you--use the other word. But it might be dangerous for you.'
Silk nodded slowly, stroking his cheek.
'His Cognizance says you're the first augur, ever. That--it came
as a shock to--to a lot of us, I suppose. To Patera Jerboa, he said.
He says it's never happened before in his lifetime. Do you know
Patera Jerboa, Patera?'
Silk shook his head.
'He's quite elderly. Eighty-one, because we had a little party for
him just a few weeks ago. But then he thought, you know, sort of
getting still and pulling at his beard the way he does, and then he
said it was sensible enough, really. All the others, the previous--the
previous--'
'I know what you mean, Patera.'
'They'd been chosen by the people. But you, Patera, you were
chosen by the gods, so naturally their choice fell upon an augur,
since augurs are the people they've chosen to serve them.'
'You yourself are in danger, Patera,' Silk said. 'You're in nearly
as much danger as I am, and perhaps more. You must be aware of it.'
Shell nodded miserably.
'I'm surprised they let you in here after this.'
'They--the captain, Patera. I--I haven't...'
'They don't know.'
'I don't think so, Patera. I don't think they do. I didn't tell them.'
'That was wise, I'm sure.' Silk studied the window as he had
before, but as before saw only their reflections, and the night. 'This
Patera Jerboa, you're his acolyte? Where is he?'
'At our manteion, on Brick Street.'
Silk shook his head.
'Near the crooked bridge, Patera.'
'Way out east?'
'Yes, Patera.' Shell fidgeted uncomfortably. 'That's where we are
now, Patera. On Basket Street. Our manteion's that way,' he
pointed, 'about five streets.'
'I see. That's right, they lifted me into something--into some sort
of cart that jolted terribly. I remember lying on sawdust and trying
to cough. I couldn't, and my mouth and nose kept filling with
blood.' Silk's index finger drew small circles on his cheek. 'Where's
my robe?'
'I don't know. The captain has it, I suppose, Patera.'
'The battle, when General Mint attacked the floaters on Cage
Street, was that this afternoon?'
Shell nodded again.
'About the time I was shot, perhaps, or a little later. You brought
the Pardon to the wounded. To all of them? All those in danger of
death, I mean?'
'Yes, Patera.'
'Then you went back to your manteion--?'
'For something to eat, Patera, a bite of supper.' Shell looked
apologetic. 'This brigade--it's the Third. They're in reserve, they
say. They don't have much. Some were going into people's houses,
you know, and taking any food they could find. There's supposed to
be food coming in wagons, but I thought--'
'Of course. You returned to your manse to eat with Patera
Jerboa, and this letter had arrived while you were gone. There
would have been a copy for you, too, and one for him.'
Shell nodded eagerly. 'That's right, Patera.'
'You would have read yours at once, of course. My copy--this
one--it was there as well?'
'Yes, Patera.'
'So someone at the Palace knew I had been captured, and where
I'd been taken. He sent my copy to Patera Jerboa instead of to my
own manteion in the hope that Patera Jerboa could arrange to get to
me, as he did. His Cognizance was with me when I was shot; there's
no reason to conceal that now. While my wounds were being
treated, I was wondering whether he had been killed. The officer
who shot me may not have recognized him, but if he did...' Silk
let the thought trail away. 'If they don't know about this already--and
I think you're right, they can't know yet, not here at any rate--they're
bound to find out soon. You realize that?'
'Yes, Patera.'
'You must leave. It would probably be wise for you and Patera
Jerboa to leave your manteion, in fact--to go to a part of the city
controlled by General Mint, if you can.'
'I--' Shell seemed to be choking. He shook his head desperately.
'You what, Patera?'
'I don't want to leave you as long as I can be of--of help to you.
Of service. It's my duty.'
'You have been of help,' Silk told him. 'You've rendered
invaluable service to me and to the Chapter already. I'll see you're
recognized for it, if I can.' He paused, considering.
'You can be of further help, too. On your way out, I want you to
speak to this captain for me. There were two letters in a pocket of
my robe. They were on the mantel this morning; my acolyte must
have put them there yesterday. I haven't read them, and your giving
me this one has reminded me of them.' Somewhat tardily, he thrust
the letter under his quilt. 'One had the seal of the Chapter. It may
have been another copy of this, though that doesn't seem very
likely, since this one has today's date. Besides, they wouldn't have
sent this to Patera Jerboa this evening, in that case.'
'I suppose not, Patera.'
'Don't mention them to the captain. Just say I'd like to have my
robe--all of my clothes. Ask for my clothes and see what he gives
you. Bring them to me, my robe particularly. If he mentions the
letters, say that I'd like to see them. If he won't give them to you, try
to find out what was in them. If he won't tell you, return to your
manteion. Tell Patera Jerboa that I, the calde, order him to get
himself and you--are there sibyls, too?'
Shell nodded. 'There's Maytera Wood--'
'Never mind their names. That you and he and they are to lock up
