Assassin of the Heart: Book Two: The Temple Islands Series

by Richard Parker

  “Travel,” he said and Bock and Olney helped Rue hobble through the bubble, as Krys and Sath gently carried Carmen closely behind. Samantha followed, gingerly stepping onto the white sand beaches of Helles Island. Gwaynn remained where he was, helping to hold the bridge firm, but na Gall shook her head.

  “You must cross first,” she told him weakly and he did so reluctantly. Once he was through the Traveler gratefully staggered across. She stumbled and would have fallen had not Gwaynn reached out and caught her in his arms. He held her a moment but when she was steady enough she stood on her own. Samantha watched as the Traveler looked at Gwaynn questioningly. Her face was flushed and beautiful from the titanic effort of creating the bridge and her eyes were wide and sparkling. She stared at Gwaynn almost seductively, certainly not as a boy nearly ten years her junior, but instead as an equal, and there was something in her demeanor that Samantha decided she did not like. No, she did not like it at all.

  VI

  Tarina Cyn de Baard sat in the overstuffed chair in the High King’s private rooms, her long legs dangling over one arm, completely aware of the attention the King of Deutzani was giving her, the lust so plain on his face it was almost laughable.

  ‘The old lecher couldn’t be serious,’ she thought. Surely he knew such an encounter would kill him. Such thoughts did not keep her from occasionally shifting position or stretching her legs, purposefully teasing him with her slow, sensual movements. The High King Mastoc also noticed the attention she was getting from the lesser King, and frowned.

  “You failed,” he spouted at Tar Nacht who seemed unaffected by the comment. The High Executioner just shrugged.

  “The Tarina Monde and Jess na Gall were able to move several hundred followers off the island. We slaughtered the rest,” he said, his voice low and even.

  “They ran to the Tars,” de Baard said glancing sideways at King Arsinol, whose eyes never left her. “If you were to attack the Tars…” she added and received a slight encouraging nod from Tar Nacht.

  “Attack the Tars!” the two Kings shouted in unison. Both men realized that this would be a nearly impossible proposition. They would need a very large army, plus the Temple Knights and complete surprise. High King Mastoc also realized he’d need the complete cooperation of all the major families. The Palmerrio could possibly be swayed to cooperate, but the Toranado would never agree to such a thing. Queen Ramona maintained strong ties with Noble Island, a relationship built over many years by the previous monarchs of their land. The Toranado’s respect for the Tars was only equaled by their distrust for the royal line. Their massive fleet of warships was a strong counter weight against the strength of the Temple Knights, and High King Mastoc knew it…and loathed it. The power of the Toranado navy was a constant knife at his throat, and the knife had just grown sharper with the fall of the Travelers. But he had a plan to deal with that particular threat.

  “The Tars are allies to the Travelers,” Cyn continued, slowly shifting her legs, crossing them at the knee. She smiled slightly as the eyes of both Kings shifted to her exposed ankle and lower calf. “With your Temple Knights and the Executioners of Sinis…”

  “No, my young Executioner,” the High King began and Cyn resented the reference to her age. Her eyes glinted with anger but the High King only smiled.

  “First we must deal with the Toranado navy for they now control travel between the main lands and the islands,” he lectured and then stood. He walked around Tar Nacht and past close behind Cyn de Baard, his hand carelessly brushing her shoulder and the tips of her hair. She smiled to herself but her face showed no emotion.

  “We will attack the Toranado, the Deutzani from the east and the Palmerrio and my Knights from the north. We will smash them between two strong armies, bypassing their beloved navy,” the King declared in a loud confident voice.

  “The Palmerrio?” King Arsinol asked, his worst fears confirmed.

  “King Weldon is already moving his armies to the border,” Mastoc said, “and with the bulk of the Deutzani army at Cape, in Massi, the Toranado will soon feel the full weight of my displeasure.”

  “But…there are rumors of the Massi Prince on the Plateau,” Arsinol blurted, in a panic.

  The High King stared hard at his Deutzani counterpart. “The Massi Prince should have died long ago. He’s your problem, your Executioner’s problem.”

