“You don’t look drunk enough for a man stuck in a political marriage,” Liaro said, peering at him. He squinted at the light from the windows. “What time is it?”

“Midmorning,” Ahkio said. “I was surprised you came home alone.”

“You being Kai isn’t helping,” he said. “Everyone I talk to is afraid of you.”

“Me?”

Liaro sat up and shrugged. “Well, your wife. I suspect she’s trying to make dead certain she’ll be the only one carrying an heir.”

“I’m not foolish enough to challenge her claim,” Ahkio said. “It’s fine, Liaro. She and I came to an agreement.”

“Good. Let those women fight over whose baby is Kai. Either way, it will be yours.”

“I’m cheered that it’s me in this seat and not you.”

“Cheered by that, are you?” he said, gesturing to the revised constitution. “Looks like the same old story to me, though.”

“Most people don’t actually want power,” Ahkio said. “They want this illusion of power.”

“Is that from the Book?”

“I’m paraphrasing, yes.”

“You need some better lines, Ahkio.” Liaro pulled on his tunic. “Have you heard from Ghrasia yet? It’s been over a week since she left for Raona.”

“No. I needed to tie up things here before we joined her.”

“You want to go to Raona? Where there might be assassins killing people across Dhai?”

“Just get Caisa up here.”

“Fine, all right. Do this, Liaro, run here, wear this, dance around, Liaro.” He slipped on his shoes and headed downstairs.

Ahkio went to the window. What did it feel like when someone tightened a noose around your neck in Dorinah? Was it like this? A sense of dread and powerlessness? He’d untangled the notes his sister and Aunt Etena had written in the book, most of it related to philosophy, but the conversations about the soul of the temple bothered him. He couldn’t get that symbol out of his mind. What way was barred? Why?

Caisa entered and announced herself. “You asked for me?”

“I want you to ensure that all of the clan leaders leave today,” Ahkio said. “It may be some time before we gather in one place again.”

“Is something wrong?”

“I need the Oras and militia attending me to pack up,” he said, “we’re going to meet Ghrasia Madah in Clan Raona.”

“Where you think the assassins are? Is that wise?”

“I really do need to keep you and Liaro apart.”

Chapter 31

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