The Queen's Blade III - Invisible Assassin Read online

  The tapping of his boots, though soft, beat out a definite rhythm on the stones, at times fast, other times slow, but never wavering from their precise tattoo. His sweeping gestures added to the beauty of his dance, the way he turned his head and twisted his torso as he spun and leapt captivated her eyes so that she hardly dared to blink lest she miss some wonderful movement that would not be repeated. The grace of his upper body paled against the swift precision of his legs as he kicked them up behind him, flicked one across the other and leapt high to strike his boots together in mid-air. Time seemed to stand still as she watched him dance in the morning sun, his skin soon sheened with sweat.

  Only a few minutes passed before he stopped, his chest heaving, and clasped the left side of his ribs in a gesture of pain. Blade sank down on the stone wall that held the fountain's pool, stretching his legs out before him as he gasped for air. He glanced around the garden, his eyes narrowed against the sun's brilliance, and looked directly at their hiding place.

  "You can come out now, My Queen."

  Minna gave a start of surprise, then smiled and stepped from behind the hedge. Alenstra followed, her cheeks hot with embarrassment.

  Blade frowned when he saw her and looked away, picking up his shirt. "So, you brought an audience. Did you sell tickets, too?"

  Minna laughed as she approached him. "Perhaps I should. Many would pay well for this privilege."

  "I am surprised at you, My Queen, skulking behind hedgerows to spy on me. What if I had decided to take a dip in the fountain?"

  "Then I would have enjoyed the show even more."

  Blade laughed, startling Alenstra, who had not seen him smile since her arrival. "Well said. Far be it for you to admit to embarrassment or shame."

  "Then you do not mind my watching you?"

  He shrugged, pulling on the shirt. "Why should I? You have seen it before."

  "I would like to come each morning."

  "Be my guest."

  Minna sat beside him. "Was that the legendary Dance of Death?"

  "Only part of it, a little more than half." He looked at Alenstra. "Did you also enjoy it, my lady?"

  "I have never seen anything like it before. Truly, it was wonderful."

  "So, being an assassin has some good points."

  "What do you mean?"

  Blade smiled, tying his shirt, and the Queen replied, "Only assassins perform the Dance of Death. No one else has the skill for such a dance. I thought perhaps you should see it before you left, something about your brother that you can remember, for it is unlikely that you will ever see him again.

  "Being an assassin is not simply about killing, but requires many skills, all of which your brother has mastered. If you are so ashamed of his ability to kill, then perhaps you can take some pride in his other skills."

  Alenstra glanced at Blade. "Nothing can outweigh the shame of what he is, My Queen. Though his dancing is wonderful, I can only see it as an extension of his -"

  "Enough." Minna raised a hand. "If you have nothing good to say, then leave us. Go to the harem and from there to your lord. I will not countenance another derogatory word."

  Alenstra knelt, and Blade watched her with dull eyes. When she rose he looked away, and as soon as she left Minna turned to him.

  "I should not have brought her, My Lord. I was mistaken in thinking that she may admire your skills as I do."

  He shrugged. "It is of no import. She is as stubborn as I am, and she will see no good in me now."

  "I have a favour to ask."

  "Another?" He smiled. "What is it?"

  "I should like you to dance at my wedding."

  "No." He rose and walked a little distance away before turning to frown at her. "Before the entire Cotti court? You know the Dance is secret."

  "Yes, but these are Cotti, not Jashimari. They do not know its significance. I would take great pride in you. I want them to see the skill of a Jashimari dancer."

  "I am not a dancer, I am an assassin."

  "You are both."

  He smiled at her assertion, shaking his head. "It is forbidden."

  "In Jashimari."

  "To all Jashimari assassins. The Dance of Death is not allowed to be performed publicly."

  "Then change it, create a dance of your own."

  Blade chuckled. "I am not a performer, My Queen, nor a circus act, and besides, do you plan for everyone to know who and what I am? I do not think that would be wise."

  "All they need know is that you are a Jashimari lord, and Ronan already knows that. Your presence need not be secret so long as your trade is."

