'Stole it? How? When did you find out?'
'We ran into Lars about an hour ago, and he told us it was missing. He went into the office early this morning and saw that it was gone.'
'The whole thing?' Alister looked stunned. 'How could somebody steal an entire engine without anyone noticing?'
'That's what we're wondering. Was it as big as the other engines, the ones your programming team was working on?'
'Yes. It filled the entire room, with power cords running down to the steam engines. They must have dismantled it. Lady, I hope they had someone who knew what he was doing. You said Cris is on the case?'
'Not yet,' Taya admitted. 'He was suspended, but he's down on Secundus right now trying to argue his way back onto active duty.'
'That's why you're here.'
'Yes.'
'Do you think I'm the thief?'
'No. You had access to the engine while you were free, so you could have taken it then, if you'd wanted to. And having it stolen now won't gain you anything, even if you could have arranged the theft in one day.'
'Thank you, my hawk. You're right. I didn't have anything to do with it.'
'So, who did?'
Alister clasped his hands in front of his face, gazing over his knuckles into the air.
'I don't know anything about the theft,' he said at last. 'But I have some very good guesses.' He rested his green eyes on her. 'And I'll pass them along to Cristof, if the Council agrees to change my sentence from execution to exile.'
Taya shivered. For the first time she heard a raw edge to his voice, a hint of the dread he must be feeling as he contemplated his death.
'You know…' She stared at him. 'Even if they agree to exile you, you'll be blinded and outcaste.'
'I know. I was a witness at Neuillan's exile. But I'm not ready to face the Forge yet. As long as I'm alive, I can try to work off Caster's death. If I'm executed now, I'll face rebirth with his blood on my hands.'
'So are you feeling regret, or just fear?'
'A little of both.'
'They might not agree to make a deal. Murdering a decatur is a lot more serious than selling secrets to the Alzanans.'
'I think I know who arranged the theft. And I have Neuillan's contact information; a list of all the Alzanan spies he talked to and a list of the passwords he used. It might not be accurate after a year, but it would give the lictors a head start on their investigation. The Alzanans must be behind this, even if they used an Ondinium citizen to carry it out.'
'How did you get the list?'
'I found it in Neuillan's house. Cris and I were his executors. I didn't see any reason to give the information to the military.'
'Does Cristof know about it?'
'He chose to handle the legal issues, rather than go through Neuillan's personal belongings. He's always been more comfortable with the intellectual than the emotional. Take that as a warning, if you like.'
'Why didn't you destroy the list?'
'A wise man never destroys information.'
'Neither does a crook, apparently.'
'Please, Taya. Make this deal for me. I don't want the engine to fall into enemy hands. I'm sure we've already lost months of effort troubleshooting and calibrating it.'
'Would it really make a difference if other countries got analytical engines of their own?'
'Not every country is governed as well as Ondinium, Taya. I know there are many people who think our trade restrictions are selfish, but the Council hasn't forgotten the lessons of the Last War.'
Taya slowly nodded. Centuries ago the Last War had been brought to Ondinium's doorstep using the ondium boats and liquid fire the kingdom had been selling to other countries. Ondinium had won the war, but only after losing half its population and being burned to the ground. The social chaos that had followed had led to the fall of the monarchy, the metamorphosis of the ancient caste system, and years of political upheavals before the current republic was established.
Ever since then, Ondinium had refused to sell its metal and weaponry to other countries, and it strictly prohibited the manufacture of ondium craft. Every generation some young idealist pointed out how antiquated the icarus system was, and how much better it would be if armatures left a person's arms free and how much more efficient it would be to carry packages in an ondium-plated skiff. And in response, every generation an older and wiser politician reminded the idealist that it's impossible to wield a weapon when one's arms are encased in metal wings.
'You aren't convinced,' Alister said, watching her.
'I guess I just don't understand why Lars was so upset that the engine was gone.'
'I imagine he's afraid the team will be suspected of its theft.'
'They were taken in for questioning after you were arrested.'
'They didn't know anything about my plans.'
'You're being very careful to clear everyone's reputation.'
'I don't see any reason to drag anyone else to the headsman. Or to the blinding irons, as the case may be. I'm not a vengeful man. I only want what's best for Ondinium.'
Taya let out a long breath. She didn't know how Alister could talk about his fate with such calm. She hoped that if she were ever in the same position, she'd be as brave.
'I'll see what I can do.' She took her crutches and stood. 'It might take a while.'
'I'll be here,' Alister said, with rueful humor. Taya nodded and limped out the curtained doorway, deep in thought.
After a quick stop at a mail station to send a note to Cassi, she headed back to the lictor's headquarters on Secundus.
Lars was sitting in the front room, huddled in a corner and looking as bear-like as ever. His glum expression brightened when she walked in, and he hurried to pull out a chair for her.
'He's in there. There was some shouting at first, but it's been quiet since then,' the big man said, jerking his head toward the back.
'Are they doing anything about the missing engine?'
'The lieutenant sent out some lictors to secure the building and ask questions. I guess they'll be grilling the rest of the team and the engineering crew that worked on the engine. Did you talk to Alister?'
'He wants to make a deal.'
'Then he knows something.'
'He suspects something.'
'Is he all right?'
Taya gave him a sympathetic look. Lars had a kind heart, and she could tell he still wasn't entirely convinced of his friend's guilt.
'He's worried about his sentence. But he's in good health and he has a comfortable cell.'
'Benefits of being an exalted, I guess.'
'Until he's thrown out of caste.'
Lars fingered the dedicate's spiral over his left cheekbone, looking nervous at the thought. Taya swung her crutches around.
'I'm going to go interrupt,' she said. 'Wish me luck.'
She explained her news to the desk sergeant, who went back to check with the lieutenant and then waved her through. Both Cristof and Lt. Amcathra fell silent when she entered.
'You spoke to Exalted Forlore and did not wait for us?' Amcathra demanded, his usually impassive face showing perceptible annoyance.
Taya made a show of tucking her crutch under one arm and pulling out Cristof's pocket watch. She opened
