The Assassin's Tale (Isle of Dreams)

by Kirsten Jones

  ‘I’ll wear all my clothes,’ she offered helpfully and was relieved to see the corners of his mouth twitch in the semblance of amusement.

  ‘Boots too?’

  She shrugged nonchalantly, ‘If you want.’

  He laughed softly and the tension between them eased.

  Mistral sighed and rested her head against his chest, ‘Honestly though Fabian. I have so many scars I think you’ll probably run a mile the first time you see them.’

  ‘I very much doubt it,’ he murmured, kissing the top of her head gently. ‘Wait till you see mine.’

  She laughed and looked up at him again, pleased to see that he was smiling once more.

  ‘Now, if you really insist on needing someone to keep you company through the small hours of the night then I shall, of course, do as you wish, however – that,’ he said pointing to the side nearest the window, ‘shall be your side and this shall be mine.’

  ‘Glad to see we’ve got the important issues sorted out,’ Mistral said and grinned.

  Slipping lightly from his arms she sat on the edge of the bed and untied her boots, dropping them onto the floor with a double thud. Fabian watched her, his face amused.

  ‘What?’ she asked, looking up and catching his expression.

  He gave a low laugh, ‘I long for the time when you do that every night.’

  Resisting the urge to tell him that he didn’t have to wait, Mistral swung her legs up onto the bed and moved across to what was now her side then patted the space beside her invitingly.

  ‘Coming to bed?’ she asked with a grin.

  ‘Not quite in the way I would like, but yes, I will be sleeping alongside you tonight,’ Fabian smiled and sat down to unlace his own boots.

  Sitting up and putting her arms around him, Mistral laid her head against his back and listened to his breathing while he untied his boots.

  ‘The first time I ever stepped into this house it felt like home to me,’ she murmured.

  Turning and laying on his back, Fabian pulled her onto his chest and wrapped his arms around her. ‘Until the moment you walked through the door, it never felt like home to me.’

  Mistral sighed blissfully and pulled a blanket over them. Instantly she felt herself begin to drift and wondered vaguely how she would ever be able to go to sleep again without Fabian’s arms around her.

  Mistral awoke to the soft light of dawn. Nestled in the blanket that covered her and Fabian she lay still, at peace with the world while she gazed out of the snow-filled window. She could feel his chest rising with deep, regular breaths and knew that he was still asleep. Smiling indulgently she savoured the warmth of his embrace in the bed that they would share for the rest of their lives. Filled with a sudden, unfamiliar desire, Mistral tilted her head and kissed the underside of his jaw.

  He sighed and stirred slightly.

  ‘Is this really my home too now?’ she whispered.

  ‘Hmm,’ he replied sleepily.

  ‘Good, because I’m going to make us all breakfast.’

  Fabian sighed and rolled over as she slipped from the bed and tiptoed down the wooden stairs, glancing quickly at the twins she could see their blonde heads poking out from under their cloaks, both still fast asleep. Leaving them to their dreams, Mistral stood with her hands on her hips and regarded the small kitchen.

  ‘Right then. Breakfast,’ she muttered to herself and began to open cupboards, peering cautiously into their depths until she found what she was looking for.

  Before long the smell of eggs frying filled the house, causing the twins to wake and look over blearily.

  ‘Mistral? Is that really you?’ Phantom asked with a yawn.

  ‘I had no idea you could cook!’ Phantasm exclaimed, throwing his cloak off and sitting up eagerly.

  ‘You don’t know everything about me,’ Mistral said primly, sliding hot eggs onto four plates. ‘Now get up and fetch the bread from the stove, it’s been warming … and there’s some cold ham on the table.’

  Fabian padded softly down the stairs, yawning and rubbing his hands through his sleep-tousled hair.

  ‘Good morning,’ he murmured, pulling her into his arms and kissing her.

  ‘Hungry?’ she enquired with a smile.

  ‘Inappropriately so,’ he growled, bending his head to kiss her neck.

  Mistral laughed and Phantom rolled his eyes.

  ‘Let’s eat!’ he said enthusiastically, laying the warm bread onto the table and sitting down.

  ‘You know, this is really rather good,’ said Phantasm, looking surprised.

