Korathan glanced at his wizard, who nodded. “Did you have a hand in Laneus’s death?”

“No.”

The wizard nodded again.

Korathan thought for a moment, then said, “I can’t look the other way for much longer. I need you to work more quickly.”

Seregil and the others bowed with their fist to their chests again. “Of course.”

CHAPTER 30. An Unexpected Turn of Foul Luck

LANEUS’S sudden death so close on the heels of Kylith’s caused a minor stir among the nobility; that of Count Tolin a few days later fueled talk of some mysterious illness at work among the nobility. After all, wasn’t there a plague among the poor? Or, others whispered, perhaps a murderer? The drysians reported no traces of wounds or poison in either case, but perhaps magic?

For all the talk, neither Thero nor Valerius could determine what had killed Tolin, or Laneus; their hearts simply seemed to have stopped beating. Nonetheless, it wasn’t lost on anyone that they were members of rival cabals, one of which most certainly had access to Wyvern Blood.

The heat held, and while Seregil and Alec attended the princess and kept an eye on their collection of conspirators, the denizens of the Lower City stews continued to sicken and die.

It had been another late night with Reltheus. As Alec rode beside Seregil through the dark, quiet city toward Wheel Street, he wanted nothing more than some cool water and a soft bed. The late-summer air was charged and humid even at this hour, with the promise of thunderstorms to come. Flexing his sweating shoulders under the unwelcome weight of his linen coat, Alec added a nice refreshing wash in for good measure, perhaps with Seregil’s help.

Tired as he was, however, he was still alert for any sign of assassins, although no attack had come since Laneus’s

sudden death. As they turned the corner into Wheel Street, Alec saw with surprise that bright lamplight was showing through the salon windows overlooking the street. “Runcer’s up late.” The manservant usually left a single lamp burning for them when they were out at night.

Inside, he was even more surprised to find Eirual’s doorkeeper, Manius, waiting for them. Alec had never seen him outside of the brothel, and the man looked uncharacteristically distraught.

“What’s wrong?” asked Alec.

“I’m not to say, my lord, if you’ll forgive me. That is my mistress’s wish. I’m to send you and Lord Seregil to her house at once, if you’ll come.”

Seregil exchanged a worried look with Alec. “Of course.”

Manius had come in a carriage, so they left him to it and galloped through the sleeping city to the Street of Lights, where revelers were still very much awake. Eirual’s great receiving room was full as always, with wealthy men and beautiful, alluringly dressed young courtesans.

Pretty blond Hyli was waiting for them, eyes red from crying, and led them upstairs to Eirual’s private chamber. They found their friend sitting in a chair beside the bed, alone and fully dressed, holding the hand of someone lying there. Coming closer, Alec’s heart plummeted. It was Myrhichia.

Dressed in the dark blue, crystal-spangled gown she’d worn the night they’d entertained Laneus and Malthus, she lay perfectly still, eyes open and staring unseeing at the silken canopy above.

“Maker’s Mercy, no!” Alec sank down on the edge of the bed beside her and touched her hand. It was warm but limp as he took it in his.

Seregil went to comfort Eirual. “When did this happen?”

“A few hours ago.” Eirual leaned on his shoulder and a tear slid down her cheek. “She was singing in the salon. One of her favorites was here for the evening after a long time away. She was so happy! She was beginning a new song when suddenly she just-wilted, like a flower in the hot sun! I thought at first that she’d fainted and struck her head, but she’s been like this ever since! We managed to get her up

here without anyone noticing her true condition. Is this the sickness from the Lower City?”

“It looks like it.”

“But she hasn’t been down there, has she?”

“Of course not,” Eirual replied, wiping away more tears. “And there’s been no one of that sort here, either, I can assure you!”

That sort, thought Alec, wondering what she’d say if she’d seen those children at the temples.

“Have there been any newcomers?” asked Seregil. “Anyone out of the ordinary?”

Eirual sank her head into one hand. “Newcomers? Of course, there are always new patrons. Lord Tryis, Duke Moren’s boy Kallen, young Lord Alerin, several well-to-do merchants from Mycena. I can’t recall the names. They were in a week or so ago. And that handsome actor of yours, Master Atre, comes to flirt with her now and then.”

“He does seem to turn up everywhere,” said Seregil. “Who else? Dressmakers? Perfume sellers? Anyone of that sort?”

“Well, there’s a new butcher’s boy, but my girls have no contact with him. Arlana did go to a new dressmaker, but the woman didn’t come here, and Myrhichia hasn’t been to her shop. Those are the only new people I can think of.”

“Who is in and out of here regularly, besides your customers?”

“Patrons,” Eirual corrected distractedly. “Let me see. The butcher’s boy, the dairyman, the man who delivers the firewood-”

“Someone who has access to the girls,” Seregil prompted gently.

“The hairdressers, the cosmetics merchant, jewelers, of course, perfumers, seamstresses, cloth merchants, wine and sweetmeat dealers-” She threw up her hands. “I don’t even know! The girls all have tradesmen they favor, and most of them come and go as they like. It’s never been a problem.”

“So someone could conceivably have come in without you knowing about them?”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“Who has Myrhichia seen in the past week or so?” asked Alec. “We can at least narrow it down that way.”

Eirual turned to Hyli, who’d been weeping quietly in the corner by the door. “You spend the most time with her, besides me.”

The courtesan took the handkerchief from her face. “Mistress Kela came to measure her for some new nightdresses. Master Horrin sold her some rouge.” She paused to wipe her nose. “Master Kharom delivered some jewels she’d ordered from him.”

“Has she been out of the house much lately?” asked Seregil.

“To the Three Dragons with Duke Oreus one night, and the theater, and with you, of course. She went to the new play at the Crane a few nights ago, and to the Tirari last night with Duke Carnis.”

“That just leaves her regular patrons. How many does she have?”

“At the moment?” Eirual counted silently on her fingers. “Five regulars, and the occasional extra.”

Alec swallowed hard. He knew what Myrhichia was, of course, and what her trade entailed, but he didn’t spend time thinking about the details. She was his friend.

“Somewhere among all those is the one who carries this disease, or works the magic, whichever it is,” Seregil told her.

Eirual looked to Hyli. “You can go, love. If anyone questions you, tell them that she’s indisposed.”

When the girl was gone, Eirual turned to Seregil. “Will you speak to Brother Valerius for me? He doesn’t approve of me, I know, but I want the best for her.”

“I’m sure I can convince him,” Seregil assured her, patting her hand.

More tears came as Eirual looked down at Myrhichia. “I love all my girls, but she’s like a daughter to me.”

“I’ll go, Seregil. You stay with Eirual.” Alec took the older woman’s hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll do everything we can to help.”

Alec found Valerius in his library, poring over a large book by the window.

“What are you doing here at this hour?” the man asked, looking up with amused annoyance.

“It’s Myrhichia. She has the sleeping death,” Alec told him, throat tight as he finally said the words aloud.