“Say nothing. Because you weren’t weak and helpless when you were in Oath, were you? Even after being cut apart by those demon birds or whatever they were, you kept fighting. You have nothing else to prove. Not to me. Not to anyone.” Silence hung for several long moments, before Ludo spoke again. “But let’s talk about cheerier subjects, shall we? How many marks have you had?”

She breathed sharply through her nose. “Talking about people I’ve killed is a ‘cheerier subject’?”

“I’d rather hear about you hurting others than others hurting you.”

“Thanks for that. I’ve had seven marks.”

“All assigned by the powers that be within the Crimson Daggers Guild of Assassins?”

“Of course. I’ve never gone rogue.” She reconsidered that comment. “Well, until now.”

“And how many of your marks have you successfully eliminated?” She gave him an offended look. “Alright, all seven of them, that’s all you had to say.”

“Did you take me for an amateur?”

“Not at all. It’s just that even the most well-contrived plans can go wrong.”

“Is your record also unblemished?”

“Depends on your definition. Since I became the King’s Blade, I have not failed to carry out a command.”

“Were you an assassin before that?”

“I had killed before, if that’s what you mean.”

“That’s not what I meant. Killing doesn’t make you an assassin. You could kill and be a soldier, or a common murderer, or someone defending themself or their loved ones from being killed. Being an assassin, on the other hand, is a calling of sorts. There are many different reasons to take up this life. Wealth, power, the need to deliver justice to those who can’t deliver it themselves…”

“And which of those reasons apply to you?”

“You’re asking why I joined the Crimson Daggers.”

He nodded. “I guess I am.”

“In truth, I didn’t do it for any of those reasons. I did it to become stronger, to gain the skills I needed for one mission and one alone.”

“The one we’re on right now. To kill the Fire Eater.”

It was her turn to nod.

“Because he hurt your family.”

“Why are you saying it like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like you don’t believe me.”

“I think you’re hearing something that isn’t there.”

“Don’t tell me what I’m hearing!”

“Don’t be so bloody defensive!”

For a few long seconds they stared daggers at each other, neither willing to back down and admit defeat. Bryony didn’t even really know why she was angry, or why he was either. But then, finally, Ludo’s chest sagged and he looked away. “You didn’t ask me about my augury.”

Bryony thought his voice sounded hollow, like his chest had been emptied of everything inside it. “I assumed you didn’t want to talk about it. I know I didn’t at first.”