Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,38

beneath it remained. Darla’s eyes were flat and empty. “Keep her still,” he ordered the two men holding her.

Lognion formed a spell and turyn began to glow around his hands. Reaching out, he grasped the top of the vest and pulled. The riveted steel links began to part and the gambeson beneath it tore. Darla’s demeanor shifted instantly. Her right leg came up, but Lognion was ready for her. Releasing her vest, his left hand caught the woman’s knee while his right drove forward into her belly. Laina’s friend sagged, but the king barked another order. “Hold her up.”

Then he resumed his task, ripping the vest and gambeson away to reveal the woman’s bare chest. A dark tattoo in black and red showed between her breasts, a stylized spider. “As I thought, one of the Arkeshi. Your life is forfeit, assassin, as it has been from the moment you stepped onto Terabinian soil.”

“She’s an exile,” declared Laina suddenly.

Lognion turned his head slowly, with a predator’s grace, until his eyes had locked onto the newest target of his interest. “You know her?”

Laina blanched, but she wouldn’t disavow her friend. “She’s an exile. She no longer owes allegiance to the Great Khan. I hired her to serve as my bodyguard. She’s here on my behalf.”

The king’s lips curled slightly at the corner and Will felt his heart shrink. He had seen that expression on the cruel man’s face too many times in the past. “Let me rephrase that for you, Miss Nerrow,” said the monarch, his eyes flicking over to study Will for a moment, gauging his reaction. “If you take responsibility for bringing this assassin into Terabinia then the crime is yours.”

Will could see his sister’s hands begin to visibly shake. She linked them together to hide her fear. Then she asked, “If I do, will you spare her life?”

A deep chuckle resounded in the king’s chest. “Do you think your status as the daughter of a lord will keep you from punishment? Someone must pay when a crime is committed.” There was an evil light in his eyes.

“What would my punishment be, if I claimed responsibility?”

“Laina, no!” snapped Will. “You have no idea what he’s capable of.”

King Lognion smiled with mock sweetness. “Such a touching reunion, William. You know what I’m capable of, don’t you, and why?” His eyes flitted to Laina for a second, then back to Will.

He’s threatening her to get to me, thought Will. What does he want? Before he could say anything, Darla spoke out. “Let him kill me, Laina. Death means nothing to me.”

“Your guardian is both loyal and wise, Miss Nerrow,” said the king. “If you choose to take responsibility, I will grant her amnesty for so long as she serves you, but you will have to accept punishment and I doubt your father will be pleased. Ten lashes in the public square will be a mark of shame on your family’s honor.”

Laina’s face went white, and her lip trembled when she answered, but her voice was clear. “I accept responsibility. Please spare her life.”

Will’s heart sank, and Darla cried out, “Laina, no!”

Meanwhile the king smiled cheerfully and then gave the order. “Seize her.” Darla struggled to escape the men holding her as the commander took Laina’s arm.

Unused to such roughness, Laina automatically tried to pull away. “Unhand me!” she commanded. “I’ve already surrendered.”

Lognion took one quick step forward, then slapped Laina with such force that her head whipped to one side. Stunned, she stared back at him, blood dripping down her cheek where one of his rings had cut her skin. “You’re a criminal now, Miss Nerrow. Don’t expect to be treated as a woman of gentle birth. You’ll spend the night in a cell. Once you’ve taken your lashes you’ll be released. Until then”—the king paused, relishing the words—“please resist.”

Will couldn’t take it any longer. “Let her go.”

Lognion Maligant met his gaze. “You have no standing to interfere, son-in-law.”

“Yes, I do,” said Will flatly. Lognion is one of the few people who know that Laina and I share blood.

“Perhaps you do,” said the king with a