Traitor's Moon

“People come and go all the time here. Our man could be miles away already. By the Flame, Seregil, can’t these rhui’auros of yours do something?”
    He sighed, resting his face in his hands. “According to the one I spoke with this morning, I already know who did it, whatever that means.”
    Beka paused beside Seregil and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Tell us what he said, word for word.”
    Seregil glanced down at Klia and found her eyes open and focused on him. He lifted her good hand and held it gently. “Let’s see. He fed me breakfast and we spoke of Nysander. He admitted that he sent Nyal but claimed that he didn’t send him to me.” He looked at Thero and shook his head. “You know how they can be. Anyway, then he gave me the Plenimaran bottle of lissik. When I recognized the workmanship, he told me ‘He who has two hearts is twice as strong,’ and called me ‘ya’shel khi.’ ”
    â€œHalf-breed soul,” Alec translated for Beka’s benefit.
    Seregil nodded. “I’ve been turning that around in my mind all day, along with his talk of my so-called gift. Whatever that is.”
    â€œAnd he said you fight it,” Alec prompted.
    Seregil shrugged again. “A gift for magical ineptitude? A gift for picking pockets and lying well? The only thing he said that makes any sense to me yet is that somehow or other we’ve missed asking the right questions.”
    â€œOr the right people,” Beka said. “What did Adzriel say about the vote? Will it go forward as things are now?”
    â€œNothing’s been changed, so far as she knows.”
    â€œBoth Virésse and Haman are still under interdiction,” said Alec. “Doesn’t that give us an advantage? I mean, we know that Virésse would have voted against us, and Haman might have.”
    â€œHaman would have been the keystone,” Seregil said. “With justVirésse out of the picture, Nazien’s vote would have broken any tie vote, for good or ill. Things are as uncertain as ever now. Of the nine left, we know Goliníl, Khatme, and Lhapnos are against us. Ra’basi and the rest? Who can say, now that everyone’s so leery of Phoria? Ulan may win without having to vote at all. Beka, I’d like you to fetch Nazien í Hari. Don’t say why, just that I have information regarding his nephew.”
    â€œMaybe it’s time I went back to the taverns,” Alec offered. “Short of going into housebreaking as a full-time occupation, I don’t see how else we can find much more than we already have. Whoever left that ring meant for us to end up right where we are now, mired solid.”
    â€œYou might as well—”
    He was interrupted by Mydri’s arrival with fresh infusions for Klia.
    â€œBut not alone,” he continued. “Take Kheeta with you, and a rider or two. No one goes out alone, not anymore.”
    â€œThen you think our murderer is still here?” asked Beka.
    â€œWe have to be prepared for the possibility, and that he’s not done with us yet,” Seregil replied.
    â€œDo take care,” Mydri warned, picking up the thread of the conversation. “Adzriel has had people out listening around the city; word of what you found has already spread, and tempers are ugly. Akhendi is the worst, accusing Virésse outright of murder. There’s talk of banning Goliníl, and even the Khatme seem to be under suspicion. It’s rumored that Lhaär ä Iriel and Ulan í Sathil were meeting secretly to plot against Klia.”
    â€œAny news from the Nha’mahat?” Seregil asked.
    Mydri gave him a surprised look. “You know they don’t mix in Iia’sidra business.”
    â€œOf course.” Seregil bent to pat Klia’s hand one last time, then motioned for Alec to come with him.
    On the way out they nearly collided with Sergeant Mercalle in the corridor.
    â€œBegging your pardon, my lords,” she said, giving them a quick salute. “I need to speak with Captain Beka regarding orders.”
    â€œWhat is it, Sergeant?” Beka asked, stepping out to join them.
    â€œIt’s about the prisoner, Captain. His people are at the front door, asking what we mean to do with him.”
    â€œWell, well, Nazien has saved us the trouble,” Seregil murmured. “Tell him we’ll speak with him at once, Sergeant. Put them in the