Early the following morning they carried the news to Thero, who was at breakfast with several other wizards. A spread of fresh currant buns, ham, pears, boiled eggs, white cheese, puffed berry pastries—an Orëska House specialty—and pots of strong tea were laid out on one of the worktables. Nysander’s breakfasts had been famous, and to everyone’s surprise, Thero had continued the tradition.

The other wizards greeted them warmly, believing, as intended, that Lord Seregil and Lord Alec had just arrived back from their travels.

“Ah, you’re just in time for another free meal,” Thero noted dryly as they came in.

“Cranky this morning, are we?” Seregil grabbed him in a hug and kissed his bearded cheek, much to the wizard’s dismay.

“Do that again and you’ll find yourself at the top of Mount Apos,” Thero warned, slopping his tea on the table as he shook Seregil off.

“At least it would be an escape from this heat,” Alec said as he filled a plate.

There was no choice in front of the other wizards but to make small talk and pretend they’d come for nothing more than breakfast. But when the wizards were gone Seregil and Alec detailed the findings of their night’s work.

Thero nodded as he listened, then considered it for a long moment. “There’s no way of knowing if the list of names and the apparent smuggling are related. You did find the suspicious documents in different places.”

“There could be any number of reasons for that,” said Seregil.

“Maybe Kyrin was waiting until nobody was there to move the scroll to the hidden cupboard behind the tapestry,” Alec pointed out.

Seregil nodded. “Perhaps.”

“And don’t forget Elani’s stolen letter,” Alec reminded them. “If Kyrin is sharing secrets with Reltheus and the others, maybe they know about the letter, too.”

“Korathan’s secretary, and someone stealing the princess royal’s letters.” Thero frowned. “This could strike at the heart of the court.”

“More work to be done,” said Seregil. “I think Lords Seregil and Alec will be out of the city again for a bit while the Cat attends to this Watcher business.”

“But I’ll be able to reach you at the inn if need be?”

“Of course. We’ll work out of there until Alec’s name day, then reappear from our ‘travels.’ ”

“Keep me informed of your progress. I fear you may have stumbled onto something quite serious.”

Seregil nodded. “So do I, and I don’t much like our names on that list.”

Chapter 5 - Whispers in the Dark