Landor nodded soundlessly.
"Why?"
"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 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?"