Chapter Five

 

Dravis had no alibi for the time of Trelath's death. He claimed to have been alone in his bath, which only Kerrion knew to be the truth. Fortunately Jadar, who had been the first to question the young Prince, had not informed him of the reason for his enquiry as to Dravis' whereabouts. Otherwise, Kerrion was certain that Dravis would have claimed to have been elsewhere or to have had company in his tub, and bribed the necessary people to back him up. Jadar reported the Prince's admission to the judges, and, as a senior advisor, his word was not questioned. Dravis protested his innocence when the judges questioned him, blamed Kerrion for Trelath's and Chaymin's deaths, and claimed that he was being framed for the crime.

Dravis produced two cowering servants to attest to the fact that they had filled the Prince's tub, but the judges dismissed this as inconsequential, since the fact that the Prince's tub had been filled did not necessarily mean he had used it straight away. Dravis argued that he would have ensured that he had an iron-clad alibi, had he been responsible for Trelath's death. His brother's demise had already been judged to be an impulsive action, however, and the other evidence was damning. The court placed him in custody until a trial could be arranged, and he was sent to the palace dungeons to languish in a cell filled with all the comforts of home.

Kerrion ordered his other half-brothers to a meeting in his audience chamber, whose pale marble walls were resplendent with the war banners, shields and coats-of-arms of the many lords who had sworn fealty to him. Silver-trimmed, midnight blue curtains framed the tall windows that graced the length of the room, allowing in a flood of light to pattern the obsidian floor. Golden sconces held fresh torches, ready to be lighted at a moment's notice, should the King require the chamber after dusk.

As soon as all his brothers were present, Kerrion dismissed the servants and guards. The Princes glanced at each other as the doors closed, then turned to the King with varying expressions of wariness, annoyance and suspicion. Kerrion settled upon the ornate golden chair whose velvet cushions matched the curtains, which stood upon a rose quartz dais, and scanned their uneasy faces.

Prince Jovan stepped forward with an air of blustering indignation. "What is this about, Kerrion? We have other matters to attend to."

The King studied his half-brother, trying to recall the man's ancestry. He was the second son of Shandor's third wife, brother of Rigal and Dravis, and only five years younger than the King. That made him the eldest of Kerrion's surviving brothers, and fourth in the line of succession. Jovan's portly figure resulted from his propensity to overindulge in rich foods and his passion for scholarly pursuits.

Jovan spent most his time in the palace library, poring over old volumes and collating ancient parchments, as well as writing books of horrible poetry over which favour-currying courtiers enthused. His receding hair revealed a shiny pate, and a well-trimmed beard strived to hide the double chin that bulged from his collar. His familiar, a large ape, spent its days sunning itself and eating copious amounts of fruit, much like its human companion, although Jovan spent his slothful time-glasses acquiring knowledge. Unlike his power seeking brothers, he had fared poorly in the combat training forced upon all the princes, and had never had any interest in the throne.

Kerrion met Jovan's hostile brown eyes. "As you know, your brother Dravis has been accused of killing Trelath."

"He did not do it," Jovan spluttered.

"I know."

Jovan's jaw dropped. "What are you saying?"

"Trelath was killed by an extremely skilled assassin, one who has earned a considerable reputation from his talents. I trust you have all heard of the Queen's Blade, who killed our father and now seven of our brothers?"

"Then why is Dravis being accused of it?" Jovan demanded.

"Because it was made to look like he did it, so he would be imprisoned. Dravis plotted against me with Trelath and Endor, so he is lucky to be alive. If he causes any more trouble, he could be the next target. The assassin has been hired by an anonymous benefactor, who wishes to see changes made in Cotti. I would also like to see those changes made, and this person has now made it possible, with the threat of this assassin. You see, I require your support to pass various laws that I have in mind, and you are going to give it to me."

A shocked silence followed his statement, then the princes erupted with shouts of anger and defiance. Kerrion waited for the tumult to subside, and Jovan emerged as the spokesman.