  “Why has Navarra not finished the boy?” Tar Nacht asked, finding it hard to believe that one of their finest Tars could not find and easily kill the last of the Massi royalty.

  Arsinol turned his anger and frustration the High Tar’s direction. “He’s had his chances, but always the boy eludes him, escapes death, and now we’ve reason to believe that Navarra may be dead.”

  “Dead?” Nacht asked, very surprised and slightly hopeful. Navarra was growing strong and confident. He realized Navarra would not be an easy kill. Nacht was expecting a challenge from the talented Tar at any time, if he was dead, so much the better for the current High Executioner.

  “We’ve lost touch with him and his fellow Executioners on the Massi Plateau. They’ve not been heard from for several weeks,” Arsinol explained.

  “Executioners?” Cyn de Baard asked, wryly.

  “Apprentices then,” Arsinol said with a slight bow of respect. “But if Gwaynn is alive and rallying support on the Plateau, it would be most unwise of me to move the army at Cape.”

  Mastoc took two steps toward the Deutzani King. “You will move the army! You will move it through the Scar Gap and into Toranado lands in two weeks time. The Massi whelp is your problem…and yours,” he added looking directly at Cyn de Baard. She stared back, surprised.

  “You kill the Massi Prince.” he hissed at her with barely contained anger, eyes traveling over her body at will. Everything was falling apart around him. First he’d recklessly agreed to help with the invasion of Massi, a growing thorn in his side, though the move had earned him a sweet young bride. His thoughts drifted briefly to Audra and her lithe young body. He still desired her immensely, but now, despite the initial success, it appeared that the Deutzani rule of Massi might be threatened…and now this business with the Travelers. It was foolish of the Travelers to aid Tar Nev, but now Mastoc could freely admit, at least to himself, that attacking and killing off the meddlesome Travelers was a tactical error. He’d mistakenly given the Toranado greater power. With their navy, they would now dominate all movement within the Inland Sea, and that was something he just could not stomach. Like the Massi, they’d now have to be weakened or overrun.

  The King’s eyes focused on de Baard’s face once more. “You kill Prince Gwaynn Massi and perhaps I will forgive your failure with the Travelers and make you my Weapons Master.”

  Tar Cyn de Baard smiled.

  ‘Weapons Master to the High King,’ she thought to herself. ‘It would be a powerful position, perhaps more powerful than the High Tar.’

  Mastoc pointed a finger at her, thinking just how lovely she was when she smiled.

  “You kill him quickly,” he added and his eyes moved slowly up and down her body once again. He wondered briefly how it would differ from his young Queen’s, but then shook off the compelling fantasy. “I don’t want him interfering with my plans anymore.”

  de Baard nodded and stood slowly, stretched her arms over her head and arched her back, more for their pleasure than her own, then she smiled. “Prince Gwaynn Massi will be dead before I see you next,” she purred, and they all smiled together.

  ǂ

  On the beaches of Helles, Jess na Gall stared at Gwaynn for a long moment. She stood very still, confused.

  ‘How had he helped her? He was trained! He’s a Traveler!’ She thought before a massive cramp hit her midsection and she doubled over in pain. Gwaynn moved forward and grabbed her arm to steady her. Jess took a weak step ahead then cried out as another strong spasm coursed through her. Gwaynn slipped his arm around her waist and began to lead her up and away from the beach.

  �
�She needs food and drink,” he told Sath, completely oblivious to the glower he was getting from Samantha.

  “Stay with the Hawser’s,” Sath said to Sam, then immediately moved to the other side of Jess to help support her. They moved slowly up a slight dune to level ground. To the north, a cluster of buildings were nestled among a host of soaring palms, several of the buildings were impressive, standing four to five stories tall and all were a crisp, clean white, much like the architecture on Lato. They only made it about half way to the nearest building before they were spotted and soon a crowd gathered, nearly all of them dressed in sky blue robes. The group of Helles natives huddled around the three visitors with obvious curiosity.

  “We’ve people in need of care,” Sath said quickly to those around him, “down on the beach.”

