Blades of the Old Empire (13 page)

Sitting at his desk in the corner tower of the inner grounds, the Majat Master Oden Lan watched the slim, elegant figure clad in black approach the tower at a fast walk. A wave of short golden hair bounced against her dark skin in rhythm with the stride, the distinct coloring that marked her Olivian origin. The narrow hilt of her weapon showed from above the shoulder, the double-sworded staff whose elegant, efficient design made it one of the deadliest of weapons in the history of their Guild. Oden Lan knew of only one Diamond’s weapon that could boast the same elegance and uniqueness, but he hadn’t seen that weapon in over four years.

As she approached, Oden Lan admired her grace and precision that made her stand out even among her fellows in rank. Each Diamond was special, but Kara was more special than all.

He had overseen her training since she was four, and even at that age her talent had been incredible. At twelve, she had defeated a Jade in a face-on combat with blunt training swords. At fifteen, she had become an artist with her blade, her fame spreading like wildfire through the inner and outer grounds. When she turned eighteen, she had been pitched against a Diamond and after an exhausting melee she got through, leaving a mark on his face with a particularly wicked backhand blow. Soon after, she became the youngest Diamond to get ranked in the history of the Guild.

She was his prize champion, the proudest of what Oden Lan, the Majat Master for over twenty years, considered his creations. But even more important than her skill was her incredible life force. A passion drove her, filling her entire being with the creative power of her gift. Oden Lan never ceased feeling amazed that such a perfect creature was serving under his command.

She made no sound as she walked up the stairs. She merely disappeared into the opening of the tower at the bottom to reappear in the Guildmaster’s study a few moments later. Despite the height of the stairway she had to ascend in such a short time, she wasn’t in the least bit out of breath.

She stopped in the doorway and met Oden Lan’s gaze. “
Shelah
, Aghat.”

“
Shelah
.”

She approached his desk and placed her token in front of him. The diamond set into the center of the throwing star glittered, and her name rune carved into the ornaments around the gem echoed with a suffused light.

Oden Lan nodded and picked up the token, tracing his long fingers against the name rune. Each of these runes spelled a secret nickname, one given to every Majat at the time of their ranking, so that no two Majat tokens would look alike. Kara’s rune meant “black”, a word which in the old Ridges’ dialect sounded similar to her name.

“You did very well on your first assignment, Aghat,” he said. “I am very proud of you.”

She bowed her head in acknowledgment, but kept her silence.

Oden Lan would have hesitated to say a thing like this to any other Diamond. But Kara was different. If the Guildmaster had been allowed to have personal bonds, he would have loved her, almost like a daughter.

“Now,” the Guildmaster said, “I’m sending you on a new assignment.”

She looked at him with question, but still didn’t speak.

“Your new assignment will be relatively easy,” Oden Lan went on. “You will escort a group of travelers from here to the Bengaw Crest and ensure their safety on the way. There will be no complications and no true challenges you’ll have to face. Your new employer paid enough for a promise that no other Majat will be dispatched to conflict with your assignment. I gave him my word.”

She kept his gaze. There was a strange gleam in her eyes.

“From
here
?” she asked.

“Yes. Your employer arrived in the fortress a few hours before you and waited for you to come back.”

“Waited for
me
?”

The Majat Master shifted in his seat. “He hired you by name. And paid the price for it in full. Three times the cost of a Diamond.”

To his surprise he saw alarm in her eyes.

“Who is he?” she asked slowly.

Oden Lan reached for the bell on his desk and rang. A guard noiselessly appeared in the doorway. Oden Lan nodded to him and turned back to Kara.

“Your new employer insisted that I brief you on the details of your mission in his presence. He wanted to make sure there would be no mistakes.”

Light steps echoed up the stairs and a man appeared in the doorway. Oden Lan gestured toward him. “Allow me to introduce Master Nimos.”

Kara’s eyes widened. Her cheeks flushed and went pale, making her dark skin seem ghostly gray. She watched with an entranced expression as Nimos approached and stopped in front of her.

They stood for a moment, eyeing each other in silence.

“Glad to see you again, Aghat,” Nimos said.

She continued to stare at him.

“What the hell is going on?” Oden Lan demanded. “Do you two know each other?”

Nimos’s thin lips twitched into a crooked smile. “Aghat Kara and I met on the way here. I can see I left an impression.” He smirked, his eyes resting on Kara with such lust that even the Guildmaster felt uneasy. “I told you, Aghat Kara, one day we would be traveling together. Aren’t you glad the day has come so soon?”

