The Assassin's Destiny (Isle of Dreams) Read online

  Mistral shot the quiet pair a disgusted look and shook her head, ‘Where’s the challenge?’

  Before their allotted hour was up the twins had returned to the stableblock. Mistral had groomed and tacked both their horses and was finishing tightening Cirrus’ girth when Phantasm strolled into the stables to find her.

  ‘I packed you some clean clothes, your medical kit, tinder box and armour.’

  ‘Knife belt?’ Mistral asked distractedly, grunting as Cirrus barged against her. Shoving her horse out of the way she reached out to take the saddlebag from Phantasm.

  ‘Of course. Phantom’s got your swords – oh and here’s your wolverine skin.’ Phantasm passed her the rolled up pelt.

  ‘Thanks,’ said Mistral, taking the bundle and turning to strap it to the back of Cirrus’ saddle. ‘Your horses are both tacked and ready for you. Oh, I changed the bit you’ve got on Jupiter at the moment, it’s too hard. That horse would respond to a piece of silk in his mouth.’

  ‘Thanks, I didn’t realise. The Equus suggested I try it – I’ll go lead him out,’

  Phantasm walked off to retrieve his horse leaving Mistral to finish attaching her saddlebag.

  ‘Swords.’ Phantom abruptly dropped her swords in the straw at the edge of Cirrus’ stall then walked off.

  Mistral glowered after his retreating form. He hadn’t even thanked her for preparing her horse for him.

  ‘You’re welcome!’ she shouted sarcastically.

  ‘So are you!’ he retorted sharply from the other end of the stable. Mistral had also failed to thank him for bringing her swords down to her.

  Muttering uncomplimentary oaths about Phantom, Mistral led Cirrus from his stall and out into the yard. Fabian was already mounted, holding his nervously fidgeting mare tightly. Mistral swung herself up into the saddle and gathered up the reins, waiting impatiently by Fabian’s side for the twins.

  ‘Ready to go?’ Fabian enquired once the twins had pulled themselves into their saddles.

  ‘Yes.’ they confirmed in unison.

  ‘Mistral?’ Fabian looked at her enquiringly.

  She nodded tersely and kicked Cirrus hard, clattering out of the yard and across the village square with Prospero loping along by her side.

  Fabian watched her go and sighed deeply before urging Spirit into a more measured trot after her.

  They caught up with Mistral at the top of the path, slowing to ride single file through the North Gate. Once out in the open meadows they fanned out to ride side by side. Mistral found herself between Fabian and Phantom. Giving Phantom a frosty look she turned her head and immediately began to speak to Fabian, pointedly not drawing Phantom into the conversation. Unnoticed by Mistral Cirrus rolled his eyes at Phantom’s quiet gelding then lunged, biting him viciously on the neck.

  Mars snorted and shied and Phantom shot Mistral an angry look, ‘Can’t you control that brute?’

  ‘Don’t you dare call my horse a brute!’

  ‘Well he’s hardly been to charm school has he? And you’re not much better! In fact, I think you two are well suited!’

  ‘Really? Well I feel the same about you and that wooden horse you ride!’

  Fabian sighed quietly as Mistral and Phantom argued all the way across the meadow.

  ‘You know what Phantom!’ Mistral finally snapped. ‘You’re the most annoying person I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet. I’m going hunting and I’m going to pretend everything I kill is you!’ abruptly kicking Cirrus into a reckless gallop she thundered off into the forest. Prospero immediately gave a joyous bark and bounded after her.

  Fabian didn’t comment and pulled Spirit around to pick up the trail that would lead them to his house.

  ‘I can go after her if you wish.’ Phantasm offered quietly.

  Fabian shook his head, looking unconcerned, ‘Thank you but that won’t be necessary. Prospero is with her and besides, I think that she will probably feel better once she has killed something – other that your brother that is.’

  Phantasm raised his eyebrows in silent agreement and dropped back to ride single file along the trail behind Fabian.

  They had reached Fabian’s house and stabled their horses before Mistral returned. She cantered a blowing Cirrus into the yard and threw herself from the saddle, her face glowing from the hard ride.

