Minna waited by the window while Chiana left to pass on the orders. The winding streamers of dream silk seemed to mock her, and she glared at the sombre cloths that rippled in the breeze above the temple. Today, in keeping with the Death moon, the priestesses had hoisted grey, scarlet and black, to bring death and blood into the dreams of the unfaithful. The faint hissing and snapping made her shiver. When Chiana returned, Minna tore her eyes from the ominous cloth and turned to face her.
"Despatch as many squads of soldiers as can be spared into the city, tell Redgard to lead them himself. I want every house searched, every business, cellar and loft. Round up all known criminals, every thief, pickpocket and beggar, and offer a reward of gold to the man or woman who can lead us to Lord Conash.
"Put out the word that whoever is found holding Lord Conash will face a sentence of death. Inform the advisors, in particular Mendal, Motice and Pelin, that if the assassin is not found alive, I shall find out who killed him and have them executed, slowly. Contact all my spies, have them listen out for any clue. I want him back, Chiana, alive."
The chief advisor nodded, clearly astonished by the Queen's bright eyes and flushed cheeks, and the way she swirled her gown as she paced the room. Chiana stepped back, preparing to leave. "At once, My Queen."
"I did not give you leave to go."
Chiana froze, her eyes wide at Minna's tone. The Queen strode up to her, appearing taller in her rage. "Has Prince Kerrion left yet?"
"I believe he is even now in the courtyard, preparing to ride out."
Minna-Satu paused, then stepped past the astounded advisor and into the golden hall, startling the guards outside her door. They leapt to attention as she marched past, then fell in behind her, spears ready. Chiana hastened after her as the Queen headed for the courtyard, surprising sentries, who sprang to open portals in her path, some joining the growing retinue in her wake.
In the courtyard, Prince Kerrion looked around from adjusting his horse's girth at a commotion behind him. Queen Minna-Satu walked into the sunlight, her hair gleaming like polished ebony. Two dozen soldiers fell to their knees and prostrated themselves at the sight of their sovereign, so rarely seen outside the palace or its enclosed gardens. She stopped several feet away, where she would not have to look up at him too much, and he accorded her an awkward bow.
"Prince Kerrion, I hold a hope that our talks have brought us some understanding of our troubles, so in time we may resolve our differences and work towards a lasting peace. I return you unharmed to your kingdom, and wish you well. Always remember that you were my prisoner, and I set you free. Let it be something to lessen the rancour between our kingdoms. We shall not meet again. I bid you farewell."
Minna swung away and re-entered the palace, leaving Kerrion with his mouth open to reply, but no one to address. The soldiers followed her, leaving Kerrion, his escort, and Chiana gaping after them in amazement. The Prince recovered first, turning to Chiana.
"What was that all about? Why the sudden change of plans?"
Chiana faced him, looking bemused, and he surmised that events had moved with bewildering rapidity, leaving her placid nature floundering in their wake. She gathered her wits with what appeared to be a conscious effort.
"Lord Conash has disappeared," she explained. "The Queen blames it on the same traitors who tried to have you assassinated. Without the threat of the Queen's Blade, she must send you to the safety of your land while she endeavours to find those responsible."
Kerrion's eyes narrowed. "So, I have Blade to thank for this. He is probably drunk in some gutter, I should not wonder."
"The Queen will tear the city apart to find him, and without you here, she can bring the traitors to trial."
"I pity any who fall foul of her in her present mood."
Chiana bowed. "If you will excuse me, Prince Kerrion, I have matters to attend to."
Kerrion nodded, gazing at the doorway through which the Queen had vanished, a faint frown furrowing his brow. As Chiana left, he whispered, "Farewell, Minna."
A gimlet-eyed soldier gave the order to mount, and the Prince swung aboard his horse, gathering up the reins.
Minna stood on her balcony, where she could watch the cavalcade of Kerrion's escort as they rode out of the palace gates into the city streets. The breeze tugged at her, loosened her hair and played with it, causing tendrils to fall about her face. Minna brushed them away as she strived to catch a glimpse of Kerrion amongst the troops, silently cursing the distraction of the hissing dream silk that flew on the temple behind her. The Prince's golden head stood out amongst his guards' polished silver helmets, and his short, dark-blue cloak billowed from his shoulders as his horse pranced, eager to be off.
Angrily she brushed away the warm tears that ran down her cheeks. She watched until the buildings swallowed him up, wondering if he had once glanced back at the Jashimari Queen's palace. Minna looked up at the great golden bell that hung in its tower high above her, which tolled only upon a queen's death, every twenty-five years. Soon it would toll again, for her. She glanced down at a brush of fur on her leg, meeting Shista's eyes as the cat gazed up at her with deep concern. Minna knelt and slipped her arms around Shista's neck, burying her face in the feline's soft fur.
By the time Chiana returned, the Queen had regained her composure and sat amongst her cushions, the big cat purring at her side.
"The Prince has left, My Queen."
Minna nodded, her face stiff. "What did he say?"
"Why, nothing. He asked about the sudden change in plans, and I told him."
"So, he was well pleased to be on his way?"
The Queen's strange questions appeared to puzzle Chiana. "I suppose so, but he looked neither pleased nor sad, maybe a little pensive, is all."
Minna gazed down at the big cat she stroked, hiding her expression. "Leave me. Return only with news of Blade."
The chief advisor made her prostration and left, looking a little alarmed by Minna's odd behaviour.
In the city, the Queen's men set about their duty with fervour. The orders they had received told of the Queen's anger, and their loyalty spurred them to extreme measures. They herded people from their homes and searched the dwellings from roofs to foundations. Businesses were disrupted as soldiers searched storerooms and cellars. Criers spread the news of a rich reward offered, and scores of criminals found themselves arrested and questioned. By the end of the day, the populace's interest or anger was thoroughly aroused, and the search went on into the night, unabated.
Blade opened his eyes as the cellar door banged open and four torch-bearing men descended the steps. From their beefy faces and the bandages two of them wore, they appeared to be the same thugs who had attacked him in the alley. Two gripped his arms and dragged him to his feet, ignoring his groan as the wound in his hip tore open. A roughneck yanked the gag from Blade's mouth, and he spat out its foul taste. The man, who wore a bandage visible through the long, blood-stained tear in his shirt, thrust his face close to Blade's.
"The Queen wants her pet assassin back, Lord Conash," he sneered. "Got herself mighty steamed up about it, too." His voice dropped to a growl. "But she'll not see you alive again unless you tell us what we want to know."
Blade met the man's eyes. "And what's that?"
"Her plans. Why did she keep the Prince here so long? Why didn't she execute him? Why has she now sent him back all of a sudden? Tell us, or you suffer."
"Has she?" Blade muttered, and the cutthroats twisted his arms. "If your masters are too stupid to know that the Queen's plans are no secret, then I'll tell you. She was trying to make peace with the Cotti Prince. Perhaps she kept him because he would not agree."
The lout glanced at one of his cohorts, who shrugged. Blade eyed them, judging, by the stupidity of their faces, that the questions came from someone else, who did not wish to reveal his identity. This gave him some hope that he may be released, and he took courage from it.