(eng) Kristen Britain - Green Rider 06 by Firebrand

Author:Firebrand [Firebrand]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

A CALLING, OF A SORT

The man whirled on Tuandre to the sound of screaming servants. The terriers barked and strained at their leashes. He raised his stiletto to plunge into the prince’s chest. In a blur of motion, Donal tackled him to the floor, wrenched his arms behind him, and knelt on the small of his back.

The prince stood. It had all happened so quickly that everyone else, including Laren herself, had frozen in place. Then chattering broke out among those present. Weapons made a barrier of themselves around Estora’s bed while Ellen assisted Donal with lifting the assassin to his feet and restraining him.

“Garmell,” Tuandre demanded, “what is this?”

The assassin replied acidly in Rhovan and spat at him. Donal and Ellen dragged him out, but as they did, he shouted in the common, “We will defeat you vermin! The empire rises!”

Estora’s bed chamber fell into shocked silence before a babble erupted once more, Prime Brynston muttering a prayer and making the sign of the crescent moon.

“I told you this was a terrible idea!” Javien jabbed an accusatory finger at Laren. “This is your fault.”

Exhausted and head throbbing, Laren sank into her chair. She hadn’t the energy to argue, and perhaps Javien was right.

“I beg your pardon, sir,” the prince said to Javien, “but I say nonsense. This messenger flushed the assassin out, which would not have happened had we not met. You should be praising her as I intend.”

“She is our Green Rider captain,” Les Tallman said, “Laren Mapstone.”

To Laren’s astonishment, the prince bowed to her. “I thank you, Captain. I had no idea we harbored a snake among us. Garmell had always been exceedingly loyal, but now we know it to be a sham.”

“I cannot see!” Estora was complaining. It took some convincing, but the Weapons parted so her field of vision extended beyond her bed and they could see her in turn. “You are unscathed, Prince Tuandre?”

Now he bowed to Estora. “Yes, madam, with thanks to your Green Rider captain and Weapons.”

“Your Majesty,” Javien said, “this is exactly why I discouraged this meeting—it exposed your person to treachery.”

“Javien, I wished this meeting to proceed even knowing there was some risk. I am thinking that perhaps it has been made all the more successful for now, in the prince’s regard, the threat from Second Empire is made even more real.”

“Indeed it is,” Prince Tuandre said. “Indeed it is.”

Estora insisted the talks continue. Zachary, Laren thought, would be proud of Estora for how she was carrying on despite the scare. She once more touched the minds of Prince Tuandre and his remaining counselor, but sensed no treachery from them.

Ben sidled over to her and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “How are you holding up?”

“Well enough,” she murmured.

He touched her shoulder and she felt a mild warming sensation. She glanced sharply at him and shook her head. He should not use his healing ability in a room with so many watching eyes.

He whispered, “It was not enough for anyone to see.

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