"Yet guardsmen of these two places have been for weeks in Victoria and have made no effort to seek one another out." "Indeed," said Tasdron thoughtfully,"they had studiously avoided one another."
"The location of their diverse headquarters are surely known, one to the other," said Callimachus. "That is true," said Tasdron.
"Does it not then seem that they have other things on their mind more important than the indisputable difference which separate them." "Perhaps," said Tasdron.
"I suggest," said Callimachus, "that the security of the river is of greater concern to them both than the distant wars of their allies."That may be true," said Tasdron, "but surely it is nothing they could admit openly."What could admit it more openly then their common presence in Victoria, without strife?" asked Callimachus.
"Aemillianus will never confer with us should he learn that Callisthenes is to be party to our proceedings, nor will Callisthenes permit himelf to attend a meeting at which he knows that one of Ar's Station is to be present." "Each need not now in advance of the projected attendance of the other, " said Callimachus.
"And what will you do when they learn of this matter" asked Tasdron. "Attempt to prevent bloodshed," said Callimachus. "I trust that you will be successful," said Tasdron, glumly. "If either Aemilianus or Callisthenes should be felled in my tavern, I thik the incident would be unlikely to escapt the attention of their allied guardsmen."
"To be sure," smiled Callimachus, "theri vengance would doubless be merciless and prompt." Tasdron shuddered. Gorean men, in certain matters, tend not to be patient.
"Glyco, to whom I have spoken, being a merchant of Port Cos, can meet openly with Callisthenes without arousing suspicion. There will be no difficulty thus in bringing Callisthenes to our meetl The matter, however, will be otherwise with Aemilianus. It is unlikely that he can be subtly contacted. Here there is danger. He like Callisthenes is doubtless under surveillance by spies of pirates."
"I am hungry," I said."Peggy," said Tasdron, raising his voice.Swiftly the girl leaped to her feet and with a sound of slave bells, hurried to the table beside which she knelt. "Yes, Master," she said. "Bring me bread and meat," I said to her."Me, took" said Callimachus, seeming to llok through her, without really seeing her. She was only a girl who was owned and must obey. "Yes, Master," she said. Her lip trembled."Me, too," said Tasdron, "and too bring forth some cheese and dates." "Yes Master, she said, "Do Masters desire drink?"
Tasdron looked at Callimachus. "Water," said Callimachus. "Black wine, " I said. I thought it best to keep my head clear until the conclusion of our evening's business."Black wine, " said Tasdron. "Yes, Master," said the girl and hurried away.
"It is jut as well not to have paga this night," said Tasdron. "I think so," smiles Callimachus. "Do you fear it?" asked Tasdron. "Of course," said Callimachus. "I am not a fool."I would have thought you feared nothing," said Tasdron. "Onl a fool fears nothing," said Callimachus.
"What do you know of Callisthenes?" I asked Callimachus. "He is a captain, a guardsman of Port Cos," said Callimachus. "He is skilled with the sword. He is shrewd, I regard him as a good officer."It ws he, was it now," I asked, "who acceded to your command in Port Cos, following your being relieved of our duties?" It was," smiled Callimachus, "but I assure you I shall not hold that against him, nor will it interfere with my capacity to work closely with him." "If he chooses to work with you," I said. "Of course," shrugged Callimachus."Do you think he will remember you?" I asked. "I would think so," said Callimachus, ruefully.
"It was evidence brought against Callisthenes in Port Cos five years ago by Callimachus," said Tasdron, "which cost him an early promotion, a matter of minor peculation." "Such things are not unknown," said Callimachus, "but I chose not to accept them in my command." "I understand," I said. I had a respect for caste honor. Honor was honor, in small things as well as great. Indeed, how can one practice honor in great things if not in small things?
"And later," said Tasdron, "it was the testimonies of Callisthenes which resulted in Callimachus' loss of command."He did his duty, as I had done mine, earlier," said Callimachus. "I cannot as a aoldier hold that against him. My only regret is that I had not resigned my command. In that way I might have precluded the disgrace of the hearing, the admonishment of my fellow officers, the embarassment of being publicly relieved of my duties."
"Be that as it may," said Tasdron, "they surely do not bode well for the future of our plans." "It cannot be helped," said Callimachus. "If you wish I shall withdraw from participation in these matters."
"Nonsense," said Trasdron, "You are well remembered, and with affection in Port Cos. I know this from Blyco Why else do you think he sought you in Victoria?" What do you know of Aemilianus of Ar's Statio?" I asked Callimachus and Tasdron."Victoria is closer to Port Cos than Ar's Station," said Tasdron. "Indeed, Ar is substantially a land power. We know little of men such as Aemilianus. I have heard that he is a good officer."I know nothing of him," said Callimachus, his voice slightly hardening, "save that he is from Ar."
"Your Cosian sympathies are showing," I cautioned him. "Nothing will be much advanced if you and this fellow find it necessary to slice one another into pieced." "Particularly in my tavern," grumbled Tasdron.
"The immediate problem remains," said Callimachus. "How can we contact this Aemilianus and bring him to this meeting without attracting the attention of the spies of Policrates?" "We have no choice, I think," said Tasdron, "but to contact him directly and take what risks are unavoidable."Even, so," said Callimachus, "do you thank that he, a warrior of Ar, a captain, will simply disguise himself and hurry off to a rendezvous in Victoria? He is surely aware that many in Victoria bear those of Ar little love. He will be suspicious."
"He will doubtless demand that the meeting be held in his headquarters," said Tasdron. "Then all we hve to do," said Callimachus, bitterly, "is to convince Callisthenes to put himself in the power of the men of Ar's station."He may be bolder than we think," I said."I do not undestand," said Tasdron. "I have a plan," I said."What?" said Tastron.
"Do you have the common keys to the collars and bells of your girls on the premises?" I asked."Surely," said Tasdron.
I then drew from my pouch a piece of silk. It was heavy, from what it was wwrapped about. I placed it carefully on the table. "I think the matter will not be as difficult was you might suspect," I said.
"I understand," said Tasdron. He eyed the silk-wrapped object which I had placed on the table. He had detected the telltale sound.
"Master," said Peggy, approaching the table, kneeling beside it, bearing a tray. She placed the tray on the table and removed three plates of bread and meat from it, a dish of assorted cheeses, a bowl of dates, a pitcher of water, a pot of block wine, steaming, and tiny vessels of sugars and creams, and three goblets.On the table too, she placed small spoons of silver from Tharna for use with the black wine, and at each place, a kailiauk-horn-handled eating prong from distant Tura. Finger towels then and a silver fingerbowl too, she placed on the table. The bowl was also of Tharnan silver. When she had placed thses things on the table, she looked about still kneeling, and saw me close the door to the room, locking her within with us. She suddenly trembled. She knew that she was a slave and that absolutely anything could be done with her.
"Leave the tray where it is," said Trasdone. "Remove your silks, and remain kneeling."Yes, Master," she said, swiftly slipping the silk back from her shoulders.I smiled to myself. Peggy had obeyed immediately and unhesitantly. Gorean slave girls do not daily in their compliance.