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Abban was in an even worse position Forh his kha’Sharum were, the crippled merchant would be lucky to live another day once his enemies ceased to fear Ahht of his death would have pleased her greatly Now she needed him The khaffit knew every last draki in the Deliverer’s treasury, every debt of the throne, every grain in his silos More, Ahmann trusted him with schemes and secrets he did not even share with the Daets

The fat khaffit’s smile as he limped into her audience chamber showed he knew her need, Everauard that had become his shadow in recent weeks The deaf man who had been one of the first to answer the Deliverer’s call He had given up his weapons to enter, but seemed no less formidable as he loomed over the khaffit’s shoulder Abban was not a short uard stood head and shoulders above him

"I commanded we meet in private, khaffit," Inevera said

Abban bowed as deeply as his caies, Daer have Ahmann to hold their leash Surely you will not deny me a modicum of security? Earless is deaf as a stone, and will hear nothing of our words"

"Even a deaf man may hear," Inevera said, "if he has eyes to watch a speaker’s h of course the Damajah’s veil prevents this, even if my humble servant had learned the art, which I swear by Everam he has not"

Inevera believed hiiven up their tongues to protect her secrets, and she knew Abban would value a man who could not overhear and be ues Still, it was best not to yield tooto saunter to the pillows on the far side of the chale her before, but she wondered if heshe could use She glanced over her shoulder, but Abban was not looking He iant, who reat size to stand by the door

Abban li himself carefully down onto the pillows across fro suard betrayed his fears He knew Inevera could kill hiiant could cross the room, and even Earless would fear to strike the Damajah She could kill the kha’Sharum as well, in any of a hundred ways--not the least of which was a whisk of her fingers to her own bodyguards, Ashia, Micha, and Jarvah, hidden just out of sight

There was a silver tea service between the At a nod from her, the khaffit poured and served

"You honor me with your summons, Damajah" Abban sat back with his cup "May I ask the reason why?"

"To offer you protection, of course," Inevera said

Abban looked sincerely surprised, though of course it was an act "Since when does the Damajah place such value upon poor, honorless Abban?"

"My husband values you," Inevera said, "and will be wroth if you are dead upon his return You would be wise to accept my help The dice tell me your life will be short indeed without it My sons hate you even reat deal And do not think Hasik has forgotten who cut his manhood away"

Inevera had expected the words to rattle the khaffit She had seeer before But this was the bargaining table, and Abban knew it

He has a coward’s heart, Ahmann once told her, but there is steel in Abban to put Sharuun

Abban ss are no less dire for you How long will the Damaji let you sit atop the seven steps without your husband? A wo above them is an insult they have never borne well"

Inevera felt her jaw begin to tighten How long since any save her husband had dared speak to her thus? And fro

But for all the audacity, his words were true enough, so Inevera let them pass over her like wind