It was understandable. There was only a finite amount of space on a town-wheel like this; if the living residents couldnt demolish the Buridan estate, theyd been determined to reach other accommodations with it.
Two glittering pallasite staircases swept up from where Venera stood, one to the left, one right. She frowned, then headed for the dark archway that opened like a mouth between them. Her feet made no sound in the deep dust.
Certainly the upstairs chambers would be the luxurious ones; they had probably been stripped. In any case she was certain she would learn more about the habits and history of the nation by examining the servants quarters.
In the dark of the lower corridor, Venera knelt and examined the floor. She drew one of her pistols and slid the safety off. Cautiously she moved onward, listening intently.
This servants way ran on into obscurity, arches opening off it to both sides at regular intervals. Black squares that might once have been portraits hung on the walls, and here and there sheet-covered furniture huddled under the pillars like cowering ghosts.
Sounds reached her, distorted and uncertain. Were they coming from behind or ahead? She glanced back; silhouettes were moving across the distant square of the entranceway. But that sliding sound She blew out the lantern and sidled along the wall, moving by touch.
Sure enough a fan of light draped across the disturbed dust of the corridor, and a shadow-play of figures moving against the opposite wall. Venera crept up to the open doorway and peered around the corner in time to meet the eye of someone coming the other way.
Hey! Theyre here already! The woman was younger than Venera, and had prominent cheekbones and long stringy hair. She was dressed in the dark leathers of the city. Venera leaped into her path and leveled the pistol an inch from her face.
Dont move.
Shills! somebody else yelled.
Venera didnt know what a shill was, but yelled, No! anyway. Im the new owner of this house.
The stringy-haired woman was staring cross-eyed at the gun barrel. Venera spared a glance past her into a long low chamber that looked like it had originally been a wine cellar. Lanterns burned at strategic points, lighting up what was obviously somebodys hideout: there were cots, stacks of crates, even a couple of tables with maps unrolled on them. Half a dozen people were rushing about grabbing up stuff and making for an exit in the opposite wall. Several more were training guns on Venera.
Ah. She looked around the other side of the stringy-haired head. The men with the guns were glancing inquiringly at one of their number. Though of similar age, with his flashing eyes and ironic half-smile he stood out from the rest of these youths as a professor might stand out from his students. Hello, Venera said to him. She withdrew her pistol and holstered it, registering the surprise on his face with some satisfaction.
Youd better hurry with your packing, she said before anyone could move. Theyll be here any minute.
The guns were still trained on her, but the confident-looking youth stepped forward, squinting at her over his own weapon. He had a neatly trimmed mustache and what looked like a dueling scar on his cheek. Who are you? he demanded in an amused upper-class drawl.
She bowed. Amandera Thrace-Guiles, at your service. Or perhaps, its the other way around.
He sneered. Were no ones servants. And unfortunate
for you that youve seen us. Now well have to
Stow it, she snapped. Im not playing your game, either for your side or for Spyres. I have my own agenda, and it might benefit your own goals to consider me a possible ally.
Again the sense of amused surprise. Venera could hear voices outside in the hall now. Be very quiet, she said, and snuff those lights. Then she stepped back, grabbed the edges of the doors, and shut them.
Lanterns bobbed down the corridor. Lady Thrace-Guiles? It was Aday.
Here. My lantern went out. In any case there seems to be nothing of interest this way. Shall we investigate the upper floors?
Perhaps. Aday peered about himself in distaste. This appears to be a commoners area. Yes, lets retrace our steps.
They walked in silence, and Venera strained to hear any betraying noise from the chamber behind them. There was none; finally, Aday said, To what do we owe the honor of your visit? Is Buridan rejoining the great nations? Are you going to restart the trade in horses?
Venera snorted. You know perfectly well there was no room to keep such animals in the tower. We had barely enough to eat from the rooftop gardens and nets we strung under the world. No, there are no horses anymore. And I am the last of my line.
Ah. They began to climb the long-disused steps to the upper chambers. As to your being the last of the line lines can be rejuvenated, said Aday delicately. And as to the horses I am happy to say that you are in error in that case.
She cast a sidelong glance at him. What do you mean? Dont toy with me.
Aday smiled, appearing confident for the first time. There are horses, my lady. Raised and bred at government expense in paddocks on Greater Spyre. They have always been here, all these years. They have been awaiting your return.