Hm. [Padma's boy? That old snake had been clearing the Imperial line... The rest - there was no echo of concern or fear in hearing about the needler. Drawing a needle gun in the Council of Counts was akin to placing your hand in a hungry tiger's mouth, just to see what its teeth felt like.

Vordrozda was a wily old lizard. He had to have been pushed hard not to just shed his tail and wait for the next opportunity. Predatory satisfaction suffused the connection, edged with a new blossom of paternal pride. That's my boy.]

Good. Very good. No one of any political mind would dare cast a guilty vote on treason beside a man who tied his own gallows knot.

[And then sobered again.] Though I imagine difficulty quelling the charges for Vorloupulous' Law being relaid.