Page 90 of A Drop of Corruption

“I am sightless, true,” she said. “But my investigator and my warden here see for me. I assure you, we shall have no issue operating within your court, sir.”

She then grinned so widely that the prince flinched. Darhi’s eyebrows rose fractionally, and Pavitar gazed at her in disgust. I sighedinwardly; I supposed Ana could suppress every sign of madness for only so long.

“I…I see,” said the prince uncertainly. He made a face like the next words pained him greatly. “It would be best to begin by telling you that your people, though held until we can comprehend what happened, are all safe—to some degree.”

Ana cocked her head. “To…some degree, sir?”

“Yes.” Again, he hesitated. “For I must now tell you that Prificto Kardas has fallen unwell. Indeed, we believe he was stricken by the same poison that affected my father the king.”

There was a stony silence as we absorbed this.

“Prificto Kardas was…alsopoisoned, sir?” I asked slowly.

“But he lives,” said Darhi.

“And yet you still thinkhewas the poisoner?”

The prince faltered, then gestured to Pavitar.

“We do,” said Pavitar indignantly. “For it was Kardas who gave the poisoned cup to the king! The king drank from it and was instantly stricken. Clearly Kardas handled the poison himself, and was afflicted by it, though much less so than our fallen king.” He sniffed. “But then, Kardas was never a competent man.”

“Before we delve into these matters, sir,” said Ana sharply, “my duty compels me to first visit the delegation and treat Prificto Kardas, if that is possible.”

The prince nodded, and now gestured to Darhi.

“That can be done, of course,” said Darhi smoothly. “We do not hold them in some pit or dungeon, but in the guest chambers in the southern wing of the hall. It is a most comfortable arrangement.”

“Sounds quite pleasant,” said Ana dryly. “Very kind of you.”

Darhi permitted a trim smile. “But, Immunis, I did wish to ask an unsightly bit of business. For though this tragedy has assuredly brought our negotiations to a standstill, it leaves us in an uncertain position…Who shall represent the Empire’s interests in this moment? Shall it be you?”

“No, no,” said Ana. “I cannot represent my state in any official negotiations. I am here only to understand, and enact justice.”

“Then who shall it be?”

“If Kardas proves innocent,” said Ana, “it shall be him. If he does not, it shall be someone else from his delegation, acting as his interim replacement.”

Another trim smile. “Thank you for the clarification, Immunis. I seek only stability in all things.”

Pavitar glowered at him; Darhi ignored his gaze entirely. Indeed, I realized he had yet to look at Pavitar once. It was then that I felt I grasped the nature of the situation: the prince was a young, spoiled man who’d likely never imagined he’d ascend to the throne, given that the Empire was to adopt the territory; yet now his father was murdered, and his two most powerful courtiers were at vicious odds on what to do next. Perhaps he’d reached out to us simply because he’d found his own people utterly unmanageable.

“And if his guiltisproven,” said Pavitar to Ana indignantly, “will you fightourapplication of justice? Shall you try and steal him away, though he killed our king?”

Ana shrugged. “If I deem he truly is the murderer of your king, then I see no reason why he cannot be killed here! A dead man cannot be greatly bothered by who owns the patch of earth he swings over—true?”

All three Yarrow men appeared utterly astonished. I opened my mouth to protest, then carefully shut it.

“Truly?” asked Pavitar. “If we execute your prificto, you would not protest?”

“I only ask that you hang him rather than behead him,” said Ana. “Beheading is considered a sacred death in some of the more ancient parts of the Empire, reserved for high folk. Under imperial common law, all criminals are considered of the same low stock, and thus suited only for hanging.” She grinned brightly. “Unless you wish to swing the axe yourself, Pavitar, as a bit of exercise?”

Pavitar gazed at her, torn between bewilderment and outrage.

The prince cleared his throat. “I…am glad we have come to an arrangement.” He paused, glanced at his advisers, and then gazedvery hard at Ana. “Yet before you see to Kardas and his people, Immunis, I…I would ask a moment of your time.”

Ana bowed deeply. “You may ask for any or all of my time, Your Majesty.”

“I must be clearer,” said the prince. “I wish you to join me as I keep vigil with my father’s body. Alone.”