They say this month's lapis ration was cut in half, and yet the blue reaching my antechamber has only grown richer. Someone, somewhere, is giving up their own share.

• SherinYour Highness, lapis from outside the palace can clear the wall in three days, if the price is right.
  NurhanI'll pay whatever it costs. Just see to it that whoever receives it never learns where it came from.
• MirjanEverything that enters the annex is meant to pass through my hands first.
  NurhanThen keep your hands empty for a while.