Kushiel's Chosen - Jacqueline Carey [291]
The body of David de Rocaille lay facedown, blood seeping onto the marble floor.
I learned, later, how it had finished. He had known himself beaten, at the end, and stepped into the killing thrust himself. Better if he had lived to be questioned; I daresay he knew it. Joscelin had asked him how he would answer for his oath. He had answered with his life.
Once Ysandre's Eisandine chirurgeon had done all she could for Prince Benedicte, who was removed on a litter into the Doge's custody, I had a quiet word with her, sending her to the balcony where Kazan and his men lurked unobtrusively, forgotten for the moment. It was Volos who had fallen, a deep gash on his brow splitting it near to the bone. Ti-Philippe had already made a hurried trip through the runnel, ordering the Yeshuites to disperse.
He had less luck with the Illyrians.
I approached Cesare Stregazza, curtsying deeply before him. He was in his glory, restored to a fullness of command he had not enjoyed for many months; his wrinkled, hooded lids flickered to see me, and he looked amused. "So, little spy! You have kept your pledge to me after all. Where is the gift I gave you for it?"
The collar of pearls, I remembered. It had saved my life, in a way, serving to identify me to Joscelin's Yeshuite seekers. "For that, you must ask the warden of La Dolorosa, your grace. If you would, I crave another boon."
His brow creased with curiosity. "Indeed? Well, it seems I must grant it. What is it you ask?"
I took a deep breath, not entirely unmindful of the effect it had upon him. Joscelin stood behind me, one hand upon my shoulder. "Clemency, your grace, for those allies who aided me in securing your throne. Your son Marco sought their deaths. Violence has been done. I would see them pardoned of all wrongdoing.”
"Is that all?" The Doge smiled cunningly. "Then it shall be done."
"You do so swear upon the altar of Asherat?" I asked.
Cesare Stregazza waved his hand, the Dogal Seal glinting gold as he summoned witnesses. "I do so swear, Contessa, in the presence of Asherat-of-the-Sea, that I absolve of wrongdoing in the eyes of La Serenissima all who aided you in thwarting this treachery. Does this satisfy?"
"Yes, your grace." I nodded to Ti-Philippe on the balcony, and in short order Kazan appeared, sauntering down the stairs and crossing the Temple floor, grinning fit to split his face. "This is Kazan Atrabiades of Epidauro, your grace, who stands for his men. They will be grateful for your pardon."
The Doge's wrinkled lips pursed with wry displeasure. "The sea-wolf who has harried our ships these many years," he said sourly. "I know the name. You choose your allies strangely, Contessa. I thought you meant yon bladesmaster here, who gave us such a show."
"Nevertheless," I said. "It required many allies to save your throne, your grace."
He grunted, liking this no better than he had liked upholding Melisande's claim; mayhap less. But for the same reasons, he had to do it. "I have sworn it."
Kazan made him a sweeping bow, still grinning. "Oh mighty Doge, I am grateful, I! My poor mother, she gives you thanks for your mercy, yes, to see her son come home alive."
"Do not strain the limits of that mercy, pirate," Cesare Stregazza said, eyeing him sardonically. "It erases only the past, and not the future."
"Of course, mighty Doge." Kazan's high spirits knew no bounds, standing free and pardoned in the Temple of Asherat where he'd been given the opportunity to shed Serenissiman blood. "But who knows what the future will bring, eh?"
With Joscelin's aid, I got him out of there before the Doge changed his mind, and made him an introduction to Ysandrede la Courcel, who blinked in startlement at his fearsome appearance. "We are grateful for your aid, Lord Atrabiades," she said formally. "I see by it that Phèdre nó Delaunay has a great deal more to tell me of her adventures."
"It is a long story, yes," Kazan said with considerable understatement. "Majesty, to your ears alone in this place, I tell you that I have acted, I, with the blessing of the Zim Sokali,