I’ll help, Cribal, that’s a promise. Sewing lips tight is easy as mending sails an’ I been doing that for years -
Where’d he go?
Ah, never mind him, Cribal -
Traitors need to be taught a lesson, Feluda. Come on, I see ’im making for the door -
Sittin’ alone don’t do no woman no good, sweetheart. Let a decent man take you away from all this…
Seren Pedac frowned, looked up at the figure looming over her table. Her mind replied, All right , even as she scowled and turned away.
‘Nothing worth its spit is being said here, lass. You want to drink. Fine, jus’ sit and drink. All I was offerin’ was a quieter place to do it, is all.’
‘Go away.’
Instead, the man sat down. ‘Been watchin’ you all evening. Jus’ another Letherii? Asked myself that once and once only. No, I think, not this one. So I ask, and someone says “That’s the Acquitor, Seren Pedac. Was up at the treaty that went sour. Was under contract with Buruk the Pale, the one that hung himself and damned if it wasn’t her that found him all fish-eyed and fouled.” And I think, that ain’t an easy thing. No wonder she’s sittin’ there tryin’ t’get drunk an’ it’s not working.’
She fixed her gaze on him, seeing him clearly for the first time. Seamed face, clean-shaven, hair shoulder-length and the hue of polished iron. His voice sounded again in her head, confirming what she saw. ‘You’re no Letherii.’
A broad smile, even, white teeth. ‘You got that right, and, no offence, but glad of it.’
‘You’re not Faraed. Nerek. Tarthenal. Not Fent, either, not even Meckros-’
‘What I am you never heard of, believe me, lass. A long way from home.’
‘What do you want?’
‘Was making an offer, but it needed to be done in quiet. Private-’
‘I’m sure-’
‘Not like that, though I’d consider my fortunes on the upswing if it was to happen the way you think I meant. No.’ He leaned forward, gesturing her closer as well.
Her smile ironic, she tilted over the table until their noses were almost touching. ‘I can’t wait.’
He withdrew a fraction. ‘Lass, you’re a breathin’ vineyard. All right, then, listen. We got ourselves a boat-’