by Sam Argent
“If I tell him what you look like, he’ll order me not to do this.” The assassin was so enamored with Sebastian’s face that he didn’t hear the door open. Kevin crept into the room with his knife raised.
“You should tell your boss. I’m sure he’ll understand.” Sebastian kept his voice steady. Just because the man was having a crisis didn’t negate the assassin’s original motive. “But please spare me.”
“I couldn’t—” Kevin thrust his knife under the killer’s chin and yanked the blade out.
Kevin wiped the blade clean with a handkerchief. “It had to be done. There’s no telling when the shock would have worn off.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Useless guilt is written on your face.” Kevin shook his head. “You’re as soft-hearted as Kraven.” He grabbed the clothes Sebastian had thrown on a chair and tossed them at him. “Get dressed. The king’s guards are dispatching the rest of them,” he said as he closed the door, but it was shoved open. Kevin raised his knife but lowered it when James poked his head through the space.
James shoved the rest of his body in and stood against the door. “Good strategy. Fight naked so the bad guys are too busy staring to kill you.” James blew out his cheeks. “I expected to find you dead.”
“No thanks to those useless soldiers,” Kevin said.
“Complain later. Would you guys please look away?” Sebastian pleaded.
James and Kevin closed their eyes so they could remain in their positions barring the broken door.
“Sir Orwell!” a panicked Lieutenant Adams shouted through the door.
“I’m fine, but I’m dressing, so wait a damned minute!”
“If he’s still grouchy, then he must be fine,” Sergeant Hooper’s voice joined in.
With his clothes finally on, Sebastian did a quick once-over before swinging the cloak over his shoulders and tying it in place. He flipped the hood over his head and nodded to James and Kevin.
Kevin raised his back off the door, and he was shoved forward when the soldiers rushed in to reach their assignment.
“Fingers and toes all accounted for, Sir Orwell?” Lieutenant Adams asked Sebastian.
“I am unharmed,” Sebastian said.
Lieutenant Adams surveyed the room and frowned at the assassin lying in blood and water spilled from the tub. “I’m sorry we didn’t come to your aid. Those who attacked the inn used a powerful ward to block anyone from entering this room except for them. Things could have been worse if Mistress Ellie didn’t have spells in place around the inn, or if that seer sister of yours hadn’t sent us a warning.”
“The soldiers were repelled from your room, but Ellie’s safeguards are blood-steeped. Magic cast from an outsider wouldn’t have affected anyone of our blood,” James said. More soldiers arrived, and he stepped aside to let them in.
“We couldn’t take any alive. They were all mages and had to be taken down with arrows when we saw them casting a particularly nasty spell,” Sergeant Bradley reported.
“We’re damned lucky those other attackers fell in that wizard’s trap,” Sergeant Hooper said.
“What wizard?” Lieutenant Adams asked.
“This one.” Ellie pushed through the crowded door with a man far skinnier but taller than James. His black hair was trimmed neatly to short curls, and he wore a red robe with a long opening running to his navel.
The man grinned at the full room and bowed deeply. “Trey Ausher at your service.”
“There were more assassins at the back of his inn. Carrying so many weapons triggered a trap he has set for brigands and thieves. There were ten of them, and all had magic.” Ellie pulled blonde strands behind her ear. “Things might not have gone our way if those men had made it to our home.”
“Are they alive?” Lieutenant Adams asked.
Trey shook his head. “The spell isn’t a lethal one, but when they woke up, they started convulsing. All of them died in less than a minute, foaming at the mouth and screaming in agony.”
“Insanity.” The lieutenant pointed at the body. “Bradley and Hooper, get rid of that while I report to the king.” His soldiers carried the body away by his arms and legs, and Trey and Ellie followed them out, closing the door behind them. Lieutenant Adams removed a round mirror from his coat and chanted over it until the king’s image appeared.
Sebastian looked at the determined faces standing around him. I brought this on myself for not minding my own damn business and getting too cozy with my guards. I should have ditched them a long time ago.
