‘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.
‘You must be tired, Majesty,’ said Rage. ‘Perhaps we should let you rest.’
Jasaray gave a thin smile. ‘Not a night for rest. Come, seat yourselves.’ He glanced at Bane. ‘There are towels in the rear chamber. Cover your wounds. I do not want to get blood on my furniture.’
‘Might I ask a question?’ enquired Rage, as Bane went off in search of towels.
‘Of course, my friend.’
‘If you suspected Nalademus of treachery, why did you allow him such power?’
Jasaray thought about the question. ‘The answer will be difficult for you to comprehend. You are an honourable man. You do not seek high office or power. Men who do are ruthlessly ambitious. They have great belief in themselves. This is what makes them so effective. Men like that are necessary. No empire can grow without them. They mirror nature, my friend. In the wolf pack there can be only one leader, but around that leader are a score of other males seeking to replace him. I do not blame Nalademus for his treachery. What condemns him is that he failed. Now he will suffer the consequences. However, the man I choose to succeed him will also be utterly ambitious. He too will one day seek to overthrow me. It is the ambition of such men that gives Stone its vitality, and purpose.’