“I think one’s a simple root cellar,” Dorrin said. “The other … not.”

“Which is which?” the Marshal-General asked.

“I feel some malice from both, but much stronger here,” Dorrin said, not quite touching the right-hand door.

The Marshals came nearer, and the Marshal-General nodded. “I agree.”

“This is very like what we found in various lairs of Liart’s priests,” the Marshal-Judicar said. “And for that we wanted Marshals and knights both. I would recommend calling in another—and Duke Verrakai, are your escort sufficiently skilled in arms, or should we send for city militia or Royal troops as well?”

“They’re not,” Dorrin said, “though they’re much better than they were a quarter-year ago.” If only she’d had some of her own cohort with her. “I am, however.”

Oktar shook his head. “My lord duke, the king would not be pleased if you died here when more good troops could prevent it. I feel evil as strong as any we rooted out back then.”

Would he not? It would solve several problems for him. But she must not think so of her king, the man to whom she had sworn fealty the day before, the man whose life she had saved and who had saved her from a traitor’s death.

“You think there might be a priest of Liart hiding there?”

“One, several, who knows? But I feel a great menace.”

Dorrin stepped back and glanced into the kitchen, where Jaim was just emptying a bucket of water into a pot. “Jaim, do you know where Marshal Veksin’s grange is?”

“Yes, m’lord.”

“Run ask Marshal Veksin to come here. We’re going to cleanse the cellar and need his help.”

Jaim paled. “My—my lord, do I have to come back?”

“I need a message taken to the palace as well,” Dorrin said. “You can go on from the grange to the palace gates and guide the troops back here.” Not that they didn’t know exactly where Verrakai House was. “You can stay outside the house, but I don’t want you wandering around in the city. Wait a moment while I write the message.”

Dorrin left the Marshals contemplating the door and ran back upstairs to find writing materials. She scribbled a quick note to the palace guard commander asking for assistance. When Jaim left, she took the opportunity to change from her court dress to her soldier’s garb and met Marshal Veksin at the front door, ready to fight if necessary.

“This looks serious,” he said as he came in. He, too, had prepared for a fight, bringing swords as well as stout sticks.

“Yes,” Dorrin said. She led the way down the passage. “Marshal-Judicar Oktar thinks there may still be a priest of Liart alive, in the cellar.”

“I brought an extra sword in case Tamis didn’t have his today.”

“Thanks,” Marshal Tamis said, and belted it on. “Are you going to clear the house?” he asked Dorrin.

“You think it necessary?” she asked.

“Prudent, perhaps. Your servants could wait in the stableyard.”