Assassin Queen

by Anna Kashina

  Mai rose and held out a hand to her. “Come. I really think you should rest after that blow.”

  The blow. She had forgotten all about it. Surprised, she touched her temple, feeling no soreness at all. She smiled at Magister Egey Bashi gratefully. The Keepers had so many potent cures.

  “Will you be traveling with us, Magister?” she asked.

  Mai grinned. “Answering this question would be like giving away some of our plans, wouldn’t it?” He took her hand. “Let’s go.”

  She nodded, wondering. Could she handle this level of secrecy for a considerable part of their trip?

  “Thank you for the cure, Magister,” she said before stepping outside.

  Mai led her all the way back into his room, which they now shared, and locked the door behind them. She stepped into his arms, inhaling his natural pine scent, relaxing into his hold. Even the Kaddim couldn’t reach her here. She would be damned if she would let them invade her time with Mai.

  His frown of concern dissolved into a smile as he looked down at her. Her breath caught at the tenderness in his gaze. When he looked at her like this, she felt complete. No matter what else happened to her, being with him made it all worth it.

  “You really don’t need to treat me like a child,” she said. “I can take care of myself.”

  He shook his head. “Not after you took a hit on the head.”

  “You still believe I have a concussion?”

  “I still believe you need some rest.”

  She hesitated. He was probably right. Yet, his closeness pushed the thought to the back of her mind, overpowered by another sort of desire. After all that happened today, couldn’t they steal a moment of pleasure just for themselves?

  “I can think of better things we could do right now,” she whispered.

  His eyes lit up with a tenderness that sent flutters into her stomach. “I can’t touch you until I’m sure you are all right.”

  “I’m all right.”

  “You’ve been injured.”

  She grinned. “Fine. You don’t have to touch me at all then. I’ll do all the touching.” She slid her hands into his hair and pulled him closer, sensing his smile as he leaned down to kiss her.

  The fright and uncertainty of the past day receded to the back of her mind. She felt lightheaded from his closeness, from his strength that matched hers down to every bit. Only with him could she fully let herself go, without holding back, and she needed every bit of it now, when the recent events had nearly shattered her world.

  She clung to him as if her life depended on it, their bodies so close they felt like one. As long as they had each other, nothing else mattered. No Kaddim’s mind link could possibly rob her of the love she shared with him. He made her feel invincible. She would fight to her last breath to keep his love.

  7

  Rivals

  Kyth entered the large audience hall at a fast walk. The vaulted space greeted him with an echo, amplified by the room’s vast size. This was one of the older sections of the castle, its oppressive ceilings and massive arched columns designed, it seemed, to bear down on the room’s visitors, to make them feel insignificant and small. A perfect match for the Majat Guildmaster, Kyth thought grimly as he made his way across. When the King had offered Mai the use of this hall as his personal audience chamber, Mai must have been elated.

  Deep inside, Kyth admitted that he was perhaps being unfair to Mai. But it was true that the Majat seemed to enjoy flaunting his superiority in everyone’s eyes – perhaps to compensate for the fact that he was by far the youngest in the known history to achieve his high post.

  Or perhaps he reserved the worst of his attitude entirely for Kyth?

  Mai sat in a tall chair at the far end of the chamber, the men in front of him engaged in what looked like a heated argument. They all stopped abruptly as the Prince walked in, bowing exactly to the degree required by etiquette. Aghat Lance, a tall, cocky man with a dark tan and short, near-white hair, fixed Kyth with an unfriendly stare. The older Diamond, Seldon, greeted the Prince with a thin half-smile that touched only his lips. Kyth returned the smile, glancing at Seldon with curiosity.

  In the days before Kyth’s father assumed the throne, this man used to lead the King’s Royal Pentade. From the limited information Kyth had gathered about the Majat Guild’s affairs, this position made him the top candidate for the post of Guildmaster in due time, but now that Mai had snatched away the command, his youth and power made that route nearly impossible for Seldon. Kyth couldn’t help wondering how the older Diamond was taking it.

