Chapter 4

Duty

It was a surprisingly austere interior. Juza had made it a point never to have visited Zio's church, but, even he had to grudgingly admit that there was some artistry to it. A muted sort of elegance and grandeur, and, most surprising of all, it was not a cheap effect either. The marble that Zio had built much of it with alone must have cost a fortune… Aye and Ned Crane had the means… Luthor Orcis too for that matter. Probably most on the Council…

Alys was looking around the red-carpeted spacious building with rather more distaste than Juza himself. "I don't like it here," she declared.

"I imagine none of us do," Juza muttered, fidgeting nervously. He was still exhausted, but his nervous energy refused to leave him. If only there was time to catch a few hours of sleep… But he was on the trail of a psychotic, and he could not lose sight of that. And if I went back to the house, I might have to face Elizabeth again. The lack of rest hit him crushingly for a moment, as he struggled to control his grinding anger.

"Master Galf, Miss Brangwin." Juza's eyes snapped back up as Zio stepped forward, smiling, "Magistrate, my friend." He was flanked by two acolytes dressed in hooded robes. Zio made a brief gesture, placing his forefinger against his unnaturally pale forehead. "Night is always coming," he said, in the ritualistic greeting of his cult

"Yes," Juza muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. "Yes, it is." He shook his head slightly, well aware both of the need that all of the others would have of his focus if he was to do his job, and his slipping self-control. "And then his grip began to slip," Juza murmured to himself.

"Magistrate?"

For one moment, Juza thought that it was Zio's pernicious tones speaking to him… but it was only Galf. "Nothing," he said shortly. "Merely a rhyme I was once taught." He put a hand through his hair, only to discover that it was completely frazzled and unkempt. Well, and who gives a damn? He cleared his throat loudly, suddenly unaccountably reminded of the two boys he had disciplined… was it only yesterday? Gods of Algo be good, and I was already tired and maudlin then… His failing strength was something that he could not share with this company, however. It was more truth than was needful. Dangerous, harmful truth. Indeed, it would be better all around to get this business finished with and to do so quickly at that.

Zio had already stepped into the long silence, though. "I confess myself relieved to finally be receiving your attention, Magistrate. I fear I can only blame myself at this dreadful turn in Ferrio's destiny…"

Eyeing the priest with something less than favor, Juza muttered, "You still might." He dropped the attack abruptly. "Ferrio was your favored, acolyte, always with you, always at your side… I find it passing queer that he should be our man, at this juncture."

Zio spread his hands, his voice cajoling if not quite warm. "Come, Magistrate. These are your laws, and this is your village. You may do as you wish, of course, but what can you possibly be accusing me of? Ferrio was a brother of mine in the eyes of god; even brothers may be permitted to disagree from time to time. Nonetheless, to even imply that I would personally…" Zio shook his head, his voice taking on that same hypnotic quality that he had used in sparring with Juza at the party. "Still, I know you for a just man, Magistrate. You are merely voicing the possibility, as is your duty, I am sure."

For a long hot moment, Juza stared at this man, reasonable, courteous thoughtful, and he could still here Zio's words echoing in his ears. We are not so different, you and I… Juza shook his head numbly. It was not true. They were not the same, not now, not ever. And how is your charming wife? That was it that raw malice in Zio's tone, concealed beneath his mask of geniality! But even that was not true. That question had not been asked in malice… Why bloody ask if not to taunt me? A worse thought occurred to him. Or is it Elizabeth's malice, her enjoyment of my helplessness… Abruptly Juza became aware of Zio's eyes on him again. No, none of it. He is… testing me.

A loud cough broke the silence, recalling Juza to himself. "I…" realizing that nobody had yet spoken, Juza masked his involuntary pronoun with a cough. "We do have several questions for you, yes," he said, belatedly realizing that he had let a silence open up. I do that too often now. I need focus.

