Rogue Sword Read Online Free PDF Page B

squirmed. At last the knight nodded. “Well-a-day, I believe you,” he said. “Christ Himself did not find that sin unforgivable. Would you be prepared to make amends, in the interest of a reconciliation?”
    “Why should I?” Lucas turned sullen. “If he couldn’t manage his own household better, whose fault is that?”
    “Cain spoke in much the same way,” Hugh reminded him, unrelenting. “Are you a Christian man or not?”
    “Um-m-m . . . well ... so be it, then. I did wrong him. Yes, I’d offer amends, if I had enough money.”
    “The florins are only a token. Would you humble yourself before him and beg his forgiveness?”
    “But he tried to kill me!”
    “You have not answered my question.”
    Lucas looked away, clenching fists in anger. “How is this any concern of yours?”
    Hugh sighed. “I had hoped for a somewhat different response from you. But I fear my calling is not to preach repentance. So I may as well admit, this morning I made inquiries. After several months here, one does learn where to get information. And ... at present it would only benefit your own soul, to confess yourself at fault. He is like a wild beast about you. The sole reason he alleges is that you attacked him and made off with his slave, but he swears he’ll have you killed.”
    “He knows I didn’t begin the fight! Is he possessed?” Lucas crossed himself. The bright afternoon suddenly seemed cold.
    Hugh shook his head. “No. I cannot imagine why he is so wrathful. It seems out of proportion to your offense, especially after so long a time has passed. Perhaps he let it rankle in him all these years; hatred is a cancer of the soul. But he’s not a madman. I’ve been told by the Venetians whom I asked that he has always been valiant and able, if not overly scrupulous. They say he fought with rare courage throughout the Genoese War, though one of my informants winced to recall certain deeds of his. Since then he’s been away from home most of the time, building a rich trade among the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea countries, both Christian and paynim. He maintains a headquarters on Cyprus. I myself never encountered him; but then, the merchants there center in Famagusta, and deal chiefly with the Frankish nobles. He also has an office here, and one in Azov at the mouth of the Don River. Since Azov is a Genoese colony and Messer Gasparo a Venetian who did particular harm to Genoa during the war, you’ll realize that he has uncommon skill as a diplomat, too.”
    “Do you know anything about his wife?” asked Lucas, chiefly because he felt Hugh expected it. Moreta was another shadow to him; not his first woman, and very far from his last.
    The image of Djansha returned, crowding out all others. She had been a novice to love, but ardently eager to please him. She waited for him at this moment. . . . Lucas barely noticed the knight’s negative answer. But the next words snapped him to attention:
    “This feud may prove an obstacle to your return home. You can imagine what might happen if an important signor makes an effort to bring the law down upon you. Fortunately, Messer Gasparo is going on to Cyprus from here. Maybe there I can persuade him of his Christian duty to forgive his enemies.” The leather face flickered with the briefest grin. “I am not without influence in my Order, which is not wholly impotent in Cyprian affairs. But as for yourself--well, I can see no harm in your proceeding to Negroponte. Be careful, though! Walk warily and look for powerful friends.”
    “I came back hoping to be my own man,’’ said Lucas with bitterness.
    Hugh’s mouth tightened. “Do you know why I’m intervening so much on your behalf?” he asked in a rough tone. “I’ve already done far more than the rule I live under would approve. But ... I find that Gasparo Reni is one of the largest Venetian traffickers in slaves.”
    “I know,” said Lucas, without gauging the implications. Hugh swooped upon the words.