Casket of Souls

  “Tolin, Stenmir, and—” Seregil hesitated, knowing Korathan was not going to be pleased. “And Duke Reltheus.”

  “Reltheus? Is that why he’s thrown his son in Elani’s way every chance he gets?”

  “No, I think he just desperately wants his line joined to the royal house,” Seregil replied. “And I believe he feels genuine affection for your niece. Kyrin has found a way to use that. He’s blackmailing Reltheus; it seems the duke was already passing out royal favors.”

  “That makes him no less a traitor to the royal family, if he’s conspiring against Klia! How far has this gone?”

  “All that we’ve learned makes me wonder if that attempt on Klia’s life was actually made by assassins disguised as Plenimaran soldiers,” replied Thero.

  “Attempt on Klia’s life!” Seregil exclaimed. “Why weren’t we told of this?”

  “Perhaps I should have—” Korathan looked sharply at Alec. “But you two already knew, didn’t you?”

  Alec colored hotly. “Well, that is …”

  “Only recently, Highness,” Thero told him. “And only because they uncovered evidence of their own as to the perpetrators. Seregil, tell the prince what you heard on the island.”

  “Reltheus, Tolin, and Stenmir went off into the woods on their own and I followed to see what they were up to. I overheard Stenmir ask Reltheus if he’d had any more news from ‘the north,’ which I assumed were the messages from Danos. Then Reltheus said that if someone he referred to only as ‘she’ had been killed, they’d have heard by now.”

  “And you assume that this ‘she’ was Klia.”

  “Yes.”

  “And still you kept this knowledge to yourselves?”

  Thero hastened to Seregil’s defense. “As far as we knew from the evidence Seregil and Alec found up until then, they were simply keeping an eye on her to see if she was making any move toward claiming the throne. We had no idea a plot was afoot to kill her.”

  “What other evidence do you have, beyond an overheard conversation with no names?”

  Seregil showed him the copies of some of the coded messages and purloined letters they’d found so far. “From these, it appeared that they were keeping a close eye on Klia, and also trying to gauge how deep Elani’s interest in Danos runs. And I found a number of other interesting items in a secret room in Marquis Kyrin’s house, including more letters and some phials of poison. And he’s hoarding Aurënfaie gold kars with Goliníl clan’s mark on them, and some gems.”

  “Those are all capital offenses!”

  “Yes, but I think that pales beside his real motives, don’t you? Arrest him for that and you tip your hand to the other conspirators. They’ll scatter like fleas off a dead dog.”

  “Charming image.”

  “You take my meaning, though. Please, Korathan, let us pursue this.”

  Korathan sighed. “And what’s this other cabal?”

  “We’re less sure of this one,” Thero replied, “but Duke Laneus seems to be conspiring to support Klia in some fashion.”

  “And how does he propose to do that, without her consent?”

  “He may just be trying to protect her from Kyrin’s group.”

  “And assassinate the queen.”

  “Possibly. We’re not sure of that, yet.”

  “And who is with him?”

  “It’s not entirely clear, but we’re fairly sure of Marquise Lalia, Duchess Nerian.” Seregil hesitated again. “The protector general—”

  “The man I was just speaking with? Bilairy’s Balls, man, he’s charged with protecting Elani! If he persuaded his regiment to turn on her—on me? The whole city would be plunged into chaos. Phoria would be forced to lay siege to her own capital.”

  “Very likely,” said Seregil. “Once again, though, if you arrest him for that, or even relieve him of command without a plausible excuse, the others will know the game is up. I’d suggest sending the general on a tour of the coastal cities to assess their defenses against a sea attack. With his correspondence closely monitored, of course. That should get him out of the way long enough for us to complete our work.”

  Korathan rested his head in one hand for a moment. “Yes, that can be arranged easily enough. Are there any others in league with that faction?”

  “Marquise Lalia.”

  “Mistress of the Royal Wardrobe.”

  “And Duke Malthus,” said Seregil. “But I’m not certain Malthus is supporting their plans, at least not any talk of assassinating Phoria. He was overheard objecting.”

  “By whom?”

  “One of my spies.”

  “And this spy is?”