Zio's eyes glowed with an intensity Juza had never seen in them before. For the first time, he thought he might have some inkling as to how Zio had won over a following so easily. "I accept full blame for this dreadful catastrophe," he murmured, bowing his head. "But Ferrio must be stopped. He is a good man a… a holy man, but he no longer knows himself. His mind is gone. We must move swiftly before any greater tragedy can occur. Ferrio's abilities to cause destruction are great… but I believe that I know where he will be."

Juza frowned. "Perhaps after some few other questions, we may entertain such a notion."

"Ah." Zio sounded almost satisfied. "So it is Kadary."

"Lord Zio, if you have a statement to make, then best make one. Else, you are wasting our time."

Zio's eyes challenged him. "Have you already forgotten, Magistrate? It is Kadary that you serve, Kadary that love better than justice, than yourself… better, even, than your wife, I think. It is Kadary you seek to preserve by asking for more time… whilst Ferrio may slay even more innocent souls."

Juza stared at the priest for a long moment, his tongue twisted in rage. How dare Zio presume to try to read him at a juncture like this! "Ned Crane was many things," he said at last, seeking to avoid appearing at a loss, "but innocent was not one of them."

"Eddard Crane was a righteous and just man."

Juza clenched his hands so hard he could feel his knuckles whitening. "Ned Crane," he began hotly, only to have his voice drowned out in a thunderous roar.

"Enough!" Galf the Thunder Sword stood there, glaring at both of them. "Neither of you serves any purpose with this wrangling. You can compare cocks later if you have to, but now we do have to keep our work in mind."

Juza bristled, but the moment had served to restore him to his better senses. "If you would excuse me for a moment, Lord Zio." He stepped forward, briefly taking hold of Alys's arm, muttering to her, "If he tries anything, stop him."

He came up to Galf, pulling the hunter to the side. "I beg you to remember that this is my investigation. What are you attempting here, encouraging a suspect when we—"

Galf looked at him very levelly, and Juza's words died in his throat. There was the slightest touch of contempt in the bigger man's eyes. "Magistrate," he said quietly, "you're tired and obviously falling apart a bit. That's no reason to be deliberately obtuse. I'm not telling you we have to trust Zio, but I am telling you that his proposal makes good sense and that you know it." The hunter shrugged, tugging at his moustache as he added, "And anyway, I wouldn't think you'd want to show all this to us."

Juza flushed. Beneath the seeming wisdom, the seeming genuine friendliness that Galf was projecting, he could still feel that contempt. Small. Aye, he thinks me a small man, weak and petty. Wetting his lips, Juza forced the words hoarsely from his throat. "And… if he's lying?"

"If he's lying, this is the surest way to discover it. And tell me honestly, Magistrate, what do you think Zio could hope to gain from such a deception? We've failed to establish a link between him and Crane, and if he's wrong now, that makes him look guilty, guilty as hell."

Juza nearly spoke then of his other vaguely realized suspicions, but something made him hold back. Aye, there are others that Zio could be doing this for. But look at him. Big aye, clearly talented with that blade, and yet… But there were some suspicions a man dared not speak aloud, some confidences a man must keep to himself. "Aye." The word came out, a grudging rasp. "Aye," he said again, forcing it out. "You make a good point. But… a moment more, I beg you."

Galf shrugged. "You do have authority here, Magistrate. I only ask that you do not allow your good sense to be swayed by… other things."

With a sigh, Juza put a hand through his hair again. The Thunder Sword had a point, that much was undeniable. Nevertheless, Juza was beginning to have doubts. There were coils upon coils in this business. At first, it had seemed relatively straightforward, but the more he investigated… It is simple, by all accounts. There are at least a dozen individuals who have had ample reason over the years to have murdered Ned Crane. And yet, this investigation bears little fruit… except for Zio's handpicked tale.

Alys was looking uncertainly at him, but Zio remained ramrod straight, his face contrite. "You will describe to us in some more detail what transpired to make Ferrio… how did you say it, forget himself?"

