such as he want with a middle-aged whore? And he agreed to pay the price I
asked, without quibbling. Then he robbed me.’ She looked around, her eyes, as he
remembered them, clear windows to her thoughts. She was appalled.
‘The low estate into which I have sunk?’
She knew what he meant. Her nostrils shivered, taking in the musty reek of the
soiled bedding on which he sprawled fully clothed, smelling easily as foul. ‘The
devolution of us both. That I would be here, under these circumstances, is
surely as pathetic as you.’
‘Thanks. I needed that. Don’t.’
‘I thought you wanted me.’ She ceased unlacing, looked at him, her tunic open to
her waist.
‘I did. I don’t. Have some krrf.’ On his hips rode her scarf; if she saw it,
then she would comprehend his degradation too fully. So he had not removed it,
hoping its presence would remind him, if he weakened and his thoughts drowned in
lust, that this woman he must not violate.
She sat on the quilt, one doe-gloved leg tucked under her.
‘You jest,’ she breathed, then, eyes narrowed, took the krrf.
‘It will be ill with you, afterwards, should I touch you.’
Her fingers ran along the flap of hide wrapped over her wands. ‘I am receiving
payment.’ She tapped the package. ‘And I may not owe debts.’
‘The boy who pilfered these, did it at my behest.’
‘Must you pander for me?’
He winced. ‘Why do you not go home?’ She smelled of salt and honey and he
thought desperately that she was here only because he forced the issue: to pay
her debt.
She leaned forwards, touched his lips with a finger. ‘For the same reason that