Page 17 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)
“What’s the least popular bet?”
“That he’s going to kill her.”
“In front of everyone?” Would the savages from the west do such a thing under a diplomatic meeting?
“There’s even a rumor he’s not going to wait but elope with the zariina so he can get started on making heirs that will inherit the emperor’s country when he dies, most likely at the hands of his new son-in-law.”
“Isn’t the bride-to-be the youngest daughter? How would her children inherit?”
“The married middle one has already abdicated her title. The oldest is cloistered. But that hasn’t stopped the wagers on how long the other two zariinas survive if the Barbarian does wed the emperor’s daughter.”
“Is it just me or do all of these wagers devolve into warlike scenarios? Aren’t there any odds favoring peace?” An odd thing for an assassin to ponder.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Smythe grinned. A frightening thing to see with his weather-beaten face. “War’s good for business.”
“Not the kind that kills our clients,” I grumbled, only to realize I sounded just like my father.
The door opened and Jrijori entered. He saw me and beckoned. “Good, you’re here. Get outside. They say the Barbarian King has arrived and will soon pass on his way to the castle. It’s our chance to get a peek at him.”
It would be nice to be able to picture my target.
We exited the shop to see others doing the same. Owners, workers, and clients lined the street, unabashedly curious about the Barbarian King from the west. Would we smell him before we saw him? Would he be enveloped in a cloud of flies? Wear the skins of those he’d killed?
The Weztrogians came trotting on massive horses ranging from dark gray to a light beige. The shaggy hair around cuffs, manes, and even their chests, danced in time to the thump of their hooves. Atop them, big warriors—several males and a female—every single one fierce, wearing a cloak trimmed in fur, with weapons in easy reach. In the lead, a handsome fellow, one I’d met before.
Konstantin’s head turned, and our gazes met. He smiled and winked before he rode on.
Jrijori caught my dropped jaw and said, “What’s wrong?”
“I missed a really good opportunity to kill the Barbarian King.”
CHAPTERSIX
As I toldJrijori what happened, he rubbed his chin, in what I’d long ago labelled his “thinking pose.” When he wore that expression, best to let him mull things over and resist the urge to shake him to hurry.
When he did eventually speak, it was to offer the dumbest statement. “Since you’ve already failed, now we wait.”
“Wait for what? I’ve met the Barbarian King, and he obviously remembers me. I can use this to get close to him.” I couldn’t have said how, only that I could have kicked myself for not realizing it sooner. Then again, nothing about him had screamed Barbarian from the West, not even his scent.
“Get close to him where? In the castle with all those soldiers and little chance to escape?”
“I’ll have a plan before I go in.”
“Based on what? We don’t even know what room they’ve placed him in. We need information.”
“We don’t have much time. The engagement announcement is tomorrow night.”
“Then we’d best work fast if we’re going to take the Barbarian.”
Funny how that name didn’t quite suit. Konstantin presented himself far from the unkempt mountain troll I’d expected. Handsome and strong, he’d usually be my type, but I wouldn’t lust after a walking dead man. Even I had limits. Although I wasn’t averse to using seduction to get him where I wanted him. But that required getting close.
“I ran into him earlier in the market meaning he was obviously inside the city limits, scouting the situation,” I mused aloud.
“Smart. Avoiding the fanfare to see how things really are.”
“Now that he’s ensconced in the castle, how do you suggest we study him?”
“By getting closer.”