It pained him to dismiss his scribe after his declarations of a totally open and honest reign. But he was realizing that some things were too dangerous be recorded in the archives.
“Milord?” The knight assigned to his guard detail stepped forward, his hand on his sword. “You’re sure, milord?”
“I’m sure, Sir Calvert.” Arbuckle wasn’t sure at all, but he needed to allay Nythes’ fears. He waved them away casually. “We’ll be fine, and you’ll not be far away. The gardens are secure.” He didn’t know that for certain, of course, but they had taken every precaution they could think of. I can’t live my life in constant terror.
“Very well, milord.” Sir Calvert gathered up his detail by eye and they moved away. The footmen and maids retreated as well, Verul with them.
“You needn’t have done that.” Nythes’ gaze dropped to his untouched plate.
“No? Well, I sometimes get tired of them looming over my shoulder while I eat.”
“But…the attempt on your life…”
“That’s why I need to speak to you privately, Nythes.” He laughed loudly and waved a hand as if sharing a humorous anecdote, surprised how easily the deception came. He leaned forward, imploring the man to open up. “My father was a monster, which you undoubtedly know, and involved in crimes against the Empire of Tsing that I could not let come to light. But he’s gone. You’re safe. You can speak to me.”
“It’s…not my safety I’m worried about, milord.” Nythes swallowed, his face pale.
“Who then?”
“They’ve…taken people. My youngest daughter and a few others.”
“What?” Arbuckle fought down the horror threatening to rise up his throat. “Who took them? What’s being done to get them back?”
“People…” Nythes swallowed hard and clenched his jaw. “Milord, there are factions in this empire who use kidnapping and murder to control things. If one doesn’t go along with their demands, their loved ones are returned a piece at a time. It’s happened before!”
“The Assassins Guild.” Arbuckle gritted his teeth. His father’s legacy had risen from the grave to haunt him. “Yes. My father was…involved with them.”
“Then you know that just by telling you this, just by speaking with you in private, I’m putting my daughter’s life…more than her life at risk. They have people everywhere! Probably in your own personal guard!”
“Not in my guard, or in my palace. I’ve made sure of it.”
“You have?” Nythes looked astonished, as if such a feat were impossible. “How?”
“I can’t reveal my methods, cousin, but let me assure you, the people I have retained are loyal to me.” Arbuckle grinned ruefully. “My own nobility however…I’m unsure of.”
“You must understand, milord, I have to publicly denounce your policies or they’ll…” Nythes words caught in his throat, emerging only in a wracking cough. “I’m sorry, milord.”
“Gods of Light…” He couldn’t imagine the man’s plight, a daughter held by such fiends.
The reason for the abduction seemed obvious: they were pressuring his nobles to oppose his new policies. The legacy of terror continued…spreading like a cancer through his empire. Throughout his upbringing, the isolated prince rarely heard any news from the provinces, but the duke’s confession prompted a memory, a series of murders some years back in Twailin, nobles killed in their beds, but they had stopped before Duke Mir called for imperial assistance. Damn it, I should have asked Norwood about that. Was Duke Mir under pressure from these criminals as well? Were all his dukes? What could he do? He clenched his jaw in determination.
“Nythes, you must outwardly go along with their demands, but know this: I will fix this. Once I’m emperor, I will wipe these vile criminals from the empire for good.” He had no idea how he would accomplish this, but resolved to do so. He would end his father’s legacy.
“Can you, milord?” Nythes sniffed and clenched his jaw. “I don’t know how. I’ve tried. I swear it, milord, but each time I do, someone beloved to me dies, or worse. They’re invisible and untouchable. You say your palace is safe. Mine is not. My own City Guard is certainly compromised, and I fear my Royal Guard too.”
“It goes that deep?”
“If a member of my own entourage saw me talking to you thus, someone would suffer.” Nythes looked down at his untouched food. “I can trust no one, milord.”
