### 33

Two hours pass before the door to your cell is opened and an apologetic Hiojin appears. He is now convinced that you are not an assassin and, fearing a diplomatic row with the Dessian ambassador, he apologizes repeatedly for your arrest. He has your Weapons restored to you, and then he escorts you personally in a horse-drawn carriage to Lord Zinair’s residence—the Dessian Consulate—in the city’s North Quarter.

As the toadying officer and his carriage depart, you turn to face the entrance to the consulate building. With mounting anticipation, you climb the front steps and knock on its stout oak door.

Turn to 250.