Page 17 of The Dragon King's Assassin

Chapter Nine

The main docks of Mhavenna were just within the western river gate, closest to the Fresian Sea, but there were many docks along the broad Vevaren River that crossed the city, some more secure than others. Tengven docked his ship near the eastern river gate for two reasons; the river was cleaner there, having just entered the city from the mountain end, and the Neraky underwater city of Fei-Sha was just outside the gate, in the center of Sungla Lake. The fact that it was within walking distance of the Shrieking Ghost was just a bonus.

I stood on the deck of Teng's ship, the Lu-Ken, staring toward the eastern gate. The portcullis was raised for the day, and boats were already sailing in. Most of them would be carrying honest merchants, unlike my friend, who only masqueraded as one.

“Come inside,” Tengven said.

He led me past the skeleton crew lazing in the sun. In between jobs, Teng's men had it easy. They maintained the ship and guarded it, but that was done in shifts of small groups, with the rest of the crew free to come and go as they pleased. But Tengven was no pushover. He gave them such leeway because he expected so much from them when they did work.

A lot of pirates earned a reputation for themselves; sailors would see their ships approaching and try to flee. But the Lu-Ken was known only as a merchant vessel. and that was a far greater accomplishment. He could sail up to any ship, and they wouldn't know they were in jeopardy until the very last moment. I don't know how he did it. If Tengven had a no-survivors policy or if he was simply exceptional at masking his ship and crew—and I didn't want to know.

We went into the captain's cabin, a room at the end of the main deck, beneath the quarterdeck. The most spacious room on the ship, it was also the most airy, with little windows that had been flung open to emit the breeze. To one side was a built-in bed, to the other, a dining set, and in between, was a sitting area with a full-sized couch, two armchairs, and a trunk for a coffee table. Teng called out for tea, shucked off his heavy coat, then sat down in one of the armchairs.

“I could sail you out of the kingdom,” he said. “The crew's ready for another job anyway.”

“He'd find me.” I shook my head. “He has my scent.”

“Fuck, Lock. You really messed up this time.”

“I am aware.”

One of the crew brought in a tray with tea and tiny cookies, managing to look intimidating despite his dainty, elegant burden. He set it down on the trunk between us, nodded at his captain, and left, his thick boots thudding on the expensive rug. The rug and tea set weren't the only fine things in the room. One look around Teng's cabin was all you needed to know that he was good at what he did. From the crystal lanterns chained above us to the bottles of expensive liquor set within a wall bracket, everything was the best quality money could buy.

“All right.” Tengven stabbed a cookie with one of his long, pointed nails and popped it in his mouth. After swallowing, he went on, “I'll start with the whores and the thieves. They should know something. Someone has to have seen the Hood leaving the Ghost at some time. I need you to tell me everything you know about him, no matter how small a detail it may seem. Then I need you to think back to anything Gren may have said or done in regard to the Hood. Any references to social standing or facial features. Quirks. Anything at all.”

I started to go over every memory I had of the hooded man who was my intermediary with my anonymous customers. Every little detail, and then everything I could remember Gren saying about him. This went on for much longer than I'd expected, and I was shocked by the number of things Tengven recorded in a little notebook. By the end of it, my stomach was rumbling.

“Shall we break for lunch?” Tengven asked.

“Lunch?” I frowned. Why did that alarm me? “Oh, fuck! What time is it?”

“Uh.” Tengven looked toward a clock near the bed. “12:30. Why?”

“Fuck! I have to go.” I jumped up and rushed for the door.

“Lock?”

I paused. “Is that enough to get started?”

“Yes, of course. But what's—”

“He told me to be back in two hours. I've gotta go, Teng.”

“Yes, yes, go!” He waved me off.

I bolted across the deck of the Lu-Ken and then across the boarding plank. At this time of day, carriages actually ventured into the Broken and one happened to be passing the docks. I shouted and ran for it. Thanks be to all the Gods, it actually stopped for me.

“The Royal Palace!” I said to the driver as I jumped in. “And hurry!”

The driver straightened in surprise, snatched up the reins, and slapped them down. Jingles sounded as the carriage lurched forward over the cobblestone road. I sat back against the rear wall, panting, trying to calm my racing heart. It was only half an hour. Surely, he wouldn't notice that I was half an hour late. He'd have to have checked a clock right as I was leaving. As I had done. Either that or have some kind of internal timer. No, I was fine. I could make an excuse. Except that Teng's dock was a good twenty minutes away from the palace. That would make me nearly an hour late.

“Fuck!” I slammed a fist on the seat and jiggled my leg anxiously. The horses were already going at a fast clip, I couldn't demand more speed. I'd just have to—

The sound of screaming horses accompanied the sharp creak of straining wood and the driver's alarmed shout. The carriage came to an abrupt halt, sending me to the floor. I was still picking myself up when the door was yanked open.

“Son of a bitch!” I snarled as I lifted my head . . . and stared straight into the eyes of the Dragon King. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“I said two hours, Assassin,” the King stepped back, revealing a line of palace knights behind him. “You are late.”

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