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“There is no time to waste. We must go now and do our best to discredit him before the conference.”
Lio shook his head. “Skleros is there with him.”
Cassia hesitated. “It will only benefit us that Skleros is there to incriminate himself.”
“It is too dangerous to antagonize the mages with Skleros in the room.”
“What would the necromancer dare try to do to me with the whole embassy watching?” she asked Lio and her fears.
“The whole embassy was watching when he put a potion in your wine.”
“It was only teething tonic,” she reasoned. “If we hesitate, Chrysanthos may have time to clean up after himself before the others see him in the act. We can’t afford to waste any opportunities to recover from the fair.”
“We are doing everything we can to ensure the necromancer keeps his distance from you.”
“I must be in his presence in any case at the conference and the events tonight.”
“With me at your side.”
“You will be at my side during my raid on Chrysanthos’s study, as well.”
Lio’s expression was grave. “I am glad you trust me so completely to keep you safe in Skleros’s presence.”
“Of course I do.” She sighed. “But if it puts you in a difficult position to bait Skleros, then we will try this another time.”
Lio shook his head. “If you are not afraid to take this risk upon you, I certainly shall not stand down.”
Cassia gave him a kiss, then turned to go. “I’ll see you at the New Guest House.”
Lio caught her hand and pulled her back to him. “One more thing. It wasn’t a stocking you forgot after we made great art together on my worktable.” He dangled her underlinens in front of her nose.
With a blush and a grin, she snatched them from him. “I’d best hide the evidence of our inspired endeavors in my room this instant.”
Cassia didn’t manage to stop smiling until several minutes later, when she entered the gallery. She found Eudias waiting with Perita, Callen, and Benedict. Cassia held out the itinerary scroll. “Apprentice Eudias, how glad I am you are already here and that we have a few moments to spare before the conference. I need a word with the Honored Master about the sudden change in tonight’s plans. Would you be so kind as to direct us to your master’s study?”
The apprentice’s eyes widened. “It is hardly my place to ask, Basilis, but perhaps this matter could wait until the conference?”
“It would ill behoove us to discuss such things before the entire embassy. Good leadership comes from presenting clear and united guidance to others.”
“Well, I suppose it would not be objectionable, given that you have your handmaiden and your protectors with you. I will discover whether or not the master is accepting visitors.”
“We are not visitors, we are his fellow ambassadors, and he will see us. Benedict, I believe Lord Gaius should be present for this, do you not agree? We would not wish to give him the impression Segetia is conspiring.”
“I admire your delicacy, Your Ladyship. I will make our visit known to him, and he and I will join you at the mage’s chambers.”
“I am sure Perita and I would also be reassured if there were a few more ladies present.” Cassia gave her friend a significant look. She need not mention what had happened last time the Semna had come to her rescue.
Perita nodded emphatically. “Aye, my lady, that’s wise.”
“Of course, Your Ladyship. I’ll ask the Kyrian mages to join us.”
They proceeded together to the end of the gallery and into the courtyard, where Benedict departed through a side gate. Eudias, saying nothing, gave the door of the busy common room a wide berth, leading Cassia and her friends discreetly behind a juniper toward a more secluded gate.
Cassia refrained from telling Knight to heel. Within moments, he obliged her by wading into a garden bed. He jostled a low-growing juniper, and the courtyard echoed with a cacophony of wind chimes. Eudias, Callen, and Perita winced.
“Lady Cassia?” Lord Severin appeared around the stand of junipers. “Is everything all right?”
An instant later, Lord Adrogan followed at his heels. “Say, what are you plotting back here? If it has to do with extra rations and you don’t want anyone to know about it, I’m your man.”
