Krispos Rising

'Glad you enjoy it,' Iakovitzes said. 'We have a proverb hereabouts: 'If you come to Videssos the city, eat fish.' At least this fish is to your liking.'

After the fish came smoked partridges, one little bird apiece, and, after the partridges, plums and figs candied in honey. The grooms ate well enough, but not fare like this. Krispos knew he was stuffing himself. He found he did not care; after all, Iakovitzes had invited him here to eat.

His master rose to fill his cup again, then sent him a reproachful look when he saw its contents hardly touched. 'Dear boy, you're not drinking. Does the vintage fail to suit you?'

'No, it's very good,' Krispos said. 'It's just that—' He groped for an excuse '—I don't want to get all sozzled and act the fool.'

'A commendable attitude, but you needn't worry. I recognize that part of the pleasure of wine is not worrying so much over what one does. And pleasures, Krispos, do not come to us so often in this life that they are to be lightly despised.' Remembering the troubles that had made him leave his village, Krispos found some truth in Iakovitzes' words. Iakovitzes went on, 'For instance, I am sure, though you do not complain of it, that you must be worn from your toil with the horses. Let me soothe you if I can.'

Before Krispos could reply, Iakovitzes hurried round behind his chair and began to massage his shoulders. He knew what he was about; Krispos felt the tension flowing out of him.

He also felt, though, the quivering eagerness Iakovitzes could not keep from his hands. He knew what that meant; he had known when he was nine years old. Not without some reluctance, he twisted in his seat so he faced Iakovitzes. 'I said when you took me on that I didn't care for these games.'

Iakovitzes kept his aplomb. 'And I told you that wouldn't stop me from being interested. Were you like some I've known, I could offer you gold. Somehow, though, with you I don't think that would do much good. Or am I wrong?' he finished hopefully.

'You're not wrong,' Krispos said at once.

'Too bad, too bad.' The dim lamplight caught a spark of malice in Iakovitzes' eye. 'Shall I turn you out on the street, then, for your obstinacy?'

'Whatever you like, of course.' Krispos kept his voice as steady as he could. He refused to give his master such a hold on him.

Iakovitzes sighed. 'That would be ungrateful of me, wouldn't it, after what you did for Stormbreeze? Have it as you wish, Krispos. But it's not as if I were offering you anything vile. Many enjoy it.'

'I'm sure that's true, sir.' Krispos thought of Meletios. 'I just don't happen to be one of those folk.'

'Too bad,' Iakovitzes said. 'Here, have some more wine anyhow. We might as well finish the jar.'

'Why not?' Krispos drank another cup; it was too good to decline. Then he yawned and said, 'It must be late. I'd best get back to my own chamber if I'm going to be worth anything in the morning.'

'I suppose so,' Iakovitzes said indifferently—one hour was as good as another to him. When he tried to kiss Krispos good night, Krispos thought he made his sidestep seem completely natural until he saw his master raise an ironic eyebrow.

After that, Krispos retreated in some haste. To his surprise, he found Barses and a couple of the other grooms waiting up for him. 'Well?' Barses said.

'Well, what?' Krispos set himself. If Barses wanted revenge for their fight, he might get it. Three against one, in fact, just about guaranteed he would.

But that was not what Barses had in mind. 'Well, you and Iakovitzes, of course. Did you? No shame to you if you did—the only reason I want to know is that I have a bet.'

'Which way?'

'I won't tell you that. If you say it's none of my business, the bet waits until Iakovitzes makes things clear one way or the other. He will, you know.'

Krispos was sure of that. The wine he'd drunk weakened whatever urge he had to keep the evening a secret. 'No, we didn't,' he said. 'I like girls too well to be interested in the sports he enjoys.'

Barses grinned and clapped him on the back, then turned to one of the other grooms with his palm up. 'Pay me that goldpiece, Agrabast. I told you he wouldn't.' Agrabast gave him the coin. 'Next question,' Barses said. 'Did he toss you out for turning him down?'

'No. He thought about it, but he didn't.'

'Good thing I didn't let you double the bet for that, Barses,' Agrabast said. 'Iakovitzes loves his beasts about as well as he loves his prick. He wouldn't throw away anybody who'd shown he knew something about horseleeching.'

'I figured that out,' Barses said. 'I was hoping you hadn't.'

'Well, to the ice with you,' Agrabast retorted.

'To the ice with all of you, if you don't get out of my way and let me have some sleep.' Krispos started to push past the other grooms, then stopped and added, 'Meletios can stop worrying now.'

Everyone laughed. When the chuckles died down, though, Barses said, 'You are from the country, Krispos; maybe we look at things a little different from you. I meant what I said before—there'd be no shame in saying yes to Iakovitzes, and Meletios isn't the only one of us who has.'

'I never said he was,' Krispos answered. 'But as far as I can see, he's the only one who's put some worry into it. So now he can stop.'

'That's fair enough, I suppose,' Barses said judiciously.

'Whether it is or whether it's not, out of my way before I fall asleep where I'm standing.' Krispos made as if to advance on the other grooms. Laughing again, they moved aside to let him by.

All winter long, Iakovitzes cast longing looks Krispos' way. All winter long, Krispos pretended he did not see