Page 96 of A Drop of Corruption

“No. I remember. We even asked for water, and were refused. I…I truly don’t know how it happened. How can a man be poisoned if he’s tasted nothing at all?”

Ana frowned and bowed her head, lost in thought. I tried to suppress showing my own discouragement: another mystery, among so many that seemed unsolvable.

“And then?” Ana asked.

Gorthaus continued, and her testimony again matched the prince’s: Camak had returned just as Ana’s scribe-hawk had come to the window and sent her his response pleading for help.

“We would be dead without the prince,” said Gorthaus shakily. “Of that, I’m sure.”

Ana pursed her lips. “Are there any at court who might wish the king ill? Any who might benefit?”

“I…I can’t say,” Gorthaus said. “The prince springs to mind first, for he’d then inherit the throne, but…he has never seemed the sort. He is a gentle, somewhat silly person. He goes hunting, but he never actually fires the arrows themselves, do you know? He just likes being around the men who do the hunting for him. Many doubt his appointment as preferred heir, in fact.”

I spoke up: “Preferredheir? I thought the eldest son inherited. Isn’t that how most monarchy works?”

“Well…no.” Gorthaus’s eyes shimmered in her head as sheconsulted her memories. “King Lalaca has—had?—seventy-six wives in his harem, and two hundred and sixteen acknowledged children. This means he has rather a lot of heirs to choose from.”

Stunned, I looked to Malo, who shrugged.

“Wherever did the fellow find the time?” I asked.

“Shut up, Din!” snapped Ana. “Now—what of Pavitar? Could he have any reason to do it?”

“No, no,” said Gorthaus. “Pavitar is the jari. He practically worships the monarchy. I can no more imagine Pavitar killing the king than I can the emperor burning down his Sanctum.”

“Darhi, then? The satrap?”

“I can’t imagine him doing it, either, honestly. He is a shrewd man, but he works to make friends, to ensure everyone views him favorably, and that all are in his debt. He is in a powerful place here, just as he likes it, and is too clever for such a mad move.”

“Did any of them behave suspiciously during the time before this tea?”

“No. Not that I could think of. Except that…”

“Except?”

“Well, the kinghadbeen eluding us for months. We hadn’t been able to meet with him at all. Then yesterday morn, we received the summons for the tea. My prificto said it was the work of Darhi, for he was laboring to continue our work.”

“It was Darhi who had arranged this tea?”

“Yes, ma’am. We thought it a good sign at the time. But…” She trailed off, concerned.

Ana was silent for a long while. Then she asked: “Tell me more of the room where the tea took place.”

“It was in the eastern hall, with glassless windows that look out onto the bay, and the Shroud. We have had meetings there before. The king always complained much of the view, and how the Shroud tainted it.”

“How many doors or chambers or passageways did it have about it?”

“Two, ma’am, but I did not see anyone come in or ou—”

“I did not ask you what you saw, Signum,” snapped Ana. “How many doors, and where did they lead?”

Her eyes flickered. “There is a door to the south, which takes one back to the great hall. Then there is one facing west, which takes one to the reliquary. From that chamber you can return south to the great hall, or go west to the king’s private chambers, though his bedchambers are upstairs. But these passages are highly guarded, and again—I saw no one come in or out of any door while we drank.”

Ana turned her face away and was silent for a great while. Then she raised a hand. “Thank you, Signum. We are done, I think. I have what I need—though it is not what I sought. Kol—take me and Malo to a safe space here. I have something to discuss.”

—

I led Anato the far corner where the Treasury folk could not hear, and Malo followed. It was after I passed by one open window that I saw that Ana’s blindfolded face looked terribly strained.