  ‘Good hunt?’ Fabian enquired politely and began to help her unsaddle Cirrus.

  ‘Very satisfying.’ Mistral replied shortly and then sighed, catching the expression on his face. ‘Sorry Fabian, I know you want me and Phantom to get on for the sake of this Contract but I’m not sure I can. He’s just so smug all the time! And so rude! Calling Cirrus a brute –’

  Fabian listened patiently while Mistral fumed about Phantom until Prospero arrived, dragging the body of a small wild boar into the yard.

  ‘Oh good boy! You got it in the end did you?’ Mistral cried, rushing over and fussing him enthusiastically.

  Fabian led Cirrus into the stableblock while Mistral persuaded Prospero to let go of his trophy, ‘How can I cook it if it’s still in your mouth?’ she asked reasonably. He whined and reluctantly released his grip on the boar’s neck.

  ‘Allow me.’

  Fabian deftly hauled the boar up onto his shoulder to carry it up the stairs to the house. Mistral followed, still talking about the hunt.

  ‘Prospero was fantastic! He flushed a boar and a hind – but I didn’t think I’d be able to get the hind back here so we went for the boar –’

  Dropping the boar onto the kitchen table, Fabian turned to look at her. The twins were busy lighting the stove and talking quietly between themselves.

  ‘Do you promise me you will make an effort to get on with your brother?’ Fabian’s voice was soft but his eyes gleamed with a hard light.

  Mistral glared mutinously and opened her mouth to argue but Fabian cut her off with a curt gesture.

  ‘As I said before, this Contract is of vital importance. You will find out why tonight when I go through the exact details, but I need to know that you will not jeopardise everything at the Council meeting over some petty argument with Phantom!’

  Mistral was immediately chastened. It would be just like her to allow her temper to flare and embarrass Fabian at the Council. He was after all a De Winter, a name that commanded respect in the sorcering world and gave him a high standing at the Council. Neither of which he particularly cared about but Mistral was proud of the way he set aside his personal feelings to fulfil his obligations to the Isle.

  ‘I’m sorry.’ she muttered. ‘I promise to try,’

  He lifted a hand and touched her cheek, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth, ‘Thank you.’

  Mistral was suddenly brisk, ‘Right! Dinner! Does boar casserole suit everyone ? Only I don’t think I’ve got enough time to go and hunt something else –’

  ‘Yes please!’ the twins chorused from the armchairs they were elegantly reclining in.

  Mistral sat at the kitchen table quietly skinning and jointing the boar while she listened to Fabian outlining the details of the Contract. Prospero sat by her side, silently watching her every move. She rewarded him with the occasional chunk of meat, if only to save her trousers from being soaked with drool.

  ‘You know, of course, about the history of the families of Rochforte and Noble?’ Fabian began.

  The twins nodded and Fabian glanced over at Mistral.

  She nodded, ‘The twins told me the story.’

  ‘Good, so then you are aware that apart from Putreo there are no full-blooded representatives of the Rochforte line living on the Isle?’

  They all nodded.

  ‘Well, the delegation of French sorcerers we are meeting tomorrow are, in fact, Rochfortes. The party will be led by none other than Antoine Rochforte, the direct descendant of Alexandre and the current head of the tribe of Rochforte. He has sought a meeting with Eximius with a view to the Rochfortes being given a home on the Isle. It seems they are finding life in the changin
g world no longer as accommodating as it once was.’

  ‘Mage De Winter.’ Phantasm looked up, his expression uncertain. ‘I feel obliged to question what is obvious and mean no disrespect when I do. You are of Noble descent, surely Mage Grapple fears what your true intentions are in meeting the Rochforte party with a group of Ri warriors?’

  A bleak smile flittered across Fabian’s face, ‘I shall escort them safely, not kill them. I have no quarrel with the tribe of Rochforte. Blood feuds are continued through the centuries by ignorance and misplaced pride.’

  Phantasm frowned and hesitated before speaking again, ‘Of course, however –’

  Fabian cut him off curtly, ‘You are, I assume, referring to my acrimonious relationship with Putreo?’

  Phantasm nodded wordlessly.

