Queen Minna-Satu frowned, picking at her midday meal without appetite. Her sense of foreboding increased by the time-glass, and she had been unable to relax since learning that Blade had not returned after going into the city the previous day. A squad of soldiers had been dispatched to search every inn and brothel, and would return at any moment.
She looked up as Chiana entered and prostrated herself. "What news?"
"None, My Queen. The soldiers are back, but they did not find him."
Minna jumped up, almost upsetting the tray, and strode over to the windows. "He is in trouble, I know it. Those who tried to kill Kerrion have taken him, which means they will attempt the Prince's life again, this time secure in the knowledge that I cannot retaliate. But I could easily hire another assassin, though he may not be as good as Blade. He may fail… yet I am sure they have a better reason than that…" She frowned as a far worse thought struck her. "They plan to torture him, and find out what he knows."
Chiana paled at the suggestion. "What does he know?"
"Too much," Minna retorted. "If he talks, it could ruin everything."
"How?"
The Queen waved a dismissive hand. "I cannot tell you, but if my plans become public now, it would be a disaster."
"I doubt that Blade would reveal them, My Queen."
"So do I. But I will not have him suffer at the hands of traitors and thugs, it is not right." She paused, staring out at the sunny garden. "I have orders for Captain Redgard. The Prince must be returned to the desert at once. He must be escorted by a squad of my best men, those who can be trusted. He must be taken to the pass and released on a horse, unharmed. Is that clear?"
Chiana nodded. "Yes, My Queen."
"See to it, then return to me."
Minna waited by the window while Chiana left to pass on the orders. The winding streamers of dream silk seemed to mock her, and she glared at the sombre cloths that rippled in the breeze above the temple. Today, in keeping with the Death moon, the priestesses had hoisted grey, scarlet and black, to bring death and blood into the dreams of the unfaithful. The faint hissing and snapping made her shiver. When Chiana returned, Minna tore her eyes from the ominous cloth and turned to face her.
"Despatch as many squads of soldiers as can be spared into the city, tell Redgard to lead them himself. I want every house searched, every business, cellar and loft. Round up all known criminals, every thief, pickpocket and beggar, and offer a reward of gold to the man or woman who can lead us to Lord Conash.
"Put out the word that whoever is found holding Lord Conash will face a sentence of death. Inform the advisors, in particular Mendal, Motice and Pelin, that if the assassin is not found alive, I shall find out who killed him and have them executed, slowly. Contact all my spies, have them listen out for any clue. I want him back, Chiana, alive."
The chief advisor nodded, clearly astonished by the Queen's bright eyes and flushed cheeks, and the way she swirled her gown as she paced the room. Chiana stepped back, preparing to leave. "At once, My Queen."
"I did not give you leave to go."
Chiana froze, her eyes wide at Minna's tone. The Queen strode up to her, appearing taller in her rage. "Has Prince Kerrion left yet?"
"I believe he is even now in the courtyard, preparing to ride out."
Minna-Satu paused, then stepped past the astounded advisor and into the golden hall, startling the guards outside her door. They leapt to attention as she marched past, then fell in behind her, spears ready. Chiana hastened after her as the Queen headed for the courtyard, surprising sentries, who sprang to open portals in her path, some joining the growing retinue in her wake.
In the courtyard, Prince Kerrion looked around from adjusting his horse's girth at a commotion behind him. Queen Minna-Satu walked into the sunlight, her hair gleaming like polished ebony. Two dozen soldiers fell to their knees and prostrated themselves at the sight of their sovereign, so rarely seen outside the palace or its enclosed gardens. She stopped several feet away, where she would not have to look up at him too much, and he accorded her an awkward bow.
"Prince Kerrion, I hold a hope that our talks have brought us some understanding of our troubles, so in time we may resolve our differences and work towards a lasting peace. I return you unharmed to your kingdom, and wish you well. Always remember that you were my prisoner, and I set you free. Let it be something to lessen the rancour between our kingdoms. We shall not meet again. I bid you farewell."
Minna swung away and re-entered the palace, leaving Kerrion with his mouth open to reply, but no one to address. The soldiers followed her, leaving Kerrion, his escort, and Chiana gaping after them in amazement. The Prince recovered first, turning to Chiana.
