The Charnel Prince - J. Gregory Keyes [34]
A small chill ran up Anne’s spine. In her grief, she had forgotten to keep her head covered, and so had Austra.
“That’s very kind of you,” she said quickly, “But my sister and I were just returning home.”
“Let me escort you, then.”
Anne let her gaze travel around. Though the streets above were now beginning to bustle, this part of the terrace was something like a park, and it was still relatively quiet. To reach the street, she and Austra had to travel some ten yards and climb a dozen stone stairs. The man stood between them and the nearest stair. Worse, another fellow sat on the stairs themselves, taking a more than casual interest in the conversation.
There were probably others she didn’t see at all.
She stood straighter. “Will you let us pass, casnar?”
He looked surprised. “Why shouldn’t I let you pass? I told you, I mean no harm.”
“Very well.” She started forward, but he backed away.
“Somehow we’ve started off on an ill footing,” he said. “My name is Erieso dachi Sallatotti. Won’t you tell me yours?”
Anne didn’t answer, but kept walking.
“Or perhaps I should guess?” Erieso said. “Perhaps one of the birds will tell me your names?”
Anne was now certain she heard someone behind them, as well. Rather than panicking, she felt a swift anger take her grief for wings and rise high. Who was this man, to bother her on this day, to interrupt her mourning?
“You are a liar, Erieso dachi Sallatotti,” she said. “You most certainly mean me harm.”
The humor vanished from Erieso’s face. “I mean only to collect my reward,” he said. “I do not see what anyone would want with such a pale and disagreeable catella, but there is silver to be had. So come, will you walk or be dragged?”
“I will call out,” Anne replied. “There are people all around.”
“That might deprive me of my reward,” Erieso said, “but it will not save you. Many in the streetguard seek you, as well, and they might well use you before claiming their silver. That I will not do, I swear by Lord Mamres.” He proffered his hand. “Come. Take it. It is the easiest way for you, and for me.”
“Is that so?” Anne said, feeling her anger blacken. But she reached for his hand. As their fingers touched, she felt his pulse, the wet flow of his insides.
“Cer curse you,” she said. “Worms take you.”
Erieso’s eyes widened. “Ah!” he croaked. “Ah, no!” He clutched at his chest and sank down to one knee, as if bowing. He vomited.
“Be glad you did not meet me by the light of the moon, Erieso,” she said. “Be gladder still that you did not meet me in the dark of it.” And with that she stepped past him. The man on the steps stood and stared at her wide-eyed. He said nothing, and he didn’t bar their way as they went up to the street.
“What did you do?” Austra asked breathlessly as they slipped into the crowd on the Vio Caistur.
“I don’t know,” Anne replied.
By the time they reached the stairs, almost all her anger and courage had burned out of her, leaving only fear and confusion.
“It was like that night at the coven, when the men came,” Anne said.
“When you blinded the knight.”
“Something in me—it frightens me, Austra. How can I do these things?”
“It frightens me, too,” Austra agreed. “Do you think you killed him?”
“No, I think he will recover. We must hurry.”
They turned from the Vio Caistur into a narrow avenue, hurrying past stocking shops and a tavern that smelled of grilled sardines, through the Piata da Fufiono with its alabaster fountain of the goat-legged saint and on until the streets grew smaller and more tangled until at last they reached the Perto Veto. The women were already out on their balconies, and several groups of men sat drinking on the stoops, just as they had been the day before.
“They’re still following us, I think,” Austra said, glancing behind.
Anne looked, too, and saw a group of men—five or six of them—rounding the corner.
“Run,” Anne said. “It’s not far.”
“I hope Cazio is there,” Austra said.
“Figs for Cazio,” Anne muttered.
The girls started running. They had gone only