boys, panting, caught her arm and jerked her back. ‘Show money in that place,
and you’ll get all our throats slit quick.’
He was right. They huddled in the street and sniffed more krrf and shook and
argued. Phryne began to wail aloud and her sister stopped her mouth with a
clapped hand. Just as the two girls, terrified and defeated, crouched down in
the street and one of the boys, his bladder loosed by fear, sought a comer wall,
a woman appeared before them, her hood thrown back, her face hidden by a trick
of light. But the voice was a gentlewoman’s voice and the words were
compassionate. ‘Lost, children? There, there, it’s all right now, just come with
me. We’ll have mulled wine and pastries and I’ll have my man form an escort to
see you home. You’re the Alekeep owner’s daughter, if I’m right? Ah, good, then;
your father’s a friend of my husband … surely you remember me?’
She gave a name and Tamzen, her sense swimming in drugs and her heart filled
with relief and the sweet taste of salvation, lied and said she did. All six
went along with the woman, skirting the square until they came to a curious
house behind a high gate, well lit and gardened and full of chaotic splendour.
At its rear, the rush of the White Foal could be heard.
‘Now sit, sit, little ones. Who needs to wash off the street grime? Who needs a
pot?’ The rooms were shadowed, no longer well lit; the woman’s eyes were
comforting, calming like sedative draughts for sleepless nights. They sat
among the silks and the carven chairs and they drank what she offered and