Location 2159:

She stepped out from the shadowed alcove where she’d been standing. ‘And what does your master imagine I desire?’ ‘Negotiable.’ ‘Does he know I’m dead?’ ‘Of course. And sends his regrets.’ ‘Does he?’ ‘No, I made that up.’



Location 5320:

Sprawled across Ublala, Tehol stared up at her. ‘Expensive?’ ‘All those spices, of course. Tell me, Ublala, what did you see when you walked across the bottom of the canal?’ ‘Mud.’ ‘What else?’ ‘Junk.’ ‘What else? What were you walking on?’ ‘Bodies. Bones. Crayfish, crabs. Old nets. Broken pots, furniture—’ ‘Furniture?’ Tehol asked. ‘Serviceable furniture?’ ‘Well, there was a chair. But I didn’t sit in it.’ ‘Bodies,’ Shurq said. ‘Yes. Lots of bodies. How deep was the canal originally?’ Bugg had arrived, and with this question Tehol looked over at his manservant. ‘Well? You must know, being an engineer and all that.’ ‘But I’m only pretending to be an engineer,’ Bugg pointed out. ‘So pretend to know the answer to Shurq’s question!’ ‘It was said seven tall men could stand, foot to shoulder, and the last would be able to reach up with his hands and find the surface. Used to be big trader ships could make their way the entire length.’ ‘I wasn’t far from the surface,’ Ublala said, rolling over, unmindful of Tehol who yelped as he was tumbled to one side with a thump. ‘I could almost reach,’ he added as he stood, brushing himself off. ‘That’s a lot of rubbish,’ Bugg commented. ‘I’m not lying,’ Ublala said. ‘I didn’t say you were,’ Bugg said.



Location 5380:

‘None the less, Brys—oh, what are you doing here, by the way?’ ‘I have come seeking your advice.’ ‘Oh. Well, shall we retire to a more private section of my rooftop? Here, follow me—that far corner is ideal.’



Location 6457:

‘You poked him in the eyes?’ Tehol asked. ‘I judged it useful in getting his attention.’ ‘I’m pleased, although somewhat alarmed.’ ‘The circumstances warranted extreme action on my part.’ ‘Does that happen often?’ ‘I’m afraid it does.’



Location 6478:

Tehol’s smile broadened. ‘Ah, I have your fullest attention now. Excellent.’ ‘That’s an absurd amount,’ spoke Ormly for the first time. ‘What would you have us do, conquer Kolanse?’ ‘Could you?’ Ormly scowled. ‘Why would you want us to, Tehol Beddict?’ ‘It’d be difficult,’ Glisten said worriedly. ‘The strain on our human resources—’ ‘Difficult,’ cut in Scint, ‘but not impossible. We’d need to recruit from our island cells—’ ‘Wait!’ Tehol said. ‘I’m not interested in conquering Kolanse!’ ‘You’re the type who’s always changing his mind,’ Onyx said. She leaned back and with a squeak a rat plummeted from her hair to thump on the floor somewhere behind her. ‘I can’t stand working with people like that.’ ‘I haven’t changed my mind. It wasn’t me who brought up the whole Kolanse thing. In fact, it was Champion Ormly—’ ‘Well, he can’t make up his mind neither. You two are made for each other.’ Tehol swung to Bugg. ‘I’m not indecisive, am I? Tell them, Bugg. When have you ever seen me indecisive?’ Bugg frowned. ‘Bugg!’ ‘I’m thinking!’ Glisten’s voice came from behind a particularly large heap of rats. ‘I can’t see the point of any of this.’ ‘That’s quite understandable,’ Tehol said evenly. ‘Describe your contract offer,’ Ormly demanded. ‘But he advised, we don’t do private functions.’ ‘What does that mean?’ ‘I won’t waste my breath on explaining…unless it turns out to be relevant. Is it?’ ‘I don’t know. How can I tell?’ ‘Well, that’s my point exactly. Now, about the contract?’ ‘All right,’ Tehol said, ‘but be warned, it’s complicated.’



Location 6625:

‘That was exhausting,’ Tehol said. ‘I think I’ll go to bed.’ ‘Don’t you want to eat first, master?’ ‘You scrounged something?’ ‘No.’ ‘So we have nothing to eat.’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘Then why did you ask me if I wanted to eat?’ ‘I was curious.’



Location 7568:

‘Now, that is indeed unfortunate.’ ‘Accordingly, you are at risk.’ ‘Arrest?’ ‘No, more likely assassination. All in the name of patriotism.’ Tehol set his bowl down. ‘It occurs to me, Brys, that you are more at risk than I am.’ ‘I am well guarded, brother, whilst you are not.’ ‘Nonsense! I have Bugg!’ The manservant looked up at Brys with a bland smile. ‘Tehol, this is not time for jokes—’ ‘Bugg resents that!’ ‘I do?’ ‘Well, don’t you? I would, if I were you—’ ‘It seems you just were.’ ‘My apologies for making you speak out of turn, then.’ ‘Speaking on your behalf, master, I accept.’ ‘You are filled with relief—’ ‘Will you two stop it!’ Brys shouted, throwing up his hands. He began pacing the small confines of the room. ‘The threat is very real. Agents of the queen will not hesitate. You are both in very grave danger.’