Page 30 of Over the Emerald Valley
“Who is Temaj?” asked Neku.
Whoops.
Solon kept his face neutral. “A concubine from Abasi’s harem. Likely sent to spy on me. I couldn’t get rid of him.”
At this, both Jontil and Neku broke into laughter.
“And why would you want to?” asked Jontil with a silly grin. “Bit of free horizontal refreshment? Shaking the sheets on the job? Nice perk, I say. You’ve earned it.”
Solon ignored the ribbing as best he could. “Regardless, it’s difficult to get information without giving it. Do the miners suspect the viceroy of stealing the jewels as well?”
Neku shrugged. “Some do. Some don’t. Many don’t care. This is a temporary job for them while their fields are too inundated to farm. They leave here and go back to their lives, whether emeralds are stolen or not, so most view it as none of their business.”
Heaving a sigh, Solon slapped his knees and stood. “I’ll go talk to them myself. And Khu as well. Perhaps when I insist on conducting inventory, he’ll have an explanation.”
Neku huffed. “I doubt it.”
“Me too, but even lies can help to reveal the truth. If the officials are embezzling emeralds regularly, they must leave some trace of how they’re being traded. What they’re being traded for. It’s worth it to hear what they say. Keep at it in the meantime. See if there’s a whiff of Irsu’s involvement or lack thereof. If the man’s honest, he’d be a suitable candidate to replace Abasi when the viceroy falls.”
“Will do,” said Neku with a nod.
“I like Irsu,” said Jontil. “Clever. Hard working. My gut says he’s honest.”
“That’s the impression I got as well.” Solon turned to trudge back to the palace and find Khu. “I’m off.”
“Awe, I’ve taken the joy right out of your step,” said Neku. “Sorry, old man. Whatever had you happy before, think about that. Was it the concubine?”
“Don’t call me old man.”
“It was him, wasn’t it?” Neku called after him, laughter in his voice.
Solon didn’t grace him with an answer, but of course it had been Temaj.
* * *
Back in the palace,Khu didn’t make himself easy to find. He wasn’t in his office nor in his rooms, according to the servants. “At the mines?” Solon asked, and they repressed laughter. Apparently, working at the mines had been a deluded thing to guess.
“And Abasi, where is he?”
“In his chambers, sir. No one is allowed to disturb him during the day.”
“What kind of schedule is that?”
The serving lad’s meek expression made Solon instantly regret his question. Of course they wouldn’t speak out of turn about their master. Especially as Temaj had said the man was kind to the servants. He’d secured their loyalty.
“Never mind. I’ll see him at dinner. Let’s focus on Khu. Do you think you can find him for me?”
“I’ll try.” He gestured to the furniture. “Best if you wait. I’ll go to the servants’ quarters and ask the others for help. We’ll bring Khu here when we find him.”
“I’ll come along.”
The lad’s face paled. “Please, sir. Wait here. I would never presume to expect a general to follow me to the servants’ quarters.”
Solon was clearly upsetting the young man, which hadn’t been his intention. He plunked down, forcing his face to a pleasant expression. “Thank you.”
The lad bowed and skittered off.
Solon scanned the hall. Opulence everywhere. This palace was dripping in golds and silvers, luxurious furniture that would have cost a fortune to even get here, in the middle of nowhere. Trinkets and bobbles cluttered every surface. It made sense that a jewel mine would be profitable, but this profitable? Solon had his doubts.
