The Guild of Assassins Read Online Free Page B

Guild?”
    “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that.”
    Mai smiled. “That’s because you haven’t read the Guildmaster’s letter.”
    “I see.”
    “Can’t you refuse to go?” Evan asked.
    Mai’s smile faded. “If I do, I’ll renounce everything I am. Given that it’s only my life that’s at stake here, I’d rather not.”
    “So, you’d rather go there and face certain death?”
    “I’ll take my chances.”
    “From what I heard just now,” Evan said, “there won’t be much of a chance.”
    Mai’s gaze became distant.
    “I don’t think our Guildmaster fully understands what he’s up against. The Kaddim Brotherhood is set to destroy everyone, and recent events suggest the Majat Guild is not immune to its powers. I must make sure Aghat Oden Lan is aware of this, whatever he chooses to do to me afterward.”
    Evan stared at him in disbelief. “How can you think like this, Aghat Mai, when they’re effectively ordering you to return and be executed?”
    “My life’s not important, Your Majesty. Not when the integrity of our Guild is at stake.”
    He looked calm as he said it, as if there was nothing out of the ordinary in his assertion. Looking into his impassive face, Evan could see no room for further argument.
    “If that is the case,” he said, “I tend to agree with Aghat Raishan. With Kara’s help you do stand more of a fighting chance.”
    “If she gets involved in this,” Mai said quietly, “there will be no return.”
    “It seems to me she’s already involved.”
    Mai shook his head. “Her situation is unprecedented. No one’s ever survived in her circumstances. My guess is, as long as she remains free, the Majat Guild has no idea what to do with her. But if she follows me back to the Guild…” His gaze darkened, but before Evan could catch the emotion that passed within, there was a barely perceptible glint, as if invisible shutters inside his eyes slid into place, hiding Mai’s feelings behind an expression of calm tranquility.
    “I violated my orders,” Mai went on, “so that she could live. If she goes with me and dies protecting me, all this would be for nothing. You’ll lose a prize fighter who can help you against the Kaddim. If no one else here sees it this way, maybe you would, Magister?” He turned to the Keeper.
    Egey Bashi shook his head. “I’d hate to lose either one of you. If you really must go, Aghat Mai, then I’m the one who should be going with you to explain the situation to your Guildmaster.”
    Mai smiled. “I heard you tried, when he gave the order to kill Kara.”
    “True,” the Keeper said grimly. “He feels quite personally about her, doesn’t he?”
    “Yes, he does.” Mai exchanged a glance with Raishan.
    “But we have to do something ,” Egey Bashi insisted.
    “In this particular case, Magister, the best thing you could do is let me go, and make sure Kara stays behind. I’ve sent a messenger raven to the Guildmaster to explain the situation in advance of my arrival. There’s a chance he will listen. And if not, you’ll at least have Kara to fight on your side.”
    “Do you really think you have a chance, Aghat?” Egey Bashi asked.
    Mai averted his gaze.
    “I didn’t think so. From my personal experience, Aghat Oden Lan can be quite stubborn, especially when he feels personally about something.”
    “All the more reason to make sure Kara doesn’t get anywhere near him. Not until he’s had a chance to relieve his anger by punishing someone else.”
    “You.”
    Mai’s lips twitched. “I have a plan.”
    “A good one, I hope.”
    “As good as it can be, under the circumstances.”
    “Why don’t you share it with Kara? Maybe she’ll agree to stay behind?”
    Mai let out a barely perceptible sigh. “Not as good as that, I’m afraid.”
    Egey Bashi shook his head. “If you can’t prevent her from coming, Aghat Mai, what do you suggest I do to stop her? Unlike you, I can’t even stand up to her in a fight for more