He glared at Kerrion. "In other words, you have hired this Jashimari assassin to kill anyone who does not do as you want."

"That would be treason. He does not work for me. He will not work for a Cotti."

"Then why is he interfering in Cotti affairs?"

"Because his former queen is my wife, as you all know."

Jovan growled, "So it is she who -"

"No. Let me make this quite clear. As you have seen from Chaymin and Trelath's deaths, the Queen's Blade can kill any of you at any time. He will not, if you do as I instruct. You will support all the laws and changes I put before the courts, and you will tell no one of this conversation, nor will you accuse anyone apart from Dravis. If you fail to heed me in this, you will die."

"That is blackmail!" Jovan shouted.

"That is right. Just as Trelath and Endor blackmailed me."

"We had nothing to do with that!"

"I do not care whether or not you did. None of you have ever supported me in anything, or tried to extend a hand of friendship. Those of you who have plotted against me have paid the price, except for Dravis and Endor. The rest of you were content to merely oppose every proposal I put forward, without taking the slightest interest in whether or not it would be good for the kingdom. Shandor got rid of his brothers by sending them to war, but I do not have that luxury. I am tired of you all sitting back in the galleries and waving limp hands whenever the nay vote is called. All you have to do is vote yes in future, and you will be safe."

"What about Dravis?" Jovan demanded.

"He will be banished for treason. He may not have killed Trelath, but he helped to plan my wife's kidnapping."

"Is this how you plan to elevate the status of your Jashimari tart?" a new voice demanded, and Kerrion's eyes found the speaker, Prince Marek.

Marek was the third son of Shandor's fourth wife, brother of Armin and Trelath. A mop of dark blond hair framed his scowling, square-jawed face, and his well-built physique owed much to his active lifestyle. His familiar was a massive grey stallion, and he ran the palace stables and stud farm, breeding and training the finest horses for the army and royal family. His devotion to this duty gave him no time to plot against the throne, although he had the potential to be devious, if not dangerous.

"Yes," Kerrion replied. "I intend to make my wife the Cotti Queen, as she was once the Queen of Jashimari, until she stepped down in favour of our daughter, Queen Kerra-Manu. I also mean to improve the lives of women by giving them more freedom. No longer will they be chattel and slaves. They will have the right to decide their fates, and crimes against them will be punishable."

"That is ridiculous," Jovan scoffed. "They do not have the brains to decide their fates."

"They do. I have been to Jashimari, and seen how a woman can run a kingdom as well as a man. They own businesses there, and land. Some of them are as powerful as their male counterparts, and a queen rules them. They walk with their heads high and their faces exposed. They are educated and proud."

"They will make our lives a misery," Marek cried, scowling.

"Only if you treat them badly. I am not going to argue with you, Marek, you have no choice but to do as I say, if you wish to live."

"This is treason!" Jovan growled.

"I am not the one who is threatening you, and you cannot prove anything if you go to the courts, which I do not advise."

"This is just a ruse, to hide your culpability," Jovan retorted, glancing at his brothers for support. Only Marek nodded, the rest just listened, their expressions neutral.

"It is the truth," Kerrion said. "If you choose to disbelieve me, ask the assassin when he visits you."

Jovan paled and turned away, pushed past his brothers and headed for the door.

"I have given you no permission to leave, Jovan," Kerrion called, and his brother swung around.

"You have spoken your piece and we have listened. I have no further wish for your company."

"Then you will do as I say?"

"Do I have a choice?"

Kerrion shook his head. "Not if you want to live."

"Then consider it done. I have no wish to die. If you want to pass a lot of useless, stupid laws, then so be it. May you rot in Damnation for it." Jovan yanked open the door and marched out, leaving a heavy silence behind him.

Kerrion raised his brows and scanned the hostile faces of his remaining brothers, who glared at him with hard, angry eyes, their mouths tight-lipped. Marek snorted and followed Jovan. Kerrion dismissed the rest with a wave of his hand before he rose and left through the door that only the King used.

