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above.
    ‘My lords,’ Ashanthourus said in a calmer tone, lowering his voice from its earlier regal clarion call. ‘I have introduced you to the principal performers in our Masque, but as you can see many others will serve roles within it; the dancers, the musicians, the chorus – even the stage itself – will be supplied by the members of our troupe as needed. I ask that you and your noble guests do not interact with the performers as they go about their duties unless invited. To do otherwise might be… dangerous. Likewise once the performance is begun it must proceed to its completion without interruption. Can you… will you agree to these terms?’
    The Shrike Lord’s eyes narrowed shrewdly at the Harlequin troupe-master’s words. ‘I can agree to them but I’ll offer no absolute guarantee that you won’t be interrupted or molested. I can issue orders and punish any of my guests or servants that disobey me, but I’ll take no responsibility for chance, fate or the gods themselves intervening.’
    Ashanthourus inclined his grinning mask in deference to Vyle. ‘Wise words, my lord. Truly there can be few in all the great wheel of existence that have such a pragmatic grasp of reality as yourself.’
    ‘So how do you intend to repay Vyle’s indulgence?’ Kassais demanded arrogantly. ‘How will you entertain us?’
    Something about the Harlequins was disturbing Kassais. Possibly it was the unctuous assurances of their make-believe ‘king’. Possibly it was the way that he kept catching the other Harlequins looking at them sidelong as if they were objects of particular amusement. Whatever it was, Kassais was finding himself increasingly discomforted by the entertainers’ unexpected presence.
    Ashanthourus replied in a voice that was quickened with what seemed to be barely repressed excitement. ‘We will be undertaking a performance of Ursyllas’s rendition of the Fall, the cycle that is most commonly known as the Penumbra .’
    Vyle glanced surreptiously at Kassais, but he saw no recognition of the names the troupe-master had used in the other archon’s face. He decided it was safe to show ignorance and play it off as bravado. What true archon of Commorragh had the time or patience to study the vast myriad of plays, comedies, tragedies and morality stories surrounding the Fall of eldar civilisation?
    ‘Never heard of it,’ the Shrike Lord said carelessly. ‘You’re not about to bore us with some obscure nonsense no one gives a damn about, are you?’
    ‘Not at all!’ Ashanthourus declared passionately. ‘The Penumbra is a masterpiece! Unusually it takes places in three separate acts, making it highly suitable for an extended event or celebration such as this. A full performance has been attempted less than a hundred times, but sadly I don’t think we can hope to achieve that even in this august company.’
    Vyle found himself bristling at the Harlequin’s words. ‘What? Why not? I am worthy of the best you have to offer and more!’
    Ashanthourus replied with some hesitation. ‘A full performance of the Penumbra requires… how may I put this delicately? A full performance requires a measure of participation from the audience that most are unwilling to countenance.’
    +Be subtle now,+ Cylia’s mind-speech whispered inside Ashanthourus’s brain. +Don’t over-sell the difficulty or they may realise they’re being manipulated.+
    +I know what I’m doing,+Ashanthourus responded tersely. +Concentrate on Kassais – he’s the weaker willed of the two. If he commits then Vyle will too – he won’t allow himself to be upstaged by his guest under any circumstances.+
    Vyle and Kassais were grinning at one another knowingly. Both knew there was nothing the other was unwilling to countenance as long as it did not diminish their personal power or prestige. Kassais was about to speak when he was interrupted by Motley leading forward a pale-faced and trembling Olthanyr Yegara. Motley pointedly ignored