Zio nodded his arrogant head ever so slightly, the corners of his mouth curling up, as though in rueful admiration of the question. But then, Juza reflected, Zio had always seemed to regard their conversations as a game of some sort, a matter of moves. For that matter, Juza himself was accustomed to think in such terms. Cynical, perhaps, but logical of certainty.

"As you wish, Magistrate." The priest managed to inject his tone was the slightest bit of reproach as if to say: magistrate or no, who are you to waste this time? "Ferrio and I had been attempting to best interpret a prophecy of god—don't worry my friend, I won't bore you with the details—and in the course of the conversation he grew somewhat agitated. He wished to consult god on a higher level, and I agreed." Zio paused, shaking his head. "I shall always blame myself for that. I had but recently acquired a focus gem from Luthor Orcis, and I consented to use it in a holy ritual. It was too much, and it broke Ferrio's mind."

Juza frowned. Did Zio honestly expect him to believe all of this nonsense about arcane rituals? And, alright, even assuming it was true, which it could be after all, why would Zio's most favored acolyte prove to be so weak-minded? "What precisely do you mean by 'acquired?'"

He had hoped that the abrupt and seemingly insignificant question would startle Zio, but he was disappointed. The priest was unruffled as ever. "Luthor was good enough to lend it to me. Forgive me for my careless choice of words."

Juza hesitated. He had no real way of verifying the truthfulness of any of Zio's comments without further backup, and as for the Thunder Sword… "You make a good point, Lord Zio," he admitted grudgingly. "Given the circumstances, we have no true recourse but to hear out your suggestion to the fullest."

"Ah." The syllable was curiously flat. "I believe that Ferrio will make for the caves outside of Kadary, in the path to Aiedo. It would be in keeping with his interpretations of various passages of our holy texts."

Juza twisted his lips for a moment, considering the prospect. He didn't want to go stumbling out in the sands at night with Zio of all people, and there was always the risk of a monster attack… Galf and the girl are talented fighters though. I myself have a propensity for techs… Yes, he decided abruptly. He would do it. Galf had made a shrewd point; Zio had every reason to cooperate with them. If he was wrong, he had a lot to lose.

"Ah, very good, gentlemen, very good." Juza turned sharply, hardly believing his ears. There stood Lord Mayor Argus Gray. Juza took a long moment to strangle his less than courteous impulses. He had to remember what was at stake, where he was. He had to remember what he was dealing with.

"Lord Mayor," said Galf politely, even as Zio inclined his head, again touching his forefinger to his forehead. "To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?"

Argus glanced at Galf, his gaze clearly dismissing the hunter as beneath him. Juza clenched his hands, only belatedly remembering that he himself had scant love for hunters. That is different. My objection is professional, while his… The Lord Mayor in the meantime was looking Alys up and down, though he at least had the grace to pretend that his attention was focused elsewhere.

Juza took a deep steadying breath. "Indeed, the question is well put. What may we do for you, Argus?"

The Lord Mayor shot him a brief offended glance at the deliberate dropping of his title, before spreading his hands, a martyred expression on his face. "Why, this is a great affair of Kadary. I feel well within my rights to join in and see this thing through its duration. I am the head of the council, am I not?"

Rage misted his vision, choked up his throat. You bastard, I see what this is. You want to be on hand, you want to see to it that I am in whatever way you deem necessary properly taken care of, you… "These matters are not in your jurisdiction." It was a masterful effort, but Juza could feel it even as the words left his throat. He had not quite managed to strangle the raw animal emotion in his voice.

"Come, Juza," said Argus, his voice cajolingly smug. "All affairs may be of interest to a Lord Mayor, as you well know. I ask only that you allow me to do my duty; surely that is not too much to request."

His nostrils flared. Beckoning to the Lord Mayor with one finger he said vaguely, "If you would excuse us for a moment."

Seizing his portly colleague by the shoulder and pulling him off a short distance, Juza said roughly, "I do not require your presence."

Argus looked at him, toning his smugness with contempt. "It is not a question of what you require, Juza. I have asserted my lawful right to be involved in these proceedings. You of all people should have to respect that, or what are you ranting diatribes of law in the council supposed to represent?"

