Seregil unfolded the fine vellum and smoothed it on his knee. “ ‘To her most Royal Majesty, Queen Elani, on the twenty-seventh day of Klesin. Honored Majesty, it is with great sorrow that I must report the death last night of the archduke, Governor Toneus. He and his companion, Duchess Seria, were killed while in residence at the palace in the old capital, which the archduke had been rebuilding in advance of your visit here.

“ ‘I am most distressed to report that the archduke died under mysterious and horrifying circumstances. When the door to his chamber was broken down, a scene of unspeakable carnage was discovered within. Both occupants had been torn to pieces in a most vicious and brutal fashion. I must beg your forgiveness for not going into more detail than that, as I can hardly comprehend it, even having seen it with my own eyes. At the same time, it was reported that another guardsman saw a ghost nearby. Whether this is true or has any bearing on the deaths I do not know, but I beg you to send someone who can make a thorough investigation of the facts.

“ ‘While Governor Toneus had established friendly relations with much of the population here, in the absence of a Queen’s representative, I fear for the stability and security of the island and your loyal subjects. I beg of you, Majesty, to send assistance as soon as possible to maintain your sovereignty on Kouros. Your most humble servant, Lady Zella.’ ”

He looked up. “She paints a dark picture.”

“And she certainly sounds desperate,” Micum noted.

“Yes, she does,” said Elani. “I’m sending Aunt Klia back as acting governor with a force to keep order, and Lord Thero as her wizard. I require your special talents to assist them in discovering the reasons and real means of the deaths, and any implications they have for our control of Kouros.”

“We welcome the challenge, Majesty,” Alec replied.

“I am most grateful for Your Majesty’s confidence,” Micum added.

“You were indispensable in that business last year, my lord. And Lord Thero told me that you and Seregil have been the most accomplished of the Watchers for many years, and that Alec is your equal in skill.”

“You honor us, Majesty,” Alec replied.

Elani smiled. “You are very modest, Baron Alec. All of you are. You serve Skala quietly, without any expectation of renown. Quite the opposite, it would seem. That’s quite rare in my experience at court, and most refreshing.”

“The work is its own reward,” said Seregil.

“There aren’t many I’d believe saying that,” she replied. “But I believe you.”

THE day of departure dawned cold and grey. A damp wind off the harbor whipped Seregil’s cloak around his knees and blew his hair across his eyes as he walked down Whale Quay with Alec and Micum. For an instant he felt a pang of anxiety, though he wasn’t certain why. Something tugged at his memory, but he couldn’t seem to remember what it was.