Thero hastened to Seregil’s defense. “As far as we knew from the evidence Seregil and Alec found up until then, they were simply keeping an eye on her to see if she was making any move toward claiming the throne. We had no idea a plot was afoot to kill her.”

“What other evidence do you have, beyond an overheard conversation with no names?”

Seregil showed him the copies of some of the coded messages and purloined letters they’d found so far. “From these, it appeared that they were keeping a close eye on Klia, and also trying to gauge how deep Elani’s interest in Danos runs. And I found a number of other interesting items in a secret room in Marquis Kyrin’s house, including more letters and some phials of poison. And he’s hoarding Aurënfaie gold kars with Goliníl clan’s mark on them, and some gems.”

“Those are all capital offenses!”

“Yes, but I think that pales beside his real motives, don’t you? Arrest him for that and you tip your hand to the other conspirators. They’ll scatter like fleas off a dead dog.”

“Charming image.”

“You take my meaning, though. Please, Korathan, let us pursue this.”

Korathan sighed. “And what’s this other cabal?”

“We’re less sure of this one,” Thero replied, “but Duke Laneus seems to be conspiring to support Klia in some fashion.”

“And how does he propose to do that, without her consent?”

“He may just be trying to protect her from Kyrin’s group.”

“And assassinate the queen.”

“Possibly. We’re not sure of that, yet.”

“And who is with him?”

“It’s not entirely clear, but we’re fairly sure of Marquise Lalia, Duchess Nerian.” Seregil hesitated again. “The protector general—”

“The man I was just speaking with? Bilairy’s Balls, man, he’s charged with protecting Elani! If he persuaded his regiment to turn on her—on me? The whole city would be plunged into chaos. Phoria would be forced to lay siege to her own capital.”

“Very likely,” said Seregil. “Once again, though, if you arrest him for that, or even relieve him of command without a plausible excuse, the others will know the game is up. I’d suggest sending the general on a tour of the coastal cities to assess their defenses against a sea attack. With his correspondence closely monitored, of course. That should get him out of the way long enough for us to complete our work.”

Korathan rested his head in one hand for a moment. “Yes, that can be arranged easily enough. Are there any others in league with that faction?”

“Marquise Lalia.”

“Mistress of the Royal Wardrobe.”

“And Duke Malthus,” said Seregil. “But I’m not certain Malthus is supporting their plans, at least not any talk of assassinating Phoria. He was overheard objecting.”

“By whom?”

“One of my spies.”

“And this spy is?”