  The stern look of Seldon’s narrowed eyes did not reassure him. Clearly, whatever was happening here before Kyth arrived, had upset everyone, even if Mai’s serene expression could have fooled a more casual observer.

  Mai did not rise to meet the Prince, nodding his head and waiting out Kyth’s full bow down from the waist. Kyth knew that this form of greeting was warranted by etiquette, but he felt annoyed nonetheless. Mai seemed to be too bent on formalities and ranks. It surely wouldn’t hurt to show some courtesy every once in a while, but even if Mai occasionally did it with others, these kinds of considerations didn’t seem to apply in Kyth’s case. Mai might have succeeded in winning the ultimate prize in their rivalry over Kara, but he didn’t show any intention to be gracious about it.

  “Aghat Mai,” Kyth said stiffly, aware of everyone’s eyes fixed on him with impatience, as if he was interrupting something important.

  “Prince Kythar.” Mai continued to stare, his face showing no effort to appear friendly.

  Kyth swallowed. “Please forgive the interruption. I hoped I could request a private audience.”

  Mai held still for a moment longer, then leaned back into his chair, turning to his companions. “Would you excuse us, please?”

  The men bowed, saluting with their fists to their chests. Kyth watched them stride toward the door, so smoothly and noiselessly that it was hard to imagine they actually touched the floor with their feet.

  “I assume this is important,” Mai said when the door closed behind them.

  No, this is a bloody social call. Kyth forced his face into a calm expression. It was useless to show displeasure or to initiate any disagreement. No matter what, Mai had a way of always coming up on top. Kyth relaxed his shoulders, reminding himself that despite the apparent impossibility of it, Mai was the man who made Kara happy.

  “I am here because of Kara,” he said.

  Mai stiffened. He didn’t respond as his eyes bore into Kyth with an unsettling mix of challenge and concern.

  Kyth shifted from foot to foot. Now that he started the conversation, there seemed to be no easy way to say it. “I heard the way Magister Egey Bashi talked at the High Council. About sedating Kara or… or…”

  Killing her. He knew Mai understood the unspoken words, just as he did back at the council. He prayed nothing that happened since could possibly change Mai’s resolve.

  Mai shrugged. “I think I made it clear where I stand. Besides, as the Magister himself said, the second option is not even on the list at the moment.”

  Kyth took a breath. “Yes. But if this ever changes, if he ever finds out that this could provide a solution after all, the men on your force… they might think similarly to the Magister. I know you have supreme authority among them,” he continued hurriedly, seeing that Mai was about to interrupt. “I… I just thought it might help if I expressed my assurance that I am with you on that.”

  Mai’s lips twitched, but Kyth refused to acknowledge the irony. By all rights, his support should mean a lot. Kyth’s gift held a key to their victory. If Mai had any sense he would welcome this gesture – even if Kyth doubted the Majat would openly express his gratitude.

  “I am important to this attack too,” Kyth said. “And I wanted you to know that I will stand by your side against anyone who wishes her harm.” He lifted his chin. “Since our attack plans depend on my ability to defend your men, I was hoping that this knowledge might give
you additional leverage, in case any contrary arguments are ever raised.”

  He expected an objection, or at least mockery, both so common in his recent interactions with Mai. He felt alarmed when Mai merely nodded in response. Kyth looked closer, for the first time noticing the Diamond’s drawn face, the dark circles under his eyes. Was this the strain of the preparations for the march, or was something else going on? Kyth’s skin prickled. He had no idea what went into commanding an army that rivaled the combined forces of the Old Empire. It had to be a lot. Now that Kyth’s temper cooled off, he couldn’t help but admit that their hopes for victory depended most of all on Mai’s well-being. Was Mai driving himself too hard?

  “Since I made it very clear to the Magister that the subject is closed,” Mai said, “I don’t believe he will ever breach the question again. But thanks anyway.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, the gesture making Kyth think of his father when he was tired.

  “Are you all right?” Kyth asked.

  Mai frowned, but the harsh retort Kyth was expecting never came. Instead, the Diamond’s gaze wandered off to stare unseeingly into the depths of the room.

