Lord Protector (43 page)

"Of all the people I have known..." His faint smile faded, and he lowered his gaze to her hand as he took hold of it. "You are the only one who has not asked me to kill someone. You are the only one who has asked me to stop killing and give up my trade. You are the only one who has shown more concern for my welfare than your wishes. Only you have wanted to share my life as an assassin; even to attend a guild meeting." His sweet smile returned, and he raised his eyes to meet hers. "You call me Blade, but that is my trade name. It is considered polite for most people, especially fellow assassins, to use it. But you..." He hesitated, looking down at her hand again. "You may call me Ash, if you wish."

Her breath caught. "That is your childhood name, is it not?"

"Yes." He hesitated. "But my true name was to have been Tyequin."

She gazed up at him, amazed. "God Touched."

"Yes. That is what I am. I have always known it, yet did not believe it until one who is dragon kin told me."

A tremulous smile tugged at her lips. "I would be honoured to call you Ash, My Lord."

He raised his eyes to meet hers again, his smile widening slightly. "Good."

The following day, Blade used her desk to write two letters, which he showed to her before sealing. She wondered about them, but he did not volunteer to explain them. One was a letter to Prince Prethos, requesting the release from Andrango Prison of a man named Andevar. While politely phrased, she did not think Prethos would dare to deny it. The other was a commendation of a Lord Brenthal, for comforts received.

For the next two tendays, Chiana left much of the governance to Insash so she could spend more time with Blade, and he seemed to enjoy her company. Rivan continued to ambush him around corners, and, if anything, the destruction of palace ornaments increased. Blade exercised every day, read books from the palace's vast library, and joined her at meal times. Each morning that Chiana woke to find him beside her was a precious gift, for she sensed his strong wish to leave, and dreaded that it would one day overcome him.

The last of the winter blizzards swept through Jondar, and the snow melted away in spring's warm sun. Green buds opened on the trees, and birdsong wafted from the gardens. The Tree Moon waned, and the Death Moon began to show its skull face. The dreamsilks' colour changed from green and brown to black and red.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Blade reined in his horse at the end of a long, winding lane lined with flowering moon trees and pale shay flower bushes. He had been exploring the lands around Jondar for almost a tenday, despite Chiana's protestations, and this looked like the perfect place. Guiding his horse, a calm black Traverdan stallion, into the lane, he urged the beast into a slow canter. He wore his usual black, the jacket bearing a little silver ornamentation on the sleeves, and a silver-edged cloak hung from his shoulders.

As the stallion clattered into the gravelled courtyard, grooms emerged from the stables to hold it. Blade gazed at the sprawling mansion with its pillared entrance and pale marble steps, its walls built from finely crafted blocks of grey Endran stone, its roof covered with black slate. Blade dismounted as a confused looking servant opened the front door and bowed.

"Who may I say is visiting his lordship?" the man asked.

Blade tore his eyes from the sweeping beauty of the elegant gardens to glance at him. "Who is your lord?"

"If you do not know, why are you visiting?"

"An excellent question. I like this estate. I wish to buy it."

"I do not think it is for sale, sir."

Blade smiled. "Everything is for sale. Take me to your master, or summon him here."

"He will wish to know who you are."

"And I shall tell him."

The servant sniffed, raking Blade with a disparaging glance. "You may not be someone he wishes to speak to."

"Oh, I am, I assure you."

The man glanced at the tall stallion with its silver-ornamented trappings, shrugged, and vanished back into the mansion. Blade spent the next few minutes admiring the scenery. Groves of fire and smoke trees mingled in a pleasing medley of colours, and marble fountains sparkled in the sun. Chiana would like it, he decided. He turned as the servant reappeared. A stocky, middle-aged, florid-faced noble with a bristling walrus moustache and a belligerent air followed, and glared at the assassin. Blade had not seen him at court, but then, he rarely attended audiences. The lord clearly did not recognise Blade, either, and his scowl blackened.

"Who are you to demand to speak to me without offering your name, sir?"

