There went Ennersin, sweeping by Garth without noticing him. Diamandis watched him go in distaste, then turned and saw Venera watching him. He spread his hands and shrugged. She made a dismissive gesture and smiled back.
Time to mingle; the party wasnt over yet and her head felt fine. It felt good to reinforce her win with a gracious turn about the room. For a while everything was a blur of smiling faces and congratulations. Then she found herself shaking someones hand (the hundredth, it must have been) and looked up to find it was Jacoby Sartos.
Well played, Ms. Fanning, he said. There was no irony in his voice.
She glanced around. They were miraculously alone for the moment. Probably a single glance from under Sartos wiry brows had been enough to clear a circle.
All she could think of to say was, Thank you. It struck her as hopelessly inadequate for the situation, but all her strategies had been played out. To her surprise, Sarto smiled.
Ive lost Ennersins confidence, he said. Its going to take me years to regain some allies I abandoned today.
Oh? The mystery of his reversal during the vote deepened. Not one to prevaricate, Venera asked, Why?
He appeared puzzled. Why did I vote for you?
NoI know why. The key was again unspoken of between them. I mean, she said, why did you come out so publicly against me in the first place, if you knew I had that to hang over you?
Ah. It was his turn to look around them. Satisfied that no one was within earshot, he said, I was entrusted with the safety of Sacruss assets. Youre considered one of them. If I could acquire you, I was to do that. If not, and you threatened to reveal certain details well, I was to contrive a murderous rage. He opened his jacket slightly and she saw the large pistol he had holstered there. You would not have had a chance to say what you know, he said with a slight smile.
So why didnt you
It is useful to have an acknowledged heir of Buridan controlling that estate. This way we avoid a nasty succession conflict, which Sacrus would view as an unnecessary distraction, right now. Besides, Sarto shrugged. There are few moments in a mans life when he has the opportunity to make a choice on his own. I simply did not want to shoot you.
And why tell me this now?
His mouth didnt change from its accustomed frown, but the lines around Sartos eyes might have crinkled a little bitan almost smile.
It will be easy for me to tell my masters that the pistol was taken from me at your door, he said. Without an opportunity to acquire or silence you, letting you win was the expedient option. My masters know that. He turned away, then looked back with a scowl. I hope you wont give me reason to regret my decision.
Surely not. And my apologies for inconveniencing you.
He laughed at the edge in her voice.
You may think youre
free, he said as the crowd parted to let him through, but Sacrus still owns you. Never forget that.
Venera kept her smile bright, but his parting words worried at her for the rest of the evening.
11
Shed knocked down two walls and walled up the ends of one of the high-ceilinged cellar corridors, forming one long narrow room where her steed could trot. There were stalls at one end of this, and two workmen were industriously scattering straw and sand over the plating. Deeper, Venera told them. We need several inches of it everywhere.
Yes, maam. The men seemed unusually enthusiastic and focused on their task. Maybe they had heard that the new foals were to arrive later today. Probably it was just being in proximity with the one horse now residing here. Venera hadnt yet met anyone who didnt share that strange, apparently ancient love for horses that seemed inbuilt to humans.
Venera herself wasnt immune to it. She patted Domenico and walked down the length of the long room, trailing one hand along the low fence that bisected it lengthwise. Her horsemaster stood at the far end, a clipboard clutched in his hand; he was arguing quietly with someone. Is everything all right, gentlemen? Venera asked.
The other man turned, lamplight slanting across his gnomish features, and Venera said, Oh! before she could stop herself.
Samson Odess screwed his fishlike face up into a smile and practically lunged over to shake her hand.
Im honored to meet you, Lady Thrace-Guiles! His eyes betrayed no recognition, and Venera realized that she was standing in heavy shadow. Liris is honored to offer you some land to stable your horses. You see, were diversifying and
She grinned weakly. It was too soon for this! She had hoped that the men and women of Liris would be consumed by their own internal matters, at least long enough for her new identity to become fixed. If Odess recognized her the news would be bound to percolate through the Fair. She didnt believe in its vaunted secrecy any more than she believed that good always triumphed.
She let go of Odesss hand before he could get entirely into his sales pitch, and turned away. Charmed, Im sure. Flance! Can you deal with this?