House of Lust by Tony Roberts

consequences would be catastrophic. The Council of Houses would not look on this favourably – it could even undermine the stability of the empire.  There are still some Houses who are looking for an opportunity to depose me and this sort of thing would be food and drink to them.”
    Vosgaris pondered on the matter for a moment.  “Blackmail, sire?”
    Astiras snorted.  “If so, why bring it to the attention of the empress?  They could have given me the message and threatened me.  No, this doesn’t strike me as blackmail.  I need you to find out who put that message under the empress’s door.”
    “When was it done?”
    “Yesterday morning.  Who had access to the inner chambers then?”
    The captain looked up into the sky, concentrating.  “Inner confidants of course, Pepil, Frendicus, Teduskis, the guard details for that morning, your political advisor, myself, Alenna, the two young princes, Kerrin Afos, Panat Afos, Iovan Sen.  I don’t think there were any others there.  Oh, the various servants and slaves.  They may have merely carried a letter without knowing its contents on behalf of whoever wrote it.”
    “Leave no stone unturned, Captain Vosgaris.”
    “Then who knew of your affair, sire?  I didn’t, neither did the empress, obviously.”
    Astiras glowered.  “Thetos Olskan, Teduskis and a couple of guards.  Nobody else.”
    Vosgaris looked at Astiras.  “Teduskis is the obvious starting point, then.”
    “Unthinkable!  He’s a loyal servant.”
    Vosgaris held the emperor’s gaze.  “Metila may have arranged it herself.  You’re emperor, your word is law in the empire.  Arrest her, interrogate her.  Force her to reveal your illegitimate son’s location.”
    Astiras pointed a stubby finger at Vosgaris.  “And rip up what secrecy there remains?  As far as I’m aware only a handful still know about this.  I want to know why this person or persons haven’t told anyone else yet.  Clearly there’s an agenda they have and it’s not to topple the Koros, or else the other Houses would have been told.  Neither is it blackmail, so why?  What is it they intend?”
    “Then, sire, I shall begin with Teduskis.  It’s an obvious place to start.”
    “He’s been my right hand man for decades!  There’s no reason for him to betray me!  I forbid it, Captain.”
    “Then, sire, forgive me but I cannot conduct an investigation.  Leave no stone unturned you told me.  No stone.  I may have to question the empress, too.”
    “Wha-at?” Astiras’ voice rose.  The guards turned their heads in his direction.  Astiras swore, violently, and lowered his voice.  “You take too many liberties, Captain!”
    “If you want me to carry out a full and proper investigation, sire, you must let me question anyone I choose to for whatever reason.  I will need an imperial seal giving me that authority, too.  There may be some who outrank me, both militarily and socially, and I would need that to open their mouths.”
    Astiras seethed.  “You’ll get your wish, curse your eyes, Captain.  In this case I will demand a result – or else.”
    Vosgaris swallowed.  “Understood, sire.  I won’t let you down.”
    “You’d best not, or you may as well fall on your sword.”  He sighed deeply.  “If you have to go to Turslenka, just watch that woman Metila.  She’s as devious as anyone I know and may try to seduce you.  You are not to take any food or drink from her, and have Thetos present at all times you are in her company.”
    “You make her sound quite sinister.”
    Astiras gave Vosgaris a long, hard stare, and the captain looked away.  “Now, Captain, let us give you our seal, and you can start on your mission.  For the time being, your duties will be taken up by General Teduskis.  He’s quite capable of doing those.”
    Vosgaris didn’t argue.  He knew Teduskis was beginning to be forgetful and that could be a security risk.  Astiras was too blindly loyal to a man