“You can trust me, Nythes. Trust me to never become the monster my father was, and to wipe this vile stain from our empire. I swear to you, I’ll do it.”
“I believe you, milord.” Nythes straightened in his chair, a measure of calm returning, though the fear still lurked under the surface. “I believe that you’ll try, at least. You’re lucky, you know. You’ve no one they can take; no family. You were wise never to marry and have children.”
“Was I?” Arbuckle realized that the man was right. He had no one, and nothing to lose but his life.
Hoseph materialized in Lady T’s sitting room to find her pacing the floor. He steadied himself with a deep breath. He’d been resting quietly in his reclusive abode, martialing his strength and trying not to use his talisman except when necessary.
So many matters vied for his attention, he seemed to be stretched a dozen different directions. He was exhausted from trying to tie up all the loose ends, and needed rest, but a summons from the Tsing guildmaster trumped his needs.
Lady T gave a start, but didn’t point a crossbow at him this time. “Good. You got my summons.” She put down the tiny chime he’d given her, the one he’d recovered from the late Baron Patino, that sounded a note in the priest’s mind when struck. “I didn’t know if the thing would work.”
“It works perfectly.” This was the first time she’d used the simple device. He’d made it clear that it was only to be used in emergencies. “What’s happened?”
“Your chance to kill Mya has arrived.” She snatched a sheet of cheap parchment from her desk and held it out for his examination. “She wants to meet with me.”
“Excellent.” He couldn’t suppress a smile as he read the note. They were to meet in a tea shop, of all places.
Things were finally coming together. Lady T had set Mya up for him. It would be dangerous, but Hoseph was patient; the usurper was as good as dead. Which reminded him of their other plans.
“Tessifus’ youngest son. How is that progressing?”
She frowned at his question. “Master Lakshmi knows her job and is good at it. The first phase of his conditioning is progressing as planned. By the time we need him, the boy will be ours.”
“Good.” He rubbed his eyes, trying to scour the pain away. So many issues… “There’s another question I’ve been pondering: Duke Mir is the only provincial duke we have no control over and the Twailin guild is rebelling. He’s going to be here for the coronation. Is there a reason we shouldn’t kill him?”
“Numerous reasons!” Lady T seemed irritated with him. “Can we please focus on the matter at hand?”
“There are numerous matters at hand!” he snapped back. “Which one?”
“Killing Mya, of course! That’s why I asked you here!” She glared at him. “How are you going to do it?”
Blessed shadow of death, soothe me… The woman had such a one-track mind. She couldn’t think of more than one plan at a time, while he had to consider everything at once.
Hoseph dropped the parchment on her desk. “This is too public a venue, but once I spot her, I’ll follow her. She’ll never see me, and I can complete the task when she thinks she’s safe.” He retrieved his talisman. “Keep your appointment with her. This is just the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.”
“Good.” Lady T took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Very good.”
Chapter XIX
Lady T entered the elegant little teahouse like an empress into a ballroom, her armed guards lumbering in close escort. The hostess greeted her with a curtsey. Unfortunately, even with her keen hearing, Mya
couldn’t hear what was said over the clatter and chatter of Tsing’s gentry taking their afternoon tea.
She hated busy places like this. The crowd impeded movement, while noise and constant motion dampened her ability to scan for threats. Unfortunately, she’d chosen the place for the exact same reason; the crowd might keep Hoseph from popping in and murdering her. The constabulary was still looking for him in connection with the emperor’s death. Materializing in a teahouse and murdering someone would banish any chance of him ever clearing his name. At the very least, there would be screams to warn her.
And that’s the only warning you’ll get, because you told your spies to stay home.
After her urchins had disregarded her orders at the plaza, and again at the Prickly Pair, she’d decided to leave them out of this one. She couldn’t worry about them when she was worrying about her own safety. And Hoseph had seen Dee up close, and might recognize him loitering, so having him help was out. Paxal had offered, too, but she’d simply told him no, flat out. She’d do this alone.
