“Corundel!” Taya abandoned the Alzanan she had been berating and ran forward to grab the lapels of the mercate’s light jacket. “Patrice Corundel, you traitor!”
“Icarus!” Corundel grabbed Taya’s hands, trying to pull away. “What are you doing here?”
“Arresting you!”
The abandoned Alzanan grabbed Taya’s armature and hauled her backward. For a moment Taya dragged Corundel along, and then she let go and kicked, trying to get the soldier to drop her. He laughed with amazement as he realized she weighed next to nothing, holding her out at arm’s length.
“Stop that,” Dautry snapped, swatting him across the head with her map cases. His grip loosened and his laughter ended for good when Taya’s heel planted itself between his legs. He dropped her and grabbed himself, looking sick.
Taya spun, feeling her metal wings clock the Alzanan across his bent head, and spotted Corundel escaping the melee.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she spat. The older woman turned to push through the onlookers, and Taya raced after her.
“Stop her! Stop that woman!” she shouted in Cabisi, pointing. The shoppers drew back instead. Seeing a passage clearing for her, Taya broke into a sprint, her ondium wings rattling over her head. She sprang forward and grabbed the flapping hem of Corundel’s Cabisi-style jacket. The mercate stumbled and Taya scrambled on top of her, taking them both to the ground.
Her artificially lightened weight did her a disservice when it came to fighting, but she’d learned ways to compensate. She grabbed the older woman’s arm and twisted it behind her. Corundel yelped as Taya tightened the arm-lock and stood, bringing the grimacing mercate upright with her.
“You can’t arrest me in Cabiel,” Corundel snapped, her voice strained. Taya began marching her back to Amcathra, keeping the woman’s arm tightly twisted. “You don’t have any authority here. It’s a neutral country!”
“We’ll let the justiciars sort it out,” Taya growled. “When we tell them how you used your position at AME to arm your country’s enemies, they might agree to an extradition. How many of those assassination attempts were your fault, back in Mareaux? Did you poison those peaches?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Corundel gasped. Taya’s grip had tightened as she’d asked her questions. “That was one of your lictors.”
“You knew?”
Corundel squeaked and couldn’t answer, stiff with pain. Taya loosened the lock.
“I knew the Mazzolettis wanted to stop you,” the mercate gasped, squirming to find a more comfortable position. “I saw them talking to one of the lictors. I assumed he was their spy.”
Taya bit down on all the nasty things she wanted to say as they broke through the crowd. Several Cabisi had taken charge of the situation and were questioning the onlookers. Captain Amcathra stood with his feet spread and his arms folded over his chest, glaring at the Alzanan soldiers. Dautry stood next to him, a few locks of hair straggling out of her otherwise neat bun to fall over one shoulder. The Alzanans were clustered in a small group, muttering together. Liliana and a Cabisi girl stood between the two sides, a little closer to Amcathra than the Alzanans.
Taya marched Corundel up to the lictor, who unfolded his arms as they approached.
“Good job, Icarus,” he said through his split and bruised lip.
“Please tell me you didn’t start this.”
“I regret that I cannot.”
“You attacked them without any provocation whatsoever?”
“I consider eight hundred and seventy-four Ondiniums killed in the Glasgar bombing sufficient provocation. Most were lictors and support staff. Seven were military-reconnaissance icarii.”
Taya sighed and Dautry grimaced.
“But you didn’t start any fights while we were in Alzana.”
“I despise the Alzanans’ combat tactics, but I expect no better from them and will have my revenge in battle. Patrice Corundel is Ondinium, however, and I intend to see her executed for treason.”
At the lictor’s grim words, the mercate began struggling again. Taya locked Corundel’s arm high enough to keep her from doing anything more than strain for a pain-free breath. She decided not to tell Amcathra that the mercate had known about Rikard. In his present mood, the captain might shoot Corundel then and there.
