Blood Moon by Marilyn Todd

Author:Marilyn Todd [Todd, Marilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Published: 2015-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

The Scythians differed from the Greek federation in that the tribes were vastly dissimilar in character. Where the land-locked Arcadians had a tendency to be clannish, perhaps, or the islanders a tad too carefree, their fundamental personalities remained the same. Centuries of colonization had moulded Hellas into a tough, resilient, but principally sophisticated culture, in which philosophy, arts and music played an important and binding role.

Any parallels between the nomads of the barren steppes, the huntsmen of the Sarmatian forests and the fisher families of the Danube delta, however, were few. To draw these disparate elements together, fresh laws had to be agreed, and fresh oaths sworn.

In Aeërtes’s chamber in the palace, it was time to swear another.

‘During our last pact, gentlemen, there were seven of us, as I recall.’

‘Double-crossing bastards.’ Karas spat on the floor. ‘Got better than they deserved, if you ask me.’

‘Seeing one of your own countrymen spitted like a trout and the other left for vulture meat not enough for you?’ Tzan enquired mildly.

‘No, it bloody isn’t,’ Karas snapped back. ‘They died quickly and cleanly, and that’s not my idea of justice, not by a long way.’

‘Oh, and what would you have done?’

‘Ripped their fucking guts out, strangled them with their own intestines, then left their dirty double-crossing bodies for the jackals.’

Aeërtes stared at the spittle on his stonework. ‘Our associates turned greedy and tried to cut us out of the deal, and none of us is happy about that, Karas. But by smothering them in their sleep, we left no trail for the authorities to follow. Which means no accusations of murder can be aired.’

‘I still say it was bloody risky, going to all that trouble to give them their tribal death rites—’

‘What trouble?’ Tzan said. ‘The whole of Sparta was busy warding off witchcraft—or has sneaking in and out of the palace become a bit too hazardous for you these days?’

‘You watch your mouth—’

‘I don’t know why they did it,’ Barak said, stepping between them. ‘After all, it’s not as though there isn’t enough money to go seven ways.’

‘At least Sebastos caught them before they buggered off and left us in the lurch.’ Tzan turned to the bodyguard. ‘What made you suspicious of them, anyway?’

Sebastos let the wall take his weight. ‘I don’t trust anyone.’

‘The past is the past, gentlemen.’ Aeërtes set a large earthenware bowl in the centre of the table. The wine inside swished and swirled. ‘It is the future that concerns us, so instead of worrying about whether our associates got what they deserved, let’s celebrate the fact that their beliefs have perplexed the authorities beyond measure, and thrown the focus of attention on Athens, rather than us.’

‘I’ll drink to that,’ Karas said.

‘We all will,’ Aeërtes said. ‘Barak. The Pact Maker, if you please.’

Barak reached for the small gold box behind him and handed it across. Inside, on a bed of the softest linen, nestled the claw of a lion brought down in its prime. The five men each held their thumbs over the bowl.

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