Elaq’s mouth twisted. ‘She’s not the one that killed them, though, is she? Or it’s not likely. As for what she gains? Autonomy. Control, now, before the Singer’s ascension. You can hear as well as me – what state do you expect the holy lord is in?’

It was so close to heresy that Ilandeh just shook her head, her mouth open. Elaq’s bitterness was unexpected, but shouldn’t have been. Of course Pilos would employ only the most loyal, most dedicated of eagles to run his home and estate and businesses.

‘Did Councillor Yana manage to discover anything that may be useful to my investigations? The High Feather wants to know what happened. He needs to know his enemies, and—’

‘Enet is his enemy.’

‘Honoured eagle, I am a Whisper. I go where full bloods cannot and I do what they will not. For Empire, song and the holy Setatmeh. For High Feather Pilos. If there is anything I need to know to protect him or the holy lord, I ask that you tell me.’

He examined her and then sighed. ‘I have a guest here. We have been awaiting the High Feather’s return, but … well, he’s one of yours.’

Ilandeh raised an eyebrow. ‘One of mine, high one?’

Elaq grimaced. ‘Eagle will do … eagle,’ he said, though he nearly choked on it. ‘I had word some weeks ago there was a macaw wandering the Singing City. A macaw who was seen – you don’t need to know by who – visiting the Great Octave’s estate on several occasions. He couldn’t very well refuse when I extended my hospitality and the High Feather’s to him.’

Ilandeh’s chest was tight, as if the wound she’d sustained in Tokoban had suddenly reopened. ‘I suspect I know who you mean. And you think …’

‘I think he had no need to be visiting the Great Octave once, let alone four times in a month.’

‘You think he’s a spy for Enet.’ It wasn’t a question, but Elaq nodded anyway. ‘He was with me in Tokoban for a year. What would she gain from that?’

‘You told the High Feather there is songstone in Tokoban. You will have relayed to him how best to bring the tribes under the song – that includes an estimate of how many days and how many deaths, yes?’ Ilandeh nodded, feeling slightly sick. ‘I imagine your fellow Whisper will have told Enet the same. Plus whatever information he gathered from the dogs leading the captives here – all the latest Melody gossip for a brave Whisper who’d been out of the Empire for a year.’

Ilandeh grimaced and felt anger begin to build in her gut. ‘Meaning Enet knows approximately how long she has to act before the High Feather and the Melody return victorious, and how battered and reduced in number they might be when they do arrive.’