Master of the Dance (30 page)

"There is nothing I can do for her, advisor. She will live."

"Are you sure?"

"It is well known that people who lose their familiar fall into a coma, but they do not die."

"She could not breathe."

"She suffered her familiar's death agonies." He shot Insash a hard glance with watery eyes. "You know this, everyone does."

"Yes of course, but she was already weak."

"Indeed." Verdan climbed to his feet. "Now she is in a coma."

"She hit her head when she fell."

The healer signalled to the maidens. "Take her to her boudoir and put her on her bed. I shall examine her there." He turned to Insash. "Do not be alarmed, she will recover. I, on the other hand, may not." He tottered over to the cushions and sank down on them, wheezing.

Four maidens picked up the unconscious Regent and bore her off to her bed chamber, and Insash watched them with eyes filled with worry. "Not all people survive their familiar's death, Verdan."

"No, some end their lives, but she does not have that luxury."

"How do you know what she will decide?" He turned to the healer as the maidens vanished into Chiana's bedroom. "She is terribly alone. Queen Kerra is in Cotti, as is her husband, for all the good he would do, even if he was here, the cold-hearted bastard."

Verdan pulled out a voluminous linen handkerchief and mopped his brow. "I understand that Lord Conash is returning."

"To Jashimari. Knowing him, he will not come to the palace, even if he knew of her plight."

"And how well do you know him?"

Insash shook his head. "I have never met the man, nor do I wish to."

"As I thought. I think you underestimate him."

"Do I?" The advisor swung away, paced in a circle, and faced the old healer again. "I disagree. The man is as cold as a fish."

"He is cat kin."

"I know." Insash threw up his hands. "This is a disaster! Jashimari is without a ruler. There will be riots, uprisings."

Verdan rose and headed for Chiana's bedroom. "I had better check to see if she has injured her head."

Insash caught his arm as he went past, stopping him. "What am I to do? I cannot rule in her stead, and she named no other regent."

"I am not an advisor, Insash. Perhaps you should consult your peers on the matter."

"They are useless," he said. "They will argue and debate the matter for days. All of them will have different opinions or suggestions, and with no one to decide, it will do no good."

Verdan pried Insash's fingers from his arm. "Then my advice is to find Lord Conash."

Insash's brows shot up. "Why?"

The healer eyed him through the bushy outcrop of his lowered brows. "Because he is the next most powerful person in the realm. He is the Lord Protector."

"Surely you jest? He is an assassin. He would not do it, and I have no idea where he is, even if I wanted to find him, which I do not."

"Then you are a fool. Only a person of high rank can step into the Regent's shoes now. He was elevated by Queen Minna-Satu herself, and holds a rank that can even silence the Queen in times of crisis. Have you a better idea?"

Insash stared at him as he walked away, stunned. "He will not do it, even if he could be found."

Verdan paused in the doorway. "Are you prepared to wager the kingdom's fate on that?"

Insash strode after him as he vanished into Chiana's bedroom. "How long will she sleep?"

Verdan stood beside the bed, gazing down at the Regent, who lay beneath the sheets, her hair loosened and spread across the pillow in a chestnut swathe. He looked up as Insash entered, frowning.

"Usually the small death lasts about a tenday, longer if the person is weak."

"She is weak."

"The longest on record is fifteen days, but the man was very old."

Insash stared at Chiana's pale visage, his eyes wide. "Fifteen days? It will be a disaster!"

"Not if you find Lord Conash."

"And just how am I supposed to do that? The man vanished for fifteen years; he can easily do it again."

"You do not have to find him; only ensure that he hears of this."

The advisor threw up his hands again. "The last thing I want to do is spread this news. The fewer people who know about it, the better. Perhaps we can keep it quiet until she wakes."

"And who will run the country?" Verdan bent over his patient and lifted her head to run his fingers over the back of it. "The news of her collapse has already spread. It will be in the city by now, tomorrow it will have reached nearby towns, and in three days it will have reached the borders."

Insash frowned. "For someone who a moment ago claimed not to be an advisor, you certainly have a great deal of advice to give."

