The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan, #1)(109)

“So?” said Vashta.

“So, Nusis testified that blackperch mushrooms flare immediately when exposed to flame. Which means that Jolgalgan would have to have been present when the flare occurred.”

“So?”

“So, such a thing would not do for a distraction. She would be drawing eyes to her, rather than away.”

“Can you get to where you’re going with this, please, Immunis?”

“The likeliest explanation, ma’am,” said Ana, “is that there was a third. A third person, a third collaborator. Someone inside the party who tossed the mushrooms into the fire for her, to act as a distraction, while Jolgalgan slipped into the servants’ passages.”

Vashta frowned, troubled. “Do you have any evidence or testimony for this?”

“Again, nothing firm, ma’am. But being as I also wonder how Jolgalgan knew so much about Commander Blas’s movements—a knowledge that neither she nor Ditelus should have been privy to—I find my dissatisfied thoughts bending in this direction. There is, I think, a third poisoner out there.”

“And what,” Vashta asked, “would ameliorate your dissatisfied thoughts, Immunis?”

“I would like to request a week to review all evidence and perform any additional interviews, ma’am. Jolgalgan surely saw many people before her apparent disappearance. So did Ditelus, and Blas. I want to talk to them all, and then we shall find our third, if they exist.”

Vashta silently debated all this. “Do you expect any more Engineering deaths?”

“To dappleglass? I doubt it.”

“And no more bits of the sea wall shall come down.”

“I don’t believe so, no.”

“And your investigation won’t interfere at all with our preparations for the approaching titan.”

“No, ma’am.”

“Then I can give you a week,” she said. “But I cannot promise it will actually be given.”

“Because of the leviathan?” said Ana.

Vashta smiled—a cold, jaded expression. “This is Talagray, Immunis. Nothing is ever certain here. Still, I must say…you have performed your duty. Even if we don’t fully comprehend this crime, you have identified the killers and found them out within a matter of days, when we needed it most. You have done well.”

Ana bowed. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“And although I agree this end doesn’t satisfy, I will congratulate you. Many officers shall sleep far more soundly tonigh—”

The ground shook below us. This quake was much stronger than some of the others I’d felt in the past days. I glanced out the window, worried I might spy green flares rising on the horizon, warning us of a leviathan’s approach.

“Well,” said Vashta. “As soundly as they can, I suppose.” She rubbed her tired eyes and sniffed. “Will you and your signum be at the banquet tonight?”

“Ah—possibly, ma’am,” said Ana.

“I’d encourage it. The conclusion of your investigation will no doubt be interpreted as a good omen, and your presence will boost morale. Which we need now, of course. Very much.”

“Understood.”

Vashta sighed once more. “Captain Strovi has volunteered for the firing crew of the massive bombard. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen, of course…He is valiant to excess, I find. Perhaps you all can grant him a blessing of your own at the banquet.”

“I shall go, of course,” said Miljin. He yawned yet again. “Though I should like to find a bed first.”

“And Din will be there,” said Ana. She bowed her blindfolded head low. “I thank you for your approval, ma’am. We shall leave you to attend to more important affairs.”



* * *



—

“BANQUET?” I asked Ana as we crossed the central atrium of the Iudex tower.

“The Banquet of Blessings,” Ana said, gripping my arm. “An old religious rite practiced before facing a titan. They haven’t done one in years—usually the wall and our artillery are enough—but this time is different. The Legion must wait for a titan to come to the breach, fire the giant bombard, and kill it dead in one shot, plugging the gap. All hands that touch the bombard must be blessed, then. It should be a very interesting affair. Ritual celebration. Lots of smokes. Lots of animal bloods, and wine and chanting. You will go in my stead.”

“Afraid I don’t feel much like banqueting after that, ma’am,” I said.

“Ahh…you don’t feel any of this satisfies, either, Din?”

“No,” I said.

We started up the stairs. The sight of Jolgalgan’s corpse swaying in the dappleglass lingered in my mind.

“Suberek and Aristan, ma’am,” I said, “have not found justice.”

“No,” she said. “They have not.”

“The ten Engineers have not found justice.”

“That is so.”

“And the canton can’t spare a care for it, it seems. Not with the leviathan coming. Feels wrong.”

“It feels wrong because it is wrong, Din,” she said. “Civilization is often a task that is only barely managed. But harden your heart and slow your blood. The towers of justice are built one brick at a time. We have more to build yet.”