The Traitor Queen Read Online Free PDF

do not usually let foreigners leave. But they changed their minds in my case.”
    “Why?”
    “There was no reason not to. I hadn’t learned anything important, so I couldn’t reveal anything important. When I left, they
     made sure I’d never be able to find my way back.”
    The king regarded him thoughtfully. “Even so, you’ve seen more of the Traitors’ base than any non-Traitor has before. There
     may be details you do not understand the significance of. These rebels are a danger to this country, and may one day be a
     danger to other lands in this region, including yours. Will you consent to a mind-read?”
    Lorkin went very still. The hall was quiet as he opened his mouth to answer.
    “No, your majesty.”
    “I will enlist only my most skilled mind-reader. He willnot search your thoughts, but will allow you to present your memories to him.”
    “I appreciate that, but I am obliged to protect the knowledge taught to me by the Guild. I must refuse.”
    The king’s gaze moved to Dannyl. His expression was unreadable. “Ambassador, will you order Lord Lorkin to cooperate with
     a mind-reader?”
    Dannyl took a deep breath.
    “With respect, your majesty, I cannot. I do not have the authority to do so.”
    The king’s eyebrows lowered. “But you have a blood ring that allows you to communicate with the Guild. Contact them. Get the
     order from whoever has the authority to give it.”
    Dannyl opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it. He must look as if he was trying to be cooperative. Reaching
     into his robes he took Osen’s ring from his pocket and slipped it on a finger.
    —
Osen?
    —
Dannyl
, came the immediate reply. The Administrator had said he would arrange to be unoccupied while the meeting with the Sachakan
     king took place, and Dannyl detected no surprise at his communication.
    —
They want the Guild to order Lorkin to submit to a mind-read
.
    —
Ah. Of course. They won’t believe a word he says
.
    —
What should I tell them?
    —
That only Merin has the authority to order it, and he will only consider it once he has had a chance to interview Lorkin personally
     and privately
.
    Dannyl felt a chill. The only way the Kyralian king could make his wishes clearer would be to abandon formality and demand
     Amakira send Lorkin home. —
Nothing else?
    —
Not for now. See what Amakira says to that
.
    Dannyl slipped off the ring and, keeping it in one hand, looked up at the king of Sachaka and conveyed Osen’s message.
    Amakira stared at Dannyl for what felt like a long, long time. When he finally moved, it was preceded by a shifting of his
     jaw muscles that hinted at the anger the message had roused.
    “That is inconvenient,” he said quietly. “And forces me to question whether I must cast aside efforts at cooperation between
     our nations for the sake of protecting my own – or at least reduce my efforts to match that of Kyralia’s.” He pursed his lips,
     and turned to look at two of the Ashaki. “Please escort Lord Lorkin to the prison.”
    Lorkin took a half-step backwards, then stopped. As the two Ashaki approached, Dannyl moved forward.
    “I must protest, your majesty!” Dannyl exclaimed. “I ask on behalf of the Allied Lands that you honour the agreement—”
    “Either Lord Lorkin goes to prison, or Lord Lorkin goes to prison and Ambassador Dannyl leaves Sachaka,” the king said, loud
     enough to drown Dannyl’s words.
    —
Let them take him
.
    Dannyl almost gasped aloud in surprise at the voice in his head. He realised he was gripping the ring tightly, allowing the
     gem to touch his skin and therefore conveying his thoughts to Osen.
    —
Are you sure?
    —
Yes
, the Administrator replied.
We hoped this wouldn’t happen, of course, but we’d rather not lose Lorkin
and
have you expelled from Sachaka. Go back to the Guild House and start nagging Amakira to let Lorkin go. We’ll be doing everything
     we can from this end
.
    Dannyl felt his heart sink as the two