Page 12 of A Drop of Corruption

She smiled broadly and bowed, panting. A leather satchel hung from her neck, with many small rolls of parchment carefully sealed with wax within. “I’m so glad I caught up to you, sir,” she said breathlessly. “And I thank you for stopping. I am Sorgis Poskit, with the Usini Lending Group.”

Again, I glanced at Malo, who looked as baffled as I.

“All right?” I said.

The woman smiled again, seemingly deaf to my confusion. “You may be more familiar with one of our ancillary offices, Signum Kol,” she said. “Specifically, theSapirdadi Creditor’s Body?”

My breath went cold in my lungs. I fought to keep my face even.

“Oh,” I muttered. “I had not expected to…to find you here in Yarrowdale.”

“The Usini Lending Group has offices all throughout the Empire, sir,” she said sweetly, bowing again. “As you are a client of ours, I was wondering if I could perhaps have a word with you.”

—

I walked withthe woman a far ways, mindful of Malo’s keen ears. Then I turned, looked her over, and tersely said, “I apologize, ma’am, but I was not aware any civilians were knowledgeable about my duties in Yarrowdale. Especially given the importance of my work here.”

“The Usini Lending Group manages much credit within the Iyalets,” Poskit said, still in that saccharine tone. “It is our prerogative to maintain awareness of where our clients are stationed at any given moment.”

Of course, I thought. The one institution that was more capablethan the Iyalets themselves, naturally, were the Empire’s moneylenders.

Still trying to maintain some level of haughtiness, I said, “Even those of Special Division?”

“Oh,especiallythose of Special Division, Signum Kol.” Something glittered dangerously in her gaze. “Given the type of work they do, that is. I wished to discuss the terms of your father’s final line of credit with you.”

“Why?” I demanded. “I thought the situation simple. He got sick, took out an enormous loan to pay his medikker’s fees, then died. I have been punctually paying down that loan ever since—correct?”

“You have been doing so under theconventionalterms, yes, Signum Kol.” Madam Poskit’s smile became positively treacly. “But now you have been posted here, to Yarrowdale, which is not yet formally part of the Empire—and is, as I am sure you are aware, exceedingly dangerous.”

I realized what she meant. “You’re going to demand a higher loan payment of me,” I said, “because I’ve been posted to a place where I mightdiebefore I can pay you off?”

“I do notdemandanything, sir,” Poskit said, feigning outrage. “It is simply part of your liability allowance! One your father agreed to, if you recall.”

“Mylatefather,” I said heatedly.

A tiny, sympathetic pout. “As you say, yes. Very sad. We also have not yet taken into account the manner of your new assignment, Signum Kol. The Empire’s Special Divisions often experience high changeovers in personnel, you see. So many are dismissed because of their inability to keep up with their demanding duties. Or the officers quit out of stress, or they fall victim to…other circumstances.”

“You mean they get killed,” I snapped, “in service to the Empire.”

“Oh, I cannot say, sir!” Poskit said. “I simply observe the actuarial reports. Thus, I wished to inform you that these two liability allowances have been applied, and your line of credit is now subject to a new payment scheme.” She produced a tight roll of parchment andhanded it to me. “The details are there, along with information regarding the first required payment.” A flash of her treacly smile, and she bowed. “I apologize for interrupting you, Signum Kol. I would not wish you to pay any penalties in your labors for this! Good day.” With that, she turned and strutted away.

I watched Poskit go, stunned. I looked down at the roll of parchment in my hand, my blood burning in my veins.

No. No, I would not look at it. Not now, anyway.

I stuffed it in my pocket and rejoined Malo at the corner. I found her leaning up against a fretvine wall and idly staring out at sea.

“Who was that?” she asked.

“Nobody important,” I muttered.

“Didn’t look like nobody important.”

“Can we keep going, please?” I asked. “I am quite hungry.”

She bowed. “Of course.”

—