  “The actor, Atre,” Seregil admitted reluctantly. “From what he heard, Malthus was the voice of reason.” He paused. “Again, if you bring this all to light now, it will look like Klia is in the middle of it.”

  “But I assure you, she isn’t!” Thero quickly put in. “I’ve had it from her lips, and I have no reason to doubt her.”

  That earned another raised eyebrow from the prince. “Perhaps you’re not the most objective judge, when it comes to Klia?”

  “Your Highness, I—”

  Korathan waved that aside. “I must tell you, I don’t like any of this, or your keeping it from me for so long. From now on you’ll all keep me apprised.”

  “Of course, Highness,” said Thero, bowing with the others.

  Korathan turned to Seregil. “I understand you two are playing with my niece again today.”

  “We have that honor.”

  “That’s good. You can keep an eye on Reltheus and the others for me. I’ll make certain the queen understands your sudden interest in Elani.”

  “Thank you.” It seemed they’d improved their standing with Korathan since that day at the archery lists.

  “Well, go on, then. It’s not polite to keep the princess royal waiting.”

  “Of course.”

  In the corridor Alec let out a pent-up breath. “That went fairly well. Didn’t it?”

  “Considering the alternatives, yes,” said Thero, looking equally relieved. “Good luck and good hunting.” With that he went off the way they’d come.

  Seregil straightened Alec’s coat collar and brushed a wisp of hair behind his ear. “There, all presentable to ‘play’ with the princess.”

  Another page led them down the long succession of corridors that took them through the public areas to the royal living quarters. Seregil could have found his way on his own, though it had been a long time since he’d lived here. The queen’s suite was the largest, with its own garden. The other royals lived in the same wing, the highest ranking closest to the queen. Seregil’s old room had been far away at the other end.

  Elani occupied the spacious suite next to the queen’s quarters, rooms that had once belonged to Phoria. Her mother’s were next to hers on the other side, and Korathan’s suite lay just across the hallway, although the prince also had his own villa in the Noble Quarter and spent the majority of his free time there.

  Seregil was familiar with Korathan’s rooms, but not Elani’s, as he hadn’t spent much time with Phoria in her youth.

  Footmen bowed to them and opened the polished double doors to admit them into a large, already crowded drawing room. The walls were decorated with murals of countryside scenes, and the sumptuous furnishings were done up in gold brocade. Bookcases lined the back of the room from floor to ceiling, framing an ornately gilded door. The bookcases were filled with leather-bound volumes on history, warfare, statecraft, and other topics suitable for a future ruler; the warm smell of them mingled with the scent of the wax tapers and the perfumes of the various courtiers in attendance, forming an almost incense-like aroma that was very pleasant and cozy on such a stormy day. A large marble hearth took up the center of the right-hand wall. No fire burned there, as the day was warm in spite of the rain. The tall windows overlooking a smaller garden stood open to the damp breeze.

  The usual courtiers and servants were there, includ
ing Reltheus, who clearly still occupied a place of honor among the assembly, and the unsociable Marquis Kyrin, Seregil noted with interest. Neither of them appeared to be worried about anything.

  “Here you are!” Archduchess Alaya greeted them, kissing both of them lightly on each cheek. Then, lowering her voice, she confided, “You two have become quite the favorites, my dears, at least with the princess. Her mother is less enthusiastic. You’ll do well to stay out of her way.”

  “Thank you for the warning,” Seregil murmured with a smile.

  “Elani needs some friends outside of the court. Lord Alec, you’ve been a breath of fresh air for her.”

  Alec bowed, coloring a little at the unexpected praise.

  “And I’m so sorry about your friend, Lady Kylith.”

  “Thank you, dear lady. The pain lingers on, but she’s vibrant in memory,” Seregil replied with genuine feeling.

  Alaya flitted on, teasing Earl Stenmir about something. Seregil looked around at the crowd, then brushed Alec’s hand with his own and inclined his head in the direction of Elani across the room. She was laughing with General Sarien.

  “Interesting that such a busy fellow has time for court pleasantries,” Seregil murmured. The thought that the general might well be planning harm to the girl he was now charming was chilling. “Though it’s hardly surprising that he has access to her, both for his rank and position. He’s an archduke.”

