Blade slid from his horse in the midst of the bandit camp, turning to face Asrah as she marched up to him. The men gathered around, many eyeing the dagger hilts that protruded from his belt with deep distrust. He thought Asrah would demand that he hand them over, but she raised her chin and shot a quelling look at her men, then smiled at him.
"Welcome back. All went well, I trust?"
He inclined his head. "As usual."
"My father?"
"He's suffering the most excruciating pain imaginable."
"And he can't be saved."
Blade smiled. "No. A reputable healer will tell him that he's going to die, and give him medicine to dull the pain. A disreputable man will feed him foul potions and false hope, but he will die."
"How?"
"He'll rot from the inside. It will take several days. Maybe less, since he's old."
"He's always been rotten inside. A fitting end. But how do I know you tell the truth?"
He shrugged. "Send a spy, if you doubt me."
"I will. I would hear more of his suffering." She turned and signalled to two men, who headed for the string of horses tethered on the edge of the camp. "You'll stay until your deed is confirmed."
"As your guest, I trust, and not your prisoner."
"If I leave you armed, you could slay all my men in their sleep."
"True, but if I give up my weapons, you could keep me a prisoner."
"I gave my word," she said, frowning.
"And I give mine, that I will wait for your men to return."
"Would you give up your weapons if I asked you?"
"No."
She nodded. "As I thought. An impasse, then. I won't have half my men slaughtered trying to take them from you, so we'll have to trust each other. But if my men tell me that you've lied, you'll certainly lose your charges."
"If your men tell you that your father's well, they would be lying."
"They wouldn't dare lie to me, their punishment would be severe." She studied him. "You appear unharmed, but it took you longer than I thought it would."
"Four days is not long. I performed one assassination that took a tenday of planning and preparation."
"So you had no problem, and there isn't a score of soldiers on your trail?"
Blade smiled and shook his head. "Your father didn't even know what had happened to him until several time-glasses after I had left. That's the reason people hire assassins, so the killing is done without raising a hue and cry."
"But he saw you, and he still lives."
"He didn't see me, and what he'll tell the investigators will do them no good."
"Good, then all we have to do is wait for my men's return."
Blade glanced past her at the queens, who stood beyond the ring of men, watching him. "I trust my charges are well?"
Asrah shrugged. "They haven't complained to me."
The assassin brushed past her and walked over to Minna and Kerra, who greeted him with regal smiles. Kerra mimicked her mother more and more, and the improvement in her manners was marked. This was something that a princess could only learn from her mother, which was the reason for Chiana's failure, since she lacked the regal gestures and mannerisms that Minna possessed in abundance. The slight, royal smile, the haughty tilt of the head and wave of a hand that took the obedience of others for granted. A queen revealed only enough to give a hint of her feelings, without allowing their strength to be known.
He stopped before Minna and accorded her a slight smile. "I trust you are well?"
"As well as can be expected. You are unharmed?"
"Of course."
"Then we will be leaving."
He glanced back at the group of bandits, who huddled together in a muttered discussion. "Not just yet. Asrah has sent spies to confirm my work. As soon as they return, we will leave."
"Good." Her eyes dropped to his daggers. "You seem to have won her trust."
"Her respect, at least."
"You must be weary. Let us retire and partake of some refreshment."
Minna led the way to the tent, and Blade smiled as he followed, thinking that her words made it sound as if they were going to her sumptuous boudoir to indulge in a feast.
Asrah's men returned the following afternoon, and Blade went over to listen to their story. They presented themselves to their leader, brushing dust from their clothes and shooting a glare at the assassin when he strolled up. Clearly they disliked the news they were about to impart, but as Asrah had promised, they told the truth.
The taller man explained, "Your father lies abed, mortally ill by all accounts. The watchmen search the town for a whore called Harsa, whom Zendril blames for his wounds. He claims that she lured him to her room and stabbed him, but the owner of the brothel says he owns no whore named Harsa."
Asrah glanced at Blade, her eyes narrowed. "So you hired a woman to lure him to his death."
He shrugged. "Something like that."
"And she is dead too?"
"Yes."
