"I understand why 'Apparent Consumption' is nine hundred gunders. I'm sure you have to do multiple poisonings to mimic the disease," the n.o.ble said. "But fifteen hundred for apparent self-murder? Ridiculous. Stab your man and put the knife in his hand."

"How about we start again," Master Blint said quietly. "You speak as if I'm the best wetboy in the city, and I'll speak as if there's a chance this side of h.e.l.l that I'll take the job." I'm the best wetboy in the city, and I'll speak as if there's a chance this side of h.e.l.l that I'll take the job."

The tension sat thick in the upstairs room of the inn. Lord General Brant Agon wasn't pleased, but he took a breath, ran a hand through his gray hair, and said, "Why does faking a suicide cost fifteen hundred gold?"

"A properly staged suicide takes months," Master Blint said. "Depending upon the deader's history. If I'm after a known melancholic, that can be shortened to six weeks. If he's tried to suicide before, it can be as little as a week. I gain access in one way or another and administer special concoctions."

Azoth was trying to pay attention, but there was something about being back in his old clothes that made the illusions of the last weeks come crashing down. Kylar was gone-and not because Azoth was following orders and pretending to be Azoth. Kylar had been a mask of confidence. It had fooled Logan, and it had fooled Azoth for a little while, but the mask had fallen away. He was Azoth. He was weak. He didn't understand what he was doing here, or why, and he was scared.

Blint continued, not so much as glancing at him, "The deader becomes depressed, withdrawn, suspicious. Symptoms gradually worsen. Then maybe a favorite pet dies. The target is already peevish and paranoid, and soon he lashes out at his friends. The friends who visit-at least those who take refreshment-grow irritable while they are with the deader. They quarrel. They stop visiting. Sometimes the target writes the note himself. Sometimes he even commits the suicide himself, though I monitor that closely to make sure he chooses an appropriate method for the effect desired. When given proper time, no one suspects anything but self-murder. The family itself will often hush up the details, and scatter what little evidence there is."

"By the High King's beard, is such a thing possible?" the lord general asked.

"Possible? Yes. Difficult? Very. It takes a considerable number of carefully mixed poisons-do you know that everyone reacts differently to poisons?-and a huge amount of my time. If a forged note is required, the target's correspondence and journals are a.n.a.lyzed so that not only the handwriting, but also the writing style and even certain choices of wording are identical." Durzo smiled wolfishly. "a.s.sa.s.sination is an art, milord, and I am the city's most accomplished artist."

"How many men have you killed?" the lord general asked.

"Suffice it to say I'm never idle."

The man fiddled with his beard and continued looking through the handbill Master Blint had given him, obviously unsettled. "May I ask about others, Master Blint?" he said, suddenly respectful.

"I prefer that you only inquire about those deaths you're seriously considering," Master Blint said.

"Why is that?"

"I value secrets very highly, as I must. So I don't like to discuss my methodology. And, to be honest, knowing too much tends to frighten those who employ me. I had a client some time ago who was very proud of his defenses. He asked me how I'd fulfill a contract on him. He irritated me, so I told him.

"Afterward, he tried to hire another wetboy to kill me. He was turned down by every professional in Cenaria. He ended up hiring an amateur."

"You give yourself the status of a legend," the lord general said, his thin face pinching.

Of course Durzo Blint was a legend! Who would hire him if they didn't know that? At the same time, hearing Master Blint speak of his trade to a n.o.ble-to someone like Count Drake-was eerie. It was like Azoth's two worlds were being pressed uncomfortably close to each other, and he could feel the n.o.ble's awe in himself.

In the guild, Durzo Blint had been a legend because he had power, because people were afraid of him, and he never had to be afraid of anyone. That was what had drawn Azoth to him. But this n.o.ble was awed for different reasons. To him, Durzo Blint was a creature of the night. He was a man who could come violate those things he held dear. He undermined all of what the lord general had thought safe. The man didn't look afraid; he looked disgusted.