  Perhaps a half a dozen people moved away to help, but Gwaynn could not be sure with all the commotion around them.

  “We need food and drink. Please,” Gwaynn added, still supporting Jess na Gall, and at first no one answered, then the group parted and a small, round elderly woman came through the crowd in a rush. She stopped short when she spotted Gwaynn and Sath holding Jess upright.

  “Traveler na Gall!” the little woman exclaimed, recognizing her immediately.

  “She needs food,” Gwaynn answered as if this explained the condition the Traveler was in. “And water, perhaps rest,” he added.

  The woman rounded on him. “So you are a Surgeon of Helles now, are you boy?” she asked briskly, then without waiting for an answer she shouted to her own people. “Get a litter, quickly,” and suddenly everyone was rushing about.

  A litter materialized almost immediately.

  “Please…I can make it,” Jess said weakly, embarrassed by all the attention.

  “Nonsense,” the little woman retorted. “Gently,” she said to Gwaynn and Sath, her tone more of a command than a request, but the two did as she asked and placed na Gall carefully on the canvas litter. Once she was in position, four strong young men moved forward and lifted the litter as if it were empty. Without hesitation they began to make their way quickly to a large single story building set on the edge of the beach.

  The building was in the shape of an octagon with a large wooden porch surrounding the entire structure. Outside on the veranda, there were chairs and tables, several which held patients and their wards. Those outside watched the approaching group curiously, while clearly enjoying the fresh breeze coming off the sea as they convalesced. As they moved up on the porch, Gwaynn broke a bit away from the rest and snatched up several plums and apples from a bowl sitting on one of the empty tables, then followed after the others. He tagged along inside, catching up just as the group turned right and entered a large airy room that was lit by a big skylight in the ceiling. The elderly woman walked to the far side of the room, pulled on a strong looking cord and a vast bamboo section of the outer wall rolled up on itself, letting in more light and fresh air from outside. The room was directly adjacent to the veranda and just outside was another set of empty chairs and a small table. Gwaynn noticed with disappointment that the table was currently bereft of fruit. By the time the little woman turned back to face them, Jess na Gall was lying in one of the two beds in the room.

  Gwaynn and the little round woman moved forward at the same moment though from opposite sides of the bed.

  “Traveler na Gall,” the woman said. “I am Head Surgeon Dana Knote…Knote like in music, but spelled with a “K,” she added and Gwaynn could tell it was an automatic response, almost as if the explanation was part of her name. He smiled and handed Jess a plum. Dana Knote frowned at him, but her expression turned quickly to surprise as she watched the Traveler down the fruit as if she hadn’t eaten for days. When she was finished Gwaynn handed her an apple.

  “She needs food…and water,” he repeated and began to eat the other plum, his own hunger and need was beginning to catch up with him. He could tell the little woman was biting down another retort. She clapped her hands and several of the young men went scurrying from the room. A tray filled with tiny bits of meat and cheeses as well as additional fruits soon appeared along with a pitcher of a thick liquid, which was pale yellow. Jess immediately began to eat in earnest, selecting the meat and cheese indiscriminately. As Dana poured the Traveler a glass of the liquid, Gwaynn helped himself to some of the meat and bread. The surgeon frowned again.

  “And just who are you?” she asked, looking from Gwaynn to Sath and back again. She’d taken the young man for a student or possibly a servant of the Traveler, as to the older gentleman she thought perhaps he might be a colleague of na Galls, though she did not recognize him.

  “Prince Gwaynn Massi,” he answered with a slight tip of his head, “at your service.” Dana Knote blanched and Jess giggled slightly then returned to her meal. “This is Weapons Master Afton Sath.”

  The little surgeon stood completely still for a long moment, her mouth hanging open and was about to say something when another woman spoke from the doorway.

  “Surgeon Knote…we have two that need your immediate attention.”

  Dana frowned and handed the glass to Jess. “Peach juice,” she said. “Please drink it all,” then she hurried from the room. Jess drank and ate quickly and Gwaynn allowed her most of the contents of the tray.

