“Of course you wouldn’t act against me, but they wouldn’t know that. They’d believe they could force you at the very least to abandon me, to refuse me aid.” He jerked upright, his eyes becoming almost crazed as thought followed thought. “How would they strike at me? Here, they must have an assassin here! Or spies to tell them when I’d be vulnerable.”
Keelan bowed, drawing the duke’s eyes. He had to get Shastro off that track before he started demanding Kirion question the court using some foul spell. “Servants tend to know everything that occurs in the court, my Lord Duke. And who would remark another of them walking in the lower city, whereas a courtier would be seen and remarked.” After all, he reflected, that was nothing but the truth.
Shastro leapt at the idea. “Kirion.” His voice was a command. “Have them close the palace gates. You will question all servants. See if any are from the mountains. Find out who is behind this plot against me. Find them, do you hear me? Find them, and I’ll know what to do with them.”
He had not been looking at his sorcerer when he made his demand. Keelan had been watching his brother out of the corner of an eye. He’d seen the sudden flicker of anger when the duke snapped that order. Shastro had spoken as if to another servant, and Kirion hadn’t appreciated it. He’d say and do nothing, not yet. Keelan knew his brother. Kirion had in mind the acquisition of some of the land and wealth that might come his way if this clan was discredited.
He said as much later in private in the Aranskeep suite. “Kirion vill do and say nothing to upset Shastro until he’s had as much as he an persuade out of the duke. After that I wouldn’t give two coppers for Shastro’s continued existence. His paranoia is starting to show. At ^resent it’s useful to Kirion, but if it becomes too great it could be a ianger to him. Shastro has only to begin doubting Kirion’s loyalty id he could be in real danger.”
Hadran listened. “Personally, do you think?”
“Maybe not personally or not unless Shastro really overreacts. Cirion could merely withdraw to his own lands, but Shastro could strip Kirion of much that he has and see that nothing more comes his way. If Kirion acted openly against his duke it would bring the clans in against him. He isn’t that powerful a sorcerer as yet; if enough men were sent against him, they could drain his power to nothing, and he’d fall.”
Aisling nodded to herself. Shastro and Kirion needed each other, not as master and servant but as allies. The duke was forgetting that. Kirion could use this business to remind him for a while.
But things could get messy if Shastro forgot again. They’d all heard the tramp of marching feet go past. The palace gates would all be shut by now, Aisling thought, the ones they could control anyhow. If she knew anything about servants, and she did, they’d have a half dozen other ways of getting clear of this place without using the gates. She said so to Keelan, who vanished hastily and unobtrusively to mention it to Shastro, who listened hard-eyed before snapping further orders.
Keelan excused himself. He left his brother and the duke discussing the actions the soldiers must take and hurried back to the Aranskeep rooms. Aisling opened the door, noticing several couriers who were within earshot. Her face stayed politely welcoming.
“Oh, Lord Keelan, have you come to tell us more of your adventures?” She simpered slightly, and her brother’s eyebrows rose comprehendingly: there must be visitors as well. He nodded, stepping inside.
“I have come to speak to Hadrann, if you will tell him I am here.” He spoke briskly, and she dropped one eyelid as she turned to call.
“Hadrann, cousin! Our friend Lord Keelan is here.” She shut the door and turned. “Do come this way, Lord Keelan. What would you like to drink, and perhaps you would care for some bread and cold duck.” She ushered him through the door, and Keelan stifled a groan. By the Flames, it would be old Lady Varra, the biggest gossip in the place, with her servants in attendance. He bit back a sudden grin. Ah. But he could encourage her to leave him alone with his sister and friend, and quickly. Her second cousin had married into Pa-gar’s old clan.
He accepted food and drink, then approached. “Such a commotion. They’re shutting all the palace gates to question the servants. They’re looking for spies from, well,” he lowered his voice, “from a certain clan.” He whispered the name. “Our good duke has cause to doubt their loyalty. He’ll question most rigorously those who are taken, I’m sure.”
He watched as Lady Varra took that in. Within minutes she was heading for the door, a flurry of chatter bouncing about her vanishing form: a remembered engagement… so late and she must dress. She apologized for her unseemly haste, but it would not do to offend… Her explanations trailed off as she made her escape. Keelan and the other two looked after her with sudden lively interest. One would think there was a conspiracy, so keen was she to get out of here and away.
Hadrann walked over and opened the door to peer out. “She’s gone.” He looked at Keelan. “Now what cat have you set among the pigeons?” From the sofa Wind Dancer raised his head and uttered an indignant disclaimer. He disliked live pigeons; they had too many small feathers. Hadrann stroked a hand down the cat’s spine. “Not you, my furred friend. Kee, was that true, Shastro has ordered the palace servants held here so they can be checked?” Keelan explained, following that with some speculation on the departed gossip and the speed of her going.
His sister nodded. “You were close to right. I listened a little as she went out. Just her emotions. She was scared to death. There is something going on, and she either knows about it or guesses enough to be afraid. But apart from her, if Kirion starts questioning servants he should find enough to keep him occupied for weeks. Shastro will insist on being present. They’ll have a host of minor dishonesties to confess as well as a few major ones. Even if those have nothing to do with your kidnapping, Kee, Shastro will want to take action on everything he hears because he hates anyone except him to get away with anything.”
“Kirion isn’t going to like wasting his power pulling minor secrets from dozens of servants,” Hadrann commented.
“No. And if the duke starts ordering him around as if he’s just another lackey,” Aisling added, “there could be trouble between them. It sounds from what Kee saw as if it’s already been happening and Kirion is already annoyed over it. Let’s wander out and see if we can stir things up. Just wait for me a moment.” She darted to her room and returned tucking something into the back of her hair. She gave Wind Dancer a hug.
“If they come searching here you be careful.” He squawked a reply. It sounded scornful, and she smiled. Hadrann took her arm, and they strolled the length of the corridor to the head of the staircase that led down to the more general rooms on the floor below, from where they could hear a growing noise. It appeared to be a large number of agitated people all talking at once. Keelan took the lead and began to descend the staircase.
A figure separated itself from the milling forms below and came hurrying up toward them: an older man who was dressed in the garb of a valet. His face twisted in fear, and sweat glistened on his face, shining in the candlelight as he neared them. He was terrified and desperate to escape, not to be taken alive. Aisling caught Hadrann’s arm and Keelan’s arms and drew them back to leave clear passage. She doubted the old man was one of those Shastro sought, but it was clear he had some major sin on his mind.
He barely glanced at them as he passed, but as his hand briefly brushed Aisling’s bare arm she saw a tiny picture in her mind: this man and others together. She heard nothing, but there was the un-mistakable air of plotters together. The man in her mind turned to look down at a figure lying motionless in filthy straw. She knew that face. She nudged Keelan and whispered hastily. He set off after the man at a slower, unobtrusive pace. Hadrann gazed down the stairs and whistled. Below them a palace guard peered up.