The Assassin's Destiny (Isle of Dreams) Read Online Free PDF Page B

that you feel that the Ri are your gaolers Mistral, but for most the Ri
provide an opportunity to escape the outcast lives they would have otherwise
been forced to lead.’
    ‘I know, Leo said as much at our
Registration.  I can see the good they do, but I suppose I’m in the 
slightly unusual position of them needing me more than I need them; and you’re
right – I do feel like the Ri are my gaolers, well Leo anyway.  Do you
realise that I haven’t had any Contracts other than a couple of simple hunts
this year?’ 
    Fabian nodded vaguely and picked
up a chicken leg, examining with more interest than it warranted.
    ‘Fabian.  You wouldn’t have
anything to do with that would you?’  Mistral asked, spearing him with a
hard look.
    Fabian sighed and placed the
chicken leg back onto the plate before turning to meet her cold stare, his
black eyes suddenly guilty, ‘I may have spoken with Leo at the start of the
year.’
    Mistral raised an eyebrow and
continued to glare at him, ‘Oh?’
    ‘I just want to protect you
Mistral!  Is that so hard to understand?’  Fabian sighed
exasperatedly.  ‘Second year Contracts can be very dangerous to say the
least.  I can remember being made to take two mercenary Contracts in a
row.  Half of the warriors didn’t make it back from the second one – it
was a massacre!’
    ‘Are you trying to make me
jealous?’  Mistral snapped.  ‘Because I really don’t want to hear
about your daring exploits whilst you’re trying to bore me to death with damned
knucker hunts and basic tracking that a first year could do blindfold!’
    ‘I’m not sure this lot could.’
 Fabian commented drily.
    ‘Don’t try to change the
subject!  What happens when I eventually finish training and have to work
for the Ri for two years?  You can’t vet the Contracts I have to take then
can you?’
    ‘No.’  Fabian met her angry
gaze cautiously.  ‘But I can come with you.’
    Mistral stared at him, instantly
torn between the desire to be furious at his overprotectiveness and the swoop
of sheer joy the thought of working with him evoked.
    Reading the expression on her
face Fabian smiled and she immediately scowled.
    ‘Oh don’t think that you’re off
the hook that easily De Winter,’ she warned.  ‘I’m not happy about this!’
    ‘Perhaps the offer to accompany
me on my next Contract would appease you?’ he offered and put the plate back on
the table to take her in his arms once again.
    ‘You still take Contracts?’ 
Mistral asked, looking up at him in surprise.    
    ‘How else do you expect me to
keep you in the manner to which you have become accustomed?  Or did you
think that I should have retired by now?’
    ‘No!’  Mistral laughed and
laid her head back against his shoulder.  ‘I just assumed that because of
your place at the Council you wouldn’t take any Contracts, in case of a clash
of conflicts or something.’
    Fabian smiled and stroked her
hair idly, ‘I take the occasional Contract that interests me.  Leo and I
have worked together on a few mercenary Contracts ... but, you are correct, I
have to be careful not to take anything that would clash with my Council
obligations.’
    ‘So you’ve not accepted a
Contract to assassinate Count Putreo Darke then?’  Mistral ventured
lightly but failed to hide the edge that had crept in when she said the word
“assassinate”. 
    ‘No, more’s the pity.’
 Fabian muttered darkly then sighed.  ‘But in answer to the question
you really wanted to ask me; no, I no longer accept assassinations.  That
part of my life is over.’
    Mistral tilted her head to see
him gazing down at her with a sad expression on his face.  She frowned,
‘What’s troubling you Fabian?  If it’s your past then don’t waste time on
it.  You know I don’t care –’
    ‘I know,’ he cut her off with a
sigh.  ‘My past is behind me, but your future lies ahead of us and I don’t
know how I will feel about you taking