Irons in the Fire by Juliet E. McKenna Read Free Book Online Page A

whatever else they were carrying.
    He had enough Tormalin silver in his everyday purse to satisfy them so that they wouldn't go looking for the gold hidden inside his shirt. As soon as he was safely in Parnilesse, he'd steal a swift horse and ride for home. Master Hamare would want to know all about this day's happenings.

Chapter Four
     
    Tathrin
    Master Wyess's Counting-House, in the City of Vanam,
    Spring Equinox Festival, Fourth Day, Morning
     
    "Master Wyess punched Master Kierst?"
    "In the Furriers' Hall last night?"
    All the younger clerks in the airy ledger room abandoned their sloping desks to crowd around Tathrin.
    "Yes, he hit him," Tathrin said shortly.
    "Saedrin's stones!"
    Tathrin clipped the excited boy round the ear. "Dishonour his name like that again and I'll wash your mouth out with vinegar."
    "What happened after that?"
    "Master Kierst went home and so did Master Gruit and everyone else ate their dinner."
    Kierst had said nothing further, possibly because he feared his loosened teeth would fall out if he opened his mouth.
    Tathrin looked sternly at the boys until they abandoned hope of learning more and returned to their desks.
    "Conversation over the nuts and brandy must have been awkward." One of the older clerks leaned against the doorpost.
    Tathrin took a moment to place him. Eclan, who'd warned him that Master Wyess would question him when he least expected it. "It was mostly speculation over which troupes of players have the prettiest dancing girls this festival." He couldn't help grinning at the recollection.
    "Nothing of consequence, then." Eclan clapped his hands briskly. "If you lads want to stuff yourselves sick with cakes this afternoon, you had better see to your morning duties. If there's a set of sack-weights or corn-measures in this counting-house left uncertified by noon, I'll flog the lot of you!"
    A few voices rose in protest, but the younger boys hurried towards the stairs regardless.
    Tathrin thought Eclan was joking. Although he had seen the clerk wield the birch that hung by the door when one lad had stumbled into work stale-drunk on the first morning of the festival.
    "Master Wyess said you're wanting to get your father's coin-weights certified?" Eclan crossed the room to unlock one of the cabinets. "I'm to take the counting-house sets. Give me a hand and the magistrate can assess yours at the same time."
    "Thanks." Tathrin was relieved. He hadn't been sure of the correct procedure.
    "No need to thank me." Eclan hauled out a heavy casket. "Let's just get there before the queue stretches all around the Excise Hall."
    "Right."
    Tathrin fetched the polished cherrywood case that he'd locked in his own desk over in a favoured spot lit by both the tall windows and the room's broad skylights. Tucking his father's weights securely under one arm, he took one of the chest's handles.
    Eclan took the other. "So what were people really saying after Wyess flattened Kierst?"
    "The next bells came and went before anyone did more than ask for the pickles." Tathrin grimaced as the weight of his burden pulled at his shoulders. "As soon as the libations to Raeponin were done, people started leaving."
    "I wonder how he's feeling this morning." Eclan shifted his grip. Carrying the chest between them was awkward given that he was a head shorter than Tathrin. "Did you have to carry him home?"
    "No," Tathrin said shortly.
    Though Wyess had drunk a prodigious quantity of wine, silently seething, ignoring the sumptuous banquet, he had leaned heavily on Tathrin's arm all the way back to his own doorstep. At first Tathrin had worried that some footpad might mark them down as a pair of drunks ripe for rolling. Then he'd been more concerned that Master Wyess might welcome such a fight.
    They reached the bottom of the stairs and went out into the counting-house yard. Tathrin helped Eclan lift the chest into a pony cart that a groom held ready.
    "They must have discussed what Master Gruit had said." Eclan settled