Back in Minna's chambers, he found his wife entertaining Kerra and Blade. The assassin lounged on the cushions, picked at a bowl of grapes and looked exceedingly bored. Minna and Kerra clearly waited to hear the King's news, and he dismissed the hovering handmaidens as he settled on a cushion and returned their expectant smiles. The assassin ignored him after a cursory glance, returning to the tedious and delicate task of peeling a grape with one of his daggers. The King noticed the tray of tea and sweet cakes the women shared, and the absence of wine in the room. Evidently Minna had decided to cut down on Blade's consumption of alcohol, which had undoubtedly contributed to the assassin's foul mood.

Minna raised her brows. "Well? Do not keep us on tenterhooks, Kerrion."

His triumphant smile widened with amusement at Blade's disgruntlement. "They reacted as I expected. They are angry, but they can see that they have no choice."

"When will you put the new laws to the court?"

"Tomorrow."

"Excellent." Minna poured another cup of tea and handed it to him.

Kerra nibbled a cake. "I am glad Blade will not have to do any more killing, father."

Kerrion glanced at the assassin, glimpsing the surprised look Blade shot the girl, and the slight smile that curled his lips.

"Why is that, my dear?"

"It is dangerous, and I do not want anything to happen to him."

Minna smiled. "Have you grown fond of him?"

"I have realised what an important asset he is, mother. We need him here, unharmed."

"Indeed we do," Kerrion agreed. "For several more moons, I would venture to say."

The grape Blade was peeling shot from his fingers and skittered across the floor, coming to rest against Shista's flank. She raised her head to sniff it, then flopped back with a sigh. The assassin turned his head to fix Kerrion with an arctic stare.

"If you think I am staying in this viper's nest for several moons, you are sadly mistaken."

"You must. Should one of my brothers become difficult, we need you here to deal with him."

Blade glanced at Minna. "My part is done. The princes are brought to heel and I am free to leave."

"Unfortunately, Kerrion is right, My Lord. If one of them should go to the courts..."

The assassin turned the dagger, making it flash in the sunlight that streamed through the window. Kerrion was reminded of how proficient he was with the weapon, and fought the urge to tell him to put it away. As the only person in the room whom Blade would dearly like to kill, he found himself imagining how easily the assassin could snuff out his life with a flick of his hand.

Blade looked at Minna. "The longer I stay here, the greater the risk that I may be discovered. The princes will know that if they can find and kill me, Kerrion's plan will fail."

"True, but that is a risk we will have to take. I must ask you to stay until the new laws are passed."

"And this will take several moons?"

Kerrion shrugged. "Well, I could try to rush them through."

"Then I advise you to do so." Blade glared at him. "You cannot keep me here, should I choose to leave, unless you throw me in your dungeons again. My tolerance for this loathsome country already grows thin."

"You are needed here, My Lord," Minna murmured. "Would you desert me now?"

He picked another grape and began to peel it. "Now that Trelath is dead, you are no longer in danger, My Queen."

"There is no need for you to rush back to Jashimari," Kerrion commented. "Endor has fled and your wife is safe. In fact, I received word that she has sent your apprentice after him. Unfortunately, Endor has her familiar, but I am sure your apprentice will free it."

"I am not concerned about my wife." Blade flicked a shred of grape peel from his dagger. "My former apprentice will deal with Endor."

"Then you will stay?"

The assassin shrugged and popped the grape into his mouth. "For a while."

"I do not wish to go back just yet, Blade," Kerra stated.

He glanced at her. "What makes you think you are coming back with me?"

"I must return -"

"You will, with a company of your father's men, I have no doubt."

Kerra looked at Kerrion, then back at the assassin. "I would prefer to return with you."

The King shook his head. "Blade is right, you will have an escort of soldiers, as befits a queen."

