The Guild of Assassins by Anna Kashina Read Free Book Online Page B

Kythar’s skill is the key to our resistance. He is the only one who can always resist their powers and, on occasion, protect others.”
    I was also able to transfer this resistance to Kara. Kyth remembered how she first acquired the ability, defending him against an ambush in the castle courtyard. The memory stung him with new pain. She had been so close to him then. He believed that their love for each other had protected both of them – if indeed she had ever loved him. But he still wasn’t sure how Mai had been able to do it. Certainly not because of Kyth’s love for him.
    “I can protect one person from their power,” he said. “But I’m not sure I can teach anyone to be resistant when I’m not around.”
    Mother Keeper looked at him thoughtfully. “Perhaps, Your Highness, you can learn this with time – or at least learn to protect more people at once?”
    Kyth thought about it. This possibility had haunted his dreams for quite a while, since he had first encountered Kaddim Tolos and his men. “Maybe. But I have no idea how.”
    Mother Keeper nodded, as if it was a done deal. “The Keepers can help you to develop your gift, Your Highness. In the meantime, the Majat Guild does not have to know that you have not mastered it to the full.”
    Kyth stared. “Are you suggesting we lie to them?”
    The woman slid a calm glance over him and briefly met Egey Bashi’s gaze. “It’s called ‘diplomacy’, Your Highness.” She turned to the King. “If I may, Your Majesty, I suggest you send Prince Kythar, along with representatives of the major powers in this kingdom, to bargain with the Majat.”
    Kyth opened his mouth to object but closed it at the look of enthusiasm in his father’s eyes.
    “Do you really think it can work?”
    “I don’t see why not, Your Majesty. I hope Magister Egey Bashi could also be included in the embassy. His experience with the Majat is unmatched, and he can also help to develop Prince Kythar’s ability during their travels. If I may, I suggest you also send Prince Kythar’s foster brother Alder, who is an emissary from the Forestlands. This way the Prince’s request will be backed by more representatives throughout the kingdom. It would also be prudent to send Ellah, whose gift of truthsense makes her indispensable in any negotiations.”
    The King nodded. “Anyone else?”
    “Lady Celana Illitand.”
    “But she–”
    “–is the heiress of a major royal house whose claim to the throne is second to yours, Your Majesty. Her cooperation would be invaluable, especially since she is also, as I heard, well read and very intelligent. You will find no better scholar of the kingdom’s law and politics, except, perhaps, Magister Egey Bashi himself.”
    “She’s only seventeen!”
    “All the more valuable, Your Majesty. The Keepers call this tactic ‘smoke screen’. She could be in the midst of action, giving Prince Kythar advice when no one else expects it. Who would suspect anything intelligent from a maid of seventeen?”
    The King shook his head. “If any harm should come to her in my care, it would mean war.”
    “If this embassy does not succeed, we are doomed anyway, Your Majesty. The Majat are our only hope. Remember the saying: ‘He who commands the Majat commands the Empire’? It couldn’t be more true in this case. We can only win this war if we can combine Prince Kythar’s ability to resist the Kaddim with a Majat fighting force.”
    The King frowned. “The risk is too great, Mother Keeper.”
    “Think about it, Your Majesty. A small party like this can make it through the lands virtually unnoticed, and Aghat Raishan is more than capable of providing necessary protection. And once they arrive, Aghat Oden Lan will have no choice but to listen. Even in his madness he is well aware of the danger posed by the Kaddim.”
    The King leaned back in his chair. “You are asking a lot, Mother Keeper. You want me to send my only son–”
    “–into the safest