Kara looked past Nimos and met Oden Lan’s gaze.

“What will be my assignment?” she asked.

Oden Lan leaned back in his chair. The way Nimos was eyeing Kara, practically eating her up with his eyes, made the Majat Master wonder if this man really understood what the services of a Diamond consisted of, and what wasn’t included. He knew Kara was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but to see this going on in front of his eyes was unsettling.

“Perhaps it would be best if we all sit down and discuss the details?” he suggested.

“Of course.” Nimos approached the table and lowered himself into a chair. Kara remained standing. Oden Lan waited for her to come over, but she didn’t move.

“Master Nimos,” the Majat Master said after a pause, “wants your help to escort two youngsters, Kythar and Alder, to a secret stronghold in the Bengaw Crest. You know who I’m talking about, of course. You accompanied them here.”

He glanced at her but she didn’t respond.

“There’s a possibility,” Oden Lan went on, “that they wouldn’t go willingly, but that won’t be your concern. Master Nimos has his own men to take care of that. To assist with the operation, I have placed the youngsters in the guest barracks next to Master Nimos’s men. These men will handle the capture and the upkeep of the prisoner. Your job, Aghat, will be to ensure that they reach their destination safely and without delay. Since I gave my word not to dispatch any Majat on a conflicting mission, the trip should be easy and fast.”

Kara stiffened. “One of these young men is the King’s only son, crown prince and heir to the throne.”

“I know that.” Oden Lan’s voice became stern. “And I assure you, Master Nimos has paid enough to cover the boy’s high station. You do remember, Aghat, that the Majat Guild doesn’t participate in politics and doesn’t take sides.”

“Prince Kythar is under the protection of the Guild,” Kara said. “He came here to seek our help. We can’t capture him on our own grounds.”

The Majat Master smiled. “
We
can’t. But we’re not obliged to interfere if
Master Nimos’s
men capture him.”

“But His Highness is here to hire a Diamond.”

Oden Lan spread his hands. “Master Nimos was here first. And the agreement we made with him makes it impossible. If the young man tried to hire a Diamond now, it would certainly qualify as a conflicting mission.”

She continued to stand still, tense like a coiled spring.

A triumphant smile flickered on Nimos’s lips. “We wish to leave tomorrow at dawn, Aghat Kara. Shall we, say, meet you at five in the morning by the East Gate?”

She didn’t respond, looking past him to the window outside. Oden Lan wasn’t sure she even heard these words.

“She’ll be there,” the Guildmaster assured. “Here’s her token.” He handed Nimos the glittering throwing star. “You may go and make your preparations, Master Nimos,” he went on. “And please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything.”

The slight man got up from his seat and strode to the door, brushing past Kara on the way. She shuddered at the contact, but didn’t step aside or otherwise acknowledge his presence. She didn’t move even after the door closed behind Nimos. She stood so still that Oden Lan began to wonder if she was all right.

“Something bothering you, Aghat?” he asked.

She looked at him, her face blank like a mask. “Forgive me, Master Oden Lan. But I must ask you to send someone else on this mission. I– I can’t go.”

He shook his head. “Impossible. He paid to hire you, and not any other Diamond. In fact, he told me in no uncertain terms that if you’re unavailable for the mission he will not hire anyone else. As it happens, though, you are available. And, you are currently between assignments. You cannot refuse, Aghat. You know the Code.”

Not a single muscle changed on her face, but suddenly she seemed so vulnerable that Oden Lan’s heart quivered.

“Is something bothering you, Aghat?” he asked again.

Her lips twitched as if she was about to speak, but kept her silence.

“I trust,” Oden Lan went on after a pause, “that you remember your training and the Majat Code. The Majat do not take sides. We work for money. We don’t pledge loyalty to anyone except the Guild. And, we don’t judge our employers. We do the job, and we do it well. That’s why our services are valued so highly.”

She continued to stand still, staring ahead.

“Whatever your quarrel is with this man,” Oden Lan persuaded, “you must not let it get in the way of your duty. I saw the way he looked at you, but I’m quite certain he understands what kind of services he has paid for and won’t give you any trouble of
that
kind. More than that, even if he
did
try to force himself on you, alone or with all twelve of his accomplices, with your skills in combat you can’t possibly be afraid of it. Are you, Aghat?”

She shook her head. She still didn’t say anything. Oden Lan was beginning to get angry.

“I am certain, Aghat,” he said, “that the years of your training make it unnecessary for me to further remind you of your duties. I’ve said enough. Now, go and rest. You’re leaving tomorrow at dawn.”

