I could, of course, go directly to Rurisk, tell him that, despite my best efforts, Regal still wanted him dead, and beg asylum of him. After all, who would not find attractive a trained assassin who had already turned on one master?
I could tell Regal I was going to kill Rurisk and then simply not do it. I thought carefully about that.
I could tell Regal I was going to kill Rurisk, and then kill Regal instead. The smoke, I told myself. Only the smoke made that sound so wise.
I could go to Burrich and tell him I was really an assassin, and ask his advice about my situation.
I could take the Princess’s mare and ride off into the mountains.
‘So, are you enjoying yourself?’ Jonqui asked as she came up and took my arm.
I realized I was staring at a man juggling knives and torches. ‘I shall long remember this experience,’ I told her. And then suggested a stroll through the cool of the gardens.
Late that night, I reported to Regal’s chamber. Rowd admitted me this time, smiling pleasantly. ‘Good evening,’ he greeted me, and I walked in as if into a wolverine’s den. But the air within the chamber was blue with smoke, and this seemed the source of Rowd’s cheerfulness. Regal kept me waiting again, and though I tucked my chin to my chest and breathed shallowly, I knew the smoke was affecting me. Control, I reminded myself, and tried not to feel the giddiness. I shifted in my seat several times, and finally resorted to covering my mouth and nose openly with a hand. It had small effect on screening the smoke.
I looked up as the screen to the inner chamber slid aside, but it was only Sevrens. He glanced at Rowd, then came to sit beside me. After a moment of his silence, I asked, ‘Will Regal see me now?’
Sevrens shook his head. ‘He is with a … companion. But he has trusted me with all you need to know.’ He opened his hand on the bench between us, to show me a tiny white pouch. ‘He has obtained this for you. He trusts you will approve. A little of this, mixed with wine, will cause death, but not soon. There will not even be symptom of death for several weeks, and then it comes as a lethargy that gradually increases. The man does not suffer,’ he added, as if this were my primary concern.
I racked my brains. ‘Is this Kex gum?’ I had heard of such a poison, but never seen it. If Regal had a source, Chade would want to know.
‘I do not know its name, nor does it matter. Only this. Prince Regal says you will have a use for it tonight. You will make an opportunity.’
‘What does he expect of me? That I will go to his chambers, knock, and enter with poisoned wine for him? Isn’t that a bit obvious?’
‘Done that way, of course it is. But surely your training has given you more finesse than that?’
‘My training tells me that things like this are not discussed with a valet. I must hear this from Regal, or I do not act.’
Sevrens sighed. ‘My master foresaw this. This is his message. By the pin you carry and the crest on your breast, he commands this. Refuse it, and you refuse your king. You will be committing treason, and he will see you hang for it.’
‘But I …’
‘Take it and go. The longer you wait, the later it is, and the more contrived will seem your visit to his chambers.’
Sevrens rose abruptly and left me. Rowd sat like a toad in the corner, eyeing me and smiling. I would have to kill both of them before we returned to Buckkeep, if I were to preserve my usefulness as an assassin. I wondered if they knew that. I smiled back at Rowd, tasting smoke in the back of my throat. I took my poison and left.
Once at the base of Regal’s staircase, I retreated to the wall where it was most shadowed, and clambered as swiftly as I could up one of the supports of Regal’s chamber. Clinging like a cat, I snugged myself up to the supports of the chamber floor and waited. And waited. Until between the smoke whirling in my head and my own weariness and the lingering effects of Kettricken’s herbs, I wondered if I were dreaming all of it. I wondered if my clumsy trap would yield me nothing. I considered, finally, that Regal had told me he had specifically requested Lady Thyme. But Shrewd had sent me instead. I recalled how Chade had puzzled over that. And finally, I recalled his words to me. Had my king given me up to Regal? And if he had, what did I owe to any of them? Eventually, I saw Rowd depart, and after what seemed a very long time, return with Cob.
I could hear little through the floor, but enough to know Regal’s voice. My evening’s plans were being divulged to Cob. When I was certain of it, I wriggled out of my hiding-place, clambered down and retreated to my own room. There I made certain of some specialized supplies. I reminded myself, firmly, that I was a King’s man. I had told Verity so. I left my chamber and walked softly through the palace. In the great hall, the common folk slept on mats on the floor, in concentric circles around the dais, to have reserved the best viewing of their princess’s pledging tomorrow. I walked among them and they did not stir. So much trust, so ill-placed.
The chambers of the royals were at the extreme rear of the palace, farthest from the main entry. There were no guards. I walked past the door that led to the bedroom of the reclusive King, past Rurisk’s door, and to Kettricken’s. Her door was decorated with hummingbirds and honeysuckle. I thought how much the Fool would have liked it. I tapped lightly and waited. Slow moments passed. I tapped again.
I heard the scuff of bare feet on wood, and the painted screen slid open. Kettricken’s hair had been freshly braided, but fine strands had already pulled free around her face. Her long white nightrobe accented her fairness, so that she seemed as pale as the Fool. ‘Did you need something?’ she asked sleepily.
‘Only the answer to a question.’ The smoke still twined through my thoughts. I wanted to smile, to be witty and clever before her. Pale beauty, I thought. I pushed the impulse aside. She was waiting. ‘If I killed your brother tonight,’ I said carefully, ‘what would you do?’
She did not even draw back from me. ‘I would kill you, of course. At least, I would demand it done, in justice. As I am pledged to your family now, I could not take your blood myself.’
‘But would you go on with the wedding? Would you still marry Verity?’
‘Would you like to come in?’
‘I haven’t time. Would you marry Verity?’
‘I am pledged to the Six Duchies, to be their queen. I am pledged to their people. Tomorrow, I pledge to the King-in-Waiting. Not to a man named Verity. But even were it otherwise, ask yourself, which is the most binding? I am bound already. It is not just my word, but my father’s. And my brother’s. I would not want to marry a man who had ordered my brother’s death. But it is not the man I am pledged to. It is the Six Duchies. I am given there, in the hopes of it benefiting my people. There I must go.’
I nodded. ‘Thank you, my lady. Forgive my disturbing your rest.’
‘Where do you go now?’
‘To your brother.’
She remained standing in her door as I turned and walked to her brother’s chamber. I tapped and waited. Rurisk must have been restive, for he opened the door much more quickly.
‘May I come in?’
‘Certainly.’ Gracious, as I had expected. The edge of a giggle teased at my resolve. Chade would not be proud of you just now, I counselled myself, and refused to smile.
I entered and he closed the door behind me. ‘Shall we have wine?’ I asked him.
‘If you wish it,’ he said, puzzled but polite. I seated myself on a chair while he unstoppered a carafe and poured for us. There was a censer on his table, too, still warm. I had not seen him indulge earlier. He probably had thought it more safe to wait until he was alone in his chamber. But you never can tell when an assassin will come calling with a pocket full of death. I pushed down a silly smile. He filled two glasses. I leaned forward, and showed him my twist of paper. Painstakingly, I tipped it into his wine, picked