More elaborate decorating greeted me, the giant throne room's ceiling arching overhead with painted murals of battle scenes and old kings and queens. The cream marble floor gleamed on either side of the continuing carpet. Talk about an arrow shot to the seat of power. Any dummy could find Yure Danko.

Just follow the purple shag road.

I didn't hurry. Needed time to assess the situation anyway. Not only that, I wanted the so-called Czar to sweat out my approach. He ...