  ‘Oh for pity’s sake Phantasm, I can cook things as well as kill them and skin them you know!’ Mistral snapped, stabbing a slice of ham with her fork.

  ‘You have been warned,’ Phantom said, giving Fabian a meaningful look.

  Fabian smiled and shook his head, bending over his plate of food and forking up a mouthful of egg.

  ‘So what other hidden depths do you have Mistral?’ Phantom asked when he pushed his empty plate away a short while later and leaned back with a satisfied smile.

  ‘Unfortunately, not the ability to magic an already dead Blackheart Wolverine out of thin air and save us a long cold day hunting the damned thing,’ said Mistral broodingly. ‘I think I’ll wash up,’ she said abruptly and began to gather the empty plates from the table, carrying them over to the small stone sink.

  ‘I suppose it is back to reality now,’ sighed Phantasm. ‘We need to work out a plan for a hunt, any ideas?’

  He turned to look at his brother, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

  ‘Hmm, well one thing does spring to mind ... what are you cooking us for lunch Mistral?’ Phantom called over to where Mistral was stood at the sink, drying the plates with a linen cloth.

  ‘I thought a nice warming venison stew followed by a steamed pudding, maybe treacle,’ replied Mistral in a voice laden with sarcasm. ‘Seriously, how are we going to pull this off?’

  Fabian leaned back on his chair and folded his arms thoughtfully, ‘Let’s be sure of the details. Leo instructed his Lieutenants to split the pack and spread them across the mountainside –’

  ‘Yes, but we don’t actually trust those three to have done anything other than travel to the nearest village and prop the bar up for the night,’ cut in Phantom sourly.

  Fabian nodded slowly, ‘Even if they did locate the pack the only way I could see of splitting them is to use something they don’t have ... the Lieutenants don’t have elf blood.’

  Mistral finished stacking the plates back on the dresser and turned to face him, ‘You’re talking about Elven Song aren’t you?’

  Fabian nodded, ‘The wolverines can’t abide the sound, it literally drives them crazy. So, I think you may well be correct in your assumption that the pack will still be entire. Which leaves us with the problem of how to hunt one of them without them hunting us.’

  ‘Us?’ enquired Phantasm coolly.

  Fabian returned his cool gaze with something more glacial, ‘There is no way I am letting Mistral out of my sight on a Blackheart Wolverine hunt.’ then added in a softer tone. ‘Especially not now I know she can cook.’

  Phantom laughed but Phantasm stared stonily back for a long moment before finally inclining his head in a short nod.

  ‘Your experience would be appreciated.’

  Mistral wandered back over to the table and slid onto Fabian’s lap. Leaning into his protective embrace she looked up at him with a smile.

  ‘There. Friends at last. See what a good breakfast can do?’

  ‘It was a good breakfast too,’ murmured Fabian. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘You’re welcome,’ said Mistral, rising from his lap and collecting the remains of the ham and bread. ‘I think I’ll make us a lunch for the hunt,’ she said thoughtfully, walking over to the dresser.

  Phantom watched her in amazement, ‘She’s like a different person!’ he exclaimed under his breath.

  Fabian looked at him evenly, ‘No, she’s the sam
e person. You’re simply seeing a side of her that hasn’t been given a chance to reveal itself. People can change … when they meet the right person,’ he added softly.

  Phantasm glanced at him and Fabian held his gaze.

  ‘So, we hunt the pack. I assume you all have armour, crossbows, throwing knives and swords with you?’ Fabian asked in a suddenly brisk voice.

  ‘Yes, of course we do,’ said Mistral, dropping a cloth bundle of food onto the table. ‘But Leo said that bolts and throwing knives weren’t particularly effective against them.’

  ‘Longbows and crossbows are effective to a certain extent, especially if we dipped the arrow heads in poison,’ Fabian paused and frowned thoughtfully. ‘A good hunting dog would be useful today. It would easily separate a wolverine from the rest of the pack and head it to us. Mistral?’ he looked up suddenly. ‘Tell me. Have you ever owned a dog?’

  She shook her head and looked back at him, smiling in anticipation.

  ‘The first opportunity I have, I am going to buy you the best hunting dog I can find.’

  ‘I do hope that’s today then,’ said Phantom, ignoring Mistral’s wide grin of pleasure.

