Imperial Spy (24 page)

Femke could not help but smile slightly at his phrasing. This man was a born charmer and she did not possess the immunity she would dearly love at this moment to ignore his charisma.

‘To be perfectly honest, I’m not totally sure,’ she said. ‘You should know my background is about as far from yours as it is possible to get. If you’re insistent on
chasing the illusion, then let me dispel it now. I was born the third child of six to a poor family in the eastern quarter of Shandrim. My father is a failure in every respect. The last I heard,
he’d been sacked from his menial job in the cloth makers for being persistently late for work. My memories of him are not pretty. He was nearly always drunk and he used to beat my mother, who
was either too stupid or too stubborn to leave him. He beat us children as well, when he was sober enough to catch us. I became an habitual thief by the age of nine and was notorious by the age of
twelve. If you have any romantic notions about me being a bored rich girl who turned to spying for a bit of excitement, then forget them now. My family had no idea where I disappeared to eight
years ago, nor did they appear to care. From what I could tell, my disappearance simply meant one less mouth to feed.’

‘Your family history doesn’t matter to me. It’s
you
who I want to know – the woman whom the girl has grown into. What of that person? Can I hope to discover more
about the creator of Lady Alyssa and all the other characters?’

‘I’m not sure, Danar. Until the current situation here in Mantor is resolved, neither of us is likely to find out. The events here over the next few days will determine matters far
more important than any personal relationship. I have dangerous work to complete. If I survive, then I’ll consider exploring your questions more fully.’

Danar nodded. ‘I understand,’ he said. ‘I believe you’re wrong, but I do understand. Much is forged by personal relationships and the way people interact can have a
profound effect on the world around them. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not completely in the picture as to what’s been happening here. However, I’m sure that one or
two good personal relationships between key people would smooth those problems away.’

Femke laughed and instantly regretted it as she saw the hurt that her laughter inflicted. Danar was right – he did not understand. How could personal relationships heal the hurts caused by
murder, deception and war? This situation was so complicated now that little short of a miracle was going to mend the growing rift between the two countries. Femke had a plan with the potential to
go some way towards that goal, but it was fraught with danger and there were no guarantees it would work.

‘Please don’t take this the wrong way, Danar, as in some ways you’re right. If Surabar and Malo were best friends, then yes, I can see that things would be different. However,
this is unlikely to ever become a reality unless I repair the damage Shalidar has done over the last few weeks. Shalidar must be exposed and that won’t be easy.’

‘Well, I don’t have your expertise, but if I can be of any help . . .’

‘It’s a kind offer, but I don’t think it would be appropriate to place you in that sort of danger, or to involve you in some of the less . . .’ Femke coughed and looked
slightly embarrassed, ‘er . . . less
legal
activities we’ll have to undertake to make my plan work. It would be better if you don’t know what I’m planning. If you
don’t know about it, then you can’t be accused of failing to stop it,’ she finished with an apologetic grin.

It was Danar’s turn to laugh this time.

‘My dear Femke,’ he chuckled. ‘It is Femke, isn’t it? Or is that another assumed name?’

Femke shook her head with a grin. ‘Femke is my real name,’ she confirmed.

‘Well, my dear Femke, you must know from your times in Court that I’ve lived my life permanently in trouble since I was about six years old. I’ve more of a reputation for
breaking rules than any other Lord in Court ever had. Do you think you’re going to put me off because I’ll have to break a few rules here and there? I’m already involved in this
up to my neck. I helped break you out of the Royal Prison, didn’t I? I doubt the local authorities would look too kindly on that if they were to find out.’

‘I suppose not,’ Femke agreed reluctantly. ‘But if you’re going to get involved any further, then you must agree to do exactly what you’re told. No improvising
– understand? If you step out of line once, then I’ll have Reynik tie you up and stash you away in a hole somewhere until we’re ready to head back to Shandar. If you want to make
yourself useful, go and get some food. The stuff I’ve been eating for the last couple of weeks has been nutritious enough, but it couldn’t be described as appetising. Anything tasty
would be appreciated right now.’

Danar got to his feet and bowed. ‘Yes, my Lady. Is there anything else my Lady would like? A light wine? Or a jar of fragranced oil for her parlour?’ he asked, humour dancing in his
eyes.

