The-Assassins-Blade

["CHAPTER 10 The\t cold\t kiss\t of\t night\t air\t on\t her\t face,\t the\t glitter\t of\t the\t wet\t streets\t under lamplight,\tthe\tsheen\tof\tmoonlight\ton\tthe\tblack\tcurtains\tinside\tthe\topen\twindow as\tshe\tarced\ttoward\tit,\thands\talready\treaching\tfor\ther\tdaggers\t\u2026 She\ttucked\ther\thead\tinto\ther\tchest,\tbracing\tfor\timpact\tas\tshe\tburst\tthrough\tthe curtains,\tripping\tthem\tclean\toff\ttheir\thangings,\thit\tthe\tfloor,\tand\trolled. Right\t into\t a\t meeting\t room\t full\t of\t people.\t In\t a\t heartbeat,\t she\t took\t in\t the details:\t a\t somewhat\t small\t room\t where\t Jayne,\t Farran,\t and\t others\t sat\t around\t a square\t table,\t and\t a\t dozen\t guards\t now\t staring\t at\t her,\t already\t formed\t into\t a\t wall of\tflesh\tand\tweaponry\tbetween\ther\tand\ther\tprey. The\tcurtains\twere\tthick\tenough\tto\thave\tblocked\tout\tany\tlight\twithin\tthe\troom \u2014to\tmake\tit\tlook\tlike\tit\twas\tdark\tand\tempty\tinside.\tA\ttrick. It\t didn\u2019t\t matter.\t She\u2019d\t take\t them\t all\t down\t anyway.\t The\t two\t daggers\t in\t her boots\twere\tthrown\tbefore\tshe\twas\teven\ton\ther\tfeet,\tand\tthe\tguards\u2019\tdying\tshouts brought\ta\twicked\tgrin\tto\ther\tlips. Her\tswords\twhined,\tboth\tin\ther\thands\tas\tthe\tnearest\tguard\tcharged\tfor\ther. He\t immediately\t died,\t a\t sword\t punched\t through\t his\t ribs\t and\t into\t his\t heart. Every\t object\u2014every\t person\u2014between\t her\t and\t Farran\t was\t an\t obstacle\t or\t a weapon,\ta\tshield\tor\ta\ttrap. She\t whirled\t to\t the\t next\t guard,\t and\t her\t grin\t turned\t feral\t as\t she\t caught\t a glimpse\tof\tJayne\tand\tFarran\tat\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\troom,\tseated\tacross\tthe\ttable. Farran\t was\t smiling\t at\t her,\t his\t dark\t eyes\t bright,\t but\t Jayne\t was\t on\t his\t feet, gaping. Celaena\tburied\tone\tof\ther\tswords\tinto\tthe\tchest\tof\ta\tguard\tso\tshe\tcould\treach for\ther\tthird\tdagger. Jayne\twas\tstill\tgaping\twhen\tthat\tdagger\timbedded\titself\tto\tthe\thilt\tin\this\tneck. Utter\t pandemonium.\t The\t door\t flung\t open,\t and\t more\t guards\t poured\t in\t as\t she retrieved\ther\tsecond\tsword\tfrom\tthe\tchest\tcavity\tof\tthe\tfallen\tguard.\tIt\tcouldn\u2019t have\t been\t more\t than\t ten\t seconds\t since\t she\u2019d\t leapt\t through\t the\t open\t window. Had\tthey\tbeen\twaiting?","Two\t guards\t lunged\t for\t her,\t swords\t slicing\t the\t air.\t Her\t twin\t blades\t flashed. Blood\tsprayed. The\t room\t wasn\u2019t\t large\u2014only\t twenty\t feet\t separated\t her\t from\t Farran,\t who remained\tseated,\twatching\ther\twith\twild\tdelight. Three\tmore\tguards\twent\tdown. Someone\t hurled\t a\t dagger\t at\t her,\t and\t she\t knocked\t it\t aside\t with\t a\t blade, sending\tit\tright\tinto\tthe\tleg\tof\tanother\tguard.\tUnintentional,\tbut\tlucky. Another\ttwo\tguards\tfell. There\twere\tonly\ta\tfew\tleft\tbetween\ther\tand\tthe\ttable\u2014and\tFarran\tat\tthe\tother side.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tlook\tat\tJayne\u2019s\tcorpse,\tslumped\ton\tthe\ttable\tbeside\thim. Guards\t were\t still\t rushing\t in\t from\t the\t hall,\t but\t they\t were\t all\t wearing\t strange black\tmasks,\tmasks\twith\tclear\tglass\teyepieces,\tand\tsome\tsort\tof\tcloth\tmesh\tover the\tmouths\t\u2026 And\t then\t the\t smoke\t started,\t and\t the\t door\t shut,\t and\t as\t she\t gutted\t another guard,\tshe\tglanced\tat\tFarran\tin\ttime\tto\tsee\thim\tslide\ton\ta\tmask. She\t knew\t this\t smoke\u2014knew\t this\t smell.\t It\t had\t been\t on\t Sam\u2019s\t corpse.\t That musky,\tstrange\u2014 Someone\tsealed\tthe\twindow,\tshutting\tout\tthe\tair.\tSmoke\teverywhere,\tfogging everything. Her\teyes\tstung,\tbut\tshe\tdropped\ta\tsword\tto\treach\tfor\tthat\tlast\tdagger,\tthe\tone that\twould\tfind\tits\thome\tin\tFarran\u2019s\tskull. The\tworld\tjolted\tto\tthe\tside. No. She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t if\t she\t said\t it\t or\t thought\t it,\t but\t the\t word\t echoed\t through\t the darkness\tthat\twas\tdevouring\ther. Another\tmasked\tguard\thad\treached\ther,\tand\tshe\tstraightened\tin\ttime\tto\tdrive\ta sword\t into\t his\t side.\t Blood\t soaked\t her\t hand,\t but\t she\t kept\t her\t grip\t on\t the\t blade. Kept\ther\tgrip\ton\tthe\tdagger\tin\ther\tother\thand\tas\tshe\tcocked\tit\tback,\tangling\tfor Farran\u2019s\thead. But\tthe\tsmoke\tinvaded\tevery\tpore,\tevery\tbreath,\tevery\tmuscle.\tAs\tshe\tarched her\tarm,\ta\tshudder\twent\tthrough\ther\tbody,\tmaking\ther\tvision\ttwist\tand\tfalter. She\tswayed\tto\tthe\tside,\tlosing\ther\tgrip\ton\tthe\tdagger.\tA\tguard\tswiped\tfor\ther, but\tmissed,\tslicing\toff\tan\tinch\tfrom\ther\t braid\tinstead.\tHer\thair\tbroke\tfree\tin\ta golden\t wave\t as\t she\t careened\t to\t the\t side,\t falling\t so,\t so\t slowly,\t Farran\t still smiling\tat\ther\t\u2026 A\t guard\u2019s\t fist\t slammed\t into\t her\t gut,\t knocking\t the\t air\t out\t of\t her.\t She\t reeled back,\t and\t another\t fist\t like\t granite\t met\t her\t face.\t Her\t back,\t her\t ribs,\t her\t jaw.\t So many\t blows,\t so\t fast\t the\t pain\t couldn\u2019t\t keep\t up,\t and\t she\t was\t falling\t so\t slowly,","breathing\tin\tall\tthat\tsmoke\t\u2026 They\t had\t been\t waiting\t for\t her.\t The\t invitingly\t open\t window,\t the\t smoke\t and the\tmasks,\twere\tall\ta\tpart\tof\ta\tplan.\tAnd\tshe\thad\tfallen\tright\tinto\tit. She\twas\tstill\tfalling\tas\tthe\tblackness\tconsumed\ther. \u201cNone\tof\tyou\tare\tto\ttouch\ther,\u201d\ta\tcool,\tbored\tvoice\twas\tsaying.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tto\tbe kept\talive.\u201d There\twere\thands\ton\ther,\tprying\ther\tweapons\tout\tof\ther\tgrip,\tthen\tsetting\ther into\t a\t sitting\t position\t against\t the\t wall.\t Fresh\t air\t poured\t into\t the\t room,\t but\t she could\thardly\tfeel\tit\ton\ther\ttingling\tface. She\tcouldn\u2019t\tfeel\tanything.\tCouldn\u2019t\tmove\tanything.\tShe\twas\tparalyzed. She\t managed\t to\t open\t her\t eyes,\t only\t to\t find\t Farran\t crouched\t in\t front\t of\t her, that\tfeline\tsmile\tstill\ton\this\tface.\tThe\tsmoke\thad\tcleared\tfrom\tthe\troom,\tand\this mask\tlay\tdiscarded\tbehind\thim. \u201cHello,\tCelaena,\u201d\the\tpurred. Someone\t had\t betrayed\t her.\t Not\t Arobynn.\t Not\t when\t he\t hated\t Jayne\t and Farran\tso\tmuch.\tIf\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tbetrayed,\tit\twould\thave\tbeen\tone\tof\tthe\twretches in\t the\t Guild\u2014someone\t who\t would\t have\t benefited\t most\t from\t her\t death.\t It couldn\u2019t\tbe\tArobynn. Farran\u2019s\tdark\tgray\tclothes\twere\timmaculate.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tbeen\twaiting\ta\tfew\tyears\tto meet\t you,\t you\t know,\u201d\t he\t said,\t sounding\t rather\t cheerful\t despite\t the\t blood\t and bodies. \u201cTo\tbe\thonest,\u201d\the\twent\ton,\this\teyes\tdevouring\tevery\tinch\tof\ther\tin\ta\tway\tthat made\t her\t stomach\t start\t to\t twist,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t disappointed.\t You\t walked\t right\t into\t our little\ttrap.\tYou\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tstop\tto\tthink\ttwice\tabout\tit,\tdid\tyou?\u201d\tFarran\tsmiled. \u201cNever\tunderestimate\tthe\tpower\tof\tlove.\tOr\tis\tit\trevenge?\u201d She\tcouldn\u2019t\tconvince\ther\tfingers\tto\tshift.\tEven\tblinking\twas\tan\teffort. \u201cDon\u2019t\tworry\u2014the\tnumbness\tfrom\tthe\tgloriella\tis\talready\tfading,\tthough\tyou won\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\tmove\tmuch\tat\tall.\tIt\tshould\twear\toff\tin\tabout\tsix\thours.\tAt\tleast, that\u2019s\thow\tlong\tit\tlasted\ton\tyour\tcompanion\tafter\tI\tcaught\thim.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tparticularly effective\t tool\t for\t keeping\t people\t sedated\t without\t the\t constraints\t of\t shackles. Makes\tthe\tprocess\tmuch\tmore\t\u2026\tenjoyable,\teven\tif\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tscream\tas\tmuch.\u201d Gods\tabove.\tGloriella\u2014the\tsame\tpoison\tAnsel\thad\tused\ton\tthe\tMute\tMaster, somehow\t warped\t into\t incense.\t He\t must\t have\t caught\t Sam,\t brought\t him\t back here,\tused\tthe\tsmoke\ton\thim,\tand\t\u2026\tHe\twas\tgoing\tto\ttorture\ther,\ttoo.\tShe\tcould withstand\t some\t torture,\t but\t considering\t what\t had\t been\t done\t to\t Sam,\t she","wondered\thow\tquickly\tshe\u2019d\tbreak.\tIf\tshe\u2019d\thad\tcontrol\tover\therself,\tshe\u2019d\thave ripped\tout\tFarran\u2019s\tthroat\twith\ther\tteeth. Her\t only\t glimmer\t of\t hope\t came\t from\t the\t fact\t that\t Arobynn\t and\t the\t others would\tarrive\tsoon,\tand\teven\tif\tone\tof\ther\tkind\thad\tbetrayed\ther,\twhen\tArobynn found\tout\t\u2026\twhen\the\tsaw\twhatever\tFarran\thad\tstarted\tto\tdo\tto\ther\t\u2026\tHe\u2019d\tkeep Farran\talive,\tif\tonly\tso\twhen\tshe\trecovered,\tshe\tcould\tgut\thim\therself.\tGut\thim, and\ttake\ta\tdamn\tlong\ttime\tto\tdo\tit. Farran\t stroked\t the\t hair\t out\t of\t her\t eyes,\t tucking\t it\t behind\t her\t ears.