Shadow's Son by Shirley Meier, S.M. Stirling and Karen Wehrstein ...

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doesn't know how to do it any way but brilliantly, that's the trouble; with him as the sword in their hands,
his people couldn't resist taking on the giant."
"And of course if he wins—well, he wouldn't leave Arko leaderless afterwards, to fall into chaos; he'd
consider it a breach of responsibility. So he'll take over as Imperator. Arkans falling on their faces every
time they enter his presence; imagine what Yeola-e will think ofthat ! Poor Chevenga: he'll be the one
who pays in the end, more than anyone else, I know, for he'llarrange it that way. Well, that's neither here
nor there for you. You asked whether he's whole-hearted. I'd say he is."
Megan rubbed her hands thoughtfully up and down the sleeves of her shirt. "Well, it's good to know that
an honest man stands a chance of becoming Imperator, anyway. Ivahn, thank you for being one I can
count on for news."
He quirked an eyebrow at her. "That is almost like saying I'm a gossip, my friend." She crinkled the
corners or her eyes at him. "Or an acerbic old fox."
Who in Halya told him I said that? He knows pissing everything. "Why don't we say… oh… a
person with a great many sources of intelligence, instead?" She pushed herself away from the wall and
held out her hands to him. "Thank you again for your advice. We'll be leaving as soon as we can."
"So be it," he said, taking her young hard hands in his gnarled gentle ones. "Good luck, Megan, Shkai'ra.
When you find your son, will you bring him to visit?"
"I wouldn't dare not to. I hope you don't mind that I've called you an old fox."
"An acerbic old fox," he corrected. "Should I mind what is so apropos?"
"Not if it's meant affectionately, you acerbic old fox."
He laughed. "Zak imp. Honey-giving One be in your souls on your journey."
"Safe journey," Matthas's landlord wished him, as he handed over the big brass key. "Honey-giving One
be with you, and may you sell lots of rubber and silk in Karoseth. An indefinite time, you say; I'll expect
your letter, then."
"Thank you."Thank Celestialis I did take this trade on as a cover , he thought as he headed to
harbor, a guard of two Brahvnikian hirelings in tow.An established merchant can get a bank loan to
finance a business journey . The Benai had been amenable enough, despite his nationality, though
they'd charged him hefty interest.
Now off to Selina, a quick change of nationality-—he could convince Yeolis he was a Thane easily
enough— put together the caravan and do what everyone else was doing: join Shefenkas's army.
That was where the evil twosome had gone. For him, there was no other way to cross through Yeola-e
than to say he meant to sell to the army. Their security wouldn't be too hard on a middle-aged merchant,
obviously untrained in war—especially one who'd give good prices—and he'd be able to take his time
once he'd got there. He didn't expect to be able to make an attempt to truth-drug them before that; he'd
heard about Shkai'ra Farshot's mount and its night-senses.What sort of person, let alone woman,
would own a Ri ? Not a good idea to tangle withthat in the dark. But in the army, there'd be more