The Assassin

by Trudie Collins

  Part way through the meal, Sam spotted Galloway looking under the table and asked him what he was up to.

  “I am just making sure that dog of yours is not there,” he told her.

  Sam frowned for a moment, then burst out laughing when she realised who he was talking about. “Samson was a wolf,” she explained, “and has undergone something of a transformation.” She pointed towards Nosmas as she spoke. The wizard was then forced to tell his entire story to the two military men.

  “So what happens now?” Ellen asked once the meal was over and they had all retired to more comfortable seats in another room.

  “You have all been through a lot,” Tibia pointed out. “Stay here for a few weeks. You could do with a rest.”

  “Thank you for the offer, but no,” Tor said. “We have been gone a long time and should really be heading home.” He glanced around him at his friends and could see how exhausted, both physically and emotionally, they all were. “But maybe not just yet. I think we can afford to stay a little while longer. How about we leave the day after tomorrow?”

  Though everyone longed to stay longer, they all knew that postponing the journey home would do them more harm than good so they agreed to Tor’s proposal. They stayed up all night, retiring to their beds just before the sun rose. They were no longer travellers seeking the man who wanted them dead; they were now just a group of friends enjoying each other’s company.

  Chapter 28

  It was early evening and the sun had yet to set when they all met in one of the reception rooms.

  “So what do you plan to do now?” Ellen asked Ria as they sipped their wine. Tor did not turn to look at them, but he listened carefully for Ria’s reply.

  “I think it is time I settled down,” she said casually, taking Ellen by surprise. “When we were in Janton, Pennon asked me to stay with him again. I am seriously thinking about going back and giving it a try.” It was not until she spoke the words out loud that she realised that she was telling the truth, partially anyway. She was, indeed, ready to settle down, but she had no intention of doing so with Pennon; how could she when she was in love with someone else?

  Tor did not hear Ellen’s reply as his attention was drawn to Brin and Sam, who had just entered the room with Seth and Dal. He stood up and strode over to them. “May I borrow the ladies for a moment?” he asked, addressing Seth and Brin.

  “Of course,” Brin said and Tor escorted Sam and Dal from the room.

  “I wonder what that is all about,” Seth said. “He seems agitated about something.”

  “I am sure we will find out soon,” Brin replied as he led his young friend over to the others.

  Tor walked down the corridor until he reached the door he had been aiming for, opening it and entering a small reception room. “What’s up?” Sam asked as she followed him in.

  Tor began to pace the room. “I need your advice,” he said. Sam and Dal both sat down and watched at him. He appeared very nervous and they were curious as to the cause. “Ria plans on returning to Janton.”

  “And?” Dal asked when it was obvious he was not going to continue without prompting.

  “She is going to get together with the winged man who swept her off her feet, literally.”

  “You mean Pennon?” Dal asked. Tor nodded.

  “Oh for god’s sake,” Sam snapped. “Stand still and tell us what the problem is.”

  Tor stopped midstride and turned to look at her. “I do not want her to go.”

  “Oh.”

  “Have you told her?” Dal asked.

  “Of course not. I have only just found out that she plans to leave.”

  “Then may I suggest you do so.”

  “I...I...” he stammered. “I do not think I can.”

  Tor had always been so sure of himself, so strong, reliable and determined. Seeing him this nervous about speaking to a woman was almost amusing and Sam could not keep the grin from her face. “Do you love her?”

  “Yes. I want to marry her. I cannot imagine my life without her in it.”

  “Then go and talk to her.”

  “But what if I ask her to stay with me and she says no. I do not think I will be able to bear it.”

  “Then send her a letter,” Dal suggested.

  “Good idea,” Sam piped up. “And I have the perfect way to deliver it. How do you feel about a really romantic gesture?” Tor looked at her warily, but his frown turned into a smile as she explained her plan.

  All of the ladies decided to bathe before dinner. They were due to leave the palace the next day, so Tibia had insisted on their last meal together being a formal affair. After a long relaxing soak, Ria returned to the room that had been allocated to her and was surprised to find a light green silk dress lying on her bed. A note was pinned to it stating that it should fit her and requesting that she wear it to dinner. The note was unsigned and she did not recognise the writing. Frowning, she made her way to the dressing table that sat in front of her window. She was about to take hold of her brush when her eyes fell on a rose which had been placed beside it.

  She carefully picked it up and sniffed it. Its petals were the purest white she had ever seen and its leaves a dark green. Its fragrance was sweet, fresh and surprisingly strong, making her wonder if it had been magically tampered with. It had been lying on a note, which she picked up and examined closely. It was sealed closed with wax, bearing an imprint of Tor’s personal seal. She looked at her hands as she opened it and realised they were trembling. She had to read it twice, afraid she had misunderstood the first time.

  My dearest Ria.

  My apologies for doing this by letter instead of in person, but I could not bring myself to speak to you. I have thought about it many times during the past few weeks, but always backed down. I guess I am not as brave as I make out. During our travels together I have grown to love you and cannot bear the thought of you not being by my side forever. I do not know what sort of life I will be able to offer you, as I have no idea what my future holds, but I can promise you that if you agree to be my wife, I will spend every waking moment trying to make you happy.

