by Mary Corran
Is that not plain enough for you? My clan symbol is the wolf, myself therefore the preserver. When Omen fell to the Kamiri, I had long been ready, and it was I who took the girl from her father’s house, I who have hidden her all these years while her brothers died and her father’s luck failed him. Thus the prophecy that she will save us will be fulfilled through me.’
‘What do you intend to do with her?’
Avorian frowned as if he did not care for the question. ‘I shall marry her and father a dynasty. I will rule in her name, as the Fates intended.’
‘That’s a lie!’ Asher said angrily. ‘There will be no children. Instead of saving us, you will bring further destruction on us all!’ What else did the Oracle say? Tell us that.’
Avorian did not reply. Mallory asked: ‘Was there more?’
The Chief Councillor made a dismissive gesture. ‘There was, but of no relevance.’
‘I should like to know it, nonetheless.’
‘Very well.’ Avorian was tightlipped. ‘Then hear:
“The grey mask shrouds her from all sight.
Yet, wolf, beware, lest hunger turn to greed;
The cub must wake itself and shed its furry skin
Before it spreads its wings and flies aloft.”
It is meaningless — a mere warning.’
‘Greed,’ Asher whispered, and Mallory remembered the words the Oracle had said to him: ‘The leopard hunts for hunger, not for greed.’ Not for self-interest, but for the common good. It was true that Avorian had saved Vallis from Amrist, but the course on which he was determined would destroy her; his hunger had become greed for the sake of ambition. His seed was barren, and if he married Vallis the line would die with her, and the imbalance of luck in the world would never be righted.
‘And you, Lassar, what is your interpretation?’ Mallory asked, looking beyond Avorian to the diviner, who stirred uneasily.
‘There is no Fate so definite it may not be altered, save death,’ he said softly. ‘Yet my master is a man of great good fortune, and it is not for me to question the sayings of the Oracle.’
‘Quite so. It was the Oracle who named the first Dominus, in whose line runs the good fortune of our country. How can you say it is right that a man who can father no children should wed into the last of that direct line?’ Mallory demanded. ‘When in that seed lies our future?’
Avorian’s expression no longer held any hint of amiability. His was a cold anger that expressed itself in eyes and voice, not in physical manifestations, but was no less dangerous for that. He held himself very still, and Mallory was disturbed by what he saw in the man, the determination born of self-deception that was the mark of the fanatic.
‘It was Katriane, not I, who was barren,’ he said coolly. ‘The Fates willed it so, that when I marry again there should be no son of mine to argue his share of our inheritance. Vallis will be the mother of my children, my will her will. She has been trained to obey the dictates of the Fates and will not repine when I reveal her true parentage; she will understand what must be.’
‘Are you sure?’ Mallory saw a smile briefly lighten Asher’s thin face.
‘A woman’s place in this world is to live through her husband and her children; that is the reason for which she was created, that we, not bound by nature, should thus be free to assume the greater cares,’ Avorian answered her shortly. ‘A lesson you have failed to learn, mistress. Better for you you had stayed on the land with your true husband than interest yourself in the affairs of men!’
‘ “The grey mare is often the better horse”,’ Asher quoted calmly. ‘From the words of the Oracle, it sounds as if Vallis must remember for herself who she really is: “The cub must wake itself”.’ Mallory recognized the campaigning glint in her eye and hastily elected to intervene.
‘What do you intend to do now?’
‘With you?’ Avorian relaxed again. ‘For the moment, nothing. Why should I? I bear you no ill-will, Councillor, you have no power to upset my design, nor cause. You have heard why I told the girl. You will not find her.’ Asher’s hand tightened on his shoulder; Mallory said nothing. ‘Not even another diviner could locate her, warded as she is by Lassar who is best of them all, as your seeress discovered to her cost. Do not waste another in searching.’
‘Then why all this — charade? The abduction of my nephew?’
‘Lassar tells me you continue to represent a possible complication.’ Avorian frowned. ‘And I have a proposition to put to you.’
‘Which is?’