\t She\u2019d shatter\t that\t hand,\t too.\t The\t way\t Sam\u2019s\t hands\t had\t been\t methodically\t shattered. Behind\tFarran,\tguards\tbegan\tdragging\tthe\tbodies\taway.\tNo\tone\ttouched\tJayne\u2019s corpse,\tstill\tsprawled\ton\tthe\ttable. \u201cYou\t know,\u201d\t Farran\t murmured,\t \u201cyou\u2019re\t really\t quite\t beautiful.\u201d\t He\t ran\t a finger\t down\t her\t cheek,\t then\t along\t her\t jaw.\t Her\t rage\t became\t a\t living\t thing thrashing\tinside\tof\ther,\tfighting\tfor\tjust\tone\tchance\tto\tbreak\tfree.\t\u201cI\tcan\tsee\twhy Arobynn\t kept\t you\t as\t a\t pet\t for\t so\t many\t years.\u201d\t His\t finger\t went\t lower,\t sliding across\ther\tneck.\t\u201cHow\told\tare\tyou,\tanyway?\u201d She\tknew\the\tdidn\u2019t\texpect\tan\tanswer.\tHis\teyes\tmet\thers,\tdark\tand\travenous. She\twouldn\u2019t\tbeg.\tIf\tshe\twere\tto\tdie\tlike\tSam,\tshe\u2019d\tdo\tso\twith\tdignity.\tWith that\t rage\t still\t burning.\t And\t maybe\t \u2026\t maybe\t she\u2019d\t get\t the\t chance\t to\t butcher him. \u201cI\u2019m\t half-tempted\t to\t keep\t you\t for\t myself,\u201d\t he\t said.\t He\t brushed\t his\t thumb over\ther\tmouth.\t\u201cInstead\tof\thanding\tyou\tover,\tperhaps\tI\u2019ll\ttake\tyou\tdownstairs, and\t if\t you\t survive\t \u2026\u201d\t He\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cBut\t that\t wasn\u2019t\t part\t of\t the\t bargain, was\tit?\u201d Words\t boiled\t up\t in\t her,\t but\t her\t tongue\t didn\u2019t\t move.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t even\t open her\tmouth. \u201cYou\u2019re\t dying\t to\t know\t what\t the\t bargain\t was,\t aren\u2019t\t you?\t Let\u2019s\t see\t if\t I remember\t correctly\t \u2026\t We\t kill\t Sam\t Cortland,\u201d\t Farran\t recited,\t \u201cyou\t go\t berserk and\tbreak\tin\there,\tthen\tyou\tkill\tJayne\u201d\u2014he\tgave\ta\tnod\ttoward\tthe\thuge\tbody\ton the\ttable\u2014\u201cand\tI\ttake\tJayne\u2019s\tplace.\u201d\tHis\thands\twere\troving\tover\ther\tneck\tnow, sensual\t caresses\t that\t promised\t unbearable\t agony.\t With\t each\t passing\t second, some\tof\tthe\tnumbness\tdid\tindeed\twear\toff\u2014but\thardly\tany\tcontrol\tof\ther\tbody returned.\t \u201cPity\t that\t I\t need\t you\t to\t take\t the\t blame\t for\t Jayne\u2019s\t death.\t And\t if\t only handing\tyou\tover\tto\tthe\tking\twouldn\u2019t\tmake\tsuch\ta\tnice\tgift.\u201d The\tking.\tHe\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\ttorture\ther,\tor\tkill\ther,\tbut\tgive\ther\tto\tthe\tking\tas a\t bribe\t to\t keep\t royal\t eyes\t from\t looking\t Farran\u2019s\t way.\t She\t could\t have\t faced torture,\t endured\t the\t violations\t she\t could\t practically\t see\t in\t Farran\u2019s\t eyes,\t but\t if she\twent\tto\tthe\tking\t\u2026\tShe\tshoved\tthe\tthought\taway,\trefusing\tto\tfollow\tits\tpath.","She\thad\tto\tget\tout. He\t must\t have\t seen\t the\t panic\t enter\t her\t eyes.\t Farran\t smiled,\t a\t hand\t closing around\ther\tthroat.\tToo-sharp\tnails\tpricked\ther\tskin.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tafraid,\tCelaena,\u201d he\t whispered\t into\t her\t ear,\t digging\t his\t nails\t in\t deeper.\t \u201cIf\t the\t king\t lets\t you survive,\tI\u2019m\tin\tyour\teternal\tdebt.\tYou\u2019ve\thanded\tme\tmy\tcrown,\tafter\tall.\u201d There\t was\t one\t word\t on\t her\t lips,\t but\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t get\t it\t out,\t no\t matter\t how much\tshe\ttried. Who? Who\thad\tbetrayed\ther\tso\tfoully?\tShe\tcould\tunderstand\thating\ther,\tbut\tSam\t\u2026 Everyone\thad\tadored\tSam,\teven\tWesley\t\u2026 Wesley.\tHe\thad\ttried\tto\ttell\ther:\tIt\u2019s\tall\tjust\ta\u2014And\this\tface\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tset with\tirritation,\tbut\twith\tgrief\u2014grief\tand\trage,\tdirected\tnot\tat\ther,\tbut\tat\tsomeone else.\tHad\tArobynn\tsent\tWesley\tto\twarn\ther?\tHarding,\tthe\tassassin\twho\thad\tbeen talking\t about\t the\t window,\t had\t always\t had\t an\t eye\t on\t her\t position\t as\t Arobynn\u2019s heir.\tAnd\the\u2019d\tpractically\tspoon-fed\ther\tthe\tdetails\tabout\twhere\tto\tbreak\tin,\thow to\tbreak\tin\t\u2026\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\thim.\tMaybe\tWesley\thad\tfigured\tit\tout\tjust\tas\tshe\twas breaking\tout\tof\tthe\tKeep.\tBecause\tthe\talternative\t\u2026\tNo,\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\teven\tthink of\tthe\talternative. Farran\t pulled\t back,\t loosening\t his\t grip\t on\t her\t throat.\t \u201cI\t do\t wish\t I\u2019d\t been allowed\tto\tplay\twith\tyou\tfor\ta\tbit,\tbut\tI\tswore\tnot\tto\tharm\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tcocked\this head\t to\t the\t side,\t taking\t in\t the\t injuries\t she\u2019d\t already\t suffered.\t \u201cI\t think\t a\t few bruised\tribs\tand\ta\tsplit\tlip\tare\texcusable.\u201d\tHe\tpulled\tout\ta\tpocket\twatch.\t\u201cAlas, it\u2019s\t eleven,\t and\t you\t and\t I\t both\t have\t places\t to\t be.\u201d\t Eleven.\t An\t hour\t before Arobynn\twould\teven\tleave\tthe\tKeep.\tAnd\tif\tHarding\thad\tactually\tbeen\tthe\tone to\t betray\t her,\t then\t he\u2019d\t probably\t do\t his\t best\t to\t delay\t them\t even\t further.\t Once she\t was\t brought\t to\t the\t royal\t dungeons,\t what\t odds\t did\t Arobynn\t have\t of successfully\t breaking\t her\t out?\t When\t the\t gloriella\t wore\t off,\t what\t odds\t did\t she have\tof\tbreaking\tout? Farran\u2019s\t eyes\t were\t still\t on\t hers,\t glittering\t with\t delight.\t And\t then,\t without warning,\this\tarm\tslashed\tthrough\tthe\tair. She\theard\tthe\tsound\tof\ta\thand\tagainst\tflesh\tbefore\tshe\tfelt\tthe\tstinging\tthrob in\ther\tcheek\tand\tmouth.\tThe\tpain\twas\tfaint.\tShe\twas\tthankful\tthe\tnumbness\twas still\tclinging\tto\ther,\tespecially\tas\tthe\tcoppery\ttang\tof\tblood\tfilled\ther\tmouth. Farran\t gracefully\t rose\t from\t his\t crouch.\t \u201cThat\t was\t for\t getting\t blood\t on\t the carpet.\u201d Despite\tthe\tsideways\tangle\tof\ther\thead,\tshe\tmanaged\tto\tglare\tup\tat\thim,\teven as\ther\tblood\tslid\tdown\ther\tthroat.\tFarran\tstraightened\this\tgray\ttunic,\tthen\tleaned down\tto\tturn\ther\thead\tforward.\tHis\tsmile\treturned.","\u201cYou\t would\t have\t been\t delightful\t to\t break,\u201d\t he\t told\t her,\t and\t strode\t from\t the room,\t motioning\t to\t three\t tall,\t well-dressed\t men\t as\t he\t passed.\t Not\t petty\t guards. She\u2019d\tseen\tthose\tthree\tmen\tbefore.\tSomewhere\u2014at\tsome\tpoint\tthat\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t quite\trecall\t\u2026 One\t of\t the\t men\t approached,\t smiling,\t despite\t the\t gore\t pooled\t around\t her. Celaena\tglimpsed\tthe\trounded\tpommel\tof\this\tsword\tbefore\tit\tconnected\twith\ther head.","CHAPTER 11 Celaena\tawoke\twith\ta\tpulsing\theadache. She\tkept\ther\teyes\tshut,\tletting\ther\tsenses\ttake\tin\ther\tsurroundings\tbefore\tshe announced\tto\tthe\tworld\tthat\tshe\twas\tawake.\tWherever\tshe\twas,\tit\twas\tquiet,\tand damp,\tand\tcold,\tand\treeked\tof\tmildew\tand\trefuse. She\tknew\tthree\tthings\tbefore\tshe\teven\topened\ther\teyes. The\tfirst\twas\tthat\tat\tleast\tsix\thours\thad\tpassed,\tbecause\tshe\tcould\twriggle\ther toes\tand\ther\tfingers,\tand\tthose\tmovements\twere\tenough\tto\ttell\ther\tthat\tall\tof\ther weapons\thad\tbeen\tremoved. The\t second\t was\t that\t because\t at\t least\t six\t hours\t had\t passed\t and\t Arobynn\t and the\tothers\tclearly\thad\tnot\tfound\ther,\tshe\twas\teither\tin\tthe\troyal\tdungeons\tacross the\tcity\tor\tin\tsome\tcell\tbeneath\tJayne\u2019s\thouse,\tawaiting\ttransport. The\tthird\twas\tthat\tSam\twas\tstill\tdead,\tand\teven\ther\trage\thad\tbeen\ta\tpawn\tin some\tbetrayal\tso\ttwisted\tand\tbrutal\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbegin\tto\twrap\ther\taching\thead around\tit. Sam\twas\tstill\tdead. She\t opened\t her\t eyes,\t finding\t herself\t indeed\t in\t a\t dungeon,\t dumped\t onto\t a rotten\t pallet\t of\t hay\t and\t chained\t to\t the\t wall.\t Her\t feet\t had\t also\t been\t shackled\t to the\tfloor,\tand\tboth\tsets\tof\tchains\thad\tjust\tenough\tslack\tthat\tshe\tcould\tmake\tit\tto the\tfilthy\tbucket\tin\tthe\tcorner\tto\trelieve\therself. That\twas\tthe\tfirst\tindignity\tshe\tallowed\therself\tto\tsuffer. Once\tshe\u2019d\ttaken\tcare\tof\ther\tbladder,\tshe\tlooked\tabout\tthe\tcell.\tNo\twindows, and\tnot\tenough\tspace\tbetween\tthe\tiron\tdoor\tand\tthe\tthreshold\tfor\tanything\tmore than\t light\t to\t squeeze\t through.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t hear\t anything\u2014not\t through\t the walls,\tnor\tcoming\tfrom\toutside. Her\t mouth\t was\t parched,\t her\t tongue\t leaden\t in\t her\t mouth.\t What\t she\t wouldn\u2019t give\t for\t a\t mouthful\t of\t water\t to\t wash\t away\t the\t lingering\t taste\t of\t blood.\t Her stomach\twas\tpainfully\tempty,\ttoo,\tand\tthe\tthrobbing\tin\ther\thead\tsent\tsplinters\tof light\tthrough\ther\tskull. She\t had\t been\t betrayed\u2014betrayed\t by\t Harding\t or\t someone\t like\t him,\t someone","who\t would\t benefit\t from\t her\t being\t permanently\t gone,\t with\t no\t hope\t of\t ever coming\tback.