"I ... I ... was to tell Freka that ... that his men failed to ... to...."
"To kill me!" finished Alys angrily. "What else?"
"I ... was also to tell him that the rest of the plan was ... was ... carried out ... successfully."
"Damn you, don't talk in riddles!" Kieron said. "What 'plan'?"
"The ... the Emperor is dead," Landor blurted, eyes wild with terror. "But not by my hand! I swear it! Not by my hand!"
Alys choked back a cry of pain.
"Toran! Poor ... Toran...."
Kieron took the terrified courtier by the throat and shook him.
"You filthy swine! Who did it? Who killed the Emperor?"
"Ivane!" gasped Landor. "The people do not know he is dead and she awaits the star-king's invasion to proclaim herself Empress...! In the gods' name, Kieron, don't kill me! I speak the truth!"