“And who is the ‘hawk’?” asked Thero.
“The general, my lord.”
“General Moraus?”
“Yes. Same reason, to see if he is loyal to the queen.”
“Tell us everything you have reported,” ordered Thero, although he already had some idea, from what Seregil and Alec had found.
“I was to report on anything the commander did that seemed out of the ordinary, anytime she met with the other officers and the general, where she had defeats, and the like. And if I heard her say anything against the queen. Truth be told, I couldn’t figure out why they had me watching you at all.”
“Thank you for that, at least,” Klia remarked dryly. She
held up the coded document. “And why did you write this lie about me?”
“Major Salana was getting impatient with my reports. She needed something to impugn your honor, but I swear by Sakor, I never saw you act dishonorably! I-I lied to keep the silver coming.”
Myrhini gripped the hilt of her dagger. “I should cut you open where you stand, you whoreson bastard!”
Klia stayed her with a look. “Is there anything else you have not told us, Corporal Caem?”
“No, Commander, on my life.”
Klia let out a humorless laugh. “That will do, Thero.”
Thero broke the spell and caught the dagger as it fell. Caem sagged with relief, but it was short-lived as Klia said, “Bind him and place him under guard. He can give evidence to the general before he’s hanged.”
The accused man shot a disbelieving look at Thero. “But you said she’d show mercy!”
“I am,” Klia growled. “Hanging’s a quick death, and more than you deserve. Take him outside, Nyal. Myrhini, bring in Captain Danos.”
The young captain, a tall, well-favored young man with a blond chin beard, betrayed no emotion except respect as he entered the room and saluted. “You sent for me, Commander?”
“Yes. Do you know why?”
“I assume it’s something to do with Caem. What has he done?”
“I’ll ask the questions for now, Captain,” Klia replied. “Lord Thero is going to gauge the truth of your answers with his magic. I expect the truth.”
Danos went to one knee, fist to his heart. “Of course, Commander! Ask me anything you like.”
“Stand,” said Thero. He set the dagger spinning, explained the consequences, and nodded to Klia.
“Are you plotting against me, Captain Danos?”
Danos went white. “No, Commander. I swear by the Flame!”
The dagger spun where it was, much to Thero’s relief.
“Are you plotting against the Princess Royal?”
“No, Commander.”
Once again, it was the truth.
“Do you know of any plots against me or Princess Elani?”
“On my honor, Commander, I don’t.”
“Did you know that your man, Corporal Caem, has been sending reports to parties suspected of plotting against me?”
“No, Commander.”
Klia seemed genuinely relieved as she looked at Thero and said, “That’s enough.”
The wizard broke the spell and caught the knife. “Would you like me to leave?”
“No. You and Major Myrhini will be my witnesses.” Klia turned back to Danos. “I’m sorry to tell you that Caem is a traitor. He’s been including reports on my movements and actions in letters you send to your father.” She paused, letting that sink in.
“My-my father?” Danos was white to the lips now, and swaying. Myrhini quickly guided him to a stool by the map table and poured him a cup of water.
Danos accepted it with trembling hands but did not drink as he looked up at Klia. “By the Four, Commander. What does my father have to do with this?”
“That’s what I’m trying to ascertain.” Klia sat down beside him and took his hand. “I’m relieved that you’re not involved, Danos. You’re one of my best, and most honorable.”
Despite her kind words, he still looked poleaxed. “I’ll resign my commission, of course-”
“You’ll do nothing of the sort. You will remain as my officer, and you’ll say nothing of anything you’ve heard here tonight to anyone, and most especially not to your father. That’s an order, Captain. Do you understand?”
“About not saying anything? Of course. But why would you want me under your command, knowing my father’s shame?”
“Nothing has been proven, Danos. And you are not your father or his deeds. In all the time you’ve served with me, I’ve never known you to commit a dishonest act. If I didn’t
respect that, I wouldn’t be much of a commander. Can you continue to serve me wholeheartedly?”
The young man’s voice was unsteady as he huskily replied, “To my last drop of blood, Commander. To Bilairy’s gate!”
Klia clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s good enough for me.”
Danos drew a deep breath, trying to recover his composure. “But what do I say to the riders about Caem? He’s popular among them.”
“That he was caught spying,” Klia replied. “I’m sending him directly to the general. You’ll come as well, and I will vouch for you. Wait for me outside. Go with him, Myrhini.”
“Do you need me to come with you and offer evidence?” asked Thero when the others had gone out. “I can’t go back yet. I have to rest before I can cast the translocation again.”
Klia sighed. “No, stay here. It’s better for both of us if you’re not seen. At this point I’m not sure who to trust. I’ll use one of your message wands to send word of what comes of the other interrogations. I want you to go to Korathan with news of this as soon as you get back.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done.” Klia paused, then kissed him.
He held her tight, trying to memorize the feel of her, all the angles and curves.
She seemed to be doing the same, and his face went red and hot as he thought of her feeling the hard press of his rigid member against her belly.
Yet she gave no sign of repugnance. Instead she pressed her hand to his chest over his unruly heart again. “You say this is mine? I claim it and charge you with keeping it safe until I return.”
With that she turned and strode away to join the others. He heard voices, then footsteps fading into the night. The memory of her touch and words ached like fever in his bones. Staring into the darkness beyond the doorway, he whispered, “I love you, Klia.”
CHAPTER 25. Inside Work
SEREGIL and Alec were to go riding with Elani the following morning, but it was sheeting down rain and word had come from the Palace that they would spend the day indoors instead.
“I’m beginning to feel like the court pet,” Alec laughed as they gathered their gaming stones and Seregil’s harp.
“Elani has certainly taken to us, and we’re finally getting inside. We’ve got to find out who is providing Reltheus with her letters. My money is still on that scribe of hers. He’s in charge of her correspondence, unless things have changed since my days there.”
“You’ve never said much about that,” Alec noted.
“Not much to say. I wasn’t well suited to court life,” Seregil replied. “And it wasn’t a particularly happy time.”
They were just about to leave when Runcer knocked at their chamber door.
“Is the carriage here?” asked Alec.
“No, my lord. Lord Thero is asking to speak with you.”
“Show him up to the library.”
Seregil caught the scent of smoke and magic on Thero’s clothing as the wizard strode past him into the library. He was dressed in trousers and coat, and looked decidedly troubled. “Did you finally manage to set your tower on fire?”
“Klia summoned me last night,” Thero replied. “I just got back.”
“Is she all right?” asked Alec.
“Yes, thankfully. So are Beka, Nyal, and Myrhini. They managed to catch our spy. It’s not Danos after all, but his aide, a young corporal named Caem, working for Commander Myr’s aide-de-camp, Major Salana.”
Seregil poured wine for them while the wizard told them what he’d learned the night before. “General Moraus’s truth knower questioned Commander Myr, Major Salana, and Danos, as well as several riders. Danos and Myr were found innocent of any knowledge of a conspiracy, or having any part of it. Salana refused to speak, and died under torture. Caem was hanged before the regiment at dawn. A full report was sent to the queen.”