Naraht turns slightly. "I must know the character of the man who possesses almost absolute power here," he says. "Few and loose rules, I have no problem with. In a place like this, I know that it's likely impossible to have any form of democratic government and probably foolish to try. But the Barman here, by what I know of the rules and no one has yet been able to show me otherwise, used his authority to imprison a person who had not broken any of the rules of this place. What Tim did, I agree, was dispicable. And, yes, Bernard was understandibly and justifiably furious and fearful.

"But he overstepped his bounds in imprisoning Tim for over a month. I must know if he is aware of this. If he is not aware of this, I must see how he reacts when he is made aware of it."

The Horta sighs and makes a subtle wince as his stomachs spasm again. "My race has a rather extreme way of reacting to people in power. Instinctively, we want to trust such a person. But, if we see that person abusing that power...we don't respond well."