The tiger ceased to struggle. Bane found himself once more staring into those golden eyes. For a heartbeat it was as if their spirits touched. Then the head sagged. Rage dragged Bane clear. The young
Rigante knelt beside the tiger, laying his hand upon the creature's flanks. It was still breathing. Bane felt the weight of a great sorrow touch him.
'I am sorry, my friend,' he said, stroking the fur. 'You travelled a long way to die here.'
The tiger's head twitched, and for a moment it seemed it would rise. Then the light faded from its eyes.
Rage knelt beside the younger man, examining the cuts on his shoulder. 'They're not too deep,' he said, pulling Bane to his feet.
'There are assassins at the perimeter,' said Jasaray. 'I do not know how many.'
'Three less than there were,' said Rage. 'Let's get you back into the palace.'
'First let us take time to think,' said Jasaray. 'The entrance you came through was guarded, yes?'
'Yes, Majesty,' said Rage. 'We killed three, but one escaped.'
There are two other entrances. We must assume they are also guarded. We must also assume, since so many assassins gained access to my private grounds, that some of my guards have been traduced.' Jasaray sat down on the marble bench and gazed down at the dead tiger. 'It is time to smoke out the termites,' he said. 'But first we must clear my grounds of traitors.' He looked at Bane. 'Can you still fight?' he asked.
'I can fight.'
Then let us seek out the other killers.'
Jasaray led Bane and Rage towards the first of the exits. As they came to it they saw the tiger's cage had been wedged between the hedges. Rage moved close to the bars, and peered out. There was no sound or movement from beyond the cage. He and Bane pushed it clear. Three men ran from the shadows. Rage killed two in as many heartbeats. Bane blocked a knife thrust from the third, kicked his legs from under him, then, as he fell, slashed his gladius through the man's throat. Jasaray stepped from the maze. 'Nicely done,' he said.
The third entrance was blocked by two upturned tables. There were no assassins there. Slowly they circled the maze. The grounds were empty.
An hour later Bane and Jasaray climbed a narrow, hidden staircase, which ended at a locked door.
'Are you sure you want to do this?' whispered Bane.
'Life without risk is no life at all,' Jasaray replied. He flicked open a latch, and the two men stepped out into the corridor some thirty feet away from Jasaray's private apartments. Three guards stood outside the emperor's rooms. As Jasaray stepped into sight they momentarily stood and gaped, then they snapped to attention. Jasaray, now wearing a pale grey tunic and sandals, advanced towards the guards. Bane stayed close to him, his sword in his hand.
'It has been an interesting evening,' said Jasaray. 'Has anyone been enquiring after me?'
The first of the guards licked his lips nervously. 'We thought you were asleep, Majesty,' he said. His gaze flickered to the blood-smeared Bane.
'I have not been asleep,' said the emperor. 'I have been struggling to avoid the attentions of a hungry tiger and a group of armed assassins running free in my grounds.'
The door to the apartments opened and Voltan moved into sight. He was wearing his black and silver armour, and was carrying a gladius. 'You are a hard man to kill, Majesty,' he said. The guards stepped aside and drew their swords. But they made no attempt to attack or restrain Voltan.
'You are a thorough man,' said the emperor softly. 'How many of my guards have you turned against me?'
‘These three only,' said Voltan. 'You chose well with the others. Singularly loyal and dreadfully dull.'
Bane stood silently by, ready for the attack. Jasaray seemed unconcerned. 'You might have waited until my death before invading my apartments,' he told Voltan. 'It is such bad manners.'
'My apologies, Majesty,' answered Voltan, with a smile. 'I wouldn't want to be considered rude. But I thought a dozen men and a tiger would be enough. Are you ready to die now?'
'I think no man is ever ready to die, Voltan. Tell me, how will you make it look like an accident now?'
Voltan laughed. 'I do so admire bravery,' he said. 'You always were calm in the face of danger. I shall kill you quickly, and then slash the skin to give the appearance of claw wounds. Clumsy, I know, but you have left me with little choice. You will be given a state funeral, and thousands will walk behind your coffin weeping. I don't doubt more statues will be raised to you, and men will speak for a generation about your greatness.' Suddenly he leapt forward, his sword snaking out. Bane blocked the blow, pulling the emperor behind him. Almost in the same move the Rigante sent a slashing riposte. Voltan leapt back from it, then chuckled. 'I have no time', he said, 'to give you another lesson. Kill him,' he told the guards. The men spread out and advanced.
At that moment there came the sounds of running men, booted feet pounding on the stairs. Scores of soldiers came into sight, weapons drawn, filling the corridor from both ends. Rage moved into view.
Jasaray, his hands clasped behind his back, looked at the treacherous guards. 'Put down your weapons,' he said, 'and your deaths will be clean and swift. Hold to them and I will see that your eyes are burned out, but not before you have seen all your relatives and friends, loved ones and children slaughtered.' His voice was not raised, but venom dripped from every syllable. The three guards, their faces grey, released their weapons, which clattered to the floor.
Voltan stood alone now, sword in his hand. 'Clever, clever Scholar,' he said. 'I underestimated you.'
'Most men do,' said Jasaray. 'Put down your sword.'
'Perhaps I would prefer to die fighting,' said Voltan.
'Of course you would,' said Jasaray. 'And I will arrange it – if you give me evidence against Nalademus. I will let you die, sword in hand, in the arena, before the crowds. Otherwise I will order my men to take you alive. Your legs and arms will be hacked off, and you will be released, to end your days begging for food as a cripple in the streets. Make your choice!'
'I could just kill you and be done with it,' said Voltan, his pale eyes gleaming.
'You could,' said Jasaray, 'but my order would still stand. Can you see yourself begging for crumbs?'
Voltan stood very still for a moment, then tossed his sword to the floor. Soldiers ran forward, pinning his arms and leading him away.
'Wait!' he said, as they came alongside Rage. 'I need to speak to this man.' The guards glanced back at the emperor, who nodded permission.
'What do you want?' asked Rage.
'Orders have been given to arrest Cultists. Hunt teams will set out at dawn. Get Cara away from the villa.'
'Cara?'
'She is one of them. She was with the Veiled Lady yesterday.'
'Thank you,' said Rage softly.
The guards led Voltan away. Jasaray summoned an officer. 'Secure the palace. Relieve all guards and send them to their barracks. Let no-one know what has happened here tonight. And find me a scribe. I need to send several messages.'
'Yes, Majesty,' replied the man.
'And fetch a surgeon for my young friend here.'
The officer saluted and moved away. Jasaray pushed open the door to his apartments and gestured for Rage and Bane to follow him inside. The emperor seated himself on an elegant couch, beautifully yet simply made, and covered with polished black leather. He leaned back against an embroidered cushion and closed his eyes.