Achmed was on his feet before Rhapsody could blink. She and Grunthor followed him out of the mountain peak and down to the outer battlements of Canrif overlooking the canyon that separated the city from the Blasted Heath.
In the tunnel Rath was waiting, crouched on the floor, his arms around his middle, struggling to breathe. His head was shiny with sweat, his skin sallow in the dim light from the torches beyond the causeway.
“The—news I bring—could not be—worse,” the Dhracian said, gasping between breaths. “The Gaol—know of this—but—you could not—hear me—”
“Tell me,” Achmed ordered as Rhapsody knelt beside Rath, loosening his shirt.
The Dhracian attempted to wave her away. “I found—the—beast’s host and—had her in—Thrall, but I was—interrupted—”
“By what?” the Bolg king demanded. “What could even have entered the area with all that power in the air?”
“A—man of Living—Stone,” Rath whispered as the Lady Cymrian began to softly sing a chant of sustenance, the healing reserved for those on the battlefield at the point of death. “Titanic—and able—to walk under his—own—power. The demon—escaped—and has found—a new—host—in him.
“And it is—invulnerable.”
The two Bolg looked at each other as Rhapsody continued her ministrations.
“We are going to need to take risks earlier than we planned,” Achmed said finally. “While it’s imperative to test the blue spectrum, tomorrow the first rays of the sun should be aimed at the Blood Saver panel—I assume you agree, Rhapsody.”
She looked up at them, then somberly nodded.
“Grunthor, carry him to the Lightcatcher,” Achmed instructed. He turned to go, but Rath seized the edge of his robe and dragged him back a step.
“Hear me,” the Dhracian whispered, his eyes alight with fire. “You—now no longer—have a—choice. Someone has to—kill—this titan. It is beyond—the skills of—the Gaol. No—more can you remain—a king—”
Achmed snatched the hem of his garment from the Dhracian’s failing hand.
“That is where you are wrong, Rath,” he said flatly. “I will remain a king for as long as it suits me. One of the few things Ashe has ever said that I agree with is that a king must stay and hold the land, until there is no choice but for him to leave. For now, no matter what goes on in the world outside, I will remain here. I have a Child to guard, and if nothing else, I am the last bastion in that fight
“But,” he continued as the Sergeant-Major lifted Rath from the ground, “now that the F’dor has chosen a host who is formed of Living Stone, elemental earth, I happen to have an assassin who is just perfect for the job.”
Grunthor broke into a gigantic grin.
“Oh, goody! An’it ain’t even my birthday! Thank you, sir.”
He proceeded back up the tunnel, whistling a merry tune.
The Symphony of Ages Books by Elizabeth Haydon
Rhapsody: Child of Blood
Prophecy: Child of Earth
Destiny: Child of the Sky
Requiem for the Sun
Elegy for a Lost Star
The Assassin King
Praise for the USA Today Bestselling Series
The Symphony of Ages
“At the start of Haydon’s lyrical sixth installment in her sweeping saga of musical magic and ancient prophecies (after 2004’s Elegy for a Lost Star), the dragons of the world gather to mourn the loss of one of their oldest and greatest … Ashe and Rhapsody, the Lord and Lady of Cymrian, also convene with their allies to prepare for the war looming between deadly powers that could tear the world apart … . While deftly managing a large cast of intriguing characters in a story that’s both grand and intimate but never predictable, Haydon moves all the pieces into place for the next volume.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Assassin King
“The sixth installment of Haydon’s Symphony of Ages series carries the popular saga into new territory, revisiting familiar characters and introducing new ones. The author’s skill at character portrayal and world building make this an excellent choice for most fantasy collections and essential for libraries owning the previous series titles.”
—Library Journal on The Assassin King
“One of the finest high-fantasy debuts in years.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Rhapsody
“The second book of Haydon’s epic high-fantasy trilogy is as strong and compelling as its predecessor. The action is exhilarating; and sometimes broad, sometimes wry humor leavens the story’s horror. As in high fantasy at its best, the sense of foreboding is palpable, the world building is convincing and consistent, the evildoers are truly wicked, and the battles are ferocious. Enthusiastic readers will be left eagerly awaiting the trilogy’s conclusion in Destiny.”
—Booklist on Prophecy
“Haydon’s third book culminates her powerful fantasy saga with adventure, treachery, mystery, and romance. Destiny is an exciting read that will pique new readers and delight fans of Ms. Haydon’s first two books. Haydon continues to wield a strong voice in the world of fantasy. Her superbly rendered characters incite us to share their triumphs and sorrows, even as her lyrical prose casts its wondrous invitation to visit her world.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews
(Gold Medal Review) on Destiny
“Haydon achieves high levels in characterization, world building through well-chosen detail, folkloric and musical expertise, and warmth of spirit Let us be thankful that this rhapsody isn’t over and, indeed, promises to linger with spirit for at least two more volumes.”
—Booklist on Requiem for the Sun
“Unlike most middle books of fantasy trilogies, Haydon’s dazzling second volume of the second trio of her bestselling Symphony of Ages series inspires and thrills all on its own. Those who eagerly anticipated this volume will be even more desperate for the next, and if the author’s stunning rate of improvement is anything to go by, it will be well worth the wait.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Elegy for a Lost Star
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE ASSASSIN KING
Copyright © 2006 by Elizabeth Haydon
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form.
Edited by Anna Genoese
A Tor Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
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New York, NY 10010
www.tor-forge.com
Tor® is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.
Maps and ornaments by Ed Gazsi
eISBN 9781429920551
First eBook Edition : March 2011
First Edition: January 2007
First Mass Market Edition: December 2007
Elizabeth Haydon, The Assassin King
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