Imperial Assassin Read Online Free PDF Page B

the military have always displayed ignorance of our role here in the city, and around the Empire,’ agreed another.
    ‘Aye, they bleat that we are murderers, yet they slaughter men far more innocent than many we are contracted to kill.’
    The Guildmaster nodded. ‘It is well that you’re all in agreement. Who here feels we should seek to make our point by taking contracts on military targets?’
    A wave of ‘ayes’ sounded through the chamber, echoing slightly with the chorus.
    ‘Those against?’
    Silence.
    ‘So be it. I will seek those wishing to place such contracts and will make assignments over the next few days. Now, on to other matters . . .’
    Femke knocked on the door of the Emperor’s study. At the prompt order to enter from within, she wasted no time in obeying. Nothing had changed in the room since her last
visit. It was a bleak workspace, with nothing to give it warmth. The large desk, behind which the Emperor sat, was the main feature of the room. A few crossed weapons on the walls were the only
items of décor, and these seemed to add to the cold, imposing atmosphere rather than detract from it.
    The Emperor smiled warmly as she entered and indicated with a wave of his hand that she should sit down. Femke bowed and looked around to where Surabar’s wave had directed her. There were
a few wooden chairs positioned against the wall nearest the door, so she moved one of the chairs out towards the desk and carefully sat down.
    ‘How are the injuries healing, Femke? I can see from here that you’re still suffering some discomfort,’ Surabar asked gently.
    ‘They’re getting better slowly thank you, your Imperial Majesty. It’s frustrating to feel like an invalid, but I’m moving much more freely now. My ribs appear to be
knitting back together well. They’re sore, but that is to be expected.’
    ‘Indeed it is. I cracked a couple of ribs once; a glancing blow to my breastplate with an axe – not a pleasant business. At least you’re looking more yourself again now the
bruising around your face has receded. Might I suggest that if you ever decide to take on someone like Shalidar in hand-to-hand combat again, you use your hands to deflect his blows, rather than
your head? It tends to be less painful, you know.’
    ‘Really, your Majesty? I’ll try to bear that in mind,’ she replied, maintaining a completely straight face.
    The Emperor laughed and shook his head. ‘You’re one extraordinary young woman, Femke. I cannot help but be impressed with how you handled the business in Mantor. I find it hard to
imagine anyone else proving their innocence under such circumstances. Somehow, you did. You saved Shandar from the political embarrassment of having to own up to spying on our neighbours. You saved
me from having to order your execution, which was not a task I relished. You broke more Thrandorian laws than I care to imagine. Shand alive, you even robbed the Thrandorian Royal Treasury! Yet the
King of Thrandor likes you. Young lady, you deserve whatever reward I can give, but you know that I can’t do anything publicly for fear of compromising your role as a spy.’
    Femke smiled. ‘Give me something to do, your Majesty. That would be the best reward I can imagine right now. I’m bored witless with sitting around and recuperating. I need to be
doing something. Anything! Please, give me another assignment.’
    ‘You’re not fit—’
    ‘Your Majesty,’ she interrupted, giving a smile to apologise for her impertinence. ‘I’m not asking for you to give me a
dangerous
mission. I simply want to be
useful again. I think I’ll go insane if I have to endure any more of the medics’ patronising exhortations to rest. I need to get my fitness back. I need to move around and do something.
Surely there’s some little bit of information I can go looking for that will not put me in harm’s way?’
    Surabar looked at her with his calculating gaze. Her young face still showed slight