Page 64 of Cage of Destiny
Kerdan rubbed his face.“Zerek said he couldn’t give them the money because it was withJana at another location.” He shook his head. “I don’t understand,”he mumbled. “My men were in position and shouldn’t have been seen.Yet, something must have spooked her. Unless this was her plan allalong, but I don’t think so. Duke Opanek is loyal to her, and it’sthe safest place for her to be in this area.”
“What are you saying?”Darmik asked.
“Zerek instructed them totake the prince and princess to Duke Chresk’s home. But Duke Chreskis loyal to my father. He would not welcome Jana.”
“Can’t we put the same planin place at Duke Chresk’s?” Allyssa asked. They could still salvagethis.
“There isn’t enough time tomove two hundred and fifty men to another location without beingspotted,” Kerdan said. “Zerek gave them twenty-four hours todeliver the prisoners.”
“What do you suggest wedo?” Darmik asked, folding his arms. Most likely, he already had anidea and was testing Kerdan.
“Move as quickly aspossible and assassinate Jana,” Kerdan replied. “I will go withHurit and Larek. Sneak in, kill her, and get out.”
Nathenek kicked the dirtwith the tip of his boot. “Are Hurit and Larek well suited forstealth assassination attempts?”
Kerdan hesitated. “They arewell-trained soldiers, and I trust them.”
Not exactly what Nathenekhad asked. Which meant that while they were good fighters, theywere not necessarily the best men for the job.
“I will go with you,”Nathenek offered.
“As will I,” Necosaid.
“Who will remain here toprotect Emperor Darmik and Princess Allyssa?” Kerdanasked.
Odar laughed, stillsprawled on the ground. She’d completely forgotten abouthim.
“Hurit and Larek will stayhere while we go,” Neco said. He looked at Darmik, raising hiseyebrows.
Darmik nodded. “Nathenekand Neco are the most qualified men for this job. The two of youwill go with Kerdan. Assassinate Jana. I want it done as soon aspossible before something else goes wrong.”
“Wait,” Allyssa said.Everything was happening too quickly for her. “What if Janasuspects something and that’s why she changed the location?” Theycould be walking into a trap.
“She probably does suspectsomething,” Darmik said. “That is why we must act fast.”
“I think we should call itoff. Come up with another plan.” She couldn’t send three men sheloved and respected into a location they knew nothing about just tokill Jana. It was too risky. There had to be betteroptions.
“Part of me agrees andthinks we should call it off,” Kerdan said. “However, this might beour best shot at getting her.”
“What are yourreservations?” Darmik asked Allyssa.
“We have no informationabout the duke’s house. Jana could be there with an army, justwaiting to kill Kerdan.”
“Is there a town near theduke’s residence?” Darmik asked.
“There is a small village,”Kerdan replied. “If there’s an army at the duke’s, people will havenoticed and be talking about it.”
“Then tonight, we do somereconnaissance. Send a couple of men into the village to scoutthings out. If we discover nothing amiss, Kerdan will go in withNeco and Nathenek just before dawn and assassinate Jana. Ifsomething seems off, we devise a different plan.Agreed?”
Everyone agreed.
Chapter Seventeen
“No,” Odar said.
“It’s not up to you,”Kerdan snapped.
“It’s not up to youeither,” he retorted.
