‘At the moment, I’d like to listen,’ he told her.

‘Listen? To what?’

‘Platime sent me. Shanda’s got a friend staying here a fellow named Krager’

‘Mousy-looking little man with bad eyes?’

‘That’s him. A nobleman dressed in green velvet just came in here, and I think that he and Krager might be talking. I’d like to hear what they’re saying. Can you arrange it?’ He reached up and took the bandage off his eyes.

‘Then you don’t really want to?’ She left it hanging, and her generous lower lip took on a slight pout.

‘Not today, little sister,’ he told her ‘I’ve got other things on my mind.’

She sighed. ‘I like your looks, friend,’ she said. ‘We could have had a very nice time’

‘Some other day, maybe. Can you take me someplace where I can hear what Krager and his friend are saying?’

She sighed again. ‘I suppose so,’ she said. ‘It’s on up the stairs. We can use Feather’s room. She’s visiting her mother.’

‘Her mother?’

‘Whores have mothers, too, you know. Feather’s room is right next to the one where Shanda’s friend is staying. If you put your ear to the wall, you should be able to hear what’s going on.’

‘Good. Let’s go. I don’t want to miss anything.’

The room near the far end of the upper hallway was small, and its furnishings were sparse A single candle burned on the table Naween closed the door, then she removed the dressing gown and lay down on the bed. ‘Just for the sake of appearances,’ she whispered archly, ‘in case someone looks in on us. Or in case you change your mind later.’ She gave him a suggestive little leer.

‘Which wall is it?’ he asked in a low voice.

‘That one’ She pointed.

He crossed the room and put the side of his head to the wall’s grimy surface.

‘to my Lord Martel,’ a familiar voice was saying. ‘I need something that proves that you’re really from Annias and that what you tell me comes from him.’

It was Krager Sparhawk grinned exultantly and continued to listen.

Chapter 7

‘The primate said that you might be a little suspicious,’ Harparin said in his effeminate voice.

‘There’s a price on my head here in Cimmura, Baron,’ Krager told him. ‘Under those circumstances, a certain amount of caution seems to be in order.’

‘Would you recognize the primate’s signature – and his seal – if you saw them?’

‘I would,’ Krager replied.

‘Good. Here’s a note from him that will identify me. Destroy it after you’ve read it.’

‘I don’t think so. Martel might want to see the proof with his own eyes.’ Krager paused. ‘Why didn’t Annias just write down his instructions?’

‘Be sensible, Krager,’ Harparin said. ‘A message can fall into unfriendly hands.’