‘To you, I am willing to offer a position in my new government, once our land is free from the shadow of the Dominion.’ Avorian allowed Mallory a moment to contemplate his good fortune, without result. ‘We will need men of your calibre, those who have proven themselves able and gifted by the Fates. I will even offer you a choice.’
‘I see. And in exchange I say nothing and cease to search for the girl? What if I refuse?’
‘Then I will ruin you, and your clan with you.’
It was not the response Mallory expected, and he looked up sharply.
‘It can be done, with Lassar’s help,’ Avorian continued indifferently. ‘He can read the tides of fortune more ably than any, most of all those concerning the flows of gold — I could forestall you in any trade. And there would be assistance from my men. Ships sink; warehouses burn. You have a day in which to make your decision.’
‘And Asher?’ Mallory was careful not to show how shaken he felt.
Avorian’s gaze flickered to her, then back to Mallory. ‘You may be unaware that a warrant for her arrest was issued today, for embezzlement of city funds. I myself signed it this morning after an anonymous informant suggested a careful investigation of her Treasury ledgers. It seems there were a few — shall we say — irregularities.’ Mallory glanced at Asher, but she displayed no surprise at the news; inwardly he sighed, wondering what else she had failed to tell him. ‘If she leaves the city I give my word I will not pursue her, nor inform as to her whereabouts, so long as she does not return. She, too, may have one day in which to decide.’
Asher remained uncharacteristically silent, looking at Lassar. Mallory rose to his feet. ‘Then if that is your final word,’ he said stiffly, ‘we will give you our responses in the morning.’
‘Think long and hard, Councillor,’ Avorian advised, rising also. ‘Such a chance will never come your way again.’
Signalling Lassar to precede him, he took his departure without a backward glance. Asher leaned against the desk as if her legs would no longer support her weight; Mallory knew how she felt.
‘So, we only have tonight,’ she said quietly. ‘If we have that.’
‘Don’t you want to consider the alternative?’
‘There is none, you know that.’
‘You said you knew where the girl was hidden,’ Mallory commented abruptly. ‘Could we get her away tonight?’
Asher smiled. ‘I think so, if we can hire helpers. Are you willing to spend rather a lot of money?’
‘Of course, but on what? Which reminds me — what is this about a warrant for your arrest?’ The news should have shocked him deeply, but now it seemed a relatively minor inconvenience. ‘What have you been doing?’
‘That was one of the things I wanted to talk to you about.’ She looked a little embarrassed. ‘But first we need to make arrangements to leave the city tonight, or at first light tomorrow. If we can get a message to Essa, she and Margit can make the arrangements for us, and get the travel passes too.’ Listening to her outline her plans, Mallory’s mood brightened; it might, after all, be possible. ‘Essa will need money as well — about twenty gold pieces — for a covered cart and four horses; we can’t take any from your stables. She can organize supplies for us. The only other problem is that we need a diversion for Avorian and Lassar tonight, some method of keeping their attention away from us.’
He thought for a moment. ‘I have an idea. Will you risk telling Essa what the passes and so on are
for? Wouldn’t that put her in danger?’
‘She’ll guess at some of the truth, but I won’t tell her about Avorian. I must speak to her before we leave Venture.’ For a moment bleak sorrow surfaced in her face. ‘I have to tell her about Mylla.’
Quickly Mallory asked: ‘What other help are you suggesting we need?’
‘I was coming to that.’ She bit her lip. ‘I never told you about Stern, did I? He’s one of my Treasury colleagues — the one who informed against me. But if you’re willing to pay, I think he and his friends could be very useful to us tonight.’
Mallory could no longer restrain his curiosity. ‘Tell me more,’ he suggested. ‘What are these irregularities Avorian mentioned?’ Having made his decision, he found himself oddly free from doubt. All the anxiety and indecision he had suffered while Kirin was missing had gone, leaving him to deal, as Asher was, with the practical points resulting from his decision — the need to arrange for Pars to manage the day-to-day running of the business until he should return; he had developed a high opinion of the young man’s capability. Perhaps he should give some authority to his sister-in-law, too, to encourage her to continue to believe in his good intentions.
