Drakenfeld by Mark Charan Newton

think Lacanta has been dead?’
    Veron moved to stand next to us. ‘One of the soldiers claimed her body was still warm when we found it, though it is a hot night and this temple rarely gets cold. Obviously it’s
colder now and she’s becoming fixed in place by Malax in his Underworld.’
    ‘The gods don’t hang about. We’re going to have to get statements from as many people as possible,’ I said.
    ‘I wouldn’t have thought that will be a problem,’ Veron replied.
    ‘Who had access to the key?’
    ‘There are a few copies kept in the back offices, copies are kept for every lock in the building. Though it’s a private temple, Trymus grants access to all. This section of Optryx
isn’t anywhere near as secure as the other side, where the king resides.’
    I made a note to ask the temple’s pontiff about copies. ‘Where’s King Licintius? I take it he’s aware of this?’
    Veron gave a sad laugh. ‘Poor Licintius followed the soldiers into the room when they found her. He fled to his private quarters in an immediate rage. I’ve never seen him so angry.
General Maxant first sent his soldiers to close all the doors in Optryx and to stop people leaving, and then went up to join the king. I don’t think any of the soldiers have the nerve to
approach him just yet – in his mood, he might well turn them into eunuchs.’
    ‘So this is Calludian’s son,’ came another voice. A small, hunched old man shuffled towards me, pushing past the guards on the door with a scowl on his cleanly shaven face.
Thin wisps of hair clung to his sweaty head, and he used a stick to prop himself up as he walked. He gave me a look of utter contempt. ‘I never did like the Sun Chamber. Ideas above your
station, if you ask me. No one votes for you.’
    ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,’ I offered. ‘Please, don’t come too close to the body, you might contaminate the scene.’
    ‘See what I mean?’ the man scoffed to Veron. ‘Ideas above his station in life.’
    Veron looked apologetic. ‘This is Senator Chastra. Senator, this is Lucan Drakenfeld, officer of the Sun Chamber.’
    ‘I’ve heard all about him and his dark bodyguard,’ Chastra muttered, examining Leana with his bright green eyes and a sneer on his face. His mind was still active, even if his
body wasn’t up to much. He turned to face me. ‘A woman, too. That must make you feel quite effeminate.’
    ‘If you’re keen to prove your masculinity, you could always challenge her to a fight.’
    Veron placed his face in his palms at my reply. Leana remained impassive.
    ‘I wouldn’t want to dirty myself with foreigners,’ Chastra replied. ‘Besides, the only fighting I do is with my words.’
    ‘He certainly does,’ agreed Veron. ‘You should hear him in the Senate – he still gives a rather devastating speech on occasion.’
    ‘Senator Chastra,’ I said turning to face him. ‘Presumably you’re not here to dazzle us with your charm. You are a man of words so what have you to offer about this
incident?’
    ‘All I have to say on the matter is that it’s unlikely you’ll find the killer. This one was struck down by the gods. Struck down for living an immoral life. A murder in a place
like this brings bad omens to the city.’
    ‘Is that so?’ I asked.
    ‘Look around you. Solid walls and a sealed door. Struck down by the gods. I’ll be damned if I can work it out.’
    ‘That’s why you’re not in the Sun Chamber,’ I replied, noting a rare smile on Leana’s face as she continued to examine the temple.
    ‘If it isn’t the gods, maybe Senator Divran is right with mutterings of magic. But I’ll wager some divine power was at work.’
    ‘Did you see Lacanta at all tonight?’ I asked.
    ‘Of course,’ Chastra spluttered. ‘We all did. Earlier this evening she was mingling with her brother and General Maxant, talking to Veron, me, half a dozen other senators. In
fact, some of us saw her – and were conversing with her – no