Read Sacred Knight of the Veil Online
Authors: T C Southwell
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #Fantasy, #Epic
Kerrion inclined his head. "That would probably work. Have one of your handmaidens stay in her room, as a decoy."
Minna looked at Blade. "Have you any objections, My Lord?"
He shrugged. "Not particularly."
"Kerra?"
The girl shook her head. "It sounds like an excellent plan to me."
Kerrion sighed. "Every plan has a flaw, unfortunately."
"Trelath must be the first to die, as a warning to the others," Minna stated, glancing at her husband, who nodded.
"I shall order him to return to the palace."
"And if he refuses?"
"Then I shall send men to find him and bring him here."
Kerra frowned. "What if he flees?"
"He has no reason to. The courts will not punish him for kidnapping Minna, and he does not know what we are planning." Kerrion shook his head. "No, I think he will obey. He will not risk earning the wrath of the courts. And I will have my turn with him before you kill him, Blade. I have a score of my own to settle."
Minna sipped her wine. "I would like to have a word with him myself, Kerrion. I too have a score to settle."
"Then you shall, my love. Whatever you wish."
Blade drained his goblet and put it down, turning to the Elder Queen. "If you have no need of me, I would like to retire."
She nodded. "As you wish, My Lord."
Kerrion raised a hand before Blade could rise. "I have something for you, Blade." He reached into his tunic. "A token of my immeasurable gratitude for saving Minna."
Blade's brows rose, and his mouth twisted in a cynical smile. "A medal?"
Kerrion laughed and shook his head, drawing forth a slender object wrapped in black satin, which he peeled back to reveal a carved black dagger, its hilt inlaid with silver and studded with diamonds. Blade took it and examined it, hefted it to test its balance and found it excellent.
Kerrion explained, "It is carved from obsidian. It was made two centuries ago by a master crafter, for one of my ancestors. It belongs in the hand of an expert."
"It is a bauble," Blade said. "It belongs on a wall."
"Do as you like with it, but it is priceless. I can put no value on Minna's safe return, therefore I must repay her rescue with something equally valuable."
The assassin's eyes narrowed. "You consider the debt paid?"
"No." Kerrion shook his head. "That is only a token of my gratitude. I am still in your debt."
"Good."
"But you said you wanted nothing from me."
"I do not. However, if there should come a time when I do, I will expect my request to be honoured."
"Of course."
Kerra held out her hand. "May I see it?"
Blade gave her the dagger, and she examined it, caressing the polished surface. "It is lovely. It suits you, Blade. Hard, deadly and beautiful, just like you."
He snorted and smiled. "Indeed? I am flattered that you think me akin to something sharp, shiny, and made from stone."
She met his gaze, unabashed. "Yes. Dangerous, beautiful and pitiless."
Blade glanced at Minna. "I do believe your daughter is trying to embarrass me."
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I do believe she is succeeding, My Lord."
"Not as much as she would like, I will wager."
Blade held out his hand for the dagger, and when Kerra had given it back, he rose and bowed to Minna.
In his rooms, Olan brought him a plate of spicy meat and grilled vegetables soaked with a bland sauce, before leaving for the night. As he was about to prepare for bed, a soft knock came from the door, and he opened it to find Kerra standing there, rubbing her arms to ward off the night air's chill. She walked in and turned to face him as he closed the door.
"You are almost as bad as your mother," he commented. "But at least you knock."
"I must speak to you, Blade. All this plotting makes me uneasy. I feel that my life is in danger."
He shrugged and walked over to the bed. "It may well be."
"That is not reassuring."
"It was not meant to be. If you want reassurance and platitudes, then I recommend that you seek them from your parents."
"I would feel safer if I had a weapon."
He sat on the bed and unbuckled the wrist sheaths. "No doubt. I am sure you can procure one quite easily."
"It is all very well having a weapon, but I need to know how to use it."
"Ah." He glanced up at her. "And you want me to teach you."
"There is no better person to learn from, than an expert."
"Indeed." He put the sheaths on the side table. "Ask Minna to bring you to the hidden garden tomorrow morning. Now, I need my rest."
Kerra turned and took a few steps, then stopped and swung around, her hands clasped. "I would prefer it if you would stay with me, Blade. I have grown accustomed to your presence, and you promised Chiana to keep me safe. What if my uncles send an assassin to slay me? Do you think I would be able to protect myself, even if you taught me a little of your skills? You swore to return me to my palace unharmed, your task is not yet complete."
He eyed her. "If your uncles send an assassin to kill you, there is no possibility that you could defend yourself. However, you are in your father's care now, and he will see to it that you are well hidden and guarded."
"You just said that I will be in danger."
"You will."
"Then will you protect me?"
The assassin unbuckled his belt and placed it on the table beside the wrist sheaths. "I am not a damned -"
"Guard dog. I know."
Blade sighed and rubbed his face. "No. I will not sleep in your room to protect you. However..." He held up a finger as she opened her mouth to protest. "Where you choose to sleep is entirely up to you."
She stared at him, then comprehension dawned, and a wry smile tugged at her lips. "I see. Fair enough." She glanced around at the Spartan chamber. "I shall have the servants bring a cot."
"Not now."
"No. Tomorrow." She smiled, looking relieved. "I will see you in the morning."
Blade grunted, and she left the strange security of his presence to seek the emptiness of her room, wishing that she could take up his offer immediately. She found the Cotti palace to be a cold, inhospitable place, and the attitude of the male servants was far too bold. When she had left Minna and Kerrion to seek her bed, she had found her room dark and uninviting. Shadows seemed to creep up on her, and moving curtains startled her. She had not been alone since leaving her palace, and she missed Blade.
How odd it was, she mused, to miss the taciturn presence of a man whose freezing glance sent shivers through her. Yet knowing that he was close at hand comforted her, for no man could hope to match the legendary deadliness of the Queen's Blade.
*****
The tale continues in Book V,
Master of the Dance
and Book VI,
Lord Protector
. Then get the two prequels,
Dead Son
and
God Touched
.
About the author
T. C. Southwell was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the Seychelles when she was a baby. She spent her formative years exploring the islands – mostly alone. Naturally, her imagination flourished and she developed a keen love of other worlds. The family travelled through Europe and Africa and, after the death of her father, settled in South Africa.
T. C. Southwell has written over twenty novels and five screenplays. Her hobbies include motorcycling, horse riding and art, and she earns a living in the IT industry.
All illustrations and cover designs by the author.
Contact the author at [email protected]
Acknowledgements
Mike Baum and Janet Longman, former employers, for their support, encouragement, and help. My mother, without whose financial support I could not have dedicated myself to writing for ten years. Isabel Cooke, former agent, whose encouragement and enthusiasm led to many more books being written, including this one. Suzanne Stephan, former agent, who has helped me so much over the past six years, and Vanessa Finaughty, good friend and business partner, for her support, encouragement and editing skills.
Table of Contents