The Queen's Blade

"So, we are all here," he observed, shooting each a scathing glance. "And you have managed not to kill each other. Amazing."

"There is more at stake now," Lord Javare said.

"Indeed," Mendal agreed. "All of your futures."

Lord Bellcamp growled, "How do we know that what you claim is true, Mendal? You no longer have the Queen's confidence."

"I have spies. Why do you suppose the Prince is still alive? Do you think the Queen requires his entertainment? No, she is negotiating peace with him, and if she succeeds, you will all be ruined."

"And you," Lord Durlan said. "Why do we have to come to this stinking hot place?"

"Because there are no spies here," Mendal retorted, his eyes raking the lord's portly form.

"So what is the plan?" Lord Mordon demanded. "Let us get on with this, I long to quit this company."

Mendal nodded. "We now know that the Queen does not plan to execute Kerrion as we had hoped. She keeps him alive for a reason, and I start to suspect that she will send him back to the desert. We cannot allow this. The war must continue, or we all face ruin."

"But how do we know that she talks of peace with him, and if she does, that he will agree? Perhaps we need do nothing, for nothing will come of it," Lord Bellcamp said. "If he agrees to peace, his people will cast him out and place his brother Lerton on the throne."

"Not if Lerton's life is threatened." Mendal became intent. "If the Queen sent Blade with Prince Kerrion, the threat to Lerton's life would prevent him from overthrowing Kerrion."

"Why Blade?" Javare asked. "Surely Kerrion has assassins?"

"They are not as good, and besides, what assassin do you know who would kill his own prince? A Cotti assassin would not do the deed, but Blade would delight in killing Lerton. Knowing this, and Blade's reputation, the mere threat to his life would be sufficient to silence Lerton, who, we hear, is fond of staying alive."

"So what is our course?" Lord Durlan enquired. "Let us not waste time arguing petty details."

"Kill Kerrion," Mendal said. "With him out of the way, the Queen cannot strike a truce, and that will put Lerton on the throne."

"The Queen can still threaten him with Blade," Mordon pointed out.

"Without Kerrion's help, Blade would find it difficult to assassinate Lerton, who is not one for coming to the front as Shandor did. I doubt that threat would work, and if Blade was sent to kill only him, another brother would be waiting to take his place, and more after him. Even if Blade succeeded in wiping out the entire royal family, he would be unable to stop the war. The assassinations would enrage the Cotti. No, the Queen needs Kerrion to make peace, and once he is gone, so will any hope of it be."

"That is it then," Lord Bellcamp declared. "We are agreed, Kerrion must die."

"And many will applaud that action," Mordon noted.

"Indeed," Mendal agreed. "All we need do now is hire an assassin."

"Pity Blade is not available," Mordon grumbled.

"Lord Conash," Mendal said, "is firmly in the Queen's employ. Only a fool would approach him."

"That is what I said." Lord Mordon rose and jerked his torch from the sconce, then headed for the door. "I shall make the arrangements."

Three nights after the dinner with Queen Minna-Satu, the sound of running feet in the corridor outside his room roused Blade. He grabbed the dagger wedged between the top of the mattress and the headboard and turned as his door burst open. Two guards entered, carrying torches. His manservant, looking rumpled and puffy-eyed, ran in and lighted the lamps.

The soldiers bowed, and one said, "Lord Conash, the Queen requires you at once."

Blade slid from the bed and pulled on his trousers and a shirt, not bothering to tuck it in. "What is the trouble?"

"An attempted assassination of Prince Kerrion."

"Attempted?"

"The assassin failed. He is dead."

Blade frowned. "So what must I do about it?"

"The Queen requires you."

"Yes, I am coming."

Blade followed the guards into Kerrion's brightly lighted bedroom, which was filled with soldiers. The Prince paced about like an angry lion, his tawny eyes glinting, and a black-clad man lay in a pool of blood. Blade turned away, covering his mouth as his stomach heaved. Several cruel spear thrusts had eviscerated the strange assassin. Kerrion stopped pacing and glared at the Queen's assassin.

"Squeamish, Blade? One of your own kind, eh?"

Blade glowered at the Prince. "What happened?"

"He tried to kill me."

"Obviously. Why are you not dead?"

"He tripped on the rug." Kerrion gestured. "The sound woke me up, and I hit him before he could cut me. Then I shouted for the guards, and they killed him."

"Pity."

"A friend of yours, was he?"

"No, but he could have been followed to his employer if he was not dead. Then we might have found out who hired him. A dead assassin is of no use at all."

"Better than a live one," the Prince retorted. "At least I am not the one lying in a pool of blood." He hesitated, glowering at Blade. "For a moment, I thought it was you."

"Then you would have been lying in a pool of blood, though not such a large one. I do not trip over rugs."

"How did he get in here?"

The assassin glanced around. "There is probably a secret passage somewhere in this room." He turned to a soldier. "Have you searched him?"

"No, My Lord."

"Then do it."

The search produced a pouch of gold and a blood-stained map with instructions written on it in a flowing hand. Blade studied it.

"The entrance seems to be behind those curtains." He pointed to the far side of the room, and two soldiers went over to pull the gold-trimmed burgundy velvet aside, revealing polished wood panelling. One panel was open, and a dark passage yawned beyond. The men entered it with their torches, but Blade shook his head.

"They will not find anyone down there. The assassin was given a map from the outside. He did not need any help getting here."

Kerrion eyed the bag of gold the soldier held. "They did not pay him very much, did they?"

Blade glanced at the bag. "That is just the down payment. Assassins do not get paid until the deed is done."

"My Lord," one of the soldiers said, "the Queen wishes a report as soon as you are ready."

Blade nodded. "Very well, I have seen enough here."

Two guards followed as he headed for the door, and Kerrion strode after him.

"I must see the Queen."

"What about?" The assassin stopped and turned in the doorway.

"This." Kerrion gestured to the slain assassin.

"I can tell her what happened."

"I have to speak to her."

Blade's eyes narrowed at the Prince's tone, then he shrugged. "Very well, if she consents."

The assassin led the way, and the guards fell in behind Kerrion.

Queen Minna-Satu paced around her gold-pillared lounge as Kerrion had done, clad in a flowing blue satin robe, her hair loose about her shoulders. She turned as Blade entered alone, leaving the Prince outside with the soldiers.

He bowed. "My Queen."

"Blade, what happened?"

"Someone sent an assassin to kill Kerrion."

"Who?"

"I do not know. Kerrion wishes to see you, he waits outside."

A flush stole into Minna's cheeks, and she glanced away, taking a moment to recover her composure. "Let him in."

The Prince entered and inclined his head to her. "Minna-Satu."

She nodded at him before turning to Blade again. "What can you tell me?"

He shrugged. "The assassin's name was Slash. He specialised in slitting throats. He was one of the better assassins, more experienced. He entered through the secret passage that leads to Kerrion's room. Someone gave him a map."