Alyn felt cold at the reminder that this was the scene of a murder, and simultaneously felt stupid that she had to be reminded of that. The scraping sound of the key in the lock echoed in the big room as the chamberlain re-entered, and Miervaldis turned to face him, to receive the gloves and the bowl. The man looked dreadful, she thought, white and shaky, and he refused to look at the corpse directly, turning to one side as he approached Lord Miervaldis.

Alyn stepped to one side, watching her lord as he pulled on the white gloves and bent over Jaquan's body. Miervaldis first examined the head, probing gently around the wound and fingering the matted strands of hair. He then eased the body from the desk, and worked over it thoroughly, as though the wound on the man's head could not account for his death. He made no noise as he worked, gave no indication as to what he might find, although the chamberlain turned away and made several choking noises when Miervaldis turned the body over. He finished with the hands, running his gloved fingers through Jaquan's, although they were obviously stiff.

"What sort of man was Jaquan?" The chamberlain jumped at the question. Miervaldis pulled off the gloves and washed his hands thoroughly in the bowl of water.

"Well, I don't really know, my lord," Otakar said feebly. "I didn't speak to him that much. He never seemed to have any friends - but of course, I wouldn't know." Miervaldis nodded, and set the bowl aside.

"I'm finished here," he said. "It's very late; thank you for taking the trouble to show us what happened. I would like to speak to Lord Cassian tomorrow, please."

"Of course, my lord. Ah, he rises late..."

"Please let me know when he is ready to receive us."

"Of course," Otakar said again, and led them from the chamber. He seemed much happier away from the gruesome scene. "Is there anyone else you would like to speak to, my lord?"

"The maid who found the body. Other than that, no-one. Not yet."

"Very well. I'll make sure she sees you tomorrow morning."

"Thank you."

The chamberlain led the way back to their rooms - another bewildering trip through hallways and corridors, up and down staircases. By the time he stopped in front of her chamber door, Alyn felt like she was about to fall asleep on her feet.

"I'll make arrangements for your page, my lord," Otakar said, almost cheerfully. "I'm sure she can join in with the other pages."

"Thank you," said Miervaldis, and led the way inside before Alyn could say anything. The door shut behind them, and he locked it, then turned to face her.

"You may ask questions now, if you wish," he said. "Thank you for your patience."

"Why do I have to go to lessons?" Alyn burst out, indignant. "I'm supposed to be serving you!"

Miervaldis raised an amused eyebrow. "And that's bound to be more fun than lessons?"

"Well... yes," she admitted. "But really -"

"I need you to go to the lessons," Miervaldis said. "I know nobody here, and nothing of the situation, and nobody is going to talk to a lord who's clearly here to accuse someone of murder. You - well, they may not talk to you either, but you have a much greater chance of overhearing something."

"What sort of thing?" Alyn couldn't imagine overhearing a conversation with the murderer.

"Oh, anything about Lord Cassian, or his scribe. What sort of people they were, what sort of things they did. As well as missing the murder weapon, I can't see a motive for Jaquan's death, and that's probably more important. Do you see?"

"I do," said Alyn reluctantly. Miervaldis smiled at her.

"Good girl. I'll try and make sure you are with me for as much of the investigation as possible. You are supposed to be attending me, after all. Is there anything else?"

"Um, well..." she hesitated.

"Go on."

"Why are we here? I mean, why are you here? If you know no-one, then..."

Miervaldis sighed.

"Some time ago, I happened to be in the Sun Court when a situation arose. I helped work out the problem, and the Emperor was grateful. However, it means that he remembers me."

"But why is this so important?"

"Because at the moment, the only suspect is Lord Cassian. I expect that he has no alibi, nothing to exonerate him. And it is abhorrent that a Lord should be accused of murder. It goes against all custom."

"But... what if he did it?"

"Then that's what I will tell the Emperor. But it is good to be sure, with such a crime, and the Emperor thinks I can find out the truth." He grinned ruefully. "We should sleep; we've got a full day tomorrow. Or at least, a full morning."

Still full of questions, most of which she could not articulate, Alyn dragged her chest into her tiny room, sat down on the bed to undress, and fell asleep before even managing to take off her socks.