I suppose I should have expected my grandfather to be waiting for me in my office. But when I saw Rutorith standing
outside the open doors, the sight of Henemordonin waiting within, I actually quailed. It was an old reaction, one I
couldn't afford to take hold inside me. Desperate times pushed me to stride past Rutorith without a glance and down the
three steps into the large space.
"You have your own office," I said, keeping my tone light as I brushed past my grandfather. "But if you want this one,
I'm happy to have my things moved out by morning."
"Keep it," he said. "I could care less where you perch, Second Seat. That's not why I'm here."
"I really don't care what you want," I said, turning to face him with my back to my desk. Pagomaris hovered near the
cavernous fireplace, her subservient act back, if only for his benefit. My peripheral vision caught the influx of guards
as Rutorith and some of his fellows joined my grandfather.
Now what?