  Apart from General Sarien, everyone was gorgeously attired and bejeweled today. Elani was resplendent in a crimson gown and ruby-studded neckband and girdle; her hair was dressed with jeweled pins. Catching sight of them, she came over to greet them with warm delight.

  “Thank you so much for attending,” she said, extending her hand to them in turn.

  “The pleasure of your company is always a ray of sunshine, Highness,” Seregil said, gesturing at the rain-lashed windows overlooking the queen’s garden. “And what better day for sunshine?”

  Elani laughed. “I hope you’ll allow me to try my bakshi skills against yours again. I have been practicing.”

  “I’m at your disposal. Alec is a good hand at the gaming table, as well.”

  “Then I’ll test your mettle at the stones, too, Lord Alec.”

  Just then her mother called out for the princess and Elani let out a small sigh, muttering, “Oh, what now?”

  Seregil smothered a grin; for a moment she was just an ordinary young girl, chafing at her mother’s demands.

  “If you’ll excuse me?” she said. “And don’t forget, I want a game with both of you!”

  Seregil and Alec bowed and she went to join her mother. As Seregil watched, Aralain introduced her daughter to a Lord Orin—the handsome son of Marquis Roleus—whom Seregil had gambled against a few times when the young lord was out carousing with his friends. He was also a member of Sarien’s regiment, and wore his uniform and commander’s gorget with style.

  “Danos may have more serious competition than you, Alec.” Seregil chuckled softly, watching Elani blushing under the young man’s attentions. “I wonder if this signals a chilling of affection for Danos?”

  “Do you think Elani knows about what happened?” murmured Alec.

  “I think Korathan would have mentioned it if she did. No, soldiers at the front die on a regular basis, even officers; perhaps dear Mama is simply hedging her bets, anxious to get Elani married off and producing heirs. If you get a chance today, sound her out on her feelings for Danos. I’ll do the same. But be discreet.”

  Alec snorted softly at that.

  Reltheus came over with Kyrin. “Kyrin, these are the friends I was telling you about. My lords, may I present Marquis Kyrin, a dear friend of mine.”

  “My lord,” Seregil replied with a sweeping bow.

  “Ah, the infamous Lord Seregil,” Kyrin said, looking him up and down with questionable approval. “And this must be young Lord Alec.”

  Alec bowed. “Pleased to meet you, my lord.”

  “Reltheus tells me you two have become fixtures here at court.”

  “I’d hardly say that, though Princess Elani has honored us with a few invitations,” Seregil replied.

  “Archery, isn’t it?”

  “Alec’s forte, not mine,” Seregil said. “Have you known Her Highness long?”

  “Since she was born,” Kyrin replied, sounding mildly offended that Seregil did not know that.

  “It was Kyrin who suggested the hunt at my estate last winter,” Reltheus told them.

  “Where Princess Elani met the handsome young Danos, I believe,” Seregil replied with a knowing grin. “At least that’s what I hear among the gossips.”

  “Yes, indeed.” Reltheus clapped Kyrin on the shoulder.

  Which of you gave the word to kill Klia? wondered Seregil. It was interesting to see the two men together like this; the friendship between them appeared genuine, rather than coerced through blackmail. Reltheus might be a better dissembler than Seregil had assumed. That, or he didn’t know that Kyrin had the letter. Perhaps it was being held in reserve, in case the duke needed a little extra encouragement at some point?

  “It must be difficult for her, with him off at war,” said Alec, glancing Elani’s way; she was still talking with Commander Orin.

  “Oh, yes.” Reltheus noticed the pair, and the hint of a frown threatened. “Yes, indeed. Excuse me, gentlemen.”

  He and Kyrin drifted away to Elani’s side of the room and soon captured the conversation.

  “Determined, aren’t they?” noted Alec.

  “I wonder if Elani is as taken with Danos as they’d like?” Seregil replied softly, taking in the look of annoyance Orin was giving the duke. “And even though Danos was proven innocent by a truth knower, having his aide turn out to be a spy right under his nose may tarnish his luster at court.”

