“Hmm. So B’rung is getting a good negotiation with Marghazar after all.”

They had a good incentive, then, to inform the Kebzu Kingdom about the summit. Without the summit attack, they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to negotiate with Marghazar.

“If B’rung was responsible,” Durkhanai began. “Marghazar wouldn’t have war, correct?”

“I suppose not,” Asfandyar replied. “B’rung would have to pay a price, but only if concrete evidence was found. To avoid war between our zillas, we need something that explicitly shows B’rung was the zilla that informed the Kebzu Kingdom of the summit—only then will Marghazar be exonerated.”

“Marghazar won’t be blamed for B’rung’s actions, even if B’rung did it to gain Marghazar’s favor, yes?” Durkhanai asked.

“Precisely.”

But how could they get such evidence?

They both contemplated this, until Durkhanai had an idea.

“Somebody had to inform the Kebzu Kingdom, correct?” Durkhanai asked. “And I doubt the Wali of B’rung would provide that information in written paper—it would be much too risky. Instead, the Wali must have sent someone to deliver the message.”

“If we can get that person here to confess, we would have our evidence,” Asfandyar said, finishing her thoughts.

“We could send a letter from Palwasha-sahiba to the Wali of B’rung, asking for that witness to come here—we can claim the Badshah wishes to see evidence to prove that B’rung was behind the summit attack before he believes them and forges an alliance?” Durkhanai proposed.

“Yes, but it will take time,” Asfandyar replied. “At least five days journey to send the mail and then five days journey back.”

There was only one month left. On the first of July, the ambassadors were to leave, and if they were unsatisfied, they would return with armies.

It would never get to that point: if the Badshah had suspicions the ambassadors were unsatisfied, he would have them killed before they could leave, out of spite. At that point, war would already be declared.

The only way the ambassadors were leaving was with a peace treaty.

Chapter Fifteen

Durkhanai slept through the day, and she woke not feeling the slightest bit rested.

All she could think about was Palwasha-sahiba, Rukhsana-sahiba, alliances, negotiations, wars, threats—everything spinning and spinning. When she closed her eyes, all her body could remember was Asfandyar’s skin against hers, their bodies pressed together against the cool stone walls.

But something else nagged at her, too: discomfort and unease. Perhaps all the fatigue of her late nights and worries was catching up to her.

Durkhanai wanted to talk to somebody about this all—no, she wanted to talk to Zarmina. But Zarmina would only worry about what a fool Durkhanai was being.

But in the end, she didn’t have to say anything; Zarmina came to her on her own.

“You showed Asfandyar the passageways,” Zarmina said, voice broken. She stood in Durkhanai’s doorway, not coming in.