Casket of Souls

by Lynn Flewelling

  “Stand up,” the wizard ordered. The man rose to his feet and faced him at attention with a look of bland indifference. “Hold him.”

  When Nyal and Myrhini grasped Caem by the arms, Thero took out his ivory dagger and set it spinning in the air inches from the man’s eyes. To his credit, Caem did not flinch.

  “You will speak the truth when questioned. If you lie to me, you will die very unpleasantly,” Thero told him. “At the first lie it will blind you; at the second it will cut off your nose; at the third it will cut out your lying tongue.” He was pleased to see the color drain from the man’s face. “However,”

  he went on, “if you tell the truth, Commander Klia may show you mercy. The choice is entirely yours.”

  Thero seldom exercised his powers with this sort of force, but in the case of this traitor, he was happy to make an exception. “Commander, ask what you will.”

  Klia fixed the rider with a dark look. “Who gave you that coded letter?”

  Caem opened and closed his mouth several times, clearly warring with himself. At last, voice trembling, he said softly, “No one, Commander. I wrote it.”

  “I see. You are the spy?”

  “Yes, Commander.”

  “Are there others?”

  “None that I know of, Commander.”

  “And who directed you to send reports about me?”

  The rider hesitated again, eyes fixed on the blur of the spinning blade. No doubt he could feel the stir it made in the air. “Major Salana.”

  Klia exchanged a look of shock with Myrhini. “Commander Myr’s aide? In Bilairy’s name, why?”

  “I don’t know, Commander, and that’s the truth! I only did it for the money, and the promise of a transfer and promotion in the major’s squadron, once we get back to winter quarters in Rhíminee.”

  “Why did you turn coat against me? Do you have some grievance with me?”

  Caem hung his head. “No, Commander. It was just the money.”

  “And just what was the price of your loyalty to me?” The words were tinged with hurt.

  Caem mumbled something.

  “Speak up!” Myrhini snapped.

  “Five silver full sesters for every message sent,” Caem blurted out, beginning to snivel. “I’m sorry, Commander! It was stupid and disloyal and I wish I could take it all back.”

  “Does Captain Danos know what you’ve been doing?”

  “No, Commander, by the Flame! He’s blameless in all this.”

  “All what?”

  “Whatever it is that made the major want me to spy. I don’t know what it is, and that’s the truth.”

  The ivory dagger bore out the declaration. True or not, it was what Caem believed.

  “Is Commander Myr mixed up in all this?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you know Danos’s father, Duke Reltheus?” asked Thero.

  “Not really, though I’ve seen him a few times, in the city.”

  “And it was not he who asked you to spy?”

  “No, my lord. I only know about the major.”

  “Tell me everything you know about the plot against me,” Klia ordered.

  “I swear on my life, Commander, I only took the major’s money and posted the messages! Major Salana is the only one I ever talked to.”

  “Who are the ‘wolves’ you wrote of?” asked Thero.

  “Urghazi Turma.”

  “Are they involved?”

  “No! I was told to watch out for them, and you, Captain Beka, since you’d be the first to defend Commander Klia.”

  “Defend me from what?” Klia asked sharply.

  “I wasn’t told, Commander. Only that I should keep an eye on them, for any signs of disloyalty to the queen.”

  “Bastard!” Myrhini hissed between clenched teeth.

  “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 her
e 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.”

  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.”

  “Damnation!” Alec set his empty cup down with an angry thump. “That certainly tips our hand to Phoria.”

  “It can’t be helped,” Seregil replied. “But this does put a different light on the assassination attempt on Klia. Plenimaran uniforms aside, the poison they used on themselves—”

  “Could have been Wyvern Blood, like what you found in Kyrin’s secret room,” said Alec. “You thought a bottle might be missing from the box.”

  “If it had been on the knives they struck Klia with, she’d have died on the spot. Perhaps on themselves, however. Whatever the case, we have no way of knowing what was in that third bottle.”

  Alec let out a frustrated growl. “Still, I think we should assume it was Kyrin. It could be why they were tracking her movements so closely. They weren’t just looking for something they could accuse her of treason for; they needed to know where she was so the assassins could find her!”

  “Yet there’s the problem of time,” said Seregil. “It takes days, even weeks for those messages to get back and forth, unless they have a wizard working for them. It’s not like Kyrin could order an assassination from Rhíminee and have it carried out immediately. Or that he’d even know where she was at that moment.”

