Her majesty is very disturbed by rumours concerning the death of her cousin, Queen Kathea. It almost beggars belief that Lord Malkior was the killer. He was a Terrarch of the old blood, one of the First. Hardly an assassin.”

“I believe we can be frank with each other, Inquisitor Joran. Lord Malkior was a follower of the Shadow.”

Rik suppressed a shudder. That information was not something he wanted revealed to the Inquisition. It might lead to questions about his own heritage.

“You are asking me to believe that one of the First, a high noble of the Terrarchy was a servant of the Princes of Shadow?” Joran’s tone was good-humoured but Rik heard the subtle mockery in it. He wondered whether it was real, or merely intended to goad Asea into saying more. He had known thief takers who used similar such techniques. Her response was dry.

“It has happened before.”

“On Al’Terra.”

“Your order has accused others of being followers of Shadow on this world.”

“Indeed it has. I suspect a lot of those charges with trumped up for political reasons.”

“You seem remarkably cynical about such things for an Inquisitor.”

Joran sighed. “I have been a seeker after truth for a very long time, Milady. You and I are both aware of how these things work. Times were bad during the Conquest. Questionable things were done during the Schism as well.”

“You are saying you do not believe me?”

“That I did not say. I am merely saying it’s a disturbing thing to hear talk of things emerging from our darkest legends to walk in the light of day.”

“Such things have happened before.”

“I would prefer to believe, as some of my generation do, that the Shadow is a mere metaphor for the darkness in our souls.”

“You were not born on Al’Terra. You did not see the wars we fought.”

“I lack that privilege.”

“You may not lack it for long. If the Gate is opened.”

“As you have said, we can be frank with each other. One reason I am here is to find out if there was any reason for you spreading these disturbing tales, if you hoped to gain something from telling these things to the Queen.”

“What could I have to gain from it?”

“From our invading Sardea? Your animosity towards the Queen-Empress is well known.”

“As is Queen Arielle’s.”

“The fate of nations is rarely decided by one person’s likes or dislikes; rational calculations of self interest usually intervene.”

“One would like to believe so. I have seen it otherwise.”

“In your letter you hinted that you knew who killed Her Majesty’s mother.”

“Malkior did that.”

“Many people suspected your hand in that.”

A flat silence descended on the room. Joran was only saying what many people thought, but Rik guessed very few people had ever said it to her face. After a beat the Inquisitor continued. “It certainly lets you off the hook if it’s true.”

Asea did not reply and Joran was the first to break the silence that ensued.

“I am merely reporting what has been said. What happened to Malkior? I have heard rumours of his body being cut up and buried in separate pieces.”

Joran had certainly acquired a lot of information in the short time he was here. It might be a good idea to find out who the Inquisitor had talked with since his arrival. There were informers everywhere.

“Hanging, drawing and quartering is the usual fate of regicides.”

“But according to what you told the Queen, Malkior was already dead.”

“That does not alter the penalty.”

“True, and it would prevent any unfortunate attempts at resurrection or reanimation. I understand it was your acquaintance, the half-breed Rik who killed him.”

“Along with the Palace guard.”

“I would like to talk to the youth.”

“I am sure that can be arranged.”

“Let us hope so. I am keen to hear his side of the story. I have not summoned him yet for he is under your protection and I wanted to discuss matters with you first.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I would like to talk with him— soon.”

“You shall. He has nothing to hide.”

“We all have something to hide.”

“That statement includes yourself, Inquisitor.”

“As a member of the Inquisition I have a special dispensation for my sins.