If you must speak in front of others, Latin is safer. It may not be recognised. And please, at all times, stay close by me. Even those who live here can have trouble at night in these unlit streets. If you are separated from me, you will be lost in moments.’ We nodded at Macarius. Priscus had turned his nose straight up at the rather nice brothel I’d urged on him. It was the Egyptian quarter, he’d insisted, or nothing. ‘There’s a man who works out of a wine shop there,’ he’d said firmly. ‘He can see things, I’ve been told.’ So that was it. Priscus had suggested we invite Martin. Sure enough, he’d found ‘an important domestic matter’, that would keep him in the Palace. I couldn’t blame him. Given half a chance, I’d have found one. Now, dressed in black, hoods pulled over, short swords hung out of sight, we waited for the police officer to unlock the side door by one of the gates into the Egyptian quarter. ‘Standing orders is we don’t go in there at night for nothing,’ he said with a nervous look.
