Imperial Spy (29 page)

Again the Palace staff offered the visitors a chance to freshen up before meeting with the King, but unlike Femke’s first official visit as Ambassador, Danar declined the offer.

‘I was charged by the Emperor to meet King Malo with all possible speed, and that is what I intend to do,’ he intoned pompously. ‘Please advise his Majesty that I request an
audience with him at his earliest convenience to discuss the recent tragic and unfortunate events that have occurred here in Mantor. I place myself at his immediate disposal, and am happy to forego
refreshments in order to fulfil my duties.’

Krider had bowed deeply at Danar’s little speech and bustled off to inform the King at once of the visitors and their intentions. When he returned, Krider looked embarrassed as he asked if
Lord Danar and his servant would mind being subjected to a weapons search before entering the presence of the King.

‘Not at all, not at all,’ Danar assured him graciously, raising his arms above his head and turning to the nearest Royal Guard to allow him to begin checking him for weapons.
‘Search away. We handed our weapons over at the main Palace gates, so we have nothing to hide. My servant will not be coming with me to see the King. If possible, I’d like him taken to
my quarters to unpack my things, and to arrange for my bath to be ready for me when I complete my conference with the King. Would that be all right? If you need to search him, then go ahead. It
makes no difference to me.’

‘No, no!’ Krider replied instantly. ‘The order was to search any going into the King’s presence. If your servant is going to your quarters, then I need not doubt your
word, my Lord. Thank you for your cooperation. This is all most unfortunate and terribly embarrassing, but . . . well I’m sure you understand the reasons.’

‘Absolutely. Think nothing of it,’ Danar purred, oozing with the charm he normally reserved for the ladies. ‘After the occurrences of the last month, it is gratifying that the
King will see me at all.’

Don’t overdo it, Danar, Femke willed him silently. You’ve got Krider where you want him. Don’t lose it by getting carried away.

But to Femke’s surprise, Danar’s charm won Krider around as effectively as it had so many female members of the Shandese Court. The old fellow could not do enough for Danar. He
apologised with every other breath for any conceivably perceived insult taken from the actions of either the Royal Guards or the house staff during the arrival process.

Before she knew it, Femke was being led away through the Palace towards the West Wing, having avoided being searched – much to her relief. It was not that Femke feared the guards finding
weapons on her, for she wasn’t carrying any. She was worried they would feel the ridges of the bandages around her chest and start to question her about them. If they discovered she was not
the young man she appeared to be, then it would not take them long to deduce her real identity.

To Femke’s amusement, the Royal staff led her to the room next to the one she had occupied a few weeks before. The door to her old room had several wax seals along the line where the door
met the door-frame to prevent anyone entering without alerting the guards that the room had been tampered with. Femke had ways of circumventing wax seals, but she had no intention of using those
skills. The key to this whole affair was revealing Shalidar’s true identity to the King. If they failed to do this, then it would be all but impossible to prove her innocence.

Once inside Danar’s room, Femke took his saddlebags through to the bedroom and proceeded to unpack his clothing. Femke smiled at the things that he had packed, for they were so typical of
the Shandese Lord. Beautiful silk shirts with ruffed fronts, fancy collars and ruffed sleeves had clearly been cut to show off his narrow waist and broad chest. Also, there were jackets that would
accentuate his shoulders and trews that looked like they should cut him in half. Just looking through them made Femke giggle. She found it hard to believe anyone would travel great distances with
no sign of anything practical in their packs. However, these were Lord Danar’s packs, and she could imagine Ennas being forced to lend him practical clothes during the journey to avoid being
laughed off the road.

When Femke had finished unpacking the clothing into the cupboards she returned the saddlebags to the doorway, where she called for one of the Royal servants to help her. There were two house
staff members in the corridor outside the room. The man and woman were poised, waiting for such a call.

‘Excuse me, but would it be possible to get Lord Danar’s saddlebags cleaned and waxed?’ she asked politely. ‘If not, then I’ll happily do it myself – all I
need is the appropriate cleaning materials. I used the last of our supplies yesterday and we didn’t have time to stop in the city for more.’

