Assassin's Price

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  Charyn didn’t have that much choice. He played his singleton knight, and Aloryana dropped the seven of serpents, while Chelia played the three. With that, Charyn gathered the trick, turned the plaques facedown, and led the four of stags, which Aloryana covered with the knight. Chelia trumped that with the four of serpents, suggesting she was short of trumps, since whist required either following suit or trumping, unless the player had no plaques left in the suit that had been led. Malyna overtrumped with the five of serpents, suggesting she had at least five trumps, possibly six.

  “You think that’s high enough?” asked Charyn cheerfully.

  “We’ll see, won’t we?” she replied with a grin, then led the two of serpents, on which Charyn dropped the two of eagles.

  For an instant, Aloryana looked dismayed before playing the eight of serpents. Chelia took the trick with the rex of serpents, then led back the ten of eagles, in response to Charyn’s discard. That also suggested that Chelia had no more serpents in her hand.

  Malyna hesitated, then dropped the six of eagles, which Charyn covered with the rex, hoping his counts were correct. They were, because Aloryana did not trump, which she certainly would have if she could, but instead played the four of eagles. Charyn returned with the three of eagles, which Aloryana covered with the knight, and Chelia dropped the five, while Malyna dropped the six of sprites, meaning she was out of eagles. The next trick Aloryana led the two of crowns, which Chelia covered with the seven, and Malyna took with the chorister. All Charyn could do was drop an eight.

  Malyna then led the chorister of stags, on which Charyn dropped his lowest remaining stag, the eight, followed by Aloryana’s seven, and Chelia’s two. Still in the lead, Malyna offered the rex of stags and took that trick. Then she led the three of stags, but Chelia took the trick with the nine. The next trick went to Malyna when she trumped Chelia’s chorister of eagles.

  In the end, Malyna made her bid exactly.

  “Nicely done,” said Charyn.

  “Very well done,” added Chelia. “You kept us from using our good sprites until the end, when it was too late.”

  “I was fortunate in where the plaques lay.” Malyna handed the plaques from the tricks she and Aloryana had taken to Charyn.

  “Fortune doesn’t help much, if you can’t play to it,” replied Charyn, combining the plaques he had with the ones from Malyna before shuffling the deck twice and presenting it to Malyna.

  She cut the deck and then began to deal. “I really haven’t played that much whist recently. It almost seems like fewer people play it these days. Or perhaps that’s just where I’ve been. We’re a little isolated that way.”

  “It was always that way in Rivages,” replied Chelia. “I didn’t get much of an opportunity to play whist until I came to L’Excelsis. If you lived here, dear, I’m sure you’d have more than a few who would enjoy having you.”

  “Let’s hope you still feel that way after the game.”

  “I doubt your play will be any less expert.”

  Chelia took the next bid with three, after Charyn passed and then didn’t raise. When she and Charyn ended up taking twelve tricks, he was personally discomfited because only the bid tricks counted toward the eleven points that made a game, although Chelia merely smiled as she said, “You can count knights as sure tricks when your partner opens with three.”

  “I’d forgotten. I’ve likely played even less in the last year than Malyna has.” As he took the cards from Aloryana, cut them and began to deal, he turned to Malyna. “Just what have you been doing to keep yourself busy up in Rivages?” Besides waiting for your father to find you a husband.

  “I’ve found a tutor in advanced mathematics, and I’ve also learned the basics of handling a sabre. My father taught me basic knifework, but he didn’t see much point in teaching me longer blades, since a woman can conceal a knife but not a blade.”

  “And he let you practice with a sabre?” Charyn wished he hadn’t asked the question as soon as the words were out.

  “I would have been dying of boredom if I just sat and waited for the important things in life to happen. Besides, why shouldn’t a woman know the basics of using a blade to defend herself? It’s not as though any of us are going to become … marauders … or brigands.” Malyna added smoothly, “We’re living in uncertain times.”

