to anyone in the palace. The only one he’d sent was to the temple, for assistance in arranging transport for himself, the kehok, and the others to the old royal stables. In that message, he’d explained that he’d been asked to recruit kehoks to reestablish the royal stables, so that the emperor-to-be could sponsor racers in this season’s Becaran Races. It was not precisely a lie.
To Dar, he’d tell the full truth, of course.
And he would pay whatever cost he must. His soul was already paying for the falsehoods and deception that it had taken to come this far. Soon, though, that would be over, once the truth was out, and he could begin to make amends.
“His Excellence will see you now,” a guard informed him, and then opened the door.
Cautiously, Yorbel stepped inside, as if Dar would strike him down on sight. But Dar was at his desk signing papers. “One moment.”
Yorbel stood silently. He waited, and then he wondered aloud, “Why spend the time signing? Your signature carries no weight until you are coronated.”
“But once I am, there will be no delay for those who are in need.” Dar signed three more papers, and then stood up and faced Yorbel. “My brother will be found. The high council has informed me that they have doubled the number of augurs searching. And now that you have returned from your fruitless search, you can join them.”
There was a stiffness and formality to him that Yorbel had never seen. He’s afraid of what I’m here to say, Yorbel realized. And I’m about to make his fears come true. I’m sorry, Dar. “Can you ask your guards to sing?”
His face crumpled.
“I’m sorry.”
He sank back into the chair as if his legs failed to hold him anymore.
“Ask them to sing,” Yorbel begged. “Please.” His friend deserved the dignity of receiving the news in private, before the rest of the empire learned of it.
Dar shook his head. “Can’t stand their harmonies.” Then he mouthed: Be careful.
Either he didn’t trust his guards anymore, or he’d overused the singing-guard trick and knew it would alert the spies that something important was being discussed. Or both.
Yorbel chose his words carefully. “I believe the people will be thrilled when they learn you are reopening the royal kehok stables and sponsoring a racer in this year’s race. It is a wonderful way to connect with the people and show them you wish to be their emperor.”
“Neither my brother nor my father involved themselves in the races. You don’t think a break with tradition will upset people?”
If he were merely asking about the races, the answer would be no—it was Dar’s father who had broken with tradition. But he wasn’t asking about that. Yorbel considered how to respond. If the people found out the late emperor had been reborn as a kehok, there would be outrage, sorrow, denial, fear, all of it. Yorbel hadn’t devoted much time to worrying about the ramifications beyond saving his friend’s life. “Some will be upset, yes.”
There would be backlash against the augurs, of course, for failing to read the emperor properly—the augurs would be blamed for not alerting people that a monster was ruling the empire. And for not saving his soul before it was too late. Also, a pall would be cast over Dar, and people would question the state of his soul.
But the truth must come out, Yorbel thought.
It would shake people’s faith in augurs for a little while, but not forever. Once the truth was known, the people could begin the process of healing. The empire could move forward. Dar could be coronated, and whatever unrest Gissa worried about would end. The important thing was that the vessel had been found! The empire could weather this if it meant saving Dar’s life, couldn’t it?
“We must be careful how we announce the news to people,” Yorbel cautioned.
Dar nodded. His face twisted, as if he wanted to cry or rage but knew he dared not do either, and Yorbel wished he could say or do anything that would help. He was acutely aware he had caused this pain by bringing this news.
“It would be best to wait until we’re certain of the correct course of action,” Dar said.
“Indeed.” Yorbel hesitated, trying to formulate his next question. “The royal stables are in a state of disrepair. Perhaps you would like to visit them and meet the racer that I have procured on your behalf?”
“Yes!” The word came out like an explosion, and then Dar