"I'm not suggesting that I terrify every wetboy in the city." Master Blint smiled. "The fact is that we professionals are, if not a close group, at least a small one. We're colleagues, some of us even friends. The second wetboy he went to was Scarred Wrable-"

"I've heard of him," Brant Agon said. "Apparently the second best a.s.sa.s.sin in the city."

"Wetboy," Blint corrected. "And a friend of mine. He told me what this client was doing. After that-well, if a military metaphor works better for you-it would be like trying a small raid on a city that was expecting it instead of an unsuspecting city. In the second case it might work, in the first it's suicide."

"I see," the lord general said. He paused for a moment, apparently surprised Master Blint knew who he was, then suddenly grinned, "And you're a tactician, too."

"How so?"

"You haven't had many contracts taken out on you since you started telling that story, have you?"

Master Blint smiled broadly. These were two men, Azoth saw, who understood each other. "Not a one. After all, diplomacy is an extension of warfare," Blint said. understood each other. "Not a one. After all, diplomacy is an extension of warfare," Blint said.

"We usually say that warfare is an extension of diplomacy," Brant Agon said. "But I think I agree with you. I once found myself outnumbered and forced to hold a position against the Lae'knaught for two days to wait for reinforcements. I had some captives, so I put them in a vulnerable position and told their guards we would receive reinforcements at dawn. During the fighting, the prisoners were allowed to get free and promptly told their superiors the news. The Lae'knaught army was so disheartened that they held back until we had had been reinforced. That diplomacy saved our lives. Which brings us back to the matter at hand," the lord general said. "I need some diplomacy that's not on this list of yours. I'm afraid I've not been completely forthright with you, Master Blint," the lord general said. "I'm here for the king." been reinforced. That diplomacy saved our lives. Which brings us back to the matter at hand," the lord general said. "I need some diplomacy that's not on this list of yours. I'm afraid I've not been completely forthright with you, Master Blint," the lord general said. "I'm here for the king."

Master Blint's face went suddenly devoid of emotion.

"I understand that by telling you that, we might lose the man who provided me with your name. But the king deems this to be worth risking the lives of both a contact and one of his ministers-namely, myself."

"You haven't done anything foolish like surround the building with soldiers, have you?" Master Blint asked.

"Nothing of the kind. I'm here alone."

"Then you've made one wise choice today."

"More than one. We've chosen you, Master Blint. And I've chosen to be honest with you, which I hope you appreciate.

"As you know, the king's wealthy, but not politically or militarily strong. That's a bitter pill, but it's not news. Our kings haven't been strong for a hundred years. Aleine Gunder wishes to change that. But in addition to internal struggles of which you no doubt know more than I'd care to learn, the king has recently learned of some rather devious plots to steal vast sums of money not only from the treasury, but-in a mult.i.tude of schemes-also from almost every n.o.bleman in the country. The idea being, we think, that Cenaria becomes so impoverished that we'll be unable to maintain an army."

"Sounds like a lot of money to steal without anybody noticing," Master Blint said.

"The Chancellor of the Exchequer has noticed-he's the one arranging it. But no one else has noticed, yet. The schemes are little short of brilliant. The plot won't even ripen for six or ten years. Men are being placed in key positions and as yet have done nothing wrong. There's more, much more, but you don't need to know it."

"What do I need to know?" Blint asked, his eyes heavy-lidded.

"I've made a study of you, Master Blint," the lord general said. "Though information about you is difficult to find. Everyone knows that the Sa'kage holds an enormous amount of power here. People outside the country know it. Khalidor knows it. information about you is difficult to find. Everyone knows that the Sa'kage holds an enormous amount of power here. People outside the country know it. Khalidor knows it.

"The king needs you for more than a dozen jobs, spanning years. Some will involve simple a.s.sa.s.sination, some will involve information planting, and some will not involve killing at all, but simply being seen. G.o.dking Ursuul must believe the Sa'kage and its a.s.sets have an alliance with us."

"You want me to become a government agent."

"Not... exactly."

"And I suppose you'd give me a pardon for all I've done?" Master Blint asked.

"I've been authorized to offer that."

