Master of the Dance (2 page)

He faced her again. "What more do you want?"

"Show me how to stab someone, let me practice it. Teach me to throw a dagger."

"I have shown you how to stab someone, and learning to throw a dagger would take too long."

She followed as he went to the fountain to gather up his wet shirt. "Let me practice on you then."

"Tomorrow. I would like to bathe now, and have my breakfast."

Kerra stood gazing after him as he strode from the garden, then followed, returning to her rooms for breakfast.

Chiana sat before the dressing table mirror and gazed at her haggard, dull-eyed reflection with a heavy heart. As she had trained herself to do over the last several tendays, she did not dwell upon the atrocities and humiliations Prince Endor had heaped upon her. Instead, she concentrated on the business of running the country, keeping hot-headed lords in check and reassuring others of her continued well-being, while attending to her everyday duties. She had heard nothing from Kerrion, but then, Endor intercepted all of her messages. Her only joy was her husband's continued freedom, which brought a warm glow to her heart whenever she thought about it.

Endor raged about it often, and spent time-glasses venting his drunken spleen, shouting insults and threats at her. He kept her familiar as his hostage, so she dared not speak in her defence. Recently, he had started drinking more, abusing the servants and even his men, so that many of the serving maids had fled. She wondered when this terrible situation would end, praying it would be before she snapped under the pressure. Only two of her handmaidens attended her this morning, and they worked silently, their faces glum.

Chiana was surprised when the maid who was arranging her hair bent closer and whispered, "The Cotti guards are gone, My Lady."

"Gone?" Chiana looked up at the girl. "Where?"

"We do not know, but they are not in the palace."

"None of them?"

The girl shook her head. "We did not see any on our way here."

"What about Endor?"

"No one has seen him today either."

"He could be sleeping off last night's binge."

"But his men are gone."

Chiana fought to quell the surge of delight that swelled her heart. "Go to Endor's room and see if he is there. If he is not, go to the barracks and summon Redgard. Tell him to bring his men."

"Yes, My Lady." The girl put down the hairbrush and left.

Almost half a time-glass later, the maid returned with Redgard, whom Chiana had not seen since Endor had forced her to order her men to their barracks. She sat in her day room, and Redgard stopped before her to bow, then sank down on a cushion when she gestured to it. She wasted no time on niceties.

"Where is Endor?"

"As far as I can tell, he is gone, Regent. My men are searching the city now, but he is not in the palace."

A wave of joy rushed through her, warmed her cheeks and curved her lips. "Then Kerrion has found his wife, and it is over."

Redgard smiled. "It would appear so, My Lady."

"Send a message to Kerrion by bird, asking for confirmation. I do not want to go after Endor unless his wife is safe."

"I am certain she is, Regent. Why else would Endor have stolen away in the night?"

"Why did Kerrion not inform me, then?"

"He probably did, and Endor got his message."

Chiana looked down at her hands, clasped in her lap. "Where is my familiar?"

Redgard's expression became mournful. "We cannot find her or the cage she was in. I think Endor took her with him."

"To stop me from sending men after him. But I do not believe he will release her."

"He may."

"You do not believe that any more than I do, Redgard. Be honest."

The guard captain shook his head. "He is not the sort of man to give back what he has stolen."

"He will kill her, once he is far enough away. It will be his revenge for the failure of his plan." Chiana covered her mouth as it twisted with grief.

"What shall I do, Regent?"

"Find me the assassin who was once Blade's apprentice. If he can reach Endor before he kills Inka, perhaps she can be saved."

"You are going to order Endor's death?"

She nodded. "It was the price Blade demanded for hiding Queen Kerra, and I was not reluctant to grant it. Now, I am happy to do it."

"Do you know this assassin's name?"

"No. But if you ask for Blade's apprentice, I am sure you will find him."

"I hope he is as good as his mentor, My Lady."

"I wish Blade was here to do it."

"Indeed." Redgard inclined his head. "Is there anything else?"

"Replace your men at their posts. Everything is to return to normal."

Redgard rose and bowed. "I shall see to it, Regent."

