Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera #3)(71)

"Just a bath."

She made a mock-severe expression at him. "So serious for a man so young. Zara, darling, run and prepare the good Scipio's bath."

"Yes, Mama," the girl said. She got up and scampered out, taking her book with her.

Tavi waited a moment, then said, "I hate to be too forward but..."

"Not at all," Cymnea said. She wrinkled her nose. "Given your fragrant circumstances, the less time spent in close quarters, the better."

Tavi bowed his head, half-apologetically. "Were you able to learn anything?"

"Of course," she said. "But there is a matter of price to consider."

Tavi winced, but said, "I can go somewhat higher than yesterday's amount, but for more than that..."

Cymnea waved a hand. "No. This isn't about money. The information has the potential to be dangerous."

Tavi frowned. "How so?"

"Powerful men might not appreciate potential enemies learning more about them. If I share the information, I might pay a price for having done so."

Tavi nodded. "I understand why you might be concerned. I can only assure you that I will keep the source of the information confidential."

"Yes? And what guarantee do I have of that?"

"You have my word."

Cymnea burst out into a merry peal of laughter. "Really? Oh, young man, that is just so... so very charming of you." She tilted her head at Tavi. "But you mean it, don't you."

"I do, Mistress," Tavi said, meeting her eyes.

She stared at him for a moment. Then she shook her head, and said, "No, Scipio. I haven't done as well as I have by taking foolish chances. I'm willing to trade for the information, but only in kind. Something that might protect me in return."

"Such as?" Tavi asked.

"Well. Such as who you are working for. That way, if you talked about me, I'd be in a position to talk about you."

"Sounds fair," Tavi said. "But I can't."

"Ah," she said quietly. "Well. There we are, then. I'll return your silver."

Tavi held out his hand. "Don't. Consider it a retainer. If you come across anything juicy that offers you less risk, perhaps you'd pass it along."

Cymnea tilted her head and nodded once. "Why would you trust me to do that?"

Tavi shrugged a shoulder. "Call it instinct. You run an honest business, in its way." He smiled. "Besides. It isn't my money."

Mistress Cymnea laughed again. "Well. I haven't done as well as I have by turning away silver, either. Zara should have your bath ready by now. I believe you know the way?"

"Yes, thank you."

She sighed. "Honestly. It isn't as though I mind your business, but Gracchus seems to be taking your chastisement a bit far."

"I'll manage," he said. "As long as I can get a bath at the end of the day."

"Then I'll not keep you from it," she said, and smiled.

Tavi bowed his head to her and left the tent. He crossed the little green courtyard, where the blind woman played her reed pipe. The tent where wine and girls were served erupted into a louder round of roars and shouts than were normal this early in the evening, drowning out the reed pipe for a time. Bors turned his head toward the sound, the motion reminding Tavi of a dog taking note of activity in its territory.

Tavi walked to another tent, this one bright blue and green. Inside, several alcoves had been partitioned with heavy drapes, each one containing a large, round wooden tub large enough to fit two or three people comfortably. Loud splashing and a woman's giggles came from one of the curtained chambers. In another, a man slurred out a quiet song in a drunken voice. Zara appeared from behind another curtain and nodded to Tavi. Then she emerged, holding a gunny-sack, and wrinkled her nose at the smell as he entered.