"You asked for it." Verdan laid Chiana's head back on the pillow and straightened. "She has a lump, nothing more. She will be all right."

"Can you wake her up?"

The old healer swung to glare at him. "No, I will not. To do so is dangerous, and can cause considerable damage to her mind. This time is necessary for her to recover from the shock of her loss."

Insash ran a hand through his hair. "You are right, of course. I just thought... for a moment, so she could tell me what she wants me to do."

"She would be incoherent. She would tell you to find her husband if she had her wits about her."

"What about the Queen?"

Verdan shook his head. "She is in Cotti, and she is just a child."

"I could send a message and ask for her opinion."

"It would do no good even if she was old enough to rule. The people need someone here, in the palace, to assure them of governance and listen to their grievances. Find Lord Conash."

The advisor snorted. "You mean the Queen's Blade, an assassin. The people will never accept his rule, even for a few days, and he may be more than a tenday's ride from Jondar."

"In that case, there will be a great deal of trouble, upheaval, and even bloodshed, but he may be just outside the city gates, too."

Insash rubbed his brow. "I shall send a message to Kerrion. He will know what to do."

"He is the damned Cotti King. His interference will only infuriate the populace. Have you no sense?"

"It is easy for you to make silly suggestions. The consequences of my actions will fall on me, not you. You are just a healer."

Verdan glowered. "I am older and wiser, and I have met Lord Conash, which you have not."

"I know him by reputation."

"Which is not enough to judge him. For God's sake, send messengers out. Find him."

The chief advisor stared at Chiana's peaceful face, frowning. "Very well. But I do not believe he will come, and, even if he does, I do not believe he will agree to it. I shall call for a vote amongst the lords. They will have to elect a new regent."

Verdan growled, "Do not be a fool. They are at each other's throats. They will never agree to one man or woman. The very rumour of such a thing will increase the unrest. You must immediately announce that Lord Conash will be Regent, and that he is on his way to the palace. Only he outranks the other lords. Already there is ugly muttering amongst the people because the Queen is in Cotti with her father. That she was sent there for her safety, and will be returning soon, is the only reason they are reasonably content."

Insash turned and headed for the door. "I still do not believe the assassin will come, but perhaps the announcement of his regency will be sufficient to quell the masses, if what you say is correct."

Chapter Twenty

Blade cursed the morning sunlight that streamed in through the inn's window and pulled the blankets over his head. The journey from Jadaya had been long and arduous. Two tendays of riding through the burning desert accompanied by Kerrion's guide, then a further three tendays of travel through Jashimari's lush countryside. Although he was glad to be back in the cool green hills of his homeland, he could have done without the three days of soaking rain. Yesterday he had arrived at this town tired and wet, aching from long time-glasses in the saddle. A hot bath had eased his stiff muscles and washed away the hated grime, but a good night's sleep had been required for a full recovery. He burrowed deeper into the blankets, longing for a few more time-glasses of sleep.

The growing hubbub from the street outside made even dozing impossible, and Blade sat up and swung his legs off the bed, reaching for his clothes. He was only a day's ride from Jondar, and already regretted his promise to Minna-Satu. The lure of Shamsara's reward pulled him to the north, where the Idol's secluded cave was reputed to be located on the side of a steep, hostile mountain. There he would find the answer to his question about the truth of the Idol's promise, something he was eager to learn. Shamsara's stipulation that he must obey the Elder Queen bothered him, however, for if he failed to obey this last request, would the Idol honour his part of the deal? The slightest possibility that he may jeopardise it worried him, and Minna's request had been specific.

With a sigh, he dressed in the morning chill and packed his few possessions into a bag, then went downstairs to settle his bill with the innkeeper.

Blade arrived at the Queen's palace as the sky reddened with the onset of dusk, once more tired and aching from his ride, although the horse he had purchased for the journey was tractable. A crowd had gathered outside the gates, employed in a strange vigil, many of them holding candles and praying. A contingent of priestesses led the ceremony, encouraging the crowd to pray fervently or face Tinsharon's retribution. He wondered what had happened to spark this sudden gush of religious fervour, but was not sufficiently curious to enquire. Doubtless he would discover the reason once he had entered the palace. He headed for the nearest livery stable, where he sold his horse and tack for a few silver coins.