"I will not suffer your presence simply because you seek to—"

"—Or perhaps," Argus cut in smoothly, his smug air imperturbable; "you merely have other things on your mind." The Mayor's eyes drifted down Juza's person, lingering on the rumpled hair and nearly ravaged face. "Let there be no more nonsense of this sort, Juza, you can't win this battle and you know it." Juza's tongue felt clumsy in his hot rage. With a smile of pure pride, the Mayor slid an arm around Juza's shoulders. "Good fellow, good fellow. You know I'm right here. Tell me, incidentally, how is that charming wife of yours?"

Juza tore out of his grasp as though he'd been burned. "Elizabeth is quite well," he snarled, his fury barely contained.

One of Argus's eyebrows rose fractionally. "Indeed? I only asked because I was concerned. I encountered her on your doorstep on my way here and the dear lady seemed quite upset. I am relieved to be… proven wrong."

Juza would have flushed under any other circumstance, but he was past caring about whatever Argus had to say at this point. "If you are joining us, my Lord Mayor," he said hoarsely, "then we will be advised to begin at once."

He turned away, snapping bad-temperedly to the rest, "Lord Zio will show us the way to where we wish to go now."

Galf stepped forward, frowning through his bushy moustache. "Certainly if… if that is your command, Magistrate, but I…"

Juza tensed. "I do not require any more of your advice, sir," he said, mustering such courtesy as he had left in him.

Galf tugged at his beard, still frowning. "Magistrate, I think we—"

"I do not require your help," Juza screamed at him. Alys was staring at him, her mouth open, and somehow, that was worse than all the rest. "And tell your bloody amateur that she is not required either," he snarled, turning roughly forward. He heard the small disbelieving sound behind him, but Juza did not turn.

He was making a spectacle of himself, he knew, but he couldn't help it and he was past caring anyway. There was another long moment of tension in the air, and then Juza said roughly, summoning as much grace as he could, "We should go now." He was dammed if he was going to bend over apologizing to every single person for every single thing.

That, he thought disgustedly, was where my troubles began. Elizabeth didn't care for my reason, now did she? For my… apologies. The grinding anger was still there beneath everything, but, for once, Juza saw no point in concealing it. All of the ones present already knew of it, after all. He followed sullenly after Zio, resolving not to talk to Galf, to Alys, even to Argus.

Bloody Zio… gazing at the man's black cloak, it suddenly dawned on Juza why he had always blamed Zio for his troubles, even though Zio had been the soul of courtesy, always. Of course, it was then that my influence started to go. Kadary was willing to forgive me for failing the minor things, but I went against Council on Zio as I had to. As any sane bloody fool would have done, and I failed. They saw that… and then it didn't help with Elizabeth…no. He would not think of Elizabeth.

It was a hot night, and Juza found that as they continued walking on, mostly in silence, that a little bit of his self-control was returning to him. He was almost ashamed of his outburst earlier… oh, what was the point of mincing language? He was ashamed of what he'd said to Galf and Alys at any rate. And as for the Lord Mayor… oh yes, there he regretted his outburst. I forgot the first bloody rule of the bloody council; never show your hand too plainly…he knows that I suspect him of the murder. And why else join us this way? He wants to be on hand, also probably wants to see to it that I fail… and when he does, he'll take some sort of evidence of my incompetence back to the Council. Was it really so much to believe? If Juza was in Argus's position and had a similar lack of regard for scruple, he'd do much the same!

And, he admitted grudgingly, Argus was not a complete idiot. He was little better than scum, but he was not a fool. Zio fits in well enough anyway. Galf was wrong about the lack of a connection with Crane meaning anything; Zio exists in Kadary by the sufferance of the Council. He would do what anyone with money and connections asked him in return for a more permanent arrangement… and blame poor Ferrio for it. And Galf, even…

He glanced at the big hunter, wondering. It had never truly occurred to Juza to question the man's presence here, but where was the corroborating evidence that the big man truly was the famous Thunder Sword? Anyone skilled with a sword could make himself up as a hunter, and Alys could be a plant as well… Still, it is farfetched. I mustn't lose sight of perspective…Stumbling in the sand, Juza uttered a mild curse. His mind's exhaustion was starting to catch up to his physical weariness. Well, that was my own bloody fault.