‘Don’t worry your head about it, lad,’ the matronly lady replied kindly. ‘Give them to me and I’ll have the stable boys clean them up like new. It’s good to
give them something useful to do, other than mucking out the stables and polishing tack that doesn’t need it.’

‘Thank you, that’s most kind,’ Femke said gratefully. ‘My master also asked me to prepare a bath for him. Can you show me where I can get hot water? It will take a lot of
trips to fill the tub in the bathing room and I’d like to get started.’

The two Royal house staff members smiled at one another with smugly superior grins.

‘Oh, you don’t need to worry about carrying pails of water around this Palace, lad,’ the man said, his tone mirroring his smug grin. ‘Hot water can be pumped into the tub
through a special system of piping. Here, let me show you.’

Femke already knew about the piped hot water, but it was important to build her character with those who would see her most. Once established as a young male servant who knew nothing and
followed orders blindly, then the house staff would see nothing else.

‘Pipe system? I’ve never heard of such a thing!’ Femke exclaimed, allowing her eyes to go wide with feigned amazement. ‘I confess I wasn’t looking forward to
filling that mammoth tub. I’d have been back and forth all night!’

The man and woman laughed warmly and the woman patted Femke gently on the arm.

‘Don’t you worry,’ the woman assured her. ‘Regis here will show you how it works and you can amaze your master by leading him to the biggest, hottest bathtub he’s
seen in many a year.’

Femke chuckled appreciatively, keeping her voice from slipping out of the deeper notes into its normal register.

‘That would be great,’ she enthused. ‘It’s always good to keep one step ahead of the old man.’

‘I would like to place a contract,’ Reynik said quietly, looking around to ensure that nobody was within earshot. ‘A
final
contract, if you get my
meaning?’

‘I’m not sure I do, sir,’ the butler replied, looking blankly at Reynik. ‘My master has asked me to ensure he’s not disturbed this afternoon. He conducts most of
his business transactions in the morning. Would you like me to book you an appointment to meet with him? I should be able to fit you into his schedule sometime early next week.’

Reynik gave the butler a withering look. ‘Tell your master there’s someone at his door who is willing to pay two thousand gold Thrandorian crowns for a
final
contract.
I’d heard he was in business to supply the sort of results I require, but if my information is incorrect then I’ll go elsewhere.’

‘I’ll deal with this thank you, Hanri.’

Shalidar appeared out of a side door into the hallway behind the butler and waved the pristinely dressed old fellow aside. Reynik’s heart skipped a beat. It was
him!
Shalidar was
the assassin who had killed his uncle. There was no doubt. That face had been imprinted on his mind. Anger flashed through him, threatening to take over. A burning desire for revenge swelled inside
him, but he fought the inner battle well, keeping his exterior cool. He met the assassin’s eyes with a calm veneer as Shalidar surveyed Reynik, looking him up and down as if searching for
something.

Reynik’s mind raced. Did he know? Had Shalidar recognised him? Was his inner anger transmitting?

‘I think you’d better come inside for a chat,’ he said finally, standing to one side and gesturing for Reynik to enter. ‘However, before you enter I should warn you of
something.’

‘Yes?’ Reynik asked, his voice calm, but his mind apprehensive.

‘If I get the slightest inkling you’re not telling the truth, I will not hesitate to kill you.’

‘I take it my information about your second profession is correct. You do deal in
final
contracts?’

‘Come inside,’ Shalidar ordered in a tone that brooked no disobedience.

Reynik complied. As the door swung shut behind him, he tasted fear in the back of his throat. There was no place for fear here. He ruthlessly drove the emotion back down into the depths of his
heart. Shalidar must not suspect anything was amiss.

‘Go through to my drawing room,’ Shalidar said, his voice again commanding. ‘It’s the second door on the left. Hanri, bring us some wine in about two minutes, would
you?’

