“Is Commander Myr mixed up in all this?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you know Danos’s father, Duke Reltheus?” asked Thero.
“Not really, though I’ve seen him a few times, in the city.”
“And it was not he who asked you to spy?”
“No, my lord. I only know about the major.”
“Tell me everything you know about the plot against me,” Klia ordered.
“I swear on my life, Commander, I only took the major’s money and posted the messages! Major Salana is the only one I ever talked to.”
“Who are the ‘wolves’ you wrote of?” asked Thero.
“Urghazi Turma.”
“Are they involved?”
“No! I was told to watch out for them, and you, Captain Beka, since you’d be the first to defend Commander Klia.”
“Defend me from what?” Klia asked sharply.
“I wasn’t told, Commander. Only that I should keep an eye on them, for any signs of disloyalty to the queen.”
“Bastard!” Myrhini hissed between clenched teeth.
“And who is the ‘hawk’?” asked Thero.
“The general, my lord.”
“General Moraus?”
“Yes. Same reason, to see if he is loyal to the queen.”
“Tell us everything you have reported,” ordered Thero, although he already had some idea, from what Seregil and Alec had found.
“I was to report on anything the commander did that seemed out of the ordinary, anytime she met with the other officers and the general, where she had defeats, and the like. And if I heard her say anything against the queen. Truth be told, I couldn’t figure out why they had me watching you at all.”
“Thank you for that, at least,” Klia remarked dryly. She
held up the coded document. “And why did you write this lie about me?”
“Major Salana was getting impatient with my reports. She needed something to impugn your honor, but I swear by Sakor, I never saw you act dishonorably! I-I lied to keep the silver coming.”
Myrhini gripped the hilt of her dagger. “I should cut you open where you stand, you whoreson bastard!”
Klia stayed her with a look. “Is there anything else you have not told us, Corporal Caem?”
“No, Commander, on my life.”
Klia let out a humorless laugh. “That will do, Thero.”
Thero broke the spell and caught the dagger as it fell. Caem sagged with relief, but it was short-lived as Klia said, “Bind him and place him under guard. He can give evidence to the general before he’s hanged.”
The accused man shot a disbelieving look at Thero. “But you said she’d show mercy!”
“I am,” Klia growled. “Hanging’s a quick death, and more than you deserve. Take him outside, Nyal. Myrhini, bring in Captain Danos.”
The young captain, a tall, well-favored young man with a blond chin beard, betrayed no emotion except respect as he entered the room and saluted. “You sent for me, Commander?”
“Yes. Do you know why?”
“I assume it’s something to do with Caem. What has he done?”
“I’ll ask the questions for now, Captain,” Klia replied. “Lord Thero is going to gauge the truth of your answers with his magic. I expect the truth.”
Danos went to one knee, fist to his heart. “Of course, Commander! Ask me anything you like.”
“Stand,” said Thero. He set the dagger spinning, explained the consequences, and nodded to Klia.
“Are you plotting against me, Captain Danos?”
Danos went white. “No, Commander. I swear by the Flame!”
The dagger spun where it was, much to Thero’s relief.
“Are you plotting against the Princess Royal?”
“No, Commander.”
Once again, it was the truth.
“Do you know of any plots against me or Princess Elani?”
“On my honor, Commander, I don’t.”
“Did you know that your man, Corporal Caem, has been sending reports to parties suspected of plotting against me?”
“No, Commander.”
Klia seemed genuinely relieved as she looked at Thero and said, “That’s enough.”
The wizard broke the spell and caught the knife. “Would you like me to leave?”
“No. You and Major Myrhini will be my witnesses.” Klia turned back to Danos. “I’m sorry to tell you that Caem is a traitor. He’s been including reports on my movements and actions in letters you send to your father.” She paused, letting that sink in.
“My-my father?” Danos was white to the lips now, and swaying. Myrhini quickly guided him to a stool by the map table and poured him a cup of water.
Danos accepted it with trembling hands but did not drink as he looked up at Klia. “By the Four, Commander. What does my father have to do with this?”
“That’s what I’m trying to ascertain.” Klia sat down beside him and took his hand. “I’m relieved that you’re not involved, Danos. You’re one of my best, and most honorable.”
Despite her kind words, he still looked poleaxed. “I’ll resign my commission, of course-”
“You’ll do nothing of the sort. You will remain as my officer, and you’ll say nothing of anything you’ve heard here tonight to anyone, and most especially not to your father. That’s an order, Captain. Do you understand?”
“About not saying anything? Of course. But why would you want me under your command, knowing my father’s shame?”
“Nothing has been proven, Danos. And you are not your father or his deeds. In all the time you’ve served with me, I’ve never known you to commit a dishonest act. If I didn’t
respect that, I wouldn’t be much of a commander. Can you continue to serve me wholeheartedly?”
The young man’s voice was unsteady as he huskily replied, “To my last drop of blood, Commander. To Bilairy’s gate!”
Klia clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s good enough for me.”
Danos drew a deep breath, trying to recover his composure. “But what do I say to the riders about Caem? He’s popular among them.”
“That he was caught spying,” Klia replied. “I’m sending him directly to the general. You’ll come as well, and I will vouch for you. Wait for me outside. Go with him, Myrhini.”
“Do you need me to come with you and offer evidence?” asked Thero when the others had gone out. “I can’t go back yet. I have to rest before I can cast the translocation again.”
Klia sighed. “No, stay here. It’s better for both of us if you’re not seen. At this point I’m not sure who to trust. I’ll use one of your message wands to send word of what comes of the other interrogations. I want you to go to Korathan with news of this as soon as you get back.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done.” Klia paused, then kissed him.
He held her tight, trying to memorize the feel of her, all the angles and curves.
She seemed to be doing the same, and his face went red and hot as he thought of her feeling the hard press of his rigid member against her belly.
Yet she gave no sign of repugnance. Instead she pressed her hand to his chest over his unruly heart again. “You say this is mine? I claim it and charge you with keeping it safe until I return.”
With that she turned and strode away to join the others. He heard voices, then footsteps fading into the night. The memory of her touch and words ached like fever in his bones. Staring into the darkness beyond the doorway, he
