Master of the Dance

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

Book: Master of the Dance by T C Southwell Read Free Book Online
Authors: T C Southwell
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Fantasy, Epic, Science Fiction & Fantasy
scorpion."
    "Good, nothing large."
    "You intend to throw suspicion on Dravis, yet he is in league with Trelath and Endor. He helped to plan Minna's kidnapping."
    Blade fixed Kerrion with an arctic stare. "I intend to let him take the blame for Chaymin and Trelath's deaths. The courts will not care that they were his friends. The evidence will condemn him. He will be seen meeting with Trelath, and his dagger will be found in his brother's heart. Even if the courts believe him to be innocent, they certainly will have no idea who the real killer is."
    "It will add to the confusion, certainly," Kerrion agreed. "And if he is condemned, so much the better. He will be banished for treason."
    "Right."
    "It is a wonderful idea, My Lord," Minna enthused, her eyes shining. "I did not know that assassins were willing to let others take the blame for their work."
    "It is allowed, but usually very expensive. Most assassins like to have it known that they were responsible, that is why most use a particular method of killing."
    "As you do."
    He inclined his head. "Exactly. Specialising also makes one more adept, diversifying leads to errors and a lack of skill. I, for instance, would not try to use a garrotte or poison, I have little knowledge of them."
    "Have you ever done this before?"
    "Only once. A rich merchant wished to be rid of his brother and his wife, so he required that the blame fall on her. He paid dearly for it, and I left one of her most prized baubles beside his brother's body. She was imprisoned for the murder."
    "Yet you often use a disguise," Minna pointed out.
    "Indeed. But that is to facilitate the kill and my escape, not to put the blame on a particular person."
    Kerrion glanced at the window. "I must tend to my duties. We should go." He stood up and held out a hand to Minna. "I shall have the clothes sent to you as soon as possible, Blade."
    "Good." The assassin rose and bowed to Minna-Satu. "My Queen."
    "My Lord." She inclined her head, then swept out on Kerrion's arm.

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
    Upon arriving in his study, Kerrion installed Minna in the sun room that adjoined it, where she could relax on the cushions he had ordered placed there, and read or embroider. Shista stretched out in a cool corner and went to sleep, and Kerrion set Kiara on her perch next his desk before he sat down to read the missives that awaited him. He had barely begun to peruse the first when the door flew open and Trelath marched in, his expression grim. He did not bother to bow, but stopped before the desk and glowered at his brother. One eye was blackened and swollen shut, a blemish that Kerrion shared, but in addition, Trelath's nose and jaw were blue with bruises. He wore his sword, and Kerrion was reminded of his confrontation with Ronan after Targan had been killed. This time, at least he knew that Minna was safe.
    "Call off your assassin, Kerrion," Trelath said.
    "My assassin?" The King's brows shot up. "Are you accusing me of ordering Chaymin's death?"
    "We both know you did."
    "Do we? Even if you are right, why would I?"
    "Because I know that I am next, and he will fail this time."
    Kerrion put down the document. "Then why are you asking me to call him off? If you capture him, you can torture him into telling you who employs him."
    "Then you admit that he is yours?"
    "I admit nothing."
    Trelath looked desperate, and a glint of fear lurked in his eyes, well-disguised. "He is the same one who killed Shandor, Lerton, Ronan, Armin, Targan and Rigal, is he not? He is the one called the Queen's Blade."
    Kerrion shrugged. "I do not know. What if he is?"
    "Call him off, or I will go to the courts and tell them that you assassinated Chaymin. You are killing off your brothers again, just as you did sixteen years ago."
    "I did not order him to kill my brothers then, nor have I now. If you know anything about the Queen's Blade, you know that he is Jashimari, and he would not take orders from a Cotti. There is a reason why he is called the

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