Free The Queen's Blade by T. Southwell Page A

that you are hunted down and executed in the worst possible way."
    "I sincerely doubt that," Blade muttered.
    "I have plenty of spies amongst your people, men loyal to my crown, who would gladly avenge my ill treatment at your hands."
    "I meant that I doubt you will ever be returned to your people."
    Kerrion watched the assassin set up camp. "The Cotti will not want my younger brother on the throne, and, even if he does not wish it, those loyal to me will do everything in their power to see that I am released."
    Blade broke a handful of twigs and set them on the tiny flames. He looked up to study the Prince, his mouth set in a grim line. "You think my treatment of you is bad, yet you have no idea of the cruelty of your men."
    "If your queen fell into the hands of my soldiers, I am sure she would be treated with every courtesy."
    "And I am sure she would not."
    "What would you know of my men, anyway? At least I do not neuter them."
    Blade let the twigs fall into the fire and stood up. Drawing a dagger, he dragged the Prince to his feet and pushed his face close to the royal visage. Kerrion met his gaze unflinching, although his tension revealed his inner qualms at the intense hatred that the assassin knew blazed his eyes. Blade pressed the dagger to the Prince's throat, drawing a drop of blood.
    "If you do not learn to hold your flapping tongue, I will cut it out."
    They glowered at each other, then Blade gave the Prince a push that sent him sprawling and turned away to continue making camp.
     
    Queen Minna-Satu looked up from the report she was reading when Chiana entered the room. The chief advisor rose from her prostration and said, "The man I sent to find out about the assassin has returned, My Queen."
    Minna put aside the papers. "Good, bring him in."
    Chiana opened the doors to admit Mendal, who stalked closer before prostrating himself. The Queen allowed him to rise, and he shot a hard look at Chiana.
    "I must protest, My Queen, at my treatment. I am no spy to be sent amongst the scum of your city in search of rumours concerning the unsavoury characters who dwell there."
    Minna-Satu smiled, delighted to find her old enemy so misused. Mendal had always annoyed her with his snide remarks and overt contempt for almost everybody. "And yet if no use is to be found for you, Mendal, what will become of you? I find you eminently qualified for the task, since you regularly frequent those establishments."
    "I protest! You have been told lies, My Queen; I do not mingle with the trash who dwell in the gutters."
    "Come now, not everyone who knows you lies about you, do they, Mendal? And you surely did not have to stoop quite so low?"
    "Almost! And this flagrant insult to my character is intolerable. I would know who has slandered me so vilely behind my back."
    Minna glanced at Chiana. "Very well, I shall order my chief advisor to make up a list for your perusal."
    Chiana giggled behind her hand, and Mendal glanced at her suspiciously.
    Minna controlled her expression and folded her hands. "Give your report."
    "A list?" Mendal frowned, realising that his protests were no longer finding a friendly ear, and, in truth, never had. Under the Queen's glacial eyes, he groped amongst his snakeskin robes and pulled out a crumpled paper, tucking the green adder away when it emerged, hissing angrily at the intrusion. He cleared his throat and smoothed the paper.
    "The assassin known as Blade also goes by the name of Conash of the Cats. He was born in the frontier town of Goat's Rest, and began his life as a goatherd." Mendal smirked. "His family was wiped out in the Rout of Ashtolon, and he vanished for five years. He has a maternal aunt who lives in Jonaway, and several cousins there." The advisor coughed, glancing at the Queen. Normally she would not have listened to such detail, but she was rapt.
    Mendal continued, "He became an assassin at the age of eighteen, unusually young, so I am told. He earned the title of Master of the Dance only a