"What was that all about? Why the sudden change of plans?"
Chiana faced him, looking bemused, and he surmised that events had moved with bewildering rapidity, leaving her placid nature floundering in their wake. She gathered her wits with what appeared to be a conscious effort.
"Lord Conash has disappeared," she explained. "The Queen blames it on the same traitors who tried to have you assassinated. Without the threat of the Queen's Blade, she must send you to the safety of your land while she endeavours to find those responsible."
Kerrion's eyes narrowed. "So, I have Blade to thank for this. He is probably drunk in some gutter, I should not wonder."
"The Queen will tear the city apart to find him, and without you here, she can bring the traitors to trial."
"I pity any who fall foul of her in her present mood."
Chiana bowed. "If you will excuse me, Prince Kerrion, I have matters to attend to."
Kerrion nodded, gazing at the doorway through which the Queen had vanished, a faint frown furrowing his brow. As Chiana left, he whispered, "Farewell, Minna."
A gimlet-eyed soldier gave the order to mount, and the Prince swung aboard his horse, gathering up the reins.
Minna stood on her balcony, where she could watch the cavalcade of Kerrion's escort as they rode out of the palace gates into the city streets. The breeze tugged at her, loosened her hair and played with it, causing tendrils to fall about her face. Minna brushed them away as she strived to catch a glimpse of Kerrion amongst the troops, silently cursing the distraction of the hissing dream silk that flew on the temple behind her. The Prince's golden head stood out amongst his guards' polished silver helmets, and his short, dark-blue cloak billowed from his shoulders as his horse pranced, eager to be off.
Angrily she brushed away the warm tears that ran down her cheeks. She watched until the buildings swallowed him up, wondering if he had once glanced back at the Jashimari Queen's palace. Minna looked up at the great golden bell that hung in its tower high above her, which tolled only upon a queen's death, every twenty-five years. Soon it would toll again, for her. She glanced down at a brush of fur on her leg, meeting Shista's eyes as the cat gazed up at her with deep concern. Minna knelt and slipped her arms around Shista's neck, burying her face in the feline's soft fur.
By the time Chiana returned, the Queen had regained her composure and sat amongst her cushions, the big cat purring at her side.
"The Prince has left, My Queen."
Minna nodded, her face stiff. "What did he say?"
"Why, nothing. He asked about the sudden change in plans, and I told him."
"So, he was well pleased to be on his way?"
The Queen's strange questions appeared to puzzle Chiana. "I suppose so, but he looked neither pleased nor sad, maybe a little pensive, is all."
Minna gazed down at the big cat she stroked, hiding her expression. "Leave me. Return only with news of Blade."
The chief advisor made her prostration and left, looking a little alarmed by Minna's odd behaviour.
In the city, the Queen's men set about their duty with fervour. The orders they had received told of the Queen's anger, and their loyalty spurred them to extreme measures. They herded people from their homes and searched the dwellings from roofs to foundations. Businesses were disrupted as soldiers searched storerooms and cellars. Criers spread the news of a rich reward offered, and scores of criminals found themselves arrested and questioned. By the end of the day, the populace's interest or anger was thoroughly aroused, and the search went on into the night, unabated.
Blade opened his eyes as the cellar door banged open and four torch-bearing men descended the steps. From their beefy faces and the bandages two of them wore, they appeared to be the same thugs who had attacked him in the alley. Two gripped his arms and dragged him to his feet, ignoring his groan as the wound in his hip tore open. A roughneck yanked the gag from Blade's mouth, and he spat out its foul taste. The man, who wore a bandage visible through the long, blood-stained tear in his shirt, thrust his face close to Blade's.
"The Queen wants her pet assassin back, Lord Conash," he sneered. "Got herself mighty steamed up about it, too." His voice dropped to a growl. "But she'll not see you alive again unless you tell us what we want to know."
Blade met the man's eyes. "And what's that?"
"Her plans. Why did she keep the Prince here so long? Why didn't she execute him? Why has she now sent him back all of a sudden? Tell us, or you suffer."
"Has she?" Blade muttered, and the cutthroats twisted his arms. "If your masters are too stupid to know that the Queen's plans are no secret, then I'll tell you. She was trying to make peace with the Cotti Prince. Perhaps she kept him because he would not agree."
