“I think one only needs to lift one’s eyes to the hilltop to spot the source of this problem,” Farilane went on. “Governor Vicross must be unhappy with his position here in Alburnia and looking for a change of scenery. The only remaining question is, are we dealing with a simple matter of illegal taxation and appeasement, or is Blythium Castell encouraging local warlords”—she dipped her head to indicate Gibson—“to rebel as a first step toward treason?”

“First Spear!” the prymus shouted.

“Sir!” A weathered soldier in the front row snapped to attention.

“Arrest this woman.”

“Treason it is then,” Farilane concluded.

The soldier took one step.

So did Kolby. “Can’t let you do that.”

The prymus smiled. “You can’t stop it, either.”

“Actually, I can.” He said this so casually, that the First Spear hesitated. “Look, I like the legion. I have a cousin serving in the Seventh, so I don’t want to step on toes, but we both know that the Teshlors’ mandate comes directly from the emperor. Truth be told, if I didn’t have her along”—he gestured to Farilane—“I’d be the one arresting you, your legatus, and Governor Vicross. Then I’d order a complete investigation into charges of corruption, negligence, conduct unbecoming, and high treason. But, lucky you, I’m not here for any of that. So we’re just going to take our horses and leave.”

Kolby smiled sincerely at the prymus, then the First Spear, and finally Gibson and company, all of whom appeared to accept this notion of a peaceful resolution.

“Then when we get back to Percepliquis,” Farilane jumped in, “I’ll publicly announce that Blythium Castell and the legion stationed here are all traitors to the empire. I’ll do it on a box in Imperial Square, right in front of the palace. That should get the emperor’s attention. And I will provide detailed descriptions of everyone I see here. I’ll even do sketches. I’m a pretty good artist.”

“I really hate you sometimes,” Kolby told her.

“Change of plan,” the prymus announced. “Kill them all. Starting with her.”

This was the part Farilane could do without. She knew she was right. Farilane also knew that if she waited, most of the guilty would escape, but that hardly factored into her decision-making. The real problem—and this was the part she didn’t think Kolby had added up yet, or if he had, he chose to turn a blind eye to it since her safety was his first concern—was that the moment after they left the village, every inhabitant would be slaughtered. Witnesses and evidence would be erased. This outcome was a certainty from the moment the legionnaires suspected Kolby was a Teshlor. Bodies would be buried, the cause reported as sickness. In a stunning display of irony, this intentional falsehood would inadvertently be the truth.