on the Street of Red Lanterns is to be levied and collected at once if they are
to be allowed to continue to practise their trade without incurring official
displeasure.’
Only the slight tensing ofMyrtis’s hand betrayed her indignation at Zaibar’s
statement. Her voice and face remained dispassionately calm.
‘The royal concubines are no longer pleasing?’ she replied with a sneering
smile. ‘You cannot expect every woman on the Street of Red Lanterns to have ten
gold pieces. How do you expect them to earn the money for your taxes?’
‘We do not expect them to be able to pay ‘the tax, madame. We expect to close
your brothel and every other house like it on the Street. The women, including
yourself, will be sent elsewhere to lead more productive lives.’
Myrtis stared at the soldier with a practised contempt that ended their
conversation. The soldier fingered the hilt of his sword.
‘The tax will be collected, madame. You will have a reasonable amount of time to
get the money for yourself and the others. Let us say, three days? I’ll return
in the evening.’
He turned about without waiting for a reply and left through the back door in
complete silence. Myrtis went back to interrupted breakfast while the staff and
the girls were hysterical with questions and the seeds of rumour. She let them
babble in this manner while she ate; then she strode to the head of the common
table.
‘Everything shall continue as usual. If it comes to paying their tax,
arrangements will be made. You older girls already have ample gold set aside. I