Chiana ordered a bottle of wine and drank a cup to settle her nerves, trying not to think about the danger her familiar was in. Now that Endor's plan had failed, he would have no more use for Inka, and killing her would undoubtedly give him a great deal of satisfaction. She went to her study at the usual time, glad to find her men back at their posts and the servants smiling. As soon as the news spread, Armelin and Insash came to see her, offering advice and comfort. They agreed that Endor would kill Inka as soon as he felt he was a safe distance from the city, which added to Chiana's worry.

Redgard returned in the afternoon, accompanied by a stocky young man with short dark hair and hard green eyes, whose silent watchfulness reminded her of Blade. Redgard introduced him as Bolt, and his weapon of choice was the tiny crossbow that hung on his belt, alongside numerous quarrels. He wore the tight black leather clothes assassins favoured, and walked with a gliding, graceful stride. The red and black-striped spider that clung to his shoulder was of a particularly venomous variety, and the sight of it made her shiver. It struck her as odd that Blade would take on an apprentice who was spider kin, since he disliked them. Bolt bowed, and sat when she gestured to a cushion, his eyes darting about the room.

"I am honoured to meet you, Regent." His hand rested on the hilt of a single dagger in his belt.

"You are Blade's first apprentice?"

"Yes."

"Are you as good as him?"

Bolt hesitated, then shook his head. "No."

"But he trained you."

"I am probably the best you can hire in Jondar."

"Are you the Master of the Dance?"

Bolt smiled. "No. The belt is held by Blade's second apprentice, Lance."

"Yet you claim to be the best."

"I am, My Lady. I have little talent for the Dance, but I kill from afar, and have never missed my target."

She studied him. "Blade did not give me a name, but he told me to hire his apprentice, so I must assume he meant you."

"I am sure he did. Lance is an excellent dancer, but he is not as good an assassin as me."

"I hope you are right. I wish to hire you to kill Prince Endor."

The assassin's eyes brightened. "A worthy target, My Lady. A man who deserves to die is always a pleasure to kill."

"You enjoy killing?"

"If I did not, I would not be an assassin."

"Of course." She became brisk, realising that this man was nothing like Blade. "What is your fee?"

Bolt named a reasonable sum, and she agreed to pay it. Insash and Armelin had concurred that Endor would head for Contara, so she told Bolt to search in that direction, described Endor and his familiar, and offered him a bonus for a speedy outcome.

When all the details had been discussed, she added, "Endor has my familiar with him, in a cage. She is a dove, and I will reward you handsomely if you save her and free her."

He inclined his head. "I will do my best, Regent."

"I expect more than your best. I require your utmost effort in this regard. Her safe return is vital." Chiana controlled the rising urgency of her tone, striving to remain calm. "Captain Redgard will see that you have whatever you require, as well as a down payment. You will depart immediately."

"As you wish."

"You understand that Endor will be well guarded? If you fail, he will know I sent you, and kill my familiar. If that happens, I shall fall into a deep sleep from which I cannot be awakened, and Jashimari will be without a ruler for that time. It could lead to a disaster."

"I understand, Regent. Never fear, I will kill Endor."

Chiana eyed him, wondering if he was really as good as he claimed. He seemed too confident, and the fact that he was not the Master of the Dance worried her. Had Blade been speaking of Bolt when he had told her to hire his apprentice, or Lance? She longed to be able to ask him, but all she could hope was that Bolt was telling the truth, yet a nagging doubt ate at her. After the assassin left, she went to the palace temple and prayed for his success.

Four days passed while Blade waited for Prince Trelath and Chaymin to obey Kerrion's summons and return to the palace. The King's younger half-brothers, having failed to force Kerra to become Prince Endor's hostage by kidnapping Minna-Satu, remained at large. Kerrion had ordered their return, so Blade could kill them, and the King planned to have his vengeance first. Blade took his daily exercise in the garden, and did a little reconnaissance at night, spying out the terrain. He spent some of the time teaching Kerra the finer points of killing, although he doubted that she would ever need the skills, and if she did, that she would have the stomach for it. It helped to pass the time, however, and she seemed to enjoy it, although he suspected that much of her enjoyment stemmed from spending time with him.

