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"No, there were ten of us. Big fight to entertain the Orc Lords. We beat it, though I was the only one left alive at the end. Tough skin. My sword wouldn't go through it. I had to stab it in the eyes." #52 | | |
I stare at her. I'm not sure if she's telling the truth or not. When the twenty-year-old Makri arrived in Turai a year ago after escaping from the Orcish gladiator slave pits, she was a hardened fighter but unused to the ways of civilisation. That is to say, she didn't tell lies. After a year in the Avenging Axe, surrounded by notable embroiderers of the truth like Gurd and myself, she's learned the art. #53 | | |
"I fought a dragon too, back in the Orc Wars," I say, which is true, though rather beside the point. I just don't like Makri to think she's the only one round here who's done any serious fighting. #54 | | |
Some customers call for beer. Makri ignores them. #55 | | |
"I hope you're not going to get Princess Du-Akai into trouble," she says. #56 | | |
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"Because if you do a good job for the Princess she'll be grateful and you could ask her to use her influence to get me into the University." #58 | | |
The standard degree course at the Imperial University features rhetoric, philosophy, logic, mathematics, architecture, religion and literature. Why the hell Makri wants to learn all that is beyond me. #59 | | |
"Also," adds the young Barbarian, "I heard that Du-Akai is sympathetic to the Association of Gentlewomen." #60 | | |
"Where did you hear that?" #61 | | |
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I stare at her. I'd no idea Makri was going to Association of Gentlewomen meetings. #63 | | |
"Don't come crying to me if you all get arrested for illegal gatherings." #64 | | |
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I consider consulting the kuriya pool for some answers but decide against it. I don't know enough exact dates and places for the things I'd like to know, so a good connection with the past would be almost impossible. Anyway I've hardly any of the black liquid left and I can't afford any more. Sorcerous Investigator. Big joke. I can't even afford the basics. #66 | | |
"Get a job," says Makri. #67 | | |
"Very funny. You want to play some niarit after your shift?" #68 | | |
Makri nods. She tells me she saw some Elves today, travelling up from the docks on horseback with an escort of Civil Guardsmen. #69 | | |
"Probably some deputation from the Elf Lord who sent the Red Elvish Cloth. I don't imagine they're very happy it's gone missing." #70 | | |
Makri grunts. The whole subject of Elves is troubling to her. Basically, her Orcish blood appals them. Makri pretends not to care, but really she does. She won't admit it, but I've seen her looking almost longingly at some of the young Elves who pass through Twelve Seas. #71 | | |
She adjusts her bikini and gets back to work, taking orders from thirsty late-night drinkers. This includes me and it's around two in the morning by the time I stumble upstairs. #72 | | |
Sitting on my grubby couch is Princess Du-Akai. #73 | | |
"I let myself in," she says. "I didn't want to come into the tavern." #74 | | |
"Feel free to visit any time," I grunt, with less politeness than would be normal towards the third in line to the throne. I'm not particularly pleased to find anyone, even a Royal Princess, in my rooms uninvited. It gives me the strong suspicion she might have been searching them. #75 | | |
"Did you get the box?" #76 | | |
I shake my head. "I went back for it. Someone must have seen me hide it. It's gone." #77 | | |
"I must have those letters!" #78 | | |
I stare at the Princess. For the first time she looks uncomfortable. Good. I decide to give it to her straight. #79 | | |
"There weren't any letters, Princess. Your box was there in Attilan's safe all right. Nice box. Very fine inlay. No letters though. Just an Orc spell for putting a dragon to sleep." #80 | | |
"How dare you examine the contents!" #81 | | |
"Welcome to the real world. And how dare you send me on a case with false information. Thanks to you, Princess, I'm up to my neck in the murder of a Niojan diplomat. Sure, you used your influence to get me out of prison but that's not going to prevent the Consul pinning the murder on me if no one better comes along. So I'd suggest you start telling me the truth." #82 | | |
We stare at each other for a while. Princess Du-Akai shows no inclination to start telling the truth. #83 | | |
"Do you know who killed Attilan?" I demand. #84 | | |
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She's shocked. She denies it. #87 | | |
"Why did you want me to get that spell? Where did it come from? And why was it in your box?" #88 | | |
The Princess clams up. She makes to leave. I'm mad as hell. Anytime I'm thrown in a cell I at least like to know the reason. I say a few less than complimentary things to her. She tosses a small purse on the table and tells me our business relationship is ended. #89 | | |
"Don't slam the door when you leave." #90 | | |
She slams the door. I count the money. Thirty gurans. Three days' pay. Not bad. Another four hundred and seventy and the Brotherhood will be off my back. I wish I knew what it had all been about. #91 | | |
I drink some more beer. It feels too hot to go to bed. I fall asleep on my couch. #92 | | |
