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With his hands over his ears, he could almost think clearly.

Perhaps the attack on Galbraith had been the result of Ralph’s temper; the Boravian was clearly not a man able to easily forget or forgive insults. Maybe Ralph had seen an easy opportunity to remove the obnoxious Severtian from the issue altogether, leaving himself as Marin’s most powerful and threatening suitor.

When Brighton had gone down the hill, he had likely seen the attack in progress and tried to stop it.

Had Ralph thought Brighton dead, or had he known the guard was still alive? It would have been easy to slit his throat while he was unconscious before Kaerius had found him. Had it been a panicked blow made in surprise as Brighton fell upon them to help Galbraith?

No. Brighton had no injuries at all other than the grievous blow to his head. The blow had come from behind without warning, and had been intended to kill or incapacitate. Humans were fragile. If Kaerius hadn’t found him, Brighton would likely have died of cold before he’d ever had a chance to wake up.

If it had been essential that Brighton die, Ralph would have taken that last step. So perhaps it wasn’t essential that he die. What purpose did incapacitating Brighton serve?

Perhaps the attack was only because of Brighton’s defense of Galbraith.

Had Brighton merely seen the attack and rushed to the defense of an unrecognized victim, or had he recognized Galbraith? Kaerius was certain Brighton was honorable enough to defend the insufferable Severtian from an attack, even if he had recognized him. He certainly would defend an unknown victim.

Had he recognized the attacker?

Servants brought lunch, and Lila lit a lamp, turned it low, and ate beside Brighton. She cajoled him into eating a few bites before he went back to sleep.

Kaerius merely shook his head when the servant offered him a tray. Hunger made him feel sharp and clear-headed, and that was useful. He cinched his trousers a bit tighter and resolved to go investigate.

He opened the door and looked out at the guards.

I want to walk around.

One of the guards said, “You want to go somewhere? All right. I’ll take you. We’ll go by the barracks and send up a replacement.”

There were quite a few men standing guard, so reducing their numbers by one for a short time did not seem to concern them.

So they walked down half a dozen flights of stairs into a maze of corridors and large training rooms, where the young soldier told an older man wearing a uniform where he had come from.

“Back to your post. I’ll find someone to show him around.” Kaerius followed the commander to another room where a bunch of men were training with swords.

“Sanders!” he called.

A few minutes later, Lt. Sanders had splashed water on his face, straightened his shirt, donned his coat, and been instructed to escort Kaerius where he wanted to go.

I want see where the Boravian delegation stays.

The guard did not understand this.

The man with curly hair and an arrogant face. Ralph. Where does he sleep?

“The… spirals? Curly hair? Oh, the Boravian delegation.” The guard’s face tightened. “Them. They’re confined to their rooms except for Lord Ralph’s meeting with Her Highness now. You can’t see them.”

The street outside?

Kaerius spent the next two hours walking slowly up and down the steep road, examining every crevice in the rocks for any sign of blood, bits of fabric, or any other type of evidence. There was nothing to be seen, even where he had found Brighton. Perhaps if he had licked all the rocks, he might have been able to taste Ralph’s touch, but that would make no difference in the human investigation. It was not a crime for Ralph to have touched the walls or the door handles.

The frigid wind cut through Kaerius’s coat and whipped his hair into his face. Lt. Sanders shivered but did not complain.

At last, the young man said, “What are you looking for?”

Kaerius sighed.I can’t find anything useful.

“Would you like to see the horses? You enjoyed that before.”

I do not want to enjoy anything at the moment.Nevertheless, he followed the young man through the maze of corridors, across the courtyard, and through the streets to the stable.