The chairman of the inquiry stared at the sylph with expressionless blue eyes, seeming not to care what the outcome might be. Not wanting to meet the stare too long, Belaika's gaze flickered around the room. There were no familiar faces here. One woman, whose sparkling speedwell eyes never looked away, made him feel uncomfortable, though he had no idea why.
She looked normal enough, and he felt drawn to her. To judge from those sitting around her, she was tall for a human woman. But that would not cause unease. Rubbing his arms, he wondered why she had any interest in this matter. Perhaps no more than curiosity, like most people here.
He saw Branad's widows – Kana and Elsin – and tore his gaze away.
"You are Belaika-y-Marcus?" The chairman of the inquiry finally caught the sylph's attention.
Belaika nodded.
"You must reply verbally." The chairman's voice held a hint of rebuke. "Sylphic silences are not permitted in courts."
A small ripple of laughter ran around the room and Belaika blushed a brighter blue.
The chairman's gaze swung away from the witness to the people in the courtroom. "This court of inquiry is investigating two vile murders," he intoned. "It is not a comedy."
Silence and order were immediately restored. The chairman's attention returned to Belaika.
"I am Belaika-y-Marcus." The sylph confirmed his name.
"You were assigned to work for the claimant Branad Ulvic Vintner."
"Yes."
Belaika was tempted to nod his way through the initial questions, which he thought pointless as the chairman already knew the answers. Instead, he replied fully to each question. It took the court several minutes to establish that he belonged to Marcus Vintner, that he scouted for the army and that he had been serving Branad partly to report back to his master. Only then did the questioning proper begin.
"On the night of the murder, what made you go to Branad?"
Belaika took a deep breath. "I woke and knew something was wrong, that someone who should not had come to the tent. When he left, I went to check Branad-ya. I called for the guard when I realized what had happened, but he did not come."
"Did you challenge or speak to this person in the tent?"
Belaika nodded, before remembering that he had to speak. "He told me to go back to sleep."
"Did you see this man's face?"
"Yes."
"Can you identify this man?"
The sylph took a deep breath. This was going to be difficult. "Yes, but he is not the killer."
"Just answer the question."
"Yes, I can identify him."
"Can you name him?"
"No, because I do not –"
"That you can identify him is all that is relevant," snapped the chairman. "In a moment, I will bring someone before the court I want you to either identify or reject as the person you saw in Branad's tent just before you discovered the corpse."
Belaika thought that his heart was going to pound its way out of his chest. He glanced in the direction of the woman with the speedwell eyes, but found no help there. "The man I saw looks and sounds like a man I can identify." The sylph fought tears. This court would indict a man he believed innocent! "But the murderer is not that man."
A door opened and two guards brought General Kelanus to stand between Belaika and the chairman. Kelanus had lost none of his spirit and he winked at the sylph.
"Is this the man who woke you in Branad's tent?" demanded the chairman.
Belaika looked again at the speedwell-eyed woman. She leaned forward in interest, chin resting on one hand.
The sylph focused his attention on the chairman. "No," he replied.
A gasp left several hundred throats.
The sylph stood straighter and his expression firmed, gaze fixed just above the chairman's head. "This is not the man who woke me in Branad-ya's tent."
Kelanus wore a satisfied look.
The chairman stared. His attitude changed and he leaned forward, voice softening. "There is nothing to gain by sheltering this man. An innocent guard died so the murderer could get to Branad. Is this the man you saw in the tent on the night of the murder?"
"No," repeated Belaika. "The man I saw looked like this man and sounded like this man, but he was not this man."
"You may stand down."
To his surprise, the sylph was not escorted from the courtroom, but permitted to sit on the floor beside an empty bench. Then, with Kelanus left standing in the middle of the room, the other witnesses returned under guard. Marcus and Verdin, now apparently happy in each other's company; Ranallic and the guard from outside Marcus's tent. Once all were seated, the chairman summed up.