\tAnd\tArobynn\tstill\thadn\u2019t\trescued\ther. He\u2019d\tfind\ther,\tthough.\tHe\thad\tto. She\t tested\t the\t chains\t on\t her\t wrists\t and\t ankles,\t examining\t where\t they\t were anchored\t into\t the\t stone\t floor\t and\t walls,\t looking\t over\t every\t link,\t studying\t the locks.\tThey\twere\tsolid.\tShe\tfelt\tall\tthe\tstones\taround\ther,\ttapping\tfor\tloose\tbits or\t possibly\t a\t whole\t block\t that\t she\t could\t use\t as\t a\t weapon.\t There\t was\t nothing. All\tthe\tpins\thad\tbeen\tpulled\tout\tof\ther\thair,\trobbing\ther\tof\ta\tchance\tto\teven\ttry to\tpick\tthe\tlock.\tThe\tbuttons\ton\ther\tblack\ttunic\twere\ttoo\tsmall\tand\tdelicate\tto\tbe useful. Perhaps\tif\ta\tguard\tcame\tin,\tshe\tcould\tget\thim\tclose\tenough\tto\tuse\tthe\tchains against\thim\u2014strangle\thim\tor\tknock\thim\tunconscious,\tor\thold\thim\thostage\tlong enough\tfor\tsomeone\tto\tlet\ther\tout. Perhaps\u2014 The\t door\t groaned\t open,\t and\t a\t man\t filled\t the\t threshold,\t three\t others\t behind him. His\ttunic\twas\tdark\tand\tembroidered\twith\tgolden\tthread.\tIf\the\twas\tsurprised\tto see\ther\tawake,\the\tdidn\u2019t\treveal\tit. Royal\tguards. This\twas\tthe\troyal\tdungeon,\tthen. The\t guard\t in\t the\t doorway\t placed\t the\t food\t he\t was\t carrying\t on\t the\t floor\t and slid\t the\t tray\t toward\t her.\t Water,\t bread,\t a\t hunk\t of\t cheese.\t \u201cDinner,\u201d\t he\t said,\t not stepping\tone\tfoot\tin\tthe\troom. He\tand\this\tcompanions\tknew\tthe\tthreat\tof\tgetting\ttoo\tclose. Celaena\tglanced\tat\tthe\ttray.\tDinner.\tHow\tlong\thad\tshe\tbeen\tdown\there?\tHad it\t been\t nearly\t a\t whole\t day\u2014and\t Arobynn\t still\t hadn\u2019t\t come\t for\t her?\t He\t had\t to have\tfound\tWesley\tby\tthe\tstables\u2014and\tWesley\twould\thave\ttold\thim\twhat\tshe\u2019d gone\tto\tdo.\tHe\thad\tto\tknow\tshe\twas\there. The\t guard\t was\t watching\t her.\t \u201cThis\t dungeon\t is\t impenetrable,\u201d\t he\t said.\t \u201cAnd those\tchains\tare\tmade\twith\tAdarlanian\tsteel.\u201d She\tstared\tat\thim.\tHe\twas\tmiddle-aged,\tperhaps\tforty.\tHe\twore\tno\tweapons\u2014 another\tprecaution.\tUsually,\tthe\troyal\tguards\tjoined\tyoung\tand\tstayed\tuntil\tthey were\t too\t old\t to\t carry\t a\t sword.\t That\t meant\t this\t man\t had\t years\t of\t extensive training.\t It\t was\t too\t dark\t to\t see\t the\t three\t guards\t behind\t him,\t but\t she\t knew\t they wouldn\u2019t\ttrust\tjust\tanyone\tto\twatch\ther. And\t even\t if\t he\u2019d\t said\t the\t words\t to\t intimidate\t her\t into\t behaving,\t he\t was probably\ttelling\tthe\ttruth.\tNo\tone\tgot\tout\tof\tthe\troyal\tdungeons,\tand\tno\tone\tgot in.","If\t it\t had\t been\t a\t whole\t day\t and\t Arobynn\t hadn\u2019t\t yet\t found\t her,\t she\t wasn\u2019t getting\t out\t either.\t If\t her\t betrayer\t had\t been\t able\t to\t fool\t her,\t and\t Sam,\t and Arobynn,\t then\t they\u2019d\t find\t a\t way\t to\t keep\t the\t King\t of\t the\t Assassins\t from knowing\tshe\twas\tin\there,\ttoo. Now\t that\t Sam\t was\t dead,\t there\t wasn\u2019t\t anything\t left\t outside\t of\t the\t dungeons worth\t fighting\t for,\t anyway.\t Not\t when\t Adarlan\u2019s\t Assassin\t was\t crumbling\t apart, and\t her\t world\t with\t her.\t The\t girl\t who\u2019d\t taken\t on\t a\t Pirate\t Lord\t and\t his\t entire island,\t the\t girl\t who\u2019d\t stolen\t Asterion\t horses\t and\t raced\t along\t the\t beach\t in\t the Red\tDesert,\tthe\tgirl\twho\u2019d\tsat\ton\ther\town\trooftop,\twatching\tthe\tsun\trise\tover\tthe Avery,\tthe\tgirl\twho\u2019d\tfelt\talive\twith\tpossibility\t\u2026\tthat\tgirl\twas\tgone. There\twasn\u2019t\tanything\tleft.\tAnd\tArobynn\twasn\u2019t\tcoming. She\u2019d\tfailed. And\tworse,\tshe\u2019d\tfailed\tSam.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\teven\tkilled\tthe\tman\twho\u2019d\tended\this life\tso\tviciously. The\tguard\tshifted\ton\this\tfeet,\tand\tshe\trealized\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tstaring\tat\thim.\t\u201cThe food\tis\tclean,\u201d\twas\tall\tthe\tguard\tsaid\tbefore\the\tbacked\tout\tof\tthe\troom\tand\tshut the\tdoor. She\t drank\t the\t water\t and\t ate\t as\t much\t of\t the\t bread\t and\t cheese\t as\t she\t could stomach.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t tell\t if\t the\t food\t itself\t was\t bland,\t or\t if\t her\t tongue\t had\t just lost\tall\tsense\tof\ttaste.\tEvery\tbite\ttasted\tlike\tash. She\t kicked\t the\t tray\t toward\t the\t door\t when\t she\t was\t finished.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t care that\tshe\tcould\thave\tused\tit\tas\ta\tweapon,\tor\ta\tlure\tto\tget\tone\tof\tthe\tguards\tcloser. Because\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tgetting\tout,\tand\tSam\twas\tdead. Celaena\tleaned\ther\thead\tagainst\tthe\tfreezing,\tdamp\twall.\tShe\u2019d\tnever\tbe\table to\tmake\tsure\the\twas\tsafely\tburied\tin\tthe\tearth.\tShe\u2019d\tfailed\thim\teven\tin\tthat. When\tthe\troaring\tsilence\tcame\tto\tclaim\ther\tagain,\tCelaena\twalked\tinto\tit\twith open\tarms. The\t guards\t liked\t to\t talk.\t About\t sporting\t events,\t about\t women,\t about\t the movement\tof\tAdarlan\u2019s\tarmies.\tAbout\ther,\tmost\tof\tall. Sometimes,\t flickers\t of\t their\t conversations\t broke\t through\t the\t wall\t of\t silence, holding\ther\tattention\tfor\ta\tmoment\tbefore\tshe\tlet\tthe\tquiet\tsweep\ther\tback\tout\tto its\tendless\tsea.","\u201cThe\tcaptain\u2019s\tgoing\tto\tbe\tfurious\the\twasn\u2019t\there\tfor\tthe\ttrial.\u201d \u201cServes\thim\tright\tfor\tgallivanting\twith\tthe\tprince\talong\tthe\tSurian\tcoast.\u201d Sniggers. \u201cI\theard\tthe\tcaptain\u2019s\tracing\tback\tto\tRifthold,\tthough.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\tpoint?\tHer\ttrial\tis\ttomorrow.\tHe\twon\u2019t\teven\tmake\tit\tin\ttime\tto\tsee her\texecuted.\u201d \u201cYou\tthink\tshe\u2019s\treally\tCelaena\tSardothien?\u201d \u201cShe\tlooks\tmy\tdaughter\u2019s\tage.\u201d \u201cBetter\tnot\ttell\tanyone\u2014the\tking\tsaid\the\u2019d\tflay\tus\tall\talive\tif\twe\tbreathe\tone word.\u201d \u201cHard\tto\timagine\tthat\tit\u2019s\ther\u2014did\tyou\tsee\tthe\tlist\tof\tvictims?\tIt\twent\ton\tand on.\u201d \u201cYou\t think\t she\u2019s\t wrong\t in\t the\t head?\t She\t just\t looks\t at\t you\t without\t really looking\tat\tyou,\tyou\tknow?\u201d \u201cI\tbet\tthey\tneeded\tsomeone\tto\tpay\tfor\tJayne\u2019s\tdeath.\tThey\tprobably\tgrabbed\ta simple\tgirl\tto\tpretend\tit\twas\ther.\u201d Snorts.\t\u201cWon\u2019t\tmatter\tto\tthe\tking,\twill\tit?\tAnd\tif\tshe\twon\u2019t\ttalk,\tthen\tit\u2019s\ther own\tdamn\tfault\tif\tshe\u2019s\tinnocent.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tshe\u2019s\treally\tCelaena\tSardothien.\u201d \u201cI\t heard\t it\u2019ll\t be\t a\t closed\t trial\t and\t execution\t because\t the\t king\t doesn\u2019t\t want anyone\tseeing\twho\tshe\treally\tis.\u201d \u201cTrust\tthe\tking\tto\tdeny\teveryone\telse\tthe\tchance\tto\twatch.\u201d \u201cI\twonder\tif\tthey\u2019ll\thang\tor\tbehead\ther.\u201d","CHAPTER 12 The\t world\t flashed.\t Dungeons,\t rotten\t hay,\t cold\t stones\t against\t her\t cheek, guards\t talking,\t bread\t and\t cheese\t and\t water.\t Then\t guards\t entered,\t crossbows aimed\tat\ther,\thands\ton\ttheir\tswords.\tTwo\tdays\thad\tpassed,\tsomehow.\tA\trag\tand a\t bucket\t of\t water\t were\t thrown\t at\t her.\t Clean\t herself\t up\t for\t her\t trial,\t they\t said. She\t obeyed.\t And\t she\t didn\u2019t\t struggle\t when\t they\t gave\t her\t new\t shackles\t on\t her wrists\tand\tankles\u2014shackles\tshe\tcould\twalk\tin.\tThey\ttook\ther\tdown\ta\tdark,\tcold hallway\t that\t echoed\t with\t distant\t groans,\t then\t up\t the\t stairs.\t Sunlight\t shone through\t a\t barred\t window\u2014harsh,\t blinding\u2014as\t they\t went\t up\t more\t stairs,\t and eventually\tinto\ta\troom\tof\tstone\tand\tpolished\twood. The\t wooden\t chair\t was\t smooth\t beneath\t her.\t Her\t head\t still\t ached,\t and\t the places\twhere\tFarran\u2019s\tmen\thad\tstruck\ther\twere\tstill\tsore. The\t room\t was\t large,\t but\t sparsely\t appointed.\t She\u2019d\t been\t shoved\t into\t a\t chair set\t in\t the\t center\t of\t the\t room,\t a\t safe\t distance\t from\t the\t massive\t table\t on\t the\t far end\u2014the\ttable\tat\twhich\ttwelve\tmen\tsat\tfacing\ther. She\t didn\u2019t\t care\t who\t they\t were,\t or\t what\t their\t role\t was.\t She\t could\t feel\t their eyes\ton\ther,\tthough.\tEveryone\tin\tthe\troom\u2014the\tmen\tat\tthe\ttable\tand\tthe\tdozens of\tguards\u2014was\twatching\ther. A\thanging\tor\ta\tbeheading.\tHer\tthroat\tclosed\tup. There\twas\tno\tpoint\tin\tfighting,\tnot\tnow. She\t deserved\t this.\t For\t more\t reasons\t than\t she\t could\t count.\t She\t should\t never have\t allowed\t Sam\t to\t convince\t her\t to\t dispatch\t Farran\t on\t his\t own.