Chapter Two: One Cup Kills Three Men

The second crack tore open. Mordred finally looked directly at Lain. For the first time, the old man did not look through him. Cassian smiled. “Let my brother decide. It is his wine.” It was a knife offered by the handle. Accuse Herbert and Lain gained Mordred as an enemy. Accuse Tarren and he lit Cassian’s war. Call it a mistake and Cassian would make him drink. Every face turned toward the bastard. “What color is flame-eater poison?” Lain asked the apothecary. “Colorless when dissolved.” “Can silver detect it?” “No.” “What can?” “Living dragon blood, but there is none—” Lain plucked the red-dragon feather Cassian had placed beside his cup as a military ornament. A ceremonial drop of hatchling blood was sealed in its hollow shaft.