  Please, do not tell me your answer. I do not think I will be able to cope if you say no. That word would haunt me for the rest of my life. Instead, if you will marry me, wear the rose when you come down to dinner tonight. Dal chose a dress that it would match perfectly. If you find that you would be happier with Pennon, then leave the rose where it is, or throw it away, whichever you see fit, and this letter can be forgotten. No matter what you decide, I am, and always will be, your friend.

  With hope,

  Tor.

  As she read it through for the third time, a tear rolled off her cheek and fell onto the paper, smudging the ink. Dropping the letter onto the floor, she ran to her door, opened it and called loudly for Ellen.

  The witch appeared moments later, her face filled with concern. “Whatever is the matter?” she asked.

  “I need your help getting ready,” Ria explained. Ellen nodded her head, though she had no idea why Ria should make such a request, and the two women set to work.

  Dinner would soon be ready to be served and there was still no sign of either Ellen or Ria. Tor was pacing the room nervously, though he refused to explain why when asked. Dal and Sam had not revealed the details of their conversation with Tor to anyone, so they were the only ones in the room who were not concerned about Tor’s strange behaviour.

  They were in one of the reception rooms, enjoying pre-dinner drinks, and Tor’s head kept turning towards the closed door expectantly. Sam and Dal looked at each other, both unable to keep the grins from their faces, much to the annoyance of Brin and Seth.

  “What is going on?” Brin asked for the umpteenth time.

  “You will find out soon,” Sam told him and, despite much cajoling, refused to say anything more on the matter.

  When the door finally opened and Ellen walked in, Tor felt his heart miss a beat as he caught sight of Ria behind her. She was wearing
the dress that Dal had selected and it fitted her perfectly, revealing just enough cleavage to be sexy without appearing trashy and it hugged her figure in all of the right places. Ellen had tied her hair up in a style she had never worn before and she looked stunning.

  Tor started to feel dizzy and realised he was holding his breath. Ellen was still standing partially in front of Ria so he could not see if she wore the rose or not. Sam and Dal were also staring at Ria, but Tor did not notice; he only had eyes for the woman he loved. Finally Ellen moved out of the way and Tor’s eyes fell on what he had been longing to see. Ria was wearing the rose.

  She looked about her as she stepped further into the room and their eyes met. The look they gave each other spoke a thousand words and a shy smile crept across her face.

  Oblivious to the others in the room, he strode towards her, slowing his pace as he got close. When he was standing in front of her, he found he was lost for words. He reached out his hand and gently stroked her cheek. Then the passion he had been keeping under control for so long became unbearable and he took her in his arms and kissed her. The kiss was long and sensual and by the time he released her everyone in the room was staring at them.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  “I know,” she replied. “Though I thought I was going to have to go off with another man before you realised.”

  He smiled at her, then went down on one knee. “Will you marry me?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said without hesitation and threw her arms around his neck.

  The entire room filled with cheering as those watching worked out what was going on.

  “You knew,” Brin accused Sam.

  “Not exactly,” she replied. “I knew Tor had sent her a letter revealing his true feelings for her, but I had no idea how she was going to react.”

  “You should have asked me,” he told her. “I have known she has been in love with Tor for a long while.”

  “How?” she asked.

  Brin grinned at her. “I am sure you will find a way of getting me to reveal my secrets once we are alone together.”

  Further conversation was interrupted by the butler announcing that dinner was being served in the main dining room and everyone made their way there. During the meal, the conversation centred on the happy couple and what plans they had for their nuptials. Neither of them wanted a formal state wedding so they decided to do it somewhere private and out of the way.

  “Are you fed up with travelling yet?” Tor asked Ria when he paused from nibbling her neck.

  “Why?” she asked suspiciously.

  “I was wondering how you felt about being married by a centaur.”

  While Seth, Dal and Patrick had been accompanying Sam to collect the final object for the quest from Orion, Tor, Ria, and Brodin had remained at the centaur city and had become good friends with the chief and his family. Ria thought it was a wonderful idea and eagerly agreed. It would certainly make the wedding unique if nothing else.

  “So when will the happy event take place?” Tibia enquired.

  “As soon as possible,” Tor said before Ria had chance to speak. “I want this lady to be legally mine before she has time to come to her senses.” Ria blushed, then laughed.

  At that moment, Hawk walked into the room and was told the exciting news. He offered his congratulations, then looked around at all of the friends seated around the table. “I have just realised,” he said. ‘I am now the only one of us still single.” Sam was about to offer him sympathy when he grinned at her. “I wonder how I got to be so lucky.” Brin and Sam glanced at each other, both knowing how untrue Hawk’s comment was.

  Everyone decided to stay up late that night then sleep until around midday. Tor wanted to leave as soon as possible and, as Hawk had been bullied into agreeing to continue travelling with them so he could attend the wedding, they would need to continue their routine of sleeping during the day.

  “I was not expecting to see you so soon,” Seth commented as Tor walked into the dining room the next day. “I am surprised Ria let you get out of bed.” He could not keep the grin from his face as he goaded his friend.