‘“My Lady” would like to see the back of Lord Danar disappearing rapidly to fetch me some food,’ Femke growled with mock anger. ‘Now!’

Danar laughed again, but did as he was bid. Femke sighed with relief as the door closed behind him. Maintaining her focus over the next few days would not be easy, she decided.

Much to Femke’s relief, it was Reynik who arrived back first about half an hour later with a largish bundle under his arm. By the smile on the young soldier’s face, she took it that
his short shopping trip had been successful.

‘That didn’t take long. I take it you had no great difficulties?’ Femke asked, eyeing the bundle with anticipation.

‘Nothing drastic,’ Reynik replied casually. ‘The hardest item to come by was the scissors. For some reason, nobody had any they were willing to part with. Not to worry, I
obtained some in the end.’

Reynik deposited the bundle on the bed and Femke began unwrapping it within seconds. She did not raise the question of where the scissors had come from, but hoped he had used discretion. Tunics,
hose, boots, a belt, gloves, bandages, make-up – all the things that Femke had asked for were spread across the bed. Femke held the plain tunics up to her body in turn and nodded with
pleasure at Reynik’s eye for style and size.

‘Perfect!’ she muttered and then thanked Reynik for his efforts. ‘You don’t mess about, do you?’ she added. ‘It would have taken me hours to get that
lot.’

‘That’s why you will always find men in the tavern early,’ Reynik laughed. ‘My father taught me not to linger in the marketplaces looking for the ultimate bargain.
It’s in, out, and into the bar. We spend a senna or two more, but look at the drinking time we save!’

Femke joined with his laughter, for she knew he was not a great drinker. It was all part of the military bravado that the young man had been soaking up in the Legion.

‘Tell me, Reynik, can you cut hair as fast?’

‘Sure, if you want to look like a man,’ he said with a snort.

‘That’s the general idea,’ Femke replied. ‘Why do you think I wanted the tunics and hose rather than dresses?’

‘Well, I’ve seen quite a lot of women here in Thrandor dressed in tunic and hose,’ Reynik said thoughtfully. ‘I thought you were simply going for a different style. So
the bandages are for . . .’

‘Flattening my chest – yes,’ Femke said with a grin. ‘Not that it needs a lot of flattening.’

‘I’m glad it was you who said that,’ laughed Reynik. ‘Yes, I’ll cut your hair for you. I think you’ll make quite a good-looking young fellow. No doubt
you’ll have young maidens flocking into your arms in no time.’

Femke gave him a mock warning look and he laughed all the more. What a difference from a few hours ago, Femke thought with a small sigh of pleasure. From sitting in the darkness of her cell in
the Palace, wondering when her trial would begin, to laughing and joking in the room of an inn. Life had been full of surprises recently. Not many had been pleasant. But then, when one lived the
sort of life that Femke did, the tough turns of fate were common occurrences.

‘Tell me, Reynik, did you manage to find out anything about Shalidar’s activities? You look as though you’ve been busy,’ she noted, pointing at his lip.

Reynik’s hand went involuntarily to his face. He nodded, gesturing for Femke to sit on a chair in front of the small dressing mirror before setting about her hair with the scissors.

‘I discovered nothing, I’m afraid. I never saw Shalidar, though I did meet a few of his men. They’re not exactly a friendly bunch.’

‘You did well to walk away,’ Femke noted. ‘Thanks for trying. Did Shalidar see you?’

‘Well, someone did. I’ve no idea if it was Shalidar though. I thought I was pretty discreet. It seems I have a lot to learn about spying on someone.’

True to his word, Reynik did not take long cutting her hair. He was making the final few snips to tidy up the back when Danar returned.

Danar stopped abruptly, halfway through the door, as he saw what Reynik had done to Femke’s hair. To say he looked shocked was putting it mildly. Femke turned and had to fight hard to keep
from laughing aloud at the look that bordered between pure shock and outright horror at the change Reynik had wrought with a simple pair of scissors.

‘Well!’ he exclaimed as he recovered his composure. ‘You’re constantly full of surprises, aren’t you? I wouldn’t have recognised you if I hadn’t known
you were waiting for me here.’

