'That's quite a step up from bar owner,' he managed.
Denser didn't smile. 'I'm not joking, Sol. Balaia needs stability. We're in danger of reverting back to the old schisms. We have to be
united or what we've been building will be wasted. What The Raven achieved will be wasted.'
'Don't you bring The Raven into this,' snapped Sol.
'Doesn't stop it being true. You are the man who can keep it all together. You know you can. Come to the Mount. Talk to us. Please.'
'I've got a bar to run and a wife to look after. I have a new child on the way and a son who needs me by him right now, I don't have the time and I don't have the energy.'
'And they all need to have a secure future.' Denser poured more wine into Sol's glass. 'Talk to us. See what we have in mind. Think about it.'
Sol looked at Denser and allowed a smile across his face. Anyone else and he would have dismissed the notion out of hand. To this man, though, he owed more than to anyone alive.
'Tomorrow,' he growled. 'Now drink up and get lost. I've got to open up in a couple of hours.'
'Thank you, Sol. You won't regret it, I promise you.'
'Denser, I already am. What the hell do you think I'm going to say to Diera?'
'You'll think of something suitably pithy and persuasive, I feel sure.'
'Go.'
Denser drained his glass and walked back to the door, opening it on the rain sheeting down, pounding on the street. Sol wondered if Jonas had actually gone out. The two men shook hands and Sol pulled Denser into a brief embrace.
'See you tomorrow,' said Denser.
'After lunch, when I've closed.'
Sol watched Denser walk away up The Thread and back to the Mount of Xetesk, pulling his cloak close about him. He shut and bolted the door and walked back through the bar towards the stairs. He paused by Hirad's picture. The barbarian gazed back at him, eyes intense and full of belief, that damned smile on his face.
'What on earth would you think, Coldheart?' he said. 'Probably nothing. Too busy laughing I expect. How does it sound . . . Sol, The Unknown Warrior, Ruler of Balaia. Daft, eh?'
And as he turned away, he could have sworn he saw Hirad nod.