and the serf down in the dungeon to tell us what they know about their fellow plotters.’
‘The Church does not approve of such methods, your Majesty,’ Dolmant said.
Wargun snorted derisively. ‘The dungeons beneath the Basilica of Chyrellos are reputed to employ the most expert interrogators in the world,’ he said.
‘That practice is being discontinued.’
‘Perhaps,’ Wargun said, ‘but this is a civil matter. We’re not constrained by churchly delicacy, and I for one don’t propose to wait while you pray an answer out of those two.’
Lycheas, who had been smarting from the almost absent-minded rebuke Annias had delivered to him, straightened on his throne-like chair. ‘We are delighted that this matter has been resolved so amicably,’ he announced, ‘and we rejoice that the reports concerning the death of Count Radun have proved to be unfounded. I agree with the Patriarch of Demos that we can consider this inquiry concluded – unless Lord Vanion’s excellent witnesses can shed further light on just who might have been behind this monstrous conspiracy.’
‘No, your Highness,’ Vanion told him. ‘We are not prepared at this time to do so.’
Lycheas turned to the kings of Thalesia, Deira, and Arcium, trying with scant success to look regal. ‘Our time, your Majesties, is short,’ he said. ‘We each have kingdoms to rule, and there are other matters requiring our attention. I suggest that we tender Lord Vanion our appreciation for his aid in clarifying this situation and give him permission to withdraw so that we may turn to state matters.’
The kings nodded their agreement.
‘You and your friends may leave now, Lord Vanion,’ Lycheas said grandly.
‘Thank you, your Highness,’ Vanion replied with a stiff bow. ‘We are all happy to have been of service to you.’ He turned and started towards the door.
‘A moment, Lord Vanion,’ Darellon, the slightly built Preceptor of the Alcione Knights said. Then he stepped forward. ‘Since your Majesties’ conversations will now turn on state matters, I think that I, Lord Komier, and Lord Abriel will also withdraw. We are little versed in statecraft and could contribute nothing of value to your discussions. The matter that has come to light this morning, however, requires some consultation among the militant orders. Should conspiracies of this nature recur, we must make preparations to meet them.’
‘Well said,’ Komier agreed.
‘A splendid idea, Darellon,’ King Obler gave his assent. ‘Let’s not be caught asleep again. Keep me advised of the thrust of your discussions.’
‘You may rely upon me, your Majesty.’
The preceptors of the other three orders marched down from the dais and joined Vanion, who led the way from the ornate audience chamber. Once they were out in the corridor, Komier, the hulking Preceptor of the Genidian Knights, grinned openly. ‘Very neat, Vanion,’ he said.
‘I’m glad you liked it.’ Vanion grinned back.
‘My head must have been packed in wool this morning,’ Komier confessed. ‘Would you believe I almost accepted all that tripe?’
‘It was not entirely your fault, Lord Komier,’ Sephrenia told him.
He gave her a questioning look.
‘Let me think my way through it a bit more,’ she said, frowning.
The big Thalesian looked at Vanion. ‘It was Annias, wasn’t it?’ he guessed shrewdly as they progressed down the hall. ‘The scheme was his, I take it?’
Vanion nodded. ‘The Pandion presence in Elenia is hindering his operations. He saw this as a way to remove us.’
‘Elenian politics get a bit dense sometimes. We’re much more direct in Thalesia. Just how powerful is the Primate of Cimmura?’
Vanion shrugged. ‘He controls the Royal Council. That makes him more or less the ruler of the kingdom.’
‘Does he want the throne for himself?’
‘No, I don’t think so. He prefers to manipulate things from behind the scenes. He’s trying to groom Lycheas for the throne.’
‘Lycheas is a bastard, isn’t he?’
Vanion nodded again.
‘How can a bastard be king? Nobody knows who his father is.’
‘Annias probably believes he can get around that problem. Until Sparhawk’s father intervened, our good primate had very nearly convinced King Aldreas that it was perfectly legitimate for him to marry his own sister.’
‘That’s disgusting,’ Komier shuddered.
‘I’ve heard that Annias has certain ambitions involving the Archprelate’s throne in Chyrellos,’ Abriel, the grey-haired Preceptor of the Cyrinic Knights, said to Patriarch Dolmant.
‘I’ve heard some of the same rumours myself,’ Dolmant replied blandly.
‘This humiliation is going to be quite a setback for him, isn’t it? The Hierocracy’s likely to look with some disfavour on a man who makes a total ass of himself in public.’
‘That thought had crossed my mind as well.’
‘And your report will be quite detailed, I expect?’
‘That is my obligation, Lord Abriel,’ Dolmant said piously. ‘As a member of the Hierocracy myself, I could hardly conceal any of the facts, could I? I will have to present the whole truth to the high councils of the Church.’
‘We wouldn’t have it any other way, your Grace.’
‘We’re going to need to talk, Vanion,’ Darellon, the Preceptor of the Alcione Knights, said seriously. ‘This scheme was directed at you and your order this time, but it concerns us all. It could be any one of us the next time. Is there someplace secure where we can discuss this matter?’
‘Our chapterhouse is on the eastern edge of the city,’ Vanion replied. ‘I can guarantee that none of the primate’s spies are inside its walls.’
As they rode out through the palace gates, Sparhawk remembered something and slowed to ride with Kurik at the rear of the column.
‘What’s the matter?’ Kurik asked.
‘Let’s drop behind a little bit. I want to talk with that beggar boy.’
‘That’s hardly good manners, Sparhawk,’ Kurik said. ‘A meeting of the preceptors of all four orders happens about once in a lifetime, and they’re going to have some questions for you.’
‘We can catch up with them before they get to the chapterhouse.’
‘What do you want to talk to a beggar for?’ Kurik sounded more than a little irritated.
‘He’s working for me.’ Sparhawk gave his friend an appraising look. ‘What’s bothering
