“What has happened?” Maia said, reaching out and seizing her friend’s arm.
Suzenne looked stricken. She blinked rapidly, clearly trying to calm herself before speaking. “The chancellor sent me right away. Maia,” she shook her head. “Simon was murdered.”
A pit of pain opened in Maia’s stomach. “Simon Fox?”
“Yes,” Suzenne said in a shaky voice. “He was discovered before dawn. There was no sign of a struggle. He was stabbed in the back, crippled, and then left to bleed to death from a cut on his throat.” She covered her mouth, her face growing white.
Maia’s heart hammered in her chest and dizziness overtook her body as she imagined the scene. “Sweet Idumea.”
Suzenne shook her head. “The coroner is examining the body for details, but Richard sent me right away to warn you. Why would the kishion do this? He has only acted in support of you . . . why kill someone who was helping you? I do not understand it.”
Maia drew in a shuddering breath. “It may not have been him.”
“What? How can you doubt it?”
“Because a ship from Hautland just arrived,” Maia said. “The timing, Suzenne. The chancellor of Hautland may have brought another kishion to Comoros unwittingly. The Victus would not want to leave a kishion loose to betray them.” She pressed her fingers to her lips, trying to quell the revulsion. “Poor Simon,” she whispered. “Corriveaux is behind this, I have no doubt of that. He is preparing his invasion. The delegation . . . the prince . . . this is all a ruse. He will attack soon, and by killing Simon, he has disrupted our ability to get news. I must go back to the castle at once.” Maia started for the abbey, no longer hungry.
“Is that wise?” Suzenne asked, keeping up with her. “If there is another kishion, he may also try to kill you. You would be safer here at Muirwood.”
“I will not abandon my people,” Maia said firmly, “but it is vital that I have no set routine. Have my chambers emptied. I do not want any of my ladies-in-waiting to be at risk. Remember when they marched us all over the palace the night before our execution? That is what we must do. If we do not stay in one place for long, then it will help safeguard us while Richard investigates the murder. A new kishion will not know Comoros. I will tell Justin to have the city watch on the lookout for him. Asking questions. Hurry, Suzenne, there is much to do.”
The caretakers of Claredon Abbey were used to Maia’s sudden arrivals, and there was usually an escort waiting for her to bring her back to the palace through the gate it shared with the abbey.
She went straight to the chancellor’s tower and found Richard in deep conversation with the lord mayor, Justin. The two men had formed a strong partnership over the past month, much to Maia’s satisfaction.
“Ah, my lady,” Justin said, bowing gracefully. “Ill news, I fear.”
Richard nodded somberly. “I just received the coroner’s initial report if you would like to hear it.”
“Thank you,” Maia said with a curt nod, and took her place at the window seat where she had often sat as a child. Suzenne had gone to warn her ladies-in-waiting about the plan to move and change locations frequently. Sorrow burdened her now that she had the opportunity to absorb the news. She had valued Simon’s frankness and had come to rely on him for quick information from Dahomey.
“Simon’s body has been moved to the castle,” Richard began, leaning back in his chair a little, locking his fingers and resting his hands on his stomach. “The murder was similar to the other suspicious deaths we have seen, including Crabwell’s. The position of the knife wound on the spine was almost identical. He was rendered helpless first, but would have survived for hours with only that injury. The neck wound was done deliberately so that he would die quickly. He bled to death, my lady. They are still cleaning up the mess.”
Maia shuddered, feeling her stomach twist. “Were there any witnesses?”
Richard shook his head. “Just the ones who found the body this morning. Nothing unusual happened during the night. There were no signs of force . . . no broken latches or windows. The door was unlocked. It seems Simon greeted the man and allowed him in. There were no signs of a struggle.” He stared into her eyes before continuing. “Do you think . . . was it the kishion who saved you?”
“I do not think he is the culprit,” Maia said. “Why would he do such a thing without cause?”