Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn Read Free Book Online Page B

Karyndein livery and kept his head ducked down as if overwhelmed by such unfamiliar surroundings. Cammon wondered if one of Khoshku’s own servants had fallen ill on the road, and this man had been pressed into service, hired at a roadside inn, perhaps, or even supplied by Baryn when Khoshku arrived shorthanded.
    Cammon pressed a little harder, poking at the other man’s mind as he might poke at an anthill, waiting for something to spill out. There was a furtive excitement there, belying the stoic attitude, and it was starting to expand to almost uncontainable proportions with every slow step the two men took toward Baryn’s chair. Then an image flashed into the man’s mind—brief and clear—a vision of himself dropping his end of the casket, pulling free a hidden knife, leaping for the king—
    “Senneth!” Cammon cried, and then the whole room went mad.
    Chairs crashed to the floor as people jumped to their feet; the air was full of shouting. A column of fire suddenly danced around Amalie, and several women were shrieking. Through the kinetic swarm of bodies, it was hard to sort out exactly what was happening, but the actions of two people were absolutely clear: Senneth had vaulted across the table to stand beside Amalie, safe within the circle of fire, and the regent had drawn his sword and hacked his way to the king. Both Senneth and Romar Brendyn looked absolutely murderous.
    “My liege! What is happening? What is this outrage?” the ambassador was shouting. Those were the last words he had a chance to say, because doors blew back from two ends of the room, and King’s Riders poured in. Within seconds, the ambassador had Tayse’s sword at his throat, and every other guest had been shoved away from the table and against the wall. The Riders were taking no chances. They didn’t know why the alarm had been raised and who might be guilty of what crime. They were ready to destroy anyone in the room.
    “Cammon,” Senneth said over her shoulder. “What is it?”
    “That man—the one kneeling on the floor in front of the regent,” Cammon said in a shaky voice. “He’s got a knife and he was going to attack the king.”
    An incredible outcry at that. Wen spun away from the well-dressed couple who were cowering in front of her sword, and dropped to her knees beside the disguised Gillengaria man. He yelped and tried to scrabble away, but she caught him by the collar, jerked him back, and planted her knee on his spine. It wasn’t long before she’d uncovered the blade—a long, sharp kitchen knife, wicked and finely made.
    “Messy, but will get the job done,” she said, sliding it through her belt. “We searched everyone before they came through the gates. He picked it up here.”
    Khoshku found his voice. “Your Majesty! Most excellent king! I did not—this is not—I cannot express my horror! This was not my king’s intention—I swear, neither he nor I had any knowledge—”
    The wall of flame around Amalie abruptly disappeared as Senneth decided the princess wasn’t in danger. Queen Valri instantly came around the table and hurried to Amalie’s side, putting her arms around the princess. The Riders lowered but did not sheathe their swords, and the shaken guests began to collapse in their chairs. Baryn was staring fixedly at the ambassador, who still had Tayse’s blade about three inches from his throat.
    “You will be returned immediately to your own country and be very glad I do not have you executed on the spot,” Baryn said in an icy voice. “I see now why there has been such a long history of distrust between our nations.”
    “Majesty, you must believe I had no inkling such a hideous crime would be attempted,” the ambassador begged. “For a man of Karyndein to behave in such a way—I cannot believe—I cannot understand—”
    “He’s not a man of Karyndein,” Cammon interrupted, and then everybody was staring at him. He blushed and fell silent.
    “Who is he, then?” Senneth