\t It\t was\t her fault,\tall\tof\tit,\tset\tin\tmotion\tthe\tday\tshe\u2019d\tarrived\tin\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\tand\tdecided\tto make\ta\tstand\tfor\tsomething. A\tsmall\tdoor\tat\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\troom\topened,\tand\tthe\tmen\tat\tthe\ttable\tgot\tto their\tfeet. Heavy\t boots\t stomping\t across\t the\t floor,\t the\t guards\t straightening\t and\t saluting \u2026 The\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tentered\tthe\troom. She\t wouldn\u2019t\t look\t at\t him.\t Let\t him\t do\t what\t he\t wanted\t to\t her.\t If\t she\t looked","into\t his\t eyes,\t what\t semblance\t of\t calm\t she\t had\t would\t be\t shredded.\t So\t it\t was better\tto\tfeel\tnothing\tthan\tto\tcower\tbefore\thim\u2014the\tbutcher\twho\thad\tdestroyed so\tmuch\tof\tErilea.\tBetter\tto\tgo\tto\ther\tgrave\tnumb\tand\tdazed\tthan\tbegging. A\t chair\t at\t the\t center\t of\t the\t table\t was\t pulled\t back.\t The\t men\t around\t the\t king didn\u2019t\tsit\tuntil\the\tdid. Then\tsilence. The\t wooden\t floor\t of\t the\t room\t was\t so\t polished\t that\t she\t could\t see\t the reflection\tof\tthe\tiron\tchandelier\thanging\tfar\tabove\ther. A\tlow\tchuckle,\tlike\tbone\tagainst\trock.\tEven\twithout\tlooking\tat\thim,\tshe\tcould sense\this\tsheer\tmass\u2014the\tdarkness\tswirling\taround\thim. \u201cI\tdidn\u2019t\tbelieve\tthe\trumors\tuntil\tnow,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid,\t\u201cbut\tit\tseems\tthe\tguards were\tnot\tlying\tabout\tyour\tage.\u201d A\tfaint\turge\tto\tcover\ther\tears,\tto\tshut\tout\tthat\twretched\tvoice,\tflickered\tin\tthe back\tof\ther\tmind. \u201cHow\told\tare\tyou?\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t reply.\t Sam\t was\t gone.\t Nothing\t she\t could\t do\u2014even\t if\t she\t fought, even\tif\tshe\traged\u2014could\tchange\tthat. \u201cDid\tRourke\tFarran\tget\this\tclaws\ton\tyou,\tor\tare\tyou\tjust\tbeing\twillful?\u201d Farran\u2019s\t face,\t leering\t at\t her,\t smiling\t so\t viciously\t as\t she\t was\t helpless\t before him. \u201cVery\twell,\tthen,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid.\tPapers\tbeing\tshuffled,\tthe\tonly\tsound\tin\tthe deathly\tsilent\troom.\t\u201cDo\t you\t deny\tthat\t you\tare\tCelaena\t Sardothien?\tIf\tyou\tdo not\tspeak,\tthen\tI\twill\ttake\tyour\tsilence\tfor\tacquiescence,\tgirl.\u201d She\tkept\ther\tmouth\tshut. \u201cThen\tread\tthe\tcharges,\tCouncilor\tRensel.\u201d A\t male\t throat\t was\t cleared.\t \u201cYou,\t Celaena\t Sardothien,\t are\t charged\t with\t the deaths\t of\t the\t following\t people\t \u2026\u201d\t And\t then\t he\t began\t a\t long\t recitation\t of\t all those\t lives\t she\u2019d\t taken.\t The\t brutal\t story\t of\t a\t girl\t who\t was\t now\t gone.\t Arobynn had\talways\tseen\tto\tit\tthat\tthe\tworld\tknew\tof\ther\thandiwork.\tHe\talways\tgot\tword out\t through\t secret\t channels\t when\t another\t victim\t had\t fallen\t to\t Celaena Sardothien.\tAnd\tnow,\tthe\tvery\tthing\tthat\thad\tearned\ther\tthe\tright\tto\tcall\therself Adarlan\u2019s\tAssassin\twould\tbe\twhat\tsealed\ther\tdoom.\tWhen\tit\twas\tover,\tthe\tman said,\t\u201cDo\tyou\tdeny\tany\tof\tthe\tcharges?\u201d Her\tbreathing\twas\tso\tslow. \u201cGirl,\u201d\tthe\tcouncilman\tsaid\ta\tbit\tshrilly,\t\u201cwe\twill\ttake\tyour\tlack\tof\tresponse\tto mean\tyou\tdo\tnot\tdeny\tthem.\tDo\tyou\tunderstand\tthat?\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tnod.\tIt\twas\tall\tover,\tanyway. \u201cThen\tI\twill\tdecide\tyour\tsentence,\u201d\tthe\tking\tgrowled.","Then\t there\t was\t murmuring,\t more\t rustling\t papers,\t and\t a\t cough.\t The\t light\t on the\tfloor\tflickered.\tThe\tguards\tin\tthe\troom\tremained\tfocused\ton\ther,\tweapons\tat the\tready. Footsteps\t suddenly\t thudded\t toward\t her\t from\t the\t table,\t and\t she\t heard\t the sound\t of\t weapons\t being\t angled.\t She\t recognized\t the\t footsteps\t before\t the\t king even\treached\ther\tchair. \u201cLook\tat\tme.\u201d She\tkept\ther\tgaze\ton\this\tboots. \u201cLook\tat\tme.\u201d It\tmade\tno\tdifference\tnow,\tdid\tit?\tHe\u2019d\talready\tdestroyed\tso\tmuch\tof\tErilea\u2014 destroyed\tparts\tof\ther\twithout\teven\tknowing\tit. \u201cLook\tat\tme.\u201d Celaena\traised\ther\thead\tand\tlooked\tat\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan. The\tblood\tdrained\tfrom\ther\tface.\tThose\tblack\teyes\twere\tpoised\tto\tdevour\tthe world;\tthe\tfeatures\twere\tharsh\tand\tweathered.\tHe\twore\ta\tsword\tat\this\tside\u2014the sword\t whose\t name\t everyone\t knew\u2014and\t a\t fine\t tunic\t and\t fur\t cloak.\t No\t crown rested\ton\this\thead. She\thad\tto\tget\taway.\tHad\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthis\troom,\tget\taway\tfrom\thim. Get\taway. \u201cDo\t you\t have\t any\t last\t requests\t before\t I\t announce\t your\t sentence?\u201d\t he\t asked, those\teyes\tstill\tsearing\tthrough\tevery\tdefense\tshe\u2019d\tever\tlearned.\tShe\tcould\tstill smell\tthe\tsmoke\tthat\thad\tsuffocated\tevery\tinch\tof\tTerrasen\tnine\tyears\tago,\tstill smell\t the\t sizzling\t flesh\t and\t hear\t the\t futile\t screams\t as\t the\t king\t and\t his\t armies wiped\t out\t every\t last\t trace\t of\t resistance,\t every\t last\t trace\t of\t magic.\t No\t matter what\t Arobynn\t had\t trained\t her\t to\t do,\t the\t memories\t of\t those\t last\t weeks\t as Terrasen\tfell\twere\timprinted\tupon\ther\tblood.\tSo\tshe\tjust\tstared\tat\thim. When\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\treply,\the\tturned\ton\this\theel\tand\twalked\tback\tto\tthe\ttable. She\t had\t to\t get\t away.\t Forever.\t Brash,\t foolish\t fire\t flared\t up,\t and\t turned\t her\u2014 only\tfor\ta\tmoment\u2014into\tthat\tgirl\tagain. \u201cI\tdo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\thoarse\tfrom\tdisuse. The\tking\tpaused\tand\tlooked\tover\this\tshoulder\tat\ther. She\tsmiled,\ta\twicked,\twild\tthing.\t\u201cMake\tit\tquick.\u201d It\twas\ta\tchallenge,\tnot\ta\tplea.\tThe\tking\u2019s\tcouncil\tand\tthe\tguards\tshifted,\tsome of\tthem\tmurmuring. The\tking\u2019s\teyes\tnarrowed\tslightly,\tand\twhen\the\tsmiled\tat\ther,\tit\twas\tthe\tmost horrific\tthing\tshe\u2019d\tever\tseen. \u201cOh?\u201d\the\tsaid,\tturning\tto\tface\ther\tfully.","That\tfoolish\tfire\twent\tout. \u201cIf\tit\tis\tan\teasy\tdeath\tyou\tdesire,\tCelaena\tSardothien,\tI\twill\tcertainly\tnot\tgive it\tto\tyou.\tNot\tuntil\tyou\thave\tadequately\tsuffered.\u201d The\tworld\tbalanced\ton\tthe\tedge\tof\ta\tknife,\tslipping,\tslipping,\tslipping. \u201cYou,\t Celaena\t Sardothien,\t are\t sentenced\t to\t nine\t lives\u2019\t worth\t of\t labor\t in\t the Salt\tMines\tof\tEndovier.\u201d Her\t blood\t turned\t to\t ice.\t The\t councilmen\t all\t glanced\t at\t one\t another. Obviously,\tthis\toption\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tdiscussed\tbeforehand. \u201cYou\t will\t be\t sent\t with\t orders\t to\t keep\t you\t alive\t for\t as\t long\t as\t possible\u2014so you\twill\thave\tthe\tchance\tto\tenjoy\tEndovier\u2019s\tspecial\tkind\tof\tagony.\u201d Endovier. Then\tthe\tking\tturned\taway. Endovier. There\twas\ta\tflurry\tof\tmotion,\tand\tthe\tking\tbarked\tan\torder\tto\thave\ther\ton\tthe first\t wagon\t out\t of\t the\t city.\t Then\t there\t were\t hands\t on\t her\t arms,\t and\t crossbows pointed\tat\ther\tas\tshe\twas\thalf-dragged\tout\tof\tthe\troom. Endovier. She\t was\t thrown\t in\t her\t dungeon\t cell\t for\t minutes,\t or\t hours,\t or\t a\t day.\t Then more\t guards\t came\t to\t fetch\t her,\t leading\t her\t up\t the\t stairs,\t into\t the\t still-blinding sun. Endovier. New\tshackles,\thammered\tshut.\tThe\tdark\tinterior\tof\ta\tprison\twagon.\tThe\tturn of\tmultiple\tlocks,\tthe\tjostle\tof\thorses\tstarting\tinto\ta\twalk,\tand\tmany\tother\thorses surrounding\tthe\twagon. Through\tthe\tsmall\twindow\thigh\tin\tthe\tdoor\twall,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tthe\tcapital,\tthe streets\t she\t knew\t so\t well,\t the\t people\t milling\t about\t and\t glancing\t at\t the\t prison wagon\tand\tthe\tmounted\tguards,\tbut\tnot\tthinking\tabout\twho\tmight\tbe\tinside.\tThe golden\tdome\tof\tthe\tRoyal\tTheater\tin\tthe\tdistance,\tthe\tbriny\tscent\tof\ta\tbreeze\toff the\tAvery,\tthe\temeraldtiled\troofs\tand\twhite\tstones\tof\tevery\tbuilding. All\tpassing\tby,\tall\tso\tquickly. They\t passed\t the\t Assassins\u2019\t Keep\t where\t she\t had\t trained\t and\t bled\t and\t lost\t so much,\tthe\tplace\twhere\tSam\u2019s\tbody\tlay,\twaiting\tfor\ther\tto\tbury\thim. The\tgame\thad\tbeen\tplayed,\tand\tshe\thad\tlost. Now\t they\t came\t to\t the\t looming\t alabaster\t walls\t of\t the\t city,\t their\t gates\t thrown wide\tto\taccommodate\ttheir\tlarge\tparty. As\tCelaena\tSardothien\twas\tled\tout\tof\tthe\tcapital,\tshe\tsank\tinto\ta\tcorner\tof\tthe wagon\tand\tdid\tnot\tget\tup.","Standing\tatop\tone\tof\tthe\tmany\temerald\troofs\tof\tRifthold,\tRourke\tFarran\tand Arobynn\t Hamel\t watched\t as\t the\t prison\t wagon\t was\t escorted\t out\t of\t the\t city.\t A chill\tbreeze\tswept\toff\tthe\tAvery,\truffling\ttheir\thair. \u201cEndovier,\t then,\u201d\t Farran\t mused,\t his\t dark\t eyes\t still\t upon\t the\t wagon.\t \u201cA surprising\t twist\t of\t events.\t I\t thought\t you\t had\t planned\t a\t grand\t rescue\t from\t the butchering\tblock.