Master of the Dance by T C Southwell Read Free Book Online

pushed away his half-finished meal and glanced at Minna, who concentrated on her smoked ham and poached eggs. Kerrion wiped his mouth with his napkin and sipped his tea before replying, looking suitably aggrieved and thoughtful.
    "How did it happen?"
    "It was an assassination, Sire. The guards almost caught the man, but he eluded them."
    Minna coughed and covered her mouth, and Kerrion shot her a stern look. "Are they still searching?"
    "Yes, Sire, but little hope remains now. It seems that Chaymin was expecting an attempt on his life, for he had guards in his rooms, and he was... in the bathing tub."
    Kerrion's brows rose. "Indeed? Any idea who wanted him dead?"
    Jadar shrugged. "Chaymin did not really have any enemies, but he was involved in your wife's kidnapping."
    "So you think suspicion will fall on me?"
    "Yes, Sire."
    The King put down his teacup, frowning. "The courts will find it hard to prove that, unless they catch this assassin and make him talk. I doubt they will catch him, and it is even less likely that he would talk if they did. Assassins never reveal the name of their employer, that is why people hire them. So it could have been virtually anyone, perhaps an enemy we know nothing about."
    "Indeed it could, Sire."
    "Has anyone made accusations against me?"
    "No, Sire."
    "Good. Tell the captains to keep searching the palace, and then go into the city as well. I presume someone saw this assassin?"
    "No, Sire."
    Kerrion sighed. "Then what exactly are they searching for? It seems like a waste of time if they do not know what this man looks like."
    "Since no Cotti assassin would kill a prince, it must be a foreigner, Sire."
    "There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of foreigners in this city now, Jadar. Do my captains propose to round them all up and torture them? How did this man elude the guards, if they were in Chaymin's rooms?"
    Jadar shook his head. "They do not know. Two concubines were sleeping in the Prince's bed, and the guards were in the next room, with the door open. They saw no one, but when Prince Chaymin's familiar became agitated, they rushed into the bathing room and found him dead, stabbed through the heart. The balcony gate was locked, and there is no other way into the bathing room, since it has no window."
    Kerrion tilted his head, frowning. "Then how is it possible? Was the man a ghost? Or invisible?"
    Jadar spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "It is a mystery."
    "What about the guards, were they Chaymin's men?"
    "Yes, Sire."
    The King looked thoughtful. "You say they almost captured the assassin, yet they did not see him?"
    "The guards say that they heard the Prince speak, but when they went to check on him, he was asleep, so they left him. Moments later, Prince Chaymin's familiar alerted them to his death. They say the assassin must have been in the room when they went to check on the Prince."
    Kerrion picked up his cup. "When you solve this mystery, let me know. In the meantime, you had better start making arrangements for Chaymin's funeral."
    "Yes, Sire." Jadar bowed.
    As soon as he had gone, Kerrion gestured to the handmaidens who served them to leave, then turned to his wife and raised a brow. "Well, how do you think he did it?"
    She smiled. "I have no idea."
    "His legend is well deserved, that is certain. I did not know Chaymin was forewarned. It must have been Trelath's doing. Blade is right, Trelath knows he is here, and he has guessed that he and his cohorts are in danger. Blade walked into a trap, and still carried out the assassination. I would like to know how he did it."
    Minna rose and picked up her veil. "I am going to ask him."
    Kerrion jumped up. "You cannot go alone. I will escort you."
    She laughed. "You are as curious as I am."
    "True."
    "Will you be missed?"
    He shook his head. "I am not due in my study for another time-glass or so."
    As they strolled down the little-used corridor to Blade's rooms, Minna remarked, "He may not tell us, you know."
    "I am sure you can