“Do any of you speak Cabisi?” one of the officials asked, approaching them. He was a middle-aged man, strongly built and wearing a stained apron that smelled like the spices in the food market.
“I do,” Taya said, as Corundel hissed the same.
“I am Su Kurari, a justiciar for the market vendors. Is this a licensed combat?”
“No!” Corundel spat.
“Not… not licensed by the justiciars,” Taya said. “This woman is…” she switched to Alzanan, lacking the necessary vocabulary in Cabisi. “This woman is an Ondinium citizen and a traitor. Ondinium’s ruling body, the Oporphyr Council, has issued a warrant for her arrest.”
“This isn’t Ondinium!” Corundel protested in Cabisi. “You are a neutral country! Ondinium law means nothing here!”
Su nodded and Taya’s heart sank.
“Cabiel does not wish to interfere in disputes between foreign countries,” he replied in Cabisi, “but we do not permit foreign disputes to disrupt the peace of our community. Please release this woman.”
Taya let Corundel go with a dissatisfied scowl.
“What is he saying?” Amcathra demanded. Taya filled him in as Corundel took several steps away, rubbing her shoulder.
“If the justiciars do not recognize foreign disputes,” Amcathra said after a moment, “then please ask him what I must do to challenge Mercate Corundel to a duel under local law.”
Taya and Dautry both protested at once:
“Captain— no. You can’t!”
“Captain, this is irresponsible. Your first responsibility is to your ship.”
The lictor turned to Su.
“How do I issue a challenge?” he asked in Alzanan. “I wish to fight this woman.”
Su blinked, taken aback.
“He can’t!” Corundel protested. “I’m under Alzanan protection!” She turned to the soldiers. “This lictor wants to register a Cabisi challenge against us.”
“Sounds good to me,” one of the soldiers growled. “When and where?”
“No, no, no!” Taya threw out her hands. “We’re here on a diplomatic mission, not to bring our war with Alzana into Os Cansai!”
“I agree,” Dautry said, quietly. “You have more important priorities, Captain. The Firebrand will be severely impaired if you are defeated in a duel.”
“We aren’t afraid to fight any Ondies,” another of the Alzanans jeered. “The Indomitable will blow that cute little silver bird of yours into scrap metal.”
Amcathra gave the soldiers a cold look.
“My interest is in executing this woman,” he said, “but I have no objection to destroying your vessel as a means to that end.”
Taya groaned. “Captain, don’t do this. Think about what Cristof will say.”
“Do you think he does not want to apprehend this traitor?”
“I’m sure he doesn’t want to cause another diplomatic scandal!”
“I am not married to him, but I have worked with Exalted Forlore for many years, and I believe that in your own benevolence you underestimate his hatred of the Alzanans.”
“Oh, Lady!” Taya was afraid the lictor might be right. Cristof had never liked the Alzanans, even before they’d tried to assassinate him, taken him prisoner, shot him, and bombed his country. She knew he did his best to behave diplomatically for her sake and the sake of his ambassadorial station, but when it came right down to it, he had no qualms about killing his enemies.
Dautry shook her head and folded her arms over her map cases.
“I thought you wer
e a more rational man than this, Captain,” she said.
“Complying with local traditions in order to apprehend a traitor is entirely rational.”
“Under the circumstances,” Su said, looking from one group to the other and switching to heavily accented Alzanan, “I send your … your question … to the Impeccable Justiciary. You wait in peace for verdict.”
One of the other Cabisi, a woman in her thirties, approached him and bowed.
“Nobody reports any property damage or personal harm, Justiciar,” she said in Cabisi. Su nodded to her and turned back to the two groups of foreigners.
“No fine is due to merchants or citizens,” he continued in Alzanan, “but you pay fine for—” He switched to Cabisi. “For disturbing the peace.”
Taya translated the phrase into Alzanan for the others.
“When will we hear about the duel?” one of the Alzanans demanded.