\u201d The\tKing\tof\tthe\tAssassins\tsaid\tnothing. \u201cSo\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tgoing\tafter\tthe\twagon?\u201d \u201cObviously\t not,\u201d\t Arobynn\t said,\t glancing\t at\t the\t new\t Crime\t Lord\t of\t Rifthold. It\t had\t been\t on\t this\t very\t rooftop\t that\t Farran\t and\t the\t King\t of\t the\t Assassins\t had first\t run\t into\t each\t other.\t Farran\t had\t been\t going\t to\t spy\t on\t one\t of\t Jayne\u2019s mistresses,\t and\t Arobynn\t \u2026\t well,\t Farran\t had\t never\t learned\t why\t Arobynn\t had been\tmeandering\tacross\tthe\troofs\tof\tRifthold\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tnight. \u201cYou\tand\tyour\tmen\tcould\tfree\ther\tin\ta\tmatter\tof\tmoments,\u201d\tRourke\twent\ton. \u201cAttacking\t a\t prison\t wagon\t is\t far\t safer\t than\t what\t you\t had\t originally\t planned. Though,\tI\u2019ll\tadmit\u2014sending\ther\tto\tEndovier\tis\tfar\tmore\tinteresting\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cIf\tI\twanted\tyour\topinion,\tFarran,\tI\twould\thave\tasked\tfor\tit.\u201d Farran\tgave\thim\ta\tslow\tsmile.\t\u201cYou\tmight\twant\tto\tconsider\thow\tyou\tspeak\tto me\tnow.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\tmight\twant\tto\tconsider\twho\tgave\tyou\tyour\tcrown.\u201d Farran\t chuckled,\t and\t silence\t fell\t for\t a\t long\t moment.\t \u201cIf\t you\t wanted\t her\t to suffer,\tyou\tshould\thave\tleft\ther\tin\tmy\tcare.\tI\tcould\thave\thad\ther\tbegging\tfor\tyou to\tsave\ther\tin\ta\tmatter\tof\tminutes.\tIt\twould\thave\tbeen\texquisite.\u201d Arobynn\tjust\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cWhatever\tgutter\tyou\tgrew\tup\tin,\tFarran,\tit\tmust have\tbeen\tan\tunparalleled\tsort\tof\thell.\u201d Farran\t studied\t his\t new\t ally,\t his\t gaze\t glittering.\t \u201cYou\t have\t no\t idea.\u201d\t After another\tmoment\tof\tquiet,\the\tasked,\t\u201cWhy\tdid\tyou\tdo\tit?\u201d Arobynn\u2019s\t attention\t drifted\t back\t to\t the\t wagon,\t already\t a\t small\t dot\t in\t the rolling\tfoothills\tabove\tRifthold.\t\u201cBecause\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tsharing\tmy\tbelongings.\u201d","AFTER She\t had\t been\t in\t the\t wagon\t for\t two\t days\t now,\t watching\t the\t light\t shift\t and dance\t on\t the\t walls.\t She\t only\t moved\t from\t the\t corner\t long\t enough\t to\t relieve herself\tor\tto\tpick\tat\tthe\tfood\tthey\tthrew\tin\tfor\ther. She\thad\tbelieved\tshe\tcould\tlove\tSam\tand\tnot\tpay\tthe\tprice.\tEverything\thas\ta price,\t she\u2019d\t once\t been\t told\t by\t a\t Spidersilk\t merchant\t in\t the\t Red\t Desert.\t How right\the\twas. Sun\tshone\tthrough\tthe\twagon\tagain,\tfilling\tit\twith\tweak\tlight.\tThe\ttrek\tto\tthe Salt\t Mines\t of\t Endovier\t took\t two\t weeks,\t and\t each\t mile\t led\t them\t farther\t and farther\tnorth\u2014and\tinto\tcolder\tweather. When\t she\t dozed,\t falling\t in\t and\t out\t of\t dreams\t and\t reality\t and\t sometimes\t not knowing\t the\t difference,\t she\t was\t often\t awoken\t by\t the\t shivers\t that\t racked\t her body.\tThe\tguards\toffered\ther\tno\tprotection\tagainst\tthe\tchill. Two\t weeks\t in\t this\t dark,\t reeking\t wagon,\t with\t only\t the\t shadows\t and\t light\t on the\twall\tfor\tcompany,\tand\tthe\tsilence\thovering\taround\ther.\tTwo\tweeks,\tand\tthen Endovier. She\tlifted\ther\thead\tfrom\tthe\twall. The\tgrowing\tfear\tset\tthe\tsilence\tflickering. No\t one\t survived\t Endovier.\t Most\t prisoners\t didn\u2019t\t survive\t a\t month.\t It\t was\t a death\tcamp. A\t tremor\t went\t down\t her\t numb\t fingers.\t She\t drew\t her\t legs\t in\t tighter\t to\t her chest,\tresting\ther\thead\tagainst\tthem. The\tshadows\tand\tthe\tlight\tcontinued\tto\tplay\ton\tthe\twall. Excited\twhispers,\tthe\tcrunch\tof\trushing\tfeet\ton\tdried\tgrass,\tmoonlight\tshining through\tthe\twindow. She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t how\t she\t got\t upright,\t or\t how\t she\t made\t it\t to\t the\t tiny\t barred window,\ther\tlegs\tstiff\tand\taching\tand\twobbly\tfrom\tdisuse. The\t guards\t were\t gathered\t near\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t clearing\t they\u2019d\t camped\t in\t for the\t night,\t staring\t out\t into\t the\t tangle\t of\t trees.\t They\u2019d\t entered\t Oakwald\t Forest sometime\ton\tthe\tfirst\tday,\tand\tnow\tit\twould\tbe\tnothing\tbut\ttrees-trees-trees\tfor the\ttwo\tweeks\tthat\tthey\twould\ttravel\tnorth.","The\t moon\t illuminated\t the\t mist\t swirling\t along\t the\t leaf-strewn\t ground,\t and made\tthe\ttrees\tcast\tlong\tshadows\tlike\tlurking\twraiths. And\tthere\u2014standing\tin\ta\tcopse\tof\tthorns\u2014was\ta\twhite\tstag. Celaena\u2019s\tbreath\thitched. She\tclenched\tthe\tbars\tof\tthe\tsmall\twindow\tas\tthe\tcreature\tlooked\tat\tthem.\tHis towering\t antlers\t seemed\t to\t glow\t in\t the\t moonlight,\t crowning\t him\t in\t wreaths\t of ivory. \u201cGods\tabove,\u201d\tone\tof\tthe\tguards\twhispered. The\t stag\u2019s\t enormous\t head\t turned\t slightly\u2014toward\t the\t wagon,\t toward\t the small\twindow. The\tLord\tof\tthe\tNorth. So\tthe\tpeople\tof\tTerrasen\twill\talways\tknow\thow\tto\tfind\ttheir\tway\thome,\tshe\u2019d once\ttold\tAnsel\tas\tthey\tlay\tunder\ta\tblanket\tof\tstars\tand\ttraced\tthe\tconstellation of\tthe\tStag.\tSo\tthey\tcan\tlook\tup\tat\tthe\tsky,\tno\tmatter\twhere\tthey\tare,\tand\tknow Terrasen\tis\tforever\twith\tthem. Tendrils\tof\thot\tair\tpuffed\tfrom\tthe\tstag\u2019s\tsnout,\tcurling\tin\tthe\tchill\tnight. Celaena\tbowed\ther\thead,\tthough\tshe\tkept\ther\tgaze\tupon\thim. So\tthe\tpeople\tof\tTerrasen\twill\talways\tknow\thow\tto\tfind\ttheir\tway\thome\t\u2026 A\t crack\t in\t the\t silence\u2014spreading\t wider\t and\t wider\t as\t the\t stag\u2019s\t fathomless eyes\tstayed\tsteady\ton\ther. A\t glimmer\t of\t a\t world\t long\t since\t destroyed\u2014a\t kingdom\t in\t ruins.\t The\t stag shouldn\u2019t\t be\t here\u2014not\t so\t deep\t into\t Adarlan\t or\t so\t far\t from\t home.\t How\t had\t he survived\t the\t hunters\t who\t had\t been\t set\t loose\t nine\t years\t ago,\t when\t the\t king\t had ordered\tall\tthe\tsacred\twhite\tstags\tof\tTerrasen\tbutchered? And\tyet\the\twas\there,\tglowing\tlike\ta\tbeacon\tin\tthe\tmoonlight. He\twas\there. And\tso\twas\tshe. She\tfelt\tthe\twarmth\tof\tthe\ttears\tbefore\tshe\trealized\tshe\twas\tcrying. Then\tthe\tunmistakable\tgroan\tof\tbowstrings\tbeing\tpulled\tback. The\tstag,\ther\tLord\tof\tthe\tNorth,\ther\tbeacon,\tdidn\u2019t\tmove. \u201cRun!\u201d\tThe\thoarse\tscream\terupted\tout\tof\ther.\tIt\tshattered\tthe\tsilence. The\tstag\tremained\tstaring\tat\ther. She\tbanged\ton\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\twagon.\t\u201cRun,\tdamn\tyou!\u201d The\tstag\tturned\tand\tsprinted,\ta\tbolt\tof\twhite\tlight\tweaving\tthrough\tthe\ttrees. The\ttwang\tof\tbowstrings,\tthe\thiss\tof\tarrows\u2014all\tmissing\ttheir\tmark. The\t guards\t cursed,\t and\t the\t wagon\t shook\t as\t one\t of\t them\t struck\t it\t in frustration.\tCelaena\tbacked\taway\tfrom\tthe\twindow,\tbacked\tup,\tup,\tup,\tuntil\tshe","ran\tinto\tthe\twall\tand\tcollapsed\tto\ther\tknees. The\t silence\t had\t gone.\t In\t its\t absence,\t she\t could\t feel\t the\t barking\t pain\t echo through\ther\tlegs,\tand\tthe\tache\tof\tthe\tinjuries\tFarran\u2019s\tmen\thad\tgiven\ther,\tand\tthe dull\tstinging\tof\twrists\tand\tankles\trubbed\traw\tby\tchains.\tAnd\tshe\tcould\tfeel\tthe endless\thole\twhere\tSam\thad\tonce\tbeen. She\t was\t going\t to\t Endovier\u2014she\t was\t to\t be\t a\t slave\t in\t the\t Salt\t Mines\t of Endovier. Fear,\travenous\tand\tcold,\tdragged\ther\tunder.","BEGINNING Celaena\t Sardothien\t knew\t she\t was\t nearing\t the\t Salt\t Mines\t when,\t two\t weeks later,\t the\t trees\t of\t Oakwald\t gave\t way\t to\t gray,\t rough\t terrain,\t and\t jagged mountains\t pierced\t the\t sky.\t She\u2019d\t been\t lying\t on\t the\t floor\t since\t dawn\t and\t had already\tvomited\tonce.\tAnd\tnow\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\therself\tto\tstand\tup. Sounds\tin\tthe\tdistance\u2014shouting\tand\tthe\tfaint\tcrack\tof\ta\twhip. Endovier. She\twasn\u2019t\tready. The\t light\t turned\t brighter\t as\t they\t left\t the\t trees\t behind.\t She\t was\t glad\t Sam wasn\u2019t\there\tto\tsee\ther\tlike\tthis. She\tlet\tout\ta\tsob\tso\tviolent\tshe\thad\tto\tpress\ther\tfist\tto\ther\tmouth\tto\tkeep\tfrom being\theard. She\u2019d\tnever\tbe\tready\tfor\tthis,\tfor\tEndovier\tand\tthe\tworld\twithout\tSam. A\tbreeze\tfilled\tthe\twagon,\tlifting\taway\tthe\tsmells\tof\tthe\tpast\ttwo\tweeks.\tHer trembling\tpaused\tfor\ta\theartbeat.\tShe\tknew\tthat\tbreeze. She\t knew\t the\t chill\t bite\t beneath\t it,\t knew\t it\t carried\t the\t hint\t of\t pine\t and\t snow, knew\t the\t mountains\t from\t which\t it\t hailed.\t A\t northern\t breeze,\t a\t breeze\t of Terrasen. She\tmust\tstand\tup. Pine\t and\t snow\t and\t lazy,\t golden\t summers\u2014a\t city\t of\t light\t and\t music\t in\t the shadow\t of\t the\t Staghorn\t Mountains.