Asher was embarrassed as she explained, her face rather pink. ‘I should have told you before,’ she began awkwardly, ‘how I helped Stern and the others steal from Avorian’s warehouse ... ’ She went on with her tale, with occasional prompting, detailing the events of a night which filled Mallory, listening, with a combination of hilarity and horror.
‘And so I thought,’ she concluded, carefully not looking at him, ‘that if we paid them, they might help us. A pick-lock and two fighters are just what we need. If you don’t mind?’ she added quickly.
‘Mind? Why should I mind?’ He was only just managing not to laugh. ‘It’s an excellent plan. I’m only glad your acquaintance in Venture extends to so many useful and interesting people!’
Her lips quivered. ‘I shall be only too happy to introduce them.’
‘Just tell me how much I’m going to have to pay for the privilege!’ And when she told him, he did laugh out loud; only Asher would have worked out so carefully the precise sum needed to bribe a pack of bandits. He wiped his eyes, feeling considerably better. ‘I used to think coming to Venture would be dull. Whatever else, you certainly have a talent for making life interesting.’
She grinned, but sobered instantly. ‘We must get on. There’s a lot to arrange before tonight.’
‘Lead on.’ He waved a casual hand. He had never worked with a partner before; a ship was no place for joint ventures. It was coming as a pleasant surprise to him to discover just how enjoyable and effective such a relationship could be.
*
Haravist, the Kamiri governor, held out the offending paper between thumb and forefinger, his expression filled with distaste; he raised his head to an arrogant height and gave a signal to the waiting guard. ‘Let him enter.’
Avorian strode forward, stiff with fury at the peremptory summons to the governor’s residence. Lassar followed in his wake, a mere shadow of his master. Avorian’s gaze flicked sideways from wall to wall, observing the twin lines of watching guards, then settled finally on the stately grey man who occupied the chair in the elevated section of the room, three steep steps separating his exalted person from those of lesser, and lower, status. ‘You wished to see me?’ he asked abruptly.
Haravist’s nostrils flared briefly at the insolent tone. ‘I have received certain information,’ he said ponderously, waving the piece of paper in his hand, grey skin dark against white. ‘Concerning the tribute. That your own contribution of fifteen thousand pieces has not, and will not, be included when the ships sail for Javarin in thirteen days. What have you to say?’
‘What nonsense is this?’ Avorian reached for the paper, but it was withdrawn before he could take it; furious, he let his hand drop and stepped back. ‘From what quarter did you receive this information?’
‘It bears the seal of this city.’ Haravist sounded bored, but his expression was cold. ‘You told me the tribute was already gathered, but I have no proof this is so.’
‘You had my word!’ Avorian’s eyes glittered angrily. ‘In this city, that is sufficient, I believe.’
‘Do you so?’ The tone was even more offensive than the words. ‘But I desire proof, Chief Councillor. As you are aware, if any part of the tribute is not delivered in full, the treaty with our Lord Amrist fails. Thus I cannot neglect this warning; it is my duty to demand proof from you. I am governor here, and such is my right.’
‘This is a trick, the work of an enemy.’ Avorian managed to sound calmer, perhaps remembering where he was. ‘If you wish to count the monies for yourself, it may be arranged in the morning, if that will satisfy you?’
Haravist gave him a contemptuous, empty smile. ‘I am almost convinced, Councillor. Yet — not quite. Why should an enemy do this, when it can so easily be disproved? It would not be the first time one of your rank has taken advantage of his position. No, I think the task is best begun now, as this letter suggests.’ He tapped a line on the paper with a pointed nail. ‘There are, I presume, scales in the Treasury, and I have an assayer among my staff.’
‘But it will take at least two hours, even using scales. Why such haste?’
‘My order disturbs you?’ Haravist did not attempt to disguise his satisfaction. ‘It is by no means late; the curfew bell will not sound for three more hours. Is there some reason for your hesitation, one you have neglected to tell me?’
Trapped, Avorian could only bow his head. ‘Very well, Governor. It shall be done,’ he said coldly. ‘The Treasurer will be summoned. And now, if I have your permission to retire? I shall await the outcome with interest, but no anxiety.’