  “Someone on the spy’s end might have just been waiting for the go-ahead,” Thero pointed out. “Could you have missed something in the coded messages you found?”

  “I suppose so. Although with Caem’s capture the line of communication is cut off, at least for now.” Seregil gave them a crooked grin. “I suspect Commander Danos will be a bit more careful with his correspondence from now on.

  Klia’s left him in place?”

  “Yes,” Thero replied. “After the general’s truth knower vouched for him, and after making him swear fealty to everything but the tent pole.”

  “All the same, that rider and the major can’t possibly be the only ones in the regiment in on the plot, and now we’ve lost the only person who could have connected them with Kyrin and the others,” said Alec. “There’s probably a whole nest of snakes Salana knew about. For all the good that does us now.”

  Thero shook his head in disgust. “That’s what comes of torture.”

  “Did Klia speak to anyone about Kyrin’s cabal, or us?”

  “No,” Thero replied. “When Salana refused to speak, Klia thought it better to leave you to work from this side.”

  “Reltheus and Kyrin are sure to hear about the loss of their spy. What do we do about that?”

  Seregil shrugged. “We’d better work quickly. Have you spoken with the prince yet, Thero?”

  “No. I’m on my way there now, and I want you two to come with me and tell him what you’ve learned before things take a turn for the worse.”

  “Yes, it’s time.” Seregil tucked his bakshi bag under his belt. “We’re going to see Elani anyway.”

  “Oh, and remember,” warned Thero. “You two know nothing of the assassination attempt on Klia.”

  They rode together in a hired carriage through the pouring rain. At the Palace, a page led them not to the main audience chamber, but to one of the many rooms set aside for private business. Leaving the three of them in the corridor, the page knocked and went in to announce them with instructions from Thero to tell the prince that they had news of the utmost importance.

  They were admitted, and found Korathan in his robe and chain of state and black velvet hat, talking with bluff, bearded General Sarien. That wasn’t good, seeing as how the protector general was one of the people Atre had reported as conspiring with Duke Laneus.

  Knowing this, Thero bowed to both men, then to Korathan. “We bring you a matter of the utmost delicacy, Highness.”

  “The general and I were just finishing,” Kor
athan replied. Sarien understood the tacit dismissal and took his leave. Leaning on the edge of the table, Korathan looked the three of them over, taking in their disparate apparel. “What’s all this about?”

  “I visited Klia last night,” Thero replied.

  “Ah, so you were behind all the uproar.” He held up a sheaf of parchments. “You’re a bit late. I’ve had reports from the queen and General Moraus already this morning. Wretched business. No one mentioned you, though.”

  “Klia and I agreed it would be better that way. I helped her question the courier, who gave up Salana’s name.”

  “Who died without giving up any others.”

  “Yes, Highness. Things would be a great deal easier if she had. But that’s why we’re here now. Seregil and Alec have uncovered evidence of a cabal working against Klia here in Rhíminee. Klia employed spies on her side and we on ours.”

  “And you didn’t think I should be informed of this?”

  “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’ve been trying to give them the greatest latitude in searching out the roots of this plot. Arresting the conspirators we know about now may let others escape.”

  “I see.” Korathan gave them a wry look. “As I recall, Phoria disbanded the Watchers.”

  “Indeed, she did, Highness,” said Thero. “But as an Orëska wizard, I have a duty to the Crown. I felt it was imperative to look after the safety of the royal family in any way I could.”

  “The same for us,” said Seregil, giving Korathan a wink. “And since we’ve rendered good service to your family before, I didn’t think you’d mind us sticking our noses in again.”

  “So, you’re just acting as loyal subjects? I suppose Phoria can’t dismiss you for that. What information do you have?”

  “We’ve sort of stumbled across information that we think points to two cabals—” Seregil began.

  “Two? I thought this was about Klia.”

  “That one is led, we think, by Marquis Kyrin, who supports Elani for the throne.”

  “Aside from plotting against my youngest sister, not a bad thing.”

  “But we don’t know what that support means, or how far they’ll go. Alec overheard something that might have been a threat against the queen herself.”

  “Bilairy’s Balls! I’ll have word sent to her at once to strengthen her bodyguard. Who else do you think is involved with him?”