"This court of inquiry is not here to establish guilt, but to ascertain the facts of each case brought before it. It recommends to the Justiciary if there is a case to answer. On balance of probability, here is a case to answer. This court has established that the same person murdered both Branad and his tent guard, and we have established that the sylph named Belaika is the only witness. We also know only one person here has motive aplenty to remove Branad Vintner."
The chairman stared at all the witnesses before continuing. "We know that Branad Vintner renounced his claim to the vacant Throne before the Senate on the day of his murder. This somewhat reduces the possibility of Marcus Vintner's involvement. Too, Marcus had ample opportunity to kill Branad Vintner before he arrived in Marka, if he ever had such intention.
"However, this court has also heard how one man was removed from his position as commander of Branad's army after being identified as the perpetrator of several sylph murders. The court wonders why this man was not tried at the time by the proper authorities in Sandester."
Ranallic grinned at Kelanus, who stared balefully back. Belaika looked up at his master and shivered.
"This court rests that General Kelanus Arus Butros is most likely the man responsible for the murder of Branad Ulvic Vintner, former claimant to the Markan Throne and that of Wulta Arec Healan, the guard outside the tent. Until such time as a proper trial under Markan Law can be convened, Kelanus is to be held at the pleasure of the Supreme Council in a secure place. This court is at an end. Thank you, gentlemen."
Kelanus, surrounded by City Guardsmen, left the courtroom quietly.
"It was not him," insisted Belaika. He looked around for the speedwell-eyed woman, but found no sign of her. "Not him."
***
That Verdin and Marcus Vintner were on speaking terms seemed to mollify many who wondered about Marcus's innocence. That Kelanus had been indicted flashed through the camp: Marcus suspected the men heard the result of the court of inquiry before the chairman had sat down again. The sense of imminent violence had abated, at least for the moment. Marcus gathered all those ranked Sergeant and above to make an announcement. The off-duty soldiers crowded behind and Marcus's words were relayed back to them.
"Furthermore, as Kelanus has been indicted for these awful murders, it is impossible for him to continue as my commander. I have therefore decided to promote General Ranallic Eydren to take his place..."
Belaika, sulking over that indictment, stared around at the soldiers and realization dawned that his master had actually made a very shrewd choice. By picking Ranallic to lead both armies, he had averted the risk of Branad's men turning against him. He shivered as the feeling he had last sensed in Branad's tent on the night of the murder crept over him again. The feeling of something being very wrong and it emanated from somebody here.
The feeling left him as quickly as it had come. The sylph tried not to cry out and rubbed his arms as if to comfort himself.
But he had again sensed Branad's true murderer.
***
Marlen grinned to himself as he took a careful swallow of his ale. He even smiled at the sylph girl who waited on, though her return smile was cautious and reluctant. Equally elated, Petan stretched out his arms, hands clasped together, and cracked the bones. For once, they ignored the sylph beggar opposite the entrance,
not even a topic of discussion.
"The rumors are spreading nicely," remarked Petan. "The Senate should vote as we want."
Marlen nodded. "Plenty are willing to believe that Marcus was behind Branad's death and our rumors may even be true."
Petan grinned. "Nobody in Marka will support Marcus now, even if Branad did renounce his claim."
"Depends on what the son decides to do. Perhaps Verdin will pursue it. We must start a rumor that Branad died because he intended to say that he was forced into the renunciation. There are plenty in the Supreme Council and Senate ready to believe that one. Still more on the streets."
"Our people are working on the soldiers who enter the city in their free time," continued Petan. "Those who used to fight for Branad must be wondering what sort of man leads them now."
Marlen sounded a note of caution. "Do not underestimate Marcus Vintner. He was shrewd enough to put Ranallic in command."
"Surprised it wasn't Mikhan. He commands more respect in both armies than the southlander."
"Mikhan's officially retired. And he probably recommended Kelanus to Branad in the first place. Many will remember."
Petan's smile broadened. "Kelanus has lost out again."
Marlen laughed and beckoned the sylph to supply more ale. As she placed the frothing mugs before the two men, Marlen spoke again. "Kelanus is either very unlucky or extremely stupid. First he mutilates and murders other people's sylphs, now he assassinates claimants to the Throne."
