“I’ve heard all I want to,” he said.
“If you’d talked me into attacking you the first time we met, you weren’t even planning to kill me, were you? Just cut me up a bit.” I shook my head. “Like I said, you’re an idiot.”
“If you want to pay in full,” said Ibronka, “it isn’t too late.”
“Yes, it is,” said Blue-boy. “He wouldn’t be talking like this if he didn’t have his people all around us. They’ll cut us down before we have time to draw, love.” He looked at me. “Right?”
I looked back at him and nodded once.
Ibronka said, “It might be worth the attempt.”
The Viscount shook his head.
“Stay alert. If it happens, it’ll be fast.”
“I was about to tell you that, Boss. I’m on the Dzur.”
I signaled for another pitcher. No one had spoken by the time it arrived, but after I’d poured us each another cup, Ibronka sat down. Fox-guy said, “So, what do we do about this?”
“I don’t know. The wine is good. We can just enjoy one another’s company. Talk a little. Exchange thoughts. Do you think any of the new foot-tax will actually end up helping the poor? And just who counts as the ‘poor’ anyway? Or we could talk about the new Botanical Garden they’re building near the Tsalmoth Wing. I’d like to see a section of roses. What would you like?”
Ibronka said, “I think I have a good chance of taking your head off before your people drop me.”
“Okay, then, you pick the topic.”
“Or maybe instead of taking it off, I’ll split it down the middle. Like a melon, you know? If I do it just right, both halves will sort of tilt away from each other. It’s the cutest thing.”
“I’d be sad to miss it.”
“There’s something I’m not getting,” said the guy in the blue cloak. “You’ve set up this meeting. You don’t want to kill us, or you wouldn’t do it this way, but you can certainly protect yourself. Or you at least think you can, which is the same thing.”
“Philosophically, that’s—”
“So, why are we here?”
“We really are getting philosophical, aren’t we?”
“You enjoy banter as much as I do, but you’ve just been…” He cocked his head, then straightened up suddenly. “You’re waiting for something.” He stood. “Let’s go, love.”
“Too late,” I observed, gesturing over Foxy’s left shoulder at the gentleman who was approaching. He wore the black and silver of the House of the Dragon, and had the high cheekbones and characteristic bridged nose. His eyes were dark, and he didn’t look altogether pleased.
As he approached, I rose and bowed. “Lord Feorae, I presume.”
“You presume wrong,” he said coldly. “My name is Donnel, and I have the honor to serve the Lord High Investigator of Adrilankha.”
I nodded to Blue-boy. “The Lord High Investigator is Feorae. This guy works for him.”
“I picked up on that.”
“Of course you did.” I turned back to Donnel. “I am Vl—”
“I know who you are,” he said. His voice hadn’t warmed up. “That was a nice move you made. My lord the Lord High Investigator is at present entangled with the Phoenix Guards. It will take some time to get that straightened out. In the meantime, you, Jhereg, may come along with me now, or wait until the Phoenix Guards appear to escort you. But I assure you, if you wait for them, it will be more unpleasant for you.”
I felt my eyebrows climb. “Me? What did I do?”
“You didn’t think we could trace the coins?”
I sighed. “I had hoped not.”
Foxy chuckled. “Not what you were hoping for, perhaps? The wrong person getting arrested?”
I shrugged. “You take your best shot. I’ll live.”
Donnel turned to the Fox. “And as for you, sir, I have nothing to say. This is between you and your father.”
Blue-boy stared off into space. “My father will understand. My mother will be disappointed, however.” Then he turned to me. “Have a pleasant time with the magistrates, Lord Taltos.”
I stood and unbuckled my sword belt, passing the rapier over to the constable. To Foxy I said, “Can I expect you to be at the flogging, at least? It will help to look into your smiling face.”
“Sorry,” he said, “public punishments aren’t my thing.”
“I’ll be there,” said Ibronka. “If they give you more than fifty. Otherwise it isn’t worth my time.”
I smiled. “When I’m done with this, maybe we’ll finish our conversation.”
“Maybe we will,” said Foxy.
“Loiosh, take off; it’ll save trouble.”
“Whatever you say, Boss.” He launched himself from my shoulder and flew in a high circle before heading back toward my part of the city.
Donnel took hold of my arm above the elbow. I wanted to glance back at the Blue Fox and Ibronka, but I resisted the temptation.
Donnel led me away.
Chapter 5
As we got around the corner, Kragar said, “Where to now, Vlad?”
I jumped, cursed, and said, “Back to the office. You can send the muscle home.”
“All right.”
“Omlo, you can break character now; we’re safe.”
My captor released me and said, “Yes, my lord.” He handed me back my sword belt and I strapped it on.
“See there? You didn’t even die.”
“When they looked at me, I was sure they could see through my disguise.”
“You managed it,” I said. “And even if you hadn’t, I had a few people there, ready to jump in.” There was no reason to tell him that the people were there to keep me alive, and would probably have let him get cut to pieces.
We made it back to the office without incident, and Cawti was waiting there. I suggested everyone sit down.
“Very cute,” said Kragar.
“What?”
“The stupid grin on your face when you saw your assassin.”
“Her name is Cawti,” I said. “And the only reason I don’t kill you is that I’m going to let her have the pleasure.”
“Sometime,” she agreed, “when you aren’t expecting it.”
“Not until you’re married, I hope. I wouldn’t want to miss the wedding.”
“Oh, of course,” she said.
“Goodness, Vlad. She even has your threatening smile.”
“It’s an Eastern thing.”
I sat down behind my desk.
Omlo said, “My lord? Is it over?”
I nodded. “Yes. All finished. At least for a while.”
“A while?” said Kragar.
“Until Foxy and his little friend figure out that I haven’t been arrested and won’t be fined and flogged. Then they might come back for me. Or maybe not. And you,” I added, addressing Omlo, “should expect a visit from the Phoenix Guards.”
“I—”
“Don’t worry. You delivered some gold from the Viscount of Adrilankha to a Hawklord named, uh, whatever you called yourself. You received three copper pieces for this service. That’s all you know. They won’t spend much time with you.”
“My lord,” said Omlo, “can you explain?”
“Explain what?”