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Udinaas halted just outside the tarp, keeping his gaze averted ‘The ruler of the Edur bids you corowled, then said, ‘You stand before your prince, Letherii Drop to your knees or I’ll cut your head from your shoulders’

‘Then draw your sword,’ Udinaas replied ‘My ,’ said the young, expensively dressed man at the soldier’s side A flutter of one hand ‘We are invited, finally First Eunuch, will you lead us?’

The large, heavy man with a face as sombre as his clothes stepped out to stand beside Udinaas ‘Acquitor, please acco her cloak’s hood over her head and joining the First Eunuch

Udinaas led the the rain in biting sheets that ripped across their path Ahouses of the nobility, then towards the steps

Shadoraiths swirled before the door

Udinaas faced Quillas Diskanar ‘Prince, your bodyguards are not welco man scowled ‘Wait here with your runted, then directed his guards to fan out to either side of the citadel’s entrance

The wraiths edged back to provide a corridor to the double doors

Udinaas strode forward and pushed them open, moved inside then turned about A step behind him were Nifadas and the Acquitor, the prince, his expression dark, trailing

The First Eunuch frowned at the curtain at the far end ‘The throne roo?’

‘They await your arrival,’ Udinaas said ‘The ruler of the Tiste Edur stands on the centre dais His appearance will startle you-’

‘Slave,’ Quillas said,that the negotiations will couests-’

‘I auarantee that,’ Udinaas cut in, unperturbed ‘I would advise that you be ready for anything’

‘But this is absurd-’

‘Let us be about it, then,’ the First Eunuch said

The prince was not used to these constant interruptions, his face flushing

Acquitor Seren Pedac spoke ‘Udinaas, by your words I conclude that Hannan Mosag has been usurped’

‘Yes’