“I see. What you tell me is most interesting, and I appreciate it very much. Only it seems odd that—”
“Yes, that?”
“That I survived immersion in the river, which is exceptionally wide and deep, as well as cold and fast.”
“That is true, as far as it goes.”
“Well?”
“But there are often places where portions of the river, as it were, meander off on their own, for one reason or another. These places are shallower, and slower, and narrower; perhaps even warmer, I could not say. It was in such a place that you were found.”
“I comprehend. You have explained perfectly. Except—”
“Yes?”
“Why would I have been attacked?”
“Oh, as to that—”
“Well?”
“Perhaps they attempted to rob you.”
“Ah, that is possible. The roads are not safe.”
“We do what we can.”
“I had not meant to imply criticism.”
Khaavren bowed to indicate he was not offended, and continued. “As we both wish the same thing—that is, to determine exactly what happened to you, and who did it—there are, perhaps, ways of learning this.”
“Oh, are there indeed? Tell me more, Captain, for you interest me extremely.”
“There are sorceries that are sometimes able to enter the mind and recover lost memories.”
“Ah, you say sorceries.”
“Yes.”
“Well—” The Easterner broke off, appearing to be in some confusion. After a moment, he said, “Yes, well, I am afraid sorcery will not, that is to say, it is impossible.”
“Impossible?”
“It is, I assure you.”
“And would still be impossible if you were to remove that amulet that is hanging about your neck?”
The Easterner’s eyes widened somewhat, then he said, “You are observant, and have some skill at deduction.”
“Well?”
“In any event, I will not remove the amulet; I require it for my safety.”
“If I may ask, safety from what?”
“Ah, you wish to know that?”
“I do.”
“Well, from any who would do me harm; and I nearly think there are those who would wish to do me harm.”
“Oh, I do not deny that—indeed, we have very nearly proven it.”
“That is my opinion as well.”
“And yet, you have no opinion on who might have wished to harm you?”
“None whatsoever.”
“That is remarkable.”
“Well.”
“It couldn’t be the Jhereg?”
The Easterner returned Khaavren’s bland look and said, “How the Jhereg? What have I to do with them?”
“In one sense, nothing anymore. In another, a great deal. For example, they would like you dead.”
“You think so?”
“I am reliably informed of this.”
“Well, I do not deny it.”
“It is best you do not, I assure you.”
“Yet I promise that whoever attacked me, my good Captain, it was not the Jhereg.”
“You confuse me.”
“That is not my intention.”
“You pretend to know the attack was not carried out by the Jhereg.”
“And if I do?”
“And yet you claim to have no memory of the attack. How is this possible?”
“How is it you know how many attacked me, when you weren’t there?”
“A simple deduction from facts.”
“Precisely. As is my conclusion that I was not attacked by the Jhereg.”
“Ah, is that it? Then, what is this famous deduction?”
“Tell me yours, first.”
Khaavren shrugged. “There were marks of three distinct weapons on you.”
“And if there were?”
“You were not surprised, or you’d have been killed.”
“Well, that makes sense.”
“A man able to survive an attack by three individuals is certain to have dispatched at least one of them before that one was able to harm him.”
“Your logic is admirable.”
“My logic thanks you. Now, as to your deduction?”
“The Jhereg rarely employs gangs in such matters; one is sufficient, or two at the most. Moreover—”
“Yes?”
The Easterner smiled coldly. “It is not simply death they wish for me.”
Khaavren, after a moment’s thought, understood what he had been told, and was unable to repress a shudder. “Well,” he said at last, “I am convinced.”
“It is good that you are.”
“But if you will permit another question.”
“Yes?”
“If you are attempting to avoid the Jhereg—”
“So you have said.”
“—why have you returned to Adrilankha?”
“In fact, I have not returned, but rather was on my way out after returning for a visit.”
“A visit?”
“I have family here.”
“Ah, I comprehend. I, too, have family, and it grieves me when I must be apart from them for any length of time.”
“Yes. And so I return when I can.”
“I would do the same.”
“I am gratified that you understand.”
Khaavren coughed. “Then let us move on to details.”
“Yes, let us. I am always in favor of details.”
“That is good. Then tell me this, if you would: Where were you, when you last remember?”
“Near the river, some nine or ten miles north of Profimyn.”
Khaavren nodded. “And your reason for being there?”
“My lord?”
“I asked your reason—”
“I heard you, good Captain. But I do not understand why you do me the honor to ask this question.”
“It is my duty,” replied Khaavren laconically.
“Ah, your duty.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, I have nothing to say against duty.”
“I am glad you do not.”
“But I do not understand how your duty requires you to inquire into my personal affairs.”
“How can you know if your personal affairs are not, in some way, related to the attack you suffered? These things can happen; I have seen it.”
“I do not doubt you.”
“And then?”
“My affairs are, nevertheless, personal.”
“If you question my discretion—”
“Oh, not in the slightest!”
“And then?”
“Nevertheless, am I obligated to speak of matters important only to myself? It is unusual for the Empire to require this.”
“Oh, it is not unusual at all, under the circumstances.”
“Circumstances? What are these circumstances?”
“Why, the circumstances that you have been the victim of a crime. Surely you would like to see the perpetrators brought to justice, would you not?”
“Why, I care very little about it, I assure you.”
“You astonish me.”
“Do I?”
“Very much.”
The Easterner shrugged his shoulders. “No doubt they had reasons having to do with social maladjustment and childhood neglect. And, after all, are not all crimes addressed in the Halls of Judgment? And if they are never brought there, well, that is a judgment itself, is it not?”
Khaavren studied the Easterner after this remarkable speech, as if unable to find the words with which to reply. At last he said, “You are very complacent, my lord.”
“It is my nature,” said the Easterner.
“I comprehend,” said Khaavren, who was especially skilled at comprehension. “Nevertheless, you perceive how useful this intelligence would be to me in the performance of my duty.”