Darius knew perfectly well what he meant.
Bleist just sighed and moved towards the exit. He didn't much like interrupting his work, but he had no choice. The summons might have been delivered by the most conceited and ill-mannered messenger, but what was to be done. Worst of all, he was sure the assistant would be in the Grand Master's office pretending to be more important than he really was. With a somewhat grave humour, he stepped out into the wide passageways of the west wing of the Light Palace. Almost immediately, he drowned in the crowd of officials and messengers loitering in the corridors. He had never been fond of the prevailing clamour in this place and was much more fond of the military discipline of the eastern wing belonging to the Crown Marshal and his entourage. Almost pushing his way through, Darius moved through the crowd heading for his superior's office. In his spirit, he was thankful that the Grand Master was officiating on the same floor, because at least it spared him the dangerous trudge up the stairs. He had the impression that the swarm of people never diminished and always clogged up all possible passages on the west side and not even the City Guard in charge of security on this side of the Palace helped. The Golden Guard somehow manages it in the east wing. He thought with regret when someone nudged him in the ribs with his elbow, which were still sore from his encounter with Matheo.
It was only after a few minutes that he saw the much-coveted place. The vestibule, which contained the Grand Master's Secretary's desk and a small, neatly arranged waiting room for visitors and supplicants, was the only place where the purple-robed magicians had brought total order. The fact that the passage to this separated area was guarded by eight Watchmen must have really helped with this. Darius was relieved to get past the soldiers watching him closely and breathed a grateful sigh to get out of the administrative crowd. Still watched by the Watchmen, he moved towards the
