There have always been people who think idorrá requires violence—that the stick is the most effective enticement to keep the herd in line. That mistaken belief is the reason we have Censure. Nobles may rule in Jorat, but they rule because they have our citizens’ trust. And when the nobility becomes a greater hazard to our people than any other danger?

They are removed. Such has always been our way.

“As a friend,” Tamin said, “I caution you to manage your own herd, not mine.”

I held up my hands in acquiescence. “Tamin, I meant no offense. The winter has been hard for us both.”

In my peripheral vision, I saw the tournament’s Black Knight enter the contest ground. He’d been sent to distract the crowds from the gore being mopped up behind him. The crowd had been cursing, “Thorra, thorra!” but when Captain Dedreugh turned his attention to them, they fell silent.

Some of the anger left Tamin. “How I envy you, Janel. At least you could outrun your demons.”

I felt those words like cuts. “Not all of them.” I put my hand on his, choosing what I said carefully. “But we could help each other.”

The Black Knight japed and pranced as befitting his role. He dressed in ornate black armor, too small for him in all the wrong places. His large belly flopped exposed while he danced and cantered around the yard on a flame-kissed black fireblood.

Tamin jerked his hand away from mine. “I don’t need help. Those witches think they can get the better of me. I’ll show them. I will burn them all.”

“Is that what you intend to do with the prisoners I brought you?”

“They’re witches or in league with witches. What choice do I have?” He gritted his teeth. “I’ve known Kalazan since we were children, Janel. I can’t believe he betrayed me.”

The warden paid no attention to our conversation; the serving woman had returned his puppy. She, on the other hand, studied the frame of the nobles’ box with such intent concentration she must have hung on every word. The woman only stepped away when a field judge approached with questions.

She didn’t consult the warden before giving instructions.

“You must feel much like I did, after what Oreth did to me,” I said. “After he turned on me.”

“He loves you,” Tamin said.

“An obsession with owning something isn’t the same as loving it.”

He sighed and poured himself more wine. “Have you always been so wise, dear Janel?”

“You flatter me, Tamin. If I were wise, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“You understand, don’t you? We both must do what is necessary. I must kill every witch in this banner. Every one. I’ll leave none to summon the demons who would destroy us. Relos Var has opened my eyes to the danger.”

I turned to him. “What danger?”