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came nearly up to her breasts, where it was tied securely. Twine also
secured the bottom of the trouser legs, and she had wound the twine
about her legs to keep the trousers from ballooning out comically.
She looked at her reflection and grimaced.
"It'll do," she said dismally, "until I can get to a clothes merchant. You
know, sometimes I think Fortune's right hand may be on my head, but her
left keeps a good grip on my clothes."
"Are you sure you should go out yet?" Argent asked gently. It was
midafternoon. "You could stay out of sight here another day or so."
"Nah, I'm walking on nails till I get some news," Shadow said with a
grin. "I'll be back tonight, unless I get my throat slit somewhere."
"I wish you wouldn't say things like that."
"Sorry." Shadow shrugged. "Don't worry about me, Argent. I'm due for
some good luck."
"I could call a carriage for you."
"And parade me before every watchful eye in Allan mere in this getup?"
Shadow laughed. "Any assassin on my trail might just laugh himself to
death. No, thanks, I think I'd better be a little more discreet than that."
Shadow was discreet indeed, skirting the west edge of town until she
found a clothes merchant and hurriedly exchanged Argent's
hand-me-downs for more suitable clothing. Neither the vial nor her
instincts told her that she was being followed, and she reached the Black
Lotus without mishap.
Mazak eyed her without curiosity.
"What'll you have tonight?" he asked disinterestedly.
"Ale."
He pushed a mug and a paper over to her. Shadow opened the note. It
said simply, "Negotiations were successful. Have remainder of fee
delivered when desired document is received."
Shadow folded the paper and tore it into shreds; Mazak mutely swept
the shreds into the waste barrel.
"Thanks." Shadow grinned. She pulled a pouch from her sleeve and
placed it on the counter. "Fortune favor you, my friend."
Mazak raised one eyebrow but said nothing, merely stuffing the pouch
into his pocket.
Shadow drained the mug in several huge swallows and let out an
explosive sigh.
"Wonderful," she said. She beckoned Mazak closer; he leaned over the
counter.
"Tell me something, friend," she said. "Is there really a liquor called
Dragon's Blood?"
The other eyebrow shot up, and Mazak grinned broadly.
"Aye," he chuckled. "Strong as it sounds, and it ain't what you'd call
precisely legal, nor what you'd call cheap, either."
"How much?" Shadow grinned. "I'm celebrating."
"Hundred Suns a glass, thousand a bottle."
"A hundred " Shadow was stunned to silence, then she shrugged.
"Why not?"
She pulled out a pouch and counted out ten ten-Sun pieces, placing
them on the counter.
Mazak chuckled again as he took the money, then disappeared into a
back room. When he came out he held a small black bottle, from which he
poured about a thimbleful of purple-black liquid into a tiny cup.
"A hundred Suns for that?" Shadow said incredulously. "Dragon's
Blood, hah! I could have the whole carcass for twice that."
"Trust me, lady, you won't be wanting more at one go," Mazak nodded.
"Go on, take it down."
Shadow contemplated the cup dubiously for a moment, then shrugged
and raised it to her lips, tilting the liquid into her mouth.
Instantly her tongue and throat caught fire, the flame following the
draught down to her stomach where a small explosion resulted. An equally
delightful and potent aroma spread out over her taste buds. Shadow
coughed violently, knuckling tears from her eyes, and clutched the edge of
the bar as the fiery liquor shot straight to her head.
"Whoa!" she breathed. "Got any water?"
"Trust me, lady, you'll be wanting ale." Mazak laughed, pushing the
mug to her. His laughter was faintly echoed by several of the watching
patrons. "Water makes it worse."
Shadow took a tremendous gulp of ale, which partially doused the fire
in her throat and stomach but failed to make the world stand still. Waves
of well-being and energy pulsed through her, and she sat still, holding onto
the bar top, until the world settled a bit.
"Fortune favor me," Shadow said, wiping her eyes again, "That's the
stuff!"
Mazak guffawed, and chuckles broke out around the room.
"So you like it, eh?"
"Like it?" Shadow shook her head ruefully. "Here's the thousand Suns;
I'll take a bottle and embarrass myself in private. Not that I begrudge the
entertainment, mind!"
"Perhaps you will spot a round for me."
The voice, coming from behind Shadow, was colorless but recognizably
female. Mazak's eyes shot up, and all expression fled from his face. The
room became abruptly silent.
Shadow's hands twitched, but she didn't turn around.
"Certainly," she said. "Shall we open the bottle here or somewhere
else?"
"I have a room." The voice was faintly amused now. "I am unsure of my
welcome here."
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