Alec turned it over and inspected both sides. “It’s a soldier’s charm, isn’t it? And this design looks like the crest of the City Regiment.”

“I think tonight’s assassins were General Sarien’s men.”

“You’re probably right.” Alec told him about the note to Sarien.

“That certainly sounds like they’re still recruiting. And if Sarien is turning his own troops against the queen, then this is worse than I thought. We’ll have to keep a closer eye on the man.”

“I found this, too.” Alec then handed him the note he’d copied. “Well, this is a copy.”

“Obviously, and nearly illegible.”

“I was in a hurry.” Alec snatched it back and read it aloud. “Your Highness, I am most honored to have my humble invitation so graciously accepted. I assure you, all arrangements regarding the princess royal will be in place. I regret to say that I do not trust your friend Lord Seregil. He is far too friendly with certain factions who do not wish you— And that’s where it ends. He must have been interrupted.”

Seregil took the letter from him again and reread it. “Well, he doesn’t address Klia by name. Given the salutation, it could conceivably be to her, Korathan, or Aralain. But not Elani, since he mentions her in it. Not good news about me, though. That’s clear enough.”

“Do you think one of the royals asked about you?”

“Impossible to say from this, but we can’t discount the possibility. If so then it was most likely Aralain.”

Alec looked down at the damp spots on Seregil’s breeches again. “How many assassins were there?”

Seregil avoided his eye. “Only four.”

“Only?”

Seregil patted Alec’s knee. “They were on foot and I managed to ride away without a fight. Gave Cynril a nice little run, and I’m none the worse for it.”

“Laneus is getting a bit obvious, isn’t he?”

“Desperate is more like it.”

“The quicker we turn over what we know to Korathan, the better!”

Seregil looked down at the copied letter again. “No. If this is interpreted as meant for Klia, then it could cast further doubt on her intentions.”

“What do you really think?”

“You know what I think, but it’s not enough to convince the prince. Besides, this could be a jilt, something left lying around for us to find.”

“You think he was expecting to be burgled?”

“He may have thought that’s why I was inviting him out, to get him out of the way for the evening. Did you leave any sign of being there?”

“No, of course not!” Then Alec’s face fell. “The window. I had to go out a window in the library and there wasn’t any way to latch it after me. What about you? How were Laneus and Malthus?”