The lout glanced at one of his cohorts, who shrugged. Blade eyed them, judging, by the stupidity of their faces, that the questions came from someone else, who did not wish to reveal his identity. This gave him some hope that he may be released, and he took courage from it.
"Why has she sent him back now?" the thug demanded again.
"Probably because there is a group of traitors, undoubtedly your masters, who plotted to assassinate the Prince. I killed one of them, Lord Mordon, and that's no secret either. With me out of the way, she had no recourse but to release the Prince before your masters killed him. Now she has a free hand to arrest and execute whomever she chooses, without the populace accusing her of protecting an enemy Prince."
"You talk too much," the cutthroat growled, and dug his fingers into Blade's jaw to force him to open his mouth in order to stuff the gag back in. "I hope I'm the one who gets to kill you."
The man turned away, and his companions dumped Blade in the straw again before following him up the steps, leaving the assassin in darkness once more.
For three days, the Queen's soldiers ransacked the city, turning it and its denizens upside down in their zeal. Minna read the reports of the chaos the search caused with some disquiet, but her anger tempered her concern, and a deep-seated need to find Blade alive. Loyal citizens turned upon their neighbours, accusing them of the deed. Dozens were arrested and questioned, dozens more clamoured for the reward, sending the soldiers of fruitless searches that found other dark-haired men. Many people took up searches of their own to claim the prize.
Fights erupted in the streets as ostensibly righteous citizens, intent on finding the Queen's Blade, invaded homes and pilfered valuables in their search. Petitions poured into the palace, and Chiana spent most of her time dealing with them, as well as irate lords and citizens claiming damages. Minna kept to her rooms, reading the reports her officers submitted but denying audiences and ignoring her advisors' demands.
Blade lay motionless to conserve his strength and keep his suffering to a minimum by not aggravating his wounds. His arms had stiffened in their uncomfortable confinement, and moving only brought fresh pain and availed him nothing. Rats scuttled and squeaked in the straw, at times crawling over him and waking him from the uneasy doze he fell into from time to time. In the darkness, he had no idea of how much time had passed. It seemed an eternity, and only his hunger and thirst gave him some measure of it.
The sounds of the search came close to his prison several times, and perhaps it was this that kept his jailers away. Each time the tramping of soldiers' feet and shouted commands drew close, his heart beat a little faster, but as they moved away again, his hopes faded. When the tramping and shouting came close once more, he paid it little heed, certain that they would pass him by yet again.
The cellar door was kicked open, and heavy feet thudded down the steps. Someone lighted a torch and thrust it close to where he lay, then a startled exclamation filled him with hope and relief.
"Lord Conash!"
Two soldiers fell to their knees beside him. One pulled the damp gag from his mouth, the other cut the ropes that bound his wrists. Blade hissed as fresh pain surged through him, grimacing when he tried to move. They men cut the ropes on his ankles, then tried to pull him to his feet. Blade groaned, and a voice barked orders from the top of the steps.
"Don't manhandle him, you lunk-heads! He may be injured!"
Blade tried to agree with that statement, but only a rusty whisper issued from his mouth. The soldiers eased him back onto the straw, and several more men descended with torches and lamps. The one who was in charge shouted for a healer, and the crowd around the doorway shifted as someone ran to fetch one. Blade recognised Captain Redgard, whom he had met at the palace several times. The captain looked tired and worried, but triumphant as he knelt at Blade's side.
"Lord Conash, are you all right?"
Once again, only a hiss issued from the assassin's dry throat.
Redgard turned to the nearest soldier. "Give me your canteen."
The captain raised Blade's head and pressed the flask to his lips. The assassin tried to take the canteen, but discovered that his right arm would not move, and his wounded hip prevented him from sitting up. Since every movement hurt, he relaxed and allowed Redgard to hold the flask while he drank. Redgard eased him back onto the straw.
"The healer will be here soon, My Lord."
"I am all right," Blade croaked. "Just help me out of here."
"You are wounded, My Lord."
"I know, but nothing is broken."
Captain Redgard shook his head. "You will tear open your wounds and bleed again. It is not a good idea."
Blade sighed, closing his eyes. "How did you find me?"
"The housewife down the road told us that she had seen a man dragged this way four days ago, but we had to search every house and cellar on this street. It took some time."
