I’d have fewer fights and shouting matches if you did, he mused, but said, “Just
looking for the thunderbolt, after that oath of yours. Anyhow. First, here. You
take this cup of qualis, on ole Ahdio. Second: Spread the word as I said. Third,
and this is the secret now, Man-killer: The reason is that’s my … lady. She
just came here to see me. You can understand that I have to watch out for her.
Here’s your wine, dear. Start helping me out, all right?”
“Ohh, Ahdio! Reeeeally? Your la-oh, Ahdio, you devil! And here I’ve had my cap
set on you for years!”
Why am I doing this for some slumming stranger who may well be a Bey, come to
spy on us with an Ilsigi sell-out, he demanded of himself, and said, “Sure, sure
you have. You don’t even have a cap.”
She gripped the nice goblet with one hand and the rim of her bodice with the
other. “No? What d’you call this?” She whipped the blouse down below the salient
of her leftward mountain, held it there for two or three beats, and flipped it
up over her nipple again. Then she swung away, laughing.
Briefly closing his eyes while he shook his head, Ahdio filled another goblet
with that best of wines and topped off the mug for Wints, the head having
subsided. He headed for the table against the wall, his scintillant coat
jingling softly. Just as he passed a regular named or rather called Weasel,
Ahdio heard his loud conversation topper: “In a pig’s ass!”
“Someone call for my special sausage?” Ahdio called en passant, and went on,
ahead of a wake of laughter.
He set wine and beer before the strange couple, and noted the coins on the