“You don’t really believe that, do you?” asked Laneus. “No, I think the battle has been joined.”

“I wonder if an assassin could breach the Palace?” said Marquise Lalia.

“Perhaps that Rhíminee Cat fellow?” Sarien suggested. “By all reports the man can break in anywhere.”

“He’s no assassin, as far as I know.”

“But this is ridiculous!” Malthus objected again.

“You want Klia on the throne as badly as any of us, don’t you?” asked Laneus.

“Yes, of course, but—”

“Then don’t stand in our way.” That sounded like a threat, though the man’s cool smile never faltered. “But we do need someone close to her. Reltheus and Kyrin have Alaya in their snare. Perhaps one of the squires? Or—” He paused and turned to Malthus again. “What about that ’faie friend of yours, Lord Seregil, and his boy? Word is Elani is quite enchanted with them.”

“Seregil?” Lalia sneered. “I wouldn’t trust that wastrel with a half-sester piece. And he’s one of the greatest gossips in Rhíminee.”

“But he has excellent connections to the royal family, and Klia in particular. And you’ve always said there’s more to him than most people see, haven’t you, Malthus?”

Malthus sighed. “I don’t know. He’s on good terms with Korathan, as well, and if word ever got to the vicegerent about any of this—” He shook his head. “Let me think on it. And for the love of Sakor, leave off this talk of killing! I thought our purpose was to protect Klia from Kyrin and his lot.”

Just then Atre heard footsteps approaching from the front hall and hastily retreated to the kitchen before he was seen. Tanni was where he’d left her, bored and fashioning little shapes out of bread.

“Can we go now?” she asked with a yawn.

“Of course, my girl. Come and say your farewells.”

Atre made a point of conversing with her on the way back, to let Laneus and his conspirators know they were coming. He suspected neither of their lives would be worth much if the nobles knew what he’d heard.

Back at the house in Gannet Lane, Atre saw Tanni to the room she shared with her brother. Going up to his own chamber, he pocketed a few items from the box hidden in the wardrobe, took the battered leather box down from the shelf, and slipped out again, unseen.