CHAPTER 45
Lady Martha arrived later that day.
“How are you recovering?” she asked Rory pleasantly, gliding around a cog as large as a wagon wheel.
“Oh, um, well, I guess.”
“And Longinus, I trust all is well with you?”
Longinus mumbled something incoherent.
“Good, I’m glad to hear it. Rory, could I have a word with you outside? Adelma will be joining us shortly, but first I wanted to have a quick conversation with you. Cruikshank, while we go out, would you mind setting out a few chairs? There’ll be five of us in total.”
Outside a platoon of Varanguards formed a perimeter around the workshop.
“I look a little paranoid, don’t I?” Lady Martha said with a self-deprecating smile.
“Not really — probably not a bad idea, given everything.”
“Yes, exactly.” Lady Martha’s face turned serio