Blade smiled. He finally had a use for his titles, humiliating uppity nobles. He found it most amusing, and had developed a habit of doing it. "I am High Lord Conash, Lord Protector of Jashimari and sacred Knight of the Veil."

The man reddened, and Blade watched him curiously, wondering if he would disbelieve him, as many had made the mistake of doing. The servant paled, shooting Blade a guilty glance. The nobleman appeared to wrestle with himself, then bowed low. "I am honoured, My Lord. I am Lord Tremath."

Blade nodded and turned to gaze at the gardens again. "I wish to purchase your estate, Lord Tremath."

"I - I had not planned to sell it, My Lord."

"No matter. I require a pleasant estate on which to retire. I think my wife will like this. The estate Queen Minna-Satu gave me is a little remote, and austere. Name your price."

"I..." The nobleman looked flabbergasted, and Blade almost pitied him. Everyone knew that his wealth was beyond calculation. Essentially, the crown would pay for anything he desired, since Minna-Satu had opened the royal coffers to pay for Kerra-Manu's safety nineteen years ago.

"Well?" Blade demanded. "I do not have all day, Lord Tremath."

"Yes, My Lord. I would ask for twenty thousand goldens."

The assassin snorted. "A paltry sum. I will pay you fifty thousand goldens if you vacate the estate within the tenday."

Lord Tremath paled. "That is most generous of you -"

"Generosity has nothing to do with it. I have more money than I know what to do with, and I am in a hurry. What is your answer?"

"I... I accept, of course, My Lord."

"Good." Blade turned to the groom and took his horse's reins, mounting the stallion. "Your retainers may remain to serve me if they wish, and leave the furnishings, I have no wish to be bothered with refurnishing it. My wife and I will be here next tenday."

"But My Lord, the Regent..."

"Is going to live here with me. She will enjoy it, I think."

Lord Tremath gaped at Blade, who raised a hand and turned the stallion, urging it once more into a slow canter along the driveway.

The Regent glanced around as Insash, who read a petition during a long and particularly trying audience, fell silent and looked up. Blade entered the chamber with swift steps, and the herald at the door stiffened, his eyes widening.

"His Grace, High Lord Conash, Lord Protector of Jashimari, former Regent, husband of Regent Chiana and sacred Knight of the Veil," he bellowed.

Blade waved a hand as the assembly bowed, stopping beside Chiana's chair. She cast him a puzzled smile, for he rarely attended audiences.

The herald shouted, "Her Majesty, Queen Kerra-Manu!"

The court sank down as Kerra swept in, and Chiana became even more puzzled, since Kerra had told her that she would not attend the audience that day. Kerra settled on her throne, and the court straightened at her gesture. Blade walked to the front of the dais.

"I have an announcement," he said. "I have decided that the Regent will accompany me to dwell on my new estate for the remainder of her regency. She will return to the palace for audiences, and Chief Advisor Insash will attend to any pressing business in between. There will be no debate. Any who wish to object may do so now, so I may add their names to the list I shall draw up, numbering those who are my enemies. Any who find their names on this list will find no favour with me in the future, and I shall, in fact, deal harshly with them at every turn."

He gestured to the court scribe, who stepped from the side-lines, looking nervous. Blade faced the court again.

"So, who would like their name on my list?"

The silence would have made a pin dropping sound like a thunderclap. Insash glanced around with wide eyes, and several tense seconds passed before a senior lord cleared his throat.

"May we know the reason for this, My Lord?"

"And you are?"

"Lord Brevare."

"Well, Lord Brevare, Regent Chiana has ruled in the palace for nineteen years without respite, except when she was ill and I was forced to replace her. I have no wish to live here, and she would like to accompany me."

Lord Brevare glanced around at the silent throng. "And what of her safety, My Lord?"

"It is assured. Captain Redgard will bring a contingent of palace guards to patrol the estate, and I will be there. Need I remind you that I have already protected her, and Queen Kerra-Manu, on several occasions?"

"Indeed, Lord Conash, but you are no longer a young man."

Blade walked down the three steps from the dais to approach the portly lord, who raised his chin. The former assassin exuded menace in palpable waves as he stopped before the nobleman.

