The Emperors Knife Read Online Free PDF Page A

questions, his voice low and friendly. His tomb would join with that of Satreth the Reclaimer, the last emperor to reign before the pattern-marks came to the city of Nooria. Side by side the emperors would take their eternal sleep, one who never saw the marks, and one whom the marks had taken.
    Eyul’s hands felt cold upon the floor. It seemed the end of something.
    â€œThe emperor is now ready to receive you, Eyul.” Tuvaini’s voice fell soft against his ears, cool comfort.
    Eyul stood and bowed, head lowered.
    â€œDead bodies by the fountain, Eyul.” The emperor sounded amused. “I thought you liked to kill with a bit more ceremony.” The reference burned, even as it reassured. As long as Beyon kept the same hatreds, the same resentments, he had not been taken.
    Eyul waited a moment before answering. He raised his eyes to the emperor’s face, careful not to glance towards the neck or wide sleeves of his tunic, where the pattern-marks might be glimpsed. Something in him didn’t want to see the future written on the emperor’s skin. “Circumstances demanded that I protect the vizier, Your Majesty. We were attacked—”
    â€œYou did well.”
    Eyul had no choice but to pretend he didn’t hear the mocking tone. “One did get away, Your Majesty.”
    The emperor pivoted to face the vizier. Though the two were of a height, Tuvaini looked small as he met the emperor’s gaze. Beyon’s shoulders crowded Tuvaini, his arms twice as thick. Tuvaini dipped his head, calm and measured, while Beyon rocked forwards on his feet.
    Beyon took a step closer. “How did they get into the fountain room, Tuvaini?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Tuvaini said with a frown.
    Between the streets and the fountain stood dozens of guards who would need to be bribed or killed in order for three Carriers to pass so deep into the palace. Eyul knew the guards. He overheard their conversations as he passed unnoticed through the halls. He knew their ailments and complaints, their gambling debts and smoking habits. They could be bribed, but not by Carriers. And yet there had been no deaths. Something was missing.
    Eyul felt the emperor’s gaze on him and met it with his own.
    The emperor said, “What do you think, Eyul?”
    Eyul bowed. “I apologise, Your Majesty; I would call it magic if I could.”
    â€œDid you see, at least, where they came from?”
    â€œOne from either side of me and another through the fountain. I expect they were hiding behind the tapestries. How they got there—” Eyul’s shoulders drooped at the memory of being taken off guard.
    â€œWaiting for you.” Beyon stopped, and stood for a moment without speaking. “Someone attacked the royal vizier,” he said at last. “Many will die for this. Start with the Red Hall guards. See what they have to say before their throats are cut.” His shadow flickered as he moved towards the steps. The royal bodyguards turned, weapons rattling, to follow him off the back of the dais.
    Eyul straightened and fingered the hilt of his Knife. The decision should not surprise him; Eyul had taught the emperor himself, that brutal morning, the value of killing. He wished daily that it could have been a different lesson.
    Tuvaini stood alone beside Beyon’s great chair, twisting the ring on his finger. “All of them, Your Magnificence?”
    â€œWhat?” Beyon turned to look at Tuvaini, the fresh silk twisting under his boot. A slave inched forwards, a new runner in his hands.
    â€œAll of the Red Hall guards, Your Magnificence, or just the ones on duty that night?” Tuvaini’s face held no particular expression.
    â€œFind who’s responsible, Tuvaini.” The emperor turned to Eyul, standing so close now that Eyul could have cut his throat with the sacred Knife before the bodyguards had time to run between them. His lips were pressed tight, his eyes