The butler bowed and disappeared off down the long entrance hall with a steady stride. Reynik entered the drawing room as he had been directed and looked around with what he hoped was a casually
interested air as he walked straight into the heart of the room. The room held plenty of interest to look at. There were bookcases on every wall, together with delightful pictures of a high quality
– all skilfully mounted and framed. Two were superb depictions of dragons, which Reynik quickly discovered was a theme that ran through the room. There was a dragon ornament, exquisitely made
in intricate detail, placed tastefully in what looked like a purpose made alcove. A small decorative table in the centre of the room had carved dragons for legs and a dragon motif embroidered on
the tablecloth. Also, in pride of place on the mantelpiece, a beautiful silver bowl was displayed. Reynik marvelled at the skill of the silversmith who had made it, for there was a beautifully
crafted circle of dragons and firedrakes chasing one another around the outer edge.

There had been no expense spared in this room, Reynik observed, rapidly totting up his estimation of the value of some of the items in his head. If all the other rooms held objects of similar
value, the house was worth a fortune.

‘So, what is your business with me and why have you approached me in such a fashion?’ Shalidar asked bluntly, his eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Reynik’s response
minutely.

‘My master wants a termination service performed. He instructed me to make contact with you to determine if his information about your other career in Shandar was correct. If it is, then
he’s willing to pay two thousand gold crowns for your services.’

Shalidar looked at Reynik thoughtfully for a moment or two and his eyes narrowed further.

‘Assuming that I were in the business you describe, two thousand in gold is a
very
large sum of money. Exactly
who
are we talking about terminating here? If it’s
Royalty, you can leave the house now. I’m not getting involved in anything which could result in treason charges.’

‘No, no, it’s nothing like that,’ Reynik said smoothly. ‘My master has reason to want rid of the new Shandese Ambassador who arrived in Mantor this afternoon. I’m
told his name is Lord Danar of the Imperial Court of Shandar. Does the name mean anything to you?’

‘I know the name,’ Shalidar admitted, relaxing slightly, but still maintaining a high level of alertness. ‘May I ask the reason for the termination?’

‘My master did not confide that information.’

Shalidar looked deeply into Reynik’s eyes for several seconds. Reynik stared back with what he hoped was a suitable degree of calm. As the seconds ticked by, Reynik could feel his cool
façade being eroded by Shalidar’s gaze. The urge to leave became steadily stronger. Finally, Shalidar spoke again.

‘Why were you watching my house the other day? My men have confirmed it was you, so there’s no point in denying it. They led me to believe they had given you enough of a beating that
I wouldn’t be seeing you again. It appears that they were frugal with the truth.’

Reynik smiled slightly, though he was now feeling the fringes of panic touch his gut. ‘I was watching the house for signs that there was more to you than your merchant persona. Your men
gave no reason for their unfriendly behaviour, so I assumed they were common hoodlums. I’m sorry if they were a little the worse for wear afterwards, but they didn’t stop to introduce
themselves.’

‘There’s nothing to apologise for. If the four of them could not best you, then they’re not worth the money I’ve been paying them. They will be looking for alternative
employment tomorrow.’ Shalidar paused for a moment, looking thoughtful again. ‘Very well, I’ll accept the contract – on the following terms. The fee is two thousand five
hundred gold pieces. One thousand five hundred will be delivered in advance; the other thousand will be due on confirmation that the job is complete. There will be no further negotiation. Your
master either accepts, or he goes elsewhere.’

Reynik bowed in response.

‘My master anticipated your raising the price, sir. Your terms are acceptable. I will deliver the gold in one hour, but there is one final thing.’

‘What is that?’

‘The job must be done quickly. It’s said the Shandese Emperor will arrive in a few days. My master wants rid of the Ambassador before the Emperor arrives,’ Reynik said.

‘That won’t be a problem.’

Shalidar put forward his hand to shake on the deal. As Reynik clasped the assassin’s hand in the accepted fashion of accepting a deal, the killer’s sleeve rode up his arm a little,
revealing a tight-fitting silver wristband that sported a dragon as its central feature. Apparently, Shalidar had something of a fascination with the mythical creatures.

‘So when will the job be completed?’ he asked, being careful not to allow his eyes to linger on the wristband.

‘Before your master’s deadline. That’s all you need to know. Ah, Hanri – the wine. Thank you. Now, shall we drink a toast?’