The Lords of Anavar Read Free Page B

within the hour. Are you prepared?"
    "We are ready," said Faeya Ryr.
    Har Tonle nodded his head. "My men will assist you in loading. Three servants will accompany you?"
    "That is correct," replied Faeya Ryr.
    "Servants? You are taking servants to the Council meeting?"
    "I take my servants with me everywhere."
    "No one else will have servants," replied Gerrand.
    "I see this does not concern me," said Har Tonle. "I will see you on the ship." He walked away without hiding his amusement.
    "Why should that matter to me? Am I portraying the wrong image? Is there an ideal that I should aspire to?" Her voice rose as she spoke and Gerrand began to back away in the hope of following the captain to the boat.
    "It hasn't been done, that's all. Forget I said anything."
    "I shall not!"
    Gerrand pressed his hand against his forehead as he followed the captain to the ship. Faeya Ryr's pounding footsteps closed the distance behind him.
    A cry sounded from their quarters. Gerrand raced ahead to where Faeya Ryr's servants were fleeing from the room. Crew members filled the corridor. The third servant laid dead in the room, his blood pooling on the floor.
    "Oh, Donnelin," said Faeya Ryr. "He has served me since he was a boy." She knelt down beside him, cradling his head.
    Gerrand closed his eyes and concentrated on the energy in the room, trying to find someone out of place. There were too many people close by; he couldn't separate them from his senses.
    Sudden movement electrified the old sorcerer. Gerrand wove a spell as the murderer charged him. The attacker rolled to the floor and came up with a dagger. Gerrand gripped the attacker's wrist. The attacker's eyes widened at the strength of the old man. Gerrand twisted his arm and bones snapped. The man cried out in pain and pushed away from Gerrand. The sorcerer gestured, releasing his spell and the man was frozen in place. The Captain thundered down the passage into the room. He cursed long and loud.
    "One of yours, Captain?" asked Gerrand.
    The captain stared at the man. "No. I have not seen him before. How did he get on board?" He glared at his first mate.
    "Then whose man was he I wonder?" said Gerrand.
    "He is not familiar to me," said Faeya Ryr. "I know all the High Priestess's assassins by sight. He is foreign to Cothos."
    "Look at his knife. Yerasin assassin."
    "Not possible. I know them all," said Faeya Ryr.
    "You know all the assassins that they want you to know," said Gerrand. "There is another training center besides the one at Yerasin. I'm sure they have assassins scattered across the kingdoms. This might be only a message."
    "You mean he was meant to fail?"
    "Armed with only a knife to kill us? The Yerasin are well prepared for their contracts and seldom fail. This one was not prepared to survive."
    "Yerasin?" whispered Captain Har Tonle. "Could there be another on board?"
    "Perhaps. I will search," said Gerrand. "Safer for your crew that way. Set sail immediately. We will send this one for a swim once you are far from shore."
    The Captain ran off shouting to his crew.
    "It comes so quick," said Gerrand.
    "Yes, the game is in motion. Will we win?"
    "My dear, do you really want an honest answer?"

Chapter 2
    Gerrand stood against the polished rail as the ship made its way south out of the harbor. Faeya Ryr stood beside him, her arm through his. The winds were rising and the water rough. The captain called to his crew who climbed the riggings like squirrels. The sails filled with wind and gained speed. Clouds hung on the horizon hiding the coast of Wierland from their view. They turned back to watch the green hills of the Isle of Cothos fall away from them. The salt air brought a smile to Gerrand. Riding the sea in his father's boat was his earliest memory. The wind slapped at his face and he felt the change in himself when on the sea. He felt lighter, happier, and turned and kissed Faeya Ryr. She pushed him away, but smiled.
    The captain gave orders to his mate who shouted at the