He says he brings a message of importance and will speak to no one but you. We have placed him in the private waiting room.” Nanda did not react, but he knew Aik had sensed his displeasure. “Thank you,” he said. “I will go and see him at once. Please make sure there are at least two guards present.” He thought a moment. “Also inform the Queen, if she has not already been informed.” “Yes, Lord Nandakumar.” The servant bowed to them and left. “Who would be coming to visit me?” Nanda’s hands went automatically to his hair, ensuring it was still bound and neat, a nervous habit of old. Aik’s fingers soothed up and down the length of his spine. “I guess we had best go see.” The man waiting was not familiar, and Nanda felt something inside him untwist. They were gone and not coming back; he had nothing to fear any longer. “I am Nandakumar.” “Yes,” the man said. Around his shoulders was a length of cloth that once he left would be draped over his head and face, to protect from the heat.
