“All of them there were killed,” Dorrin said.

“Well, there must have been more,” he said. “There’s dangerous magicks—traps, confusions of trails. And that patrol—” He looked hard at her. “We are charged to give you escort into the Duke’s … your … domain. To assist you in taking your place as the new Duke. Do you anticipate resistance once you show your insignia?”

“Yes,” Dorrin said. She poured herself a mug of sib and let the hot liquid burn down her throat. “My relatives will not yield to me because the prince named me duke; far from it. Surely the prince has told you that I left the family and was stricken from the rolls when I won my ruby.” She touched the Falkian ruby. “They wanted no part of me; I wanted no part of them.”

“Yet you are here.” Both tone and look challenged her.

“My prince asked me,” Dorrin said. “For the sake of the realm, for those long tormented by the Verrakai, I am here.”

“I was given this for you.” He handed over a velvet pouch; inside were a scroll case and a flat leather box in Verrakai blue. Dorrin opened the box first and found her uncle’s chain of office and ring. “The prince wishes you to come to Vérella when you can, to be formally invested, ideally at his coronation.”

Dorrin unrolled the first scroll and read aloud.

An Order to attaint such of the Persons concerned in the late horrid Conspiracies, to wit: First, to assassinate His Majesty Kieri Artfiel Phelan, king of Lyonya, and to subvert the royal warrant for his protection during his progress through Tsaia, given by the Royal Council of Tsaia under seal of the Crown Prince, by attacking not only His Majesty’s person but also the Royal Guard of Tsaia after presentation of the royal warrant. Second, to assassinate His Highness Mikeli Voston Kieriel Mahieran, Crown Prince of Tsaia and attempt seizure of the Crown. Third, to assassinate other members of the royal family and household in furtherance of treason. This Order attaints all who have fled from Justice, unless they render themselves to Justice, and for continuing other of the said Conspirators in Custody. This Order pertains to all Verrakai, male and female, above the age of ten winters, within and without the realm of Tsaia, save Dorrin of Phelan’s Company.

The next scroll held an order for her, personally:

It is ordered by the Royal Council of Regents and the Crown Prince that Dorrin Verrakai, acting as Serjeant of Arms for the Crown of Tsaia in the domain of Verrakai, herself or through her deputies or other assigns, do forthwith attach the Bodies of said Conspirators found in the domain of Verrakai, and do hold them in safe Custody for transport to Vérella to appear before the Council for judgment. Dorrin Verrakai shall have no power to exonerate or raise the attaint from any over the age of thirteen winters by common reckoning, but may at her discretion raise it from those between ten and thirteen. Dorrin Verrakai shall have the power to attach any other persons she finds associated with the said Conspiracy. Dorrin Verrakai shall have the authority to command this squad of Royal Guard to assist in her duties, and such other persons as she chooses to appoint. Persons attached may be sent to Vérella under Royal Guard escort.

Finally, a very short note:

As the Verrakaien are magelords using forbidden magery against Our realm, Dorrin Duke Verrakai has my personal authorization to use what magery she may command in furtherance of Orders given her.