“He is!” Terrent burst out. “My father was a guard in Lord Ettle’s home. Do you remember him? He was found with his throat slit in his locked room. My father didn’t hear a thing, and he was standing guard outside the door the whole night!”
“Any worthy assassin could have done the same,” the tall guard pointed out. “All he had to do was make a quick kill after climbing through a window. Therewerewindows in the lord’s bedroom, weren’t there?”
Terrent’s mouth opened, his eyes blazing.
“Thank you for sharing your theory,” Carver interrupted. “Your reports will be officially recorded later. In the meantime, I want that cell door to remain locked and under constant guard. No one goes in or out until further notice. Understood?”
Both guards nodded. “Yes, General Vincetti.”
Carver and Morelli walked around them, making their way toward the prison entrance. They were nearly to the final staircase when shouts reached them.
“This is insanity! You can’t just throw me in a cell. I demand to see the emperor—now!”
“Oh, shut up already,” a familiar voice drawled.
Carver quickened his pace, hurrying to climb the last steps—and there was Ford.
His hands were braced on his hips as he watched a man in once-regal clothes—that were now as dirty as Ford’s—be led into one of the interrogation rooms.
Ford spotted Carver and flashed a smile. “And here I thought I’d have to hunt you down. You owe me two drinks, General.”
Carver threw his arms around his friend, clapping him hard on the back.
Ford returned the embrace, his hold tight enough that Carver’s bruised side protested. “You missed me, then?”
“Saints, no.”
Ford snorted. “Lies.”
“Did Jamir give you any trouble?” Carver asked as he pulled back.
“Just a raging headache.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “That man never shuts up.” Jayveh’s uncle was indeed still issuing demands, even as he was secured in a holding room. “I think you owe methreedrinks for listening to that insufferable man for days on end,” Ford added.
“If Carver’s buying, I’ll be there,” Morelli chimed in.
Ford grinned, even as Carver said, “You’d be there regardless.”
Morelli laughed good-naturedly. “True.”
“It’s good to see you, Morelli,” Ford said warmly, greeting the older general with a soldier’s arm clasp.
“You too, Ford. Keeping out of trouble?”
“Nah, trouble seems to like me.” He smirked. “Then again, what’s not to like?”
“You reek,” Carver told him blandly.
Ford huffed. “You sure know how to make a person feel loved, Carve. It’s a wonder you got Amryn to like you.”
From the holding room, Jamir bellowed, “Gallo! I demand to see the emperor!”
Ford rolled his eyes. “It’s a bloody miracle I didn’t strangle him on the journey.”
“Was there any sign of Tam?” Carver asked. He knew if Ford had actually found her in the Xerran castle, she would have been in chains, too.
It still made his gut clench when Ford shook his head. “No. There was no sign of Argent, either.” His eyes narrowed. “Jamir’s denying all involvement with the Rising, but we know that’s utter rot. He kept calling Jayveh a liar. I’m hoping he’ll cooperate better now that he’s in an actual prison.” Ford’s weariness was suddenly all too apparent.
Morelli patted his shoulder. “Get some food and clean up a bit. I’ll tell the emperor Jamir is here.” He glanced at Carver. “I’ll tell him about Trevill as well.”
