Totally agree that Broster has learned some things since The Wounded Name! Salt to the sweetness, yes. Keith is not Laurent, the adoring puppy-dog...

And I missed last week's discussion, but it has my favourite minor character, Lt Paton, who doesn't like extreme measures and is willing to argue that he couldn't disobey Keith if he gets into trouble - he's a sweetheart.

Oh, you should check out the fic that hyarrowen recently posted! It has Lieutenant Paton in it. : ) (Also it has spoilers for the end of the book, in case anyone reads this who hasn't finished it.)