Geis smiled. “Taxis are so… vulgar, don’t you find?” he said with a trace of irony.

“Hmm, but why the…” She gestured at the animal.

“It’s a bandamyion. Fine animal.”

“Yes, well; why the bandamyion?”

Geis shrugged. “I just bought it. Like I say, I’m breaking it in.” He made a dismissive gesture with a gauntleted hand. “Look, never mind the animal. This is more than mildly urgent.”

She sighed. “Okay; what?”

He took a deep breath, then breathed, “The Huhsz.”

She was silent for a moment, then she shrugged and looked away. “Oh, them.” She scratched at the glass beach with the toe of her boot.

“Yes,” Geis said quietly. “My people at the World Court say there’s a deal being arranged that means they’ll get their… their Hunting Passports, probably very soon. In a matter of days, perhaps.”

Sharrow nodded, not looking at her cousin. She crossed her arms and started to walk slowly along the beach. Geis took off his gauntlets and-after a glance at the ruminating bandamyion-followed her.

“Sorry I have to be the one to tell you, Sharrow.”

“That’s all right,” she said.

“I don’t think there’s any more we can do. I’ve got the family lawyers working on an appeal, and my corporate people are giving all the help they can-there’s a chance we can injunct on grounds of due notice-but it looks like the Stehrins have dropped their objections and the Nul Church Council is withdrawing its demurrance action. The rumour is the Huhsz have done a land deal in Stehrin, carving up some enclave, and the Church has been bought off, either with straight credit or the offer of a relic.”

Sharrow said nothing; she kept walking along the beach, staring down. Geis made a resigned gesture with his hands. “It’s all blown up so suddenly; I thought we had those assholes tied up for years, but the Court’s fast-tracked the whole matter, side-lined cases that have waited generations.” He sighed. “And of course it’s Llocaran’s turn to provide the Court President this session. Their nominee is actually from Lip City.”