  “Magister Egey Bashi was just here,” Mai said.

  “He was? Why?”

  Mai heaved a sigh. “He believes that, given the imminent danger that our enemies might acquire at least a fraction of Kara’s fighting skill, we need another addition to our force.”

  “Anyone in particular?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “Who?”

  Mai measured him with his gaze, as if deciding if he was worthy of the information. “Lady Ayalla.”

  “The Forest Mother?” Kyth stared. “Is he serious?” Ayalla was a powerful sorceress who lived outside the boundaries of age and time, never interfering in the affairs outside her forest realm. While she did share their animosity for the Kaddim, asking her to march with them into battle seemed preposterous. Yet, Kyth reminded himself that under ordinary circumstances joining forces with the Majat seemed preposterous too. Yet here they were, planning an attack under the Majat Guildmaster’s command.

  “Apparently he is very serious,” Mai said. “At least about giving it a try. I was planning to discuss it with your foster brother. I understand he knows her like no other.”

  “He does.” Alder knew Ayalla intimately. Yet, Kyth wasn’t sure if this really gave Alder any advantage over the rest of them. Ayalla was rumored to be thousands of years old, even if she kept the appearance of a young girl. No one alive could possibly know her at all.

  “Can he be trusted?” Mai asked.

  Kyth’s eyes widened. Was Mai asking him for advice?

  “Alder is the most trustworthy man I know,” he said earnestly.

  “With your inclination to trust everyone–”

  “Why ask me then?” Kyth blurted.

  Mai sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose again. It occurred to Kyth that quite likely the Diamond hadn’t had a good sleep in a very long time. He hoped it wasn’t all because Kara now shared Mai’s quarters – and presumably his bed. Kyth knew it was none of his business, but it was hard sometimes not to dwell on what was going on between these two.

  “Why would you doubt Alder?” he asked.

  Mai shrugged. “It’s hard for him to be objective about a woman he’s sleeping with, is it?”

  You know this firsthand, don’t you? Kyth bit his tongue before he could say anything he’d regret. If he and Mai were going to war together, he should learn to control his feelings, no matter how impossible it seemed.

  “Alder can talk to the spiders,” Kyth said. “Ayalla would never bestow this ability on him if she didn’t trust him implicitly. This kind of a trust has to be worth some insight, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes.” Mai’s jaw tightened. “The spiders are the key, aren’t they?”

  The spiders. Ayalla had many at her command, enough to dissolve squadrons of enemy warriors and prevent them from ever coming back. “Is this why Magister Egey Bashi believes we need her help?”

  Mai nodded. “If Ayalla joins our fight – or at least lends us more spiders, we won’t have to depend so heavily on our fighting ability – or on your magic gift, for that matter. But then…”

  Kyth felt the chill creep down his spine as he met Mai’s gaze. He believed he now understood the Diamond’s hesitation. Kara. The three spiders in the castle nearly killed her this morning. If they were to incorporate more spiders into their attack force…

  “Perhaps it’s best if Alder and I went to talk to Ayalla on our own,” he said, “We both grew up in the Forestlands. We have been to her dwelling before.” He shivered at the memory. Ayalla lived in the heart of the forest – the Dark Mire, the most frightening and mysterious area he had ever seen.

  “It may be a good plan,” Mai said. “No telling how she would take to a force of the Majat entering her lands.” He pointed to a low table set out behind his throne, laid with maps and boxes of pins the Majat often used to plan their attacks.

  Kyth leaned over the table with interest. The Majat Guild had secret means to obtain the most detailed maps of all the lands. This one not only showed the entire Forestlands in greater detail than Kyth had ever seen, but also had a clear layout of the Dark Mire, normally shown on maps only as a splotch of dark ink.

  “How did you–” he began.

  “Never mind that. Just look.”

  “At what?” Kyth stared at the rows of pins piercing the precious map all the way across. The pin heads had different colors, and as he now realized they were mapping different routes from the King’s castle where they now stood to the yellow line of the Southern Deserts.