"Four days?"
"No, sir, she only told us this morning."
Blade smiled. "I meant, I have been here for four days?"
"Yes, sir."
"It seems longer."
"I would imagine so, My Lord." Redgard hesitated. "As soon as you are well enough, we will arrest whoever is responsible for this. The Queen has promised them execution."
"The bastards who brought me here are just pawns. I have no idea who hired them, though I should think that they do."
A commotion at the door heralded the healer, who pushed through the crowd and hurried down the steps. He knelt beside the captain and examined Blade's wounds, cutting away his clothes to bandage them.
Blade remembered little of the journey to the palace. The healer gave him a draught for the pain, which made him sleepy and pleasantly detached. Four soldiers bore him through the streets on a litter, a squad of men surrounding him. By the time he reached the palace, he had drifted off to sleep, and did not awaken even when he was put into bed.
Minna-Satu turned at a strident knock on the door, frowning. Chiana came in, flushed and smiling, hurrying to make her prostration.
Minna gestured for her to rise. "What is it? What news?"
"They have found him, My Queen."
"When? Where?"
"A few time-glasses ago, in a cellar somewhere in the slums. They are taking him to his rooms."
"Taking him? He is wounded?"
"Yes, My Queen, but not too seriously."
"How seriously?" Minna demanded, then waved impatiently. "Never mind, I shall see for myself."
Minna made her way to Blade's rooms with Chiana pattering in her wake, and thrust open the door to enter the crowded chamber. A dozen people fell to their knees, but she ignored them as she went to the bed. Blade was asleep, his face swollen and bruised, a clean bandage around one arm, the sheet covering the rest of him. Minna swung to confront the kneeling crowd.
"Which one of you is the healer?"
A balding man rose to his feet. "I am, My Queen."
"How bad are his injuries?"
"They are grave, but he will recover in time."
"How long?"
The doctor shrugged. "Three tendays, maybe a little more."
Minna turned to gaze at the assassin again, her mouth set in a grim line. "Whoever did this will pay dearly. I shall have their heads." She paused, eyeing the healer. "You have attended him? Given him a draught to make him sleep, I assume?"
"Yes, My Queen, I have done all I can."
"Good, then you may go." Her eyes raked the crowd. "All of you, save my chief advisor."
The soldiers, servants and healer left, and Blade's manservant closed the door behind them. Minna studied the sleeping assassin a little longer, then turned to Chiana.
"I suppose you are wondering why I make so much fuss over a worthless assassin."
"He is also a lord, My Queen, and one who has done you a great service."
The Queen gave a derisive snort. "Do not insult my intelligence, Chiana. You know full well that does not warrant such zeal on my part to find him."
The chief advisor inclined her head. "Your reasons are your own, My Queen."
"Still, I would not have you think that I favour Blade unduly without good reason." She turned and walked to the windows. "I shall need him in the times to come. There are those who will plot against me once they know of my plans. Sending Prince Kerrion back to the desert does not solve all of my problems. I am facing a difficult time, and I shall need Blade's particular skills to defeat those who will turn against me."
"You need him to kill your enemies," Chiana murmured.
"Precisely, and do not preach to me about how inadvisable that is, I have not asked for your advice. Nothing and no one must stand in the way of my plans. I have not the time to go through the courts, nor the certainty that I shall find justice there. The judges are not as impartial as they claim to be, and there are those who will stop at nothing to prevent peace with the Cotti. I must be as ruthless as they, if I am to achieve it."
"But the Prince is gone…"
"I do not need Kerrion here, my plans have no call for that."
"Might I ask what your plans are, My Queen?"
"No." Minna softened her answer with a stiff smile that did not reach her eyes. "Not yet. All in good time."
"But Blade knows."
Minna cast the assassin a rueful glance. "He guessed." Her expression became haughty and her tone brisk. "I want the men who did this. They must be made to confess the names of their employers, who will be rounded up and put to death."
"My Queen," Chiana murmured, "if you use Blade to kill your enemies, you will put him in extreme danger."
"I know that." She sighed. "He has lived all his life with danger, and I shall do my utmost to protect him. I do not need you to point out the obvious." She swung away and headed for the door. "Tell me the moment he wakes, I wish to speak to him."
"Yes, My Queen."