\t She\t must\t stand,\t or\t be\t broken\t before\t she even\tentered\tEndovier. The\twagon\tslowed,\twheels\tbouncing\tover\tthe\trough\tpath.\tA\twhip\tsnapped. \u201cMy\t name\t is\t Celaena\t Sardothien\t \u2026,\u201d\t she\t whispered\t onto\t the\t floor,\t but\t her lips\tshook\thard\tenough\tto\tcut\toff\tthe\twords. Somewhere,\tsomeone\tstarted\tscreaming.\tFrom\tthe\tshift\tin\tthe\tlight,\tshe\tknew they\twere\tnearing\twhat\thad\tto\tbe\ta\tgiant\twall. \u201cMy\t name\t is\t Celaena\t Sardothien\t \u2026,\u201d\t she\t tried\t again.\t She\t gasped\t down uneven\tbreaths. The\t breeze\t grew\t into\t a\t wind,\t and\t she\t closed\t her\t eyes,\t letting\t it\t sweep\t away the\tashes\tof\tthat\tdead\tworld\u2014of\tthat\tdead\tgirl.\tAnd\tthen\tthere\twas\tnothing\tleft except\tsomething\tnew,\tsomething\tstill\tglowing\tred\tfrom\tthe\tforging. Celaena\topened\ther\teyes.","She\twould\tgo\tinto\tEndovier.\tGo\tinto\tHell.\tAnd\tshe\twould\tnot\tcrumble. She\tbraced\ther\tpalms\ton\tthe\tfloor\tand\tslid\ther\tfeet\tbeneath\ther. She\t had\t not\t stopped\t breathing\t yet,\t and\t she\t had\t endured\t Sam\u2019s\t death\t and evaded\tthe\tking\u2019s\texecution.\tShe\twould\tsurvive\tthis. Celaena\t stood,\t turning\t to\t the\t window\t and\t looking\t squarely\t at\t the\t mammoth stone\twall\trising\tup\tahead\tof\tthem. She\twould\ttuck\tSam\tinto\ther\theart,\ta\tbright\tlight\tfor\ther\tto\ttake\tout\twhenever things\twere\tdarkest.\tAnd\tthen\tshe\twould\tremember\thow\tit\thad\tfelt\tto\tbe\tloved, when\tthe\tworld\thad\theld\tnothing\tbut\tpossibility.\tNo\tmatter\twhat\tthey\tdid\tto\ther, they\tcould\tnever\ttake\tthat\taway. She\twould\tnot\tbreak. And\tsomeday\t\u2026\tsomeday,\teven\tif\tit\ttook\ther\tuntil\ther\tlast\tbreath,\tshe\u2019d\tfind out\t who\t had\t done\t this\t to\t her.\t To\t Sam.\t Celaena\t wiped\t away\t her\t tears\t as\t the wagon\tentered\tthe\tshade\tof\tthe\ttunnel\tthrough\tthe\twall.\tWhips\tand\tscreams\tand the\tclank\tof\tchains.\tShe\ttensed,\talready\ttaking\tin\tevery\tdetail\tshe\tcould. But\tshe\tsquared\ther\tshoulders.\tStraightened\ther\tspine. \u201cMy\tname\tis\tCelaena\tSardothien,\u201d\tshe\twhispered,\t\u201cand\tI\twill\tnot\tbe\tafraid.\u201d The\twagon\tcleared\tthe\twall\tand\tstopped. Celaena\traised\ther\thead. The\twagon\tdoor\twas\tunlocked\tand\tthrown\topen,\tflooding\tthe\tspace\twith\tgray light.\tGuards\treached\tfor\ther,\tmere\tshadows\tagainst\tthe\tbrightness.\tShe\tlet\tthem grab\ther,\tlet\tthem\tpull\ther\tfrom\tthe\twagon. I\twill\tnot\tbe\tafraid. Celaena\t Sardothien\t lifted\t her\t chin\t and\t walked\t into\t the\t Salt\t Mines\t of Endovier.","Acknowledgments Elements\t of\tthese\t stories\thave\tbeen\t floating\tthrough\tmy\t imagination\tfor\t the past\t decade,\t but\t getting\t the\t chance\t to\t write\t them\t all\t down\t was\t something\t I never\t believed\t I\u2019d\t be\t blessed\t enough\t to\t do.\t It\t was\t a\t delight\t to\t originally\t share these\tnovellas\tas\te-books,\tbut\tseeing\tthem\tprinted\tas\ta\tphysical\tbook\tis\ta\tdream come\ttrue.\tSo\tit\u2019s\twith\timmense\tgratitude\tthat\tI\tthank\tthe\tfollowing\tpeople: My\t husband,\t Josh\u2014for\t making\t dinner,\t bringing\t me\t coffee\t (and\t tea\t \u2026\t and chocolate\t\u2026\tand\tsnacks),\twalking\tAnnie,\tand\tfor\tall\tof\tthe\tunconditional\tlove.\tI could\tnot\tdo\tthis\twithout\tyou. My\tparents\u2014for\tbuying\tmultiple\tcopies\tof\tevery\tnovel\tand\tnovella,\tfor\tbeing my\t#1\tfans,\tand\tfor\tall\tof\tthe\tadventures\t(a\tfew\tof\twhich\tinspired\tthese\tstories). My\tincomparable\tagent,\tTamar\tRydzinski,\twho\tcalled\tone\tsummer\tafternoon with\ta\tcrazy\tidea\tthat\twould\teventually\tbecome\tthese\tnovellas. My\t editor,\t Margaret\t Miller,\t who\t never\t fails\t to\t challenge\t me\t to\t be\t a\t better writer. And\tthe\tentire\tworldwide\tteam\tat\tBloomsbury\u2014for\tthe\tunfailing\tenthusiasm, brilliance,\t and\t support.\t Thank\t you\t for\t all\t that\t you\u2019ve\t done\t for\t the\t Throne\t of Glass\tseries.\tI\tam\tso\tproud\tto\tcall\tmyself\ta\tBloomsbury\tauthor. Writing\t a\t book\t is\t definitely\t not\t a\t solitary\t task,\t and\t without\t the\t following people,\tthese\tnovellas\twould\tnot\tbe\twhat\tthey\tare: Alex\tBracken,\twhom\tI\u2019ll\tnever\tstop\towing\tfor\tthe\tgenius\tsuggestion\tregarding The\tAssassin\tand\tthe\tUnderworld\t(and\tfor\tall\tthe\tother\tincredible\tfeedback,\ttoo). Jane\t Zhao,\t whose\t unwavering\t enthusiasm\t for\t the\t world\t of\t Throne\t of\t Glass was\tone\tof\tthe\tthings\tI\tclung\tto\tmost\ton\tthe\tlong\tpath\tto\tpublication.\tKat\tZhang, who\t always\t finds\t time\t to\t critique\t despite\t an\t impossibly\t hectic\t schedule.\t Amie Kaufman,\twho\tcried\tand\tswooned\tin\tall\tthe\tright\tplaces. And\tSusan\tDennard\u2014my\twonderful,\thonest,\tfierce\tSooz.\tYou\tremind\tme\tthat sometimes\u2014just\t sometimes\u2014the\t universe\t can\t get\t things\t right.\t No\t matter\t what happens,\tI\twill\talways\tbe\tgrateful\tfor\tthe\tday\tyou\tcame\tinto\tmy\tlife. Additional\t love\t and\t thanks\t to\t my\t incredible\t friends:\t Erin\t Bowman,\t Dan Krokos,\tLeigh\tBardugo,\tand\tBiljana\tLikic.","And\t you,\t dear\t reader:\t thank\t you\t for\t coming\t with\t me\t on\t this\t journey.\t I\t hope that\t you\u2019ve\t enjoyed\t this\t glimpse\t into\t Celaena\u2019s\t past\u2014and\t I\t hope\t that\t you\u2019ll enjoy\tseeing\twhere\ther\tadventures\ttake\ther\tin\tThrone\tof\tGlass!","Also\tby\tSarah\tJ.\tMaas Throne\tof\tGlass Crown\tof\tMidnight","READ\tON\tFOR\tAN\tEXCERPT\tFROM\tTHE\tFIRST BOOK\tIN\tTHE\tTHRONE\tOF\tGLASS\tSERIES After\ta\tyear\tof\tslavery\tin\tthe\tSalt\tMines\tof\tEndovier,\tCelaena\tis\tsummoned\tto the\t castle\t of\t a\t vicious\t king,\t where\t she\t hopes\t to\t finally\t win\t her\t freedom.\t If\t she defeats\t twenty-three\t killers,\t thieves,\t and\t warriors\t in\t a\t competition,\t she\t will\t be released\t from\t prison\t to\t serve\t as\t the\t King\u2019s\t Champion.\t But\t something\t evil dwells\tin\tthe\tcastle\u2014and\tit\u2019s\tthere\tto\tkill.\tCelaena\u2019s\tfight\tfor\tfreedom\tbecomes\ta fight\t for\t survival\u2014and\t a\t desperate\t quest\t to\t root\t out\t the\t evil\t before\t it\t destroys her\tworld.","After\ta\tyear\tof\tslavery\tin\tthe\tSalt\tMines\tof\tEndovier,\tCelaena\tSardothien\twas accustomed\t to\t being\t escorted\t everywhere\t in\t shackles\t and\t at\t sword-point.\t Most of\t the\t thousands\t of\t slaves\t in\t Endovier\t received\t similar\t treatment\u2014though\t an extra\thalf-dozen\tguards\talways\twalked\tCelaena\tto\tand\tfrom\tthe\tmines.\tThat\twas expected\tby\tAdarlan\u2019s\tmost\tnotorious\tassassin.\tWhat\tshe\tdid\tnot\tusually\texpect, however,\twas\ta\thooded\tman\tin\tblack\tat\ther\tside\u2014as\tthere\twas\tnow. He\tgripped\ther\tarm\tas\the\tled\ther\tthrough\tthe\tshining\tbuilding\tin\twhich\tmost of\tEndovier\u2019s\tofficials\tand\toverseers\twere\thoused.\tThey\tstrode\tdown\tcorridors, up\t flights\t of\t stairs,\t and\t around\t and\t around\t until\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t the\t slightest\t chance of\tfinding\ther\tway\tout\tagain. At\t least,\t that\t was\t her\t escort\u2019s\t intention,\t because\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t failed\t to\t notice when\tthey\twent\tup\tand\tdown\tthe\tsame\tstaircase\twithin\ta\tmatter\tof\tminutes.\tNor had\t she\t missed\t when\t they\t zigzagged\t between\t levels,\t even\t though\t the\t building was\ta\tstandard\tgrid\tof\thallways\tand\tstairwells.\tAs\tif\tshe\u2019d\tlose\ther\tbearings\tthat easily.\tShe\tmight\thave\tbeen\tinsulted\tif\the\twasn\u2019t\ttrying\tso\thard. They\t entered\t a\t particularly\t long\t hallway,\t silent\t save\t for\t their\t footsteps. Though\t the\t man\t grasping\t her\t arm\t was\t tall\t and\t fit,\t she\t could\t see\t nothing\t of\t the features\t concealed\t beneath\t his\t hood.\t Another\t tactic\t meant\t to\t confuse\t and intimidate\ther.\tThe\tblack\tclothes\twere\tprobably\ta\tpart\tof\tit,\ttoo.\tHis\thead\tshifted in\t her\t direction,\t and\t Celaena\t flashed\t him\t a\t grin.\t He\t looked\t forward\t again,\t his iron\tgrip\ttightening. It\twas\tflattering,\tshe\tsupposed,\teven\tif\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\twas\thappening, or\twhy\the\u2019d\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\ther\toutside\tthe\tmine\tshaft.\tAfter\ta\tday\tof\tcleaving rock\t salt\t from\t the\t innards\t of\t the\t mountain,\t finding\t him\t standing\t there\t with\t six guards\thadn\u2019t\timproved\ther\tmood. But\t her\t ears\t had\t pricked\t when\t he\u2019d\t introduced\t himself\t to\t her\t overseer\t as Chaol\tWestfall,\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tRoyal\tGuard,\tand\tsuddenly,\tthe\tsky\tloomed,\tthe mountains\t pushed\t from\t behind,\t and\t even\t the\t earth\t swelled\t toward\t her\t knees. She\thadn\u2019t\ttasted\tfear\tin\ta\twhile\u2014hadn\u2019t\tlet\therself\ttaste\tfear.\tWhen\tshe\tawoke every\t morning,\t she\t repeated\t the\t same\t words:\t I\t will\t not\t be\t afraid.