"And this time he is guilty as charged."
Marlen nodded. "Despite what that foolish sylph scout says." He sniffed. "For now, we do nothing but spread rumors. Let's see how the situation develops, eh?"
***
Marcus Vintner was not in the best of moods.
"Millions of sylphs, all ready to obey their owners, willing to serve with no questions asked, and I end up with two who insist on arguing with me!"
Belaika and Jenn exchanged glances, thankful to be alone in the tent. Obviously the guards could hear, but they were always discreet.
"That is not quite true," began the scout, hesitantly.
"You're doing it now!" Marcus almost howled.
"Enya, you have always encouraged me to speak my mind," protested Jenn. "Your best interests are closest to my heart."
The male sylph nodded his agreement.
"If Belaika says that the man in Branad's tent was not Kelanus-ya then it was not him," continued Jenn. "Why do you not believe him?"
Marcus sighed. "It's not a matter of me not believing him. It's a matter of everybody else not believing him. That's the problem. I cannot simply go to the Supreme Council and demand that they let Kelanus go. Even if they did, do you think he'd ever be safe? How long before someone sticks a knife in him?"
"You cannot desert him – they will hang him!" Horror painted Belaika's face. Kelanus faced worse than hanging, but no sylph would dwell on that.
"You're right: I've no intention of deserting Kelanus."
"What are you going to do?" Both sylphs stared expectantly at their owner.
"I don't know." Marcus looked deflated. He shook his head. "I just don't know."
The guard called from outside the tent. "Sir! A caravan is arriving with Guard Commander Mansard."
A smile played across Marcus's face. "At last, some good news. This will be Zandra."
Belaika's earpoints twitched upright for the first time since leaving the courtroom and his eyes danced with expectation. "Eleka?"
"Should be." Marcus watched as Jenn's expression changed from determination to disappointment. "Jenn, more water for alovak, please."
Marcus and Belaika left together and the tent flap fell back into place, cutting off Jenn's reply. Belaika sprinted ahead of his owner, having spotted a familiar blue shape, albeit swollen around the middle.
As Marcus reached Zandra, Belaika and Eleka were embracing, their noses, foreheads and earpoints touching. Marcus smiled as Belaika broke free from the embrace to hug his small daughters. No doubt their infertile daughters stayed behind in Calcan, but no sylph counted infertile children as important anyway. Everybody helped raise them, but only humans ever bonded with infertiles.
"The other married men will be jealous," said Marcus, after hugging and kissing Zandra, "that my wife is here and theirs are not."
Zandra smiled. "More follow in the next caravan." She inspected her husband carefully. "You do not look to have come to much harm."
Beside them, the two sylphs continued to talk. Even the most taciturn sylphs talked with a husband or wife.
Marcus now hugged and kissed his three daughters, and held his infant son in the air. Finished with the children, he shook hands with Mansard and turned to more serious matters. Now that his wife and most valued counselor again stood at his side, he felt he could unburden some.
"Zandra, come to my tent," said Marcus.
Zandra nodded to Kaira, leaving the governess to gather the Vintner children and hold the infant Eylvras in her arms.
"Where's Jenn?" asked Zandra, after a quick glance around the tent interior showed they had it to themselves.
"I sent her for more alovak," replied Marcus.
"How thoughtful."
Marcus said nothing. He knew Jenn did not hold Zandra as high in her affections as he might like. He had never expected such jealousy from a sylph. And Zandra tried so hard to be friendly, only to be ignored.
Moments later, Jenn returned with fresh boiling water and extra mugs.
"How are you, Jenn?" asked Zandra, trying to make conversation.
"Well, anya," came the reply. "Alovak?"
Marcus winced at Jenn's obvious reluctance to talk. He could only ignore it; the infertile had always behaved this way around Zandra, especially after a separation. His wife always complained that she had to start over with Jenn every time they met after Marcus had been in the field.
"I sense all is not well," said Zandra, as she made herself comfortable and accepted alovak from Jenn. "What's wrong?"
"Branad is dead. Murdered. Rumors abound that I'm somehow responsible. Kelanus is in prison, accused of committing the murder."
