Casket of Souls

given me reason to doubt your honor, Beka,” Klia began. “Apart from Myrhini, I trust you the mostof any of my officers, so I’m about to put my life in your hands.”
    Beka went down on one knee and pressed her fist to her chest. “Your Highness, command me.”
    “No need for that. Sit, please. I’ve had some disturbing news. There may be a cabal who want to put me on the throne in my niece’s place. There’s another that may be working against me. Beka, would you say you’re friends with Captain Danos?”
    Beka felt a flicker of apprehension. “Yes, Commander, I am. I saved his life in the spring and he’s done the same for me. He’s a good man, and a friend.”
    “That makes this even harder. I’ve had word from Thero that Danos may be sending news of my movements to his father in code. Do you know of any reason he would be doing that?”
    “No,” Beka replied, shocked.
    “Thero is working on this from Rh
í
minee, with the usual help. I need you to be my eyes and ears here, Beka.”
    “Of course, Commander,” said Beka at once, though she disliked the idea of spying on her own people. She liked what Klia said next even less.
    “The information Thero has is still unclear, but there was mention, we think, of your Urghazi Turma.”
    “You want me to spy on
them
?”
    “Both you and they are known to be completely loyal to me. The conspirators supporting me might approach you, thinking that supersedes your loyalty to the queen.”
    Beka thought of the conversation she’d had with Sergeant Werneus the night after the battle at the ford. “We’re good Skalans, Commander, and Phoria is our queen.”
    “And when Elani takes the throne?”
    “As I said,” Beka replied solemnly. “We are loyal to the queen, whoever wears the crown.”
    “As am I.” Klia smiled sadly. “I know what I’m asking of you. But there’s no one else I can trust with this. It could mean my life if Phoria finds out and thinks I’m part of it.”
    “Can’t you just go to the queen and tell her, Klia?” asked Myrhini.
    “My sister is not a trusting woman. She recalled me because she needed me in the field, and Korathan spoke for me. But it was on the condition that I recognize Elani as the princess royal, and give up any claim to the throne.”
    “It still doesn’t seem fair,” Beka said without thinking.
    “Understand this, Beka, and don’t ever forget it,” Klia told her sternly. “I don’t
want
to be queen. Growing up, I had two sisters ahead of me in line for the succession. I never expected to be queen. All I want is to do my duty to Skala. When Elani takes the throne, I will serve her, and gladly. But I want to know who is behind this plot, and how serious it is before I send anyone to the Tower.”
    Beka pressed her fist to her heart again. “I won’t fail you, Commander.”
    “I know. It’s why I asked you. Now that you know what is going on, I want you both to keep this to yourselves,” Klia warned. “Except for Nyal, Beka. He works with all the troops, coming and going without any questions asked. I know I can trust him as I trust you.”
    “I’d stake my honor on it, Commander.”
    “Good. I want you to court Danos, so to speak, see if you can be taken into his confidence. And most especially, I want you to intercept any secret messages he tries to send. They’re written in code.”
    She handed Beka a wax tablet with the key written down. Beka read it over several times. It was fairly straightforward, so long as you could count.
    “I think that’s about it,” said Klia when Beka handed it back.
    Beka took a deep breath, knowing she couldn’t remain silent in the face of all Klia had just told her. “There’s something I should tell you. I should have brought this to you sooner, but I thought—” She shook her head. “The night after you defeated the Plenimarans at the Silver River ford, I overheard some of Anri’s men talking. From what I could make out, they’d back you for the throne, and seemed to think I would, too.”
    Klia sighed, running a hand over her tangled hair. “Watch her, too, then.”
    “From what I gathered, she didn’t know about any plot. The men were unsure of her.”
    “That could have changed by now,” Myrhini said, frowning. “You should have brought this to Klia sooner.”
    Beka pressed her fist to her heart. “I’m sorry. I thought it was just the usual grumbling. I took them to task for it at the time.”
    “Who was it you heard all this