‘Not now, mother,’ he said, gently. ‘Who is here?’
‘It is Pendar.’ She leaned in close. ‘And he is rich now,’ she whispered. ‘You should have accepted his offer and joined him in partnership. Perhaps he still wants you.’
‘I am sure that he does,’ said Methras with a wide smile.
His mother reddened. ‘Oh you know I didn’t mean that,’ she said. ‘I know Pendar -‘ she struggled for words – ‘prefers the company of young men. But I know he values your judgement.’
Methras kissed her cheek. ‘Of course. He loves me for my mind,’ he said.
‘What he needs—’ she began.
Methras held up his hand. ‘If the phrase the love of a good woman is hovering on your lips, do not say it. You are far too intelligent to be caught in that cliche.’
‘What I was going to say is that he needs the guidance of someone he can trust. He has a way with money, but he is like a straw in the wind. You could help him, Methras, and become rich yourself.’
‘I have no interest in wealth or power,’ he said. ‘I am a soldier. It suits me well.’
‘You are very much like your father,’ she told him.
‘Too much – and not enough,’ he said sadly.
Moving through the house, he entered the wide living area. Two men were seated in the archway leading to the front garden. Pendar, as always, was immaculately and expensively dressed. His pearl-grey tunic and leggings were woven from heavy silk, his shoes crafted from lizard-skin. He was tall, very slim and still boyish, his hair dyed with streaks of gold. The man beside him was more strongly built, with wide shoulders and powerful hands. His beard was silver and yellow.
‘My dear friend,’ said Pendar, as Methras entered. Moving smoothly across the room he embraced the soldier and kissed his cheek. ‘It is so good to see you. How are you?’
‘Fit and well, Pendar. Who is your friend?’
‘Not a friend, exactly,’ said Pendar. ‘More a business acquaintance. He is a fine man. Trustworthy. His name is Boru. He is of the Banis-baya, a tribe who dwell close to the Well of Life.’
Boru rose and moved forward, his hand outstretched. Methras shook it briefly.
‘Good as it is to see you, my friend,’ said Methras, turning once more to Pendar, ‘I must tell you that I am very weary, and was looking forward to some sleep this afternoon.’
‘We won’t keep you long,’ said Boru. ‘I understand you have just returned from a long voyage.’
‘Yes, to the southern ice. It was successful.’
‘By which you mean … ?’ asked Boru.
‘We found what we were looking for,’ he answered. ‘That would seem to me to constitute a successful trip.’
‘As I understand it, Vagars died upon the ice,’ said Boru, ‘and what was found made the Avatars more powerful than they were before. Some might argue that as a great failure.’
‘A soldier of the empire would not argue so,’ Methras pointed out.
‘He might,’ said Boru. ‘These are changing times. The hourglass of history is about to be spun. Some men believe that within a few years these cities will once again be controlled by Vagars. What then will befall those loyal to the old empire?’
Methras did not reply. Ignoring Boru, he turned to Pendar. The golden-haired man was about to speak, but Methras lifted his hand and shook his head. ‘Say not a word, my friend. It is best you leave, and when you return come alone. What I have not heard I cannot report.’
‘He is right,’ said Boru. ‘We are wasting our time here.’
‘No, it is my time you are wasting,’ snapped Methras. ‘Leave now.’
Boru swung on his heel and stalked from the room. Pendar stood still for a moment, confused. Methras put his hand on his friend’s slender shoulder. ‘Walk with care, Pendar, for the road you travel is very dangerous.’
‘Boru is right,’ said Pendar softly. ‘The days of the Avatar are coming to an end. Once they are overthrown all their friends and allies will be killed. I do not want to see you hurt.’