The Trouble with Peace (The Age of Madness #2) - Joe Abercrombie Page 0,42

of our Aldermen. I pointed out that Murcatto did much the same thing in Musselia. I mentioned the purges that came after, with some help from a couple of eyewitnesses. All I did was show him what ruthless bastards the Styrians really are. Shudra was happy to change his vote.”

“And that was the start of a landslide! Credit where it’s due!” And Lorsen wagged a finger at her. “It was clever thinking, to be watching over him.”

Vick shrugged again. “I asked myself what I’d have tried, if I’d been in Vitari’s place. Anyone could’ve done it.”

“Not just anyone could have caught the famous Casamir dan Shenkt.”

Vick shrugged one more time. Shrugs cost nothing, after all. “Infamous killers and nobodies, they all go down much the same when you punch them in the knee.”

“It seems the more far-fetched rumours about him were just that. Rumours.”

“Perhaps. The Arch Lector wants him taken back to Adua. His Eminence has some questions.”

“If we’d lost the vote, it might have been me going back to answer the Arch Lector’s questions. I freely confess I much prefer it this way.” Superior Lorsen raised his glass. “You have my thanks, Inquisitor, for what they’re worth.”

Vick drank. Lorsen’s wine was as thin and sour as he was. But it was wine. She’d counted clean water an impossible luxury once. She never let herself forget it.

Solumeo Shudra was waiting on the gallery, his thick fists propped on the railing as he watched the Assembly at work below.

“Sounds like they’re arguing as fiercely as ever,” said Vick, stepping up beside him.

“The swamps will run out of flies,” said Shudra, “before politicians run out of arguments. They are already splitting into new factions over the latest issue.”

“Which is?”

“Spending on sewers. I wanted to thank you once more, before you left. I have… never owed anyone my life before.”

“You get used to it.” Shudra glanced at her, brows raised. More than she should have said already, perhaps. But she felt as if she owed him some honesty. “His Eminence the Arch Lector once gave me a chance.”

“Not a man known for giving chances.”

“No. But without that…” She remembered the sound of rushing water, in the darkness, the day the mine flooded. She thought of her brother’s face as they dragged him away, heels leaving two crooked trails through the dirty snow. “I hear the Aldermen voted to remain in the Union?”

“They did. I never thought I would be happy to say so.” Shudra took a long breath through his nose. “It is easy, perhaps, in the earnest desire to look for something better, to dismiss the virtues of the allies one has and overlook the faults of the alternatives.”

“The Union is far from perfect. We have our rivalries, our greed and our ambition. That is why we need honest, upright, passionate people. People like you.”

Shudra snorted. “I could almost believe you, Inquisitor. But I am not too proud to admit that I misjudged the situation. I misjudged the Union. I misjudged you.”

Vick smiled. She couldn’t help a small one. The satisfaction of a loyal servant at a job well done. “It takes a strong man to admit his weakness, Master Shudra.”

“Did you have to hit me so bloody hard?” asked Murdine, rubbing at the great bruise on the side of his neck.

“I told you to pad your knee.”

“Three layers of saddle leather! I can still hardly walk!”

“It had to look good. You can’t expect the infamous Casamir dan Shenkt to go down easily.”

“I am the world’s most fearsome assassin.” Murdine twisted his mouth in a pouting sneer, narrowed his eyes and snarled the words. “Cower in fear, Aldermen of Westport, for none are safe from my deadly blade! A shame I will never be able to take credit for one of my finest performances.”

“A little overacted, if you’re asking me.”

“Pfffft. Everyone’s a bloody critic.”

“Well, you convinced Shudra.” Vick slipped the purse from her pocket, weighed it in her hand, silver clinking. “He was the only audience that counted.”

Murdine grinned at her. “If you ever need someone to take a punch again, you know my rates.”

“Doubt I’ll be through here any time soon,” said Vick. “The climate doesn’t suit me.”

“You never know, I may see you in Adua. I’ve a feeling it might be wise to clear out of Westport for the time being. There will no doubt be recriminations following the recent shift in power. Debts to be paid and scores to settle.” Murdine glanced nervously about the tavern and twitched his