Lanterns hung from poles all along the quayside and Sigarni heard Ballistar breathe a sigh of relief. ‘It was awful,’ he said, ‘like being blind.’
‘It was not awful,’ said Sigarni, wistfully.
The barge clanked against the stone quay. Ironhand was the first ashore, followed by Sigarni and Ballistar.
‘What now?’ asked the warrior.
‘We’ll find some sheltered place to sleep,’ Sigarni told him. ‘Tomorrow we’ll see the King.’
‘For what purpose?’ Ballistar asked.
‘I shall ask for the Crown to be returned.’
‘And he will just give it to you?’
‘Of course not, Balli. I shall offer him something in return.’
‘It will need to be a very large gift,’ Ironhand pointed out.
‘It will be,’ she promised.
12
THE. CITY WAS unlike anything Sigarni had ever seen. Crammed together, the houses reared like cliff faces, dotted with lighted windows. Narrow alleyways filtered off like veins in the flesh of a stone giant. Arched tunnels led deeper into the city, and these boasted oil-lamps, hung at regular intervals to guide the traveller. There were signs on every alley, giving names to the streets and the wider avenues that led off from them. Sigarni felt hemmed in and dwarfed by the colossal nature of Zir-vak.
Ironhand was less impressed. ‘They have structures in Kushir of far greater beauty,’ he said, ‘and there is evidence at least of planning there. These … huge hovels give a man no space to breathe.”
‘It is oppressive,’ agreed Ballistar. They wandered on aimlessly fora while until they saw the lights of a tavern. Ironhand headed for it. ‘Wait!’ called Ballistar. ‘How will we pay?’
Ill think of something,” said Ironhand.
The tavern was more than half empty, and few diners sat at the rough-built tables. There was a long, timbered drinking area at which several men stood, downing ale. Ironhand moved to the bar and a serving maid approached him. She was extraordinarily fat, her mouth turned down at the corners, her eyes small and seemingly set in several acres of unnecessary flesh; her enormous breasts sagged over the bar.
‘What is there on offer?’ asked Ironhand, as Sigarni and Ballistar moved alongside.
‘To eat or to drink, or both?” she countered, idly wiping at the counter with a stained rag.
‘Just to drink,’ said the silver-bearded giant.
‘We have ale or water, or if you’d rather something hot we have a dry root tisane.’
‘And with what do we pay?’
‘What?’
‘What currency do we need? We are strangers here and have been told that gold is of no use.’
‘You don’t pay,’ she said, as if talking to someone retarded. ‘Everything’s free … has been for years. So what will it be?’
‘Ale,’ said Ironhand.
Ill have water,’ said Sigarni. ‘Where can we find lodgings for the night?’
‘Wherever you choose. There’s a room upstairs that you’re welcome to. There’s no fire, mind – no wood, you see. But the oil-lamps keep the room warm enough. There’s only one bed, but it’s big enough for the two of you,’ she said, gesturing towards Ballistar and Sigarni. ‘As for him .. . well.’
‘I could always share your bed, my pretty,’ said Ironhand. ‘I expect it’s a large one.’
‘The cheek of the man!’ said the woman, blushing.
‘Those that don’t ask never get,’ said Ironhand, with a wink. ‘And you’ve no idea how long it has been since I’ve enjoyed the company of a handsome woman.’
‘Handsome, indeed! I was a fine-looking young woman, I’ll have you know. Men travelled far to court me – and I don’t take kindly to being mocked.’
‘I would never mock you, my lovely. I’ve always preferred my women with a litde meat on their bones. You think on it, while you fetch us our drinks. I’m a man of considerable patience.’
Ironhand turned away and strode to a nearby table, where Ballistar sat alongside him. ‘Good God, man, how could you make love to that … that… sow?’
‘She looks mighty good to me, lad. Now there’s your sort of woman,’ he added, pointing to another serving maid carrying a tray to the far table. She was slim and dark-haired, no more than seventeen. Ballistar stared at her with undisguised longing. Ill call her over,’ whispered Ironhand.