Blade dined with the royal family a couple of times, at Minna's invitation, but took little interest or part in the conversation. The manservant, Olan, attended to the assassin's needs with the same surly attitude he had affected on Blade's previous stay. Blade met Minna's sons, who were reserved in his presence, but treated him with respect. He suspected that Minna-Satu had regaled them with the tales of his deeds, but they hid their fascination better than Kerra had.

The morning of the fifth day found Blade strolling in the hidden garden, enjoying the fresh air and pleasant scenery. Kerrion came into sight on the path ahead, and stopped before him, his expression grim.

Blade halted, eyeing the Cotti King with some annoyance.

Kerrion announced, "Chaymin has returned, and Trelath has been sighted a day's ride away. Since Endor is in hiding, and has not received my summons, we will proceed without him."

"Endor has left the palace in Jondar?"

"Yes. I do not think it will be possible to summon him here -"

"No, but his death is assured."

Kerrion nodded. "Of course, Chiana will hire your apprentice to kill him, as she agreed. I am going to meet Chaymin now, and tomorrow night you will kill him."

"Chaymin will die when Minna-Satu requests it, not you."

Kerrion shrugged, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "As you like. I shall inform her that you want to hear her wishes from her."

"Good. I will need information on Chaymin and Trelath."

"I have it here." Kerrion reached into his tunic and drew out two scrolls. "If I have omitted anything, let me know."

"I shall." The assassin tucked the scrolls away and brushed past Kerrion, continuing his stroll down the path.

The King watched Blade walk away, wondering what it would be like to have him as a friend. Though unlikely, the possibility had a great deal of appeal for him, for he found the assassin to be oddly likeable, despite his taciturn manner and frosty looks.

Turning away, he entered the palace and headed for the training arena at the back, where royalty and those of noble blood honed their combat skills. Usually it was filled with young men practising their talents on each other or instructors, the sons of Kerrion's cousins, aunts or sisters, well removed from the succession. One of the massive marble chamber's walls had a row of windows in it to allow cool breezes to enter. Square columns supported a high vaulted ceiling, and murals of battle scenes graced the walls. Hard-packed sand covered the floor to provide firm footing whilst cushioning the occasional fall. Racks of wooden sparring spears, swords and staffs stood against a windowless wall, and a row of straw-stuffed dummies awaited sparring partners at the far end. The King frequented it four times a tenday at a prescribed time-glass, when all others were banned, save his sparring partner, an expert instructor.

Today he had requested its use, although it was not his usual time, and he found it empty save for the thin youth he had ordered to meet him there. Chaymin looked nervous, his beady dark eyes darting about as if seeking escape routes. He was only twenty, and his face bore the scars of the acne that had ravaged it. Even without the unsightly blemishes, Chaymin would never be a handsome man, possessing a too-narrow face, low cheekbones and a large bony nose.

Chaymin was the only son of Shandor's youngest wife, the daughter of a loyal lord who had sought to curry favour with the King. She had produced weak, sickly children, and had quickly fallen from Shandor's favour. As a result, her father had lost his high standing, and been forced to return to his estate. Chaymin had no great aptitude for combat or intellectual pursuits, and had become his stronger, more intelligent half-brothers’ pawn. Kerrion almost pitied him, but his involvement in Minna's abduction was unforgivable.

The King stopped before his half-brother and raked him with hard eyes as the Prince performed the low, complicated bow that minor lords favoured.

"Chaymin."

"Sire." Chaymin straightened, keeping his eyes lowered.

"When you helped Trelath to kidnap my wife, did you consider the consequences if his plan failed?"

"I only -"

"It matters not how little you did. You were in league with him. You knew of his plans and did not warn me. Your familiar carried messages for him."

"He threatened me!"

Kerrion snorted. "Then you should have come to me at once. Do not lie to me, Chaymin. What did he promise you? Land? Riches? Have you not enough already?"

"I did not want to do it."

"Then you should not have. Who else was part of his plan?"