Master Blint stood, laughing. "No, Lord General. Good day."

"I'm afraid I can't take no for an answer. The king has forbidden it."

"I do hope you're not planning on threatening my life," Master Blint said.

"First," the lord general said, looking at Azoth for the first time, "we'll kill the boy."

19

Master Blint shrugged. "So?"

"And we'll kill your lover. I believe her name's Vonda?"

"You can kill the b.i.t.c.h. But that might give you some trouble, considering she's four months dead."

The lord general didn't even pause. "And we'll kill this 'Momma' Kirena who seems to be your only friend. Then we'll come after you. I don't want it to be this way, but this is what the king offers."

"You're making two mistakes," Master Blint said. "First, you're a.s.suming that I value other people's lives more than my own. How can you know what I do and believe such a thing? Second, you're a.s.suming that I value my own life."

"Please understand. I'm under orders. Personally, I'd rather have nothing to do with you," the lord general said. "I think it's beneath the dignity of a king to hire criminals. I think it's immoral and foolish for him to put money in your purse rather than chains on your wrists. I find you abhorrent. A wreck of a human being barely resembling what once must have been a man. But the king has decided we need a sellsword like you. I'm a soldier. I've been sent to get you, and I won't fail." money in your purse rather than chains on your wrists. I find you abhorrent. A wreck of a human being barely resembling what once must have been a man. But the king has decided we need a sellsword like you. I'm a soldier. I've been sent to get you, and I won't fail."

"And you're making a tactical blunder," Master Blint said. "The king might kill my apprentice, my friend, and even me, but at the least, he will have lost his lord general. A poor trade."

"I don't think he would find my death to be such a very great loss," the lord general said.

"Ah, figured that out, have you?" Blint asked. "This may be the first time you've seen me, Brant Agon, but it isn't the first time I've seen you."

The lord general looked puzzled. "So you've seen me. So have half the people in the city."

"Does your wife still crowd your side of the bed? Sweet, isn't it? Does she still wear that drab nightgown with the daisies embroidered on the hem? You really love her, don't you?"

Lord General Agon froze.

"You call me abhorrent?" Durzo asked. "You owe me your life!"

"What?"

"Didn't you ever wonder why you got a promotion instead of a knife in the back?"

From his eyes, even Azoth could tell that the lord general had.

"I was in your house the night King Davin died, when you and Regnus Gyre met. I was to kill your wife as a warning to you. Later, the prince would offer you a better marriage to a young n.o.blewoman who would be able to give you sons. And I was authorized to kill both you and Regnus if you were plotting treason. I spared you-and I don't get paid unless I leave corpses. I don't expect your grat.i.tude, lord general, but I demand your respect!"

Lord General Agon's face went gray. "You... you told Aleine that my price was the promotion. He thought he bought me off with a promotion rather than a wife." Azoth could see him mentally reviewing comments he must have heard over the last four months, and getting sicker and sicker. "Why?"

"You're the ill.u.s.trious general, the old war hero. You tell me." Durzo sneered.

"Putting me in charge of the army divided the Sa'kage's enemies. It kept the king from putting someone he could trust in charge of the military. You b.a.s.t.a.r.ds have got people everywhere, don't you?"

"Me? I'm just a sellsword. I'm just a wreck of a human being."

The general's face was still gray, but his back never bent an inch. "You've... you've given me much to think about, Master Blint. Though I still believe the murders you've committed merit hanging, I dishonored you and myself with my hasty words. I apologize. My apology, however, has no effect on the king's determination that you serve him. I-" still believe the murders you've committed merit hanging, I dishonored you and myself with my hasty words. I apologize. My apology, however, has no effect on the king's determination that you serve him. I-"

"Get out," Master Blint said. "Get out. If you reconsider your threats, I'll be here for a few minutes."

The general rose, and watching Master Blint carefully, walked to the door. He opened it, and kept his eyes on Master Blint until he closed the door behind himself. Azoth heard his steps echo down the hall.