Kerra's brow furrowed. "You call me a queen, yet you have no respect for my wishes."

"You are still young."

Kerra pouted and picked up her teacup, shooting her mother a look of appeal, which she ignored.

Blade plucked another grape. "Did Chiana mention the name of the assassin in her letter?"

"Yes, she said he was called Bolt."

The grape shot from the assassin's fingers again, landing on the tray this time. He stared at his empty hand. "Bolt?"

"Yes."

Blade frowned. "That is the wrong one."

"Surely you told her his name?"

"No. I was expecting to be in Jashimari, close enough to return to the palace before she sent him. It was not Bolt I wanted her to hire."

Kerrion sipped his tea. "Is one not as good as the other? He was your apprentice too, after all."

"Bolt is a bloody idiot. It was Lance she should have hired. He is the Master of the Dance." Blade grimaced and shook his head. "To send a bungling fool like Bolt after a Cotti Prince is inviting disaster. He will fail. His name should have been Dolt. He is an arrogant, egotistical bastard."

"But if you trained him..."

Blade snorted. "A man with no talent will never be good, no matter who trains him. I did not choose him, he was foisted upon me by the guild, the son of an elder whom they claimed would make an excellent assassin. They were wrong. He likes to kill. He is a murderer at heart, so he is in the right profession, but he is a moron. He failed the test of the Dance twice before he passed, and even then, I would have failed him. The elder who judged him evidently did not wish to embarrass me with another failure, but I would not have cared if they had never passed him. The man is an oaf."

Kerrion put his cup back on the tray. "I will write to Chiana and tell her to send Lance, then."

"It will be too late. When Bolt fails, Endor will kill her familiar."

Kerra gasped, raised a hand to her mouth and cast a wide-eyed look of horror at Minna-Satu. The Elder Queen frowned. "If that happens, Chiana will fall into the death sleep for as long as a tenday. Jashimari will be without a ruler."

"He may not," Kerrion argued. "He may keep the bird hostage to prevent her from sending another assassin. "

"Why would he do that, since it did not prevent her from sending the first?" Blade enquired.

"Well, if Bolt fails, Endor may think he is safe, since he will assume that the Regent would hire the best man available. He would not expect her to try again with the second best."

"He plans to kill the bird anyway, that is why he took it. He knows Jashimari will be thrown into turmoil if the Regent falls into a coma and the Queen is not in the palace."

"Surely her advisors will keep her condition a secret?"

"They will try," Minna murmured, looking concerned.

Kerrion frowned at his wife. "I will write to Chiana anyway. Perhaps if she despatches Lance now, he will reach Endor before he kills the bird."

Blade shook his head. "I doubt that."

 

The next day, Kerrion presented his proposal for new laws regarding women to the court, including the elevation of his wife to Queen. Low mutters of amazement and discontent came from the galleries occupied by lords, while the judges raised their eyebrows and smiled. Clearly they expected Kerrion's brothers to vote against him, and a glance at the princes' sullen faces assured Kerrion that they would dearly have liked to do so.

When the vote was called for, Kerrion turned hard eyes upon his brothers, and they raised their hands to accept his proposals. The judges stared at the princes in amazement before counting the votes. The lords sat in stunned silence, some appearing quite bemused by this unheard of turn of events.

Kerrion left the court well pleased with the morning's events, and returned to his study with a spring in his step. The laws would take at least three tendays to be ratified and written up, then another tenday to be made public through notices and criers, messengers carrying them to the furthest corners of the land.

It pleased Kerrion most of all that Minna would become his queen. After her coronation, she would enjoy the same privileges as he, and even some of his powers. Once ratified, the laws could not be revoked without the consent of the King, but until then, the princes could withdraw their support and stop them from going through. For that reason, Blade had to stay in the palace, on hand should he be needed to ensure the princes' continued co-operation.