"When they find her body, they'll know they're looking for a man."
He shook his head. "They won't find her body."
"I see. I wonder if Zendril will realise the significance of the name you had her use."
"Hopefully a few minutes before he dies."
"Yes. You have my gratitude. Your horses and supplies will be returned to you in the morning."
Blade inclined his head, then wandered away as she demanded more details of her father's suffering from the men. Although he understood her wish to hear it, he had no desire to do so. He returned to the tent to tell the queens the news, which pleased them, judging by their slight, satisfied smiles. They seldom left the tent, preferring to remain within its seclusion and spend their time talking, rather than braving the bandits' leers. When calls of Nature forced them to leave it they went together, and when they desired to stretch their legs, Blade accompanied them.
Now that he was armed, the bandits stepped pointedly out of his path and shot him looks of intense loathing. Particularly Imbar, who also muttered under his breath and fingered the hilt of the big knife sheathed in his belt. Blade suspected that the man still intended to try to kill him, and he became warier as the time of their departure approached. He steered clear of the big man, and stayed with the queens, except when calls of Nature forced him to seek solitude.
After supper that night, he was obliged to make one such journey, and walked to the edge of the camp, his senses alert to the slightest sound. On his way back, a swish of sand made him spin around as a shadow leapt from behind a dune and charged him. He jumped aside, yanking the daggers from his belt, and Imbar skidded to a halt, swinging around. He strode towards the assassin, his expression murderous in the moonlight, his big knife at the ready. Blade raised his daggers in a tacit threat, but Imbar ignored him and continued to advance. Blade backed away.
"I don't want to kill you, Imbar, but I will if I must."
"Do it then," the big man snarled. "Asrah will avenge me."
"There's no need for this."
"There is! I can't live with the shame of what you did to me, or fail to avenge my brother's murder."
Blade sensed a presence behind him and took a few quick steps to the side. "You had your chance, and lost."
"That wasn't a fair fight, and you know it!"
"I'm not a fighter."
"You're a cowardly, murdering dog, and I'm going to kill you!"
"No, you're not, Imbar." Asrah's voice spoke from the darkness beside Blade, and he glanced around. She stood there with two men, shaking her head at the big bandit. Imbar growled and charged. Blade threw himself sideways, avoiding the knife that stabbed at his gut. His dagger scored a gash across Imbar's arm as he veered and lunged at the assassin. Imbar's shoulder punched the air from Blade's lungs with a grunt, and he sprawled. Imbar raised the knife, but his comrades grabbed his arm and dragged him off the supine assassin.
Asrah strode over and wrenched the knife from the bandit's fist, glaring up at him. "You're a fool, Imbar! He could have killed you a dozen times already, and if he had, I would not have avenged you. I don't reward stupidity, but I do punish disobedience. You'll get five lashes in the morning."
"He killed Shazan!"
"And you had your chance for revenge. He's not Cotti." She addressed the men who held him. "Take him and bind him for the night. I'll deal with him in the morning."
The bandits dragged Imbar away, and Asrah walked over to Blade, who had put away his daggers, and sat rubbing his ribs. She held out her hand, and he took it, letting her pull him to his feet.
"Did he hurt you?"
"Not much." He brushed the sand from his trousers and the leather jacket he had donned against the night chill. "You were watching me?"
"No, I had Imbar watched. I knew he'd try to kill you, he was close to his brother. I'm glad you didn't kill him."
"I want to leave here tomorrow, not face summary execution."
She smiled. "You should have run away."
"I was about to, but I might have got a knife in the back."
Asrah gazed at him, sorrow and longing shining in her eyes. "I curse the Cotti all the more for what they did to you. If not for that, we might have become more than friends."
"Perhaps, but it's more likely that we wouldn't have met."
"Even so, I envy your wife."
His brows rose. "Why? I'm no use to her either."
"I've had my share of men, but I'd rather have your company than theirs. It's men who put such importance on their prowess as lovers, women value other things equally or more."
"Such as?"
