ggk.asongforarbonne-第29章

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roadway　better　lit　than　before　with　lanterns　burning　in　ornate　sconces　on　outside　walls…one　of　the　surest　signs　of　wealth。　Two　girls；　evidently　servants；　called　cheerfully　down　to　her　from　where　they　leaned　out　over　a　carved　stone　balustrade。　Lisseut　kept　moving。　Blaise；　walking　swiftly　with　his　long　strides；　had　already　turned　a　corner　up　ahead。　She　began　to　run。
　　By　the　time　she　reached　that　next　crossing　of　streets　and　turned　right　again　as　he　had　done；　Lisseut　realized　where　they　were；　even　before　she　saw；　in　the　square　at　the　top　of　the　street；　the　off…centred　tower　loom　grimly　above　the　largest　red…stoned　building。
　　This　was　the　merchants'　quarter；　where　the　banking　houses　and　mercantile　operations　of　several　countries　had　their　headquarters　in　Tavernel；　Arbonne's　deep…harboured　gateway　to　the　world。　That　tower　at　the　top　of　the　road　was　a　deliberate；　intimidating　echo　of　the　great　tower　of　Mignano；　largest　of　the　Portezzan　city…states；　and　the　massively　formidable　palaces　on　either　side　of　the　street　leading　to　the　square　sheltered　the　Arbonne　contingents　of　the　lucid；　careful　merchants　of　those　wealthy　cities。
　　The　noises　of　Carnival　were　distant　now。　Lisseut　slipped　into　an　archway；　peering　out　carefully　as　Blaise　of　Gorhaut　went　past　one　massive　doorway　and　then　another。　She　saw　him　stop　finally；　gazing　up　at　the　coat　of　arms　above　a　pair　of　iron　doors。　There　were　lights　on　in　that　house；　on　the　upper　levels　where　the　sleeping　quarters　would　be。　There　was　no　one　else　in　the　street。
　　Blaise　stood　motionless　for　what　seemed　to　her　a　long　time；　as　if　deliberating　something　difficult；　then　he　looked　carefully　around　him　and　slipped　down　a　narrow　alley　that　ran　between　that　house　and　the　one　north　of　it。　Lisseut　gave　him　a　moment；　then　stepped　out　from　her　archway　and　followed。　At　the　entrance　to　the　alley　she　had　to　hold　her　breath　for　a　moment；　almost　choking　in　the　midden　smell　that　came　from　it。　Kneeling　for　concealment；　her　eyes　keen　in　the　darkness；　she　saw　the　coran　from　Gorhaut　hoist　himself　smoothly　to　scale　the　rough　stone　wall　running　behind　the　house　where　he　had　stopped。　There　were　more　lights　glowing　softly　from　beyond　that　wall。　She　saw　him　silhouetted　for　a　second　against　them　before　he　let　himself　down　on　the　other　side。
　　It　was　time　to　go　back　to　the　river。　She　now　knew　where　he　had　gone。　She　could　find　out　who　owned　this　house　in　the　morning；　report　the　incident　to　whoever　seemed　appropriate。　Duke　Bertran　was　the　obvious　person；　or　perhaps　the　countess's　seneschal　in　Tavernel。　Perhaps　even　Ariane　de　Carenzu；　who　had　bound　the　men　of　Talair　and　Miraval　to　keep　the　peace　this　night。　Morning　would　tell　her　what　to　do；　she　could　consult　with　friends；　with　Remy；　Aurelian。　It　was　time　to　go　back。
　　Discarding　her　mask；　gritting　her　teeth；　Lisseut　went　down　the　fetid　alley；　past　the　point　where　the　Gorhautian　had　scaled　the　wall　and；　further　along；　she　found　an　overturned　wooden　crate。　There　were　always　crates　in　alleyways。　Rats　scattered　in　several　directions　as　she　stepped　carefully　up　onto　it。　From　there　it　was　just　possible　to　lift　herself　to　the　top　of　the　wide　wall。　She　lay　flat　on　the　stone；　motionless　for　a　long　time。　Then；　when　she　was　sure　she'd　not　been　seen　or　heard；　she　cautiously　lifted　her　head　and　looked　down。
　　It　was　an　intricate；　formal　garden；　carefully　tended。　A　plane　tree　grew　just　inside　the　wall　and　its　branches　offered　some　concealment　for　her；　which　mattered；　for　Riannon；　the　blue　moon　of　the　goddess；　rode　free　just　then　of　what　seemed　the　last　of　the　cloud　cover　for　a　time。　Above；　through　the　screen　of　leaves；　Lisseut　could　see　the　stars；　brilliant　in　the　summer　sky。　A　bird　was　singing　in　the　branches　of　the　tree。
