Page 13 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
“Then what? That’s just one job.”
“The one to get us noticed by someone looking for more than just the occasional hire. A full-time position working for someone powerful would be an excellent way to live.”
“Says you. They’ll expect me to be polite and subservient.” Not my strong suit. I grimaced. “Why can’t we just do our own thing?”
“Says the person who’s never had to manage her own affairs, let alone those of dozens of others. I’d like to step back from the management part and enjoy the kill again.”
“If you want to work off some energy, I could suggest some people for you to eliminate.”
“We don’t kill for free.”
“Spoiling my fun.”
“Death shouldn’t be amusing.”
“Nor should it involve kissing anyone’s arse to earn money.”
“Good thing I’ll be the one doing the talking then.”
Which was kind of how we usually did business.
It took three days before we knew which royal we’d assassinate.
Jrijori got the offer while I was out looking for entertainment—which I found at the Fifteenth Station. Two would-be rapists would never be laying hands on a woman again. While not hired to get rid of them, the coins in their pockets did constitute payment of a sorts.
Upon returning home, Father threw a dagger at me as I walked in the door. I snatched it midair and, as I played with it to check its balance, said, “What’s got you in such a good mood?”
“Sharpen your blades, daughter. You’re going to kill a king.”
CHAPTERFOUR
Someone had contractedus to kill the Barbarian King. I’ll admit to being pleased. I’d heard things about the man’s supposed prowess. People claimed that on a field of battle he fought like four. Faster, stronger, fiercer than a normal man. I’d also heard rumors claiming it was as if the weapons he wielded wanted to fight for him, doing the impossible to give him victory.
A good thing I realized people exaggerated. After all, they claimed the Barbarian didn’t just fight his enemies but also monsters. Probably bears or some other furry animal that got bigger the more times the story was told.
Still, I could already imagine the glory of taking down one such as him.
As to the man himself, descriptions claimed the Barbarian King wore the bloody furs of his kills for clothes. If true he’d reek! Any plan we concocted better contain a spray or mask to keep the smell from overpowering us.
The biggest point of contention between me and Jrijori proved to be the decision about where we would take out our target.
Jrijori thought we should infiltrate the reception announcing the merger, poison dropped into the Barbarian King’s cup being the easiest scenario to achieve. However, killing the king so publicly while he was a guest of the Baroness of Varyy could have a truly destabilizing effect on the peace between those two nations. The last thing we wanted was for Varyy to close its borders.
My plan consisted of waiting until after the engagement party and then eliminating the Barbarian when he took the return route to his home. Brigands preyed on all the main roads and even some side ones. While the murder of a monarch would cause a furor, it would result in subsequent increase in patrols hunting down the dastardly brigands while my father and I collected the prize.
“Attacking him on the road exposes you to his soldiers,” Jrijori pointed out.
“Only if they’re aware of me. I think it’s safe to assume they’re stopping in towns along the way, which means they’ll be lifting skirts and security will slacken.” Soldiers, male and female alike, tended to be predictable in that respect. “Most inns aren’t very secure. I’ll slip into his room, slice his throat while he sleeps, and be out again with no one the wiser.”
“Waiting until he travels is pushing the limits of this task. What if he doesn’t stop in towns? Or he sleeps in a room with guards? Not to mention, once he’s crossed the border, we’ll be exposed.” Neither of us looked anything like a Weztrogian. We were too small of build.
“Fine, we’ll make that our backup plan if we fail to find an earlier opportunity to take him out. When’s he supposed to arrive?”
“No one knows for sure. Those steeds they ride are fast. But I imagine it will be soon since the announcement will be in a few days.”
With that in mind, I haunted the outer walls of the city, watching the western road, eyeing the incoming caravans. Many hosted ornate carriages surrounded by personal guards.
There was the Duke of Tarqui and his soldiers—distinguished by their awful greenish-yellow uniforms. The Emir of Kalnn and his three wives cantered in on matching white horses.