Carrying his bag, he returned to the palace wall and found his usual entry point, where a tree overhung it. Lamp lighters lighted the street lamps as night stole through the city. He threw his bag over the wall, then, with a prodigious leap, caught the top of it and pulled himself over. In the gardens, he was forced to wait for several minutes to avoid a confrontation with a pair of patrolling guards, then continued to the palace.

Entering it through a ground floor window, he made his way to his rooms, threw down his pack and sat on the bed, contemplating his situation. All he needed now was a hot bath and a square meal, for which he would have to summon Arken, his manservant. He tugged the bell-pull, wondering if anyone would come, since he was not supposed to be here. Arken arrived after only a few minutes, however, and was patently delighted to find Blade waiting in his rooms. After the assassin had sworn Arken to silence, he arranged the meal and bath, and was setting out clean clothes on the bed when Blade emerged from the steaming tub.

The assassin frowned at the rather ornate jacket and trousers, whose sleeves and thighs were embroidered with patterns of silver embroidery. Ignoring Arken's hopeful look, he selected a plain black jacket and trousers from the wardrobe and flung them on the bed. Arken's face fell, but he knew better than to argue, and his attempts to help the assassin dress were slapped away. He persisted, however, tugging and smoothing the jacket, brushing imaginary lint from the shoulders. Blade slid his six daggers into their various sheaths, then made his way to Chiana's rooms. The guards pushed open the doors for him, and he entered the suite's sitting room, making his way to the bedroom when he found it empty.

Insash sat with Verdan in the Regent's bed chamber, sharing a bottle of wine. The day had been a tiring one, beginning with a heated debate amongst his peers, which, as he had expected, had brought no solution to the problem. Most had railed against his decision to announce the regency of Lord Conash, made without consulting them. During the day, various lords had visited him to vent their displeasure and tell him why they would be the best choice as regent.

Insash had sought sanctuary at the quiet vigil in the Regent's boudoir, discussing the events of the day with the old healer. Four maidens sat on a mound of cushions beside the bed, murmuring amongst themselves. For some time now, Insash had stared into his wine, lost in thought. He looked up when the girls fell silent, and followed their gazes to the door, where a slender black-clad man stood. The man walked over to the bed and frowned down at Chiana's pale face. Verdan gasped and rose to his feet, his face lighting with a broad smile.

"My Lord!"

Insash rose too, glancing at Verdan, who bowed to the assassin. Blade turned his frown upon the old healer.

"What has happened? What is wrong with her?"

Verdan walked over to him. "You have not heard? Endor has killed her familiar."

Blade closed his eyes for a moment, a fleeting expression of pain crossing his features. "When?"

"Just yesterday, My Lord."

The assassin glanced at Insash. "Who is this?"

Verdan turned. "Chief Advisor Insash. Insash, this is Lord Conash, Lord Protector and sacred Knight of the Veil, husband of the Regent."

"My Lord." Insash bowed.

Blade studied him. "So who is in charge now? You?"

The advisor's eyes widened. "Why, you are the Regent now, My Lord."

"You jest."

Insash stared at him, shaking his head. "No, My Lord, I am in earnest."

"Indeed?" Blade smiled, then chuckled. "I have never heard of anything more idiotic. Was it your idea?"

"No, it was Verdan's."

Blade raised a brow at the old healer, who smiled.

"You were the only choice, My Lord. You are, after all, the Lord Protector, most senior after the Regent herself."

"Maybe, but it is still a ridiculous idea, and I will not do it. Find someone else."

Verdan shook his head. "There is no one else. Only you outrank the other lords. The appointment of one of them would lead to infighting and assassinations. They would vie for the post, even if it is only for a tenday. The Regent holds the power to better him or herself, and will always have the legacy of the rank, no matter how short its duration."