“Have you seen Siris today?” Neco then asked.
Aharon shook his head. “Nevis’s knights are still looking to kill him, so I imagine he’ll be keeping himself hidden until you take the throne and secure his safety. Why?”
The prince shrugged. “I wish to ask him something, is all.”
“You’re not still mistrustful of Padus, are you?”
Neco seemed to contemplate his answer. “I’m as certain of him as I can possibly be,” he finally said.
Aharon eyed him a moment. “I know these past few weeks have been trying, but they’re nearly behind you now.”
“Yes, thanks to you. The circumstances notwithstanding, it truly is wonderful having you back, Aharon. It wasn’t the same here without you.”
He nodded. “It’s a relief being home, and I can only hope no cause will arise to take me from these shores again.”
“Once I’m king, that won’t be a concern.”
Aharon grinned back at him. “I’m already committed to tonight’s bloodletting, so there’s no need for further convincing.”
Neco matched his look before his expression grew serious again. “Be careful tonight, and if you find the scene too uncertain, retreat. You can always try again, but only if you’re still alive.”
“Right.”
They left the matter there, for there was nothing more to say. Starting back toward the palace, Aharon left Neco in the company of his knights and continued inside, making his way toward Aya’s quarters on the third floor.
Along the way he crossed paths with Padus, who paused to shoot him a smile. “Evening, Aharon,” the young prince greeted.
After issuing the young man a brief scrutiny, Aharon replied. “Your highness. Are you enjoying your renewed liberty?”
Padus nodded. “Honestly, I didn’t think I’d survive long enough to know its pleasures again. I’m relieved beyond measure that this matter’s behind us.”
While unaware of tonight’s agenda, Aharon figured Padus was likely anticipating the maneuver, and had accepted it as inevitable. Chances were, an announcement of the king’s death wasn’t going to surprise him.
Provided, of course, this was how the situation actually unfolded.
“We’re all thankful to have regained a sense of normalcy,” Aharon now answered. “Tell me, my prince,” he then added, “if you’re privy to Siris’s whereabouts? Neco was looking to speak with him.”
Padus nodded. “I know where he’s keeping himself, and will relay the summons.”
Idly pondering Neco’s sudden interest in conversing with the jester, a man he openly despised, the matter gradually slipped to the back of Aharon’s mind as he continued upward and drew upon Aya’s quarters. After Molli let him inside, the handmaiden retreated to grant them privacy.
Aharon was unsurprised to discover Aya pacing nervously about her lounging room, and she threw him a tense look as he entered.
“I think I should come with you,” she opened, shifting in his direction.
“There’s absolutely no chance of that happening,” he returned. “You have your own part to play, and that’s how you’ll be most helpful to me.”
“Too many things could go wrong,” she argued.
“Which is why it’s fortunate I can think on my feet.”
She frowned. “I want to go over everything again.”
Having spent most of the previous night doing this very thing, Aharon withheld a sigh as he moved to one of the sofas and sank down. “As you please,” he told her.
Despite that they were merely repeating last night’s discussion, they spent the next couple of hours debating over and dissecting every aspect of their strategy, a tedious practice since their plan was quite simple. Essentially, Aharon would use the tunnels to arrive at the king’s chambers, then wait for the distraction Aya would cause in one of the nearby corridors. With luck, the ensuing commotion would draw most, if not all, of his majesty’s security away, leaving Aharon with the simple task of entering his rooms and slaying him. He would then escape back through the shaft, protecting not only his identity, but also the mystery of how he’d gotten into the king’s chambers.
Due to recent scouting, they knew his majesty currently slept with a guard of eight stationed about the door leading into his quarters. An additional three knights remained inside with him, acting as further protection in the event an attacker somehow made it through the initial line of defense. Considering the current state of matters, it was likely King Jahi was now expecting Neco to launch some manner of assault his way, although he obviously assumed this threat would come by way of the corridor. Unless Siris had betrayed them all and divulged the location of the tunnels to his majesty, none would foresee an attack sprung from within.
It was the jester Aya spoke of now. “He’s the greatest uncertainty in all this,” she fretted. “For who’s to say he hasn’t been reporting our movements to my father all along?”
“Aya, we’ve been over this,” Aharon replied, stifling his exasperation. “Even without our interference, the king isn’t long for this world, meaning it wouldn’t be in Siris’s best interests to help him. To maintain his seat as jester he needs to assist the future king—Neco. Which is precisely what he’s now doing.”
“You’re right,” she nodded, even as her hands continued to twist nervously before her. “I’m just terrified at the thought that I might lose you tonight.”
Since there existed a real chance of this happening, he didn’t do her the disservice of professing any false reassurances or promises. “I will do my absolute best to come back to you,” he told her instead.
The statement obviously did little to appease her fears, but rather than voice further worries she assumed an authoritative look and gazed back at him. “You will make it back, and finally make good on your pledge to marry me.”
He donned a grin. “It’s certainly been a long time coming. Let’s hope this represents our final obstacle.”
“Don’t you die on me, Aharon.”
