Semira and her mother ascended the staircase and followed a wide corridor, flanked by life-size statues of black stone.

  The stern faces of the tall men and women seemed to glare down upon them as if disapproving of the two women’s presence. Soon Semira turned into a narrower passage that ended in a broad wooden door, which she unlocked with practiced ease.

  They entered a spacious room furnished mainly with wall-mounted shelves and a wide desk. A large, arched window that stretched from floor to ceiling dominated the wall behind the desk, bathing the room in a gray light. Semira hung her coat on a hook by the door before seating herself on a leather chair by the window and motioned for her mother to do likewise. The woman settled into one of the two chairs in front of the desk without hesitation. She smoothed out her knee-length skirt and allowed her eyes to wander contentedly around the room.

  “It’s always such a magnificent feeling to come here,” she said. “Really, Semira, you’ve come so far. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you,” Semira replied flatly, her gaze fixed on the unadorned shelves crammed with leather-bound maps. She did not care for such compliments—especially not from her mother. The woman always sounded as though she had played a part in Semira’s success. If only she knew what Semira had done to get so far…

  “Tell me, are you still working with that… troublesome man? You know, the one—what was his name again?”

  “Akeno is one of my most capable men,” Semira answered immediately. “His past crimes are long behind him, and he has proven his loyalty time and again. I’ve already explained that to you.”

  “Right, Akeno,” her mother said disapprovingly. “So he’s still here? You really shouldn’t associate with men like that, Semira. They never change.”

  Semira wanted to retort but eventually let it go. There was no point in arguing with her mother about these things. She was utterly unyielding when it came to appearances. Instead she asked, “What’s new in the city administration? I’ve heard that the latest tax adjustment is causing quite a bit of problems?”

  “You can say that,” her mother replied heatedly. “With the volume of written complaints flooding the mailboxes these days, it isn’t easy to keep track of the truly important letters! As if we had any influence over this year’s completely botched harvest!”

  Semira had already heard about it. Apparently, there was an extreme imbalance in the farmers’ yields, with some fields inexplicably bursting forth with fertility. These unusual, entirely random irregularities meant that the general levies had to be recalculated and adjusted repeatedly. Semira’s mother, who worked in the city administration on the other side of the main square, was well aware of much of it—even though she was merely a secretary.

  “What do you think is the reason for all this?” her mother asked.

  Semira shrugged. “I’ve never plowed a field in my life, so what do I know about the quirks of the earth?” Admittedly, she had heard some rumors, but most involved ghosts or stupid curses. Superstition was widespread among the inhabitants of Fundament, yet Semira dismissed such tales.

  “How is Father handling the situation?” she asked.

  “Well, as village head, he’s having a rough time with all this fuss, as you can imagine.”

  Semira nodded.

  “He’s actually in town. I told him to come see you, but right now he’s just far too busy. You know how he is.”

  Semira paused, wondering if she should add something more, but her mother only looked down and nervously fidgeted with her fingers.

  She sighed. “Is something the matter? You look worried.”

  “It’s nothing. Well… you know, I’m just worried about your sister.”

  Aha. So that was it.

  “Salome? What about her?” Semira asked.

  “I’d like to know that too,” her mother said sorrowfully. “I just don’t understand what goes on in that girl’s head. She hides away at home all day, but not long ago, someone saw her wandering in the rain again. I hate those looks from our neighbors when they mention it… And you know what? When I went to check on Salome last night, she was nowhere to be found! Where on earth is she these days?” She let her shoulders slump in exhaustion.

  “Salome can take care of herself. You worry too much,” Semira said. Admittedly, her little sister could be a bit headstrong at times. She had given their parents plenty of headaches before.

  “Oh, Semira, couldn’t you have a word with her? I know you’re busy, but maybe she could take a leaf out of your book! You were always her great role model!” her mother pleaded.

  Semira leaned back in her chair and returned the look pensively. She hadn’t been home for a while. Maybe she should pay Salome a brief visit? But there was so much to do. These strange murders demanded her undivided attention. She couldn’t simply leave the city now just to take charge of her little sister’s upbringing, with which her mother was clearly overwhelmed. She tapped her chin thoughtfully with her index finger. After a while she opened her mouth and said, “You know, Mother, I—”

  At that moment the door was flung open with a flourish, and Ravil stumbled into the room, completely out of breath. “Please excuse the interruption,” he panted. “Semira, there’s trouble.”

