armour stood at attention in alcoves. A massive desk dominated the centre of the room. On the far side was an open window showing a view of the treasure fleet at rest in the harbour.
Prince Taran dismissed the soldiers with a wave of his hand, strode across the room and took a seat behind his desk. He looked them over and then smiled. This time there was a little warmth on his face.
“It is good to have you back, Jonas. You have been badly missed. We are surrounded by heretics and traitors. Rebels swarm the cities. Cultists haunt the night. Your skills would have been useful.”
The smile vanished and his eyes turned to look at Kormak then Zamara and finally at Rhiana. He seemed to realise he had been on the verge of saying something indiscrete in the presence of strangers.
“You have something for me, I believe, Sir Kormak,” he said. He stretched out his hand. Kormak produced a ruby seal ring from within his tunic, stepped forward and dropped it into the Prince’s hand. Taran squinted down at it. “It matches the catalogue description,” he said.
The ring had come from the Kraken’s own hand and it had once belonged to Taran’s father. “Its wearer is dead, of course,” he said.
“Yes,” said Kormak. “Very dead.”
“Then we owe you a great debt. It will be paid in full.”
Kormak’s eyes narrowed. He did not like the way this man talked, as if he was just one more thing that money could buy.
“Please make an offering to the local chapter house of the Order of the Dawn. To the full value of what you believe your debt to be.”
Taran looked at him, as if seeing him for the first time. He leaned forward on his fist and gazed up at Kormak. Small lines appeared on his forehead. His mouth thinned. He stared at the Guardian for a moment, then brought his fist up to cover his mouth. He gave a small laugh, as if Kormak had made a joke he appreciated and said, “It shall be as you desire.”
His glance flicked to Zamara. “And cousin, you have performed admirably. You seem to have lost three ships but at least you have replaced one of them.”
Zamara’s shoulders slumped. Having watched his victim squirm enough, Taran said, “We would have considered a dozen ships a small price to pay for the death of the Kraken. We are indebted to you too, cousin. His Majesty will show that gratitude soon enough.”
Zamara’s shoulders straightened. A smile came to his lips and he bowed.
Taran eyed Rhiana and licked his lips. “And you, milady. If I had known that Frater Jonas employed such beautiful agents, I would have paid more attention to his reports.”
He measured out his smile to let them know he was joking. Kormak imagined that Prince Taran paid minute attention to every report that crossed his desk.
Rhiana’s smile conveyed genuine amusement. “I was only a part-time agent. Now the Kraken is dead, I may be leaving service entirely.”
“We shall have to see what we can do to convince you otherwise.” Taran glanced out the window to check the position of the sun then picked up the small bell that sat on his desk and rang it. Liveried servants appeared moments later.
“You are all guests of His Majesty. Rooms have been prepared for you. You must remain with us until the King-Emperor can show his appreciation for your services.”
It was clear they were dismissed.
***
“Prince Taran is a shark,” said Rhiana, looking around the sitting room of her chambers. She fingered the rich brocade of the tapestry as if she were assessing its value as plunder. Then she threw the doors open to reveal a balcony covered in flowerpots filled with blossoms.
Frater Jonas gave a faint moue of disapproval then put his finger to his lips. He walked to the door, opened it, glanced out, closed it then moved over to the large couch and slumped down on it.
“What did he mean telling us we must remain until the King can show us his appreciation.”
“Exactly what he said, my dear.” Jonas’s voice was mild but contained a lecturing note. “Men like Prince Taran are used to getting their way. Never forget, you stand at the heart of the most powerful nation in the western world.”
“I have half a mind to go down to the harbour and find a ship,” Rhiana said. She glanced at Kormak.
“And doubtless you would find your way politely blocked until such a time as