Mage's Blood Read Online Free PDF Page B

their harridan dowager and your plan has my blessing,’ grumbled Tomas Betillon.
    ‘How many magi have you deployed in Javon, Magister Gyle?’ Lucia asked.
    ‘Your Holiness, I run a security company, hiring out magi as protectors to important people. It has operated successfully in Noros, Briciaand Lantris for the past ten years, and in Javon for four, since King Olfuss Nesti commissioned my services. I have three magi openly deployed in the palace to “protect” the family; they are ideally situated to dispose of the Nesti at the drop of a hat –
my
hat, which is at your command.’
    ‘How nice,’ chuckled Wurther. ‘We have command of a Noroman’s hat.’
    ‘Can your agents be relied upon to kill Olfuss and his family? Who are they?’ asked Lucia, her eyes gleaming.
    ‘Rutt Sordell is personal bodyguard to the king; Samir Taguine guards the queen—’
    ‘Taguine?’ interrupted Korion, ‘the Inferno himself?’ The general looked impressed.
    ‘The same. And Elena Anborn has charge of Olfuss’ children.’
    ‘A woman?’ sniffed Tomas Betillon. ‘Will she have what it takes to kill her charges?’
    ‘Don’t you believe we women capable of doing what Kore demands, Tomas?’ Lucia chided gently. ‘I’m sure Magister Gyle chooses his agents with due care to their capabilities, do you not, sir?’ She gazed frankly at Gyle, her eyes predatory. ‘Will this woman kill the children, Magister Gyle?’
    ‘She’s a heartless bitch, if you will excuse the term, Holiness,’ he replied levelly.
There, Elena, I’ve made your name known to the Empress-Mother, in the best possible way. Fame at last!
    Lucia smiled gleefully. ‘Excellent. I like her already—’ She broke off, her brow wrinkling. ‘Wait: she’s an
Anborn?
Didn’t the Anborns whore themselves to the merchants?’
    Gyle inclined his head. ‘Of course you are correct. Her sister Tesla is married to a merchant, but she is now a burnt-out wreck. Elena hasn’t talked to her for years. Elena was one of my Grey Foxes in the Revolt. She has a stone for a heart, your Holiness. She is a killer.’
    ‘I understand she shares your bed,’ observed Calan Dubrayle.
    ‘Long ago, my lord. It helped keep her loyal.’
    ‘A woman should no more do her thinking with her fanny thana man should think with his cock,’ Saint Lucia announced, clearly enjoying the way the men winced at her profanity.
    ‘So, Gyle, if your cock no longer holds her, what do you have over her? asked Betillon, ever practical. ‘Or indeed any of them, if they decide they have had enough of killing and have enough gold to see out their days?’
    ‘My lord, my assassins well understand that there is no way out. There are no havens secret enough; no one is untouchable. Disobedience to me is tantamount to signing one’s own death warrant. Also, I control their life-savings: displease me and they lose everything.’
    Betillon grinned wryly. ‘That would do it.’ He slurped some wine. ‘When do we strike? Soon would be good – not a day passes in Hebusalim without that Dorobon hag whining on and on about Javon.’
    ‘Timing is critical. The assassinations will destabilise the realm, so the Dorobon will need time to subdue the kingdom before the Crusade. The plan therefore is to strike in three months’ time, in Octen, giving us nine months until the Moontide. We will kill one daughter and marry the other to a Gorgio, giving a semblance of legitimacy to the new regime and enabling an easier transition of power to the Dorobon.’ He looked about him, saw them nodding slowly. ‘By the time the Leviathan Bridge opens next year, Javon will be in our hands.’
    ‘What emergency resources do you have?’ asked Dubrayle. ‘Few plans work flawlessly.’
    Your plans mightn’t, but mine do
. Gyle stopped himself from saying it out loud. ‘I have access to many other magi who can step in, including shape-masters of unsurpassed skill.’ He looked at Mater-Imperia as something flickered