Martin Scott - Thraxas at War

'You exaggerate,' says Hanama, and slips past me into the office. She hands a piece of paper to Lisutaris. The Sorcerer glances at it.

'Excellent,' she mutters. 'Thraxas, this is a full retraction of the accusations of cowardice made against you by Vedinax. He admits he was lying and that you never threw your shield away.'

'How did you get that?'

'Though private means.'

'Threats and bribery?'

'That, and my friendship with Praetor Capatius, Vedinax's employer. You can have this paper if you agree to my request.'

I take the paper. The accusations of cowardice have been a burden. I want them lifted.

'Okay, I'll work your damned spell for you.'

'What's that under your cloak?' Lisutaris asks Hanama.

'Nothing,' replies the small Assassin.

'Yes it is,' says Lisutaris. 'It's a bunch of flowers.'

'So what if it is?' says Hanama.

'Since when did you pick flowers?' demands Lisutaris.

'I didn't pick them. They were just lying in the street.'

Are they for me?' asks Makri, her voice sounding slurred.

'No. I just found them outside. I don't even know why I picked them up. They're not for anyone. Unless you want them. Do you want them, Makri? You can have them if you want.'

'Did Rittius hire your foul guild to assassinate Bevarius?' I demand.

'The Assassins Guild does not discuss its affairs in public,' replies Hanama.

By now Lisutaris is starting to construct a thazis stick of massive proportions. Not wishing my office to again be full of intoxicated members of the Association of Gentlewomen, I throw them out, banishing them to Makri's room, where they can do what the hell they like. I drag a bottle of klee from its new hiding place, as yet undiscovered by Makri, and drink deeply.

No more accusations of cowardice. That's good. Solved the case of Prefect Galwinius, and got paid, also good. Ores outside the walls, not so good. City about to fall. Very bad.

Makri is half-sister of Prince Amrag. That's too puzzling to think about right now.

Since the Ores attacked I haven't been sleeping well. It takes half the bottle of klee and several thazis sticks before I manage to nod off, and I'm far from refreshed when I wake the next day. I take a cold breakfast downstairs in the early light. Makri intercepts me before I leave the tavern. She stands awkwardly for a moment, then hands me a cloak.

'I brought you this. Lisutaris put a warming spell on it. It will last much longer than your own.'

'Thanks, Makri.'

Maybe I should make an apology for the abuse I've heaped on Makri's head recently. She turns and leaves before I get the chance, so I drape the cloak round my shoulders and head for the walls.