Free Blood of the Emperor by Tracy Hickman

K’yeran said. “It might even have turned into most profitable war for the Modalis if something had not caused a failure of the Aether Wells all along the northern frontier at a most inopportune time. Now the northern Legions are missing—apparently permanently—and now there is no information coming from the north. That was, I believe, why you sent me there in the first place; to find out what the true conditions were in Nordesia before the Modalis could discover it.”
    “And you shall carry out that mission still,” Ch’drei nodded, her long fingers clenching and unclenching the smooth, worn ends of the chair’s armrests. “But that will be secondary to your personal mission.”
    “And what personal mission may I undertake for the Keeper of the Iblisi?” K’yeran asked with a slight smile.
    The best lie is leavened generously with the truth.
    “Soen Tjen-rei is known to be moving with the camp of the rebels,” Ch’drei said.
    “He has renounced his Order?” K’yeran said with surprise.
    “No, he has not renounced,” Ch’drei snapped.
Why this woman couldn’t let her finish was beyond her understanding.
Lies should not be interrupted in the telling.
“He has been enchanted with Ephindrian magic by the agents of their exiled queen. You need to find him…”
    “And kill him?” K’yeran interrupted with relish.
    “No!” Ch’drei leaned forward. “Killing him would be difficult enough, I assure you, but I want you to do something far more difficult.”
    “My Keeper?” K’yeran smiled broadly though there was no warmth in it. “How may I serve you?”
    “You must bring him back to me here at the Keep
alive
and functional,” Ch’drei said. “Say anything you must…do anything you must…but bring him here
personally
to me yourself.”
    “I am most flattered,” K’yeran replied with an icy chuckle, “but from what I have heard of this Soen he will not come just because I smile at him.”
    “You will take one Quorum with you to assist,” the Keeper said, running her tongue over her sharp teeth after she spoke. “Choose who you must but bury the truth of your quest in the lie. Only you must know of this.”
    “I am looking forward to it,” K’yeran answered with another slight bow. “Where do you want me to start looking for this Soen?”
    Ch’drei considered for a moment before speaking.
Where was it that I was to send this one? Oh, yes…
    “He was last seen north of Char,” Ch’drei spoke.
    “Char?” K’yeran laughed at the irony. “That
is
where I was going when you recalled me.”
    “Then you will know where to find it,” Ch’drei said, her voice weary.
This will be a very long day.
    “Then I shall find this Soen for you,” K’yeran smiled once more. “And, though it goes against my better judgment, I will bring him back to you in a single piece so that you may convince him of the error of his ways.”
    “I am counting on you, Inquisitor,” Ch’drei said softly. “I have chosen you for this task. Do not fail the Order. Do not fail me.”
    “I have never yet,” K’yeran nodded.
    “Then go with my blessing,” the old woman replied, leaning back into her throne as she waved a dismissive hand at K’yeran. “And keep silent the truth you guard. Admit my next audience as you leave.”
    K’yeran swung open the heavy doors and stepped through, bumping shoulders with another Iblisi who seemed as much in a hurry to enter the room as K’yeran was to leave it. He snarled at her but she took no notice of him, passing in chilly serenity between the other Iblisi lining the hall beyond.
    “Inquisitor Tsugai Xi-re,” Ch’drei nodded in greeting as the next elven Iblisi entered the chamber.
    “Keeper Ch’drei,” the Inquisitor responded with a bow toward the Keeper.
    How many times must I play this scene?
Ch’drei thought.
    “Close the door, Tsugai,” Ch’drei said.
    The elven Inquisitor turned, pushing the massive doors closed and then turned back to face