‘No.’ The flat negative made Avorian look up sharply, but the governor’s bland face told him nothing. ‘I have decided you will accompany us.’
‘When,’ and Avorian emphasized his use of the word, ‘the count is complete, and is seen to be accurate, I shall request your assistance to move against the instigator of this libel!’ He turned to Lassar, but the diviner only shook his head.
‘If that is so, you may have all the aid you require.’ Haravist placed his hands on the arms of his chair and rose to his feet in a smooth movement; the waiting guard was instantly at attention, forming columns to either side as he stepped down from the platform, gesturing with a casual forefinger for Avorian to follow. After a moment’s resistance he did so, falling angrily into step behind the tall governor, a surprisingly slight figure amongst the Kamiri.
Lassar blinked; he, too, was certain who had made the accusation, and his gift had already revealed to him what alteration in the odds resulted from the move. These revelations, however, he kept prudently to himself, for despite the shifts in his master’s fortunes, they remained favourable overall.
*
The outside of the Perseverance Inn was unappealing, even for the old quarter; an old structure, in an area prosperous during the hey-day of the Oracle trade but now showing signs of terminal decay, peeling paint and cracked plaster gave the building a depressingly dingy appearance. A muddy cobbled alley led the way to a stableyard at the rear, and Asher peered down it, wrinkling her nose in disgust at the pungent smell that wafted towards the street. The three storeys of the adjoining wine shop looked hardly more salubrious, in particular since the windows and door facing the street had recently been boarded shut, as if the house was no longer occupied, and Mallory found himself a prey to sudden doubt.
‘Do you think anyone could have followed us here?’ Asher asked, glancing round at the constant flow of people along the street. Despite the change in her appearance — her hair restored to its natural colour and cut short as any sailor’s, her own clothes exchanged for Ish’s loose breeches, shirt and jerkin — she felt conspicuous and ill at ease.
‘I doubt it, I’m not sure I’d have known you myself.’ Mallory, too, looked different; his hair and eyebrows had b
een powdered white, and he was dressed as a casual labourer, in thick sailcloth trousers and tunic. ‘I didn’t notice anyone, and with Lassar occupied along with his master, we should have time when even he can’t see us.’
Asher grinned. ‘That was a stroke of genius, but the governor is only likely to keep them an hour or so for the count. Are you ready?’
A particularly loud roaring came from the inn’s interior. Mallory shrugged. ‘As I’ll ever be. This isn’t a place I would have chosen to bring you.’
The interior of the inn was, if anything, worse than the exterior; it was plain cleanliness was not a high priority for the landlord. The floor was filthy, littered with discarded pieces of food and other dirt, and the tables were sticky with spilled ale. There was an unpleasant, and fortunately unidentifiable, smell to the taproom, compounded of human sweat and something even less appealing; it was also surprisingly empty, considering the amount of noise still audible.
‘Where is everyone?’
‘In the cellar, I should think. It sounds as if there’s a dog-fight going on down there.’ Mallory gestured towards an open door towards the rear of the room. ‘Can you see your friends?’
‘Yes, over in that corner.’ Asher pointed discreetly. ‘You see that big man? That’s Bull, and the small one is Club.’
‘They don’t seem to have recognized you.’
She was nervous now the moment had come, less certain of Stern’s compliance. ‘I hope — ’
He loosed the sword in its scabbard, hidden in the folds of the cloak he carried over his left arm; the governor had forbidden weapons within the city walls after the last uprising, but Mallory preferred to keep his blade as a private precaution. ‘Come on.’
The four men sat with their heads close together at a table facing the door, glancing up when anyone new entered the taproom; only Stern’s face registered suitable astonishment as Asher and Mallory approached them and made to sit down.
‘I almost didn’t know you. And who’s he?’ Stern cast a wary eye over Mallory’s breadth and put a restraining hand on Club’s arm. ‘It’s all right, this is the girl.’ Hare turned to stare at Asher, eyes widening; Bull gave a grunt, then nodded.