“You have no magic, so why send so many assassins after one man? This was excessive even if you do have six bodyguards,” Sonny, another of the royal guards, said.
“They probably researched the area,” James suggested.
“I saw no magic schools or merc training grounds on the map.”
“Nothing that spectacular, but the group of inns on this street is known as Wizards’ Row. Every owner is a powerful mage, including Ellie.” James smiled broadly. “Our little one will pack a punch too.”
“We’re leaving,” Sebastian interrupted them.
“We’re not leaving in the middle of the night when another ambush could be in the works. Spending the night in a place called Wizards’ Row sounds saner.” Lieutenant Adams held out the mirror. “For you.”
Sebastian glared at the mirror. If I accidentally let it fall, I don’t have to speak to the king. He sighed. Ellie probably has another mirror they could use, so it wouldn’t make a difference. Sebastian took the mirror but instead of the king’s face, Prince Turren’s worry-filled sapphire eyes met his.
“I order you to do as Lieutenant Adams says or you will be forcefully brought to the castle.”
I should have fucking dropped it. “No.” Behind him, James sighed loudly, and Kevin shook his head. “We will move to one of the nearby inns if we can’t travel, but I will have the final word. Refuse and I ditch my caretakers regardless of the danger,” Sebastian said.
Prince Turren rolled his eyes instead of becoming angry. “Why can’t you at least pretend to respect my authority, Bastian?”
“Because giving me a pet name doesn’t make me one of your sycophants?”
“True, but why not return to the castle?”
“I have responsibilities to address for the king’s loyal servant, Lord Bast.”
Turren smiled. “During Father’s time with the lieutenant, I used my mirror to contact Harold. He says missing a year at the festival doesn’t matter if it meant you would be safe.” Before Sebastian could come up with a second excuse, the prince cut him off. “And I spoke with Diana. She says the herbs can be found here. As a matter of fact, Lord Pasley is helping Ophelia pick them tomorrow morning.”
“Efficient little shit, aren’t you?”
“I need to be in hostile situations.”
“Sebastian,” James hissed. “He’s still the prince, and you’re surrounded by several witnesses.”
Sebastian gritted his teeth. “The prince has chosen to be too familiar, and I am doing the same. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
“Yes,” Turren said. “But I prefer when you overstep boundaries physically versus verbally. Much more satisfying.”
Next time, Sebastian, let the nice assassin skewer the arrogant bastard. Sebastian tossed the mirror to the lieutenant. “We’ll leave for the castle in the morning.” Sebastian raised his hand in front of Kevin’s mouth when he opened it. “One word and I’ll tell Pratchett where you hide your money.”
“What’s the difference if you spend the night next door instead of in our home?” Ellie asked. “We know the scale of the threat now and can prepare accordingly. Only two of you are wizards. It’s nonsense for me to get left behind.”
Sebastian crossed over to his marriage-sister and placed his hand on the slight swell of her belly. “This makes the difference, Ellie. It’s safer if we move and you stay here.”
Trey appeared by Ellie’s side, sliding his hands togethe
r eagerly. “And I’m looking forward to lining my pockets with the king’s gold.” He stopped moving his hands, and he frowned at the soldiers. “They are paying, right? I’m not offering up my services as the descendant of a First Knight for free.”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “Of course they’re paying, but don’t overcharge them.”
Trey straightened and fingered the innkeeper’s badge hanging from his neck. “Just because I don’t serve food as good as yours doesn’t mean that I rob my customers. Besides, word will spread that I’m hosting royalty”—Lieutenant Adams cleared his throat at the exaggeration—“or men held in high regard by royalty by morning, and I can expect the usual gaggle of busybodies looking for tales to bring home. I might even give them a discount.” Trey cheerfully followed Sebastian, who had his belongings clutched in his arms. “I could make your task easier as a favor to a boy I haven’t seen in a long time.” Sebastian’s bags floated out of his reach and down the hall.
“That was unnecessary, Lord Ausher. I have valuable books in those bags,” Sebastian said.
