"We might not need the full weaponry, since we're visiting seats of other Assassins' Guilds, but well done," Saif said with a nod.
"Do you want me to drop them?" Kilig asked.
"Just the saber," Saif answered. "Let's not be too obvious about our profession. We will travel as father and son, peddlers."
"Oh." Kilig took off the saber scabbard and gave it to the doorkeeper to put back. "And what are we selling?"
"I don't know yet. Let's go to the marketplace and see what we can find."
Saif put one arm around his shoulder and led him outside. After the door closed behind them, Kilig glanced both ways down the empty street before speaking.
"Father and son during the day, lovers at night, I hope."
Saif chuckled. "Of course, Kilig. We are assassins. We can't reveal our real selves to strangers."
"Makes sense."
Kilig followed him to the marketplace where they bought some cutlery to resell on the way to Darantasia. They bought a double number of knives, compared to forks and spoons, so they could exercise a little while they were outside of villages and towns.
Saif also bought a map, done by a Sila, but with Genn writing. A Human scribe had added the Human names of the towns, but Saif had to ask the seller which dots were his destinations.
"Maybe we could learn to read and write," Saif mused. "If I happen to become Head of the Guild, I'll have to hire a secretary!"
"Talwar can read," Kilig observed. "When did he learn?"
"In Agharek they all can read and write, apparently." Saif sighed. "Or maybe it's the guild down there that teaches that along with the rest. It was founded by a man of vast culture, after all... I guess Talwar assumed here would be the same. Some of the others can read and write, it's just me."
"Maybe we could try to learn to do it on this assignment," Kilig said. "So when Talwar dies, you can be the new Head of the Guild."
Saif chuckled. "You're sweet, Kilig. But Nimdja is better suited as Head of the Guild, since he already can read and write. Not very well, but better than me."
"So why did you take the letters if you can't read them?" Kilig asked, puzzled.
"I don't think Talwar knows of my ignorance." Saif averted his eyes.
"Then we must find someone who reads for us! We can't get to Darantasia and Jevina and ask them to tell us everything from scratch!" Kilig protested.
"True." Saif was thoughtful for a moment. "But we can't ask a scribe to read assassins' matters."
"Why don't we ask the Genn, then?" Kilig suggested. "They might explain that map better to us, and read the letters and keep it secret... don't you think?"
Saif's green eyes made him gulp. Was his reasoning wrong? The Genn wanted peace. They had helped Humans to organize the city and the government of the land after the death of the king. Surely they could help without condemning them?
"Guisarme." Saif said. "She can read. Her Genn father taught her, and she's taught Francisca and Nimdja. I'd have gone to her lessons, but I was busy with apprentices..." He smiled fondly at Kilig. "Let's go find her, she's probably in the library at this time of the day."
They found Guisarme as expected, and took her for a drink before leaving the town. Saif gave her the folded parchments and she raised one eyebrow at them.
"I know you've been busy, Saif, but I sure hope that after this assignment you and Kilig will come to my lessons. By then even Nimdja's apprentice might need it."
"We will," Saif promised with a nod. "Tell us what these say now."
"All right." Guisarme unfolded the first parchment. "Assassins' Guild of Jevina requests a consultant. They want to get rid of the king, but are afraid of the consequences." She scoffed and looked at them. "I'm not surprised – if the Varians stop warring with the Blackmore up north, they'll definitely march on them. And a king is always a better defense against another king than a mayor or a governor. Unless they choose a Genn ruler – the Varians are very Genn-friendly."
"Thank you, Guisarme, your insight is much appreciated," Saif said. "Maybe you should come with us."
"Talwar is sending you, not me," she replied with a smile. "And I hate politics." She opened the second parchment. "Assassins' Guild of Darantasia... carelessly voted one of their members as mayor of the city-state and now wants him removed. That's it." She folded the parchments again and gave them back to Saif who sighed.
"I guess they'll tell us more when we get there," he muttered. "Thank you, Guisarme." He opened the map. "Can you show us the way?"
