Though the voice was Herikhil's, the tone – the hard words and lack of preamble – was totally Lakhyri's. "Has Anglhan found Ullsaard yet?"
"The former king is still in Salphoria, to the best knowledge of the traitor," said Leraates. "I have said it before, but I do not know why you let that venomous, verminous man live. If I spent half as much time looking for Ullsaard as I have keeping an eye on Periusis we would have him by now."
"Your objections have been noted before, and discarded," said Lakhyri. "The Salphor is not only the means by which we can deny involvement in Ullsaard's execution, he will also be the bait that lures the old king out of hiding."
"If so, that is likely to happen soon," said Leraates. He looked at Herikhil's faces and saw displeasure wrinkle the boy's brow.
"What has happened?"
"Spies of Ullsaard, I believe, were found in Asuhas' palace today. I have checked the information with the captain of the guard and he confirmed that members of the Twenty-first legion disguised themselves as Brotherhood legionnaires. We do not know what they intended or if they succeeded, but Anglhan has shown me the records that link newly recruited members of the Twenty-first to Ullsaard's favourite legion, the Thirteenth."
"And these new recruits, have you found them yet?" Though Herikhil's eyes were the same bright blue as before, there was just a flicker of gold in their pupils, and the stare was penetrating.
"I have my soldiers searching the barracks and palace grounds, and Asuhas has ordered First Captain Lutaan to also find the infiltrators amongst his ranks."
"Lutaan is not to know that Ullsaard may be alive."
"Of course not," snapped Leraates. He calmed his manner, knowing that it was not wise to be too aggressive, despite Lakhyri's abrasive manner. "Forgive my outburst, but you seem short of temper today. Do I not have your trust anymore? I can handle this situation."
"It is not you, it is Urikh," replied Lakhyri. "Our new king forgets which powers placed him on his throne, and summons me to his court like a common chamberlain. Tomorrow he will receive a reminder of his place in the grander scheme."
"You are not going to tell him about Ullsaard, are you?" said Leraates. He regretted the question as soon as he asked it; Herikhil's boyish face screwed up into a derisive snarl.
"Though it is of no concern of yours, you are right. The less Urikh knows about the current situation, the better. The first he hears of Ullsaard's discovery will be seeing his father's corpse. If not, there is a chance that he might well decide to imprison Ullsaard or something equally counter-productive."
"I do not think that Urikh would be sentimental towards his father," said Leraates.
"That is highly unlikely. A more probable cause of interference by the king would be a desire to handle the matter personally. If Urikh decides that he wants to be in charge of his father's death it could threaten the successful outcome of our efforts. Regardless of Anglhan, Ullsaard, Urikh or any other distraction, you must stay focussed on the ambition we share."
"To see the rightful ruler installed, and the new empire created," said Leraates. He dipped his head in deference to the high priest. "I shall not forget."
Herikhil's features squirmed and changed again, dripping more blood down his bare chest, until his face resembled the youth once again. There was a beatific smile on the boy's lips as Lakhyri pulled away his presence. Eyelids fluttering, Herikhil regained control of himself, eyes slowly focussing on the senior Brother.
"Such light and sweetness," murmured the youth. He turned to a bowl and rag on a table next to him and washed his faces, splashing the floor with water and blood. Wiping his hands and brow, Herikhil looked at Leraates. "I am tired. Do you wish for me to contact anybody else today?"
"No, Herikhil, you may rest," said Leraates, gesturing
"The former king is still in Salphoria, to the best knowledge of the traitor," said Leraates. "I have said it before, but I do not know why you let that venomous, verminous man live. If I spent half as much time looking for Ullsaard as I have keeping an eye on Periusis we would have him by now."
"Your objections have been noted before, and discarded," said Lakhyri. "The Salphor is not only the means by which we can deny involvement in Ullsaard's execution, he will also be the bait that lures the old king out of hiding."
"If so, that is likely to happen soon," said Leraates. He looked at Herikhil's faces and saw displeasure wrinkle the boy's brow.
"What has happened?"
"Spies of Ullsaard, I believe, were found in Asuhas' palace today. I have checked the information with the captain of the guard and he confirmed that members of the Twenty-first legion disguised themselves as Brotherhood legionnaires. We do not know what they intended or if they succeeded, but Anglhan has shown me the records that link newly recruited members of the Twenty-first to Ullsaard's favourite legion, the Thirteenth."
"And these new recruits, have you found them yet?" Though Herikhil's eyes were the same bright blue as before, there was just a flicker of gold in their pupils, and the stare was penetrating.
"I have my soldiers searching the barracks and palace grounds, and Asuhas has ordered First Captain Lutaan to also find the infiltrators amongst his ranks."
"Lutaan is not to know that Ullsaard may be alive."
"Of course not," snapped Leraates. He calmed his manner, knowing that it was not wise to be too aggressive, despite Lakhyri's abrasive manner. "Forgive my outburst, but you seem short of temper today. Do I not have your trust anymore? I can handle this situation."
"It is not you, it is Urikh," replied Lakhyri. "Our new king forgets which powers placed him on his throne, and summons me to his court like a common chamberlain. Tomorrow he will receive a reminder of his place in the grander scheme."
"You are not going to tell him about Ullsaard, are you?" said Leraates. He regretted the question as soon as he asked it; Herikhil's boyish face screwed up into a derisive snarl.
"Though it is of no concern of yours, you are right. The less Urikh knows about the current situation, the better. The first he hears of Ullsaard's discovery will be seeing his father's corpse. If not, there is a chance that he might well decide to imprison Ullsaard or something equally counter-productive."
"I do not think that Urikh would be sentimental towards his father," said Leraates.
"That is highly unlikely. A more probable cause of interference by the king would be a desire to handle the matter personally. If Urikh decides that he wants to be in charge of his father's death it could threaten the successful outcome of our efforts. Regardless of Anglhan, Ullsaard, Urikh or any other distraction, you must stay focussed on the ambition we share."
"To see the rightful ruler installed, and the new empire created," said Leraates. He dipped his head in deference to the high priest. "I shall not forget."
Herikhil's features squirmed and changed again, dripping more blood down his bare chest, until his face resembled the youth once again. There was a beatific smile on the boy's lips as Lakhyri pulled away his presence. Eyelids fluttering, Herikhil regained control of himself, eyes slowly focussing on the senior Brother.
"Such light and sweetness," murmured the youth. He turned to a bowl and rag on a table next to him and washed his faces, splashing the floor with water and blood. Wiping his hands and brow, Herikhil looked at Leraates. "I am tired. Do you wish for me to contact anybody else today?"
"No, Herikhil, you may rest," said Leraates, gesturing
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