“We listen,” said the Hieros. “Anyone would.”

From this angle, he could see across the garden and through the archway, glimpse the figures of men and women passing through the entry way to the council hall, folk who had a stake in Olossi’s prosperity and well-being.

“Advance me coin to purchase trade goods. I’ll go south as a merchant. I’ll investigate this civil war between the emperor and his cousins. I’ll look for traces of the Red Hounds. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. I’ll be your spy.”

“You’ll slip your bonds,” said the Hieros. “Run away. You are our surety for Zubaidit.”

“Do you think there is a life for a man like me in the empire?”

“A merchant can live in the caravanserai in Sarida,” said Anji. “Live well, if his chief concerns are food, drink, and luxurious furnishings.”

“Always as an outlander. But that is the risk you will take, in the hopes of gaining the intelligence you want. I might take the coin, and never return, that’s true.”

“Your sister will be angry if you aren’t here when she gets back,” said Marshal Joss.

Kesh wanted to say, Not as angry as you’ll be if you can’t get her in your bed, but he did not. “If I’m not here. If she returns. You can’t guarantee she’ll return. She’ll probably get herself killed, and then where will I be? Working as a factor for the Qin.”

“Do you have complaints of your treatment in our house?” Mai asked with every appearance of genuine concern and a smidgeon of indignation. Or perhaps she had simply the best disingenuous market face he had ever encountered. “You are not being held in any manner of slavery.”

“A chain is still a chain. I live on the sufferance of those of you who are making the plans. Give me eight months’ parole. There’s still time to make the crossing before the snows set in. I’ll gather what news I can, and return to you by the end of the year. Any profit I make after repaying the cost of the goods, will be mine to keep.”

“A bold offer,” said the Hieros. “And a dangerous one. Worthy of your sister, if you can pull it off.”

“Why do you want to do this?” asked the marshal. “For your sister’s sake? To act in service of the captain? Of the Hundred? Or the gods?”

“No.” Kesh glanced at the Silvers, but of course they had no idea of the riot of confusion that raged in his heart. “I act purely on my own behalf. For my own selfish reasons.”

“We have sent spies into the north,” said the marshal. “It’s true we’d be wise to send them into the empire as well. If it can be managed. Keshad knows the territory. But the council must approve the expedition.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if no one else knew?” asked Anji.

“I agree,” said the Hieros. “If too many know, it will jeopardize his mission. Word will get out. Whispers will spread. If these Red Hounds are as skilled as you say they are, Captain, they’ll find out the truth and murder the lad.” She looked not at all distressed while considering such an outcome.