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‘No one, as far as I’m concerned,’ said Regomiss, also in Valgan. ‘They’re all just spinning their wheels, wasting time and money and energy on nonsense.’

Vasiliy didn’t particularly disagree. ‘They will settle down when Jercash gets here.’

‘Hmph. And when will that be?’

‘No idea. Whenever the mood strikes him, I suppose.’

‘He will offer you a job, you know.’

‘Probably.’

‘Are you going to accept?’

‘Depends on his offer.’

‘And what if it is less of an offer and more of a demand?’

Vasiliy bobbed his head a little at that notion. ‘Then we will do as we are told and bide our time.’

‘Truly, an ingenious plan.’

‘What would you have us do? Fight and die?’

The reaper hovered in front of him, meeting his gaze for a long, silent moment.

To his eyes, the reaper was a small, pumpkin-headed man with a burning face and a shadow for a body. A little lantern dangled from one of his black hands.

‘Send for your uncle,’ said Regomiss.

Vasiliy set his fork down. ‘Not this again.’

‘It is our only play.’

‘He despises us.’

‘So negotiate. He doesn’t despise YOU, necessarily. Just... most of the family.’

‘Why would he stick his nose into our mess?’

‘Because if Old Medan is truly gone, then there is no one left to oppose him. Other than, perhaps, Jercash. Or Morgunov, if he yet lives.’

Vasiliy rolled his eyes and sighed. ‘You still believe he covets the throne? After everything that has transpired between him and the rest of the family?’

‘I believe as your grandfather did.’

‘Well, he was wrong, too.’

‘Watch what you say, boy.’

‘Rego. This line of thinking is precisely what drove him away--what began the rift began between him and us.’

The reaper rolled his bulbous head to and fro. ‘Fine. I won’t argue that point. But you’re also strengthening my overall case. You understand him better than anyone else in the family. You always have. That is why it must be you who talks to him.’

‘All I understand is that he wants to be left alone.’

Rego snickered. ‘Even if that is so, it is a childish and pitiable desire. The world will never leave him alone. If not us, then others will flock to him. It is inevitable. If he truly thinks that he can simply shut himself away in his library forever, then he is sorely mistaken.’