  As the rain continued, everyone was called upon for a song or story to pass the time, then gaming tables were brought in and most of them settled down to play. Seregil found himself paired with the supercilious count who’d insulted him during the island picnic trip. Everyone played for wagers, and Seregil soon made quite a bit of money. Tolin paid up in a huff and left the table, making way for a pretty lady-in-waiting who was far friendlier, and a bit flirtatious.

  Meanwhile, Alec and Elani had retreated to a corner and were playing some card game on a small table, heads together and chatting.

  “You’re far too good at this to be a proper courtier!” Elani teased as Alec claimed another trick and discarded his last card.

  “Will I be banished?” he asked, smiling.

  “No, not if you’ll play another round with me.”

  “Oh, dear. I suppose I must, then. Same again?”

  She nodded and he dealt the cards. As they each gathered and sorted their hand, Alec said, “That Orin is a handsome fellow, in his uniform and all.”

  “Shame on you, Lord Alec, looking at other men!”

  “One can at least look, don’t you think? You seemed quite charmed by him.”

  She rolled her eyes at that, reminding him very much of Illia Cavish. “Mama is charmed. I’m polite.”

  “Then Captain Danos has little to worry about?”

  She blushed prettily as she went back to sorting her cards. “I suppose it’s common knowledge that I—like him?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Alec chuckled, glad that she seemed at ease talking about it with him. “You met hunting, or so I heard.”

  “On dear Duke Reltheus’s estate near Tyborn Mountain. We out-rode the hounds and speared a boar together.” She lifted her chin proudly as she exclaimed softly, “He doesn’t treat me like a child. And he’s a wonderful archer, nearly as good as you are. And he’s a poet and an artist! He sends me poems, and the most amusing letters with funny little drawings in the margins.”

  “He sounds like quite the suitor.”

  She blushed again. “Yes, he is.”

  “I certainly look forward to meeting him when he returns to the city. Only a
few more months to wait, eh?”

  “You make it sound like tomorrow. Have you ever had to wait for Lord Seregil?”

  “A few times, yes—” In cages and cells, sometimes. “Though not as long as you have for Danos. But you must think him worth the wait, if you haven’t encouraged any other suitors. There must be others.”

  “Oh, yes. Mostly Mama’s choices, and some I’ve met at balls and salons.” She looked up with a secret smile. “But none I like so much as Danos.”

  Knowing what he did, the girlish confidence almost broke Alec’s heart.

  After a few games Seregil excused himself and went to one of the diamond-paned terrace doors, pretending to look out over the rain-soaked garden as he studied the crowd behind him reflected in the glass. Across the room Alec had been pressed to sing, accompanied by one of the ladies.

  The handsome commander was talking with Elani again, but the watchful Reltheus was nowhere to be seen. The door at the back of the room stood slightly ajar. It was an easy matter to wander over to the bookshelves and have a peek.

  A paneled corridor lay beyond, and then the princess’s private rooms behind another ornate door. Several other doors let onto the corridor—the rooms of the princess’s ladies and workrooms of various functionaries, no doubt.

  Seregil heard men talking in low voices, one of them recognizable as Reltheus. He waited until no one was looking and slipped through the door into the corridor.

  The voices were coming from a half-open doorway on the left. Seregil crept silently closer, until he could peer through the crack between the door and frame.

  As he’d guessed, Reltheus was speaking with a middle-aged scribe, recognizable in his silver-trimmed green robe. As Seregil watched, the man handed Reltheus a packet, which the duke tucked away into the front of his coat. Money changed hands.

  Caught you! thought Seregil, amazed as the brazenness of it. Their business seemed to be concluded and Seregil quickly retreated to the salon. By the time Reltheus appeared, Seregil was halfway across the room, thumbing through a book on the life of Queen Idrilain the First. He watched Reltheus from the corner of his eye as the duke went to Elani and began some animated conversation. No one seemed to have taken any notice of Seregil’s brief absence, or Reltheus’s. Perhaps it was not unusual for guests to move freely about here. Seregil wandered slowly back to the door, which was still ajar, and glanced in. There was no sign of the other man.