The History of the World Begins in Ice by Kate Elliott

Author:Kate Elliott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Fairwood Press LLC
Published: 2024-10-22T04:00:00+00:00

“I Am a Handsome Man,” said Apollo Crow

art by Jemma Salume

I am a handsome man,” said Apollo Crow, fixing the emperor of Rome with a look that dared that august ruler to disagree. “If your desire is to have a woman kidnapped without alerting her confederates until it is too late to rescue her, look no farther. My skills are subterfuge, tracking down people who don’t wish to be found, and an ability to lie with a straight face. I am also an exceptionally skilled swordsman.”

The emperor set chin upon hand with thoughtful consideration, a pose suited to the stage, as he was well aware. “I was warned you always lie about something.”

“Alas, so I do. It is a curse.” His charming smile made a witticism of the remark.

“I am sure that to a ruffian like you, such a claim seems an amusing challenge. However, your situation is easy enough for a man such as me to expose. We’ll start by process of elimination. Are you truly an exceptionally skilled swordsman?”

“I will duel any among your soldiers, or two or three at once. Bring them forth.”

The emperor flicked up his fingers, straightening. “Will you duel me?”

One eyebrow only did Apollo Crow raise, a neat trick many an opponent had admired, to their cost. “It seems dishonorable, considering your age.”

The emperor extended his right hand. An attendant guardsman settled a steel blade into the imperial fingers. He rose, took three steps down from the dais and onto the marble floor of the audience chamber, and indicated that he was ready to begin.

Naturally, Apollo Crow wore a hip-length, black cape, of the sort that swirls dashingly with any swift movement. He spun a full circle, the fabric floating like a whirl of shadow. When he again faced the emperor, he held his blade in his right hand, as if it had appeared there by magic rather than sleight of hand.

The emperor shifted stance, taking his sword into his left hand. Apollo Crow smiled and did the same.

Light pouring from high-arched windows framed their shapes to dazzling effect as uniformed soldiers and gaudily robed officials admired the show.

“What is your fee?” A probing flurry by the emperor, easily parried by Apollo Crow.

“That depends upon the distance to be traveled and the circumstances under which I must put myself at risk.”

They circled.

“The woman is a beauty, so that part of the job is no risk.”

“What one man calls beauty, another may find trifling. But that you call her a beauty tells me a good deal. Is she a woman who spurned you, the very emperor of shrunken Rome?”

The emperor laughed. “Quite the opposite, if you must know.”

“Or at least, so you feel obliged to claim.” Crow assayed a thrust, and the emperor of all Rome and its few remaining provinces turned it aside.

“I need affect no lies, Mr. Crow. I am hiring you to do a job and ascertaining whether you can succeed. The woman is secondary to my interest. I need her sketchbook, which she carries with her everywhere.

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