“Soon. If you fight before verdict, fine increases.” Su shifted to Cabisi again and Taya continued translating. “The fine is double the next time you disturb the peace, triple the time after that, and so on until you stop fighting or have no more money, in which case you work for the city until you repay your public debt.”
The two groups nodded, gazing sullenly at each other as they paid Su and received scribbled receipts that neither side could read.
“Are you all right?” Taya asked Liliana as Amcathra paid his half of the fine.
“Yes….” she looked wistfully at the soldiers. “I suppose I won’t be able to go home with them after this, will I?”
“You didn’t have to get involved.”
“I couldn’t let that thug hit you.” The girl pushed back a lock of curling hair and gave her a proud look. “We’re allies.”
“We are.” Taya was glad that at least one Alzanan didn’t hate her. “Thank you. And you, Professor.”
“This will not reflect well upon our mission,” Dautry said, quietly.
“No, probably not.” Taya sighed. “For what it’s worth, Liliana, Patrice Corundel had trade affiliations with the Mazzolettis, so the Indomitable probably belongs to them. It wouldn’t have been safe for you anyway.”
The young principessa made a face, then turned to the Cabisi girl standing quietly to one side. “I’m sorry. I should introduce you. This is Xu Sankau, the justiciar’s niece. She’s been helping me shop. Sankau, this is Taya, an icarus from Ondinium, and Professor Cora Dautry, a navigator from Mareaux.”
“May you be safe today,” Sankau said in Alzanan, bowing. Taya and Dautry returned the greeting.
“Thank you for being Liliana’s guide,” Taya added.
“I enjoy shopping.” The girl glanced behind them, her smile vanishing. “But I do not enjoy fighting.”
When Amcathra returned, Taya shook her head. His lip was split, his jaw and temple red enough to bruise, and the knuckles of both of his hands were bloody. Streaks of dirt marred his usually pristine uniform.
“Are you badly hurt?” she asked.
“I have no significant injuries.” He turned to Liliana. “Were you harmed, Principessa?”
“No.” The girl blushed. “He just scared me.”
Amcathra turned to Taya. “Where is the exalted?”
“Back at Justiciar Xu’s house. He didn’t feel like walking through the markets in full ceremonial regalia. It’s a good thing, too; otherwise he’d be involved in this mess, as well.”
“I will report the confrontation to him.”
“I know you will, but not yet.” She pointed at Liliana and Sankau. “I don’t want them shopping without an escort. If you think you can refrain from starting any more fights….”
“I will await the Impeccable Justiciary’s decision.”
“I hope they turn you down. We do not need this trouble right now! Besides, think about Liliana’s feelings. How is she going to feel, watching you fight her countrymen?”
Amcathra stiffened.
“I had no intention of offending you, Principessa Agosti,” he said, turning to the girl. “My only immediate goal is to arrest Mercate Corundel. If your countrymen would be willing to turn her over to us, I will drop the challenge.”
Liliana looked up at the tall lictor, her flush deepening as she clutched her shopping basket.
“I— I can tell them that,” she stammered.
“We’ll write a formal letter and have it delivered to the Alzanan captain tonight,” Taya said. “If we’re lucky, he’ll be as eager to avoid an incident as we are. Well, as I am, anyway.” She gave the lictor a dirty look.
“I would appreciate your assistance,” Amcathra continued, still addressing the principessa. “And I will ensure that nobody disturbs you for the remainder of your shopping trip.”
Liliana nodded, her cheeks red, and glanced at Sankau, who was gazing wide-eyed at the battered but imposing captain.
“Good.” Taya wavered for a moment, wondering whether she should go back to warn Cristof or continue looking for something to wear. Then she saw the way Liliana’s eyes shined as she gazed at Amcathra, and the guarded expression on Dautry’s face as she observed Liliana, and decided she’d much rather go shopping.
Chapter Eight
The two girls handed their purchases to the tall lictor, who bore his burden with as much dignity as he could, considering his bruised face and the colorful nature of the Cabisi shopping baskets. Taya didn’t find a Tizieri free-rider’s veil, but she did find some lighter garments and a silver-and-blue silk scarf that her husband could wrap around his face if he needed to travel inconspicuously through Cabiel.
