Dynasty of Evil by Drew Karpyshyn Read Free Book Online

responsible for Gerran’s death were made to pay, Serra could find closure, could move on and come out from the shadow that had fallen over her.
    She wanted to say all this, but she couldn’t. She was just a soldier; she wasn’t any good with words.
    Serra stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her in a long, gentle hug.
    “When the king spoke of someone hiring an assassin to avenge Gerran’s death, I thought it might be you,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
    And Lucia knew she didn’t have to tell the princess all the things she wanted to say. Her friend already knew.
    “I think you should tell the king,” Lucia said when the princess finally broke off her embrace.
    “He’d have you arrested,” Serra said with a firm shake of her head. “Or at the very least dismissed from your post. I can’t have that. I need you at my side when I go to Coruscant.”
    “You still plan to speak with the Jedi?” she asked, mildly surprised. “What are you going to tell them?”
    “Medd’s death was an accident. The king was not involved. That is all they need to know.”
    Lucia had her doubts, but she knew the princess well enough to realize that arguing the point would be a waste of time. Serra had no intention of turning her in toeither the king or the Jedi. But she couldn’t just let it go at that.
    “I never meant to cause any trouble for you. Or the king. I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t ever apologize for this!” Serra shot back. “Gelba and her followers got exactly what they deserved. My only regret is that I wasn’t there to see it myself.”
    The venom in her words—the raw anger and hatred—caught Lucia off guard. Instinctively, she took a step back, recoiling from her friend. But then Serra smiled, and the awkward moment was gone.
    “We need to leave as soon as possible,” the princess noted. “It won’t do to keep the Council waiting.”
    “I’ll make the arrangements,” Lucia replied, though she knew it would be several days before their actual departure. As the princess, it wasn’t easy for Serra to simply leave Doan—there were diplomatic protocols and bureaucratic procedures that had to be followed.
    “This will all work out,” Serra reassured her, coming over to place a comforting hand on Lucia’s arm. “Gelba is dead. My husband is avenged. A quick meeting with one of the Jedi Masters and this whole incident will be behind us.”
    Lucia nodded, but she knew it wouldn’t be that simple. This wasn’t just going to go away. The death of the Jedi had set in motion a chain of events—one she feared might end very badly for both of them.

3
    T he cantina was almost empty at this time of day; the crowds wouldn’t start arriving until the late evening. Which was exactly why Darth Bane had arranged this meeting for early afternoon.
    His contact—a balding, slightly overweight man of about fifty named Argel Tenn—was already there, seated at a private booth in the back of the establishment. Nobody paid any special attention to the Dark Lord as he crossed the room; everyone here, including Argel, knew him only as Sepp Omek, one of the many wealthy merchants who lived on Ciutric.
    Bane sat down in the seat across the table from the other man and summoned a waitress with a discreet wave of his hand. She came over and took their order, then slipped away to leave them to their business. On Ciutric it was common for merchants to make deals in the backs of bars and clubs, and the serving staff knew how to respect the confidentiality of their customers.
    “How come we never meet at your estate?” Argel said by way of greeting. “I hear you have one of the best-stocked wine cellars on the planet.”
    “I’d rather not have my sister learn about our transactions,” Bane replied.
    Argel chuckled slightly. “I understand completely.”
    He stopped speaking while the waitress returned andset their drinks on the table, then continued in a quieter voice once she was gone.
    “Many of my clients