  “And I suppose you can handle a rifle, too?” Charyn kept his words light.

  “I know how one works. I’d prefer not to use one or even practice with something almost half as tall as I am.”

  Charyn noticed that while Chelia’s eyes widened at the words about the sabre, she had seemed totally unmoved by the mention of the knife. “Has some of that time you’ve spent with Aloryana been spent adding that to her skills?”

  “Yes, since she asked.”

  “Would you consider sparring with me … using light wands, of course?” asked Charyn.

  “I’m likely not anywhere near your match.”

  “Then, if that is so, you’ll get better. If you’re underplaying your skill,” Charyn replied pleasantly, “I will.”

  “I wouldn’t mind practicing—just with wands—if you wouldn’t mind.” Malyna looked to Chelia. “If it wouldn’t be too … untoward?”

  “With padded jackets and no strikes below the waist,” replied Chelia. “That is, if you two will do so using the interior gallery on the lower level. The guards and others shouldn’t see that. And Aloryana and I will be present to satisfy all proprieties.”

  “Tomorrow, perhaps, since it appears it will continue cold and unpleasant outside?”

  “Late morning,” said Chelia. Her words were not a suggestion. “Your father will be receiving Marshal Vaelln and his vice-marshal and their wives at second glass for refreshments, and all of you are invited. He decided that on short notice.”

  Charyn wasn’t certain which surprised him more, that he was to give Malyna practice or a lesson or that his father had agreed to an informal reception. Or that Malyna had accepted his suggestion, one made almost, but not quite, in jest.

  In response to Charyn’s unspoken question, Chelia went on. “I did suggest the reception, since most of us cannot go anywhere, and since the vice-marshal’s wife has never been here, unlike the other wives of senior army officers, and it is likely that he may succeed Marshal Vaelln. You might pick up your plaques, Charyn. We are playing whist.”

  Charyn finished dealing and picked up his hand. The plaques in it were even worse than the last hand … and he had the feeling that it was going to be a longer afternoon than he had thought, especially given the look Chelia had offered after her last words … and the fact that both Malyna and his mother were better players than he was.

  18

  Charyn woke up alone—and early, even for him—on Solayi morning, his thoughts still circling around all the questions he had about Malyna. There was no doubt that she was the daughter of High Holder Zaerlyn, but what High Holder raised daughters like her? She knew surveying and higher mathematics. She played the clavecin better than he did … and better than either Bhayrn or Aloryana. She’d been taught by a composer and master musician, one that Palenya clearly respected. She had turned out to be at least as good at whist as his mother, and possibly better, all the time demurring that she’d been fortunate.

  Then there were the questions of the weapons. What High Holder’s daughter was good with a dagger and carried one all the time? He’d never heard of one. As for one who had even lifted a sabre in practice … that seemed even more unlikely. Was Malyna one of those women who weren’t really women? Had his mother and Malyna set up the sparring business to make that clear to him?

  He washed up and dressed in plain greens, similar to those worn by the chateau guards, then went down to breakfast, where he discovered that someone had eaten earlier because the serving girl was clearing away several platters.

  “Who ate early?” he asked.

  “Lady Chelia and Lady Malyna.”

  Charyn nodded and sat down. Hi
s mother was an early riser, and apparently so was Malyna. Aloryana was not, in taking after their father. But if Malyna was an early riser, why hadn’t she breakfasted with his mother before? Because she’s humoring Aloryana? But why to that extent?

  As soon as the mug of tea arrived, he took a swallow, still thinking. Almost a glass later, he was just finishing the slightly overcooked cheesed eggs that he had lingered over when Bhayrn appeared.

  His brother grinned. “I understand you’re going to be teaching blades—or wands—to our guest.”

  “I wish I’d never agreed to it,” Charyn admitted, although it hadn’t exactly been agreement since he’d brought it up in the first place. The more fool you. “If she’s even halfway good with the wands, that will make the point that Aloryana could also learn blades, at least enough to defend herself.”

