Prataxis chewed a fingernail. Emotional torment dis torted his features. He had come to Ravelin to be Ragnarson's secretary. His intention had been to write a history that would make him famous in scholastic circles. Somehow, he had lost his objectivity and become one of the King's chief lieutenants. And now he had to decide whether or not someone should die... .
He'd been round and round with his conscience since Michael had come to him after his last conference with Varthlokkur. The idea was his own, not Michael's. He was ashamed of himself. He had told Michael to see what he could do. And Michael had found a way. Damn him.
„I'm sorry, Derel. I know how you feel. I don't like it either. But the decision has to be made, and it's not one I can take on my head."
„I know. I know."
Trebilcock saw Sergeant Wortel passing. „Wortel. Come here."
The sergeant trotted over. „Sir?"
„Seen Sergeant Gales? I need to talk to him."
„Funny you should ask, sir."
„Funny? Why?"
„He's missed his last two watches. Nobody can find him."
„Damn! When was he last seen?"
„Last night. He rode out about an hour before he was supposed to go on duty. He didn't come back."
„All right. There's probably no point, but I want to talk to the men who were on the gate."
„Yes, sir." Wortel hurried off.
„Derel?"
Prataxis sighed. „Go with it, Michael. We don't have a choice." They started walking. „You know he'll know what happened, no matter how good you make it look."
„Probably. And he'll probably guess who did it. Let's hope he's in a forgiving mood when he hears about it."
They interviewed the men who had been on guard duty while Gales was making his exit. „Sounds like he was planning a long trip," Michael said.
„Sounds like," Derel agreed. „Think he was running while the running was good?"
„We couldn't be that lucky. He was here doing a job. He's still working."
Dahl said, „Sire, that was the finest speech I've heard you make. Powerful. Loaded with emotion."
Cham Mundwiller agreed. „He's right. But I don't think it changed any minds."
„Why are they so determined to get to me? I haven't done anything those Nordmen bastards wouldn't have done if they'd had the chance."
„I guess it's just that time again. It goes in cycles. For a while everybody is behind the Crown one hundred percent, then they all turn. That's Ravelin's history."
Bragi sighed. „At least the Marena Dimura and most of the Wessons stuck with me."
Dahl startled him by observing, „Watch the Wessons, Sire. They're getting so some of them are having aristocratic ideas."
„Is that true, Cham?"
Mundwiller turned red. „More or less. I wouldn't put it in those words. But some of my colleagues are starting to identify more with the Estates than with their own people."
„Could we replace them with more responsive souls?"
„If they weren't secure they wouldn't have gotten fat."
„I see. Yech! What's this?" Prataxis and Trebilcock were approaching. Derel looked terrible.
„The man you wanted me to see?" Michael said. „He deserted. Rode out last night equipped for a long trip."
„Must have felt fate's breath on his neck. Cham, can I see you later?"
„Surely, Sire." Mundwiller excused himself.
„Do you feel up to a long ride, Dahl?" Bragi asked.
Haas didn't look as surprised as Bragi thought he should. „Yes, Sire."
„I've been pushing you pretty hard lately. And not really using all your abilities."
Haas shrugged. „I'm a soldier. It's not my place to ask."
Ragnarson smiled. The lad did feel slighted. „I'm going to give you a special job. When we finish this we'll find you something better than adjutant. Your own field command sound good?"
„Yes, Sire."
„All right. Go after Gales."
„Sire?" Haas sounded disappointed.
Michael caught on. „I'll be damned. He thought you were going to send him to Sedlmayr." He punched Dahl's biceps. „You rake, you."
Haas reddened. He stammered unintelligibly. „Lay off," Bragi said. „Do you want to do it, Dahl? I can send someone else." Amazing. Dahl with a crush on Kristen. When did that get started?
„I'm not clear on what you want, Sire."
„Get on Gales' trail. See where he goes. See who he reports to. I have a hunch he's headed for Itaskia. While you're there, check on the rest of this crowd. Derel will give you letters of introduction to friends of mine up there. People in high places who can help you."
„Yes, Sire. All right. It's an opportunity I can't refuse. I have relatives there I haven't seen since I was fourteen. Should I visit the old steading?"
Ragnarson still owned property in Itaskia, where he had lived before coming to Kavelin. „If you have time. It's not important."
„I'll make time, Sire. I have roots there."
„All right. Whatever."
„When should I leave?"
„As soon as you can. Gales won't waste time. Stay close or you might miss something."
„I'm on my way. If you'll excuse me, Sire?"
„Go." Bragi watched Haas hurry away. „A good man, Dahl. Wish I had a few thousand more of him."
„He does seem eager to prove himself," Derel said. „What did you work out with Habibullah?"
Inger stood at a window, staring out at the city. The sun was setting. Long shadows stretched behind the spires of taller buildings. Each shadow seemed to be a grasping hand reaching for her. „Have you heard anything, Thelma?"
„Not a word, My Lady. Something is happening, though. People won't answer my questions. The Guards are acting funny around our people. It's scary."
Scary? It was terrifying, that was what it was. Josiah, Josiah, did you get away clean?
They had messed it up somehow. Right now she was balanced on a razor's edge, kept from falling only by Bragi's feeling for her. ... He did know, didn't he? He had to know. „Why did I let Dane push me into this? We could have been happy if it weren't for him. I don't really care about family vengeance."
„Yes, Mistress."
She'd been thinking aloud. Dangerous habit. Bragi was right when he said the walls had ears. That damned Michael Trebilcock... Thelma had seen him skulking down the hall a few hours ago.
The shadows were longer. Sunset on a crazy dream, she thought. It's hell being scared all the time. Will the Estates really protect us? They've broken so many vows. It's impos sible to trust them.
Nordmen conspirators had helped her get her law of succession. Most of them would go when Dane got here. Out Death's door behind Abaca, Trebilcock, and that lot. Otherwise they would turn again.
She understood Bragi's frustration. The Nordmen were a bunch of snakes.
„My Lady, your supper is getting cold," Thelma said. She'd been dithering around the table trying to keep things warm.
Inger waved a hand in a go away motion. „No. No. I can't. I'm not hungry."
„My Lady, you have to eat. You haven't had a decent meal since yesterday."
„Take it away, Thelma. Maybe I'll be hungry tomorrow."
Thelma looked disgusted. „As you wish, My Lady." She rang a bell. Her helpers appeared. Thelma began hustling the food out. Inger smiled. Wanted to get to it herself before it got cold, probably.
Inger snuffed the candles and sat in the gathering dark ness watching lights come alive in the city.
A girl named Carol burst into the room. „My Lady," she gasped.
Inger stared at her silhouette in the doorway. The girl was shaking. „What is it?"