an expert, someone trained in the arts of war, such as you, brother.'
'So there is obviously no doubt in your mind that this is indeed a woman, and you seem to be quite an expert on the subject.'
Lerton smirked. 'I have known a lot of women, yes.'
Kerrion faced the judges again. 'My Lords, what do you see before you?'
The eldest judge shrugged. 'A woman.'
Kerrion nodded and turned back to Lerton. 'I agree with you, brother, no woman would have the strength to murder King Shandor. He was a strong man, as we all know. But the person you see before you is, in fact, not a woman.'
'Ridiculous!' Lerton shouted, leaping to his feet. 'This is to substantiate your nonsensical story of an assassin who turns into a woman at will!' He laughed. 'As if such a person could exist. No man can disguise himself as a woman without being discovered. I will show you!' He vaulted over the wooden partition that separated the gallery from the floor before the judges' bench and approached Blade. The assassin faced him, keeping his head bowed and his eyes downcast. Lerton stroked Blade's cheek, then turned to his brother with a triumphant grin.
'Smooth as a baby's bottom! What fools do you take us for? Will you trot her out now and bring in a man, then claim that they are one and the same person?'
'No.' Kerrion glanced around at the audience. 'None of you are fools. I never said you were. This disguise, in all its perfection, has fooled many people. It fooled my father, it fooled me, and it has made fools of all of you. The person before you is a man.'
'Rubbish!' Lerton retorted. 'Next you will claim that he is a mage!'
'No.'
'Then prove it! Beyond a shadow of a doubt!'
Kerrion turned to Blade, who unpinned the blond wig and pulled it off. Lerton gaped as the assassin stripped off the gown with swift movements, removing the water bags that hung from his neck, then took off the jewellery and added it to the pile on the table beside him. Hisses of surprise came from the audience as they witnessed his transformation. A few murmured to their neighbours, setting up an excited buzz that spread around the room. Blade pulled a damp cloth from his pocket and wiped away the berry juice and skin dye. The buzz of conversation grew louder as he revealed his pale skin, then he turned his back on the audience and faced the judges. Blade unhooked the earrings and wiped the dye from his hands, standing before them in his simple black outfit.
Kerrion walked over to his brother. 'Lerton, I would like you to meet the assassin who killed our father.'
Lerton closed his mouth, shaking his head in mute denial. Kerrion looked at the stunned judges, and a hush fell over the assembly. 'My Lords, I present to you the Jashimari assassin, Blade. Also known as the Invisible Assassin, the Silent Slayer, and most recently, the Queen's Blade.'
The eldest judge cleared his throat, staring at Blade. 'You admit to killing King Shandor?'
Blade shrugged. 'I do.'
'You acted on the orders of your queen?'
'Yes.'
'What were they?'
Blade glanced at Kerrion. 'To assassinate King Shandor and bring his son Kerrion to her, unharmed.'
'For what reason?'
'She wished to talk of truce.'
The judge shot Kerrion a doubtful glance. 'And he refused.'
'He did.'
'So she released him.'
Blade nodded, clasping his hands behind his back.
'And now she sends you to testify on his behalf, even though he would not co-operate with her. Why?'
'The same reason that she released him. She wishes to deal with a Cotti King whom she perceives to be honourable and intelligent, not a devious, lying one, such as Prince Lerton would make.'
'Our realms are at war,' the judge pointed out, glancing at Lerton. 'What difference does it make to her?'
'She still wants peace.'
'But Prince Kerrion refused.'
Blade shrugged again. 'I am an assassin, not a politician.'
'And a dead one!' Lerton shouted, recovering from his stunned stupor and stabbing a finger at Blade. 'He murdered King Shandor, he must die!'
Kerrion stepped between them. 'He has been granted amnesty.'
'You would protect your father's murderer?'
'By coming here, he has saved my life. Had I not offered him amnesty, he would not have come forward, and I would be facing the gallows because of your lies.'
'They were not lies!' Lerton protested, glancing at the judges. 'The evidence against you was damning. No one believed this man existed. If you could call him a man.'
'I have to keep my word. He is free to go.'
The senior judge nodded. 'Unfortunately, he has the right of it, Prince Lerton. We cannot charge him with a crime for which we have already agreed to pardon him. At your urging, I might add.'
'He is dangerous!' Lerton cried. 'You cannot let him remain free.'
'Nor can you lock him up when he has committed no crime other than the one for which he has been granted a pardon,' Kerrion stated.
'He is a Jashimari!'
'One who has done me a great service, and has thereby earned his freedom. Since I am no longer accused of any crime, I will soon be King, and he has my protection so long as he obeys the laws of our land.'
Lerton's eyes grew cunning. 'He might have been sent here on the pretext of saving you, in order to assassinate someone.'
Kerrion shot his brother a surprised look. 'He did not need a pretext to come here. He arrived undetected in my rooms last night, and offered to testify for me if I was able to grant him amnesty. Had he wished to assassinate someone, he could have done it then. One thing is certain, he was not sent to assassinate me.'
Lerton paled, stepped back and shot Blade a hunted look. His snake hissed and coiled more tightly around his neck. The assassin smiled and gathered up his disguise.
Kerrion turned to the judges. 'My Lords, what is your verdict?'
The senior judge stood up to address the throng. 'We find Prince Kerrion innocent of King Shandor's death.'
As if released from a trance, the audience burst into a hubbub. Some members turned to each other, others rose and left to carry the news far and wide. The judges filed out through a door at the back. Lerton returned to the clutch of brothers that awaited him, vanishing into their midst as they drew close to listen to him.
Blade glanced at them, then at Kerrion. 'Perhaps I should get rid of a few more of them.'
The Prince gave Blade a push towards the door. 'Try to control your bloodlust, Blade. They are still my brothers.'
Back in Kerrion's rooms, Blade dumped his burden and perched on the edge of the desk to pour a cup of wine. Kerrion went to the window and stared out, his hands clasped behind his back. Kiara flapped to her perch and preened herself.
'Did Minna send any other messages with you?'
Blade tasted the wine and grimaced. 'Not really.'
'Is there any way I can repay her?'
'Make peace.'
'I cannot do that.' Kerrion turned to scowl at him.
'Jashimari cannot fight two kingdoms and survive. The Contara will overrun us, and you will descend like vultures to feed on the spoils.'
'That was Lerton's plan.'
Blade sipped the wine. 'And you approve of it.'
'No!' Kerrion gestured. 'It is dishonourable. I have inherited a war that I have no wish to continue, but cannot