Guisarme confirmed what the map-seller had told them, so Saif and Kilig thanked her and started their journey to the west, on foot.
The roads outside of Godwalkar were wide but unpaved and dusty – or muddy on rainy days as summer was at its end. There were inns or villages at decent intervals, and Saif and Kilig enjoyed being peddlers during the trip.
They had sold most of the cutlery when they reached the river Nila that used to be the border between Gajendra and Lakeshi. Now the kingdoms were no more. Godwalkar was the capital of the Genn territory and Darantasia a city-state that obeyed no king anymore. There was still a king in Jevina, former capital of Lakeshi, but his domain was only over the city and surrounding villages.
Darantasia had been an independent city-state for almost a century now, and buildings had crossed the river, expanding to the east since there wasn't a border or taxes to pay anymore. Kilig and Saif had to ferry across to reach the seat of the Assassins' Guild, though, since it was in the old town.
They reached it at sunset, so they were given some food and a room. They'd meet the local Head of the Guild in the morning. They were so tired, they crashed into bed without making love to each other.
***
The Head of the Guild was Saif's age and looked worried by Kilig's youth. The three of them sat together in a small office very similar to Talwar's.
"You won't let your apprentice do it, will you?" he asked Saif.
"Kilig is a full-fledged assassin," Saif replied. "As for who is going to do it, just tell me what's going on, so I can make an informed decision."
The man sighed, then proceeded to explain how the city-state worked. The town council had members from all the guilds, including the assassins. They elected a mayor who stayed in office for five years and couldn't be re-elected. The latest mayor was an assassin, and he was becoming a tyrant. As senior member of the guild, he hired the younger members to get rid of whoever spoke against him, and the other guilds were quietly furious.
"We voted him in and he proved unworthy. The power went to his head. And we can't expel him from the guild, so we had to call for help from outside," the man concluded gloomily.
Saif knew one could quit the guild of his own accord, but not really be kicked out. Abhaya wasn't allowed into the guild at all, in spite of being Talwar's son, because he'd proven incapable of sticking to the rules.
"May I ask how this man was admitted to the guild?" he inquired. "Did he already show some form of power thirst or was it a sudden change that happened after his election?"
The man scoffed and averted his eyes. "You want to know how Harba got into the guild? By seducing the former Head, Firangi. He's not even a good assassin, he spent most of his life warming Firangi's bed. We elected him because everybody knew he's an assassin only by name, so we thought we'd be safe. He's a senior member of the guild, though, and younger members – who saw him constantly by Firangi's side – obey him more than they do me." The man sounded sour, and Saif couldn't blame him.
Saif glanced at Kilig who had stiffened, hearing the story. I'm not the Head of the Guild, Kilig, and you are a true assassin, he wanted to tell him. He pursed his lower lip. He needed to show his trust in Kilig and prove to him he wasn't like Harba.
"Are you telling me this Harba likes young men?" he asked. "That he sort of seduced the younger members into obeying him?"
The man glared at him, then averted his eyes again.
"You can say that," he grumbled. "He can be very
charming, and that's why he was voted in the first place. But after he came to power, he showed his real face."
Saif nodded, thoughtful. "Do you think Kilig would appeal to him?" He heard Kilig gasp.
Startled, the man looked at Kilig, then slowly smiled. "Yes," he answered. "If Kilig is as good as you say he is, he's probably the perfect man for this job."
"Good." Saif grinned. "Let's talk about the price."
***
Kilig and Saif had retired to their guest room to make plans for the assignment. Kilig juggled with two brass wheels, making them spin on his fingers slowly, without throwing them, and munched on his lower lip.
"I can't do it, Saif," he said at last, frowning. They sat on the bed next to each other and Saif was waiting for his reaction to the job.
"Why not?" Saif asked, stopping one of his wrists and retrieving the brass wheel. "Are you telling me your final exam was done in an emotional outburst you kept well hidden from me?"
