The captain had spoken the truth. He was gone little more than a moment. In the meanwhile, Vayne had stood immobile, stature proud as ever. If he was annoyed at being made to wait, there was no sign of it whatsoever on his face.

He turned to Steiner and issued a single nod. "If Her Majesty is otherwise occupied, I would not intrude on her time. My news can wait on her pleasure."