Page 32 of Bloody Business

“S-so tell me about yourself,” In’shi said, and took a big bite of juicy pork.She savored it before she asked, “H-how did you end up in Goblin City?”

Julep smiled ironically and took a swig of cider.“There was a body beside the road...”

A while later, In’shi said, awed, “Wow!Y-you make my life seem tame.”

“It can't bethatdull.How did you end up here?”

In'shi laughed.“I-I married an old goblin general...”

The story took a while, what with the stutter, but it was fascinating.

They paused for a food run, and more drinks.They were both slightly tipsy by the end.

“That's crazy,” Julep said, impressed.“What's it like, having magic?”

In’shi shrugged.“N-normal.I've always had it.”

Julep found it hard to imagine.

“H-have you been to the Starry Market?”In-shi asked.“I was thinking of going soon.You're welcome to come with.”

Artur had kept his wife in sight, stationed where she could catch his eye if she were distressed.“They seem to have hit it off,” he observed.

Slaughter, who'd done the same, smiled.“Usually women are scared off by In’shi’s shadow beasts.Your wife has a backbone.”

“That she does.”Patience, too.That stutter was strong.He suspected that was one of the reasons that In’shi had few friends, because she seemed nice enough.

From a strategic point of view, Slaughter had done well.Since both of them were mages, the odds of them producing strong children were high.He suspected Slaughter would raise his children in house instead of the popular custom of anonymous fostering.It wouldn't do for someone else to get their hands on his powerful offspring.

Too bad.Artur would have loved to foster them and deepen their alliance.

He had some other deals in the works, however.If it panned out, they would soon have fosterlings of their own.It would be good for Julep.

***

On the way home, Arturasked, “So what did you think of the general's wife?”

“She seemed nice,” Julep said cautiously.

He looked at her, slightly amused.“You preferred Slaughter’s wife.”

“She was nice!It's obvious that her husband dotes on her.I can see why; she seems very sensible.

“We're going to go out for lunch.She said she would show me the Starry Market.”She grew thoughtful.“They seem like a good couple.”

Excellent!His wife was making friends.“They’re a well matched pair.It's surprising, considering how they met.I don't know if it's a love match, but I doubt she’ll try to push him off a balcony.”

She looked at him sharply.She didn't seem pleased about his joke.“Like your first wife did?”

Artur raised a brow.“Got an earful at the party, did you?”

“‘She's prettier than your first wife,’”Julep quoted.“‘Sweeter too...Less stabby.’I heard comments like that from at least three different people.Can you blame me for being curious?”

Artur smiled faintly.“I married her to stop her from bothering someone else, actually.It kept her busy.It was just a matter of time before she tried to kill me.She actually pushed her first husband off a balcony.”

She stared at him.“You knew that and married her anyway?”

“It was for a good cause.”

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