away. The moment we returned here, I drugged Lirain. Drank it herself; thought
she was drinking poison! She has lain with no one this night. I arranged her on
the couch. One absolutely loyal man and I went back and fetched Bourne. My
lady wife and I placed the corpse beside Lirain. Along with a bladder of the
blood of a – appropriately! – pig. I thrust my sword into it before I called in
Quag and Zaibar.’
Hanse continued to stare. This saffron-haired boy was clever’ enough to be a
thief! Hanse bet he was dissembling still, too; doubtless a favoured rug
merchant had aided in the bringing of Bourne’s corpse into the palace!
The prince saw his stare, read it. ‘Perhaps I’m not Prince Kitty-cat after all?
I will shortly have high respect in Sanctuary, and wide knowledge of the plot is
a weapon against my enemies at home. You are a hero – ah.’ The prince nodded
towards the doorway, beckoned. An oldish man entered to hand him a sheet of
parchment. It soon bore the governor’s signature and seal. The secretary left.
Kadakithis handed the document to Hanse with a small flourish and a smile that
Hanse saw was distinctly royal. Hanse glanced at it – very impressive – and
looked again at the prince.
‘Oh,’ Kadakithis said, and no more; a prince did not apologize to a thief for
forgetting his lack of education. ‘It says that by my hand and in the name of
the Emperor in Ranke, you are forgiven of all you may have done up to this day,
Hanse. You aren’t a quintuple murderer, are you?’
‘I’ve never killed anyone, Highness.’