Imperial Assassin Read Online Free PDF

Emperor has crossed my mind, but it would breach the creed on several counts. Firstly there is no contract. Secondly by killing the Emperor we would risk the collapse of the Empire. The creed
specifically prohibits us from knowingly initiating a chain of events that has a high chance of destroying Shandar. We have our place in society, but it is not for us to dismantle the Empire by our
actions. Thirdly, and finally, this proclamation looks likely to have been sparked by one of our own. The creed does not allow us to strike back in such a case.’
    ‘One of our own?’
    ‘Who?’
    ‘Why would a member of the Guild do such a thing?’
    Questions came from all directions like bolts from a dozen crossbows. The Guildmaster stood firm and unmoving in the crossfire, allowing the wave of questions to wash over him. When the eruption
of voices died away he spoke again.
    ‘It doesn’t matter
who
caused it. The Emperor would have made this proclamation before long regardless. He is prejudiced against the Guild. Let that be reason enough. The
question we should be asking is what are we going to do about it? I have already given the reasons why we cannot kill the Emperor, though that option will be kept under constant review. I will not
discount the idea as a last resort.’
    ‘If we cannot kill
him,
then let’s strike where it would hurt him most,’ purred a female voice.
    ‘And where would that be, Brother Fox?’ the Guildmaster asked, smiling beneath the deep shadow of his hood as he attempted to anticipate her proposal. He knew her to be a natural
strategist with a sharp mind. Whatever she proposed was likely to be worth listening to.
    ‘The Legions, Guildmaster. Let us hit the Legions. Surabar has devoted his life to the armies of the Empire. That is where his heart is. Soldiers go to battle. They die. It is what
they’re paid for. The average man on the street will care little if we pick off a few key Commanders. It will not cause much public outcry, but Emperor Surabar will feel the pain of their
passing as if they were close family. He does not like unnecessary death. He will get the message quickly enough.’
    The Guildmaster nearly laughed aloud. Trust the Fox to see past the obvious and find a cunning solution. She was a fox indeed, and a worthy bearer of her symbolic predator’s insignia. The
Legions were the perfect place to strike. It would not be difficult to find people willing to pay a small fee to see particular Legion Commanders die suddenly. That would satisfy the creed. Yes, it
was a good plan. It was easy to implement, unlikely to outrage either the common people or the Nobility, yet sure to give the Emperor the desired message.
    ‘Your suggestion has a lot of merit, Brother Fox. If we are to take the offensive, this seems a positive way ahead. I say “if”, for we should at least consider the
Emperor’s standpoint. If I were to play his advocate here, then I would have to ask what our role is in today’s world. Has the Guild outlived its purpose? Are we a relic of the past
that has survived beyond its time? The Emperor would have us believe this is so. The Assassins’ Guild has been a part of life in Shandrim for a millennium. It’s easy to see how the
Bakers’ Guild and the Merchants’ Guild have a consistent role to play, but does today’s society really need assassins? The Emperor would argue it does not. He sees us as
murderers, or hired thugs who act as a destabilising influence in society. Do any here feel empathy for this point of view?’
    There was a long moment of silence before the woman spoke again.
    ‘Guildmaster, there are none here who do not believe in our purpose. We have a creed that has stood the test of a thousand years. We have as much of a right to exist here in Shandrim as
the merchants, the bakers, or any other trade you care to name. We do not kill indiscriminately. If a Nobleman had taken the Mantle, this decree would never have been made.’
    ‘Yes,