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wear that skimpy costume again,” I said.
    Nerina snapped her fingers. “The circus! Now I remember where I have seen you before.” 
    I closed my eyes and sighed. 

Chapter 4: Hard Bargains
     
    The next day at the House of Agabyzus started like any other. 
    The first wave of patrons arrived when I opened my doors at sunrise, mostly minor merchants and journeymen wishing a cup of coffee before they went to their labors. Once they departed, the second wave arrived, more prosperous merchants who had the leisure to sleep in. As they filtered out and the various khalmirs filtered in (no doubt from the whorehouses where the Grand Wazir’s officers always seemed to lodge), I kept careful watch for either Sankar or Caina. Caina had expected Sankar to arrive sometime in the late morning, and she hoped to arrive before he did. 
    I busied myself with the familiar routines of managing the House and overseeing my workers. Every time the door opened, I glanced in its direction, fearing to see Sankar returning or Caina arriving.
    Around mid-morning, the door opened, and I looked up as two men armored in chain mail stepped into the common room, scimitars at their belts. For a moment I feared that Sankar had hired thugs for his return, or brought the Padishah’s soldiers, but then with a wave of relief I recognized Azaces and Malcolm. The tall Sarbian towered over the shorter Caer, which made for an odd sight.
    Caina came after them. 
    For a moment I did not recognize her. 
    I had seen her wear many disguises, masquerading as caravan guards and scribes and minor officials of the Padishah’s court, but for all that, I had only seen her dress as a woman a few times. Given the dangerous nature of her work, I understood her reasons. Yet today she had dressed herself in the blue gown of an Istarish noblewoman, tight across the bodice and sleeves with a long, flowing skirt, the sleeves and hems adorned with black scrollwork. A blue headscarf covered her black hair, and she wore a silver choker chain with a sapphire the size of an egg against her throat, similar jewelry glittering upon her ears and fingers. She had even applied makeup, making her eyes look larger, her lips redder, her cheekbones sharper. The overall impression was one of wealth and cold loveliness. It was indeed a pity that there were no young men upon whom she had her eye, for she would surely draw his attention with…
    Ah! I am indeed turning into a meddlesome old woman, damn it all. At least that would serve me well when it came time to find wives for Bahad and Bayram. 
    I hurried across the room as I would for a noble guest. “Welcome, my lady, to the House of Agabyzus. Be welcome here and take your ease.” 
    Caina gave me an aloof look. “I desire a private room.” She spoke with the slurred accent of a noblewoman from Istarish Cyrica. “My guest shall arrive presently, and we shall require coffee and cakes.” 
    “Of course, my lady,” I said. “This way.” I gestured to Bahad, and he ran to set up one of the rooms as we had discussed as I led Caina and the two men across the common room. 
    “Is everything ready?” said Caina in a quiet voice, the Cyrican accent vanishing. 
    “Aye,” I said. I took a deep breath. “And I am ready to play my part.” I hesitated. “Why are you dressed like that?”
    Caina smiled. “A bit overdone, isn’t it? Sankar likely expects to speak with a hardened master thief, not a pretty young noblewoman. Anything that rattles his expectations will be helpful.” 
    “It is a pretty dress,” I said, “and you wear it well.”
    This time the smile almost touched her eyes. “Why, thank you. It is a pretty dress, isn’t it? I don’t often get to dress this way any longer. I might as well enjoy it.” 
    “A pity there are no young men courting you,” I said. “It would…”
    She froze a little when I said that, just a little, but from someone as self-controlled as her it was almost like a shout. I was