  Semira briefly appraised her subordinate before immediately rising and retrieving her coat.

  “What is suddenly—” her mother began, but Semira cut her off. “Mother, we’ll talk about this later. You’ll surely find your way back without me.” With that, she swung her coat over her shoulders in one swift motion, leaving the dumbfounded woman alone in her study.

  “What happened?” Semira asked as she hurried along the corridor. Ravil, walking beside her, cautiously glanced around before replying. “It’s about the man who reported the murder. He wasn’t hard to find, but I completely misjudged him. Damn it all, this is entirely my fault!”

  “Calm down,” Semira said firmly. “What about him?”

  Ravil gritted his teeth. “I managed to persuade him to come with me without any trouble. Everything was going well until we got close to the Ministry. Then the man suddenly lost it, like he was possessed by fog spirits! He started screaming and tried to bolt, and when I got a little bit rough, that madman actually pulled a dagger from his pocket and waved it right in front of my face!”

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  Semira stopped in her tracks and looked at her subordinate. That’s when she noticed his hand, haphazardly bandaged. “You’re injured,” she observed.

  “Not a big deal,” Ravil replied, tucking his hand into his coat pocket. “It’s just a scratch. But that’s not the point! After the old fellow broke free, he ran like crazy toward the Ministry. Akeno happened to be nearby and managed to stop him, but in the meantime, he injured someone.” Ravil paused for a breath. “One of Senator Sargo’s men.”

  Semira cursed inwardly. “Does the Senator already know?”

  Ravil’s look answered her question. She muttered a quiet curse and resumed her original pace.

  As they neared the entrance hall, loud voices reached their ears, and when Semira reached the stairs and peeked down, an unpleasant scene unfolded: Near the grand entrance gate, several guards stood in a semicircle, their unsheathed swords pointed at an old, nearly toothless man who pressed himself against the wall in a half-faint, groaning loudly. In front of him stood Akeno, attempting to keep the guards at bay with placating gestures. Behind the assembled figures stood an unusually tall man, waiting silently. With his arms crossed behind his back, he initially appeared almost indifferent. Yet the distinctive voice echoing clearly throughout the hall undoubtedly belonged to him.

  “—demand that you hand this man over to me immediately,” Senator Sargo had just declared.

  “Senator, I beg you—” Akeno began, but the tall man would not let him speak. “Immediately. Step aside, or I will have you arrested along with this criminal.” To emphasize his words, the guards advanced a step in unison.

  Semira drew a deep breath and rushed down the stairs. “Senator Sargo,” she called, “please wait a moment!”

  The tall man turned slowly. When his eyes met hers, a faint, sinister smile briefly played upon his lips. “Ah, if it isn’t Senator Nito’s favorite little enforcer! What brings you here?” He spread his arms in a grand gesture.

  Ignoring the unvarnished insult, Semira assumed a composed expression. “That agent over there is acting under my orders,” she explained, striving to sound as calm as possible. She nodded toward Akeno, who gave her a look of relief. “The man accompanying him is an important witness in a case. I simply cannot hand him over to you.” She became aware of the numerous eyes fixed upon her—they were, after all, in the Ministry’s reception hall.

  “Ah, is that so?” asked Sargo, sounding remarkably affable. Far too affable, in fact. “Of course, I should have known. But tell me, are you aware of what this man has just done?” He theatrically gestured toward the old man, who was still loudly lamenting his fate. “He has broken the great taboo and attacked an agent of the Ministry! And in the very heart of our bastion of order! Such an offense cannot go unpunished. His trial in this case is of the utmost priority!” He spoke loudly enough for all present to hear, clearly aware of the impact of his words. In a slightly lower voice he added to Semira, “You surely agree with me, don’t you?” His tone was serious, yet a mischievous glint flickered in his small eyes. He clearly relished the situation.

  Semira met his gaze steadily and weighed her options. To the Senator, this great transgression—however he termed it—likely meant nothing at all. Only that the victim was one of his own faction made it the perfect opportunity to publicly showcase the benefits of his support. And opposing him in such a setting, with so many onlookers, was difficult. Semira felt the weight of the other enforcer’s eyes on her and knew that very few were on her side. Senator Sargo had surely noticed that fact. Yet if she were to hand over the old man, she would probably never see him again. The Senator now knew that the man had a certain value to her and would, of course, keep him away. There was no doubt about that. It wouldn’t be the first time he had tried to sabotage her work.