  "It appears that Ronan was not at Kerrion's trial, where I revealed my identity to many Cotti lords and advisors. But Rigal was, and most of the other princes. I would risk recognition if I appeared before Kerrion's entire court."

  Minna frowned, looking thoughtful. "That is unfortunate, but do you really think that they would recognise you now? Rigal did not, as I recall. It was many moons ago. Besides, if they did accuse you, Kerrion would deny it, and his word carries more weight than any other."

  He sighed, returning to his seat beside her. "I know you well enough to guess that you will argue this matter until I agree or turn blue from bickering. I will consider it. When is your wedding to be?"

  "In a moon phase."

  "I had hoped to be gone by then."

  Minna shook her head. "Ronan will still be here. He must remain until the official mourning period of his brothers is over. Then Kerrion and I will be wed, and after that Ronan will be sent to Contara."

  "I see." He gazed across the garden, his expression distant. "And when does my sister return to her lord?"

  "Soon, within a day or two."

  Blade stood up. "I must go and bathe, My Queen. Allow me to escort you to your apartments."

  Minna smiled as she rose to stand beside him. "Your manners have improved, My Lord Conash."

  "Well, everyone else here has none, so I feel that I must make up for their lack."

  Chapter Eight

  Blade did not speak to his sister again, and two days later she left, escorted by only a servant this time. He watched her leave from the window of his room, the emptiness within him now devoid even of the hatred that had sustained him for so long. Minna had tried to persuade him to see Alenstra again, but he refused to enter the harem, where he was convinced she had gone to seek refuge from him. He could not bear to see the revulsion in her eyes again, and said a silent farewell as he watched her ride away down the shimmering streets. After he lost sight of her, he turned with a sigh and made his way to the garden for his morning exercise, where Minna awaited him. He did not mind her watching, though it did make him a little self-conscious at times, but she always sat quietly until he finished.

  When the Queen returned to her rooms, Blade left the sanctuary of the walled garden to stroll around the open expanse of the outer gardens. Here water was channelled and pumped to irrigate a lush tropical paradise filled with gaudy flowers and strange plants shaded by tall palms. Birds and butterflies abounded, and the assassin found the atmosphere restful.

  Cotti nobles walked along the many paths and paused to sniff the blooms. Some nodded a greeting to him in a puzzled manner, others ignored him. He wandered along a narrow, little-used path when the bushes beside it rustled and a hooded man stepped out in front of him. Blade's hand dropped to one of the daggers in his belt as he stepped back to measure the stranger with a rake of his eyes. To his surprise, the man pushed back the hood and revealed a familiar face of definite Jashimari descent.

  "Blade?" Jayon's incredulous expression swung between disbelief and delight. "Is it you?"

  "Jayon! How did you get here?"

  Jayon stepped forward and gripped Blade's arm as if to assure himself that the assassin was real. "It is you! How can this be? We thought you were dead." He grinned with unabashed delight, flicking a truant lock of hair from his eyes. "This is wonderful. You can't imagine how pleased I am."

  Blade jerked his
arm free. "What in Damnation are you doing here?"

  "Chiana sent me to spy on the Cotti. I came with the wagons that brought the stipend. She's going to be so happy you're not dead."

  "You, a spy? Has she gone soft in the head?"

  Jayon's grin broadened. "I insisted. She was so furious when she found the bodies missing that she did not argue, although she did say I would probably get myself killed."

  "She was right. Are you mad, snooping around the palace gardens?"

  "So long as I wear a hood and affect a limp, no one takes any notice of me. It seems that war veterans like to hang around the palace, and no one chases them away. I came into the gardens to see if I could overhear some interesting gossip, but this is far better. Chiana wants to know what happened to you and the Queen. She thought Kerrion had stolen your bodies, but you're alive. Is the Queen also?"

  "No." Blade shook his head. "I didn't take the Cup, but she did. You cannot stay here; you'll go to the gallows if anyone finds you."

  "Why? We're no longer at war. I'm here on business, and I have a right to do some sight-seeing."

  "Not in the palace gardens."