Master Blint stared at the door and scooted back from the table. Instead of relaxing now that the general was gone, he tensed. Everything about him spoke of potential action. He looked like a mongoose waiting for a serpent to strike.

"Step away from the door, Azoth," he said. "Stand by the window."

There was no hesitation. Azoth had learned that lesson. He didn't have to understand; he just had to obey.

He heard a crash on the stairs and loud cursing. Azoth stood by the window and looked at Master Blint, but the man's pockmarked face betrayed nothing.

Moments later, the door banged open. The lord general lurched in, sword drawn. "What have you done?" he roared. His knees bowed and he leaned heavily against the doorframe to keep from falling.

Master Blint didn't say anything.

The general blinked and tried to straighten, but a spasm pa.s.sed through his body as his stomach cramped. It pa.s.sed, and he said, "How?"

"I put a contact poison on the door latch," Master Blint said. "It seeps right through the skin."

"But if we'd reached a deal..." the lord general said.

"I'd have opened the door for you. If you'd worn gloves, I had other plans. Now I want you to listen very closely. The king is an incompetent, treacherous, foul-mouthed child, so I'm going to make this very clear. I'm a first-rate wetboy. He's a second-rate king. I won't work for him. If you want, you can hire me yourself: I'll kill the king, but I won't kill for him. And there's no way you or he can pressure me.

"I know he won't believe that, because Aleine Gunder is the kind of man who believes he can get whatever he wants. So here's why he's going to believe." Master Blint stood. "First, I'm going to leave a message for him tonight in the castle. Second, you're going to investigate what happened to Count Yosar Glin. He was the client who betrayed me. Third, there's what has already happened to you. And fourth-do sit, Agon, and put away the sword. It's insulting."

Lord General Agon crashed into a chair. The long sword fell from his fingers. He didn't appear to have the strength to pick it up. Regardless, his eyes were still clear, and he was hearing every word Master Blint said.

"Lord General, I don't care who he kills. I know you have this inn surrounded, that there are crossbowmen covering the windows of this room. They don't matter. More important, the king's threats don't matter. I will be no man's lapdog. I serve who I will, when I will, and I will never serve Aleine Gunder. Azoth, come here."

Azoth went to his master, wondering why Blint had used his name. He stood in front of Master Blint, who rested his hands on Azoth's shoulders and turned him to face General Agon.

"Azoth here is my best apprentice. He's agile. He's smart. He learns things after being told once. He works tirelessly. Azoth, tell the general what you've learned about life."

Without hesitation, Azoth said, "Life is empty. Life is meaningless. When we take a life, we aren't taking anything of value. Wetboys are killers. That's all we do. That's all we are. There are no poets in the bitter business."

"Lord General," Blint said, "are you with me?"

"I'm with you," the general said, fire raging in his eyes.

Master Blint's voice was ice. "Then know this: I'd kill my own apprentice before I'd let you use him against me."

The general jerked sharply in his chair as if shocked. He was staring at Azoth. Azoth followed his gaze to his own chest.

Several inches of bloodied steel were protruding from him. Azoth saw them and felt an uncomfortable pushing, spreading sensation from his back all the way through his center. It seemed cool, then warm, then painful. He blinked his eyes slowly and looked back to the general, whose eyes were full of horror. Azoth looked at the steel.

He recognized that blade. He'd cleaned it that day he went looking for Doll Girl. He hoped Master Blint would at least wipe it down before he brought it back for Azoth to clean. It had filigree on the blade that held blood if you let it dry there. Azoth had had to use the point of a stiletto to pick it out. It took hours.

Then Azoth was drawn to the location of the dagger. At that angle on a child's chest, it would have clipped the fat vessel above the heart. If so, the deader would go down as soon as the dagger was drawn out. There would be a lot of blood. The deader would die within seconds.

Azoth's body jerked as the dagger disappeared. He was vaguely aware of his knees folding. He slumped over sideways and felt something warm spilling over his chest.

The wood planks of the floor jostled him unmercifully as he sprawled over them. He lay facing up. Master Blint was holding a b.l.o.o.d.y dagger in his hand and saying something.