Assassin's Gambit: The Hearts and Thrones Series by Raby Amy

Author:Raby, Amy [Raby, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2013-04-01T22:00:00+00:00

18

Two days into his stay at White Eagle, Lucien was finally beginning to feel he had a handle on things. Antius’s correspondence had mostly dealt with routine matters, supply caravans, and discipline and transfers of young officers, but often he could read between the lines and determine from the tone who was a Cassian supporter and who accepted the usurper’s rule only grudgingly. There was also the lay of the land to study, specifically where each of the usurper’s battalions was stationed. Cassian had moved several of them since seizing the throne, and some of these were telling moves, though they didn’t tell him quite everything he needed to know.

He’d placed each battalion’s flag on the map and was calculating distances and march times when Quincius burst into the command center.

Lucien growled at him. “Curse it, Tribune, you made me lose count.”

“Is it true, sire? About the woman you brought with you?”

“Is what true?” He stared at the map. What did it mean that the usurper had moved Red Fox battalion to Phiath? What could he possibly hope to gain by that?

“That she’s Riorcan.”

Lucien looked up. “Of course she’s Riorcan. I said she was our liaison to the Obsidian Circle.”

“That’s— We didn’t know she was Riorcan, sire.”

“Now you do.” He moved Red Fox from Phiath to Argentum. Could that be the final intended destination? From there, they would have an unimpeded path to western Riorca.

“Sire! This doesn’t concern you at all?”

“No.” Honestly, looking at the map, it was the least of his concerns.

“But Riorca is our enemy!”

Lucien shook his head. “The usurper is our enemy.”

“Sire, I must object to your sharing a room with her, especially at night. It isn’t safe. Consider what the men must think—”

Lucien straightened. “Tribune, is it your place to tell me whom I can and cannot spend time with?”

Quincius lowered his eyes. “No, sire. I’m only worried. There’s not a man in this camp who wouldn’t lay down his life for you. Do not devalue our loyalty by taking foolish risks. There are other women—”

“Whom I sleep with is my own business, Tribune. Vitala is trustworthy. She’s saved my life twice.”

“She’s arousing suspicion, sire. She’s been running all over the camp, questioning people. She even consorted with the prostitutes on the lower terrace. What do you suppose that means?”

Lucien shrugged. “That she had questions for them.”

“Don’t you think it looks suspicious?”

“No.” Indeed, it was perfectly natural behavior for someone trying to prevent an infiltration and assassination. She was a Caturanga player—of course she would want to familiarize herself with the board. The prostitutes were part of the environment; she would not ignore them just for reasons of propriety. He picked up the marker for Red Fox again. Maybe they weren’t headed for Argentum at all. Maybe they were headed for the fort at Rakum.

“Are you aware that she’s left the camp, sir?”

Lucien blinked at him. “What?”

“She headed down the switchbacks a little while ago. The sentries didn’t stop her because you said she was to be allowed to move freely.

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