She raised her gaze to him.

“And if I don’t?” she asked quietly.

Oden Lan lifted his chin abruptly, as if he had been slapped.

“If you don’t,” he said distinctly, “you will become an oathbreaker and will be expelled from the Guild. You do remember what that means, Aghat, don’t you?”

She kept his gaze. “Yes.”

Oden Lan nodded, forcing his voice down to its normal tone. “Good. Since I know that you didn’t have time to rest after the completion of your previous assignment, I will pretend, just this once, that this conversation didn’t happen. Now, go and get ready. I look forward to another successful report.”

She hesitated for just a moment longer. Then she turned and left the room.

Ellah felt strange in a man’s outfit, walking next to Evan inside the protective ring of the Majat. Evan’s long sword was heavy. She had to clutch it with both hands to keep the weapon from hitting her legs as she walked. She hoped this was a permitted way to treat the King’s sword. She looked at Evan for reassurance, but the King kept his eyes firmly ahead.

They followed their honorary guards in green and gold Illitand colors through a maze of white marble corridors, awash with sunlight streaming through tall arched windows. Unlike the ominous strongholds in Tandar, the dwelling of the Illitand Dukes was open and airy, full of white marble staircases and big windows framing the sky and the lake outside. The majority of the castle’s space came from the vertical dimension, arranged around the top of the mountain like a large, ornate crown. Ellah guessed that this slender architecture was possible only because the castle was so well protected, surrounded by water and the impenetrable city walls on all sides.

As they neared the large double doors at the end of the hallway, Mai broke off from the formation and caught up with the guard captain walking in front. The man threw a nervous glance at the Majat and signaled the guards ahead to open the heavy doors to the audience chamber.

“His Majesty King Evan Dorn!” he announced.

Evan stepped forward, but Mai’s hand shot up, halting the procession. Two Rubies in front closed in, shielding Evan with their bodies. The two at the back drew their swords and crouched, ready to attack.

Mai spun forward and around, his outstretched arms unfolding with two long swords that weren’t there just a moment ago. The blades whistled as they cut the air, and Mai completed his movement, coming to a standstill. Ellah blinked, trying to understand what had happened.

Mai stood, arms out, holding two swords at the throats of the armored guards on the inside of the open doorway. Behind were more guards, drawn out of hiding by Mai’s display. Ellah realized that the swords Mai was holding at their throats belonged to the guards themselves, and that with his quick movement Mai had disarmed them before they had a chance to react.

There was an awkward pause.

“I’m sorry, my lords and lady,” Evan said, looking past Mai into the open doorway. “We seem to have spoiled a surprise.”

Only now did Ellah notice their welcoming party. The tall, pale man with long auburn hair falling on his shoulders was certainly Duke Daemur Illitand. He would have been quite handsome if it wasn’t for the look of cold displeasure in his green eyes as he surveyed his guests. Ellah felt an instant dislike for the man.

On his right was Lady Celana, the young girl who had welcomed them into the castle. On the left – Ambassador Tanad Eli Faruh, a dark-skinned Olivian with pale bronze hair and deep purple eyes. Ellah’s heart raced as she recognized him as the man who had been talking to Kaddim Tolos down in the courtyard.

“Your Majesty,” the Duke said. “Forgive the confusion. My guards should’ve stayed in sight, but you see, they’re new at their jobs.”

Evan smiled. “I feel honored, Lord Daemur, that you chose to assemble such a force to greet me. But I must say, if this happened on the high road, I would’ve thought we were being ambushed.”

The Duke spread his hands. “Come, Sire. You don’t think we’d plan an ambush, knowing that you’re coming here with your Majat guard? That would have been utterly foolish.”

“Indeed.” Evan’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Two dozen men seem like an insult to Aghat Mai’s skill.” Ellah saw his glance wander her way and took care to keep the two fingers in sight on top of the sword hilt she was holding.

“You may stand down, Aghat Mai,” Daemur Illitand said. “No one’s trying to harm the King.”

Mai didn’t move. Evan gave him a thoughtful glance.

“I think, Lord Daemur,” Mai said, “we may have run into some protocol issues here. Something about armed guards in the presence of the King?”

Illitand’s face twitched.

“How foolish of me to forget,” he said. “As always, Aghat Mai’s knowledge of protocol is commendable.”

“What should we do, Aghat Mai?” Evan asked.

“The guards must leave, Your Majesty,” Mai said.

Daemur Illitand raised his head. “You heard the Aghat. Move!”

The men edged along the walls out of the room. Daemur watched them go, his face folded into an expression the Duke probably considered to be a smile.

