I think we are missing a very big point about the whole relationship between the Jhereg and the Empire. My theory is that the Empire's attitude is very much a "Let them kill each other off" type of approach. The Empire has to perform an investigation because a noble died, and Morganti was used, but its only going to be a cursory investigation. The Empress probably knew Vlad did it, and most of the investigators suspected, but its likely that they simply went through the motions. The Empire and Jhereg have an understanding where that sort of laundry is kept in house and the Jhereg will take care of it themselves. The empire will investigate and probably end up with "Mario did it," and leave it at that. Similarly, I'd imagine that the Empress knows quite well that Moronlann and Aleria dabble in Elder Sorcery, but wisely keeps her eye blind to the transgression since they are both loyal to the Empress and are quite well able to put up a fight if the Empire tried to discourage their use. AkodoBob