Imperial Assassin (37 page)

The assassin moved like a phantom through the Palace, gliding smoothly from one dark recess to the next. There were some sounds of movement from rooms on either side of the passages, but no one
disturbed him as he threaded his way into the heart of the Emperor’s domain.

The smell of cleaning wax hung heavy in the air, as it always did in the palace passageways. Despite the high ceilings and the inevitable smoking odour from the burning torches that lit the
inner walkways, every door, every wooden panel, every surface was scented with polish and gleamed with the effort of generations of Palace staff.

As he expected, two guards held post outside the Emperor’s study. They were dressed in full ceremonial armour for their vigil and were armed with swords, knives, and what looked like
miniature crossbows. Crossbows! That was a development he had not considered. It was most unusual to arm indoor guards with mid-range weapons.

Shalidar held his position. He was hidden in the deep shadow some distance along the corridor from where the two men were standing silent and alert. Torches were lit in the Emperor’s
study. He could see the light shining through the narrow windows that opened high up in the wall of the corridor. Surabar was there, but the assassin had no way of getting any closer to the
Emperor’s study without revealing himself to the guards. The passwords for the outer Palace gates were easily obtainable from his many sources, but the more secret inner passwords he knew
were long out of date. It was unlikely he could bluff his way any further. He needed a diversion: something to draw the guards away from the door, or distract their attention sufficiently for him
to approach without being noticed.

Fire was always a good diversion, but if he were to kill the Emperor, it was unlikely to help his cause with the Guildmaster if he burnt down the Imperial Palace in the process. No. He needed
something spectacular, but not life threatening – an occurrence that would catch everyone’s attention. If it drew the Emperor from his study too, then all the better. Once Surabar was
out of his lair, he would be far more vulnerable to attack. The gold plating on the pommel would be if Wolf Spider were drawn into the open at the same time.

‘Ah, now
that
would be neat!’ Shalidar breathed as the thought crossed his mind. ‘Or Femke – I’d be more than happy to settle my score with the
Emperor’s pet spy!’

The question remained. How? The longer he lingered, the more determinedly blank Shalidar’s mind became. Nothing. He could think of nothing that would have the effect he desired. It was no
good. He would have to go away and think on it. Improvising a hit was one thing, but to do so under these conditions would serve little purpose, other than to end his career in a hurry. Frustrated,
but resigned, he turned and slipped silently away from the vicinity of the guarded study. There would be another time, he vowed silently. He would return with a viable plan. The Emperor would not
live long.

It was as he reached the ground floor that the seed of an idea germinated within his mind. To his surprise it flourished and grew into a fully-fledged plan within seconds. It was genius, he
decided. Everything he needed was here in the Palace.

IMPERIAL SPY BY MARK ROBSON

In a world of magic and murder, Femke is entrusted with a vital foreign mission by the Emperor. The task appears straightforward, but the young spy quickly finds herself
ensnared in an elaborate trap.

Isolated in a hostile country, hunted by the authorities and with her arch-enemy closing in for his revenge, Femke needs all her wit and skills to survive. Only Reynik, a
soldier barely out of training, appears willing to help. But with no knowledge of her true mission, Reynik soon discovers loyalty is a dangerous business.

ISBN: 1-416-90185-X