“So,” Destin said, rubbing his chin. “It was Hanson that did it?”
Lila shrugged. “That’s my guess, though I don’t know how he would have lured priests to the dormitory. I was confused, at first, because he didn’t use sorcery to kill them. But I think maybe he was trying to prove something—that he could get things done without magic.”
“Because—?” Destin cocked his head.
She flushed. “Because, well, I told him that I don’t really, you know, consort with mages—no offense, Lieutenant.”
“None taken,” Destin said. “So. Hanson wasn’t among the bodies, then . . . ?”
“I didn’t see him, but I didn’t do a thorough search,” Lila said. “Like I said, I was worried he might come after me. Plus, I had other plans, and I was afraid I’d be stuck there till Solstice, answering questions. So I left. Hopefully it’ll all blow over before next term.”
“We share that hope,” Destin said. He was still trying to get his arms around the fact that Lila Barrowhill had, in all likelihood, saved his life by surviving. Even better, she had deflected blame from Arden by suggesting that “Ash Hanson” had been responsible for the killing. The only way this disaster could have a better outcome would be if she’d shown up carrying the mageling’s head and an apology from the academy.
Destin cast about for something to say, some way to repay the favor. “I look forward to working with you again this winter,” he said. “As I told you the last time we met, there are—”
“Actually, I have other plans for you,” the king broke in, sending Destin’s gut into turmoil once again. “That will be all, Lila. I need to speak with the lieutenant in private.”
They both watched her as she walked away.
“That was a remarkable story,” King Gerard said, when she was out of earshot. “Do you think she really believes any of it?”
“It’s a plausible story, at least,” Destin said. “The mage, sul’Han, was a loner at school, which makes sense for a person trying to hide his real identity. He spent a lot of time with a Voyageur, a hedge witch named Taliesin Beaugarde.”
Montaigne’s mouth twisted. “Voyageurs are like rats. Despite all of our efforts to exterminate them, they keep coming back. They are impossible to civilize.”
Impossible to control, you mean, Destin thought. “We tried to find Beaugarde after the killings so we could question her, but she’s disappeared as well. That seems suspicious. I’d not heard sul’Han was a zealot, but maybe he picked up some radical ideas from the witch. If so, that’s good for us.”
“The deans at the academy don’t seem to be aware of any of this,” the king said. “At least, they’re not following that line of investigation.”
“I think they decided up front that Arden was responsible and so they haven’t looked further. Besides, apparently Lila didn’t report any of this history before she left.” He paused. “I would advise against sharing it with the school authorities. If she’s to be of use to us, it’s best if she isn’t connected to us in any way.”
The king considered this for a moment. “I agree,” he said. “The deans have their suspicions, but they can’t prove anything. As long as they continue to accept and train our cadets, I don’t care what they think.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Destin said, beginning to hope that he might have dodged the heavy hand of the king’s justice.
“What do you think of Lila?” the king asked abruptly.
That was a loaded question if Destin ever heard one. “She’s been reliable so far,” he said. “She knows everyone at Oden’s Ford, and nothing happens that escapes her notice.”
“The war will not be won at Oden’s Ford.”
“Maybe not,” Destin said, “but the academy is a crossroads. Lila travels all over the Seven Realms, she speaks multiple languages, she fits in everywhere, and thus far the information she’s provided has been on the mark.”
“What is her reputation at school? Was she really as poor a student as she would have us believe?”
“She’s in Wien House, as you know. Tourant was her class commander, and he had nothing good to say about her. She’s been brought up before the deans several times. Tourant claimed that it’s only the drop in enrollment at the academy that has kept her from being expelled permanently.”
“Perhaps the girl cannot help it,” the king mused. “I’ve never believed that women are well suited for the military. But she also could be playing a part for our benefit. What do you think?”
“The military is all about rules, and that’s not a good fit for Lila. Besides, I think Tourant was a fool. We’re better off that he fell into the river before he could reproduce.”
The king threw back his head and laughed. “Ah, Karn, I have missed our conversations. It’s just that there are so many claims on my time.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“What’s the girl’s background?”