“Thatisthe question,” the Kennelmaster agreed. “The Dogs who have gotten close to him tell me that he claims to have found something in the desert. And then they go quiet. And they say no more.”
“Bemishu is good at finding your spies?” I asked.
“Unnaturally so,” the Kennelmaster agreed.
“It is unfortunate that none of your Dogs were able to advise His Imperial Majesty or General Saxu of the attack in advance.” I was risking something challenging him, and the Kennelmaster straightened. Across from him, on Tallu’s other side, Gotuye went still, like a wolf considering its approach.
“At the time, all of us were busy,” the Kennelmaster said. “Unless you are saying I should have turned my attention away from protecting the emperor?”
“I would never suggest such a thing,” I said mildly.
“If Bemishu has been so good at decimating my own network, I have no doubt that he has been equally efficient with yours,” Saxu said. He looked at Tallu, and I could see him considering his words carefully before he shook his head. “Your Imperial Majesty, I do not have the men to replace those lost. Perhaps we might look upon the Kennelmaster and ask if he has any Dogs to spare.”
“Spare? No. But, we might be able to turn some fresh ones. There are plenty of servants here who would blend well inside the Imperium. There is still the matter of the Bemishu girls.” The Kennelmaster was staring straight ahead, and Tallu finally gestured for him to take a seat next to me. When he did, hereached up and removed his mask, showing that his face had gone pale and sweaty.
“You wish to turn the daughters of General Bemishu into Dogs?” Tallu asked.
The silence around the table was tense. Tallu’s tone had been so bland, so mild that I could tell neither the Kennelmaster nor General Saxu was clear whether Tallu approved or not.
“They are uniquely devoted to killing their father,” I said. “And the man they blame for their mother’s death.”
“That might make them careless,” General Saxu said. He wet his lips again, and Commander Rede leaned forward, picking up his glass and presenting it to him with a small bow. Saxu took it and drank deep.
“Or it might make them all the more focused,” Empress Koque said. “I’ve spoken to them at some length, and I do not think they would do anything to endanger their mission.”
“Vengeance might not make them foolish, but it does not guarantee that their goals and ours will always align. Do not inform them of any of our plans. Do not give them access to my husband or my brother, but otherwise you may have use of them as you will, Kennelmaster.” Tallu’s eyes looked over the Kennelmaster’s face, and the other man dropped his chin in acknowledgment.
“If you do intend to cross the Imperium, you only have four Dogs,” General Saxu said. He didn’t look at the Kennelmaster, although I had the feeling both men understood what an enormous loss had been felt at the Mountainside Palace. “We will have to replace the lack with soldiers. Commander Rede, choose your best men. They will not have time to be trained as Dogs.”
“I have been a prince for all of my life and a soldier nearly as long. I’ve only been emperor a few months,” Tallu said. “I am comfortable with soldiers.”
“If Your Imperial Majesty is set on this task, we will accomplish it. My men and I will bring Namati and his men to heel.” Saxu took another drink of his water. “When does Your ImperialMajesty want to leave? Our electro mages will require some rest before another long journey.”
The details were hammered out, and by the time the meeting finished and Tallu stood, excusing all of us, it was late in the evening. Iradîo waited outside the dining hall, her face gleaming with imperial makeup, although her eyes and blonde hair still made her stand out.
Tallu glanced at me, then turned, all four of his Dogs trailing behind him as he returned to his quarters. Saxu walked slowly, as though forcing himself not to limp down the hall while Koque moved quietly and quickly back to her room. I hoped that meant that Prince Hallu was asleep and not ill again or sick with nightmares.
When they had left, and Iradîo nodded that the servants were out of earshot, she leaned closer. “You’re going to be lucky if you have any personal servants left at all.”
I raised my eyebrow, turning toward my quarters. “What do you mean?”
“Your steward from the Mountainside Palace has been tossing out half your servants on their ears. Hopefully you enjoy cold baths; I have no idea how you’re supposed to be fully staffed by morning.” Her smile showed she was joking.
“Other than Nohe’s housekeeping, anything else to report?” I asked.
Iradîo shook her head. “When are we leaving?”
“Two weeks.” I wished it was sooner. I wanted to leave tonight, but moving the military and most of the Lakeshore Palace was going to be difficult.
Iradîo let out a huff of air. She shook her head slightly. “I can’t tell if that’s too long to stay here, or too short.”
“It’s already been decided, so we are going to do it.” I looked around and muttered, “Regardless of what you or I think.”
When we reached my quarters, I saw immediately what Iradîo meant. Nohe stood waiting, her clothes clean, freshly bathed. Icould see a patch of pink on her cheek where she had been too rough scrubbing off the grime of the road.
Homisu waited next to her, and both of them bowed low, their fingers forming triangles. Of the four other servants I had started the day with, only two remained.
Zolle was not among them.