What was the point of it all anyway? Who gave a damn whether or not Kadary remained just? Why did any of it really matter anymore? Perhaps it was the Argus's and the Crane's of the world who had gotten it right. If an action derived logical benefit for whatever one's goal was, then why not just pursue it? Why get caught up in ethics and responsibility and inflict willing agony on oneself? It's bloody hot and it's bloody cold and why should I give a damn? But I do. Sweet light, the gods of Algo must have inflicted me as a joke on the world.

"We have arrived," declared Zio. "Or near enough. I must warn you that Ferrio will most like be dangerous, and very powerful. We should approach with all due caution."

A hysterical laugh rose in the back of Juza's throat, but he choked it down. Most like? Isn't that rich. I saw what he bloody well did to Ned Crane and he's 'most like to be dangerous?'

Galf in the meantime was asking quietly, "I suppose that there's no chance he'll come quietly?"

For the first time that Juza could remember, Zio hesitated. "I… no. That's too much to hope for. Ferrio's mind, it is gone. He will only know animal pain and fear. I merely ask that you do not let him suffer. I blame myself. Ferrio did not deserve this."

Galf shrugged his voice empty of inflection. "The way he made Eddard Crane suffer?" The hunter shrugged a second time. "Well, this is what you hired me to do. I'll take him down as cleanly as I can." The big man turned a speculative glance on the curiously assembled little group. "Well," he said awkwardly, "I'll use every bit of advantage I can get. We'll want to fan out and converge on him at once, all of us with any kind of fighting ability. I'll take the front; Alys can take that dune a bit to the right." His eye rested embarrassedly on Argus for a moment. "I don't recommend that you come into this, Lord Mayor I assure you. And… Magistrate…" he cleared his throat loudly, obviously uncomfortable.

"I'll…" Juza cleared his throat too. "I'll fight. I have some knowledge of a knife, and I can use some techs." He added, suddenly contrite, "I am sorry you know."

Galf looked at him roughly for a moment, and then turned away. "You can have the left then." He took a deep breath. "In that case, we'll begin."

"Hold." Zio stepped forward, paler than ever in the moonlight. There were tears in his eyes, but that, Juza thought disgustedly, that was just cheap theatricality. "I too, shall join you in this. I brought this to Ferrio, and I knew him well. Could I do any less for him than you now propose to do? And I have knowledge of power."

Galf frowned. "No. You're my employer. I'm supposed to protect you if things go wrong; I won't put you on the front lines when there's a way around it."

"And you propose to challenge Ferrio with only three? Forgive me if I am blunt, Master Galf, but that is foolhardy if you have another resource on hand. You are a famed warrior, but it is with your blade you gain that reputation and Miss Brangwin is largely untried." Alys sputtered furiously, but had the sense not to interrupt. "My good friend, the Magistrate, is proficient at techs, but Ferrio's ability in that way is exponential. My expertise in such a field may well be the key to your salvation."

"You don't understand the ethics of this situation! I cannot, in good conscience, permit this."

"And yet," said Zio quietly, "I make a good point, do I not? Perhaps you will allow me to join you in bad conscience then?"

Juza's hands twitched. He did not want Zio at his side in any sort of battle, and yet… "Oh let him join us, Galf," he said abruptly. "It's not worth the debating and there is a certain logic to it."

Galf let out an explosive sigh. "Very well. Master Zio, will you consent to join me then, in the center? Tactically, it'll be more advantageous and I can best protect you that way."

"Of course, I shall bow to your prowess in this area."