　　Below　her；　on　a　close…cropped　grassy　expanse；　Blaise　of　Gorhaut　stood　quietly　beside　a　small；　round　pool　into　which　a　sculpted　fountain　was　splashing　water。　There　were　flowers　planted　around　the　border　of　the　fountain　and　more　of　them　laid　out　in　patterns　through　the　ordered　space　of　the　garden。　Lisseut　smelled　oranges　and　lemons；　and　there　was　lavender　near　the　southern　wall。　Behind　her　rats　scrambled　in　the　dank　alley。
　　On　a　small　patio　near　the　house　a　stone　table　had　been　laid　with　meats　and　cheeses　and　wine。　There　were　tall　white　candles　burning。
　　A　man　slouched　in　a　chair　by　that　table；　hands　laced　behind　his　head；　long　legs　extended；　his　features　obscured　by　shadow。　Blaise　was　looking　at　him。　He　had　not　spoken　or　moved　since　she'd　arrived　at　her　place　of　concealment　on　the　wall。　His　back　was　to　her。　He　seemed　carved　of　stone　himself。　Lisseut's　heart　was　beating　rapidly。
　　〃I　will　confess　that　I　wondered；〃　said　the　man　by　the　table　lazily；　speaking　Portezzan　with　elegant；　aristocratic　precision。　〃I　wondered　if　you　were　in　a　clever　vein　tonight　and　would　e。　But　see；　I　did　give　you　the　benefit　of　the　doubt…there　is　food　and　wine　for　two；　Blaise。　I'm　glad　you're　here。　It　has　been　a　long　time。　Do　e　and　dine　with　me。　It　is　a　Carnival　night　in　Arbonne；　after　all。〃
　　He　stood　then；　leaning　across　the　table　into　the　light　as　he　reached　for　the　wine。　By　the　shining　of　the　two　moons　and　the　candles　and　the　glowing；　graceful　lanterns　swinging　from　tripods　among　the　trees；　Lisseut　saw　that　he　was　slender　and　bright…haired　and　young　and　smiling；　that　his　loose　silk　tunic　was　night…black　with　wide；　full　sleeves；　and　his　leggings　were　black　and　white；　like　Arsenault　the　Swordsman　in　the　puppet　shows　she　remembered　from　childhood…and　like　the　arrows　she　saw　lying　in　plain　sight　in　their　quiver　by　the　table。
　　〃You　still　use　syvaren；　I　see；〃　said　Blaise　of　Gorhaut　calmly。　He　didn't　move　any　nearer　to　the　table。　He　spoke　Portezzan　as　well。
　　The　fair…haired　man　made　a　face　as　he　poured　from　a　long…necked　decanter。　〃An　ugly　thing；　isn't　it？〃　he　said　with　distaste。　〃And　amazingly　expensive　these　days；　you　have　no　idea。　But　useful；　useful　at　times。　Be　fair；　Blaise；　it　was　a　very　long　shot　in　a　breeze　and　uncertain　light。　I　didn't　plan　anything　in　advance；　obviously；　it　was　sheerest　good　fortune　I　happened　to　be　in　the　tavern　when　that　river　challenge　was　made。　And　then　I　had　to　count　on　Duke　Bertran　being　skillful　enough　to　make　it　as　far　as　the　rope。　Which　I　did；　and　which　he　was；　Corannos　shelter　his　soul。　e　now；　you　might　have　congratulated　me　by　now　on　hitting　him　from　so　far。　The　right　shoulder；　I　take　it？〃　He　turned；　smiling；　a　glass　of　wine　in　each　hand；　one　extended　towards　the　other　man。
　　Blaise　hesitated；　and　Lisseut；　all　her　senses　alert；　knew　with　certainty　that　he　was　wrestling　with　whether　to　tell　the　assassin　of　his　error。
　　〃It　was　a　long　shot；〃　was　all　he　said。　〃I　don't　like　poison　though；　you　know　that。　They　don't　use　it　in　Arbonne。　Had　you　not　done　so　they　might　have　thought　the　killing　was　by　one　of　Urté　de　Miraval's　men。　It　wasn't；　I　take　it？〃
　　The　question　was　ignored。　〃Had　I　not　done　so　there　wouldn't　have　been　a　killing。　Only　a　duke　with　a　wounded　shoulder　and　a　quadrupled　guard；　and　I'd　be　out　a　rather　spectacular　fee。〃
　　〃How　spectacular？〃
　　〃You　don't　want　to　know。　You'll　be　jealous。　e；　Blaise；　take　your　wine；　I　feel　silly　standing　with　my　hand　out　like　an　almsman。　Are　you　angry　with　me？〃
　　Slowly；　Blaise　of　Gorhaut　walked　forward　over　the　grass　and　took　the　offered　goblet。　The　Portezzan　laughed　and　returned　to　his　seat。　Blaise　remained　standing　beside　the　table。
　　〃In　the　tavern；〃　he　said　slowly；　〃you　would　have　seen　that　I　was　with　the　duke；　one　of　his　men。〃
