"It has been a long time, but I appreciate your sympathy." It never gets easier. Still, Huaisang doesn't want to offer that kind of vulnerability to someone he had in chains earlier that day.

And he has a city under siege to lead.

Rising to his feet, he leaves the rest of the food and wine for Doul, if he wants it.

"You have one day to come up with a plan for me," he declares on his way to the door. "Or I will come up with orders for you to obey."