Invisible Assassin (11 page)

"Oh, God, I'm so sorry."

Blade cleared his throat. "What have you to be sorry for?"

"For what has happened to you."

Blade pulled her arms from his neck and shoved her away. Marching to the door, he jerked it open and strode into the passage without a backward glance.

Alenstra sank down on the bed, allowing her tears to flow unchecked. The release of weeping had helped her through many hard times, and this was no exception. The shock of her discovery was immense. It had shaken her to the core of her being. Her younger brother had taken up the most hated and reviled trade in all of Jashimari. He had become the one thing their father had always denounced.

Alenstra remembered a laughing boy with gentle eyes and a noble, generous spirit, who could charm anyone with his sweet smile and whimsical ways. She would never have believed that such a child could become a killer. A shiver went through her at the memory of the touch of his hands on her wrists, so cool and smooth-skinned, not roughened by work. That, plus the tiny scars on his fingers, should have told her the truth, and the name the King had called him. Curling up on the bed, she waited for his return, wondering what she would say to him. As the time-glasses passed, her tears dried and tiredness seeped into her.

The sound of the door closing woke her, and she sat up as her brother lighted the lamp on the table, finding the room dark. He eyed her with dispassion.

"Why are you still here?"

"I was waiting for you."

"Ah. You've overcome your shock, and now only revulsion remains." He sat at the table, adjusting the lamp.

"Yes."

"I have a right to privacy. Kindly go to your quarters."

She swung her legs off the bed. "I don't want to stay in the harem."

"Is that where he put you?" He sighed, rubbing his face. "No, that won't do at all. You'd better stay here then, if you can stomach it. I'll sleep on the floor."

"Ash..."

"Call me Blade, everyone does, or Lord Conash, if you prefer. I'm a lord now, a title earned by my bloody deeds. To be correct, you should address me as 'My Lord', and you, by merit of being my sister, are now a lady. I have riches beyond imagining and titles coming out of my ears, as well as a vast estate in Jashimari with servants and the whole caboodle. You could also call me the Queen's Blade, if you wish, or the Silent Slayer, the Invisible Assassin, whichever you prefer -"

"Stop it."

He turned to look at her. "Certainly, Lady Alenstra."

"You're still my brother."

"Unfortunately for you."

"I'm sure you had no choice in the matter."

He shook his head. "I could have starved to death, or maybe become a common thief. I became an assassin because I wanted to kill."

"You enjoy it?"

"No. After what happened to me, it came naturally."

"I understand."

"No you don't."

She sighed. "I'm trying to. Explain it to me."

"There's no point, it wouldn't change anything. I am what I am, and tomorrow I'll see to it that you're assigned a room of your own. Right now, I'm tired."

Blade rose and dragged some blankets off the generously endowed bed, spreading them on the floor in a corner. He appropriated a pillow and retreated to his nest, taking the lamp with him. Alenstra watched him, biting her lip. When he blew out the lamp, plunging the room into darkness, she lay down with a sigh.

Chapter Six

Blade rose at dawn and went to Olan's quarters to rouse the servant and demand another room. Olan dragged a tunic on over his nightshirt and glowered at the assassin before showing him to a room further down the corridor. Several rich gowns were spread on the bed, and Blade turned to Olan with raised brows.

"Where did those come from?"

The servant yawned. "The King's mistress sent them last night. She arranged the room then too, but said you shouldn't be disturbed."

The assassin dismissed the grumpy servant, marvelling at Minna's ability to foresee the needs of others. He returned to his room to find Alenstra waiting for him, and regarded her from the doorway.

"I've found a room for you just down the hall."

Alenstra rose, smoothing the creases in her satin gown, and followed him into the corridor. He led her to the new room, which was much like his own, and stood aside to allow her to inspect it. She spied the gowns and went over to finger the rich material of one, exclaiming in delight.

"These are Jashimari clothes."

"Of course. You can't continue to wear Cotti garb."

She turned to him, looking puzzled. "But where did you get them?"