Lady T’s gaze swept the room as the hostess gestured her guards to a nearby sitting room. Mya felt gratified when the guildmaster’s gaze passed her over without recognition. Her matronly disguise was holding up. Only as they approached the table did Lady T finally recognize her, her eyes widening in surprise.
Mya stood and curtsied respectfully. “Lady T. Thank you so much for accepting my invitation.”
“My pleasure, my dear.” She took her seat. When the hostess had gone she continued in a lower tone. “That’s a different look for you.”
“Do you like it?”
“No. It’s positively dowdy.”
“Good. That’s just what I was hoping for.” Mya had actually been trying for sedate elegance, and Dee had helped alter one of her traveling dresses. As long as she didn’t stand out, it worked. She couldn’t care less about Lady T’s opinion. “We need to discuss a few things.”
“Yes, we do.” Lady T smiled at the waitress as she came to take their orders, and continued without missing a beat once she’d left. “The most pressing of which is Hoseph.”
“I would think the most pressing would be your recent attempt in the Imperial Plaza.” Mya narrowed her eyes at the woman. “It’s good that your man was sloppy. He gave me enough time to intervene.”
“So that was you.” Lady T raised an eyebrow. “I thought it might have been.”
“The important issue is that you don’t seem to realize what would have happened if he had succeeded.”
“I know precisely what would have happened.”
“Really?” Mya allowed her lip to curl in derision. “So, you and your conspirators have plans to evacuate the city?”
The woman’s upper lip twitched. “What are you talking about?”
Mya lowered her voice and leaned forward. “I’m talking about everything north of the river going up in flames, and I mean everything. The people of this city are not going to just sit by and watch if their only hope for a future is destroyed.”
“They already tried that once, and were put down by the constabulary.” Lady T cast a sneer across the table. “If it happens again, the result will be the same.”
“You think the Night of Flame was an all-out revolt? The commoners were happy then. They were celebrating! Just try making them truly angry, and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to the Nine Hells.” Mya sipped her tepid tea with a thin smile. “You haven’t been listening to the rumors. I have. They love this prince of theirs, and won’t stand by if he’s taken from them.”
“And you think the constabulary, military, and Imperial Guard are going to simply let them wreak havoc?” Lady T fell silent as the waitress returned with a pot of tea and two glazed raspberry scones. When the waitress had gone, the noblewoman raised her cup and sipped. “You think I don’t have people listening to all the scuttlebutt and rumors? You think I’ll let a revolt take place in this city and do nothing to prevent it? How amusing.”
“Tell that to Baron Ledwig.” Mya pinched off a bite of scone and popped it into her mouth. “A skin of oil and a torch are very simple to wield. If you think the guild or the authorities can stand against the entire populace, you’re delusional.”
“I would not let it happen. We would nip it in the bud before the first—”
Mya’s laughter cut her short, earning a glare. “You are delusional. You’ve spent too much time in your fancy house, Lady. The Night of Flame saw a few hundred troublemakers with torches. There are a quarter million commoners in this city who have been given a taste of justice. If that’s taken from them, they’ll all be wielding torches. You have perhaps five hundred guildsmen in this city, maybe twice that. Can you stand against two-hundred times your number?”
Lady T pressed her lips together so hard that they blanched white even through the rouge. “The plans to eliminate the…this person, hinge on Hoseph, not me. Eliminate him, and you end the threat to your precious prince.”
Mya didn’t need to be told the obvious, but Lady T hadn’t been forthcoming in setting up Hoseph for the kill. Mya had already decided that warning the crown prince was the best route to prevent the assassination. She just needed Lady T to give her the details of their plot. She needed more than just the few names she had picked up from observing their meeting.
“I don’t give a damn about the crown prince; I care about the guild! Half of the city reduced to ashes will be bad for business. Our business. You’re going to tell me every bit of the plan Hoseph and you have concocted. Who’s involved and when and how are they planning to do it?”