Smile fading, he simply nodded.
Aiming to strike in the dead of night, it was another few hours before he finally moved to take up his sword. Maneuvering his way through the shafts with this weapon strapped to his back wouldn’t be easy or enjoyable, but he couldn’t risk leaving it behind. While hoping to avoid confronting any knights, he didn’t think this was likely, and without the weapon he’d stand no chance of surviving. In addition to the sword, he also carried a dagger in his boot, and had two more blades strapped to his belt.
Once properly equipped, he turned to Aya for a brief farewell, simply kissing her and telling her he loved her. She responded in kind, clearly aware that becoming emotional wouldn’t do either of them any good.
Crouching, he moved himself into the fireplace. “Remember,” he then said, merely as an excuse to look back a final time, “I need half an hour to get into position.”
She nodded. “Much luck, Aharon.”
Turning, he edged his way into the shaft and began pulling himself forward.
Chapter 14
After emerging from the shaft and into the tunnel beyond, Aharon made his way up to the fourth floor and moved to the final opening, that which led to the king’s chambers. Maneuvering within—and following a brief moment of panic where his sword hilt jammed against the shaft’s ceiling before mercifully jerking free—he then started forward, inching his way along as silently as possible.
Upon finally reaching the end, he paused but made no move toward the latch. Estimating at least ten minutes remained before Aya’s distraction would erupt, he instead merely listened; presently the middle of the night, just a couple hours before dawn, he expected to hear nothing and wasn’t disappointed. Doubtless, his majesty was asleep, although just as certain was that the trio of knights in his company were not. Unsure if he could confront all three and live, Aharon wasn’t anxious to find out and therefore hoped all would withdraw from the chamber to investigate the imminent commotion.
; With nothing to do but wait, he found he no longer had a distraction from his nerves and was forced to acknowledge them. He could feel his heart pounding, and his breaths, although silent, were coming too rapidly. Closing his eyes, he willed calm but found the process a struggle, for his thoughts kept slipping to everything he had to lose. With his ideal existence now finally within reach, the fear of being struck down tonight was nearly impossible to overcome.
In the end, he managed to get the majority of his anxiety under control, forcing it into a distant corner of his mind. Expecting Aya to make her move any moment now, he brought a hand to the latch and continued waiting.
Several more minutes passed before the muffled sounds of voices reached him. Unable to decipher any words, he slowly began easing back the panel, and a dim light appeared through the opening. The voices went on, but he still couldn’t make out what was being said, implying that whoever was speaking was doing so in another room. This was fortunate, since it might allow him the chance to enter the chamber unnoticed, regardless of whether the knights left to assess the threat.
After much discussion, he and Aya had decided that she would set the intersection of corridors nearest the king’s chambers aflame. Certain to draw the notice of the knights stationed outside his majesty’s door, it was reasonable to think that at least a few of them would abandon their post to investigate the sudden tumult, and then be forced to remain and battle the fire. It was also logical to presume that they’d suspect the scene was a distraction, and therefore close ranks about the king, ensuring no one made it past them and into his rooms.
What these men couldn’t know was that the doorway they guarded wasn’t the only entrance into the chamber, and that they’d instead be trapping the king inside with his attacker. Not so easy to predict was whether the three knights within would move to reinforce those in the corridor, or remain with his majesty. Aiming to proceed either way, Aharon now finished sliding back the latch and eased slightly forward, straining to hear what was being said in the next room.
Still more or less hidden within the shaft, he finally began making out some words.
“…here…if there’s cause…”
“…not happenstance, whatever the…”
“…remain and keep alert…”
Surmising that one of these men was now moving to exit the chamber and take stock of the situation in the corridor, Aharon emerged into the fireplace and glanced about, his eyes now mostly adjusted. The faint light was coming from the next room, while a short hallway branching off to his left remained dark. Cautiously pushing to his feet, Aharon slid soundlessly into the darkness, remaining along the wall as he crept slowly forward. According to Aya, he’d find the king’s bedchamber down the darkened hallway, and he briefly wondered if he could reach it without drawing notice from the remaining pair of knights.
Quickly running through the scenario, he then dismissed the idea. Even if he made it and successfully killed the king, any noise or commotion would only draw the knights to the bedchamber and potentially block his escape route. If he had to confront them either way, he thought he’d best get it over with prior to moving on his majesty.
Still slinking down the wall, he paused abruptly when voices again sounded out from the next room, now much clearer and louder.
“The corridor’s ablaze,” a male voice reported.
“Was this done deliberately?” another asked.
“Don’t be an idiot. You believe the walls just caught fire on their own?”
A third voice spoke. “Must his majesty be evacuated?”
“I imagine that’s what the fire-setter assumes we’ll do,” the first speaker said, “but the flames aren’t out of control, so it’s safer not to move him. You two remain here, and alert him to the circumstances. Little question Prince Neco’s finally making his move, but he’s going to fail.”
“Aye,” the second man said.
