Saevus Corax Deals With the Dead by K. J. Parker

Author:K. J. Parker [PARKER, K. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2023-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

“I figured it out, of course,” I said. “Right from the start.”

“Liar,” Ekkehard said.

“From the moment I saw you lying there in the grass on Ogyge,” I told him. “I knew you were working for the Knights. That’s why I trusted you not to run off with all that money the moment my back was turned. Because it was their money.”

He frowned. “Really?”

I smiled. “You’re a fine actor,” I said. “But only in comedy.”

“Shit.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” I said. “Have another drink.”

We were back in the steward’s lodgings. It had taken all my resources of tact and cunning to get rid of Vonones, who quite understandably wanted to be in on the negotiations. Fortunately a direct suggestion from Ekkehard (go away, he’d said) had done the trick. I’d closed and barred the shutters and we were keeping our voices down. I wasn’t entirely sure why. Mind you, there were an awful lot of things I wasn’t entirely sure about.

“Fine,” he said. “So, yes. They ran me down after I got in a spot of trouble over some money, if you must know. Help them out or go to jail.”

“Betray your oldest, best friend or go to jail for a bit. Yes, I can see, you had no choice. Do go on.”

He scowled at me. “They told me no harm would come to you,” he said. “They told me they were going to make you a fucking king.”

“Quite true.”

“Well, then.”

“Only I’d rather die first.”

“How was I supposed to know? You never told me.”

“No, I didn’t. Anyhow, it’s not important. So, all that time, you were leading me to them.”

“Hardly.” Another harsh look, which I don’t think I deserved. “My job was to keep an eye on you and report to my control. It was only when you got snatched that they gave me this job.” His frown turned thoughtful. “Talking of which,” he added, “I’m not really sure I know what I’m supposed to be doing.”

I sighed. “You’re bringing the papers for me to sign.”

“Yes, got that. But afterwards. Am I supposed to be like a sort of governor here till the troops arrive from the mainland, or are you in charge now, or what?”

“Good question,” I told him. “Basically, it’s like this. The Knights and the Sisters both want this island, and because I’m the heir apparent they want me.”

“With you so far.”

“Neither side is in control,” I went on. “The ruling council’s split between Knights and Sisters. I managed to find out that the military, such as it is, answers directly to the king, not the council.”

“Interesting.”

“Probably not as helpful as you think. Anyhow, I’ve sort of convinced the Knights’ people that I’m on their side.”

“Are you?”

“Very good question.”

He gave me a sort of beseeching look. “It’d make my life much easier,” he said.

“I bet it would. Oddly enough, that’s not my number one priority. Meanwhile,” I went on, “earlier on the Knights’ lot made a grab for me, when they thought the Sisters’ lot had got me, and the soldiers beat them off.

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