Bewitched & Betrayed snippet -- More Imala Kalis

Imala gave me a small, self-satisfied smile. "And do not concern yourself with Rudra Muralin. The ambassador will be unable to act on any of his threats for at least the next three days."

"Three days?"

Cute turned to fierce. "Rudra Muralin poisoned two of my people. They nearly died. Naturally, I retaliated. Three days is the length of time it takes to recover from a particular intestinal malady caused by a certain tasteless and odorless plant. Several of the ambassador's closest advisors have mysteriously contracted it and are spending most of their time in the privy." She smiled fully. "Whenever the ambassador wants advice, he has to go to where his advisors are. He's quite unused to carrying out a plan without his lackeys. Your secret is safe for at least that long."

Tam laughed. "Rudra forced to plot in the privy. If it weren't for the stench, I'd almost pay to see that."

"Unfortunately Rudra didn't eat the fish that night," Imala Kalis told him. "I knew I should have put it in the beef." She shrugged. "He has to eat again sometime. If he wishes to avoid an embassy-wide case of the runs, he will come to terms with me."

"Terms?"

"I will accept nothing short of his resignation, then I will personally see him on a ship back to Regor -- or to hell for all I care."

"Didn't King Sathrik appoint him personally?" I asked.

"As chief of intelligence, Imala outranks a mere ambassador," Tam informed me.

Nice.

"And Sathrik knows of your botanical activities?" I asked Imala.

The cute smile was back. "It is not my intention to tell him."

"You know who and what and how old Rudra Muralin is, right?" I asked her.

"I make it my business to know my enemies, Mistress Benares -- to know what strengths can be turned against them and which weaknesses may be exploited. I think I would refer to that creature as a 'what' not a 'who.' "

I grinned at her. I couldn't help it. I didn't know why Imala Kalis was here or what she wanted, but I had to admit that the lady had style. "Rudra with the runs; that would be priceless."

"Since he has a food taster whom I do not wish to harm," Imala continued. "I've now tainted his soap. He's especially fond of bathing."