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smiled and raised her wine cup. "Let us drink to our success, My Lord."
    He picked up his goblet. "I have never been so glad that I saved that bastard's life as I am now. But I have a feeling he is going to become difficult."
    "Oh yes, now he will want to return to Jashimari and claim his reward from Shamsara."
    "He will have to wait until the laws are passed, in case I need him again."
    Kerra lifted her cup. "To his continued success and safety."

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
    Dravis had no alibi for the time of Trelath's death. He claimed to have been alone in his bath, which only Kerrion knew to be the truth. Fortunately Jadar, who had been the first to question the young Prince, had not informed him of the reason for his enquiry as to Dravis' whereabouts. Otherwise, Kerrion was certain that Dravis would have claimed to have been elsewhere or to have had company in his tub, and bribed the necessary people to back him up. Jadar reported the Prince's admission to the judges, and, as a senior advisor, his word was not questioned. Dravis protested his innocence when the judges questioned him, blamed Kerrion for Trelath's and Chaymin's deaths, and claimed that he was being framed for the crime.
    Dravis produced two cowering servants to attest to the fact that they had filled the Prince's tub, but the judges dismissed this as inconsequential, since the fact that the Prince's tub had been filled did not necessarily mean he had used it straight away. Dravis argued that he would have ensured that he had an iron-clad alibi, had he been responsible for Trelath's death. His brother's demise had already been judged to be an impulsive action, however, and the other evidence was damning. The court placed him in custody until a trial could be arranged, and he was sent to the palace dungeons to languish in a cell filled with all the comforts of home.
    Kerrion ordered his other half-brothers to a meeting in his audience chamber, whose pale marble walls were resplendent with the war banners, shields and coats-of-arms of the many lords who had sworn fealty to him. Silver-trimmed, midnight blue curtains framed the tall windows that graced the length of the room, allowing in a flood of light to pattern the obsidian floor. Golden sconces held fresh torches, ready to be lighted at a moment's notice, should the King require the chamber after dusk.
    As soon as all his brothers were present, Kerrion dismissed the servants and guards. The Princes glanced at each other as the doors closed, then turned to the King with varying expressions of wariness, annoyance and suspicion. Kerrion settled upon the ornate golden chair whose velvet cushions matched the curtains, which stood upon a rose quartz dais, and scanned their uneasy faces.
    Prince Jovan stepped forward with an air of blustering indignation. "What is this about, Kerrion? We have other matters to attend to."
    The King studied his half-brother, trying to recall the man's ancestry. He was the second son of Shandor's third wife, brother of Rigal and Dravis, and only five years younger than the King. That made him the eldest of Kerrion's surviving brothers, and fourth in the line of succession. Jovan's portly figure resulted from his propensity to overindulge in rich foods and his passion for scholarly pursuits.
    Jovan spent most his time in the palace library, poring over old volumes and collating ancient parchments, as well as writing books of horrible poetry over which favour-currying courtiers enthused. His receding hair revealed a shiny pate, and a well-trimmed beard strived to hide the double chin that bulged from his collar. His familiar, a large ape, spent its days sunning itself and eating copious amounts of fruit, much like its human companion, although Jovan spent his slothful time-glasses acquiring knowledge. Unlike his power seeking brothers, he had fared poorly in the combat training forced upon all the princes, and had never had any interest in the throne.
    Kerrion met Jovan's hostile brown