“You came here well protected, Sire,” he said.

Evan nodded. “I am impressed. Frankly, I never thought before this trip that the Pentade served more than a ceremonial purpose.”

He glanced at Mai, who lowered the swords and stood aside with his back to the wall, so that he had a perfect view of both the room and the hallway outside. The Rubies loosened the ring around Evan, but kept their swords bare.

“I admire Aghat Mai’s style,” Daemur observed. “His predecessor in the Pentade – Aghat Seldon, I believe – was quite different. He never rushed into action himself. He always sent the Rubies in first. To me, it makes more sense. A commander should stay out of danger to oversee his troops, don’t you think?” He turned to Mai, who continued to stand still, staring straight ahead as if the conversation didn’t concern him at all.

“You’re quite right,” Evan agreed. “However, I understand that Aghat Mai hasn’t yet found himself in danger while being in my service. It’s all been quite uneventful so far, thanks to his care.”

“So far,” Daemur echoed.

Evan gave him a square look. “What exactly do you mean, my lord?”

Daemur bowed. “I heard of the unfortunate incident at the city gate, Sire. My deepest apologies. It was quite reckless, if I may say, to come here in disguise.”

Evan waved his hand in dismissal. “No problem at all. Your archers were most gracious in letting us through, thanks to the quick wit of your gate captain. Captain Ragan, I believe. Most commendable.”

The two men stood for a moment, glaring at each other. Ellah’s mind was full of a steady red color as she continued to hold two fingers out. If diplomacy meant lying all the time, both King Evan and Duke Daemur seemed to have mastered it to perfection.

“In any case,” Evan said, “now that we’re done with the formalities, there’s nothing to prevent us from having a pleasant conversation, is there, Lord Daemur?”

The Duke of Illitand continued to smile, but his eyes were still. It made an unpleasant contrast.

“I look forward to it, Your Majesty,” he said. “Now that you have honored us all by accepting the hospitality of the Castle Illitand.”

Evan smiled. “It is a joy to see that Tanad Eli Faruh is also your guest.” He turned to the Olivian ambassador. “The Duke was kind enough to inform me in his letter that your ward, Princess Aljbeda, is also here?”

The Olivian bowed. “Lord Daemur has graciously offered his beautiful castle for Her Highness’s entertainment.”

Ellah’s hand holding out two fingers was beginning to feel stiff. Was it possible that during diplomatic talk no one
ever
told the truth?

“Very prudent of you, Lord Daemur,” Evan said. “I can see that your castle indeed has a lot to offer someone in need of refuge. I myself would have liked nothing better than to stay longer, but I am afraid I came with a different purpose. It is my intention to convince Your Grace – and Her Highness – to return to Tandar with me.”

Daemur shifted from foot to foot and exchanged a glance with Lady Celana. Even though the red color in Ellah’s mind hadn’t changed, she sensed that the conversation was finally coming to an important part.

“I’m afraid, Your Majesty,” Illitand said, “your departure would be quite impossible.”

“Whatever do you mean, Lord Daemur?”

The Duke of Illitand exchanged another glance with his daughter. “The business we need to discuss with Your Majesty might take considerable time.”

Evan smiled. “Surely you don’t propose holding me here against my will?”

Daemur’s gaze wavered. “Regretfully, I must, Sire. Until we resolve our little… issue.”

Evan shook his head. “Aren’t you being a bit careless, Lord Daemur? The Pentade–”

“The Pentade is capable of keeping you safe within this castle. However, I doubt they could break you out of here with a guarantee that no harm would come to you in the process, Your Majesty. Isn’t that right, Aghat Mai?”

He turned to Mai, who responded with a calm stare. There was a feverish gleam in Daemur’s eyes. Ellah had a sense that the Duke himself couldn’t quite comprehend the boldness of his words. She folded away one finger as the color in her mind suddenly changed from red to deep royal blue.

Evan drew himself up. “Holding me prisoner, Lord Daemur, qualifies as high treason.”

“Only if the man I hold is the rightful king.” The words rang clearly through the deadly silent hall.

“I see,” Evan said.

“Since the Keepers took part in placing House Dorn on the throne,” Daemur went on, “it is also fortunate that Mother Keeper is here with you. Her presence will allow us to resolve this once and for all.”

“Resolve? What exactly do you have in mind?”

“We’re not barbarians,” the Duke said. “We’ll stick to diplomacy as long as we have a choice.”