"No!" Kilig stopped toying with the second brass wheel and looked at Saif. "But this... He's an assassin! And anyone in Godwalkar might say I did the same with you!"
Saif chuckled and caressed his smooth cheek – still not much facial hair to get rid of.
"First, I'm not Head of the Guild," Saif said tenderly. "Second, you didn't seduce me, we seduced each other. And third, you're an assassin, while Harba is just a member of the local Assassins' Guild. Not an active member, remember? He probably never trained nor killed anyone. He's just good at fooling people."
Kilig sighed and his shoulders sagged. "But he's an assassin, and there are no secret weapons to use on him. I'm sure he knows what a silken noose looks like."
"Probably." Saif nodded, thoughtful. "And that's why we need to plan carefully how you'll approach him." He took Kilig's hand in his and squeezed it. "I know you want to bury your past, but it might come in handy for this job."
"Are you suggesting I seduce him before killing him?" Kilig's voice shook. He didn't want to use sex ever again to make a living. And he didn't want anyone besides Saif touching him. "Then I really can't, Saif. I don't want to be touched by lustful strangers anymore."
"I understand this." Saif took him in his arms and held him tight. "I know you've been sexually abused, and that's why I didn't dare touch you until you threw yourself at me."
"I like your touch," Kilig whispered, nestling against him.
"And it will break my heart to know that another man touches you," Saif replied. "But this is our job. I agreed on your behalf because I know you can do it. I told you that assassins have lonely lives... and then we fell in love, which is the most wonderful thing that could happen to both of us. Talwar allowed us to work together, now don't let me down and force me to do it on my own – with a risk of failure higher than yours, since I'm older and less handsome than you."
"You're the most handsome of us!" Kilig protested, pulling away from Saif to look him in the eyes.
Saif put a finger on his lips. "I'm the most handsome in your loving eyes, Kilig. But Harba likes young men, and I'm not young anymore. I could be your father after all."
"I don't need a goddamn father, mine was enough to ruin my life!" Kilig snapped. "Fine, I'll do it. Only because you asked me to. And when I'm done, I want you to make love to me for a whole night!"
Saif grinned. "And I will," he promised. "How will you approach Harba?"
Kilig munched his lip again, pondering, then shrugged. "I'll improvise. Where do I find the son of a bitch?"
In the end he took only a dagger and his noose. He kissed Saif good-bye and went to the former Royal Governor's palace, now seat of the town council and residence of the mayor.
It was early afternoon and the mayor was busy with a council session – and not a quiet one from the screams and insults that sometimes reached Kilig through the closed doors. Since the sessions weren't public, he sat in the corridor on a wooden bench, waiting and musing.
He was an assassin with a steady lover, but still an assassin. He had spoken to younger members of the local guild and some admired Harba, while others felt the same contempt as the Head of the Guild. Older members were equally divided, so Kilig couldn't form an opinion on the man he was about to kill.
Harba was good with administrative matters, having been the previous Head's secretary as well as lover, and he wasn't really screwing the town's administration. But he was definitely helping his friends and penalizing everybody else, so his rule wasn't well balanced.
The other guilds had many complaints – except some merchants and dress-makers, since that was where the always elegant Harba had most of his friends.
Kilig had to take a few days to study his target, unsure of how to approach him. He gathered information from friends and foes, and eventually Harba himself noticed him. When the mayor's eyes fell on him, Kilig averted his, while his heart started beating faster. A first contact. With his planned victim. This was very different from the abusive husband in the slums of Godwalkar.
He looked at the mayor again and saw Harba grin at him. He pretended lack of interest, as if he were just people-watching, seated on the stairs of the main temple built on the same square of the government's palace.
Next time he looked, Harba was sauntering towards him with the confidence of the master of the town.
"Hello, young man." The mayor stopped in front of him with a bright smile. He was in his thirties, clean-shaven and elegant like a nobleman, even though he'd been born in the slums, much like Kilig. "I've never seen you around before, what brought you to our beautiful city-state?"
