to be decided. The Orcs have stolen a march on us by taking Turai during the middle of winter. As soon as the roads in the East are passable, more Orcish hordes will be heading out from the Orcish lands to meet up with their leader, Prince Amrag. We've been talking about re-taking Turai, but a more realistic scenario might be the Orcs sweeping their way west before we've even had time to get ourselves organised.
The Assembly Hall is full of men in dark cloaks. Dignitaries here don't wear togas as they did in Turai. I find that odd. Not fully civilised. There are very few women, the only others apart from Lisutaris and Makri being two senior Sorcerers. There's a lot of milling around, and I notice the Simnian Ambassador deep in conversation with several Niojan diplomats. A delegation from the small nation of Juval has just arrived in Elath, and they've come straight to the Assembly Hall, still dressed in their riding clothes. Lisutaris and Kublinos are engaged in conversation with Barons Vosanos and Girimos. Makri, taking her duties as bodyguard seriously, stays close, silently watchful. I attempt to look like a Special Adviser, though I'm hoping no one asks me for advice, particularly as I'm distracted by the aroma of roasting venison.
"Is there going to be food?" I ask.
Lisutaris ignores me but Baron Girimos breaks off the conversation to sniff the air. "Yes! Venison! Excellent. You know, Thraxas, I've been to meetings here where there's been no food at all."
"That's just not acceptable. You can't do important business on an empty stomach."
"That's what I always say!" cries the Baron.
I like Baron Girimos. He's a man who cares about the important things in life. I can't say the same for Baron Vosanos, who's irritated at the interruption. Vosanos is a tall, lean man, who has a fancy fur collar on his cloak and a jewelled clasp at the neck, neither of which are quite in keeping with the seriousness of the occasion. I don't know that much about Vosanos, though he did fight in the Orc wars, so he can't be all bad. Baron Mabados approaches with his son Orgodas, who's due to marry Vosanos's daughter. They share a friendly greeting before Mabados turns to me, glares angrily, then asks me if it's true I've been interfering with his household by asking questions and making trouble. Not wanting to reflect badly on Lisutaris, I do my best to answer tactfully.
"I did have a few minor questions, Baron. Nothing of real importance."
"There will be no more questions, minor or otherwise," announces the Baron. "I'm not having an unwelcome outsider disturbing my family."
I remain silent. That doesn't satisfy Mabados.
"Well?" he demands.
"Well what?"
"Are you going to give up this annoying investigation?"
"No."
The Baron moves closer. "You Turanians amaze me. Here you are, a bedraggled refugee, a guest in our country, and what do you do? Start bothering important people with your impertinent questions. Really, Lisutaris, have you no control over this man?"
If it's an uncomfortable moment for Lisutaris, she doesn't let it show. "My Chief Adviser is experienced in investigation. If someone engages him for that reason, I see nothing wrong with it."
"What does the death of a woman at the Record House have to do with him? The matter was already investigated."
"It's possible that King's Steward Daringos may have overlooked a few details," I say, still trying to be tactful.
"What details? It was an accident. And if there were any doubts, it would be for me to pursue the matter, not you. I'm presiding Baron in Elath and I'm ordering you to end this investigation."
Baron Vosanos chooses this moment to get involved. "What sort of investigation? Sorcerous? I don't like the idea of foreign Sorcerers poking about, I must say."
"I don't use sorcery," I tell him. Which is almost true. These days magic is mostly beyond me. "I just ask questions."
"Then how are your investigations ever successful? Surely criminals don't volunteer information?"
"I'm dogged. I keep asking."
Baron Vosanos laughs. "I can't see you making much progress. Who thinks this girl's death was suspicious anyway? First I've heard of it."
"Really? I thought it was well-know there were some suspicions. That's why Daringos was asked to investigate."
"There were no suspicions," says Baron Mabados.
"That's not what your daughter thinks," I reply.
The atmosphere, already cold, drops to somewhere around frozen. Mentioning the Baron's daughter in public, in connection with an investigation, could be construed as a huge social blunder. But I'm fed up being tactful, and