Evan glanced around the room. “There’s one person I don’t see here. I believe, he should’ve been included in the greeting party, for I could distinctly sense a touch of his unique style. I heard some refer to him as Kaddim Tolos.”

Daemur stepped back, eyes wide. “Kaddim Tolos?”

Evan smiled. “Yes. The title is quite historical, as you know. Some believe the Kaddim Brotherhood has been extinct for centuries. However, strangely enough, a man addressed by this title has attacked my son back in Tandar. And, even more amazingly, shortly after our arrival here, the same man ambushed Aghat Mai in one of your castle’s hallways.”

“
Ambushed
Aghat Mai?” Daemur stretched the word in mockery. “Is this possible?” he turned to Mai again, and again received nothing but a blank stare in response.

“This man,” Evan went on, “seems quite keen to destroy House Dorn. And, his appearance here is an amazing coincidence with your decision to perform this outrage toward your king.”

“Your kinghood,” Daemur said slowly, “remains to be determined.”

Evan’s eyes narrowed. “And what, pray, makes you say that, my lord?”

“Ghaz Shalan Law,” the Duke said. “We both know, Sire, your house is tainted with the cursed blood. Your heir–”

“Are you questioning the last thousand years of history, Lord Daemur?”

“You’re a royal,” Daemur said. “And as such, you should know why the King cannot possibly place himself above the law.”

“Funny you should mention that,” Evan said. “For I made this trip to your castle to talk exactly about this particular law. However now that you have the audacity to question my entire bloodline–”

“Not yours,” Illitand said through clenched teeth. “Your son’s. He’s cursed, and should have been eliminated at birth. If you truly wish to rule, you should first order his execution!”

Evan’s nostrils flared. “This law has kept us in the clutches of the Church for centuries. It’s overdue for a change, Daemur, and you know it. Don’t tell me you’re in support of it now!”

“It’s a
law
. Does the word still mean something to you, or is it that after you were crowned–”

“Have you seen our new Reverend?” Evan asked.

“No, but I’ve heard that he is a man of high principles. Unlike you.”

“I see,” Evan said slowly. “Did your new ally, a Kaddim Brother, tell you these things?”

Daemur’s face reddened, but before he could speak Tanad Eli Faruh hastily stepped forward.

“Perhaps, my lords, this is not a good time to discuss our differences. You have a proposition for His Majesty, don’t you, Lord Daemur?”

Daemur slowly let out a breath. “Yes. Indeed, Sire, I believe there is a way out of this situation. A union between our families, to seal the rightful heir for the kingdom.”

Evan raised his eyebrows. “What happened to the execution I’m supposed to order? After all you said, you are proposing a marriage between your daughter and my son?”

“Not your son. You.”

Evan’s eyes widened, noticing Ellah holding out one finger and back to the Duke. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Really, Sire,” Tanad Eli Faruh’s reverberating baritone easily carried through the hallway. “Lady Celana is a lady of rare beauty and virtue. You should be pleased by this suggestion.”

“I quite agree,” Evan said. “Lady Celana’s beauty and wit are famed. She deserves a brilliant match. She is also young enough to be my daughter. It’s shocking to me that her father would use her as a bargaining chip in his political games.”

“But think about it,” the Tanad insisted. “You’re still in your prime years, Your Majesty. If you had a young wife, you could sire children that share the proper bloodlines of not one, but two royal houses, and will once and for all stop the endless games of succession that have drowned our kingdom in blood for generations. Houses of Dorn and Illitand united – wouldn’t that be glorious?”

“Glorious, yes. But in the present circumstances it’s utterly inappropriate to offer this match to me. The Duke should be offering it to my son.”

Illitand’s face twisted in anger. “Your son’s an abomination! Don’t you
dare
bring him up in connection to my daughter!”

Evan’s face froze. Stepping back, he ran his eyes around the room.

“It seems to me,” he said into space, “that we’ve overstayed our welcome. I wish to return back to my chambers immediately, Aghat Mai.”

Mai stepped away from the wall and threw down the two captured swords he had been holding. Steel rang loudly through the hall. At his signal the Pentade regrouped into a travel formation. Evan turned and strode away along the corridor, surrounded by the Majat. Ellah hurried to keep up.

“Go ahead!” Illitand shouted to his back. “Walk away! You’ll
rot
in my castle, Evan Dorn! You’ll never be able to leave these walls!
Never
!”

Evan didn’t change his stride, but Ellah saw knots of muscles move under the skin of his neck. His glassy gaze frightened her.

She wondered if the two royals were ever going to make up. If this was what diplomacy was all about, she wanted no more part in it.