CHAPTER 47“Qualto, you do us all proud. I for one am most grateful for your efforts. Out here, to be frank, I had expected the worst.”
Josyff found Adroyan’s avuncular tone even more disturbing than his usual authoritative brusqueness. He was still unsettled by Adroyan’s arrival in the common room when he had greeted everyone with an unexpected affability. It had plunged the room into a brief and awkward silence which was scarcely eased when it was eventually broken by a series of stuttered “good mornings”. Adroyan had ignored the hesitant response and had gestured towards the table.
“I apologize for interrupting your conversation, gentlemen, but let’s be seated.” He became confidential. “I took the liberty of peeping into the kitchen on the way past and I think our meal will be here ver
