‘This is not merely a murder investigation, Captain. Sorcery was used, and law still dictates that matters of sorcery be handled directly by the Crown.’
Several hums of agreement. The fear was thick. For most present, there was likely relief at the notion that the indomitable Khaimlic royal family – the descendants of those who had quelled the sorceryuprisinggenerations before – would oversee this horror.
They might not approve of some of Osian’s policies, but all had seen or at least heard of his exploits on the battlefield. He spoke also for the might of his sister, and even his younger brother. For the king.
Radnor’s jaw worked. ‘Of course. However, given Your Majesty’s relationship with the primary suspect—’
‘Are you insinuating I am incapable of doing my duty, Captain?’
A beat. The tide of the room shifted further. ‘Not at all, Majesty.’ Radnor dipped his head, stiffly. ‘The assistance of the Crown is greatly appreciated. What do you suggest our next action be?’
Captain Radnor questioned Meilyr in the royal solar, a large, usually comfortable retiring space above the Great Hall and beneath Aldreda’s chambers. It was mercifully devoid of plant life, but there were crownsworn posted beyond every door. It was not quite being dragged to a cell, but Meilyr was certain the captain had his men ready at a single shout.
‘An apothecary?’ The word was loaded with distrust. Radnor leafed through Meilyr’s information, scant pages gathered in a hurry, most from Harlan, who stood to one side. ‘Owned by Lowri Howell and given to you?’
‘Yes.’ As with everything, his foster-aunt’s name sounded wrong in the Khaimlic tongue.Hywel.Softer and more rolling, like breath.
‘You were adopted into the family. How?’
The half-lie was always ready. ‘My parents were neighbours of the Howells. When they passed, I was taken in.’
Radnor glanced at him, then back at the pages. To the crownsworn just inside the door, he said, ‘I want more information. Send Verdun to Gorsedd Arian.’
‘Is that wholly necessary?’ Prince Osian, not far from Meilyr’s chair, stood more severely than any soldier. No doubt he was concerned deeper investigation might reveal the falsity of their union. ‘The focus should be on searching for a killer, not interrogating the lineage of my consort.’
‘I would say it is necessary, Majesty.’ The captain handed the papers to one of his men. ‘We have the capacity for both a thorough search of the local area and this. In line with our orders from His Majesty the King, we will be subtle but pointed. Your word remains law, but allow me to do my duty.’
Meilyr’s throat felt scraped by thorns. It sounded like ahunt, ordered by the king himself. Had contact been made with him already? Did Khaim have the means? There were some magics capable, but if they possessed them, it was not widely known.
The captain and his men left, with Harlan. Only Meilyr and the two eldest heirs remained in the room.
That could have gone worse. He could have been put to death without questioning. They could have found out about Celyn, or a thousand other terrible things that had not yet come to pass.
Even if Radnor did somehow dig up more in Gorsedd Arian, it would be found that the neighbouring family had indeed had a child and had died in the same winter. What should be harder to find was the fact that the child had perished with them.Cadogan.The name of a ghost, given to Meilyr from Idwal – his adoptive father – who had gifted him a falsified parentage that would stand up to scrutiny.
But the populace was about to be put under further duress. Innocent people, innocent children, only trying to help.
Just as he had been, once.
If Khaim went in search of sorcerers, they might find them. Not to mention those without a drop of weaver blood, who might be accused all the same.
‘Gods.’ Aldreda moved to pour herself a drink from a glass decanter at one of the low tables. ‘We are breaths away from them declaring we should skewer every Denelander within three miles atop the tower walls.’
Meilyr’s snatched-together composure cracked.
Prince Osian said, ‘Every move must be made to find one individual, not punish a populace. If Radnor retaliates against the people, there will be further bloodshed.’
‘We are talking about a populace we thought utterly without magic until yesterday.’
‘A foolish assumption from the start.’
Meilyr dug his nails deep into his palms.
Why would someone risk exposure like this? Why?
Aldreda stared at her brother. ‘You mean Great-Grandfather’s declarations and ghost stories didn’t convince you? Osian, hewiped them out.’ For the first time, she glanced at Meilyr. Whatever she felt was quickly masked, but it was… not what he had expected. ‘Brother, surely you remember. You were terrified. I know you were younger, but…’
‘The truth of what he believed is moot, now. Either they did not successfully capture all those of the blood, or—’