He gave a harsh grin. “And I’ve had just the same problem with Kearney’s archminister. I’ve no doubt that she’s betrayed the king, but I haven’t yet found proof, and Kearney refuses to send her away.” He stared at the two women again. “It has to be more than a coincidence, the two of them being together like this.” Abruptly he took her hand. “Come with me. We must speak with the king.”
He very nearly yanked her off her feet compelling her to follow.
“I want you to tell Kearney of your suspicions. Make him see that his archminister is speaking with a woman you feel certain is a traitor.”
“We should find my queen as well. She’s been reluctant to believe that Abeni could betray her.”
“Look,” he said. “They’re together.”
They walked directly to the two sovereigns, heedless of interrupting their conversation.
“Your Majesty,” Marston said, as he and the duchess stopped in front of them. “We must have a word with you.”
“I was having a word with the queen, Lord Shanstead.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Forgive me, but this can’t wait.”
“Diani?” Olesya said. “Is everything all right?”
“We’re really not certain, Your Highness. After the gleaner met with all the Qirsi, Abeni and the king’s archminister went off together for a private conversation.”
“And?” the king demanded, glaring at the thane.
“Your Majesty,” Marston said, “the duchess has long suspected that Sanbira’s archminister is with the conspiracy.”
Olesya nodded. “I’m afraid that’s true. And while we know nothing for certain, I’ve grown wary of her, too.”
“And what does this have to do with my archminister?”
“Your Majesty, please. We both know that you’ve had your doubts about her. You came very close to banishing her from Audun’s Castle.”
“That was a long time ago, Lord Shanstead. I’ve since come to realize how foolish I would have been to act on my suspicions.”
“But don’t you see, Your Majesty? You weren’t being foolish at all. Even now, she consorts with a woman who might very well be a traitor to her realm.”
Kearney looked like he might argue the point further. Then he stopped himself, though it appeared to take some effort. “What is it you’d have me do?”
“She should be placed with the Solkaran prisoners, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t you think that’s somewhat extreme, Lord Shanstead?” the queen asked.
Marston turned to her. “Forgive me for saying so, Your Highness, but the same should be done with your archminister.”
“For having a conversation?”
“For plotting against their realms!”
“Lady Curlinte,” Kearney said, his bright green eyes meeting hers. “Surely you don’t agree with what the thane proposes.”
Her eyes slid toward the queen, who was watching her keenly. No doubt the memory of what Diani had done in Curlinte was as fresh in Olesya’s mind as it was in her own.
“Let me ask you this,” the king went on, his voice dropping to a whisper, so that all of them had to lean closer to him. “Do you trust the gleaner?”
Marston shook his head. “Not especially.”
“I do, Your Majesty,” Diani said. “He risked a great deal revealing to all that he’s a Weaver. A man who would do that must be trustworthy.”
Kearney gave a small smile. “I agree. What I’m about to say must not leave this circle, for it’s not really my secret to tell. But under the circumstances it’s the best way I can think of to put your fears to rest.” He paused, eyeing Marston and then the duchess. “Do I have your word that you’ll keep this to yourselves?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The thane nodded. “Of course.”
“Perhaps you’ve heard that in the past, when Weavers were discovered, they were not the only ones who were executed.”
“Their families were as well,” Diani said.
“Yes. Which is why the gleaner and my archminister have long kept it secret that they’re brother and sister.”
“Impossible!”
“Why, Marston?” the king asked. “Because it proves her fealty?”
“But she and the archminister-”
“Whatever Keziah is doing, I assure you, she has the best interests of the realm at heart. You have to trust me, Marston, as your father does. Keziah has risked more in this fight against the conspiracy than anyone I know, except perhaps her brother and Lord Curgh.”
“Risked in what way, Your Majesty?”
“I can’t tell you that. Again, you have to trust me.”
Marston nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He didn’t look pleased, but it did appear to Diani that he had been swayed by what the king had told him. Certainly she had been.
“Does this change your opinion of Abeni, Lady Curlinte?”
“No, Your Highness, it doesn’t.”
Olesya shook her head. “I didn’t think so. Continue to watch her, and the others as well.”
She heard a dismissal in the words. “Yes, Your Highness.” She bowed, as did Marston. “Thank you.”
They walked away together, the thane staring at the ground, muttering to himself.
“I was so certain,” he said at last.
“I know.” Diani made the decision abruptly. She was still ashamed of what she had done, but perhaps there was a lesson here for both of them. And if anyone could understand, this man would. “After the attempts on my life, I had every Qirsi in my castle imprisoned. I didn’t know which of them to trust, so I refused to trust any of them. Olesya the queen made me release them, but to this day, my first instinct when I encounter a strange Qirsi is to look for signs of treachery.”
“Is that what you think I do?”
Diani shrugged. “Isn’t it?”
He looked away. “Perhaps.”
“I’m not saying that there aren’t traitors among the Qirsi-there may be several here with us. But they can’t all be with the conspiracy.”
“I suppose not. I just hope you’re right about this gleaner.”
“If I’m not, and it turns out that there are two Weavers arrayed against us, it won’t matter who else is a traitor.”
“That’s true.” Marston paused, and after a moment he shook his head again. “Something still bothers me about all this. If the king’s archminister-”
She held a finger to her lips. There were too many people around them, and Kearney had made it clear that this was not to be shared with anyone. “Not here.” Taking him by the hand, she led him away from the armies again, until they were alone on the moor with the swaying grasses and the hulking grey stones.
“Now, you were saying?”
“It’s probably nothing,” he said. “You’re right about me. I’m looking for reasons to doubt them, seeking out enemies when that’s the one thing we have in abundance.”
The sun shone in his eyes and the breeze stirred his hair. He really was quite attractive, and charming as well, despite his youth.
“Then let’s not talk about this anymore,” she said, stepping closer to him. “I’m tired of worrying about the gleaner and his sister and whose side they’re on and all the rest of it.”
He reached up and brushed a strand of dark hair from her brow. “I take it,” he said, his voice suddenly rough,
