‘How long do you want to stay here?’
‘We’ll leave early tomorrow. If we stay longer, Darransen will start pressing for more information. He’s not easily fobbed off and I don’t want to offend him. Thinking he’s near to the centre is important to him.’
Vellain moved behind his chair and, leaning forward, put her arms around him. ‘You’re probably right. But if he’s too persistent tomorrow, tell him the truth.’
Vashnar started and half turned to look at her.
‘The truth,’ she repeated. ‘You’re taking time away from day to day affairs to plan the final details while visiting our friends to test their readiness.’
‘Oh, that truth.’
Vellain bit his ear.
As it transpired, Darransen presented no problems. The weighty emphasis that Vashnar had laid at the meeting on the need for discretion at ‘
