Brielle quite lost track of time as the display continued, the complex, interwoven movements and their corresponding rhythms building to an explosive crescendo. At the last, the rhythms synchronised, locked in perfect union for a fleeting, moment in time. The objects froze, hanging motionless in the air. The music ceased, the softest of echoes fading to the edge of perception, and then evaporating into nothing. The objects gently sank to the floor, the force holding them releasing its grasp.

Brielle turned to Naal, surprised to note that a tear ran down her cheek. As her senses returned, she wiped her eyes and shook her head to clear it. She watched the glass sphere bob for a moment, catching fleeting movement within, and then it retired once more to the shadows.

Those around the room were slowly awakening too, looking around as if roused from a deep sleep. Murmurs of appreciation swept the room, and in a brief moment drinks were being called for and raucous laughter rising.

Naal took Brielle's glass from her, and she allowed him to refill it before accepting it back. She sipped, looking around the room. Diaphanous voiles muffled the sounds of merriment and cast bodies in silhouette, but it was clear to Brielle that the festivities had now taken on a keener edge. The woman opposite, who had evinced such shock at the appearance of the virtuoso, had apparently cast off her elaborate outfit and was straddling her neighbour's lap.

Brielle took another sip of her liqueur. The remainder of the night passed in a haze.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lucian paced the floor before Luneberg's empty throne, while Korvane stood restlessly nearby. The hour was late and the vast hall was abandoned. Lucian's footsteps echoed in the darkness, the only other sound the fluttering of artificial wings high above. Cyber-cherubs, Lucian hated the damn things. Vat-grown pets for shallow-minded men.

'This might be our last chance, Korvane, so you leave the talking to me. You will wait while I engage the Imperial Commander. Do you understand? Lucian addressed his son, the only other human in the hall.

'I understand, Father. His son hid his disappointment well, thought Lucian. 'What do you have planned?

Lucian resumed his pacing, addressing his words as much to the looming shadows as to Korvane. 'Planned? You can't make plans when you're dealing with this sort' Lucian was rapidly going off this entire deal, but was determined to salvage some semblance of profit, even if it did mean bringing himself down to what he saw as Luneberg's level.

'I'm going to find out once and for all what he wants from us. Make him reveal his cards, one way or another.

'Father, if you push him, he'll take offence. The Chasmatans' rules of etiquette are quite specific on the subject.

'Take offence? Lucian threw his head back and laughed a single, barking report. The sound echoed into the shadowy eaves, setting off a commotion amongst the creatures roosting there. 'He might well take offence. If that's the only way then that's how we play this'

'Father, please. Please keep your voice down' Korvane made an obvious show of looking around the darkness, before lowering his voice. 'There'll be monitoring devices planted all over the palace'

Lucian regarded his son. He had a lot to learn. 'Of course there are. It's all part of the game' Lucian said, looking up towards the dark ceiling once more. He sidestepped smartly as a well-aimed dollop of cherub dung dropped, landing with a wet splatter on the flagstone floor. He chuckled, aware of the note of appreciation in his own voice. 'All part of the game'

'Father? he looked up at the tone in Korvane's voice. Korvane nodded towards the shadows, and a figure emerged, crossing to the pool of light in front of the dirone, to stand before Lucian and Korvane.

'Gerrit'

Lucian recognised the man who addressed him as the High Colonel, Trevelyan-Constance, who had been introduced to him at the meal as the head of the Legions Chasmata. The man was a model of military deportment, tall and stiff, his shoulders wide with gaudy epaulettes.

'I understand you go before my Lord Luneberg presently' The colonel stood a few centimetres taller than Lucian did, and aldiough he appeared far older, he looked down his hawk-like nose, as if sizing him up.

'That is correct my dear high colonel. said Lucian, studying the man for any reaction or offence he might display at the familiarity. By the warp, thought Lucian, in some twisted way I'm starting to enjoy these people's games. 'I trust all is well with the Imperial Commander?

The colonel made no response other than a slight rising of the right eyebrow. 'Oh yes, quite well, quite well indeed. He will be able to receive you presently. In the meantime, as my lord's chief advisor in matters of war, I wish to consult with you, regarding the wider military situation in the region'

This took Lucian aback. He had judged Trevelyan-Constance to be a lackey, albeit one with a particularly impressive uniform, so what was he after? Was he acting above his station? A flutter of wings in the shadows above reminded Lucian that their conversation was unlikely to be private, and if anyone understood that, it would be the head of the Mundus Chasmata military.

The colonel shot a furtive glance overhead, and lowered his voice. 'You must understand, Gerrit, the last time we received an official delegation of any standing from the Adeptus Terra was over three decades ago, and that was the first in half a century. Don't misunderstand me, Mundus Chasmata is as loyal a world as any, but we are a great distance from the major trade routes. You yourself know this better than I do. I merely ask: what of the wars against the xenos?

'Well' Lucian's mind raced as he sought to filter the half-trudis he was sure he was hearing, from the lies he guessed interlaced them. There is, as you know, no peace amongst the stars. Ultima Segmentum faces many threats, not the least of which is the Kurtoum Uprising. You will have heard of the great victory won at Orman VII? Lucian asked this by way of a test. By no standards was Orman VII a great victory.

The high colonel failed. 'Yes, yes indeed, and what of the ork menace?

Lucian considered for a moment before answering. What if the high colonel knew he was being tested? Was he that bright? He would find out. 'The Arch-arsonist grows more cunning with each passing cycle, although I doubt he will threaten your borders for some time to come.

'My intelligence would tend to agree, Gerrit, but it is good to hear it confirmed.

Confirmed my arse, thought Lucian. The empire of the self-tided ork warlord, the Arch-arsonist of Charadon, was located on the western extreme of Ultima Segmentum, over thirty thousand light years away. Many other ork domains offered far greater, though less impressively named, threats.

'And what of… the high colonel hesitated for a moment, 'the Imperial Navy?

Now things are getting interesting, Lucian thought to himself. He's definitely up to something, but what is he really asking?

'The Navy is, as ever, fighting a war on many fronts, against myriad foes. Yet, by the grace of the Emperor, it yet prevails.

The high colonel bowed, making the sign of aquila as he did so. 'I am gratified to hear that is the case, sir. We hear too little of such things this far out. What, may I ask, is the state of the Navy's operation in the Timbra sub, and the whole Ring?

Lucian knew that the Ring was the local name for a group of stars at the heart of the Borealis Cluster, the appendage of the great Eastern Spiral arm in which Mundus Chasmata was located. The high colonel, Luneberg's chief military advisor, was asking him for information regarding Naval operations in the area surrounding his own world. These people really were isolated.