The following day, Trelath and Chaymin's embalmed bodies were laid out in state, and mourners filed past to pay their last respects. After the princes, the lords, many of whom had travelled from distant estates to attend the funeral, filed past, then the courtiers, advisors, officials and officers in order of rank, and finally the commoners. Kerrion was obliged to attend for several time-glasses each day to accept the trite words of sympathy the mourners offered.

When he left to attend other duties, one of the princes replaced him, usually Prethos, younger brother of Targan. Prethos was devoted to the arts, and spent most of his time practising his singing, painting or lute playing. Unlike his older brother, whom Blade had killed sixteen years ago, when he had been little more than a youth, Prethos had a gentle nature. The deaths of his brothers genuinely grieved him, even though they had never treated him with anything other than disdain.

Prethos' older brother, Jaren, spent little time in the palace, and led a secretive life. He enjoyed sports, and kept a stable of gladiators that he pitted against any who were prepared to wager a considerable sum on their fighters. Kerrion had never had much to do with Jaren, and knew little of his nature. Marek's younger brother, Quantar, was also something of an enigma, keeping to himself and scorning palace politics, except when he was obliged to attend court in order to vote. Of Kerrion's fifteen half-brothers, only eight remained, yet there always seemed to be a profusion of princes.

Now that Minna was safe from the threat of kidnapping, Kerrion was able to leave her with her maidens and Kerra, sometimes with Blade as well, although the assassin preferred the solitude of his rooms. On the third day of the mourning period, Kerrion returned to his study to find Jadar waiting for him, looking nervous. The King sat behind his desk with a sigh, eyeing the elderly advisor as he bowed.

"What has happened now, Jadar?"

"Prince Jovan has freed his brother, Sire."

Kerrion leant forward. "Dravis is free?"

"Yes, Sire. It happened late last night, when everyone was asleep."

"Including the guards, I suppose."

"They were overpowered, but they recognised Prince Jovan's colours on the men who bound them."

The King jumped up and walked over to the window. "Where is Jovan?"

"Fled, My King, with his brother."

"Have the courts sent men after them?"

Jadar nodded. "But they will be well hidden in the city. It will be an impossible task to find them."

"Damn!" Kerrion thumped his fist on the wall, then stared out of the window. "I did not think Jovan would do this. He does not even like Dravis."

"It does seem strange, Sire, unless Prince Jovan believed Prince Dravis to be innocent. He has always been a stickler for justice. Had he not been a prince, he might have become a judge."

Kerrion rubbed his brow. "Yes, that is probably it. Now my wife is in great danger again."

"From Prince Jovan?"

"No, from Dravis." Kerrion waved a hand at the advisor. "Leave me, I must think."

Jadar withdrew, and Kerrion left his study to stride down the echoing corridors to Minna-Satu's rooms. He found her engrossed in a game of peeress with Kerra, and she looked up in surprise when he entered. After ordering the maidens out, he sank down on a cushion, and she studied his grim expression.

"Something grave has happened. Is it Chiana?"

Kerrion shook his head. "It is Dravis. Jovan has freed him."

She gazed at him while she digested this. "You think he will try to kidnap me?"

"No, I think he will try to kill you. And Kerra, if he learns who she is. From what Chaymin told me, he would like to harm me as much as possible."

"What of our sons?"

"I do not think he would dare to try to harm Shantar or Ashton, but I will assign more guards to their rooms."

"Guards will not stop him."

"He will not come here himself, he would be arrested on sight. Nor could he send a Cotti assassin to kill them, but he could send one to kill you."

Minna stared at the peeress board, her expression bleak. "Then I shall have to send Blade -"

"No. He is hiding in the city, Blade will never find him." Kerrion poured himself a cup of wine from the bottle beside him. "I will assign two bodyguards to stay with you when I am away. Jovan will have told Dravis about Blade, and I think when he discovers that he cannot get to you, he will send an assassin to kill Blade. Now that he is safely hidden, Jovan may send a letter to the courts, accusing me of blackmail. If the judges believe him, they could order the palace searched, and if Blade is found..."

