They reached a gallery and again found the signs of battle. But unlike the ones found earlier in the day or on the previous day, these were relatively fresh. “This struggle took place yesterday,” observed Calis. He pointed to places where deep pools of blood were still congealing. A soldier called Calis over to a breeding pool, and Erik followed.
“Gods!” said Erik looking at the carnage. It was the biggest hatching pool found so far. Eggs were smashed and yolk and albumen floated in the water. The stench of rotten eggs was nearly overpowering, then Erik noticed something. “Where are the bodies of the young?”
A single arm lay floating in a bubbling pool of pinkish water, and around the verge splatters of blood were evident. At last Calis said, “Something feasted here.”
The image of something ripping open the eggs and devouring the Pantathian young was one Erik didn’t wish to dwell on, so he turned around and left. “We should keep moving,” said Calis at last.
Erik formed up the men and moved them out.
The ceremony was as brief as the one that had been conducted for Helmut. Roo stood with Karli beside him. The children were home with Mary.
Helen and her two children stood silently while the priest of Lims-Kragma intoned the benediction for the dead and lit the pyre. The girl played absently with her doll while the boy looked on with his face set in an expression of confusion.
When the ceremony was over, Karli said, “It is over?”
Roo patted her hand. “Yes. The widow is a woman of remarkable strength but no bitterness. She also cares most for her children.”
Karli looked at the children. “Poor babies.” She went over to Helen and said, “I find no pleasure in this; if I can help, don’t be ashamed to ask.”
Helen nodded. Her face was drawn and pale, but whatever tears she might have had remaining were held in check for later that night, when she was again alone.
Karli returned to Roo’s side. “Are we going home?”
Roo shook his head. “As much as I would like to, I have business I must oversee.” He glanced at the distant afternoon sun. “I must discharge a debt before sundown. After that . . . I don’t know.”
Karli nodded. “I must return to the children.”
Roo kissed her dutifully upon the cheek. “I’ll be home when I can.”
As Karli departed, Roo crossed to Helen. He studied the widow and thought what a fine and brave woman she was. Nothing like the beauty that Sylvia was, but nevertheless a woman who drew him.
She turned to find him staring at her, and he lowered his eyes. “I just wanted to repeat what I said today. Whatever you need, it is yours.”
Calmly she said, “Thank you.”
Without knowing why, he said, “You never have to thank me.” Then he impulsively took her hand in his and held it briefly, saying, “Never.”
Without waiting for her to say anything, he turned and left.
He rode without clear thought from the temple to Barret’s. Fatigue and emotions new to him made him unable to focus his mind. He thought of the struggle and the death, then he saw the face of Helen Jacoby. The children, he would think, and then he would think of his own children.
His driver had to alert him to the fact he was outside of Barret’s, and he wearily made his way to his usual place of business. His three partners were waiting for him and he sat heavily, signaling to the waiter for a large cup of coffee.
Masterson said, “How did it go?”
“I got the gold,” answered Roo. He had intentionally not let his partners know about the recovery until now. His conversation with Duke James stuck in his mind, and he knew he needed to talk to his three partners while they were still frantic from worry.
“Praise be!” called Hume, while Crowley just sighed deeply.
Masterson said, “Where’s the gold?”
“On its way to pay off the note.”
“Good, good,” said Crowley.
Roo paused a moment, then said, “I want you to buy me out.”
Masterson said, “What?”
Roo said, “This is all going ton fast. We’re very vulnerable, and I find I spend most of my time on the Bitter Sea Company and not enough time on Avery and Son’s business.”
Crowley said, “Why should we buy you out?”
“Because I’ve earned the right to quit,” said Roo. For emphasis he slammed his hand upon the table. “I’m the one who fought a duel this morning to save our collective backsides. I don’t mind saving my own, but I didn’t see any of you gentlemen down there in the dark with a sword in your hand, fighting for your lives!”
Hume said, “Well, I mean, had we known . . .”
Crowley said, “I don’t think I’m persuaded we owe you any sort of quick exit, Mr. Avery.”
Masterson had been quiet, then he said, “So you think this partnership should be dissolved?”
Roo said, “Or at least reorganized.”
Masterson smiled slightly. “How?”
“Let me buy controlling interest,” said Roo, “if you won’t buy me out. Either way, I don’t care, but if I’m going to be putting my life on the line, it will be for my own interests.”