Golden Age (The Shifting Tides, #1)(76)

‘The hull is built first, completely finished before we work on the decking and the interior.’ Roxana looked at the vessel proudly. ‘She’s given a shallow draft not just so we can beach her, but also so she’s agile and can turn quickly.’

‘How far away is this one from completion?’ Dion asked. He could see that the hull was close to finished, although much of the exterior planking still needed to be laid over the ribs.

‘Another six months,’ she said. ‘At least.’

Roxana frowned as she walked along the vessel’s belly, dodging around the supports and examining the work. ‘I need to speak with the overseer,’ she said. ‘No more forays for a time. It looks like I’m needed here.’ She glanced back at him. ‘Dion . . . If you want to, you can help here for a time. No extra pay, though.’ She smiled.

‘I’d like that.’

‘Come back tomorrow. You deserve a rest.’

Dion nodded. ‘I’ll see you then.’

She grinned. ‘Aren’t you forgetting something?’ He frowned. Roxana’s smile broadened. ‘Your bonus. Go visit the paymaster. Ask at the mess, they’ll tell you how to find him.’




Dion was surprised to find Anoush waiting for him outside the fenced-off area, hopping from foot to foot. The boy’s round face broke into a beaming smile as he saw him emerge.

‘You killed one? I saw you come in. You got a bonus, yes?’

‘I did.’ Dion smiled.

Anoush followed him as he entered the city. ‘Anything you need, master? Anything I can do for you, anything at all? You need a woman? You need new clothes?’

Dion tried to discourage him, but the orphan continued to follow as he skirted the bazaar and climbed to the upper city, entering the wealthy quarter around the palace. He climbed the main boulevard that would take him to the guesthouse, a wide street with steps at regular intervals. Well-dressed Ileans in flowing robes passed him on both sides while the occasional signboard above an entrance marked jewelers and dressmakers.

Dion absently scanned the street ahead. Two sun priests chatted as they walked in the direction of the palace. An old merchant argued in front of his shop with a scowling noble. Further still, a huge man – one of the biggest men Dion had ever seen – walked alongside a dark-haired woman in Salesian clothing with a blue shawl on her shoulders. Despite her fine clothing, she carried a rough hemp sack.

‘Anoush, I—’ Dion was in the process of telling the boy that after he paid Algar, there wouldn’t be much money left in his purse.

But when Dion saw the distant woman he stopped in his tracks. He then began to hurry.

‘What is it, master?’

Quickening his steps, Dion almost broke into a run as Anoush scurried to keep up with him. He passed the people arguing and weaved around the two priests. The street forked and the woman and her escort took the right fork toward the palace.

As they turned, the big man looked directly at Dion, who shielded his eyes, pretending to be searching for someone. The tall man’s eyes dismissed him and the pair continued.

The young woman’s face was in profile for the briefest instant. Dion saw pale skin and an upturned nose. He took note of the flowing dark hair to her waist and her slim figure.

Dion immediately knew he was looking at Chloe, daughter of Aristocles, the first consul of Phalesia.

Taking the right fork at the top of the boulevard, he continued to follow.

The next street was short and opened out onto the wide road that skirted the wall of the sun king’s palace. The warrior kept close to Chloe as they walked; without a doubt he was there to guard her and ensure she didn’t escape. Dion knew that if the man turned around he would see him, and his suspicions had already been raised.

‘Who are they, master?’

‘Hush,’ Dion said, waving his hand behind him. ‘Stay quiet.’

Dion ran plan after plan through his head but discarded each in turn. Chloe and her escort were a hundred paces ahead and would soon be at the palace gates. He had his bow, but it was an impossible shot. Even a well-placed arrow might not finish off Chloe’s grim-looking warden.

He finally hung back as the pair approached the gates to the palace, putting his back to the wall as they passed the guards and entered.

Chloe looked well and unharmed, but she was under guard. She was now gone from him.

‘What is it, master? Do you know her?’

Dion thought furiously. He couldn’t be in several places at once. Until he had a plan, he couldn’t jeopardize his position with Roxana.

‘Anoush.’ He crouched, looking the boy in the eyes. ‘I have a task for you. I want you to watch the palace. Be careful not to be seen, but get to know everyone who goes in and out of those gates. Can you do that?’

Anoush nodded vigorously. ‘Of course.’

‘If you see that woman again, give her a message. Tell her that the curious sailor is at the House of Algar.’

He made Anoush repeat the phrase and nodded. ‘Good. And follow her. I want to know where she goes.’

‘Yes, master.’

Dion handed Anoush one of the silver coins he’d been given by the paymaster. ‘Are you sure you can do this? Do you need more money?’

‘It is too much,’ Anoush said. ‘Thank you, thank you. I will begin watching right away.’