“My grandfather has changed his mind about his disowned grandson Kip,” Zymun said. “Lieutenant, are you capable of taking decisive action and delicate orders?”
“Yes, sir!”
“And your men here? They know how to keep their mouths shut when given a vital assignment?”
“Yes, sir!” they said.
Zymun said, “Promachos Guile wants you to capture Kip and any one of his squad who try to stop you. You may use all of the Lightguard.” Zymun lowered his voice. “And lieutenant … by capture, the promachos means kill. Make it look like you had no choice. You must never breathe a word of this, not even aloud to the promachos. Our enemies have spies everywhere. I promise you great rewards if you show you can be trusted. Perhaps even advancement. I am now the Prism-elect. I can be a good friend to you. Do you understand?”
Aram’s eyes glittered. “Yes, Lord Prism. We’ll obey gladly. More than gladly.”
“The luxlords will be in ceremonies until after noon. Today is a holy day, I don’t expect you to get the whole city in an uproar, you understand? Do it quietly, but do it. If you have to use every Lightguard in the city, do it, say you’re after a thief or something. Yes?”
“Yes, my lord, I understand absolutely. I can summon every Lightguard in the tower. We have access to the room crystals.”
“Perfect. But—not on this level. We want no interruptions for our ceremonies. Shut down the lifts first. That bridge, the Lily’s Stem, yes? Looked like a good choke point to me.”
“Yes, my lord, absolutely. Only way onto the island. That and the back docks. We can cover those, too.”
“Don’t come report until he’s dead. Or don’t come at all.”
They rushed off, the lieutenant at an odd hobbling gait aided by his boar spear. Zymun went to the latrine. It was only as he was pissing that he realized who the woman in the front row must be and why she’d looked familiar. He’d seen her from afar once in King Garadul’s camp. It was his mother, Karris!
He laughed aloud. How perfect! Was he good enough to seduce his own long-lost mother? Now that, that would be a challenge. But who better to use to get all the money and information he could ever need to use against Andross Guile?
Was he that good? Yes, he thought, of course he was.
He laced up his trousers, readjusted the gold crown on his head, and walked back into the audience hall with a big, big smile on his face.
Chapter 92
“How long do we have?” Ironfist asked Kip.
“An hour.” Kip had told Ironfist only that there was a deal with Andross—and that relieving Ironfist of his position hadn’t been part of it.
Ironfist nodded, not wasting words on the obvious. They had to move fast.
They walked quickly into the Blackguard barracks. Teia met them at the door, playing it off to the squad like she’d just arrived from downstairs. Almost all the Blackguards were on shift today. There was so much work to do on a Sun Day that even the nunks had been pressed into crowd patrol and guard duty and overwatch. There were only four or five Blackguards in the barracks, and those were napping for a half hour or grabbing a quick meal before heading out for more shifts.
Most surprising though, was seeing Ben-hadad. “Oh, thank Orholam,” he said. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you all. What is all this stuff? Coin sticks? Weapons? Writs of—”
“Shut it, Ben-hadad,” Kip said. “Not now.”
“I can’t wait to tell you where I’ve been! I was—” Ben-hadad started.
“Ben!” Cruxer said.
“Meet me here in three,” Ironfist said, not even slowing.
The squad scattered, each going toward their own bunks and chests.
“Wait,” Kip said. He already had all his stuff. “What are you all doing?”
The sleeping Blackguards perked up instantly. “What’s happening, Commander?” Stump called, sitting up.
“I’m not your commander anymore,” Ironfist said, not even slowing as he went to his own room. “I’ve been relieved of duty.”
He might as well have hit them with lightning. “What?” Lem asked.
“What the hell!?” Stump asked.
But Ironfist didn’t answer. Kip followed him. “Sir, how much should I tell you?” he asked.
Ironfist didn’t turn. He started loading a pack. “Is what you’re doing right?”
“It’s … not wrong. It’s smart. It’s for the good of my squad and the satrapies.”
“Sounds right to me, then.”
“Will you come with me?” Kip asked. “Even just as far as the docks?”