‘That is the general idea,’ Femke said with a grin. ‘I’ll not be wearing a ball gown for a while – unless I have a wig to hand, of course – but then my role
is not glamorous on this occasion.’

‘So I see,’ Danar said, looking regretfully at the locks of hair scattered on the floor around her chair. ‘Here, I’ve got us all some food. Let’s eat.’

Danar had bought a good spread of food and Femke was quick to tuck in. The two men ate heartily, but without the single-minded dedication that Femke was devoting to demolishing everything in
sight. Once Femke’s initial hunger pangs were sated and she had slowed to a more regular eating pace, Danar broke the silence that had descended whilst they were eating.

‘So, Femke, are you going to tell us your plan? I’m intrigued to know what you intend to do now, but I’d like to know the background first. The Emperor told us you’d been
accused of murder, but he also said you were on the run somewhere in Mantor. How did you get caught, and how were you set up in the first place?’

Femke took a deep breath and then, between mouthfuls, proceeded to relate her story of the disastrous visit to the Thrandorian capital. It took a while, for there was a lot to tell. Reynik
nodded grimly, touching his bruised face once more when Femke told of her realisation that Shalidar had an entire network of people here in Mantor.

‘Then you kind gentlemen turned up, so now the game begins again.’

‘Game?’ Danar said incredulously. ‘Is that how you view all this – as a game?’

‘Well, it’s as good an outlook as any,’ Femke answered. ‘I’m sure your father would have you believe that Empire politics is deadly serious and never to be joked
about, but I doubt you support that view. How is this situation any different? In the end it’s all about getting the results you want. Whether it’s viewed as a game to be taken
seriously, or a hostile diplomatic incident with potentially deadly implications, doesn’t matter. I am a professional and I do what is needed to see the will of the Emperor is
done.’

‘And what do you see as the will of the Emperor?’ asked Danar cautiously. ‘I told the Emperor I would try to convince the King of Thrandor you were not the murderer of Baron
Anton or Count Dreban. I also told him we would be arriving in Mantor openly. So far I have done neither of those things. It would be good to think we’re doing
something
in line with
what the Emperor wishes.’

‘Ah,’ Femke sighed, wincing slightly as she considered that. ‘Well, you’ll want to think twice before you agree to what I’m about to propose then.’

Danar groaned and put his head in his hands in mock despair. Reynik laughed.

‘Come on – tell me the worst. What do you have in mind?’ Danar asked, his tone resigned.

‘Well, before I say anything I need to know how much money you brought with you.’

‘Money?’ Danar asked, in genuine surprise. ‘More than enough to live comfortably for a while, I suppose. Why do you ask?’

‘Would you have enough money to hire an assassin?’ Femke asked, knowing what the answer would be.

‘Hire an assassin? Certainly not! At least, I doubt it. I assume they don’t come cheaply. What are you up to, Femke?’ Danar asked, shaking his head.

‘In that case we’re going to need a lot more money,’ Femke said, ignoring Danar’s question.

‘And of course you know just the place to get it from,’ Reynik suggested with a grin.

‘Absolutely,’ Femke replied. ‘The Royal Treasury – where else?’

‘Your Imperial Majesty, another messenger has arrived from Thrandor. He says that he bears grave news for your immediate attention.’

‘Another one? You’d better bring him in immediately. Let’s see what disaster has occurred this time,’ Surabar said with a sigh that spoke of fatigue and stress.

‘Right away, your Majesty.’

The servant scurried off after the briefest of bows, and Surabar watched him go with a degree of tired amusement. Sitting patiently behind his desk, he stared at the latest pile of reports
without attempting to read them. There was so much information to sift through every day, but he was gradually learning which reports needed careful attention and which he could skim through. The
intelligence received from the borders with Thrandor had not mentioned anything unusual. If King Malo were considering military action then he had made no significant moves yet.

There was another knock at the door and Surabar called out for the person to enter. It was the same servant again, his face slightly flushed but his breathing controlled and his voice steady as
he introduced King Malo’s messenger.

‘Welcome,’ Surabar announced warmly. ‘Please, do come in. I understand you bring urgent news from King Malo. I would be glad to hear it. Our last tidings from the King of
Thrandor were grave. I hope your tidings are of a happier nature.’