Lady T fell silent for a moment, sipping her tea, her eyes fixed on Mya and her features set in a frame of consternation. “Very well.” She fished a cylinder the length and width of her finger from her bag and put it on the table. “Here are the names of all the conspirators. They plan to use Archmage Duveau. I don’t know exactly how, but it’ll happen before the heir is crowned.”
Mya raised an eyebrow and picked up the cylinder. “You came prepared.”
“I’m always prepared.” Lady T smiled. “In fact, I brought you exactly what you need to solve your greatest problem. Hoseph knows I’m meeting you here.”
Mya nearly dropped her teacup. “You told him?” She fought to keep the panic out of her voice.
“You asked me to set him up for you, and this is the best I could do. I don’t know where he lives, and he pops in and out at the most unpredictable times.” She sampled her scone and made a face, pushing the little plate away as if the luscious morsel was not utterly delicious. “He won’t try to kill you with so many people around, but given the opportunity, he will try. When he does, kill him.”
Mya tried to swallow her fear, tried to think, and failed. “You make it sound simple!”
“It should be simple. If you can fight blademasters, you can certainly kill a priest before he can touch you.” The lady finished her tea and dropped her napkin over her plate. “He doesn’t know you’ll be ready for him. Give him the proper opportunity, then strike first.”
Lady T obviously didn’t know all of Hoseph’s capabilities. If he used the same magic that had incapacitated her in the emperor’s torture chamber, she’d be a sitting duck. Mya glared at Lady T, trying to transform her terror into anger.
“He’s going to kill me.” The words came out before she could stop them.
“I doubt that.” Smiling, Lady T stood, then leaned down to whisper in Mya’s ear. “When Hoseph is dead, I’ll name you Grandmaster.”
As the guildmaster walked away, Mya thought, If I didn’t need you, you would be so dead.
Unfortunately, she did need Lady T if she hoped to be Grandmaster, but for that to happen, she had to survive. Her worst nightmare had just come true: Hoseph was waiting for her, ready to pop in with his glowing hand of death and kill her.
Mya tried to press down her fear, to think, but the memory of that soul-wrenching jolt of magic dredging up the darkest moments of her life all at once left her
shaking.
Think, Mya… She sipped her cooling tea, trying to appear calm as she considered her slim options. How do you get out of this?
She might be able to slip out the back, maybe abscond with a cook’s outfit, but such an obviously evasive move would alert him to Lady T’s warning, and the guildmaster’s life would be forfeit.
“Did the lady not like the scone, ma’am?” The waitress startled Mya out of her thoughts, nearly earning a dagger in her eye for it.
Moving her hand away from the blade hidden in the bodice of her padded dress, Mya smiled. “Lady T has no taste when it comes to fine confections. The scones are delicious.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” She removed Lady T’s plate and cup, leaving Mya to think in peace.
I’m safe in here for now, but I can’t delay. What will he expect me to do? Where should I go? How do I lose him without looking like I’m trying to? Where will he watch from? How will he attack?
If she stayed in busy public places, she might be able to thwart him, but that would only get her so far. He would expect her to go home, but she couldn’t let him follow her back to the orphanage. As a Hunter, she could usually spot someone prowling, but Hoseph wasn’t an assassin. He wouldn’t just walk down the street, not with every constable in Tsing looking for him. He could blink around at will, giving him an immense advantage.
His most likely strategy seemed obvious: pop in behind her, cast that gut-wrenching spell to stun her, and then kill her with a touch. Against that, she had no defense.
Or do I?
She knew the spell’s debilitation lasted only a few seconds. But the magic hadn’t affected Lad at all. When they discussed it later, his answer had taken her aback.
“It didn’t show me anything I hadn’t already been reliving for weeks.”
In the midst of his despair for Wiggen, heaping his heart with more guilt had been like throwing a lit match into a bonfire. She knew now what to expect if Hoseph used the magic on her again. Could she ready herself for it? How?
Weapon of Fear (Weapon of Flesh Trilogy II Book 1) Page 29
