Im not here to beg, Sparhawk replied. Im here to buy or at least rent.
Have you got money?
Yes.
Lets see it.
Sparhawk reached inside his ragged cloak and took several coins out of a pocket. He held them out on the palm of his hand.
The thin womans eyes narrowed shrewdly.
Dont even think about it, he told her.
Youre not blind, she accused him.
You noticed.
Whats your pleasure, then? she asked.
A friend told me to ask for Naween.
Ah, Naween. Shes been very popular lately. Ill send for her just as soon as you pay.
How much?
Ten coppers or a silver half-crown.
Sparhawk gave her a small silver coin, and she went back through the door. She came back a moment later with a buxom brunette girl of about twenty. This is Naween, Shanda said. I hope you enjoy yourselves. She simpered briefly at Sparhawk, then the smile seemed to drain off her face. She turned and went back into the room at the end of the hall.
Youre not really blind, are you? Naween asked coquettishly. She was wrapped in a sleazy-looking dressing gown of bright red, and her cheeks were dimpled.
No, Sparhawk admitted, not really.
Good. Ive never done a blind man before, so I wouldnt know what to expect. Lets go upstairs, shall we? She led him to a stairway that climbed into the upper parts of the house. Anything in particular that youd like? she asked, smiling back over her shoulder at him.
At the moment, Id like to listen, he told her.
Listen? To what?
Platime sent me. Shandas got a friend staying here a fellow named Krager.
Mousy-looking little man with bad eyes?
Thats him. A nobleman dressed in green velvet just came in here, and I think that he and Krager might be talking. Id like to hear what theyre saying. Can you arrange it? He reached up and took the bandage off his eyes.
Then you dont really want to ? She left it hanging, and her generous lower lip took on a slight pout.
Not today, little sister, he told her. Ive got other things on my mind.
She sighed. I like your looks, friend, she said. We could have had a very nice time.
Some other day, maybe. Can you take me someplace where I can hear what Krager and his friend are saying?
She sighed again. I suppose so, she said. Its on up the stairs. We can use Feathers room. Shes visiting her mother.
Her mother?
Whores have mothers, too, you know. Feathers room is right next to the one where Shandas friend is staying. If you put your ear to the wall, you should be able to hear whats going on.
Good. Lets go. I dont want to miss anything.
The room near the far end of the upper hallway was small, and its furnishings were sparse. A single candle burned on the table. Naween closed the door, then she removed the dressing gown and lay down on the bed. Just for the sake of appearances, she whispered archly, in case someone looks in on us. Or in case you change your mind later. She gave him a suggestive little leer.
Which wall is it? he asked in a low voice.
That one. She pointed.
He crossed the room and put the side of his head to the walls grimy surface.
to my Lord Martel, a familiar voice was saying. I need something that proves that youre really from Annias and that what you iell me comes from him.
It was Krager. Sparhawk grinned exultantly and continued to listen.
Chapter 7
The primate said that you might be a little suspicious, Harparin said in his effeminate voice.
Theres a price on my head here in Cimmura, Baron, Krager told him. Under those circumstances, a certain amount of caution seems to be in order.
Would you recognize the primates signature and his seal if you saw them?
I would, Krager replied.
Good. Heres a note from him that will identify me. Destroy it after youve read it.
I dont think so. Martel might want to see the proof with his own eyes. Krager paused. Why didnt Annias just write down his instructions?
Be sensible, Krager, Harparin said. A message can fall into unfriendly hands.
So can a messenger. Have you ever seen what the Pandions do to people who have information they want?
We would assume that youd take steps to keep yourself from being questioned.
Krager laughed derisively. Not a chance, Harparin, he said in a slightly slurred voice. My life isnt all that much, but its all Ive got.
Youre a coward.
And youre whatever it is that you are. Let me see that note.
Sparhawk heard paper rustling. All right, Kragers mush-sounding voice said. This is the primates seal, Ill agree.
Have you been drinking?
Naturally. What else is there to do in Cimmura? Unless you have other entertainments like some I could name.
I dont like you very much, Krager.
Im not fond of you either, Harparin, but we can both live with that, cant we? Just give me the message and go away. That perfume youre wearing is beginning to turn my stomach.
There was a stiff silence, and then the Baron spoke very precisely, as if to a child or a simpleton. This is what the Primate Annias wants you to say to Martel: Tell him to gather up as many men as hell need and to dress them all in black armour. They are to carry the banners of the Pandion Knights any seamstress can counterfeit them for you, and Martel knows what they look like. They are then to ride with great show to the castle of Count Radun, uncle of King Dregos of Arcium. Do you know the place?
Its on the road between Darra and Sarrinium, isnt it?
Precisely. Count Radun is a pious man and hell admit the Church Knights without question. Once Martel is inside the walls, his men are to kill the inhabitants. There shouldnt be much resistance, because Radun doesnt maintain a large garrison. He has a wife and a number of unmarried daughters. Annias wants them all repeatedly raped.
Krager laughed. Adus would do that anyway.
Good, but tell him not to be self-conscious about it. Radun has several churchmen in his castle. We want them to witness it all. After Adus and the others finish with the women, cut their throats. Radun is to be tortured and then beheaded. Take his head with you when you leave, but leave enough personal jewellery and clothing on the body so that it can be identified. Butcher everybody else in the castle, except for the churchmen. After theyve witnessed everything, let them go.
Why?
To report the outrage to King Dregos at Larium.
The idea then is that Dregos will declare war on the Pandions?
Not quite, no although thats possible, too. As soon as the business is finished, dispatch a man on a fast horse to me here in Cimmura to tell me that its been done.
Krager laughed again. Only an idiot would carry that kind of message. Hed have a dozen knives in him as soon as he finished talking.
