Kushiel's Mercy

“Good enough.”
    Kratos clasped it. “Care to tell me about this danger, my lord?”
    “Not yet.” I shook my head. “For the moment, suffice to say that as far as you’re concerned, I’m exactly what you took me to be. And no careless remarks about the princess.” I released his hand and pointed at him. “I meant my threat.”
    He grinned at me. “Not so effective now that I’m a freedman, my lord.”
    “I don’t think General Astegal’s Amazigh guards will be concerned for such niceties,” I observed. “My lord Bodeshmun has made it clear to me that a similar threat hangs over my head, the mantle of Cythera’s protection notwithstanding.”
    “Point taken.” Kratos sobered. “So why is it you’re doing . . . whatever you’re doing?”
    I sorted through the reasons I’d once believed. None of them seemed adequate. Sidonie’s face surfaced in my memory, filled with that terrible mixture of fear, vulnerability, strength, and unlikely trust.
    “Because I have to,” I said simply.
    Kratos nodded. “I understand.”
    I laughed. “That, my friend, makes one of us.”
    I’d told my bearers that their freedom would take effect the day I sailed. To that end, I called on Captain Deimos and informed him that I required passage to New Carthage. He took the news with equanimity. We discussed the necessary preparations, including dispatching my letter to Ptolemy Solon by some other means. Happily, Deimos knew of an Ephesian merchant-ship that would be making port at Paphos, and promised to arrange for the letter’s delivery.
    “What do you know of matters in New Carthage?” I asked him when we’d finished.
    Sailors always had the best gossip.
    Deimos smiled briefly. “On the docks, they’re saying that Astegal’s set himself up like a king there. Every city and village within a hundred leagues is paying tribute and pledging loyalty to him. He’s not going to be content to wear the Council’s yolk for long. Is that what you mean?”
    “Indeed,” I said. “What of this rebel, this Serafin?”
    “Ah.” Deimos glanced around. “A stubborn fellow with a hopeless cause. I imagine he’ll be crushed in time.”
    “No doubt.” I clapped his shoulder. “No doubt.”
    As I returned from the harbor, I paid a visit to Jabnit of Philosir, ostensibly to inquire if he had an interest in purchasing a necklace set with rubies and seed-pearls that had been among Ptolemy Solon’s tribute-gifts, an item for which I’d found no suitable recipient.
    We haggled for a time and drank sweet tea. When I mentioned that I was bound for New Carthage and needed coin more than gems, Jabnit’s eyes lit up.
    “At the invitation of the princess!” he exclaimed. “Such an honor. Will you sail under the auspices of the House of Sarkal?”
    “No, no.” I sipped my tea. “My lord Ptolemy Solon has vouchsafed me the usage of a ship and crew for as long as I require.” I laughed. “’Tis a great deal of ship for a lone emissary, but his eminence has his foibles!”
    Jabnit pressed his hands together, his eyes twinkling. “You know, I have a most excellent idea.”
    I listened while he proposed to purchase the necklace for a generous price. In turn, Jabnit asked that I provide passage for his assistant, Sunjata, and once we reached New Carthage, hire out a few of my crew to serve as bodyguards while Sunjata went about the business of acquiring looted gems and jewelry at an advantageous price.
    “Think of it!” Jabnit said. “Your men would otherwise be sitting idle in port, spending your wages on dicing and wenching. This way, they will spend my wages. And it is a very short journey between old Carthage and new. If your ship will ferry precious cargo for the House of Philosir, I will give you a percentage of the profits.” He gave me a broad wink. “And I do not think you will mind Sunjata’s company.”
    “Not at all.” I smiled at the fat gem-merchant. “What an excellent idea, my lord.”
    He chortled. “I knew you were a clever fellow!”
    Sunjata was summoned from the rear of the establishment and given the news. He gave me a long, slow smile that could have meant anything. “I’ll make ready to leave at once,”
    he said to Jabnit. “How very clever it is of you to have conceived of this opportunity.”
    Jabnit smiled complacently. “It is, isn’t it?”
    Clever. I thought about what Kratos had said of me. He was right, a mere two weeks ago I would have been falling all over myself with