  ‘Explain to me about the elves.’ Fabian looked at Phantasm, his face serious again. ‘I cannot quite see why they would want to attack Ri apprentices. I’ve met most of the tribes in The Velvet Forests and they prefer to keep to themselves.’

  Phantasm nodded and leaned his elbows onto the table, resting his chin thoughtfully onto his folded hands.

  ‘We ran into them on our journey down to the Amber River and it transpires that Konrad took a Contract on one of their tribe earlier in the year. They were seeking answers but I convinced them that we knew nothing of the Contract and they eventually gave us safe passage. Unfortunately, Konrad and Saul ran into them during our attempt to hunt the wolverines in the autumn and the elves were not so convinced by Konrad’s efforts to lie and they attacked us. Obviously, we escaped or we wouldn’t be sat here today, but Konrad and Mistral got shot. The fact that they didn’t just limit their attack to Konrad makes me think that they don’t particularly care how many of us they kill before they finally get Konrad and avenge their brother. But, what I don’t understand is why anyone would order a Contract on an elf.’

  Phantasm paused and looked directly at Fabian who was staring at him with a glacial intensity. Fabian abruptly switched his gaze away and gazed broodingly out of the narrow balcony doors at the snow covered landscape.

  ‘Yes, it is unusual. Elves tend to resolve their own differences rather than involve outsiders. I think someone wanted to silence that elf ... I wonder what he knew – ’

  ‘By “someone” you mean a Mage?’

  Fabian pursed his lips and nodded slowly, turning back to meet Phantasm’s piercing green eyes.

  ‘I would think that would be most probable. Only a Mage would pay to have another life taken. The Arcane races are less afraid to get their hands dirty. There is more to this than first meets the eye.’ Fabian fell silent and gazed pensively out of the window again. ‘However,’ he sighed and dragged himself out of his reverie to look at them again. ‘Now is not the time for that tangled matter … so, to summarise, we have a pack of Blackheart Wolverines to hunt with the added complication of a band of elves intent on wiping out this year’s group of Ri apprentices.’

  ‘That’s about the size of it,’ said Phantom grimly.

  ‘A strategy then,’ said Fabian briskly. ‘Full armour under your jerkins and cloaks. Now, who is good with a longbow?’

  Mistral shrugged, ‘We can all handle a bow but I think that Phantasm is probably the best. He has more patience with standing still than I do.’

  ‘It’s just a shame we don’t have one,’ muttered Phantasm.

  Fabian smiled, ‘Not so. I have a small selection of weapons here that includes a longbow or two.’

  ‘Where?’ said Mistral, looking around eagerly.

  ‘I’ll show you in a minute,’ he gave her an amused look. ‘Have you always been utterly preoccupied by weapons?’

  ‘Yes,’ the twins chorused wearily and Mistral grinned.

  ‘Back to the plan. We will ride out and scout for signs of the pack. Last night’s snowfall will make our travel slower but will guarantee that any tracks we see will be fresh.

  ‘Once we locate the pack we will position Phantasm and Phantom ready to pick them off with poisoned arrows and bolts. I will ride in and harry the pack with crossbow fire and drive them towards you.

  ‘The last two times you have encountered them has been at the treeline by the meadows; albeit on different sides of the forests. But we know that they prefer to use the treeline for cover and hunt in the open, which gives us a good starting point for today’s hunt. If I can drive them out into the meadow you should be able to get a clear shot and we won’t run the risk of meeting the elves in the forests.’

  ‘And just what am I supposed to be doing? Laying out a picnic?’ Mistral demanded petulantly.

  Fabian looked at her, his eyes hard, ‘I want you to stay here.’

  The twins shared a look while Mistral swelled with anger.

  ‘Stay here?’

  Fabian nodded and gazed levelly at her, ‘It would be the safest place for you to be.’

  ‘It’s my Qualifying Hunt Fabian! How can I not go on it? Anyway, you seemed perfectly happy with the idea of me hunting Blackheart Wolverines last night!’

  ‘That was before I knew about the elves!’ Fabian replied sharply.

  ‘I think I’ll go feed the horses,’ said Phantasm suddenly, rising swiftly from the table and heading towards the door.

