Free The Phoenix Guards by Steven Brust Page A

observed by many, my Captain. There should be no difficulty in confirming what I have said.”
    “You may assure yourself that I will investigate her death as thoroughly as I investigate the death of Frai.”
    “Frai?”
    “Khaavren’s partner, whom you doubtless observed in the antechamber.”
    Pel gave Khaavren a glance full of meaning. “Has your partner also had an accident then?”
    “Not at all,” said Khaavren. “We had occasion to fight.”
    “Yes,” said G’aereth. “In fact, I was about to say—”
    “Hold a moment,” said Pel. “I believe your attendant is calling.”
    In fact, at that moment, the door-warden approached to announce the arrival of Aerich.
    “Send him in, then,” said the Captain.
    Aerich entered, and bowed gracefully to the room at large and to each man present.
    “Well,” said G’aereth. “What have you to report?”
    “My Lord Captain, it is with sorrow that I must report the death of my partner.”
    “Her death?”
    Aerich bowed.
    “But how did she die?”
    “I killed her,” said Aerich coolly.
    “What?” cried the Captain. “This is infamous!”
    Aerich shrugged. Pel and Khaavren exchanged glances.
    “How did it happen, then,” said G’aereth. “Did you quarrel?”
    “Oh, as to that,” said Aerich. “It took place on the Street of the Cold Fires, at the Circle of the Fountain of the Darr. It was not, you perceive, in a private place, so no doubt you can discover any details that interest you.”
    “But I, sir,” said the Captain. “I wish to hear of it from you.”
    “Very well,” said the Lyorn, losing none of his coolness. “We did quarrel.”
    “Ah! And what did you quarrel about?”
    “Diamond mines.”
    “Diamond mines?”
    Aerich bowed his assent.
    Beads of sweat broke out on the Captain’s brow. “How did you quarrel about diamond mines?”
    “Your lordship is aware, perhaps, that there have been diamonds discovered in County Sandyhome?”
    “I am indeed aware of it, sir, but I am anxious to learn how you became a party to this knowledge.”
    “I was told of it.”
    “By whom, then, were you told?”
    “By my partner.”
    “Ah! Well, she told you that diamonds have been discovered. Then what?”
    “Your lordship is, no doubt, aware that County Sandyhome, once in the possession of the Empire, is now in the possession of the Easterners.”
    “Yes, yes, in fact, it was a Dzur who lead the expedition which discovered the diamonds.”
    “Furthermore, my lord, you may be aware that there are so many Easterners there that it would be a major campaign for the Imperial army to remove them?”
    “I know that indeed, sir.”
    “My partner, then, said that the Emperor wished to do exactly that—to mount such a campaign to take this area which has no military value—”
    “Oh, as to that … .”
    “Yes?”
    “It has immense economic value.”
    Aerich shrugged to signify that he had no opinion of his own on this subject.
    “Go on, then,” said the Captain.
    “My partner felt that this would be a useless waste of the Imperial armies, when our real project ought to be—you understand, Captain, that these are her words—ought to be the defense of the Pepperfields, which are necessary to the security of the Empire.”
    “She is entitled to think whatever she wishes,” said G’aereth.
    “That was my opinion, my Lord Captain. I am delighted to find that it coincides with yours.”
    “Well, go on, then.”
    “It was then, Captain, that my partner made certain statements slandering the character of the Emperor.”
    “Ah!”
    “We were, as I have had the honor to inform you, in the Circle of the Fountain of the Darr, that is, in a public place, and a place, moreover, filled with Teckla of all sorts. I therefore hastened to inform her, in a quiet voice, that it was the duty of all gentlemen to support and defend the Emperor, and that for those who had the honor to carry a sword in his name, this was twice as true.”
    “And she said