\t For\t a\t year, those\t words\thad\t meant\tthe\tdifference\t between\tbreaking\tand\t bending;\tthey\thad kept\t her\t from\t shattering\t in\t the\t darkness\t of\t the\t mines.\t Not\t that\t she\u2019d\t let\t the captain\tknow\tany\tof\tthat. Celaena\t examined\t the\t gloved\t hand\t holding\t her\t arm.\t The\t dark\t leather\t almost matched\tthe\tdirt\ton\ther\tskin. She\tadjusted\ther\ttorn\tand\tfilthy\ttunic\twith\ther\tfree\thand\tand\theld\tin\ther\tsigh.","Entering\t the\t mines\t before\t sunrise\t and\t departing\t after\t dusk,\t she\t rarely\t glimpsed the\t sun.\t She\t was\t frightfully\t pale\t beneath\t the\t dirt.\t It\t was\t true\t that\t she\t had\t been attractive\tonce,\tbeautiful\teven,\tbut\u2014well,\tit\tdidn\u2019t\tmatter\tnow,\tdid\tit? They\t turned\t down\t another\t hallway,\t and\t she\t studied\t the\t stranger\u2019s\t finely crafted\t sword.\t Its\t shimmering\t pommel\t was\t shaped\t like\t an\t eagle\t midflight. Noticing\t her\t stare,\t his\t gloved\t hand\t descended\t to\t rest\t upon\t its\t golden\t head. Another\tsmile\ttugged\tat\tthe\tcorners\tof\ther\tlips. \u201cYou\u2019re\t a\t long\t way\t from\t Rifthold,\t Captain,\u201d\t she\t said,\t clearing\t her\t throat. \u201cDid\tyou\tcome\twith\tthe\tarmy\tI\theard\tthumping\taround\tearlier?\u201d\tShe\tpeered\tinto the\t darkness\t beneath\t his\t hood\t but\t saw\t nothing.\t Still,\t she\t felt\t his\t eyes\t upon\t her face,\tjudging,\tweighing,\ttesting.\tShe\tstared\tright\tback.\tThe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tRoyal Guard\twould\tbe\tan\tinteresting\topponent.\tMaybe\teven\tworthy\tof\tsome\teffort\ton her\tpart. Finally,\t the\t man\t raised\t his\t sword\t hand,\t and\t the\t folds\t of\t his\t cloak\t fell\t to conceal\t the\t blade.\t As\t his\t cloak\t shifted,\t she\t spied\t the\t gold\t wyvern\t embroidered on\this\ttunic.\tThe\troyal\tseal. \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tcare\tfor\tthe\tarmies\tof\tAdarlan?\u201d\the\treplied.\tHow\tlovely\tit\twas to\thear\ta\tvoice\tlike\ther\town\u2014cool\tand\tarticulate\u2014even\tif\the\twas\ta\tnasty\tbrute! \u201cNothing,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tshrugging.\tHe\tlet\tout\ta\tlow\tgrowl\tof\tannoyance. Oh,\tit\u2019d\tbe\tnice\tto\tsee\this\tblood\tspill\tacross\tthe\tmarble.\tShe\u2019d\tlost\ther\ttemper once\tbefore\u2014once,\twhen\ther\tfirst\toverseer\tchose\tthe\twrong\tday\tto\tpush\ther\ttoo hard.\tShe\tstill\tremembered\tthe\tfeeling\tof\tembedding\tthe\tpickax\tinto\this\tgut,\tand the\tstickiness\tof\this\tblood\ton\ther\thands\tand\tface.\tShe\tcould\tdisarm\ttwo\tof\tthese guards\t in\t a\t heartbeat.\t Would\t the\t captain\t fare\t better\t than\t her\t late\t overseer? Contemplating\tthe\tpotential\toutcomes,\tshe\tgrinned\tat\thim\tagain. \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tlook\tat\tme\tlike\tthat,\u201d\the\twarned,\tand\this\thand\tdrifted\tback\ttoward his\t sword.\t Celaena\t hid\t her\t smirk\t this\t time.\t They\t passed\t a\t series\t of\t wooden doors\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tseen\ta\tfew\tminutes\tago.\tIf\tshe\twanted\tto\tescape,\tshe\tsimply\thad to\t turn\t left\t at\t the\t next\t hallway\t and\t take\t the\t stairs\t down\t three\t flights.\t The\t only thing\t all\t the\t intended\t disorientation\t had\t accomplished\t was\t to\t familiarize\t her with\tthe\tbuilding.\tIdiots. \u201cWhere\t are\t we\t going\t again?\u201d\t she\t said\t sweetly,\t brushing\t a\t strand\t of\t her matted\thair\tfrom\ther\tface.\tWhen\the\tdidn\u2019t\treply,\tshe\tclenched\ther\tjaw. The\t halls\t echoed\t too\t loudly\t for\t her\t to\t attack\t him\t without\t alerting\t the\t whole building.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tseen\twhere\the\u2019d\tput\tthe\tkey\tto\ther\tirons,\tand\tthe\tsix\tguards who\ttrailed\tthem\twould\tbe\tnuisances.\tNot\tto\tmention\tthe\tshackles. They\t entered\t a\t hallway\t hung\t with\t iron\t chandeliers.\t Outside\t the\t windows lining\t the\t wall,\t night\t had\t fallen;\t lanterns\t kindled\t so\t bright\t they\t offered\t few","shadows\tto\thide\tin. From\t the\t courtyard,\t she\t could\t hear\t the\t other\t slaves\t shuffling\t toward\t the wooden\t building\t where\t they\t slept.\t The\t moans\t of\t agony\t amongst\t the\t clank\t of chains\tmade\ta\tchorus\tas\tfamiliar\tas\tthe\tdreary\twork\tsongs\tthey\tsang\tall\tday.\tThe occasional\t solo\t of\t the\t whip\t added\t to\t the\t symphony\t of\t brutality\t Adarlan\t had created\tfor\tits\tgreatest\tcriminals,\tpoorest\tcitizens,\tand\tlatest\tconquests. While\t some\t of\t the\t prisoners\t were\t people\t accused\t of\t attempting\t to\t practice magic\u2014not\tthat\tthey\tcould,\tgiven\tthat\tmagic\thad\tvanished\tfrom\tthe\tkingdom\u2014 these\t days,\t more\t and\t more\t rebels\t arrived\t at\t Endovier.\t Most\t were\t from\t Eyllwe, one\tof\tthe\tlast\tcountries\tstill\tfighting\tAdarlan\u2019s\trule.\tBut\twhen\tshe\tpestered\tthem for\t news,\t many\t just\t stared\t at\t her\t with\t empty\t eyes.\t Already\t broken.\t She shuddered\t to\t consider\t what\t they\u2019d\t endured\t at\t the\t hands\t of\t Adarlan\u2019s\t forces. Some\t days,\t she\t wondered\t if\t they\t would\t have\t been\t better\t off\t dying\t on\t the butchering\tblocks\tinstead.\tAnd\tif\tshe\tmight\thave\tbeen\tbetter\toff\tdying\tthat\tnight she\u2019d\tbeen\tbetrayed\tand\tcaptured,\ttoo. But\tshe\thad\tother\tthings\tto\tthink\tabout\tas\tthey\tcontinued\ttheir\twalk.\tWas\tshe finally\tto\tbe\thanged?\tSickness\tcoiled\tin\ther\tstomach.\tShe\twas\timportant\tenough to\t warrant\t an\t execution\t from\t the\t Captain\t of\t the\t Royal\t Guard\t himself.\t But\t why bring\ther\tinside\tthis\tbuilding\tfirst? At\tlast,\tthey\tstopped\tbefore\ta\tset\tof\tred-and-gold\tglass\tdoors\tso\tthick\tthat\tshe couldn\u2019t\t see\t through\t them.\t Captain\t Westfall\t jerked\t his\t chin\t at\t the\t two\t guards standing\ton\teither\tside\tof\tthe\tdoors,\tand\tthey\tstomped\ttheir\tspears\tin\tgreeting. The\t captain\u2019s\t grip\t tightened\t until\t it\t hurt.\t He\t yanked\t Celaena\t closer,\t but\t her feet\t seemed\t made\t of\t lead\t and\t she\t pulled\t against\t him.\t \u201cYou\u2019d\t rather\t stay\t in\t the mines?\u201d\the\tasked,\tsounding\tfaintly\tamused. \u201cPerhaps\tif\tI\twere\ttold\twhat\tthis\twas\tall\tabout,\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tfeel\tso\tinclined\tto resist.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll\tfind\tout\tsoon\tenough.\u201d\tHer\tpalms\tbecame\tsweaty.\tYes,\tshe\twas\tgoing to\tdie.\tIt\thad\tcome\tat\tlast. The\t doors\t groaned\t open\t to\t reveal\t a\t throne\t room.\t A\t glass\t chandelier\t shaped like\ta\tgrapevine\toccupied\tmost\tof\tthe\tceiling,\tspitting\tseeds\tof\tdiamond\tfire\tonto the\t windows\t along\t the\t far\t side\t of\t the\t room.\t Compared\t to\t the\t bleakness\t outside those\twindows,\tthe\topulence\tfelt\tlike\ta\tslap\tto\tthe\tface.\tA\treminder\tof\thow\tmuch they\tprofited\tfrom\ther\tlabor. \u201cIn\t here,\u201d\t the\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard\t growled,\t and\t shoved\t her\t with\t his\t free hand,\tfinally\treleasing\ther.\tCelaena\tstumbled,\ther\tcalloused\tfeet\tslipping\ton\tthe smooth\t floor\t as\t she\t straightened\t herself.\t She\t looked\t back\t to\t see\t another\t six guards\tappear.","Fourteen\tguards,\tplus\tthe\tcaptain.\tThe\tgold\troyal\temblem\tembroidered\ton\tthe breast\t of\t black\t uniforms.\t These\t were\t members\t of\t the\t Royal\t Family\u2019s\t personal guard:\truthless,\tlightning-swift\tsoldiers\ttrained\tfrom\tbirth\tto\tprotect\tand\tkill.\tShe swallowed\ttightly. Lightheaded\tand\timmensely\theavy\tall\tat\tonce,\tCelaena\tfaced\tthe\troom.\tOn\tan ornate\t redwood\t throne\t sat\t a\t handsome\t young\t man.\t Her\t heart\t stopped\t as everyone\tbowed. She\twas\tstanding\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tof\tAdarlan.","\u201cYour\t Highness,\u201d\t said\t the\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard.\t He\t straightened\t from\t a\t low bow\tand\tremoved\this\thood,\trevealing\tclose-cropped\tchestnut\thair.\tThe\thood\thad definitely\tbeen\tmeant\tto\tintimidate\ther\tinto\tsubmission\tduring\ttheir\twalk.\tAs\tif that\t sort\t of\t trick\t could\t work\t on\t her.\t Despite\t her\t irritation,\t she\t blinked\t at\t the sight\tof\this\tface.\tHe\twas\tso\tyoung! Captain\tWestfall\twas\tnot\texcessively\thandsome,\tbut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tfinding the\t ruggedness\t of\t his\t face\t and\t the\t clarity\t of\t his\t golden-brown\t eyes\t rather appealing.\tShe\tcocked\ther\thead,\tnow\tkeenly\taware\tof\ther\twretched\tdirtiness. \u201cThis\t is\t she?\u201d\t the\t Crown\t Prince\t of\t Adarlan\t asked,\t and\t Celaena\u2019s\t head whipped\t around\t as\t the\t captain\t nodded.\t Both\t of\t them\t stared\t at\t her,\t waiting\t for her\tto\tbow.\tWhen\tshe\tremained\tupright,\tChaol\tshifted\ton\this\tfeet,\tand\tthe\tprince glanced\tat\this\tcaptain\tbefore\tlifting\this\tchin\ta\tbit\thigher. Bow\t to\t him\t indeed!