Durkhanai recalled how her grandmother, the Wali of S’vat and person dealing with negotiations, had been spending quite some time with the B’rung ambassador, Palwasha-sahiba.

B’rung was Marghazar’s neighbor in the south and shared a border. Could the Badshah be considering annexing B’rung into Marghazar? It would explain why Palwahsa-sahiba was being so amiable with the noblewomen during the mountain walk. The Badshah could be contemplating such a thought in order for more resources, but more importantly, for fortifications against the Lugham Empire in the east, which he was determined to defeat once and for all.

But if that was the case, her grandparents would know B’rung was the informant and thus behind the summit attack, no? Wouldn’t they tell her?

They wouldn’t. Just as they had withheld the medicine, they could be withholding more information. They didn’t tell her everything, which meant that Durkhanai had to find out the truth for herself. Then figure out what to do about it.

“What are you thinking?” Asfandyar asked. “I can see your mind working.”

“I’m thinking it was the B’rung zilla that informed the Kebzu Kingdom about the summit—after all, hadn’t they been eager for this negotiation period with the Badshah? And their wali hadn’t been killed, barely injured.”

“You’re right,” Asfandyar agreed, recalling the day. “B’rung wasn’t too interested in unification, either. They seemed to have been bullied into attendance.”

“There’s our lead,” she said.

“You know what this means, don’t you?” Asfandyar said, eyes gleaming. “Time to spy.”

Durkhanai made her way to the ambassadors’ wing, Asfandyar on her tail. Palwasha-sahiba should have been at a meeting with the Wali of S’vat, if Durkhanai was correct—which meant this was a perfect time to snoop through her belongings.

But she froze right before turning the corner.

Asfandyar looked over her shoulder and swore. Palwasha-sahiba was out, but her servant was still there, tidying up.

“We’ll come back in a little while,” Durkhanai whispered. They both turned to leave, but their path was blocked by a cane.

Durkhanai’s eyes traveled the length of the cane until they met the person wielding it.

“What’s going on?” Gulalai asked, voice sweet. She looked between Asfandyar and Durkhanai, how close they stood, how guilty they looked to have been caught. Gulalai narrowed her eyes at Durkhanai, giving her a look.

“Gulalai, do me a favor,” said Durkhanai. “Distract that servant over there.”

“Pardon me?”

“I need to go to Palwasha-sahiba’s room,” Durkhanai said. Gulalai looked to Asfandyar to see if they were being serious, and he nodded.

“And why would that be?” Gulalai replied. “You do know B’rung is Kurra’s ally, don’t you? And Asfandyar-sahib—are you forgetting B’rung is Jardum’s ally as well?”

Durkhanai pulled Gulalai to the side, lowering her voice so Asfandyar wouldn’t hear.