Chapter 21

“Very well. I’ll leave you to it, but you can be sure this will be reported to the Master first thing in the morning.”

Kell unfolded his arms and took a step forward so he was only centimetres away from his colleague.

“If that’ll make you feel better about yourself then go right ahead. And if it backfires, don’t expect any sympathy from me or from any of the other men.”

“How could it possibly backfire?” asked the guard, his confident smile wavering slightly as he spoke.

“Surely you don’t need me to tell you that.”

Artuk backed away until he was free of the small group of men. With a look of utter disdain for those assembled before him, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.

“Come on,” said Kell. “We should get out while the going’s good.”

On the way across the Great Hall Matthew couldn’t help but ask, “How could it backfire?”