  ‘I’ll help you,’ muttered Phantom, hastily joining him.

  As they closed the door behind them they could clearly hear Mistral arguing with Fabian.

  ‘I know it’s been said before, but it warrants being said again,’ began Phantom while he buttoned his jerkin.

  ‘I know. He’s a brave man.’ Phantasm finished with a sigh. ‘And possibly a short-lived one.’

  By the time the twins had fed and mucked out all four horses they felt it would be safe to return to the house. Leaving the warmth of the stables they walked across they yard to see the squat door to the cellar propped open. They paused at the top and listened to hear Mistral exclaiming in delight over something.

  ‘Mistral?’ Phantom called down. ‘Is Mage De Winter going to lock you down there until the hunt is over?’

  ‘Don’t be stupid!’ Mistral called back in an excited voice. ‘Come down and have a look at this! It’s amazing!’

  Looking at his brother and shrugging, Phantom ducked his head under the low door frame and descended a short flight of stone steps into the cold cellar.

  The floor and walls of the small square cellar were made of stone, giving the room a tomblike feel. Light from two torches hanging in brackets on the walls cast a warm glow over rows of barrels and sacks of grain. Several rabbits and pheasants hung from hooks on the walls. This was obviously where Fabian stored food and any game he hunted.

  ‘Oh!’ Mistral gasped rapturously. ‘What’s this one used for?’

  The twins walked towards the sound of her voice, dipping their heads to avoid hitting the low roof. They could see Mistral standing next to Fabian; both had their backs to the twins, hiding whatever was causing Mistral so much excitement. Phantasm peered around them and gave a whistle of appreciation.

  ‘It looks like the storeroom of Toothe and Nayle in here!’

  The back wall of the cellar was hung with rows and rows of weapons. Crossbows and bows of varying lengths, swords, knives, plus some weapons whose purpose Phantasm couldn’t even begin to imagine. Mistral was holding a sturdy looking dagger that had slots on one side much like the teeth of a comb.

  ‘It’s a sword breaker,’ explained Fabian, pointing to the slotted blade. ‘It can be used to capture an opponent’s blade. Once the blade is caught a quick twist with this will snap their sword.’

  Mistral made a happy no
ise and gazed at the dagger with something close to reverence on her face.

  ‘And what about these?’ she asked, placing the dagger gently back into its holder and reaching for a bag of what looked like toy jacks.

  ‘These are caltrops,’ said Fabian, taking one carefully from the bag in her hand. The metal object was shaped like the child’s toy but the four points were sharp. ‘They are designed to be thrown on the ground. Because of the four-pointed structure they always fall with one point standing straight up. It’s a handy design for laying traps. In fact, I might take some with us today.’

  ‘Can I borrow this?’ Mistral asked, reaching out to grasp a curved dagger.

  ‘The kukri? Of course you can. In fact it would be very effective on tough wolverine hide – see how the cutting edge is on the inner bevel of the blade?’

  Mistral nodded, running her finger down the wicked looking blade.

  ‘It’s designed to have more weight at the point of the blade which will give you more power to slice into the hide.’

  ‘So you’re coming then are you?’ Phantom asked hesitantly.

  Mistral looked up at him and smiled innocently, ‘Of course I am! How can I Qualify if I’m not there?’

  Fabian didn’t say anything and began to lift weapons from the wall and pack them into a large saddlebag. For once, the twins didn’t comment. They knew how it felt to lose an argument to Mistral. Taking the longbow that Fabian passed to him, Phantasm could see that his face was rigid with tension.

  ‘Try this crossbow,’ Fabian muttered, passing a short-stocked crossbow to Phantom. ‘It has a very powerful range.’

  Phantom murmured his thanks and took the crossbow. Throwing his brother a meaningful look he indicated with his head towards the door.

  ‘We’ll go pack our bags and get ready,’ said Phantasm, diplomatically leaving Mistral and Fabian alone in the cellar once more.

  Mistral waited until she heard the twins’ footsteps on the wooden floor of the house above them before she turned to Fabian and gazed beseechingly at him.

  ‘Please, please don’t be angry with me any longer,’ she begged, looking at his taut expression. ‘I couldn’t stay here while you went out! I would go insane with worry!’