"Hennaq is here," Coby said.
"You've seen his ship?"
She shook her head. "Just a guess."
"A good one. Anyway I've already spoken to him. He seemed quite amenable to taking Olivia in lieu of Sandy and I."
He caught Coby's eye and smiled, then handed her a glass of wine. Her fingers tightened on the smooth, fragile stem and she forced herself to relax. Soon they would be rid of both Hennaq and the courtesan, and could continue their mission in peace.
"That's good," Sandy said.
"It would be, but for one small difficulty: I swore I would do it tomorrow, and the lagoon will be busy with celebrations for the new Doge. How in the name of all that's holy am I to get her onto Hennaq's ship unseen?"
"That is the easy part," Sandy replied. "After all, you've done something like it before."
When Mal did not reply, Sandy stood with arms outstretched, like a man greeting a long-lost friend. Coby recalled the vision she had seen at the Tower of London. A magical tunnel through the dreamlands, with Sandy at the far end.
"No, I can't," Mal said.
"Yes you can. This woman has been training you, hasn't she?"
Mal nodded, his face a picture of guilt. Coby tried not to think about what that training had involved. How often had they slept together, in body as well as spirit?
"Then it will be simple to deceive her," Sandy went on. "Let her believe it is just another dreamwalk, then I will make the link and you can bring her through."
"Through to where?"
"Hennaq's cabin would be the best place. Least chance of being seen."
"But that means you'll be on the ship as well," Mal said. "What's to stop him sailing away with you both?"
"You. As soon as Olivia steps through, I will come to you."
"I thought you needed a strong anchor," Coby said, the courtesan momentarily forgotten. "That was why you couldn't escape from Suffolk until Lord Kiiren drew near."
"We are both stronger now. It will suffice."
"Easy for you to say," Mal muttered. "Anyway, I'm not sure I know how. Last time, I was sleepwalking–"
"Exactly. Do not worry, brother, it will come as naturally as breathing, I promise you."
Gabriel put aside his sheaf of papers and got to his feet. "What are the rest of us to do in the meantime?"
"Stay out of harm's way," Sandy said.
"You can't exclude us," Ned put in. "We haven't come all this way to sit on our hands, you know."
Sandy crossed the room swiftly and leant over Ned. "This is beyond your skills, little man."
Gabriel took hold of Sandy's arm.
"Lay a finger on him and you'll have me to deal with."
Sandy turned and bared his teeth like a skrayling. Coby shot a desperate glance at Mal, but he was already there.
"Sandy, enough! You too, Parrish."
He glared at them until they resumed their places, then gestured for Coby to pour more wine. She wasn't sure that would help, but it was something to do.
"There is still the question of timing to be decided," Mal said. "Olivia will be surrounded by people all day, I am certain."
"We can do it after the reception," Sandy replied. "Surely you can contrive to go home with her?"
"The celebrations could go on all night, if they're anything like court masques back home." Mal sighed. "I'll have to go back to Hennaq and tell him there's been a delay."
"You cannot, if you have already pressed hands on the bargain. Hennaq would be entitled to go ahead with his original scheme and take us both to Vinland."
"He has to get hold of us first," Mal replied.
"Then we will have to do it at the reception."
Coby stared at them both. "What? Work magic in the middle of a gathering of Venice's most powerful men? Do you want to be burned for witchcraft?"
"We convinced people it was fireworks before," Gabriel said.
"A few gullible actors–"
"This time it will be real," Sandy said. "There is to be a display of fireworks in the square after dark. Amongst all the noise and bright lights, who will notice?"
"He has a point," Gabriel said. "All you need to do is lure Olivia into some quiet corner when everyone is distracted, and…"
"All right," Mal said. "But my first obligation is to protect Sandy. If I cannot find an opportunity to abduct Olivia before midnight, I will come back to the embassy and open a tunnel for you to escape Hennaq's ship. Swear to me you will come?"
"I swear," his brother replied.
Ned clapped Mal on the shoulder. "Don't worry, mate. Gabe, Hendricks and me can keep watch and make sure you're not disturbed."
Coby shot him a filthy look. She was relieved Mal would not be spending the evening alone with Olivia, and that toad Faulkner knew it, but he need not look so smug about it. She distracted herself by gathering up the glasses, though she did not trust herself to carry them downstairs without an accident.
"Here," she said, thrusting the tray at Ned. "You wanted to be useful. Take this down to the kitchen."
When he had gone she lingered in the doorway, hoping to hear the sound of breaking glass.
"Come, it's time we were all abed," Mal said, leaning over her.
She looked up into his dark eyes. "You will be careful?"
"Of course. You don't get rid of me that easily."
For a moment she thought – hoped – he was going to kiss her, but he just ruffled her hair and gave her a playful shove towards the little attic room. She bade him good night and plodded down the steps. Tomorrow. It would all be over, tomorrow.