“Neither am I,” the doge said. “And there, you see, is the problem.” His voice sharpened until I winced. “All I have is a report from Lady Terringer that shortly before dawn half the noble court of Ardence stormed up to her gates making incoherent demands. And now this. When an ambassador comes to my court and starts complaining about an incident of which I am ignorant, Lieutenant, I must either bluff my way through the conversation or admit my intelligence services have failed me. Either way, it puts me at a disadvantage.” He leaned back into his chair. “As to how fond I am of being at a disadvantage, I will allow you to exercise your imagination.”

Marcello’s throat jumped. “I am most distressed that I know nothing of this myself, Your Serenity.”

“Then find out.” The doge clipped each word off neat as a beheading. “And soon, Lieutenant. I await your report most eagerly.”

Marcello bowed a third time. “Yes, Your Serenity.”

The doge turned to me. I braced myself, but his tone modulated seamlessly to one of courtesy, cold and graceful as a swept-hilt rapier. “Lady Amalia. You are enjoying your evening, I hope?”

“Ah, yes, Your Serenity?”

“Do you have any reason to believe your Falcon may have a previous Ardentine connection? Does she know anyone here tonight?”

“No, Your Serenity. I’ve seen no signs of that.”

“Hmph. Then her conscription into the Falcons couldn’t be the incident to which the ambassador was referring.” He flicked his fingers, as if casting the idea off. Then he leaned forward, his eyes piercing as an owl’s. “I know you have Ardentine friends. Do try to do a better job this time.”

“Your Serenity?”

“At getting information from them. Though I don’t hold much hope, after your abysmal lack of results with the Vaskandran princeling.”

I drew a sharp breath, stung. He’d never dare speak that way to my mother.

But I wasn’t my mother. I nodded curtly, not trusting my words.

The doge waved his dismissal. “Enjoy the rest of the reception.”

As we walked away, to clear the bitter taste in my mouth, I asked Marcello, “So you truly have no idea what he’s talking about?”

“None.” He spread his hands. “But I’d best find out quickly, if I hope to keep my position.”

Domenic had mentioned a crisis with the Falconers. But I couldn’t tell Marcello about our conversation without revealing Domenic had hinted at things that could skirt the edges of treason.

“If there were an incident involving the Falconers in Ardence, would you know about it?” I asked instead.

“Yes,” he said. “Colonel Vasante keeps the officers updated on such things as soon as word comes in over the courier lamps so that we can be aware of potential threats. I don’t understand.”