"Queen Minna-Satu, or rather, the former Queen. The woman you saw in my room yesterday, who left with Kerrion. Her daughter is now the Jashimari Queen, and Kerrion's child. Minna-Satu took the Queen's Cup, but Kerrion found the antidote and brought her here. The Endless War is over, but you probably know that. I am in her employ, to kill any who plot to slay her, who are Kerrion's half-brothers, naturally."

Alenstra gaped at him, and he added, "A servant will be here shortly to attend you. Whatever you wish, ask her. Good day, my lady."

Blade inclined his head and stepped into the corridor, closing the door. He returned to his room, where he picked at his breakfast before he went to the garden to exercise, trying to keep to his routine, determined that the presence of his sister would not change his life. Her discovery was a wonderful, miraculous event, and a strange ache had filled his chest since the moment he had set eyes upon her. The joy that should have filled him was absent, however, because she now knew what he was, and it shamed her. For that he did not blame her, she was right to be ashamed of him. One thing bothered him though, and after he had bathed he went to Minna-Satu's rooms and demanded entrance.

The Queen languished on her mound of cushions, a book in her hand. She put it aside when he approached and bowed. "My Lord Conash, what a pleasant surprise. You do not visit me enough, only when I invite you, yet my door is always open to you. Sit."

"I have not come to socialise, My Queen."

She sighed. "You never do. What irks you, My Lord?"

He settled on a cushion, stroking the sand cat when she came to rub against him. "Do you know the name of the man who enslaved my sister?"

"Yes, Lord Dorgon, why?"

"I must redeem my sister's honour."

"You mean kill him."

Blade nodded.

"And who is your client, Alenstra?"

"No. She would not ask for his death. It is I who require it. It will be an easy target, my fee will be small... very small. A single coin will suffice. But as you know, I must have a client."

Minna regarded him with a worried frown. "And you hope to persuade me to be your client."

"I would regard it as a favour."

"I see. And you think, quite rightly, that I owe you many favours."

"That is of no consequence, My Queen. I am content to be in your debt."

She played with a lock of hair, gazing at him. "Unfortunately, Lord Dorgon is a loyal ally of the King. Kerrion would not wish him dead."

"Kerrion has many loyal lords. Doubtless Dorgon's son will follow in his father's footsteps. It will be no great loss."

The Queen pondered this for several minutes, while Blade fondled Shista's ears to the melody of her rumbling purr. Minna shook her head. "Before I make a decision, I recommend that you speak to Kerrion on the matter. He has outlawed the enslavement of Jashimari children. You may find him willing to punish Lord Dorgon himself."

"I do not want him punished. I want him dead."

"Sometimes death is the easy way out, My Lord. Punishment can be harsher, depending on what it is."

"Kerrion will not punish a loyal lord so harshly, by doing so he will alienate him and his sons, losing the entire line forever."

"Indeed." Minna frowned. "Then perhaps you can demand the favour as payment for Targan's death, or Rigal's. I would rather you spoke to him about it though. I dislike the idea of going behind his back, though I am not saying I will not. I also think you should discuss it with your sister. After all, it is on her behalf that you do this, at least she should know about it."

"It would be pointless to tell her. She will be against it."

"Then why do it?"

"For the honour of my family."

"Your pride." She shook her head. "I am sure Lord Dorgon does not know your sister was his slave. It is pointless to exact vengeance upon a man who does not know that he has wronged you."

"I will ensure that he does before he dies."

"A few seconds of terror and remorse will bring you little satisfaction, My Lord. As you once said yourself, vengeance is a sweet cup with bitter dregs that never runs dry. How long have you supped those bitter dregs for now, and what joy has it brought you?"

The assassin jumped up and strode to the window, gripping the ledge as he frowned at the shimmering city. Shista stopped purring, bereft of his caress, and gave a mournful sigh. Blade turned to face the Queen again.

"For years I have longed to punish those responsible for my family's murder. This is the first time I can strike at a man who is directly responsible for my sister's enslavement. His death will mean much to me."

"Will it? Are you not so immured to killing that each victim means less than the last? And if your sister does not wish his death, why should you, if not for your pride?"