“Isn’t your lictor’s uniform too hot for Cabiel?” Liliana asked Amcathra, fingering a scarf without looking at him. “You aren’t going to wear it all the time we’re here, are you?”
“Yes.”
“Professor Dautry isn’t.”
“She is not Ondinium, and she is not the captain of the Firebrand.”
“She is not a bull-headed Demican lictor,” Dautry muttered under her breath. Like most of the Firebrands, she had left her jacket on the ship and was wearing only her gray quasi-uniform trousers and a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up and the collar unbuttoned. She raised her voice. “I’m certain you could find a suitable replacement for your uniform here, Captain.”
“She’s right.” Taya gestured to the stalls surrounding them. “We’re surrounded by trousers and tunics that are more appropriate to the temperature than what you’re wearing.”
“They are not black.”
“Black!” Sankau wrinkled her nose. “Cabisi weavers and dyers are the best in the world. Why do you want to wear black?”
“It is a lictor’s color,” Amcathra said, simply.
Sankau shrugged and turned to the merchant, speaking too rapidly for Taya to follow. The merchant replied, leaning over the counter and pointing.
“Come,” Sankau said. “A man sells black clothing over there.”
“Wait for us!” Taya swiftly paid for her purchases and stuffed her new bundles into the shopping basket the captain was carrying. He gave her a baleful look.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you out of uniform,” she said cheerfully, patting his arm.
“That is not true. You have seen me wear … robes … once.”
“It wasn’t the same.” Although, she admitted to herself, Amcathra’s expression as they’d dressed him in Cristof’s ambassadorial garments had been priceless. “All you ever wear day-to-day is your uniform.”
“I am proud of my uniform.”
“Well, let’s find you a Cabisi equivalent.”
Sankau led them to a garment-maker who sold laborer’s wear in black. Amcathra dourly chose a pair of trousers and a sleeveless shirt and changed behind a curtain.
“Looks good,” Taya complimented him when he emerged. She was thoroughly amused
by the way Liliana’s eyes widened when she saw the captain’s muscular frame and the snarling bear’s head tattooed on his upper arm. Of course, the principessa was too young for him. She shot a hopeful glance at Dautry, who was studying Amcathra’s tattoo with a guarded expression.
“It is too bad you must wear black,” Sankau said, looking critically at the lictor. “Black is boring. But it does not look so very bad against your silver skin and hair.”
“And all those cuts and bruises add some color to his face,” Taya added. Amcathra shot her a dispassionate look.
“These garments are cooler,” he begrudgingly admitted, plucking at the loose Cabisi trousers. “But they are not a uniform.”
“They’re close enough, and this way you won’t collapse from heatstroke while you’re guarding us.”
“Our heat is very bad for foreigners,” Sankau agreed. “Mainlanders do not drink enough water.”
“And you’re already sunburned and sweating,” Taya pointed out, suddenly aware of her own thirst.
“As are you.”
“True.” She picked up the basket. “Buy that, and I’ll change into my new clothes, too. Then we’ll go find something to drink.”
“I’m curious about your tattoo, Captain,” Dautry interrupted. “It rather raises the question of which side of the war you’re on.”
Something like pain flickered in the lictor’s eyes, quickly hidden.
“I am not sheytatangri, Dautry. If I were, the Council would not have entrusted me with this position.”
“Then why are you wearing the sheytatangri’s symbol on your arm?”
The lictor hesitated.
“At one time, the Council asked me to— interact with the organization.”
“You were the Council’s spy?” Dautry’s voice was cool.
“I did what was necessary to protect my country.”
The professor pursed her lips.
“Then you’d better wrap this around your arm to hide it, Captain.” She tossed him a black-dyed scarf with a dismissive air. “Most people have a problem trusting a man who spies for a living.”
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