"He will be executed."

"Yes. Our plan will fail. The laws have not been ratified yet."

Minna picked up a silver bell and rang it to summon a maiden, whom she sent to find Blade. The Elder Queen turned to Kerrion again.

"Let us hear what Lord Conash has to say on the matter."

"Doubtless it will be scathing."

The assassin arrived a few minutes later, looking a little disgruntled at being summoned from whatever he had been doing. Minna sometimes wondered how he filled his time, but had never asked him. He bowed to her and sat at her invitation, shooting a glance in Kerrion's direction. Minna told him what had happened in terse sentences, frowning when he helped himself to a goblet of wine and drank it while he listened. When she had finished, he shrugged.

"So long as I am warned, I can leave the palace before it is searched. The assassin is a different matter. If Dravis hires a poisoner or crossbowman, he may succeed. I should return to Jashimari."

"No. We need you here," Kerrion stated.

"I am no good to you dead."

"You are no good to us in Jashimari, either."

"You could disguise yourself, My Lord," Minna suggested. "I know you wish to return to Jashimari, but I need you here. Once more, there is a threat to my life, and I do not believe you fear an assassin."

"You are mistaken, My Queen. A skilled assassin could kill me. As for a disguise, that would be difficult. Donning a disguise for a few time-glasses is one thing, living in it for days, even tendays, is far more difficult, and fraught with peril. If I became a soldier, I would have to live in the barracks, where they have communal bathing facilities and large dormitories. If I became a handmaiden, the same problem arises, only worse."

Minna looked disappointed. "Indeed. I had not thought of that. But even if you remain yourself, surely another assassin could not kill you so easily?"

"I would not be an easy target for a man who kills at close range with a dagger or garrotte, but a poisoner has merely to tamper with my food, and a crossbowman could kill me when I walk in the gardens."

"Then do not walk in the gardens," Kerrion muttered.

Blade glared at the King. "Why do you not just lock me up in your dungeons again?"

"That could be arranged, and -"

"No." Minna shook her head. "No one is locking Lord Conash up."

"There are too many guards in the gardens during the day," Kerrion stated.

Blade sipped his wine. "If the assassin is good, the guards will not see him, even in the day. If he is very good, even you are not safe, My Queen. The fact that you share Kerrion's bed would not prevent me from killing you."

"You are exceptional, My Lord. What do you suggest?"

He gazed at the wine in his goblet. "If I am to remain here, then I shall have to take the risk. Now that they know I am in Jadaya, they will strive to find me."

Kerrion frowned. "I will send as many spies as I can spare into the city, but Dravis and Jovan have many friends who will hide them. Jovan cannot describe you in any detail, only that you are Jashimari. Perhaps you could disguise yourself as a Cotti lord, and remain in your rooms."

Blade pulled a face. "A disguise that I particularly loath. Not only does the damned wig itch, but the skin dye washes off in every bath, and I would require copious amounts of it to keep renewing it. It would also be rather pointless, since Dravis has only to send men to kidnap and torture Olan, or one of your maidens, to find out about it. It would be better to have several decoys. Find men who are of my build, dye their hair black and powder their faces, then give them rooms in the palace."

"An excellent idea," the King agreed. "In addition, I recommend that you share our meals, and I will assign a bodyguard to you."

The assassin snorted, shooting a glance at the Elder Queen. "I have suffered that indignity before, and I have no liking for it."

"Nevertheless, you will suffer it again, My Lord. I will not risk losing you." Her tone brooked no argument.

Kerrion looked at his daughter. "Fortunately, Kerra's identity has been kept a secret, but even so, I will assign her a bodyguard too."

"There is no need, father, I sleep in Blade's rooms at night."

"Really?" He eyed her. "During the day, then."

Blade sighed and shook his head, then drained his cup in a gulp, clearly disgusted at the situation in which he now found himself.