“As if I would forget you and your precious books. They will land gently on the bed in your room on the second floor,” Trey announced proudly. “A large family left this morning, so the second floor is open for all of your bodyguards.”
“I am filled with joy at your thoughtfulness.” Back to sleeping in this damn cloak another night.
“Don’t be ungrateful for them doing their jobs,” Trey said.
“What happened to the bodies?” Sebastian asked.
“The City Watch is holding on to them,” Sergeant Thimbly said from behind them as they climbed down the steps, her short hair bouncing on her cheeks. “We can’t bring them with us or spend time trying to identify them right now. At first light, we’re gone from this place.”
“I’m sorry,” Sebastian whispered.
Sergeant Hooper grasped his shoulder when they reached the entranceway. “It’s not your fault. You were being stubborn, but none of us expected such an aggressive attack.”
“Tonight does complicate things,” Lieutenant Adams said as he brought up the rear. Sebastian’s family already waited at the door along with the other soldiers.
Ellie hugged Sebastian tightly. “You will listen to everything the nice soldiers say from here on out, Bastian, do you understand me? I will turn you into a chicken and put you in a cage if you do otherwise.” She brushed her hands through Sebastian’s hair under the cloak. “Don’t you dare get yourself killed,” she ordered and hugged him again.
Sebastian kissed the top of Ellie’s head. “I’m sorry for worrying you, and I’ll do what they ask… if it sounds reasonable.” He ducked from her hands and followed Sergeant Vendrix through the open door.
His bags were waiting safely on the bed, but he inspected the contents anyway. Lieutenant Adams, Sergeant Hooper, and Sergeant Bradley entered behind him, and Sebastian sighed.
Lieutenant Adams glared at him. “No ifs, ands, or buts. You’re getting roommates, and you better not snore.” He threw his things in an empty chair and stepped out of the way when servants brought extra bedding. When they left, he surveyed the room and then addressed his soldiers. “Hooper, you sleep near the door. Bradley, you guard the window.”
Sebastian lifted his leg to climb into the bed, but the lieutenant stopped him. “Sorry, but I’m playing decoy tonight, and I need the bed.”
“Where am I sleeping?”
“Under the bed. If another attack occurs, you’ll be out of sight.”
“Fantastic,” Sebastian grumbled as he pulled the blankets under the bed. It was spacious underneath and the skirt hid him from view. “I’ll complain and call you names after I’ve rested,” he promised.
“Good night,” Lieutenant Adams said to everyone as he positioned himself under the covers so his head didn’t stick out.
CHAPTER 9
SEBASTIAN WAS startled awake surrounded by darkness instead of the soothing yellow of his brother’s inn. He blinked a few times before he remembered the shocked assassin staring at his nude state. There will probably be more after their failure. That thought brought him fully awake, but not enough to recall where he had slept. Sebastian’s head hit the metal springs of the bed with a wallop, and he cursed as he slid out from his spot, knocking into a snoring Sergeant Hooper, who had rolled over to his side during the night.
“Oph,” she mumbled as they tried to untangle themselves.
Bradley’s head popped out on the window side of the bed, and he yawned at them without covering his mouth. “Wha ti’ is I’?”
“Time to get up and on the road,” Lieutenant Adams declared while stretching his arms above his head. “What a pleasant day,” he said, and the rest of the room’s occupants frowned at him.
Sebastian sat up and stumbled his way to the door. Sergeant Hooper grabbed him before he could open it, and she took Sebastian’s place. She slowly turned the knob and pulled it back as she searched the corridor.
Sergeant Vendrix’s glassy red eyes stared at them from the chair directly outside the door. “Nothing on my end, sir,” he told Lieutenant Adams when the man came into his bleary view.
“Good. Now up and at ’em. We need to eat and then we mount.” Adams waited for Vendrix to put his chair off to the side so they could head for the common room.
“You look horrible,” Trey greeted them. “I’m happy my customers haven’t seen you yet or they’ll think my mattresses are wooden planks. Except for Lieutenant Adams. You, sir, look like you enjoyed my hospitality to its fullest.”
Lieutenant Adams chuckled. “I always look my best.”