　　〃Of　course　I　did；　and　I　must　say　it　surprised　me。　I'd　heard　a　rumour　at　the　Aulensburg　tourney…you　were　missed　in　Gotzland；　by　the　way；　you　were　talked　about…that　you　were　in　Arbonne　this　spring；　but　I　doubted　it；　I　really　didn't　know　you　liked　singing　so　much。〃
　　〃I　don't；　believe　me。　But　it　isn't　important。　I'm　employed　by　the　duke　of　Talair；　and　you　saw　as　much　in　the　tavern。　Didn't　that　mean　anything　to　you？〃
　　〃A　few　things；　yes；　but　you　won't　like　them　and　you　won't　want　to　hear　them　from　me。　You　are　angry　with　me；　obviously。　Really；　Blaise；　what　was　I　supposed　to　do；　abandon　a　contract　and　payment　because　you　happened　to　be　on　the　scene　trading　insults　with　an　Arimondan　catamite？　I　gather　you　killed　his　brother。〃
　　〃How　much　money　were　you　paid？〃　Blaise　asked　again；　ignoring　that　last。　〃Tell　me。〃
　　The　fair；　handsome　head　was　in　shadow　again。　There　was　a　silence。　〃Two　hundred　and　fifty　thousand；〃　the　Portezzan　said　quietly。
　　Lisseut　suppressed　a　gasp。　She　saw　Blaise　stiffen　in　disbelief。
　　〃No　one　has　that　much　money　for　an　assassination；〃　he　said　harshly。
　　The　other　man　laughed；　cheerfully。　〃Someone　does；　someone　did。　Deposited　in　advance　with　our　Gotzland　branch；　in　trust　for　me　on　conditions。　When　word　es　of　the　musical　duke　of　Talair's　so　sad　demise　the　conditions　are　removed。　Gotzland；〃　he　said　musingly；　〃is　a　usefully　discreet　place　sometimes；　though　I　suppose　it　does　help　to　have　a　family　bank。〃
　　The　man　still　seemed　amused；　eerily　so；　as　if　there　was　some　private　jest　he　was　savouring　at　Blaise's　expense。　Lisseut　was　still　reeling　inwardly；　unable　to　even　prehend　the　size　of　the　sum　he　had　named。
　　〃Payment　in　Portezzan　coinage？〃
　　Laughter　again；　on　the　edge　of　hilarity　now；　the　sound　startling　in　the　quiet　formality　of　the　garden。　A　slow　sip　of　wine。　〃Ah；　well　now；　you　are　fishing　for　information；　my　dear。　You　were　never　good　at　that；　were　you　Blaise？　You　don't　like　poison；　you　don't　like　deceptions。　You　aren't　at　all　happy　with　me。　I've　clearly　gone　to　the　bad　since　we　parted。　You　haven't　even　asked　for　news　of　Lucianna。〃
　　〃Who　paid　you；　Rudel？〃
　　The　question　was　blunt；　hard　as　a　hammer。　Blaise's　wine　glass　was　set　down　on　the　table；　untouched；　Lisseut　saw　that　it　shook　a　little。　The　other　man…who　had　a　name　now…would　have　seen　that　too。
　　〃Don't　be　stupid　and　tiresome；〃　the　Portezzan　said。　〃When　have　you　ever　revealed　who　hired　you？　When　has　anyone　you　respected　done　so？　You　of　all　men　know　I've　never　done　this　for　the　money　in　any　case。〃　A　sudden；　sweeping　gesture　enpassed　the　house　and　the　garden。　〃I　was　born　to　this　and　all　it　represents　in　the　six　countries；　and　I'll　die　with　it　unless　I'm　more　stupid　than　I　plan　to　be；　because　my　father　happens　to　like　me。〃　He　paused。　〃Drink　your　wine；　Blaise；　and　sit　down　like　a　civilized　person　so　we　can　talk　about　where　we're　going　next。〃
　　〃We　aren't　very　civilized　in　Gorhaut；〃　said　Blaise。　〃Remember？〃　There　was　a　new　note　in　his　voice。
　　The　man　in　the　chair　cleared　his　throat　but　did　not　speak。　Blaise　did　not　move　from　where　he　stood。
　　〃I　see　it　now；　though；〃　he　said　softly。　Lisseut　could　barely　hear　him。　〃You've　had　too　much　wine　too　quickly；　haven't　you？　You　didn't　mean　to　say　all　of　that　did　you；　Rudel？〃　He　spoke　Portezzan　extremely　well；　much　better　than　Lisseut　did　herself。
　　〃How　do　you　know？　Perhaps　I　did；〃　the　other　man　replied；　an　edge　to　his　tone　now。　〃Lucianna　always　said　that　good　wine　at　night　made　her…〃
　　Blaise　shook　his　head。　〃No。　No；　we　aren't　talking　about　Lucianna；　Rudel。〃　He　drew　a　breath　and；　surprisingly；　reclaimed　his　own　goblet　and　drank。　He　set　it　down　again；　carefully。　〃You　told　me　too　much。　I　understand　now　why　you　find　all　of　this　so　diverting。　You　were　paid　in　Gorhaut　coinage。　You　were　hired　for　t