Next came the sound of a door slamming, leading Aharon to presume the first knight had now returned to the corridor, aiming to support his brethren in guarding the door. This left him with two knights to deal with, and while not an optimal scenario, it was probably the best he could expect.
“Go rouse his majesty and notify him of what’s transpiring,” one of the remaining knights now said. “If we do need to evacuate, best he be ready.”
The only reply was the sound of approaching footsteps, and Aharon quickly reached back and drew his sword. Confronting them one at a time would certainly lend him a higher chance for success, but also increase the risk of discovery and of reinforcements being called. He’d therefore have to strike as silently as possible.
The knight strode into view, moving toward the hallway. Shielded by darkness, Aharon remained still, waiting until he neared. He then stepped forward and swung, delivering a high backward slash.
The knight caught sight of him just before the blade met his throat, and his eyes widened in surprise. Then he gurgled and toppled, his head flopping back at the near-decapitation, and Aharon lunged forward to catch him before he crashed to the floor.
Splattered with an ample gush of blood as he eased the body down, Aharon’s grip grew slick and his sword nearly slipped from his fingers. Managing to keep his hold, the body nevertheless shifted from his grasp and landed with a pronounced thud. Wincing, Aharon quickly turned toward the doorway, already hearing the other knight’s approach.
“Itha?” the man was saying as he strode into the room.
Aharon leapt forward, his sword rising before him.
The knight reacted instantly, shifting from the path of danger and drawing his own weapon. Swinging about, he met Aharon’s slash and kicked outward, striking his knee.
Leg buckling slightly, Aharon rolled into the momentum and ducked the following assault, then swept in low, landing a slice across the knight’s thigh.
“Breach!” his opponent then bellowed, bringing his blade up for another strike.
Aharon met the attack, parried, then snatched up one of his belt knives with his free hand and plunged it into the knight’s neck. Growing still as the man then fell, he listened for a moment, fearing the sound of nine additional knights now pouring into the chamber in response to the dead man’s shout.
Hearing nothing of the sort, he cautiously crept forward. Was it possible they hadn’t heard? And what of the king—had the yell awoken him? Glancing back, Aharon observed no signs of life from the darkened hallway.
Continuing, he made it all the way to the apartment’s entranceway before noises from the outside corridor met his ears. The knights beyond the door seemed to be shouting, and after listening for a few moments Aharon deduced that the fire was now spreading this way, while the king’s protectors scrambled to battle it. Whether the encroaching danger was Aya’s design or mere happenstance, the knights had apparently been too distracted to hear their brethren’s shout, an almost unbelievable stroke of luck for Aharon. Although, if the fire wasn’t conquered and continued roaring this way, it would only be a matter of minutes before the knights decided to evacuate the king after all, meaning he’d now be wise to hurry.
After briefly debating whether he should try and barricade the door—and deciding the effort would only waste precious moments he didn’t have—Aharon retreated, hurrying past the bodies of the two fallen knights and down the hallway. Enveloped in sudden darkness, he slowed his pace and brought a hand to the wall, sliding it along until he felt it come to a door. Drawing to a pause, he remained still a moment to gather his resolve, then reached for the handle and pushed it open.
A dull glow spilled forth from within, and Aharon blinked rapidly to adjust his vision; a single candle was lit, resting atop the nightstand placed next to the bed. King Sabar Jahi was sitting upright at its edge, his feet on the floor and his form enshrouded in a silken dressing grown. Hands folded neatly in his lap, his outward stare was calm, while his crown, which Aharon had never before seen removed from his head, rested on the nightstand next to the candle.
/> “Hello, Aharon,” the king said.
“Your majesty.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised to find you here.”
Aharon took a step into the room. “No?”
The king offered him a humorless smile. “My protections notwithstanding, I figured it was only a matter of time before you appeared. Your loyalty to Neco has never wavered.”
“It’s your own fault that I’ve come,” Aharon told him in reply, continuing to advance. Reminding himself that he had absolutely no time to spare, he then slowly brought up his sword.
His majesty’s gaze remained steady and unafraid. “Do you truly possess the mettle to strike down your own king?” he asked.
Aharon’s eyes narrowed with disdain. “You’d best believe it,” he said, taking another step.
A third voice slid abruptly from the darkness.
“That’s close enough,” it said.
Startled, Aharon froze and moved his gaze into the nearest shadowy corner. After a moment he was able to distinguish the outline of a man, but no further details, although this hardly mattered. The voice was one he’d known his entire life, and had identified instantly.
His father now came forward, bringing himself into the dim glow. “I warned you what would happen if you attempted this,” he said, raising his own weapon.
Not responding, Aharon’s eyes shot from one man to the other. His father was armed and stood about six paces away, while the king sat defenseless just three steps forward. Having only a moment to decide on a course of action, his mind seized upon what seemed his only reasonable option.
Conclude the mission.
The move required him to take just a single step, his sword then supplying the necessary reach as it swept outward toward its target. As it sliced into the king’s flesh and sent his head tumbling downward, Aharon heard his father shout his name, his tone sounding more horrified than angry.
Crown of Thieves Page 12