  “We need more food,” he told the young girl who arrived to gather the leftovers. She was surprised that the platter was empty and only nodded at Gwaynn before leaving, but she returned quickly and with the help of several young men brought three trays this time, one for each of them. They all ate in relative silence, Sath growing more and more amused by the Travelers appetite.

  “Try the juice,” she told Gwaynn at one point. “It’s fantastic. Really takes the edge off.”

  Gwaynn did so, but it still took several more trays before he and Jess were sated. He stopped the young nurse as she was leaving.

  “Where are the others?” he asked, touching her arm lightly. The girl looked down at his hand. It was covered in old dirt and blood and she shivered. Gwaynn removed it immediately.

  “They…they are down the hall to the left…not far,” the girl stammered and then quickly left the room.

  Gwaynn was about to leave when he heard Jess moving to get out of bed. He turned back to her.

  “Rest,” he commanded as Sath moved to his side.

  “I’m fine,” na Gall snapped, bristling slightly, not used to having orders thrown her way, let alone by one so young.

  She made to stand but quickly grew dizzy and had to place a hand on the bed for support. Gwaynn moved to her side. He was dirty and smelled of sweat, but when he placed a hand on her arm she did not flinch or shiver. “Come. You delivered us here safely, rest for a bit while we check on the others.” After a moment Jess nodded, finally admitting that it was for the best, though how he was able to assist her during such a demanding Travel and then walk about seemingly unaffected was gnawing at the edges of her mind.

  ‘He’s been trained,’ she thought again as she lay back down. It was a scandal, something that should have galvanized her, but her full stomach and her exhaustion soon hit full force and she was asleep not long after they walked from the room.

  “You learn quickly,” Sath said as they moved down the hall.

  “You didn’t used to think so,” Gwaynn answered back.

  “It was never your mind that concerned me,” Sath added. “It was your lack of drive and ambition. I never met a child more content with mediocrity. You were a follower. It was your sister who led the way.”

  Gwaynn frowned and fell silent, thinking of Gwynn. “I loved her above all things,” he finally whispered. “And I was content…as long as I had her by my side…but believe me I learned a great deal from you, far more than you know.”

  Sath blinked slightly, surprised at the moisture which sprang into his eyes. “I thank you...and I loved her too.”

  Gwaynn stared at his Master for a long moment, affection for the old man welling up ins
ide him.

  “Where’ve you been?” Samantha barked, interrupting the moment. She was all but shouting at them as they walked into sight. She was standing in the middle of the hallway, her hands on her hips. She was with Olney, who was distracted with worry and sitting on a bench just behind her.

  Gwaynn stopped short, surprised by the young woman’s anger. He looked to Sath but his old mentor just shrugged and repressed a smile.

  “We were seeing to the Traveler Jess….”

  “Jess…Jess, so she’s Jess now,” Samantha quipped, her eyes blazing. “Were you not even remotely concerned about the Hawsers? Carmen arrow shot and Rue nearly sliced open…” She closed her mouth as she heard Olney groan.

  “Of course we were worried,” Sath said, taking pity on the boy and placing a hand on Samantha’s shoulder.

  “We came as soon as we finished eating,” Gwaynn added and Sath rolled his eyes, thinking perhaps the Prince was not such a fast learner.

  “Ate!” Samantha glared at him again. “You ate with her?”

  Gwaynn took another step back. The girl was beautiful and spirited, but he was not sure she was completely sane, and he thought once again that perhaps her own trials had unhinged her mind.

  “I was hungry,” was all he could think to say. Sath chuckled, the sound reminding Gwaynn a great deal of his old Master, Tar Nev. Nev usually laughed when Gwaynn was missing something very obvious in his teachings.

  Samantha frowned at him, crossed her arms across her chest and moved farther down the hall to another bench just as Lonogan Bock and Krys rounded the far corner, each carrying two large trays of food.

  “Anyone hungry?” Bock asked with a smile, happy to have so much food at hand. Samantha said nothing, nor did Gwaynn and Afton Sath had to turn away to suppress another laugh.