Casket of Souls

both their lives.”
    “I can’t decide if you’re a sly fellow, or just a coward,” Laneus remarked.
    “I’ve been called worse in my time,” Seregil replied, a little surprised at the abrupt turn of the conversation.
    Malthus intervened. “Come now, Laneus, there’s no need to be rude. What he means, Seregil, is that it seems odd that you, who have been friends with Klia for nearly her entire life, are suddenly so close to Elani and Reltheus.”
    “What does that have to do with anything?”
    “You don’t know, then?” Laneus asked with a tinge of sarcasm.
    “Know what?” Seregil persisted in his obtuseness, wondering how far he could draw the man out.
    “That Reltheus and his cronies mean to assassinate Klia, and perhaps even Phoria. We believe there’s already been one attempt on the princess’s life, though news of it has been suppressed.”
    Seregil affected shocked astonishment. “How do you know about it, then?”
    “I have my channels.”
    “By the Light, why? And why Phoria?”
    Laneus sighed, as if dealing with a half wit. “It’s perfectly obvious. Klia is still the rightful heir in many minds. Theycan’t chance her taking Elani’s place. As for Phoria, Elani is still young, impressionable, and fatherless. She’s obviously devoted to Reltheus, regarding him as a second uncle. Better to be the power behind the throne now, than when she’s matured and has ideas of her own. Now is the time to strike.”
    “But that’s monstrous!”
    “You’ve never heard your friend Reltheus let drop any such sentiment, perhaps only a passing comment?” asked Malthus.
    “Never,” Seregil assured him, aware again of how Laneus was watching him without seeming to. “Then again, we never discuss politics.”
    “Well, I hope we’ve put your mind at rest about our own intentions,” said Malthus. “We mean to protect all three women.”
    “A noble endeavor,” said Seregil. “But what can just the two of you hope to accomplish against such dark forces?”
    “That’s none of your concern,” Laneus told him. “Knowing what you do, can you support us in that?”
    “Support you,” Seregil said slowly, as if puzzling out the hidden meaning. “Keep my mouth shut, you mean?”
    Laneus smiled at that. “Bluntly put, but yes.”
    “How could I not support such a noble endeavor?” Seregil replied. “It’s certainly in the country’s best interests.”
    “Very good. Then we have your word?”
    “There’s just one thing I don’t understand, though. Why haven’t you gone to Prince Korathan about all this?”
    That set Laneus back on his heels for a moment, but he recovered quickly. “We’re still gathering intelligence. We don’t have sufficient evidence yet.”
    “Perhaps Seregil could help us, given his close association with Reltheus?” Malthus suggested.
    Laneus raised an eyebrow at Seregil.
    “Spy on Reltheus?” he asked, inwardly amused.
    “He might let something slip in front of you. Or one of his compatriots. We have reason to believe that he’s not alone in his plotting. You’re in his set now. Can you think of anything you’ve heard that might be suspicious?”
    “I’m not so much in his set as in the princess royal’s. Ihaven’t socialized with many of Reltheus’s other friends.” Seregil grinned. “I think he may be a little embarrassed at our association. Now you have me afraid to be around him. What if I was suspected?”
    “I would speak for you, if it came to that,” Malthus assured him.
    “Well … I suppose, if it’s to protect Klia and the queen. Yes, you have my word, I’ll back you.”
    He shook hands with both men. Perhaps Malthus believed what he’d told Seregil, but Laneus had liar’s eyes.
    Apparently the evening’s business was complete, for they went to meet the ladies at the Swan, a gambling establishment set aside for women. A manservant met them at the door and left them in an elegant waiting room with a few other husbands and lovers, where Eona and the rest soon arrived to collect them. The two duchesses appeared to be on the best of terms with Eirual and Myrhichia.
    “This lovely girl is a luck bringer!” Eona exclaimed, holding the younger courtesan’s hand as if they were sisters. “As long as she sat by me at the card table, I couldn’t lose! And she and Eirual tell such saucy stories!”
    Anxious to prolong the evening for Alec’s sake, Seregil said, “I’d like to test that luck, myself. Why don’t we go on to