| | |
"If you're heading for the baths, weren't you rather out of your way?" #52 | | |
"Just taking a walk," he replies, pleasantly. "Good exercise." #53 | | |
He's tall and thin, and stoops slightly. He looks like he could do with some exercise. I should just let it pass. Often there are things you shouldn't talk about. But not talking about things is something I've often found difficult. #54 | | |
"Well, if you'll take my advice, next time you're out buying an illegal bag of thazis, don't walk down any dark alleyways." #55 | | |
This gets his attention. He stops, and stares at me. I take a package from my pocket. #56 | | |
"You dropped this when you were attacked. I suppose it's what they were after. It would fetch a fair price around here, with it being illegal, and the King so keen to see it stamped out." Arichdamis looks very alarmed. I hand over the bag. "Don't worry. I'm not about to tell anyone. I'm a Private Investigator by trade. I'm not in the habit of giving away secrets." #57 | | |
"It really is vitally important that no one learns of this," he says. #58 | | |
"I've never ratted-out a mathematician yet. Which baths are you going to?" #59 | | |
I'm expecting him to be heading for the King's Bathing House, but apparently the post of Chief Mathematician doesn't carry that much status. He's heading for the common baths, same as me. We stroll up the hill together. I ask him if he's ever encountered Lisutaris. He hasn't, but he's heard favourable reports of her power, and her intelligence. #60 | | |
"Lisutaris would love to meet you," I tell him. #61 | | |
| | |
| | |
Arichdamis looks pleased. As far as I know, Lisutaris doesn't care that much for mathematicians, but she'll certainly be pleased to meet a person with a nice bag of thazis in his pocket. #64 | | |
