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Jervia took another ragged breath “Yes, s upon it, and soht when he thought no one could see He would draw the sword and the blade would gloith a strange, white fire Itdid things to Father, changed hihed, her face suddenly bleached white and eyes ive me, honoured lady,” I said “Please continue”

Velsus rounded on er pointed in accusation “Mark well this hts in his own evil!”

He turned back to Jervia, cal himself with an effort that made me suspect this was not all theatre “You have seen this man before, have you not?”

“I” She looked down at her clasped hands, white now and shaking “YesYes he caht to the city”

“You witnessed their ?”

“I did, my lord I wasn’t supposed to, but I knew a hidden place in Father’s study where I could hear his ed him so ht do Father told Lord Verniers he intended to return the sword to the Hope Killer Lord Verniers beca he would have the Euards to arrest himBut Father showed him the sword, and he became quiet Father said with this sword the Hope Killer was sure to prevail in his duel in the Isles, if Lord Verniers voiced no objection to its use he would receive a great reward”

“I see And the nature of this reward?”

“Knowledge The Hope Killer would relate the story of his life and the reasoning ofthe war”

“A rich reward indeed, to be cherished by any historian”

Velsus levelled his gaze oncornered prey “You did travel with the Imperial prisoner to the Meldenean Isles, did you not?”

“At the Emperor’s order,” I said

“Quite so, but also, I recall, at your own request And during the voyage did the savage keep his end of the bargain? Did he tell you his sorry tale?”

“He related what I believe to be a partially accurate account of his role in the invasion”