Read The Queen's Blade for Free Online Page B

lesser person, terse though they were. "It was thrust upon me. It is the only trade I am good at."
    "And how many men have you killed?"
    His glanced rebuked her. "I do not keep count."
    To vindicate her rather morbid curiosity, Minna said, "I simply wish to appraise how good you are. I would not want to send an over eager fool to his death."
    Blade's smile returned, genuine amusement tinged with sadness. "I am no over eager fool. I do have a certain reputation that has not reached your ears, and I am the Master of the Dance. Ask about me, if you will."
    "I shall." Minna rose to her feet, and the assassin stood, looking uncertain when she approached him. She stopped before him, and, after a moment of confusion, he realised what he had to do and sank down on one knee, bowing his head.
    "I give you my blessing and wish you good luck, Blade."
    "Thank you."
    "You may go."
    "My Queen." He rose and left without a backward glance.
    The doors were thrust open again, and Chiana entered. She looked cross, and patted her hair self-consciously as she rose from her prostration. Minna stared out of the windows until the chief advisor coughed to get her attention, whereupon the Queen shook herself from her thoughts and turned.
    "See to it that the assassin has all the supplies he needs for his journey. Provide whatever he requests, and give him two of the finest horses in the stables."
    Chiana bowed and withdrew, returning after a few minutes to report that it was done.
    "Good." Minna sighed and sank back onto her cushions. "Let us hope and pray that he succeeds. He is our last hope."
    "He is a very strange man,"
    "I know." The Queen cocked her head. "What do you see strange about him?"
    Chiana shrugged. "Well, as a part of the comforts you ordered for him, I sent a woman to his room the first night."
    "You did?" Minna laughed, confusing her advisor. Sobering, she asked, "What happened?"
    "He sent her away. Thinking that he was tired, I sent her again the next night. He sent her away again, and this time with instructions not to return." Minna chuckled, and Chiana looked perplexed. "You know the reason for this?"
    "Yes, I do." The Queen smiled. "Are you so unobservant, Chiana?"
    "Evidently I am, My Queen, for I do not understand his behaviour, or the reason for your mirth."
    "He must have been most amused by your thoughtfulness, and perhaps flattered that you did not see what he is. Perhaps many do not recognise him, for he is not typical of his kind."
    "What kind is that?"
    Minna sighed, her regret for Blade's misfortune colouring her tone with sadness. "He is a eunuch."
    The chief advisor recoiled as if slapped, and a deep sorrow invaded her expression. "Are you certain? How do you know?"
    "He has no beard, and his voice is a little high, do you not agree?"
    "Well, now that you mention it..." Chiana frowned. "But I thought -"
    "That they are always fat and lazy? Usually they are, but Blade has a vigorous occupation, and one that interests him, I would venture to say."
    Chiana looked aggrieved. "Who would do such a thing, and how? He does not seem the kind of man easily overcome by his enemies."
    "Oh, no, this happened a long time ago, when he was little more than a child, I would hazard to guess. As to who would do it, I can only think of one people capable of such things."
    "The Cotti."
    "Indeed," the Queen agreed, "and his current quest will go a long way to fulfilling his lust for vengeance."
    "What a waste, for such a handsome man to be..."
    Minna chuckled. "So, you find him attractive."
    "Who would not, My Queen?"
    "Indeed, you are quite right. Who would not? But alas, no woman will ever find comfort in his arms, or passion in his eyes, though it is not impossible that he should love. A woman willing to sacrifice the hope of children might find great happiness with him, if she was prepared to be his friend."
    "But would he wish it?"
    Minna shrugged. "It all depends, I suppose, on whether his affections can be won. He may be too proud,