---
A few moments passed after Dickoff was told he would not return to his own mansion without Mihos's order.
No one in the pavilion moved carelessly during that silence. The dawn outside had begun to grow, but it was still weak light, more gray than gold. It came through the opening of the command pavilion in long pale strips and touched the edges of the carpets, the broken mood in the room, and the face of a man who had just learned that his house still had his name but no longer truly belonged to his decisions.
Dickoff stood very still.
That was not dignity.
That was fear learning to hold its breath.
Mihos remained where he was near the long table. His temper had already burned through the first violent stage and entered something colder. Stephen knew that cold state well. It was always worse. When the young master shouted and broke things, the room suffered. When he became quiet, other people did.
At last, Mihos spoke again.
"You still have one use left."