  ‘That has nothing to do with blood.’

  Mistral swore under her breath as the knife she was using to joint the boar slipped and cut her finger. She sucked at the blood, fighting the jealousy that flared. Was Fabian still angry with Putreo for introducing Mage Grapple’s sister, Emiror, to the man she married when he knew full well Fabian was in love with her?

  ‘Or any matter other that you may think.’ Fabian continued, giving her a swift look. ‘Putreo is a corrupt and self-serving coward that has used his position in the Council to line his pockets at the expense of the naïve.’

  The twins shared a look of consternation. They had no idea who or what Fabian was referring to.

  ‘However, that is a separate matter entirely and not one for this evening.’ Fabian drew a deep breath and continued in a calmer voice. ‘Putreo will not want the tribe of Rochforte to take up residence on the Isle. He enjoys a certain notoriety and status through being the only pure blood Rochforte. Despite changing his name to avoid the initial backlash he is quite happy to flaunt his blood status to achieve whatever he wants. If Antoine successfully presents his case to Eximius then he will instantly outrank Putreo at the Council. Putreo will not take kindly to being demoted to a lesser position in the Council by default.

  ‘Eximius is aware of this, which is why he has asked me to greet Antoine’s party. He knows that Putreo would try to send a Contracted assassin to intercept the party and erase the threat to his position whereas I, obviously, would not accept such a Contract.’

  Mistral frowned while she began roughly chopping vegetables, throwing them into a large pot with the meat. If Putreo was as devious as Fabian said he was then surely –

  ‘Of course, we must assume that there will be a Contract on Antoine’s life anyway.’ Fabian said quietly. and Mistral looked over to see the twins nodding. They had apparently been thinking the same as her. ‘Which means we must be prepared for a fight.’

  The twins shared a tense look and Mistral smiled to herself.

  ‘This meeting is of vital importance to the continued safety of every living creature on the Isle. Antoine is a Rochforte, the leader of the tribe that left by choice at the start of Eximius’ reign. Please note the importance of that fact. Should Eximius actually deny his tribe sanctuary on the Isle then that would be a different matter entirely. A war would no doubt erupt that could threaten the very existence of the Isle.’

  ‘So, our role is to ensure that Antoine Rochforte agrees to the Council’s terms?’ Phantasm asked with a frown.

  ‘Yes. However that is a personal favour to Eximius and is therefore –’

  ‘Unofficial. We understand.’ Phantasm finished quietly.

  ‘Good. Then you also understand that the official Contract is only for the safe arrival of the delegates.’

  The twins shared a look then nodded as one.

  ‘We understand.’

  Mistral slid from her chair and quietly carried the full pot over to the stove. Setting it down carefully she walked back to the kitchen and began tidying up. She was glad to be distanced from the discussion by her tasks in the kitchen. It provided her with the opportunity to think freely without fear of the results showing on her face. She didn’t care if the Rochfortes were on the Isle or not. Admittedly, an open war between an influential tribe like the Rochfortes and the Isle would be fairly disastrous to the continuation of their secret existence but the prospect of going to war did not daunt her. Mistral was strangely curious to meet the sinister sounding Count Putreo and felt her lip curl in disdain at the thought. She could not help but be contemptuous towards the unknown Mage, feeling as she did an instinctive affinity for the way Fabian felt towards him.

  ‘Do you consider that the Rochforte tribe taking up residence on the Isle would be a beneficial move?’

  Fabian smiled at Phantasm’s carefully worded question, ‘I believe that no matter what blood runs through their veins, a Mage has the right to petition for sanctuary here. It is after all, what the Isle was created to provide; a safe haven for us all to live on away from the persecution of the human world. However, I will abide by whatever decision Eximius makes. Despite my differences with him I trust him to do what is best for the Isle, not just for himself.’

  ‘Will having the Rochfortes on the Isle make his life more difficult?’

  ‘Without a shadow of doubt. The Rochfortes will not accept his authority easily. Eximius will have a trying time balancing the needs of the Isle against the selfish wants of the Rochforte tribe.’

