“Why not?” Maya said. “The dux has been eager to keep us in the palace since we arrived. He hasn’t asked for our assistance against the rebels, or even mentioned them. He’s worried about what might happen if we really started to investigate—”

“Enough.” Tanax got to his feet. “Have you spoken to anyone else about this?”

“Of course not,” Maya said. “I have no idea who we can trust.”

“That’s something, anyway.” The other agathios stepped away from the table and started to pace. “You will say nothing, to anyone. Do you understand?”

“No!” Maya turned to face him as he walked. “What do you mean, say nothing? We need to move quickly. The evidence—”

“I have instructions from my master,” Tanax said. “Those instructions are very clear.”

Of course. If Nicomidi truly was working with Raskos on something illegal, he wouldn’t want his agathios getting anywhere near it. And Tanax certainly isn’t going to listen to any accusations against Nicomidi. Maya chose her words carefully.

“Obviously your master doesn’t know the dux is corrupt,” Maya said. “That changes the situation.”

“I believe my master knows everything relevant about the situation,” Tanax said. “The dux has responsibilities that are not common knowledge among the public.”

“Responsibilities like gathering a warehouse full of unsanctioned arcana to sell to smugglers?”

“You don’t know that,” Tanax snapped.

“And you’re making this up as you go along,” Maya said.

Tanax reached the wall and put a hand against it. She got the sense he wanted to hit something, and hoped he would stop restraining himself. Let him put a hole in the dux’s plaster. Their eyes met for a moment, and she saw a flash of rage before Tanax visibly got himself under control. He swept one hand through his hair, irritably, and looked away.

“I have perfect confidence in my master and his instructions,” Tanax said. “When we return to the Forge, you are welcome to take the matter up with him yourself.”

“By the time we return to the Forge, we won’t have any hard evidence,” Maya said.

“If necessary, a full centarch will be sent to investigate—”

There was a knock at the door. Maya stopped, breathing hard. Tanax fixed her with a glare, then said, “Who’s there?”

“Agathios Tanax.” The voice had the metallic quality of a Legionary helmet. “The dux requests you and your team join him at your earliest convenience.”

“Are we due at another party?” Maya said aloud, drawing another glare.

“No, Agathios,” the soldier said. “The dux is ready to move against the rebels, and he would like your help.”

*

A quarter of an hour later, the four of them followed the white-armored Legionary into a sparely appointed chamber in yet another section of the palace.