"I was bored in Godwalkar and my father had business here, so I followed him," Kilig answered nonchalantly.
"Really? What does your father do?"
"He's an assassin."
"Ah, yes. I've heard my guild contacted Godwalkar's to get rid of me." Harba chuckled. "So, your father is here to kill me?"
Kilig shrugged. "I don't know." He pouted. "I don't care what he does. I took the opportunity to get away from my hometown. But I'm not finding this city much more fun."
"And what kind of fun are you looking for?" Harba asked, amused.
"The one some kings of Lakeshi were famous for," Kilig answered.
"Careful, young man, this is not Lakeshi anymore," Harba chided. "We're an independent city-state."
"I know, that's why I'm looking forward to continuing our journey and reaching Jevina. The ruler there is a descendant of those kings, and maybe..."
"You don't need to get to Jevina if you want an all-male orgy," Harba said with a grin. "Come to the palace tonight. There is a back door..."
Kilig arrived at the location with a couple of younger members of the local guild who met up with a couple more youths who seemed to know them very well – obviously they all attended those secret parties, but they mostly ignored Kilig, even the assassins.
He'd been in Darantasia for a full week and looked forward to leaving – not because he thought life in Jevina would be more interesting, but because he wanted to be done with his job and be in Saif's arms again. They slept together, but they'd barely touched and cuddled while Kilig studied his target. Hopefully at dawn Harba would be dead and he could go back to Saif.
The palace was dark and silent outside, and the orgy was in the basement. Scantily clad men of all ages sat, danced or copulated on the thick carpets and cushions covering the stone floor. The air smelled of wax from the many candles, sweat and sex.
Harba, wearing only an open silken vest and a loincloth, welcomed the new guests, but mostly Kilig who stopped by the door to take in the scene.
"Is this what you had in mind when you mentioned fun?" the mayor asked with a wink.
"Actually, this is a little too crowded..." Kilig feigned embarrassment, but was actually disgusted.
"Then let's go to a quieter place," Harba said, leading him out of the basement and up two flights of stairs to his bedroom.
"Is this better?" he asked then.
"Definitely," Kilig answe
red, genuinely relieved. The stench in the basement had been overwhelming. Here there was just a faint scent of jasmine coming in from the open window.
Harba went to a silver jug waiting on a side table and poured wine in two silver goblets.
"Aren't you hot with all that clothing?" he asked, offering one of the goblets to Kilig who took it to toast.
"I thought you'd enjoy undressing me," he purred before sipping his wine.
Harba chuckled. "You're a fine specimen, young man. What's your name?"
"Karuna."
Harba put down the goblet. "Funny, my birth name is also Karuna," he said, stepping forward to unfasten Kilig's sash.
"Really?" Kilig didn't feel honored. If Saif hadn't rescued him, he could have ended up exactly like Harba, using his body to climb the social ladder and reach a higher status.
Harba found his dagger and threw it to the ground with a grin. Daggers being a common self-defense weapon, it didn't raise Harba's suspicion.
Kilig let the man take off his tunic. Harba's hungry mouth ravaged his face and neck while he embraced the mayor, if only to unravel the noose on his wrist before Harba noticed his "bracelet".
"You're gorgeous, Karuna," Harba said, his voice hoarse with desire, pushing Kilig towards the bed.
Kilig sat on the mattress and slid the vest off of Harba's shoulders. The loincloth was just in front of his face, but the mayor knelt in front of him to slide off his baggy pants.
Harba's eyes filled with lust at the sight of Kilig's naked body. The noose was now furled up in Kilig's fist, invisible.
Harba rose and straddled Kilig's lap, taking his head in his hands to kiss him. Kilig managed not to stiffen and kept control.
"My, aren't we shy, my Karuna," Harba commented, amused, pulling back.
"It's that... such a powerful man... I don't deserve..."
"You deserve a palace and a man adoring you for the rest of your life."
"But I don't want to be an object, I want to take active part in the game!"
Kilig the Sword Page 5