Cyn stopped—but he did not turn around. In a calm voice, he said,
"It's difficult to atone for sins inside the palace, Lord Burgvall. You know that. And by the nature of my work, that makes me a sinner in need of daily sessions. Neither you nor I would want to trouble one another with those holy-water sprinklings."
Burgvall could not tell whether Cyn was merely rambling or speaking nonsense. As for Cyn, he believed that babbling and absurdity might keep him at bay.
What Cyn did not expect, however, was for Burgvall to make such a strange request.
"Strip."
Cyn froze, staring at the door in disbelief. What did he mean by that? Was Burgvall suspecting him?
Cyn pretended he had not heard, but Burgvall repeated firmly,
"Remove your upper garments."
