There was an ominous emphasis on the word ‘very’ that sharpened Pinnatte’s attention even further. Notwithstanding that however, once or twice he found his mind wandering. Having one of the most ruthless and powerful men in the city talking to him about such matters as dusting and cleaning, like a fussy old maid, was oddly disorientating. When he had finished, Barran put his hand on Pinnatte’s shoulder. Pinnatte remembered the weight of it from the previous evening and concentrated again.
‘You will take great care with this job, won’t you, Pinnatte?’
It was not a question, it was an order.
Later, Pinnatte sat in the room alone, the door locked behind him. Barran had taken him to the rooms he was using as temporary living quarters while work at the Jyolan was under way and Ellyn had give
