mind now (more or less) at ease, Antonina had no difficulty getting through the final few minutes of her meeting with Balban. Her biggest problem was restraining her impatience at Balban's protracted social pleasantries. The hour ahead of her was dangerous in the extreme, but Antonina was the kind of person who just wanted to be done with it.
As soon as possible, she rose and made her exit. Balban escorted her to the door. On the way, they passed Ajatasutra in the corridor. Antonina smiled at him pleasantly, and walked by without flinching. It was not easy, that—after all, she might be wrong.
But Ajatasutra did nothing beyond return her nod with a polite smile.
Balban opened the door, mumbling some final courtesies. Antonina strode through the courtyard to the open gate which led to
As soon as possible, she rose and made her exit. Balban escorted her to the door. On the way, they passed Ajatasutra in the corridor. Antonina smiled at him pleasantly, and walked by without flinching. It was not easy, that—after all, she might be wrong.
But Ajatasutra did nothing beyond return her nod with a polite smile.
Balban opened the door, mumbling some final courtesies. Antonina strode through the courtyard to the open gate which led to