"Only one that I know of. The dark and moody Akish could if he wanted to, for he controls the secret societies."
"True," he ruminated, "but he is a friend of Omer's."
"Every man has his price."
"What would his be?" he shrugged his shoulders. "The coffers of Akish are bursting with gold now."
"Tempt him with something else."
Jared scowled. What office in the kingdom could he offer for such a crime?
Aida broke in on his reflections. "Send for him here, and I will dance before him, and when he covets me, say, 'Bring hither the head of Omer, the king, and I will give you my daughter for wife.'"
Fond father that he was Jared never doubted but what Akish would want Aida, but the thoughts of bartering her shot a pang through his heart. He would sacrifice his aged father for his soul's desire, but to give up his daughter, that was another thing.
After a silence, he said gently, "Have you thought, my child, that after this is accomplished there must come a day of reckoning?"
"What of it?"