  Jayon shrugged. "Well, it's their fault for having such useless guards. Anyway, since when did you care?"

  "I don't. But I don't want to be caught talking to a damned spy." He brushed past Jayon and marched away. The young commander caught up within a few steps and grabbed his arm, halting him.

  "You're not going anywhere until you tell me what you're doing here. You can't just walk away now."

  "Can't I? I wouldn't recommend that you try to stop me."

  Jayon's eyes dropped to the dagger hilts at Blade's waist. "You don't kill without a client."

  "Who said anything about killing?"

  "Well, without a dagger I'm a match for you, I think."

  "Do you?" Blade's lips curled in a sneer. "You have a high opinion of yourself, boy."

  "You've said yourself, you're not a fighter." Jayon held up his hands. "I just want to know what you're doing here, not fight you. Maybe I can help."

  "It's none of your business."

  "But it is Chiana's business."

  "Then she had better come here and ask me herself." Blade pushed past Jayon again.

  Jayon hurried after him and fell into step. "Did Kerrion kidnap you?"

  "Yes."

  "Then I'll help you to escape." He glanced around. "Although I don't see why you can't do it on your own."

  "I'll leave when I'm good and ready, in another moon phase."

  "Oh, so you're spying too. But how is it, if Kerrion kidnapped you, that you're not in prison? In fact, why has he let you live?"

  Blade stopped and swung to face the young commander. "A pox on all your damned questions. Go back to Jashimari and tell Chiana I shall return soon, that's all you need to know."

  "She'll want to know what you're doing here too. Why don't you come back with me?"

  "Because I cannot leave yet."

  "Why not?"

  Blade sighed. "I made an agreement with Kerrion, that's why I'm still alive and free. I can't leave until I've fulfilled my side of the bargain."

  "What bargain? Are you working for the Cotti King? I find it hard to believe that you would serve him in return for your freedom, or your life. I thought you hated the Cotti?"

  "I do. You don't know me well enough to say what I would or would not do, boy. Go back to Jashimari and stop poking your nose into my business, before it gets chopped off."

  "All right." Jayon raised his hands. "But can you tell me why Kerrion stole Queen Minna-Satu's body?"

  "Because he loved her. He brought her back to bury her alongside his ancestors."

  "Really?" Jayon grinned. "Who would have thought it?" He fell into step beside the assassin as Blade set off again. "Look, I want to help you. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, I'm sure Chiana will get it out of you when you return -"

  "I wouldn't wager on it."

  "Let me help. I'll do anything you say."

  "Good, then go back to Jashimari and leave me alone."

  Jayon grabbed Blade's arm and yanked him around to face him. "This is no time to act high and mighty. If you're in trouble I can help you. No one knows I'm here, and in this guise I can go just about anywhere I please. What if Kerrion goes back on his word? What if he turns on you when you've fulfilled your side of the bargain? Do you really trust him?"

  Blade eyed the young commander with frustration, realising that he would not escape Jayon's badgering without coming to blows or satisfying the youngster's longing for excitement and subterfuge. He sighed. "All right, stay in Jadaya then, see if you can find out anything interesting. You can spy for me while you're here, and if I need your help I'll find you."

  Jayon grinned. "Good! What do you want to know?"

  "Anything about Prince Ronan. Who he sees, where he goes and if possible what he's plotting."

  "Consider it done! How will I tell you my news?"

  "Write it down and leave it here in the gardens, under the stone at the foot of Shamsara's statue. If I have any instructions, I'll leave a message in the same place."

  Jayon nodded, his fringe flopping into his eyes. "All right."

  "Now leave me alone. We must not be seen together."

  Jayon glanced around and pulled up his hood, stepping off the path to vanish into the shrubbery with a great deal of rustling and a smothered oath. Blade shook his head and sighed again, then set off down the path to his quarters. Any more complications, he pondered, and his life here would become unbearable. He cursed Chiana for sending Jayon on this foolish venture.