"I assure you, Lord Brevare, that I have not lost the ability to kill a man. It is quite easy once you have the knack of it."

"What has the Queen to say upon the matter?"

Blade turned to face the dais. "As you see, she is here to offer her support."

Kerra nodded, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed with excitement. Chiana did not doubt that the girl was immensely happy to have been asked to support Blade's plan. She swallowed a lump, her heart pounding, a little giddy with joy.

Blade strolled back to the dais and turned to face the court once more. "My estate is just outside Jondar, so any urgent business that Insash does not feel he can deal with, can be sent by messenger for the Regent's attention. Shall I add your name to my list, Lord Brevare?"

"No, My Lord. I have no objections."

"Anyone else?" Blade spread his hands. "Come now, My Lords and ladies, I find palace life intensely boring. I would welcome the entertainment of making someone's life unpleasant. Will no one oblige me?"

Silence and hesitant head shaking answered him, and he waved the court scribe away. Chiana gazed at the stunned assembly with a smile, a little surprised by its reaction, but not unduly. Everyone knew Blade was a vindictive man; it was a reputation he constantly fostered with his cold looks and cutting remarks, and the proof of how much power he wielded now was in the way the court accepted his sweeping declaration without so much as a murmur. Of course, Kerra's support helped, and everyone also knew that the Queen would not cross him. No one wanted to be on the Lord Protector's list, it seemed, and Chiana did not blame them. While he had not stipulated what form his retribution would take, clearly no one wanted to find out. Blade had achieved what she had thought impossible with a short speech and a few veiled threats, and her heart swelled.

Blade stalked out. Several minutes of stunned silence followed his departure, then Insash cleared his throat and continued to read the petition.

Chiana walked towards her husband across the manicured gardens of his new estate. He sat under a spreading puffwood tree, his chin sunk on his chest, his eyes closed. As she reached him, he raised his head and opened his eyes. She sank down beside him, and he cast her a smile. Chiana gestured for the maidservant who had followed her to leave the tray that held two glasses and a jug of cherry juice, and the girl placed it on the grass and retreated.

Chiana poured the juice and handed him a glass. Rivan stopped purring and sat up, his ears swivelling. She followed his gaze. A black-clad man walked towards them across the lawn with a lithe, gliding gait, and she recognised Blade's last apprentice, recently an assassin, Wrath. The young man fell to one knee when he arrived at Blade's side, bowing his head.

"Master." He shot Chiana a shy look. "My lady."

Blade held out his hand, and Wrath placed a golden in it. Despite Blade's vast wealth, his former apprentice was still obliged to share his earnings with his mentor. The only rules that applied to assassins were the Guild's, and Blade still adhered to them rigorously. He tucked the coin away.

"Was it a good kill?"

"Yes, Master."

"Have you enough work?"

"Yes, Master. As your former apprentice, I'm popular."

Blade frowned. "You are not that good, boy. Lance was better than you. You could not win the belt if it was available."

The youth hung his head, nodding. Chiana had seen him several times since she had moved to Blade's estate, each time he came to share his earnings. Blade was consistently harsh in his comments and scathing in his observations, yet Wrath never objected.

Blade gestured. "You have done your duty. Go."

The youth rose and walked away, and Blade turned his head to gaze across the gardens. Chiana took his hand.

"Thank you for making this possible, Ash."

He glanced at her and shrugged. "I did not wish to stay at the palace."

"You did not have to arrange for me to come here."

"It was not so difficult."

"For you. For anyone else it would have been impossible. The courtiers are terrified of you."

He smiled. "As they should be. Am I not the most powerful man in Jashimari?"

"You are, My Lord."

"All those silly titles had to be good for something."

"Will you return to the palace with me for the audience tomorrow?"

He sighed. "I would rather not. I do not have the patience to deal with those primping fools, even for a few time-glasses."

"I would like you to come. Your presence makes my duty far easier. After the incident with Lord Darver and Moremar, no one dares to question my authority while you are there, for fear of receiving harsher treatment from you."

"As well they should, for they would." He inclined his head. "Very well. Perhaps some fool will brighten my day with a bit of idiocy."