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Mondarius eyes narrowed. Ever since Zarliche had arrived he had been
undermining Mondarius place with Galee. It won't be easy. She's yuwenghau."
"That has never stopped me, Zarliche said and then muttered a moment before
turning to Galee. I will forge some very fine blades to kill her with."
Mondarius caught some of the soft words and flushed.
Galee steepled her fingers. Do so.And what of this Dawnreturning? Another
sa'necari renunciate, but this one is a battle-mage. They say,he is the one
who routed my forces in Gormond's Reach. He must be protecting Isranon. He may
even be the reason Isranon still lives. They say he is a life-mage as well.
Although how that can be. Galee paused in her rant, thinking hard.
"A kinsmon of Isranon?A second twisted child, butone we missed, Zarliche
suggested, leaning back in his chair and licking the blood sauce off his
fingers. Could the real child have been born a generation ago and we missed
him because he was hidden? Is the one in Rowanhart not the right child at
all?But this youth?"
"Take no chances, Galee snapped. Kill them all. Place bounties on all their
heads."
Mondarius bowed. I will send word to Ocealay."
"No! Galee leaned forward in her chair. You will turn over your networks to
Zarliche and then you will march north with my armies."
"Youryour armies? Mondarius stammered. I'm not a warrior."
"Then you'd better learn fast."
* * * *
All the windows in the common room of Hinkty Molly's Place stood open to
allow the late afternoon breeze off the ocean to cool the interior. The
fishing fleet had returned and the tavern was beginning to fill with
fishermyn. Clusters of round tables filled the center, with booths along the
left side and benches along the right. Candles augmented the light, their wax
dripping down the big-bellied bottles they sat in.In the far corner, near the
long walnut bar, sat three gaming tables. Myn gathered there, betting on their
cards in a game of 21 at the central table where a Sharani dealt. Edouina
carried her swords at her back, and had a knife thrust into the wooden table
as a warning to the players about cheating. She dealt out the next cards and
looked from face to face.
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"Well, anyone taking hits?"
"I'm good, one male said, rapping his cards with his knuckles.
Another peeked at his cards again. Hit me."
Edouina placed a card on top of his.
He looked at it and winced, then tossed his cards into the middle of the
table. I'm out."
Edouina lookedat her own . Dealer takes one. She dealt herself a card and
then her eyes were drawn to the doorway.
A blind woman entered, swinging her staff back and forth, tapping it lightly,
and listening as she walked. People quieted as she passed and did not offer to
help or hinder her. Feet were moved quickly under the tables. Everyone stared
at her, some with open hostility. They would never have dared that when the
woman could see. Most people would have tied a scarf over their eyes, rather
than display the ruined orbs. Her young face could have been anywhere from
eighteen to twenty-six. Her long black hair hung in a braid down her back. Her
strong features were handsome, rather than beautiful, and only the eyes
destroyed it. She wore forest green leathers and a fine silken blouse that
matched it. The horned stag of Rowanhart stood out on her shoulder in
expensive embroidery. The unicorn of Aroana's paladins, the ha'taren, hung
from a chain around her neck.
Edouina gestured for a servant to take over the deal, and intercepted her.
She accosted the blind woman, growling low, What do you want, Maranya?"
Maranya smiled, turning her ear toward Edouina. You're always so happy to
see me, Edouina.To talk to you a private matter."
Edouina brushed her sleeve off in two quick flicks and Talons, sitting in
another corner, slid off a stool to melt back into the rear rooms of the
tavern. We will talk, but I promise you nothing."
"You never do. Again the simple smile that said everything and nothing at
all.
Edouina grasped Maranya's elbow to guide her and Maranya shook her off.
"Just walk and I'll follow you, the blind woman said.
Edouina headed for the backroom. The blind woman seemed to have some third
eye that allowed her to avoid all obstacles. When they entered, Edouina
slapped a chair and said, Sit here."
"We are not alone, Maranya said. I hear your friend breathing. Is it
Talons?"
"Who else would it be?"
Talons said nothing at all, sitting in a corner on the floor, perfectly
still.
Maranya folded her hands together and leaned forward. The king wishes a
contract taken out. She wishes for a sa'necari to die."
"Which one?"
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Maranya quirked an eyebrow. Since when did you start asking which one?All of
them. Don't you? I've heard rumors drifting in from Ildyrsetts and Gormond's
Reach"
"Which one? Edouina's voice, throaty and sensual, deepened with threat.
Maranya scowled. The one who calls himself the Dawnreturning He's an
aberration. People are turning to him as to a savior when they should be
turning to the Sacred King."
"He's a renunciate."
"So he saysThe king is skeptical. You should all be. He's sa'necari. The law
is explicit all sa'necari must die."
"Not this one, Edouina said. He restored my mate to life. He has both sides
of the gift. He's sacrosanct."
Maranya frowned and shook her head slowly, her fingers tightening on her
staff. Matters not at all. He is still sa'necari."
Edouina folded her arms and leaned against the wall. I still refuse."
"Then I will write the Grand Master and he will not only grant my request,
but reprimand you, take your command away from you."
"Write and be damned! The Assassins Guild will not harm one as pure as
Dawnreturning."
"I should have you all arrested and this tavern closed down."
"You have always been a bully, Maranya.Always.Even when we were children. I
think you will overplay your hand in this one. I still refuse."
"There are other ways to get the thing done, Edouina. If I cannot get the
Guild to take him out, then at least I'll get them to stand aside while I do
it."
"So, you're still pulling the strings on military intelligence, are you? I
suspected as much."
"Who else would? I can still think and strategize. My eyes are not needed for
that."
"Get out of my tavern. Get out now, before I kick your blind ass, honey,
Edouina drawled.
"It's been a pleasure to talk to you both, Maranya said, her voice oozing
contempt. She got up and left.
Edouina closed the door after making certain that Maranya had not lingered to
hear what she said. Talons, we need to get a warning to Dawnreturning. Find
Dynarien. Don't call him, find him. And tell him I want this tavern warded
within an inch of its life. They could have mages scrying."
* * * *
Yes, Edouina thought, standing the next afternoon in the central commons,
listening to a herald of King Aejystrys Rowan reading a proclamation,there are
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