A really warm and fantastic opening to this tale. Somewhat in stark contrast to where the chapter goes, as Tain undertakes his commute to work we begin to descend [almost literally] into a darker more secretive world from the one of domestic 'almost bliss'. A great conceit and style to use evoking the characters and different sides adopted by Tain in his life. Even the way you describe his commute - initially projecting a powerful and awesome presence, intimidating to passer bys and almsot sizing uo to others; then becoming anonomous and introspective. Really an amazing piece of storytelling in the simplicity of it and yet in the detail and descriptive language.

After from all of that, I'm loving the little introduction to Sleg and his playful nature and the fondness with which Tain treats Sleg but also the remove and game that is played in regard to it all.

I also liked seeing just how the assassination attempt has changed Tain - from adapting a different mode of travel each day to the security measures invoked at HQ and especially the physical changes rendered to Tain - the bulk he cannot lose and the sweating and change of his metabolism. It shows that their were significant ramifications from Tain's night of long knives at the end of book 1.

Of course, then there's what is a possibly spectacular ending to this blinder of an opener and the fact that there may now be pay back for that night of long knives. Really PSGarak, just all sorts of awesome.