  Mistral finished wiping the table clean and began to lay plates, moving quietly around the small kitchen while she listened to them talk. Prospero stretched out beside the dresser, his pale eyes fixed hungrily on the pot of boar casserole simmering on the stove. Stepping over him to reach for a jug of wine and four goblets, Mistral carried them over and set them on the low table by the fire. Fabian glanced up at her and smiled, laying an arm across the back of the sofa and inviting her to sit next to him. Mistral sank against his side and felt a wave of contentment wash through her. She was out of the Valley on a Contract with Fabian; this was a taste of how their future was going to be.

  ‘Now, let us finalise the details.’ Fabian reached out and poured wine into the goblets, passing one to Mistral before taking one for himself. ‘If you are in agreement, I will head our party –’

  They all immediately murmured their agreement.

  ‘We will not mention the gifts that any of you possess. If the situation arises where any of the party, or the Council for that matter, persist in questioning you on why you are present then lie! Forgive me if I offend you, but you three are still young. The Rochfortes and the Council will be expecting more seasoned warriors to be present on such an important Contract. Some may naturally assume that you are present because you possess a gift. So, if pushed, we will say that you two are in attendance to further your studies in politics and that Mistral is present as my –’ Fabian paused and shot her an apologetic glance ‘– fiancée.’

  Mistral gaped at him and Fabian laughed.

  ‘The Rochfortes will not comprehend our somewhat unorthodox relationship Mistral. They are Mages. I need to be able to offer them a reason they will understand.’

  ‘How about because I’m good at what I do?’ Mistral demanded.

  ‘That would only spurn them on to try and force you to prove your abilities. No, it is better that they believe you are there because I want to show you off – which I do of course, and the twins are there because of their keen interest in Council affairs.’

  ‘I’m not sure that the words “keen” and “Council affairs” go together.’ Mistral muttered into her goblet of wine.

  Smiling slightly, Fabian took a swallow from his own goblet before continuing, ‘So, our cover is established. Now, when we arrive at the Council we will have to remove all of our weapons before we enter the meeting, however, I strongly advise you to wear your armour hidden beneath your shirts. Now, I know Mistral has, but do you two have gorgon skin armour?’

  The twins nodded.

  ‘Good, because if the meeting becomes heated they may cast. I also suggest that you smuggle a weapon of some type into the meeting. I always have a dagger
concealed within my boot. For some reason, probably the arrogance of sorcerers, they never search there. We are to take a low profile position at the back of the Council chamber. Mistral? You need to read all of the delegates constantly and make me aware of any sudden or untoward emotions that you see in their auras and Phantom, Phantasm? You will need to listen carefully to what Eximius outlines in his response to Antoine’s petition and influence his decision appropriately.’ Fabian paused and fixed the twins with a hard look. ‘Should the meeting deteriorate, we will need to fight our way out. Do not try to protect each other but try to leave as quickly as possible. Gorgon skin is good armour but should you be cast upon directly I do not think even it will prevent you from being seriously hurt or maybe killed.’

  A heavy silence fell while they all considered the possibility of fleeing for their lives amidst a storm of spell casting in a room full of the most powerful Mages on the Isle.

  Fabian shrugged, ‘I do not feel it will come to that, however. I am simply making you aware of all of the possible outcomes. Now, do you have any questions for me?’

  ‘Yes.’ Mistral sat up to look at him. ‘Do you want me to read Putreo too?’

  ‘Oh yes.’ Fabian replied softly. ‘I am sure he will try something to sabotage the meeting, but I do not yet know what … I wonder … Mistral? Can you read more than one aura at once?’

  Mistral looked at him in surprise. She had never even considered the possibility of reading more than one person at a time.

  ‘I don’t know … Phantom, Phantasm? Would you mind if I tried?’

  ‘Be my guest.’ Phantasm promptly replied.

  ‘Well, it’s nice to be asked for a change.’ Phantom muttered sulkily.

  ‘Think away then brothers – ’

  Mistral focussed on the air midway between their two blonde heads and forced her mind to empty of all thoughts. A strangely detached sensation crept over her as she called forth their auras, shimmering jointly into view around their heads. Disciplining herself not to focus on either in particular, she allowed her peripheral vision to record the details.