"Ah, so many things. The company of a clever man who values a woman as a person and treats her as an equal is a rare treasure. Just to be able to share one's hopes and fears with someone who understands and sympathises is worth a great deal. If he can also provide a secure home, and show his affection with little gestures, he would make her happy indeed."
Blade cocked his head, studying her. "What about children?"
"Many people cannot have children. Most are happy enough without, or they adopt a poor unwanted child."
"My wife has none of the things you describe."
"Surely she must, since she has your company," Asrah pointed out.
"I don't consider my company to be all that appealing, and until recently, I hadn't seen her for fifteen years."
"Then indeed, I pity her. To have you as a husband, and not to have your company is cruel punishment. Do you dislike her so much?"
Blade looked down, frowning. "No."
"I can't believe that she spurns you."
"No, she doesn't."
"So, she craves your company and you deny her. You're a cruel man then, much like one who kicks a faithful dog or whips a loyal servant."
He raised his head, his eyes glacial. "Don't presume to judge me, Asrah. You don't know me well enough."
"I know what I see in you, and your wife sees it too, unless she's blind. You have much to offer her -"
"I have nothing to offer her." Blade swung away and marched off, leaving her gazing after him.
"Then it's you who are blind!" she called, but he ignored her.
The next day, Blade and his charges left the bandit camp, equipped with supplies for four days' journey, as Asrah had promised. She rode with them for a short distance, and bade Blade a sad farewell before galloping back to the camp. Minna shot him a sidelong smile and shared an amused look with Kerra, making the assassin snort in annoyance.
Since they did not have sufficient supplies for the journey to Jadaya, they detoured to a town, where Blade spent the last of his gold to purchase the necessary food.
A tenday's journey brought them to Jadaya, by which time Blade was heartily sick of the itching wig and fickle moustache, which chose the most inconvenient moments to come adrift. When the pale stone city came into view, Kerra gazed at it with shining eyes, and Minna smiled.
They received only a cursory glance from the guards when they rode through the city gates, just another trio of tired, dusty travellers amongst many hundreds entering on that day. Palms shaded the main thoroughfare, and flowering shrubs bordered it in an orgy of verdure for this arid land. At the end of the avenue, the Cotti king's palace dominated the skyline, its domes covered with gold and its spires carved from pure white marble, inlaid with semi-precious stones.
Great arches gave glimpses of the lush royal gardens, and cool dark halls beckoned to the weary travellers. Fountains filled the air with rainbows, and birdsong wafted from the hidden forests that grew behind the palace's mighty walls. Though larger and grander than Kerra's palace in Jondar, Blade knew that it lacked the sumptuous furnishings and rich decor of the Jashimari queen's abode.
When Blade turned off the main thoroughfare into a narrow side street, Kerra longed to remonstrate with him, but such an outburst would have drawn unwanted attention. She glanced at her mother, who shot her a quelling look, and they guided their horses after the assassin. Shista trotted alongside Blade's mount as if she was his familiar, and Myasha hovered high above, safe from unwelcome attention.
Blade stopped at a livery and dismounted, handed his horse's reins to a groom and took his pack from its back as it was led away. Minna and Kerra handed over their mounts and followed the prescribed three paces behind Blade as he walked to an inn across the street. He rented a room and led the way upstairs, closing the door behind the women. Kerra stripped off her veil and turned to him, frowning.
"Why are we here, Blade? The palace is down the street."
His brows drew together. "I know full well where the palace is, I assure you."
"Then what are we doing in this pigsty?"
Blade shucked his jelabah and flung it on a bed. "I am sure your mother knows. Why not ask her?"
Kerra swung to Minna, her expression incredulous. "You agree with him?"
Minna sat on a bed, looking gaunt and fragile. "I do, Kerra. We would not gain entry into the palace." She gestured to her ragged attire. "We look like beggars. We would not get past the gate guards."
"We would, if we told them who we are."
Blade chuckled. "I knew she was going to say that. How wonderful it must be to be so -"
"Blade!" Minna reprimanded him, and he chuckled again, flopped down and stretched out on the other bed. She turned back to Kerra. "We cannot tell anyone who we are, or the princes will hear about it, and they are all in league with Endor and Trelath. If Kerrion is not there, we would be in great danger."
