’
‘The three of us are deeply offended, as is my bodyguard here and, one must assume, his two brothers wherever they are. Thus, the six of us. Deeply offended.’
‘Where is Bugg?’
‘Somewhere in that crowd behind you, I suppose.’
‘Well, no. They’re all looking.’
‘Oh, he was there a moment ago.’
‘But he isn’t any longer, and the people are clamouring.’
‘No they aren’t, Rucket. They’re milling.’
‘Now you’re challenging my assessment. Concluding, no doubt, that contrariness is sexually attractive. Maybe for some women it is, the kind you prefer, I’d wager. But I take exception to your taking exception to everything I say.’
‘Now who’s being contrary?’
She scowled. ‘I was intending to invite you to a late night bite. There is a courtyard restaurant not far from here-’
‘The Trampled Peacock.’
‘Why, yes. I am dismayed that you are familiar with it. Suggesting to me, for obvious reasons, that clandestine trysts are common with you, further suggesting a certain cheapness and slatternly behaviour on your part. I don’t know why I am surprised that you’re so loose, actually. I should have expected it. Accordingly, I want nothing to do with you.’