Treason Keep Read Online Free PDF

down at the pile of debts Adrina had accumulated last night, it was a good bargain.
    “So how are our Karien guests this morning?” he asked, pushing the pile to one side of the gilded desk. “Have they calmed down?”
    “The prince was somewhat mollified by your generous offer.”
    “So he damned well should be!”
    “I noted,” Lecter continued, mopping his brow, “that the Kariens showed an unnatural interest in your offer to send a regiment with Adrina as her personal guard.”
    “I trust Adrina to keep them out of harm’s way. She was right about one thing. I’d never have risked sending them with Cassandra.”
    “If I may be so bold as to offer my opinion, your Majesty, one wonders if it is a good idea to send any troops north at all.”
    “What do you mean? If I don’t send her to Karien in a manner befitting her station, they’ll know something is going on.”
    “I agree, your Majesty, but I have received more than one report that the Harshini have returned.There have been sightings in Greenharbour, at the Sorcerer’s Collective, and even as far away as Testra, in Medalon.”
    “So? What has that got to do with us?”
    “The Kariens are dedicated to the destruction of the Harshini, your Majesty. Marrying your daughter to their Crown Prince, and sending her north with your soldiers might be…misconstrued.”
    “You mean I might offend the Harshini?” Hablet scratched his beard as he sank down into his chair. “If the Harshini have returned, Lecter, and I seriously doubt they have, then why are they not here? I am the King of Fardohnya! If they were back the first thing they would do is send an Emissary to my court. Instead, all you can offer me are unfounded rumours about Harshini in Hythria. I have served the gods faithfully. Why would they send their people to that degenerate in Greenharbour, when they could come here?”
    “High Prince Lernen has always supported the Sorcerer’s Collective and the temples most generously.”
    “Lernen doesn’t support anyone but himself,” Hablet scoffed. “If the Harshini had returned, I would know about it. They are dead and gone, Lecter, so we will just have to stumble on without them as we have done for the past two hundred years.”
    “Of course, your Majesty.”
    Lecter mopped his brow again, looking rather uncomfortable. On days like this he annoyed Hablet. His grovelling manner was intolerable at times, but he had a sharp political mind and no scruples at all,that Hablet could discern. It made him an excellent chamberlain, if a tiresome one.
    “What else, Lecter? I can tell there’s something bothering you.”
    “It’s a small matter, your Majesty. One that hardly needs your attention.”
    “Out with it, Lecter! I don’t have time for your games this morning. Cratyn will be here at any moment.”
    “There have been other rumours, Sire, particularly in Medalon. About the demon child.”
    “Lorandranek’s legendary half-human child? Those rumours have been around ever since the Harshini disappeared. Surely you don’t believe them?”
    “I don’t believe anything, your Majesty, until I have proof. However, I feel they might be worthy of investigation. I could send…”
    “No,” Hablet declared bluntly. “I’ll not have you wasting time and money chasing fairytales. The Harshini are extinct and there is no fabled demon child. I would much rather you spent your time fruitfully. Like finding out why the High Prince of Hythria sent his nephew to Medalon to fight with the Defenders.”
    “My sources tell me Lernen has little or no control over his nephew. I doubt he sent him anywhere.”
    “Then find out why young Wolfblade went north. I want a free path into Hythria, Lecter. I don’t want a battalion of Defenders on my back, and Wolfblade needs to die.”
    “The Kariens will keep the Defenders off your back, Sire, and I am sure they can be prevailed uponto dispose of the Hythrun prince. Why else would we support their coming war