"No, not at all," Sherral smiles. "Believe me, sooner or later one of Amondsham's associates, or some young noble, is going to end up roaring drunk, and then any other indiscretions tonight'll be quickly forgotten."

He glances quickly at Gallego's retreating back. "Gallego's kind of an arse. But he's close to the ambassador. It says much of what Rozarria is planning that he's so certain of war."