There was a silence, except for the rustling of cloth as the other two shifted their feet. Then a loud bark of male laughter rang by his ear.
“Good lord,” said Brenner.
“You’re kidding. Is this Lord Caliban?”
“Yes,” said Slate.
“The one who—“
“Yes.”
“With the guards and the nuns—“
“Yes.”
Brenner grinned hugely. He had excellent teeth.
“I take back everything I said, Slate, darlin’.”