Lindsay Buroker - Blood and Betrayal

“Vehemently?” A hint of a smile touched Sespian’s his lips for the first time since the crash.

“ Most vehemently.”

“Don’t listen to him, Sire.” Maldynado was glad the emperor couldn’t read Basilard’s contribution-he was back there signing, Tell the emperor I agree and that letting Maldynado choose a costume would be unwise. Maldynado dropped back, butting Books out of the way and waving for Basilard to tie his fingers together. “I’ve often chosen appropriate ensembles for the boss,” he told Sespian. “She trusts my taste and understands my value in this area.”

Books made a choking sound, but Akstyr was the one to say, “Has she ever worn one of your costumes for more than two hours?”

“No,” Books said. “In fact, she was distinctly put out over that… minimalist ensemble you acquired last spring. The glares she hurled about rivaled some of Sicarius’s best ones.”

Maldynado waved at the men, trying to shush them. For once, he had a serious-life-threateningly serious-agenda to pursue, and these jesters insisted on fooling around. Sergeant Yara, battling fits of yawns, had been tagging along several paces to the rear, but she was drawing closer now. Maldynado did not want her to join the chorus of critics.

“Ignore them, Sire.” Maldynado turned his back on the others and waved toward the road ahead, inviting Sespian to focus in that direction rather than to the rear. “They wouldn’t know fine fashion if it sashayed up to them in the form of a beautiful woman inviting them to an evening of debauchery.”

“Did he just say sashayed?” Akstyr asked. “Men aren’t supposed to use words like that.”

“I’m surprised he knows what it means,” Books said.

Keeping his back to them, Maldynado said, “I’m certain I can find something dignified and appropriate for a bookly sort such as yourself, Sire.”

Sespian’s lips flattened at the word “bookly,” and Maldynado realized that might not be considered complimentary.

“It’s true that, when given a chance, I do acquire alluring costumes for the boss,” Maldynado went on, hurrying to cover his blunder, “but it’s intentional. I wish to encourage male interest. She spends entirely too much time plotting and scheming and training with Sicarius of all people. One shouldn’t spend that much time alone with someone like that. It could stunt one’s social skills.” Maldynado had wandered away from his target topic, but maybe if Sespian saw that he cared about Amaranthe’s happiness, he’d realize Maldynado was an all-right sort of fellow.

“Training with Sicarius?” Sespian lifted his eyebrows.

“Sure, fencing, sparring, calisthenics, running obstacle courses.” A thought occurred to Maldynado. “You didn’t think I meant anything… venereal, did you? There’s nothing like that going on between them.” He glanced back at the others. “There’s not, right?”

To Maldynado’s surprise, Sespian glanced back too.

Books opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Basilard pointed at the road ahead. No, at the bridge, which had come into view, though it remained a mile or so away. A wagon sat atop it, and there seemed to be a knot of people around it.

Maldynado squinted. “Anyone have a spyglass?”

“We lost most of our gear along with the dirigible,” Books said.

They’re soldiers, Basilard signed. They’re stopping people.

Maldynado was about to translate for the emperor, but he was looking at the bridge, too, and he’d slowed his pace.

“Soldiers,” Sespian said.

“You have good eyes, Sire,” Maldynado said.

“For a bookly sort?”

“Er, yes. Do you… want to be seen by soldiers?” Maldynado hoped not-what good could he and the team do if Sespian could simply walk up and fetch a team of grunts to follow him around and keep him safe?

“Not particularly,” Sespian said. “I don’t have any way to know which ones are-” He caught himself with a frown, and repeated, “not particularly.”

Maldynado had no trouble seeing through the gap. Sespian couldn’t be sure who might be loyal to Ravido.

“Is there another way across?” Sespian asked. “The place where I arranged to have funds stashed is south of downtown, on the other side of the bridge.”

Good, Maldynado thought. “Not for many miles. My costume idea might be necessary, after all.” Technically, they could filch a boat, but if soldiers were guarding the bridge, they’d be watching the docks too.

Sespian sighed, as if whatever plan he’d meant to pursue had been dashed to the ground, and he was being forced to pluck a new one from a barrel full of rotten apples. “Do you think you can get past the soldiers without attracting notice?” he asked.

“That’s asking a lot of Lord Flamboyantcrest, isn’t it?” Sergeant Yara asked. Thanks to the slower pace, she’d caught up and joined the conversation. Wonderful.

“So long as the soldiers aren’t female, I’m sure they won’t look twice at me,” Maldynado said. “You can all camp out in one of the parks on this side of the river. I’ll go on my own, so you needn’t risk yourself on my noticeableness.”

“Noticeability,” Books corrected.

“That too.”

Books muttered a comment that included the word sashay, but Maldynado didn’t pay attention. Sespian was scrutinizing him. His gaze had a weight to it that made him seem more formidable than his age and size suggested. Maybe it was simply the fact that he could order Maldynado beheaded with a wave of his hand. Even soldiers loyal to Ravido would have no qualms about complying with that order. Maldynado was an outlaw with a bounty on his head, after all.

“Very well,” Sespian said.

Maldynado blinked. Distracted by the idea of axe-toting soldiers chasing him, he’d momentarily forgotten his proposition. “You’ll wait while I go in? And get you a disguise? Do you want me to collect your belongings too? If your business is elsewhere, maybe there’s no need for you to go into town at all.”

“I’ll fetch them myself,” Sespian said, his tone cool.

Maldynado winced. He’d sounded too eager. If the emperor’s “belongings” included the hundred thousand ranmyas he’d promised the team, he might think Maldynado wanted to make off with it. As if Maldynado needed to steal when he could find female patrons to finance his desires. But Sespian had no way to know that yet.

“Whatever you wish,” was all that Maldynado said-an indignant proclamation about his trustworthiness would sound suspicious. “Does anyone else want a costume?” He propped his fists on his hips and eyed each of his teammates. “Never mind. You all look like you’ve been wrestling in a particularly muddy pigsty. I’ll bring everyone clothing.”

“Gee,” Yara said, “a chance to be dressed by a fop who thinks a blue-dyed fur cap is stylish.”

“Do you have any money?” Books asked.

Maldynado fished in his pockets and came up with a quarter-ranmya coin. He displayed it for the team and winked. “Far more than I’ll need. You’ll see.”

“Good.” Books plucked the coin from Maldynado’s fingers. “I need a recent newspaper. Who knows what chaos has ensued in the days we’ve been out of the capital?”

Maldynado’s shoulders slumped. The last person he wanted to go shopping with was Books. He could take the joy out of anything.

“Actually,” Sespian said, “I’d prefer it if you stayed and talked with me, Professor Mugdildor. I have a few questions on finances and economics, and I believe you may be able to help.”

“Oh, no.” Maldynado lifted a hand. “You’re new around here, Sire, so nobody’s told you, but you do not want to ask Books for a lecture. You don’t even want to ask a question that might lead to a lecture. It’s bad for your health. And the wakefulness of those around you.”