Ithacles sounded like he was about to begin slapping Alvon around until the old man began revealing facts. Everybody was on edge. The maps even detailed what manner of taverns and food stores you could frequent in Agethlea. Insanity's name was this level of detail. Assuming Faustben ever needed to assault the Free Cities with military might, Skandra did not know what use there would be in knowing the name of every eating place in the city of Agethlea. This was probably a map for spies, Skandra decided, who wanted to pretend that they were natives of a place. He would be too obvious if he inspected the other maps. But why would they have spies' maps out in the here and now? Skandra didn't think he should be peering at the maps. Obviously he'd missed something important from Alvon. Oh, well. Most likely just a flowery assurance to Ithacles of some kind.
"-want to personally assure you that His Majesty is well," Alvon was saying gruffly. "He permitted me an audience this morning, and seemed vigorous enough. His physicians say his nausea is caused by a ride through the low hills. He's ... not as young as we used to be. We could sleep in the saddle on rides like that, but now even my hindquarters grow sore."
"Your bottom hurts?" Skandra asked with a raised brow.
"I've forgotten what a profane fellow you are, Master Tyullis," Alvon's smile was cool. "Kindly be silent."
Alvon's eyes were like the only tigerfish that Skandra had ever seen. Cold and black, distant, framed above by a wicked pair of fins and below by rows of teeth. Not the sort of thing you wanted to meet on a dark night. Skandra returned the smile with the same degree of warmth. Lest the prince chastise him for a delay the old man went on. As he talked Skandra took note of the fine gold embroidery on his coat, the delicate touches that made him appear richer than he actually was. Unlike most men who were enlisted in the army Alvon sported gold pins on his shoulders. A symbol of his rank. The map did not hold his attention for long.
A clearing of his throat. Alvon continued.
"Master Tyullis is known to your father, and to your sister," a wry twist of his lips betrayed how he was known. "Our Captain, Baldvas, did not know him. But he has been informed - Master Tyullis is clear of suspicion, my Prince. He will not be troubled again."
"Suspicion of trying to kill Ithunvel?" Skandra demanded in irritation.
"King Ithunvel," Alvon reminded him in black iron's voice. "Or His Majesty."
"Fine, fine."
"There is more," and Alvon hesitated again. "Your father and your sister decided to keep you from this investigation for a very important reason, my Prince. Our evidence thus far tells us that the chief conspirator going back quite some time - obviously - was your brother, Prince Pathacles. And that his plans are now being put to action by men and women loyal to him."
The silence that followed that pronouncement was hard enough to shatter men of steel.