“It helps that you slept on the bed while we slept on the floor,” Sebastian growled. “Forgive me, I forgot the name-calling. Insufferable military rat.”
“There are some promises you don’t need to keep,” Adams said. “Now.” He rubbed his hands together as Trey had done the night before. “What food do you have on hand, innkeeper?”
SEBASTIAN’S MOOD had improved by the time he filled a second plate with fresh fruit and thick slices of bacon. He broke off another piece of bread and slathered it with butter. “Good choices for a man who knows he can’t outdo my sister’s cooking.” The bacon platter rose in the air and started drifting away. “You’re just as good a cook as Ellie, and your inn is beautiful,” Sebastian complimented Trey as the soldiers grabbed for the platter.
Lieutenant Adams stuck his fork in Sebastian’s direction. “Don’t be rude,” he had the nerve to say with food still in his mouth.
Sonny tied his hair back when his plate cleared. “I’ll go check the horses.”
“I’ll deal with food rations.” Sergeant Thimbly pushed her plate forward and also left.
Two feminine voices entered the inn, and Sebastian winced when he recognized the second one. He pushed his plate away and tried to slink off, but an empty chair fell and tripped him. Lieutenant Adams sprang to his feet, but Trey placed his hand over the soldier’s arm.
“It’s not an assassin, just another grumpy Orwell.” Trey’s smile widened when Ellie, bright as day, walked into the room arm in arm with Diana.
“That was uncalled for, Diana,” Sebastian said as he stood.
“Lord Bast woke me in the middle of the night, asking me to escort my brother in his place. I haven’t had much sleep, and now I have to go to the castle where Mother can harp on me about finding a wife. It was called for.” Diana’s voice almost matched Sebastian’s raspiness.
James embraced their sister. “I don’t mind the extra company.”
“I take back my earlier words about Lord Bast. He is the only reliable friend Sebastian has.” Kevin replaced James, and Diana was almost nose-to-nose with him.
“Diana’s horse is staying here so it won’t drag on the trip, and I’ll supply a fresh one from our stables.” Ellie sighed as she looked at her marriage-siblings. “I hate being left behind. Please be safe, all of you.” She wrapped her arms around every family member, and the soldiers go
t a turn too.
“ANY BATTLE experience, Miss Orwell?” Lieutenant Adams asked Diana as she swung her leg over her horse.
“None,” Diana said.
“Then why would Lord Bast send you, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Because she’s a skilled apothecary who uses that knowledge to enhance her powers for good… or ill,” Kevin said ominously.
“Sergeant Hooper!” Lieutenant Adams shouted, hoping the sergeant knew more gossip.
“I don’t know about magic, but she’s good with poisons. A group of ruffians ransacked her shop once and held her at knifepoint. All three men were found with blood streaming from every orifice the next morning, and I mean every one of ’em.” Sergeant Hooper shuddered.
“Killing them would have angered the City Watch, so they’re still alive.” Diana flashed her teeth in what Lieutenant Adams assumed was a smile and clicked at her horse to go forward.
“I told you, Ophelia is the only nice one,” Sebastian reminded the king’s guard when he walked his horse up to him.
“Nothing but trouble,” Lieutenant Adams muttered to himself.
SEBASTIAN WAS once again surrounded by castle guards as he and his party reached the gates outside of Trellium. This time it was an honor guard instead of frantic soldiers worried about their prince. Prince Turren rode in front and dismounted when the procession reached them. He walked to Sebastian’s horse and held out his arm in an offer of aid. Sebastian would have ignored it, but he spotted a golden halo of hair piled perfectly on his mother’s head. Knowing he would face her wrath later, Sebastian decided to make things easier for himself and accepted the gesture. Prince Turren circled his other arm around Sebastian’s waist, lifting him into the air. Sebastian tensed but remained silent, wishing he could publicly give the prince a piece of his mind.
“Thank you for being so thoughtful, Your Highness.” Sebastian placed his fingers on Prince Turren’s wrist and thrust his thumb into the soft underside.