〃If you knew me〃 Janos said； 〃you would realize when it es to aimless chatter； there is no man the master of Janos Greycloak。〃 I laughed as he drew me toward the door。 〃We'd best go quickly； my friend；〃 he said； 〃or we'll soon be wrecked on the shoals of more brandy and babbling。〃
We went out into the night。 Down the street I saw a torch flare； and thought once more of the Far Kingdoms。 Then the thought was gone and only night remained。
CHAPTER THREE
The Finding
I WOKE THE next morning feeling bleary； my mind stuck like a dying fly in the dregs of last night's wine。 Then I smelled the clean sharpness of the spring wind whispering in my chamber's window； and the haze vanished。 With some surprise I also realized that for the first time in many days I had not been troubled with the terrible dream of the one…eyed man。 I went from my bedchamber to the anteroom； washed； then knelt and whispered the ritual prayer to the hearthgod。 The hand mirror…no matter how close I held it…told me I would not need to be shaved this day； so I began to put on the clothes laid out for me。
Then I caught myself。 〃Banes！〃 He entered the chamber soundlessly； his face carefully made up in polite； if only slightly interested concern…the expression I later understood to be the mask bodyslaves quickly learn to wear for survival。 I indicated the clothes he had laid out： the shirt was plain； the breeches were of a sober color； the jerkin was of poor quality； and the cap could have been worn by an elder。 〃Is this what you think happened？〃
A smile flickered； then vanished。 〃I think nothing； m'lord。 But since you said my presence would not be required when you went out last evening； and you returned escorted by two soldiers not far from dawn； and I found wine and earth stains on your clothes； which were scattered as if the Month of Winds had been prematurely in your chambers； and…〃
〃Enough！〃
〃As you wish； sir。〃
〃I had some unexpected encounters was all。〃
〃I have never heard her called that； before。〃
I chose to ignore his words。 My teachers had repeatedly cautioned me from childhood that I was overly familiar with slaves and the lower classes…just as I was guilty of showing insufficient respect to my elders and superiors。 But it is impossible for anyone with bowels to play the lordling to a small； balding slave whose first service was carrying you from your father's arms to the waiting Evocator at the naming ritual。
〃But I thought；〃 Eanes continued； 〃you might wish your dress for this day to be 。。。 shall we say of a hue that would not offend an eye that is bleeding； nor a parent still below stairs who heard the clatter as you reeled in？〃 Eanes might have been surprised I did not pale； but I had need of my father today： there was a debt to repay； and thanks to Melina and my own foolishness； I did not have the means。 I walked into the wardrobe and carefully chose my costume： breeches of green； with a matching flat cap worked with gold threads； a flower…embroidered belted tunic； ankle boots； since the weather appeared balmy； and a short cloak。 Remembering the last night's embarrassment； I chose a simple rapier； one without curlicued quillons； slung it from a baldric set with the family seal； and considered myself in a mirror： my image was just as I wished to appear…a sober young heir； but not one in mourning； a young man who； though sprightly in his air； was not the type to consort with whores of any pricing； or their pimps。
〃I see；〃 Eanes said。 〃So she left you empty pursed once again。 And you are planning to go out and about。 I assume you will not require my presence。〃
〃I may not have paid much mind to my tutors； but I recollect the one…I disremember if it was the fellow who somehow fell into the harbor or the one whose robes ended up mysteriously on fire…who told me the story of the savant who prided himself on the excellence of his predictions； and while boasting to his students of this talent one day； he kept walking along a cliff edge some yards after the solid land had e to an end。 And so the babbler died； to the great cheers and relief of his tortured students。 The reality is I shall be infinitely pleased to have your pany； even if I fear senility is setting in。 We will be going out shortly。〃
〃Yes； noble Amalric； my never…to…be…sufficiently…praised owner。 I will be ready。 Although I must add…you were correct when you said you paid little heed to your teachings。 Consider the fable whose moral you so twisted。 In truth； after the tragic death of that poor wise man； several of his students killed themselves； despairing that they would no longer benefit from his guidance。 And； considering the day looks as if it threatens rain and storm； and I have more than a hint of chill…caused by my waiting up deep into the night； worrying about my poor master； stumbling drunkenly through some filth…strewn alley and stalked by evil cutthroats…you should learn from the shamed suicides of those students； and meditate long that I shall not be with you forever。〃 As usual； the end…scoring favored Eanes。
FOUNTAINS FLASHED IN the gardens in the center of our villa； and our tame birds rainbowed colors from limb to limb of budding trees。 My father was sitting at a long table； a plate of fruit and a glass of well…watered wine for breakfast beside him。 He was surrounded by his factotum； Tegry； plus an array of scrolls； tablets； minions； and lackeys。 I seated myself at the far end of the table and waited。 Father noticed me； but let me sit without greeting for several long minutes。 He pressed his signet to a document； and its bearer left。 Father held up his hand and the next man respectfully waited a few yards away。
〃Have you eaten？〃 he asked me。
〃I have not。〃
〃No doubt you have no appetite。〃
〃Nossir。 I mean； yes； I do。〃
〃Hmm。 I would have guessed from the motion I was told you produced； arriving home in the last turning of the glass； that all you could stomach would be a brandy and milk。〃 He did not let me answer。 〃I assume you want something。 And I further assume I can predict what it will be； even given my slender powers for prognostication。〃 I looked down at the table； then nodded。
'This will be the third time…〃 Tegry began。
〃I think I am aware of my son's requests and can even remember the quantities。 I have no intention either one of us should waste time listening to another plea for gold that will be wasted gilding some strum…〃 My father stopped himself。 In spite of his feelings； which I saw then as anger but now realize was closer to disappointment； he would not shame me in front of a slave。 〃Amalric； I feel you should consider further before making your request。〃
I looked up at him。 〃The money is not for 。。。 her。 But to repay a debt。〃
Tegry looked at me。 〃A moneylender； Lord Antero。〃
My ears burned。 〃A debt of honor； Tegry。 Perhaps you will have the word translated into a tongue you understand。〃 Shutters dropped over Tegry's face an instant before my father scowled at him。
〃A debt of honor；〃 my father said slowly。 〃Very well。 I will not disgrace the request…nor you for asking。 Tegry！ See to it。〃
〃Thank you； Father。〃
〃Don't get up。 You have not eaten yet。 Learn a bit of wisdom…every meal you miss now； your body will remind you of many times in years to e。〃 My father lifted his hand； and a house…servant approached me。 〃Now； Tegry；〃 he continued； as if I had suddenly bee invisible； 〃I have been pondering on the ivory from Laosia； and decided either the J'hana family are fools； or else they think we are。 In either case I want a courier dispatched not later than midday； with these instructions 。。。〃
TEGRY HANDED ME the purse； his expression as untroubled as if there had been no unfriendly words spoken in the garden。 I had been told often enough such behavior bespoke petency； but still could not understand a man with clerk's ink for blood； gold and silver for bones； and a profit statement for a mind。 I shivered in the dark coolness of the villa's anteroom。 I stopped at the altar and took up a pinch of sand and was about to reflexively deposit it before the portrait of my brother； Halab； as we all did each time we left the house。 Then I looked closely at the picture： the painting was warranted not o