  “Your father will lend us barges to cross the lakes,” Mai said. “We will use them to travel down Lake Illitand and land at Port Jai-Allad. From there, the Majat will bear east along the caravan roads leading to Shayil Yara. You and Alder, with a small party, will go to Ayalla. We’ll meet again here.” He pointed to a bigger pin, with converging lines for the green Grasslands, the yellow desert, and the blue of the River Shahr Ayil flowing down south. “The Gard’hal Outpost. This is where all caravans meet when traveling to Tahr Abad where the Queen’s court resides most of the time.”

  “Are you taking your entire force to Shayil Yara then?”

  “Haven’t decided yet,” Mai said. “Assuming we are aiming for a peaceful negotiation, it may be best to take only a few. The rest could wait at Gard’hal, or further south, until we complete our mission at the Queen’s court.”

  Kyth nodded. The decision seemed too distant to dwell on – weeks of travel, even with the Majat’s strenuous pace.

  “Isn’t there a better way to mark your maps without destroying them?” he asked.

  Mai shrugged. “This is the best way to ensure the markings stay on, no matter what.”

  “But these maps… they must be worth a fortune!”

  Mai’s smile came out patronizing this time – or did Kyth only imagine it?

  “We have our own cartographers,” Mai said. “They draw a set of maps for each campaign.”

  Kyth looked away, hoping his surprise did not seem too obvious. Drawing maps for each campaign was a lavish expense no one could possibly afford. The fact that the Majat thought nothing of it only proved the point. The Majat Guild was as powerful as it came, from training undefeatable fighters down to the intricate details of getting precious maps custom-made for the march. With this kind of might on their side, defeating the Kaddim should have nothing to it. Why then couldn’t he escape a sinking feeling in his chest?

  8

  The Port

  Kara narrowed her eyes as the gleaming width of the Crown Lake burst in front of her in its full glory. In the beams of the rising sun the water seemed to glow on its own, its molten smoothness haloed by the transparent haze of the dissipating morning mists. She inhaled a full breath of fresh wind, enjoying its fragrance and cooling touch, bathing her face in the tiny droplets of lake moisture.

  The port stood emp
ty at this hour, the only boats anchored in the harbor the flat, wide barges bristling with oars along their sides. Thick masts rising off their massive decks held square sails, designed to catch as much as possible of the scarce lake winds.

  The King’s trade fleet. Kara counted twenty barges ready to sail, more than enough to take on their entire group with horses and gear. She nodded her approval. At this time of the year the winds blew steadily southward, enabling boats at full sail to cross from Tandar to the Southern Lakelands in no more than three days. Even if the winds did not cooperate, the complement of oarsmen on the lower decks would help to maintain the speed.

  Up until now she had been thinking of a much slower route on horseback. She hoped, if the Kaddim could truly penetrate her thoughts, they had been fooled – not that it mattered now that the plan for the next leg of the trip had been laid out clearly in front of her.

  She glanced at Mai, sitting on his horse a dozen yards away, seemingly idle as the activity erupted around him. Seldon jumped off the saddle, barking orders left and right. Not for the first time Kara thought about this marked difference in their command styles. If she was one of their Guild’s seniors, she would do everything possible to keep Seldon away from any possibility of ordering people around. Unfortunately, such considerations hardly mattered here and now, when they were stuck with Seldon for the duration of the trip and even Mai’s supreme authority could not keep him from giving orders to his inferiors without creating a major tension.

  As she dismounted along with the others, she looked further to where the non-Majat – Kyth with his Kingsguard escort, Lady Celana, Egey Bashi, Alder, and Ellah – busied themselves with preparations of their own. Behind them, the semicircle of three-story buildings rose like a wall that separated the port and the adjoining plaza from the rest of the city, with only a few gateways for access. Looking at the jagged roofline, bathed in the gold of the rising sunlight, made her feel sad. She was about to leave the Crown City of Tandar – the place where she had spent so much time on assignments at the King’s court, the place where she had found her love and made some of the most important decisions in her life.