"Then let Blade go and ask for an audience with father."
Minna shook her head, and Blade muttered, "I am not going near that rat's nest of traitors and conspiracies, and Kerrion does not give audiences to commoners."
"But -"
"Nor will I tell them that I have news of his wife, for the same reason that Minna will not go there herself. I have no wish to be tortured by those bastard princes. And I will not sneak in there either, although I could. That would be a lot of unnecessary trouble, since we have the perfect messenger right here." His gaze flicked to the golden cat stretched out against a wall. "She can walk into the palace unchallenged, and right into Kerrion's quarters. The guards will even open the doors for her."
Kerra looked puzzled. "Why?"
"Because she is a familiar, my dear," Minna explained.
"Oh, of course." Kerra glanced at Blade. "Then send her."
"She is your mother's familiar, not mine."
Kerra turned to Minna-Satu, who smiled and looked at the great cat. Shista glanced up, her ears pricked, then rose and walked over to rub herself against Minna's legs before sitting down to gaze into the Queen's eyes. After several minutes of silent communion, the cat rose and padded to the door beside Minna, who opened it to let her out. Minna returned and sank down on the bed with a sigh, glancing at the supine assassin, who appeared to have fallen asleep.
"Blade, remove your disguise. I would not have Kerrion embarrassed by his failure to recognise you. You too, Kerra."
Blade opened his eyes. "You will both be safe once Kerrion is here, but I enjoy no such privilege. Even if he is grateful enough for your return that he does not hand me over for execution himself, if his brothers learn of my identity, they will demand it."
"Kerrion will see to your safety, My Lord. You know full well that he will not allow you to be executed. You will have nothing to fear once he is here."
"If he is found to be hiding the assassin who killed his brothers, he will be guilty of treason."
"He will not allow that to happen," Minna stated.
"In fact, I would rather not be here when he arrives." Blade sat up, rubbing his face. "He can see to Kerra's return to Jashimari, so my task is complete. I will sell your horses, and that should give me enough money for the journey home."
"No, Blade. I have a great need of you here. I require your services."
His eyes narrowed, and he glanced down as the moustache dropped into his lap. "I do not believe your plan would work, My Queen. Even if it would, I do not have to accept your offer of employment."
"No, you do not. But why would you turn down an opportunity to slay more Cotti princes?"
Blade tried to stick the moustache back onto his upper lip. "I have already purchased their deaths by hiding Kerra. I have no wish to enter that nest of vipers."
Minna-Satu's eyes glinted, and she raised her chin. "Your apprentice will fail, My Lord. You would be sending him to his death, and he would not be able to aid me in my endeavour to gain the princes' support for Kerrion."
"Minna -"
"I have already given you everything I have to offer. With the princes' support, Kerrion can make me his queen, and I can take my rightful place beside him. He can outlaw the kidnapping of women, so this can never happen again."
He shrugged. "I care nothing for these things."
Kerra gasped, but Minna-Satu smiled. "No, of course not. But Shamsara promised you a great reward for rescuing me, did he not?"
The moustache dropped off again, and Blade scowled at it. "Yes. And I have done that."
"Surely he would not want this to happen again? Would he have offered you so much if he did not think me important?"
Blade picked up the moustache, recalling the Idol's instruction to obey the Elder Queen. Much as he disliked it, perhaps this was what the Idol had been referring to, and not just the details of Minna's return to Jadaya or her small wishes. The prospect of entering the Cotti palace did not please him, his last stay within its confines had not been a happy one.
If he did not obey Minna, would Shamsara still keep his promise, or would that be his excuse? The return of his familiar would make his life worth living again, and he could not risk failing to earn that reward. He might die trying to fulfil Minna's wishes, but his life was worthless anyway. She was right, the prospect of killing more Cotti princes was tempting.
He looked up to find them watching him, and a faint smile curled his lips. "Very well, My Queen. I will do as you wish."
She relaxed with a smile. "Once more, you will be my hand of death reaching out to slay my enemies."
The assassin lay back with a sigh, pressing the recalcitrant moustache to his upper lip again. "Whoopee."