it would take at least two days to complete their garments, and Nyctasia spent most of the time pacing and planning, impatient to be on her way. But Corson would have been contented to spend the whole season at Lhestreq. She made the most of the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and flaunt her unwonted wealth. Sauntering into The Wanton Mermaid one afternoon, she threw down a handful of silver and called for ale all around.
There were only a few idlers there to take advantage of her hospitality. The Wanton Mermaid did most of its business after dark.
“Corson!” The host, a small, canny fellow known as Cricket, threw his arms around her enthusiastically, “I’d given up hope of ever seeing you again-my heart was broken. You owe me thirty crescents.”
Cricket owed his success as a taverner to three inviolable rules: He never watered his ale, he never betrayed a secret, and he never forgot a debt. Eyeing Corson’s silver skeptically, he picked up a coin and weighed it in his hand.
“Satisfied?” laughed Corson. “It’s not false.”
“Ah, the girl’s picked a rich pocket,” said Dorrit, a dark, thin woman who eked out a living as a petty thief.
“This money’s honestly come by, Dorrit. I’ve come up a good deal since you saw me fast. I know folk in high places nowadays.”
“The gallows…?” suggested Dorrit. Cricket snorted.
“I’m the traveling companion of a great lady, a Rhaicime!” Corson continued.
“She’s very elegant, and a scholar too-”
“Who’d you kill, Corson?” Cricket interrupted.
“Here, if you don’t believe me, look at these earrings.”‘ She bent toward Dorrit. “She gave them to me, just because she enjoys my company.”
Dorrit touched one wistfully, “These are really valuable, Corson, They’re old.”
Cricket whistled. “Sweet Asye! She’s killed a Rhaicime! We’ll probably all be hung.”
Corson hit the table with her fist. “I told you that-”
“Don’t be so touchy, pet. Since you’re in such favor with the nobility, no doubt you can pay me those thirty crescents, eh?” He winked at Dorrit.
“That’s what I’ve come for.” Corson began to count out coins from her pouch.
Cricket leaped to his feet, astonished. “Not here!” he said, looking around anxiously. “Let’s go in back.”
“Watch out, Cricket.” Dorrit called after them. “You don’t want to end up owing her. She fetches a high price these days!”
Cricket barred the door behind them and dragged the moneybox out from beneath his cot. Corson sat on a stool and watched him unlock the chest with one of the keys at his belt When it was safely stored away again she rose to go, but Cricket caught her hand. “Why so hasty, Corson?” he grinned. “No time for old friends now that you’re the favorite of Rhaicimes?”
Corson made an insulting gesture with her free hand. “It’s true, all the same,” she insisted.
“Then let’s celebrate your good fortune.” He hugged her hard. “I love tall women,” he sighed, nuzzling her breasts.
Corson smiled down at him. “But you know I don’t like short men.”
“Well, I’m not short all over, pet,” said Cricket. “Remember… ?”