  If Jayon ever found out about the Queen she would have to order his death, and that he did not want her to do. Alenstra could have returned to Jashimari and been trusted to keep silent about Minna's presence in Jadaya, but not Jayon. The young commander was too inclined to be honest, and even if Minna swore him to silence, he may let it slip accidentally. The Jashimari palace was alive with spies, and one whisper of this would shatter the fragile peace between the Kingdoms.

  The moon phase of official mourning passed uneventfully. The Warrior Moon waned and the Sea Moon replaced it. Kerrion's spies detected no more plots in the making, and Ronan seemed to be biding his time, or perhaps Kerrion's punishment had intimidated him. The King, however, suspected that his brother was more likely trying to think up a good plan, or drumming up support from some of his other brothers. He did not believe that Ronan had given up.

  Each day, Blade received a message from Jayon, all of it petty gossip that did not help him at all, and he had no instructions for the would-be spy. The Queen was not pleased to learn of Jayon's presence in Jadaya. Like Blade, she saw it only as a potential problem, but Kerrion's gifts from the stipend distracted her, keeping her busy for tendays redecorating her quarters with new hangings and designing gowns from lush swathes of cloth. Perhaps because of this, she did not order Jayon's death, and her oversight was somewhat of a relief to Blade. He did not relish the prospect of killing the young man who had saved his life.

  The day of Targan and Rigal's funeral was tense for Blade, a perfect time for Ronan to strike at the Queen. Kerrion doubled the guard on her quarters, and with Ronan obliged to attend his brothers' funeral with the King and the rest of the princes, the extra guards proved enough of a deterrent. Blade spent the day with the Queen anyway, whiling away the time-glasses playing a board game that she won with monotonous regularity.

  The following tenday, preparations began for Kerrion's wedding, a stately affair by all accounts. Although Cotti kings usually took many wives, the occasion of their first wedding was always celebrated grandly, with successive wives receiving a far less momentous ceremony involving only the couple, a priest and a few well-wishers. Minna's excitement knew no bounds, and she glowed with happiness as she tried on the various bridal gowns offered. Her preoccupation kept her from her daily excursions to watch Blade dance, and he hoped that she would forget about her wish to ha
ve him dance at the ceremony.

  His hopes were dashed when dressmakers arrived in his rooms to measure him for his new clothes, and it took all of his patience to deal with them. It almost came to blows, however, when they tried to fit him with a gaudy outfit of blue and gold, studded with sequins and feathers. They fled his ire, and Minna was forced to enter the fray, but fared no better in the argument than the dressmakers. Blade opted for a far more subdued garb of black leather with silver trim and a little ornate silver patterning on the sleeves and trousers. The Queen insisted that he wear a silver torc denoting his rank, even though it meant nothing to the Cotti.

  On the day of the wedding, Blade rose early and took his exercise before the palace began to bustle with the last minute preparations for the ceremony. Afterwards, he retreated to his room and stayed there to avoid the chaos outside, not bothering to check the message from Jayon. As time passed, however, an uneasy feeling settled upon him and dragged his attention from the book he read. Although he could not fathom it, the only other time he had felt anything like it was the day the Cotti had attacked his village all those years ago.

  Minna-Satu stood before the huge mirror and admired her gown with deep satisfaction. The Cotti made excellent mirrors, almost perfect in their reflection and only slightly yellow. The dress deserved the reflection of such a mirror, a concoction of white satin and lace with silver filigree that hung in splendour from her tiny waist. The bodice, sewn with thousands of seed pearls and jewels, hugged her like a second skin. The finest lace sheathed her arms, and her veil sparkled with tiny diamonds. A delicate tiara set with diamonds and emeralds surmounted her hair, which was piled in elaborate coils and teased into midnight bangs that framed her face, while more jewels dripped from her ears and throat. Even without the trappings of her office, the golden chain mail and her six-foot sceptre, she had never looked or felt more like a Queen.

  The time of the ceremony was noon, and half a time-glass before, she sent a maiden to summon Blade. Minna fidgeted while she waited for him, annoyed to be kept waiting and nervous that she would be late. When the assassin arrived, he looked irritated and rumpled, his clothes hastily donned and his hair uncombed. She groaned, gesturing to her maids.