Trebilcock recalled the long lists his people had assem bled. They grew longer daily. In that he saw the hand of the enemy within the palace, the enemy the King wouldn't admit existed. „All right. But we'd have to share this with Credence Abaca. His people would have to provide the bases for that big an operation."
Derel protested. „You're talking about wholesale mur der."
„Assassinating a few hundred is better than getting thou sands killed in a civil war, isn't it? We're headed for one, Derel. Unless... ." Michael turned to Habibullah. „You don't want those men coming home?"
Habibullah winced. „I didn't mean that. We just want them out of our hair while we reorganize."
„Where do you want the weapons delivered?"
„Michael," Derel said, „I really don't like this."
„It's egg-breaking time, Derel. The day of nice is over. Habibullah, I'll see Abaca right away. I'll let you know where he wants your people to go. Where are you staying?"
Habibullah told him.
„That's good. Lot of foreigners there. Don't come back here. If you need to contact me, see a man named Harry at the Three Candles in Tintner's Lane." Michael rose. „I'd better find Gales, Derel."
„Wait for me." Prataxis took a courteous leave of Habibullah, hurried after Trebilcock. „Michael... ."
„Wait till we're outside. Walls with ears."
They stopped at the fountain the stonecutter Callison had been building. Someone had started it flowing, though it remained unfinished. Its babble masked their whispers.
Prataxis said, „The King seems ready to face the truth."
„Yeah. But will he take steps?"
„He has too much ego and sentiment invested. I hate the proposition, but I think it's time for a strong prejudicial action."
Michael chuckled. „Strong prejudicial action? That's what drove me crazy at the Rebsamen. You dons couldn't say anything straight out."
Derel stared into the dancing waters. His face was pale. This was his first murder plot.
Michael told him, „It's set up. But I won't say the word without your go-ahead."
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."