\t If\t she\t were\t bound\t for\t the\t gallows,\t she\t would\t most certainly\tnot\tspend\tthe\tlast\tmoments\tof\ther\tlife\tin\tgroveling\tsubmission. Thundering\t steps\t issued\t from\t behind\t her,\t and\t someone\t grabbed\t her\t by\t the neck.\tCelaena\tonly\tglimpsed\tcrimson\tcheeks\tand\ta\tsandy\tmustache\tbefore\tbeing thrown\tto\tthe\ticy\tmarble\tfloor.\tPain\tslammed\tthrough\ther\tface,\tlight\tsplintering her\t vision.\t Her\t arms\t ached\t as\t her\t bound\t hands\t kept\t her\t joints\t from\t properly aligning.\tThough\tshe\ttried\tto\tstop\tthem,\ttears\tof\tpain\twelled. \u201cThat\tis\tthe\tproper\tway\tto\tgreet\tyour\tfuture\tking,\u201d\ta\tred-faced\tman\tsnapped\tat Celaena. The\t assassin\t hissed,\t baring\t her\t teeth\t as\t she\t twisted\t her\t head\t to\t look\t at\t the kneeling\t bastard.\t He\t was\t almost\t as\t large\t as\t her\t overseer,\t clothed\t in\t reds\t and oranges\t that\t matched\t his\t thinning\t hair.\t His\t obsidian\t eyes\t glittered\t as\t his\t grip tightened\t on\t her\t neck.\t If\t she\t could\t move\t her\t right\t arm\t just\t a\t few\t inches,\t she could\t throw\t him\t off\t balance\t and\t grab\t his\t sword\t \u2026\t The\t shackles\t dug\t into\t her stomach,\tand\tfizzing,\tboiling\trage\tturned\ther\tface\tscarlet. After\ta\ttoo-long\tmoment,\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tspoke.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tquite\tcomprehend why\t you\u2019d\t force\t someone\t to\t bow\t when\t the\t purpose\t of\t the\t gesture\t is\t to\t display allegiance\tand\trespect.\u201d\tHis\twords\twere\tcoated\twith\tglorious\tboredom. Celaena\t tried\t to\t pivot\t a\t free\t eye\t to\t the\t prince,\t but\t could\t only\t see\t a\t pair\t of black\tleather\tboots\tagainst\tthe\twhite\tfloor. \u201cIt\u2019s\t clear\t that\t you\t respect\t me,\t Duke\t Perrington,\t but\t it\u2019s\t a\t bit\t unnecessary\t to put\t such\t effort\t into\t forcing\t Celaena\t Sardothien\t to\t have\t the\t same\t opinion.\t You and\tI\tknow\tvery\twell\tshe\thas\tno\tlove\tfor\tmy\tfamily.\tSo\tperhaps\tyour\tintent\tis\tto humiliate\t her.\u201d\t He\t paused,\t and\t she\t could\t have\t sworn\t his\t eyes\t fell\t on\t her\t face.","\u201cBut\tI\tthink\tshe\u2019s\thad\tenough\tof\tthat.\u201d","READ\tON\tFOR\tA\tSNEAK\tPEEK\tOF\tTHE\tTHIRD BOOK\tIN\tTHE\tTHRONE\tOF\tGLASS\tSERIES Celaena\t has\t survived\t deadly\t contests\t and\t shattering\t heartbreak\u2014but\t at\t an unspeakable\t cost.\t Now,\t she\t must\t travel\t to\t a\t new\t land\t to\t confront\t her\t darkest truth\t \u2026\t a\t truth\t about\t her\t heritage\t that\t could\t change\t her\t life\u2014and\t her\t future\u2014 forever.\t Meanwhile,\t brutal\t and\t monstrous\t forces\t are\t gathering\t on\t the\t horizon, intent\t on\t enslaving\t her\t world.\t Will\t Celaena\t find\t the\t strength\t not\t only\t to\t fight her\tinner\tdemons\tbut\tto\ttake\ton\tthe\tevil\tthat\tis\tabout\tto\tbe\tunleashed?","She\tsmelled\tsmoke\tbefore\tshe\tsaw\tthe\tlights.\tNot\tcampfires,\tbut\tlights\tfrom\ta building\trising\tup\tout\tof\tthe\ttrees,\thugging\tthe\tspine\tof\tthe\tmountain\tslope.\tThe stones\t were\t dark\t and\t ancient\u2014hewn\t from\t something\t other\t than\t the\t abundant granite.\t Her\t eyes\t strained,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t fail\t to\t note\t the\t ring\t of\t towering\t rocks woven\tbetween\tthe\ttrees,\tsurrounding\tthe\tentirety\tof\tthe\tfortress.\tNo,\tit\twas\thard not\t to\t notice\t them\t when\t they\t rode\t between\t two\t megaliths\t that\t curved\t toward each\tother\tlike\tthe\thorns\tof\ta\tgreat\tbeast,\tand\ta\tzinging\tcurrent\tsnapped\tagainst her\tskin. Wards\u2014magic\t wards.\t Her\t stomach\t turned.\t If\t they\t didn\u2019t\t keep\t out\t any enemies,\t they\t certainly\t served\t as\t an\t alarm.\t Which\t meant\t the\t three\t figures patrolling\t each\t of\t the\t three\t towers,\t the\t six\t on\t the\t outer\t retaining\t wall,\t and\t the three\t at\t the\t wooden\t gates\t would\t now\t know\t they\t were\t approaching.\t Men\t and women\tin\tlight\tleather\tarmor,\tbearing\tswords,\tdaggers,\tand\tbows,\tall\tmonitoring their\tapproach. \u201cI\tthink\tI\u2019d\trather\tstay\tin\tthe\twoods,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tfirst\twords\tin\tdays. Rowan\t didn\u2019t\t even\t lift\t an\t arm\t in\t greeting.\t He\t must\t be\t familiar,\t then,\t if\t he didn\u2019t\t stoop\t to\t hellos.\t As\t they\t drew\t closer\t to\t the\t ancient\t fortress\u2014which\t was little\t more\t than\t a\t few\t watchtowers\t woven\t together\t by\t a\t large\t connecting building,\t all\t of\t it\t splattered\t with\t lichens\t and\t moss\u2014she\t did\t the\t calculations.\t It had\t to\t be\t some\t border\t outpost\u2014a\t halfway\t point\t between\t the\t mortal\t realm\t and Doranelle\titself.\tPerhaps\tshe\u2019d\tfinally\thave\ta\twarm\tplace\tto\tsleep,\teven\tif\tit\twas just\tfor\tthe\tnight. She\tscanned\tthe\tsentries\tat\tthe\tgate,\ton\tthe\twall,\ton\tthe\ttowers\tabove.\tThey\tall wore\thoods\u2014masking\tany\tsigns\tof\ttheir\theritage.\tRowan\tmight\tnot\thave\tspoken to\ther\tfor\tmost\tof\ttheir\tjourney\u2014he\u2019d\tshown\tas\tmuch\tinterest\tin\ther\tas\ta\tpile\tof horseshit\ton\tthe\troad\u2014but\tif\tshe\twere\tstaying\twith\tthe\tFae\t\u2026\tothers\tmight\thave questions.\tJust\tseeing\tthe\tFae\tgathered,\tafter\tshe\u2019d\tsmelled\tthose\tburning\tstakes ten\t years\t ago,\t heard\t the\t screams\t on\t the\t wind\t \u2026\t She\u2019d\t done\t her\t best\t to\t forget those\t weeks\t and\t months\u2014to\t forget\t every\t thought\t and\t feeling\t that\t went\t with them. The\tguards\tsaluted\tRowan,\twho\tdidn\u2019t\tspare\tthem\ta\tpassing\tglance.","She\ttook\tin\tevery\tdetail,\tevery\texit,\tevery\tweakness\tas\tthey\tentered\tthe\tlarge courtyard\t beyond\t the\t wall,\t two\t rather\t mortal-looking\t stable\t hands\t rushing\t to help\t them\t dismount.\t It\t was\t so\t still.\t As\t if\t everything,\t even\t the\t stones,\t was holding\tits\tbreath.\tAs\tif\tit\thad\tbeen\twaiting.\tThe\tsensation\tonly\tworsened\twhen Rowan\twordlessly\tled\ther\tinto\tthe\tdim\tinterior\tof\tthe\tmain\tbuilding,\tup\ta\tnarrow set\tof\tstone\tstairs,\tand\tinto\twhat\tlooked\tto\tbe\ta\tsmall\toffice. It\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tcarved\toak\tfurniture,\tor\tthe\tfaded\tgreen\tdrapes,\tor\tthe\twarmth\tof the\t fire\t that\t made\t her\t stop\t dead.\t It\t was\t the\t woman\t seated\t behind\t the\t desk\t that made\tCelaena\u2019s\tworld\tshrink\tand\texpand\twith\teach\tbreath.\tMaeve,\tqueen\tof\tthe Fae.","She\tIs\tHer\tKingdom\u2019s Most\tFearless\tAssassin DON\u2019T\tMISS\tANY\tOF\tTHIS EPIC\tSERIES\tFROM\tSARAH\tJ.\tMAAS www.bloomsbury.com www.facebook.com\/throneofglass","Text\tcopyright\t\u00a9\t2014\tby\tSarah\tJ.\tMaas Map\tcopyright\t\u00a9\t2012\tby\tKelly\tde\tGroot All\trights\treserved. You\tmay\tnot\tcopy,\tdistribute,\ttransmit,\treproduce,\tor\totherwise\tmake\tavailable this\tpublication\t(or\tany\tpart\tof\tit)\tin\tany\tform,\tor\tby\tany\tmeans\t(including without\tlimitation\telectronic,\tdigital,\toptical,\tmechanical,\tphotocopying, printing,\trecording,\tor\totherwise),\twithout\tthe\tprior\twritten\tpermission\tof\tthe publisher.\tAny\tperson\twho\tdoes\tany\tunauthorized\tact\tin\trelation\tto\tthis publication\tmay\tbe\tliable\tto\tcriminal\tprosecution\tand\tcivil\tclaims\tfor\tdamages. First\tpublished\tin\tthe\tUnited\tStates\tof\tAmerica\tin\tMarch\t2014 by\tBloomsbury\tChildren\u2019s\tBooks www.bloomsbury.com This\telectronic\tedition\tpublished\tin\tMarch\t2014 For\tinformation\tabout\tpermission\tto\treproduce\tselections\tfrom\tthis\tbook,\twrite to Permissions,\tBloomsbury\tChildren\u2019s\tBooks,\t1385\tBroadway,\tNew\tYork,\tNew York\t10018. Library\tof\tCongress\tCataloging-in-Publication\tData Maas,\tSarah\tJ. [Novellas.\tSelections] The\tassassin\u2019s\tblade:\tthe\tThrone\tof\tglass\tnovellas\t\/\tby\tSarah\tJ.\tMaas. pages\tcm Contains\tfour\tpreviously\tpublished\te-books:\tThe\tassassin\tand\tthe\tpirate\tlord, The\tassassin\tand\tthe\tdesert,\tThe\tassassin\tand\tthe\tunderworld,\tand\tThe\tassassin and\tthe\tempire,\tplus\tone\tnever-before-published\tnovella,\tThe\tassassin\tand\tthe healer.\tSummary:\tIn\tthese\tfive\tprequel\tnovellas\tto\tThrone\tof\tglass,\tfeared assassin\tCelaena\tembarks\ton\tdaring\tmissions\tthat\ttake\ther\tfrom\tremote\tislands to\thostile\tdeserts,\twhere\tshe\tfights\tto\tliberate\tslaves\tand\tavenge\ttyranny. [1.\tFantasy.\t2.\tAssassins\u2014Fiction.]\tI.\tTitle. PZ7.M111575As\t2014\t\t[Fic]\u2014dc23\t\t\t2013041954 eISBN:\t978-1-6196-3221-9","Visit\twww.bloomsbury.com\tto\tfind\tout\tmore\tabout\tour\tauthors\tand\ttheir\tbooks. You\twill\tfind\textracts,\tauthor\tinterviews,\tand\tauthor\tevents,\tand\tyou\tcan\tsign\tup for\tnewsletters\tto\tbe\tthe\tfirst\tto\thear\tabout\tour\tlatest\treleases\tand\tspecial\toffers.","Table\tof\tContents Map The\tAssassin\tand\tThe\tPirate\tLord The\tAssassin\tand\tThe\tHealer The\tAssassin\tand\tThe\tDesert The\tAssassin\tand\tThe\tUnderworld The\tAssassin\tand\tThe\tEmpire Acknowledgments Also\tby\tSarah\tJ.\tMaas"]