"Which he did not commit," muttered Jenn. "If Belaika says he did not then he did not." She glared resentfully at the two humans, and her earpoints twitched.
Marcus gestured. "And my sylphs have taken Kelanus's side."
"Tell me everything," said Zandra. "Everything." She gave Jenn a concerned look, unused to seeing the small infertile so annoyed. "Including why you are in disagreement with your sylphs."
***
"My door hasn't stopped all bloody day," grumbled Olista.
Unused to swearwords from his master, Zenepha stared wide-eyed, earpoints bolt upright with shock. Unruffled, Sandev stirred her alovak before inhaling its scent, her eyes closed. Finally, she sipped at the dark drink and settled back into the chair. The three of them were alone in the small sitting room.
"What do your people say?" she asked.
"Rumors aplenty in the city but nobody knows which ones to believe," replied Olista. "The main feedback is anger and betrayal. Those who supported Branad refuse to believe that he really wanted to renounce his claim and say they now intend to support Verdin. They say Marcus Vintner tricked Branad into renunciation and had him killed so he couldn't retract."
Sandev gave no reaction; she had heard similar rumors.
He snorted. "Fools if they believe that. Some folk should never be allowed to become Senators, never mind High Councilors. Some of Marcus's supporters have also transferred their allegiance to Verdin. A delegation will meet with the young man tomorrow. They also want to speak with his mother, in case the meeting does not quite go their way."
"Verdin seems a determined and honorable young man," pointed out Sandev.
"Perhaps. More Senators want us to reject the Vintners altogether. Some feel it is time to elevate another family to the Throne. I fear Hingast may have won converts to his cause. I could wish it was Enthan, but Hinga
st is nearer."
"We cannot allow that. We must take back the initiative." Sandev turned her speedwell eyes to Zenepha and smiled at him, before returning her attention to the Supreme Councilor.
Zenepha shivered. He did not like that smile.
"There will be another row before this is over," Sandev told Olista. She took another sip of her alovak. "The sylph Belaika is the only witness to the murder."
Zenepha sat straighter and took more notice. "I have met him."
Sandev smiled and nodded. "A scout. And adamant that whoever killed Branad was not Kelanus. The court refused to believe him, because it was 'only a feeling'. I visited the tent where Branad died. It still stinks of sorcery."
Olista stared. "So this Kelanus is a sorcerer?"
"No, I'm sure that Kelanus is innocent. I believe Belaika. The sorcerer made sure the sylph saw him and made sure he saw him as Kelanus. If you're going to commit a murder, would you walk away and leave a witness you could easily kill? Our murderer had already killed the guard outside the tent, presumably for convenience, so why get all squeamish about one more, even if it is a sylph?"
"You're going to get involved." Olista shook his head. "Siranva preserve us."
"I am not going to see an innocent man hang for a crime he did not commit. That much I promise you."
Olista sighed as a timid knock on the door preceded Helena.
"I beg pardon, sir, but there's another High Councilor at the door."
"Which one?"
Helena's brow furrowed. "He didn't say, sir."
"Will you ask him to call back in one hour? I'm in the middle of an appointment I cannot cancel."
Helena left, wearing a worried look. Olista turned back to Sandev.
"It's been like this all day," he complained. "Yesterday was bad enough." He sighed. "What is it you want from me? You must understand that, with what is planned, any help I give cannot be traced back to either of us." He glanced quickly at Zenepha.
Sandev inclined her head in thanks. "That is understood. I want three night passes for the gates."
"Night passes? Not easy. No problem for the city gates, but there's little I can do about the Vintner guards."
Sandev smiled. "Leave the Vintner guards to me."
As he listened to the outline of Sandev's plan, Zenepha marveled at the ingenuity of humans.
***
Belaika enjoyed some time with Eleka. The army had encamped on the forested side of the city and well away from the cultivated areas, where many streams poured out from the forest. The sylphs had found a quiet spot beside a stream – not quite large enough to be called a river – where they could be alone. The two sylphs were beyond talking; they lay on the grass and stared at each other.