‘That’s fortunate,’ I replied, contemplating how calm he’d been in my company. ‘I’d actually hoped to meet with the king soon, and to revisit some of those rooms in Optryx.’
‘You think there may be something useful there?’
‘It wouldn’t hurt to explore the place further, to get an idea of any potential hiding places the killer could have used.’
‘You lead an exciting life, Drakenfeld. It’s a world away from legislation. Let me know if you need further access around the city and I’ll do what I can.’
‘I appreciate it, senator. So, where exactly are we going?’
‘You’ll see,’ he replied, with a devilish smirk. ‘You’ve made it perfectly clear that you are a man who does not want to settle down with a woman—’
‘Despite your best efforts,’ I laughed.
‘I have cousins, distant relatives, who are still unattached and you seem a worthy match indeed.’
‘Are you working on commission for them?’
‘There’s a business worth exploring!’ he replied. ‘Anyway, as I was saying, if you’re not in the market for a wife, then you are a man who must like the pleasures that an unattached life can offer. Therefore, we are going to one of the more… shall we say, exclusive taverns in the city.’
‘A tavern… with dancing?’
‘The finest women in the city, no less.’
‘You mean a brothel.’ I shook my head. It was no secret that everyone in Tryum was fascinated by such matters – apart from me, who had better things to do. There were brothels of all kinds, for all purses and all tastes. Sometimes the business of sex never even made it indoors, and around some districts one might see furtive transactions being made behind crumbling colonnades.
‘By Trymus, no,’ he said. ‘You don’t approve of such places though? Not in the mood for women? I know of a place for men – good, strong young men, so it’s said. One or two of the senators openly use them when their wives are away. The women are more discreet about it when their husbands are out of the city, and have the men come to them.’
‘Wherever we are going will be fine, so long as it’s not a brothel.’
‘That’s the spirit!’ he declared. ‘You won’t regret it.’
I already was.
‘Besides,’ he continued, ‘the tavern is a rather good place, since it is secluded, dimly lit, and will permit us to talk openly. Now that the only Sun Chamber officer in the city is in my neighbourhood, I want to pick your brains about better policing.’
From indulging in prostitutes to examining legal matters, the range in the man’s morals did not seem apparent to him, but I did not mind too much. To be honest, the drinks and bright company would be a blessing tonight. Veron was correct in thinking I had not wanted to be alone.
Located on a good street, the tavern looked rather impressive, much like the private residences on either side of it, with a grand facade made up of regular columns, each one possessing remarkable detail.
As we passed through the iron gates, a couple of alleyways led away either side, but I couldn’t see any assailants or anyone wanting to collect a debt, only puddles glinting in the light of several cressets. So far, the moneylender was keeping his word.
Inside, the building was luxurious, and it didn’t strike me that the place could be considered a crude tavern. Then we passed through to a large room beyond, which was an assault on the senses. The walls were gaudy with colour, a mix of deep reds, purples and blues. There were quite a few people here, many having conversations in booths lit by candles, or lounging on long, circular couches, with hostesses perched nearby. Across a marble floor, drinks were being carried by busy serving staff, while men and women of good standing chatted as if this was any ordinary party. I could only speculate at what was happening in the rooms beyond, where women led men away by the hand. At the end of this long room was a stage, on which women were dancing to the slow, tribal beat of a drum. Needless to say, they were not wearing much, just a few strips of cloth.
Cressets burned, incense was heavy in the air, and everyone but me seemed glad to be there. Veron strode about with an ease I couldn’t quite share. He led us to a small table in front of the stage, where he applauded the three scantily clad female dancers. Each of them wore a mask, possibly for artistic reasons, but I wondered if it was also so that the many hungry eyes around the room could not identify them.
‘Does your wife approve of you coming to this place?’ I asked Veron.
‘Oh, yes – this is one of the milder establishments. She’s probably doing the same sort of thing wherever she is.’
‘Atrella isn’t in the city?’
‘No, she’s out and about doing a few business deals with people in nearby nations. Our children have grown into fine young men and women, and are living their own lives. Well, when they’re not bringing shame on the family, that is. My wife being the really smart one of us has stepped in for me, in order to finish off negotiating various trading deals. It was said I couldn’t be trusted, but I don’t know. Hopefully this business will be enough to see that we live well in our old age. Don’t worry, she’s quite safe – she’s taken twenty former military personnel with her for protection.’ He paused to stress the fact. ‘That’s if they’re not busy roughly taking her at her insistence.’
Veron didn’t even seem annoyed by the prospect of infidelity. He just kept on grinning to himself. Beyond his carefully orchestrated facade, I got the impression that he’d crossed a point in his life where he just didn’t care any more, and that he would now forever drift between islands of sensual pleasure. While I’d had my suspicions about Veron, I felt rather sad for him, suspecting that he might actually be a rather lonely man.
I said nothing while he ordered drinks and motioned for me to sit. After wine was brought to our table, he spoke in the half-light about how often he came here, that he used the cordial atmosphere to negotiate business contracts and trade rights for the city, but most of all he came to escape the Senate.
‘Do you enjoy your work?’ I asked.
He gave me a sly glance. ‘You question me as if I’m a part of an investigation. I know how it works. Get people talking.’
I smiled. ‘I’m merely curious about the life of a politician in Tryum. It’s been so long since I’ve had the opportunity to liaise with someone of such a lofty status.’
He picked up his glass and took a sip of wine. ‘People in the city talk a lot. They like to criticize the role of senators.’
‘Oh, I wasn’t criticizing…’
Veron waved my apologies away. ‘I can sympathize with such sentiments. We senators do not always possess a perfect reputation, but many of us do good work, Drakenfeld. We bring money into the city and we honestly try to look after the people. Things are a lot different since the days of the collapse of the Detratan regime. There is fairness and light where there used to be a ruthless rule, though that’s probably why some want to recreate those days. The money’s being spread about more on public services, and not on lining someone’s coffers. Me? I’m happy when people leave me alone, and if that means building a better sewer or public baths, so be it.’
‘And how will recreating the old days work precisely? Remove Detrata from the Union? Risk the wrath of a continent?’
Veron held his hands in the air, grinning. ‘I merely speculate, Drakenfeld! It’s Senate talk, you know me. People talk of a lack of space here, of the need to stretch our wings a little. I’m sure Mauland’s capitulation to us will help on that front. The frontiers are a little safer, the nation can be proud once again.’ He paused to take a sip, one eye on the nearest serving girl. ‘Which reminds me, I wanted to pick your brains about policing.’