  “Then she probably is that good,” replied Bhayrn, “and Aloryana put her up to it. You know she’s always thought it wasn’t fair that she couldn’t ride without a chaperone or learn bladework.”

  “Why would Mother even agree to it?”

  “I don’t know, but she always has her reasons.”

  Charyn nodded. That … he did know. He also recalled that when Aloryana had asked why she couldn’t learn bladework—even with wooden wands—Chelia had always declared that their father had said that women shouldn’t learn to use weapons. Had she wanted to learn bladework?

  Why? That was another question he should have thought about … and found a way to ask.

  “Malyna might be better than you think,” added Bhayrn.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “She gave the impression that she could barely play the clavecin, and she was far better than any of us. I also heard that she protested she hadn’t played plaques in a long time, and she was good at that.”

  Charyn wasn’t about to admit that a similar thought had crossed his mind. “Well, it’s only supposed to be for exercise.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” Bhayrn grinned.

  “It was only supposed to be—”

  “The four of you. I know. But Mother said I could come.”

  Why? “I suppose one more family member won’t matter, so long as it’s not Father.”

  “Even I know he shouldn’t find out until later. Besides, I think Aloryana’s right.”

  That also surprised Charyn, and that bothered him, for more than a few reasons.

  After finishing his eggs, and taking a last swallow from his third mug of tea, Charyn returned to his chambers where he dug out the padded practice jacket that he hadn’t worn in several years. It had been loose on him. Now it was tighter, but not enough to hamper his movements.

  At half a quint before ninth glass he took the jacket and the three wooden wands he had and headed down the spiral staircase off the south corridor down two flights to the lower level and the inside gallery.

  Aloryana was lighting the oil lamps in the wall sconces. Malyna and Chelia stood several paces from the door, talking quietly. Charyn glanced around for Bhayrn before realizing he was lighting the lamps on the south wall.

  Charyn walked toward Malyna. “Are you ready for this practice session?”

  “As soon as you put on your jacket,” she replied with a smile.

  Charyn noted she already wore a padded jacket.

  “One of Bhayrn’s older ones,” Chelia explained. “I had the ones you two outgrew saved.”

  Charyn slipped on his own jacket and was about to offer the wands to Malyna, when he saw she already had one. “Would you prefer any of these?”

  “No, thank you. This one suits me.”

  In less than a fraction of a quint, Charyn found himself facing Malyna, roughly in the middle of the gallery, an empty space a good eight yards wide and close to twenty long. The air was chill, but not cold enough that his breath was steaming.

  Charyn tried a standard opening, which Malyna slipped with ease, seeming not even to have done so before resuming her guard/defense position. Charyn tried another move, an angled cut that was supposed to end up with a straight thrust, except that Malyna sidestepped it even before he got to the thrust and knocked his wand down before retreating to her guard position.

  In return, he just held guard position, waiting to see what sort of attack she might make.

  For several moments, neither moved.

  Finally, Malyna started what Charyn thought was a feint to one side, so that he did not shift his weight, but merely his wand. In turn, she brought hers up hard, knocking his own wand up and aside, and he had to jump back in order to avoid being struck.

  She’s faster than you are. Charyn didn’t like that idea at all. But you’re taller and stronger. Use your height and reach.

  As they continued, Charyn realized something else. Malyna made no unnecessary moves, but when she did, those moves were swift, sometimes blindingly fast, and always left him off-balance or twisting and jumping back to avoid getting struck. Yet somehow, her wand never actually touched him, although several times it was close. After less than a third of a quint, Charyn was sweating profusely, despite the chill air of the gallery, and he’d never managed to even come close to touching her.

  After another third of a quint, he was soaked and close to exhausted, still never having touched Malyna.

  He took several steps back and lowered his wand.

  Malyna lowered hers.

