‘I think I know the family you speak of,’ Amoli said.
‘When I was in Ranke on other business, one of the counsellors got in touch with
me, and commissioned me to dispose of this young pigeon, but to do it in
Sanctuary. The twenty grimales was my pay, and also the goad, the bait. The boy
is no addict, but he is greedy, and the price of krrf is three times higher in
the court of Ranke than it is in the Maze. It was arranged for me to befriend
him and, eventually, offer to be his wholesaler.
‘The counsellor procured the krrf from Caronne and sent word to me. I sent back
a tempting offer to the boy. He contrived to make the journey to Sanctuary,
supposedly to be introduced to the Emperor’s brother. He’ll miss the
appointment.’
‘That’s his blood on your sleeve?’ the eunuch asked.
‘Nothing so direct; that was another matter. When he’s supposed to be at the
palace tomorrow, he’ll be floating in the harbour, disguised as the shit of
dogs.’
‘So you got the krrf and the boy’s money as well,’ Amoli said.
‘Half the money. He tried to croy me.’ He refilled the woman’s glass. ‘But you
see. There can be no connection.’
‘I believe there may be. Anenday was when mine disappeared.’
‘Did you keep it wrapped in a cheese?’
She ignored that. ‘Who delivered yours?’
‘Marype, the youngest son of my sorcerer Mizraith. He does all of my caravan
deliveries.’
The eunuch and Amoli exchanged glances. “That’s it! It was from Marype I bought
the block. Not two hours after the caravan came in.’ Her face was growing red
with fury.
One-Thumb drummed his fingers on the table. ‘I didn’t yet mine till evening,’ he