The Warlord and the Assassin: A Fantasy Romance Novella Read Online Free Page A

 
    The native Varanese stayed out of sight, suspicious and wary. War had visited them too often in recent times.  
    Amina ducked into a narrow alley in the pleasure district. An uneven, cobblestone street snaked up the hillside, past darkened shopfronts adorned with hanging lanterns. The buildings and streets were ancient, built long before the Eratean Empire had come into existence.
    She stopped at an ordinary looking entrance, over which hung a faded sign. A simple lotus insignia was painted on the sign, in white.  
    Amina pushed open the door, entering an airy, white room. Lush, canary blue drapes graced the windows. On a round, polished table in the centre was an extravagant spray of white orchids.  
    “Hello, can I help you?” In a cloud of rose perfume, the Mistress of the house swept into the room. She truly Varanese, her silver-gold hair swept up in an elaborate bun, her pale blue eyes lined with shimmering pearl dust. She smiled at Amina, taking in her simple, faded red dress and plain leather sandals. “Are you lost, dear?”
    “Mistress Rial, I presume?”
    The woman called Rial stiffened, her expression wary. “And who is asking, dear?”
    “I’m Amina, Mira’s sister.”  
    “You’re Mira Sato’s sister?” Rial crossed the floor, drawing close to Amina. “Have you had word of her?”
    “She’s in danger, Mistress, and I need your help.” Amina removed her hat, revealing the scars that marked her as an Inue assassin and her dark, close-cropped hair. Rial’s eyes widened.
    “I didn’t know Mira-chi’s sister was a-” She blinked, as if afraid that she might have offended Amina. “I mean, never mind. There’s definitely a resemblance, but at the same time, you’re like chalk and cheese.” She shook her head. “If Mira-chi is in danger, then I’ll do anything to help. She was a favorite pupil of mine. Such a talented girl. I do hope nothing happens to her. What is it you need, Amina?”
    “You need to make me an ikana , Mistress Rial, just for one night. Then you need to find a reason to send a group of ikana to Larion Fortress. Think of it as a peace offering from the Varanese to the Warlord. I need to get close to him.”
    Rial narrowed her eyes, the pearl dust surrounding them shimmering in the bright morning light. “What does this have to do with Mira-chi? I cannot offer my precious girls to an Akuna devil, especially Tarak Chul!” She shuddered. “Ourephos knows what he would do to them.”
    “The situation is complicated, Mistress.” Amina took a step forward, taking advantage of the reputation of the Inue assassins. Although she much shorter than the Mistress, Rial shuffled back, her pale hands trembling. Even to a non-warrior, Amina’s qwi could be frightening. “You had better believe me when I say that if you don’t help me with this, harm will come to Mira. And I tend to hold grudges against those who directly or indirectly cause my family harm.”
    Rial swallowed, and clasped her hands together to stop them from trembling. “I understand.” She took a deep breath, casting a critical eye over Amina. “You’re a bit short for an ikana , but with enough makeup and a decent wig, those Akuna devils won’t be able to tell the difference. I will help you, Inue, on one condition. You must make sure no harm comes to my girls. They’re ikana , not common whores. Remember that.”
    “Of course.” Amina raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you worry about that, Mistress Rial. Any Akuna who tries the slightest indecency will be granted eunuch status by my hand.”
    ~~~
    Tarak sighed as another Varanese merchant knelt before him, too afraid to speak. He waved his hand in frustration. “Get up, Master Erion. I don’t care much for formalities here. And as much as I’m sure your silks are of fine quality, you would be better off sending them to the east. My countrymen are starved for such things. I’m sure you make a nice profit selling them in Lon San.”
    The man called