Juza snorted. He doubted that Zio had ever bowed to anything in his life. Still, I must admit, his posturing is good. I'd be inclined to believe him myself if I didn't know better.

In short order he was creeping his way around the dune, supposedly ready to charge up and duel a mad acolyte at the convergence of the others. Slipping in the sand, Juza found that he was remembering the good times, earlier in his marriage. When I tried to explain to Elizabeth just why it was we should marry, why she should carefully consider my proposal, the logical necessity of it… she laughed at me then, and I didn't care. I still don't. Well, when she laughs at it, anyway. I never did. And she always laughed at me or… or found something to smile at whenever I spoke in such terms. Was it only my cynicism she found amusing, or was there something else behind it? Juza didn't suppose he'd ever know the answer to that.

Hearing the shouts, he stumbled up the dune, his hand suddenly sweaty around the knife he always carried with him. Cresting the top of the dune, Juza abruptly lost his balance, sliding down and tumbling into the back of a capering figure. Scrambling upright, Juza froze in surprise, staring at the man they'd found. Ferrio was dancing about, jerking his arms wildly, his green hair matted, the robe he wore filthy and torn. No, there could be no doubt of it; this was Ferrio and he was mad.

Juza abruptly realized that also, Ferrio had taken no notice of him… following the gaze of the blazing purple eyes, he saw Galf jerking about in rough approximations of Ferrio's arm movements. Scarcely believing it, Juza seized the knife he had let fall from his hand, coming forward to stab the man, put an end to it… A hand suddenly took him in the face, and the slap had the force of a fist. Juza crumpled into sands. Rising weakly, he noticed, rather inanely, the flask of half finished wine and the scraps of food lying just outside the entrance of the cave.

A harsh shriek pierced his senses. Juza's eyes snapped forward, and realized that Ferrio was clutching his right arm and it was bleeding. He also caught sight of Alys Brangwin dashing in, a slasher returning to her hand…

She saved Galf. His fist closed around the knife hilt more firmly. As I failed to do. Juza set his chin determinedly, as he sprinted forward. He would not prove a craven even if this was not his field of expertise.

Even as he reached the man, Ferrio jerked backward, tears running down his face, nothing but fear in his luminous purple eyes. With a cry, he lifted his right forefinger, even as some powerful energy burst past Juza.

He felt it before his eyes really took it in. A vastly powerful, raw, vicious running sort of power… It was a beam of pure darkness. The effect, however, felt curiously understated to Juza somehow. It was the same quality as his thoughts had often turned in over the past few days…

The energy (coming from Zio, he vaguely noted) slammed straight into Ferrio, striking the acolyte down to the sands. But from Ferrio's own hand, a thin streaking burst of energy… no, a foi tech, Juza realized in surprise, was running off into space even as Ferrio fell.

Juza turned and looked, uncomprehending for a moment at the last, futile path of Ferrio's extraordinary technique. The energy, he could see even from this far off, smashed into a roof in Kadary… Feeling somehow numb he realized that's my house… And then the second, more pertinent realization came to him.

"No," he gasped, his voice hoarse and croaking. "No. I didn't…" Elizabeth… Argus met her going back to the house… He did not want her to die, much as he hated her, he had never wanted her to die. But even as he grasped at every thought he could muster, Juza could feel the very real sense of agonizing loss beneath it all. I still don't want to lose her…

"No," he gasped again, sinking to his knees, shaking wildly. "Didn't want… logic…" his voice broke, and he vaguely realized he was crying. "Logic," he croaked miserably. "Supposed to stop this… not supposed to feel this!" Trembling with emotions that he couldn't even name, Juza scrambled blindly forward. A heavy hand clapped itself on his shoulder.

"Juza," he heard the voice of Galf say, but Juza pulled away in desperation.