  Charyn then said, “There’s an old saying about discretion being the better part of valor.” He managed a wry smile, difficult as it was. “You’re far better than any of the guards I’ve practiced against. I have my doubts that you’ve just practiced a little … and if that’s just a little for those who taught you, I’d very much want them on my side.” What he wasn’t about to say was that if Malyna had wanted she could have left him bruised all over. He did wonder why she hadn’t struck him once or twice, but then realized that, by not striking him and by not letting him strike her, she’d been even more impressive in an understated way, possibly, he hoped, not quite so obvious to those who watched.

  “Thank you,” replied Malyna, “but I am far less accomplished than those who have taught me.”

  “Might I ask whom?”

  “My uncle, I must admit, picked those who worked with me. He’s much more adept with weapons than my father.”

  Before Charyn could say another word, Chelia spoke up. “You and Malyna, especially you, Charyn, need to wash up and prepare for the reception.”

  Although Charyn was about to protest that almost three glasses offered more than enough time to wash up and change everything he had worn, which would be necessary, given that he was soaked through in his own sweat, he realized that his mother was commanding, not requesting. “When would you suggest we be in the main salon?”

  “At a quint before third glass.”

  As Malyna turned, Charyn moved to her side and said quietly, “I do appreciate your kindness in sparing me the embarrassment I deserved. Thank you.”

  For the first time since she had arrived at the chateau, Malyna showed an expression of surprise, if but for an instant before replying in an even softer voice. “I did bring up the matter of blades. Shall we call it even?”

  “You’re more than fair.” Charyn inclined his head.

  As Chelia, Malyna, and Aloryana left, Charyn noticed that Bhayrn remained and moved closer.

  “She’s better than any of the guards,” said Bhayrn. “You’re fortunate—”

  “I know. We won’t talk of it more. Anywhere.”

  “Why—”

  “Just ask yourself why our mother permitted it and then didn’t want any more said.”

  Bhayrn opened his mouth and then closed it.

  “There’s much more to Lady Malyna than meets the eye, and Mother’s trying to convey that without saying anything. I think it’s best we don’t say anything more or interfere until we know more, don’t you?”

  “Oh…”

  “Exactly.”

  Bhayrn frowned.
r />   “Unless you have a better idea,” added Charyn.

  His younger brother shook his head.

  “I need to wash and change,” said Charyn dryly.

  “That might be advisable.”

  As he climbed up the circular staircase to the third level, Charyn continued to ponder Malyna. She was clearly the well-educated and highly intelligent daughter of a High Holder, but she was more than that, and his mother had known that from the beginning. That bothered him more than he wanted to admit. As the heir and eldest son, shouldn’t he have been privy to some of whatever was being kept from him? Yet … his father never wanted to confide anything, and his mother had been giving hints from the beginning.

  It’s clear that Mother’s making the point that Malyna’s not for you … but what a waste of brains, beauty, and skills. He couldn’t help the next thought. With all that, who could she marry whom she wouldn’t be superior to?

  He was still figuratively shaking his head after he’d dressed in formal greens and was approaching the main salon a few moments before the time specified by Chelia.

  Malyna and Aloryana were already there, Aloryana in a blue silk tea dress and Malyna in a shimmering silver-gray dress and a black jacket. Chelia appeared momentarily, with Bhayrn in tow, looking less than perfectly happy.

  If Charyn had read his mother’s lips correctly, she had said something to the effect of “Not another word.”

  Bhayrn nodded.

  “You may all go in,” said Chelia warmly, as if whatever harsh words she had uttered to her younger son had vanished without ever having been spoken.

  Charyn opened the salon door, then stepped back and gestured for Malyna and Aloryana to enter. The fact that Vaetor was not there to serve as doorman underscored that the reception was personal and informal, although the senior officers and their wives would be escorted from the main entry hall.

  Since their guests were not there and since it was an informal reception, Charyn made his way to the sideboard and procured two goblets of Saanfal, then returned and handed Malyna one.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re a most unusual woman,” Charyn said quietly, after lifting his goblet slightly in an unspoken toast.