“Sarien? Are you certain?” asked Seregil, trying to mask his dismay. General Sarien was the protector general, in command of the City Regiment.

“Of course, my lord,” Atre replied. “A round fellow, and generous with his gifts.” He fingered an ornate silver ring on his right forefinger.

Seregil waved that aside impatiently; everybody in Rhíminee threw their jewels at the actor, it seemed. “Is that all?”

“There was some talk of Princess Klia taking the throne somehow.”

“And they said this in front of you?” asked Alec.

The actor grinned. “No, my lord. They thought I was in the kitchen with Tanni, having supper. I stole back to the salon and listened by the door.”

Seregil raised an eyebrow. “How clever of you. Have you done that sort of thing before?”

Atre gave a modest shrug. “Now and then.”

“I assume there was also mention made of Lord Alec or myself?”

“You, Lord Seregil. Duke Malthus suggested speaking to you regarding whatever they’d been talking about before I came back, but the others …” He paused, and gave Seregil an apologetic smile. “Duke Laneus said you weren’t influential enough to be of any use, and the others agreed.”

Seregil chuckled at that. “Do you know what they were talking about?”

“Unfortunately not all of it, my lord. As I said, we were sent to the kitchen for a meal—” He made a sour face; clearly the memory of being treated like a common minstrel was distasteful. “But Duke Malthus seemed to be arguing with the others about something.”

“But you don’t know what, except that it might have involved Alec and myself?”

“No, I couldn’t hear what he said clearly.”

“Most interesting. Anything else?”

Atre seemed to hesitate for just an instant before he shook his head. “No, my lord.”

“Well, thank you, and well done.” Seregil reached for his purse without thinking.

“No, my lord. As I said before, you are generous enough with your gold.”

“Ah, that’s right. Now, do I have your word that what you’ve told me goes no farther?”

“I am as constant as the sun, my lords. You have no need for concern. The politics of Skala are no concern of mine.”

“A very wise attitude. Good night to you, Master Atre.”

For just an instant Seregil thought he saw a look of annoyance cross the actor’s face, but it was fleeting and he couldn’t be certain before Atre pressed a hand to his heart and bowed and took his leave.

“Atre definitely has a bit of nightrunner in him,” Alec noted.

“I thought he might. What do you make of what he said?”

“I’d say with all you heard yesterday and now this, the two cabals may be at war. I’ve been thinking, though. General Sarien wasn’t on that list I found.”