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‘I believe he called in a favour’

Shurq swung back to the door ‘Does this lead to his office?’

‘No, that one goes to his love- room You want the one over here’

‘Any chance of anyone hearing us talking right now, Harlest?’

‘No, the walls are thick’

‘One last thing,’ Shurq said, eyeing Harlest ‘Why didn’t Gerun bind your loyalty with ic?’

The pale, patchy face displayed surprise ‘Well, we’re brothers!’

Alarated, the two undead stood in Finadd Gerun Eberict’s office

‘He doesn’t keepHe spreads his wealth around to protect it’

‘Very wise Where is his seal?’

‘On the desk’

‘Very unwise Dothose writs’ She walked over to the desk and gathered up the heavy, ornate seal and the thick sheets of wax piled beside it ‘This wax is an exclusive colour?’

‘Oh yes He paid plenty for that’ Harlest had gone to a wall and was ree tapestry behind which was an inset cabinet He disengaged a nu open the small door Within were stacks of scrolls and a small jewelled box

‘What’s in the box?’ Shurq asked

Harlest lifted it out and tossed it to Shurq ‘His cash Like I said, he never keeps much around’

She examined the clasp Satisfied that it wasn’t booby-trapped, she slid it to one side and tipped back the lid ‘Not much? Harlest, this is full of diamonds’

The man, his arms loaded with scrolls, walked over ‘It is?’

‘He’s called in a few of his holdings, I think’