"WAT," he screamed, feeling the ice-cold power of the technique coursing through him, flowing back at Galf. The hunter cursed loudly, his grip on Juza relaxing. The magistrate dashed forward, desperate, he had to get there, he had to…

Argus emerged from the top of a sand dune, rushing towards him, his arms thrown out. "Come Juza, listen to some sense…"

"You," howled Juza, flinging himself forward at Argus, scrabbling for his knife. It was your fault, you'd seen her, and you told me you'd seen her, everything…

Argus gave vent to a hoarse cry, jerking backwards, but it was no good. Juza was faster and more fit anyhow. He had always been faster. "Elizabeth," he gasped, his hands trembling at Argus's throat, even as the Lord Mayor's struggles lessened… A heavy blow took Juza at the back of his head and the world turned black.

---

Galf was very quiet, walking quietly away through the sands. Alys herself felt more than a little discomfort at how this commission had turned out, and even though Galf was generally quiet by any standards, this was still uncomfortably noticeable.

Alys was not overly given to reflection, although she could hardly be accused of being slow-witted or incurious, but the commission had given her plenty to think about. It just didn't seem right somehow, and not only how things had turned out. The whole basic premise felt wrong to her. After a few more minutes she asked, "What'll happen to him?"

Galf didn't even look at her; he clearly didn't want much to talk about it. "He'll be charged for the murder of Lord Mayor Argus Gray. Well," Galf amended morosely, "if he's still alive, at any rate. Zio will probably theatrically defend him, but as for the rest… a reasonable judge would feel some sympathy for him, but there's no telling of how they'd sum up."

"You liked him," she ventured quietly.

Galf shrugged his voice expressionless. "We both did." They kept on walking, and, after a few more moments of silence Alys became intensely aware of the scuffing sound that her boots were making on the sand.

She said directly, "It's not right."

Galf sighed. "A lot of things in the world aren't. We're not here to right every injustice though. And," he stopped, abruptly, turning and looking at her, "we can't get involved personally in these things. I was hired to do a job, and I did it."

Alys bit her lip, struggling with logic she'd more or less accepted for the last few years of her life. "I know that. It feels different when you're put in the position though…"

"It was my fault," Galf muttered. "I shouldn't have let myself like the magistrate so much anyway, and you shouldn't have worked with him quite as closely. And anyway, I didn't act on my suspicions like I should have."

Alys looked sharply at him. "What do you mean? It didn't quite satisfy me; things turned out too… neatly." She paused for a moment, slowly realizing. "That was it all along; the whole thing felt stagy. Ferrio, I believe could have killed, and probably did kill Crane, but the rest of it…"

Galf drew in a sharp breath. "Aye." He set off walking again. "I think I almost grasped the truth when we first met with Zio. I knew there was something about him… reminded me of a story I heard about at the Guild a few years back; curious circumstances surrounding some apparently false prophet or other. I should have looked into the details of that, found out if he'd been one of the kids involved." His tone grew a little rougher. "I ignored that instinct, though, until we were back in the church. I was watching Juza at the time, so I didn't notice…"

Alys swallowed hard. "Notice what?"

"It was a very good performance," Galf muttered angrily. "Zio made one simple little mistake. He was accustomed to dealing with the magistrate and forgot that we were part of the audience too. When he admitted that he and Ferrio had not always agreed, or, in other words, that they had quarreled, and probably recently, I should have realized…"

Alys frowned. "What's the motive?"

"Zio's a zealot. We had the wrong end of the stick the whole time, he wasn't after influence. Or at least not in the way we thought he was. Ferrio was probably a presence in his church; he might have been able to create influence of his own. Zio didn't care about meseta or the council; he just wanted Ferrio out of the way. I don't think he can have planned for the magistrate to have fallen apart like that, but that helps him too. The only person on the council with the balls to stand in his way is facing charges of murder."

Blood coursing through her veins, Alys managed, "You only have conjecture."

Galf looked over his shoulder at her, smiling, but not entirely happily. "You're learning girl. I have only the slightest shred of evidence, the slightest shred. And that's open to more than one interpretation. I did the job I was commissioned to do, and I did right by my employer. There are situations where that's all the right that can be done."

The two walked on in further silence. "Yeah," muttered Alys at last.