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‘Hull may prove a probleaze on theout from the folds of pink flesh see so still that the Finadd of the Royal Guard i into the eyes of a snake A flare-neck, coiled on the centre of the river road when the rains are but days away Up fro as aon the ar their carts on that road ’Ware the drover stupid enough to approach

‘Finadd?’

Brys forced his eyes back to the huge man ‘First Eunuch, I am at a loss as to how to respond I have neither seen nor spoken with ation’

First Eunuch Nifadas turned away, and walked noiselessly to the high-backed wooden chair behind the massive desk that dominated the chamber of his office He sat, the motion slow and even ‘Be at ease, Finadd Beddict I have immense respect for your brother Hull I admire the extremity of his conviction, and understand to the fullest extent the motivation behind his… choices in the past’

‘Then, if you will forgive me, you are farther down the path than I, First Eunuch Of my brother – ofAlas, it has always been so’

Nifadas blinked sleepily, then he nodded ‘Fas, aren’t they? Naturally,that subject Yet, if you will, my exclusion has, in the past, permitted me a certain objectivity, froht relationships with a clear eye’ He looked up and fixed Brys once ard ‘Will you perive me, First Eunuch-’

Nifadas waved him silent with one plump hand ‘No need I was presumptuous Nor have I explainedThe Great Meeting looms I am informed that Hull Beddict has joined Buruk the Pale and Seren Pedac on the trail to Hiroth lands Further, it is ed with a host of instructions – none issued by ht add In other words, it is likely that those instructions not only do not reflect the king’s interests, but in fact ain, slow and reed Unwelcome, as well My concern is this Hullthat Buruk acts on behalf of King Diskanar, you mean’

‘Just so’

‘He would then seek to counter the reement

‘Which,’ Brys continued, ‘is itself not necessarily a bad thing’

‘True, in itself not necessarily a bad thing’

‘Unless you intend, as the king’s official representative and noation, to counter the merchant in your oay To deflect those interests Buruk has been charged with presenting to the Edur’

The First Eunuch’s s aze travelled to thebehind Nifadas Clouds swaths,’ he said