  She looked past him and at the pile of personified misery crouched by the wall behind Akeno. The old man might possibly offer a clue to the strange murders, but that was merely speculative on her part. Was it really worth openly defying one of the most powerful men in the Ministry? It was just a hunch, but… She took a deep breath, then made her decision.

  “Forgive me, Senator, but I must disagree. I believe that this man’s value as a witness cannot be outweighed by anything,” she declared.

  For a moment the great hall fell silent. The corners of the Senator’s mouth twitched, as if he were suppressing a grin—no doubt he had been hoping for that very answer. Suddenly his expression turned grave and he leaned threateningly toward Semira. “Do you realize what you are claiming?” he said quietly, yet clearly enough for everyone to hear. “It almost seems as though you are questioning a Senator’s judgment. Am I right in thinking so?” He straightened up and began to scrutinize her from head to toe. “I get the feeling that the preferential treatment by your superiors is beginning to go to your head. Maybe it’s time to remind you where your place is.” His small eyes, set deep in their sockets, locked onto hers. “So, let me ask you once more, just to be sure: What shall we do with this man?” The Senator made a beckoning gesture.

  Semira looked at him with an impassive expression and sighed inwardly. Now she had no choice but to agree with the Senator if she wanted to avoid serious consequences. It was clear that he cared only to humiliate her, and he would not relent in front of so many spectators. Slowly she opened her mouth—but at that very moment, a voice rang out, breaking the tense silence.

  “Is there any reason why you are threatening my subordinate, Senator Sargo?”

  At the top of the staircase appeared a slight woman who descended the steps at a measured pace, head held high. Though old and marked with numerous wrinkles, she wore the black uniform of the Ministry’s enforcers as though it were the only attire she had ever known. She exuded confidence and authority, and a white lapel pin glistened at her collar.

  “Senator Nito,” Sargo said, slightly disappointed. But he quickly recovered, putting on his usual calm, friendly facade. “It would never occur to me to threaten your esteemed subordinate!” He laughed, and the tension in the hall noticeably eased.

  Semira exhaled in relief. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Ravil standing at the top of the stairs, nodding at her. Had he informed the Senator? As always, he demonstrated remarkable presence of mind.

  “What’s going on here?” asked Nito, glancing at the guards who still stood with their swords drawn, waiting for further orders.

  “That miserable old man attacked and injured one of my enforcers,” Sargo explained matter-of-factly. The theatrics of his earlier outburst had vanished. “I was just in the process of having him arrested.”

  Nito shot Semira a questioning look.

  “He possesses information that could help us in that case,” Semira interjected quickly, sounding much more confident than she felt. But for now, that was something no one needed to know.

  “I understand,” said Nito simply. “Senator Sargo, I ask you to leave the handling of this man to me and my people. You have no objection, do you?”

  “Are you serious?” Sargo asked in mild disbelief. “This criminal has violated one of our highest laws! He should be punished on the spot, just as the rules demand!”

  “Well, given that he appears to be crucial to the performance of my subordinates’ duties—and thereby to me—I’m certain that his trial can be postponed for a while,” Nito replied. She looked up at the towering Senator with a stony expression. He held her gaze wordlessly for a moment before abruptly turning away. “I see. Apparently, the immediate punishment of the man—though undoubtedly warranted—would be premature. However,” he added, casting a dangerous gleam over his shoulder, “this may only apply in this particular case. I am sure you can tell me more about the circumstances that led you to this decision.” Not waiting for a reply, he strode off with his head held high, arms crossed behind his back. As he walked, he casually waved to the guards, who promptly sheathed their swords and returned to their posts.

  Akeno, muttering a low curse, approached the old man, roughly cupped his hands behind his back, and dragged him away. After a while, the small cluster of onlookers gathered around dissipated, and the reception hall resumed its usual bustle.

  “Thank you for your help, Senator,” Semira said.

  “I hope it was worth it,” Nito replied dryly. “If it turns out that this man proves useless, it will be difficult for me to justify my actions before the chairman. Besides, it will now be nearly impossible to keep our case hidden from Senator Sargo. He will soon dispatch his own men and try to claim all the glory for himself. From now on, we must work swiftly and effectively.” She shot Semira an unmistakable look.

  “Understood,” Semira answered firmly, steeling herself for the coming days.

  The visit to her little sister would have to wait a little longer after all.