“The Knights of Jadar are getting bolder, your majesties. Just last night there was an attack down at the docks resulting in Lord Twintle’s warehouse being burned.” Vi resisted a satisfied smirk.
“Traitorous snakes, I told you to cut them off at the head.” His words lacked any real bite. Clearly, this was an argument they’d had too many times for scathing words surrounding the Knights to still cut deeply.
“I told you there were good men among them—men who now fight for Solaris.” Fiera gave a sideways look at Tiberus and then turned her attention back to Vi. “So I assume Zira is off taking some kind of action against them?”
“Yes, I’ve acquired intelligence about their network in the Waste. We hope to cut off their support and force them to the surface. But for our plans to work, they must believe Zira is dead—she must be an unknown factor in play.”
“I see.” Fiera stroked the bulge of her stomach in thought.
Tiberus glanced up at her and Vi was caught in his ocean blue eyes for a long second. In them, she saw the eyes of her brother.
“You really are a dangerously clever one.”
“And I use my cleverness to support Solaris.” Vi could read between the lines. She knew what he was really saying.
“Let’s hope so, and that Zira is not the latest convert of the Knights. Otherwise we’ll have to kill her, too.”
“Zira would never betray me,” Fiera insisted to Tiberius. Then, she said to Vi, “I will do what must be done this sunset to mourn her. But regarding a body to burn—”
“Fear not, I’ve already taken care of the logistics,” Vi interrupted.
“I’d better not ask for specifics, then, and merely thank you for your continued service to the crown.”
Vi gave a low bow. “The honor is mine,” she said and dismissed herself.
On the way out, when he no doubt thought she was out of ear-shot, Vi heard Tiberus say, “You should keep an eye on that one. Someone who is always at the center of trouble is likely the cause.”
More than you know, Vi wanted to say. The world was a puppet, and it was her job to pull the strings.
She headed right for Deneya’s office, checking her watch along the way. It was still two hours before the council was scheduled to meet. That should be enough time.
“Deneya,” Vi said as she entered. Thankfully, the woman was behind her desk. Vi had learned that Deneya gave herself extra time in the mornings to prepare for meetings on account of how the numbers and letters “danced” across the page.
“Whenever you show up with that face, it’s rarely good.”
“I’ve never claimed to be a good omen.”
“Then you’re living up to expectations.” Deneya returned her quill to its inkwell and leaned back in her chair. “What do you need me for this time?”
“I need you to adjust the docket for today’s meeting.”
“That’s usually Ophain’s responsibility. Take it up with him.”
“He likes you better,” Vi countered.
“I can’t argue that.” Deneya stood. “What am I having him adjust?”
“The head of the city guard will need to discuss the Knights of Jadar.”
“Why?” Deneya asked cautiously.
“To talk about last night’s arson of course. Poor Lord Twintle.”
“What did you do?” Deneya almost sounded delighted. “And how dare you for not taking me with you to do it. I would’ve loved tojuth starysthe man seven ways to the next world.”
“Hopefully there is no next world,” Vi mumbled.
“What?”
