Page 40 of The Shadows Between Us
“Putting on a show,” I answer. “I miss my intended. I thought to steal you away. We could go for a horse ride up the mountainside.”
“That sounds lovely, but we have more appointments scheduled, I’m afraid. I can’t even take a stroll about the room with you.”
“Oh,” I say, put out. “Well, what was that all about?” I gesture toward the angry nobles who left in a huff.
Kallias rubs at his temple. “Even more of the nobility who have been relieved of their valuables by our masked bandit.”
“Have you put a heavier patrol on the roads?”
“That and more. We’ve done everything we can think of. Lady Tasoula has personally questioned the merchants living in the areas where these thefts have taken place. None of the people will speak against the bandit. He’s their hero. They won’t turn on him. I suspect, however, that none of them knows his real identity anyway.
“Ampelios has… questioned many of the peasants. But we haven’t caught any who have accepted the bandit’s charity. Without the merchants cooperating by telling us which peasants suddenly have more coin to spare, we have no way of knowing who is receiving the stolen coins.
“We’ve tried staging attacks to catch him, to no avail. We’ve issued a reward for his capture, but not a soul is tempted by it. This man is making me look a fool. When I get my hands on him—” Kallias cuts off suddenly, remembering who he’s talking to. “I’m sorry. I’m letting my temper get the best of me. You shouldn’t be here to deal with this.”
The council members are silent, eavesdropping on our conversation without bothering to pretend otherwise. Lord Vasco looks between Kallias and me, waiting to see how I’ll respond.
“Your Majesty, I have an idea for dealing with the bandit, if you’d care to hear it. Since you were so appreciative of my advice in dealing with the rebels in Pegai, I hope you will trust me enough to let me speakon this matter as well.” The flowery words are for the council’s benefit, of course.
Kallias blinks slowly. “Please continue.”
“If attempts to trap the bandit have proved unsuccessful, then perhaps a trap for those whom he’s giving his stolen goods to would help? Then you could find the right individuals to question as to the thief’s identity.”
“What would you propose?” Kallias asks.
“Melt down some coins. Create a new seal to stamp them with, something that varies only slightly from the current seal. When the money is stolen and used to purchase things in the market, you can arrest whoever is found carrying them.”
The room goes silent.
“That’s… a lot of work to put into a simple plan,” Lady Terzi, the kingdom’s treasurer, says. She has a large ledger held out in front of her. “If something should go wrong and we were to lose that money—”
Kallias turns to stare the woman down. “We should put this plan into action. Immediately. It’s the best idea to ever come out of this room. Unless anyone else has any other objections?” His teeth clench as he tacks on the question. Until he’s twenty-one, he doesn’t get the final say, I remember. He has to rely on the council’s vote.
When no one speaks, Kallias repeats the order, before returning back to me. He rubs the back of his neck, turning it until a faintcracksounds.
“Now that that’s underway, will you be free to join me at the Demetrio ball?” I ask hopefully.
“I’m sorry, dearest. I rule six different kingdoms. There’s always more to be discussed. I haven’t the time for parties or balls or plays. I barely have time to eat and sleep.”
I dare to take a step closer, and lavender and mint washes over me. “Just remember, Kallias. If we’re to be convincing, we need to havethe appearance of acourtingcouple. Courting couplesdothings. They attend festivities together.”
He looks at me a moment longer. “I will send you more gifts.”
What? Is that supposed to appease me? Or make the facade more convincing?
“Epaphras!” Kallias yells.
I jump as the appointment keeper scurries over.
“Kindly see Lady Stathos out of the meeting room.”
I’m escorted away without another word.
CHAPTER
11
I can’t decide if that went well or not.
