Page 93 of A Drop of Corruption

“Do you know if anyone else approached the cauldron then?”

He hesitated. “I do not recall this clearly, I am sad to say.”

“Mm. What happened then, sir?”

The king was taken away to his chambers, the prince said, but was pronounced dead before they ever even laid him on his bed. When this news was heard, Jari Pavitar began crying that it was Prificto Kardas who had done it, and that the Empire had killed their king. Swords were drawn, and the hall was instantly clapped shut.

“Pavitar said this theinstantthis news was heard?” asked Ana.

“Very quickly, yes,” said the prince. “Then everyone began saying it. Pavitar demanded we kill Prificto Kardas right then and there, and Darhi began shouting as well. It took everyone some time to remember that I was even in the room and had just inherited the kingdom.” A weak, miserable smile. “I admit, it took me some time to remember, as well.”

The prince had finally declared that they should take the Treasury officers to the guest chambers to be held, he said: a choice that had appeased nobody, including Darhi, who had counseled that they should seek aid from the Empire immediately. The hall guard did so, and then there was much debate among the court about what to do, with many advocating swift execution.

Then there came a screaming from the guest wing. A guardappeared and told them the captives were saying that Kardas had collapsed as well. The prince, Darhi, and Pavitar then went to investigate.

“Prificto Kardas was lying on the floor, wheezing and coughing,” the prince told us. “His lips were swollen, and his throat crimson. His people were distraught, yet he did not perish. Pavitar claimed this was yet more sign of his guilt, but…even then, I felt the Empire would employ better poisoners than this.”

Those calling for execution then began to balk, he said, and Darhi’s nobles grew loud in their claims that if Kardas were to perish in their custody, it would be a blow from which the realm of Yarrow might never recover. Yet still no decision was made.

“As morning grew near, I went to visit Kardas again to see if he still lived,” continued the prince. “It was then that I saw the bird at the window—a hawk that carried letters, the Treasury people told me. I read your message, and I realized you had tried to warn us of this tragedy before it’d ever happened! Yet I did not think the court would believe me, and…truth be told, I…” His face crumpled, and I saw a terrific fear in his eyes.

“You’ve yet to develop sufficient influence, sir?” said Ana politely.

“That is so,” he admitted. “So I wrote to you. And here we are.”

Ana bowed her head, frowning. Her fingers drummed on my arm as she thought.

“If it is this poisoner,” said the prince, “I admit, I can’t comprehend how it was done. There was no one in that room save my father, Pavitar, Darhi, and Kardas and his girl. And I do not recall any of them touching my father’s cup—save Kardas, who I do not suspect.”

Ana remained silent for a long while. “Some other questions, please, Your Majesty. First—are you aware of anyone at court with any dealings with the jungle smugglers to the south?”

Prince Camak shook his head. “No, no! I can’t imagine that. Those folk are landless and considered brigands. To consort with them is beyond imagination!”

“I ask, sir, because we found an oathcoin in the possession of this smuggler in the jungle. I understand this is a prized token in the High City. Can you imagine how this man might have gotten it?”

“No!” said the prince, astonished. “That is a precious thing! It must be stolen, I suppose. Or perhaps this villain simply found it.”

“Who at court controls or dispenses the most of such favors, sir?”

“Well…that would be Darhi, of course. The satrap came into possession of many coins, and gave them out to freely distribute influence, as he manages a great deal of the kingdom. Such things are common for one of his station,” he added.

“Thank you, sir,” said Ana. “But one final question…There is a chance you have seen this smuggler here in the hall, though he is adept at disguising himself. Din—please describe the drawing, if you could.”

I described Pyktis to the prince, and he nodded along uncomprehendingly, before finally saying, “No, no. I have not seen a man of this sort.”

“In the Empire we would call a man of his kindRathras,” I said. “From the Rathras cantons of the Empire. He would stand out quite a bit here, I imagine, sir.”

“Why?” said the prince blankly.

I glanced at Malo and saw that she looked as puzzled as I.

“Because…I would think Rathras people are quite rare here, sir,” I said.

“Oh!” said the prince. “I see. But that is not so—forIam one quarter Rathras. As are many in the High City.”

There was a stunned silence.

“You…youare?” said Malo. “I had never heard of this.”