Free City of Rogues: Book I of the Kobalos Trilogy by Ty Johnston Page A

and stretched, running a hand through the place Fortisquo had been sleeping only minutes before. Her eyes roamed the room and came to rest on the chair next to the bed. Two long, thin swords with stylish pommels leaned against the chair, while a pair of black boots sat crumpled in the seat.
    Adara’s eyes darted to the bedroom door as she realized Fortisquo was not, in fact, leaving her. The man wouldn’t have gone anywhere except the privy without his weapon.
    The door stood open an inch and Adara could hear soft voices beyond.
    The curiosity was too much for her.
    Gathering silky sheets around her slender body, Adara slunk from the bed, each toe of her feet settling gently on the thick rug beneath the bed. She was halfway to the door when she heard Fortisquo speaking with someone who expressed a feminine voice.
    Jealousy did not build itself in Adara. She felt no man was worth the effort. But she did grow intrigued.
    Stepping to the open door, Adara stared into the apartment’s entertaining room, which bore padded furniture and more expensive rugs on the floor.
    “ Where is he now?” Fortisquo reclined on a couch while lifting a glass of red wine to his lips.
    To Adara’s surprise the person who sat in a chair across from Fortisquo turned out not to be a woman, but a man nearly as slender and tall as Fortisquo himself. His body was at an angle so Adara could not see his face, but still she could make out the man’s expensive blue robes and the traveling cloak that covered his shoulders. She could also see the stranger’s casual movements. Adara knew a man trained in the arts of diplomacy when she saw one.
    “ He is still at the Docks,” the newcomer said, motioning toward a window. “He is waiting to hear word you will meet with him this afternoon.”
    Fortisquo set his glass on a table next to the couch. “I see no reason to meet with Lord Belgad.”
    The robed man leaned forward as if to add gravity to his entreaty by closing the space with Adara’s lover. “ He means you no disrespect and no harm.”
    “ In the past—”
    “ The past is of little concern,” the man interrupted. “Lord Belgad is only concerned with the present.”
    Fortisquo's eyes sharpened. Adara recognized the look. It was the same stare Fortisquo gave an opponent at the start of a duel.
    The stranger eased back in his seat. “ Will you meet with him?”
    Fortisquo shook his head. “No.”
    “ Lord Belgad does not enjoy disappointments.”
    The slender fencing artist held his ground, saying nothing.
    “ Very well, then.” The robed man stood, his cloak and robes swaying about his feet. “I will inform Lord Belgad of your refusal. Let his reaction be upon your head.”
    “ Tell Lord Belgad I have already played my part in his play.” Fortisquo’s voice was cold.
    The robed man opened his mouth, then seemed to think better of it. He stopped himself from saying more and exited the room.
    Once he was alone again, Fortisquo drained the glass of its wine.
    Adara silently turned to go back to the bed.
    “ How long have you been there?” It was Fortisquo’s voice from the entertaining room.
    Adara thought to play quiet but realized that would not do. Fortisquo was an excellent fencer with superb senses. He was trained to notice small details and to take advantage of them. He would know if she were there or not, now that she had been detected.
    She stepped back to the door and opened it so Fortisquo could see her body outlined beneath the silk sheets. “ Since you asked about the whereabouts of some man,” she answered.
    Fortisquo’s long fingers played with the glass in his hand, finally placing the object neatly in the center of the table in front of him. “ You didn't hear much.”
    Adara nodded.
    “ But, still ...” The fencing master hesitated, running his fingers across his lips.
    Adara let the sheets fall from her body.
    Fortisquo’s eyes widened.
    The woman pursed her lips. “ Still?”
    “ Dammit all!” Wearing a