Traitor's Moon

seems as good a theory as any, then it narrows our field of suspects down to—”
    â€œJust about everyone in the whole damn city,” Alec finished for him. “There were hundreds of people there.”
    â€œExcept Emiel í Moranthi,” said Seregil.
    â€œWe’re standing on smoke,” Alec muttered.
    â€œYes, we are,” Seregil agreed. “But this is a start toward something more solid.” He took a last look at Torsin’s hand; with the dark blood cleaned away, the puncture mark was practically invisible again. “I want you to keep this discovery to yourselves for a while. Act as if you think his death was a natural one.”
    â€œWhat about Nyal?” asked Thero.
    â€œTell him we found nothing. If he or someone else knows otherwise, sooner or later they may let it slip.” Arranging the dead man’shands on his chest, Seregil turned for the door. “Let’s go see what our helpful Ra’basi is up to now.”
    They didn’t have far to go. Emerging from Torsin’s room, they met Nyal and Mydri in the hall, accompanying Klia as she was carried to her bedchamber on a litter.
    Dread washed over Seregil, seeing the pallor of death in her face. Only the slight rise and fall of her chest showed she still lived.
    â€œAn infusion of black tea steeped in brandy may help her breathing,” Nyal advised. “Otherwise, there’s little to do but keep her warm and wait for it to run its course.”
    Looking up at Seregil, he raised an expectant eyebrow. “Was Torsin poisoned, do you think?”
    â€œNo. It’s as we thought, a failure of the lungs.”
    The Ra’basi seemed to accept this. Even as he surreptitiously watched him, however, Seregil felt a twinge of regret, thinking again of Nyal’s kindness to him after his ill-fated walk in Haman tupa. In spite of everything else he might suspect, somewhere along the way, he’d begun to like the man.
    When Klia was settled in bed, Alec showed them a tiny spot of blue between her fingers. Even with the lissik, it was just a pinprick surrounded by a patch of bleached flesh.
    â€œIt’s spreading,” Nyal said, frowning as he pressed at the white skin.
    â€œThis is what apaki’nhag bites look like?” asked Seregil.
    â€œYes, but not until after the person has already sickened. The venom slowly kills the flesh around the bite. This area will turn black soon and may have to be cut away, if she survives.”
    No wonder they’d missed the bite on Torsin, thought Seregil. Not only was the hand bloated from being in the water, but Torsin had died too quickly for the telltale signs to appear.
    â€œIf?” Alec croaked. “But she’s made it this long—”
    Nyal placed a hand on his shoulder. “There are many kinds of apaki’nhag, some more venomous than others. The symptoms are the same, only the result differs. Some victims survive unscathed. Others are left blind or crippled.”
    Seregil pressed a hand to Klia’s moist brow, then bent close to her ear. “No matter what happens, I’m not leaving Aurënen until I know who did this to you, and why.”
    He straightened and looked at Nyal a moment without speaking.
    â€œWhat is it?” the older man asked.
    â€œThis is a dangerous time for us here. Your own clan may fall under suspicion before I’m finished. Will you stand by us?”
    â€œAs long as I can act with honor,” Nyal assured him earnestly. “What of Beka’s order, though? I’m not even supposed to be here.”
    â€œKeep to the barracks for now. I’ll sort it out when she gets back. If you need to go out, be sure to let someone know in case Mydri needs you.”
    â€œI’ll do whatever I can.” With a last sad look at Klia, Nyal went out. Seregil counted to three, then peered around the doorframe in time to see the Ra’basi meet Sergeant Mercalle and several of her riders on the back staircase. They spoke briefly, then Nyal continued down.
    Seregil stepped out to meet Mercalle.
    â€œWe’re here to relieve Rhylin,” she told him.
    Mydri came out to join them. “Seregil, would you ask one of the cooks to send up a honey poultice, hot water, and clean rags? I’m going to do everything I can to save that hand.”
    Kheeta hurried up the front stairs. “Is Alec here? Säaban and the others are waiting out