Page 69 of The Dragon King's Assassin

Chapter Thirty

Once Uso's body was gone, the King turned to me. “Now who is the intermediary?”

“His name is Lord Yuref Lancarester. He's on the Human Council.”

“A councilman has plotted against me?”

“Technically, he only served as the middle man.”

Taroc lifted a brow at me.

“Are you truly surprised?”

“A little. Council members are the only people I didn't suspect.” He looked at the Prince. “Excuse us, Prince Racmar, but this matter can't wait.”

“Of course.” Prince Racmar bowed to the King. “I must prepare for my departure anyway. Thank you for your help, Your Majesty.”

“You're welcome. I shall bid you goodbye now, so you will not have to seek me out in the morning.”

“Thank you again, Sire.” The Prince bowed. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Prince Racmar. Safe travels and give my best to your brother.”

“I will.” The Prince nodded to me. “Thank you for your help as well, Locrian.”

“My pleasure, Your Highness. And, for what it's worth, Daha is a good man. Even if he wasn't, you have made a vow to protect his honor. For a Raltven, that means that a sacred pact has been forged between you, one that he must honor as well. As long as you keep your promises, he will do his best for you.”

“That's worth quite a lot, human.” The Prince laid his hand on my shoulder. “Don't worry, I'll look after him physically too.”

I bit my tongue before I could say that I was sure he would. Daha would have some fun in Zaru, maybe even before he got there.

As the Prince left, the King went to the door and called for the Captain again.

“What are you going to do?” I asked him.

“I'm sending some knights to arrest Yuref.”

“I would advise against that. If the royal knights show up at Yuref's house and arrest him, the man who hired him may learn of it. Your enemy is wealthy, whoever they are, and a council member being arrested in the middle of the night is gossip that will doubtless reach them. I suspect that they already know that Yuref is the broker, since a wealthy client would be less inclined to work with someone unknown. Even if they don't know his identity, they might figure it out merely from your treatment of him, and if they think you're about to learn of their identity, they could decide to run.”

“Then what do you recommend?”

“Send Vettan alone, dressed as a courtier. Have him summon Yuref to speak with you. And maybe wait until after dawn to send him.”

“And what shall I tell Yuref this meeting is about?”

“Don't. You're the King, you don't have to explain yourself to him. Just summon him. If your enemy is having Yuref watched, he may be concerned about a visit to the royal palace, but I doubt he'd run prematurely. He'd want to be sure you were onto him before he gave up and fled. If for no other reason than he'll still want to see you dead.”

“You make a fine argument.”

“Your Majesty?” Captain Vettan was back.

The King looked from me to the Captain. “Tomorrow morning at first light, I need you to dress like a civilian, go to the home of Lord Yusef Lancarester, and bring him to me.”

The Captain scowled. “As a civilian, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. Be as discrete as possible; he is the man we've been seeking. The intermediary. Tell him I wish to speak to him but don't say why.”

“If he is the broker, shouldn't I go now, Sire?”

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