Krager laughed again. Only an idiot would carry that kind of message. Hed have a dozen knives in him as soon as he finished talking.
You are suspicious, arent you, Krager?
Better suspicious than dead, and the people Martel will hire are likely all to feel pretty much the same way. Youd better tell me a little more about this scheme, Harparin.
You dont need to know any more.
Martel will. He wont be a cats-paw for anybody.
Harparin muttered an oath. All right then. The Pandions have been interfering with the primates activities. This atrocity will give him an excuse to confine them in their motherhouse at Demos again. Then he will personally carry a report of the affair to Chyrellos to lay before the Church Hierocracy and the Archprelate himself. They will have no choice but to disband the Pandion Order. The leaders Vanion, Sparhawk, and the others will be imprisoned in the dungeons beneath the Basilica of Chyrellos. No man has ever come out of those dungeons alive.
Martel will like that idea.
Annias thought that he might. The Styric woman, Sephrenia, will be burned as a witch, of course.
Well be well rid of her. There was another pause. Theres more, isnt there? Krager added.
Harparin did not answer.
Dont be coy, Harparin, Krager told him. If I can see through all this, you can be sure that Martel will, too. Lets have the rest of it.
All right. Harparins voice was sullen. The Pandions are likely to resist confinement and theyll certainly try to protect their leaders. At that point, the army will move against them. That will give Annias and the Royal Council an excuse to declare a state of emergency and to suspend certain laws.
Which laws are those?
The ones having to do with the succession to the throne. Elenia will technically be in a state of war, and Ehlana is obviously in no condition to deal with that. Shell abdicate in favour of her cousin, the Prince Regent Lycheas.
Arissas bastard the sniveller?
Legitimacy can be bestowed by a decree of the council, and Id really watch what I say about Lycheas, Krager. Disrespect for the King is high treason, and it can be made retroactive, you know.
There was an apprehensive silence. Wait a minute, Krager said then. Ive heard that Ehlanas unconscious and sealed in some kind of crystal.
Thats no particular problem.
How can she sign the instrument of abdication?
Harparin laughed. Theres a monk at the monastery near Lenda. Hes been practising the Queens signature for a month now. Hes very good.
Clever. What happens to her after she abdicates?
As soon as Lycheas is crowned King, well give her a splendid funeral.
But shes still alive, isnt she?
So? If need be, well entomb her throne and all.
Theres only one problem then, isnt there?
I dont see any problem.
Thats because youre not looking, Harparin. The primate is going to have to move very fast. If the Pandions find out about this before he can get to the Hierocracy in Chyrellos, theyll take steps to counter his accusations.
Were aware of that. Thats why you have to send the message to me as soon as the count and his people are dead.
The message would never reach you. Any man we send will realize that hell be killed as soon as he delivers it and hell find an excuse to go to Lamorkand or Pelosia instead. Krager paused. Let me see that ring of yours, he said.
My ring? Why?
Its a signet, isnt it?
Yes, with the coat of arms of my family.
All noblemen have rings like that, dont they?
Of course.
Good. Tell Annias to pay close attention to the collection plate in the cathedral of Cimmura here. One of these days a ring will show up among the pennies. The ring will bear the coat of arms of Count Raduns family. Hell understand the message, and the messenger can slip away unharmed.
I dont think Annias will like that.
He doesnt have to like it. All right, how much?
How much what?
Money. What is Annias willing to pay Martel for his assistance? Hes getting the crown for Lycheas and absolute control of Elenia for himself. Whats it worth to him?
He told me to mention the sum of ten thousand gold crowns.
Krager laughed. I think Martel might want to negotiate that point just a bit.
Time is important here, Krager.
Then Annias probably wont be too stubborn about the price, will he? Why dont you go back to the palace and suggest to him that a bit more generosity might be in order? I could wind up spending the whole winter riding back and forth between Annias and Martel carrying proposals and counterproposals.
Theres only so much money in the treasury, Krager.
Simplicity in itself, my dear Baron. Just increase taxes or have Annias dip into church funds.
Where is Martel now?
Im not at liberty to say.
Sparhawk swore under his breath and took his ear away from the wall.
Was it interesting? Naween asked. She still lounged on the bed.
Very.
She stretched voluptuously. Are you sure that you wont change your mind? she asked. Now that youve taken care of your business?
Sorry, little sister, Sparhawk declined. Ive got a great deal left to do today. Besides, Ive already paid Shanda your price. Why work if you dont have to?
Professional ethics, I suppose. Besides, I sort of like you, my big broken-nosed friend.
Im flattered. He reached into his pocket, took out a gold coin, and gave it to her. She stared at him in amazed gratitude. Ill slip out of the front door before Kragers friend gets ready to leave, he told her. He went to the door.
Come back sometime when your minds not so occupied, she whispered.
Ill think about it, he promised. He tied the bandage over his eyes again, opened the door, and stepped quietly into the hall. Then he went on down into the dimly lit lower hall and back out to the street.
Talen was leaning against the wall beside the door, trying to stay out of the rain. Did you have fun? he asked.
I found out what I needed to know.
Thats not what I meant. Naweens supposed to be the best in Cimmura.
I really wouldnt know about that. I was there on business.
Im disappointed in you, Sparhawk. Talen grinned impudently. But probably not nearly so much as Naween was. They say that shes a girl who likes her work.
Youve got a nasty mind, Talen.
I know, and youve got no idea how much I enjoy it. His young face grew serious, and he looked around cautiously. Sparhawk, he said, is somebody following you?
Its possible, I suppose.
Im not talking about a church soldier. There was a man at the far end of the street at least I think it was a man. He was wearing a monks habit, and the hood covered his face, so I couldnt be sure.
There are a lot of monks in Cimmura.