Korathan raised an expectant eyebrow. “Why would Laneus, who thought you were friends, write such a letter?”
“Probably for the same reason he tried to have us killed,” Seregil replied.
“Twice,” added Alec.
“You’re certain of that?”
Seregil nodded.
“And it’s still your belief that Klia has no part in the business, nor supports it in any way?”
“More than ever,” Thero replied.
“No one understands the gravity of the situation better than we do, Highness,” Seregil told him. “Laneus’s letter was addressed to Your Highness. That could implicate not only Klia, but Princess Aralain or yourself, as well. We don’t want to place you in the position of having to keep our secrets from the queen any more than you already have. But I swear to you by my life that Alec and I are acting only on Skala’s behalf.”
“That’s not completely true, Highness,” Ymany said.
Korathan gave Seregil a level look, waiting.
“And to save Klia.” It was the truth and the wizard nodded.
“Very well. What new information have you gathered in your mysterious ways?”
“I believe I may have been attacked by some of Sarien’s men last night.” Seregil took out the bronze charm and gave it to him.
“Yes, his soldiers wear these,” Korathan said, staring unhappily down at it. “But soldiers give these things away to children and loved ones, too. Anyone could have one.”
“That’s one explanation,” Seregil allowed. “Or maybe someone wanted to throw suspicion Sarien’s way, although they’d have had no idea that I was going to tear it from the man’s neck.”
“Then what exactly do you suggest I do?”
“Give us a little longer to find proof of Klia’s innocence.”
“And the letter mentioning you?”
“Give out that it was some misunderstanding? You could say the man had a grudge against me. It’s the truth anyway.”
Korathan glanced at his wizard, who nodded. “Did you have a hand in Laneus’s death?”
“No.”
The wizard nodded again.
Korathan thought for a moment, then said, “I can’t look the other way for much longer. I need you to work more quickly.”
Seregil and the others bowed with their fist to their chests again. “Of course.”
CHAPTER 30. An Unexpected Turn of Foul Luck
LANEUS’S sudden death so close on the heels of Kylith’s caused a minor stir among the nobility; that of Count Tolin a few days later fueled talk of some mysterious illness at work among the nobility. After all, wasn’t there a plague among the poor? Or, others whispered, perhaps a murderer? The drysians reported no traces of wounds or poison in either case, but perhaps magic?
For all the talk, neither Thero nor Valerius could determine what had killed Tolin, or Laneus; their hearts simply seemed to have stopped beating. Nonetheless, it wasn’t lost on anyone that they were members of rival cabals, one of which most certainly had access to Wyvern Blood.
The heat held, and while Seregil and Alec attended the princess and kept an eye on their collection of conspirators, the denizens of the Lower City stews continued to sicken and die.
It had been another late night with Reltheus. As Alec rode beside Seregil through the dark, quiet city toward Wheel Street, he wanted nothing more than some cool water and a soft bed. The late-summer air was charged and humid even at this hour, with the promise of thunderstorms to come. Flexing his sweating shoulders under the unwelcome weight of his linen coat, Alec added a nice refreshing wash in for good measure, perhaps with Seregil’s help.
Tired as he was, however, he was still alert for any sign of assassins, although no attack had come since Laneus’s
sudden death. As they turned the corner into Wheel Street, Alec saw with surprise that bright lamplight was showing through the salon windows overlooking the street. “Runcer’s up late.” The manservant usually left a single lamp burning for them when they were out at night.
Inside, he was even more surprised to find Eirual’s doorkeeper, Manius, waiting for them. Alec had never seen him outside of the brothel, and the man looked uncharacteristically distraught.
“What’s wrong?” asked Alec.
“I’m not to say, my lord, if you’ll forgive me. That is my mistress’s wish. I’m to send you and Lord Seregil to her house at once, if you’ll come.”
Seregil exchanged a worried look with Alec. “Of course.”
Manius had come in a carriage, so they left him to it and galloped through the sleeping city to the Street of Lights, where revelers were still very much awake. Eirual’s great receiving room was full as always, with wealthy men and beautiful, alluringly dressed young courtesans.
Pretty blond Hyli was waiting for them, eyes red from crying, and led them upstairs to Eirual’s private chamber. They found their friend sitting in a chair beside the bed, alone and fully dressed, holding the hand of someone lying there. Coming closer, Alec’s heart plummeted. It was Myrhichia.
Dressed in the dark blue, crystal-spangled gown she’d worn the night they’d entertained Laneus and Malthus, she lay perfectly still, eyes open and staring unseeing at the silken canopy above.
“Maker’s Mercy, no!” Alec sank down on the edge of the bed beside her and touched her hand. It was warm but limp as he took it in his.
Seregil went to comfort Eirual. “When did this happen?”
“A few hours ago.” Eirual leaned on his shoulder and a tear slid down her cheek. “She was singing in the salon. One of her favorites was here for the evening after a long time away. She was so happy! She was beginning a new song when suddenly she just-wilted, like a flower in the hot sun! I thought at first that she’d fainted and struck her head, but she’s been like this ever since! We managed to get her up
here without anyone noticing her true condition. Is this the sickness from the Lower City?”
“It looks like it.”
“But she hasn’t been down there, has she?”
“Of course not,” Eirual replied, wiping away more tears. “And there’s been no one of that sort here, either, I can assure you!”
That sort, thought Alec, wondering what she’d say if she’d seen those children at the temples.
“Have there been any newcomers?” asked Seregil. “Anyone out of the ordinary?”
Eirual sank her head into one hand. “Newcomers? Of course, there are always new patrons. Lord Tryis, Duke Moren’s boy Kallen, young Lord Alerin, several well-to-do merchants from Mycena. I can’t recall the names. They were in a week or so ago. And that handsome actor of yours, Master Atre, comes to flirt with her now and then.”
“He does seem to turn up everywhere,” said Seregil. “Who else? Dressmakers? Perfume sellers? Anyone of that sort?”
“Well, there’s a new butcher’s boy, but my girls have no contact with him. Arlana did go to a new dressmaker, but the woman didn’t come here, and Myrhichia hasn’t been to her shop. Those are the only new people I can think of.”
“Who is in and out of here regularly, besides your customers?”
“Patrons,” Eirual corrected distractedly. “Let me see. The butcher’s boy, the dairyman, the man who delivers the firewood-”
“Someone who has access to the girls,” Seregil prompted gently.
“The hairdressers, the cosmetics merchant, jewelers, of course, perfumers, seamstresses, cloth merchants, wine and sweetmeat dealers-” She threw up her hands. “I don’t even know! The girls all have tradesmen they favor, and most of them come and go as they like. It’s never been a problem.”
“So someone could conceivably have come in without you knowing about them?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“Who has Myrhichia seen in the past week or so?” asked Alec. “We can at least narrow it down that way.”
Eirual turned to Hyli, who’d been weeping quietly in the corner by the door. “You spend the most time with her, besides me.”