She handed Beka a wax tablet with the key written down. Beka read it over several times. It was fairly straightforward, so long as you could count.

“I think that’s about it,” said Klia when Beka handed it back.

Beka took a deep breath, knowing she couldn’t remain silent in the face of all Klia had just told her. “There’s something I should tell you. I should have brought this to you sooner, but I thought—” She shook her head. “The night after you defeated the Plenimarans at the Silver River ford, I overheard some of Anri’s men talking. From what I could make out, they’d back you for the throne, and seemed to think I would, too.”

Klia sighed, running a hand over her tangled hair. “Watch her, too, then.”

“From what I gathered, she didn’t know about any plot. The men were unsure of her.”

“That could have changed by now,” Myrhini said, frowning. “You should have brought this to Klia sooner.”

Beka pressed her fist to her heart. “I’m sorry. I thought it was just the usual grumbling. I took them to task for it at the time.”

“Who was it you heard all this from?”

Beka knew better than to hesitate in speaking out against the sergeant, regardless of what she owed him; she owed Klia far more. “It was one of Anri’s sergeants, a man named Werneus.”

“Have one of your trusted riders bring him to me, but don’t tell Werneus where he’s being taken. And you stay with your squadron. I don’t want you associated with this, or Nyal.”

“Werneus is likely to guess why, since it was me who spoke to him about it.”

“That can’t be helped. You’re dismissed.”

“Thank you, Commander.” With a final salute, Beka took her leave.

Myrhini had known Klia a long time and could tell when her friend was angry, even with the princess doing her best to hide it.

“It could just be an overabundance of loyalty, Klia.”

“One that could get me executed. And Danos?” Her anger was clearly tinged with hurt.

“I’ve never had cause to doubt him. Maybe you should bring this to the queen yourself.”

“I will, when I have more proof. Seregil and Alec are working on it in Rhíminee, thank the Four. And Thero, of course.”

“Of course.” Grinning, Myrhini clasped her friend’s shoulder and gave her a friendly shake. “Then you have the best of the best working in your favor.”

“I just hope they work quickly.”

Beka found her husband at a watch fire with some of Danos’s riders.

“Nyal, a word?” she said, stepping into the firelight.

This elicited, as always, a fair amount of ribbing and whistling, but they were used to it and took it with good humor.