Part 23 (1/2)

'I am talking to Sashan the wh.o.r.e, who is living in my house for thirty silvers a week.'

She looked away, and he studied her profile. It seemed to him that her face was beautiful from any angle. Even with the badly dyed yellow hair, and the red ringlets at the temple, she was stunning. 'How long must I stay here?' she asked.

'At this moment soldiers are scouring the city, and all the gates are manned. In three weeks the Festival of Harvest begins. Farmers and merchants will be coming here from all over Naashan. Once the festival is over they will return. There will be huge numbers leaving the city. That will be the time, I think.'

'A month then?'

'At least.'

'It will be a long month.'

Skilgannon had not known just how long a time a month could be. He began to realize it that first night, as he and Jianna retired to his west-facing room above the garden. The bed was wide, and made for two. Even so he lay awake, feeling the warmth emanating from her. The scent from her hair wafted to him every time the night breeze blew. In the night she awoke and moved silently from the bed. He saw her naked body silhouetted against the window. His arousal was swift and painful. She stretched her arms above her head, and ran her fingers through her hair. Skilgannon drank in the lines of her, the sleekness of her waist, and the long perfection of her legs. She padded across the room and poured herself a goblet of water. Skilgannon closed his eyes, and tried to force the image of her from his mind. It was a useless exercise. He felt her slide in alongside him once more.

'Are you awake?' she asked.

He thought of ignoring her and pretending sleep. 'Yes,' he said, 'I am awake. Is the bed uncomfortable? Is it stopping you sleeping?'

'No. I was thinking of my mother. I was wondering if I will ever see her again.'

'Greavas is a clever man. I am sure he will succeed.'

'She carries poison, you know. Hidden in a ring. If they come for her she will swallow it.'

'Do you have poison?'

'No. I shall escape. I will avenge my father, and I will see Bokram dragged down.'

'No easy task, Sashan. He has the support of the Emperor. Even if you raised an army to match Bokram, you would still have to face the Immortals. They have never been beaten.'

'Gorben will fall,' she said. 'His ambition is too great, his pride colossal. My father understood this, but his timing was wrong. Gorben will not stop. He will continue to enlarge his empire. One day he will take a step too far. Against the Gothir perhaps, or the Drenai.'

'What if he doesn't fall?'

She rolled towards him. 'Then I shall find a way to woo him. None of his wives have given him sons. I shall give him sons. Then I will drag Bokram down.'

'You do not lack confidence,' he said. 'I do not believe, though, that Bokram is quaking in his boots at this moment.'

'I hope that he is not,' said Jianna. 'He seeks two women who are, at worst, a nuisance. His only fear is that I will escape and be wedded to a prince with power. Even that will not worry him unduly, for there is no single prince with the fortune or the army to overthrow him.'

'Then how can you succeed?'

'There are at least fifty princes and chieftains who would like to wed me. Combine them and we have an army to sweep across the land.'

'You plan to wed fifty princes? I think playing the wh.o.r.e has gone to your head.'

'Malanek said you were intelligent, and quick-witted. Was he wrong?'

'Strangely my wits are not enhanced by lying so close to a naked woman.'

She laughed. 'The story of men everywhere. And now I shall sleep.' She rolled away from him.

Somewhere in the night he managed to doze a little, but every time she moved he would awake and feel restless. Once she turned and her arm fell across his chest, her head close to his shoulder.

Just after the dawn he awoke, bleary-eyed and weary. Jianna still slept. Dressing in a simple grey tunic and sandals he went downstairs. Molaire was already in the kitchen, cleaning vegetables for a broth. She gave him a look which was meant to be scornful.

Crossing to her he kissed her cheek. 'Your father would not approve of this,' she said, blus.h.i.+ng.

He gazed at her round, honest face. 'Perhaps he would not,' he admitted.

'And you look dreadful this morning. Totally debauched.'

Skilgannon laughed and left the room, wandering through to the garden. Sperian was already there, kneeling in one of the flower beds, dead-heading blooms and clearing away weeds. For a while Skilgannon helped him, then both men walked back to the house, scrubbed the dirt from their hands and sat down to breakfast. Molaire left them and moved off to the laundry room. Skilgannon told Sperian about the thirty silvers that would need to be paid to Sashan.

'Aye, that's wise. Though I am not sure about her going to the market. I doubt she's done any haggling in her life.'

'I think she'll do well enough. Are there watchers outside the house?'

'Aye. Two men. They were here most of the night. They've been replaced this morning.

Have you thought what you'll say if Boranius returns? Has he ever met her?'

The question caused a tightness in Skilgannon's stomach. 'I don't know. I'll ask her.'

Sperian cut some fresh bread and several thick slices of cheese, which he placed on a tray.

'You want to take this up to her?'

Skilgannon returned to the bedroom. Jianna was awake, but still lying in the bed. 'I brought you some breakfast,' he said. She sat up, the sheets falling away and exposing her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Skilgannon swore. 'Could you at least dress?' he snapped.

'My, you are feeling tetchy this morning, Olek. Did you not sleep well?' Reaching out, she took the food, then sat and quietly ate. Pus.h.i.+ng the tray aside she rose from the bed.

Skilgannon turned his back, and heard her laughter. 'You may look at me now, my prudish friend,' she said. She had slipped on the yellow tunic dress and was sitting in a wicker chair by the window.

'Have you ever met Boranius?' he asked.

She shrugged. The name means nothing.'

'Tall and handsome, with golden hair. He was a student of Malanek's.'

'Ah, yes, now I recall him. Eyes the colour of emeralds, and an arrogant mouth. Why do you ask?'

'He may come here. It would be best if he did not see you.'

'Ah, Olek, you worry too much. The only time we met I was dressed in silks and satins. My hair was dark and I wore a tiara with seventy diamonds upon it. My face was painted, and he merely bowed his head to kiss my hand, then turned his attention to my father - whom he was desperate to impress.'

'Even so. Boranius is no fool. He has men still watching the house.'

'Then I should let them see me. I shall go to the market. You will give me coin. I shall buy a necklace, and a new dress.'

'You seem to be enjoying yourself,' he said.