Heglar sighed. "You have my word.... What name will Jaltor's torture wring from my reluctant lips?"
"That of the noble Garlud."
"Oho!" Heglar nodded in tribute. "That clears up the picture. Garlud is second only to Jaltor as the most powerful man in all Ammad. With him out of the way, you, as the next in line among Ammad's noblemen, will take Garlud's place and all the benefits that go with it. I congratulate you, noble Vokal, on your shrewdness."
They filled their earthen goblets and drank. After a moment Heglar said, "There is one drawback to your plan, my friend. I hesitate to mention it, for a man as thorough as you has doubtless anticipated that flaw and taken steps to overcome it."
"No man is perfect," Vokal said equably. "To what do you refer?"
"Garlud has a son. As is our custom he will inherit his father's position and estate even though Garlud is executed for treason."
"And if the son is dead also?" Vokal said silkily.
"So you have thought of it! I might have known. In that case, since Garlud's mate died over a moon ago, his wealth returns to the State, except for the palace which is given to the next nobleman in line."
"Precisely."
"Uh-hunh. Do you know for sure that Garlud's son—let's see: his name is ... ah—"