  Tor did not rise to the bait. “Ria stayed in her own room,” he told his young protégé. “Unlike you, I do not have to have sex with a woman to show her how I feel.”

  By the time Cirren and Tibia joined them, Tor was discussing how to contact Brodin. He wanted his brother to attend his wedding if at all possible, but did not want to delay unless he absolutely had to. Cirren came to the rescue by announcing that when he had moved to Auxland he took a number of messenger birds with him so he could easily stay in touch with Brodin. All Tor needed to do was write a message, attach it to the leg of one of the birds and when it was released it would fly straight to Remeny.

  Tor retrieved one of his maps from his room and looked at the distances involved with his bride to be. He estimated how long it would take to travel to the base of the mountains in which the centaurs made their home and calculated that it would take Brodin less time, taking into account that the happy couple and their friends would need to travel slower than him due to the wagon. The decision was made to send the message to Brodin immediately and depart at nightfall.

  In the end, two separate messages were sent, just in case one of them did not get through. Cirren and Tibia insisted on travelling with them, so they departed later than expected as the royal couple had a lot to organise before they could leave their country.

  It took a lot less time to reach the village at the base of the mountains than they had been expecting, but Brodin was still there waiting for them when they arrived. And he was not alone; he had brought his mother with him.

  “She insisted on coming along,” Brodin apologised to Tor when the ladies had gone inside the inn. “What was I supposed to do? Say no?”

  “That would have been a good idea,” Tor informed him. “If she does anything to upset Ria, I will murder her. As King, you can give me a royal pardon I presume.”

  “Nothing would give me more pleasure,” Brodin agreed, smiling at his brother.

  Reena took Ria into her room, closing the door behind them before any of the other ladies could follow.

  “You do not think I am good enough for your son,” Ria said before Reena had a chance to speak.

  Tor’s mother regarded her critically before answering. “If you were marrying Brodin or Cirren, I would agree with your assessment, but I actually think you are perfect for Tor. More importantly, I know how much you love him. I could see it when you stayed at our castle.”

  Her comments took Ria completely by surprise and she didn’t know what to say. “I have something for you,” Reena continued and turned her back on Ria to get something out of the wardrobe.

  Ria gasped when she saw what it was. “This is the dress I was married in,” Reena told her. “I think it would suit you and it would make me very happy if you would wear it.”

  “I would be honoured,” Ria said as tears flowed down her face. She had not given any thought to what she would wear to the wedding and had never imagined she would ever be wed in anything so beautiful.

  “I will go and find Ellen,” Reena said as Ria continued to stare at the dress that had been laid on the bed. “Hopefully she will be able to alter it for you in time.”

  She returned a few moments later with Ellen in tow and the two women helped Ria try on the dress. It was too long and baggy, but Ellen assured her that it could quickly be fixed using needle, cotton and a little magic. In less than an hour, all of the work was complete and the ladies returned to the men, who were busy drinking ale and regaling Brodin with stories about their various near death experiences at the hands of the assassin.

  “Is everything alright?” Tor whispered to Ria as she sat down next to him.

  “It could not be better,” she happily replied.

  Chapter 29

  “So how are you planning on getting me up the mountain?” Hawk asked. “It looks a little too steep for the wagon. O
r did you plan on carrying my coffin?”

  “How do you feel about flying?” Tor said. “We were kind of hoping that you would do us the favour of letting the centaurs know that we are on our way so they are ready for us when we arrive.”

  “You are not serious,” the vampire stated, but the pleading look that Ria was directing at him told him that they were. “And what is going to stop the centaurs killing me on sight?” he asked.

  “They are not a violent race,” Ria informed him. “They will give you the opportunity to explain yourself.”

  “You hope,” Seth added, not quite quietly enough.

  “Alright,” Hawk said in a resigned tone. “Where is their city?”

  Sam took him to one side once he had received the location. It would be easy enough for him to spot from the air, even in the dark, and he would have plenty of time to get there before sunrise. “You don’t have to do this,” she told him, but he shook his head.

  “Yes I do, and we both know it.” Before she could say anything more, he took to the air and was soon out of sight.

  “Try to get some rest,” Tor instructed once he had gone. “It is a long hard climb and we leave at first light.”

  As they had the last time they climbed the mountain, they left their horses with the inn-keeper, along with some of their belongings. The wagon and Hawk’s coffin also had to be temporarily abandoned and the inn-keeper was more than happy for them to be left in a storage shed he had behind the inn. It had a window that Hawk could easily fit through and he promised to leave it open just in case it was close to sunrise when the vampire returned.

  Unlike the previous time they had been there, they made good progress the first day. Sam did not have to take regular breaks and they were able to move at a faster pace.

  As darkness began to descend, they found some flat ground that would make a suitable campsite and were in the process of laying a fire when they received some unexpected visitors. When Hawk had arrived in the centaur city he had been taken directly to the chief and had been made welcome. He explained the reason for his visit and the centaur chief, who insisted he be called Yali, and Kentauride, his wife, had enthusiastically thrown themselves into making wedding arrangements. At first light, Kantharos had selected a group to make their way down the mountain with all haste in order to provide their visitors with a proper escort.