Thank you, Jagon, I thought, observing the butter harden under the winter chill. Even though he’d been an abusiveteacher, my former master’s lessons were thorough, and his tricks of the trade proved invaluable at moments like this.
‘When do you intend to deliver your magic pills?’ Tova picked one up, rolling it in his fingers, and the butter left a greasy trace on his skin.
‘Tonight. Irsha will organise a coordinated action, and I’ll visit Marquess Yaran.’ My casual mention of the Wrecker’s Cove master and Tivala’s closest associate made Tova shake his head.
‘That man is not to be trifled with. I’d go with you, but the soldiers are adamant about setting off tonight. Travel by night in safe territory and during the day where the wraiths already attacked,’ he said, with a shrug. ‘And before you ask, I have jars with dwarven fire ready.’
‘I’m taking Irsha. Just do me one favour,’ I said, placing my hand on his shoulder. ‘Tell Rey what I’m doing here, and tell him not to worry. Riordan and I will handle it.’ Fear for him, for Rey, tightened my throat, but I couldn’t keep him safe by leashing him with my tears. ‘I’ll miss your soup, Tinkerer, so hurry back.’
He looked at me with a seriousness that rarely visited his face. ‘I will… and thank you.’ He sighed, uncertainty flashing in his eyes. ‘I’m afraid, Drah’sa. I’m truly afraid of what I’ll find there, but I have to go.’ He grabbed his bag and walked out before I could stop him, taking the warmth of our home with him.
I had too much to do to afford myself the luxury of falling apart.
Even just this once.
Chapter 13
Roksana
Ireturned to the Chapter House once my preparations were complete. Shadows flirted with the remaining fae lanterns, obscuring the furthest corners of the corridor, but leaving enough light to expose anyone with evil intentions. This was the home of the deadliest guild in Dagome; nothing more was needed.
The quiet murmur of voices was my only welcome until I stepped into the Blades’ sanctuary. The moment the door opened, twenty featureless masks turned in my direction. I glanced to the side, catching sight of the obstacle course. My memories of being put through my paces on its many challenges still haunted my nightmares, but my attention didn’t linger.
Brotherhood assassins; each of the twenty wore identical outfits, yet I easily spotted Irsha. He wasn’t just the tallest and most imposing in the room, but his mask had gold eyeliner, highlighting his status for those who knew where to look.
‘Your mask, Nightshade,’ Irsha said, passing me the delicate disguise. I took it, instantly recognising the familiar weight, but even more so the nightshade flower painted with impossibleprecision on its polished surface. He helped me fasten it before I turned towards the gathered men, now silent as ghosts.
‘Do not kill the target,’ I said. They swayed, looking around. They clearly expected a killing spree for the money I’d offered, so I repeated: ‘Do not kill your targets. Your job tonight is to make them swallow this pill and deliver my message.’
‘So we’re serving the poisoners now?’ one asked when I distributed the small boxes, each containing a pill, resting on a cube of ice.
‘You serve the client paying you. If you have a problem with that, you’re free to leave,’ I said. When each of them held my little gift for the council, I continued. ‘Ensure the target has this in their mouth for at least sixty heartbeats, then repeat my message.’
I waited for their undivided attention before speaking. ‘Tu’ere aberrar. Speak ill of Reynard Erenheart, and the breath will die in your throat. Act against the king, and his shadow will come for you.’
Once I’d finished, even Irsha shifted, unsettled. ‘What is the first part of this threat?’ he asked for the sake of his men.
‘You’ve lost your way– a phrase that activates the spell I’ve woven into the poison. Harmless for you, unless you lick the pill. A tasting session can, of course, be arranged.’ I finished with a smirk, forgetting the mask hid my features.
‘Well, that’s fucking new,’ one of the men said, ‘What if I forget the words?’
‘Should I carve it on your forearm for you to remember?’ Irsha’s casual remark made the men snap to attention. ‘I thought so. If any of you need it written down, come forth.’ No one stepped forward, but a few asked me to repeat the message until sure they remembered it word for word.
‘You know the drill. Two for each job. One guards, one force-feeds the pills. If they spit it out, do it again and hold their gobsshut until they swallow. We leave no trace. I’ll meet everyone in the morning. Disperse.’
Irsha’s command sent the men running. When they were gone, he turned to me. ‘Let’s go, Nightshade. The Observers gave me the plans to Yaran’s home. Now’s the best time to approach him unguarded in his bed.’
I nodded, preparing to disappear into the depths of the night. If even one of them failed, my entire plan of thwarting Tivala’s excuse to take over the capital could fall apart. Worse, they could accuse Rey of being a despot who intimidated his council instead of listening to their concerns.
No time for doubt, I thought, nodding to Irsha. ‘Lead the way, Blade.’
We slipped through the city’s underbelly like death incarnate. The occasional passerby flinched back when they caught sight of the masks, suddenly busy with their own affairs.
Yaran’s mansion was well lit, with guards on every corner, the shadows of those patrolling crossing the light at regular intervals. Irsha reached for a dagger, but I grasped his hand.
‘They’re just guards,’ I said, and his eyes narrowed behind the mask.
‘Who won’t hesitate to take our lives.’
