‘Listen. The Emperor is in one of his exalted moods. The incident at the moat has stirred up all his thirst for adventure. No one knows more than I how much the Padshah craves action; if he sniffs it in the air, he will pursue it with the single-mindedness of a game hunter. But it is my duty to prevent him from doing something rash. In his person, he binds the realm together. We cannot let him risk it all on some whim. You’re both to stay close to me in the hall; I may turn to you for advice at any time. And don’t hesitate to alert me if you sense something. This is no time for niceties.’