Blade glared at her. "I did not come here to be dissuaded, My Queen."

"Then return tonight with your sister, and we will discuss it with Kerrion. Let all the parties air their views before anything else is done. This is not something to be ventured into lightly."

He strode to the door, still looking angry. "Then I shall take my leave of you." He turned and bowed. "My Queen."

"My Lord."

That night, Blade returned at the allotted time, arriving just before Alenstra. He accorded the Queen a stiff bow, ignoring Kerrion, who stood beside a table laden with sweet pastries, savoury tarts and wine. The King, as usual, ignored the assassin's rudeness and continued to pick at the food, while Minna watched from her hillock of cushions.

Blade made his way to the table to pour a cup of wine before wandering over to a window to admire the sunset. Silence fell until a timid knock came at the door, and a handmaiden opened it to admit Alenstra. The Queen raised a hand, dismissing the girls. Alenstra wore a flowing, forest-green gown, her hair swept up in a coil. She stopped in confusion when she saw the King and fell to her knees, prostrating herself. Minna opened her mouth, but before she could speak Blade strode over to his sister.

"Get up!" He gripped her arm and dragged her to her feet, making her gasp in pain and shock. "You do not grovel. You are a lady! My sister grovels to no one." Releasing her arm, he took hold of her jaw and forced her to look at him. "You will not disgrace me thus. You bow to the Queen only, never grovel, especially to him." He indicated Kerrion with a stab of his finger, and she followed his gesture with wide, frightened eyes.

"But he's the King."

"Of the damned Cotti! You are Jashimari, never forget it." He released her, and she backed away, raising a hand to her chin with a shiver.

Kerrion watched the confrontation with narrowed eyes, a wry smile on his lips. "I tolerate your rudeness because I have to, Blade, but your sister enjoys no such privilege. You should not encourage her to display your bad manners."

The assassin turned to him. "She is a lady, she does not grovel."

"There is no such thing as a lady amongst the Cotti; even my mother prostrates herself to me. However," he hurried on as Blade opened his mouth, "since she is a Jashimari lady, I will make an exception and allow her to bow as she would to her Queen."

Blade closed his mouth with a snap and eyed the King, then gave a curt nod. "Very well."

Minna breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at the terrified woman. "Be not uneasy, Lady Alenstra. Sit, eat, have some wine. The storm, I think, is over for the moment."

Alenstra moved away from her brother, poured a cup of wine and settled on a cushion. Blade went back to the window and gazed out of it, frowning. Minna-Satu, divining that he had no intention of broaching the subject, spoke for him, addressing Alenstra.

"My lady, your brother has voiced a wish to punish the lord who made you a slave."

Alenstra looked confused. "Punish him? How?"

"Lord Conash would take his life. Do you also wish this?"

Kerrion shot Blade a frown, but awaited Alenstra's answer. She shook her head. "No, My Queen. He's the father of my children. What will they do without him?"

Blade turned. "He enslaved you. When he is dead, your children will be returned to you."

"He didn't enslave me, he bought me from the soldiers who did."

"He whipped and starved you."

"He only threatened to. I was punished on occasion, nothing more."

Kerrion raised a finger, trying to get someone's attention. "Has anyone considered my point of view?"

Blade scowled at him. "I know your opinion. Lord Dorgon is one of your loyal lords; you certainly do not want him dead."

"No, I do not, and that should be sufficient to end this argument."

"You have outlawed the enslavement of Jashimari children and claim to have punished those who did it. Now would be a good time to prove you were telling the truth."

"Your sister was fourteen when she was taken. She was not a child."

"So you condone the slavery of adult Jashimari?"

Kerrion glanced at Minna, who watched him. "I do not condone it, but it is not a crime. Jashimari took many prisoners during the war, as we did, and they were put to work in your mines as slaves."

"Those were men, not women and children," Blade stated.

"Yes, but had Jashimari raided Cotti towns, doubtless they too would have taken women and children. It was purely due to the barrier of the desert that Cotti women and children were safe."

Minna raised her chin. "I would never have allowed the enslavement of women and children."