The hall had slipped into its later rhythm after the delegations moved to their chambers. Conversations continued at the lesser tables, but without the concentration that had marked the feast's main hours. People drifted between groups more freely now, the way they did when an event was nearing its end.
Along the walls, servants had begun clearing used vessels from tables no longer occupied, working a few pieces at a time so the activity remained almost invisible.
Siban held his position behind Gleb and watched the hall.
The Chernigov security man was on his third round since the delegations had withdrawn. At the moment he was near the eastern side of the hall, his attention moving across the clusters of tables.
Siban checked for signs that something had changed around the consultation.
Nothing stood out.
No aide had emerged from the corridor carrying urgency in his posture. No messenger had appeared. No disturbance had spread outward from the chambers.
